The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the influence of collegiate experiences of non-heterosexual African American males (AAMs) on their retention and persistence. Eight non-heterosexual AAMs participated in interviews where they described their college experiences and their perceived impact on their retention and persistence.…

The advent of the "Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies" (Ratts, Singh, Nassar-McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2016), the "American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics" (2014), and a more comprehensive emphasis on multiculturalism and social justice (Haskins & Singh, 2015; Ratts, 2009, 2011;…

This three article dissertation is an investigation into the ontology of learning insofar as learning is a process of becoming. In each article I explore the general questions of who is learning, in what ways, and with what consequences. The context for this research is undergraduate engineering education with particular attention to the…

Research suggests the collaborative role school counselors can have with administrators to bolster school reform and facilitate a safe and positive learning environment for all K-12 students (College Board, 2009a, 2009b) is vital. Unfortunately, research that explores the roles and efforts of school counselors and administrators in their…

Schools in the United States often times replicate the heteronormative beliefs of the American culture which can make these institutions feel isolating and unsafe for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) community. Historically, schools were places that reinforced heterosexuality and gender conforming norms. Despite…

Despite growing literature about LGBTQ populations and prominence of transgender people within popular media, the lives of college students who identify as non-binary/transgender have received little attention, nor in-depth study into their complex lives. This study addressed this lack of literature by inquiring into the ways in which non-binary…

This study sought to contribute to the growing awareness surrounding the barriers, challenges, and needs of LGBTQ persons with disabilities at the collegiate level. The purpose of this research was to capture the lived experiences of LGBTQ persons with disabilities who were enrolled at postsecondary institutions throughout the United States.…

Five biracial multiracial lesbian gay bisexual queer student leaders shared stories about their undergraduate experiences at a prestigious southern university. Critical cultural and constructivist paradigm provided the framework for supporting this narrative inquiry. Through multiple interviews, participants shared stories of their background,…

This doctoral dissertation aimed to explore the unique experiences of a very specific, yet quite diverse segment of the student body population in higher education: International students who also identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ). The experiences of this subset of the student population have not…

School can be inhospitable for any lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) parents with children in pre-K-12 classrooms (Kosciw & Diaz, 2008). Some LGBTQ parents feel they must be silent and discreet so their children will not endure any discrimination at school (Fakhrid-Deen & COLAGE, 2010). Some reasons for this silence…

Using grounded theory methodology to analyze in-depth interviews, participant-taken photographs, and written reflections, this dissertation examines the hometown environments and university experiences of twenty-five gay Latino-identifying college students enrolled at predominantly white institutions in two separate US locations. This study finds…

This action research (AR) study explored practitioners' knowledge of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) youth issues in a juvenile justice setting. A research and service approach was employed to develop a LGBTQI policy and training. This study was motivated by three research questions. Does sensitivity…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of 15 Latina lesbian students and their perceived sexual identity development at a predominately Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI). Participants for this study were purposefully selected using criteria, convenience, and snowball sampling. Using a conceptual framework…

The success of a team relies as much on the relationship between coaches and players as it does on athletic skill. Coaches, at times, become surrogate parental figures in the lives of their athletes and teammates become siblings who all work together towards a common goal. Athletes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I…

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) on Historically Black College/University (HBCU) campuses face a unique set of challenges. In addition to being disproportionately affected by HIV, Black MSM are impacted by risk behavior, stigma, and environmental policies and practices that adversely influence their experiences. The purpose of this study was…