Despite a burgeoning literature on first-generation college student success, little is known about how the presence of first-generation or continuing-generation peers may facilitate desired outcomes among first-generation students. Moreover, two theoretical traditions lead to contrasting predictions about the potential impact of the representation…

During a student's first year, there is typically an adjustment period of living independently and feeling a sense of belonging that helps students overcome obstacles they may face in trying to navigate a new world. Students can find community in classrooms, joining a club or organization, forming an outside study group, and often through Living…

The number of room change requests by first-year college students can be influenced by several factors, including race and socioeconomic status. This study adds to the body of research by also examining the role of residence hall architecture, roommate similarity, and academic performance in room change requests. Findings indicate that residence…

This study examines the relationship between student success measures on student achievement to inform our approach to mediating against potential barriers on persistence and retention for first generation and traditionally marginalized populations for students enrolled in a new Living Learning Community. Success measures examine those beyond the…

The well-being of college students can be impacted by aspects of the physical environment, especially during key life transitions such as beginning college during a pandemic. This repeated cross-sectional study investigates the influence of a newly constructed living-learning neighborhood on first-year residents' mental well-being, specifically…

Scholarship on students who enter college without a declared major indicates that this population of students faces unique challenges (Anderson, 1985; Beal & Noel, 1980; Lewallen, 1993), but also may be more likely to persist to graduation and earn higher grades than those who enter college with a declared major (Lewallen, 1995). Based on…

In this prospective study, we assess the relationship between being with high school friends during the college transition and binge drinking. Across analyses (n = 489), the presence of high school friends during the college transition was associated with reduced binge drinking at the end of the first college semester among individuals at risk for…

Objective: Investigate the relationship between intensities of physical activity and severity of drunkorexia behaviors. Participants: First-year college students living in residence halls (n = 127) completed an online survey comprising drinking, drunkorexia, and physical activity. Methods: Multiple hierarchical linear regressions were implemented…

The purpose of this study was to explore sense of belonging across race and gender using Strayhorn's (2012) sense of belonging model as a conceptual framework to guide both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Survey data confirmed findings from previous literature concerning disparities between belongingness among…

Residential learning communities (RLCs) are residence hall environments designed to deliver academic and social benefits. For decades, many have argued RLCs are an effective means for increasing student success. Yet substantial changes in the defining characteristics of campus housing and student diversity have led to new questions about the…

This study explored the impact of a living-and-learning program (LLP) in a residential college of an Asian university on a freshmen cohort. It utilized a theoretical framework based on Astin's input-intermediate outcome-environment-outcome model. We examined survey data collected at two time points a year apart to understand how the freshmen's…

The current study explored the impact of students' residence hall experience in terms of academic, social and personal development and students' motivation to join residence hall activities at a Hong Kong university. The results revealed significant differences, with females, local and non-first-year student groups reporting more gains from their…

A heterogeneous student body is valued in part because diverse interactions among students help create educated and competent citizens and promote learning and development. Campus housing is a primary setting for diverse interactions as students navigate living with individuals who differ from themselves. This study investigated how the roommate…

This study identifies factors associated with freshmen retention rates at a mid-size private university. A key finding from our analysis is that roommates' academic efforts, residing on an honours floor and membership in co-curricular groups increase retention. We also confirm many standard results in the literature regarding the impact on…

A multi-institutional study of five Canadian universities was undertaken to examine the impact of living in residence on students' first-year grade point averages (GPAs), retention to the second year, and graduation. While previous studies have linked living in residence to improved academic outcomes, most of the research has been based on…