Education Commons^™

(En)Countering White Noise: A Narrative Study Of How Students Of Color Experience And Navigate Rural, Predominantly White High Schools, Nichole Theresa Ivey

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The omission of students’ of Color experiences from education research reconstitutes political and social narratives that determine who belongs in literal and symbolic spatial contexts in the United States. Meanwhile, racial opportunity gaps emerge in the schoolhouse and endure over the course of the lifespan because educational attainment is a catalyst for economic mobility and other positive life outcomes. The problem addressed in this study was the dearth of research exploring the experiences of students of Color who attend rural, predominantly White high schools. Using narrative inquiry, the aim of this study was to disrupt normative White perspectives (individual and …

To Belong Or Not To Belong: Bipoc First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Christine Orbeta

Theses and Dissertations

Using narrative interviews, this study explored the experiences of belonging among eight first-generation college students (FGCS) who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). By applying Strayhorn's Belonging and Crenshaw's Intersectionality Framework, this study sheds light on the challenges and benefits BIPOC FGCS encounter as they strive for academic success at two-year institutions within the City University of New York (CUNY) where approximately 44% of CUNY's student body comprises FGCS (CUNY, 2019). According to participants, families and institutions played significant roles in shaping students' sense of belonging. It also highlights the intricate negotiations BIPOC FGCS undergo as they …

Beyond Boundaries: Third Space Leadership In Schools, Corinne Brion

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

This case study is relevant to practicing and prospective leaders because it raises issues related to third space leadership. I define third space leadership as the spaces/places between school and home, school and before or after school programs, school, and extra-curricular activities, such as the commute in a school bus. Third space leadership is grounded in adaptive leadership, cultural proficiency, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. This teaching case study exposes educational administrators to a holistic approach to leadership that includes the in-between spaces that are integral parts and moments of students’ educational journeys. The Teaching Notes outline key concepts on …

The Role Of Language In Identity And Mediating Connection For Fijian College Students, Grace Taito Tora

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the role of language in constructing identity and promoting belonging for seventeen Fijian college students at one U.S. based university in the Pacific Rim. Focus group interviews were analyzed for how students described the role that language played in constructing student identity and mediating connection. Analysis was grounded in post-structural perspectives of identity alongside vā – the Oceanic notion that encompasses identity and belonging. Students described themes of native language proficiency in reinforcing kinship relationships and in participating in cultural traditions and practices. They also expressed other ways of maintaining vā without proficiency in their native languages. …

Vocational Formation, Belonging And Christian Higher Education, Christopher W. Cobbler Sr.

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Vocational formation and belonging are complimentary concepts. Vocational formation seeks human flourishing by attending to the healing of our social environments. Vocational formation is responding to God’s invitation to participate in the healing of creation from a particular social context, with others, for the sake of the world. Belonging, then, is the natural consequence of such an endeavor. This paper assumes the notion of institutional belonging in Christian higher education to be a kingdom characteristic that is best realized through the various postures of vocational formation. Radical hospitality, missional eschatology and communion with God are among the distinctive qualities of …

Paving Pathways: Navigating The Intersection Of Ai And Student Support In Higher Education, Tracy M. Balduzzi, Lori Driscoll Edd, Sean Nufer, Amanda Major

FDLA Journal

Higher education is undergoing a major transformation influenced by globalization, technological advancements, and the recent challenges posed by global pandemics. In response to these disruptions, institutions are increasingly embracing innovative strategies to enhance student support, faculty development, and overall educational effectiveness. This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), student support, and faculty development in higher education, highlighting key initiatives and strategies implemented by institutions across the United States.

The article examines the evolving role of educators with regard to AI, emphasizing the use of AI-powered tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences while addressing concerns about academic integrity …

Student Perceptions: How Stem Students Value Belonging Interventions, Elizabeth Runkel Baez

University Honors Theses

With the prioritization of increasing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates in the United States, researchers have become increasingly interested in how to promote STEM students' sense of belonging. Sense of belonging is considered a marker of persistence in STEM. Facilitated 'belonging interventions' are one way to strengthen a sense of belonging amongst STEM students. How students respond to, value, and understand these belonging interventions is relatively understudied. In this study, focus groups were conducted with STEM students from a single university to investigate how they value an in-class belonging activity. Qualitative thematic coding of focus group responses revealed …

