African American males represent one of the smallest demographics reflected within the student population in higher education within the United States. Colleges and universities continue to face the challenge of articulating their value as they seek to recruit, retain, and support students. However, African American male undergraduate students…

Lack of racially minoritized staff is a complex problem, requiring the examination of implicit biases of search committees to better inform and improve institutional hiring practices. Implicit bias describes the attitudes and prejudice we have towards other people, along with the associated stereotypes, without our conscious knowledge, and usually…

The problem investigated by this study is the low completion rates of nontraditional undergraduate adult students attending a 4-year university located in the West coast region of the United States. In 2020, the program completion rate was less than 44% at the study site and 45.8% for nontraditional undergraduate adult students nationally. The…

The understanding of student satisfaction as a concept and the methodology by which it is measured varies greatly within higher education research. Studies of student satisfaction specific to the context of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the United States are scarce and often use assessments borrowed from other industries. Of the…

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…

This study examines the relationship between retention and customer satisfaction at a historically black college and university (HBCU). Using a mix-methods approach, which includes surveys, interviews, and focus groups with first year college students, we analyze the factors that contribute to student satisfaction and the extent to which…

When discussing students' educational experience on campus, including race and racism, previous studies usually discuss domestic and international students separately and use different theoretical frameworks. Previous literature examining international students focused on the individual characteristics of students and how those associated with…

LGBTQ+ students exist on college campuses in greater numbers than ever before. Campus culture directly impacts how LGBTQ+ students experience college and contributes to their overall sense of belonging. Campus culture in turn is shaped by students' access to resources and the effectiveness of those resources. Students' experiences, for better or…

This qualitative case study utilizes a nested research design, including both survey and interview data, and a campus ecology framework to analyze students' perceptions of free speech and sense of belonging at a single institution in South Central Texas. The recent conflict on campuses surrounding free speech is indicative of deep tension…

Military and veteran students face many challenges when navigating their journey in higher education. These non-traditional students have varied support needs when attending institutions of higher education that are different than the traditional student today. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of their satisfaction with the…

This dissertation investigates the influence of racialization on the attrition rates of African American male students in predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The study examines whether these students experience cultural shock or face more profound systemic challenges. The research explores how African American men navigate and perceive their…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the perceptions of the role of the campus pub through the lens of campus ecology theory. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with student affairs professionals at three institutions with campus pubs. Documents were also collected and analyzed from campus newspapers and social…

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…

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…

For years, scholars have recognized the high levels of attrition that occur in many science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. The literature emerging from studies has revealed many of the issues regarding attrition and the disparity in retention between many students of color, women, and their White male peers. Scholars have…