Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons^™

A Program Evaluation Of A University Volunteer Program, Stacey Patricia Jaksa

Masters Theses

The present study was created to explore the phenomenon of volunteerism as it relates to integrated learning by showcasing a "best practice" in implementing a service-learning or volunteer program at an institute of higher education. Central Michigan University has been nationally recognized for its Volunteer Center program and through a mixed methods design the present study evaluated the program using qualitative and quantitative data collected by the researcher. The study was guided by four primary research questions:

1. What are student perceptions of the Volunteer Center and the programs it offers
2. What is the value, if any, that students and/or alumni …

The Impact Of Mentoring African-American Males During Their Undergraduate Experience, Ivan D. Blount

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present qualitative study was to examine mentoring relationships for African American males enrolled at a predominately white university. Study participants met the following criteria: (1) African American male; and (2) senior class status based on earned academic credits. Characteristics such as prior enrollment at other institutions, age at the time the study was conducted, and degree program enrollment were not identified criteria. The findings of the present study include the perceptions of the impact of mentoring on the persistence, involvement in the cocurriculum, relationships with formal and informal mentors, and , in general, their successfulness ( …

Flowers In Bloom: The Experiences Of African American Undergraduate Single Mothers At A Predominantly White Institution, Erika C. Weaver

Masters Theses

Little research has been done to examine the experiences of African American undergraduate single mothers. Because of this, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of African American undergraduate single mothers at a Predominantly White Institution. Prior research identified the following themes: African American women in higher education, single mothers in higher education, welfare reform, and support systems. A qualitative study was conducted to gain an in depth understanding of five women's perceptions of their experiences at Fields University. Individual interviews were conducted with five student mothers, each of whom had one child living with her. …

Freshmen Perceptions Of Academic Support In The Residence Halls, Katherine E. Schmidt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of freshmen students on the subject of academic support in the residence halls. Prior research in the field indicated there are many different approaches to academic support in the residence halls such as the professional and resident assistant staff, academic programming as well as the physical environment, and exploring living learning community programs. The prior research also indicated the need to identify the unique millennial generational needs as well as the goals of integrative learning. A qualitative study was conducted in three focus group settings to gain an understanding of …

Undergraduate Leadership Development Perceptions, Jordan Baumgardner

Masters Theses

Since the founding of America's first institution of higher education in 1636, one of our primary purposes has been to develop leaders. There is a plethora of literature focused on leadership, yet there is a dearth of literature from the perspectives of student. The purpose of the present study was to understand how undergraduate student leaders defined leadership, their perceptions of how they experience this phenomenon, and how they perceive their development ofleadership skills and abilities. Through a mixedmethod approach, this study sought to understand leadership from the students' perspectives. Findings from the present study suggest that a single definition …

Student Athlete: From Recruitment To The Academic, Athletic, & Social Experiences, Moetiz Y. Samad

Masters Theses

Student-athletes in the present study seemed more athlete-students in that they were consistently more concerned about their athletic performance than their academic performance. With the number of road trips and early scheduled classes, students freed up their mid-afternoons to late evenings for the respective sport of which they were a part of. By conducting such research, a number of different elements became clearer during the researcher's efforts to find out why an athlete chooses a specific institution, the nature of his or her overall university experience, and the interpersonal relationships college athletes make throughout the course of their undergraduate careers.

Increasing Male Volunteering One Motivation At A Time, Matthew C. Nance

Masters Theses

Much research had shown that men volunteer at a lesser rate than women do. Additionally, research had shown that the motivations to volunteer differ for each gender. Two samples of college students who participated in single day service projects were surveyed using the Volunteer Functions Inventory-an instrument that assesses the importance of six possible motivations that range from a focus on others to a focus on gains for one's self-by the Student Community Service office. The data from the VFI was divided along gender lines to see to which motivations millennial males adhered. In an effort to further understand the …

The Impact Of A Sociology Career Planning Seminar On Students' Perceptions Of Career Barriers, Career Decision-Making Difficulties And Career Decision Self-Efficacy, Wendy M. Downing

Masters Theses

This study examined a sociology career planning seminar's impact on students' perceptions of barriers to career planning, career decision-making difficulties and career decision self-efficacy during the fall 2010 semester. Students enrolled in the career seminar were placed into the treatment group, while students enrolled in a sophomore sociology course were placed in the control group. The Perceptions of Barriers Scale - Modified Version (Luzzo & McWhirter, 2001), the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (Gati, Krausz & Osipow, 1996) and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy. Scale- Short Form (Betz, Klein, & Taylor, 1996) were used to determine the impact of the course. Paired …

