Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons^™

An Examination Of Areas Of Involvement That Foster Student Retention, Abigail L. Ford

Masters Theses

Campus involvement has been proven to improve the persistence of students through college. This qualitative study was designed to learn if there are certain areas of involvement that are more influential to creating a perceived sense of belonging for students and in turn influencing their persistence. Using a qualitative approach the researcher gathered narratives from four undergraduate students who were involved in varying out-of-class activities and analyzed the resulting data for important themes. Three major themes emerged which were importance of involvement, connectedness to the university, and employment. The results indicated that being involved in extracurricular activities is influential in …

Satisfaction And Importance Analysis Of Features And Services To Nontraditional Students: A Mixed Methods Approach, Denise E. Corray

Masters Theses

The study examined the importance and satisfaction to nontraditional students (NTS) with features and services offered at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). Participants included students over age 25 who were currently or recently enrolled at the university at the time of data collection. A triangulation mixed-methods approach was utilized; a 40-item instrument was created to measure NTSs' EIU experience. Findings indicated that Instructors' knowledge of course content, Overall quality of instruction, Relevancy of subject matter taught in classes I attend, Cost of tuition to attend EIU, and Clarity of degree requirements were the most important to NTS at EIU. Participants were …

The Prevalence, Reasons, And Effects Of Hazing On Female Student Athletes, Danielle Steffa

Masters Theses

The present study was designed to understand the prevalence, reasons, and effects of hazing on female student athletes at a midsized, Midwest institution. Hazing is defined as any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotions and/or physical harm, regardless of that person's willingness to participate (Gersehel, Katz-Sidlow, Small, & Zandieh (2003). By using a modified survey done by Hoover (1999) and Allan and Madden (2008), the frequency, reasons why female athletes believe hazing happens, and any effects felt by these athletes was measured. Results showed there are many types of hazing behaviors that are …

Impact Of Masculinity On Undergraduate Men's Perceptions Of Bullying And Help-Seeking, Michael King

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Mid-Level Student Affairs Professionals' Interpretations Of Obama's 2020 Educational Goals, Shane Thomas

Masters Theses

Utilizing qualitative methodology, participants' perceptions were examined to understand midlevel professionals' and their interpretations and understandings of Obama's 2020 Educational Goals utilized by the six participants. Through conducting one-on-one interviews with mid-level professionals at a Community College and Four-Year College, it was found that participants had some knowledge of Obama's Goals. Participant's found that Obama's Goals play a huge factor in Financial Aid, Accountability, Retention, and Access for students who chose to pursue a degree in higher education. Participants recommended further professional development to become better assets to their department and the students they serve, educate students about Financial Aid …

Community College To A Four-Year Institution: Transition For Underrepresented Students, Sarah Adams

Masters Theses

Many four-year public institutions are experiencing increasing enrollment of students transferring from community colleges. For this qualitative assessment, six underrepresented students who transferred from a two-year community college to a four-year public institution were interviewed to examine both support and risk factors that underrepresented students experienced during and after the transition process. Findings showed that underrepresented students' common influential factors were finances, location, family/parental support, motivation and preparedness. The data revealed that underrepresented students experienced support from family, friends, TRIO, faculty and counselors while transitioning from community college. Risk factors that were revealed for underrepresented students at community college and …

The Path Into Student Affairs: How Undergraduate Experiences Influence Students To Pursue A Career In Student Affairs, Bryce Jacob Reuer Gergely

Masters Theses

The career field of Student Affairs is one that most individuals know nothing about until coming to college when they have the chance to interact with professionals in the field. How exactly do individuals come to be professionals in student affairs? This study looks to answer that question through the examination of nine individuals in various stages of the process into Student Affairs, analyzing their experiences throughout their undergraduate career. Special focus is given to experiences during participants' undergraduate education, influences on their decision to pursue Student Affairs as a career, and how interactions with Student Affairs professionals played a …

The Experiences Of Community College Student Athletes, Holly Nichols

Masters Theses

Due to the scarce amount of research and prior literature regarding community college student athletes, the experiences regarding this group's athletics, academics, and social realms was investigated. This unique group is constantly forced to balance the time demands of academics and athletics, among other areas, at a level much more different than Division I student athletes. The results of the present study indicated that although community college student athletes may not compete at the same level as student athletes at the Division I level, the time demands, levels of support received, and academic behaviors are all similar in many ways. …

