The purpose of the study was to write individual narrative stories about the subjective experiences of six students who entered college and had to take at least one remedial course their first semester. A subjective experience refers to the emotional and cognitive impact of the personal account of an experience (Subjective Experience, n.d.). The…

This dissertation studies how the work of academic advising in higher education is impacted by the advisor's lived experience and how that lived experience impacts their advising practice and self-efficacy. The core interest of the study is how the experience of being a professional academic advisor impacts advisors' ability to do their work…

This study identified the experiences of middle school teachers in the Southeastern Louisiana participating in professional learning communities, using the social constructivism theory. The study uncovers the various factors that are present that influence instructional practices and student learning outcomes. Ten middle school teachers engage in…

Career and technical education (CTE) programs provide directives to prepare secondary students with the necessary skills and knowledge for their careers and college education. However, CTE programs could have more academic proficiency and employable skills to effectively prepare African American secondary students. This study aimed to explore the…

The objective of this research was to gather the experiences of six participants from various 2-year and 4-year colleges in the state of Alabama. Participants were solicited using a flyer posted in-house and online to students who are members of the Equality and Advocacy Center (EAC) as well as the Acceptance of Diverse Population Center (ADPC).…

This study examined higher education instructors' lived experiences using learning analytics data to make sense of and improve their online course design. Mishra and Koehler's (2006) Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) served as the theoretical framework for this study, providing a lens for understanding how faculty apply…

This critical qualitative research study examines how Black tenure-track faculty at predominantly White Research 1 (PWR1) institutions describe and enact their personal and professional commitments while navigating their institutions priorities and reward structure. Using a purposive and snowball sampling methodological approach, I interviewed 17…

This qualitative study was conducted to investigate the impact COVID-19 had on teachers' instructional practices, technology preparedness, and social and emotional well-being. The results of this study can be used to inform school leaders, administrators, and teachers about methods to support teachers who teach during a worldwide crisis. The study…

The advising experience of students who start their academic studies at a community college is often critical to their success. Students with an intent to earn an associate degree may find that academic advising helps them define their academic goals, affirms their educational plans, and provides them continual guidance. This study explored the…

This multi-site, embedded case study drew on qualitative data to uncover how Black Student Unions (BSUs) within a large California university system bridged or buffered Black student experiences. The central purpose of this case study was to gain an understanding of the Black students' experiences within the BSU, framing the overarching research…

Latin@ undocumented students confront unique and significant barriers in accessing and obtaining postsecondary certificates and degrees within community colleges. This study explored 4 current and 1 former community college part-time (6-8 credits) undocumented students, specifically how they described their help-seeking experiences within a…

This qualitative evaluation of Emory's Oxford Summer Experience Program examined rural students' college aspirations. Educational and economic barriers hinder rural students' college enrollment and degree attainment (Adelman, 2002; Byun, Meece, & Irvin, 2012; Means, Clayton, Conzelmann, Baynes, & Umbach, 2016). Because of these barriers,…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore African American single mothers' lived experiences of managing their children's remote learning and physical activities during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order as they managed and coped during this unprecedented time. There are limited published peer-reviewed articles about…

Homesickness is a complex phenomenon that operates on a spectrum and impacts individuals' psychological, cognitive, and physical functioning. Sufferers experience a preoccupation of home and a strong desire to return home. In higher education, homesickness among first-year students has been linked to a higher risk of dropping out of school,…

The view that colleges are generally safe has been challenged by threats of violence on campuses across the country, causing fear among stakeholders. Community college faculty are not immune to crime-related fear on campus; however, the research has largely ignored this population. This research serves to fill that gap. The purpose of this…