Understanding and navigating college rules, resources, and expectations is a considerable barrier for students accessing and transitioning to college (Conley, 2007; Williams, 1996; Hooker & Brand, 2010; Ardoin, 2013; Sheppard, 2012). To improve students' acquisition of pertinent, time-sensitive information, many institutions have implemented…

Virtual instruction and blended learning are two of the fastest growing learning modalities in K-12 education. Blended learning is a formal education program in which students learn at least in part through online learning with some element of student control over time, place, path or pace and at least in part at a supervised brick and mortar…

This study exploited the abrupt interruption to schooling at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to examine how remote and hybrid learning models impacted English language acquisition among Multilingual Learner (MLL) students in the state of Delaware. MLL students are a growing sector of the public school population, and existing research suggests…

Using a transcendental phenomenological approach, this study explored what and how noncognitive characteristics including self-concept, self-appraisal, navigation of the system and racism, goal-setting, an available support person, leadership experience, community involvement, and acquired knowledge impacted the learning experiences of students…

A lack of mathematics facility prevents many students from pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Research revealed that teaching methodology is crucial for success in any course. This dissertation focuses on learners' experiences in a flipped instructional model and a customized direct instructional model. Although…

Blended learning in the secondary setting is a growing and evolving method of instructional delivery. Current research continues to focus on the post-secondary setting and often neglects the impact on student growth in the secondary settings. The combination of technology and teacher involvement to deliver high quality instruction is important in…

This exploratory transcendental phenomenological study delved into the perceptions of selected South Texas public elementary school parents and students as they transitioned from traditional math practices to a personalized pedagogy which incorporated the constructivist model of instruction--blended learning. This study focused on fourth and fifth…

The mission of America's community college system is to provide access, responsiveness to community, and equity (Troyer, 2015). In response to increasing competition and evolving student preferences, more and more community college courses are being offered fully online. As of fall 2019, 70% of community college students were taking at least one…

The COVID-19 pandemic shed a light on the differences in educational outcomes within American public schools. Although race and socio-economic status is independently associated with scholastic outcomes, it is necessary to take an intersectional approach to examining the persistent and widening opportunity gap stemming from inequity in public…

Distance education is now a core delivery method for higher education, yet it is unclear whether shifts in instructional modality are leading to positive outcomes. This study reviewed outcome data for undergraduate science and mathematics courses taught in two or more modalities (classroom, hybrid, or online) at a public two-year degree-granting…

This dissertation investigates the longitudinal development of Chinese language proficiency among students in a Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) Flagship Program at an American public university from 2014 to 2024. Using Bayesian multilevel regression models, this study assesses the trajectories of listening, speaking, and reading proficiency…

This is a multi-article format dissertation that explores emotional and cognitive engagement in higher education classrooms. Student engagement in higher education classrooms has been associated with desired outcomes such as academic achievement, retention, and graduation. Student engagement is a multi-faceted concept, consisting of behavioral,…

Nontraditional-learner retention is a significant issue for colleges. Current research finds that 38.9% of nontraditional learners do not meet their educational goals. Further, there is a 20% increase in online dropout rates compared to the traditional classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence nontraditional…

This study compared traditional and distance education delivery platforms (onsite, hybrid, and online) at the college level in an urban setting in terms of student success, measured by final course grades and identified predictors of student success. The study examined the role of variables (prior knowledge of mathematics, language, gender,…

The current study employed a secondary statistical analysis on the 2007 National Study on Nontraditional Students Survey data to investigate whether personal characteristics, student perceived stressors, and social support could predict academic performance of nontraditional students enrolled in three different learning environments in terms of…