This mixed methods research study was undertaken to examine promising instructional practices that promote student retention and completion at a mid-sized community college in North Carolina. A student perceptions survey was given in order to identify promising instructional practices; most align with Kuh's (2008) high impact practices. A focus…

The problem to be addressed by this study was the lack of student retention on the part of community college students, how that was perceived by faculty, staff, and students, and how retention could potentially be impacted by student participation in fine arts courses and activities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine fine arts…

The aim of this dissertation is to inform policy makers when designing and making decisions on performance measure and performance-based funding models. While performance measures are designed to incent and inform college efforts to increase levels of student success, many of the models unfairly assess college outcomes and fund based on those…

Retention of minority students continues to be a problem for many institutions of higher education. Despite increasing enrollments of minority students in higher education, there are still disparities between completion rates of non-minorities and completion rates of minorities. The disparities are perhaps more evident in low retention rates of…

The future of the workforce requires post-secondary education and the ability to effectively use technology. Technology has become an integral part of education, business, and daily life. Yet, there remains a digital divide for many individuals. Increasingly, community colleges are using technology in the classroom and as part of the processes…

Transfer shock and transfer phase satisfaction with the senior institution reported by community college students after transferring into Western Carolina University's RN to BSN Nursing Program were examined to determine if differences exist in students who received Appreciative Advising and those who did not. Results of this study may serve to…

Student retention has become one of the most significant issues facing higher education. Countless hours and considerable amounts of money have been spent in an attempt to determine why some students leave college and while others persist. Previous retention studies have focused primarily on traditional students from four-year, residential…

Over the past decade, the nation has seen an increase in high school dropout rates as well as an increased need for a more skilled workforce. The Early College movement in North Carolina was a collaboration between public schools and colleges designed to address these needs. The program immersed child learners beginning in the 9th grade in classes…