VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Hirt, Joan B."

Browsing by Author "Hirt, Joan B."

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Academic and Social Integration by Level of Computer Use, Race, and Gender
Albright, Kristin Marie (Virginia Tech, 2007-04-16)
Extensive research is available about both academic and social integration among college students (Braxton & Hirschy, 2004; Dennis, 1998; Kuh, Kinzie, Schuh, & Whitt, 2005; Tinto, 1975 & 1987). As college students spend time and become more involved in the campus community, academic and social integration increases (Astin, 1977; 1985; Kuh, Schuh, Whitt, Andreas, Lyons, Strange, Krehbiel, & MacKay, 1991), which leads to student retention. There are differences, however, in academic and social integration by race and gender. Research also suggests that college students are spending more time on computers (Bugeja, 2006; Fallows, 2005; Gemmill & Peterson, 2006; Hawkins & Paris, 1997; Jones, 2002; Jones, 2003; Messineo & DeOllos, 2005; Rainie, Kaleoff, & Hess, 2002; Reisberg, 2000) though women and minority students still lag behind their peers when using a computer (Fallow, 2005; Hawkins & Paris, 1997; Messineo & DeOllos, 2005). Currently, however, there is no literature that examines the effects that computer use and race and computer use and gender may have on academic and social integration. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between academic and social integration by computer use and race and computer use and gender. Data from the College Student Experience Questionnaire (CSEQ) (Pace & Kuh, 1998) were employed to explore these issues. A dataset of 2,000 respondents that included representative numbers of the entire sample of men and women as well as Caucasians and respondents of other races was used. The respondents were categorized as low or high computer users based on responses to a series of items on the CSEQ. Other CSEQ items were used to assess respondents' academic and social integration. Results indicate that differences for academic and social integration exist by level of computer use. Overall, high computer users are more academically and socially integrated than low computer users. The results also indicate that academic integration does not differ by level of computer user and race or level of computer use and gender.
Academic and Social Integration in Cyberspace: A Qualitative Study
Gatz, Lisa B. (Virginia Tech, 1998-03-06)
This study was designed to gain a better understanding of whether electronic mail (email) was replacing traditional behaviors in which college students engage to achieve academic and social integration. Data consisted of printouts of email records, and corresponding logsheets detailing the relationship of the participant to the sender/receiver of each message and the general nature of the message. Additional data included answers to email survey questions and lists of traditional academic and social integration behaviors against which the email behavior categories were compared. Specifically, this study was designed to explore the following research questions: 1. For what purpose do students use email? 2. Do college students use email in lieu of traditional behaviors that lead to social integration? 3. Do college students use email in lieu of traditional behaviors that lead to academic integration? 4. Does students' use of email differ by gender? Two samples were selected for this study. The first consisted of a comprehensive list, compiled from nationally normed survey instruments, of traditional behaviors that students use to achieve academic and social integration. The second sample consisted of 23 traditional-aged freshmen who used email (11 males and 12 females). Results were based on an analysis of 4,603 messages sent or received by the participants and revealed several important findings. First, while the participants did use email for some academic and social integration purposes, the bulk of their email activity did not relate to either form of integration. Second, participants seemed to be using email to communicate extensively with family members and high school friends. Third, there were no major differences in either the extent of email use or the nature of that use by gender. Finally, the participants spent a considerable amount of time every day checking, writing, composing and sending email messages. These trends suggest that email has become an integral part of college student life and that college administrators need to explore new and effective ways to ensure that the use of email is beneficial, not detrimental, to the overall development of college students.
Academic and social integration in cyberspace: Students and e-mail
Gatz, L. B.; Hirt, Joan B. (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000)
Academic and social integration have traditionally been measured through interactions between students and the college environment (e.g., contact with faculty and other students outside of class). The proliferation of technology in the academy has influenced such interactions. This study examined how traditional-age, residential, first-year students use e-mail and Found that, although students use e-mail extensively, only a limited amount of that correspondence enhances their academic or social integration.