The Role Of Mindfulness In Academic Stress, Self-Efficacy, And Achievement In College Students, Brian D. Brausch

Masters Theses

This study was designed to assess the predictive quality of specific measures toward academic success in college students. In particular, high school grade point average, (GPA), American College Testing exam scores (ACT), academic stress, academic self-efficacy, and mindfulness measures were used as independent variables to determine their predictive significance toward undergraduate fall 2010 semester GPAs. Data from 268 undergraduate students at Midwestern university were collected and analyzed. Results revealed significant predictive quality of high school GPA and academic self-efficacy toward undergraduate performance. However, ACT scores, academic stress, and mindfulness measures were not found to be predictive of undergraduate semester GPAs. …

A Study Of Psychological Sense Of Community Within Living-Learning Environments, Jacob R. Hanley

Masters Theses

The present study measured the level for Psychological Sense of Community (PSOC) using the Sense of Community Index 2 (SCI-2) inside various living-learning communities at a medium sized, mid-western public university. It compared the PSOC scores with various demographic characteristics that were measured with the PSOC instrument. Based on responses of 455 participants, there were significant differences between size of living-learning communities and the PSOC levels they demonstrated. There were no significant differences between sex of participants and demonstrated PSOC levels. There were also minor differences between race, age, year, time lived on campus, and time in current residence hall …

Transition Of Freshmen Student Athletes, Jessica R. Leach

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to explore the transition of first-time, first-year freshmen student athletes to the collegiate setting. By looking at student learning outcomes as defined by their behaviors in critical domains (i.e., critical thinking, self-awareness, communication, diversity, citizenship, membership and leadership, and relationships), the study evaluated the differences between student athletes and non-athlete students at a specific institution and then compared student athletes at that institution to their peers across the nation. Differences were found in all domains between the student athletes and non-athlete students at the researched institution, and differences were found between this institution's …

Does Quantitative Or Qualitative Data Lower Stigma Of Those Suffering From Schizophrenia?, Fred A. Washburn

Masters Theses

This study examines social tolerance and support for legal coercion for people suffering from schizophrenia. Mental illness, defined as a biomedical illness, has decreased stigma and support for legal coercion for other mental illnesses but has the inverse relationship with schizophrenia (Phelan, Yang, Cruz-Rojas, 2006; Schnittker, 2008). This increase in stigma may be linked to scientific quantitative data that places the illness in control of the person. The study examines Eastern Illinois University students' (N=130) level of social tolerance and support for legal coercion for people suffering from schizophrenia after they have been exposed to qualitative data, quantitative data, or …

Student Perceptions Of A Special Admissions Program: The Boost Program, Jessica Elizabeth Rinkel

Masters Theses

This study was designed to understand the perception of a special admissions program, the BOOST Program, through the voices of students who successfully completed the program and continued their academic career at Eastern Illinois University or left the institution for various reasons after completing BOOST Program requirements. The researcher conducted one on one interviews with a selected sample of former BOOST students using qualitative, phenomenological methods (Johnson & Christensen, 2004; Lichtman, 2010) regarding their perceptions of BOOST Program components. Interviews were examined for significant statements, which led to thematic units, and in tum led to four major themes: support, personal …

Eulalee Anderson: Pioneer In International Student Programs At Eastern Illinois University, Bria Phillips

Masters Theses

Eulalee Anderson, a higher education scholar and leader in the office of international students and scholars spent her days tending to the development and support of international students attending college in the United States, specifically at Eastern Illinois University. Born in Port Alegre, Brazil in 1919, she earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Oklahoma and three masters degrees at Eastern Illinois University. The majority of her professional career was at Eastern Illinois University where she first worked in Booth Library at the circulation desk and later joined what was then called the International Programs office as the international …

Perceptions Of Body Image: A Study Of College Women In Sororities And Not In Sororities, Amy L. Piekarski

Masters Theses

College students, especially women, experience several extreme changes during their undergraduate years. These changes occur in areas of physical development, mental capacity, personality expression, and interpersonal relationship development. With these women leaving home and trying to find their place and fit in at their new institution, they seek out various groups of people and organizations to join. One group or organization that many college women engage in is sorority membership. To date, minimal research has been conducted to investigate whether membership in a sorority has a negative or positive effect on their self images. The purpose of the present study …

