The purpose of this quantitative correlational-predictive study was to determine if and to what extent there is a relationship between facets of trait mindfulness and perceived attention control among college students in Southern California. The study was formulated based on the multi-faceted mindfulness model and the Attention Control Theory. The…

This dissertation examines the relationship between teacher retention and student perceptions of school climate in an urban school district, both in individual school years and across multiple school years. This secondary analysis uses a school-level measure of teacher retention from New York City (NYC) public schools and measures of school…

Most Americans will experience a form of trauma before adulthood, resulting in hindered learning and emotional regulation. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational-predictive study was to examine if and to what extent the two facets of Emotional Regulation, Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression, considered collectively, and…

The purpose of this study was to determine if and when activism is a choice or a responsibility to understand identity-based activism and the impact it has on Black and African American students in higher education. Through a qualitative research approach, this study examined the experiences of six Black and African American students who…

This study explored the association of four independent variables (i.e., sex, class standing, GPA, and living status) with the academic integration, social integration, and institutional commitment (the dependent variables) of international students attending seven public regional universities in West Virginia. A researcher-developed, Likert-type…

Persistence in distance learning has become problematic. This quantitative nonexperimental study examined whether perceived connectivity, perceived internal locus of control, and age predict persistence in online master's degree programs. Rotter's locus of control theory, Moore's transactional distance theory, and Rovai's composite persistence…

Academically dishonest behavior, or cheating, has been a continued problem in post-secondary institutions. Research has been varied in terms of understanding the root causes of academically dishonest behaviors and has offered ways in which to mitigate the behaviors by educating students and holding them accountable to institutional expectations.…

The initial transition to college is a pivotal moment for emerging adults, often influencing whether a student will remain successful. Students face a significant challenge adapting to the new environment that has been compounded by their experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, a sense of belonging for students has…

This dissertation investigates the dynamics of adult online learners within an urban community college setting, exploring relationships between specific adult learning predictor variables and online course grades. Understanding these relationships is crucial for informing educational policies, designing effective online learning environments, and…

Incidence of reported near-death experiences (NDEs) has increased over decades; however, they continue to be inappropriately pathologized or dismissed. These types of responses to disclosures of NDEs by patients can potentially lead to them having problems integrating the experience into their lives. The purpose of this study was to assess…

The purpose of this non-experimental, comparative, quantitative study was to determine if there were significant differences between the perceptions of male and female community college students about the importance of sense of community (SoC) in online classes and sense of instructor presence (IP) at eight southern, public, community colleges…

The achievement gaps between Black and white students in math and science have remained unchanged over the last decade. Additionally, disparities in academic achievement and academic outcomes, like dropout, have persisted across genders. Existing research has explored the intricacies of various forms of identity -- namely racial and gender…

This study aimed to examine the impact and potential benefits of a comprehensive skills-based clinical examination within an accredited athletic training program. It was hypothesized that a comprehensive clinical examination could accurately assess student preparedness for the BOC examination and support the students' continued academic and…

This study examined sexual assertiveness among female undergraduate students at an institution of higher education in the southeastern United States from the context of the social-ecological model. An online survey instrument examined sexual assertiveness, sexual communication self-efficacy, campus climate, and sexual scripts. Structural equation…

The purpose of the present study was to explore how sense of belonging, psychological sense of community, and aspects of self-compassion were related to and predictive of academic self-efficacy and well-being in undergraduate college students of color. A total of 90 participants completed an online survey which included a brief demographic survey,…