Math Anxiety And Avoidance Of Mathematics At The College Level: Undergraduate And Their Sense Of Not Belonging In Math Classrooms, Kay C. Lashley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Negative experiences and perceptions of the subject often influence the avoidance of mathematics at the college level. This study explored this issue by investigating the relationship between math anxiety, belongingness in math classes, and help-seeking behaviors among STEM and non-STEM majors. The study involved 41 participants, including 24 STEM majors and 17 non-STEM majors, all undergraduate college students aged 18 to 54. The results revealed that most students (39 out of 41) felt a sense of belonging in their math classes. Correlation analyses showed a significant positive relation between math anxiety and self-reported math competency, “r(41)= .44, p < .01,” and that higher levels of math anxiety were linked to a greater likelihood of avoiding math classes, “r(41)= .35, p = .02”. Students with lower math anxiety were marginally more inclined to seek help from family or friends, “ X2 (12, N = 42) = 20.1, p = .065”. However, there were no significant differences in help-seeking behaviors between STEM and non-STEM majors. Overall, these findings are consistent with previous studies. Nevertheless, more research and interventions are needed to develop supportive math learning environments at the college level, especially for students with higher anxiety.

Multiple Perspectives Examining How A High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (Jrotc) Program Affects Student Development: A Case Study, Kurt Duane Barry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to examine how a high school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program affects student development of their personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment by fusing the perspectives of the school administrators, JROTC instructors, and school guidance counselors for a more holistic view. The theories guiding this study are Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation and Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, which relate to secondary student development for cadets in the JROTC program. The central research question focused on the benefits of a school’s JROTC program to the cadets enrolled. The research setting …

University Student Success In Graduation: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Of The “Aha” Moment, When A College Graduate Realized They Could Finish Their Degree, Justin M. Shannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the college graduate experience of a junior officer who decided to finish their bachelor’s degree despite any temptation to drop out of school; participants were selected from a midwestern military installation. The guiding theory of this study was Duckworth’s grit theory; the study related to her theory by examining participants’ passion and perseverance and their relation to the motivation in the context of choice to finish the goal of graduating from college and commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. This qualitative design used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach; data collection …

Most Likely To Succeed: Which Factors Influence College Students In Completing Their Two-Year Computer Degree And Graduating From College, Nathan Blommel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

For many individuals, researching and finding a college to attend is a wonderful experience. Many students explore college and take multiple courses, but do not finish their intended degree. Past and current studies have identified factors and reasons to why students dropout from college. Two well-known theories include A.W. Astin’s student involvement theory (1984) and Tinto’s (1993) model of college student attrition. The purpose of this study was to identify factors amongst students who graduated and students who did not graduate from a two-year computer degree program. The data derived from the collective stories of those who had experienced it. …

First-Generation Doctoral Students, Impostorism, And Belonging: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Karen Sullivan Pore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of first-generation doctoral students as they relate to their feelings of belonging, impostorism, and otherness. The study was guided by use of Tajfel social identity theory which provided insight to how an individual evaluates their identity within their environment and groups. The research design used was qualitative and the approach was transcendental phenomenological. The qualitative design allowed the first-generation doctoral students to share their experiences and behaviors during their doctoral journey. The participants were 10 self-identified as first-generation doctoral students who experienced impostor feelings during their doctoral journey. The data …

Connecting Culturally Relevant And Sustaining Education Competencies In Teacher Preparation Programs To The Experiences Of Mixed-Race Learners In K-12 Settings: A Mixed Methods Study, Marissa Wallace

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Mixed-race individuals are increasing in number within the United States population. There is limited research on mixed-race learners in K-12 school settings. This study delves into the unique educational experiences of this group of learners and provides implications for future teachers. With a focus on the Pennsylvania Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) competencies, the researcher incorporates the competencies into course work and field experiences for pre-service teachers taking a course focused on literacy instruction and intervention. Quantitative, pre- and post- surveys, and qualitative data, open-ended responses, observations, and end of semester reflections were collected from pre-service teachers. Qualitative data, …

Ennobling Each Other Through Collaborative Inquiry: Exploring Music As A Provocation For Leadership Development, Ihan Ip

Dissertations

Amid the challenges in a global village, leadership education needs to surpass traditional methods, nurturing creativity, flexibility, and adaptability. This study is a collaborative action inquiry that considers music as an arts-based method in service of leadership development. The study unfolded over five cycles, in which 14 coinquirers collaborated in a process of exploration. The study illuminates the strong potential of music as a provocation for leadership development and reveals crucial realizations in the area of facilitation in collective processes.

