Education Commons^™

Transitioning To A One Stop Student Services Center At A Community College: A Mixed Methods Approach To Analyzing Student Satisfaction With Advising Services, Heather M. Keith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explanatory, sequential mixed methods study was to understand and explore students' perceptions of advising services before, during, and after an institution has transitioned to a One Stop Student Services Center. The research compared pre-existing data obtained from the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory results between the years of 2014, 2016, and 2018 to student interviews conducted in spring of 2021. The reason that this method was chosen is because the researcher wanted to understand more why students rated their academic advising experience as they had when they responded to the RNL-SSI. Overall, students expressed increased …

Collegiate Recovery Programs Serving As An Opportunity For Student Affairs, Marium Waqar

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) at Rowan University and the effects it had on the recovery student population. The study was designed to ask questions that would yield results about the effectiveness of the current CRP on Rowan's campus. Previous research indicates a need for more awareness about CRPs, and professionals in higher education need to be knowledgeable about students in recovery and their invisible disability. Findings suggest some Rowan students in recovery do not feel supported on campus, but many of them are not even aware of the resources that …

Tutoring In A Liminal Space: Writing Center Tutors' Understandings And Applications Of Translingual And Anti-Racist Practices, Sharada Krishnamurthy

Theses and Dissertations

Despite presenting themselves as supportive, student-centered spaces that help writers and writing at all levels, writing centers, due to their monolingual bias and adherence to "standard" American English (SAE) norms, fail to support and include the language practices of all students, in particular, students of color (Grimm, 2009; Greenfield, 2019; Salem, 2014). To address this problem, the Midlantic writing center embarked on transforming their writing center to a more inclusive and socially just space. This ethno-case study, informed by translanguaging as a critical theory and pedagogy, explored the Midlantic writing center tutors' understanding of translingual and anti-racist practices, and their …

Combat On And Off The Battlefield: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring How New Jersey Air And Army National Guard Undergraduates Persist Academically Through Crisis, Ariel J. Gilbert

Theses and Dissertations

New Jersey Air and Army National Guard (NJAANG) undergraduate students endure multiple transitions throughout their academic career. In 2020, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic caused numerous activations and manning demands for the NJAANG population, further stressing coping methods. Using the follow-up, explanatory sequential mixed methods research design and Schlossberg's Transition Theory, I explored the academic persistence of the NJAANG undergraduate student population to better understand how and why NJAANG undergraduate students were able to persist through the heightened number of transitions during the COVID-19 health crisis. As an often-invisible group on campus, this study uncovered that NJANNG students were best …

First-Generation Students And The Challenges Faced Towards Their Sense Of Community At A 4-Year University, Jorge L. Gonzalez-Palacios

Theses and Dissertations

"It takes a village to raise a child." Such simple words, yet the power it holds behind it is something not to be overlooked. The aspect of community, especially in a college campus setting, is something all students should have the opportunity to cherish. From K-12, we slowly begin to create our very own village, filled by various individuals that pertain to one's own experience. These individuals guide us and grant us knowledge when needed most, but as we mature, and at some point, leave this village to begin our journey into adulthood, we find ourselves having to begin anew, …

Campus Recovery Resources: Are We Doing Enough?, Marissa Simonetti

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the views and utilization of campus recovery resources along with substance use behavior of college students on a campus in the Northeastern United States. The sample consisted of 189 participants between the ages of 18-25 years that were enrolled full time in an undergraduate program when the study was conducted. Participants were surveyed online about substance use habits, mental health symptoms and their own views on campus recovery resources. Previous literature suggested that risky substance use behavior or substance use disorders are prevalent at a rate of 39.6 % in college student populations, making the issue a …

A College Campus Crisis: Are Students Getting The Mental Health Support That They Need During The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Shannon Relevant

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study is to address the increased need for mental health support among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-May 2021), and to ensure students are getting the full mental health support that they need from their campus counseling center. The study will include residential undergraduate and graduate students from Rowan University who have utilized the university's Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) office. Mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative data will be used to collect student responses and answer the research questions. The first step will include participation in an online survey that collects student …

The Effectiveness Of The Educational Opportunity Fund Program On Collegiate Success, Ka'lynn Ruth

