Education researchers and the US Department of Education interpret chronic absentee data as supporting a causal relationship between absenteeism and negative outcomes later in life (Frydenlund, 2022; Berkowitz et al., 2017; Hopson & Lee, 2011; Thapa et al., 2013). As school absence rates continue to reflect disparities among students of color…

In this grounded theory research study, current/former collegiate softball players were surveyed using the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS), followed by 13 open-ended questions, designed to solicit participants' preferences in character traits, behaviors, and strategies of a softball coach as they apply to individual and team performance, team…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational-associative study was to measure if or to what extent there was a relationship between factors of school culture and teacher work engagement for elementary school teachers in public school districts in Arizona. The overarching research question was, if and to what extent does a relationship exist…

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of workplace belonging and esteem of 12 staff members with various minoritized identities working in higher education in the Midwestern United States. While much research focuses on student belonging, this study centered on the perspectives of non-faculty staff, addressing a notable…

The purpose of this action research study was to explore and develop collective teacher efficacy (CTE) for the faculty and staff at a preschool through Grade 2 elementary school. During Cycle 1 data collection, 10 teachers were interviewed using a semistructured interview protocol. Action steps for Cycle 2 were designed based on the Cycle 1…

This research explored the concepts of Sense of Belonging and Campus Cultural Capital among first-generation transfer students who were accepted to attend the EOP Transfer Bridge Program in 2018 and 2019. The methodology employed for this study was a transformative and mixed methods design that utilized the lens of Student Validation and Critical…

Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show promise in improving access to mental health care for college students suffering from depression and anxiety symptoms. Nonetheless, the usefulness of DMHIs is limited by high user attrition. Leveraging peer support among college populations may be a feasible and cost-effective option to improve DMHI…

Historically marginalized students, especially urban students attending under-resourced schools, experience lower levels of belongingness than their white peers in suburban, well-resourced schools. Much research highlights that student belongingness increases student outcomes such as on-time graduation, standardized test achievement, and lifetime…

This dissertation investigated the impact of The Encounter, a professional development workshop focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice, on the self-efficacy of White women K-12 educators in predominantly White schools in the Midwest. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study examines how participants'…

This qualitative research aimed to identify factors contributing to the formation and development of effective partnerships that foster positive youth development. The study involved interviews with eight adult military mentors and nine youth cadet mentees to gain various perspectives regarding mentoring relationships within the youth leadership…

Motivation, belonging, and inclusion are all critical factors for student success but can be difficult to support in asynchronous online courses. Active learning and required group work have been shown to increase student motivation in in-person and synchronous online courses, but little is known about their impact in online asynchronous settings.…

This paper investigates the perceptions and experiences of graduated African American students regarding the effects of campus gospel choir involvement on their persistence at Michigan State University (MSU). Drawing upon the frameworks of Astin's Input-Output-Environment (IOE) model, Tinto's Theory of Belonging, and Kuh's High-Impact Practices…

The purpose of this self-study was to investigate the implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the music classroom without a district-level music administrator. With two guiding research questions, the study involved using culturally responsive music education and a community of practice to implement DEIB music…

School sense of belonging is critical for students' academic achievement and emotional well-being. The development of a sense of school belonging is influenced by direct and indirect factors within the school environment. Categorization into low and high achievement groups based on academics is a process largely outside the direct control of a…

The retention of female students in engineering technology programs is a concern for midwestern university focusing to foster diversity in engineering and technology fields. This abstract explores the influence of female students' sense of belonging on their retention in engineering technology degree programs. Drawing upon a review of literature…