Objective: This study examines the role of community colleges in closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by studying whether beginning at a community college improves the likelihood of female students earning their bachelor's degree in STEM. Method: Using nationally representative data, we apply a…

Using data from more than 2,000 community college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors in the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, this research investigates how ethnicity, gender, non-traditional student risk factors, academic preparation, socio-economic status, and English-as-second-language/citizenship status…

Efforts to increase the number of women who pursue and complete advanced degrees in computer and information sciences (CIS) have been limited, in part, by a lack of research on pathways into and out of community college CIS classes. This longitudinal study tests three widely held beliefs about how to increase the number of CIS majors at 4-year…

Two-year colleges have played an important role in providing postsecondary education for women in postwar Japan. More recently, a dwindling college-bound population in Japan has resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of and enrollment in 2-year colleges. This study explored the motivations and aspirations of 12 Japanese female students to…

Organizational cultures shape and reinforce socially appropriate roles for men and women. Drawing on a performativity framework, which assumes that gender is socially constructed through gendered "performances," this study employs interviews with and observations of six women faculty members to examine how dominant discourses define and maintain…

Describes a study of the attitudes and beliefs of male and female business students in a community college, focusing on gender-based differences in perceptions of education, self-concepts, and orientation toward several goals. Found no attitudinal or motivational differences between male and female students. (DMM)

Reports on a survey of women enrolled in the Grossmont Community College District. Compares the background and educational characteristics; attitudes towards women, work, and family; and personality characteristics of women enrolled in traditional or nontraditional programs for their sex. Advocates support services for women in nontraditional…

Provides selected data from a case study of a predominantly Black community college in a large northeastern city. Looks at students' fathers' occupations by race and sex and provides quotations from interviews with Black students regarding ghetto life and their educational objectives and expectations. Discusses implications. (WL)

Discusses a study using data from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 to explore patterns of postsecondary education. Describes the sample, the methodology, and the findings in terms of students' educational aspirations, college attendance, academic aptitude, family background, sex, race, and academic achievement. (AYC)

Describes a study to identify sociodemographic, academic, and attitudinal variables that differentiate between male and female and White and Hispanic community college students with different levels of academic preparation enrolled in mathematics and science courses. (DMM)

Reports on a survey of women community college presidents concerning their interview for the presidency, perceived assets of being a female candidate, mentors and role models, negative role models, and perceptions of the job. (DMM)

Describes a survey of 44 male spouses of community college presidents, comparing findings with responses to similar questions from a survey of female spouses. Profiles the male spouses in terms of their personal characteristics, role at the college and in the community, rewards, frustrations, and advice to governing boards and female presidents.…

Describes a study which sought to determine whether students would be able to identify the gender and ethnicity of the writer of an essay placement test based on the writer's handwriting and the content of the paper. The student-readers were able to guess the writers' gender 87.6 percent of the time and ethnicity 47.9 percent of the time. (DMM)

Describes a study of alcohol use and abuse among 2,843 community college students from 6 campuses in 1 midwestern state. Presents a profile of early onset (i.e., prior to age 18), large quantities of consumption, and frequent use, with males drinking more heavily, more often than females. (DMM)