Adult learners have more options for enrolling in postsecondary education than ever before, and they are able to use their learning style preference in deciding which program best meets their needs. For some of these students, those programs are fully online, and for others, there is minimal use of technology. As technology grows and become more…

In March 2018, the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) Board of Higher Education adopted Board Policy R751, "Institutional Facilities Space Utilization" to provide systemwide standards for the utilization of classrooms and teaching laboratories, as well as an annual reporting requirement. The policy encourages the optimization of…

Many students worry about taking and succeeding in the gateway math courses needed to enter most community college degree and certificate programs. Their concern is not surprising given that these courses have traditionally had some of the highest failure and withdrawal rates at community colleges, in many cases disproportionally affecting…

College students' persistence to academic success has been a concern for higher education institutions (HEIs). The educational attainment and academic achievement of community college students have created employment and economic opportunities for individuals. Despite the benefits of higher education, some community college students failed to…

As higher education institutions adopt a neoliberal approach to education (Kater, 2017; Levin, 2007), the changes implemented can disrupt the organization (Christensen & Eyring, 2012; Kezar & Sam, 2012). Yet, the effects of neoliberal policies and practice on traditional faculty roles is not well understood and little research has examined…

This quantitative study investigated community college student reenrollment choices, course-taking patterns, and course outcomes after a D/F/W in an online class. The sample included freshmen students with fewer than 30 credit hours, enrolled in a fully online or fully face-to-face (F2F) section of a gateway general education course.…

Educational leaders are increasingly required to have knowledge over a wide range of topics. They are seeking ways to engage with colleagues and other educational leaders by connecting in meaningful learning and collaboration. Online communities are offering networking opportunities to educational leaders by turning social media platforms into…

Community colleges are commonly called on to change, but this demand for change is even more prescient today given the stark reality of increasing economic inequality and declining social mobility. To address these challenges while implementing institutional and regional reform in areas such as career and college readiness, developmental education…

School principals in rural Paraguay face several challenges in administering accessible and equitable educational opportunities to their students. The nationwide education reform effort in Paraguay has not been able to counteract challenges, perpetuating the disproportionate number of rural students dropping out, or being pushed out, of the…

Given the changing demographics of the Latino population in the United States, the purpose of this study is to analyze persistence, graduation and transfer among Latino students at community colleges. The research comes in response to the awareness that, despite the U.S.'s rapidly growing Latino population, Latinos have the lowest higher education…

Despite the critical contributions that student affairs professionals make to college students' learning and development and campus operations, mid-level professionals are at risk of leaving the field altogether. The current study investigated the role of sense of belonging in mid-level student affairs professionals' experiences and their turnover…

This research explored the struggle and resiliency of a Mexican American community in Central Texas as they attempted to maintain, teach, and celebrate their Mexican American roots, customs, knowledge, and celebrations through community education. The research employed critical ethnography to explore history and its impact on self, organization,…

The research for this dissertation is a study of one case example of programs and classes put into place for African American males at community colleges around the United States with a focus on how these programs were successful or not in assisting in the persistence, retention, and graduation of these students. The purpose of using Cross' (1991)…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover the difference in "sense of community" at LCMS (The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) elementary schools with growing, stable, or declining enrollment. LCMS elementary schools have experienced a decline in enrollment and closure of schools in recent years. This study was designed to…

With the introduction of the California community college chancellor's "Vision for Success Report" in 2017, the community college system experienced unprecedented levels of new legislation with the goal to refocus its values and resources, placing a higher priority on helping students complete a college education, as opposed to simply…