Metrics
6 File views/ downloads
56 Record Views
Dissertation
Nontraditonal Community College Students and Faculty Advisors' Perceptions of Academic Advising
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2010
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the perceptions nontraditional students and faculty advisors have of advising at a community college located in the southeastern portion of the United States. The goal of this research endeavor was to uncover information and identify common perceptions that nontraditional students and faculty advisors have of the advising process. Ultimately, the findings of this study will help community college advisors better advise their nontraditional students in the future and assist administrators in reorganizing the advising process to fit the needs of nontraditional students. Observations and focus group interviews were the two major methods of data collection. Findings of this study revealed that nontraditional student's needs outside of college necessitate that institutional services, such as advising, should be modified to fit the needs of nontraditional students. Students shared a common perception of a lack of communication between advisors and students. Faculty advisors also revealed a need to overhaul the current advising process, through professional development and accountability of advisors. Overarching themes of "determination" for nontraditional students and "competence with consistency" for faculty advisors was found from the analyzed data. The recommendations include making advising as important to faculty members as instruction. A culture shift in thinking by faculty advisors is needed for this change to occur. Beginning with the first day of employment, advisors must be made aware of the importance of advising. Advisors must also be recognized and rewarded for their hard work as well as reprimanded for their lack of hard work. More intense, specialized professional development and training on how to advise nontraditional students is needed. Accountability by all parties to keep the lines of communication open during the advising process must also occur for advising to be successful.
Details
- Title
- Nontraditonal Community College Students and Faculty Advisors' Perceptions of Academic Advising
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 163
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries to digitize and/or display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380090744606600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida