Set in 2023, this study was deployed at the lowest point of enrollment in the California Community College (CCC) system since 2008, which was the highest point of enrollment in the system's history. The purpose of this qualitative, grounded theory study was twofold: (a) to understand the phenomenon of California community colleges (CCCs)…

Community Colleges (CCs) have been particularly impacted by a deluge of "development" and "good" leadership frameworks removed from the very communities in which leading remains paramount. A paradigm shift is needed to support current and aspiring CC leaders in a manner that prioritizes the very essence of learning in the…

This chapter critically examines the fit and applicability of foundational college impact theories to the community college context and students. Implications for the literature and campuses are explored.

The coeditors for this volume synthesize key propositions from the volume chapters and offer recommendations for community colleges to employ college impact theories in student affairs practice.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if self-determination theory (SDT), the human needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Basic Psychological Needs), provides a theoretical explanation of professional staff work engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption -- Levels of Work Engagement) in public higher education…

Over the past several decades, an increasing number of nontraditional students have been enrolling in college, however they face a variety of challenges in completing their educational goals and have lower completion rates than traditional students. Thus, the more institutions can understand about this student population, the better they can serve…

Program administrators of academic mentoring programs for African American male community college students contend that mentoring provides a means to increase retention and improve completion rates. Through the evaluation of prior studies, this study will seek to identify the factors that lead to successful completion. Shandley's (1989) concept of…

Objective: States increasingly create promise programs to increase college enrollment and degree attainment. The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of adult learners using the Tennessee Reconnect Grant (TN Reconnect) as they transitioned to becoming college students. Methods: Drawing upon interviews with 23 adult learners,…

Objective: Beyond understanding whether first-year student success interventions in community colleges are effective--for which there is mixed evidence in the literature--this study's purpose was to uncover how they work to realize observed outcomes, including at times unanticipated undesirable outcomes. Method: This qualitative multiple case…

With a reduced number of students purchasing required and necessary textbooks, higher education leaders must look to new opportunities to increase student success. While open educational resources have addressed this issue, they have not received widespread support from faculty, staff, and administrators. The Maricopa Millions OER Project: Scaling…

To address the shortage of skilled workers in the 21st century, shifting demographics, competition for education funding, and the need to better serve underrepresented student populations, colleges and universities in the United States seek to increase internationalization efforts. While a number of instruments exist for measuring…

Evolutionary theory is the central unifying theory of the life sciences. However, acceptance and understanding of the theory have been found to be lacking in the general public, high school, and university populations. Prior research has linked low acceptance of the theory to a poor knowledge base in evolution, to the nature of science, and to…

Community colleges continue to be challenged to achieve the same level of philanthropic support as private and public colleges and universities. While nearly 50 percent of all undergraduates are educated at community colleges, only two percent of the nearly $8 billion donated annually by higher education alumni is contributed to community colleges…

The transformational management philosophy creates a culture that has purpose, moral standards, and high achievement outcomes (Yukl, 2006). The primary focus of transformational management theory is to be humane, while exhibiting behavioral characteristics of kindness, care, compassion, and principled centeredness (ethical disposition) designed to…

Donations made to the American nonprofit sector have grown exponentially in the past 10 years to an estimated $298.4 billion dollars in 2011 (Giving USA Foundation, 2012). Although consultants offer many different solutions as to how organizations can best capitalize on the e-philanthropy trend, communication theory may offer some of the most…