ERIC Number: EJ1094322
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0737-7363
EISSN: N/A
Nontraditional Student Perceptions of Collegiate Inclusion
Witkowsky, Patricia; Mendez, Sylvia; Ogunbowo, Oluwafolakemi; Clayton, Grant; Hernandez, Nancy
Journal of Continuing Higher Education, v64 n1 p30-41 2016
This study explored student responses to a Student Inclusiveness Survey (SIS), with specific attention to nontraditional student responses about collegiate inclusion. Specifically, the SIS constructs that related to inclusion, the Perceptions of Inclusiveness and Institutional Safeguarding of Inclusiveness, were analyzed descriptively, and students' open-ended responses to campus inclusiveness prompts were analyzed with content analysis methods deductively through the theory of validation. The findings suggest that nontraditional students feel included but are less likely to believe the institution takes action to prevent and address discrimination against their group. In addition, nontraditional students reported not feeling academically and interpersonally validated due to university structure and environment. They found it difficult to be meaningfully included and engaged in campus life and suggested evening and weekend courses, programming, and services to aid in their ability to graduate and participate in campus activities. Compounding this reality, nontraditional students found their experiences and perspectives were not honored or welcomed in and out of the classroom by faculty, staff, or their student peers. Implications for improving practice related to meeting the needs of nontraditional students are discussed.
Descriptors: College Students, Nontraditional Students, Inclusion, Student Surveys, Attitude Measures, Content Analysis, Social Discrimination, Student Experience, Peer Acceptance, Teacher Student Relationship, Likert Scales, Access to Education, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A