Higher Education Commons^™

“Mind The Gap”: How A University Can Bridge The Gap Between Expectations And Reality For Adult Undergraduate Students, J Thomas Helton

Theses and Dissertations

Adult undergraduate students find that returning to college is much like building a house of cards (Hardin, 2008). In this cross-sectional survey methodology study, the author focuses on the performance gap between the importance and satisfaction of adult students with a range of priorities, programs, policies, and support systems. Data was collected through two surveys, the web-based Adult Learner Inventory (ALI), administered to all undergraduate students aged 25 and older enrolled at the public, four-year, comprehensive university in the spring of 2011, and the Institutional Self-Assessment Survey (ISAS), completed by the administrators responsible for adult student programming. The ISAS is …

Intent To Persist At Religiously Affiliated Universities, J. Mel Sansom

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the secondary data analysis was to examine the attributes of students who intend to persist at the same religiously affiliated institution. The review of literature indicated that persistence has been studied extensively, but there has been only limited investigation of persistence focused on religiously affiliated institutions. The study examined the demographics, academics, social involvement, spiritual growth, and university environment factors of freshmen and the impact these attributes had on their intent to persist to their sophomore year. This study examined data obtained from religiously affiliated institutions that chose to participate in the 2007 CIRP Freshman Survey and …

Motivational Orientations Of Rn-Bsn Students At Rowan University, Tywanna Hamilton-West

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research the motivational orientation of diploma and associate prepared nurses enrolled in a RN-BSN program, by examining what factors influence students to participate in adult education activities. Research was conducted at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey during the fall of 2011. Questionnaires were electronically distributed to 200 RNs out of a population of 400. Ninety-eight surveys were utilized, which yielded a 49% return rate. Information was collected from Boshier's Education Participation Scale (EPS) A-Form and 7 demographic questions. Data analysis suggested that 87.5 % of the subjects were goal-oriented learners, participating in advance …

Religion And Spirituality: A Study Of Undergraduate Student Sentiments And Transcendence, Robert Yufer

Theses and Dissertations

This study took place at a public university located in Glassboro, NJ. The purpose of this study was to determine the religiosity, religious crisis, and spirituality levels of Rowan University undergraduate students. A survey was sent to all undergraduate students at least 18 years old to participate in the study. The instrument is partitioned and includes a religiosity section and a spirituality section with statements and questions. The survey data suggest that Rowan undergraduates fall within the normative range when it comes to religion and spirituality. The responses have also indicated that Rowan students are, as a whole, not experiencing …

A Student Satisfaction Study Of The Chamberlain Student Center, Kaitlyn Howarth

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore whether students at Rowan University were satisfied with the services offered by the Chamberlain Student Center in February 2012. Satisfaction data were collected by means of a 42-item survey using Likert-scale items. The survey was distributed to 500 students identified as SGA club/organization leaders and senators and general users of the facility. Data analysis suggest that a majority of the study body at Rowan University are satisfied with the level of customer service, meeting rooms and spaces, student activities, and other services provided at the Chamberlain Student Center. The findings also …

Transfer Seminars: The Impact On Transfer Student Collegiate Adjustment, Amanda Farina

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact transfer seminars at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey had on transfer students' adjustment to college. The study explored the college goals/outcomes, and study strategies students used both before and after taking the transfer seminar. This study utilized archival data from 328 surveys collected since 2003. Students were administered a survey at the beginning of the transfer seminar course and then again at the end of the semester. Results from the data analysis showed some statistically significant changes from pre to post survey. Most notably, students were concerned about …

Higher Education: Understanding The Identity And Retention Of Latino(A) Students, Nelcy Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of the undergraduate Latino(a) students currently enrolled at Rowan University during the 2012 spring semester. More specifically, the two-part study focused on how they identify as Latino(a), their experiences at Rowan as Latinos, their views on Latino(a) role models, the influences that encouraged/motivated them to continue their college journey and their views of the services and programming that can help them graduate. Student attitudes were gathered through a mixed method, a survey administered to 437 undergraduate Latino(a) students and individual interviews were administered to six Latino(a) students from the United …

Ankle Prophylactic Interventions In Division Iii Male And Female Basketball Athletes, David Seeberger

