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Full-Text Articles in Education
Developing The Whole Student: Campus Ministry's Impact On Spiritual Development, Zachary D. Samples
Developing The Whole Student: Campus Ministry's Impact On Spiritual Development, Zachary D. Samples
Masters Theses
College students at both public and private institutions across the country are involved in campus ministry organizations; however, not much is known about how such involvement translates into the students' faith and spiritual development. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of how students are involved in campus ministry organizations, how faith and spiritual development is affected, and how students are generally impacted by campus ministry organization involvement. The researcher conducted six interviews with juniors and seniors involved in three different campus ministry organizations. Results showed that participants have grown in their faith and spirituality through membership in campus …
Factors Influencing Student Major Selection At A Community College, Kellie Jean Keck
Factors Influencing Student Major Selection At A Community College, Kellie Jean Keck
Masters Theses
College students are influenced by many different things the moment they arrive on campus. This study was an exploratory study that examined what factors influenced student major selection at a rural Midwestern community college. Qualitative interviews were conducted with (N = 6) sophomore level participants that were previously undecided but had since declared a major. Participants were asked a series of questions about their major selection process including their experiences as an undecided student, who, and what may have influenced their major selection, what role monetary returns played in their major selection, and how comfortable they are with their …
Impact Of Employment On Undergraduate Academic Achievement, Canaan Daniels
Impact Of Employment On Undergraduate Academic Achievement, Canaan Daniels
Masters Theses
The purpose of the research was to examine the relationship between employment and academics among undergraduate students attending a mid-sized Midwestern institution. Though current literature was mixed on this relationship, the researcher developed research questions to further explore if such variables were related. From data presented by prior research on employment and academics, hypotheses were formed to see if employment had any relationship to students' academic achievement. A questionnaire was then distributed to over 8,000 students so that results from participants could be examined to find if any relationships existed. An SPSS analysis using 421 responses was conducted that resulted …
An Exploration Of Sense Of Belonging Among Black Males Attending A Predominately White Institution, Nicolas T. Wright
An Exploration Of Sense Of Belonging Among Black Males Attending A Predominately White Institution, Nicolas T. Wright
Masters Theses
This study was designed to gain insight on how Black male students attending a predominantly White institution defined and described sense of belonging. In addition, the researcher sought to see if Black male students at the research institution developed a sense of belonging. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher interviewed five Black male students. The participants were students of sophomore to senior standing. Results showed that Black males students defined sense of belonging as acceptance and comfort. Additionally, the results showed that Black male students were able to create a sense of belonging at their predominantly White institution. Participants discussed …
Universal Design: A Student Affairs Perspective, Becca Lynn
Universal Design: A Student Affairs Perspective, Becca Lynn
Masters Theses
College is one of the most exciting times in an individual's life and could also be one of the most challenging. Students are coming in to college needing amenities and different accommodations for a variety of different reasons; very commonly, learning and physical disabilities. Utilizing qualitative methodology, this study aimed to explore five different student affairs areas on campus to see if they provide a universally designed environment for college students with both learning and physical disabilities. Each professional shared their knowledge of universal design, universal strategies that they currently use, areas professionals believe are the most accommodating on campus …
The Recruitment Of Sexual Minority Students In Higher Education, Jorge El-Azar
The Recruitment Of Sexual Minority Students In Higher Education, Jorge El-Azar
Masters Theses
In a time when universities actively recruit diverse groups of applicants, some universities are seeing the need for a diverse student population and advancing their recruitment initiatives to recruit specific groups of students. The LGBTQ+ community has been perceived as an invisible community (Cegler, 2012) by some universities, but other higher education institutions are seeing the value of specifically recruiting students who identify as a part of this community. This study was designed to focus on the initiatives universities are implementing to effectively recruit students who identify as LGBTQ+. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher interviewed six participants who identified …
A Summer Bridge Program's Impact: Social Engagement And The Building Of Self-Efficacy, Stephen L. Roach
A Summer Bridge Program's Impact: Social Engagement And The Building Of Self-Efficacy, Stephen L. Roach
Masters Theses
This two phase study sought to investigate the impact that a summer bridge program (SIHL) at a midsized, public institution at had on participants' academic success through an examination of its effect on their self-efficacy. In addition, this study sought to gain an increased understanding of how the program impacted self-efficacy, by providing a new conceptual model for examining the program and similar programs. Lastly, this study expanded on the research conducted by Lucas (2012), by incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. Participants in Phase 1, the quantitative phase, were 322 students of varying ages, races and ethnicities, genders, and …
Sophomore Student-Athletes' Perceptions Of Athletic Academic Support Services, Lindsey Sturm
Sophomore Student-Athletes' Perceptions Of Athletic Academic Support Services, Lindsey Sturm
Masters Theses
Student-athletes' are faced with a unique set of challenges to balance both athletic and academic responsibilities. Many colleges and universities have provided their student-athletes with support services to help assist them in achieving academic success. This study focused on sophomore student-athletes perceptions of their institution's resources and their identity as a collegiate athlete. Chickering and Reisser's (1993) theory of identity development was used to better understand the new experiences and development of student-athletes' during their transition from freshman to sophomore year. The results of the present study indicated that without the athletic academic support services, student-athletes felt they would not …
