Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons^™

Time To Reassess: Campus Programming In The First Six Weeks And Its Impact On Belonging For First-Time Students, Joe Smith

Masters Theses

Research has shown that a student’s first six weeks of college have a strong impact on the rest of their college experience. Because of this, institutions concentrate programming efforts in the first six weeks of the academic year to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for their first-time students. However, little research has been done on this topic in recent years. This quantitative study sought to examine first-time student event attendance in the first six weeks of the academic year and its impact on sense of belonging, which has been shown to be an important factor of the college experience. …

Block Schedules In Virginia Schools: Purposes, Outcomes, And Policy Considerations, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Jamelle Simmons, Xun Liu, Martin Darby, Crystal R. Bell, Shelby Garofalo, Obed Boateng, Wendy Rodgers, Audrina Farrar, Karli Johansen, Mysia Perry, Maggie Szydlowski, Fatemah A. Khawaji, Katherine Urban

MERC Publications

When schools and divisions choose a daily schedule structure to follow, it is important to consider its purpose and potential impacts on students, educators, and families. The purpose of this MERC research and policy brief is to inform the work of school division leaders and school board members making decisions about whether to adopt or continue the use of block scheduling in middle and high schools. It explores the following questions:

1. What are block schedules and where are they used?

2. How are school schedules related to student outcomes and educator quality?

3. What policies at the federal, state, …

Supporting Students In Transition To And From Elementary School, Meleah Ellison, Jamelle Simmons, David B. Naff, Taryn G. Traylor, Meredith Dean, Sooyeon Moon, Jia Jia Liu, Latonja Y. Wright, Cameron Parkins, Jennifer Locasale-Crouch, Dana V. Yarbrough, Audrina Farrar, Obed Amoakoh Boateng

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of elementary school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from elementary school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions to …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between School Counselor Access And Latine Students’ College-Going Behaviors, Kristen Tuxbury

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationships between school counselor access and Latine students’ college-going behaviors using data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09). The study was guided by critical race theory and Yosso’s community cultural wealth model (2005). Binary logistic regression models, Chi-square tests of independence, and descriptive statistics were used to explore the associations between school counselor access, Latine student college-going behaviors, and caregiver expectations. The findings show stronger associations between caregiver expectations and Latine student college-going behaviors than school counselor access. Additionally, findings provide evidence that experiences of oppression are likely barriers to Bachelor’s degree programs …

The Impacts Of International Students’ Membership In Co-National Student Organizations, Krofaa Otuo-Srebour

Masters Theses

This study explores the impact of international students' membership in co-national student organizations on their adjustment to U.S. higher education institutions. Despite significant literature on the psychological predictors of adjustment, there is a gap in examining the social support gained through non-academic student organizations composed of individuals from the same country or region. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study investigated challenges international students face in the U.S. and how culturally specific groups impact their adjustment. The findings underscore the importance of co-national student organizations in supporting international students’ adjustment processes and suggest practical implications for university administrators to enhance …

Overcoming Burnout: Resident Assistant Longevity And Resilience, Amberlyn H. Holman

Masters Theses

As demands on student affairs professionals intensify across United States colleges, resident assistants face increasing vulnerability to burnout while balancing roles as students, employees, and peer leaders. The purpose of this narrative study was to examine the experiences of three resident assistants who pursued a third year in their position after experiencing and overcoming burnout. It was determined that specific support systems and resilience components had substantial impact on their ability to persist, providing indication of what institutional support would be most beneficial. Participants discussed experiences with overwhelming stress balancing academic responsibilities, peer relationships, and administrative duties, alongside factors historically …