Theses and Dissertations

Prophylactic ankle taping has been considered the basis of lateral ankle injury prevention and has been used at all levels of sport competition. An alternative to ankle taping is a semirigid reusable ankle brace. This study compared the incidence of ankle sprains in Division III collegiate basketball players during a 4 week period. Each subject was randomly selected to one of four groups which include a taping group, bracing group, PowerTape® group, and rehabilitation group. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare ankle taping, bracing, PowerTaping, and rehabilitation for the prevention of ankle sprains. A total of 25 …

Faculty And Facebook: Attitudes Of Selected Faculty Toward Utilizing Facebook To Connect With Students, Janet Schmeelk

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes of selected faculty toward utilizing Facebook in their collegiate responsibilities, in February, 2012. This study also looked at how familiar selected faculty are with Facebook and its uses. Subjects included assistant, associate, and full professors in the College of Education, the College of Fine and Performing Arts, and the College of Communication at Rowan University. Data on attitudes were collected through means of a survey using 20 Yes/No, Likert-type items, and one open ended response item. Data analysis of quantitative data suggest that these selected faculty generally have a …

Impact Of Student Identity And Involvement Within The Dr. Harley E. Flack Mentoring Program, Tiffany Reed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate student identity development and involvement within the Dr. Harley E. Flack Mentoring Program on selected students at Rowan University. The subjects in this study consisted of 130 full time undergraduate students during the Spring 2012 semester, who participated in one or more of the four mentoring components; Peer Mentor/Mentee program, Student Ambassador Program at Delsea Regional High School, "Ujima" Women Mentorship, and/or the Professional Mentor/Mentee. Data analysis showed positive relationships while being involved in the Dr. Harley E. Flack Mentoring program, when developing their identity as African American students at Rowan University, …

Impact Of The Eof Academic Coaching Program On Selected First Year Eof Students, Calvin Cheung

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of the EOF Academic Coaching Program on selected first year EOF students. Participants were chosen through purposive sampling which comprised of six first year EOF students who participated in the Academic Coaching Program during the Fall 2011 semester at Rowan University which is located in Glassboro, New Jersey. Interviews were conducted to learn more about the students' background and experiences prior to attending college, experience during their first semester of college, and future goals and aspirations after college. Findings revealed that the Academic Coaching Program contributed towards first year EOF …

A Qualitative Approach To Understanding The Study Abroad Experience, Charlotte Cuss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the study abroad experience on selected students, using a qualitative approach. The participants in this study consisted of six full-time Rowan University students, during the spring 2012 semester. All six students had studied abroad for a full academic semester, within the last calendar year. Three separate interviews were conducted to examine students' goals and motives, cultural learning, transformational learning, and alcohol use and risky behavior, in regards to study abroad. The interviews were transcribed and content analysis was used to analyze the data. The study found that all students …

In-Text And Out-Of-Text Engagement: Interactional Features In Students' Academic Writing And Academic Engagement, Florette Press

Theses and Dissertations

While student engagement theory recognizes writing as an engaging activity, there have been few studies that explore the levels of engagement within college students' academic writing. Analyses of in-text interactions between writers and their imagined reader(s) can uncover writers' attitudes about themselves as writers and as participants in the academic community. This study looked specifically at students' in-text interaction in the context of overall student engagement. Making a connection between interactional features in writing and overall student engagement provided a new perspective by which professors and administrators can evaluate students' academic integration. This study combined text analysis and interviews with …

Coupling Academia And Civic Responsibility: Impact Of Incorporating Service-Learning Into Selected Courses, Cheri James

Theses and Dissertations

The demand on universities across America to produce civic-minded students is ever increasing. These demands are necessary to answer the constantly evolving needs of society due to advancing technology, the economy, war, politics, and social media. Volunteerism and community engagement can offer students the opportunity for connecting to their university and the surrounding community by presenting a reciprocal approach to meeting students' needs for involvement, fulfilling the university mission statement, and providing valuable service to the local community. This study investigated the service-learning practices at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ. The findings suggest there is a strong level of agreement between …

Student Involvement Theory: Patterns Of Sport Club Participation At Rowan University, Brian Stelzer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine patterns of involvement relating to the sport club student athletes during the 2011/12 academic year at Rowan University. The study also sought to examine how this involvement affected attitudes of students toward various aspects of campus. Survey responses were analyzed to determine frequency, mean, standard deviation, percentages and correlations between demographics and reported involvement activities. The study examined the similarities between club sports, varsity athletics, and student government involvement at Rowan University. The findings suggested that students involved in sport clubs chose other physical activities, such as exercising and intramural athletics, as …

