Kyle McCarrell

Ph.D. Candidate, Postsecondary

This past July, Doctoral Candidate Kyle McCarrell & Dr. Ben Selznick had a collaborative study published in the Community College Review! Congratulations to this duo!

McCarrell, K., & Selznick, B. (2020). (Re)Measuring Community College Student Engagement: Testing a Seven-Factor CCSSE Model. Community College Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091552120936345

Abstract

Objective: Despite the popularity of the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE), this instrument has been criticized regarding its development, theoretical basis, validity, and connection to practice. In light of these concerns, this article reframes the survey by employing Chickering and Gamson’s seven principles, one of the survey’s original theoretical frameworks. A robust discussion of the new measure and its implications for research and practice is presented. Method: Chickering and Gamson’s theory was used to motivate, create, and evaluate a seven-factor model using items from the CCSSE. Drawing on responses from two community colleges (N = 1,076), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test this model. Results: Findings provide support for a seven-factor model with high model fit and moderate-to-strong factor reliability. Contributions: This study offers a valid alternative approach to considering CCSSE data that may influence future work in the area of community college student engagement. We also consider how institutional research practitioners and other stakeholders can leverage study insights to promote student success across community college contexts.

Maureen Malomba

Ph.D. Student, Nonprofit

Over the summer, Maureen and Dr. Sloan distributed a survey as part of Project REACH: Rural Engagement and Capacity-building Hub. Maureen is working on several publications as a result of her work on this project including:

• A book chapter in an upcoming Nonprofit Series titled Crisis Management: Response to COVID-19 (Sagamore publishing)
• An upcoming manuscript published in the Journal of Nonprofit Educational Leadership (Currently under review)

Dr. Sloan and Maureen are also working on 2 papers to present at the upcoming Leading Change Virtual Conference Their works include a Nonprofit Leadership Literature Review and a paper titled A Rural Perspective on COVID Responses: Access, Interdependence, and Community.  

Lindsay Miller King

Ph.D. Candidate, Postsecondary

This July, Doctoral candidate Lindsay Miller King was appointed to the F&M Bank Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Board. Congratulations on your appointment, Lindsay!

Jalal Maqableh

 Ph.D. Candidate, Organizational Science

Jalal has been keeping busy over the summer session and fall semester taking on many community engagement and professional roles!

In October of this year, Jalal Maqableh was appointed to the Fairfield Center's Board of Directors. Over the last several months Jalal has served in several positions at George Mason University, the Shenandoah Valley's Small Business Development Center, and as a doctoral assistant in Strategic Leadership. 

Kathleen Johnson

Ph.D. Candidate, Nonprofit

Earlier this year, Kathleen accepted a new position as Emergency Management Specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Public Assistance Division. Kathleen's division works to provide aid to state, local governments, and certain non-profits in the wake of major disasters to help communities in their recovery efforts.

Guy deBrun

Sasha Griffith, Coordinator of Adventure and TEAM Programs, and advanced SSLS student & Assistant Director for Adventure and TEAM Programs Guy B. de Brun were awarded JMU's 2020 Compass Award for Diversity and Inclusion by the Office of Access and Inclusion. This award recognized Sasha and Guy for being catalysts of change through their adventure programming. Congratulations!

Marcus Hubbard

Ph.D. Student, Organizational Science and Leadership

In November, Marcus collaborated with Katie Overfield-Zook (Operations Manager, JMU College of Business Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship) to organize Social Ventures: Founders and Leaders, a panel discussion with three nonprofit founders and leaders who are making a true difference in their communities. Guest panelists included Brent Holsinger (President of On the Road Collaborative) Jennifer Marshall (This is My Brave) and Jon Katov (The Open Table), with Marcus serving as facilitator. The online event had over 40 attendees! Well done, Marcus!