Education Commons^™

The Out-Of-Classroom Engagement Experiences Of First-Generation College Students That Impact Persistence, Sherolyn Hopkins, Jamie L. Workman, William Truby

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This article is the result of research conducted with first-generation upper-class college students enrolled at a comprehensive university in Georgia. The researcher sought to answer the following research question: How do first-generation college students perceive the impact of out-of-classroom engagement experiences on persistence?

Participants were selected based on a purposeful sampling technique. The researcher utilized a qualitative interpretive approach and collected data via individual interviews and a focus group. The researcher was able to organize the rich data into themes. The article concludes with implications for student affairs professionals and future research on first-generation college students.

Keywords: first-generation college students, …

Book Review - Educated: A Memoir, By Tara Westover, Michelle Lea Boettcher, Julia M. Dingle, Savannah Lockman, Kelsey Wilkins, Nikalette Zina

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover is the story of a first generation college student navigating a transition from a rural and conservative community and family into and through higher education including graduate education. As Westover shares her struggles and is transparent with her vulnerability, she highlights a number of struggles students often face in college. The book explores the tensions between family / home and college. It also highlights the importance of individual connections and actions in the persistence and success of students. It is compelling and directly transferable to the work of student affairs practitioners as highlighted in …

The Rise In Use Of Emotional Support Animals By College Students: The Impact Of Parenting Styles, Misty G. Smith, Samantha Ballard, Jill Willis

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

As the generational context of higher education shifts, a rise of Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and mental health concerns are present for students on college campuses. While previous studies have aimed to address the relevancy and controversy of ESAs in higher education as well as their effectiveness in supporting individuals, less research has explored underlying factors that contribute to the use of an ESA. The purpose of this study was to explore the parenting behaviors of parents/caregivers of students with ESAs in comparison to parents/caregivers of students without ESAs. An embedded mixed methods design was used. Participants completed the Parenting …

Usg’S Well-Being Policy Regarding Tobacco Product Use: A Proposal For Changing From Opt-Out To Opt-In, Donald L. Ariail, Benedikt L. Quosigk

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

The University System of Georgia (USG) has a state-wide initiative aimed at increasing the well-being of faculty and staff by deincentivizing the use of tobacco products by employees who are covered by a USG healthcare plan. This incentive is positive in that aid in stopping tobacco product usage is offered to each member; and negative in that each member who is a tobacco product user is penalized. A healthcare surcharge is added to the monthly health insurance premium paid by each faculty/staff member for themselves and covered dependents over 18 years of age who are tobacco product users. The current …

Book Review- The Mind Of The Leader, Rebecca Cofer

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Book review of The Mind of the Leader .

Hougaard. R. & Carter, J. (2018). The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, And Your Organization for Extraordinary Results. Harvard Business Review Press. 224pp. ISBN 9781633693425. $25.20 suggested retail price.

The Culture Code: The Secrets Of Highly Successful Groups (Book Review), Lucero A. Aradillas

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

In the book The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups, Daniel Coyle discusses how people work together as part of a group that achieves excellent results. As opposed to this being a book on how individuals lead, the author focuses on how people interact successfully and productively with each other; thereby, giving leaders three skills that can help hone successful teams. His research identified three skills that propel effective teamwork: Build Safety, Share Vulnerability, and Establish Purpose. This book review will briefly describe these skills and how the book provides a solid base for leaders seeking to …

College In The Crosshairs: A Book Review, Carlie L. Cooper

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Violence has existed on college campuses throughout the history of higher education in America. In the Colonial Era of higher education, tension between faculty and students often led to riots and revolts led by disgruntled students (Thelin, 2011). During the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Era, demonstrations on campuses were occasionally met by violent overreactions of law enforcement (Cohen and Kisker, 2010). In recent decades, violence on college campuses has been marked by the use of guns, leading to casualties, like in the tragic case of the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007. College in the Crosshairs: An Administrative Perspective …

