Factors that Affect Persistence of Graduate Students
Session Type
Concurrent - Includes content presentation and Q & A with audience
Session Description
This research project was designed to investigate the effectiveness of multiple factors of adult non-traditional graduate students on their persistence to complete a master’s degree. Several studies were conducted by the authors from September 2007 through December 2014. The previous studies focused on goal setting, but this study expanded this to include more longitudinal data. Presenters set out to determine whether there was a correlation between these added values and persistence of graduate students.
Session Focus
Post-traditional Students
Degree Completion
Session Audience
Deans & Senior Administrators
Student Services Providers
Advisers
Primary Presenter
Dorothy Williams, Regis University
Contact information
dwilliam@regis.edu
719-264-7052
Brief Bio
Dorothy Williams, Ph.D. is the director of the Colorado Springs campus of Regis University and holds the title of Professor. She has over 26 years of experience teaching adult students at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as holding various management positions in industry and in higher education. She has been involved with non-profit agencies such as currently serving as Chair of the advisory board for the Southern Colorado Girls’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Additional Presenter #1
Jill Coddington, Regis University
Contact Information
jcodding@regis.edu; 719-338-6376
Brief Bio
Jill has been a faculty member of Computer Science at Regis University since 1997. She earned her doctorate from The Union Institute in Mathematics; has her master’s degrees in Software Engineering and Business Administration. She teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in computer science. She is also actively involved in curriculum development both at Regis University and the University of Advancing Technology where she is the Program Lead for Advancing Computer Science and Robotics.
Additional Presenter #2
Robert Collins, Regis University
Contact Information
rcollins@regis.edu; 719-649-1702
Brief Bio
Dr. Robert (Bob) Collins is a career educator working in both higher education and public K–12 education as a teacher and administrator. He holds the rank of Professor in Regis University’s College for Professional Studies. His areas of expertise are adult learning theory and practice, higher education leadership and program development. His current research is focused on goal setting theory and persistence.