Staying the Course: Community College Student Lived Experiences on Program Completion and Motivation
Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
8-2026
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Pamela Scott
Committee Members
Don Good, William Flora
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of former community college students who successfully completed an associate degree, certificate, or program of study and to understand how they experienced the personal, institutional, and environmental factors that supported their persistence to completion. The study, guided primarily by Tinto’s (1975,1988) Model of Student Departure and was complemented by Bandura’s (1988) Social Learning Theory (SLT), and Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs, explored the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations students attributed to their successful completion of their associate degree, certificate, or program of study. Twelve former community college students who had completed their associate degree, certificate, or program of study were interviewed in semi-structured recorded interviews. Data were analyzed thematically through coding data.
Key findings found, throughout interviews with study participants, that meaningful and intentional relationships and interactions with community college faculty, staff, and personnel encouraged and motivated students to persevere towards their associate degree, certificate, or program of study. A targeted, comprehensive approach to student success that intentionally addresses students’ academic, social, and personal needs was recommended as a result of based on study findings. A student’s sense of belonging and purpose at the community college was also a finding that was discovered. Programs such as first year seminar, college orientation programs, advising sessions and proactive communication was another recommendation based on this study’s findings. The findings of this study will inform leadership at community college on ways to cultivate and sustain students’ motivation and perseverance to completion.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Mills, Jessica Leigh, "Staying the Course: Community College Student Lived Experiences on Program Completion and Motivation" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4745. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4745
Copyright
Copyright by the author.
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Community College Leadership Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Commons
