“Like many CSN students, Creedon took a while to figure things out. The community college serves all kinds, so
there is no such thing as a typical CSN student. But it would not be an overgeneralization to say CSN's students are generally older, poorer, less white and less likely to be from college-educated families than those attending most other higher education institutions.” (http://www.lvrj.com/news/csn-tests-its-limits-121621738.html)CSN could use market research to figure out why students are not graduating and what they could do to encourage higher graduation rates. In order to do this a focus group could be conducted followed by a student body survey. The focus group should be made up of seven students of all backgrounds and races. In the focus group, questions like “What do you want to do?,” “what is keeping you from attaining your goal?,” “how could we help you choose a career path?” and several similar questions should be asked and discussed. The ideas from the focus group should be recorded. The survey would ask similar questions but should also include questions like “how many classes do you take a semester?”
Perhaps the most important question that should be asked is "Why CSN?" "What made you want to go to CSN?" Students need to be surveyed to see why they choose CSN and what they would like to accomplish. Also, the community should be surveyed to see what jobs are available and what degrees are most necessary.
I feel that by having these questions answered, CSN could get a real understanding of what it is that makes success so difficult. They could figure out what the problems are for these students and how they can be solved. Clearly there is a lack of motivation in the CSN student body and they need to be encouraged. Things like student support groups, guest speakers and school activities care possibilities for giving the students that little boost they need.
