Dissertation Defenses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Jon L. Shaffer

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology

Title: Role of Residence Hall Staff in Offering Early Warning Academic Intervention

Committee:
Dr. Louann Bierlein-Palmer, Chair
Dr. Donna Talbot
Dr. Michael Cairns

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Ferris State University FLITE 133

Abstract:
Despite anecdotal evidence that residence hall staff is involved in the intrusive delivery of early warning academic intervention programs, little literature exists that defines these programs or the role of residence life staff in their delivery. Understanding the existence of such programs and the involvement of residence life staff is important in developing collaborative efforts between student and academic affairs aimed at promoting student success.
A national on-line survey of senior housing officers is utilized in this research. Results identify that early warning programs exist at 187 (67.3%) of the 278 responding institutions. Of those, 119 institutions (63.6%) utilize residence life staff in their implementation. The core aspects of programs with residence life staff involvement are identified as are the strategies used for interacting with students. Results indicate programs with residence life staff involvement are more likely to provide direct and meaningful interactions with residents.
Assessment strategies and successes reported from such programs are revealed. Senior housing officers report that the greatest success is an enhanced sense of collaboration between student and academic affairs. Key barriers related to the implementation of such programs are reported for institutions with programs in place as well as for institutions without such programs. Programs with residence life staff involvement report the fewest barriers to program implementation. Finally, similarities and differences in programs are explored between groups of public and private institutions, institutions of small, medium, and large undergraduate enrollment, and institutions of small, medium, and large housing occupancies. Few differences are found when examining these elements.
Results provide a description and deeper understanding of early warning midterm academic intervention programs in use at various residential institutions across the United States. Such findings provide a foundation for the literature base and continued research concerning the role of residence life staff in such programs.