This study focused on the problem that students attending on-ground programs retain significantly higher than students in online programs. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine what difference, if any, existed in the grades and persistence of adult online students who used student support services and those who…

Under-resourced community college students struggle to meet their basic needs, often facing food and housing insecurities, all while trying to focus on their studies. A handful of institutions have increased the graduation rates of their under-resourced student populations by creating holistic models that provide a variety of financial, academic,…

Under-resourced community college students struggle to meet their basic needs, often facing food and housing insecurities, all while trying to focus on their studies. A handful of institutions have increased the graduation rates of their under-resourced student populations by creating holistic models that provide a variety of financial, academic,…

The purpose of this descriptive study utilizing survey research was to understand student perceptions about how private institutions support the persistence of first-generation college students. First-generation college students refer to those students whose parents or guardians have earned a four-year bachelor's degree but may have some…

The academic success of student-athletes is a hot topic on college campuses. This exploratory action research study seeks to understand the best ways to support student-athletes at a small, private college with a large student-athlete population. Utilizing the Whole Student Theory of Advising (WSToA) framework, student-athletes were surveyed and…

The purpose of this study was to analyze the research on students with dyslexia and the need to implement specialized academic services in higher education in the United States that contribute to their academic success. The researcher used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to guide and conduct the…

The presence of first-generation college students (FGCS) continues to grow in post-secondary education. However, their success rates have not kept the same pace. Only 27% of first-generation college students earn degrees within four years (Whitley et al., 2018). The purpose of this research study was to co-create supports with participants and…

The purpose of this study is to examine support for online learners in higher education programs. More institutions are offering online options due to the COVID 19 pandemic. While the pandemic affects all institutions of higher education, it is a particular challenge for smaller schools who have promoted personalized attention. The study seeks to…

As a growing number of higher education institutions commit to first-generation student success, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers should aim to better understand how to deliver on promises to first-generation students within institutions and across the higher education landscape. First-generation students are a particularly important…

The Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool is designed to be utilized by Kentucky State University coaches and athletic department staff who work with Black male student-athletes. The Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool contains modules that provide information on academics, mental health, and cultural competence to the user. When its use is…

The academic library Learning Commons continues to be a prominent model for organizing co- located research and academic support services for students on college and university campuses. While numerous reports have highlighted the value of partnerships in providing these services, little research exists on the nature of collaboration between the…

Student veterans are a growing population in higher education with over 650,000 veterans using education benefits in 2018. Student veterans are enrolling in colleges of all types, and many institutions have support services designed for them specifically. In most cases these support services are limited to veteran centers where officials certify…

This study aimed to illuminate the perceptions of whether higher education support services function as a barrier or conduit to Black male undergraduate students' academic persistence. The relationship between 13 Black male undergraduate students and their higher education institutions was examined. The researcher proposed a model of qualitative…

With the continual decline of high school graduation rates in South Carolina, there is a need for high schools to look at alternative pathways to graduation. Many of the current alternatives offered to students remove them from the high school setting or interactions with the student body. This study focused on an alternative pathway to…

Going to college creates a financial challenge for an increasing number of American students. The inadequacy of available financial aid and lack of wrap-around services make the possibility of college graduation increasingly challenging for former McKinney-Vento students. The purpose of this study was to explore the financial, socioemotional, and…