With the growth of social media over the last decade, students are looking at these platforms not only for personal purposes but also for academic purposes. Social networking sites (SNS) are online communities designed to connect individuals to wider networks of relationships. The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to examine the student and faculty uses and perceptions of social media for academic purposes at a community college. This research purpose is relevant and timely due to the increase in social networking in the academic environment. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]