Engineering Residential Learning Communities: Evaluating The Impact On Freshmen Engineering Students, Margaret Flynn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an engineering living-learning community (ELLC) on freshmen enginering students. A control group of non-ELLC participants was used to compare the experiences of the ELLC students. Data were collected using Likert scale survey items and open-ended questions. Analysis of the survey data showed that there were significant differences between the ELLC students and non-ELLC students in how they responded to questions regarding social support, academic support, connectedness to campus, and satisfaction with the college of engineering and Rowan University. A focus group of ELLC participants was also conducted to get …

Relationship Between Exercise And The Expression Of Adhd Symptoms In College Students, Jessica Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between cardio-respiratory exercise levels and the expression of symptoms commonly associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a college population. Previous research suggests physical exercise may reduce common behavioral symptoms of ADHD. Symptoms commonly associated with ADHD include an inability to focus and feelings of restlessness, which may be harmful to a college student's academic success. The present study surveyed the exercise level, symptom expression, and diagnostic history of undergraduate students (N=315) at Rowan University. Exercise frequency and duration were calculated based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services …

Factors Influencing Choice Of College Major: What Really Makes A Difference?, Jill Edmonds

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are most influential to students when deciding their academic major. During the Spring 2012 semester students from the Rowan University subject pool and other classes (n = 60) participated in an online survey. Using a Likert scale, from 1 being extremely influential to 4 being not at all influential, participants were asked to rank a list of factors that may have influenced their decision of college major. All factors were then grouped into three subtypes of influences (practical, interpersonal, and personal) to determine where the greatest influence on students today …

Writing Across The Curriculum: A Study Of Possibilities For Ualr, Mia Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

This study seeks to determine the feasibility of implementing writing across the curriculum (WAC) at UALR. For the purposes of this study, WAC will be defined as a methodology of instruction for undergraduate students attending a college or university that emphasizes writing in any discipline or major offered at that university. In other words, writing assignments and activities occur in classes that typically do not focus on writing like English and writing courses typically do. By utilizing a survey of best practices at four other universities, as well as a survey of attitudes of UALR faculty, this paper will provide …

Disability Resources In New Jersey And Delaware Colleges And Universities, Samantha Mock

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate disability resources available in New Jersey and Delaware Colleges (n= 22) by surveying each school's Disabilities Department. The hypothesis of this study was there exists little consistency between colleges and universities in terms of accommodations provided between institutions, within the schools surveyed in New Jersey and Delaware. To come to this conclusion, a survey was mailed to New Jersey and Delaware Colleges and Universities asking what accommodations they provide from the accommodations listed on the survey. Results indicated that each school that participated in the study offered different accommodations, proving the hypothesis …

University Involvement In Downtown Revitalization: Stakeholder Perspectives And Opportunities, Michael Schillo Jr

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of stakeholders on the sides of Rowan University and the Borough of Glassboro regarding the Rowan Boulevard/Downtown Glassboro project in 2011. The study investigated the perspectives of stakeholders on the town and gown relationship, what extending the educational component into the downtown would do to the town and college, and how this would foster the relationship thereafter. These stakeholders, eight on the side of the town and nine on the side of the gown, were interviewed. No strong differences were found between the perspectives of the town and the unversity. …

The Talented Tenth Revisited: Socialization And Retention For Black Junior Faculty At Hbcus, Stanley Kayron Ellis

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the socialization and retention of Black junior faculty at Historically Black College and University institutions. Tierney and Rhoads (1993) two-stage theory of faculty socialization was used as the theoretical framework for the study. To understand the socialization experiences of Black junior faculty who were in their first faculty appointments since achieving their Ph.D.s, a phenomenological approach was employed during the investigation. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with nine Black junior faculty at both private and public HBCUs to gain insight into their socialization as they experienced it at these institutions. The findings of this study revealed three …

Student Affairs Practitioners' Perceptions Of Parental Involvement, Lydia L. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

