Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond The Classroom: The Role Of Cultural Capital In College-To-Career Transitions, Keynijah Sullivan

Honors Theses

For many college students, the transition into the workforce is shaped not only by academic knowledge, but also by access to less visible resources, often referred to as cultural capital. Research has been done in the past that discusses how cultural capital is transferred through families, its role in academic settings, and its impact on employability. However, there is a gap in research focusing on the role of cultural capital in college-to-career transitions. This study uses qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews with junior and senior undergraduates at the University of Southern Mississippi. The purpose of this study is to better …

Where's Waldo?: Finding The Missing Voice Of The College Counselor, Krystyn K. Dupree

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

College counseling has been integral to higher education for more than a century; however, the role of college counselors has become increasingly complex amid rising student mental health needs, growing symptom severity, and constrained institutional resources. Despite extensive research on college student mental health, little contemporary scholarship has examined the lived experiences of the professionals providing these services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how college counselors who provide mental health services perceive their professional role within the context of higher education.

Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study conceptualized college counselors as embedded within interconnected …

Bridging The Gap: Enhancing Institutional Support For Adjunct Faculty In Rural Community Colleges, Emily Joleen Mason

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Adjunct faculty constitute approximately 70% of the academic workforce in U.S. higher education, yet they often face challenges related to professional isolation, limited institutional support, and insufficient onboarding. This qualitative study explores how institutional connectedness influences adjunct faculty retention at a rural community college in the Midwest. Using a phenomenological approach, the research investigates the lived experiences of adjunct faculty, focusing on onboarding processes, professional development opportunities, and institutional culture. Findings highlight the critical role of structured onboarding, mentorship, and continuous professional development in fostering engagement and retention among adjunct faculty. The study underscores the importance of inclusive institutional practices …

Experiences Of Title Ix Hearing Panel Members., Amanda Gage Stonecipher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The number of allegations of sexual misconduct on college campuses has been increasing over the past decade and higher education institutions are charged with addressing the misconduct. Addressing student behavior on college campuses through a conduct process is woven into the fabric of higher education, and many institutions use a hearing panel model to determine if institutional policies were violated. My research aims to explore how student conduct hearing panel members process the tension between the emotional management required when hearing intimate and traumatic details of a sexual misconduct case. The data for this research were collected via semi structured …

Hispanic Academic Leadership In The Health And Human Services, Gabriela Elizabeth Rangel

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there are 63.7 million Hispanics (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), making them the largest racial or ethnic minority in the country. National data from 2019 indicates that only 6% of tenured faculty in the U.S. were Hispanic, highlighting a significant underrepresentation of leaders in academia (NCES, 2024). This study employed a phenomenological approach with purposeful sampling, utilizing semi-structured interviews with ten participants who had leadership experience in academia within Health and Human Services (H&HS). The interviews served to explore various aspects, such as what were their aspirations to become leaders, their perceptions of the characteristics and qualities …

Internationalization Of Indian Higher Education: Mapping The Origins And Academic Choices Of International Students, Sanjeev Kumar Jha

Journal of Global Education and Research

This study explores the geographical origins, academic preferences, and key factors influencing the enrollment of international students in Indian higher education institutions. Drawing on primary data from interviews with 25 international students and secondary data from All India Survey on Higher Education reports, it provides an in-depth analysis of student mobility trends and factors shaping their choices. The results indicate that the international student enrollment is significantly below the Indian government’s target of 500,000 by 2024. Students come from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nigeria, with Karnataka and Punjab emerging as the most preferred states within India. Engineering, particularly …

The Effect Of Organizational Culture On Faculty Performance: An Analytical Study Of A Sample Of Lecturers At Some Colleges In The Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Hoshmand R. Ibrahim

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The research problem of this study is to determine the connection between organizational culture and faculty performance in higher education, specifically, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which consists of the public universities. Using the organizational culture theory and performance management models, the study explores three dimensions of culture, such as cooperation and communication, innovation and development, and appreciation and rewards, and their effects on the performance of the faculty in terms of academics, research, and administration/service. Quantitative approach was adopted through a structured questionnaire that was issued to faculty members working in different fields. The conceptual model of the …

From 4-H To Higher Education: College Enrollment Among Indiana 4-H Alumni By Demographics, Favour C. Ojike, Casey Mull

Journal of Youth Development

Evaluating the long-term impact of college readiness programs on diverse youth presents unique challenges, particularly as youth navigate the complex and often transient path of postsecondary education. Instrumentation limitations and resource constraints can further blur the positive contributions of such programs. In an inaugural study, Indiana 4-H leveraged the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to assess the postsecondary educational journeys of its alumni across diverse demographic groups. Data from the NSC were analyzed using descriptive frequency test, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis. Key findings reveal that Indiana 4-H alumni enroll in postsecondary institutions at significantly higher rates than the state average, …

‘The Weight That We Carry’: Using Photovoice To Uncover Student Parents’ Experiences In Higher Education, Maria Fatima Rodriguez Velasquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Caregiving students carry identities that have historically been marginalized within academia and continue to face limited institutional awareness and support (Lovell, 2020; McCourt, 2018; Yates, 2022). This study analyzes the experiences of student parents at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to understand how they balance their family and academic responsibilities, the challenges they face, and the communities of support they find within their university experience. Using Photovoice as a method, 22 student parents shared photographs and the narratives behind each image that represented their daily lives inside and outside the classroom. The data analysis, guided by grounded …

Borderlines Of Becoming: Transfronterizx College Students Navigating Surveillance, Hybridity And Belonging Along The Us-México Border, Aylin Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This narrative literature review examines the educational experiences of transfronterizx college students along the U.S.– México border, a population largely absent from higher education scholarship. Drawing on Borderlands Theory, Anzaldúa’s frameworks, and critical perspectives on neoliberalism and militarization, this thesis highlights the border as a site of both constraint and possibility. Structural violence, surveillance, and militarization intersect with linguistic, racial, and class hierarchies to shape students’ mobility, identities, and sense of belonging. At the same time, students mobilize hybrid identities, cultural wealth, and transborder networks to assert agency, cultivate belonging, and resist deficit narratives. It also identifies persistent gaps, particularly …

Indonesian Efl Learners’ Views Of Fondi Application Toward Speaking Performance: A Qualitative Approach, Toni Indrayadi, Suhaimi Suhaimi, Usman Usman

The Qualitative Report

This study aims to explore English department students’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of Fondi Application (FA) in enhancing speaking proficiency. FA is a Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) application that provides conversations in the form of voice calls packaged like games. This qualitative approach is based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Five selected participants with FA technology intervention were interviewed about their perception after using the application as self-learning media for two months. Five main themes emerged from the findings; FA is a potential technological tool to enhance speaking proficiency including fluency, lexical resources, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation. The participants …

Exploring The Impact Of Statistics Course Modality On Student Learning: A Mixed Methods Approach, Becky Kelleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The importance of statistical literacy has become increasingly evident, as individuals grapple with interpreting statistics to inform critical decisions. Despite the recognized significance of statistical literacy, challenges persist in both educators’ and students’ efforts to navigate the complexities of statistics education. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of different course modalities on undergraduate students’ academic performance in introductory statistics courses. Using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as a theoretical framework, this research aims to shed light on the complex dynamics influencing statistical literacy attainment. By addressing gaps and inconsistencies in the current literature, this study seeks to …

Experiences Of College Students With Visual Disabilities During The Covid-19, Bhuwan Shankar Bhatt, Kanchan K. Joshi, Purna B. Lamichhane

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This case study explores the experiences of Nepalese college students with visual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, applying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a theoretical framework. Through in-depth interviews with eight students with visual disabilities studying bachelor and master level at a public college, this research describes challenges and chances across five primary domains of the ecological perspective. The study showed the critical role of immediate support circles in academic and social contexts, the needed interactions between parents and educational institutions, observable gaps in institutional support and government policies, and the dual role of the pandemic as a challenge and …

Unpacking The Role Of Virtual Exchange In Promoting Student Well-Being, Mona Pearl, Kelly Tzoumis, Allison E. Hill, Spencer D. Sutherland

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Educational institutions and workplaces are grappling with the task of promoting the well-being of their students and employees. From 2021 to 2023, students from Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the US participated in virtual exchange collaborations in the form of global virtual teams (GVTs) and were assessed pre (n=201) and post (n=251) their GVTs experience. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess changes in learner well-being from participation in GVTs. Based on the impact to student perceived well-being from the GVT experience, we found important results that can be useful for both employers and academic institutions …

An Investigation Of International Students’ Satisfaction With Their University Experience Using An Expectation Confirmation Theory Lens, Mehraz Sarker, Jonathan Worae, Jason D. Edgerton

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study examines how various challenges and support systems influence international students’ satisfaction, as reflected in their intention to recommend their university. Using the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), it examines whether students’ initial expectations moderate the relationships between challenges and satisfaction, and between institutional support and satisfaction. Analysis of survey data (N = 712) indicates that the majority of international students report satisfaction with their university experience. Ordinal logistic regression analyses reveal that perceived institutional support and higher initial expectations are associated with increased likelihood of recommending the university. Conversely, academic and discrimination challenges are associated with decreased likelihood of …

