Higher Education Commons^™

The Implementation Of Nurse Practitioner Residency Programs To Increase The Employment Retention Of New Graduates, Roni-Jo Panganiban

Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner

This review explores the effectiveness of Nurse Practitioner (NP) residency programs in addressing role strain, burnout, and retaining new graduates. It emphasizes the factors contributing to NP resignations and proposes formal residency programs to improve job satisfaction and retention rates. Research highlights benefits such as enhanced preparedness, credibility, and better patient care, advocating for increased program accessibility and funding. Additionally, the application of the theory of planned behavior underscores compliance with regulations, evidence-based practice, and environmental influences for patient safety in advanced practice registered nursing. The literature review on NP residency programs draws from six empirical articles, focusing on job …

A Case Study Of Staff Perspectives On Job Satisfaction In The Community College Setting, Ashlyn Paige Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This single embedded case study explores the influence of job satisfaction perceptions of employees in the roles of full-time support staff within the community college setting. The theory guiding this study is Herzberg’s motivator-hygiene theory, which defines job satisfaction as having two sectors of components: the hygiene factors relating to extrinsic needs and the motivators relating to intrinsic needs. The outcomes for employees are linked to their motivation from satisfaction and dissatisfaction components, as well as their interpretation of values within this framework. The central research question is “How does the perception of job satisfaction components influence non-teaching, full-time employees …

A Study Of Latino Undergraduate Students In Retention Cohorts At The University Of Arkansas, Ramon Balderas

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions do not have a history of being racially inclusive, and as a result, research and best practices around retention and student success have not been developed for underrepresented and minoritized students. Although there has been a surge in scholarship on diversifying higher education, literature, and identifying best practices focused on retaining students there is less research and literature that looks at Latino students. The study's purpose was to better understand Latino undergraduate student retention patterns at the University of Arkansas, a midwestern public four-year research university. The significance of the study was to assist UA administrators and …

Correlation Between Scores On The Assessment And Learning In Knowledge Spaces Placement, Preparation, And Learning Test And General Chemistry Course Outcomes For Undergraduate Students At A Public Midsize Master's University, Crystal Kaye Keso

All NMU Master's Theses

This study examined the problem of gateway courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), specifically, high-enrollment introductory chemistry courses with high rates of D, F, withdrawal, or incomplete grades. Previous research revealed a correlation between students’ prior mathematics knowledge and introductory chemistry course outcomes. Reports using the Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces Placement, Preparation, and Learning (ALEKS PPL) test were limited in number. This study conducted a non-experimental retrospective correlational analysis between undergraduate students’ ALEKS PPL test scores and introductory chemistry course grades. The study’s theoretical framework was grounded in prerequisite and placement testing theories. The major findings …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions Concerning Involvement In Professional Organizations And The Decision To Remain In The Profession, Cynthia D. Villalovos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Teacher retention was a grave situation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that has since become a global epidemic. Losing early career educators has had a cost that hinders the U.S. public school system. There have been previous studies detailing the plight of teacher retention throughout the years indicating the causes of teacher attrition. Each study gave examples of the detrimental costs of teacher retention from the perspective of the school district. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to explore the perceptive phenomenon of teachers’ involvement activities in professional organizations and the decision to remain in the …

Partners In Graduate Student Retention: A Library-Led Outreach Collaboration, Ashley R. Lierman

Collaborative Librarianship

Past research has indicated that social connection with their community is an important factor in the retention of graduate students. To help address this need, a Rowan University librarian led an interdepartmental team of collaborators from across campus in developing a series of outreach events specifically for graduate students, which evolved over time to include more and richer programming and opportunities for socialization. This article describes the evidence basis for these events’ inception, the essential components of each iteration of the event and its programming, and the results of holding these events, including both their successes and their failures. Recommendations …

People, Places, & Things: Connecting The University Of North Florida Library To First Time In College Student Retention, Trina Mccowan

Library Faculty Presentations & Publications

No abstract provided.

Ouachita's Fall 2023 Enrollment Highest In 57 Years, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has reported its highest enrollment in 57 years, with a Fall 2023 headcount of 1,815.

Since 2016, the university has sustained momentum that’s reflected in a 20% increase in total enrollment and a 14% growth in undergraduate enrollment. Residential undergraduate enrollment now numbers 1,581. There are 81 students enrolled in Ouachita’s six graduate programs this fall, more than doubling the number who enrolled when graduate programs were reintroduced in 2020 through the university’s expanding catalog.

