The challenges facing higher education institutions across this country continue to increase, becoming more and more complex with each passing semester. Higher education administrators and those who aspire to be such must constantly stay abreast of all potential adverse issues, but especially those that affect the educational success of our…

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of Black men, who enrolled in a college or university degree program in the state of Florida and subsequently left the program before completion to gather insights on their reasons for dropping out. Hence, this study aims to address the issue of Black males' lack of persistence…

The ever-increasing costs and debt incurred by US college students is a hotly contested issue. In March 2022, The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) released a refreshed strategic plan for the state's higher education: Building a Talent Strong Texas. The refreshed plan concentrated on access for minority populations, enhanced…

Institutions of higher education have increasingly needed to balance college affordability with their own financial sustainability. There is a growing need for financial innovation and few examples within higher education for adoption of innovation frameworks. This qualitative dissertation examines phases of adoption of income share agreements…

This qualitative research study explores how recent graduates perceive the influence their on-campus food service job had on their critical thinking development. This study seeks to answer two research questions. The first research question -- "what factors were associated with students choosing to work in food service for multiple…

The student retention behavior of stopping-out is widely misunderstood and yet very important in explaining community college student enrollment patterns. Stopping-out remains understudied in higher education literature as it is challenging to collect data from students who discontinued their enrollment, and since these students are not retained,…

Financial literacy is an area of knowledge with which many Americans struggle. For students transitioning from a free public K-12 system to a pay-to-attend system in higher education, understanding the actual cost of college becomes vital so they can persist to graduation. This study focused on low-income, campus-housed first-year students in the…

A four-year college degree is associated with numerous positive outcomes for students, from increased average earning potential to opportunities for personal development. Yet, for individuals with disabilities, large medical bills and other disability-related expenses may make affording college especially difficult. This study used a convergent…

The rising growth of student debt among Black women postgraduates highlights an alarming trend impacting social class attainment and economic mobility. Federal loan programs increase college access for students of color; however, these programs also contribute to racial disparities that influence students' academic outcomes and financial…

This dissertation, which is highly relevant to education, examines Black educators' life experiences with student loan debt. It provides insight into the impact of student debt and how these experiences shape their interactions with Black students. Using their narratives, this study serves as a self-reflective journey, bringing the reader closer…

Every year, 600,000 formerly incarcerated people return to society, and over forty-four percent will be incarcerated again within a year. As advocates work to improve the conditions of reentry, recent efforts have focused on higher education as the ticket to long-term freedom for formerly incarcerated people. Any success of these efforts hinges on…

Most Latinx students who begin their academic journey begin at community colleges. Yet, the cost of college is a significant barrier for Latinx students in completing a degree. The purpose of this study was to explore the intentionality of financial support for Latinx student at an Emerging HSI California community college as it becomes HSI.…

Across the United States, colleges and universities must dynamically respond to changes in population demographics and demand in order to meet enrollment goals. As institutions have adapted to a shifting educational landscape, tuition discounting has become a prevalent mechanism utilized within strategic enrollment management. While many students…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of first-generation Black women who completed at least a bachelor's degree without student loans. While Black women are most burdened by student loan debt, little is known about the experiences of those who navigate college without accruing student loans. Combining endarkened…

The purpose of this mixed methods action research study was to implement digital outreach strategies, which would enhance students' motivation to complete financial aid requirements and scale the departments' more time-consuming counseling efforts. Using self-determination theory as the primary framework, I implemented the use of a series of…