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to examine the characteristics of the EOF program participants at Rowan University to determine if services currently being offered are sufficient given the students' backgrounds. Different characteristics can be indicative of different needs. Being able to determine who the Rowan University EOF students are will be beneficial in evaluating services and determining implications for future practice. The study took place at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ in the spring 2022 semester. Although the sample size in this study is small and findings may be limited, data suggests that EOF students are using very few of …

Lgbtqia+ Undergraduate On-Campus Students' Perceptions And Satisfaction On Rowan University's Campus Climate, Emily C. Ohlson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore Rowan University undergraduate LGBTQIA+ students' perceptions towards campus culture. In a predominately heterosexual society, it is important to put an extra emphasis on providing a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ students. This study aims to address not only what the perceived impact of the Rowan University campus culture is on these students, but also investigates some of the perceptions LGBTQIA+ undergraduate students have on programs and services Rowan University offers to these students, and how it impacts their sense of belonging. This phenomenological qualitative study included seven interviews, which were then …

Rowan University Undergraduate Residential Student Perceptions Of The Department Of Public Safety, Alexis M. Gross

Theses and Dissertations

This paper looks into the undergraduate residential student perceptions of the on-campus public safety department at Rowan University. The goal of this study is to analyze the following research questions: a) what the perceptions of the residential undergraduate students towards on-campus police departments at Rowan University are, b) how students' perceptions at Rowan University affect their desire to file reports when necessary, and c) what the recommendations for the on-campus police department are to improve their relationship with the campus community. The study utilized a survey sent through Qualtrics to 5180 undergraduate residential students in February 2022. There was a …

The Leadership Development Of Fraternity And Sorority Life Members, Emmalee Holaday

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship of perceived leadership development opportunities in fraternities and sororities. The study's main goal was to determine if there was a discrepancy in perceived leadership development opportunities in general members, versus executive board members, whether there was a difference in findings for fraternity members versus sorority members, and suggestions on how to improve opportunities on a university level for students in Fraternity and Sorority Life going forward. The study was distributed to all social Fraternity and Sorority members at Rowan University that were in their respective organization for at least one year prior to the survey. …

Diversity Accountability In Higher Education Institutions, Richeleen Ayree Dashield

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized transformative sequential explanatory mixed methods to analyze diversity characteristics and capabilities in higher education institutions. Faced with environmental pressure, colleges and universities that aspire to become diversity-competent institutions have the potential to understand diversity accountability (evidence building for all) with a critical race theoretical framework. A critical comparative analysis of diversity-competent and peer institutions provided the opportunity challenged past and current ways of understanding diversity by acknowledging the centrality of racism in higher education institutions. This study analyzed data drawn from the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award recipients to illustrate a way of assessing diversity …

Nontraditional Undergraduate Women's Perceptions Of Synchronous Virtual Academic Advising, Ashley Elmes

Theses and Dissertations

Enrollment trends over the past few years have shown an increase in nontraditional students attending universities and colleges. While enrollment numbers have been on an incline, degree attainment rates have not been for this population. Academic Advising has been shown to improve the success rates of students. In this study researchers looked to see how synchronous virtual advising appointments have been perceived by nontraditional women. Additionally, this study illuminates the specific needs nontraditional women need from their advisors.

First-Generation Alumni Giving Behaviors And Their Perception Toward Their Alma Mater, Kenold E. Gosier

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the perceptions first-generation alumni at Rowan University had towards their alma mater and explore reasons why they give back or not. In addition, this study provides recommendations to Rowan University on how they can better engage first-generation alumni. This study utilized surveys and quantitative data analysis in order to analyze the perceptions and giving behaviors of first-generation alumni. The participants in this study were first-generation alumni that graduated from Rowan University after 2006. The most significant themes were (a) first-generation alumni give back to their alma mater Rowan University at higher …

The Impact Of Student Services On Students From Institution-Affiliated Pre-College Programs At Rowan University, Tyherrah R. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Student Services on pre-college participant first-year college students at Rowan University in comparison to their non pre-college participant first-year college student counterparts. Through a quantitative research design, data were collected from a survey concentrating on the knowledge and utilization of and experience with specific student services at Rowan University. Through thorough data analysis, it was concluded that pre college participant first-year Rowan students have an overall greater knowledge and utilization of and experience with student services at Rowan University. Future research should include qualitative research methods to add greater …

The Importance Of Academic Advising During Covid-19, Justice J. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Academic Advisors are the connection between the students and the world of college. Having an academic advisor several students appreciate because they know they have their support and want them to succeed. The study will take place at Rowan University, and it will show just how important the role of an academic advisor is and especially during COVID-19.