Exploring The Relationship Between Self-Reported Religiosity And Alcohol Usage Among Undergraduate Students, Angelica Maria Bradley

Masters Theses

Alcohol usage is one of the greatest high-risk behaviors that institutions face today. In this study, 166 undergraduates were surveyed to explore the relationship between their religiosity and alcohol usage. The data revealed that religious students drink less than unsure or spiritual students, supporting the Social Identity Theory, which suggests that a group a student most identifies with influences them the greatest. The study also suggests that we should seek to understand this relationship, which can lead to a better understanding of why students use alcohol, and therefore, a step closer to helping them succeed where it matters most.

Qualitative Exploration Of The Influential Factors That Impact Black Students Access To College, Kortney Jones

Masters Theses

The study examined the educational, psychological, and social factors both favorable and unfavorable that impact Black students access to college. Participants consisted of a combination of undergraduate and graduate students from either a mid-size or large Midwestern institution of higher education. A qualitative approach was taken through focus groups to collect data. The findings reported students have feelings of preparedness and underpreparedness for college regarding educational factors; feelings of discrimination/racism, feelings of White counterparts being better prepared, feelings of competitive motivation to excel, and feelings of unpreparedness for ACT regarding psychological factors; and lastly regarding social factors participants reported feelings …

A Phenomenological Approach To Understanding The S.T.R.O.N.G. Mentoring Program: An African-American Male Retention Program At A Midsize Predominantly White Institution, Glenn L. Herring

Masters Theses

Using phenomenological inquiry, the purpose of this present research was to explore the phenomena of the African-American undergraduate male experience in a retention program at a Midsize Midwestern predominantly White institution. Through data analysis the principle researcher examined the perceptions of the participants to understand the impact of the program. The participants accounted for their shared experiences as being a part of the S.T.R.O.N.G. MENtoring program during the 2011-2012 academic school year. Collectively the participants articulated a greater sense of awareness to their self-perception due their socialization at the site location. The participants also warranted feelings of confirmation biases, an …

Perceptions And Expectations Of Residence Halls, Christopher M. Hardin

Masters Theses

The study examined perceptions of the residence halls, how those changed over the course of the first semester living in a residence hall, and how the residence halls were meeting the needs of the students. The experimenter utilized the past literature of Arthur Chickering and Linda Reisser (1993) regarding vectors of student development and the work on human needs written by Abraham Maslow (1943). Nine undergraduate students were randomly chosen during orientation days and interviewed about their perceptions of campus. Two follow-up interviews occurred to examine how perceptions changed over the course of a semester. Participants initially expressed concern with …

Perceived Persistence Factors For African American Students At A Predominantly White Institution, Aaron D. White

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine what resources, persistence factors, and motivational factors influenced African American students matriculation at a PWI located in the Midwest. The participants in this study were six African American seniors or recent graduates of a mid-sized, four-year university in the rural Midwest. Motivation, persistence, and resources are each connected to one another and as students identified factors in each area it was evident that together they all influence the overall success, which is completing their undergraduate degree, in significant ways. The results of this study provided a personal look into areas which …

Perceptions Of International Orientation, Payge Schagemann-Jones

Masters Theses

Using qualitative methodology, the researcher analyzed the perspectives of students attending a mandatory Office of International Students and Scholars, sponsored orientation. One week after classes started, four international students and one observer were interviewed on their perceptions regarding the orientation. Themes such as cultural adjustment, understanding professors, prejudice and discrimination, academic advising, and structured entry were presented.

Effectiveness Of Diversity Training: A Mixed Methods Approach To Evaluating A Residence Life Staff Training Program, Alex Dresen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Service Learning And Social Justice: A Qualitative Study Of International Service Learning And Students' Perceptions Of Social Inequality, Sara Boro

Masters Theses

Using qualitative methodology the researcher analyzed the perspectives of students on service trips taken to Haiti by the Newman Catholic Center in (1) educating students about social injustice and (2) cultivating a desire for students to advocate for social change. Overall participants were impacted by their experience in Haiti. Participants articulated a deeper awareness and understanding of social inequality and of their own privilege. Participants also communicated a commitment to continue service, change their career plans and change their lifestyles. Student development occurred in three phases including pre-departure, experience, and re-entry. Engaged preparation, reflection, consequential connection, and human connection were …

