A Quantitative Case Study of the Visiting Scholars Program at a Large Urban Community College in Texas

Phillip Ortiz

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Department

Curriculum and Instruction

Date of Award

Fall 2013

Abstract

The Visiting Scholars program was created in 1999 by a large urban community college in Texas in response to the need for a diversified faculty workforce due to changing student demographics. The purpose of this study was to determine how many women and ethnic minorities are hired into full-time college faculty positions after completing the Visiting Scholars program. This study also examined the differences in gender and ethnicity between those hired into full-time faculty positions and those not hired. This study used archived data collected from the college between the years 2006-2012 to analyze. The sample size consisted of 211 participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. Descriptive analysis found approximately 60% of Visiting Scholars participants were hired and 40% were not hired. Of those hired, 58% were female and 43% were male. Additionally, 70% were ethnic minority and 30% were White. Inferential statistical analysis using a Mann-Whitney U test with p < 0.05 determined that no significant differences in the medians or distributions of gender existed between the groups. Furthermore, no differences were found in the distributions of ethnicity between the groups. A statistically significant difference was found in the medians of ethnicity between groups. The research findings determined that Whites and Hispanics were the largest ethnicities hired, but African Americans were the largest ethnicity not hired after completing Visiting Scholars program by a significant margin. Implications for the research findings and recommendations for further study are presented.

Advisor

Lee Waller

Subject Categories

Curriculum and Instruction | Education

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