Rural Students' Engagement in College: How Do Institutional Characteristics Matter?

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 66
  In Roundtable Session: Learning and Development in Raced and Classed Contexts

Abstract

Rural students often have to move to urban areas with a greater density of higher education institutions when transitioning into college, and therefore may experience unique challenges. Past research has shown that institution-level factors play a role in student engagement, which may be important for students who leave a rural home environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate: a) rural students’ college engagement, and specifically, b) how rural students engage differently based on the size, setting, and urbanicity of the institution attended. By utilizing hierarchical linear modeling, we aim to gain insight into rural students’ college engagement and how characteristics of the institutions matter. Ultimately our work will inform support strategies for rural students transitioning into college.

Authors

• Suzan Kommers, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Catherine A. Manly, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Ryan S. Wells, University of Massachusetts - Amherst