Aviation Living Learning Community: Impacts on Student Success

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact on student academic success and retention while participating in an aviation-themed living learning community on a college campus. The data for this study was drawn from 625 new students (freshman and transfer) who enrolled at the University with an aviation major declared at the start of the 2012 and 2013 fall semesters. The study compared the difference in academic performance and retention between students (N=82) living in the Aviation Living Learning Community (ALLC) against those not living in the ALLC. The study found significant differences between the two groups of students in Fall GPA and academic grade in the Private Pilot ground school, students participating in the ALLC did significantly better than their peers not living in the ALLC. There was no significance found between the two groups in regards to retention at the University, or staying in the aviation program.