Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials: The Attitudes of Three Generations Toward Their Higher Education Objectives in Georgia Community Colleges

BABY BOOMERS, GENERATION X, AND MILLENNIALS: THE ATTITUDES OF THREE GENERATIONS TOWARD THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION OBJECTIVES IN GEORGIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES Jodi Noles Fissel Old Dominion University, 2013 Director: Dr. Dennis Gregory In today’s economy, students and professionals must acquire skills and continue to hone them throughout their lifetimes (Boothe, 1998). In particular, students must sharpen communication, information technology, and human relations skills and expect to have more than one career in their lifetimes. Because higher education is the key to those skills, community colleges are increasingly multi-generational learning institutions complete with students comprising three or more generations simultaneously. As such, it may be beneficial to recognize and examine the traits of Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials so educators may adapt to varying learning styles and value systems (Robey-Graham, 2008). For this quantitative study, a review of the professional literature and a documents analysis from each institution was performed, followed by interviews with two administrators at each of the three institutions to determine what these administrators believe are the learning objectives of each of the generational groups, and to seek information regarding the methods provided at each institution to enhance the learning environment for each of the generational groups. The above information was used to develop a survey instrument that was administered to students enrolled within classes at a large, medium, and small community college that was selected to ensure that the participants in the study represent the larger population of community college students in Georgia. Finally, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the degree of differences and what changes students from each of the three generations would like to see in the learning environment at community colleges in Georgia. Student survey responses reinforced assumption gleaned from the literature. Millennials are often extrinsically motivated, meaning they value the goals that education may afford, including a job, career, financial opportunities, or societal expectations, but not necessarily for the sake of learning (Bye, Pushkar, and Conway’s, 2007). Millennials are drawn to higher education because of the promise of a more satisfying career, secure financial future, and are more invested in the end result, financial reward, than acquiring knowledge (Shaul, 2007). Conversely, non-traditional learners are intrinsically motivated, desiring self-improvement, while considering personal growth to promote psychological well-being, and not requiring an immediate return, wanting to attend college for the sake of learning, seeking knowledge to satisfy an inquiring mind (Wolfgang & Dowling, 1981). This dissertation is dedicated to my loving husband, Mark. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many people have made this accomplishment possible. I am especially grateful to Dr. Dennis Gregory, dissertation chair, for his boundless patience, guidance, and support. Dr. Mitch Williams was no less patient, supportive, and kind, while simultaneously serving as my academic advisor. Thank you to Dr. Lea Lee who saved my committee by agreeing to read this dissertation and provide her expertise in the field of Teaching and Learning. Special thanks go to Mr. Bruce Wright for my internship opportunity. Thank you to Dr. Lara Carver, Dr. Hara Charlier, Dr. Cheryl Curry, and Dr. Kellie Sorey for providing their expertise in validating my survey instrument. 1 owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the administration, faculty, staff, and students of the three sample colleges who shared their time to make my goal a reality. I want to acknowledge my husband’s parents, Charles and Vecenta Fissel, who provided me with more support and encouragement than any in-laws should have to. With great love and appreciation, I want to recognize Christina, Scott, and Tristan Bullock for continued support. To my beloved grandparents: thank you for your unconditional love and most exemplary paradigm of gratitude and strong work ethic. Finally, my greatest appreciation, love, and affection, go to my husband, Mark. You promised to make all my dreams come true and did. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES. xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION. 1 Background.3 Purpose of the Study.4 Research Questions. 5 Significance.5 Methodology. 6 Delimitations of the Study.9 Definition of Term s. 9 CHAPTER II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.12 Colleges and Universities.17 Community College. 18 Generational Theory.26 Baby Boomers. 28 Generation X . 30 Millennials. 32 Evolving Attitudes toward Higher Education.34 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY. 37 Research Design. 37 Research Questions.38 Participants. 40 Instrument Development. 40 Instrument V alidity.41 Instrument Reliability.42 Data Collection. 44 Data Analysis. 45 Chapter Summary.46 CHAPTER IV FINDINGS.48 Response Rate. 49 Responses to Demographic Items. 50 Significant Findings.52 Chapter Summary.72 CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.73 Purpose of the Study.73 Research Questions.74 Review of the Methodology. 75 Summary of the Findings. 77 Discussion. 81 Findings Related to the Literature.81 Unanticipated Outcomes. 85