Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
The Regional Campus Experience: Identifying Factors Critical to Successful Student Outcomes
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
According to an ongoing study of the residents of Appalachia, adults in Appalachia continue to profile lower on education than their counterparts outside the region (Pollard & Jacobsen, 2015). In fact, Pollard and Jacobsen note that a majority of Appalachians have not earned a college degree of any type. It is of particular interest that a subset of the population in Appalachia without a two or four-year degree had attempted college courses. These findings, coupled with data indicating an uptick in the number of post-secondary degrees conferred (Pollard & Jacobsen, 2015), underscore the importance of identifying factors critical to successful student outcomes and increasing degree completion. The current study investigates factors linked to academic success in a population of students at a regional campus in Lawrence County, Ohio. Traditional and non-traditional students were compared on measures of locus of control specific to the college context, perceptions of support received from their social networks, and self-reported GPA. Cohort and gender differences are discussed. Findings from this study can be used to develop strategies to provide students with support resources that are accessible and appropriate for their individual needs.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Kristi A. Barnes is an associate professor at Ohio University Southern where she has been a member of the faculty since 2005. Kristi earned her doctorate in life-span developmental psychology from West Virginia University in 2003 and has been a life-long resident of Appalachia.
The Regional Campus Experience: Identifying Factors Critical to Successful Student Outcomes
According to an ongoing study of the residents of Appalachia, adults in Appalachia continue to profile lower on education than their counterparts outside the region (Pollard & Jacobsen, 2015). In fact, Pollard and Jacobsen note that a majority of Appalachians have not earned a college degree of any type. It is of particular interest that a subset of the population in Appalachia without a two or four-year degree had attempted college courses. These findings, coupled with data indicating an uptick in the number of post-secondary degrees conferred (Pollard & Jacobsen, 2015), underscore the importance of identifying factors critical to successful student outcomes and increasing degree completion. The current study investigates factors linked to academic success in a population of students at a regional campus in Lawrence County, Ohio. Traditional and non-traditional students were compared on measures of locus of control specific to the college context, perceptions of support received from their social networks, and self-reported GPA. Cohort and gender differences are discussed. Findings from this study can be used to develop strategies to provide students with support resources that are accessible and appropriate for their individual needs.