Approaches To Enhancing University Rankings, Mustafa Bulut, Servet Özdemi̇r

i.e.: inquiry in education

Owing to the intense globalization of higher education, competition between universities in national and international settings has increased in speed, and in parallel with this development, a demand for tools has emerged to meet the information needs of stakeholders of higher education institutions. Currently, a large part of this need is met by university ranking systems. Today, there are several types of these systems, which have been subjected to intense criticism with their popularity and wide audience. In this study, which was designed as a qualitative research; in-depth interviews were conducted with local and foreign researchers, policy makers, system administrators …

Autism In Higher Education: A Systematic Review, Katie Webber

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

As students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are increasingly represented in higher education, these students need to have their needs met, and many institutions lack the resources to do so. This systematic review synthesizes research on the experiences of students with autism in college, focusing on barriers, support services, and institutional interventions. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2025 identified 17 relevant articles. Findings reveal that students often experience difficulties with social integration, executive functioning, sensory sensitivities, and mental health, all of which can affect academic performance and retention. Evidence suggests that individualized supports, mentoring, structured …

Influence Of A High-Impact Practice Government Course On Retention, Graduation, Gpa, And Student Integration Among First-Time-In-College (Ftic) Students, Amy L. O'Dell

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Just over half of the students who start a bachelor’s degree in the United States, fail to complete it within four years (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). As a result, millions of people with some college no credential (SCNC) struggle with student loan debt, lower income, and the threat of default. In response, many colleges and universities are using high-impact practice (HIP) classroom pedagogy to help more students persist and graduate. This study investigated the effect of a HIP government course, known as Town Hall, on first-time-in-college (FTIC) students at a mid-sized, rural, R2 university in the southern United …

Exploring Professors’ Lived Experiences Of Interacting With Artificial Intelligence In The Classroom: A Phenomenological Study, Joshua A. Baltzell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of higher education professors’ interactions with AI in their teaching practices. This study was guided by Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior, which provided a contextual understanding of the concepts that influence higher education professors’ perceptions of AI in their classrooms. A qualitative hermeneutical phenomenological design was employed, utilizing a combination of criterion and snowball sampling. There were 13 participants recruited from higher education institutions from around the United States. Semi-structured individual interviews, a letter-writing exercise, and a qualitative survey were used to collect data from participants. Thematic …

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes Nov 7, 2025, A-State Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Conflict Clarity: How To Teach Students To Turn Disputes Into Growth Opportunities, Eileen Paige Petzold-Bradley

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Conflict is an unavoidable part of learning and working in today’s fast-changing industries. Faculty often observe students struggling with teamwork, communication breakdowns, and emotional self-management during group projects or internships. This session equips educators with practical strategies to help students build durable skills—conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness—that translate directly into professional success.

Drawing on research in conflict management, leadership, and organizational psychology, participants will explore the “Conflict Clarity” framework: a set of teaching tools, reflection prompts, and case scenarios designed for classroom use across disciplines. Faculty will learn how to integrate conflict styles, the CLEAR conversation framework, and role-play …

Faculty Touchpoint Survey 2025: Key Findings And Recommendations, Lisa A. Marchiondo, Naila V. Decruz-Dixon, Julia Fulghum

ADVANCE Reports

A Spring 2025 climate survey finds that UNM faculty remain committed to their teaching, scholarship, and collegial relationships, despite concerns about research funding, academic freedom, and graduate student recruitment and well-being. The survey also found that faculty have higher levels of stress than in a previous ADVANCE survey, worse psychological well-being, more difficulty concentrating, and more concern about tenure and promotion. A set of recommendations for academic leaders are provided.

General Practice Training In Australia National Report On The 2025 National Registrar Survey, Rebecca Taylor, Leyna Clarke, Michelle Hsien

Higher education research

The General Practice National Registrar Survey (GP NRS) is an annual, national survey of GP registrars training in Commonwealth funded training programs. This includes the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) and Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS). This survey is part of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s (the Department) monitoring and quality improvement activities. The information collected in the GP NRS can be used to assure the quality of training provision in the program, enables continuous improvement and allows responses to be benchmarked nationally. From July 7 to August 18, 2025, the …

Integrating Goal-Setting Into An Urban Community College Developmental Mathematics Course: A Multi-Perspective Learning Experience, Tamie S. Dickson

