This study investigates the relationships between individual learner characteristics and gain in writing performance as measured by a standardized writing assessment in a sample of community college academic English as a Second Language (ESL) students in the United States. The ethnically and linguistically diverse convenience sample included 76…

Self-efficacy in engineering is important because individuals with low self-efficacy have lower levels of achievement and persistence in engineering majors. To examine self-efficacy among community college engineering students, an instrument to specifically measure two important aspects of engineering, tinkering and technical self-efficacy, was…

More states are considering what kinds of policies or processes can be put in place to successfully improve the degree attainment of their postsecondary students, and one popular option is a reverse transfer policy. Reverse transfer policies usually involve authorizing community colleges to award a degree or certificate to students that have…

Community colleges benefit from a diverse population with various reasons for attending. For example, 23% of Latina/o students that earned a PhD between 1990 and 2000 began their education in a community college (Rivas, Pérez, Alvarez, & Solórzano, 2007). However, there are a number who often do not persist toward their goals. To begin with,…

Critical thinking is an important outcome of a college education. Assessment techniques that require students to demonstrate their understanding of course concepts are referred to as authentic assessment and promote the development of critical thinking. Little research exists on the types of assessment and grading practices utilized by community…

This study evaluates whether or not community college libraries have in place the characteristics necessary to develop digital branch libraries to meet the expanding and changing needs of their publics. Using Hon and Grunig's (1999) relationship building criteria as a framework, 98 community college library websites were analyzed to determine…

Kelly (1991, 1998) theoretically grounded fundraising within the paradigm of public relations. The Internet can potentially help nonprofit organizations boost their volunteer, donor, and fundraising opportunities through effective website management (Kang & Norton, 2004). The work of Kent and Taylor (1998, 2002) and others provides fertile ground…

This explanatory case study researched the writing experiences of 11 community college students who differed subculturally and who were all part of the African diasporic community. The theoretical perspectives used for this study were Arthur Chickering's (1969) classical concept of academic competence and community dialect theory (Baxter &…

Research indicates that one way to investigate a college's dedication to marketing is to examine the role, influence, and support the marketing officer receives on their campus. Based on the literature's premise that marketing officers are a measure of commitment, this study explored the relationship between Marketing Index of Higher Education…

Describes the Principles of Adult Mentoring Scale, a self-assessment instrument for mentors of adult learners. Discusses the development and underlying principles of the scale, and provides information on scoring and interpreting results. The scale, instructions for scoring, and a description of six behavioral functions of the mentor role are…

Describes four social styles (amiable, analytical, driver, and expressive) and strengths and weaknesses associated with each. Suggests that administrative team building can be enhanced by considering individual styles. Discusses the importance of style flex, or interacting within others' comfort zones without compromising one's own style. A social…

Utilizes findings from two studies to discuss the effectiveness of role modeling as an instructional strategy in business management education. Suggests that, while the first study did not show a significantly beneficial effect of role modeling, some elements of the second did. Survey instruments are included. (17 citations) (MAB)

Describes a study of strategies used by language and literature faculty in Virginia's community colleges to keep abreast of new developments in their fields and of these strategies' perceived effectiveness. Suggests that increasing professional development time, collegiality, and accessibility and flexibility in graduate programs are essential for…

Describes a nationwide study of the percentage of minority faculty employed full-time at community colleges and strategies used to recruit them. Suggests that successful strategies include placing minorities on the board of trustees, recruiting from industry, and hiring minority faculty as chief academic administrators and ethnic studies…

Describes a study conducted to determine whether women who had recently completed a self-protection course had less or more fear of criminal attack. Indicates that participating women remained as fearful, but were better prepared to deal with victimization. Suggests that chemical agent/self-protection courses instill self-confidence. Includes the…