Abstract
Low graduation rates persist at traditional two-year colleges regardless of research that indicates a well vetted orientation during the transfer process may make a difference. A review of the literature suggests that a well-developed, ongoing orientation process improves the likelihood that a student may better adjust to the college setting. Building on existing work that indicates retention rates increase through comprehensive, detailed, and ongoing orientations, my dissertation addresses the question: What impact does orientation have on non-traditional and other transfer students in Community Colleges? To address the question, I conducted a survey of transfer students at California State University, Sacramento as well as a Northern California Community College. (NCCC) The methodology for this work was a quantitative research design. I found that students who have experienced the entire community college journey and those that are just beginning as first-time students, all overwhelmingly agree that orientation should serve as a comprehensive guide for navigating the college setting. The implication is that if many orientation programs are not upgraded, attrition rates may remain static or increase.