Academic, Research, and Social Self-Efficacy among African American Pre-McNair Scholar Participants and African American Post-McNair Scholar Participants
Williams, Eric Garnell (Virginia Tech, 2004-10-25)
College enrollment and graduation rates for African Americans remain lower than enrollment and graduation rates for middle and upper-class White students. The lower enrollment and graduation rates have an effect on the number of African American students who pursue the Ph.D. and other research doctorate degrees. In order to increase the number of African Americans and other underrepresented students in the Ph.D. pipeline, the United States Congress passed legislation that created the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) in the mid-1980s. The purpose of the McNair Scholars Program is to prepare college students for doctoral studies and careers in academia through involvement in summer research internships and other scholarly activities. One way in which this program may prepare students is through the development of students' academic, research and social self-efficacy. To date, however little research has been conducted to see if the McNair Scholars Program has an effect on African American students' levels of self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to compare levels of academic, research and social self-efficacy among African American pre- and post-McNair Scholar participants. Levels of self-efficacy were analyzed by McNair participant status (pre-McNair and post-McNair), gender, college and grade point average. The study employed a national sample of African American pre- and post McNair Scholar Program participants. Data were collected using the Graduate Education Self-Efficacy Scale (GESES), a 57-item instrument designed specifically for this study. Items for the survey were developed utilizing existing literature on academic, research and social self-efficacy. Results revealed significant differences in academic, research and social self-efficacy between African American pre- and post-McNair Scholar Program participants. There were no significant differences by gender on academic, research or social self-efficacy. Neither were significant differences found by college grade level on academic or social self-efficacy. There were, however, significant differences based on college grade level on research self-efficacy. There were also significant interaction effects between gender and college grade level on academic, research and social self-efficacy. The results suggest that participating in the McNair Scholars Program raises levels of academic, research and social self-efficacy among African American college students.
Adjustment Experiences of African American Graduates of Historically Black Colleges or Universities Attending Graduate School at a Southern Predominantly White University
Alexander, Quentin Renard (Virginia Tech, 2001-02-22)
The purpose of this study was to examine the adjustment experiences of African American graduates of historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) attending graduate school at a Southern predominantly White university (PWU). A discussion of narratives and themes across participants provided information about the adjustment experiences of African American graduate students who transitioned from a university community where the student population was predominantly African American to one where African American students were the minority. This information can be utilized by both PWUs and HBCUs to develop resources that address issues related to adjustment for African American graduate students. This study was phenomenological by design and focused on analyzing the adjustment experiences of 11 female African American graduate students attending a Southern PWU. Participants were between the ages of 22-28, graduated from 10 different HBCUs across 8 states, represented 8 different graduate majors and had been in graduate school an average of 3.5 semesters. Research methodology included participant interviews, demographic questionnaires and investigator field notes. Collected data were analyzed using a coding iteration strategy. Descriptions of participant experiences were documented and ten prominent themes emerged from the data: support systems, negative emotionality, distrust, academic frustration, lack of African American presence, non-cohesive African American community, racial microaggressions, prior acquaintances and resilience.
Alcohol and College Students: Do Parents Matter?
Jeffes, Errin J. (Virginia Tech, 2001-05-09)
Higher education in America has attempted to define the relationships it has with both students and parents for many years. While some argue that the philosophy of in loco parentis has seemingly disappeared, others suggest that its return is imminent on American college campuses. One example of this return is the trend among campuses towards notifying parents when students are involved in judicial matters. Recent changes in federal privacy laws have clarified the right of colleges and universities to notify parents when their son or daughter is involved in a violation of the university alcohol policy. There is an assumption that parents will intervene with their students and help the university promote a more responsible use of alcohol. Many colleges are debating the value of such notifications, but little is known as to whether or not the inclusion of parents in university discipline affects the decisions college students make about their alcohol consumption. The present study used qualitative and quantitative means to address this gap in literature. Students whose parents were notified of their alcohol violation were interviewed in the qualitative component of the study. The interviews explored the relationships between students and parents before entering college, immediately after enrolling in college, and after parental notification. Students were then assigned positions within three categories of parenting styles (General Relationships, Level of Parental Involvement, and Parental Attitudes Toward Alcohol) for the three time periods explored in this study. The quantitative component explored students' experience with alcohol during the same three time periods. Students completed a pencil and paper survey about their drinking behaviors and were assigned to categories of alcohol consumption for each time period. This enabled the researcher to evaluate whether certain parenting styles were associated with certain drinking patterns. In addition, the researcher examined the results to identify trends in parental relationships and alcohol consumption over the three time periods in question. The study revealed some interesting findings. First, parent and student relationships appear to improve over time, while the parents' Level of Involvement with their student remains the same. Second, during all time periods, the participants indicated that their parents had little control over their alcohol consumption. Third, while students may have experienced frustration with the parental notification process, most were comfortable with the concept of parents being notified when students have violated university policy with respect to alcohol. Finally, most students came to college with experience drinking alcohol, and most had parents who were permissive in their attitudes towards drinking once students arrived at college. Although the study examined only a limited number of students, the results indicate that universities may want to re-evaluate the way in which they educate students about alcohol.