Exploring The Experiences Of Collegiate Black Female Student-Athletes From A Phenomenological Perspective, Deja L. Jackson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Collegiate Black female student-athletes at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) face a unique experience as they navigate the complex intersections of race, gender, and sports while striving for academic and athletic success. Their encounters with racism, discrimination, and marginalization remain largely underexplored. This research provides findings from a transcendental phenomenological study that examined the lived experiences of these athletes. The goal was to understand how racism, discrimination, and marginalization impact these student-athletes both individually and in context sport. Grounded in social constructivism and informed by Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality Theory, the study involved semi-structured interviews with eight current and former …

Bringing A Missing Minority Into Focus: Foster Parents’ Voices And Their Impact On Foster Children’S Academic Experiences, Clair Rutherford

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Foster children face persistent educational inequities shaped by trauma, frequent placement changes, and systemic barrierswithin schools. This dissertation investigates how foster parents perceive and influence the educational experiences of the children in their care, emphasizing the intersection of advocacy, trauma-informed teaching, and institutional response. Grounded in trauma-informed pedagogy, critical ecology and curriculum studies, the study interrogates how schools both support and constrain foster children’s educational opportunities. An arts-based methodology was employed, combining fictionalized portraiture and digital ethnography. Data sources included foster parent social media posts, reflexive journalling, and researcher positionality as both teacher and foster parent. Composite narratives were constructed …

An Examination Of Preservice Teacher Knowledge Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In The Elementary Classroom, Breana K. E. Webb

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the knowledge of preservice teachers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how well prepared they might be when supporting students in elementary classrooms. ADHD is a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in children and has been increasingly diagnosed over the past several years. Teachers play a crucial role in providing effective instruction to each and every student in the classroom. Managing classroom instruction with diverse learning capabilities and behaviors requires teachers to understand the characteristics of ADHD, as well as instructional adaptations and behavioral interventions, among preservice teachers. Findings indicate that while most preservice teachers recognize the basic …

A Higher Calling: How Christian Student Affairs Administrators Integrate Their Faith While Working At Public Community Colleges, Danielle J. Ward

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The cornerstone of the student affairs field was the intentional focus on holistic student development, their mind and spirit. The problem addressed was that many student affairs professionals felt ill-equipped and uncomfortable discussing and expressing their personal faith at some institutions of higher education. As a result, some were hesitant about integrating faith at work, personally and professionally. The study sought to identify faith's role in Christian student affairs administrators who worked at public open-admission community colleges and the administrators’ perceptions of how their personal faith integration at work impacted their relationships with students and colleagues. The paradigm for …

Supporting Students In Transition To And From High School, David Naff, Jamelle Simmons, Meleah Ellison, Shelby Garofalo, Laura Thoene, Kim Dupre, Sooyeon Moon, Karli Johanson, Paul Harris, Martin Darby, William L. Parker, Tracy Booker, Janel Miley, Mysia Perry, Xun Liu, Maggie Szydlowski, Ahmed Abbas

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of high school school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from high school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions …

Counselors’ Mind-Skills And Self-Compassion During Counseling Service, Eni Rindi Antika, Mulawarman Mulawarman, Bobby Ardhian Nusantara, Tivanny Octasya, Vip Brilliant Stoic, Mirabai Bhana, Abi Fa’Izzarahman Prabawa

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of mind skills and self-compassion of school counselors in counseling services. The research method used quantitative with a cross-sectional survey research design. The instruments used in this study were mind-skills test instruments and self-compassion scales. The test on the validity and reliability of research instruments was performed using two ways. The validity of the mind-skills test instrument uses the point biserial technique because the data was dichotomous (true or false). The validity test of the self-compassion scale was carried out with the Pearson product-moment correlation point using an error level …

Strength-Based School Counseling In Addressing School Bullying Issue In Indonesia, Indy Hurun Ein, Natris Idriyani

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

As the school bullying issues rates have been increasing in the past decade, further comprehesinve actions from professionals in educarion are needed, mainly from school counselors. This paper aims to provide information and highlight key principles of strengths-based school counseling approach that would be compatible to deal with the issues. Using this contemporary approach, school counselors are highly recommended to work with other school stakeholders to create a positive environment and climate for students to prevent them from being both bullies and victims, including actions to identify students’ positive qualities, assign parents to enhance positive communications and relationships with their …

