Digital Commons Network^™

College Students’ Knowledge Of And Openness To Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Louis W. Turchetta, Valerie Ryan

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

College students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face challenges due to limited understanding of this condition. This study investigates college students' awareness of and openness to peers with ASD using an educational intervention. Data were analyzed via a pre–post survey design with two groups.

Factorial analysis of variance showed no significant differences between groups. However, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed significant differences in the treatment group’s ranks on the openness scale and knowledge scale between pre- and post-intervention surveys. Findings yielded small (openness) and large effect sizes (knowledge) as expected. Brief educational interventions in required courses can thus potentially enhance …

Law School News: Dean's Distinguished Service Award 2021: Ralph Tavares 05/28/2021, Michael M. Bowden

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Gender Differences In Community College Psychology Students’ Cooperative Learning Experiences: A Qualitative Analysis, Christopher Arra

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

The goal of the study was to assess the effects of gender on college students’ perceptions of the cooperative learning process. Ninety-five college students completed 5 open-ended questions that asked students about their preferences for cooperative learning activities. Fifty-one female and 44 male students participated in the study. A qualitative research design was used. Qualitative analyses compared–across gender–the 5 open-ended questions. The principal investigator qualitatively analyzed for themes, frequency of response, percentage of response, and emergent categories across gender. Some tentative qualitative findings were that male and female students prefer the same type of group work, …

Predicting Academic Success Using Grit And Academic Resiliency In College Freshmen, Julianna Boyle

Health and Kinesiology Theses

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if there are other factors that could predict academic success. Specifically, is there an association between Grit and Academic Resiliency prior to the start of a semester and academic success (defined by GPAs) in college freshmen. This study also explored students’ experiences of high school, effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, perception about their journey through the beginning of their College freshmen year, and perception about success.

Methods: A mixed methods design was used. A quantitative survey was emailed to all incoming UT Tyler Freshmen students prior to the Fall …

The Hyperinvisibility Of Queer Black Women In Higher Education, Jeffery J. Brown

Masters Theses

Colleges and universities aim to support students with marginalized identities. However, for students who hold multiple marginalized identities, those efforts are often lost on them because they are overshadowed by majority minorities. For Queer Black Women, they are often left to build community and navigate college on their own. Furthermore, Queer Black Women are likely to encounter racism, sexism, and homophobia among peers and in academic spaces which sometimes positions them to defend and educate others on their core identities. The participants in this study were undergraduate and graduate students at a predominantly white institution in the Midwest. Data was …

School Finance, Race, And Reparations, Preston C. Green Iii, Bruce D. Baker, Joseph O. Oluwole

Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice

In this article, we explain why and how school finance reform should be a part of a reparations program for Black Americans. This article proceeds in six parts. Part I explains how Black-white school funding disparities occurred during the separate-but-equal era. Part II discusses how these funding disparities have occurred in the aftermath of the Brown decision. Parts III and IV explore why school desegregation and school finance litigation, respectively, have failed to remedy these gaps. Part V lays out a reparations framework that state legislatures could adopt to provide restitution to schools and taxpayers harmed by state policies creating …

"We're Gonna Figure This Out": First-Generation Students And Academic Libraries, Juliann Couture, Jimena Bretón, Emily Dommermuth, Natasha Floersch, Darren Ilett, Kristine Nowak, Lindsay Roberts, Renae Watson

University Libraries Faculty Publications

Although extensive research has looked at first-generation college students’ experiences, very little has examined the role of the library. This article reports the results of an asset-based exploratory study understanding the experiences of first-generation college students at three universities. Key findings of this study focus on themes of self-advocacy, sense of belonging, library customization, and integration of the library with the larger campus. This article discusses these key themes in the context of improving library services and spaces, ultimately providing more inclusive resources for all student groups. Implications and recommendations for professional practice are discussed.

