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Examining Women’S Persistence In Stem: A Mixed Methods Study Of Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, And Sociocultural Influences On Women In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics, Heather Midori Saigo

Theses and Dissertations

Several decades of effort have improved the participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), but the gender gap remains. Researchers have found diverse reasons for women’s underrepresentation in STEM, but less is understood about factors supporting persistence. This study’s purpose was to understand how women persist in STEM, through the lens of self-determination theory. Self-determination theory posits that persistence improves when one’s needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are satisfied. This embedded mixed methods study provides evidence of how autonomy, competence, relatedness, and sociocultural factors influence women’s persistence in STEM. Using network and snowball sampling, the researcher …

Understanding The Process Of Persistence In Non-Traditional Adult Education Students, Stephanie Nuttall Patton

Theses and Dissertations

In the state of Utah, adult education students often leave their programs before 100 hours of instruction. This can leave students without the necessary academic knowledge, skills, and credentials to move forward with postsecondary education and training or employment opportunities. This phenomenological study examines the key factors of persistence in non-traditional students ages 25 and over in an urban adult education program who continued beyond 100 hours of instruction. Fourteen students were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol to identify factors that caused them to stay in an adult education program. The interviews with students examined dispositional, institutional, situational, and …

Self-Efficacy, Locus Of Control, And Their Effect On Online Returning Students' Graduation, Matthew Dean Greene

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to understand the factors that affect returning students' ability to complete their degrees through online degree programs. Logistic regression was used to determine which factors had a significant relationship with persistence to graduation and how they contributed to the odds of students graduating. The findings show that academic locus of control and academic self-efficacy had a significant positive relationship with returning student persistence to graduation, with the locus of control contributing to the odds of graduation more than self-efficacy. Additionally, the amount of time between the student's initial dropout and subsequent return to complete …

Combat On And Off The Battlefield: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring How New Jersey Air And Army National Guard Undergraduates Persist Academically Through Crisis, Ariel J. Gilbert

Theses and Dissertations

New Jersey Air and Army National Guard (NJAANG) undergraduate students endure multiple transitions throughout their academic career. In 2020, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic caused numerous activations and manning demands for the NJAANG population, further stressing coping methods. Using the follow-up, explanatory sequential mixed methods research design and Schlossberg's Transition Theory, I explored the academic persistence of the NJAANG undergraduate student population to better understand how and why NJAANG undergraduate students were able to persist through the heightened number of transitions during the COVID-19 health crisis. As an often-invisible group on campus, this study uncovered that NJANNG students were best …

The Interplay Of Aggregate Faculty Hiring, Aggregate Faculty Retention And Student Graduation At Community Colleges In The United States, Jared Burns

Theses and Dissertations

This research study was conducted to determine if there was a difference in community college graduation rates based on aggregate faculty hires, aggregate faculty retention and community college size. The study employed a non-experimental quantitative research design with three independent variables (aggregate faculty new hires, aggregate faculty retention and community college size) and one dependent variable (graduation rate).

The study utilized a one way ANOVA, independent t test, and factorial ANOVA to analyze differences in graduation rates based on aggregate faculty new hires, aggregate faculty retention, and community college size. Results of the one way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences …

The Impact Of Student Services On Students From Institution-Affiliated Pre-College Programs At Rowan University, Tyherrah R. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Student Services on pre-college participant first-year college students at Rowan University in comparison to their non pre-college participant first-year college student counterparts. Through a quantitative research design, data were collected from a survey concentrating on the knowledge and utilization of and experience with specific student services at Rowan University. Through thorough data analysis, it was concluded that pre college participant first-year Rowan students have an overall greater knowledge and utilization of and experience with student services at Rowan University. Future research should include qualitative research methods to add greater …

Economic Capital And Hispanic Economically Disadvantaged Student Persistence At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Griselda C. Castilla

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between college persistence and family income, parental education level, and type of financial aid for first-time, full-time Hispanic economically disadvantaged students selected from a South Texas Hispanic-serving institution. The dependent variable, college persistence, was measured by completed college credit hours per academic year. Predictor variables included family income, collected from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and parental education level, collected from the FAFSA for Parent 1 and Parent 2, as provided, indicating level of schooling received. Type of financial aid was the category of aid received, such …

A Study Of Self Efficacy, Grit, Persistence, And Professional Development Of Select Texas Public School Principals Participating In The Principal Pipeline Program, M. Veronica Garza-Kortan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship existed between the self-efficacy and grit of selected principals; the differences in self-efficacy and grit among the principals who did and did not participate in a principal development program; and the differences in self-efficacy, grit, and persistence in the job role of the selected principals with varying years of experience. The study focused on Texas public school districts in the Principal Pipeline program and included 101 principal responses. Data collection occurred via an electronic survey. In this quantitative study …