Factors Related To Online Doctoral Program Retention And Completion Rates: A Phenomenological Study, Paula Rae Dietz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand doctoral students’ experiences participating in an online doctoral program at a university. The study was conducted to answer the central research question: What are the experiences of online doctoral students who attended a program requiring a dissertation? Sub-questions included: (1) Among doctoral candidates in online degree programs, what are the perceived barriers to completing the dissertation? (2) In what ways do online doctoral candidates think the barriers to the dissertation component could be eliminated? The theories guiding this study are Tinto’s (1994), theory of student departure and Bandura’s (1997) theory …

Faculty Retention: A Case Study Examining The Factors That Influence Faculty Retention At The Northern Marianas College, Barbara C. Hunter

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

The issue of the need to recruit and retain faculty has become increasingly discussed in educational literature. Retention programs for faculty play a strategic role in developing the institution, especially when it involves building capacity and maintaining a competitive advantage. The goal for this fundamental research is to illustrate how the qualitative methods applied will identify the factors that influence retention among faculty at the Northern Marianas College (NMC, 2020). To ensure that the case study was conducted thoroughly, a deeper and theoretically sound approach was explored to understand the perceptual views of current faculty and administration on retention. The …

Summer Bridge Programs And The Impact On African American Students, Astin Martin

Culminating Experience Projects

Summer bridge programs have been an effective strategy for increasing African American students' success in higher education according to Detgen, Fernandez, McMahon, Johnson, and Dailey study (2021). This project explores summer bridge programs and highlights how these programs provide academic, social, and cultural support to help students overcome the challenges they may face during their transition to college (Ghazzawi, Pattison, Horn, Hardy & Brown, 2021). The success of summer bridge programs can be attributed to their ability to provide early academic preparation, build a sense of community, and increase the confidence and self-efficacy of disadvantaged students in Science, Technology, Engineering, …

Persistence And Retention Of Adult Learners: Results Of A Program Evaluation Of Tuition Funding Provided By Employers, Andrea J. Gross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the looming enrollment cliff approaches and more adult learners return to higher education, understanding the factors that affect their persistence and retention is vital for higher education institutions. Previous studies have shown that external factors influence post-traditional learners’ pursuit of higher education. This program evaluation aimed to acquire knowledge of up-front employer tuition funding and its effects on adult learners' persistence, retention, and time to degree completion. Through a quantitative approach, this program evaluation examines the differences between students receiving up-front employer tuition funding and those who do not. The results indicated that students who received employer funding retained …

Beyond Certification: Innovative Strategies To Tackle The Teacher Shortage, Abbigail Lp Morris

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This article challenges educational leaders to look beyond alternative routes for teaching certification and more towards an increased collaboration between districts and universities to help alleviate the teacher shortage issue in Kentucky. It specifically highlights the works of Omaha Public School District and the University of Nebraska Omaha as a model for proactive teacher pipeline.

First-Year Engagement And Intention To Return In Higher Education: A National Study Of Undecided Major Students, Jacqueline Galler

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research suggests that a student’s persistence in higher education is influenced by their academic preparation, commitments, and involvement, (Tinto 2005). Predictors including student demographics, academic preparation and commitments have shown in previously studies to affect the rate at which students persist in higher education, (Pascarella & Terenzini 2005, Astin & Oseguera 2005, Terenzini & Reason 2005). Involvement at an institution contributes to a students’ engagement and intent to persist in higher education or at a specific institution. Researchers have found that students engage in the university, academically and socially, based on how their values align with the institution, feedback they …

The Influence Of Selected Personal And Academic Demographic Characteristics On Retention From Fourth To Fifth Semester Of Enrollment Among Traditional-Age Undergraduate Students At A Research Extensive University In The Southern Portion Of The United States, Tammy R. Millican

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

While many Americans may be questioning the value of a college degree due to rising costs, on virtually every measure of economic well-being and career attainment—from personal earnings to job satisfaction to the share employed full time—young college graduates are outperforming their peers with less education. Yet college dropout rates indicate that up to 32.9% of undergraduates do not complete their degree program, which has a financial impact on both students and the universities and colleges where they enroll (Hanson, 2022).

