The Community College: A Challenge for Change

Factors Affecting Persistence and Transfer of Low-Income Students at Public Two-Year Institutions

“…Community college students are incredibly diverse and do not share common goals for attendance (Conway, 2010;Levey, 2010). Some aspire to obtain a degree or transfer, but many others attend for self-improvement, career advancement, and job skill development (Cohen & Brawer, 2008;Seidman, 1993Seidman, , 1995Summers, 2003;Voorhees, 1987;Voorhees & Zhou, 2000). Therefore, it is important to carefully consider students' personal goals and degree aspirations when examining their persistence behaviors and outcomes (e.g., Calder & Melanson, 1994;Marti, 2008;Polinsky, 2002Polinsky, /2003Savage & Smith, 2007Summers, 2003;Voorhees, 1987;Voorhees & Zhou, 2000).…”

Editor's Choice: Becoming Student Centered Via the One-Stop Shop Initiative: A Case Study of Onondaga Community College

“…In April 2002, CCSSE found that community and technical colleges accounted for 49 % of all minority student enrollments in higher education even though these colleges comprise only one third of higher education institutions. Additionally, community and technical colleges enroll approximately 44% of all American undergraduates and approximately 50% of all students who are full-time and first-time students (CCSSE, 2002;Seidman, 1995).Many of the students who attend community colleges are first-generation who often have different life experiences, skills, and expectations (Coll, 1995;Gilley & Hawkes, 1989; Rendon & Mathews, 1989;Pascarella, et al, 1996) than traditional students. These characteristics put many community college students at risk in the broad sense of that phrase's definition, that is, acknowledging the significance of contextual factors such as varied family and work obligations (Kerka, 1995;Roueche & Roueche, 1993).…”

“…In April 2002, CCSSE found that community and technical colleges accounted for 49 % of all minority student enrollments in higher education even though these colleges comprise only one third of higher education institutions. Additionally, community and technical colleges enroll approximately 44% of all American undergraduates and approximately 50% of all students who are full-time and first-time students (CCSSE, 2002;Seidman, 1995).…”