Student organizations on Community College campuses: an examination of engagement levels of Community College students

Abstract

This study uses data from the 2011 Community College Survey of Student Engagement [CCSSE] to compare students' engagement in academic pursuits and their relationships to fellow students, faculty, and administrators at community colleges that host highly-involved Phi Theta Kappa chapters, with students' perceptions of these attributes at community colleges that do not host Phi Theta Kappa chapters or have less involved chapters. The questions explored are: (a) Does having a highly-involved Phi Theta Kappa chapter on campus affect the level of engagement of all students on campus and (b) Does having a highly-involved Phi Theta Kappa chapter on campus influence students' views of their relationships with fellow students, faculty and administrative personnel? The findings indicate that students' enrollment status, age, gender, first-generation status, and race impact students' level of engagement and their relationships with others on campus. The presence and involvement level of Phi Theta Kappa chapters were not statistically significant in explaining students' engagement levels or perceptions of campus relationships. Community college officials should consider an evaluation of student groups on their campuses to determine how closely the groups' missions match and enhance the college's mission and goals, when budgets are allocated.