Student Success in the Community College

For much of the twentieth century, the definition of success for most community colleges revolved around student retention and graduation. This definition no longer works—if it ever did. In Student Success in the Community College: What Really Works? respected community college leaders, researchers, and innovators argue that student success is about redesigning community colleges in a manner that is consistent with each college’s mission, goals, student population, and resources. Concluding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to increasing student success, chapter authors analyze national, state, and regional efforts to increase student success; identify principles institutions can use to frame student success initiatives; and outline specific actions community colleges can take to increase student—and institutional—success. Student Success in the Community College: What Really Works? also provides concrete examples of effective student success initiatives in a variety of community college settings.

Access is a vital hallmark of the nation's community colleges, but it cannot stand alone. To fully realize the American dream, students must succeed. Student Success in the Community College: What Really Works? provides valuable insights and builds a powerful case for comprehensive institutional reform that is laser focused on student success.--Walter G. Bumphus, PhD, president and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), O'Banion and Culp, both experts in the field of student affairs, have assembled this collection highlighting the multidimensional requirements for ensuring student success. Chapters provide a holistic view, as authors provide a multitude of evidence to show that it takes the entire organization's mission and culture to ensure student success. Contemporary critical topics, such as technology integration, data use and privacy, and social inequities, are considered throughout the text, rather than addressed in a singular chapter dedicated to these issues...[demonstrating] that they are not check marks on the student success journey, but rather integral components of any college initiative. Those studying higher education or involved in student success initiatives within their college will find the book helpful in conceptualization. Although a few chapters are deep dives into unique case studies, most include references to other case studies that will provide the groundwork for practical application. Recommended.-- "Choice", This book is a "must read" for community college presidents, trustees, and all employees of the institution. Colleges have been advocating student success agendas for the past several decades, but this book provides the roadmap for attaining increased student outcomes. It offers the strategies needed for colleges to be successful in "making good on the promise of the open door college.--John E. Roueche, Executive Director, Roueche Center for Community College Leadership, College of Education, Kansas State University; Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair and Director Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin, 1971-2012, Genuine transformation of students' educational experiences is the only thing that will enable community colleges to fulfill their critical role in promoting social and economic mobility for their remarkably diverse student population. In this book, Terry O'Banion and Maggie Culp bring together provocative thinking from national experts about the strategies, the leadership, and the courage required to enact that change; and, thanks be, they also bring the evidence!--Kay McClenney, PhD, senior advisor to the president; CEO, American Association of Community Colleges, Student Success in the Community College: What Really Works? lays out important ideas about the use of data, the possibilities and limits of technology, why good leadership matters, and the need for academic and student affairs to collaborate on student success. The book's core message, however, is that discrete changes to how a college operates are only pieces of the larger culture change required to increase student success.--Thomas R. Bailey, president, Teachers College, Columbia University; founding director, Community College Research Center

Terry U. O’Banionserved as President of the League for Innovation in the Community College for 23 years, he was widely regarded as an idea champion who helped set the agenda for higher education in the 20th century. He has written 18 books and over 225 articles on community colleges, consulted in over 1,000 community colleges, and had five national awards established in his nameMaggie Culp is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence and innovation in student affairs, she has served as a faculty member, mid-level administrator, and senior student affairs officer at community colleges in Virginia, Florida, and Texas. The co-editor of five books and dozens of book chapters and journal articles, she now assists colleges and universities to design and implement innovative student success models and effective cultures of evidence.