University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Student representation on Instagram and its influence on retention at a community college

Briner, Clare

Content Files
BRINER-DISSERTATION-2021.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113859

Description

Title
Student representation on Instagram and its influence on retention at a community college
Author(s)
Briner, Clare
Issue Date
2021-11-24
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Ward Hood, Denice
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Ward Hood, Denice
Committee Member(s)
  • Pak, Yoon
  • Kang, Hyun-Sook
  • Mason, Curtis
Department of Study
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Discipline
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2022-04-29T21:34:31Z
Keyword(s)
  • Social media
  • Instagram
  • Student representation
  • Retention
  • Community college
  • Higher education
  • Sense of belonging
  • Connectedness
  • Students of color
  • Diversity
  • Equity
  • Marketing
Abstract
Diversity and equity efforts designed to improve retention of students of color are a significant focus in higher education and particularly in the community college sector. This dissertation examines the role social media plays in the retention of students of color at a suburban community college. A review of literature details the characteristics of community colleges and its students while exploring theories on belonging, representation and student commitment to completion. This literature informs the design of a triangular exploratory research project assessing how a social media platform might influence belonging and provide support to students of color. Survey data analyzed using Chi-square statistical testing indicate a stronger sense of belonging among students of color who follow the college’s social media account and confirm the importance of diverse representation of students in social media imagery. A supplementary review of social media imagery quantifies student representation and helps to contextualize survey findings and inform administration strategies. Finally, a discussion of the findings and their limitations present ways in which community college marketers might administer the college’s social media accounts to more meaningfully impact retention efforts and support students of color who aspire to complete their degree or certificate.
Graduation Semester
2021-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113859
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Clare Briner

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Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois