Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons^™

Traversing The Broken Staircase: The Experiences Of Academic Neglect For Black & Brown First-Generation College Students, Kashmeel D. Mckoena

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Although Black and Brown students are diversifying college campuses and opening doors for their families as new cohorts of first-generation collegians, they often find themselves silently dealing with the aftermath of academic neglect from U.S. secondary education. This phenomenon can be understood from extant literature as absence of reliable guidance, mentorship, resources, and support that help students persist and succeed in their academic goals. Existing explanations of grit and resilience (Duckworth et al., 2007) not only erase the existence and impact of academic neglect, but also mask the creative solutions and compensatory strategies that Black and Brown first-generation college students …

A Poetic Call For And A Reflection And Commentary On Clarity, Understanding, Hope, Courage, And Compassion, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Finding a published poem I had written as a teenager, titled “The Heavens Weep.” this article uses that poem as the basis for a commentary that reflects on the state of the world today (2026),  As a commentary, the article uses the poetic and metaphoric words in the poem as a relevant "reality check" for what is still going on today.  In essence, the commentary is about a call for Clarity, Understanding, Hope, Courage, and Compassion, or what I call Archetypal Energies, Higher Vibrational Energies that operate deep within our individual and collective psyches to creatively urge us to "see" …

Beyond Shutdown: Why Punitive Policies Fail Students With Oppositional Defiant Behaviors And What Alternative Schools Should Do Instead, Mark Barrett

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

Punitive shutdown policies at therapeutic alternative schools often do not reduce class avoidance among students with oppositional defiant behaviors. This synthesis examines why these policies do not work and proposes evidence-based alternatives. I draw on research in exclusionary discipline, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, Self-Determination Theory, and function-based intervention, as well as my daily experience as a behavioral teacher. I argue that punitive approaches fail because they misunderstand what drives oppositional behavior. Deterrence assumes students avoid class to escape work and will return if the consequences are harsh enough. In reality, students with oppositional defiant disorder are mainly motivated by resisting …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Archetypal Energies And Global Mental Health, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

As a keynote speaker at the Global Mental Health Conference 2024, held at Sophia University, Costa Mesa, CA, in-person and virtually, August 16-18, 2024, my topic was "Archetypal Energies As A Framework for Self-Empowerment and Well Being". The theme of this 2024 global conference was: Enlightened Minds, Compassionate Hearts, and Embodied Wisdom. To supplement my keynote address, I wrote this blog article titled "Archetypal Energies and Global Mental Health".

Two Identities Two Impostors One Student, Randy Valdez

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

Imposter Syndrome is a well-known psychological phenomenon characterized by a persistent feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of competence and success. While current research has identified five types of Impostor Syndrome, This synthesis offers the existence of an additional impostor type. This study aims to investigate the existence of "Impostor Two-Two-One” (ITTO), where college students coming from underrepresented backgrounds develop multiple social identities in which each social identity carries different fears of being exposed as a fraud or impostor. Data was collected in the form of structured interviews with students who identify as a combination of first-generation, low-income, and students of …

Greatness Restored: The Development Of An Alternative To Suspension Program, Matthew Jose

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

I have been fortunate enough to work with at-risk children within the youth services and education fields for over 20 years now and through this experience I have learned much about the successes and difficulties that these young people face as they navigate life and work their way toward adulthood. An at-risk youth is a child who, because of various life circumstances, is less likely to transition successfully into adulthood. This success could include in the academic realm, job readiness as well as the ability to become financially independent as an adult. In working directly with these students and their …

Reimagining First-Year Experience: Strategies For Supporting The Success Of The 21st Century Community College Student, Jennifer A. Puniello

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

Across the nation, higher education institutions are assessing and redesigning their first-year experience as efforts to retain students. Community colleges, especially, are piloting and implementing evidence-based practices that have proven to be successful at four-year institutions. Bristol Community College, located in southeastern Massachusetts, is among one of these community colleges. While the research presented in this Capstone does not address non-cognitive issues, as critical as they are to understanding student attrition, this Capstone, backed by primary research and empirical data, focuses on curricular and co-curricular pedagogy imperative to the success of first-year community college students. Using Bristol as a subject, …

Real World Application Of Cct Tools: How Reflection, Dialogue Processes And Action Research Were Used To Promote Organizational Change And Student Success In Re-Engagement Work, Kayla D. Faust

