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Assessing The Impact Of Mentoring Underserved Youth Through Service Learning, Breanna Walukevich Apr 2016

Assessing The Impact Of Mentoring Underserved Youth Through Service Learning, Breanna Walukevich

Higher Education Student Work

Mentoring underserved youth through service learning can provide various positive impacts for both mentors and mentees (Banks, 2010; Hughes et al., 2012; Rhodes, Grossman & Resch, 2000; Thompson & Kelly-Vance, 2001; Washburn-Moses, Fry & Sanders, 2014; Weiler et al., 2013). This qualitative interview study assessed the perceived impact that a mentoring program had on mentees, who were underserved youth at an elementary school in a low-income community, and mentors, who were college students participating through a service learning course. The findings revealed overall positive outcomes for both the mentors and mentees. The mentees benefited academically and looked up to their …


Evaluating The State Of Departmental Student-Employee Training And Employment, Brandon E. Clinton Apr 2016

Evaluating The State Of Departmental Student-Employee Training And Employment, Brandon E. Clinton

Higher Education Student Work

Student-employment is an important aspect of a college student’s experience. According to Kathman and Kathman (2000), students benefit from an on-campus job, as they are able to develop strong interpersonal skills, and develop experience for their resumes (p 176). In this study, I examined the dynamics of a campus center-based student employment program, and the related training program that is administered by a campus operations department. Using a focus group, a 13 item protocol was administered to nine undergraduate student-employees of this department, and an additional two alumni student-employees were interviewed individually. The focus of this research was rooted in …


Development Of A Graduate Level Faculty Led Study Abroad Course, Chelsea Levine Apr 2016

Development Of A Graduate Level Faculty Led Study Abroad Course, Chelsea Levine

Higher Education Student Work

As the world becomes more globalized, society must create ways to adapt to these changes. One result is more internationalization at the higher education level (Mckenzie, Lopez & Bowers, 2010). Internationalization includes recent efforts to increase study abroad participation for graduate students. This exploratory study sought to understand best practices for the creation of a faculty led study abroad course in a higher education Master’s degree program. Topics of research included preparatory travel logistics, coursework to maintain academic rigor, and outcomes as it relates to personal and professional growth. Faculty leaders from across the U.S. who lead their own courses …


Assessing The Power Of College Culture In Educational Transformation, Kenneth Eze Apr 2016

Assessing The Power Of College Culture In Educational Transformation, Kenneth Eze

Higher Education Student Work

The fundamental purpose for the existence of every educational institution is to provide knowledge and value through the teaching and learning exercise. Positive culture is an invisible yet significant element of success that inspires excellence in colleges and universities that enjoy good reputation. This qualitative study investigated the power of college culture in improving the quality and performance of a low performing college to become a high performing college through the college’s day to day operations and services. Six faculty and senior administrators were interviewed to determine how positive culture delivery is perceived to function, impacts students’ academic success, students’ …


Persistence Factors For Nontraditional Undergraduate Students At A Northeast Catholic College, Heather Macneil Pfordresher Apr 2016

Persistence Factors For Nontraditional Undergraduate Students At A Northeast Catholic College, Heather Macneil Pfordresher

Higher Education Student Work

Nontraditional students are an extremely diverse group with very unique backgrounds and needs, and their motivations to enroll, persist, and graduate vary depending on factors internal and external to the college and are often dissimilar to their traditional aged counterparts (Pelletier, 2010). Given this difference and increasing enrollment numbers of nontraditional students, understanding the lived experiences of these students is critical for institutions of higher education. This study examined persistence factors for nontraditional students at a Northeast Catholic college, including academic and social engagement, the role of support systems in their lives, and their sense of belonging. It also sought …


Assessment Of Chinese International Graduate Students’ Experience Working With Agents, Haozhe Yu Apr 2016

Assessment Of Chinese International Graduate Students’ Experience Working With Agents, Haozhe Yu

Higher Education Student Work

In the past fifteen years, the numbers of Chinese international students have increased rapidly across the United States in all types of institutions of higher education (Farrugia & Bhandari, 2015). This study explores the experience of Chinese international graduate students working with study abroad agents in China. In this qualitative semistructured interview study, seven Chinese international students were interviewed. Students were asked x, y and z about their experience working with agents; several challenges of Chinese international students, including finding college information, Internet limitations, language barriers and limited time, and lack of knowledge of the application process. Based on the …


Tutor, Guide, Lead: Examining The Experiences Of Peer Tutors, Kait Bouthillette Apr 2016

Tutor, Guide, Lead: Examining The Experiences Of Peer Tutors, Kait Bouthillette

Higher Education Student Work

Peer tutoring is a form of academic support in which students who have mastered a particular subject assist peers who may be struggling in that course. While relatively little research has focused on the impact of tutoring on peer tutors, existing literature highlights the interpersonal, social, and academic skills peer tutors can gain from their experiences (Gaffney-Varma-Nelson, 2007; Loke & Chow, 2007). It is important to understand the most meaningful factors in the peer tutoring experience and the conditions that best support skills development in order to better structure programs to maximize the potential outcomes for peer tutors. The purpose …


