Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons^™

At-Risk In Trio: Perceptions Of African American Male First-Generation Students, Diana Ogbevire

Masters Theses

This study employed phenomenology to explore at-risk African American male first-generation students' experiences in the TRiO Student Support Services Program (TRiO) and the role they perceived it played in their college success. Participants were six upperclassmen who were interviewed about their overall college experience, the challenges that they faced, and the role that TRiO played in helping them overcome those obstacles. Data were interpreted within a cultural capital theoretical framework, as well as, Schlossberg's Transition Theory. Findings indicated that the risk factors influencing African American male first-generation student's college experience are challenges with academics, finances, culture, and social integration. Although …

A Comparison Of Sorority And Non-Sorority Students' Perceptions Concerning Beliefs And Attitudes About Campus Safety, Victimization, And Personal Safety, Katelyn Raymond

Masters Theses

This study examined female students' perceptions of campus safety, specifically sorority woman and non-sorority women. Previous research found that women feel less safe on campus than males. However, previous research concerning female students focused on sexual assaults.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore female students' beliefs and attitudes about campus safety, victimization, and personal safety on campus. A demographic survey was used to subdivide the sample into sorority and non-sorority participants, college status (e.g. sophomore, graduate student etc.), ethnicity, whether they live on campus or off campus, age, and gender. A second survey created by Baker and …

College Senior's Utilization Of Career Center Services And Career Readiness, Carrie Ann Klaphake

Masters Theses

This quantitative study focused on the utilization of Career Center services and the correlation between utilization and three career decision-making difficulties, lack of readiness, lack of information, and intra and inter career conflict, and differences of utilization between academic colleges. The 50-item survey was administered to seniors graduating that academic year. The results indicated that seniors under-utilized Career Center services, and there was no significance found between their utilization and their career decision-making difficulties. Significance was found between academic colleges in their utilization of the Career Center. The findings suggest that seniors do not experience difficulties deciding on a …

An Examination Of Self-Esteem's Impact On The Leadership Behaviors Of Female Undergraduate Student Leaders, Allison J. Moran

Masters Theses

Self-esteem and leadership behaviors vary from individual to individual. Previous research indicates that multiple external factors influence self-esteem. Results of this study indicate that levels of self-esteem have the potential to influence leadership behaviors. This study utilized qualitative research practices to explore levels of self-esteem and leadership behaviors among female college student leaders. Six female undergraduate students at a public, four-year, midsized institution located in the Midwest were interviewed for this study. Participants included two sorority presidents, two registered student organization presidents, and two athletic captains. Results of this study indicate that self-esteem can be categorized into three areas: high, …

Examining College Faculty And Staff's Levels Of Confidence And Preparedness In Recognizing And Responding To Distressed Students, Rachel L. Chlebanowski

Masters Theses

Mental health on college campuses is a large focus, as students attending college with diagnosed mental illnesses are becoming more prevalent (Hunt & Eisenberg, 2010). While college campuses should be a safe and supportive environment for students, many faculty and staff do not know the resources available to students, nor are faculty and staff able to identify when students are suffering from a mental illness (Bateman, 1997). This study was designed to identify staff and faculty's ability to work with students with mental illness, including identifying warning signs, as well as recognizes campus resources. The study took place at a …

Perceptions Of Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations Impact On Leadership Development, Sherry Gunn

Masters Theses

Historically Black Greek - Lettered Organizations (HBGLO) have an impact on Black students at a Predominantly White Institution. As student affairs professionals, it is important to understand how these organizations affect our students and their development. This study aimed to learn how these Historically Black Greek - Lettered Organizations assisted with members gaining leadership skills, members experiences versus non - members, and members connection/ retention to the institution. The researcher conducted interviews with members of Historically Black Greek Lettered Organizations to examine the perceptions of seven participants. These participants represented four of the six Historically Black Greek Lettered Organization at …

The Perception Of Black Male Students Of Black Faculty/Staff Involvement In Mentorship At A Predominantly White Institution, B. James Griffin Jr.

