This qualitative action research study aimed to examine and improve the experiences of social connectedness and sense of belonging among Black students at a predominantly white institution (PWI). Initial data collected from Cycle 1 showed that Black students faced multiple challenges on campus, primarily stemming from a perceived negative campus…

Asian international students have long constituted the largest portion of the international student body in the United States (U.S.), a trend that persists despite the hurdles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. These students play an essential role in stimulating the U.S. economy, facilitating cross-cultural exchange, and nurturing international…

Homesickness, a distinctly human phenomenon, is common among college students, domestic or international and is the focus of this research. In this study, we focused on international students in American institutions to better understand the relationship among homesickness, acculturation, and social media use. Through focus group interviews,…

National research demonstrates that students working on campus remain enrolled at rates higher than their peers who do not work or work off-campus. Considered by many to be a High-Impact Practice (HIP) (McClellan, Creager, and Savoca 2018), the student employment experience is an integral part of students' education, growth, and development.…

Most study abroad research has predominantly investigated international students studying in Western Anglophone countries, where English is the native language. However, this study shifted the context of study abroad research by exploring Chinese students' experiences studying abroad in Thailand, a unique context where English is regarded as a…

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns were phenomena experienced by the majority of the modern world, but not everyone experienced it in the same way. Each person brings their own past, their own interests, and their own needs to the lived experience. Pre-pandemic research on art therapy suggests that creative expression could be helpful…

This paper explores how storying can be used to uncover experiences of student belonging throughout their time in Higher Education. It adopts a framing of belonging that is fluid and which recognises shifting notions of belonging over time. A focus on storying is particularly useful for understanding belonging as it enables university staff to…

Higher education (i.e., colleges and universities) institutions must have a thorough understanding of the college-going process for potential students to be successful in their enrollment, retention, and graduation efforts. The college-going process often consists of deciding to pursue higher education, choosing an institution, and selecting a…

Peer socialization agents (PSAs) play an important role in transmitting messages about the culture of higher education institutions (i.e. norms, values, practices, and assumptions) to new students, including messages concerning diversity and inclusion. The transmission of diversity messages depends on how student leaders make meaning of these…

Over the last decades, using e-learning systems as an alternative format of education for traditional classroom has been growing in higher education and due to COVID-19 pandemic, this transition has been unprecedently accelerated. Although there is a large body of research on e-learning, little is known about the extent to which innovative and…

The impact of COVID-19 on university students is multi-faceted and varies depending on the student profile. A study was conducted at a regional university in the Midwest. A quick-reaction or pulse study was done to assess the immediate effects on students in designated classes at the onset of the pandemic. A follow-up study was completed at the…

Research into the relationship between innovative physical learning environments (PLEs) and innovative psychosocial learning environments (PSLEs) indicates that it must be understood as a network of relationships between multiple psychosocial and physical aspects. Actors shape this network by attaching meanings to these aspects and their…

In March 2020, higher education institutions experienced a lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous studies have shown the negative impact of the lockdown on students' mental health. The lockdown situation was unprecedented and describing the variety of experiences is therefore important. This study aims to describe students' lived…

Increasing numbers of international students bring their different cultures, languages, and educational backgrounds to higher education, and they expect their experiences and interactions with higher education institutions to be rewarding journeys. A key issue - the dynamic and multifaceted concept of student engagement as an important indicator…

This grounded theory study uses a semi-structured interview process, as well as a differentiated information acquisition approach to explore the perceptions and experiences of individuals who identify as neurodivergent in the postsecondary setting. The aim of this study is to gain firsthand knowledge about the lived experiences of former and…