Digital Commons Network^™

Addressing Mental Health Challenges In Graduate Education, Obed A. Boateng

Culminating Experience Projects

Graduate students face a multitude of stressors that can negatively impact their mental health and wellbeing, including academic pressures, work-life balance issues, and financial strains. However, minimal attention has been focused the needs of graduate student population, and existing support are limited. More so, student affairs professionals and practitioners (SAPPs) often engage and interact with graduate student. Yet, many SAPPs who are interested in helping address graduate students’ mental health needs lack sufficient training to effectively support graduate students experiencing mental health challenges. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a comprehensive training program to equip SAPPs …

Academic Outcomes Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Awareness And Action, Tanner B. Howe

Culminating Experience Projects

Research has shown that the online learning implemented during the COVID-19-related school closures had impacts on academic outcomes among secondary students. As schools operate in proximity to this event, it is crucial to investigate and understand those academic outcomes. Research suggests that mathematics and reading/language courses displayed negative academic outcomes for the period of online learning. Through this investigation, stress was observed to have played a major role during this period for secondary students and may have also contributed to the academic outcomes observed. This project seeks to raise awareness of possible student educational needs by shining light on the …

An Examination Of Mental Health In Educators, Hannah F. Sanderson

Culminating Experience Projects

Research has revealed the significance and importance of mental health and its incorporation into overall well-being. A survey conducted by RAND Corp revealed that one in four teachers has experienced symptoms of depression (Kidger, 2021). Along those same lines, educators have expressed that due to their job and the school climate, they have experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and large amounts of stress (Merida et al., 2017). This project explores the various stressors that are felt by educators within their educational institutions and delivers solutions to reduce the symptoms associated with mental illness and improve the school climate. Through surveys …

Improving Student-Athlete Mental Health Through Wellness Check-Ins, Emma Erin Strasberger

Culminating Experience Projects

Mental health is an urgent topic in higher education as many college students are feeling an overwhelming sense of stress, anxiety, and depression. A population of students that significantly struggles with their mental health but does not utilize campus mental health services are student-athletes. Many student-athletes have reported wanting to reach out for help with their mental health, but they do now want to due to the stigma that seeking help makes an individual appear weak. This project explores the recent research regarding access to mental health services among collegiate student-athletes and how removing those barriers can encourage this population …

Addressing Sexual Assault And Supporting Survivors’ Mental Health And Academic Performance Through Peer Advocate Support, Elizabeth G. Clark

Culminating Experience Projects

Sexual assault has been a concern on college campuses that has only been increasing, primarily affecting first-year women. The shame and trauma that survivors of sexual assault often experience can have a drastic impact on their mental health and academic performance. While institutions have some support resources for students victimized by sexual assault, they are underutilized. This project explains the negative consequences experienced by sexual assault survivors and what needs to be addressed by campus resources. To adequately support survivors of sexual assault and work towards changing campus culture, college campuses need to expand their support resources based in trauma-informed …

Exploring The Impact Of School Connectedness On Students’ Mental Health And Academic Achievement, Matthew Scott Posthuma

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Research and relevant literature have shown that school connectedness is not only associated with but has a profound impact on students’ mental health and academic achievement. School connectedness is a factor that can be influenced directly by the school environment and by interventions aimed at helping students that take place during school. School counselors carry out many of these interventions and have a responsibility to promote safe and protective environments for all students. Through the use of data and screening tools, school counselors are able to identify students that could benefit from participating in interventions. Interventions regarding school connectedness …

Assessing And Preventing The Risk Of Burnout In The Resident Assistant Position, Caroline Ellen Murray

Culminating Experience Projects

Resident Assistants (RAs) are student leaders who serve on the front lines of college student care. Due to the demanding and often conflicting nature of their assigned responsibilities, students who serve in this role do so at high risk for mental and emotional burnout. This project will assess and interrogate the main factors that contribute to RA burnout. These factors include role ambiguity, compassion fatigue, and job severity. This project will also provide intervention strategies that will prevent and mitigate this risk of burnout. These strategies include implementing a mental health-centered RA training, mandating RA-specific counseling services, and implementing an …