A Photographic Study On College Student Sense Of Belonging, Sean Sheptoski
A Photographic Study On College Student Sense Of Belonging, Sean Sheptoski
Masters Theses
Finding one’s sense of belonging has the capability to serve as the tipping point between success in college, and failure. According to McMillian and Chavis (1996), sense of belonging can be defined as the sense of community that members feel when they are in an environment and around other members. A way to achieve premier sense of belonging is by the creation of a caring, supportive and welcoming environment within the university. This study was designed to focus on the importance campus space plays in the creation of sense of belonging. Using a qualitative approach known as photovoice, the researcher …
Initial Student Impressions And Affinity Towards The Institution, Andrew Doto
Initial Student Impressions And Affinity Towards The Institution, Andrew Doto
Masters Theses
This study attempted to explore the relationship between the university affinity and initial impressions of undergraduate students at a mid-size, Midwestern university. A quantitative study was employed after acquiring data using Berquam's (2013) Relationship Quality Student Affinity instrument, which measured a student's commitment and pride, as well as their initial impressions towards the university. Results from the Chi Square test for independence showed evidence that initial impressions were related to university affinity, aligning with prior research. Other results from the study indicated that initial impressions and university affinity were also related to university choice rank. Recommendations were made for the …
A Quantitative Examination Of Alcohol Consumption Motivation Between Fraternity And Non-Fraternity Men, Brinton B. Vincent
A Quantitative Examination Of Alcohol Consumption Motivation Between Fraternity And Non-Fraternity Men, Brinton B. Vincent
Masters Theses
The purpose of the study was to examine the differences in motivation between fraternity and non-fraternity freshmen males. The researcher hypothesized that there would be no significant motivational factor to consume alcohol among the population and no significant difference between fraternity and non-fraternity freshmen males. To better examine differences, a quantitative study was conducted by surveying the population of freshmen males at a mid-sized, Midwestern, 4-year, public institution. The Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS) was used to measure four types of motivation: intrinsic motivation, external regulation, identified regulation, and amotivation. Out of the 58 participants, 48 surveys were usable (N = …
Transfer Students' Perceptions Of Their Academic Preparedness From Urban Community Colleges To Four-Year Institutions, Jazmine E. Thompson
Transfer Students' Perceptions Of Their Academic Preparedness From Urban Community Colleges To Four-Year Institutions, Jazmine E. Thompson
Masters Theses
This study was designed to investigate the perceptions of transfer students' academic preparedness from urban community colleges to four-year institutions. Within separate one-on-one interviews, four participants were asked a set of open-ended demographic and biographic questions regarding their community college experience. Through coding and analyzing participant responses several themes emerged, including (1) importance of relationships with faculty and staff, (2) departmental support, (3) academic preparation for a four-year university, (4) preparedness for university academic expectation, (5) learned academic strategies, (6) test-taking, (7) understanding environments and (8) utilization of professor and other strategies. Several conclusions of the present study were drawn …
First-Generation, Second Year, College Students And Support Gained From Campus Services, Taylor Whittington
First-Generation, Second Year, College Students And Support Gained From Campus Services, Taylor Whittington
Masters Theses
First-generation college students face many challenges when coming into higher education. This qualitative study was designed to gain an understanding of how first-generation college students utilize resources on campus in support of trying to work through their challenges and gain their successes. Chickering and Reisser's (1993) theory of identity development was used to better understand the development of first-generation college students during their transition and first year at the institution. The researcher interviewed five first-generation college students who identified as Caucasian and were in their second year of college. The results from the study showed that first-generation students rely heavily …
A Quantitative Study Of The Source Of Stress For First Generation Freshman Female College Students, Amber Byrley
A Quantitative Study Of The Source Of Stress For First Generation Freshman Female College Students, Amber Byrley
Masters Theses
This study compared the sources of stress between first-generation and continuing-generation freshman female students, Caucasian and non-Caucasian freshman female students, and straight and non-straight freshman female students. This study was conducted at a rural, Midwestern, four-year, public institution, 101 first time freshman students living in on-campus housing participated in this study. A quantitative study was designed using Higbee and Dwinell's (1992) Developmental Inventory of the Sources of Stress (DISS) questionnaire which measures stress in five sub-categories including time management, physical lifestyle, academics, interactions, and chemical stressors. Results of the study indicated that overall, first-generation freshman females experience more total stress …
Understanding Mentoring Relationships: The Black Male Graduate Student Perspective, Kwame R. Patterson Jr.
Understanding Mentoring Relationships: The Black Male Graduate Student Perspective, Kwame R. Patterson Jr.
Masters Theses
Black males face many obstacles in higher education. They are disproportionately represented among students who are forced to withdraw, underperform academically, and report negative experiences. Despite the negative experiences Black males may encounter, many still have a strong interest in education, and mentoring plays a role in that interest. The purpose of this study was to explore the mentoring relationships and influence on the Black male graduate students experience. A qualitative study was conducted with Black males who received their master's degrees from a regional Midwestern institution. Research revealed that mentoring played a major role in Black male's graduate experience …