This dissertation tells the story of the inquiry with the voices of its coinquirers and offers insights on facilitation through …

A Mixed-Method Inquiry Into Rural School Principal Perspectives Regarding Inclusion Through Social Justice Leadership, Amy J. Konz

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The purpose of this exploratory mixed-methods phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of school building leaders (SBLs), also referred to as principals, regarding their facilitation of social justice leadership (SJL) and culturally responsive school leadership (CRSL) practices to support student inclusion and belongingness within the K-12 educational setting in NYS. This research study fills the knowledge gap related to student belongingness through the principal's perspective and illuminates how SBLs support inclusion. First, nine high-need rural school principals participated in semi-structured interviews, and second, 101 SBLs from across NYS completed a survey using the Social Justice Behavior Scale (SJBS). Findings …

First-Generation College Students And Sense Of Belonging At School: The Moderating Effect Of Remote Learning, Christina Su Ju

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the effect of first-generation college student status on students’ sense of belonging, and whether remote learning moderates this effect. Specifically, this study examines whether first-generation college students’ sense of belonging at university differs from their continuing-generation college student counterpart, and whether taking remote courses impacts that relationship. It was hypothesized that first-generation college students would report lower sense of belonging than continuing-generation college students, and that remote learning would moderate the relationship such that the negative effect of first-generation student status on sense of belonging is strengthened when the student takes more remote courses. Survey data from …

Band Members’ Attitudes Toward The Queer Community And Perception Of Band As A Safe Space, Brian J. Panetta

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework of human development and Yuval-Davis’ analytical framework of belonging as a lens to explain how the band environment might cultivate positive attitudes toward the queer community, this study investigated band members’ attitudes toward the queer community and their perception of the band as a safe space. Utilizing adapted inventories with established reliability and validity, the following research questions were addressed: 1) What are queer and non-queer band members’ attitudes toward the queer community? 2) What are queer and non-queer band members’ attitudes toward the band as a safe space? 3) What differences exist between the independent …

Exploring Perceptions Of School Climate At The Middle School Level Through The Implementation Of A School-Wide House System: A Case Study, Mallory Graham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore the perceptions of school climate as influenced by the implementation of a school-wide house system for staff and students. The theories guiding this study were Maslow’s theory of motivation and the theory of self-determination. The central research question for the study considers ways in which stakeholders, faculty, and staff implement a house system with the goal of creating a positive school climate. The intrinsic case study was situated at a middle school in southwest Virginia that had fully implemented a school-wide house system, and the sample consisted of five 8th …

Improving Belonging And Connectedness In The Cybersecurity Workforce: From College To The Profession, Mary Beth Klinger

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This article explores the results of a project aimed at supporting community college students in their academic pursuit of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Cybersecurity through mentorship, collaboration, skill preparation, and other activities and touch points to increase students’ sense of belonging and connectedness in the cybersecurity profession. The goal of the project was focused on developing diverse, educated, and skilled cybersecurity personnel for employment within local industry and government to help curtail the current regional cybersecurity workforce gap that is emblematic of the lack of qualified cybersecurity personnel that presently exists nationwide. Emphasis throughout the project …

Development And Validation Of The Sense Of Belonging Among Counselor Education Students Survey (Sobaces)., Allison Fears

The William & Mary Educational Review

Sense of belonging among students has been studied extensively (Gopalan & Brady, 2020), and has been shown to be a predictor of success, engagement, and well-being in college students. While studies have investigated a sense of belonging amongst specific marginalized groups within a university (e.g. Duran et al., 2020; Lewis et al., 2021; Sims et al., 2020) there have been few studies that examine a sense of belonging among master students in counselor education programs. This paper will outline the development and validation of a new instrument, Sense of Belonging among Counselor Education Students (SOBACES).

“I’M Staying And You’Re Gonna Love Me”: Finding Authentic Freedom & Fostering Belonging As Black Female Early Faculty, Roszina D. Scott, Tinotenda Mupambo

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

The purpose of this reflection is to expand the knowledge on the retention of early Black female faculty by exploring their challenges and triumphs in dismantling Whiteness and developing an authentic sense of belonging in the academy. In higher education, Black women experience marginalization at the intersection of anti-black racism and sexism. Faculty of color experience racial microaggressions, excessive workloads and service expectations, and their expertise is seldom recognized. Despite these challenges, marginalized faculty authentically persist and find a sense of belonging within the ivory tower by building mentorship relationships, departmental DEI efforts, opportunities for innovation, and cultivating Black sisterhood. …

Community College Transfer Student-Athlete Transition To Usd: Cultivating A Campus Of Village Awareness, William Francis Guarino

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my action research project was to enhance the incoming transfer student-athlete experience from the community college system to the University of San Diego (USD). The study examined a subculture of student-athletes that met this transfer demographic on campus and explored the system that supported them. The discovery came from the powerful storytelling recorded by student-athletes as they discussed how they navigated their undergraduate dreams of pursuing their specific academic degrees at USD. The heart of the research came from the one-on-one interviews that explored their values and the support groups that helped them transition academically, socially, and …

Belonging At A Historically White Institution: Understanding The Men Of Color Experience, Riley Cain Sisk, Tara J. Hefner, Kelsie N. Potter, Nicholas A. Williams

