Foundational to this evaluation study, the participating institution aspired to improve its retention rate. Students' perceived sense of belonging has been identified as an important variable related to student retention and persistence (Bean & Eaton, 2000; Strayhorn 2012; Strayhorn 2019; Tinto, 2017). For students to succeed beyond their…

Those who care about US public schools face urgent challenges while schools remain significant sites of racial inequity (Crenshaw, 2022; Darling-Hammond, 1998). School leaders play a crucial role in shaping educational in/equity for students (DeMatthews et al., 2020; Grissom et al., 2021; Khalifa, et al., 2016). Meanwhile, the increasing demands…

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted students' educational experiences, raising concerns about their social and emotional development. This longitudinal quantitative study analyzed changes in student perceptions of social and emotional well-being using Panorama Education SEL survey data from Cohort 2023 12th graders at an urban intensive high school…

This mixed-methods study examined the factors contributing to international student sense of belonging on three U.S. campuses, particularly upon their arrival to their campus and during a global pandemic. This three-article dissertation discusses the major findings that were identified in the data. Article 1 highlights the recurring theme of…

Research has long demonstrated that students thrive best in an online learning community when some basic tenants are followed. These tenants include establishing a peer community, module supports, studying while balancing life commitments, confidence, and the approach to learning (Farrell & Brunton, 2020; Kahn, Egbue, Palkie, & Madden,…

Cultivating a sense of belonging can be challenging in online contexts as well as for underrepresented students in engineering education. This study used a mixed methods sequential explanatory design to understand underrepresented students' experiences in a Canadian first-year course. Taking place during remote delivery due to COVID-19, we…

This narrative ethnographic research study focused on the personal and schooling stories and counter-stories of three Latina teachers living and teaching in the Deep South. Using three contemporary young adult literature texts written by Latina authors, this three-month short term narrative ethnographic study sought to explore the lived…

College retention is a primary focus within many institutions of higher education; however, retention efforts have largely been unsuccessful in impacting first-year completion rates and eventual degree attainment. Drawing on research that demonstrates the value of a strong faculty-student relationship and an engaging classroom environment, this…

This study sought to understand how underrepresented racially minoritized and first-generation college students experienced and made sense of the challenges from taking introductory sciences courses in their first year at a small liberal arts college. Metacognition was the theoretical framework in consideration due to its non-disciplinarity and…

College retention is a primary focus within many institutions of higher education; however, retention efforts have largely been unsuccessful in impacting first-year completion rates and eventual degree attainment. Drawing on research that demonstrates the value of a strong faculty-student relationship and an engaging classroom environment, this…