Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Committee Chair

Jessica Van Cleave

Abstract

Numerous research studies have been conducted identifying the benefits of the early college model, yet none have connected the end goal of the early college to meeting the needs of the community and stakeholders it serves. This multiple methods research study used a survey and focus groups to investigate the perceptions of various early college stakeholders regarding the end goal(s) of the early college through the lens of school culture. Despite the benefits associated with attending an early college, additional research was needed to determine if the school’s mission and vision were in alignment with the community it served. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes from focus groups. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the School Culture Survey (SCS) and three additional open-ended questions. The primary finding of the study revealed a tension between the early college’s goals of attending a 4- year degree and studying specific careers and some students’ desires for alternative paths to be equally successful. The research found the early college graduates perceived the end goal of the early college as developing a passion for continuous learning in future leaders by discovering one’s vision of a successful life, while the staff expressed the mission as developing future leaders who are responsible and disciplined as they prepare for all aspects of life no matter what path they choose. Parents/guardians and college and career stakeholders highlighted skills and activities promoting the early college mission, while early college graduates identified activities promoting or hindering the school meeting its mission.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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