Understanding How African American And Latino Males Choose A Major, And Its Influence On Retention And Persistence, Yosayra F. Solano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the process of selecting a college major for African American and Latino male students and whether these decisions influenced their sense of belonging and development of self-efficacy, as it relates to persistence and retention at a four-year public institution in the northeast region of the United States. Utilizing Harper's (2012) Anti-deficit Achievement Framework, this study used a Narrative Inquiry design to highlight the stories of six African American and Latino male students and their experiences with selecting a major. I collected data/field texts from two individual virtual interviews for this narrative …

Student Retention And Persistence In Certificate-First Programs, M. Troy Martin

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the effect that earning professional certificates has on student confidence, motivation, and persistence. For this study, the focus is the student motivation and persistence of nontraditional students who seek to earn a bachelor's degree despite considerable obstacles and challenges. Specifically, this study evaluates the matriculation rates between two cohorts of students who participated in the online PathwayConnect program. The first cohort was encouraged to complete the program and apply for an online bachelor's degree program at BYU-Idaho. The second cohort was also encouraged to apply to an online program, but only after earning a professional certificate in …

Non-Cognitive Skills And Student Perception Of Importance, Laura Adriano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to look at student perception of non-cognitive skills and if they put an importance on those skills as they relate to academic achievement. Surveys were distributed to students at a midsized university located in the northeast, who had earned senior status by earning 90+ credits. Additionally, interviews were also conducted to take a more in-depth look at themes discovered in the survey. Findings show that students recognize the importance of non-cognitive skills, also referred to as soft skills. They felt that acquisition of those skills was critical to their academic success, while there were …

The Impact Of Math Placement Guidelines On Community College Student Outcomes, Karen A. Pepe,

Theses and Dissertations

For most students entering a community college, placement tests have become a high-stakes venture as it is often a placement test score alone that determines whether a student is considered college-ready (Scott-Clayton, 2012). The purpose of this study was to assess the math placement, persistence, and retention of first-time community college students from fall 2016 through fall 2019 at one community college located in the Northeast. Students in these cohorts were assigned to introductory math courses based on two different sets of placement guidelines. The first set of guidelines relied more heavily on a single test score, while newly developed …

The Experiences Of First-Generation Master's Students, Dominique A. Pierson

Theses and Dissertations

First-generation college students are a heavily researched student population who are represented as being first in their family to go to college and graduate. Scholars suggest there are many barriers impacting their college accessibility, affordability, retention, and overall success, therefore, have called for specific services and interventions of support within higher education to help first-generation students persist. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of first-generation students who do persist and pursue advanced educational aspirations. Specifically, first-generation master's students are the subject of this phenomenological study designed to explore the experiences of eight students through one-on-one interviews. …

The Impact Of Learning Communities On First-Generation Minority Student Persistence At Rowan University, Briana Vogel Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to analyze Rowan University's Flying First and ASCEND learning communities in regard to first-generation minority student persistence. The study took place at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ in the spring 2020 semester. The purpose for this qualitative study is to explore the impact that the Flying First and ASCEND/RISE learning communities have on first-generation minority student persistence using an outcomes assessment. Researchers have conducted a plethora of research on learning communities, marginalized first-generation students, and persistence/retention rates. However, there has been little research done on the topic of all three themes and how they …

Persistence And Academic Attainment Of Community College Student Service Members/Veterans Earning Career And Technical Education Credits, Brennan Jeremy Carr

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of Career & Technical Education (CTE) credit accumulation on the persistence and academic attainment of student service members/veterans (SSM/V) within the 2-year public postsecondary education segment. SSM/V are a small but significant population of underrepresented non-traditional students within postsecondary education. This study sought to explore the effect of CTE credit accumulation on SSM/V performance in five key dichotomous outcome areas: (a) persistence, (b) degree attainment, (c) certificate attainment, (d) any award attainment, and (e) vertical transfer. Data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS), which are maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics …

You Belong Here: Residence Halls As Disparate Predictors Of Sophomore Year Persistence At Predominantly White Institutions, James Raymond Neville

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to compare the influence of residence hall living on student persistence between white and nonwhite students at predominantly white institutions. The Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) 2012/2014 longitudinal study dataset was acquired from the National Center for Education Statistics. A logistic regression was run to determine the predictive value of residence on student persistence by census race group. The findings of this study reveal that residence halls are not accomplishing as much for Black and Latino students as they are for White students. The results of this study challenge PWIs to take additional steps to …

