The United States is experiencing a surge in international graduate students, particularly from Southeast Asia. These students bring a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives, significantly enriching the U.S. economy, academia, and scientific research (Popadiuk & Arthur, 2014). Their contributions extend beyond the academic realm, fostering…

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused unexpected and unprecedented disruptions worldwide, inflicting inconvenience in daily life, heightened health risk, and psychological distress. University students, especially international students, faced unique challenges and stressors related to education, financial situation, safety, mental…

Boredom in the classroom setting is slowly becoming an epidemic in education, particularly within elementary grade levels (Nett et al., 2010). Most teachers understand that not all students learn the same way and that the same teaching style does not work for all students. When boredom is experienced, students may react very differently--some…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore what college students' lived experiences were regarding the influence of outdoor orientation programs on their abilities to cope with transition-related stressors at one Arizona college. The study utilized two theoretical frameworks to understand the lived experience of…

International students' adjustment has been studied for many years. However, "first-generation" international students have not been adequately explored. International students and first-generation students both have many obstacles they must navigate and adapt to quickly to succeed in school. This study aimed to better understand who…

Despite the increasing enrollment of International Student-Athletes (ISAs) studying and competing in Division I, II, and III institutions in the United States, research studies that focus on investigating ISAs' transitional experiences remain sparse. This study expanded knowledge on ISAs' college experiences by focusing on ISAs' transition in the…

The present study explored the relationship between binary gender, stress, adaptation, and coping in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study participants were college students, ages 18+, attending an institute of higher education in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because male and female students have been known to…

International graduate students have endured unique obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the experiences of eight international graduate students from various countries and academic backgrounds. The following questions guided this study: (1) What were the experiences during the 2020 school year for international students…

There is an extensive body of school-related shooting research exploring causes, how to recognize a threat, and what preparedness measures are effective (Lee et al., 2020; Muchert, 2007). However, there is insufficient research on how the broader context of school-related shootings in American society has influenced college-aged students. The…

This qualitative, multiple case study examined how peer mentors at a public, four-year university supported the transition of first-year college students. Using Schlossberg's (Anderson et al., 2021) Transition Framework the study was guided by the following questions: 1) How did peer mentors, in light of the Approaching Transitions phase in…

Black males have the highest dropout rates, poorest achievement, lowest test scores, and the lowest graduation rate among all ethnic groups (Naylor et al., 2015; Whiting, 2009). Drawing upon interviews, this qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of African American mentees participating in mentoring programs at two regional…

First-generation college students (FGCS) experience a myriad of unique challenges when starting their university education, including perceiving themselves as being socially isolated on campus (Markowitz, 2016; Nazione et al., 2011; Wilkins, 2014), experiencing guilt as they leave behind academically family and friends (Banks-Santilli, 2015; Orbe,…

This study delves into the experiences of Saudi graduate students navigating mental health challenges while pursuing higher education in the United States. As a result of cultural and academic pressures, these students grapple with various stressors, including cultural adaptation, academic demands, and familial separation. The research aims to…

This study explores the transition experiences of first-generation Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) college students through the framework of Intersectionality Theory. The research examines how multiple intersecting identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status, influence these students'…

This dissertation uses an ethnographic approach, observations, field notes, and interviews to analyze how Chicanx/Latinx students create counter-spaces to cultivate their epistemological needs and validate their identities within a predominantly white institution (PWI). The project uses the "Nopalera" Framework created by an artist…