The number of students with mental health challenges has increased significantly in public schools during the past 10 years. Despite school and community efforts many students remain underserved, specifically at-risk populations. At-risk youth are more likely to experience adverse life outcomes such as performing poorly in school, dropping out of…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how ten student veterans persist after entering private, 4-year institutions of higher education during or following their military service. The study's conceptual framework, drawing from Vacchi's Model of Student Veteran Support (2011, 2013), employs a narrative approach to spotlight the…

Many healthcare entities across the globe are moving away from the idea of only treating patients' diseases to a model of focusing on the overall well-being of patients. Because of this change, healthcare academia must also focus on this change when helping educate clinical practitioners. One major proponent of this type of care is effective…

The number of students with disabilities attending postsecondary institutions of higher education continues to rise. With it, it is necessary to understand better how they experience their institution beyond curricular spaces. Presently, there exists a gap in the knowledge of how these students experience co-curricular support, including…

Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of adult school counselors to better understand their importance and influence in supporting adult learners. The study provided insight into the barriers and challenges that adult students face when attending public California adult schools. It…

Youth with intellectual disabilities have poorer outcomes during the transition period from school to adulthood. Very few studies were found that examine the perspective of the human service case manager. The perspectives of human service case managers were examined regarding the services that are needed to help youth with intellectual…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the stories shared by interventionists which focused on the work they do to create student connectedness in rural middle schools. Illinois schools are designated by performance indicators, where successful schools are rated "Exemplary" or "Commendable" based primarily on…

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act boosting postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities, only 4% of U.S. institutions offer specialized programs (Arrojas, 2023). A Historically Black Community College in the southeastern United States notably lacks resources for…

As more Latinx First Generation College Students (LFGCS) attend college, they can face a cultural, academic, and social university context that focuses on individuality and competitiveness that may differ from their own cultural values of communality and cooperation. In this dissertation, I used Community Cultural Wealth and Latinx Critical Race…

Anchor institutions play a vital role in their local communities and economies and have increasingly been expected to become active civic participants in improving health and well-being in their surrounding neighborhoods. This multicase study was conducted to understand how an urban, faith-based university's on-campus health care clinics engage…

Studies indicate that minoritized students attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) may struggle with engagement and establishing a sense of belonging. Peer mentoring may play a role in enhancing these opportunities to foster academic performance and retention. The sense of belonging and engagement for minoritized students at a PWI is…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Black undergraduate women's lived experiences with mental health management and pursuance of degree completion. This study used a phenomenological approach, guided by the following research questions: 1) What barriers are Black undergraduate college women facing regarding their accessibility to…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Black undergraduate women's lived experiences with mental health management and pursuance of degree completion. This study used a phenomenological approach, guided by the following research questions: 1) What barriers are Black undergraduate college women facing regarding their accessibility to…

This study examined Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants' perceptions of integrating digital literacy training with the TANF job readiness program to bridge the gap between TANF and earning higher wages to provide for their families without government assistance. A combination of qualitative content analysis and focus group…

Federal health agencies are facing multiple vacancies and governance challenges due to their aging workforce, additional needs due to COVID-19, remote work opportunities, and decades-long mandates for reforming the Federal recruitment and hiring process. Training curriculum is often planned to be responsive to job-related competencies and current…