This study investigated the nature of transformative learning experiences as qualitative shifts in identity by employing a basic interpretative qualitative methodology using data from semi-structured interviews with eight participants in a re-entry job skills program, that is, with participants in a program that was designed to aid them with their…

Purpose and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of transformation by studying the transformative experiences of the faculty and graduates of ORU's Doctor of Education Program (Ed.D.). The theoretical framework for this study was Young's (2013a) transformational learning theory reframed (TLTR). An exploratory…

Amidst the tapestry of public education lie the stories of early college high school (ECHS) students, students with valuable insights into the transformative nature of juggling secondary and postsecondary education. Their experiences are somewhat unknown to the education community at large. ECHS programs are designed to bridge the gap between high…

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of graduates from a recently established community college in the Dominican Republic (DR). The study sought to understand from graduates' perspective the influence of completing an associate degree at the first Dominican Community College, Instituto Tecnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC), and if…

This study builds on education abroad, global citizenship, and short-term travel programs literature by examining students' experiences traveling on short-term programs overseas in the Global Majority. The term Global Majority, in this study, is defined as regions worldwide that have historically seen low student participation rates for academic…

The increasingly diverse student population serves as a motivating factor for colleges to reimagine both their academic pedagogy and curriculum to be more inclusive of diverse student learners' needs. Service-learning is a high-impact practice that positively influences students' academic success, and student engagement on- and off-campus, along…

This narrative inquiry study explored the transformational learning experiences of students who attended Christian colleges and universities in the United States. The problem addressed in this study is the need for Christian colleges and universities to identify what constitutes and contributes to the transformative experiences conveyed by…

The purpose of this dissertation was to experiment with qualitative research methodologies while exploring the complexities of doctoral education, research practices, philosophies of inquiry, and other topics intersecting with(in) educational scholarship. My vision for this work was fueled by postmodernist critiques of humanist education,…

This study explores the transformative and healing experiences of doctoral students enrolled in the first fully online Indigenous Health Ph.D. program at the University of North Dakota. The research aims to understand the unique experiences and supports influencing the success of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in this program. The…

The qualitative study examined the mental health aspects of marginalized elementary school students in addition to constructing and implementing a culturally responsive and sustaining mindfulness program to observe if there were improvements regarding emotional regulation and awareness. To achieve this, I constructed a culturally responsive and…

Caste-based discrimination persists as a formidable barrier within Indian higher education, compelling Dalit students to employ university spaces not only for learning but as arenas for activism and social change. This dissertation explores the agency of Dalit students as they confront and dismantle systemic inequalities through strategic…

African American science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students' lack of transformative learning experiences at predominantly White universities negatively affect their degree completion. When these students do not feel accepted or have a sense of belonging in predominantly White majors and campuses due to sociocultural and…

Supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an explicitly stated goal of many mathematics departments across the country, and addressing ongoing disparities in outcomes and experiences within undergraduate mathematics is a shared responsibility among undergraduate mathematics community members. Despite the prevalence of ideological,…

In this phenomenological study, seven research participants shared their memories, experiences, and the durability of what they learned as university student ambassadors who participated in a unique philanthropic initiative. Through this philanthropy-university-community partnership, participants traveled on site visits to three global locations…

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore evidence of transformation as perceived by African American undergraduate students who participated in and persisted through community college study abroad programs in Ghana. Critical pedagogy, transformative learning, African ontology, and intercultural communication theoretical paradigms…