Women are underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from high school to college and into employment. As these are the fastest growing and highest paying fields of the economy this means women are missing the large economic benefits. While there has been a great deal of research into female STEM…

Patterns in analysis of research data on alternative education practices as well as on student and teacher experience in mainstream settings seem to support Pierre Bourdieu and Jean Claude Passeron's theory of symbolic violence. Data from teachers and students suggest that students from low socio-economic backgrounds often disengage from education…

We explored students' perspectives about their professors' use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and compared these to the views of professors deemed by their students to be excellent in their use of ICTs. 311 students completed an online questionnaire and nominated up to three of their professors who used technology in a way…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and understand single-mother community college students' perceptions of their ability to succeed. The theoretical framework that guided this research was Bandura's (1977) social cognitive theory concept of self-efficacy, defined as a person's belief in his or her ability to succeed. Given…

This study aimed to better understand college students' decisions to participate in short-term study abroad programs and to identify influential factors. Our constructive interview data with traditional and nontraditional students from three mid-Atlantic community colleges identified (a) the interplay between individual, social, and institutional…

Developmental education courses are typically defined as courses offered at postsecondary institutions below college level instruction. More than 60% of community college students are deemed non-college ready and required to enroll in non-credit bearing developmental education courses. Research shows that developmental education can be either a…

This study explored the interconnectedness of the transfer student experience and used it as a foundational framework to inform the administrative leadership on a North Carolina, midsized, historically Black college of the existing transfer students' experiences. This study focused on (a) how transfer students at a midsized historically black…

The purpose of this phenomenology study was to determine the best practices that CalWORKs students utilize to be successful in the community college. This objective was achieved by identifying successes and challenges that current CalWORKs students in the community college have experienced while managing the responsibilities of college, parenting,…

This study analyses the perspectives of four stakeholder groups towards Applied Baccalaureate (AB) degrees in the United States. Perspectives towards AB degrees that are held by community college personnel, university personnel, employers and student participants are analysed using the Policy Narrative Framework. Findings show the stakeholder…

Purpose: It was the purpose of this study to identify and describe the perceived barriers that hindered California community college students from successful transfer to a four-year college or university and what services they perceived were needed to support the successful transfer to a four-year college or university. Methodology: This…

Using a conceptual framework constructed from elements of self-evolution, epistemological reflection, and constructivist adult learning theories, I examined how 8 student veterans progressed toward the developmental stage of self-authorship and what role, if any, their military training or experience played in that development. The findings from…

Interaction between a learner and an instructor is an important part of the learning process. A lack of connection in feedback between an instructor and a learner in an online class room can result in less than optimal learning experiences. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the perceptions of students related to…

African American students enroll in 2-year colleges at disproportionately high rates. Little exploration has been conducted on students within this population who could have attended 4-year institutions--a phenomenon known as "undermatching" (Bastedo & Flaster, 2014). This study explores their college choice process, the factors that…

There is a wealth of literature on the integration of university students increasing retention and ultimate completion, yet much less is known about the connections or disconnections that exist for community college students. Therefore, I interviewed financially eligible Pell Grant community college students (n = 62) about their connections to…

"American Apprenticeship as a Transformative Learning Experience: A Phenomenology" is an in-depth investigation into the phenomenon of a transformative learning experience for three American high school students who were given a traditional apprenticeship opportunity, including a community college degree, in lieu of going away to a…