Involvement patterns: student involvement in the student community policing program at Rowan University

Stephanie Anne Staple INVOLVEMENT PATTERNS: STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE STUDENT COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAM AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY 2010/2011 Burton R. Sisco, Ed.D. Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration The use of student development theories such as student involvement and student engagement has become extremely important to administrators and student affairs professionals in higher education; however, few have examined their use in the Department of Public Safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement patterns of students in the Student Community Policing Program (SCPP). The study also investigated the impact of student involvement in these programs on students’ satisfaction with the Rowan University campus. The study was conducted at Rowan University, in Glassboro, New Jersey. The target population for this study was students at Rowan University during the academic year of 2010-2011. The instrument to assess students’ levels and patterns of engagement at Rowan University was adapted from a survey of student involvement used by Ohio University. An overall look at the responses dealing with student involvement levels and patterns of current student employees of SCPP at Rowan University indicated that student employees are generally involved on the Rowan University campus and with the program. A significant correlation was discovered during the analysis of the data involving involvement in specific activities. By a large majority, students at Rowan University were very involved in both academic and social activities. They reported a high level of satisfaction with their social involvement, academic atmosphere, campus atmosphere, and personal goal achievement. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Two and a half years ago, I put my life and Joe’s life on hold to enroll in the Higher Education Administration program, and throughout this time I always knew this was a journey we both were taking. My best friend and my biggest fan, he encouraged, supported, and loved me at every moment. Thank you for your love, your understanding, and your flawless grammar editing. Without you, this study would not have been possible, nor would it be grammatically correct. This thesis is dedicated to him. Many thanks go to my family, who quietly say by and let me complain about all the papers I had due and let it slide when I ignored doing the laundry for weeks on end. There are too many reasons for my gratitude and appreciation. I would like to thank those closest to me, whose genuine friendship helped make the completion of this work and my graduate studies possible and bearable. To Gavin Farber, thank you for always keeping a positive force and assuring me that everything would be okay and everything would be finished. To Katie Grillo, thank you for letting me have a standing appointment in your office every week where I could come and talk about anything. I am so grateful to have met such a kind and thoughtful person. I am fortunate to call you a friend. I am also deeply grateful to Dr. Burton R. Sisco for giving me the confidence to explore all of my research and educational interests and the guidance and encouragement to avoid letting my fears get the best of me. You have made more of a difference in my life than you could ever know and for that I am eternally thankful.