Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

2011 AHRD Research Conference of the Americas (2011)

Publisher

Academy of Human Resource Development

Publication Date

2-25-2011

First Page

1

Last Page

10

Abstract

Scholars and practitioners are interested in college attainment as an area of inquiry because post-secondary graduation is linked to increased life-long learning desires and skills as well as other benefits that will influence the effectiveness of future workplace training, development, and educational opportunities. For example, Pascarella and Terenzini (2005) stated that college not only influences employment and earnings but it also impacts moral, psychosocial, and cognitive characteristics in addition to attitudes, values, and quality of life. Cerna, Perez, and Saenz (2009) also argued that the various forms of capital (e.g., social, economic, cultural, and human) that students have when entering college can then be strengthened during their educational experiences. As students enhance their capital, they also improve their productivity, facilitate upward mobility, and increase their likelihood of goal attainment—all critical characteristics of successful employees. As stated in a special report issued by the Lumina Foundation for Education (2009), “college attainment is increasingly important to the U.S. economy as the workforce demands education and training that properly prepare our citizens for success in the global, knowledge economy” (p. 1).

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