Education Commons^™

A Phenomenological Replication Study On The Unique Challenges Experienced By Veterans Diagnosed With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) While Attending A California State University (Csu) In Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Or Orange County, Ralph Martinez

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological replication study was to understand the unique challenges experienced by veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while attending a California State University (CSU) in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, or Orange County. Furthermore, it was the intent of this study to explore the current and prospective services veteran students believe were helpful or would be helpful in promoting positive academic outcomes.

A phenomenological approach was utilized in the development of this qualitative research study to explore the lived experiences of veteran students diagnosed with PTSD attending a California State University (CSU) in Riverside, …

An Examination Of Indicators Regarding Student Choice In Social Media Marketing And Platforms Of Higher Education Institutions In Missouri, Emmy J. Zimmerman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate relationships between social media marketing, social media platforms, and student choice of higher education institutions. Through evaluating current research, this study addresses potential changes needed to ensure colleges’ and universities’ marketing and admissions teams are using social media in ways that increase return on investment (ROI) and attract students to institutions. Previous research exposed social media marketing as a relatively untested method of reach for students’ college choice; therefore, the study will be original in nature. Previous studies provided data from an admissions counselor’s perspective, notably, a study by Barnes and Jacobsen …

Study Of The Incorporation Of Sustainability Topics Into The Accounting Curriculum At Missouri Four-Year Colleges And Universities, Kimberly Ulrich

Dissertations

Businesses around the world voluntarily utilize corporate sustainability reporting to display non-financial information along with their financial results to satisfy the curiosity of their stakeholders. The United Nations played a key role in the evolution of sustainability over time and development of reporting standards. Eventually governments may require thorough coverage of financial and non-financial information in one comprehensive integrated report. To meet this demand, the accounting curriculum must include sustainability reporting topics for accounting students. Leading research and this dissertation demonstrated a holistic approach was best. The most successful higher education institutions incorporated sustainability practices throughout their institutions in addition …

Variables Affecting Student Veterans’ And Student Service Members’ Success In Higher Education, Warren Ray Spadoni

Dissertations

The researcher recognized four independent variables identified as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, mild traumatic brain injury, and traumatic brain injury which influenced the educational attainment of student veterans and student service members in post-secondary education. There were six dependent variables identified as integration, transitioning, social learning, social cognition, quality of life, and perceived self-efficacy which were recognized by the researcher as having influenced the educational attainment of student veterans and student service members in post-secondary education. The researcher posited higher education institutions did not fully understand or acknowledge the combat or service-related independent variables organic to student service members or …

A Mixed-Method Investigation Of The Best Practices Of Online Education In Southwestern China At Four Public Universities By Yu Hao, Yu Hao

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to discover the best practices of online education in Southwestern China in order to improve the quality of online education in the region. The Chinese overall higher education online courses and programs are continuously expanding (Chou & Lu, 2013). However, the Chinese southwest region’s online education was still in its initial stages, which lacks research and reports regarding regional online education development. This study is innovative research essential to assist in online education development in Southwestern China. The researcher conducted this study at four universities that reflected the local culture. According to Baghdad …

A Comparative Study Analyzing Undergraduate Internship Participation And The Impact On Retention And Timely Degree Completion At A Four-Year, Private, Midwest Institution, Stefani Schuette

Dissertations

Declining enrollments, rising costs and increasing student debt have caused college administrators, potential students, and outside stakeholders to focus on certain student outcomes, including retention and timely degree completion. Colleges and universities are not only collecting data in these two areas, they are searching for strategies, which might have a positive effect. Research has provided a variety of factors, which contribute to retention and timely degree completion. High-impact practices, such as service learning, student faculty research and internships featured several characteristics that may contribute to retention and timely degree completion. Internships offer several advantages, such as preparation for future careers …

Retention Relationships: Connecting Higher Education Employees To Students Through Student Organizations, Michelle Sanford

Dissertations

This mixed methods study investigated higher education employee involvement with student organizations to determine if a connection existed between an employee’s engagement with a student organization and the employee’s retention at the university. Research shows that student involvement in campus life and with student organizations increases student retention (Astin, 1984); however, few research studies have focused on the impact this type of involvement has on employee retention. In this study, the researcher explored the following research questions: How does employee engagement with student organizations impact employee retention? Why do employees choose to support student organizations? The researcher examined these questions …

Advising Assessment Practices Of Advising Professionals At An Accredited United Kingdom Urban Career-Focused Higher Education Institution: A Replicated Quantitative, Descriptive Analysis, Catherine E. Mahrt-Washington

