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National-Louis University

Why Not Community College as a Pathway to a Degree

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand if Gen X parents are motivating their Gen Z students' college choice not to attend community college. The few studies that focused on parent involvement in choosing a community college did not focus on the generational differences between parents and their children when it came to college choice, they also did not focus on whether parents influenced their children to attend community college or not (Bers, 2005; Bers & Galowich, 2002).</p> <p>The study explored Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior and how his theory and the college choice process are intertwined during the college choice process. The data this study uncovered provided a deeper understanding of why parents and students are not choosing to attend a community college as their pathway to a degree. This study provides specific biases and desires that influence a person's college choice. Community colleges can offer students a solid education with much of the experience that students and parents perceive only four-year institutions offer. Community college administration and staff can stop the perpetuating generational cycle of the negative perception that plagues their reputation.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ed.D. Doctor of Education
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation - Public Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Higher Education Leadership
Year dc:date.available
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Jorndt Reyes, Gretchen
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Jaclyn K. Rivard
  • Dr. Jamal Scott
  • Dr. Voula Erfourth

Subjects

dc:subject × 11

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/857
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.nl.edu:diss-1918

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
National-Louis University
Base URL
digitalcommons.nl.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Jorndt Reyes, Gretchen. Why Not Community College as a Pathway to a Degree. Dissertation - Public Access thesis, 2024. https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/857