Emerging Trends In Cinema Education: A Bibliometric Analysis, Faturrahman Faturrahman, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Cinema education has evolved significantly and become an effective medium in various fields, but comprehensive research analyzing its publication trends is still limited. This study uses a bibliometric analysis method with the PRISMA model to identify, select, and filter articles in Scopus-indexed journals from 1948 to 2024 (n= 650), with data analyzed using the VOSViewer application. The keywords used are cinema education, cinematherapy, film therapy, video therapy, cinema therapy, or video therapy. Results show a significant upward trend in publications on cinema education in the last decade, with a peak in the 2021-2023 period. The United States is the country …

Effectiveness Of Compassion-Focused Group Therapy To Increase Self-Compassion And Forgiveness In High School Students, Kristin Melliyati Benu, Mungin Eddy Wibowo, Mulawarman Mulawarman

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Self-compassion and forgiveness are inseparable in the lives of adolescents because adolescents are vulnerable to various conflicts due to social changes and demands that cause negative emotions and other psychological problems. Adolescents need self-compassion and forgiveness to be able to regulate negative emotions in dealing with difficult situations. Compassion focused group therapy is an approach that focuses on compassion so that it can help adolescents to foster kindness to themselves, accept themselves and difficult situations as human and be able to provide forgiveness to themselves and others. This study aims to test the effectiveness of compassion-focused group therapy to increase …

Validation Of The Personal Responsibility Scale: Rasch Model Analysis, Irvan Budhi Handaka, Agus Taufiq, Syamsu Yusuf, Diki Herdiansyah, Zela Septikasari

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Increasing personal responsibility in education is an innovative idea, an idea to educate students in developing morals and values, or the basis of character education. This research aims to develop a personal responsibility scale for students which is expected to become a valid and reliable measuring tool. The method used in this research is a quantitative approach and data analysis used using the Rasch model. The research population consisted of 309 students as respondents, then the sampling technique was purposive sampling with a total of 20 students. The research results showed that the personal responsibility scale was declared suitable for …

Self-Compassion And Peer Social Support: Do They Influence Self-Efficacy In Career Decision Making Of Generation Z Students?, Wildan Madani, Helli Ihsan, Farhan Zakariyya

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This study aims to determine the effect of self-compassion and peer social support on career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) among Generation Z college students in Indonesia. This study uses quantitative methods with a regression analysis approach. Sampling was conducted using non-probability sampling techniques with an accidental sampling approach. This study involved 367 active college students from Generation Z, aged 18-24, residing or studying in the metropolitan area of Greater Bandung. Greater Bandung was chosen as the research location because it represents the characteristics of Generation Z in Indonesia. The city is a center of education and culture with diverse higher education …

Exploring The Impact Of Self-Control, Motivation, And Resilience On Students' Self-Compassion, Diani Akmalia Apsari, Adi Atmoko, Ika Andrini Farida, Nur Eva, Augusto Da Costa, Aidah Fuadiyah

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The core purpose of Pendidikan Profesi Guru Prajabatan (PPG) is to educate prospective teachers to become professional teachers. To achieve this goal, students requires psychological abilities when facing challenges such as dense and demanding tasks based on the curriculum that must be completed in 2 semesters. This study aims to (1) test the theoretical model of regression of self-compassion, and (2) determine the contribution of self-control, motivation, and resilience to self-compassion in PPG students. This study used a causal relationship design. Data were collected with (1) Brief Self Control Scale, (2) The Academic Motivation Scale, (3) The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, …

A Framework For Strengthening The Quantitative Skills/Reasoning Support Ecosystem At Small Liberal Arts Colleges, Laura J. Muller, Melissa Eblen-Zayas Ph.D.