Dissertations

The Problem

As the world has flattened, the globalization and quality education movement surrounding higher education worldwide has led to the accountability of all stakeholders regarding student success in and beyond the classroom. Student mobility continues to impact tertiary enrollments as families and students consider the proliferated traditional and non-traditional enrollment alternatives along with prospective lower tertiary debt options. Although assessment, an accountability tool, in co-curricular areas such as advising has been overlooked by leaders, advising is not impervious to accountability consequences. The problem is that assessment of advising, if performed, is oftentimes implemented informally, without a well-defined framework or …

A Mixed-Methods Study Investigating The Relationship Between Minority Student Perceptions Of The Climate And Culture Of Their Institution And The Climate And Culture Of Higher Education, Melodie Carr-Winston

Dissertations

The researcher conducted a mixed-methods study at a private, Midwestern, Predominantly White institution in order to determine the relationship between minority student perceptions of higher education and minority student perceptions of their institution. The goal of the study was to determine whether minority student perceptions of the climate and culture of their institution influenced their perception of higher education as a whole. Another objective was to determine whether minority student perceptions connected to minority student retention. To determine the relationship, the researcher surveyed 20 undergraduate, African American students and conducted one-onone interviews with three of the students between the fall …

A Case Study On The Experiences Of Black Men Participating In An African-American Male Initiative At A Post-Secondary Institution, Michael A. Gibson

Dissertations

In the United States, African-American men are dominant in the entertainment industry mainly in sports and music. However, their success in entertainment does not translate to education. Many Black men grow up not having a positive experience in education, thus they do not see its value. However, many see the value in striving after a false sense of masculinity comprised of sex, drugs, money, and crime. This research was conducted to see how effective Black male mentorship through an African-American Male Initiative could be for Black males in a post-secondary institution in providing the positive experience in education that they …

Differences In The Dual Credit Experience Between High School And Institutions Of Higher Education, Micheala A. Steinmetz-Benton

Dissertations

Dual credit courses are college-level courses offered to high school students which are accepted for both high school and college credit (Hughes, 2016). Dual credit positively impacts students by reducing the time to complete a degree, enhancing the high school curriculum, increasing college accessibility, and lessening educational financial burdens (Hughes, 2016). The intention of this study was to survey adjunct instructors who have taught in both high school and college environments to determine their opinions of differences that exist between secondary and postsecondary dual credit experiences. College administrators were also interviewed to obtain insight into any variability of dual credit …

A Mixed-Methods Study On Emotional And Social Intelligence And Grit In Graduate Students At A Private Four-Year University, Emilee S. Schnefke

Dissertations

The researcher observed, as an educator, administrator, and graduate student, college student’s withdrawal from school due to personal reasons or lack of determination. The study of Emotional and Social Intelligence (ESI) and grit enabled the researcher to learn about the traits or characteristics one must possess to achieve a goal, more specifically earning a college degree. The researcher tested hypotheses for a difference in ESI and grit scores among the studied population and sought the perception of ESI and grit through a mixed-methods study. The researcher measured the ESI and grit among Educational Leadership Specialists and Doctoral students and graduates …

Exploring The Learning Experience Of Higher Education Students In A Midwestern University Who Suffered Childhood Trauma, Dora Jean Washington

Dissertations

This study explored the learning experiences of higher education students who suffered childhood trauma (CT). Eleven participants both undergraduate and graduate who attended a Midwestern university self-identified as CT survivors. There was research on the negative impact of CT on learning in children and adolescents, as well as posttraumatic stress and veterans. However, the PI was unable to find research on the impact of CT on adults in higher education. Higher education institutions and professors may benefit from understanding how to help these students who often have an invisible learning disability. Research questions asked, what is the learning experience of …

A Nice Place To Live And Work: A Mixed-Methods Case Study Of A Residential Life Living-Learning Community And Employment Model At A Top-Tier Midwestern University, Justin Paul Linsenmeyer

Dissertations

Colleges and universities worldwide are competing with one another to provide undergraduate students with top-tier learning experiences to increase and retain enrollment. Many institutions are developing living-learning communities to maximize non-academic learning, promote social development, and facilitate interactions among students, faculty, and staff. This study was a mixed-methods, single case study of a living-learning program at a top-tier, Midwestern university. The purpose of this study was twofold: to explore the effectiveness of an undergraduate residential living-learning community at a top-tier university in regards to student satisfaction and interaction, and to investigate elements of staff job satisfaction and long-term retention of …

The Impact Of Substance Use On The Prevalence Of Sexual Misconduct At Institutions In The Midwest, Jerilyn Jean Reed