Retention And The Sophomore Slump: Understanding Whether Campus Residency Predicts Retention Of Sophomore College Students, Raglena Salmans

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Retention in higher education is an ongoing challenge in America. Traditional research claims a multitude of reasons for freshman college students to stop out, drop out, or transfer colleges. The term sophomore slump was created many years ago as an all-encompassing phrase for the large amount of students who do not return to campus for their sophomore year or end up leaving during the sophomore year. Institutions of higher education are on a continuous journey to retain students and to understand what the cause of students leaving their university is. Campus housing has morphed through the years to provide programming …

“It Sucks, But I’M Grateful”: Understanding The Experience Of Autistic Students Living In The Residence Halls, Mary F. Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As populations of Autistic students at institutions of higher education increases, it is becoming more important for institutions to evaluate their programs with these students in mind. While the Autistic population has grown, policies and services on campuses have not become more inclusive or supportive of this population as a response. This evaluation examines the Residential Learning Model, the guide through which the residential life program at one institution of higher education is delivered to the students living in the residence halls. Through the lens of the Autistic students and the student staff who live and work in the residence …

Measuring Student Success In Jour200a: Fundamentals Of Editing & Reporting I: A Beginning Writing, Editing And Reporting Class, Jessica Fargen Walsh

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

A grammar error or typo on a resume can mean the difference between getting the job or having your resume deleted. Factual errors and inconsistencies can also affect a writer’s credibility. Accuracy, style, word choice and consistency matter for these reasons and more. Journalism students in particular should come to internships, classes and jobs with the skills they need to succeed. The course Jour200A: The Fundamentals of Reporting & Editing I attempts to meet this demand by providing all majors in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications with a strong foundation in editing and writing. This project sought to …

Pacific Review 2020, Alumni Association Of The University Of The Pacific

Pacific Magazine and Pacific Review

No abstract provided.

Stem Education In College: An Analysis Of Stakeholders’ Recent Challenges And Potential Solutions, Santanu De, Georgina Arguello

FDLA Journal

A vast majority of academic disciplines and curricula in the college center around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), which are critical to developing the skills necessary for a global workforce. Rapid changes in pedagogical setups, educational modes, and advances in instructional technology entail diverse challenges for key stakeholders (i.e. students, faculty, and the organizations). This paper highlights the most relevant challenges and potential solutions in STEM higher education at the college level, reported in the last decade. The holistic analysis combining the three stakeholders’ perspectives would help elucidate significant contemporary aspects impacting the fields. The goal is to further …

Week's End Newsletter, November 14, 2020, Office Of The Provost

Week's-End Newsletter

The Educator Update Newsletter from the Office of the Provost. Includes good news from campus, higher education highlights/news, informational updates, and closing thoughts from an administrator.

Alcohol Use And Drinking-Related Eating Restriction Behaviors Among College Students, Peter Preonas

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The combination of eating restrictions and alcohol use is a prevalent problem on college campuses. Some students engage in eating restrictions prior to drinking to limit their overall caloric intake or to enhance intoxication effects. To date, limited research suggests that drinking-related eating restriction behaviors are associated with additional and unique health risks relative to high-risk drinking or eating restrictions alone. As such, additional research examining this unique, risky set of behaviors is warranted. Consequently, the present study aimed to address gaps in the literature by further examining the risks associated with drinking-related eating restrictions and testing trait factors related …

Enhancing Support For Student Mental Health And Wellbeing Through Service Renewal At A Canadian College, Sterling Crowe

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

As the postsecondary education sector has evolved toward mass education, the proportion of students studying at postsecondary institutions experiencing mental health and wellness-related challenges has continued to rise. This continued growth in prevalence and severity of mental health and wellness conditions impacting students in the postsecondary sector has occurred without similar growth in resourcing for departments responsible for supporting these students in successfully navigating their learning environments. These realities require that institutions begin developing strategies to address this gap. This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) presents a possible solution to enhance the capacity of a large urban College in Canada to …

A Chance For Success: Understanding How Latinx Students Make Meaning Of Federal Work-Study Employment, Raylea Danelle Rideau

