Education Commons^™

Coming To College Twice: The Impact Of First Semester Freshman Study Abroad Programs On Student Transition To A Residential Campus, Ryan G. Hawkins

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

For many American college students, the first major life transition they face is moving from their parents’ home into a university residence hall in the fall following high school graduation. During this period of transition, students must learn how to live in a new place, develop friendships, and figure out how to navigate a new academic environment (Kneipp, Kelly, & Cyphers, 2009). What happens to that transitional process when a student does not begin his or her college career on their home campus? According to the Open Doors Reports from the Institute of International Education (2015), approximately 10,331 college freshmen …

Lived Experiences Of Black Bahamian Students At A Faith Based Institution, Rachel Mcgregor

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological research design to gain understanding of the experiences of Black Bahamians at a small, private, residential, liberal arts, faith-based university in a rural part of the Midwest. In an attempt to validate interview findings, interview data was coded, themed, and then triangulated in a focus group. The Bahamian student experience is, in essence, shaped by Black identity development, integration processes, campus racial climate, and the students’ sense of belonging. Despite many challenges, the growth that occurs on campus makes the experience worthwhile. Implications for practice include investing in faculty training, providing microaggression training for …

An Exploration Of The Intersections Between Study Abroad And Attachment Theory, Madeline N. Trudeau

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the possible connections between a student studying abroad and his or her attachment style. The research focused on students from a single university who participated in full semester study abroad experiences. This study was guided by the following questions:

1. Is there a correlation between studying abroad and a student having a secure attachment style?
2. Are there elements of a study abroad program correlated with a secure attachment style?
3. How do students with different attachment styles reflect upon their study abroad experience?

The main results from this study indicated that students who study …

Through A Broader Lens: An Exploration Of International Service Learning And Life Calling, Lauren Carter

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

One of the many opportunities presented to college students within their college experience is the opportunity to participate in an international service learning trip. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of international service learning on life calling. Through phenomenological research, this study examined the individual international service learning experiences of eleven alumni and addressed the following questions:

1. Does international service learning impact a student’s sense of calling?
2. How would students define their sense of calling after an international service learning trip?

Major emergent themes included the experiences on a team; the broadening of life calling; impacted …

A Case Study For Evaluating A Discipleship Program For Student-Athletes, Abigail Hews

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The main objective of this thesis was to provide an in-depth look at an institution of higher learning that implemented a discipleship program for its student-athletes. A qualitative case study was conducted at a faith-based college to answer the following two research questions: What are the different components associated with a discipleship program for student-athletes, and what are the benefits and challenges of a discipleship program? The different components found in the discipleship programs included goals, team discipleship time, evaluation assessments, an accountability program, and missions work. The results also indicated growth in the students’ character development and spiritual maturity. …

Hopeful Voices: Reflective Perspectives On Ways To Advancing Higher Education Development In Post-Civil War Liberia, Lauren E. Bournique

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Liberia’s recent civil war that end in 2003 negatively impacted the higher education system of Liberia, which is now in the process of further development. In the summer of 2016, a qualitative phenomenological case study was conducted consisting of eighteen interviews with administration, faculty, and students from four Liberian universities: Liberia International Christian College (LICC) (8), University of Liberia (UL) (7), Stella Maris Polytechnic (1), and Cuttington University (1). Furthermore, a National Commission of Higher Education (NCHE) advisor was interviewed. The hope is for this research into Liberian higher education development following the civil war to inspire Liberians, nongovernmental organizations …

The Impact Of Silence On College Student Self-Awareness, Chad Ibach

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Silence and self-awareness are vital topics in this day and age. With a majority of college students rarely finding the space on a college campus to think and reflect, the need for silence is ever present. This study looked at the effect of a silent retreat on eight college students’ self-awareness. Both silence and self-awareness were discussed separately from one another due to the depth of each term but were also explored together in the literature and the results of the present research. From the results of this study, themes arose surrounding the topics of silence, self-awareness, and the effects …

Vocational Formation In College: A Look At The Intersection Of Vocational Formation And Identity And Faith Development, Shelby List

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of vocational formation between freshmen and senior year at a small, faith-based institution in the Midwest. The study considered the concurrent influences on students during emerging adulthood as they experience growth in identity and faith development, while grounding a theory for the vocational formation happening within the season. In this qualitative study, the researcher collected essays and focus groups from both a freshmen and senior population simultaneously for analysis and comparison. The following research question guided the study: How do students’ understanding of their vocation change over the course of …

Inseparable Faith: Exploring Manifestations And Experiences Of Faith-Work Integration In Young Alumni From A Christian University, Emilie Hoffman

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The integration of faith and work refers to the manner in which individuals reconcile meaning sets and worldviews with their work. In the two most recent decades, discussion on the involvement of religion, faith, and spirituality in the workplace has increased in popularity in the United States (Hammond, Stevens, & Svanoe, 2002; Hillman, 2005; Kidwell, 2014). While recent studies describe the characteristics of an individual’s integration of faith and work and influences on the same, research measuring the extent or trends of integration is lacking. Further, studies predominately focus on the impact of congregation, religious attendance, or workplaces on faith-work …