Numeracy

We developed a framework for characterizing an institution’s quantitative skills/reasoning support ecosystem to consider how various activities contribute to student success in areas connected to students’ quantitative preparation. Through discussions with faculty and staff stakeholders at eight selective small liberal arts colleges, we established that the quantitative skills/reasoning support ecosystem at these institutions consists of four domains: bridge programs with a quantitative component, assessment of readiness, curricular on-ramps, and supplementary support for courses that require quantitative skills/reasoning. The framework includes questions about each domain that can be used by stakeholders in different institutional positions to reflect on existing efforts to …

Book Review Of Becoming A Student-Ready College By Tia Brown Mcnair, Susan Albertine, Nicole Mcdonald, Thomas Major Jr., And Michelle Asha Cooper, Emily Bikowski

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

Book review of McNair, T. B., Albertine, S., McDonald, N., Major, T., & Cooper, M. A. (2022). Becoming a Student-Ready College. Jossey-Bass. This article discusses the book from the perspective of a student-services practitioner who understands the importance of fostering a campus culture that values equity and inclusivity to ensure fairness for all students.

A Longitudinal Analysis Of Navigating Ethical Reflections Through The Evolution Of Information Profession Dreams, Rahmi Rahmi, Rusdan Kamil

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This study presents a longitudinal analysis of the ethical reflections and evolving professional aspirations of students in the Information Profession course at Universitas Indonesia. Through reflective writing exercises, 192 students explored their future career goals and addressed ethical challenges related to professional documentation, focusing on issues such as privacy, integrity, and responsibility. Using corpus analysis tools like AntConc, the research tracked changes in ethical concerns as students progressed in their studies, revealing an increasing awareness of ethical complexities, particularly in roles like archivist and data analyst. These findings offer valuable insights for developing profession-specific ethical guidelines for information professionals.

Barriers To Help-Seeking Behaviors And Interventions For Adolescents With Co-Occurring Disorders, Hannah A. Fisher

Counselor Education Capstones

Adolescent mental health problems have become an extremely prevalent topic for discussion since the coronavirus pandemic. Adolescents experience five major barriers to obtaining mental health professional services including stigma, access to services, mental health professional mistrust, adolescent lack of mental health knowledge, and lack of support. These barriers create obstacles for adolescents seeking proper, affordable, high-quality, and culturally specific mental health care for their mental health needs. There are many different approaches to take to combat the identified barriers. Four different types of approaches are important to consider including what youth can do, what the family of the youth can …

Workforce Barriers And Needed Supports To Enhance Behavioral Health Service Provision For Older Adults In Nebraska, Cecilia Y.M. Poon, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Yadi Liu, Charles Yale, Deepanjali Bhale, Erin O. Shcneider, Julia F. Houfek, Christine Chasek, Marley Doyle, Kendra L. Ratnapradipa

Counseling Faculty Publications

Nearly 20% of US older adults have mental health concerns, but few mental health professionals specialize in this population. In Nebraska, where almost 17% of Nebraska’s population is >65 years of age, BHECN conducted a survey to understand provider attitudes about and abilities to serve the state’s older population. Results from this online survey of licensed mental health practitioners in 2022 showed that 61% of responding practitioners were rural, 27% did not provide direct clinical services to older adults, and only 18% of their time was spent working with older adults. Barriers to providing care to older adults included Medicare …

Creating A Space For Relaxation And Wellbeing At The University Of South Alabama, Mary Wolf

Honors Theses

A program to provide supplementary support for the mental health and wellness of students at a midsize Southern University by providing a centrally located “relaxation space” for students on campus during the last two weeks of the semester is proposed and tested. A central location was found on campus to host the space. The researcher also developed an online survey for students to review the space. The trial was run for two weeks, and participants were able to access the online survey throughout those weeks. The results of the survey were analyzed to better understand the students’ responses to the …

