ABSTRACT
Myriad possibilities emerge in studying the influences on the success of students in college. Indeed, researchers and administrators across a wide range of institutions of higher education have discussed both policy and practice that lead to greater degrees of retention and persistence. While some foci of higher education must necessarily turn the attention towards issues of institutional or even federal/state policy, at the same time much research looks at individual differences or cultural characteristics that appear to influence the success of students negatively in attending and/or persisting at the desired higher levels. Social factors are certainly significant in students' levels of engagement. Research on students' social integration has shown that the level of institutional commitment is strong predictor of student success across campus types, while also highlighting some important differences amongst residential and commuter colleges/universities affecting students' self-reports of social integration. The chapter highlights a major concern about preparation amongst campus faculty, staff, and administrators who deal directly with students.
