The Main Factors Behind First Generation College Students' Retention And Dropout, Ahmed Hussein

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that first-generation college students face many hurdles until they graduate if they did not drop out. Limited financial resources, lack of personal skills, and social supports cause many first-generation college students to struggle as they strive to achieve their academic aspirations and receive a degree. This study was developed to locate the main factors behind first-generation college students' retention and dropout. For the purpose of forming this study 84 college students were surveyed to collect data from college students themselves. The short-term study found that first-generation college students have more challenges finishing their studies and getting a …

The Final Destination, Graduation: Increasing Retention Rates Of African American Males Through Student-Faculty Interaction During Study Abroad, Leota Evett Wilson

Black Issues Conference

Summary: As many predominately White institutions continue to emphasize the importance of diversity and multiculturalism, the recruitment of African American students has increased. However, many institutions struggle with retaining this particular student population to graduation, suggesting that they may require a different type of support to achieve degree completion.

Extensive research shows that African American students who participate in leadership or educational enrichment experiences and establish faculty relationships are likely to demonstrate a greater satisfaction with their college experience.

Study abroad offers a unique experiential learning environment that allows students to reinforce classroom knowledge, validate their career field, experience broader …

Proactive Measures In Combating Bullying In Schools: Examining The Effectiveness Of The Bucket Fillers Program In Character Building Education, Karina Katsikis

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying continues to plague our schools. Some schools are implementing proactive solutions in the form of character building education to address bullying. The purpose of this research was to examine the character education program, Bucket Fillers, and its effectiveness on reducing bullying in one public elementary school by examining questionnaires containing homeroom teachers' evaluations. Data of behavioral incident reports from prior to the program's initiation and after were also collected and compared. The majority of teachers noticed more spontaneous positive interactions and less negative interactions between students after the establishment of the program. There was no significant correlation found between …

Utilizing Reserach Methods To Evaluate And Assess Sexual Aggression And Gender Roles, Jackie M. D'Andrea, Dianne M. Timm

Dianne M Timm

The study analyzes sexual aggression according to hyper-gender roles and fraternity/sorority membership at a midsize midwestern university. The research examed whether hyper-gender roles affect an individuals sexual experience and whether fraternity and sorority communities are more likely to endorse hyper-gender roles. Key Words: Hyper-gender roles, hypermasculinity, hyperfeminity, sexual aggression, fraternities, sororities.

The Use Of Case Study Competitions To Prepare Students For The World Of Work, Monica Galloway Burke, Joelle Davis Carter, Aaron W. Hughey

Counseling & Student Affairs Faculty Publications

As we continue into the new millennium, it is imperative that educational institutions equip graduates with the knowledge and skills that are increasingly needed and valued by business and industry. In this article, the authors argue that the case study approach and, specifically, case study competitions constitute an ideal pedagogical strategy for achieving this objective in an effective and efficient manner, with resulting benefits for both students and employers.

Utilizing Reserach Methods To Evaluate And Assess Sexual Aggression And Gender Roles, Jackie D'Andrea, Dianne Timm

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The study analyzes sexual aggression according to hyper-gender roles and fraternity/sorority membership at a midsize midwestern university. The research examed whether hyper-gender roles affect an individuals sexual experience and whether fraternity and sorority communities are more likely to endorse hyper-gender roles. Key Words: Hyper-gender roles, hypermasculinity, hyperfeminity, sexual aggression, fraternities, sororities.

Utilizing Reserach Methods To Evaluate And Assess Sexual Aggression And Gender Roles, Jackie M. D'Andrea, Dianne M. Timm

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The study analyzes sexual aggression according to hyper-gender roles and fraternity/sorority membership at a midsize midwestern university. The research examed whether hyper-gender roles affect an individuals sexual experience and whether fraternity and sorority communities are more likely to endorse hyper-gender roles. Key Words: Hyper-gender roles, hypermasculinity, hyperfeminity, sexual aggression, fraternities, sororities.

