The transition experience for students who are transferring from community college to university can be an overwhelming experience for any typical student, but can be even greater for students with vulnerable backgrounds. This phenomenological action research study followed the five-month community college to the university transition experience…

This study used a transformative, convergent mixed methods design, with a crossover analysis, to investigate the K-12 and postsecondary experiences young adults with disabilities perceive as influencing their persistence in postsecondary education. Thirteen young adults who were persisting in or had completed postsecondary education programs…

This case study examines how students navigate transfer from a community college to a four-year institution through the context of a transfer seminar course. Research has shown that these courses can be relevant support for students in their first semester post-transfer. Yet, no research has qualitatively examined student adjustment through a…

As the number of first-generation college students enrolling in colleges and universities continues to increase, so does the need for university administrators to create resources that better enhance first-generation college students' persistence and attainment of a bachelor's degree. One area that has often been overlooked is the role that…

Many young undocumented students are experiencing mental health issues in K-12 schools. Researchers have found a myriad of psychological stressors that add to the complexity of being an undocumented student in the United States. Educators have noted an increased concern in undocumented students expressing concerns of fears at school, acculturation…

The numbers of African American males and females entering higher education continue to soar. Research shows that African American women are the most educated group within the United States; however, compared to their European and Hispanic male counterparts, African American males report the lowest outcomes in higher education. Educational…

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Student Veterans as they pursue a post-secondary degree. The primary focus of the study was threefold: first, to explore the struggles Student Veterans face while pursuing a post-secondary degree, secondly, to explore the positive and negative experiences Student Veterans encounter while…

Executive functioning has been a buzz word in education for a few years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The research around executive functioning is exploding, as teachers are seeking to support students entering their classrooms with what seems like a wider variety of needs and less independence than ever before. Many districts are…

Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging for student veterans, especially when adjusting to civilian life. Dealing with life stressors, and connecting with others becomes increasingly difficult when student veterans suffer from poor mental health. Research suggests that student veterans appear to be mature and…

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore and understand the reasons why community college music majors choose to persist, leave the major, or leave college, and what effects a first-year seminar designed specifically for music majors might have on their intent to persist.A questionnaire was used to compare the likelihood of…

This study explored the transition experience of home-campus students attending an international branch campus. The studied was informed by a diverse range of literature, including the internationalization of higher education and student affairs, development of international branch campuses, students in transition, the development of student…

Many U.S. service members who repatriate following military service in Iraq and Afghanistan seek educational benefits proffered by the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008. Student-veterans are a diverse and unique population within university settings, and there is much to be learned about factors that may influence their rates of…

It is widely understood in the higher education community that students from the lowest socioeconomic (SES) status achieve lower college graduation rates than those from other SES, even when controlling for other variables. Certain programs and services have been shown to positively affect student persistence, even when compared by student SES and…

This dissertation presents a phenomenological study that voices the perspectives of Korean female international graduate students in U.S. higher education on their acculturation experiences. This qualitative study used Berry's (2017) acculturation theory as the framework. This study particularly focuses on the acculturative stressors faced by…

The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of international students concerning the resources and support they are offered while enrolled as community college students. This research was guided by the following questions: What cultural, academic, and social barriers do international students at community colleges face? What…