This study explored how institutions can empower minoritized graduate students by leveraging their existing forms of capital, shifting from a deficit view to an assets-based approach. Through qualitative case study methodology, data from interviews and documentation illustrated the vital role of institutional agents, such as faculty and staff,…

Black first-generation college students (FGCS) often encounter challenges in the collegiate classroom due to implicit racism, academic unpreparedness, and cultural shifts. My study explores how strengths philosophy, a social work framework that leverages inherent strengths to encourage agency and change, can enhance the self-efficacy of Black…

There are fewer doctoral degrees earned by women than men in many STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, and gender gaps in higher education pathways persist. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and understand the experiences and persistence of women Ph.D. students in male-dominated STEM…

In 2023, the value of a college education is being questioned. Because information is readily available, we Google what we want to know, type a query or phrase into ChatGPT, press the enter key, and then a multitude of answers become accessible. However, in this age of technology, online access, and Artificial Intelligence, could self-directed…

This quantitative predictive study investigated the intricate dynamics of the Imposter Phenomenon (IP) among online doctoral students, exploring its impact on Student Belongingness (SB) and Self-efficacy (SE). Findings revealed a significant negative association between higher IP scores and decreased SE, highlighting the imperative to address IP…

This study aimed to research the impact Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs have on the development of student agency in high school students. AVID was founded in San Diego, California by teacher Mary Catherine Swanson in 1980 (AVID.org). The AVID framework is divided into two sections, "What Students Need" and…

This dissertation focuses on the role of tradition and ritual in historically Black education, particularly combating the legacy of antiblackness in school discipline. The study argues for the use of prophetic disruptive rituals that are grounded in meaning, hope, and love. Using Morehouse College as a philosophical case study, the project draws…

Doctoral students face unique challenges that require dedicated support services to help them successfully complete their studies and graduate. With the proper resources to help lessen these challenges, doctoral students take a shorter time to complete their degree and are less likely to drop out before completing. The purpose of this study was to…

Math anxiety, a lack of mathematics understanding and unproductive beliefs surrounding mathematics have the potential to cause math teaching anxiety in pre-service elementary teachers. This study sought to investigate the causes of math anxiety in pre-service elementary teachers and develop a course sequence to address those causes, thereby…

This qualitative, multiple case study examined the factors that affect classroom experiences of trans* college students in the United States pursuing associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. Participants included 19 students with a variety of trans* identities attending various institutions across the United States. I conducted…

Newly licensed nurses may enter the profession without the tools to cope with morally distressing events in the workplace. Experiences of moral distress at work negatively affect physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing, and effects of moral distress on new nurses may result in job dissatisfaction, burnout, and abandonment of the…

Purpose: All-women's higher education institutions serve the goal of offering a highly marginalized population a safe space to learn, mature, grow and develop physically, emotionally and intellectually. What might seem to be an obvious criticism is that a woman can, theoretically, achieve the same in a co-ed institution. Arguably, the scale of…

In the United States, community colleges have served diverse student populations, including students of color and students with disabilities. While these colleges are celebrated for their access and affordability, student success is not guaranteed. As educators work to continuously improve course and program completion, students' sense of…

A phenomenological qualitative research study was conducted to answer the research question: How do first-generation college students experience ambiguous loss towards their cultural identity because of cultural mismatch? To what extent do first-generation college students experience ambiguous loss of their cultural identity? The researcher…

A concerning reality in higher education is the persistent disparity in retention and graduation rates between students of color and White students. These persistent outcome differences are commonly referred to as opportunity or achievement gaps. To address these gaps, higher education institutions are enacting targeted approaches to mitigate or…