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Developmental mathematics (DM) students often encounter systemic and contextual obstacles in higher education. Low self-efficacy, math anxiety, multiple external demands, and pervasive gaps in prerequisite knowledge can all undermine the strategic behaviors needed to manage the academic environment independently. Although DM reforms are widely researched, the literature lacks a firsthand perspective on the daily processes students apply as they assume control over their learning. This qualitative action research study investigated the integration of intentional goal-setting into a recently redesigned one-level pilot DM course at an open-access, urban community college. The practitioner-researcher created the PATHway framework—rooted in Zimmerman’s (2000) three-phase Self-Regulated …

The Ai-Powered Learning Loop In Higher Education, Oualid Abidi, Vladimir Dzenopoljac, Aleksandra Dzenopoljac

All Works

Purpose – This study examines how generative AI tools affect business students’ academic performance by investigating whether flexible AI policies promote deeper learning, enhance self-efficacy and facilitate tacit knowledge acquisition in a Middle Eastern context, while ensuring efficiency and academic integrity. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative, exploratory study observed 20 final-year business students in Kuwait during five in-class activities using generative AI tools. Semi-structured interviews complemented the researcher’s observations. Thematic analysis revealed patterns in benefits, challenges and learning processes, leading to the development of the AI-powered learning loop framework to explain academic performance outcomes. Findings – The study indicates that generative …

Leading Beyond The Lecture: A Case Study Exploring How Community College Students Experience Their Instructors’ Positive Leadership Strategies, Mandy Morrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Positive leadership, an approach to leading individuals to the point of flourishing, has been studied in corporate contexts. While the student-to-instructor relationships only distantly compare to the employee-to-supervisor dynamics, the relationships and power differential have similarities, making the pillars of positive leadership relevant in the context of higher education. Given the critical nature of student success to stakeholders in higher education and the students themselves, discovering instructor strategies that enhance student success can demonstrate an upward spiral of positivity that extends from the student, to the instructor, to the college, and ultimately to the community. Framed by leader-member exchange (LMX) …

The Paradox Of The Broker: Why Educators Of Color Must Be Supported, Not Just Celebrated, Tatiana C. Parker

Gatherings

In this article, Dr. Tatiana C. Parker examines the transformative potential of social capital brokering within the higher education system, particularly for communities that have been systematically excluded through opportunity hoarding and network closures both historically and presently. Institutions of learning have long served as sites for the transmission of instrumental (tangible) and expressive (emotional) social capital returns. Yet, the same system that has supported mobility is now under attack through the divestment of education, ideological resistance, and the longstanding disenfranchisement of educators of color.

Drawing on her research regarding Black women and upward mobility, she asserts that when educators, …

Gatherings 2.1 Acknowledgement, Table Of Contents And Editors, Roberta Hurtado

Gatherings

Roberta Hurtado, "Acknowledgement" -- Table of Contents -- Editorial Board.

Gatherings 2.1 (Complete Volume), Roberta Hurtado

Gatherings

Proceedings from The State of Women of Color in New York Higher Education.

Roberta Hurtado, "Acknowledgement" -- Table of Contents -- p. vi: Editorial Board.

Journal contents follow: p. 1: Roberta Hurtado (Ed.), "Introduction" -- p. 7: Liz Gil, "Community, Reflection, Wisdom" -- p. 9: Luisa Arroyo Cruzado (narrative) and Julie Fogden (image), "Guerrillera Blesson Interlude I" -- p. 11: Heather Hathaway Miranda, "Round Tables" -- p. 13: Estela López, "Guerrilleras: Speaking Truths and Strategizing Futures" -- p. 17: María Luisa Arroyo Cruzado (narrative) and Julie Fogden (image), "Guerrillera Blesson Interlude II" -- p. 19: Jeanine Irons, "No More Hester …

New Mexico Snap-Ed College Food Insecurity Report, Belinda E. Vicuña, Yvonnie V. Baik, Elena E. Martinez, Mahtab Soleimani, Camille R. Velarde, Theresa H. Cruz

Reports & Documents

In New Mexico, 58% of college students experience some form of food insecurity. The College Food Insecurity Project—conducted by the University of New Mexico’s Division of Prevention and Population Sciences with support from the New Mexico Health Care Authority and USDA SNAP-Ed—examined how campus food pantries address student food needs across the state. Using a mixed-methods design, the study included semi-structured interviews with food pantry coordinators and staff at 13 institutions of higher education, on-site assessments using the Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool Plus (NEFPAT+), and content analysis of 15 college food pantry websites.

Findings revealed that campus …