Studies indicate that minoritized students attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) may struggle with engagement and establishing a sense of belonging. Peer mentoring may play a role in enhancing these opportunities to foster academic performance and retention. The sense of belonging and engagement for minoritized students at a PWI is…

This study examined how mentoring services offered at a predominately White university (PWI) aid its African American students in achieving academic success. The low success rate of African American students at PWIs is well documented. African Americans face many socio-cultural challenges, such as family structure, cultural deprivation,…

Although single student mothers are the largest and fastest-growing student demographic in higher education institutions, the experiences of single mothers in academia remain under-explored, as the increase in literature addresses the experiences of women in higher education. Obtaining graduate level education is an ongoing challenge for single…

This study explored the impact of academically supported mentorship on the self-efficacy and perceptions of racially marginalized high school students regarding advanced course enrollment. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combined quantitative pre- and post-intervention surveys with qualitative open-ended questions and semi-structured…

This dissertation shines a light on the indomitable spirit of African American male students, who exhibit remarkable resilience despite facing persistent challenges such as underrepresentation, academic underachievement, and racial and socioeconomic disparities. It delves into the critical role of programs and services in promoting academic…

Despite increased college enrollment rates among FGAMFCS, these students face substantial challenges that contribute to lower rates of graduation compared to their peers from other ethnic backgrounds. Based on Tinto's Student Integration Model, this study examines the persistence of FGAMFCS at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) in the United…

Since 2001, over two million children have experienced having one or both of their parents deployed (Tunac de Pedro et al., 2018). There is significant research that shows that "military children experience tremendous psychological strain as a result of stressful military related life events" (Tunac de Pedro et al., 2011, p. 567). The…

College retention is a topic of concern for many leaders of post-secondary institutions. This study explores the multifaceted elements of a summer bridge program aimed at bolstering college retention for minority first-generation students through a combination of mentorship, academic support, and community-building initiatives. The purpose of the…

High school chemistry is essential. Every citizen needs basic chemistry background to understand current events, and millions more can benefit from further study. Nevertheless, students do not always continue learning chemistry, even when they could do so. The loss of potential learning is significantly more common for girls, economically…

Student athletes often enter college unprepared for academic rigor, making them particularly vulnerable in terms of academic success. At a faith-based university in the southeast United States, low retention of student athletes results from poor class attendance, course failures, and low grade point averages. The purpose of this basic qualitative…

This study aims to develop a playbook of best practices for balancing academics and athletics among Black male student-athletes (BMSA), addressing the increasing rates of academic setbacks. A comprehensive review of research data on interventions and programs, including insights from Balfanz et al. (2007), highlights the urgency of this issue.…

Black and Latinx male students' college completion rates are much lower than their White male peers. Mentoring is essential as it helps to cultivate students' college aspirations, prepare them for a successful transition from high school to college, and connect them to academic and social supports once on campus. Mentoring programs are a useful…

Black men within the United States with learning disabilities have difficulty navigating the collegiate environment (Jackson, 2016) because they are not academically prepared when taking developmental courses (Abreu et al., 2016; Bouck & Joshi, 2017). Researchers have studied Black men's lived experiences with Individualized Education Plans…

Nontraditional students are increasing in enrollment as one of the most significant demographic groups on American campuses. Since this number grew exponentially from 30% to 50% in a ten-year period (Forbus et al., 2010), universities may need to prioritize the needs and services of nontraditional students on their campuses to promote retention…

Student athlete support services play a vital role in student athlete success at university athletic departments across the country. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires that Division-I (D-I) institutions provide student athletes with academic advising, mentoring, tutoring, and life skills programs (Gerstner, 2017) to help…