The Impact Of Remedial Coursework On Transfer Student Success, Cathy Lee Feely

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the academic achievement and retention of community college transfer students. The research looks at how non-transferrable coursework effects transfer students' academic success based on grade point average. Gender, ethnicity, and type of community college attended are factors all considered in the study. The sample of students being studied are all undergraduate students a Midwestern four year comprehensive university that transferred from an Illinois community college. The research indicates that students who have completed non-transferrable courses at the community college have greater academic success based on grade point average at the university than those without non-transferrable courses. …

Moving Through Autonomy Toward Interdependence: The Relationship Between Chickering And Reisser's Third Vector And Stephen Covey's Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People, Christopher M. Pahl

Masters Theses

This study assessed college student levels of autonomy as measured by The Iowa Developing Autonomy Inventory (Hood & Jackson, 1986), and their perception of their mastery of the seven habits of highly effective people as measured by the Covey Seven Habits Self Profile (Covey, ND) . The Iowa inventory consists of six subscales consisting of 15 items each; mobility, time management, money management, interdependence, emotional independence - Peers and emotional independence - Parents. The Seven Habits profile consists of nine three-item categories; emotional bank account, life balance, be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think …

Evaluation Of College Counseling Websites Regarding Suicide Prevention/Depression Referral Services, Heather L. Zike

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to (1) determine if the 12 public colleges and universities within the state of Illinois contained information on their counseling websites in regards to topics of depression and suicide (2) examine if the websites contained self-evaluations for depression (3) determine if the website contains external links that are highly regarded informative links for depression and suicide among college students, (4) information for faculty/ staff to make referrals, and (5) information for family and loved ones to make referrals.

Separate But Equal?: The Experiences Of African American Female Graduate Students In A College Student Affairs Program, Leah Reeves

Masters Theses

Little research has been done exploring the experiences of African American women in graduate studies. Because of this, the purpose of the study was to examine the experiences of African American, female, graduate students in a College Student Affairs program. The participants were two African American, graduate students currently enrolled in a College Student Affairs program at a liberal arts, comprehensive institution in the Midwest. Data collection techniques included an in-depth interview in which participants responded to questions about their experiences in the program with regards to their interactions with classmates, professors, and other professionals in the field. The researcher …

The Perceived Influences Of Campus Living Environments On Male Identity Development, Nathaneal R. Pauley

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the traditional studies related to college male development in relation to men's perceptions of their living environments. Prior research in the field of male development identified male studies and gender identity, male gender role conflict, hegemonic masculinity and behavioral issues in college as important concepts to consider when conducting research with college men. A qualitative study was conducted to gain an understanding of five men's perceptions of their own masculinities, as well as their thoughts on single-sexed and mixed-sex campus living environments. General themes and categories from participant responses were critically evaluated …

A Queer Network: The Effects Of Lgbt Student Organizations On Self-Acceptance In College Students, Justin L. Schuch

Masters Theses

Institutions of higher education in the United States are experiencing the unique challenge of supporting their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) students at a time when their identity development has been well researched. Researchers have shown that the suicide rates among LGBT individuals are comparatively higher than those of their heterosexual counterparts. Many colleges and universities support their LGBT students via a network of other community members through LGBT student organizations on campus. To date, minimal research has been conducted to investigate whether membership in these student organizations is actually beneficial to LGBT members, as well as what participants …

Perceptions Of Challenges To Retaining African American Male Graduate Students In Higher Education, Leeantwann S. Mccline

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of the present study was to explore issues relevant to challenges faced by African American male graduate students who attend Eastern Illinois University, with particular attention given to retention issues and challenges that serve as both support and barriers. The sample population for the present study consisted of African American male graduate students admitted during the fall 2009 semester. At the time of the study, these students had been accepted and enrolled fulltime in a degree program offered by the Eastern Illinois University Graduate School. Qualitative inquiry facilitated the ascertaining of perceptions, myths, and descriptions of the …

A Qualitative Study Of Women In Student Government At A Midsize Comprehensive University, Mary A. Ham

Masters Theses

The present qualitative case study examined women's participation in student government at a mid-size comprehensive university of 12,000 students, with a focus on either their leadership experiences in student government or lack thereof. A review of literature revealed that for women to succeed in male driven atmospheres a female role model was necessary to help combat both negative perceptions of female leader stereotypes and perceptions that men traditionally hold leadership roles.

