Date of Award
Spring 5-2012
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Educational Administration
Department
Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations
Major Professor
Brian Beabout
Second Advisor
Lorelei Cropley
Third Advisor
Belinda Cambre
Fourth Advisor
Leonard Williams
Abstract
This case study sheds light on successful matriculation practices which emerge from the combination of institutional efforts and student needs. In order to discern successful matriculation data was collected in the form of interviews, observations, and documents at a less selective college with a high rate of retention. Mortimer Adler College possesses unique qualities with respect to curriculum, student population, teaching styles, and student life which affect retention in both positive and negative ways. The institution utilizes a highly structured Great Books curriculum and does not utilize traditional grading and assessment methods. The methods of student socialization are also explored through interviews with faculty and administrators. The findings of this study reveal the qualities of Mortimer Adler College which both support and hinder student success. The study also gives insight to the views of students within this unique institutional setting, focusing on their needs and goals and how their perceptions of the institution impact retention. The review of practices at this institution combined with the perception of the student body allows for the examination of programs and practices employed by Mortimer Adler College which aid in improving and supporting high retention that may also be used at other institutions of higher education.
Higher Education, Retention, Persistence, Great Books, Socialization, Faculty Student Relationships
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Palmisano, Victoria M., "A Case study to Examine Student Retention at a Less Selective University with a High Rate of Retention" (2012). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1474.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1474
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.