Higher Education Commons^™

Organizational Factors That Contribute To The Persistence Of Two-Year Transfer Athletes At Division I Four-Year Institutions: A Multiple Case Study, Mensah Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

This multiple case study identifies the organizational factors that contribute to the persistence of two-year transfer athletes at two Division I four-year institutions in the Northeast Region Conference. This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches as well as Berger and Milem's (2001) theoretical framework of organizational behavior and student outcomes to 1) identify the most prevalent two-year transfer athlete experiences; 2) find out how the most prevalent experiences, at each institution, contribute to their persistence and 3) identify the organizational dimensions two-year transfer athletes perceived as contributing to their most prevalent experiences. The findings showed that athletic experiences were …

Work Hope And Work Volition: Exploring The Influence Of Community College Students’ Rurality And Socioeconomic Status, Jesse A. Wingate

Theses and Dissertations

Data from a sample of community college students (N = 478) in Virginia were used to examine relations among rurality, socioeconomic status, work hope, and work volition. Socioeconomic status, work hope, and work volition were positively associated. However, rurality, measured both as a continuous and categorical variable, was not correlated with work hope or work volition. Additional analyses showed convergence between measures of work hope and work volition confirming construct similarity. Results, limitations, implications, and recommendations for future study are included.

Can School Be A Source Of Trauma? Assessing Academic Traumatic Stress As A Mechanism Underlying The Health Outcomes Of Black Undergraduate Students, Ebony A. Lambert

Theses and Dissertations

Research examining Black students’ school experiences demonstrates that exposure to oppressive power dynamics in schools may lead to adverse physiological and psychological consequences. Recent conceptualizations in public discourse further posit that traumatic educational experiences, operationalized here as academic trauma or the cumulative toll of adverse and oppressive experiences in academic settings, may influence Black students’ wellbeing even after they have graduated. However, academic trauma has yet to be investigated empirically, and the health contributions of such educational harm remain unstudied. Moreover, little is known about how culturally-relevant personal characteristics (e.g., emotion regulation strategies) influence Black students’ reactivity to academic trauma. …

A Correlation Study Of Parental Involvement And Student Outcomes In A Georgia School District, Courtney T. Flournoy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a statistically significant association existed between the responses of parents of middle school students in a Georgia public school district on a parental involvement survey and three variables: eligibility of students to receive free or reduced-price lunch parental marital status, and parental education level.

This study was initiated because of a persistent problem of low academic achievement of the middle school students. There is extensive research related to the importance of parental involvement and the effect of this involvement on student achievement. However, prior to the implementation of this study little …

Investigating Student Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of A First-Year Experience Online Program On Student Retention, Jennifer P. Bowman-Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation is a mixed-methods study designed to collect student perspectives of an online First-Year Experience (FE) course and to determine the overall value of the FE course. The researcher sought to identify what is the value of the FE course to the students enrolled in this online course. In the study’s survey, students will be asked a series of questions designed to determine the overall value of the FE course. For this study, the online FE course survey addressed the following theme areas: Course Content, Overall Satisfaction, Transfer Perceptions, and the participants are the new incoming students (first-year …

Establishing Teaching Presence In Higher Education Online Mathematics Courses: A Phenomenological Study, Deltrye Eagle Holt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe, based on the teaching presence component of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) theoretical framework, the lived experiences of mathematics instructors while establishing teaching presence in online higher education mathematics courses. Teaching presence, which is one of the three core elements of the community of inquiry (CoI) framework, is necessary for achieving learning outcomes and student satisfaction. The three main research questions were: 1. How do mathematics instructors establish teaching presence in online higher education mathematics courses? 2. How do mathematics instructors establish teaching presence in face-to-face higher education mathematics courses? 3. …

The Teacher’S Role In Increasing Student Engagement In High School Social Studies Courses, Quarnitra L. Price

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored (a) how teaching practices of high school teachers influence student engagement levels and performance in social studies classes, (b) how teachers might deliver more student relatable social studies content, (c) how teachers might help students relate to and become more engaged with important social studies concepts, and (d) how teachers can motivate students to become well-informed and fully engaged citizens. This study also examined existing barriers that prevent students from learning or engaging in social studies coursework.

