Despite mental illness related to learning, social life, and overall well-being being prevalent among students, college students may not feel comfortable disclosing their mental health issues due to stigmas and campus barriers. Consequently, a high number of students experience mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation,…

This dissertation explores the use of place-based pedagogy as a tool for teaching for transfer in a college composition class in West Virginia. Although existing composition scholarship indicates that themed classes (such as a place-based class) are unlikely to facilitate transfer among the students, this is mostly due to instructors of themed…

Over the past several generations numerous policies and laws have been established that have allowed people with disabilities to further their education. Students with disabilities enter higher education with varied experiences, which allows for a wide array of perceptions of the services and support provided on this level. The purpose of this…

Food insecurity (FI) is a concern for many college students, and contributes to significant physical, mental, and academic stressors. Experts have described the need for qualitative research. A better understanding of the experience of FI among college students may help to inform future research and interventions to support students on their…

Formerly incarcerated students comprise a population that has been largely overlooked, when it comes to the recognition of their higher education promise and potential (Strayhorn et al., 2013; U.S. Department of Education, 2021). This lack of recognition contributes to the perpetuation of race- and class-based inequities and discounts the talents…

Mental health has been an increasing challenge for diverse segments of the U.S. population. Focused attention and research has helped to identify characteristics that provide insight into the complexities of mental health within U.S. society. Looking at the available research on mental health and college students, one specific population, former…

The present study critically analyzes relevant literature on peer support and help-seeking behaviors among college students as it relates to mental health stigma. The purpose of this study emphasizes the growing concern of mental health in higher education as colleges continue to navigate the challenges to support students experiencing levels of…

The stigma of mental illness remains pervasive in society, concurrently driving both public and internalized prejudice. Different dimensions of stigma -- cognitive stereotypes, negative emotional reactions, and behavioral biases -- are created, reinforced, and enacted in social relationships and interactions. Continuing in the long tradition of…

The purpose of this research was to describe how specific students, impacted by the closure of Mount Ida College, made sense of the closure. Participants included 12 former students who were enrolled at Mount Ida when administrators announced its closure in April of 2018. Data collected consisted of individual interviews as well as written…

Sexual assault on college campuses is a significant concern and deemed a public health problem. Research suggested that certain groups, such as male college student athletes, may be the main offenders and contributors to the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between acceptance of specific rape myths and…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Historically Black University in the Southeast region of the United States. Mixed methods approach was used in this study to examine students' perceptions giving us the chance to expand our understanding of online learning in…

Research indicates that mental health issues are highly prevalent among college students (e.g., American College Health Association, 2018) and that first-generation students could be a higher risk of experiencing psychological distress compared to continuing-generation college students (House et al., 2019). Research also documents approximately…

Several factors, including stigma and help-seeking behaviors, create barriers to college males seeking professional mental health services. Previous research has focused on socialization, masculinity ideologies, and attitudes to explain this disparity. However, little is understood about how this population's coping style, race, and psychological…

Mental health is a growing concern faced by college administrators. Self-stigma is a major barrier preventing mental health utilization and recovery on college campuses. The purpose of this research study is to understand how self-stigma influences the mental health experiences of college students. The research study builds upon narrative…

Mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and high levels of stress, are a frequent concern among college students (Duffy et al., 2019; Oswalt et al., 2020). However, rates for mental health help-seeking in college students are low (Marsh & Wilcoxon, 2015). Various factors contribute to low help-seeking behaviors, and these include…