THE UNMET NEEDS OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AT HOLMES COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON THE GOODMAN CAMPUS

This paper presents a three-manuscript dissertation exploring the unmet needs for academic support of TRIO-eligible college students on the Goodman Campus of Holmes Community College (HCC) in Mississippi. The quantitative study uses descriptive and comparative statistic techniques to analyze two data sets, including the academic success of students who are qualified, applied for, and were selected for HCC TRIO SSS in 2017-18 and the success of students who are qualified, applied for, but were not selected for 2017-18 federal program. The aggregate academic successes, as measured by grade-point average (GPA), was the first comparison of the two groups. This study also compared the two groups’ academic success by gender, which was the subsequent comparison.This research study found that the GPAs of the students who are qualified, applied for, and were selected for the program were significantly higher than the students who are qualified, applied for, but were not selected for 2017-2018 HCC TRIO program. This manuscript focused on the attainments of students who participate in student support service programs, which including tutoring, financial literacy, mentoring, and other pre- and postcollege services. They have higher GPAs and are more successful completing post-secondary education. At the conclusion of the study, the researcher provides several recommendations for practitioners to use