This paper presents an interpretative phenomenological analysis study of students' experiences with ungrading in the form of reflection-based self-evaluation in a college course. In the landscape of student evaluation, ungrading strategies respond to the limitations of traditional grading systems, particularly with respect to cultivating in-demand…

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) has been widely used as a strong indicator of loyalty and growth in organizations. However, despite extensive use in various industries, its application in higher education has been limited. To address this gap, we explore the use of NPS in the identification and investigation of the characteristics as well as…

Graduate student persistence and retention is a major concern for educators, universities, and governments. The national attrition rates within US doctoral programs range between 50-70%. However, research data indicates a 50% increase in the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) doctoral programs and…

This essay explores the conceptual and practical implications of an honors forum relating to artful expression and the phenomenon of sequester in place (SIP). As monthly general education offerings for first-year students, Honors Forums feature an array of thematic events associated with the freshman cohort. Noting challenges relating to remote…

The purpose of this study was to investigate non-music major college and university students' self-efficacy beliefs and their perceptions of the four sources of self-efficacy as they related to their participation in active music making and creation in college (e.g., ensembles and musicals, group and private lessons, music theory classes). An…

The Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) program is a welfare-to-work program in Pennsylvania meant to promote financial independence through education. Across the community colleges in the state of Pennsylvania, the KEYS program has often allowed financially disadvantaged students to succeed on par with - and often surpass - their non-KEYS…

It has been argued that we have moved into the age of personalization. One can see this while ordering drinks at a local Starbucks, where options are limitless. This personalization has been called the Fifth Industrial Revolution, a time noted for a deep, multi-level cooperation between people and machines. With emphasis on innovation, purpose,…

The role of the preservice teacher, during the final semester of the collegiate journey, has typically consisted of a fixed amount of time spent in one classroom as an opportunity to learn the day-to-day operations. This includes lesson planning, classroom management, and all other duties of the assigned teacher. Factor in a global pandemic, and…

While existing literature offers valuable insights into various aspects of the African American college experience, it lacks the voices of African American students themselves. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the experiences of first-generation African American male students attending predominantly white institutions. Employing a…

In this study, researchers investigated the library experiences of Black undergraduate students at Penn State in University Park, a predominately white institution. Their goal was to improve services and spaces and to highlight and validate experiences with race, racism, and microaggressions on campus and in the library. Twenty undergraduate…

This dissertation is a critical qualitative case study focused on the population of students with experience in foster care. This study sought to understand the postsecondary educational landscape for students with experience in foster care, as well as how postsecondary education is supporting these students, in the state of Pennsylvania.…

This article provides a case study of three educational digital storytelling (EDS) projects in which researchers use intercultural identity management theory (IMT) as a framework to investigate student claims of transformation within short-term study abroad courses. Across three separate hybrid digital production and intercultural communication…

This article presents students' experiences with hybrid grading contracts through a thematic analysis of data. We specifically focused on students' perceptions of the grading contract's role in improving their writing skills, issues of fairness, labor, and stress. We argue that the stressful conditions of COVID-19 illuminate the benefits and…

In this article, we explore the experiences of students at HBCUs as they traverse their STEM courses and STEM majors and demonstrate how their paths in STEM are positively shaped by a "culture of family." Our research questions include: What are the experiences of students attending HBCUs and pursuing degrees in STEM? And how do their…

The purpose of this study was to explore how skills gained through study abroad at the Pennsylvania State University influence individuals' employability as they enter the workforce. Potential participants were invited to complete a qualification survey that gathered initial demographic and study abroad information. From the responses, eligible…