The concept of sense of belonging is a critical component of student success, retention, and well-being in higher education, particularly for underrepresented students. This dissertation examines the lived experiences of Black students and explores how sense of belonging impacts their collegiate experiences as members of historically white…

This study explored the impact of historical trauma on Black Counselor education doctoral students, a population navigating the intersecting challenges of systemic oppression and the rigorous demands of doctoral study. Historical trauma, a cumulative emotional and psychological wound passed through generations, profoundly influences the lived…

This mixed-methods study examined the factors contributing to international student sense of belonging on three U.S. campuses, particularly upon their arrival to their campus and during a global pandemic. This three-article dissertation discusses the major findings that were identified in the data. Article 1 highlights the recurring theme of…

Dominant systems of White masculinity--or attitudes, behaviors, and ideologies rooted in White masculine dominance alongside homophobia, misogyny, and racism--within higher education impact how students frame and understand their identities and experiences during their undergraduate careers. For sexual-minority men and transmasculine individuals,…

This study sought to understand how underrepresented racially minoritized and first-generation college students experienced and made sense of the challenges from taking introductory sciences courses in their first year at a small liberal arts college. Metacognition was the theoretical framework in consideration due to its non-disciplinarity and…

The overall goal of this study was to understand the motivating and organizational barriers that contribute to the turnover of Black, Indigenous, and student affairs professionals of color at predominantly White institutions of higher education. This problem of practice employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews of Black,…