Bullying Prevalence In Mississippi: A Comparison Of Urban And Rural Schools, Valarie Mccaskill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the prevalence of bullying in urban and rural schools in Mississippi. Students at eight middle schools completed the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire to identify bullies and bully victims. The results of the study showed that approximately 50% of students in both urban and rural schools were identified as being bullied once or more during the current school term. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of bullying at urban and rural schools based on students who attended the eight middle schools who participated in the study. However, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of bullying …

Impact Of Remedial Reading Interventions On A Secondary Student With Emotional Behavior Disorder: A Case Study, Lucinda Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students who struggle with emotional behavior disorders (EBD) often enter high school with reading levels far below those of their peers. At the secondary level, these at-risk students must regularly read and write proficiently in order to demonstrate their literacy achievement and potential for success either in college or on the job. As a result, many EBD students choose to drop out of school instead of daily feeling that they do not measure up. This instrumental qualitative case study examined the impact of the five essential components of reading instruction, teacher modeling, repeated readings, and progress monitoring on the disruptive …

Passive Vs. Active Technologies In The Classroom, John Borchert

Theses and Dissertations

Modern technology is being implemented in the classroom more and more. Little has been done to identify which types of technologies are the best to use for educational purposes. Research has shown that students perform better when they are interested in the subject. This study seeks to determine if passive technologies (TV, power points, etc.) or active technologies (video games, electronic quizzes, etc.) were more effective in inspiring interest and better performance. This will help educators chose better options for technology use in their classrooms. This study required subjects answer a survey questions regarding different types of technologies they had …

From Cosmetic To Metabolized Change: Promoting Paradigm Shifts In A Dominant Culture University, Linda L. Samek, Anna A. Berardi, Amy Lynn Dee, Debra S. Espinor, Brenda M. Morton, Stephen R. Bearden, Steve Song, Waneen Aden White

Faculty Publications - College of Education

The authors provide three case examples modeling the implementation of the Diversity agenda in a school of education within a private Christian university. The second article in a series, the case studies demonstrate contextual application of confronting privilege as it manifests itself in a seemingly homogeneous environment. As the authors document programmatic, personal, and pedagogical methods informed by principles of social justice and equity, the intent is to move beyond cosmetic compliance with accreditation obligations towards a metabolized second order change within students and faculty.

Perceptions Of Loss And Grief Experiences Within Religious Burial And Funeral, Hyacinth C. Okafor

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore perceptions of loss and grief experiences within religious rites and rituals vis-à-vis the context of counseling. Literature indicated the need for a better understanding of grief and loss experiences from bereaved individuals’ perspectives and the context within which loss and grief experiences occur (Dillenburger & Keenan, 2005; Stroebe, Hansson, Schut, & Stroebe, 2008). Participants for this study included 10 purposefully selected Catholic members from two Catholic Church parishes in Nigeria, Africa. All participants had experienced loss and grief, had participated in Catholic burial and funeral rites and rituals, and were …

Factors Associated With School Counselors' Use Of A Family Systems Perspective, Dorothy M. Martin

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Six hundred fifty-seven (657) members of the American School Counseling Association responded to the researcher-developed survey, the School Counselors Perceptions of Family Systems Perspectives Questionnaire (SCP-FSPQ). The instrument assessed school counselors’ perceptions of preparedness, competency, importance and frequency of use of family systems perspectives when working with youth in the school setting. The purposes of this quantitative study were to understand school counselors’ perceptions of their educational preparation in family systems perspectives; whether school counselors are using family systems strategies and, if so, how often; and how important school counselors believe those strategies are when implemented. This study also explores …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Women With Breast Cancer: Implications For Counselors, Latasha K. Clay

