This study explored the experiences and contributions of South Asian Americans actively engaged in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the realm of higher education. The research question that framed this study was: What are the lived experiences of South Asian American DEI educators in higher education? Supporting…

There have been significant strides towards diversifying STEM majors to include more students of color and women. With current and anticipated future technological advances, the United States must prepare as many students as possible to become leaders in STEM fields. Despite significant strides, women of color, specifically Black and Latina women,…

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenographic study was to understand the experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives of new, primary role academic advisors at four-year public institutions in the United States. Research on advising has provided insight into advising best practices and the student perceptions of academic advising; however,…

In recent decades, Education for Global Citizenship (EfGC) has emerged as a prominent way to discuss internationalization and global learning efforts in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The concept of global citizenship is a controversial one though, and there is no consensus on a definition of global citizenship nor on EfGC. Much of the…

This study focused on the experiences of academic representatives who serve on behavioral intervention teams within institutions of higher education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine participants who all serve as an academic representative to the behavioral intervention teams at their higher education institution. Utilizing a…

The purpose of this study was to understand the professional and personal experiences of female-identifying elementary music specialists within higher education. Specifically, this study sought to understand: (1) How do personal changes such as marriage and parenthood affect personal and professional lives, goals, and career trajectories for these…

Workforce development is one of the top issues for state higher education executives today. Employers are actively looking for ways to address skill gaps and labor shortages in their companies. To address these talent gaps, states are aligning their academic program approval process with state workforce needs. Minimal research has explored the…

Over the past 30 years, one of the most prevalent models in student leadership education has been the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (SCM), which views leadership as a collaborative, purpose-, and values-driven process working towards positive social change (Higher Education Research Institute, 1996). As issues of social inequity…

The integration of student-centered learning (SCL) practices in higher education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, is essential for addressing persistent challenges such as high failure rates among underrepresented groups. Institutions of Higher Education are increasingly emphasizing evidence-based,…

A concurrent-embedded mixed method was used to evaluate observed outcomes of safety culture among multiple collegiate aviation programs in the U.S. A hypothesized model that measures the relationships between scales of safety management systems (SMS), safety motivation (mediator), and safety behaviors (safety compliance, safety reporting, and…

Using a social constructivist framework, this phenomenological study intended to capture the lived experiences of academic advisors and advising administrators as they framed advising as teaching. I conducted nine semi-structured interviews with three professional advisors and six advising administrators representing five Midwest, four-year,…

Competency-based education that uses direct assessment in lieu of credit or clock hours as the measure of student learning is a relatively recent innovation in American higher education. Common features of these innovative programs include competency-based curriculum, authentic assessment, mastery learning, student self-pacing, federal financial…

This study explores staff and faculty's self-efficacy in advocating for transgender and nonbinary students within higher education. Through a multi-part self-efficacy assessment (n=249), this study specifically examines the general sense of self-efficacy staff and faculty have regarding transgender and nonbinary advocacy self-efficacy, differences…

It is the goal of this qualitative research project to explore the accessibility and equity of students with disabilities in higher education through the lens of a current practitioner. This research was conducted through a 3-document dissertation in the forms of an empirical research paper, a policy paper, and a needs-based assessment/strategic…

Faculty members play a crucial role in higher education, contributing to knowledge dissemination and offering solutions to societal issues. However, policymakers often view higher education as an industry and overlook the consequences of funding cuts, neglecting the faculty's role in student success and institutional mission. Temporary faculty…