Assessing Factors that Distinguish First-Generation College Students from Non First-Generation College Students at an Urban Comprehensive University
Jenkins, Anthony L. (Virginia Tech, 2007-03-26)
The purpose of the study was to compare a freshman cohort of first and non first-generation college students enrolled in an urban university and to identify characteristics that distinguish the two groups in terms of selected demographics, pre-college behaviors and beliefs (expectations and personal traits). Moreover, the study sought to identify variables whose distribution indicated a significant difference between the two groups and rank those variables by order of the strength of association. Data analysis for this study consisted of a combination of chi-square and descriptive discriminate analysis using logistic regression. Chi-square analysis was the preliminary statistical procedure used in this study. I relied on a sequence of chi-square analyses to help identify a list of statistically significant variables to be used in the subsequent descriptive discriminate logistic regression model. Descriptive discriminate analysis was used because its primary function is designed to reveal projected differences among groups (Huberty, 1994). The results revealed seven important characteristics (Reading for pleasure (Hpw0111), Household income (Income), Asked teacher for advise (Act0114), Rate computer skills (Rate0103), Get a bachelor's degree (Futact11), Change major field of study (Futact01) and Obtain recognition by colleague (Goal0103) were commonly statistically significant student characteristics across all race/ethnicity groups, and three (Gain a general education (Reason05), High school grade point average (HSGPA) and Felt overwhelmed (Act0110) were unique to one or some of the groups. These variables can also be viewed as predictors that help identify the likelihood that a student is first-generation. Results of this study had implications for the practice of high school guidance counselors, student and academic affairs practitioners and specifically support services personnel and financial aid officers.
Borrowing Against the Future: Practices, attitudes and knowledge of financial management among college students
Micomonaco, Justin P. (Virginia Tech, 2003-04-23)
A prominent problem for college students today is the rising levels of debt associated with attending college. College students are graduating with more educational debt than ever before. In addition, the use of high-interest credit cards compounds the educational debt they already face by significant amounts. This significant debt has been linked to adverse effects post-graduation in terms of employment, savings and making major purchases. To assist college students with this growing concern, it is necessary to understand their practices, attitudes toward and knowledge of financial management. This study addressed three dimensions of financial management: practices, attitudes and knowledge. I administered a pencil and paper survey to a convenience sample at a large research university in the mid-Atlantic region. The instrument consisted of three scales. The first section measured financial management practices by gathering data about ownership of credit cards and types of debt and the practices that led to these debts. The second section measured participants' attitudes toward financial management in terms of their comfort with money management practices. In the last section, items tested the participants' knowledge of personal financial management. The study found that college students continue to assume large amounts of debt during their undergraduate years. Further minorities, women and students from low SES tend to have higher levels of debt. In addition, college students report relatively positive attitudes toward finances, however lack positive attitudes and practices related to future events. Finally, all college students continue to score poorly on measures of knowledge about financial management.
Budgeting Behaviors of Traditional-Aged Upper-Division College Students
Wilson, W. Andrew (Virginia Tech, 1998-03-04)
The purpose of this study was to examine the budgeting behaviors of traditional-aged upper-division college students (juniors and seniors). Budgeting behaviors were operationally defined as students' spending and financial planning behaviors. These behaviors were studied by tracking participant expenditures and income of three weeks and administering electronic survey questions. The study was conducted at a large, public, research university, and was designed to answer the following research questions: 1. How do traditional-aged upper-division students spend their money? 2. What are the budgeting behaviors of traditional-aged upper-division students?> 3. Are there differences in budgeting behaviors between traditional-aged upper-division students who live off campus and those who live on campus? 4. Are there gender differences between budgeting behaviors of traditional-aged upper-division students? A sample of 32 college juniors and seniors who had moved directly from high school to college participated in the study. Participants tracked their expenses and income of a three-week period using computerized spreadsheets. These data were analyzed to determine participants' spending behaviors and to examine differences by gender and place of residence. Participants also responded to five electronic survey questions that investigated their budgeting behaviors. Responses from these questions were analyzed to identify themes about the budgeting behaviors of college juniors and seniors. The results of this study provided some interesting information about college students' budgeting behaviors. Several conclusions were drawn. First, students failed to budget effectively because they spent more than they earned. Across all groups, students' expenditures totaled more than their income. Second, students' comments regarding their budgeting behaviors were found to reflect either good or poor ratings. This suggests that while some students seem to have well-developed financial management skills, others do not. Third, off-campus students differ from on-campus students because they have more budgeting experience. Off-campus students seemed to have developed these budgeting skills by paying monthly bills associated with off-campus living. Finally, female students spent money on clothes and beauty items, relied on gifts as sources of income, and seemed more anxious about budgeting than male students. These kinds of behaviors may reinforce certain stereotypical beliefs about men and women.
