TDNet Discover

The purpose of this proposed non-experimental mixed-methods action research study is to investigate factors contributing to unfinished degrees among general studies majors at Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC). For the utility of this study, unfinished degrees will be defined as delayed or incomplete associate degrees, including students who suspend enrollment or transfer without a degree. Knowles’ theory of andragogy guides this proposed study, which accounts for the experiences and needs of adult learners, regardless of age, providing a lens for examining degree completion among general studies majors at DTCC. The proposed study aims to answer: “What institutional and student factors contribute to degree completion among general studies majors at DTCC?” DTCC, Delaware’s open-admission community college, offers academic and workforce programs, from bachelor’s degrees to non-credit, continuing education opportunities. Qualitative data will be collected through interviews from a sample population of DTCC stakeholders and analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data will include archived institutional records of general studies majors from 2022 to 2024 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential procedures. Integrated findings will establish baseline data prior to proposing DTCC’s participation in the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Survey of Community College Outcomes (SCCO). The researcher anticipates the SCCO results will show a higher student success rate than traditionally reported and reveal contextually relevant insights into the barriers affecting degree completion among general studies majors. The adoption of the Richmond Fed success rate metric into DTCC’s internal data system is expected.