Education Commons^™

A Case Study Of Community College Faculty Attitudes Toward Students With Disabilities, Mary C. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single case study was to explore the attitudes and experiences of faculty at one small, public, community college in the southeastern United States. Of the 180 faculty sampled, 35 completed the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons survey, 13 participated in a one-on-one interview, and a review of 30 institutional documents was conducted. Using social constructivism, disability theory, and the researchers personal and professional experiences as the framework, the data collected helped to gain insight into the faculty's experiences with classroom accommodations and attitudes toward students with disabilities. Five key findings revealed that community college faculty in the …

Psychological Distress And Adjustment In College Students, Donovan A. Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The mental health needs of college students have risen dramatically. According to Kitzrow (2003), an estimated 84% of students who walked into a school counseling centers show significant causes for concern. These students were at high risks because of a variety of psychological distress. The current study sought to understand the multidimensional impact of mental health concerns on students' academic adjustment. Undergraduate students from a northeast public university completed an online survey that comprised of demographic information and two Likert type scales that measured psychological distress and academic adjustment. Results indicated that depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and eating concerns …

Commuter Student And Residential Student Mattering In An Honors Concentration, Jamie Marie Cattell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the sense of mattering in the Bantivoglio Honors Concentration at Rowan University. A secondary purpose was to use this population to compare feelings of mattering between residential and commuting students. The subjects of this study were 240 Rowan University students who were enrolled in an undergraduate program as well as the Bantivoglio Honors Concentration during the spring semester of 2017. Data were collected using a variation of the College Mattering Inventory (Tovar et al., 2009), which contains 29 Likert scale statements consisting of six subscales that sought to determine students' attitudes toward …

Strategic Restructuring In Higher Education: A Case Study Of A Consolidation Of Two Institutions, Claudia D. Lyerly

Theses and Dissertations

This in-depth single case study examined the implementation process utilized for the consolidation of two public institutions and the participants’ perceptions five years post-consolidation of the extent to which the original expected outcomes of the consolidation have been achieved. The names of the institutions and participants involved in this case study have been replaced with pseudonyms. The case study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with the qualitative method having more dominance throughout the study. Three primary sources of data were used: semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and field notes. The data collected from all three sources were coded, analyzed …

How Supplemental Instruction (Si) Leaders Experience Transformative Learning And The Nature Of Civic Engagement As A Result Of Serving In A Peer Leadership Role In Higher Education, Neva Lozada

Theses and Dissertations

To empower students to become influential social change agents, institutions of higher education must move away from traditional academic models of civic engagement and toward alternative approaches of engaging students outside of the classroom. Providing students an opportunity to serve in a leadership role can lead to the actualization of transformative learning experiences, which may materialize in a heightened development of skills that are transferable to future academic, professional, and civic aspirations. While the majority of research on peer-facilitated academic assistance programs, such as Supplemental Instruction (SI), examines positive effects on participants, few studies set out to examine the additional …

An Inquiry Into The Development Of Future Speech-Language Pathologists: A Mixed Methods Study, Kimberly Plotts

Theses and Dissertations

Upon graduating college, many students seek employment within the degree area in which they obtained. Employers are seeking skills in individuals that encompass interpersonal, technical, analytical, personal, and professional abilities. As with many careers, the allied health field requires content specific knowledge and specialized skills, which indicate sufficient work readiness. The allied health field of speech-language pathology is touted as one of the fastest growing professions in this decade and is in demand. To become a speech-language pathologist, one must complete a master's program and supervised clinical practicums. Despite participating in a master's program with quality curricula, having supervision by …

The Relationship Between Peer Tutoring And Learning Styles At Rowan University, Marissa Jean Wood

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the learning styles of peer tutors employed by the Tutoring Services department on the Glassboro campus of Rowan University during the spring 2017 semester. The study collected responses to two learning style instruments: the Learning Connections Inventory (LCI) Adult Education Form © and the VARK © instrument. Of particular interest was what were the most common learning styles among the tutors and was there a relationship between the reported styles and, length of time as a tutor, academic major, and class rank?