Masters Theses

This research study explored the perception African American men had of mentorship, its value to their education and the effects it had on their college success at a predominantly White institution. The study further focused on the impact mentorship had on the student when the mentor was of a different race versus the same race of the student. The research was guided by the following questions: (1) What is the value of mentorships related to attending a higher education institution, (2) What factors lead Black male students to seek mentorships, (3) What are the perceived differences between mentorship with cross-race …

Accommodating Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In The Writing Center, Rebekah Barton

Masters Theses

This thesis explores how collegiate writing centers could better serve the needs of students with autism. As there is so little research that involves writing centers and college students with autism, scholarship was pulled from traditional writing center pedagogy, research concerning adults with autism, and the information that was available about teaching students with autism in the college composition classroom. A mixed methods approach was used to conduct my own research: my study involved surveys, interviews, visits, and website analysis. It became clear that not only are writing centers not ready to accommodate students with autism, but some writing center …

Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction Of Student Employees Within Campus Recreation, Dale P. Kolnitys

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the overall predictors of job satisfaction for student employees within campus recreation departments. The study centered around three main research questions, 1) what are the predicting factors of job satisfaction? 2) What, if any, differences exist based on the size of the school? 3) What, if any, differences exist based on whether the academic major is closely related to campus recreation?

The questionnaire was completed by 150 students at nine different universities. Data analysis revealed that four factors had a significant influence on job satisfaction of college students working within campus recreation. …

Student Perceptions Of Academic Advisor Effectiveness And Student Success: Factors That Matter, Madeline R. Owens

Masters Theses

This study examined students' perceptions of academic advisor effectiveness as well as perceptions of the importance of academic advising functions, in relation to the contribution these constructs have on student success as measured by GPA and continuous semester enrollment. Participants included students 18 years or older who were enrolled at the institution of interest at the time of data collection. Quantitative causal-comparative and correlational designs were utilized. A 41-item instrument was adapted with permission from Smith and Allen (2006) to measure students' perceptions of advisor effectiveness and importance of the academic advising functions. Findings indicated that a change in students' …

Same-Sex Peer Influence On Female Undergraduate Body Image Perception, Caitlyn Buchanan

Masters Theses

Regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic class, women throughout western cultures are well documented for having body image related insecurities. These insecurities can be the result of pressure to look and behave a certain way from a variety of sources including media and peers. This study explored the role that same-sex peers play in undergraduate women's perception of body image. Four undergraduate women at a public, Midwestern university who lived within campus housing were interviewed. Results of the study showed that same-sex peers did not play a significant role in the women's perception of body image. The results of this …

Comparing Persistence Of Upward Transfer And Native Students Pursuing A Bachelor's Degree, Jacob W. Deters

Masters Theses

This study, which was conducted at a rural, Midwestern, four-year, public institution, compared the predicted persistence and factors of persistence of successful upward transfer students, transfer students who started at a community college and then transferred to the four-year institution, and native students, students who start at a four-year institution. To be considered for participation in the study, subjects had to have at least one successful semester at the research site. A quantitative study was designed using Davidson, Beck, and Milligan's (2009) questionnaire which measures predicted persistence as well as ten factors of persistence, such as social integration and academic …

The Art Of Voluntelling: Research On Mandated And Altruistic Volunteers, Tyler Kalahar

Masters Theses

A comparison of mandated and altruistic volunteers that completed community service hours was conducted. Participants were enrolled at a mid-sized, mid-Western university. T-test and correlational analysis were conducted on data gathered through the Community Service Attitudinal Scale (2000). The data was used to compare and contrast the characteristics of mandated and altruistic volunteers. Mandated volunteers (M = 5.73, SD = 1.40) reported feeling like they were not making as much of an impact performing community service compared to altruistic volunteers (M = 6.61, SD = 1.17) at significance level (t(72) = 2.88, p< 0.01). Altruistic (M=6.25, SD=1.35) …

Contextual Conditions Related To The Undergraduate Experience And The Nature Of Alumni Involvement: A Qualitative Study, Kasey G. Evans

Masters Theses

The researcher used qualitative methodology to analyze the perspectives of 5 alumni of a mid-sized Midwestern institution regarding their experiences as an undergraduate at the institution and the context of their current relationship with their alma mater. Overall, participants placed a value on giving back to the organizations and groups that they were most involved with as an undergraduate. The participants do not currently give to the institution financially but would like to in the future. The study suggests that undergraduate context is vital to future involvement with the institution.

