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NON-ACADEMIC FACTORS AFFECTING SENSE OF BELONGING IN FIRST
YEAR COMMUTER STUDENTS AT A FOUR-YEAR HISPANIC SERVING
INSTITUTION
by
Monica C. Demcho
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirement for the Degree
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
August 2011
Copyright 2011 Monica C. Demcho
Object Description
| Title | Non-academic factors affecting sense of belonging in first year commuter students at a four-year Hispanic serving institution |
| Author | Demcho, Monica C. |
| Author email | mdemcho@gmail.com; demcho@usc.edu |
| Degree | Doctor of Education |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | Education (Leadership) |
| School | Rossier School of Education |
| Date defended/completed | 2011-05-04 |
| Date submitted | 2011 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2011-05-23 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Tambascia, Tracy |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Venegas, Kristan Seli, Helena |
| Abstract | Academic and social integration have been established as important elements in the persistence of students beyond the first year of college. Studies assessing the social integration of commuter students at four-year institutions are limited. The purpose of this study is to narrow the gap in research by investigating the effect of non-academic factors on sense of belonging, as a perception of social integration, of first year commuter students at a non-residential, four-year, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The variables assessed in relationship to sense of belonging include cross-racial peer interaction, encouragement from family and friends, and campus involvement. Driving distance was also assessed in relationship to sense of belonging and campus involvement. Additionally, the relationship between sense of belonging and institutional commitment was explored. Two-hundred and four first year, commuter students completed an online survey consisting of demographic background questions, and four previously validated scales that measured frequency of cross-racial interactions, encouragement from friends and family, sense of belonging and institutional commitment. Activity involvement was measured using ten individual campus activities items. The results identified all three variables, campus activities, cross-racial interactions, and encouragement of family and friends, as predictors of sense of belonging in first year commuter students. The assessment of the effects of participation in specific campus activities on sense of belonging resulted in community service clubs and organizations having the greatest impact on sense of belonging. Commute distance appeared to affect sense of belonging and campus involvement negatively. Students living within walking distance were more involved on campus activities and had a greater sense of belonging in comparison to students who drove to campus.; Finally, the results of this study suggested a strong relationship between sense of belonging and institutional commitment. The findings of this study support the importance of social factors in the integration of commuter college students to their campus community and pave the way for further research. |
| Keyword | social integration; non-academic factors; commuter; college; four-year; university; sense of belonging; campus involvement; external support; driving distance; peer interaction; cross-racial peer interaction; institutional commitment; first year students; freshmen; Hispanic Serving Institution |
| Geographic subject (country) | USA |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m3949 |
| Rights | Demcho, Monica C. |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | http://www.usc.edu/isd/libraries/services/ask_a_librarian/email/ |
| Filename | etd-Demcho-4664 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume62/etd-Demcho-4664.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 1 |
| Full text | NON-ACADEMIC FACTORS AFFECTING SENSE OF BELONGING IN FIRST YEAR COMMUTER STUDENTS AT A FOUR-YEAR HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION by Monica C. Demcho A Dissertation Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION August 2011 Copyright 2011 Monica C. Demcho |
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