Early Transfer: A Case Study of Traditional-Aged Community College Students

Abstract

The traditional 2+2 path no longer reýects the general practice of student transfer between 2-and 4-year institutions. However, students continue to enroll in and complete a substantial number of credits at community colleges. Studies related to transfer most frequently have focused on gathering statistics to measure posttransfer academic performance or student perceptions regarding the transfer process. It is important to talk with students to understand why they transfer before completing the associate degree. This article presents a qualitative analysis of interviews with 103 students who transferred from a public community college to a public state university. Findings indicated that many students enrolled at the community college with a speciüc intent other than earning the associate degree. Faculty members and students at both the community college and the university also inýuenced the number of credit hours students completed before transfer.Address correspondenc e to Brent D. Cejda,

An Exploration of College and Career Alignment for Community College Students

“…In the first domain of knowing why, which is explained as aspirations and purpose, the majority of students indicated optimism about potential local jobs and an interest in work-based learning, both of which have the potential to connect individuals' college experience with careers. Consistent with findings by Leigh and Gill (2004), the majority of students surveyed at the seven Southeastern community colleges increased their aspirations since enrolling in the two-year setting, thus enhancing their interest in not only completing a community college program but potentially moving on to higher levels of education, which is important to the discussion of community colleges "heating up" aspirations (see, e.g., Cejda & Kaylor, 2001;Rosenbaum, Deil-Amen, & Person, 2007). This makes Kujawa's (2013) finding especially relevant for career-focused community college students for whom an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)…”

Does the Community College Pathway Influence the Selectivity of Students’ Destination 4-Year Institution?

“…The Rationale and Impact of Initial Community College Enrollment Previous researchers have suggested that many students enroll in community college courses to eventually transfer to a 4-year institution rather than obtain a sub-baccalaureate credential (Cejda & Kaylor, 2001;Townsend, 2001). Although 73% of entering community college students aim to transfer to a 4-year college or university (Center for Community College Student Engagement [CCCSE], 2012), only one third of community college students transfer to a 4-year institution within 6 years of their initial enrollment (Jenkins & Fink, 2016).…”