A concurrent mixed methods research design was used to investigate student affairs professionals' perceptions of parental involvement and the extent to which changes have occurred in the type, frequency, and reasons for parent-initiated contact in the past ten years. The study also investigated the degree to which graduate preparation programs provided curriculum that focused on areas previously identified as important for student affairs practice. The Perceptions of Parental Involvement Survey was created and invitations to participate were sent via e-mail to all 611 members of NASPA Region IV-West with a `professional' designation, a total of 248 completed surveys were returned. …

The Impact On Selected Students Participating In The Thomas N. Bantivoglio Honors Concentration At Rowan University, Valerie Zieniuk

Theses and Dissertations

This study reviews the impact of the Thomas N. Bantivoglio Honors Concentration on its students. The Thomas N. Bantivoglio Honors Concentration is the Honors program of Rowan University. Two hundred and eighty-one students were given the opportunity to both take the paper survey and to participate in a one-on-one interview with the researcher during the spring 2011 semester. The quantitative portion of the study found that the Honors students were making great strides in thinking analytically and learning, they were lagging behind in the elements of a successful honors program, including socialization with faculty and engaging in different styles of …

Novice Principals’ Perceptions Of Effective Leadership Practices And Their Principal Preparation Programs, Melissa Y. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine novice principals’ perceptions of effective leadership practices and the elements of their principal preparation program that prepared them for the role of school leader. A mixed-methods study was utilized by the researcher to gather quantitative data through the use of an online survey and to gather qualitative data through subsequent focus-group interviews to address the proposal’s three research questions: (a) What are the differences (if any) between the perceptions of novice elementary, middle, and high school principals regarding the five instructional leadership practices identified by Kouzes and Posner (2003; i.e., challenging the …

Teacher Retention: What Motivates Highly Qualified Urban Teachers To Stay?, Orlando B. Milligan

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide insight into what motivates highly qualified teachers to remain in urban schools. Research has shown that the single most important factor in a child’s education is the teacher. Consequently, the issues related to teacher recruitment and retention rank as serious problems facing urban schools and the achievement of their children.

The purpose of this study was to examine what motivates highly qualified teachers to remain in urban schools and to identify factors that may contribute to the retention and recruitment of an urban teaching corps. This study also sought to determine if there …

Mathematics Anxiety And The College Student, Amanda Mccloy

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to investigate whether mathematics anxiety is correlated to choice of major in college, the need to be enrolled in a remedial math course and average mathematics grades. Types of mathematical problems, statements and situations were also viewed to determine which of the latter caused the greatest anxiety among volunteers. Volunteers were given an experimenter designed mathematics anxiety survey in which they rated problems, statements and situations pertaining to math on a five-point Likert scale. Upon performance of correlations, results proved non-significant for all conditions. Thus, mathematics anxiety in this particular sample was not correlated to choice …

Service-Learning: A Study Of Faculty Attitudes At Rowan University, Rhiannon Napoli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine faculty members' service-learning attitudes and experiences at Rowan University, specifically attitudes towards the benefits of service-learning, faculty motivation for service-learning, and institutional support for service-learning. This study also examined reasons for the incorporation of service into a faculty members' curriculum, faculty members' attitudes toward possible outcomes associated with students and service-learning, as well as relationships between faculty demographics and attitudes toward service-learning. The researcher surveyed 172 faculty members at Rowan University during spring 2011. Data were collected using a 40-item survey instrument that utilized Likert scales. The collected data were statistically analyzed …

Drinking Motives And Influences Among College Students, Angela Ostapowycz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine to identify what influences college students to consume alcohol. Specifically, the research was susceptibility to social pressure and social expectations play the central role and are a major influence in college students drinking behaviors. Twenty-eight undergraduate students from various universities completed the Psycho-social Drinking Inventory. This is a scale from the College Drinking Influences Survey. Descriptive statistics were run on the scores reported on the survey to find the greatest mean score. Results yieled that social influence had the greatest impact on college students drinking behaviors. Results from the study, limitations, and …

Activism Or Apathy? Selected Student Attitudes Towards The Role Of Civic Engagement At Rowan University, Sarai Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into selected student attitudes towards the role of civic engagement at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, in spring, 2011. The study investigated the impact of selected demographic factors on civic engagement. Civic engagement levels were measured by a self-reporting survey distributed during a Student Government Association Senate meeting. The survey had four components measuring demographic factors, civic indicators, electoral indicators, and indicators of political voice. The study found correlations between Student Government Executive Board membership, petition signing, and participating in protests. Data collected by means of one focus group were analyzed …