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

I started the CCT program while also beginning a new role as a Dropout Recovery Specialist, working in partnership with a local school district. I work with students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out explore alternative options to finish their high school diploma or an equivalent. As the newest member of the center, the transition into a new organization created an internal struggle in finding my place. I was also seeing opportunities to improve current routines and practices as demands from district partners were increasing. Overwhelmed by the challenges before me, I was struggling to …

Nursing Advising Using A Mooc: A Case Study, Sandra G. Nadelson, Louis S. Nadelson, Morgan Scadden, Lesa Minnick, Heather Thomas

Current Issues in Emerging eLearning

Advanced technology has moved online courses from being available to exclusively to elite students to literally being open to the general public. The proliferation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has led to expanding public access to a wide range of information including careers in health care fields. Our group developed a MOOC to assist people from around the world who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing get the information they need to be successful in the nursing program and in the profession of nursing. In this article, we describe course content, who the students were who enrolled …

Access To The Disability Supports Office By Students With Intellectual Disability In Tpsid Programs, Clare Papay, Frank Smith, Meg Grigal

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

This Fast Fact #13 examines data from the model demonstration projects focused on how many college students with disabilities access the Disability Supports Office (DSO), and what services they receive from the DSO. The findings suggest that more students are requesting services from the DSO, in general, with higher numbers being reported from 2-year institutions of higher education (IHE) than 4-year IHEs. 

Access To The Disability Supports Office By Students With Intellectual Disability In Tpsid Programs, Clare Papay, Frank Smith, Meg Grigal

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

This Fast Fact #13 examines data from the model demonstration projects focused on how many college students with disabilities access the Disability Supports Office (DSO), and what services they receive from the DSO. The findings suggest that more students are requesting services from the DSO, in general, with higher numbers being reported from 2-year institutions of higher education (IHE) than 4-year IHEs. 

Learning Considered: Emergent Design In Student Affairs, Carl F. Ericson

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This paper is an argument for how Student Affairs practitioners in Higher Education can do a better job pursuing and living up to the profession’s stated goals for student learning. It is not a balanced or thorough presentation of facts and theories and it makes no attempt to review all of the pertinent literature. It does use extensive quotations from key documents and authorities in relevant fields and those excerpts are intended not only to support the argument and display the ideas and language necessary to develop a learning centered culture, but to also point out that people working in …

Office Of Career Services And Internships: Community Engaged Employer Partnership Model, Mark Kenyon, Matthew Power-Koch

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

Students in all academic areas are prepared to achieve career success in a global society. The Office of Career Services and Internships is a strategic partner with community and employer constituents to enhance the UMass Boston experience.

Urban School Counselor Preparation Through Service Learning: Development Of Multicultural And Social Justice Awareness (Tsccain), Amy Cook, Laura Hayden

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

Given the increasing diversity in our nation’s schools and communities, preparing school counseling students to understand and address systemic inequities are instrumental in the development of counseling skills and techniques. This session will provide counselor educators with methods to implement a uniform service-learning approach to teaching school counseling field experience seminars, while incorporating ideas for developing students’ multicultural competency and social justice awareness.

Obesity Prevention Among Latino Youth: School Counselors’ Role In Promoting Healthy Lifestyles And Academic Success, Amy Cook, Laura Hayden

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

Numerous psychological and behavioral consequences of obesity have been identified, including low self-esteem, depression, and poor academic performance. Given the higher obesity rates among Latino children and adolescents compared to their white counterparts, this session will provide school counselors with specific recommendations on how to implement an obesity prevention program in a culturally-sensitive manner that promotes development of healthy lifestyles and academic success.

Minority Students On The College Track, Amy Cook, Arthur Mccann

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a student drops out of school every nine seconds, with Latino and African American students being disproportionately represented. Findings from a survey study will be discussed, including evidence-based interventions to promote college attainment among Latino and African American students.

A Social Justice Approach: Exploring Umass Boston’S Service Learning Partnership With The Boston Public Schools To Develop High School Students’ College And Career Readiness, Laura Hayden, Amy Cook, Robert Gracia, Jason Youmatz, Elizabeth Walsh

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

Through partnership with two BPS high schools, school counseling graduate students engage in service learning and participate in organized experiences that meet school needs and are coordinated with graduate students' learning goals. School counseling students meet with BPS students individually and through classroom interventions to assist in the college/career process and prepare them for post-secondary educational options. This session will describe the partnership, including direct experiences shared by graduate students.

