Student-faculty informal interaction and the effect on college student outcomes: a review of the literature.

Review of the literature synthesizes research on the informal interaction of college students and faculty. The role of student-faculty interaction is discussed with regard to effect on students' academic achievement, satisfaction with college, intellectual and personal development, persistence and attrition, and career and educational aspiration. Research supports the important socializing role of faculty in the college experience. Characteristics of the most interacting faculty personalities that interact most are given along with the classroom atmospheres most conducive to informal interaction. A review of research methodology for college student outcomes is presented.