Characteristics of Students Who Enroll in Summer Session
Smith, Kenneth S. (Virginia Tech, 2011-10-31)
Participation in summer session has benefits for students including improved retention and degree completion and increased contact with faculty (Adelman, 2006; DiGregorio, 1998). Just as some characteristics of students limit their access to participate in higher education in general, participation in summer session may also be affected by certain student characteristics. This study used a nationally representative sample to explore how undergraduate students who enroll in summer session may differ from undergraduate students who do not enroll in summer session in a variety of financial, geographic, academic, programmatic and cultural/social/physical characteristics historically associated with access to higher education. Significant differences between summer enrolled and not enrolled students were found in a number of instances. Some characteristics that are negatively associated with enrollment, persistence and attainment in higher education were positively associated with summer enrollment. A regression analysis revealed that the combined predictive value of student characteristics accounts for only a small portion of the overall decision to enroll in the summer term.
Cognitive Development in Student Leaders and Non-leaders
Skeat, Lizbeth Cara (Virginia Tech, 2000-05-10)
This study examined cognitive development in student leaders and non-leaders. Participants included 60 students (30 student leaders and 30 non-leaders). Each group contained equal numbers of males and females. The Measure of Epistemological Reflection (MER) (Baxter Magolda & Porterfield, 1985) was administered to participants to measure certain indicators of cognitive development. Cognitive development refers to the increase in cognitive complexity that may occur in students during their college years and includes students' ways of making meaning from what they learn. Students' ways of making meaning refers to changes in students' attitudes towards the nature of knowledge and truth. This development can be measured by examining how students learn, make decisions, relate to their teachers and peers, and perceive knowledge. Analysis of these data revealed that leaders had significantly higher scores than did non-leaders. No gender differences were found, however, and no differences were found when female leaders were compared to female non-leaders or male leaders were compared to male non-leaders. This research has implications for several groups. First, this study might be useful to student affairs professionals who work with clubs and organizations. The results provided staff with baseline data about leaders' and non-leaders' cognitive reasoning skills. Such information may enable staff to develop purposeful interventions to promote growth in cognitive reasoning skills among student leaders. The results of this study may also be useful for other student affairs professionals who try to enhance their students' cognitive development levels. For example, residential life professionals may find the results of this study interesting. The results provided them with information about cognitive development in student leaders and non-leaders, which they may then compare with their own students' levels of cognitive development. Current students may also be interested in the cognitive reasoning levels of student leaders and non-leaders. They may use these findings to understand their own cognitive development and formulate goals for this development.
College Bound: Are High Schools Preparing Students for the Task
Sokol, Gerry Robert (Virginia Tech, 2000-06-07)
The number of college freshmen enrolled in developmental courses is an indicator that many American high school graduates are not adequately prepared for college. Research has indicated that from 30% to 69% of high school graduates who entered college are required to take at least one developmental course. The purpose of this study was to examine the high school experiences of freshmen college students, specifically, the roles their high school teachers, high school guidance counselors, the parents, and they themselves played in preparing them for college. Data were analyzed to explore differences by race (majority v. minority), gender and type of English class (regular v. developmental). The participants were freshmen students enrolled in college developmental English and general English courses at one community college and one four year college. In order to answer the research questions presented in this study, participants completed a 60-item questionnaire. Fifteen items addressed areas that the research questions investigated (i.e. role of high school teachers, guidance counselors, parents, self). The research questions were examined through a series of analysis of variance tests. Results revealed significant differences by race, gender, type of class and interactions between the effects. The data provide the basis for making recommendations to high school administrators and local school boards which, when implemented will better prepare high school students for the academic rigors of college courses.