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Many students engage in Federal Work-Study as a means of additional income and part-time employment. However, few studies detail the program’s overall effectiveness and impact, especially from the perspectives of students of color. This qualitative study described, by way of multiple case study design, how Latinx students employed in at least one semester of an on-campus Federal Work-Study position make meaning of their employment experience. The researcher explored the varied experiences of six undergraduate Latina women employed through work-study through the theoretical lenses of happenstance, self-authorship, and career construction. Sources of evidence used for this study included interviews, documentation, written …

Does Attending Community College Save You Money?, Kelly Nilan

All Zyzzogeton Presentations

Community colleges are inclusive institutions that make higher education available to students. The cost of attending a community college is much less than a four year university. The average annual tuition of a community college in 2017 was $3,660 compared to the average annual tuition of a four year public in state college of $10,230. Students looking to minimize education debt could save tuition cost by going to community college first. However many students do not realize that successfully transitioning from a 2 year college to a 4 year one and graduating in a timely fashion can be a challenge. …

The Impact Of The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery On College Choice And Completion Of Adult Students, Collin Callaway

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2008, Arkansas citizens overwhelmingly supported a referendum to legalize a state-run lottery to support college scholarships. The Arkansas General Assembly passed a law in 2009 that detailed administration and procedures of the lottery, and students first received scholarships (branded as the Academic Challenge Scholarship) in fall 2010. The program was largely modeled after other state-run scholarships with two major exceptions: policy makers intentionally established lower eligibility requirements and included adult students. This study measured the impact of the state lottery funded Academic Challenge Scholarship on adult college choice and completion. Findings included significant demographic and college choice differences between …

Take A Shot: The Effect Of A Multicomponent Strategy To Increase Meningitis B Vaccination Rates, Valerie Cline

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Neisseria meningitidis is the major cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) (Peterson et al, 2018). Approximately 10-15 percent of IMD cases result in debility including neurological impairment, amputation, and death (Peterson et al, 2018). Outbreaks of IMD are sporadic and unpredictable. The incidence of IMD varies geographically, but serogroup B has become more prevalent in recent years. Meningitis-B (Men-B) has been the cause of several university outbreaks on different US college campuses since 2013.The purpose of this project was to implement an intervention at a midwestern university student health center to help students understand the risk of the disease and …

Transgender College Students In The English Composition Classroom In The Rocky Mountains, Tracey Williams

Dissertations

Transgender students face challenging and unique experiences in academic classrooms on college campuses. This qualitative study, which used queer and transgender theory, sought to examine the realities of transgender students’ experiences within the English Composition classroom in the Rocky Mountains. English Composition is a class nearly every undergraduate student must take, no matter their major. It acts as a microcosm of the college population. Composition classes are generally small (20-25 students), offering a more intimate setting than other general education classes in college. Additionally, personal writing is expected, as is sharing work with classmates for peer-review sessions. Within this context …

Perceptions Of Stress And Coping In Traditional Age First-Year College Students, Bridgett Grant

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

This qualitative research study examined the perceptions of stress and coping in traditional-age, first-year college students. This study sought to form an understanding of the participants’ lived experiences relating to stress and coping throughout their first semester of college. Five participants’ were separately interviewed twice for the purposes of data collection. The findings from the data analysis process showed that these first-year college students experienced stress as a result of new and challenging academic expectations while also trying to navigate interpersonal relationships. Further, participants’ in this study experienced stress as a result from interacting with social media. These traditional-age, first-year …

Factors That Influence The Success In Higher Education For Students With Autism, Elizabeth O. Gardner

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence the success in college for students with autism. To meet this purpose, four upperclassmen college students with ASD were recruited for semi-structured interviews on their college experience. The interviews were transcribed and coded which led to the uncovering of three categories and three themes. The data from this study suggest that success in college for students with autism is influenced by an integration of multiple factors working together which include personal, macro educational, and micro educational. Many general themes uncovered in this study were mirrored by the current literature …

Perceptions Professor Have Toward Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: A Causal-Comparative Study, Alexandria Vassallo

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine professors in higher education perceptions toward students with attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Further, considering Goffman’s theory of stigma, this researcher designed a study which examined perceptions of professor toward adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, this dissertation focused on using a quantitative causal-comparative research method to examine perceptions professors in higher education have toward adults with ADHD. This researcher examined the perceptions of professors who had undertaken coursework in ADHD or have a special education license to those who have not. Further, this researcher examined professors’ academic disciplines, grouping professors …

An Analysis Of Asexual Identity Clubs And Their Role On College Campuses, Ellen Yope

Honors Projects

Identifying the lack of college asexuality clubs and the positive influence they have on students. Advocating for the creation of asexuality clubs at colleges and universities and the benefits they provide for students, socially and academically.

