Exploring Student and Advisor Experiences in a College-University Pathway Program: A Study of the Bachelor of Commerce Pathway - read online free

Oct 15, 2026

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Strong interest across Ontario has driven expansion of college-to-university pathway programs through strategic partnerships between a college and a university. This mixed-methods study examines the successes and challenges of an Ontario Bachelor of Commerce pathway, emphasizing pathway students’ transition experiences and advisory support. Preliminary findings show higher academic success than traditional university peers, alongside notable transition barriers, including inefficient communication among administrators, advisors, and students, limited orientation activities, gaps in communication and critical thinking preparation, and difficulties integrating into the university’s social and cultural life.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Study focus and methods

Abstract and preliminary findings

Successes and challenges

CSSHE SCÉES Canadian Journal of Higher Education Revue canadienne d’enseignement supérieur Volume 45, No. 4, 2015, pages 400-422 Exploring Student and Advisor Experiences in a College-University Pathway Program: A Study of the Bachelor of Commerce Pathway Jennifer Percival, Maurice DiGiuseppe, Bill Goodman, Ann LeSage, Ron Hinch, John Samis, Otto Sanchez, Anna Rodrigues, & Phil Raby University of Ontario Institute of Technology Fabiola Longo Durham College Arlene De La Rocha University of Ontario Institute of Technology/Durham College Abstract Currently, there is great interest across Ontario in the expansion of pathway programs between colleges and universities. Through strategic partnerships, two Ontario-based postsecondary institutions (a college and a university) have developed innovative and effective pathway programs that facilitate the transition of students between institutions for the completion of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. These programs support the training of highly qualified, market-ready graduates. This paper reports on a mixed-methods study of the successes and challenges of a particular Ontario college and university pathway program, with a focus on the Bachelor of Commerce Pathway program. Preliminary results indicate that pathway students were more academically successful than their traditional university student counterparts but did experience a number of challenges in transitioning from college into university. Principal challenges included inefficient communication between program administrators, academic advisors, and students; lack of orientation CJHE / RCES Volume 45, No. 4, 2015 College-University Pathway Program / J. Percival, M. DiGiuseppe, B. Goodman, A. LeSage, F. Longo, A. De La Rocha, R. Hinch, J. Samis, O. Sanchez, A. Rodrigues, & P. Raby 401 activities for pathway students; lack of college student preparedness in communication and critical thinking skills; and difficulties experienced by college students integrating into the social–cultural life of the university. Résumé Il existeprésentement un grand intérêt partout en Ontario pour l’expansion de programmes de transfertentre collègeset universités. Grâce à des partenariats stratégiques, deux établissements postsecondaires localisés en Ontario (un collège et une université) ont créé des programmes de transferts innovateurset efficaces qui facilitent la transition des élèves entre les établissements pour l’obtention de diplômes et de certificats. Ces programmes soutiennent la formation de diplômés hautement qualifiés, prêts pour le marché du travail. Le présent article présente une étude de méthodes mixtes portant sur lessuccèset les défisd’un programme de transfert particulier entre une université et un collège de l’Ontario, en misant particulièrement sur le programme de transfert du baccalauréat en commerce. Les résultats préliminaires indiquent que les étudiants du programme de transfert obtenaient de meilleursrésultatsscolaires que leurs homologues aux études universitaires traditionnelles, mais qu’ils ont dû surmonter quelques défis pendant la transition du collège à l’université . Parmi les principaux défis, on trouve une communication inefficace entre les administrateurs de programmes, les conseillerspédagogiques et les étudiants; un manque d’activités d’orientation pour les étudiants des programmes de transfert; un manque de préparation en matièrede communication et de pensée critique chez les collégiens; et des difficultéspour les collégiens à intégrer la vie sociale et culturelle de l’université . Introduction In summer 2005, Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) initiated multiple pathway programs to help college students complete university degrees and university students complete college diplomas and certificates. The majority of these programs have been designed to support students who have completed a two-year college diploma to transition into

FAQs

What institutions and program type does the study focus on?

The study focuses on a college and a university in Ontario that developed pathway programs to support student transitions between institutions for degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

What did preliminary results suggest about pathway students’ academic performance?

Preliminary results indicate pathway students were more academically successful than traditional university student counterparts.

What are the main challenges pathway students faced during transition?

Key challenges included inefficient communication between program administrators, academic advisors, and students; lack of orientation activities; insufficient preparedness in communication and critical thinking skills; and difficulties integrating into the university’s social–cultural life.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Muffet