A Program for Nontraditional Student Completion in Community Colleges

Nontraditional
students
present
unique
challenges
to
community
colleges
in
terms
of
retention
and
completion.
This
project
analyzes
research
regarding
influences
on
nontraditional
student
retention
and
completion—academic
preparation,
enrollment
status,
financial
limitations,
family
responsibilities,
stress,
and
employment.
A
program
is
then
presented
to
help
address
these
influences,
thereby
increasing
student
retention
and
completion.
The
developed
program
provides
critical
components
to
encourage
nontraditional
student
retention
and
completion,
including
orientation,
a
student
success
course,
mentoring,
work-­‐study,
and
academic
and
social
support.
The
Program
is
packaged
to
be
immediately
useful
to
any
community
college
needing
to
increase
retention
and
completion
of
nontraditional
students
while
minimizing
the
need
for
new
resources.
ii
DEDICATION
This
dissertation
is
dedicated
to
nontraditional
students
in
community
colleges
who
are
accomplishing
what
they
never
thought
they
could
and
were
told
they
never
could.
Every
day
I
see
how
hard
you
work
to
increase
your
education,
despite
everything
else
going
on
in
your
lives.
I
share
in
your
frustrations
and
rejoice
in
your
accomplishments.
Never
give
up.