The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of Black/ African American women aspiring, serving, or having previously served in the role of Superintendent of Schools in the State of Texas. Additionally, the study investigated the perceived barriers and challenges that impacted the participant's ascent to the superintendency, and…

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are often characterized as Hispanic enrolling (rather than serving) that practice deficit-based systems that continue to marginalize Latinx and other underrepresented students, especially in STEM fields. Extant research on HSIs stresses the importance of investigating the value of grassroots advocacy groups as…

This study sought to investigate the psychological network structure of adult Spanish heritage language (HL) learners' motivational profile by considering interconnections among the following variables: the possible HL selves, family influence, intended HL learning effort, HL achievement goal orientations, HL enjoyment, HL anxiety, perceived…

Minimal research has been conducted regarding success factors of high school students in rural districts. Through archival data retrieval, student interviews, and observations, this mixed methods study sought to identify success factors of juniors and seniors enrolled at one rural public school in South Texas. The impact of support systems, the…

As community college students often come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, report greater financial challenges, and experience higher cohort default rates on student loans compared to peers attending four-year institutions, it is important to understand how community college students develop a sense of financial wellness. Moreover, research…

This study seeks to understand the challenges Latina English Learner (EL) students encounter in STEM and investigate how Latina ELs persist in these academic domains. Using an interpretive phenomenological design, we interviewed 15 Latina ELs to explore the strategies Latina ELs employ to persist through undergraduate STEM programs. We also seek…

The number of jobs requiring a postsecondary credential has increased in Texas, and jobs requiring only a high school diploma have become rare. For Texas to improve the future of individuals and the state, policymakers and higher education administrators must commit to closing educational gaps. Literature, reports, and studies have demonstrated…

African-American women experience challenges in principal positions. This study explains how African-American women in leadership positions in Texas public schools overcome these challenges. This population of African-American woman principals has increased yet there are still challenges in the public schools for these leaders. This study explored…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the adult students' perceptions of Game-Based Learning's mitigation of math anxiety in a STEM math course at a mid-sized university in Southeast Texas. The participants in this study included 11 students who identified as adult learners with math anxiety taught by the researcher in a STEM…

The number of international students studying in the United States steadily increases over the last decades. Many international students prefer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs over other choices. Using the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) as a guiding framework, this quantitative survey study examines the…

Latina/o rural students are underrepresented in college and the research of their college choice process. Using Bourdieu's habitus, and Yosso's Community Cultural Wealth Conceptual Model, this qualitative study used interviews with 24 Latina/o rural high school students. Our findings explored how school habitus limits college options. Students use…

This study focused on three female superintendents from poverty and how they elevated out of poverty to become successful superintendents in their school districts and help students living in poverty.

Objective: This study investigates cultural and general coping strategies as potential protective or risk factors to risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) and alcohol use in the face of discrimination for Mexican descent college students. Participants: Data collection was conducted from September 2016 to May 2017 and included 796 Mexican descent emerging…

The purpose of this study is to investigate how Harmony Public Schools' (HPS) ' Class of 2024 high school students' current selves (high school experience, math and science efficacy, parent, and teacher expectations) affect to possible future selves (i.e. choosing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM]-major in college). 1464…

Choosing a career can be a daunting task and oftentimes may cause challenges for first-year college students when they enter higher education. Understanding that career indecision is normal within this population, it is essential to learn more about how potential related constructs may be significant to supporting one's career decision-making…