ERIC Number: ED653897
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 281
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3825-9638-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Fourth Pandemic: Photo-Narratives of Mid-Level Student Affairs Professionals during the Great Resignation
Melissa Lafferty
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Northern Colorado
This qualitative study explores the experiences of mid-level higher education professionals navigating workplace changes post-Coronavirus-19 Pandemic and during the subsequent Great Resignation. The study, framed by the theory of ambiguous loss to interpret the impacts of unresolved losses, underscores the importance of equipping higher education to adapt to ongoing transitions. To capture these nuanced dynamics, data were collected through individual interviews and participant photography using photo-narrative methodology. Eight participants, all mid-level student affairs professionals employed at a public research university in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, completed a total of 15 interviews and submitted 53 photos for the study. The data were analyzed using narrative, thematic, and symbolic methods. Findings revealed four key themes: compensation challenges, the dynamics of coworker relationships, the need for flexibility in role management, and the impact of the office environment on well-being. These themes highlight the complexity of workplace transitions, marked by both challenges and opportunities for growth. The photo-narrative approach effectively captured these experiences, offering rich insights into the participants' professional journeys. The study highlights the resilience of higher education professionals and suggests the necessity of supportive policies and practices that acknowledge their unique workplace experiences. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Personal Narratives, Photography, Visual Aids, Student Personnel Workers, Occupational Mobility, Higher Education, Professional Personnel, Employee Attitudes, Work Environment, Research Universities, Public Colleges, Educational Change, Salary Wage Differentials, Compensation (Remuneration), Interpersonal Relationship, Role Theory, Well Being, Resilience (Psychology)
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A