Doctor of Education Capstones

Sense of belonging is a vital need that supports an individual’s journey of becoming. Studies have shown the positive impact sense of belonging can have on education outcomes, especially for underrepresented communities. Consulting with the Assessment Office in the Division of Student Affairs (The DSA Assessment Office) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the research team sought to understand how men of color make sense of belonging at historically white institutions (HWIs) such as VCU. This qualitative, instrumental case study utilized a subjectivist approach grounded in Strayhorn’s (2019) definition of ‘sense of belonging’ paired with Baxter Magolda’s (2014) theories of self-authorship. …

Considering Systems Of Power And Black And Latine Students’ Belonging In Stem, Korinthia D. Nicolai

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on (a) exploring the need for and strategies to facilitate the integration of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and educational psychology and (b) supporting Black and Latine students through examining the impact of systems of power via the integration of belonging and Critical Race Theory. This dissertation follows a three-paper format. In Paper 1, we recognize that psychology researchers can use CRT to explore race and racism. However, psychology scholars may confront growing pains when integrating CRT due to their respective inquiry worldviews–postpositivism and critical–which result in several tensions. These tensions may limit the uptake of CRT in …

Belonging For All Identities: Investigating Responsive Strategies For Inclusion, Voice, And Equity In Secondary Schools, Gregory W. Allison

WWU Graduate School Collection

We are witnessing a shift in how some students both identify themselves and are welcomed into our schools and communities. The experiences of students who identify as gender and sexuality diverse can vary distinctly depending upon geography, individual, peer, and community factors. Most impactful in these experiences are the structures, culture, and support systems that individual schools and districts can intentionally put into place to promote inclusion, safety, and voice for this population of students. While we observe increasing concerns regarding mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, we also notice an increased level of empowerment and connection in …

Latino Students' Perceptions Of Belonging And Inclusion Of The Recruitment Strategies And Marketing Materials At An Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, Julie Wiejak

Dissertations of Practice

Latino students are the fastest-growing minority enrolling in higher education institutions. If higher education institutions want to recruit, attract, and retain Latino students, they must create a recruitment marketing strategy that highlights inclusion for these students on their campuses. Therefore, the purpose of this critical visual qualitative case study is to understand the perceptions Latino students have of marketing materials at a four-year emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as those materials relate to inclusion and access. The research site for this study was a regional public four-year institution named North Calumet University (NCU), which is an emerging HSI. The conceptual …

Feeling At Home In The Basic Communication Course: A Qualitative Case Study Of Faculty And Student Perceptions Of A Connected Classroom Climate At One Midwestern University, Cynthia A. Grobmeier

Dissertations of Practice

The concept of a connected classroom climate considers that peer-to-peer interaction, not just instructor-student interaction, contributes to a sense of community in the classroom that can impact student outcomes. This qualitative case study considers both student and instructor perceptions of what contributes to that sense of connection in the classroom at a mid-size, four-year, Hispanic-serving university. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and member checks with students and instructors who engaged in the first-year basic communication course during the Spring 2022 semester. Five themes emerged in this study: a) the communication classroom is uniquely positioned to create a sense of …

Examining Onboarding Practices In School Settings: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective, Gabriel Medina

Dissertations of Practice

This dissertation examines the onboarding practices implemented in several schools within a district and their impacts on teacher retention and the culture and climate of the schools. The theoretical lens of self-determination theory was used to determine areas of strength and growth of onboarding with respect to the three basic human psychological needs of autonomy, belonging, and competence. Drawing on this theory, the research aimed to reveal how onboarding practices support or hinder fulfillment of these basic psychological needs in a school setting. By examining how teachers perceive their onboarding experiences, the study sheds light on the relationship between the …

The Purpose And Value Of A Summer Camp For Visually Impaired Young People, Anthony J. Maher, Justin A. Haegele, David Swanston

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Empirical research documents the benefits of summer camps for young people, including disability-specific or medical-speciality residential camps. Using an ethnographic approach which utilized observation and individual and group discussions with the visually impaired young people who attended a summer camp, their parents, and school teachers who staffed the summer camp, we build on the extant research here by exploring, for the first time, the purpose and value of a summer camp for visually impaired young people. The qualitative data generated from our research were subjected to thematic analysis. We discuss the summer camp in relation to the following themes: (1) …

Navigating Asynchronous Online Learning: The Impacts Of Active Learning And Assigned Group Work On Student Motivation, Belonging, And Inclusion, Shea Elisabeth Carr

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Motivation, belonging, and inclusion are all critical factors for student success but can be difficult to support in asynchronous online courses. Active learning and required group work have been shown to increase student motivation in in-person and synchronous online courses, but little is known about their impact in online asynchronous settings. This dissertation aimed to 1) evaluate the effect of active learning on student motivation in an online asynchronous setting and 2) evaluate the impact of assigned group work on student motivation and perceptions of belonging and inclusion within the context of an online, asynchronous physiology laboratory course. It was …