The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Peter O’Brien will present Doctoral research titled, The Impact of Focused Advising on Retention and Completion in the Community College Setting on 06/16/2023 at 3:15 pm ET in  https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/95279895470. Everyone is invited to attend. 

Learning and Leadership

Chair: Dr. David W. Rausch

Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to investigate and describe the impact of Focused Advising on retention and completion in the community college setting. This study examined one initiative known as Academic Foci or sometimes referred to as Guided Pathways as a viable tool for increasing the number of completers at an institution. The basis of the model was to place students into groups/foci of similar academic interests such as business, computer, or health sciences. With the aid of their advisor, the student made a move forward, and they will have made an informed decision about a chosen major. Once in the major, the students followed a strict schedule of courses, which led to a degree or certificate within an allotted time frame. The number of completers was studied and compared to students with no academic pathway assigned. These students were designated as degrees awarded or certificates awarded. The population was comprised of first-time community college students across western Tennessee. Several students and/or school variables were examined to gauge their relationship with the goals of retention and completion.