ABSTRACT
Student persistence and/or retention is a critical factor for higher education. It impacts the finances of the institution as well as its reputation and standing. The Learning Community (LC) experience has been part of the retention discussion since the work of Tinto. First-year college students are typically freshly graduated from high school and dealing with many transition issues upon attending college. Learning communities continue in undergraduate education as a widely used and effective student success initiative. Learning communities on college campuses take many forms. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is based on the work of DeCharms and Deci and Ryan's own research into human motivation theory. They theorized that people who persist are energized by organizing and enacting their own behavior when they feel volitional and involved. Psychological and educational literature and research on human motivation have used the term "autonomy" synonymously with competence, volition, self-empowerment, and/or self-determination.
