This study explored how Black women described their experience pursuing a PhD for professional and personal growth. It aimed to provide a valuable resource for Black women considering or currently undertaking doctoral education by offering insights into the experiences of their peers. Furthermore, the research sought to inform decision-making…

Here, we describe strategies for integrating transferrable professional development (PD) skills into research learning environments for marginalized undergraduate students. The undergraduate research experience evolved to include the competencies students need to be successful and to gain a sense of belonging in the chemistry community they are…

This study is guided by Carol Dweck's 'Growth Mindset' implicit theory of intelligence, which explains how individuals react to setbacks and why some actively pursue their potential. Those with a 'growth' mindset, as opposed to a 'fixed' one, persist when confronted with challenging tasks and believe that they can develop the necessary skills with…

The purpose of this study was to address the role of social comparison in determining individual development by exploring the relationship of four types of social comparison with academic persistence-procrastination and subjective well-being among Chinese adolescents (n = 530, M[subscript age] = 14.59) from both variable- and person-centered…

Metacognition, or the monitoring of one's own learning, is an underutilized tool in STEM education. Previous research suggests instructional strategies that attempt to improve student metacognitive skills could increase student resilience and retention in STEM classes. This pilot initiative aimed to improve student metacognitive skills and…

The Accelerate Cancer Education (ACE) summer research program at The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is a six-week, cancer-focused, summer research experience for high school students from historically marginalized populations in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Cancer affects all populations and continues to be the second leading…

First-year seminars (FYS) are well-tested and trusted programs to facilitate students' transition to college. This study adds to the body of evidence about the value of seminars through analysis of a large multi-institution dataset and documentation of the positive association between participation in a first-year seminar and student engagement in…

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) demonstrate success in facilitating pathways for STEM graduates into the STEM workforce, and this phenomenon has been widely documented (Gasman & Nguyen, 2014; Upton & Tanenbaum, 2014; Clewell et al., 2016). Although thematic analysis of the mission statements of HBCUs at the…

Having a sense of belonging can promote persistence in the STEM fields, but less is known about what it means to develop that sense of belonging. To investigate this phenomenon, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a cohort of STEM students (n = 10) nearing graduation at an urban university regarding their sense of belonging and…

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted students' educational experiences, raising concerns about their social and emotional development. This longitudinal quantitative study analyzed changes in student perceptions of social and emotional well-being using Panorama Education SEL survey data from Cohort 2023 12th graders at an urban intensive high school…

The Division of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services at Old Dominion University (ODU) submitted a Request for Assistance to examine the challenges sophomore students face that can lead to attrition. A doctoral research team conducted a exploratory, sequential, mixed-methods study consisting of a literature review, focus groups and interviews…

This case study aimed to examine the experiences of Black college graduates who completed a hyperlocal gap year program in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Much of the literature presented about gap years often occurs between high school and college, when students take an intentional break before pursuing a college degree (GYA, 2020; O'Shea, 2013; Simpson, 2004).…

Ready for Kindergarten! Survey (R4K!S) is a readiness assessment of children entering kindergarten about students' knowledge and skills within the first six to ten weeks of school. There are many interpretations of what constitutes "readiness." Vermont's concept of children's readiness is multidimensional; it includes social and…

Ready for Kindergarten! Survey (R4K!S) is a readiness assessment of children entering kindergarten about students' knowledge and skills within the first six to ten weeks of school. There are many interpretations of what constitutes "readiness." Vermont's concept of children's readiness is multidimensional; it includes social and…

Much academic development work, whether it be student, academic staff, institutional or curriculum development, is undertaken from an affirmative rather than a transformative approach (Luckett, L., and S. Shay. 2020. "Reframing the Curriculum: A Transformative Approach." "Critical Studies in Education" 61 (1): 50-65). To be…