Understanding And Supporting The Transition Of Marginalized Students Entering College, Taylor Sweet, Barb Dos Santos, Meagan Seago, Derrick Paladino

National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change

Although all new college students experience adjustments and transitions, marginalized students entering a majority populated campus may encounter additional obstacles. This presentation will explore the collegiate ecological system’s impact on this transition and the potential mental health issues that arise. Exploring both domestic-minority and international students, presenters will discuss struggles, strengths, and offer insight into counseling approaches and campus supports.

An Intervention To Support Collegiate Student-Athletes In The Transition To Meaningful Lifetime Physical Activity, Melinda Smith, Diane L. Gill, Erin J. Reifsteck

HNES Educator Scholarship

Former student-athletes (SAs) experience unique barriers to maintaining their physical activity, such as loss of team support, less motivation without specific goals, and identity-related changes. Informed by a self-determination theory framework, the authors developed a 6-week Pilates-based intervention to support the physical and psychological wellness of SAs by fostering self-determined motivation and basic psychological needs satisfaction as they make the transition to physically active alumni. In this case study, the authors outline the development and implementation of the program with final-year SAs (N = 12) at a Division III institution. Feasibility was demonstrated through high adherence and positive participant …

College, At What Cost? African American/Black Women Undergraduate Students’ Perception Of Institutional Policy Levers, Tamara D. White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is exploring how institutional policy levers impact retention for African American/Black women undergraduate students at a private four-year predominantly white institution in a mid-western state of the United States. Retention of African American/Black women undergraduate students is not a widely researched area. In this exploratory case study, eight African American/Black undergraduate junior and senior women, ten administrators and one focus group of six African American/Black women were interviewed. Artifacts were collected from the administrators. The data collected was analyzed using the culturally engaging campus environment model. The experiences of the African American/Black undergraduate women were examined in academic …

Books Or Food? Food Insecurity And The Rise Of Campus Food Pantries, Sonya Sharififard

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a quantitative study of campus food pantries located in public four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The research aims to explain relationships among campus food pantries and surrounding neighborhood characteristics affecting local food environments. There are two parts to the study: (a) the quantitative analysis through responses from a participant questionnaire; and (b) a case study analysis to accompany the quantitative analysis. The researcher identified three metropolitan counties within U.S. census tracts, to determine the relationship between neighborhood demographics, the local food environment, and the impact on campus communities. The researcher explored food accessibility within …

Millennial Generation College Students: Observations And Experiences Of Counseling Faculty At Selected California Community College Districts, Antoine Thomas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Higher education, specifically the California community colleges, is being inundated with a large new generation of students called millennials. They are the majority student group enrolled in record numbers at California Community Colleges. California community colleges continue to evolve in order to accommodate millennial generation college students. A phenomenological design was utilized, using face-to-face interviews. This research explores the phenomenon of “millennial college students (millennials)” through the lived experiences of California community college counseling faculty who interact with them. Their observations and experiences could prove to be informative and help advance the purpose of this research.

The following are the …

Community College Presidents' Perspectives On Campus Safety, Chad Christopher Sartini

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This study addressed the phenomenon of campus safety from the perspective of the community college president. The researcher employed a mixed methods design by surveying the community college presidents of one state community college system followed by in-depth interviews of three of the presidents of the same community college system. The quantitative inquiry used descriptive statistics to detail community college presidents’ knowledge and perceptions of campus safety. The qualitative inquiry employed case study analysis through in-depth interviews to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between community college presidents and the phenomenon of campus safety.

The results of the study …