TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary 1 INTRODUCTION 1 METHODOLOGY 1 COMPARATOR INSTITUTIONS/CATEGORIES 1 DATA ANALYSIS 2 RESULTS 2 DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 2 THEMES 4 COLLEGE CHOICE 4 FINANCING COLLEGE 12 ACADEMIC DISENGAGEMENT 15 ACADEMIC PREPARATION 16 INTERACTION WITH TEACHERS 26 ACTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING 28 ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT EXPERIENCES 29 WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION 32 LEADERSHIP 34 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 37 DIVERSITY 44 HEALTH AND WELLNESS 48 SPIRITUALITY/RELIGIOSITY 51 CAREER PLANNING 53 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 58 REFERENCES 58