6 ), 12 – 25 H u m a n i t i e s

In Week 3 you gathered information on best practices, providers, and target populations. This week you will complete the background research for your white paper by analyzing the structure and dynamics of student support (who is providing what kinds of services to which groups of students) and identify gaps that could impede student success. Submit a analysis of the structure and dynamics of best practices. In other words, who is providing the services to what group(s) of students? For example, are providers concentrated on one side of the institution (academic, student affairs, administration, etc.)? Is there evidence of collaboration? Which programs/services are available to first-year students (the population of interest in this scenario)?

Be sure to address the following questions in your analysis:

• Are providers concentrated in one area of the institution (academic, student affairs, administration, etc.)? Is there evidence of collaboration between different areas? If so, describe those collaborative efforts.
• How many and what kinds of programs/services are targeted at first-year students? Can other practices be adapted for that population?
• Based on your knowledge of student persistence and retention theory, where do you see gaps in service?

(Assignment length: 5 pages)

Required Readings

Barr, R., & Tagg, J. (1995). From teaching to learning—a new paradigm for undergraduate education. Change, 27(6), 12–25.

Bailey, T. R., & Alfonso, M. (2005). Paths to persistence: An analysis of research on program effectiveness at community colleges. Lumina Foundation for Education New Agenda Series, 6(1).

You will use the following scenario as the basis for your project:

You are the Director of Student Affairs at a large, urban, multicampus community college (more information on your college’s mission, programs, and student population can be found in this document).

The Provost of your college is concerned about the institution’s first-to-second-year retention rate. She has asked you to investigate. The result of your investigation will be a white paper proposing institutional interventions that will keep students from leaving after their first year. In order to prepare the white paper, you will need to research first-to-second-year retention and the structure and dynamics of student support at real institutions.