Higher education (i.e., colleges and universities) institutions must have a thorough understanding of the college-going process for potential students to be successful in their enrollment, retention, and graduation efforts. The college-going process often consists of deciding to pursue higher education, choosing an institution, and selecting a…

Current, traditional-aged prospective college students are undergoing their college-going decision process in a "constantly connected" world. The purpose of this research was to explore and better understand how peer influence through social media may be influencing the decisions that current traditional-aged prospective college students…

This dissertation aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the distinct challenges encountered by Black first- and second-generation college students within higher education. By highlighting the multifaceted obstacles these students face, this research emphasizes the necessity for a candid and nuanced dialogue that transcends race,…

My dissertation explores the higher education transition decisions made by senior high school students from diverse social backgrounds in Chile. I examine how family, school, and the broader institutional and political context interact with and influence these decisions during times of major social changes and educational reform. Through a…

Family structure can influence level of risk children face and their likelihood of attending college, despite many benefits associated with higher education. The Resilience Theory suggests that protective factors mitigate risk exposure and help individuals recover from negative experiences. This study involved examining relationships between…

Early college high schools (ECHS) were created to disrupt inequities in the secondary school systems by intentionally serving underserved students in higher education. Using Acevedo-Gil's (2017) College-"Concimiento" model, this qualitative "testimonio" study primarily focused on the narratives of 12 Latin* first-generation…

Research has shown that experiences that occur during adolescence directly affect an individual well into adulthood. There is still much to understand in terms of how those factors, adverse or benevolent, influence career decision-making in the future. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to explore how young adults describe the…

Higher education costs have risen steadily over the last several decades, making it difficult for many students to afford college. Promise and other free-tuition programs have seen varied levels of success, but almost all programs studied have been in urban or suburban areas. A cross-sectional study examines if and to what extent guaranteed…

Latinx students in the United States are continuing to catch up academically (both in K-12 and post-secondary education) with their black, white, and Asian counterparts even as the Latinx population continues to increase. The literature amongst K-12 and higher education researchers continues to highlight the importance of parental engagement and…

College acceptance does not always result in college enrollment for students from marginalized backgrounds. Many of these students traveled a bumpy road to twelfth grade from kindergarten, come from low SES backgrounds and may also be first-generation college students. Students from marginalized backgrounds have a higher probability of…

This study explored factors that influence the postsecondary career decisions of 427 11th and 12th grade students in a guaranteed tuition-based school district in a Midwestern state. Since 2005, this district has had a "Promise" program where eligible students can get up to 100% of their postsecondary tuition paid to attend a college,…

This dissertation builds on literature centering first-generation college students (FGCS) with immigrant parentage in order to develop an understanding of how many of their unique and intersectional experiences may function as assets that could promote retention and degree completion. The sample is comprised of 30 FGCS who are also first- or…

A comparison of choices of first-generation and non-first-generation Mississippi College students make to obtain a higher education was conducted by survey instrument and data analysis. The research was conducted to compare choices including the people influencing the student's choice to obtain a higher education, motivating factors of where to…

All students must undergo the decision-making processes in choosing to attend college as well as selecting which college to attend. In making these decisions, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I student-athlete population encounters concerns that require investigation. The decision-making process involving the choice to…

Demographics on university campuses have become increasingly diverse with a significant increase in the number of students ages 50 and older. Many arrive on campus with two or more years of college experience over several terms but with no degree. Higher education leaders' understanding of why these older adults enroll in postsecondary courses and…