Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
College of Education and Human Services
Department
Not Listed
Committee Chair
John Campbell
Committee Co-Chair
Erin McHenry-Sorber
Committee Member
Nathan Sorber
Committee Member
Merle Dempsey
Abstract
This research study examined the experiences of nontraditional community college students attending through a tuition-free grant. The intent of the study was to explore the student identified barriers to degree persistence and the student support services nontraditional students recognize as being beneficial towards their academic journey. This qualitative case study was guided by three research questions and utilized Bean and Metzner’s (1985) Nontraditional Student Attrition Model as a guide for study design and analysis. Data collection consisted of student interviews and institutional document collection. Data analysis explored themes related to nontraditional student motivations for attendance, persistence factors, and student support services available and needed for this demographic. The findings of this study can be used as a future guide for community colleges and state-sponsored tuition-free community college programs in the recruitment of nontraditional students and the student support services needed by these students to assist them towards degree completion.
Recommended Citation
Roeher, Amanda K., "Success Beyond Access: Examining Institutional Barriers to Persistence and the Supports Needed by Nontraditional Students Participating in a Tuition-Free Community College Program" (2024). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12317.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12317
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Community College Leadership Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Commons