Although there is a plethora of research describing the relationship …

Commuter Students And Involvement Theory, Yamesha Woodley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to better understand the involvement patterns of commuter students at Rowan University. The study examined their levels of involvement and gathered information regarding their attitudes on the holistic collegiate experience at the institution. This study also examined links between a commuter's physical proximity to the main campus and their subsequently reported frequency of participation in various areas of campus life. The study examined the levels of involvement of the subjects and their satisfaction with areas of campus in order to gain insight on commuter satisfaction surrounding the student experience.

Previous research had not examined …

Exploring Student Use Of Social Networking Services (Sns) Surrounding Moral Development, Gender, Campus Crime, Safety, & The Clery Act: A Mixed Methods Study, Haley Baum

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to explore college students' use of social networking services (SNS); examining how and why they communicate about campus safety information. This study took place at Stockton University, a regional state institution in NJ. Undergraduate students took part in an online quantitative questionnaire and then follow up face-to-face qualitative interviews with a section of the questionnaire participants. Focus was placed on how and why students communicate crime and safety information to discuss how this may relate to their moral development and decision-making. Using Kohlberg and Gilligan as a guide to understand …

Learning Connections Inventory: Making Major Decisions Among Undeclared Students, Raven Alexis Holloway

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between the Learning Connections Inventory (LCI) and the career and academic exploration process of undeclared students at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. I examined if the LCI has predictive value in assisting undeclared students in the career exploration process as well as the attitudes of selected Rowan University professors and administrators towards the use of the LCI in the career and academic exploration process. The study investigated the statistical relationship of learning styles, as defined by the LCI, had on academic major selection. Data on the LCI scores and …

The Impact Of Hip-Hop Culture On Freshman Student Identity, David Shanks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation is to explore the impact that hip-hop has on the identity of freshman students at Rowan University during the spring 2017 semester. The survey questions were geared toward answering the primary focus. The survey has 34 items, the first five questions were used to collect demographic information from the students including Gender, GPA, Ethnicity, Class rank, and Age. The next 29 questions divided into three factor groupings, these groups were used to investigate the identity of select freshman, what students believe about their knowledge of hip-hop culture, how committed these students are to hip-hop culture, …

Testing Acceptance Of Language Difference In Academia: Perceptions In A First-Year Composition Classroom, Crystal Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

In response to Bawarshi’s collective call for educators to be “more responsive and responsible users and teachers of English,” and motivated by the research of Michelle Hall Kells, I argue that it is necessary for educators to introduce first-year writing students to the historical and sociopolitical aspects of language use in academia through implementing lessons that focus on facets of language diversity. After describing a lesson plan focused on language diversity, I then analyze student feedback using Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis as a lens. I also discuss the results of a Likert scale implemented during the three-phase study. Student …

Impact Of Sexual Violence Prevention Programming At Rowan University, Emily Kofman

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the impact of sexual violence prevention programming on the main Rowan University campus. This study focused primarily on the Take Back the Night event on April 4, 2017. The study evaluated the impact of the event on those who attended as well as looking at Social Norm Theory. A total population of 167 Rowan students were surveyed at the event with the instrument Take Back the Night Survey. Results of the data revealed that students positively benefitted from attending the event and were able to increase their knowledge of the subject. …

The Impact Of Academic Advising On Developing Purpose And Selecting A Major Through Exploratory Studies, Michalina Zelazny

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of academic advising on students in exploratory studies. This study focused on the impact of academic advising on developing a purpose through exploratory studies. It also focused on effectiveness of academic advisors in guiding students to select a major that fulfills students' interests and needs as well as students satisfaction regarding academic advising guidance in exploratory studies. This was a qualitative research and a total of six face-to-face interview sessions were conducted to gather data. The research questions presented in Chapter 1 of this study focused on demographic information, advising …

Yo Importo: The Latina/O Students' Experience At Rowan University, Alma Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Latino/a students at Rowan University felt as though they mattered. The subjects in this study consisted of undergraduate, full-time and part-time students at Rowan University enrolled during the 2014 Spring semester. Data were collected using the College Mattering Inventory, which consisted of 29 Likert scale items. The findings of this study revealed that Latina/o students at Rowan University generally have positive attitudes toward mattering in the subscales. Latina/o students at Rowan University reported the lowest levels of mattering in the general college mattering sub-scale and the Mattering to Students sub-scale. Overall …