The Oppressive Ranking System: Issues For Black Undergraduate Students & Hbcus, Lynn Oberkehr

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study aims to address two areas related to the current research on Black college student experiences and college rankings. First, data obtained from surveys distributed from the National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE) will be analyzed in order to obtain information related to the engagement of Black undergraduate students on two specific college campuses, Kentucky State University, a historically black college or university (HBCU) and Rowan University, a predominantly white institution (PWI). Second, after this data is analyzed, it will be utilized to determine which of the two campuses provided their Black students with a more positive student …

The Black College Student: How Success On A College Campus Is Influenced By Race, Jeffon F. Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the racial identity of Black and African American students at Rowan University impacts the success of those students. Success was evaluated from three perspectives - academic success, social aptitude, and emotional wellness. In addition to conducting a comprehensive review of literature related to this topic, an independent research design was carried out to assess how student success is affected by race. A qualitative survey was constructed and distributed to residential students at Rowan University who identified themselves as either Black or African American. The survey asked questions to ascertain the experiences …

The Unspoken Audit: A Closer Look At The Impacts Of Financial Aid Verification, Heather J. Egan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine to what extent the undergraduate students from low socioeconomic and minoritized backgrounds are targeted by financial aid verification at Rowan University, as well as explore whether being selected for verification impacts students' cumulative grade point average (GPA) and first-year retention rate compared to students who are not selected. Analyses included frequencies and crosstabulations of the total undergraduate, degree/certificate-seeking student population (N = 15,976) and first-year, full-time student population enrolled for the Fall 2018 semester at Rowan University (N = 2,871). Results indicated minority students had a +12.7-percentage point gap to being …

Undergraduate Students' Perceptions Of Their Experience With Financial Aid And Loans With Potential Solutions, Sheila J. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Since the cost of higher education is rising every year, some students will contact their financial aid office to inquire about their options to pay for school with loans and grants. However, financial aid administrators might not provide undergraduate students with useful information that will guide them to make informed decisions on loans because the financial aid administrators might lack training to help students. The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine the undergraduate students' perceptions of their experiences with financial aid and student loans for Rowan university undergraduate students and the financial aid office using a non-experimental descriptive …

Students' Experiences With Academic Advising And Their Perceived Academic Success, Antonia Marie Hannon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand undergraduate students' experiences with academic advising and how it may have impacted their academic success. A survey was distributed to undergraduate students enrolled at Rowan University in the Spring 2022 semester. This survey consisted of questions regarding students' experiences with academic advising and their academic advisors, how it impacted them, and their perceptions of their academic success as it relates to their advising experiences. The findings of this study suggest that most students who receive academic advising from Rowan University have effective and positive experiences, find themselves to be academically successful by …

Lower-Income And Working-Class Student Perceptions Of Academic Advising At Rowan University, April Townson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of lower-income and working-class undergraduate students at Rowan University towards academic advising practices. This study utilized interviews and qualitative data analysis in order provide recommendations for how to advise lower-income students effectively, offer insight into impactful experiences for lower-income college students, as well as what expectations these student populations have of advising experiences. The participants in this study were three lower-income undergraduate students attending Rowan University in the Spring 2022 semester. Participants were interviewed on their past experiences with academic advising, perceptions of advising as a whole, …

Finding Community As First-Generation Latina College Students In A Predominantly White Institution, Alondra Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine the perception of first-generation Latina college students' sense of belonging at a predominately White institution, specifically at Rowan University. Based on the research questions this study identified the experiences of six first-generation Latina college students and their perception of community and belonging at Rowan University. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on all six participants and data was collected using an interview protocol that consisted of nine questions. The following themes were found in the study (1) first-generation Latinas and family, (2) campus involvement, (3) inclusivity and cultural competence, and, (4) faculty …