Research findings suggest teachers play essential roles in how students perceive social studies content and respond to lessons …

Exploring The Effects Of An Afrocentric Learning Community On The Retention Of African American Students In Community Colleges: A Quantitative Study, Andre Crenshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The majority of African American students who begin postsecondary educational pursuits do not graduate within 6 years, resulting in one of the lowest postsecondary completion rates in America. As of Fall 2019, the degree applicable retention rate for African American students in California community colleges was 62%, compared to all students 87.65%. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to examine whether a learning community positively affected retention and success rates of African American students in community colleges, comparing outcomes with cohort Fall 2016 with cohort Fall 2019. This analysis applied Tinto’s Student Integration Model Theoretical Framework with supporting …

Managing The Affective Responses Of Employees During Organizational Change In Higher Education, Brad Kennington

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education is facing a period of continual change driven by numerous external and internal forces. Consequently, higher education leaders are faced with the frequent and daunting task of planning and managing organizational change in higher education institutions, which are both complex and dynamic in nature. Adding difficulty to this task is the fact that employees often react to change with emotional responses that are both challenging to understand and complicated and to manage. Managing affective dimensions of change can be overwhelming to leaders, which can lead to failed organizational change efforts. This study explored and answered (a) how a …

Harry Potter And The Shy College Classroom Student: A Perceived Sense Of Belonging Through Social Identity And A Hogwarts House, Mickey D. Harrison Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines self-identifying shy college classroom students. Using social identity theory, identified shy students are studied based on their inclusion in a Hogwarts House from the Harry Potter book series. The purpose of this research is to examine how group identity can cultivate and create a sense of belonging for these students and lead them to academic and personal success. The stories shared by these shy learners reinforce the need and importance of belonging to a social identity group to strengthen an individual's sense of self and personal growth. This study encourages the use of a fictional social group—like …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Training And Supervision Provided To Spanish/English Bilingual Graduate Students, Sonia Venegas Mezquita

Theses and Dissertations

Spanish/English bilingual graduate students (n = 7) completed interviews evaluating language variables, training variables, and supervision related experiences. Experiences were gathered through the use of open-ended questions which focused on participants' linguistics abilities, program coursework, training experiences, and supervision experiences. A phenomenological research design was applied to analyze the collected data from the qualitative interviews. A phenomenological research design uses the collection of qualitative (open-ended) data in response to the research question (Mruk, 2010). Results indicated that the most common areas in the program which graduate students identified as most helpful in preparation for working with Spanish-speaking Latinx clients were …

Books Or Food? Food Insecurity And The Rise Of Campus Food Pantries, Sonya Sharififard

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a quantitative study of campus food pantries located in public four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The research aims to explain relationships among campus food pantries and surrounding neighborhood characteristics affecting local food environments. There are two parts to the study: (a) the quantitative analysis through responses from a participant questionnaire; and (b) a case study analysis to accompany the quantitative analysis. The researcher identified three metropolitan counties within U.S. census tracts, to determine the relationship between neighborhood demographics, the local food environment, and the impact on campus communities. The researcher explored food accessibility within …

Best Practices For Achieving First Generation Student Success In Higher Education, Hillary Long Gilkeson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study seeks to elucidate the best practices for achieving first generation student success within the realm of higher education. First generation students experience challenges in obtaining student success at a higher rate than their multi-generational peers who possess larger reserves of social capital regarding higher education. A review of the literature identified obstacles to and methods to achieve student success. The review progresses with discussion surrounding how to transition students to college so that they achieve student success from the time of matriculation. Finally, the review identifies the ways in which first generation students may require …

A Study Of Veteran Student Persistence And Va Educational Benefits: 2010 National Survey Of Veterans, Scott Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

Student persistence in college has been a challenge since higher education began. One driving factor affecting a student’s ability to remain in college is that of finances. As life circumstances change, so do the financial resources required to support daily living and as these resources become scarce, a student’s ability to pay for college is negatively impacted, often resulting in a student’s inability to complete their degree. One specific group of students, military veterans, are entitled to educational benefits than can lessen the impact of financial stressors associated with attending a college or university. While no apparent formal reporting requirement …

An Examination Of The Identification Of Student Veterans Within The University System Of Georgia To Assist In The Decision-Making Process To Better Serving Them, Stefane Dione Raulerson

