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Final Dissertation - Janet Spitzig.pdf (10.57 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Relationship Between Student Engagement and Student Retention of Adult Learners at Community Colleges

Spitzig, Janet
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1620213209704112

Abstract Details

2021, Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Franklin University, Business Administration.
Retaining students through degree completion is a challenge for community colleges, with nontraditional, adult students being retained at a lower rate than their traditional counterparts. Though student engagement is recognized as an effective strategy for retaining students, there is a gap in research on how effective these strategies are for retaining adult learners at community colleges. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student engagement and student retention of adult learners at community colleges. This study used secondary data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE). Was there a significant relationship between the five CCSSE student engagement benchmarks (active and collaborative learning, student effort, academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, and support for learners) and retention? The population for this study was 26,326 adult students (25 and older) from the 2019 CCSSE cohort who were credential seeking at a community college (participants from 588 colleges in 46 states). Binary logistic regression was used to determine if there was a statistically significant relationship between each student engagement benchmark and student retention. This study confirmed a positive relationship between student engagement of adult learners at community colleges and student retention. Individually, each of the CCSSE benchmarks increased the likelihood of student retention. As a combined model, academic challenge and support for learners were the only significant benchmarks. This research confirmed that student engagement strategies are beneficial for adult learners at community colleges.
Blake Renner, EdD (Committee Chair)
Matthew Barclay, PhD (Committee Member)
Brock Schroeder, PhD (Committee Member)
Adult Education; Community Colleges
Adult Learners, Adult Students, Community College, Community College Survey of Student Engagement, CCSSE Benchmarks, Student Engagement, Student Retention

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Spitzig, J. (2021). The Relationship Between Student Engagement and Student Retention of Adult Learners at Community Colleges [Doctoral dissertation, Franklin University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1620213209704112

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Spitzig, Janet. The Relationship Between Student Engagement and Student Retention of Adult Learners at Community Colleges. 2021. Franklin University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1620213209704112.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Spitzig, Janet. "The Relationship Between Student Engagement and Student Retention of Adult Learners at Community Colleges." Doctoral dissertation, Franklin University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=frank1620213209704112

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

frank1620213209704112
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© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Franklin University and OhioLINK.