Where Engagement Meets Support: Pathways to Developmental Gains in Community Colleges

This study examines how academic effort, faculty interaction, and collaborative learning influence community college students’ perceived developmental gains and whether these relationships operate through academic challenge and institutional support. Using 2024 Community College Survey of Student Engagement data (N = 74,982) and structural equation modeling, both academic challenge and institutional support strongly mediated engagement and development pathways. Findings highlight the importance of faculty engagement, rigorous academic environments, and robust institutional support in promoting developmental gains.