The Will To Write: An Assessment Of The Perceptions Of Writing Readiness And Success Of First-Generation Students, Samantha C. Bruno Apr 2016

The Will To Write: An Assessment Of The Perceptions Of Writing Readiness And Success Of First-Generation Students, Samantha C. Bruno

Higher Education Student Work

Writing is one of the most influential means of communication utilized in all disciplines across the world. This pragmatic, qualitative study sought to explore students’ perceptions of writing preparedness and success, as well as first-generation students’ transition into college writing. Seven first-generation college students at a small, private, four-year institution located in Massachusetts were interviewed. The findings of this study indicated that for this sample, the transition into college writing was marked by a drastic change in expectations at the postsecondary level. Moreover, students faced challenges regarding writing style, frequency, and research. In order to successfully master college writing, students …


Assessment Of First-Generation Students Success Strategies At Long River College, Dana Almazrua Apr 2016

Assessment Of First-Generation Students Success Strategies At Long River College, Dana Almazrua

Higher Education Student Work

Educational establishments have long been working on the development of educational programs for students to enhance their performance and motivation. However, colleges often fail to consider the specific needs and concerns of first-generation students who are often less motivated to enter higher education (Davis, 2010). The purpose of this study was to explore the major challenges of these students in order to enhance their motivation to continue their education. Additionally, the program director of a recently transformed first generation initiative was interviewed for insights about the process. The research was based on a qualitative methodology. It included interviews with first-generation …


Identifying Best Practices To Increase Latino Student Enrollment And Retention At Non-Hispanic Serving Institutions, Katherine Lopez Apr 2016

Identifying Best Practices To Increase Latino Student Enrollment And Retention At Non-Hispanic Serving Institutions, Katherine Lopez

Higher Education Student Work

Latino college students are the fastest growing population in the United States, yet their educational attainment falls significantly behind compared to Asians, Whites, and Blacks (Santiago & Soliz, 2012). This study sought out to identify best practices to recruit and retain Latino students at US four year colleges and universities. Interviews with seven knowledgeable stakeholders at non-Hispanic Serving Institutions across the country were conducted. Participants were asked about specific programming and strategies used at their institutions to meet the needs of the Latino population. The findings suggested that this special population needs additional financial, cultural and academic support in order …


Identifying Best Practices For A College Admission Counselor Fly-In Event, Alexander G. Zotos Apr 2016

Identifying Best Practices For A College Admission Counselor Fly-In Event, Alexander G. Zotos

Higher Education Student Work

As demographic shifts and economic factors have increased the potential pool of college students in the United States, thoughtful, comprehensive admissions strategies matter to the advancement of higher education (Miller, Valle & Engle, 2014). The focus of this study was to examine the best practices for college admission recruitment strategies, which specifically focused on a national counselor college fly-in event at a medium sized comprehensive institution in New England. The impact that secondary school counselors have on college enrollment is not well documented in the literature. In this project, a survey was distributed to XX secondary school counselors who attended …


Assessing The Role Of Academic Advisors In Retention Of International Students, Shreelekha Girish Apr 2016

Assessing The Role Of Academic Advisors In Retention Of International Students, Shreelekha Girish

Higher Education Student Work

The retention of international students should not be viewed as the responsibility of only international student advisors on the college campus. Instead, as suggested by Mamiseishvili (2012), it should become a joint responsibility of a broader campus community, including faculty, academic advisors, English language program staff, and student affairs professionals. Inspired by these ideas, this qualitative research study focused on international students' experiences during their advising sessions with their academic advisors at a four-year, post-secondary private institution in Massachusetts. The study was conducted by interviewing ten international students from different majors. This research explored the necessary information and resources international …


Assessing Adult Learner Experience At Northern Stark University: An Exploratory Study, Kathleen Burke Apr 2016

Assessing Adult Learner Experience At Northern Stark University: An Exploratory Study, Kathleen Burke

Higher Education Student Work

Close to 40% of students currently enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities are adult undergraduate learners, many of whom attend school on a part-time basis (Day et.al., 2011). The rate of college enrollment by adult students, age 25 and older, can be expected to rise even further due to the current economic recession, as adults find themselves in need of new skills and knowledge to pursue continued employment (Day et. al., 2011). This capstone project was conducted through a transformative paradigm with the intention of making a positive change for the adult population at Northern Stark University. I conducted eight …


The Influence Of Mentorship: A Study On How Academic Advising Can Facilitate A Positive College Student Experience, Timothy Lebel Apr 2016

The Influence Of Mentorship: A Study On How Academic Advising Can Facilitate A Positive College Student Experience, Timothy Lebel

Higher Education Student Work

At American colleges and universities, academic advising has been traditionally utilized as a tool to aid students in course registration and making sure they are on track towards graduation. However, as the student population continues to diversify, their needs and concerns need continual adaptation to be met as well. Students need an outlet to not only discuss their academic progress, but also to converse about how to tie in their interests and passions, extracurricular involvement, social life, and career and future aspirations with their academics. This opportunity for positive mentorship can go hand in hand with academic advising. Through this …