Theses and Dissertations

Within the USG, no systematic approach exists regarding the identification of its student veterans. In support of the significant number of veterans living in Georgia and more of them utilizing VA educational benefits, the purpose of the research was to explore the various means in which USG institutions identify student veterans and use this information to make data-driven decisions as well as establish retention and graduation rates. The research included surveying and interviewing, following theoretical sampling. Interviews were conducted to obtain more comprehensive and detailed information on the survey results where participants indicated the identification of student veterans, use of …

The Influence Of Fraternity And Sorority Membership On Retention And Gpa At Rowan University, Arthur Gathercole Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

There are multiple influences that effect retention and GPA for a student. The main objective of this study is to examine the social satisfaction and academic success of students who are active members of a fraternity or sorority at Rowan University. This study focuses on students who have been involved in a Greek-letter organization for two or more years to see how their involvement impacts their GPA and college career. With retention being a key factor in institutional ratings and ultimately contributing to degree attainment, it is a main focus for many colleges and universities.

Exploring Intercultural Wonderment As A Mediator For Global Perspective Development In Engineering Students, John A. Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediatory role intercultural wonderment plays in global learning during engineering students' international experiences. Engberg and colleagues have posited a connection between the programmatic components of an international experience (i.e., study abroad) and global learning, with international wonderment serving as a conduit for that connection. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected under an NSF multi-institutional grant that focused on identifying ways global preparedness can be developed in and out of formal curricula. Data included semi-structured, student interviews, student background data, and global perspective scores as measured by the Global Perspective Inventory (GPI). …

The Continuum Of Support For Building Intimacy Knowledge In College For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Chelsea Vanhorn Stinnett

Theses and Dissertations

Adults with intellectual disability report the same relational and sexual intimacy needs as those without disability, yet experience barriers in accessing intimacy education and engaging in intimacy. Postsecondary education (PSE) programs for students with intellectual disability allow for college students to experience a higher level of autonomy in choice-making they may not have experienced in their family home. The Continuum of Support for Intimacy Knowledge in College Survey (CoSIK-C) was used to examine how PSE programs support college students in building their intimacy knowledge, intimacy education professional development opportunities for PSE staff members, and staff perceptions on factors that could …

How Does Performance Funding Impact The Open Access Mission Of Community Colleges In Massachusetts?, Walter T. Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study of four community colleges was to determine if the Massachusetts Performance Funding Formula (MAPFF) has negatively impacted access in two threats to access: 1) decreased affordability; and 2) restriction of admissions, enrollment, and recruitment in fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016. Participating senior administrators provided their perceptions of how the Massachusetts Performance Funding Formula impacted student access and their institutions. Access was negatively impacted by decreased affordability due to significant increases to tuition and fees the students pay. Access was also negatively impacted by a reduction and elimination of programs, courses, and sections.

Program Evaluation Of Greek Showcase Events At Rowan University, Xochil R. Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations

The primary focus of this study was to investigate the current practices used to meet the needs of the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Greek Cultural Organizations Council (GCOC) within the Office of Greek Affairs (OGA) at Rowan University. The study further explored the autonomy (if any) within these councils when it comes to the planning and coordination of their significant showcase events and programming. The data analysis suggested that the organizations operate independently from one another and have a sense of autonomy which could be nourished by the practices of the Office of Greek Affairs.

Efficacy Of An Online, Concepts-Based Fitness And Wellness Course, David Townsend Mann

Theses and Dissertations

With the sudden growth of distance education at the turn of the century, online offerings of fitness and wellness courses spread quickly across college curriculums. However, the emergence of rigorously designed research regarding the ability of online, concepts-based fitness and wellness classes to significantly improve student health has progressed at a more leisurely pace, leaving stakeholders within higher education unsure of its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine changes of levels health-related fitness among 28 undergraduate students enrolled in an online, 15-week fitness and wellness course. The study centered around the concept of health-related fitness having five …

Investigating The Relationship Between Children's Experiences During A Museum Health Promotion Program And Their Motivation To Learn And Adopt A Healthy Diet, Dawn Nguyen Truong

