The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine undecided first- generation students' experience with academic advising at a community college and whether receiving advice from an academic advisor helped guide them towards a major. The researcher conducted one-on-one-interviews with ten students using a protocol based on three research…

This qualitative case study explored how a theory could explain how outside contributors could influence a student's decision to return for the second and final year of their academic career program. Using Holland's person-environment fit theory as the theoretical lens, this study contemplates how specific contributors, such as family and friends,…

This dissertation examined the experiences of women of color (WOC), defined as African American and Latina women for this study, as they pursued a degree in a criminal justice program at a Midwest community college. Utilizing Schlossberg's transition theory, the qualitative case study sought to learn how WOC experience the transition to being…

This study investigated female students who attended a STEM course with the Arts (STEAM) in comparison to a traditional STEM course and the impact it had on desire to pursue a STEM degree. An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare female to male students' interest in pursuing STEM degrees. In addition, follow up data for registration…

Not all community college presidents begin their careers with the goal of becoming president, yet something causes them to alter their initial career paths to seek a presidency. Understanding how community college leaders make the decision to seek and subsequently prepare for a presidency can help identify candidates with the potential to fill…

Although the recent annual growth rate in the U.S. paramedical field has been 4%, Latino and African American men have been significantly underrepresented in the field compared to their proportion in the U.S. population at large. This problem threatens both the quality and quantity of available emergency health care. The purpose of this study was…

The health care professions have gained significant notoriety as one of the fastest growing career opportunities in the country. In particular, physical therapy has gained a reputation as a vital and significant member of the health care team. The physical therapy field has struggled to provide adequate services to meet patients' needs due to the…

This narrative research study explored the experiences of two Black women executive-level leaders who started their careers within higher education, including two-year technical colleges located in the Southeast during the pivotal sociopolitical moments that occurred during the 1960s to the 1980s. The stories of these women revealed their…