This dissertation explores the impact of student organizations on the persistence of women in STEM programs at the associate degree level. The findings reveal that participation in SkillsUSA provides students with valuable opportunities for hands-on learning, skill development, and career exploration, all of which contribute to the persistence of…

A college education affords a variety of personal, financial, health, and social benefits to one's life, such as higher earnings, increased job security, easier access to health insurance and other benefits, opportunities to pursue new passions, building of new social and professional networks, and higher life satisfaction (Kumok & Hahn, 2023;…

This phenomenological study explored the perceptions and experiences of Black men who participated in the MOCI. The study uncovered insights into what aspects of the program were effective and where improvements could be made according to the student participants. Employing a phenomenological design, the research identified commonalities among the…

To understand retention, evaluation of guided pathways implementation is an important tool. In an effort to help students succeed, colleges often give students a specified set of core courses and a specific or even prescribed pathway to complete their general education requirements. Retention efforts are always a topic with administrators at…

Growing a media department with involved students is not just about enabling them to make their work, but to cultivate critical viewing and passionate film spectatorship by experiencing film in a public setting. A film screening series serves the entire campus by building community, both amongst media students and the larger college populace, but…

Black male community college students are underperforming at all levels within higher education compared to their counterparts from all major racial groups in the nation. Reasons for the declining academic performance of Black male community college students include institutional racism, lack of role models, and student isolation. Black male…

The transfer pathway from community college to university holds promise for advancing equity in STEM because it is followed by disproportionately high numbers of underrepresented students. Among the challenges these students face is cultivating belonging in multiple institutional settings. By combining belonging and validation theories, this…

This chapter examines the role of advisors of student-run LGBTQ+ organizations within community colleges as well as offers important recommendations for practice.

Industries across the United States are facing a shortage of skilled technical workers. This qualitative case study investigated how participation in SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization, "influenced community college students' preparedness for the workforce" and their connection to campus. Data were gathered from…

Black male students discover themselves in a quandary with respect to schooling. Although, there is a need and desire to be educated therein also lies a systemic dominant culture within higher education that works to devalue Black male students' culture, voice, and lived experiences. Even though abundant programs have been carried out in colleges…

Background/context: Challenges faced by community college students have both intensified and transformed since COVID-19 hit in spring 2020. As colleges transitioned operations online and are still gradually returning to in-person teaching and learning, they have had to experiment with how to help students maintain some sense of connection to their…

Differences in contextual norms between the U.S. military and institutions of higher education mean that student veterans may experience difficulty integrating into the wider campus community, leading to educational inequity. However, this situation may be mitigated by the presence of a strong student veteran peer community. Previous studies of…

This chapter provides useful tips for campus leaders and student organizations to establish a campus food pantry.

Missouri career education opportunities are preparing young people and adults for the job market and/or further education. These programs combine academics and job-specific skill training to assist in narrowing the skills gap. This fact sheet highlights 2018-19 data on Missouri's career and technical education (CTE) programs. [For the 2017-18 Fact…

Objective: Upward transfer pathways are an important mechanism for advancing gender equity in STEM. Yet, little is known about how students access lucrative STEM careers and leadership positions via community colleges. This study explores the factors that may promote computing leadership identity among upward transfer students, focusing…