Facing Academic Dismissal: An Adaptive Organizational Approach Preparing All Students for Success

ABSTRACT

Despite efforts to improve college student success, such as through first-year initiatives, significant numbers of students at two- and four-year institutions still do not persist past the first year to graduation.  The challenges only increase for community colleges serving diverse populations such as first generation, low income, and immigrant students.  Particularly under-addressed are the large numbers of students on probation and on academic dismissal. Therefore, some institutions have begun considering institutional behaviors that can best stimulate conditions under which all students can succeed, particularly those returning from academic dismissal.  Employing an adaptive organizational perspective and a case study design, this study explores the creation and implementation of an innovative student success intervention—Academic Dismissal Course (AD)—that provides comprehensive support through a course for students returning from academic dismissal at a community college.  Findings from this study, based on interviews with three senior administrators, demonstrate how an educational institution can adapt to changing needs and populations through a continual exchange of organizational structure, flexibility and collaboration.