Seven female students who are either currently serving or had recently served on student government were interviewed for the study. Students were interviewed about their participation and perceptions about …

Gender Identity Development In Male Student Leaders At A Midwestern University, Kolin R. Straub

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning that college male student leaders make of their gender development. Grounded theory methodology was used to gather information through in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed to form a working model of the data found. Participants were males in elected leadership positions. The study took place at a comprehensive mid-size Midwestern Public University.

Findings indicated participants felt an increased sense of responsibility from being in a leadership positions. They believed that respect, responsibility, and accountability were key factors in leadership. The participants constructed an ideal male that included breadwinning for a household, …

An Analysis Of Sorority Women's Perceptions Of Recruitment In A Deferred And Non Deferred Setting, Kathleen Elizabeth Drake

Masters Theses

This purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of sorority members in relation to their experience during the recruitment time period they rushed at two different universities. One university held deferred recruitment before second semester classes resumed in January, and the other permitted recruitment during a one week period following Labor Day in the first semester of the academic year. A qualitative study was conducted to gather in-depth perceptions of sorority women on their recruitment process. General themes and categories from focus groups participants' responses were critically evaluated. The findings of this study suggest that the non-deferred sorority …

Fraternity Member's Perceptions Of The Benefits And Limitations Of On-Campus, University-Owned Fraternity Housing And Off-Campus, Chapter-Owned Fraternity Housing, Erin Therese Morettes

Masters Theses

This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of fraternity members in relation to their experience living in off-campus, chapter-owned fraternity housing and on-campus, university-owned fraternity housing. The fraternity resided in an off-campus chapter house for several decades and recently relocated to a housing facility provided by the university. General theme emerging from participants' responses were critically evaluated based on prior research. The findings of this study suggested that the participant's perceived on-campus housing to be an overall better living environment than off-campus housing in the areas of academic success, residential community, and student persistence and engagement. …

Academic Responsibility Among College Football Players, Terry J. Coleman Jr.

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to examine the academic integrity of student athletes. It is a common perception that student athletes are not capable of being committed to their own academic success. From the results, there seemed to be a relationship between being accepted and supported by faculty and advisors, and a positive experience in the classroom. However, the results of the data showed that the junior class football players had a less positive academic experience compared to the :freshman, sophomore, and senior football players.

Faculty Fellows: Academic Initiatives Within The Residential Learning Communities At Eastern Illinois University, Denika L. Wilson

Masters Theses

The present study is a qualitative assessment of the current Faculty Fellows program at Eastern Illinois University. The Faculty Fellows program was created to promote academic excellence and individualized attention to foster student retention both in the residence halls and at the University. Since the implementation of the Faculty Fellows program in 2004, there has been no formal evaluation of the current program. The present research will help fill this gap in knowledge about faculty-student interaction. A qualitative study was conducted using two focus groups and two groups of individual interviews following a semi-structured protocol. The focus groups and two …

Does Eastern Illinois University Meet The Foundational Needs Of Nontraditional Undergraduate Students, Peggy A. Brown

Masters Theses

Nontraditional undergraduate students are one of the fastest growing segments of .the student population on college campuses today. The purpose of this study was to discover if a sample of nontraditional undergraduate students perceived that Eastern Illinois University, a traditional, residential university, was meeting their foundational support needs.

A selected set of nontraditional undergraduate students completed an online survey about their perceptions of financial needs, medical and mental health needs, and use of general student support services on campus. Three open-ended response items asked respondents what Eastern Illinois University could do to improve program delivery, enhance services to adult students, …

Idealized Female Leadership Style: An Exploration Of Female Residence Hall Directors' Perceptions When Leading Male Staff Members, Laura P. Vietmeyer

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to explore female residence hall directors' perceptions of leadership style when leading a group of male resident assistants. This study was done specifically with female residence hall directors in the residence hall setting. Their thoughts on the ideal female leader and their own leadership styles were also explored through semi-structured interviews to ensure that the data were comparable across participants and to allow for flexibility to further explore topics that came up during the interviews.

The researcher discovered how the female residence hall directors viewed themselves as leaders and how they perceived their …