Are Community Colleges Going the Distance? A Descriptive Analysis of Student Support Services for Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee Community Colleges

Date

2010-10

Authors

Duhon, Amy D.

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Abstract

Purpose: This study describes the quality of community college support services available online in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee using Cherry Beth Luedtke's (1999) student support services model. These states lend themselves to the research because of a lingering legacy of "separate but equal" education policy. In addition, community colleges disproportionately serve low-income students. As community based higher education, community colleges in these states are uniquely equipped to meet higher education needs of African-Americans. Method: This research, content analysis, uses to analyze online support services for web-based learners at Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee community colleges. A total of fifty-eight community colleges in the four states constitute a sampling frame. Findings: Overall community colleges in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee exceed the benchmark in many services within information/Technical Support and Admissions elements in the conceptual framework. Nevertheless, the areas of online advising and counseling, assessment, registration and other support services need improvement. College advising and counseling can mean the difference between a student's success and failure. Community colleges should focus on improving these services.

Description

An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Fall 2010.

Keywords

community colleges, education policy, higher education, college advising, Public Administration

Citation

Duhon, A. D. (2010). Are community colleges going the distance? A descriptive analysis of student support services for Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee community colleges. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX.

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