Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: A rapid decline in student retention among community colleges reduces revenue and jeopardizes financial sustainability, meaning leaders of community colleges who lack strategies to retain students have lower revenue and financial sustainability. Grounded in the advocacy and participatory worldview conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative, single case study was to explore strategies leaders of community colleges used to increase student retention and revenues for achieving financial sustainability. A purposeful sampling of five leaders from a community college in Louisiana who successfully used strategies to increase student retention participated in this study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and institutional retention records relating to student retention strategies and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged on strategies to increase student retention: collaboration, student orientations, and intervention programs. A key recommendation is for community college leaders to create a retention task force that requires all new and returning students to complete a student orientation. The implication for positive social change from increased student retention and financial sustainability could result in a greater number of students graduating with higher wages and contributing to local community development.
Source: ScholarWorks (Walden University)
Author: Provost, Claudia Yvette
Institution: Walden University
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7033829895