A typology of community college students and the development of profiles of associated student types

Abstract

This dissertation proposes a typology of community college students that includes traditional college students and seven types of nontraditional students. Since the 1960s the number and types of nontraditional students has increased as a broader portion of the American population seeks higher education.

Based on the literature of the past twenty-five years, a typology of eight students types was developed and tested for existence. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, profiles of each student type was developed. The profiles were tested for differences among the eight types. Of the student population in the campus studied, only 1% were traditional college students. The remaining students were clustered into three primary and four secondary types. Differences among the primary types were observed across six categories of defining characteristics. The primary groups included first-generation adult students who were unprepared for college, unprepared "New" students who were not first-generation students, and nontraditional adult students who were not first-generation students. Contrary to previous studies of nontraditional students, students in this study reported support for their education efforts from their family, friends and employers. The study concludes with a suggested three-dimensional community college function model that provides a means to consider the "fit" or congruence between the function model in place at a community college and profile of the students the college attracts.