Retention is a continuing concern for institutions of higher education, especially rural community colleges. Students are often not prepared for the rigor of college-level coursework, encounter academic and/or life obstacles, or do not possess the soft skills needed to succeed in college life. Research has shown that college-preparation courses…

Communities continue to establish, promote, and monitor the educational outcomes of their citizenry through both explicit and implied norms. Community attributes influence the pursuit of education and level of education completed by individual citizens. The influencers within communities can be attributed to common constructs of communities…

When Case Willoughby took his first community college job, he started by applying student development and student engagement theory to advising. He refocused advising to support students in exploring academic and career goals and teach them the intellectual and practical skills they need to learn. This experience led Willoughby to notice that…

First-generation college students and students from low-income families face financial, social, informational, and academic barriers to college completion because of the high cost of postsecondary education, the complexity of navigating college life, misalignment between high school and college academic expectations, and a general lack of guidance…

A majority of the studies conducted regarding transfer students is in conjunction with their academic performance and academic attainment at the four-year institution. However, minimal study has been done to identify what their other needs are once they reach the four-year institutions and how these needs influence persistence and success. Many…

Most colleges adopt strategies to improve student performance. In this article, the authors describe how Valencia Community College in Florida developed a strategy that would move it from the already much better than average results in student learning, persistence, and success it was achieving toward the quantum level of improvement. They also…

States that addressing transition concerns of students over age 25 as they navigate through community college may provide a counseling perspective that effectively enhances overall student development. Outlines counseling considerations, from assessment (developmental, intellectual, emotional, physical and biological, relational, cultural,…

This report sets forth the rationale and guiding principles for a Student Success Model developed for the Maricopa Community Colleges. It incorporates the following stages: Outreach and Intake; Entry; Experience; and Completion/Assessment. It is recognized that students can and will enter at any stage. Each stage of the model also incorporates…

States that when Oklahoma State University discovered a zero-correlation between at-risk student placement and subsequent classroom success, it developed a three-dimensional approach to placement, which incorporated a new, more sensitive placement exam, coupled with relatively high cutoff scores and new scheduling options for at-risk students.…

Underscores the importance of both access to education and educational quality to student success. Urges student development educators to advise students honestly and retain the special mission of community colleges to meet individual student needs. (DMM)

Survey data received from student development practitioners at 53 community colleges are used to investigate exemplary student affairs programs. Identifies six core elements that underlie successful student development programs, such as champions leading the way and meeting student needs in nontraditional ways. Uses examples from community…

Studies differences between learning-disabilities (LD) programs at five Midwest colleges and universities to determine differences between programs at community colleges and four-year institutions, levels of satisfaction with LD programming, and services most important to students. Reveals that the types of LD services offered among institutions…

This step by step booklet aims to help individuals with the decision-making processes in choosing careers. First, in the "Dreaming" phase, readers are asked to list all possible careers they would ideally like to pursue. Next, a "Self-Assessment" should be done, in which the realities of life circumstances are also considered…

Offers a historical review of the relationship between theory and student affairs practice, and of traditional student development theory. Examines some newer student development theories. Examples of programs based on new theory are provided, as are guidelines on sources to which community college student affairs professionals can turn.…

Presents an overview of community college counseling, along with a look at the uses of technology in counseling and the appropriate division between technology and personal contact. Examines the evolution of community college counseling and discusses the uses of technology in career counseling, academic advising, degree audits, and other areas.…