A Welcoming Environment: Nontraditional Students' Experiences at a Small, Healthcare-Focused University

Autor/in	Dreznick, Michael T.
Titel	A Welcoming Environment: Nontraditional Students' Experiences at a Small, Healthcare-Focused University
Quelle	In: Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 71 (2023) 2, S.152-167 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Dreznick, Michael T.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0737-7363
DOI	10.1080/07377363.2021.2023975
Schlagwörter	Sense of Community; Educational Environment; Nontraditional Students; College Students; Student Experience; Student Needs; COVID-19; Pandemics; Coping; Universities; Age Differences; Peer Relationship + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Lernumgebung; Pädagogische Umwelt; Schulumwelt; Collegestudent; Studienerfahrung; Bewältigung; University; Universität; Age; Difference; Age difference; Altersunterschied; Peer-Beziehungen
Abstract	Nontraditional students represent a large percentage of the population in higher education, yet some institutions may be better suited than others to serve their needs. This research took place at a small, healthcare-focused university that attracts many nontraditional students, so I sought to gather information about the quality of their experiences. I conducted online interviews with a sample of nontraditional students (seven female, one male) to see if they felt welcomed, if their needs were being served, and how they coped with challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Transcriptions of the recorded interviews were reviewed, and an inductive approach was taken in analyzing them. Statements were coded into six themes: the "welcoming environment" of the university, "comparisons" to other schools, "relations" between traditional and nontraditional students, "helpful services" offered by the university, "suggestions" for ways to help nontraditional students at the university, and "social support" received by the students. Analysis revealed that the students were highly satisfied with their university experience and the quality of the academic support they received. Future research could assess the effectiveness of services for both traditional and nontraditional students in terms of student satisfaction, student success, or retention rate. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01