Forging Ahead To College: Latino And African American Students’ Experiences With Their Former School Counselors, Amy Cook, Arthur Mccann

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a student drops out of school every nine seconds, with Latino and African American students being disproportionately represented. A survey-based study conducted with a diverse group of college students regarding experiences with their former high school counselor revealed evidence-based interventions that could be implemented with Latino and African American students to promote college attainment. This session will provide you with the knowledge to address impediments that Latino and African American students encounter and how to promote college access. Discussion and sharing information about various school counselor practices will be encouraged.

Obesity Prevention Among Latino Youth: School Counselors’ Role In Promoting Healthy Lifestyles, Amy Cook, Laura Hayden

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

Given the burgeoning obesity problem among Latino youth and concomitant health problems (Spiotta & Luma, 2008), school counselors have begun to recognize the need for culturally sensitive programming to promote healthy lifestyles. More theoretical, evidence-based programs are needed, however, to ensure Latino youth receive appropriate interventions and services. This study provides a review of three theoretical perspectives and obesity prevention programs with recommendations to school counselors for implementing a comprehensive obesity prevention program for Latino youth.

Latino/A English Language Learners: Closing Achievement/Opportunity Gaps To Increase College-Going Rates, Amy Cook, Rachelle Pérusse

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

By the 10th grade, 40% of adolescent Latinos/as drop out of school, with Latino/a English language learners (ELLs) dropping out at an even higher rate. A survey-based study conducted in the Northeast revealed many evidence-based interventions that school counselors implement on behalf of Latino/a ELLs to improve academic achievement. This session will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work with some of the most challenging cases involving Latino/a ELLs and how to close achievement/opportunity gaps. Discussion and sharing information about various school counselor practices will be encouraged.

Virtue Ethics In School Counseling: A Framework For Decision-Making, Felicia Wilczenski, Amy Cook

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

Virtue ethics focus on the motives that guide ethical decision making and action, and as such, are critical to the competent application of the counseling profession’s ethical codes. Knowledge of virtue ethics deepens understanding of moral responsibilities and ethical reasoning in professional practice. This paper is an overview of virtue ethics and discusses its relevance for school counselors and counselor educators.

Urban Partnerships For Educational Equity And Successful Educational Transitions., Felicia Wilczenski, Amy Cook, Katie Gray, Robert Gracia, Natalie Coady, Kennan Daniel

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

School counseling graduate students provide assistance to inner city middle and high school students to prepare them for post-secondary educational options.

Asca Code Of Ethics And The Relevance Of Eastern Ethical Theories, Amy Cook, Rick Houser

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

As schools become increasingly diverse through immigration and growth of minority groups, it is important that school counselors incorporate culturally sensitive ethical decision-making in their practice. The use of Western ethical theories in the application of professional codes of ethics provides a specific perspective in ethical decision- making, but may not provide school counselors with a broad cultural perspective. We discuss the use of Eastern theories of ethics (Taoism and Hinduism) and their relevance to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors to inform school counselors’ work with Asian immigrant students.

How Service Learning Addresses The Mental Health Needs Of Students In Urban School, Felicia Wilczenski, Amy Cook

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

Service learning promotes social-emotional and academic development through active engagement in community activities. It empowers students to think beyond themselves and to develop a commitment to serve others. In so doing, service learning builds connections with school and community that are critically important in urban settings. This paper links key components of effective mental health programs in urban schools with service learning.

Retaining Students Of Color: The Office Of Ahana Student Programs At Boston College, Donald Brown

Trotter Review

On September 1, 1978, I assumed responsibility for what was then known as the Office of Minority Student Programs at Boston College. The charge given to me was to alter an embarrassingly high attrition rate of 83 percent for a target group of black and Latino students who had been identified by the university's Admissions Office as having high levels of motivation and potential, but who would require assistance if they were to succeed at the university.

Over the course of the past sixteen years, a great deal has transpired at Boston College. An important change was made in the …

Role Models And Mentors For Blacks At Predominantly White Campuses, Clarence G. Williams

Trotter Review

Educators must begin to revisit the topic of mentoring and role models in higher education, especially as it relates to blacks at predominantly white college campuses. There are two major facets of this topic; namely, the existence of role models and mentors for young black administrators, faculty members, and students at predominantly white campuses; and, the objectives and goals of providing role models and mentors for these individuals.

An Interview With Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, Director Of The Center For Strategic Urban Community Leadership, Rutgers University, Harold Horton

Trotter Review

This article is an interview with Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, who was the Director of the Center for Strategic Urban Community Leadership at Rutgers University at the time.