Adrienne Provost
Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction
Adrienne Provost’s research contributes to the fields of higher education and community college studies by examining the historical, ideological, and policy foundations that shape contemporary access and student success initiatives. Her scholarship centers on the history of community colleges, humanistic education, higher education policy, and discourse analysis, with particular attention to how institutional narratives influence practice, leadership, and student outcomes. She publishes in both peer‑reviewed academic journals and practitioner‑focused venues, intentionally working between these two spheres to translate theory, history, and research into accessible, applied knowledge that informs policy and program design. Bridging academic and practitioner audiences is a central aim of her scholarly work.
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In addition to her published research, Dr. Provost maintains the digital archive of the Terry O’Banion Collection of scholarly articles and resources at theterryobanionpapers.com, preserving and expanding access to foundational work in community college education and leadership. Through her research, writing, and archival stewardship, she seeks to connect historical context, scholarly inquiry, and contemporary practice in ways that strengthen postsecondary education.
Research Interests
Community Colleges, Humanistic Education, Discourse Tracing, Higher Education, Teaching and Learning, and Discourse-Historical Analysis
Publications
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M. J. Traum, A. L. Provost, S. L. Brixius, A. E. Peralta Gomez, J. Tran, E. V. Liberado, D. Gaikwad, J. Yawn, J. Angulo, E. Peterson, E. L. Wilburt, “iVelas Unites Disciplines Across Borders: Rocket Altimeter Design via US–Brazil Virtual Exchange in a Liberal Arts–Infused Engineering Bridge for Transfer Students,” AIAA 2026-0274, Proceedings of the AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, FL, USA, January 12-16, 2026. URL: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2026-0274
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McCammon, J., & Provost, A.L. (2026). Bridging the transfer pipeline: A three touch points model for cross-campus peer collaboration, belonging, and digital fluency. Insights for College Transitions, 21(2).
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Provost, A. L., Traum, M. J., Kohnen, A. M., Cothren, T. J., Diaz, C., Doher, J., Garcia, J. L., & Yawn, J. (2026). Bridging the divide: Addressing barriers to cross-institutional collaboration through the TRAVE framework. Learning Abstracts, 29(1). Retrieved from https://www.league.org/learning-abstracts/bridging-divide-addressing-barriers-cross-institutional-collaboration-through
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Provost, A. L. (2024). Community College Social Media Public Scholars: Reframing the Narrative from the Inside Out. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2024.2428270
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Provost, A. (2024). Social media public scholars: Reframing the narrative from the inside out. League for Innovation in the Community College.
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Traum, M. J., Jones, T. J., Doher, J. A., K. R. Gurley, J. A. M. W., Provost, A. L., Mella-Alczazr, A. A. C., & Angulo, L. (March 10-12 2024). Virtual exchange embedded in a STEM summer camp improved American high school students’ awareness of Filipino Culture. Proceedings of the ASEE Southeastern Section Conference, 10–12.
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Provost, A. (2023). Digging in the wrong place: Tracing artifacts of humanism in the community college [Doctoral dissertation, University of Florida].
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Provost, A. (2023). Cooling out vs. warming up: History of the debate. NACADA Review, 4(1), 16–26.
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Traum, M., Provost, A., Doher, J. (2022). STEMTank – Implementing online an engineering summer camp for underprivileged high school students in response to COVID-19. Opportunity Matters, 4, 86–101.
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Provost, A. L., Traum, M. (in press). Valuing failure: Successful experiential STEM learning projects boost self-confidence while failure improves grit. Mindset Pathways to STEM Success – A Compilation of Tools and Strategies for Higher Education to Boost Learning in STEM.
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Provost, A. L., Kohnen, A. M. (2022). “Why so many words?” Students’ perspectives on college access and success terminology. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 1–14.
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Provost, A. L., Kohnen, A.M. (2022) A full spectrum of interpretation: A discourse-historical analysis of one community college’s mission statement, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 46:5, 318-334.
Awards and Recognition
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(2024). Terry O'Banion Legacy Award. League for Innovation in the Community College.
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(2022). Advocacy Leadership Award, Santa Fe College Student Affairs
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(2022). Graduate, Next Level Leadership Program, Association of Florida Colleges
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(2020). Exemplary Practice Award, Student Development Commission, Association of Florida Colleges
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(2020). Workforce, Adult and Continuing Education Commission Award, Association of Florida Colleges
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(2017). Robert B. Primack Memorial Foundations of Education Endowment, The University of Florida
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(2016). Graduate, Certified College Professional, Association of Florida Colleges
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(1992-1994). "Chappie" James Most Promising Teacher-Scholar, The University of South Florida
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Interactive Timeline
This timeline traces overlapping micro-, meso-, and macro- discursive themes related to community colleges and higher education across the economic, political, and social landscape of the mid-20th century. The overview details the shift from humanistic to neoliberal ideology that occurred in the late 1970s.
Courses
IDS 4930 Transfer Success Seminar
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
