An Academic Success Program for Community College Athletes; Using Best Practices to Increase Graduation and Transfer Rates

As the educational landscape continues to change, institutions must recognize the necessity to upgrade the academic support services for the community college student -athletes. Student -athletes are a unique subculture that brings a diverse set of challenges in terms of completion, graduation , and their transition to 4-year institutions or the workforce. This product dissertation analyzes research on the challenges which community college student -athletes face to reach these milestones . The study reviews obstacles that this population encounters — academic expectations, first -generational challenges , social and academic integration, as well as achieving success in their chosen intercollegiate sport. T he study identified an absence of leadership and accountability for academic success ( graduation or transfer rates) shown by the National Junior College Athletic Association ( NJCAA), in their pilot project designed to better serve their member institutions. The product dissertation introduces a success model t hat provides essential components to enhance student -athletes ’ academic success, comprised of a specialized orientation, required student success course, intrusive advising, and counseling. By repurposing support services that already reside within the institutional boundaries and heightening faculty - student engagement , community colleges can increase graduation levels of student-athletes while minimizing the cost impact for an institution .