Rev Up Your Engines: Fueling Motivation, Retention, and Graduation Among Auto Tech Community College Students

• In Event: Pathways to Success: Exploring Student Outcomes, Equity, and Institutional Practices in Higher Education

Abstract

Using an exploratory mix-methods design, we answer: What are the environmental factors that motivate a student to complete their degree in automotive technology (ATAD)? Guided by Astin’s (1993) I-E-O model and Kuh’s (2008) high-impact practices, we present an asset-based approach to community college student motivation toward degree completion and workforce entry. We found the ATAD students described the environmental factors that motivated them to complete their degree: their cohort, automotive coursework, labs, faculty, mentors, supervisors, and internships. We concluded ATAD students were more intrinsically motivated with higher self-determination scores when compared to other students. Further research needs to identify effective environments that foster community college student success and improve retention and graduation rates for minoritized and underserved students.

Authors

• Emily Thatcher Creamer, The Ohio State University

• Susannah W Townsend, The Ohio State University

• Matthew J. Mayhew, The Ohio State University