Seventy Years Of The African American Male Experience At Eastern Illinois University, Rovion D. Reed

Masters Theses

Using qualitative methodology the researcher analyzed the lived experiences of seven African American men who attended Eastern Illinois University over the past seven decades including one who is currently enrolled. Data was collected by conducting archival research as well and semi-structured interviews. Overall participants reported having good experiences at Eastern Illinois University. The participants' experiences were categorized into seven themes including faculty or staff relations, race relations, intra-racial relations, campus involvement, mentoring, campus climate, and Black Greek organizations. In addition, minor themes were also discovered including only-ness, lowered expectations, positive influence of student organizations, and sense of care from mentors.

A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Resident Assistant Position And Occupational Stress And Burnout, Kelsey J. Brandt

Masters Theses

Utilizing qualitative methodology, participants' perceptions were examined to understand Resident Assistants' (RA) roles in relation to occupational stress and burnout, and the different coping mechanisms utilized by each of the six participants. Through conducting one-on-one interviews with RAs, it was found that participants experienced occupational stress and burnout from several influencers within the position. Participant's occupational stress was influenced by relational stress, administrative stress, boundary stress, and staff stress. Residents, administrative tasks/repetitiveness, staff, and recognition lead to feelings of burnout. Participants recommended taking personal time, maintaining social support, and avoiding procrastination as coping strategies for managing occupational stress and burnout. …

Hyper-Gender Roles In Relation To Sexual Aggression, Jaclyn May D'Andrea

Masters Theses

This study analyzes sexual aggression according to hyper-gender roles and fraternity/sorority membership at a midsize, midwestern university. The question examined through the research was whether hyper-gender roles affect an individual's sexual experience and whether fraternity and sorority communities are more likely to endorse hyper-gender roles. Secondly, it researched the risk factors behind fraternity and sorority groups through membership and traditions concerning these groups such as hypermasculinity male bonding and desensitization of sorority women. Hypermasculinity, hyperfemininity, and sexual aggression were collected using Koss and Gidycz (1985) Sexual Experience Survey, Mosher and Sirkin (1984) Hypermasculinity Inventory and Murne and Byrne (1991) Hyperfemininity …

Students' Consumption Of Healthy Food Items Using A Social Marketing Intervention, Kayla Autumn Dalton

Masters Theses

This study was an analysis of student eating habits in an "all-you-care-to-eat" dining center at a mid-size, four year, Midwest residential institution. The present, quantitative study was replicated based off a study conducted in 2008 at a similar Midwest university by Diana Poovey Duncan. The present study examined college students' (n = 218) eating habits and consumption patterns over a nine-week study period. Participants were solicited to take the pre-intervention survey in person with incentives during the second week of the study while a post-intervention survey was sent electronically during the seventh week only to those whom provided an …

Use Of Community College Student Services And Student Success Outcomes, Lori Beth Morrissette

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to utilize the 2010 Community College Survey of Student Engagement data and enrollment data from a rural mid-sized community college in Illinois, to examine the use of student services on student success outcomes, specifically cumulative grade point average and program completion rate. This research presents findings on student cumulative grade point average and program completion rate compared to how often students used each of the following selected student services: academic advising/planning, career counseling, job placement assistance, financial aid advising, campus computer labs, and transfer credit assistance.

The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine …

College Women And Body Image Perception: The Influence Of Peers, Television, And Print Media, Sarah J. Knapp

Masters Theses

This study sought to identify how college women's image of self and their bodies are impacted by their peers, as well as by television and print media. The findings were based on qualitative research methodology by conducting in-depth interviews with four college-aged women at a rural, Midwestern university.

