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Human Kaleidoscopes: Cultivating Success in Non-Traditional Students

Benton, Carolyn Coles

Abstract Details

2015, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
Non-traditional students are a growing population in higher education, yet our understandings of the unique factors that predict their success have not increased. This narrative inquiry examines the lived experiences of high school dropouts entering the college arena as non-traditional students, attempting to improve their personal and academic lifestyles by acquiring a General Education Diploma (GED) in addition to obtaining an associate’s degree from a for-profit postsecondary educational institution. The purpose of this study is to better understand the lives and circumstances of students, leading up to their dropping out of high school. Participants’ reflections of their own college experiences, specifically to course experiences and interactions with their instructors and college staff officials, are analyzed and evaluated. In this study a qualitative design methodology is utilized through a narrative approach, which is supported by a storytelling format. Data collection in the natural setting is used to develop a narrative of the experiences of non-traditional students over a period of five semesters. It is the intention of the researcher to address the economic, social, ethnic, and racial experiences of a population of students including Native Americans, African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, certain Asian American groups, and poor European Americans. As the emergence of non-traditional students continues to grow to become a major constituency on campuses, academics, practitioners, and policy makers working with this particular population need to recognize their unique characteristics. Educational systems must recognize that retention efforts that are required to foster supportive and innovative systems that will foster flexibility and a nonjudgmental environment will create and maintain a culture of completion and success. The electronic version of this dissertation is at Ohio Link ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd and AURA, http://aura.antioch.edu/
Elizabeth Holloway, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Philomena Essed, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Christian Blum, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Charles E. Campbell, Ph.D. (Other)
260 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Benton, C. C. (2015). Human Kaleidoscopes: Cultivating Success in Non-Traditional Students [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1447926228

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Benton, Carolyn. Human Kaleidoscopes: Cultivating Success in Non-Traditional Students. 2015. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1447926228.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Benton, Carolyn. "Human Kaleidoscopes: Cultivating Success in Non-Traditional Students." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1447926228

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)