ERIC Number: EJ1251583
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2375-804X
EISSN: N/A
Priming the Pump: Residential Learning Community Effects on Engagement with Diversity and Participation in High-Impact Practices
Wolaver, Amy M.; Finley, Kelly
Learning Communities: Research & Practice, v8 n1 Article 4 2020
Using the National Survey of Student Engagement and multivariate regression techniques, we examine the impact of a first-year residential learning community (RLC) at a predominately White small liberal arts institution. This program disproportionately attracts students of color, providing structural diversity. We include measures of students' prior interest and engagement levels from the Before College Survey of Student Engagement to control for potential sample selection bias from students' pre-existing engagement levels and expectations, allowing a better measure of the program's effects. Despite having similar expectations about participation in future HIPs, students in this RLC completed on average 1.15 more HIPs by the end of their senior year than non-participants. In particular, they were more likely to have done research with faculty and to have held leadership positions. Additionally, White program participants were more likely than non-participants to report frequent interactions with students from different racial/ ethnic backgrounds, an effect which persists to the end of their senior year. Additional analysis indicates that the programming in the RLC, and not simply the structural diversity of residence component, is the likely driver of this increased engagement with diverse others.
Descriptors: Residential Programs, Living Learning Centers, Learner Engagement, Student Participation, Diversity, College Freshmen, National Surveys, Student Surveys, College Seniors, Minority Group Students, Disproportionate Representation, School Holding Power, Liberal Arts, Interaction
Evergreen State College's Washington Center, the National Resource for Learning Communities. 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, SEM II E2115, Olympia, WA 98505. Tel: 360-864-6606; Fax: 360-867-6662; e-mail: washcenter@evergreen.edu; Web site: https://washingtoncenter.evergreen.edu/lcrpjournal/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: National Survey of Student Engagement
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A