Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies

Committee Chair

Steven Rinehart

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the presidents of the ten public community and technical colleges in the state of West Virginia perceive their institutions implementing the seven dimensions of college life in support of labor market responsiveness identified by the U.S. Department of Education.;The U.S. Department of Education studied labor market responsiveness at 30 community colleges nationwide. They identified seven characteristics of college life shared among labor market responsive community colleges which include (1) leadership and governance; (2) organizational structure and staffing; (3) organizational culture; (4) resources and funding; (5) information and data; (6) relationship building; and (7) partnerships.;This study attempted to determine whether the institutional factors of size, student FTE, number of counties in the institutional service area, and the annual state allocated budget were related to the presidents' perceptions regarding the seven dimensions, and to determine if there was a relationship between the presidents' demographics and the seven dimensions.;The ten presidents of each West Virginia public community and technical college completed an on-line survey resulting in a 100% response rate. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Spearman correlation coefficient, and Cohen's d.;Data indicated that there were measurable relationships between the seven dimensions and the variables of institutional size, number of counties in the service area, and the institutions' annual state allocated budget. There were measurable relationships regarding the demographics of the presidents and the seven dimensions. Implications of this study may include institutions' emphasis on the following (1) alternative funding; (2) professional development regarding the seven dimensions; (3) recognition and rewards; (4) building positive partnerships; (5) improved access to and use of information and data.;Recommendations for further research included other populations distinct from the presidents such as faculty and staff, larger populations, and a mixed methods approach including interviews.

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