Discusses risks faced by community college minority students, whose success often rests on their integration into the college environment. Argues that mentoring programs can enhance the academic and social integration of these students. Analyzes minority student perception of multilevel mentoring. (Contains 16 references.) (AUTH/NB)

Proposes and tests a community college classification system based on curricular characteristics and their association with institutional characteristics. Seeks readily available data correlates to represent percentage of a college's course offerings that are in the liberal arts. A simple two-category classification system using total enrollment…

Describes a study using the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire to determine the relationship between students' quality of effort and estimated gains in knowledge in college. Reports that participation in academic activities was a more important predictor of students' perceived academic achievement than participation in social…

Focuses on the scope and significance of community college student research as it pertains to student retention. Examines the theoretical models that explain and attempt to predict student attrition. Also suggests areas and opportunities for future researchers in the field. (Contains 57 references.) (NB)

Describes a collegewide reading project which involved the whole community with activities centered on novelist Kurt Vonnegut's "Galapagos." (MG)

Uses data from a southern technical college to assess influences on student achievement. Indicates that high school diploma type, gender, race, absences, performance expectations, and entrance exam scores were good predictors of initial achievement. Second-semester achievement was predicted by working hours, gender, diploma type, initial…

Describes a study of the attitudes of adult females enrolled in allied health curricula at Wilson Technical Community College towards computers, which found only a moderate degree of computer anxiety among the 62 subjects and a relationship between the completion of a computer literacy class and positive attitudes toward microcomputers. (DMM)

A study investigated the extent of parental involvement in the decisions of two-year students, the kinds of information about colleges they use, and the activities in which they engage. Results show parents were involved in information-gathering but were not necessarily decision-initiators or decision-makers. Marketing implications are discussed.…

Describes a study investigating the impact of the campus physical environment (access to classrooms, access and comfort levels within classrooms, and safety considerations) on older adult learners. Indicates that students attending programs off campus had better access to and greater comfort in classes than those attending the main campus. (12…

Evaluates gender differences in mathematics achievement based on research conducted at the State University College of Technology at Delhi, New York, an urban community college. Reports that females typically outperformed their male counterparts but that the percentage of females enrolled in precalculus and calculus had decreased for the past 15…

Defines and clarifies what a two-year college is. States that the organization of these schools is often misunderstood and maligned. Points out that most two-year colleges have an open admissions policy and are relatively inexpensive. Cautions that the low cost attracts both dedicated learners and students who are unprepared for college-level…

Describes a study of alcohol use and abuse among 2,843 community college students from 6 campuses in 1 midwestern state. Presents a profile of early onset (i.e., prior to age 18), large quantities of consumption, and frequent use, with males drinking more heavily, more often than females. (DMM)

Describes research on the intellectual impacts of education programs at a public two-year college and a four-year research university. Finds no significant differences in skill gains between the two- and four-year samples after controlling for precollege cognitive skills, age, and work obligations. (18 citations). (MAB)

Discusses the niche of community colleges within American higher education, noting rising enrollments and two-year colleges' transfer function. Provides information on cooperative arrangements between community colleges and local businesses, most popular majors, student characteristics, tuition, and earning power of associate degree graduates.…

John N. Gardner, Associate Vice Provost at the University of South Carolina (USC), responds to questions concerning cutbacks and in programs aimed at first-year college students, the role played by USC's Freshman Year Experience course, academic credit for support programs, teacher training for support/developmental courses, teaching style, open…