Date of Award

12-2009

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Educational Leadership, Research and Technology

First Advisor

Dr. Louann Bierlein Palmer

Abstract

Despite anecdotal evidence that residence hall staff are involved in the intrusive delivery of early warning academic intervention programs, little literature exists that defines these programs or the role of residence life staff in their delivery. Understanding the existence of such programs and the involvement of residence life staff is important in developing collaborative efforts between student and academic affairs aimed at promoting student success.

A national on-line survey of senior housing officers was utilized in this research. Results identified that early warning programs existed at 187 (67.3%) of the 278 responding institutions. Of those, 119 institutions (63.6%) utilized residence life staff in their implementation. The core aspects of programs with residence life staff involvement are identified as are the strategies used for interacting with students. Results indicate programs with residence life staff involvement are more likely to provide direct and meaningful interactions with residents.

Assessment strategies and successes reported from such programs are revealed. Senior housing officers report the greatest success was an enhanced sense of collaboration between student and academic affairs. Key barriers related to the implementation of such programs are reported for institutions with programs in place as well as for institutions without such programs. Programs with residence life staff involvement report the fewest barriers to program implementation. Finally, similarities and differences in programs are explored between groups of public and private institutions, institutions of small, medium, and large undergraduate enrollment, and institutions of small, medium, and large housing occupancies. Few differences were found when examining such differences.

Results provide a description and deeper understanding of early warning midterm academic intervention programs in use at various residential institutions across the United States. Such findings provide a foundation for the literature base and continued research concerning the role of residence life staff in such programs.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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