The Learning Community Experience in Higher Education : High-Impact Practice for Student Retention

Offering an interdisciplinary qualitative approach, this book examines and evaluates the role and benefits of a Learning Community (LC), a high-impact practice for student retention in higher education. Grounded in in-depth case studies and first-person student experiences, the authors studied four student cohorts (sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate students) who participated in a full immersion LC experience at an urban public four-year college in New York. Focusing on the maturity students develop as they progress toward their degrees, the authors evaluate the impact of the learning community on the students’ experiences, perceptions, successes and obstacles. A powerful demonstration of the effects of connection and comradery on learning, this account explores how the LC helps the decision-making of those in higher education administration regarding high impact student interventions.

Susan Mary Paige is a Lecturer in the University College at SUNY Buffalo State, USA.

Amitra A. Wall is Professor of Sociology and Assistant Dean of Intellectual Foundations and First Year Programs in the University College at SUNY Buffalo State, USA.

Joseph Marren is Chair and Professor of Communication at SUNY Buffalo State, USA.

Amy DiBartolo Rockwell is the First-Year Experience Librarian and Accessibility Services Librarian at SUNY Buffalo State, USA.

Brian Dubenion is Assistant Director of Residence Life Office for Student Success at SUNY Buffalo State, USA.