The Quiet Call: A Grounded Theory Exploration Of Vocational Development And Introversion In College Students, Alex T. Crist

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Vocational development is the process of understanding one’s calling through various internal and external influences. While vocation is an increasingly popular research topic, research has not addressed how one’s personality shapes his or her vocational development. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to explore the vocational development of introverted college students. Using a two-part qualitative study, 101 participants provided online essays, and 9 participants participated in face-to-face interviews in order to understand the influences and process of introverts seeking to discover their vocation. Results suggested various external and internal influences of vocational development, as well as the perceived relationship …

From Mentoring To Mattering: How Peer Mentoring Can Help Students Belong, David M. Adams

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Mattering—defined as the “perception that, to some degree and in any of a variety of ways, we are a significant part of the world around us” (Elliott, Kao, & Grant, 2004, p. 339)—is a social-psychological concept that has recently gained traction in higher education. Understanding mattering, college educators believe, could offer new ways to involve students in campus communities, contributing to their well-being and academic success. The present study explored the link between mattering and participating in a mentoring program for first-year students, with emphasis on the experiences of students of color and international students. The study found participating in …

Benefits And Level Of Satisfaction A First-Year Orientation Program Delivers For Freshmen In College, Katie Evensen

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Freshmen beginning their undergraduate education enter with various backgrounds and understanding of what college expectations will be. Institutions must properly ease first-year students into this new transition in their life. One way to help a first-year student transitioning into college is with a first-year orientation program. First-year orientation programs provide unique space for students to adjust well to their institution. Orientation provides time prior to the academic year beginning to allow first-year students to meet their peers, better understand the transition into college, become familiar with campus, feel comfortable with interacting with faculty, staff and administration, and learn more about …

Take The Lead: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Male College Student Leadership And Masculinity, Peter H. Carlson

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Male students in higher education pursue involvement and leadership opportunities less than female students. Though leadership in college has many benefits for development, many campus professionals seek ways to encourage more male involvement in leadership. The purpose of this research was to explore male college student leadership and the factors that motivate them to pursue cocurricular leadership. The study also discusses impact of their perception of masculinity on their leadership. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used to listen to the experiences of nine participants. All participants attend a Christian liberal arts institution in the Midwest and reflected a variety of …

"It Feels A Bit Like Imposter Syndrome": Examining The Issue Of Masculinity And Depression In Male College Students, Wil Story

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine how male students navigate depression and masculinity while at their respective institutions. The study explored the topic through analyzing quantitative survey data from the studied university, in addition to hearing male students’ experience with depression and masculinity and considering university counselors’ expert opinions about patterns they observe in male students. The study was guided by the following research questions:

1. Does depression influence how one perceives his own masculinity?
2. Does an individual’s view of masculinity influence their willingness to seek professional help for depression?

Major findings surrounding depression and masculinity include depression’s affects …

Impact Of Monastic Practices And Spiritual Disciplines On Student Leader Development, Haley B. Williamson

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The purpose of this study was to understand if practicing monasticism and spiritual disciplines impacts the development of student leaders. Research was conducted through grounded theory qualitative interviews with eight student leaders participating in a monastic trip for the duration of January 2016. The present study sought to answer the following question: What impact does monasticism and spiritual disciplines have on the development of student leaders at a private Christian liberal arts institution? The eight students were interviewed before and after their trip, answering questions about monasticism, spiritual disciplines, student leadership, and trip expectations and experiences. Themes derived from the …

Your God Is Too Small: The Impact Of The College Experience On God Image, Jessica Woodring

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Today’s American college student enters higher education with the expectation college will play a role in spiritual development. Spiritual development is an ambiguous term to many student affairs professionals. To qualify students’ experiences of spiritual development in college, this study examined the aspects of the college experience affecting a student’s God image. The God image, a construct encompassing myriad ways of viewing and understanding God, serves as a working model or metaphor of the person of God. The researcher chose God image as a construct for this study because it changes as a result of experiences. Using a qualitative …

Purpose And Resilience: The Experience Of Burmese Refugees In U.S. Higher Education, Rebecca Tervo

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

From 2005 to 2016, over 12,000 students from Burma have pursued higher education in the US, and the numbers have risen each year (Institute of International Education, 2016). Due to the ongoing civil war in Burma, many of these students come to the US as refugees. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the experiences of Burmese refugees in U.S. higher education to understand better their daily challenges and motivations. The participants in this study were six Burmese refugees enrolled in undergraduate programs at U.S. higher education institutions and one program director at a community organization that serves and empowers the local …

The Impact Of Leadership Involvement On College Students' Experience And Wellbeing, Tricia Saunders

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how involvement in leadership positions in clubs and organizations impact students’ college experience and wellbeing. The questions that guided the research were (a) how does a student’s involvement in leadership positions in clubs and organizations impact how he or she views the college experience, and (b) how is a student’s sense of wellbeing affected by his or her participation in leadership positions? Through semi-structured interviews, six major themes emerged: mentorship, past experiences, increase in leadership skills, being in relationships with others, leadership identity development, and difficult transitions. The essence of this …