The Balancing Act Between Student Lnvolvement And Academic Performance, Rocken Roll

Masters Theses

A qualitative methodology was utilized to examine student leaders' ability to balance the responsibilities that come with being involved in extracurricular activities and their academic coursework. Through conducting one on one interviews with five participants who are current student leaders at the research site, it was found that student leaders acknowledge that time management and organizational strategies are instrumental to successfully managing their dual roles. However, not all participants were actually utilizing time management and organizational strategies in their day-to-day lives. Participants discussed motivations for involvement in extracurricular activities, positive and negative impacts of their involvement, definitions of success, time …

Resident Assistant Training And Students With High Functioning Autism, Tyler Fisher

Masters Theses

Utilizing qualitative methodology, Resident Assistants' perceptions were examined with regards to the training they receive for identifying and assisting High Functioning Autistic Students. Current Resident Assistants were interviewed and themes were developed. RA's expressed dissatisfaction with current training concerning the characteristics of this population. Specifically, participants shared the need for additional training on identifying HFA students and the referral process to disability services. Lastly, participants shared feeling strong support from supervisors; however, lack the knowledge and confidence to effectively support these students.

Understanding The Development Of Sophomore Resident Assistants, Aaron Hollis

Masters Theses

Sophomore resident assistants have to face many challenges in the position and outside of it. This study was designed in an effort to understand the development of sophomore RAs and what they might need in training to better handle the position. Through qualitative interviews with six sophomore RAs, the researcher was able to gather information that was coded to find trends that related to the research questions. The results of this study suggest that sophomore RAs are challenged to develop time management skills, they rely heavily on their staff members and supervisors for support, and they desire more hands-on training …

Being Bromo In A Heterosexual Dominated Culture: A Qualitative Approach, Nathan J. Wehr

Masters Theses

Homosexual males want to be a part of a social fraternity for the same reasons heterosexual males want to join a social fraternity, however, homosexual males going through recruitment could soon be welcomed into an environment that is not supportive of homosexual males. Studies have proven that unwelcoming and unsupportive environments can hinder identity development of males who are either homosexual, questioning their sexual identity, or bisexual (Long, 2011). This study was designed to focus on the support fraternities have for homosexual members joining fraternities and the level of support as a fraternity community. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher …

Financial Literacy: Past, Present And Future Impact On College Freshmen, Jennifer Monkman

Masters Theses

This study researched the financial literacy of first-year students relating to their personal finances and financial aid at a rural, Midwestern, four-year public institution. The participants in the study were limited to first-year students with no previous college credit. There were 97 participants in this study, with 84 participant's completing the entire survey. Results of the study indicated that overall students did have financial literacy relating to their financial aid. The results also indicated that students main and original source of financial knowledge came from their parent or guardian. Recommended for Student Affairs Professional is to create more comprehensive orientation …

Veterans' Perceptions And Use Of Student Support Services At A Midwestern University, Amanda J. Starwalt

Masters Theses

The number of student veterans on college campuses is increasing (NCVAS, 2012). There is a need to support these students, but how? Campuses must take a closer look at the student services they offer to student veterans, and how they are being utilized (McBain, Kim, Cook, & Snead, 2012). In this study, six student veterans were interviewed to better understand what resources and support student veterans utilize on campus. It was found that student veterans are similar to adult learners and bring with them experiences and responsibilities which play an important role in the support and services they utilize. Student …

College Students Self-Presentation And Online Social Networks, Lauren J. Stehlik

Masters Theses

College students are active users of social networking sites, and they share a variety of information via their profiles. Employers and graduate schools are one population viewing potential candidate's social networking profiles. This study aimed to explore graduating college students' perception of appropriate or inappropriate content on their social networking sites as they went through the job searching process. College students are users of several social networking sites; however, this study focused on users of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The researcher conducted one-on-one interviews and an online analysis site called Reppler.com with seven graduating college seniors to learn about perceptions …

The Effectiveness Of Student Success Courses On Students Enrolled In A Remedial Reading Course, Emily Walters

Masters Theses

This study examined the impact of strategies for success courses on success of students in remedial education at a rural community college. Participants included 594 students ages 17 to 51 (M = 20.03, SD = 4.25) that were enrolled in one of two remedial reading courses while concurrently enrolled in strategies for success course. A quantitative study was used to determine if students completed more terms and achieved a higher cumulative GPA, if they were enrolled in strategies for success compared to their peers that were not enrolled in a strategies for success course. Results showed that students enrolled …