Involvement Theory: An Examination Of Community College Student-Athletes, Kaitlyn Marie Matthews

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess selected community college student athletes' involvement in athletic and non-athletic activities at Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC). The researcher surveyed 67 student athletes at RCGC who competed during the spring 2017 semester. The subjects were administered a survey to measure their level of involvement, as well as their attitudes toward involvement at RCGC. Surveys were statistically analyzed to determine frequency, percentages, means, standard deviations, and significant correlations between selected demographics and specific involvement activities. The study provides insight on the attitudes of importance and satisfaction that student athletes at RCGC have …

Effectiveness Of The Flipped Classroom Model In Anatomy And Physiology Laboratory Courses At A Hispanic Serving Institution, Gerardo Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

A flipped laboratory model involves significant preparation by the students on lab material prior to entry to the laboratory. This allows laboratory time to be focused on active learning through experiments. The aim of this study was to observe changes in student performance through the transition from a traditional laboratory format, to a flipped format. The data showed that for both Anatomy and Physiology (I and II) laboratories a more normal distribution of grades was observed once labs were flipped and lecture grade averages increased. Chi square and analysis of variance tests showed grade changes to a statistically significant degree, …

The Challenges Of Living With A Roommate: The Impact On Students With Disabilities' Residential Experience, Ashley Marie Payne

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges that students with disabilities face while living with a roommate. These were explored to determine the impact those challenges have on their experience living on campus. Students with disabilities come to college with a unique set of challenges from their disability and navigating living with a roommate can add to the difficulty of their collegiate experience. A survey was adapted from a study on living with a roommate and a study on the supports for college students with disabilities. This survey gathered information on the student's class year, their experience …

Parental Involvement In College Student Transition: Student Achievement And Student Autonomy, Chelsea Katelyn Haines

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed parental involvement in higher education institutions, specifically Rowan University during spring 2016. It showed how students perceived the parents level of involvement in relation to their own autonomy, and achievement during the transition into college. This study explored the impact of parental involvement on student responsibility, privacy and FERPA, and the students' personal autonomy. The study looked for any significant relationships that occurred with the students' view of parental involvement in relation to autonomy and achievement. The survey tool that was utilized consisted of 92 items which collected demographics and employed a series of Likert-style statements. The …

Leadership Rowan: Impact On Student Development Of Self-Authorship, Rebecca Kraft Spinks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Leadership Rowan on student participants in regards to development of self-authorship. The study examined students who have been involved with Leadership Rowan for at least one year to determine the impact of the program on the student's personal development of self-authorship. A survey was distributed on campus to students who were involved with Leadership Rowan for at least one year at the time of the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, and content analysis was used to identify themes in the data. Results of the data revealed …

An Examination Of Collegiate Extracurricular Activities And Career Aspiration Levels, Chelsey Lynn Ingram

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to evaluate the career aspiration levels of college students who participated in college-related extracurricular activities compared to students who did not participate in extracurricular activities. Additionally, this study compared each domain of extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, the arts, service clubs, etc.) to determine which domain has the highest levels of aspirations. Survey responses provided a representation of participants' intended future career achievements and perceptions of participation in collegiate extracurricular activities. Data was collected from a sample of undergraduate students through online survey responses via Rowan University's SONA system. Bivariate correlation tests in SPSS for Windows were utilized …

Sports Involvement And Academic Functioning In College Students, Mikala Connery

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine positive academic behaviors between college student athletes and non-athletes. Over 460,000 students participate in college sports yearly (NCAA, 2016). Early research shows sports involvement has a negative impact on academic achievement; however, current research contradicts those findings. Sports has become a popular extracurricular activity, so it is important to determine the actual relationship between sports involvement and academic functioning. This study examined that relationship by comparing grade point averages, academic self-efficacy, and motivation between student athletes and student non-athletes in a northeast university. An online self-reporting survey was administered to gather the …

The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Stress Among College Students, Elizabeth Marie Vonderheyde

Theses and Dissertations

College students who have high levels of stress have reported difficulties with functioning on a daily basis, whether it be high anxiety due to classes or an increase in unhealthy habits like smoking or overeating. Studies have shown that those who practice mindfulness every day learn how to live with accepting the stresses in their lives (Siegel & Allison, 2016). This study explored the relationship between mindfulness and stress in college students from a medium size public university in the northeast. Two self-report measures were used to collect data though an online survey. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential …

