Date of Award

May 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Jocelyn Gutierrez

Abstract

This qualitative case study explored the experiences of student affairs professionals at community colleges to gain insight into the problem of staff retention, especially as it exists at community colleges, a sector that is under-researched in the literature on student affairs staff turnover. As open access institutions, community colleges must engage diverse student populations in a dynamic environment. Retaining quality student affairs staff is an important strategy to support student success and meet community college missions. As part of a bounded case study approach, two Illinois community colleges served as research sites. Data collection consisted of participant interviews, participant demographic profiles, and publicly available documents from each site to triangulate findings. Data were analyzed using Merriam’s (1998) constant comparative approach. Quotes from participant interview transcripts and institutional documents served as units of data for categorization and sub-theme creation, while participant demographic profiles supported data triangulation. Cases were analyzed independently and cross-analyzed to name the major themes cited in the findings. Using a social exchange theoretical framework, four themes emerged: 1) relational proximity as reciprocity; 2) structural reciprocity by default; 3) institutional decision-making at a distance; and 4) incommensurable reciprocity. These themes illuminate a perceived gap between what frontline student affairs staff want from their employment relationship and what the institution is structurally equipped to provide. In response to the study’s findings, a two-part tool – the Frontline Staff Exchange Inventory (FSEI) and the Reciprocity Gap Action Planner (RGAP) was created to support community college leaders in assessing their reciprocal employee relationships and implementing responsive solutions to improve staff retention.

Download

Share

COinS