The CBAPP Belong Series: A Qualitative Evaluation of a Program Designed to Improve Student Retention

• In Event: Bias, Politics, and Criminology Education

Abstract

Student retention models have shifted from deficit-based models to strengths-based approaches. These approaches encourage student engagement, foster belonging, and support the development of academic identities. This study provides a qualitative evaluation of College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) Belong Series, which was developed for first-year students based on Museus’ Culturally Engaging Campus Environment (CECE) model to improve retention. CBAPP includes Criminal Justice Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership Studies, and Business Administration programs, all of which experienced significant enrollment drops after the first year of college. Program descriptions and results from focus groups with student participants will be presented.

Authors

• Sarah Britto, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Zheng Yang, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Saahir Shafi, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Rui Sun, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Prakash Dheeriya, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Stephanie Gonsalves, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Chrisdale Altres, California State University, Dominguez Hills

• Erik Galeana, California State University, Dominguez Hills