Higher Education Ph.D. Dissertations

The Effect of Faculty-Student Interactions on Student Engagement at Community Colleges

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Higher Education Administration

First Advisor

Robert DeBard

Second Advisor

Catherine Cassara-Jemai

Third Advisor

Leigh Chiarelott (Committee Member)

Fourth Advisor

William Knight (Committee Member)

Abstract

This study examines the nature and extent of part-time instructor interactions with students in and outside of the classroom compared to full-time instructors at community colleges and how employment status affects student-instructor interactions. The research relies on a dataset provided by the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) organization. CCSSE surveyed 10,000 part-time and full-time instructors through the Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE). Descriptive and inferential analyses allows for the examination of any major variables that influence instructor interactions with students. Findings reveal certain variables influence faculty-student interactions. Programs should be created and implemented for part-time instructors to encourage and to enhance faculty-student interactions.

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