Date of Award

Summer 8-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program/Concentration

Community College Leadership

Committee Director

Mitchell R. Williams

Committee Member

Kim E. Bullington

Committee Member

David F. Ayers

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Ruffalo Noel Levitz College Student Inventory Receptivity to Social Engagement scores and the persistence and completion of community college students. The Ruffalo Levitz College Student Inventory assesses student receptivity to institutional support services. Receptivity scores indicate a student's willingness to accept help in areas such as academic support and social engagement as well as career and financial guidance.

This research explored the impact of documented cocurricular involvement, measured through student activities indicators, on persistence and completion outcomes. Using ex post facto data and binary logistic regression analyses, the research focused on three populations at a suburban community college in New York State: all incoming students, Pell Grant recipients, and male Pell Grant recipients of color. The results indicated RSE scores were not significantly associated with persistence or completion for any group. However, documented cocurricular involvement demonstrated a significant positive association with both outcomes. These findings suggest actual participation in cocurricular activities, rather than receptivity to engagement, strongly supports student success. The study highlights the importance of fostering authentic engagement experiences that cultivate belonging, particularly for students from historically underserved populations. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/cca1-e249

ISBN

9798293843732

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