Using Critical Race Theory To Explore The Experiences Of College Students From Rural Areas, Elise J. Cain, Natesha L. Smith

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

There are several indicators (e.g. lower enrollment rates and lower persistence rates) that rural people are achieving less postsecondary success compared to their urban peers. This is particularly true for people with low socioeconomic statuses and people of color. This article, therefore, utilizes critical race theory in education to explore the experiences of college students from rural areas. The article begins with an overview of critical race theory and a review of relevant literature about rural students organized within a critical race theory framework. This information is then utilized to construct a strategy to guide educators in their critical explorations …

Becoming Liberated In The Process Of Researching And Writing About Liberation: A Scholarly Reflection Of A Healing Process In A Doctoral Program, Falon N. Thacker

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This article chronicles the process of researching and writing a dissertation about liberation and how it connects to my own experiences of liberation. Qualitative research involves a more personal connection between the researcher and the study (Hays & Singh, 2012) which allows for a more in depth understanding of the experiences of the participants and the researcher. This article provides a reflection of my journey that began in early childhood and through the doctoral process, connecting those experiences to the research process utilizing Pillow’s (2003) four reflexive strategies. Reflecting on the method, theory, and findings, the researcher makes connections with …

Campus Carry In Georgia: Challenges & Recommendations, Elizabeth Lohrmann, Carlie Cooper, Skyler Hooper, Ashley Washington, Zakia Williams-Sledge

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Abstract

The 2017 Georgia House Bill 280 states that, with limited exceptions, a properly licensed handgun owner can conceal carry on Georgia’s public college and university campuses. Since its inception and because of the recent history of mass shootings, much controversy surrounds this law. The infancy and controversy behind this law calls for further research into the subject. In this paper, we will offer a discussion of historical and environmental perspective, compliance with the law, risks and challenges, previous case analysis, and recommendations for Georgia Higher Education administrators. To lessen confusion and controversy surrounding the Campus Carry law in Georgia, …

Georgia Journal Of College Student Affairs, Georgia College Personnel Association (Gcpa)

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Complete issue of Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs, v.36, iss. 1

The State Of Fraternity And Sorority Life In Higher Education, Shamiece A. Banks, James G. Archibald

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Since the establishment of the first fraternity Phi Beta Kappa in 1776, fraternities and sororities have had a 200-year-old history on college campuses in the United States. Fraternity and sorority life has become an important opportunity for students to get involved, gain leadership skills, and develop into global citizens. Despite a long standing history, the threat on the sustainability of these organizations has increased over the years. Hazing, alcohol abuse, and negative media attention have created challenges for Greek-letter organizations. The purpose of this article is to explore the historical context of fraternity and sorority life, the issues that are …

Georgia’S Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program: Current Status, Web Presence, And Web Content, Donald L. Ariail, W. Ken Harmon, David Nwokocha

Georgia Educational Researcher

Senior citizens are becoming a larger and more significant part of the workforce as they desire to work longer. Companies have found these individuals bring valuable skills to the workplace; however, they frequently need to update those skills or pursue new degrees. Since 1976, Georgia has had a law granting senior citizens tuition waivers in the state’s public higher education institutions, thus allowing them the ability to take courses to update their skills. This study assessed the current status of the tuition waiver program by reviewing web sites of the 26 institutions in the University System of Georgia to determine …

Making Sense Of Georgia School Leader Evaluation: Climate, Engagement And The District Office, Bipul Singh, Matt Townsley

Georgia Educational Researcher

Assessment of principal effectiveness is a complex process due to the multidimensional nature of their job. Historically, a disproportionate significance has been placed on standardized assessment scores when evaluating school leaders, therefore states are beginning to emphasize other factors such as school climate in order to increase employee retention. This study investigated any correlation between leadership effectiveness, the staff perception of school climate, and employee engagement in a suburban Georgia school district’s 139 schools. An improved understanding of these constructs may assist principals and assistant principals modify their leadership practices to better meet the needs of their teachers. Results suggest …

Applying Student Development Theories Holistically: Exemplar Programming In Higher Education (Book Review), Abigail Meert

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Book review of Applying Student Development Theories Holistically: Exemplar Programming in Higher Education by Abigail Meert.