An Action Research Study On Lms Assessment Tools And Faculty Practice In English Composition Courses Of A Community College, Sophia Mitra

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods action research study aimed to understand the use of LMS assessment tools by faculty teaching English Composition (Eng 101) at a New Jersey Community College in order to increase that use for assessment of outcomes. In spite of administrative push for faculty to use the LMS for data based decision-making, there is still limited use of LMS tools. In writing-intensive fields like Eng 101 grading and feedback could be accelerated along with monitoring student performance on outcomes using LMS assessment tools. Forming a virtual faculty learning committee that collaborated in the study's data collection and analysis, volunteers …

Understanding How Institutional Agents Foster A Culturally Engaging Campus Environment To Facilitate Latinx Completion: A Multicase Study At Hispanic-Serving Community Colleges In New Jersey, Jose Luis Laureano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this multicase study was to investigate and understand how institutional agents foster a culturally engaging campus environment to facilitate completion for Latinx students at federally designated Hispanic-serving community colleges in New Jersey. This multicase study focused on institutional agents at two New Jersey community colleges with high completion rates for Latinx students. Through interviews, observations, and analysis of institutional documents, data on institutional capacity, intentionality, and clarity of purpose were collected to identify patterns among the cases. There were six participants interviewed in this study and the research questions were used to guide the study in exploring …

Less Of A Balancing Act And More Of A Juggling Act: How Women Who Work In Student Affairs And Have Children With Disabilities Navigate Their Dual Roles, Kellie Marie Mckinney

Theses and Dissertations

Student affairs professionals often grapple with how to attain proper work/family balance (WFB), as being a part of a helping profession can make it extremely difficult for these professionals to set limits and boundaries. In addition, successfully balancing one's work and family domains appears to be more challenging for parents that have children with disabilities than those with typically developing children. Unfortunately, there is a lack of literature examining how women who work in student affairs and have children with disabilities achieve WFB. As such, the purpose of this general qualitative study is to describe how women who work in …

Community College Students' Sense Of Belonging And Care During Covid-19: A Grounded Theory Study, Lisa A. Dougherty

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative constructivist grounded theory research study was to understand and develop a theory about the experiences of community college students accessing online student support services, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when colleges were forced to close their in-person services. Interviews with seventeen students and a review of 57 email communications from the College yielded the data to construct a theory that extends the theories of sense of belonging and ethic of care to virtual student services – the Virtual Caring Campus Theory.

In the absence of a physical campus, colleges can create a virtual caring campus by …

Exploring How Developmental Education Students Make Meaning Of Identity, Competence, And Relationship Building Through Supplemental Instruction: A Grounded Theory Study, Jennifer Gasparino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to explore Supplemental Instruction (SI) beyond its academic purpose, examining how community college developmental education students make meaning of their experience participating in SI. This study focused on how developmental education students experienced identity and competence through SI and examined how these students make meaning of their connections and relationships. Fifteen participants who placed below college-level in English and English Language Proficiency and who were enrolled in at least one college-level course with SI participated in semi-structured interviews and SI group observations. The findings support the need to integrate holistic support …

The Counterstories Of Black Women At Community Colleges: Understanding How Co-Curricular Involvement Helps Them To Persist, Karen A. Vaughan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to add the voices and counter-stories of five Black women who attend community colleges to the discourse and literature concerning their co-curricular involvement experiences and persistence. I used critical race theory (CRT) as the theoretical framework to understand how involvement in co-curricular activities helps Black women at community colleges create support systems that allow them to overcome oppression and other forms of subordination and persist. Most studies that examine this phenomenon tend to use seminal student involvement theories that fail to account for the nuanced experiences and subordinate intersecting identities that Black …

Conflicting Cultures, Compromising Care: A Heuristic Inquiry Of Women Directors Of College Counseling Centers, Lindsay Noele Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The role that women leaders of college counseling centers have is unique; they must contend with the inherent social norms that women face in gendered organizations, in addition to negotiating the dichotomous, and often conflicting, leadership expectations of a care work division and a care-less upper administration. The purpose of this qualitative, heuristic, phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of women directors of college counseling centers. Moreover, this study sought to understand the lived experiences, beliefs, and actions of these directors how these experiences influenced, and continue to influence, their leadership pathway in a care-oriented division within the …