Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

1-1-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ed.D. in Education

First Advisor

Amy E. Wells Dolan

Second Advisor

Katie Busby

Third Advisor

Ryan Niemeyer

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

Regional campuses serve a vital role in today's higher education landscape, extending access to college education for underserved locations and populations. The University of Mississippi’s university system has five regional campuses. The students at a regional campus, like their traditional main campus counterparts, aspire to attain bachelor's or graduate degrees. However, regional campus students often exhibit characteristics more akin to community college or non-traditional students.

While literature on regional campuses is limited, ample research supports the positive impact of student involvement in higher education. Even more limited is research on participation levels of non-traditional students in co-curricular organizations and high-impact practices (HIPs) at regional campuses. This assessment aims to delve into and address the challenges surrounding low student participation in co-curricular organizations and HIPs specifically at the University of Mississippi Tupelo Regional Campus.

The assessment's primary objectives are to identify barriers hindering participation, analyze disparities in involvement across various programs, and propose strategies to enhance student engagement. The assessment will employ a mixed-methods approach, utilizing surveys for quantitative analysis, interviews for qualitative insights, and an environmental scan to evaluate current program landscapes and identify areas for augmentation.

The findings and subsequent recommendations will offer actionable insights to university stakeholders. These insights will enable the development of tailored interventions, fostering an environment that is more inclusive, supportive, and engaging. The ultimate goals of this assessment at the University of Mississippi Tupelo Regional Campus are to increase degree completion rates, elevate the quality of educational experiences, and enhance student participation. Importantly, the recommendations stemming from this assessment can be implemented across all regional campuses within the University of Mississippi.

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