Persistence Of Veteran Students At Cumberland County College, Latoya Latisha Gibbons

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived persistence of Veteran students at Cumberland County College. This study implemented a quantitative approach by issuing a survey to the current cohort of Veteran students at Cumberland County College. A large number of barriers present themselves to students who study at two-year institutions of higher education, but the Veteran population is one that has not been extensively studied at this level. The experience of Veteran students presents some unique factors that may affect their education differently from other populations of students at two-year intuitions. Through content analysis of the data, …

Promoting Persistence Among Lgbtq Community College Students, Gregory D. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

A vast amount of research has been devoted to the persistence and retention of college students since the 1970s. Recent research has focused on targeted populations such as first year students, racially minoritized, students with low social economic status and students at the developmental/remedial level. Nevertheless, limited scholarly research has been conducted on the persistence and retention of another category of students, sexual and gender minorities. This qualitative study examined the experiences that promote persistence among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community colleges students. Interviews with eight LGBTQ students from three community colleges in the state of Illinois …

Academic And Social Adaptation Through A College Success Course: A Case Study Of Second Semester Students At A Suburban Community College In Northern New Jersey, Jenny Pamela Marcenaro

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative critical single case study was to explore how second semester students who took a college student success course during their first term adapted to their second term. Specifically, by focusing on how this course contributed to their academic and social adaptation, and why this course may have facilitated such adaptation and persistence at their institution. Findings from this study indicated that this course contributed to these students' adaptation from first to second semester by teaching these students the importance of time management, changing their priorities, putting their academics first. In addition, these participants learned about …

Latina Sorority Membership Impact On The Experience And Persistence Of Latinas In Higher Education, Luz Danela Randolph

Theses and Dissertations

Latinas face many challenges upon their matriculation to a university, including culture shock, acclimation and sense of belonging. Such challenges threaten their retention and success. Having support or a sense of belonging within higher education are notions that influence Latina students to continue or persist in school. An emphasized venue, which supports the educational journey of undergraduate Latinas, is involvement in organizations that reflect their culture. The problem addressed was the need to investigate how sorority involvement impacted their experience and persistence. Conducting research on Latina sorority membership and whether it has an impact on the experience and persistence of …

Education Master's Students' Perspectives On Leaving The Academy, Amybeth Glass

Theses and Dissertations

Graduate student attrition is arguably one of the most significant challenges facing the higher education community, and determining why master's students attrit is an important consideration for all universities. Despite the vast research on graduate education, little is known about master's student attrition. This dissertation explored why education master's students depart from one institution and provides recommendations for future practice. Key finding of the study indicate that financial, personal, and dissatisfaction with course content were reasons that influenced education master's student attrition.

In-depth qualitative interviews with 12 former students challenged the notion that attrition is intrinsic. Participants' points of view …

Student Involvement As A Mediator Of The Relationship Of Peer Leaders In First-Year Seminars To Academic Achievement And Persistence, Liyun Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Peer leaders as a component of First-Year Seminars (FYS) are designed to assist in the adjustment, satisfaction and persistence of first-year college students. Although previous studies have consistently found the positive and direct impact of peer leaders on first-year students’ academic achievement and persistence, there is still a lack of clear understanding on why peer leaders have this positive relationship with students’ academic achievement and persistence. Thus, drawing on Astin’s theory of student involvement for higher education (1984, 1993, 1996), and Tinto’s interactive theory of departure (1993), this short term longitudinal study examined the process through which peer leaders resulted …

Creating A Culture Of Completion In Two-Year Institutions: Examining The Influence Of Participation In The Community College Completion Corps On Institutional Stakeholders, Jennifer Blalock

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation assessed the effect of participation in Community College Completion Corps and associated activities on campus stakeholders’ perceptions of a culture of completion. The national initiative to increase completion rates at community colleges has resulted in a heightened awareness of this performance measurement. A number of community colleges have participated by hosting a C4 signing event, the hallmark activity associated with the movement. This inaugural event served as a public declaration of the two-year institution’s intention to provide an environment in which policy and practice, as well as theory and application, focus on supporting and increasing student completion. …

Best Forms Of Involvement For First-Year Student Veterans For Academic Success, Saipraseuth Chaleunphonh

Theses and Dissertations

This study expands the research for the transition of student veterans utilizing the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill enacted in 2008. It presents a quantitative approach to study the relationship between first-time, full-time student veterans and their non-veteran student counterparts in the area of transition to college life and academic success in the first-year of college. Transition to college life is measured through variables that represent pre-entry attributes, skills gained or lost, and student involvement. The results of the study contribute to the efforts of campus professionals to coordinate services and direct resources in order to better serve and increase the academic …