College Transition Experiences of Students with Mental Illness
Glass, Martha J. (Virginia Tech, 2010-02-08)
Retention of college students has continued to be a concern for many people connected with higher education (Baum & Ma, 2007; Day & Newburger, 2002; Habley & McClanahan, 2004). The high school to college transition experience has been identified as a key factor in students' decision to remain in college and persist to graduation (Hunter, 2006; Levitz & Noel, 1989; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Roe Clark, 2005). More students than ever are coming to higher education with mental health challenges (Kadison & DiGeronimo, 2004; Soet & Sevig, 2006) but a thorough review of the literature reveals no literature on the transition experience of students that have been diagnosed with psychiatric illness. The purpose of this study was to understand and describe how students diagnosed with a mental illness experience the college transition. In addition, the study provided an understanding of the transition experience for these students at three different types of institutions. The theoretical framework for this study was Schlossberg's (1984) transition theory. The individuals in the sample included 18-19 year old traditional first year college students diagnosed with mental illness. Interviews were conducted with 21 respondents during their second semester of college. Data analysis revealed themes under the topics of individual characteristics, academic and social transition, and institutional differences. Findings revealed that these first year students with mental illness had many of the same developmental and transition experiences and challenges as their peers. However, their transition experiences were complicated by the daily tasks of managing medications, symptoms, counseling appointments, academic support services, and involvement of parents. Participants were learning to take responsibility for their own well-being but still needed a safety-net. In addition, respondents described resources and strategies that they used to adjust academically and socially, such as receiving academic accommodations and disclosing their diagnosis to faculty and friends. The students described their campuses in similar ways, as friendly and supportive, with few institutional differences. In general, the participants confronted challenges early during their transition but at the time of the interviews they seemed to be experiencing a successful transition.
Constructing an Estimate of Academic Capitalism and Explaining Faculty Differences through Multilevel Analysis
Kniola, David J. (Virginia Tech, 2009-10-29)
Two broad influences have converged to shape a new environment in which universities must now compete and operate. Shrinking financial resources and a global economy have arguably compelled universities to adapt. The concept of academic capitalism helps explain the new realities and places universities in the context of a global, knowledge-based economy (Slaughter & Leslie, 1997). Prior to this theory, the role of universities in the knowledge economy was largely undocumented. Academic capitalism is a measurable concept defined by the mechanisms and behaviors of universities that seek to generate new sources of revenue and are best revealed through faculty work. This study was designed to create empirical evidence of academic capitalism through the behaviors of faculty members at research universities. Using a large-scale, national database, the researcher created a new measure—an estimate of academic capitalism—at the individual faculty member level and then used multi-level analysis to explain variation among these individual faculty members. This study will increase our understanding of the changing nature of faculty work, will lead to future studies on academic capitalism that involve longitudinal analysis and important sub-populations, and will likely influence institutional and public policy.
Content analysis of recruitment videotapes from institutions utilizing enrollment management systems
Keen, Melissa H. (Virginia Tech, 1996-04-15)
Recruitment materials such as videotapes help students to form expectations about the college experience. Students' expectations have been linked to retention. Research has indicated that students whose pre-matriculation expectations are not consistent with the reality they experience in college are more likely to drop out. The frequent use and socializing effect of recruitment videos suggests that determining the messages the videos communicate is an important matter to address. This study analyzed the messages of 30 college recruitment videos in regards to four content areas: academic, social, personal, and institutional characteristics. The content analysis compared the messages from public and private institutions, as well as the messages from small, medium, and large institutions. The narrative and images in the videos were categorized as relating to one of the four content areas. The frequency and duration of content devoted to each area was analyzed. The actual messages communicated about each content area were also analyzed. Each video in the nationally representative sample of four-year institutions was obtained from an institution with an existing enrollment management system. The enrollment management philosophy includes a commitment to depicting institutions in an honest an accurate fashion. Since enrollment management systems were designed to stabilize enrollments, examining how recruitment videos depict college to prospective students is an important step in assessing the effectiveness of the enrollment management system. Results of the content analysis for duration and frequency indicated that videos emphasized personal issues. Academic issues received the second greatest attention, followed by institutional characteristics. Social issues received the least emphasis. Although very few differences among institutional types were found, large, public institutions devoted the most emphasis to personal issues. The analysis of messages revealed that college provides students with a great deal of practical, hands-on learning. The purpose of attending college was characterized as career preparation. Narrative indicated that academics were challenging,; however, this characterization was not supported by images in the videos. Images indicated that studying is a casual activity, and that students receive support, often through one-on-one instruction and interaction with faculty. Another disconnect between narrative and images was found in the characterization of student diversity. Narrative indicated institutional commitment to diversity, while images displayed a majority of racially homogenous social groups. Finally, institutions were pictured as sites of activity and movement. Students were frequently depicted walking on campus, characterizing them as busy and purposeful. Institutions would be well advised to case their recruitment videos on data gathered through institutional research. By presenting accurate messages about their respective campuses, institutions would help prospective student form realistic expectations about the college experience.
