Student representation on Instagram and its influence on retention at a community college

Diversity and equity efforts designed to improve retention of students of color are a significant focus in higher education and particularly in the community college sector. This dissertation examines the role social media plays in the retention of students of color at a suburban community college. A review of literature details the characteristics of community colleges and its students while exploring theories on belonging, representation and student commitment to completion. This literature informs the design of a triangular exploratory research project assessing how a social media platform might influence belonging and provide support to students of color. Survey data analyzed using Chi-square statistical testing indicate a stronger sense of belonging among students of color who follow the college’s social media account and confirm the importance of diverse representation of students in social media imagery. A supplementary review of social media imagery quantifies student representation and helps to contextualize survey findings and inform administration strategies. Finally, a discussion of the findings and their limitations present ways in which community college marketers might administer the college’s social media accounts to more meaningfully impact retention efforts and support students of color who aspire to complete their degree or certificate.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Briner, Clare

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ward Hood, Denice
• Pak, Yoon
• Kang, Hyun-Sook
• Mason, Curtis

• Education

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Clare Briner

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113859

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F113859