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to investigate children’s learning experiences during the Eat a Georgia Rainbow program and to understand their motivation to learn about healthy eating and healthy cooking in relevance to the development of their intentions to adopt a healthy diet. The experiential learning theory was used as a lens during this study to emphasize the importance of participants learning experience through hands-on, task-oriented activities, and reflecting on the experiences. Recording camera-glasses, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) survey, Motivation for Diet survey, and follow-up individual interviews were used to collect data. In Phase …

Town-Gown Sense Of Community In Campus-Adjacent Neighborhoods: A Mixed Methods Study, Andrew Perrone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the perceptions of a sense of community held by non-student residents within the campus-adjacent neighborhoods of a college town. Employing an explanatory sequential design, the study further explored any differing perceptions of a sense of community held after participation in a community-wide program modeled after Texas A&M University's The Big Event. Residents of owner-occupied homes in neighborhoods that have experienced "studentification"(Smith, 2008) were surveyed with the Sense of Community Index 2 (Chavis, Lee, & Acosta, 2008) in order to understand the established Psychological Sense of Community (PSOC). Follow-up interviews were …

The Lived Experience Of A Freshman Female Collegiate Student-Athlete, Kaitlin Schullstrom

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of collegiate freshman female student-athletes at Rowan University. The lived experience refers to the way researchers can view the perceptions of people within the world they exist (Kafle, 2011). The study explored the meaning of female student athletes and attach them to their lived experience as a student-athlete and how they anticipate this experience impact their future college careers. This study interviewed 10 freshman female student athletes and aimed to receive honest and valuable information about the students experience in their first year at Rowan University. The data were …

The School With A Heart: Henderson State University, 1929-1959, David Leo Sesser

Theses and Dissertations

Henderson State Teachers College (HSTC) began operations on the former campus of Henderson-Brown College (HBC) in September, 1929. Founded as a publicly supported teacher training college, the first thirty years of operation of HSTC proved to be full of crises with the institution lurching from one to another while working to establish an institutional identity distinct from the liberal arts focus of HBC. By examining these crises, including the impact of both the Great Depression and World War II on the college, as well as events related to the addition of graduate programs and the integration of the institution, this …

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, …

An Investigation Of First-Generation Student Experiences And Their Career Development, Desiree Saraceno

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to analyze the student experiences and career development of students who identify as first-generation and who are members of the Flying First Program (FFP) at Rowan University. The qualitative study included one focus group consisting of first-generation students who are involved with the FFP and a second focus group consisting of first-generation students who are not involved with FFP. The purpose of this thesis is to assess first-generation students' experiences, challenges, and resources related to their career development. Currently there has been limited utilization of qualitative data collected regarding students' perspectives and their experiences …

An Assessment Of Irb Member Values Using The Irb Researcher Assessment Tool, Andrew Gerber

Theses and Dissertations

This study employed the IRB Researcher Assessment Tool (IRB-RAT) to better understand values held by IRB members at Rowan University, and piloted the use of the IRB-RAT in this institutional context. A sample of Rowan University IRB affiliates, including administrators and members (N = 11), provided ratings related to their "ideal" and "actual" IRB on this 45-item questionnaire, addressing eight areas of IRB performance. Analyses included mean calculations, calculations of mean difference, and comparisons to those provided in a national validation sample for the measure. Results indicated that, by comparison to a national validation sample, Rowan University IRB members tended …

Intramural Sports Leadership: Exploring The Impact Of Being An Intramural Sports Official On Leadership Skills, Shan Yu Paracka

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the leadership development of intramural sports student officials at a med-sized public institution in the northeastern United States. Twenty-six total intramural student officials participated in the study that were evenly mixed between veteran officials and first time officials. The data shows that while there is a change in the scores from the pre-test and the post-test, there is a high probability of this being a random occurrence.

The Impact Of Physical Space In The College Union And Students' Sense Of Community On Campus, Erik A. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that physical spaces in The Chamberlain Student Center had on participants' sense of community on campus. A survey was distributed to 600 undergraduate students to determine the extent to which participants believed various locations within the facility either enhanced or diminished their sense of community on campus. Of the 600 surveys distributed, 73 responses were collected, yielding a response rate of 12%. Results show that there is no statistically significant relationship between any specific space in The Chamberlain Student Center. However, data showed that there is a relationship between students …