Living-Learning Communities: The Impact Of Freshmen Engineering Students And Influence Of Student Workers, Felicia Crockett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an engineering learning community (ELC) on freshmen engineering students and the influence of student workers. This study used a total population of the Engineering Learning Community (ELC), which included 127 freshmen engineering students, 69 participated in the survey and five volunteered to participate in a focus group interview. The survey collected demographic information and responses to statements regarding students transition to college, their connectedness to Rowan, their peer interaction, faculty interaction, and their overall satisfaction at Rowan. The interview questions asked about their most and least satisfying aspects of …

Examining The Involvement Patterns Of International Graduate Students At Rowan University, Amanjot Kaur

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the involvement patterns of selected international graduate students at Rowan University. This study focused on the involvement patterns of international graduate students associated with their overall college experience, interactions with students and faculty, and the use of campus services designed to promote student satisfaction. This was a total population study since there were 39 international graduate students enrolled at the Rowan University Glassboro, NJ campus during the spring 2017 semester. Quantitative research, through the use of an online survey, was used to collect data. Quantitative data analysis confirmed findings from previous studies …

The Relationship Between Academic Motivation And Parenting Styles In Multiple Socioeconomic Status Areas, Stephanie Rubin

Theses and Dissertations

Academic motivation is an important topic that has been discussed in hopes to increase the levels within students, especially during college. Many factors can influence academic motivation, including the student's perceived parenting style and socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between undergraduate student's academic motivation and perceived parenting style as well as the relationship between academic motivation and socioeconomic status of the student. An anonymous survey was given to undergraduate students through Rowan University's SONA system. Bivariate correlational tests, one-way ANOVA tests, and Post-Hoc tests in SPSS were used to determine if the relationships …

Attitudes Toward Accommodations And Academic Well-Being Of College Students With Disabilities, Alex Elizabeth Troccoli

Theses and Dissertations

College students with disabilities remain an understudied population, especially on topics relating to academic success. As more students with disabilities are struggling to complete their college education it calls for more research to be done to ensure students are taking advantage of any resources that can be beneficial for them. This study can contribute to empirical literature about how accommodations and other support service for college students with disabilities can impact academic well-being. The research questions advanced in the study are: 1) Is there a difference in the attitudes of students who are availing and not availing to accommodations? and …

Examining The Complexity Of Educational Attainment For Black Males In An Educational Opportunity Fund Program At A Community College, Lavon Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to describe the lived experience of Black males in an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program at a community college. According to research, community colleges are the first option for many Black male students who are underprepared academically and come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This phenomenological study examines the lived experience of Black males in an EOF program because of its ability to provide access, equality, and resources to students. Ten face-to-face interviews were conducted in order to describe the essence of this phenomenon. The findings from this study revealed that there are five themes …

Using Information Sharing Between High School Counselors And Community College Personnel To Improve College Readiness For Incoming Students: An Exploratory Case Study, Dyron J. Corley

Theses and Dissertations

A significant number of incoming students who graduate from high school and attend the community college lack the information and guidance needed to understand what is expected as they make their transition to higher education (Karp & Bork, 2012; McDonough, 1997; Venezia, Bracco, & Nodine, 2010). This exploratory case study examines how an enrollment office at a community college shared information and resources about college readiness with local high school counselors to ensure that incoming students received the knowledge and tools necessary to make a successful transition. By investigating the insights and experiences of both the college enrollment staff and …

A Qualitative Case Study Of The Congruence Between Fraternal Organizations' And Members' Values, Principles, And Standards, Joseph P. Lizza

Theses and Dissertations

Fraternal organizations are unique in how their very existence is routed in their espoused values, principles, and standards. These ideals spotlight what their organization was founded upon, and how those who associate themselves with the organization should conduct themselves. There are few instances where an organization is forced to be as altruistic as a fraternity. However, the point that these particular organizations espouse that their values, principles, and standards are the keystone of what they stand for is often the very reason these groups are permitted to have a presence on college and university campuses. The purpose of this inquiry …