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Research

Student Support (Re)defined

Timeline: 2011-2014

Equity Student Supports Student Voices Surveys Focus Groups

This study aimed to understand how community colleges can feasibly deliver support both inside and outside the classroom to improve success for all students, with a particular focus on African-American and Latino learners.

Success Factors Framework (Six Success Factors)

Research indicates that student support must be (1) integrated into students’ daily experience, and (2) included in the overall curriculum. This research also demonstrates that students are more likely to succeed when they are directed, focused, nurtured, engaged, connected, and valued.

The RP Group established this framework to serve as the foundation for our exploration of what California community college students say they need to succeed.

Six Success Factors Definitions

  • Directed: students have a goal and know how to achieve it

  • Focused: students stay on track — keeping their eyes on the prize

  • Nurtured: students feel somebody wants and helps them to succeed

  • Engaged: students actively participate in class and extracurricular activities

  • Connected: students feel like they are part of the college community

  • Valued: students’ skills, talents, abilities and experiences are recognized; they have opportunities to contribute on campus and feel their contributions are appreciated

 Six Success Factors

 

View all resources for this project

Project Team Information

Project Director: Dr. Darla Cooper

Team Member(s): Michelle Barton, Kathy Booth, Priyadarshini Chaplot, Adore Davidson, Dr. Rob Johnstone, Kelley Karandjeff, Michael Large, Dr. Nathan Pellegrin, Dr. Rogéair Purnell-Mack, Dr. Diane Rodriguez-Kiino, Eva Schiorring, Loann Solem, Vinod Verma, Terrence Willett

Advisors
The following individuals served as advisors to Student Support (Re)defined, providing vital insight and guidance on the study’s research findings and the engagement of key stakeholders and constituent groups with these results.

  • Kathy Blackwood, San Mateo Community College District
  • Dr. Eduardo Cervantes, Gavilan College
  • Edna Chavarry, University of Southern California
  • Luis Chavez, Career Ladders Project
  • Rich Copenhagen, Student Senate for California Community Colleges
  • Dr. Pam Deegan, MiraCosta College
  • Dr. Erika Endrijonas, Oxnard College
  • Dr. Patricia Gándara, University of California—Los Angeles
  • Dr. Marybeth Gasman, University of Pennsylvania
  • Kathy Molloy, Santa Barbara City College
  • Dr. Daniel Martinez, Riverside City College
  • Dr. Melinda Mechur Karp, Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Linda Michalowski, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
  • Dr. A’kilah Moore, Los Medanos College Diego Navarro, Academy for College Excellence
  • Dr. Michelle Pilati, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges
  • Susan Scrivener, MDRC
  • Dr. Stacey Shears, Diablo Valley College
  • Dr. Darrick Smith, LearningWorks
  • Dr. Dan Sourbeer, Palomar College
  • Dr. Mark Vernoy, Palomar College

Funder(s):
The Kresge Foundation