Abigail Meert is graduate student pursuing her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Georgia Southern University where she serves as a Graduate Resident Director in University Housing. Her bachelor’s degree is in history from Armstrong State University, now named the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University, where she assisted students in her role as a Resident Advisor, First-Year Peer Mentor, and Honors Ambassador for three years. Abigail’s research interests include higher education law and policy, university systems, and the consolidation of post-secondary institutions.

From Collaborative To Collegial Communities: Transitioning From Student Affairs Practitioner To Faculty, Michelle Lea Boettcher, Dena Kniess, Mimi Benjamin

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

While student affairs (SA) practitioner expertise can inform a faculty member’s knowledge in the classroom, the transition into a tenure-track faculty role from student affairs administrative roles is complex. One of the differences new faculty members with SA administrator backgrounds experience is a change in the work community and shift from collaborative to collegial cultures. While studies have examined the transition of student affairs professionals from graduate programs to full time student affairs practitioner roles and graduate students into the professoriate, there is limited scholarship on the transitional experiences of student affairs practitioners moving into faculty positions. This qualitative study …

Intentional Leadership For More Just Experiences: Supporting Black Males On College Campuses, John D. Egan

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This essay explores the unjust experiences of Black males and minority faculty on college campuses that perpetuate inequality in higher education. The literature shows Black male undergraduates experienced both overt racism and more subtle insults on some college campuses, which serve as a barrier to integration into the college system. This essay also connects the underrepresentation of minority faculty as a contributing factor to the climate that inhibits the integration of Black male students into the college system. Through intentional leadership, educators should create or support existing Black male initiative programs on their campuses as this evidence-based practice contributes to …

Georgia Journal Of College Student Affairs, Georgia College Personnel Association (Gcpa)

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Complete issue for volume 35, number 1 (Fall 2019).

Debunking The Myth Of Job Fit In Higher Education And Student Affairs (Book Review), Jamie L. Workman, Daniel W. Calhoun, Steven Tolman

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Book review of Debunking the Myth of Job Fit in Higher Education and Student Affairs by Jamie L. Workman, Daniel W. Calhoun, and Steven Tolman.

Pedagogical Approach To Developing The Hiring Practices Of Higher Education Administrators, Steven Tolman, Daniel W. Calhoun

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Most student affairs professionals will serve in a managerial and/or supervisory role at some point in their careers, but only a limited number of higher education graduate preparatory programs have required coursework focusing on this competency area. This situation is disconcerting, as there seems to be an assumption within the student affairs field that new professionals have the formal training and experiences needed to immediately be placed into these managerial and/or supervisory roles. In an effort to address this discrepancy, and in particular staffing practices, one higher education graduate preparatory program developed a course on staffing practices, using an innovative …

Relationship Between Required Corequisite Learning And Success In College Algebra, Amy D. Smith

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This study sought to answer if a relationship existed between required corequisite support and success in gateway College Algebra courses. Complete College America and Complete College Georgia initiatives over the last ten years have sought ways to increase access to higher education with high progression and completion rates. Efforts such as the Momentum Year in University System of Georgia schools utilize developmental corequisite courses for gateway English and Mathematics to ensure early success and progression. This study used a chi-squared test to analyze two groups of new freshmen and their success in College Algebra—one group who participated in corequisite learning …

Understanding The Experiences Of Provisionally Admitted Black Male College Students In The State Of Georgia, Nikki Jackson, Herbert Fiester, Jamie L. Workman

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This article is the result of research conducted with provisionally admitted Black make students enrolled at four different public institutions in Georgia. The researcher sought to answer the following research question: What are the common perceptions of provisionally admitted Black male students that influence their academic success at state colleges and state universities with the University System of Georgia?

