In the United States truancy prevention is lacking two key elements to success; research that explains the causes of truancy and empirical evidence for best practices of truancy prevention. Truancy has been a problem in academics since the early 1900's, when truancy became illegal. Since then, truancy rates have continued to see a steady increase,…

Tension between university communities and the surrounding residential communities has existed almost since the creation of higher education. Historically, there have been murders and riots. More recently, there have been protests and simmering animosity. In the 1980s, there was a greater recognition that the fate of the residential communities…

Calls for increased involvement in science outreach have come from scientists (Alberts, 2018; Friedman, 2008), from professional organizations (Jayaratne et al., 2003; Lee, 2018; Toolin, 2004) and from funding agencies (Broadening Participation, 2008; Catsambis, 1995) to increase students' interest in science, technology, engineering, and…

The integration of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) into healthcare professional training is critical in order to ensure positive patient outcomes and help combat healthcare disparities, leading towards health equity. There is not currently a standard specific to DEI awareness in healthcare education and training. One area of healthcare…

This study aimed to explore how University Liaisons respond to homelessness on their campus. With new federal and state laws being enacted, little research focuses on the policies, programs, and services at universities. Community Colleges tend to be a more attractive option for homeless youth due to the low cost; however, universities are also…

The purpose of this mixed methods action research study was to implement digital outreach strategies, which would enhance students' motivation to complete financial aid requirements and scale the departments' more time-consuming counseling efforts. Using self-determination theory as the primary framework, I implemented the use of a series of…

This was a qualitative study of the influence of Research Experiences for STEM Educators and Teachers (RESET) on a teachers' classroom practices and identities. RESET is a year-long professional development and research experience for teachers supported through the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). This research study inductively analyzed…

This Dissertation in Practice explored the impact of an individualized meeting with family members of low-income students on the family member sense of connection to the university and knowledge of campus resources. Parents and family members play an important role in higher education as influencers, stakeholders, fundraisers, bill payers, and…

Purpose: This study examines the educational gaps of Latinx students at the community college level. The Puente outreach program is evaluated as a possible exemplary program to improve retention and success in completing degree-applicable and transferable classes. Puente's goal is to encourage Latinx students to attend college and provide support.…

California Community College campuses are struggling to enroll Latinx students. As identified through the literature, most Latinx students navigate the college enrollment process with little to no guidance and seek support in navigating it. Using Yosso's (2005) community cultural wealth framework, I investigate how Rose Grace College's Familias…

While deep disciplinary knowledge will be required to develop next-generation clean energy technologies, the skills to work across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders will also be required. Providing authentic and explicit opportunities for graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to engage in the broader…

This research study aimed to examine the social factors that could influence the academic learning experiences of Latino college students. Latino students are pursuing post-secondary degrees at a higher rate than in previous years. Many Latinos represent their respective family members as the first members of their respective families to attend…

How does a university serve the needs of students in the face of a global pandemic? In truly unprecedented times, administrators were pushed to perform in new modalities and under very different circumstances. For many months, change was the only constant and student support needs were a whole new world to navigate. The purpose of this…

This study aims to discover the existing experiences that lead to local rural knowledge (LRK) of specific rural Northeast Nebraska communities. This information will assist in understanding the impact that LRK has on young children's science knowledge in rural communities. By engaging in hands-on experiences and interactions, science learning…

Dual enrollment programs have gained popularity as a way for students to earn college credits while still in high school. This professional practice dissertation explored the effectiveness of various strategies to promote dual enrollment to high school students, focusing on increasing enrollment rates among underserved populations and equitable…