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Qualitative phenomenological methodology was used to explore the lived experiences of African American women diagnosed with breast cancer. Phenomenology focuses on the meaning of the lived experiences of individuals experiencing a concept, structure, or phenomenon (Creswell, 2007). The purpose of phenomenological research is to identify phenomena as perceived by the individual. Utilizing an existential perspective, the focus of this study was to uncover meaning which defined the essence of the participants’ experiences. Seven African American women diagnosed with breast cancer participated in this study. The participants’ ages ranged from 33-63 years. A semi-structured interview process with open-ended questions was utilized …

Conversations : A Middle School Advisory Program, Mindy Swedarsky

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Includes a rationale that develops the reasoning for establishing an advisory program at the middle school level. It explores advisory program models currently used in the field including relevant content and activities for an advisory program as well as exploring the range of options a school has for implementing an advisory program in regards to time allotment and student grouping. It also provides a snapshot of early adolescent physical, social, emotional, moral reasoning, and cognitive development and discusses the benefits to implementing an advisory program with 12 to 14 year olds.

Perceptions Of Political, Academic, And Corporate Leaders: Higher Education Accountability In Georgia, Leslie Gene Fout

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine Georgia political, academic, and corporate leaders’ perceptions of higher education accountability. A case study design was used to gain in-depth information. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 participants.

The findings of the study included the following:

1. Nearly every participant believed the mission and purpose higher education involved providing students with the skills and abilities needed to obtain gainful employment, and thereby make a positive impact on the economic development of the state of Georgia.
2. Approximately half of the participants believed higher education should cultivate an engaged citizenry.
3. No consensus was …

Trait Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Discrimination, And Academic Achievement Among African American And Latina/O High School Students: A Study Of Academic Resilience, Nick R. Abel

Scholarship and Professional Work – Education

The goal of academic resilience research is to identify factors and processes which lead to academic success among groups of students generally found to be at-risk, including those of African American and Latina/o descent. The present study investigated a possible risk factor (perceptions of discrimination), a possible protective factor (emotional intelligence), and the role of gender in predicting academic achievement (as measured by high school GPA) in a sample (N = 79) of African American and Latina/o high school students attending one high school in Minnesota. Through the use of multiple regression, neither emotional intelligence nor perceptions of discrimination was …

Expectations V. Reality: A Study About Chinese Students' Expectations And Experiences At A Midwestern University In America, Sarah J. Barg

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to add to the research regarding the expectations and experiences of Chinese students studying at an American university. In doing so, this study sought to examine newly arriving Chinese students’ expectations of what their experience would be like compared to the reality of what their experiences actually were while attending Midwestern State University (MSU). Ten participants participated in two semi-structured interviews. The first set of interviews explored what Chinese students expected their experience studying at MSU to be like. The following interview explored the actual experiences the Chinese students had while studying at …

Group Counseling For Students Transitioning Out Of Postsecondary Education, Joel A. Lane

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper proposes a Narrative-based group counseling model for postsecondary students preparing to graduate and transition out of university life. The challenges associated with this transition are both psychological and career-related in nature. The author utilizes multiple transition frameworks to provide a conceptualization of the graduation transition, and offers an overview of narrative therapy, its use in transition counseling, and its use in groupwork. The proposed intervention calls for two facilitators and between six and eight members. An intervention overview is provided that includes recruitment and prescreening instructions as well as content for eight sessions.

Exploring The School Counselor's Role In Response To Intervention (Rti) Efforts For Struggling Readers In Elementary Grades, Rachel Merz

HIM 1990-2015

Student success is important for student learning, for parents, and for schools; however, in the last decade standardized test data has shed much light on the need for improved student performance across grade levels. Research findings identify that there are millions of struggling readers in US schools. Using assessment data, schools are implementing various types of intervention systems in an effort to meet all students' needs. Response to Intervention (RtI) is a method of intervention that provides systematic assistance to students who have learning difficulties and need additional support beyond regular classroom instruction. Results showed that RtI related activities (i.e., …