Historically, students who leave college before completing a baccalaureate degree are no better qualified than those with a high …

The Impact Of Frequent Student-Faculty Interaction On Repeater Students, Shanda Hood, Josh Girshner

TFSC Publications and Presentations

Second Annual University of Arkansas Teaching and Learning Symposium: Sharing Teaching Ideas

Data show that half of all students who have dropped/failed Survey of Calculus or Finite Mathematics at the University of Arkansas will drop/fail again. These students face a lack of motivation and a fair amount of anxiety toward mathematics. To make connections and create an environment in which they are comfortable discussing any issues with the professor, repeater students were asked to meet with the professor to complete a personalized academic improvement plan. This plan establishes the need for regular contact with the instructor and should increase the …

Student-Athlete Retention: An Analysis Of Student-Athlete Retention At A Small, Private, Highly Residential Ncaa Division Ii Institution In The Southeast, Malcolm Kendrick Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retaining students in higher education is ever-changing, requiring continual evaluation and institutional commitment to ensure measures are implemented to meet the varying demands of today’s college students. Student-athletes make up a large percentage of the overall student population on many college campuses, thus, warranting further research to understand trends and factors that impact the retention of this key group of students. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that contributed to the retention of student-athletes at a small, private, highly residential NCAA Division II institution in the Southeast.

The study focused on the experiences of student-athletes at …

Summer Bridge Programs In National And Local Context, Osvaldo Palma Vargas

Honors Theses

Research suggests that summer bridge programs (SBPs) meet their intended goal, which is to improve first-generation students’ academic outcomes as defined by first-year retention and GPA. However, we know little about whether, and if so, how SBPs optimize the implementation of known best practices and how they are perceived by participating students. This thesis compares evidence regarding key practices of SBPs at a selection of Land Grant institutions, to identify commonalities and differences. In addition, this thesis compares the key practices of these peer institutions with a local SBP in place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, known as the Nebraska …

The Influence Of Campus Facilities On The Satisfaction And Retention Of Students In A Higher Education Setting, Tim Norton

Culminating Projects in Higher Education Administration

The goal of this quantitative study was to provide insight into the influence of facilities on satisfaction and retention of students in a single higher education setting, St. Cloud State University (SCSU). I used a survey research design with current undergraduate and graduate students to examine relationships among various aspects of facility design, student satisfaction, and student intention to persist to graduation. The survey was used to explore (a) the influence of specific campus facilities on students’ current level of satisfaction and intention to continue enrollment; (b) specific types of facilities most affecting student choice and satisfaction; and (c) how …

Ways To Increase Retention Rates Among American Indian/Alaskan Native Students At Community Colleges, Sarah R. Wheeler

Culminating Experience Projects

American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) pursue higher education disproportionately compared to other populations. Literature indicates that a sense of belonging significantly impacts AI/AN students' persistence rates at community colleges. Sense of belonging and support from community colleges and families directly influence student success in higher education. AI/AN students are grounded in their community and have desires to build their cultural capital. Obtaining a degree will strengthen their community and, ultimately, their nation. It is essential for AI/AN students and parents to feel equipped with resources and ways community colleges support marginalized students. Creating a student and parent orientation, access to a …

Enhancing Institutional Support Through A First Year Transfer Experience Program, Jade E. Bowman

Culminating Experience Projects

There is a great deal of literature revolving around the transfer student population. Many researchers argue that transfer students do not receive adequate attention and support within their first academic semester, considerably when transferring from a two-year to a four-year institution. In order to improve retention rates and overall persistence, postsecondary institutions need to prioritize transfer student initiatives for proper academic and social integration. This project aims to identify key components that impact the transfer process, while recognizing successful, adaptable interventions that can support the unique needs of the transfer student population. The design and implementation of a First Year …

An Exploration Of The Role Persistence Plays For First-Generation, African American Males Enrolled At Four-Year, Primarily White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Daniel Michael Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many first-generation, African American male students who enroll in primarily White institutions do not persist. This phenomenological study aimed to understand academic persistence in first-generation African American male students enrolled at a four-year, primarily White institution. The theory guiding this study is the theory of human motivation developed by Abraham Maslow. Maslow's theory of motivation provided the necessary framework that assisted in understanding the basic needs required first-generation, African American male students to persist academically. A qualitative research methodology was appropriate as it is designed to increase understanding of first-generation African American male students' lived experiences as they endeavor to …

New Jersey Community Colleges: Is There A Relationship Between Part Time Faculty And Student Success?, Gerald Maxmilian Slusher

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing number of part time instructors in the community college professorate combined with low student retention and graduation rates makes research into part time faculty and student success highly germane. My dissertation investigated if higher ratios of adjunct faculty were related to student retention, certificate/degree attainment, and transfer without a credential while accounting for institutional, student body, and county characteristics. The dissertation was limited to New Jersey community colleges to eliminate differences in state policies. The sector was examined over 12 academic years yielding 228 data points arrayed into three panel models to run 12 regressions.