The findings were not substantially different from other researchers findings on women in previous literature. The women in this study faced similar problems that other women had encountered before them: peer influence, body image dissatisfaction, their own college development path, and how they perceive their body image in comparison to other women. …

Student Organization Advisors: What Role Do Advisors Play And How Are They Trained?, Tyler J. Micek

Masters Theses

The position of a Registered Student Organization faculty or staff advisor is one that encompasses a wide variety of roles; these roles are ever changing based on the situation and the students involved. With each faculty and staff advisor bringing a different set of previous knowledge and experience, advisors may not be fully prepared for all aspects of the job. Some come in with the knowledge of the organization or an understanding of the goals of the organization, but they are not familiar with the operating procedures at the institution or have any background in student development or group dynamics. …

An Examination Of Student Motivation For Participation In Alcohol Culture On A College Campus, Daniel John Amato

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine students' self-identified motivation for participation in alcohol culture at a public, mid-sized, four-year institution. Quantitative data was collected through administration of the Situational Motivation Scale to students who were sanctioned to complete an alcohol education course as a result of an alcohol policy violation during the fall semester of 2012. Data were analyzed to discover what type of motivation (intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and amotivation) was most influential in participants' decision to consume alcohol. Analyses were then carried out to discover what relationship exists between the types of motivation, …

A Phenomenological Analysis Of The Perceptions Of Housing Staff's Current Practices And Aspirational Desires Of Managing Mental Health Needs On A College Campus, Rebecca Maday

Masters Theses

Housing staffs perceptions were analyzed concerning current practices for identifying and managing mental health needs in residence halls. Six participants were interviewed, including undergraduate resident assistants and graduate hall directors. The results showed that there are four major themes when dealing with mental health training at a large four-year, primarily residential public school. Themes included Training Information, Improvements for Training, Interpersonal Feelings, and Barriers for Referral. Themes and implications for student affairs professionals were discussed.

The Grass Isn't Always Greener: A Qualitative Study Of Indian International Students Attending A Comprehensive University, Alison R. Adams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this present study was to explore the problems that Indian subcontinent students who participated in international study programs encountered in their travel abroad. Using a qualitative research methodology, four graduate-level Indian students were interviewed via a semi-structured interview protocol. Participants were asked to share problems they were currently facing or had faced while studying at a midsized, comprehensive institution in the Midwest.

Using cross-comparative analysis, verbal interview data were analyzed for common codes and categories and were then grouped into themes. Five themes were apparent: Homesickness, Culture Shock, Discrimination, Language Barriers and Educational Differences, and Other Issues. …

Transitions From High School To College: A Study Of Pre-College And College Influences On Retention, Britteny Lynn Alspach

Masters Theses

The transition from high school to college was examined through the voices of twelve participants' perspectives. The male and female focus group participants were divided into two groups; freshmen and sophomores, respectively. A series of 13 questions were posed inquiring about what Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has done to facilitate their transition into the collegiate atmosphere. The findings consist of a comparison section along with a section dedicated to pointing out any areas of differences with regards to their responses. Participants expressed that frequent interactions with folks that either were enrolled at EIU or were a current member of the …

The Value Of Student Services And Activities At A Large, Rural, Two-Year College In The Midwest, Andrea E. Bright

Masters Theses

In order to assist in the development and growth of students to reach their maximum potential research into what services and activities students perceive as valuable was conducted. The purpose was to explore student's relations between the perceived value of student services/activities and the knowledge, use, and value of student services and activities. The literature expresses that many factors affect a student's experience at college. Student involvement occurs through many facets, academics, socialization, and environment. Student satisfaction with these factors impact student success or failure. The research demonstrates that students need interactions with the college community in order to facilitate …

Technology Mediated Recruitment: An Exploration Of How Students Used Social Media To Choose College, Ashley Nicole Cooper

Masters Theses

This qualitative study explored the use of social media as a tool to recruit prospective college students. Social media was defined as any electronic media that serves as a networking tool with the ability to educate prospective and current college students about an institution of higher education (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc.). The researcher met with two focus groups comprised of current college students to discuss their use of social media during their college search process.

Recommendations were developed for student affairs professionals and for future research. General themes and categories from participant responses were evaluated. The findings suggest that …

Bridging The Gap: How Students And Academic Advising Professionals View Academic Advising, Levi Kosta-Mikel

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to examine disparities between students and academic advising professionals with the importance placed on and the satisfaction with 12 research based functions of academic advising in order to promote the formation of higher quality mentoring relationships between students and advisors. The current study was a modified replication of research conducted by Smith and Allen (2006) and Allen and Smith (2008). Past research has shown that high quality relationships between students and their advisors promote higher retention and graduation rates among students (Campbell & Nutt, 2008; McArthur, 2005; Pizzolato, 2008; Sayles & Shelton, 2005; …