Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Sherilyn Poole

Committee Member

Carmen Session

Keywords

college readiness, community colleges, cultural capital theory, Federal TRIO, financial aid, first-generation college students, GPA, higher education, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Non-First-generation College Students, quantitative study, retention and graduation rates, social capital theory, student academic progress, student life skills courses, student attitudes, student success, study skills, Upward Bound

Abstract

First-Generation College Students (FGCS) are students whose parents did not attend college. As more FGCS are attending college, retention and graduation rates have continued to decline while higher education leaders attempt to find innovative ways to keep students in college. Students are enrolled in SLS courses to gain better understanding of the college environment regarding financial aid Student Academic Progress (SAP), study skills, and other college skills that are essential for college success. According to research, FGCS are more likely to drop out of college compared to their counterparts because they do not have the necessary skills that are needed for college success. Some of the factors impacting FGCS are low Grade Point Average (GPA), lack of cultural and social capital, and lack of college readiness in math and other subjects. As a result, they struggle with college demands leading many of them to leave college prematurely.

The dropout rate of FGCS is increasing especially at community colleges where majority of FGCS attend. Higher education leaders implement Student Life Skills (SLS) courses to aid students in understanding what it takes to matriculate and eventually graduate from college. It is very important that education leaders understand students ‘attitudes towards SLS and similar courses to assure courses are effective. Objectives of SLS courses are to acclimate students to the college environment, help students with developing cultural and social capital, and to motivate students to stay and graduate. The purpose of this quantitative study is to understand students’ attitudes towards SLS courses. The focus of this research is on FGCS who are taking SLS courses at a community college at a state in the southeast region of the United States.

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