Using results from …

The Strategic Application Of Alternative Grading To Improve Retention And Enhance Equity (Spring 2023), Teshome Abebe, Michael Gillespie

EIU Think Tank Reports and White Papers

Universities across the United States have been using the Pass/Fail grading system for a variety of reasons and in many different ways. There are so many uses of the system as there are universities.

In general, universities have used the Pass/Fail grading system to: help reduce stress and pressure on students; provide more flexibility in course selection and encourage students to explore and pursue interest without fear of damaging their GPA; reduce perceived discrimination and bias in grading, providing more equitable opportunities for all students regardless of race, socioeconomic status or prior academic background; and to improve retention rates by …

Authentic Narratives Of Successful Pathways To Undergraduate Completion For Black Men, Tara M. Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative study examined the authentic lived experiences of eight Black male participants who successfully completed their college undergraduate degree at a private college in the southeast United States. The participants were recruited via LinkedIn, a professional social media, networking site. It explored family, K-12, co-curricular, and community factors that contributed to the academic success of the participants throughout their educational journey. This study drew upon Harper’s (2012) antideficit theory framing the study from the lens of the positive aspects of their academic experiences rather than focusing on the negative aspects of Black men that graduate college at the …

The Lived Experiences Of First-Generation Black Male Graduates Who Participated In A Black Male Initiative Program, Rah'shad Ra'hyim Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of first-generation Black male graduates who participated in a Black male initiative in the Southeast region of the United States. The theory guiding this study is Astin’s theory of student involvement. In support of the theory guiding this study, the central research question for the study is What are the lived experiences of first-generation Black male college graduates who participated in Black male initiatives? This research study will utilize the phenomenological design, which will consist of 10-12 first-generation Black male graduates who were involved in a Black …

A Case Study Of Successful Graduate School, Elsa-Sofia Morote, Nalini Singh, Judith Jeremie

Journal of Graduate Education Research

Data indicate that out of the thirty-eight percent of the doctoral students who graduated in the United States, 24% are students of color. This case study examined the lived experiences of doctoral educational leadership alumni of a college in New York with an 88% graduation rate, 60% of which were students of color. The graduates of this program were consistently successful educational leaders. This study focused on three areas of the college’s graduate program: the process of selection, retention, and post-graduation success. It included document analysis as well as in-depth interviews with alumni, faculty, and administrators. Thirty-two alumni responded to …

How Do First-Year Dominican Students Perceive Their First Year Of College And How Do These Perceptions Impact Their Retention, Maria C. Cano

Theses and Dissertations

College completion rate is a major challenge afflicting colleges and universities as well as students in the United States, particularly Hispanic students (Field, 2018). This qualitative case study aimed to investigate how Dominican students perceived their first year of college and how that perception impacted their retention in a community college in the Northeast. Participants included a purposeful sample of fourteen students (four students enrolled fall of 2021 and four students who did not enroll in the spring of 2022, five students from a focus group, and one of the students from the focus group was interviewed for an in-depth …

The Effect Of A Discrete Higher Education Student Success Program On Feelings Of A Sense Of Belonging, Alexandra Sophia Cruz

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This mixed methods case study examined how a student success program at a private four-year college in the eastern region of the United States may enhance student success and students’ associated feelings of a sense of belonging. Results and findings add to the overall student success literature and may benefit other institutions in higher education through viewing sense of belonging as a gateway to retaining students. The researcher used an explanatory sequential mixed method design that involved collecting quantitative data first through a University Belonging Questionnaire (UBQ) and then explaining the quantitative results through in-depth qualitative data acquired through zoom …

"Leaving My Mark In White Spaces": A Critical Qualitative Case Study Exploring Black/African-American Undergraduate Women's Perceptions Of The Campus Environment's Influence On Persistence At A Hispanic-Serving Women's Institution, Keri Anne Alioto

Dissertations of Practice

"Leaving My Mark in White Spaces": A Critical Qualitative Case Study Exploring Black/African-American Undergraduate Women's Perceptions of the Campus Environment's Influence on Persistence at a Hispanic-Serving Women's Institution

One of the most overlooked populations in university environments and in research are students who identify as Black/African-American undergraduate women (B/AAUW). B/AAUW experience the intersectionality of both race and gender discrimination in higher education, often leaving these students silenced and marginalized while navigating their college experience. The purpose of this critical qualitative case study was to better understand how B/AAUW perceived the campus environment contributing to their sense of belonging and academic …