Significance Of Gateway Requirements To Student Success: A Mixed Methods Approach, Ashley Rashaun Bell

Masters Theses

This study was constructed to examine Gateway's students' perceptions of the program's "extra requirements" to their success. Participants were 48 students who were successfully released from the Gateway program in the spring of 2011 and 2012 semesters. The researcher completed a mixed methods approach to receive a more in depth understanding of students' perceptions. Results suggested that students' overall perception of the Gateway program was positive, with students perceiving the program itself as the most significant to their success. Participants also viewed the program's weekly advisor meetings and study table requirements as significant to their success. Many participants cited the …

Attitudes Toward Volunteerism By Fraternity Men, Jennifer Serrano

Masters Theses

Many student organizations, such as fraternities and sororities, require members to engage in some type of civic engagement activity as a component of membership. This study focused on the motivations of fraternity men to engage in volunteerism, community service, and philanthropic work. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher conducted semi-constructed one-on-one interviews with four undergraduate fraternity men. The significance of brotherhood, the implications of mandated service, and the impact of completed service explain the various attitudes fraternity men have toward civic engagement. Recommendations for fraternity and sorority life personnel were provided to improve the quality and deepen the breadth of …

An Examination Of The Experiences Of African American Gay Men At A Predominantly White Institution: A Phenomenological Approach, Matthew David Hayes

Masters Theses

Using qualitative methodology, the researcher analyzed the lived experiences of five gay Black men at a Predominantly White Institution in a rural midsized public institution in the Midwest. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews. Common themes included: high levels of involvement, racial segregation, and the dichotomy of being Black and gay.

Black Males' Perceptions Of Parental Involvement, Influence, And Their Educational Outcomes, Victor Jones Jr.

Masters Theses

Using qualitative inquiry and methods, this study explored the effect of parental involvement and influence on Black males' educational outcomes. The participants in this study were six Black males from a mid-sized, predominately White, four-year university in the Midwest. The findings from this study suggest that parents' involvement and influence shapes the way that Black males view education, which, in tum, affects their motivation and educational outcomes. In addition, this study provides suggestions for future research, as well as recommendations for educational professionals and administrators.

First-Year First-Generation College Students And Their Transition To A University, Jennifer Lynn Stevenson

Masters Theses

Prior research has examined the ways in which first-generation students were underprepared for college life. This study looked at the expectations, self-reported preparedness, experiences, and perceived levels of family support of first year college students. This study utilized a previously administered instrument from Khanh Bui. Results from the quantitative survey were compared between those students whose parents had not gone to college, first-generation college students, and non-first-generation students. The research was conducted at a mid-sized, public, four-year institution in the Midwest. Results from this study suggest, at this particular institution, the differences between first- and non-first-generation students are not as …

Relationship Between Residence Hall Floor Plan And Social Interaction, Community, Retention, And Overall Satisfaction, Cassandra James

Masters Theses

This quantitative study focused on the relationship between residence hall floor plan types and quality of social interaction, social interaction among students, sense of community, retention, and overall level of perceived satisfaction of students at a midsized, Midwest institution. The 31 item survey was administered to on-campus students living in the residence halls to better understand the relationship between floor plan types and social interaction. The results provided a significant difference with two floor plan types for interaction among students. The findings of the present study suggest that university administrators focus on designing and renovating residence hall floor plan types …

Analysis Of Academically At-Risk Second Year Students' Perceptions Of How Campus Support Services Engage Them Via Social Media, Brad Sandefer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Student Leaders' Facebook Use, Valerie Penn

Masters Theses

Facebook and other social media have changed the way that our society communicates. As student affairs professionals, it is important to understand how this shift in communication affects our students and their development. This study aimed to learn more about how students leaders use Facebook, how they perceive Facebook, and how their leadership position has impacted their use and perception. The researcher used an electronic questionnaire, a Facebook tracking log, and a personal interview to examine the Facebook use and perceptions of eight participants. These participants represented the following groups: Greek leadership councils, orientation leaders, resident assistants, and student government. …