Date of Award
2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Education
Program
Education
Supervisor
Dr. Katina Pollock
Second Advisor
Dr. Allan Pitman
Abstract
Student retention is a major issue impacting universities as consistent leavings prior to graduation bring about numerous costs for institutions, students and communities at large. This thesis examined student services and out-of-class activities affecting student satisfaction, year one to year two retention and overall graduation rates across six public Ontario universities. Approaching retention under the framework of student engagement, this study utilized recent National Survey of Student Engagement results to quantitatively analyze first-year student participation in and perceptions of their institution’s services which contribute to success. What emerged were statistically significant relationships pertaining to year one to year two retention and strong institutional support in all areas of student life, in addition to on-campus involvement and strong peer groups. Overall, results coincided with major research from the United States and produced generalizable findings within the Ontario context, thus providing stratégie focus areas for campus policies and practices concerning first-year student support.
Recommended Citation
Moir, Wesley, "STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION IN ONTARIO’S UNIVERSITY SYSTEM" (2010). Digitized Theses. 4805.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4805