Dissertations

Sexual assault has been an issue facing institutions of higher education for many years (Office of Civil Rights, 2011). Alcohol plays a role in both who have been victims of sexual assault and who have perpetrated the crime of sexual assault (Crawford, Wright, & Birchmeier, 2008). The purpose of this study was to look at sexual misconduct at institutions of higher education and to determine if substance use, such as alcohol or drugs, is a factor in the incidence of sexual misconduct happening to students on college campuses. The quantitative data section of the study reviewed three years of data …

International Student Enrollment Trends From 2008-2014: Country Case Studies And Comparison To A Midwest Liberal Arts Institution, Emin Hajiyev

Dissertations

The international student recruitment and overall cross-border education have constantly been evolving. In the past two decades, higher education institutions were developing and implementing their plan of campus internationalization. Various universities and colleges have different approaches to the internationalization. However, through the implementation of the process, most of the institutions realized that the cornerstone of the internationalization is the international student recruitment. Despite providing the financial health to the institutions and overall to the process of internationalization, international student recruitment is the provider of the campus multiculturalism and diversity. This research is concentrated on the external factors of the cross-border …

A Quantitative Exploration Of Higher Education, Nontraditional Student Retention Demographics And Success Predictors At A Midwest Private University, Megan Zacheis

Dissertations

Persistence and retention has been widely researched through various cornerstone experts, including Tinto (2012), Kuh, Kinzie, Schuh, and Whitt (2010), Braxton, Hirschy, and McClendon (2014), Astin (1993) and Habley, Bloom, and Robbins (2012). The researcher utilized several concepts from retention and persistence experts seeking institutional specific patterns related to student demographics and characteristics. The study sought recommendations for higher educational administrators validated by data driven analytics utilizing theories and concepts from experts in retention and persistence. The researcher sought patterns and trends for completers with the intention to recommend a targeted marketing plan driven by institution-specific data to attract and …

Higher Education Alumni Associations And Political Advocacy, Richard N. Buchli

Dissertations

Political advocacy is comprised of speaking on the behalf of a cause or participating as part of a political action group (Weerts, Cabrera, & Sanford, 2010). Because state financial support for public higher education has not been maintained at previous levels, higher education (HE) institutions have been recruiting alumni in an attempt to win state appropriations. As discovered by Avery (2012), very little research exists on the role of alumni associations in political advocacy efforts. In this study, a quantitative research approach was conducted to gather data on D1 public college and university alumni associations. The instrument utilized in this …

Deciding On Science: An Analysis Of Higher Education Science Student Major Choice Criteria, Stephen Wilson White

Dissertations

The number of college students choosing to major in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the United States affects the size and quality of the American workforce (Winters, 2009). The number of graduates in these academic fields has been on the decline in the United States since the 1960s, which, according to Lips and McNeil (2009), has resulted in a diminished ability of the United States to compete in science and engineering on the world stage. The purpose of this research was to learn why students chose a STEM major and determine what decision criteria influenced this decision. According …

Type Of School And Parental Awareness Of The Clery And Minger Acts When Selecting A College In The Commonwealth Of Kentucky, Steven R. Briggs

Dissertations

College and university campuses are being scrutinized more stringently in regard to the issue of campus safety. While media reports and advocacy groups may suggest to parents that college campuses are becoming more dangerous, research continues to demonstrate that colleges are a relatively safe environment. A problem exists that, although the Clery Act and the Minger Act in the Commonwealth of Kentucky require colleges and universities to report campus crime rates in order that parents and students can make an informed decision on selecting a college based on campus safety, few parents tend to be familiar with this resource. The …

The Investigation Of Self-Determination In Students Participating In Higher Education With An Invisible Disability, Joseph Daniel Bryant Ii

Dissertations

The enrollment of students with invisible disabilities has continued to increase unabated in postsecondary environments. As a result of the applicable laws governing the provision of accommodations and/or modifications in higher education, the impetus and responsibility to succeed rests almost entirely with the individual student. Research showed for many students with invisible disabilities, the transition from a more passive role in the acquisition of education at the primary and secondary levels to a more active role in the acquisition of higher education at the post-secondary level was difficult, as evidenced by a large percentage of such students failing to complete …

An Exploration Of The Characteristics Of Public Relations In Regards To Face-To-Face Versus Distance Learning In Two Private Liberal Arts Higher Education Settings, Cessna Catherine Smith Winslow

Dissertations

This study explored perceptions of Public Relations (PR) among graduate higher education publics regarding distance learning as contrasted with face-to-face learning contexts. The research questions assessed student, faculty and administrator perceptions of characteristics of PR: trust, communication, quality, respect and rigor. Participants included students and professors who had experienced both online and face-to-face learning, as well as administrators from two private universities. The larger of the two schools was in the Midwest region of the United States, and at the time of this study, was relatively new to online instruction. The smaller school was located in the Southeast region and …

