Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
First Advisor
Christine Cress
Term of Graduation
Spring 2025
Date of Publication
5-22-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership: Postsecondary Education
Department
Educational Leadership and Policy
Language
English
Subjects
Community College, Early Alert and Intervention, Organizational Learning Culture, Retention
DOI
10.15760/etd.3970
Physical Description
1 online resource (xi, 267 pages)
Abstract
Community colleges serve a diverse, underrepresented, and economically disadvantaged student population, yet most students fail to complete their academic goals, with students from marginalized groups facing even more significant disparities. Some colleges have implemented Early Alert and Intervention (EA&I) programs to improve retention and completion rates. However, colleges may face organizational challenges in implementing and sustaining these retention programs. This qualitative study examined structural and cultural elements in community colleges that have successfully implemented EA&I programs, focusing on student services and student affairs practices that support a learning-centered environment. Findings suggest that effective EA&I programs are grounded in inclusive, collaborative, student-focused cultures, shared goals and vision, cross-functional communication, cross-hierarchical leadership, participatory governance, ongoing professional development, and continuous program improvement. Based on these insights, the study offers actionable recommendations for colleges aiming to implement or enhance their EA&I efforts.
Rights
© 2025 Paul Vernon Wickline
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).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43912
Recommended Citation
Wickline, Paul Vernon, "Retention Intervention Program Success: An Inquiry Into Learning Organization Structural and Cultural Elements in California Community Colleges" (2025). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6879.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.3970