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Challenges in College Setting

Challenges in College Setting

Owned by Darlene Edgar
Feb 11, 2024
1 min read

Miller, J., & Harrington, C. (2023). Challenges in Implementing and Sustaining Community College Organizational Change for Student Success. Journal of Postsecondary Student Success; Vol. 2 No. 2 (2023); 28-56. https://journals.flvc.org/jpss/article/view/131315

  • Community colleges face challenges in implementing and sustaining organizational change to improve student success rates.

  • Despite their dedication, these institutions struggle to significantly boost graduation and transfer rates.

  • Institutional-level reforms are needed to tackle low completion rates and reduce racial equity gaps.

  • Challenges include:

    • Lack of awareness and motivation among faculty, staff, and administrators.

    • Complex contextual issues such as organizational structures, leadership problems, and funding constraints.

  • Approaches to overcome these challenges include:

    • Providing professional development for leaders in change management strategies.

    • Emphasizing the urgency of the issue due to persistently low graduation rates and equity gaps.

  • Guided pathways are highlighted as a promising whole-college reform strategy.

  • Challenges in implementing and sustaining guided pathways include structural complexities, leadership issues, and stakeholder engagement.

  • The literature review identified three root causes for challenges in implementing change:

    • Contextual challenges

    • Awareness and motivation challenges

    • Change management process challenges

  • Recommendations for improvement include:

    • Facilitating institutional-level conversations

    • Involving all stakeholders in change discussions

    • Providing regular professional development opportunities

    • Engaging more faculty and staff in change efforts

    • Utilizing a macro change framework and external coaching support

  • Additional recommendations emphasize:

    • Helping stakeholders understand the rationale behind the change

    • Providing support for mid-level leaders

    • Integrating change into the college's vision, mission, and values

    • Utilizing existing resources and engaging in institution coaching supports.

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