Saudi Male Perceptions Of Study In The United States: An Analysis Of King Abdullah Scholarship Program Participants, Terry Ryan Hall

Dissertations

The Saudi Arabian Government’s establishment of the multi-billion dollar King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP), which sends students abroad for language training and university study, is responsible for tens of thousands of Saudi men studying in the United States. With the extension of the program through 2020, it is critical that education leaders in higher education and stakeholders at all levels understand the challenges and opportunities presented by this group increasingly populating American classrooms. Several studies have been conducted on international students in the U.S. over the years with just a few focusing on Saudi students specifically. There is a need …

Student Success And Perceptions Of Course Satisfaction In Face-To-Face, Hybrid, And Online Sections Of Introductory Biology Classes At Three, Open Enrollment, Two-Year Colleges In Southern Missouri, Joyce Diane Hill

Dissertations

Introductory biology courses at two-year, open enrollment colleges in America are presented in a variety of different course delivery formats. Traditionally, most students have enrolled in seated or face-to-face (F2F) lectures and laboratories. There is increased demand for courses presented online or in a hybrid format, although some studies report higher attrition rates, and lower grades for these course delivery formats. The purpose of this study was to examine if there were academic differences among F2F, hybrid, or online introductory biology courses by analyzing pre-course and post-course assessment scores, final grades, attrition rates, and students’ perceptions of course satisfaction. This …

An Analysis Of The Academic Library And The Changing Role Of The Academic Librarian In Higher Education: 1975 – 2012, Candance L. Virgil

Dissertations

This document analysis examined the academic library and the changing role of the academic librarian in higher education. A comparison of the trends and issues reported by prominent librarians in the 20th century was made to those reported in the 21st century. Emphasis was placed on the following decades: 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s in the 20th century and 2000s (through 2013) in the 21st century. Initial topics from the 20th century were selected from the cornerstone article, “College Libraries and the Teaching/Learning Process: A 25-Year Reflection” by Farber (1999). Farber, who was well known for research regarding bibliographic instruction at …

The Effect Of Motivation On Student Success In A First-Year Experience Course, Kimberly Renee Cunningham

Dissertations

Research on factors involved in freshman retention suggested that conditionally-admitted college students who failed to pass a less academically challenging course, such as freshman orientation, tended to have significantly lower rates of college persistence, and also suggested that failure of such courses may be attributed to motivation factors rather than academic ability. This study examined the relationship between motivation and academic success of conditionally-admitted college freshmen in a first-year experience course to determine whether motivation played a significant role in student achievement in this course.

The population of this study consisted of 309 conditionally-admitted students at a comprehensive university located …

An Analysis Of The Factors That Influence Global Mindedness In First-Year College Students, Kristie Broadbent Guffey

Dissertations

This non-experimental, quantitative descriptive study was designed to determine what factors influence a first-year college students’ global mindedness and if any of those factors were predictors of the five subscales of global mindedness. Surveys were used to measure students’ global mindedness and their type of personality (N=424). Demographic questions were administered that included gender, county population, Pell grant eligibility, and first generation college student. Results indicated that first-year college students at a four-year public Master’s Large institution were moderately global minded. To predict global mindedness and its subscales, a regression model was developed using the Myers Briggs scores for extravert, …

Correlation Of Conditional Admittance And Student Achievement In An Undergraduate Higher Education Setting, Joe Parisi

Dissertations

This paper explores several research questions that identify differences between conditionally admitted students and regularly admitted students in terms of achievement results at one institution. The research provides specific variables as well as relationships including historical and comparative aggregate data from 2009 and 2010 that indicate evidence related to student achievement. This paper examined several research questions related to any possible differences between conditional admission and student achievement. This was a quantitative study that provided results indicating that the conditional admit population ended with a first-year overall institutional Grade Point Average in the 70th percentile and the regularly admitted population …

The Disconnection Between High School And College: A Study Of Retention Of Students Who Are At Risk Of Leaving College Before Completing A Degree, Peggy R. Sherwin

Dissertations

The number of students graduating high school and entering community colleges academically unprepared has increased. The problem is that they are at risk of leaving before degree completion. The community college in this study requires remedial no credit courses for unprepared students transitioning from high school based on an academic assessment test. There is no follow up once they are placed into the remedial courses. In contrast, non-traditional “returning learners” who test into remedial courses additionally receive follow-up in the form of an orientation workshop, a study skills course, and mentoring. The purpose of the study was to (a) review …