A Longitudinal Examination of College Students' Academic Social Supports

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: Student Learning and Development

Abstract

Academic social supports from peers, faculty and college community are associated with postsecondary achievement and persistence. In this study, 546 first-time college students completed a survey annually containing items related to academic social support from peers, faculty and college community. Student demographic characteristics, high school and first-semester college grade-point averages were gathered from institutional records and matched with survey responses. Random coefficient growth models with social supports as four-level within-subjects variables identified longitudinal trends of substantive interest. In addition, demographic characteristics were predictive of initial status and change in student perceptions of the academic social supports. The poster presentation will discuss implications for research and practice.

Authors

• Scott C. Marley, Arizona State University

• M Jeanne Wilcox, Arizona State University