ELI Webinar | Supporting Student Success at Community Colleges

What goals are community college students trying to achieve through their education? What challenges are they facing? What library and other academic support services might help them succeed? These questions are at the center of a multiyear research project that Ithaka S+R and Northern Virginia Community College, along with six other community college partners and with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), are currently undertaking. Through this project, we are exploring (1) how “student success” can be better defined in a way that is inclusive of both policy priorities and students’ own needs, and (2) what services colleges and their academic libraries can offer to most effectively help students attain success. In this presentation, we will share findings from the first phase of this project focused on student perspectives, practices, and needs, as well as their own definitions of success.

Outcomes

• Understand the goals, practices, and perspectives of community college students
• Consider student needs in redesigning and creating services
• Examine mixed methods for assessing the needs of important campus communities