Barriers In Reporting Sexual Violence On College Campuses, Amber Hartman

Honors Theses

This thesis is designed to examine the underreporting of sexual violence on college campuses by exploring the systemic, cultural, and logistical barriers that hinder victims from disclosing their assault. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research identifies three overarching influences for non-reporting. Fear, shame, and lack of resources are presented as the basis of the decision that victims make to not report. Meta-analysis of the research concludes that there is a profound impact of internalized victim-blaming narratives, fear of repercussions and institutional deficiencies in providing accessible support. Recommendations for solutions emphasize creating trauma-informed policies, improving communication and accessibility of …

"Maybe Something More Insidious": A Critical Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Authentic Leadership In Student Affairs Leaders With Intersecting Minoritized Identities, Kara Brant

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This critical interpretative phenomenological analysis explored the experiences of four female-identified mid-level student affairs leaders with intersecting minoritized identities, highlighting the aspirational nature of authentic leadership theory. The study examined their experiences with relational transparency, or attempting to lead while presenting their authentic self without distortion and minimizing the display of inappropriate emotions. The findings indicated participants face complex dynamics when navigating daily interactions in student affairs work, often resulting in the performance of emotional labor. The exploration of their experiences outlines a case for why scholars must look to advancing a new, more inclusive definition of authentic leadership theory. …

Resilient Students: Traumatic Experiences, Aces, And Resources That Influence University Students’ Perceptions Of First-Year College Adjustment, Audrey W. Besch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The history of understanding the impacts of trauma on individuals has shifted from a narrow focus on physical injuries to a multidimensional understanding of how trauma influences the development of psychological and emotional interactions. This evolving understanding has informed the implementation of trauma-informed practices and interventions across various sectors. Tennessee institutions of higher education recognize the connection between trauma, student success, and systemic interventions. University students who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences have heightened vulnerability to stressful events as they transition from high school to college, increasing the likelihood of lower educational attainment, higher drop-out rates, and higher rates of …

Getting Out Of The Starting Blocks Well: Analyzing The Impact Of An At-Risk First-Year Mentoring Program At A Rural High School In The Southeastern United States Of America., Jeffrey Duncan

All Dissertations

As the US educational system recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts around the country search for ways to help students who have struggled to have academic success. Navigating the transition from middle to high school is critical for reaching on-time graduation for at-risk first-year high school students. A critical step in graduating is ensuring students feel that school is where they belong. Building relationships with a trusted adult on campus through weekly mentoring sessions is a strategy that can impact student academic outcomes. This dissertation uses the methodology of education improvement science through a Plan Do Study Act cycle …

A Qualitative Study Of Iranian Efl Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Digital Diversified Education, Seyed Mohammad Reza Marvasti Zadeh, Azizollah Dabaghi Varnosfadrani Advarnosfadrani, Mohammad Amiryousefi

The Qualitative Report

Because Iran is a country of learners of diverse languages, socio-economic classes, genders, and ages, digital diversified education seems appropriate to address needs in English language education. However, there is a notable gap in research on teachers’ perceptions about this type of education. To fill this gap, this study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Iranian teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) regarding a diverse digital education. Data were collected via an open-ended survey with 30 EFL teachers, both male and female, who were selected through convenience sampling. Analysis revealed several key themes, including the utilization of diverse …

The Refractive Thinker® Vol. Xxiv Mental Health: Chapter 9: Triage For Mental Health: Faculty’S Role And Assessment, Cheryl Lentz, Dr. Karen Balcanoff, Dr. Cherri Brown

Publications

The public knows about the importance of triage in the hospital emergency setting, but few are aware of this term in institutions of higher learning. Triage is simply matching students with priority order of resources most needed (Merriam Webster, 2023). Faculty can be the first line of defense or first responders in the classroom to provide students the help they need before escalation ensues. The focus of this article was to review the need for additional faculty training to ensure professors are part of students’ “network of care” (Sarraf, 2021). Disruptive student behavior is easy to detect in the classroom …