The problem addressed in this study was the high rate of student nursing attrition. The purpose of this qualitative single case research study was to identify perceived barriers to program completion for registered nursing pre-licensure students to determine ways to help students overcome these challenges. The conceptual framework for this…

This dissertation explores the impact of physical campus spaces on the sense of belonging among commuter students. Drawing on qualitative data collected through photography, videos, interviews, observations, and campus materials, this study investigates how the physical campus environment shape students' perceptions of connection, inclusion, and…

The present study sought to examine unique challenges that first-generation Latino male students (FGLMs) face, along with contributing factors that helped to shape their college experience when adjusting to two community colleges in southern California. The selected institutions were large community colleges located in urban settings within Los…

In the 21st century, more students enroll in higher education and take federal loans to defer the cost of attendance resulting in average levels of borrowing steadily increasing. In the same timeframe, there is an increase in the number of students entering repayment for their federal loans and an increase in the proportion of individuals…

This dissertation explores the experiences of first-generation, Black male college students in a predominantly white, urban commuter institution in the United States. It focuses on understanding their challenges and developing strategies to enhance their connection to the educational environment of a university. The central research question…

Campus public safety has become a major concern over the last decade for the entire college community. As incidents of mass violence on college campuses increase, many college administrators are searching for the most effective measures to prevent such incidents from happening on their campuses. One method gaining popularity is the establishment…

Campus public safety has become a major concern over the last decade for the entire college community. As incidents of mass violence on college campuses increase, many college administrators are searching for the most effective measures to prevent such incidents from happening on their campuses. One method gaining popularity is the establishment…

Campus public safety has become a major concern over the last decade for the entire college community. As incidents of mass violence on college campuses increase, many college administrators are searching for the most effective measures to prevent such incidents from happening on their campuses. One method gaining popularity is the establishment…

Qualitative research on the first-year experiences of Black male commuter students entering institutions of higher learning is necessary to provide a deeper look at institutional and individual factors that these students may experience, which impact their academic success. Understanding the issues that affect Black male college students in…

Mothers are a significant but overlooked subpopulation of college students. One-fourth of all undergraduate students are parents raising children, and the vast majority of these parents are women, yet very few research studies have been conducted on parents or mothers in higher education. This narrative inquiry study looks at how mother-students…

This dissertation is a mixed methods study to evaluate the benefits of the availability of supplemental screencasts in a traditional lecture course on a commuter satellite campus of a major Midwestern university. A face-to-face introductory chemistry course designed for nursing majors was complemented by the availability of pre-recorded lecture…

The concept of leadership has been explored in many contexts, yet it is not a role that is expected as part of a college education. "Peer Leaders" are in a unique position because they are responsible for leading a group of students to learn. This phenomenological case study explored the experience of "leading" by Peer Leaders,…

This study sought to explore the lived experiences of five female, first-generation, low-income students who attend a metropolitan commuter university, and investigate how a structured undergraduate research experience exerts influence on the women's academic and social involvement. A qualitative case study with a narrative and grounded…

The purpose of this study was to expand the literature on student persistence in community colleges through three research innovations. First, the literature on student persistence in community colleges was expanded by applying theory to the identification and testing of predictors. Second, it was expanded by validating retention prediction…

This study sought to conduct an assessment of a transfer retention program at a four year, commuter institution, and to examine its influence on the retention and academic performance of transfer students. A mixed methods case study utilizing both institutional quantitative data and qualitative interviews investigated the influence of this program…