How Academic and Social Factors Relate to Persistence Among First-Year College Students, Page 1 RUNNING HEAD: How Academic and Social Factors Relate to Persistence Among First-Year College Students Research Proposal: How Academic and Social Factors Relate to Persistence Among First-Year College Students Julie M. Somppi, Cortney TenBrook 26 June 2000 EDFI 642: Research in Education Dr. Craig Mertler