From Access to Opportunity: The Evolving Social Roles of Community Colleges

This paper looks at the social role played by community colleges, the students they serve, and some of the current challenges they face. Community colleges have always been multi-mission institutions and in recent decades have been leaders in enrolling students from diverse family backgrounds. “Nontraditional” students make up the majority of community college students. This paper looks at the diversity of students in terms of race and ethnicity, first-generation college-goers, and students who are academically underprepared. The paper concludes with a discussion of the strengths of the community college experience for students coming from diverse backgrounds.     

Authoritarian Versus Authoritative Parenting Styles: Application of the Cost Equalization Principle

ABSTRACT

Given the lack of appropriate theoretical analysis in past research on parenting, this article aims to offer solid theoretical explanation for the effectiveness of authoritative parenting over authoritarian parenting by introducing the behavioral-structural model based on the principle of cost equalization. The results of computer simulation using the new theoretical model demonstrate that authoritarian parenting leads to development of a competitive/hostile structure where the child's spontaneous initiation is discouraged and the overall support within the dyad decreases, whereas authoritative parenting leads to development of a cooperative/friendly structure where the child's spontaneous initiation is encouraged and the overall support within the dyad increases. Implications of child socialization in competitive versus cooperative structures as predicted by the new theoretical model are also discussed.     

Changes in type 1 diabetes health indicators from high school to college

ABSTRACT

Objective: Evaluate trajectories of type 1 diabetes health indicators from high school through the first year of college. Participants: Seventy-four students with type 1 diabetes who maintained pediatric endocrinology care during the first year of college. Methods: Hemoglobin A_1c (HbA1c), blood glucose monitoring frequency, body mass index (BMI), and clinic attendance data were collected via retrospective medical chart review in spring 2012. Group-based trajectory models evaluated diabetes-related health indicators over time and identified distinct growth trajectory groups. Results: BMI increased and clinic attendance decreased in the first year of college. Trajectories for other health indicators were heterogeneous and stable over time; 69% of students were classified as having stable good glycemic control. Racial minority youth and youth on conventional insulin regimens were disproportionally represented in higher-risk groups. Conclusions: Diabetes health indicators are stable or decline upon college entrance. Results signal the need for targeted support for college students with type 1 diabetes.     

Hand in Hand zum Erfolg?!

This contribution deals with the relevance of the employee??s personality for brand relationship quality in the service sector. The necessity for employees of being conform to a brand to strengthen its image makes the fit between the employee and the brand personality of special interest regarding this study. The so developed causal model is evaluated by conducting an empirical study whereby one of the leading financial institutes in Germany serves as study object. Results show a high relevance of Love/Passion, Intimacy and Partner Quality for brand loyalty. Further, these dimensions of the relationship quality are determined by the fit between brand personality and employee personality with regard to the aspect competence and sincerity. The relations between the personality fit constructs and the influenced dimensions of brand relationship quality are intensified by a positive consumer evaluation of the employees with regard to the relevant personality traits.     

Monitoring the Impact of Land Reform on Quality of Life: A South African Case Study

This paper outlines the approach that isutilized by the Monitoring and Evaluationdirectorate of the Department of Land Affairs (DLA) in South Africa in assessing the qualityof life for the land Reform beneficiaries. Thepaper begins with an overview of the three LandReform programs in South Africa. The paper thenmoves on to outline the original design formonitoring and evaluating the quality of lifefor land reform beneficiaries. It then proceedsto detail the current Monitoring and Evaluationdesign being utilized, highlighting itsstrengths and weaknesses. The last sectiondiscusses some of the findings of the qualityof life study undertaken in 1999.     

Language rights: Moving the debate forward

This article provides an overview of the current issues and challenges facing the nascent paradigm of minority language rights (MLR). It focuses on the theoretical points of dispute and tension with respect to MLR, as well as the challenges attendant upon their implementation in complex, multiethnic and multilingual contexts. The article acknowledges, but also responds to, key critiques of MLR to date. These include debates about linguistic modernisation, linguistic identities and essentialism, language and social mobility, and macro and micro language practices. In light of these debates, the article speculates about possible ways forward for the MLR paradigm.