The Nontraditional Community College Student: A Phenomenological Approach to the Educational Experience

Nontraditional students make up a larger population at community colleges than their traditional counterparts making this study a necessity to further explore their experience (American Association of Community Colleges, 2013). To better understand this population, a phenomenological approach was taken with an emphasis on a social constructivism framework. This qualitative study utilized Seidman's (2013) three step interviewing process with the aid of photographs taken by the participants to elicit in-depth interview responses. Moustakas' (1994) modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen Method of Analysis of Phenomenological Data was used in this study. Four themes emerged from participant's photographs and interviews: motivation, helpful faculty/staff, external responsibilities, and past educational experiences. Looking through the lens of an individual's educational experience provides a critical understanding of realities that can potentially impact policy.

Name thesis:degree_name

EdD

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Learning Sciences and Human Development

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Tuel, Alexander D.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Donna Breault
• Malayna Bernstein
• George Brelsford
• Sharon Hayes
• Samuel Stack

• Educational leadership
• Higher education
• Education policy
• Community college education

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/295

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1298