The researcher utilized a phenomenological approach and multiple methods of data collection. This resulted in rich data that has been categorized into themes. The article concludes with implications for student affairs administrators and faculty, as well as for future research on …

Globalization Of Higher Education In South Africa, Donald L. Ariail

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Despite being the smallest of the BRICS in population and having a relatively small number of public institutions of higher education (HE), South Africa (SA) has several world class universities and is the HE leader on the African continent. This paper presents an overview of various demographic aspect of HE in SA including types of institutions, popular fields of study, faculty demographics, government expenditures on HE, and the availability of financial aid. However, the focus of the paper is on globalization factors such as distance education, the presence of foreign university branch campuses, SA as a destination for international students …

Globalization Of Higher Education In Malaysia, Isaac Taylor

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

The purpose of this paper is to highlight how globalization and the development of knowledgebased economy is effecting the higher education system of Malaysia. This reflective analysis examined the policies and practices, in the higher education of Malaysia that internationalizes its higher education systems; the impact of globalization and the development of knowledge based economy; the cultural landscape of higher education in Malaysia towards globalization; and any international organizations or resources to identify/critique the impact of globalization of Malaysia’s higher education systems. As a result, quality assurance has been the key factor in promoting globalization in Malaysia Higher Education because …

Globalization Of Higher Education In Senegal, Ashley N. Morris

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This paper marks the changes that have taken place in the Senegalese higher education system. As Senegalese citizens and leaders have worked diligently to improve their economy and society as a whole, they have experienced a great deal of obstacles in moving forward. Throughout this process, education has been an important aspect to improving the economic and social development of the country. Included in this economic, social, and educational overhaul, higher education was a component that required a great deal of work. In order to contend in the global society, the higher education system needed to be reformed. This paper, …

Globalization Of Higher Education In Greece, John O. Lemay Iv

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

The current paper examines the system of higher education in Greece. This discussion incorporates details that describe a brief history of the system’s overall formation, an environmental snapshot of the country’s current demographics and economic situation as well as similar information for their overall higher education system. Also, details regarding how the Greek system of higher education is structured (for both the university and technological sectors) and situated within the country’s larger governmental system are considered. Next, the paper considers challenges that are currently being faced by the country and how they may impact their higher education structure and the …

Globalization Of Higher Education In United Arab Emirates, John S. Spranza Iii

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This article explores the educational history of the United Arab Emirates, a young and vastly wealthy nation located in the Middle East. A nation for just over 40 years, its leaders have struggled with educating and supporting its native population and managing the massive infusion of immigrants created by the progressive job markets established within its borders. With a mix of mandated free education for natives and a lucrative educational investment market from various other nations, the educational structure in the UAE has become a unique system that attracts students and faculty from around the world. The opulent landscapes of …

Georgia Journal Of College Student Affairs. Special Edition., Georgia College Personnel Association (Gcpa)

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Complete issue

Higher Education In Ecuador: A Reflective Analysis, Crystal Edenfield

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Over the last decade, many changes have taken place in Ecuador regarding education, specifically higher education. A new president was elected in 2006 and as a result a new constitution was approved in 2008. This new constitution offered educational opportunities to all Ecuadorians. The purpose of this paper is to analyze higher education in Ecuador. It will discuss and react to Ecuador’s demographics as well as the highlights of the country’s higher education system. It will conclude with considering the implications.

Collaborating With Academic Affairs To Cultivate Environments That Support Student Integrity, J. Matthew Garrett, Alex C. Lange

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Integrity development has been recognized as a common outcome at many colleges and universities (Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2012; Chickering & Reisser, 1993; Dugan & Komives, 2007; Higher Education Research Institute, 1996). Thus, it is important to create academic and student affairs collaborations that promote the development of students’ integrity and values clarification. In this article, we briefly discuss existing and new integrity research that informs how practitioners and administrators can structure environments supportive of students’ value clarification and congruence with their actions on campus. We use student Honor Codes/Codes of Conduct as an example source of collaboration …