The College Experience

If students don’t know the “unwritten rules” for college success – how might it impact them?  This book meets students where they are and helps them develop a plan to handle any situation. 

The College Experience recognizes Student Success is determined by motivation, preparation, knowledge, persistence, and relationships, the outcome largely measured by performance in other courses from the first term throughout the college career. Students are often not prepared for the social and cultural challenges such as meeting expectations, managing pressures on time, and navigating financial issues. Many of the standards for college success are indeed those “unwritten rules” that require an experienced perspective to anticipate, understand, and overcome. This text covers the topics students need to make the transition into a university culture, become active learners, and make intelligent choices. Course materials are realistic and supportive. They resonate with diverse student backgrounds, including first-generation college students, students of color, returning adults, and others. Once students know the “rules” - written and unwritten – they can adapt their plan for a more successful college experience.

Amy Baldwin, M.A., is an instructor of writing, literature, and college success at Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 1996, she has served the college in various roles including self-study editor, distance education coordinator, and professional development coordinator. She is also the author of four student success textbooks that were the first on the market that addressed the special needs of students: The Community College Experience 3rd edition (Pearson, 2012), The First-Generation College Experience 1st edition (Pearson, 2012), The Community College Experience PLUS 3rd edition (Pearson, 2013), and The College Experience 1st edition (Pearson, 2013). She has also facilitated over 120 workshops and breakout sessions all over the country―at community colleges, K-12 professional days, and national conferences--on teaching and learning issues such as transitioning to college, student engagement practices, and active learning. Amy will complete her doctorate of higher education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in December 2012. The focus of her dissertation is student engagement, retention, and success for African-American males in college. She is also serving as the project manager for the Complete College America initiative for the state of Arkansas.

Brian Tietje is a Professor of Marketing and the Dean of Continuing Education at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. His undergraduate business degree is from Bowling Green State University (1988), his MBA is from the University of Hawaii (1994), and his Ph.D. in marketing is from the University of Washington (1999). Dr. Tietje is passionate about student learning. He has won several teaching awards, is the co-author of Anybody’s Business with Barbara Van Syckle, and has authored the Wall Street Journal weekly educator’s review for over ten years. As Associate Dean at the Orfalea College of Business, he spearheaded efforts to improve student success and graduation rates and led the effort to develop alternative modes of course delivery to improve student learning. He also served as the principal facilitator of the College’s assessment of learning program for AACSB accreditation. Brian lives on the Central Coast of California with his family, friends, and pets.