Experiences in Adventist Colleges/Universities An International Alumni Perspective
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Abstract
This study examines the college experiences of a sample of graduates of Adventist colleges and universities outside North America. Data were collected using an online questionnaire using Survey Monkey. Responses from 171 alumni suggested that they attended Adventist higher learning institutions for their Adventist values and the opportunity to grow spiritually. About 77% rated their college experience to be good to excellent. They rated their college experience as quite effective in career/life preparation skills and development of community and social values. They were often involved in activities related to religiosity and friends/ relationships. Professor/classroom experience was the best predictor of overall college ratings. Current involvement in religious/community services and life satisfaction are associated with involvement in religious/ spiritual activities, extra-curricular activities and enhanced social/community values while in college.
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Research Articles
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References
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Tabachnick, B. G. and Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Tsui, L. (2002). Fostering Critical Thinking through Effective Pedagogy: Evidence from Four Institutional Case Studies. The Journal of Higher Education, 73(6), 740-763.
Villalpando, O. (2002). The Impact of Diversity and Multiculturalism on All Students: Findings from a National Study. NASPA Journal, 40(1), 124-144.
Vogelgesang, L. J., & Astin, A. W. (2000). Comparing the Effects of Community Service and Service-Learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 7(1), 25-34.
Wortman, T. I. (2002). Psychosocial effects of studying abroad: Openness to diversity. Pennsylvania, United States: The Pennsylvania State University.
Astin, A. W., Sax, L.J., & Avalos, J. (1999). Long-term
effects of volunteerism during the undergraduate years. The Review of Higher Education, 22(2), 187-202.
Barreno, Y. and Traut, C. A. (2012). Students decisions to attend public two-year community colleges. Community College Journal of Research & Practice, 33(11), 863-871.
Birkholz, D. M. (1994). Walking with God: Students’ stories of spiritual growth at a small Christian college. Dissertation Abstracts International—A, 55 (09). Retrieved April 9, 2010, from ProQuest Dissertation & Theses. (UMI No. 9501457).
Bowman, N. A. (2009). College diversity courses and cognitive development among students from privileged and marginalized groups. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 2(3), 182-194.
Briggs, S. (2006). An exploratory study of the factors influencing undergraduate student choice: The case of higher education in Scotland. Studies in Higher Education, 31, 705-722.
Callender, C., & Jackson, J. (2008). Does the fear of debt constrain the choice of University and subject of study? Studies in Higher Education, 33, 405-429.
Carpenter, J. D. (2002). Co-curricular involvement of West Virginia four-year state college students and the statistical relationship with post-graduate community and professional involvement, leadership, salary, and job satisfaction. Dissertation Abstracts International—A, 63 (06). Retrieved September 29, 2010, from ProQuest Dissertation & Theses. (UMI No. 3055909).
Clarke, I., Flaherty, T. B., Wright, N. D., & McMillen, R. M. (2009). Student intercultural proficiency from study abroad programs. Journal of Marketing Education, 31(2), 173-181.
Confer, C. and Mamiseishvili, K. (2012). College choice of minority students admitted to institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Journal of College Admission, Fall, 4-16.
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. (2001). Comparative alumni research: What matters in college after college. Retrieved April 23, 2010, from http://www.cccu.org/news/research_measures_cccu_ alumni_outcomes
Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More is better: The impact of study abroad program duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 151-164.
Engle, L., & Engle, J. (2004). Assessing language acquisition and intercultural sensitivity development in relation to study abroad program design. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10(1), 219-236.
Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E. and Airasian, P. (2012). Educational research: Competencies for analysis and applications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Griffith, A., & Rask, K. (2007). The influence of the U.S. News and World Report collegiate rankings on the matriculation decisions of high-ability students: 1995-2004. Economics of Education Review, 26I, 244-255.
Hadis, B. (2005). Gauging the impact of study abroad: How to overcome the limitations of a single-cell design. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 30(1), 3-19.
Hoover, E. (2008, February). Colleges face tough sell to freshman, survey finds. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54, A1.
Howell, D. (2013). Statistical methods for psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning
Hunt, B. G. (2006). Supports and challenges in the faith development in Jesus Christ in traditionally aged college students (Doctoral Dissertation). Azusa, California: Azusa Pacific University. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1158515781&Fmt=7&clientId=1898&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Kehl, K. L. (2005). Differences in self-efficacy and global-mindedness between short-term and semester-long study abroad participants of selected Christian universities (Doctoral Dissertation). Baylor University. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://hdl.handle.net/2104/3013
Kijai, J. (2013). Exploratory factor analysis of the College Impact Study survey (Unpublished research monograph). Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Kinzie, J., Gonyea, R., Kuh, G. D., Umbach, P., Blaich, C., & Korkmaz, A. (2007). The relationship between gender and student engagement in college. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://www.womenscolleges.org/ files/pdfs/Gender-and-Student-Engagement-in-College.pdf
Kuh, G. D., Kinzie, J., Schuh, J. H., and Whitt, E. J. (2010). Student success in college: Creating conditions that matter. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Lutheran Educational Conference of North America. (2005a). Lutheran student comparison: Lutheran students at Lutheran colleges and Flagship publics. Retrieved April 21, 2010 from http://www.lutherancolleges. org/resources.
Lutheran Educational Conference of North America. (2005b). Overall comparison: Lutheran colleges to Flagship publics. Retrieved April 21, 2010 from http://www.lutherancolleges.org/resources
Ma, S. Y. (2003). The Christian college experience and the development of spirituality among students. Christian Higher Education, 2(4), 321-339.
National Catholic College Admission Association. (2010). A Comparative Advantage Alumni Study for the National Catholic College Admission Association. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://www.catholiccollegesonline.org/parents-students/10-reasons-for-attending-catholic-college.html.
Pascarella, E. T. and Terenzini, P. T. (2005). How college affects students: A third decade of research. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Ridley, K., White, K., Styles, B., & Morrison, J. (2005). Factors affecting applications to Oxford and Cambridge—Repeat survey. Slough, Berkshire, UK: National Foundation for Educational Research. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/143184.pdf
Rood, R. E. (2009). Driven to achieve: First-generation students’ narrated experience at a private Christian college. Christian Higher Education, 8, 225-254.
Sauder, V. (2008). Marketing Seventh-day Adventist higher education: College-choice motivators and barriers (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Schipull, R. L. (2009). Factors Determining Student Choice of Christian Liberal Arts Colleges (Masters Thesis). OhioLINK / University of Toledo. Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/ view?acc_num
Smith, D. G. (1980). College Instruction: Four Empirical Views of instruction and outcomes in an undergraduate setting. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Boston, MA. Retrieved April 26, 2010 from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/ servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED192676.
Tabachnick, B. G. and Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Tsui, L. (2002). Fostering Critical Thinking through Effective Pedagogy: Evidence from Four Institutional Case Studies. The Journal of Higher Education, 73(6), 740-763.
Villalpando, O. (2002). The Impact of Diversity and Multiculturalism on All Students: Findings from a National Study. NASPA Journal, 40(1), 124-144.
Vogelgesang, L. J., & Astin, A. W. (2000). Comparing the Effects of Community Service and Service-Learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 7(1), 25-34.
Wortman, T. I. (2002). Psychosocial effects of studying abroad: Openness to diversity. Pennsylvania, United States: The Pennsylvania State University.