A Critical Race Analysis of the Work Experiences of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Members of Color
Rideau, Ryan (Virginia Tech, 2018-02-01)
The rapid increase in the number of non-tenure-track faculty members (Curtis, 2014), has prompted research about this group (Allison, Lynn, and Hovermann, 2014; Coalition on the Academic Workforce, 2012; Eagan and Jaeger, 2009; Umbach, 2007). There is also a large body of literature that explores the experiences of faculty members of color (Joseph and Hirshfield, 2011; Stanley, 2006a; Turner, González, and Wood, 2008). However, there is very little research about the experiences of non-tenure-track faculty members of color (NTFOCs). This study centered the experiences of NTFOCs to understand how this group experiences racism and other forms of systematic oppression in their work environments. The theoretical frameworks for this study were critical race theory (CRT) (Bell, 1980; Delgado and Stefancic, 2012; Ladson-Billings and Tate, 1995) and critical race feminism (CRF) (Wing, 1997). Critical race methodology was integrated throughout the research process (Solórzano and Yosso, 2001; Solórzano and Yosso, 2002). The sample consisted of 24 NTFOCs who worked at four-year, historically White colleges and universities. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Ten themes emerged that revealed the ways NTFOCs experienced racism and marginalization in their work environments: (a) not treated like a professional; (b) lack of support; (c) formal discrimination; (d) racialized evaluations; (e) racialized and gendered microaggressions; (f) feeling unsafe in the classroom; (g) unpaid labor; (h) balancing job responsibilities; (i) lack of resources; (j) different treatment than White colleagues. Four additional themes regarding the ways NTFOCs navigated these experiences with oppression and marginalization: (a) relying on systems of support; (b) negotiating speaking out against forms of oppression; (c) disclosing personal information; (d) deciding how to interact with department/program colleagues. These findings have implications for the personal well-being of NTFOCs, how they perform their job, and their ability to gain secure employment. The findings highlight the need for campus constituents to recognize the work of NTOFCs and to create better work conditions for them.
Degree Completion Among College Students and Astin's Student Typology Framework
Miller, Enrico (Virginia Tech, 2004-11-29)
Degree completion is an issue for stakeholders and others concerned with higher education (Astin, 1997; Braxton, 2000; Porter & National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities, 1990; Selingo, 2001). The research on degree completion in American higher education is extensive. Studies have been conducted on differences in degree completion by demographics (Pascarella, Smart, & Stoecker, 1989; Pritchard & Wilson, 2003), high school performance (Lewallen, 1993; Stage & Rushin, 1993; Tracey & Sedlacek, 1987), and college performance (DesJardins, Ahlburg, & McCall, 2002; Hu & St John, 2001; Tinto, 1997). Other work in higher education however has looked at how to classify students using student types. Astin developed one of these approaches. Despite the voluminous research conducted on persistence, no one has examined the issue of degree completion using Astin's (1993) student typology. The purpose of this study was to explore degree completion among college students. It employed Astin's (1993) student typology to explore differences between degree completers and dropouts. Specifically, it examined differences between degree completers and dropouts within and across Astin types by demographic characteristics, high school academic performance, and college academic performance. The data analyzed in the study were collected from entering freshmen, by cohort, from 1994 to 1997 at three different institutions: a public master's institution in the northeast; a private liberal arts institution in the northeast; and, a public research extensive institution in the mid-Atlantic. There were two sets of data employed in the study. The first set included responses to the Annual Freshman Survey (AFS) of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) (Sax, Lindholm, Astin, Korn, & Mahoney, 2002). The second set included institutional student data records consisting of demographic characteristics of participants and high school and college performance measures. This study examined degree completion among college students using Astin's (1993) student typology framework. The results of this research contributed to the existing body of literature on degree completion. This study was complex and yielded a mix of statistically significant findings. However, four key findings emerged from this study. First, degree completers are more likely to earn better high school grades than dropouts. Second, middle and high-income students are more likely to graduate from college than low-income students. Third, for Status Striver type students, other (non-academic) background variables predict college academic performance in terms of college GPA and total college credits. Fourth, for Social Activist type students, other (non-academic) background variables predict grades earned in college. These findings present a new direction for research on degree completion and research-based student typologies.
