Open AccessExamining Individualism in College Student Retention Theory and Practice
Author(s) -
Terron J. Phillips,
Lisa Lambert Snodgrass
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of college orientation and transition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2690-4535
pISSN - 1534-2263
DOI - 10.24926/jcotr.v28i1.3607
Subject(s) - individualism , collectivism , sociology , practice theory , institution , student engagement , pedagogy , individualistic culture , social capital , public relations , social psychology , psychology , social science , political science , law
College student retention and completion rates correlate with the production of societal benefits such as community engagement, human capital, diverse campus communities, and social mobility. While ideas vary, most contemporary retention practices and strategies rely on foundational studies that focus on individualism, the student-institution relationship, and inhibiting factors to student integration into a collegiate environment. This meta-synthesis examines the individualistic nature of foundational historic and contemporary retention theories and practices as well as recommends a collectivist, culturally-responsive alternative paradigm for retention theory and strategy development moving forward.