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…

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…

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 phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of adjunct faculty working in business schools across the New England region. The five participants of this study taught at 4-year, non-profit, public, or private institutions. Multiple interviews were conducted using Seidman's (2013) interview protocol. The responses were transcribed…

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…

Higher education has long known the many challenges facing Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) leading to lower Black student retention rates relative to their White peers. One factor contributing to retention rates among Black students at PWIs is their sense of belonging. There are many factors that contribute to a sense of…

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…

This quantitative study investigated the impact of campus climate on the ethnic identity development and sense of belonging among Middle Eastern and North African/Southwest Asian and North African (MENA/SWANA) college students. This student population has largely been absent from research due to their classification as White in the U.S. Census and…

This study is a phenomenological study that explores the impacts that racial affinity groups and varsity athletic teams have on the perceived sense of belonging, social capital development, and identity development of students at one New England independent boarding school. The rationale for this study comes from the notion that many independent…

For nearly 60 years, doctoral student attrition has been a cause for concern (Berelson, 1960; Council of Graduate Schools, 2010; 2015). Studies have shown that approximately 40-70% of doctoral students do not finish their degree, and 20% of those who advance to candidacy do not complete the dissertation phase (Lovelace, 2016). Additionally,…

This action research study examined student success at a private, faith-based graduate business school by aiming to cultivate a community of belonging for graduate students through a staff development approach. As the action for this study, a three-part professional development series was created to foster a collaborative community of graduate…

Scholars have put a great deal of effort into studies focused on the undergraduate student experience, during this time the empirical literature on graduate and doctoral student experiences has been largely ignored; specifically studies on the positive aspects of Black women's doctoral journey. Hence the purpose of this qualitative study was to…

This qualitative study discusses a phenomenological inquiry approach utilizing semi-structured interviews to understand how ten full-time Native American students experienced their sense of belonging at a rural community college. There are very few studies providing in-depth perspective on sense of belonging of Native American students attending a…