Departmental factors affecting time to degree and completion rates of doctoral students at one land-grant research institution
Ferrer de Valero, Yaritza (Virginia Tech, 1996-08-19)
Time to doctoral degree has increased consistently in American universities since 1967, in some fields by as much as two years. At the same time, rates of completion have decreased. It is predicted that this pattern will persist, resulting in a diminished supply of highly trained workers in the future. The present research was designed to analyze time to doctoral degree and completion rates by academic department, and to identify departmental factors that positively or negatively affect these outcomes at one land-grant, research institution. This topic is significant to all aspects of higher education: students, departments, and universities. For students, increased time and lower completion rates diminish their competitiveness in the job market, morale tends to decline, and the tendency to not finish increases over time. For the department and the university, attractiveness to other students is decreased, and the number of new students who can be accepted may be reduced. A reduction in the pool of applicants due to the increased time to degree and lower completion rates may create both a supply and demand problem, and an inability for higher education to meet the demand. Given the high costs associated with graduate education, the current national climate of diminishing resources for higher education, and increased competition for these resources between undergraduate and graduate programs, it is critical to further examine the outcomes of graduate study. This research employed quantitative and qualitative methods. It was conducted in two phases. The first phase focused on calculations of time to degree and completion rates by academic department for students who began a program leading to the doctor of philosophy degree between the fall, 1986 and spring, 1990 semesters. Data were analyzed through the end of the fall, 1995 semester. The second phase of the study involved interviews with graduate students and faculty from selected departments to identify departmental factors affecting time to degree and completion rates, and to explore whether faculty opinions differ from those of students, and whether faculty and students opinions differ among departments. Results of this study allowed the researcher to identify variables that explain achievements and failures within the graduate education process, and provide evidence for designing and re-designing graduate programs and policies. Results may contribute to a better understanding of the factors affecting graduate education outcomes at this particular institution, and may guide university administrators in implementing strategies to improve graduate student success.
Educational Consortia in a Knowledge Economy: Collaboration, Competition, and Organizational Equilibrium
Flora, Bethany H.; Hirt, Joan B. (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010)
In today's knowledge economy, collaboration and competition are critical in success. New postsecondary organizations have emerged in the higher education landscape, including consortiums and inter-institutional and interdisciplinary partnerships. One new organization is the Higher Education Center (HEC) in which multiple institutions partner to share resources while delivering separate academic programs. In many ways, the HEC can inform our knowledge of higher education as a whole since the HEC is comprised of public and private institutions that must compete and collaborate to ensure organizational survival. In this case study, the authors explored one such center's internal dynamics.
Effects of Combined Economic and Linguistic Backgrounds on the Adjustment Process of International Undergraduate Students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Maza Duerto, Aristides (Virginia Tech, 2000-11-03)
This study had three main purposes: (a) to determine whether there is a linear relationship between international undergraduate (IU) students' adaptation and time at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), (b) to examine the effects of IU students' combined economic and linguistic backgrounds on their adaptation experience at Virginia Tech, (c) to determine the u-shaped curve model's effectiveness in explaining the adaptation experience of IU students from different backgrounds. The findings of this study could not be used to justify either a linear or a curvilinear relationship between time and IU students' adaptation. A difference in adaptation was found between IU students with two and four years at Virginia Tech based on their linguistic background differences, but no differences were found in regard to their economic background differences. A correlation analysis suggested a relationship between adaptation and the support IU students received while at Virginia Tech. Nevertheless, the most important finding is the fact that the existing models of IU students' adaptation do not adequately explain their adaptation experience. This study suggests that future research should concentrate on determining the relationship between IU students' adaptation and the adequacy of support they received.

Browsing by Author "Hirt, Joan B."

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