Sense of belonging has been associated with increases in perceived task importance, along with motivation and academic achievement. These factors indicate that sense of belonging may be an important and relevant concept to consider when preparing clinicians to practice cultural humility, which entails a commitment to lifelong learning. This study…

This qualitative case study was designed to collect and analyze the perceptions of youth who experienced foster care regarding their campus involvement experiences at Missouri higher education institutions. This study is designed to understand this population's experiences and evaluate their challenges and successes as they navigate the…

Universities have renewed interest in blended learning in preparation for post-COVID education. However, unsatisfactory social interactions hinder the quality of blended learning, despite its potential for flexible and personalized learning. In this situation, a sense of community would provide essential academic and social benefits. To develop a…

In early 2020, the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions meant that doctoral programmes which depended on face-to-face models for teaching, learning, and interaction needed to quickly reconsider their established practices. Of particular concern was the impact of pandemic restrictions upon the development of a sense of community among doctoral…

This study explores the experiences of international college athletes (ICAs) at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III (DIII) small private institution in the Southern part of the United States (U.S.). ICAs are an integral part of the athletic and academic community and have been part of the NCAA for over 50 years; however,…

Large number of existing studies employ acculturation as the framework to explore Chinese international students (CIS), which recently have been criticized from post-colonial perspectives (Spencer-Oatey et al., 2007; Tierney, 1999; Yao, 2015). With Gen Z Chinese international students step into American higher institutions, this study aims to…

Nontraditional students represent a large percentage of the population in higher education, yet some institutions may be better suited than others to serve their needs. This research took place at a small, healthcare-focused university that attracts many nontraditional students, so I sought to gather information about the quality of their…

Formal and informal peer-to-peer support through advice plays an important role in enhancing students' experiences and ensuring their success in higher education. For international students who often face social and cultural challenges adapting to their new university environment, direct and authentic guidance from peers can be vital in helping…

This study aimed to examine the experiences of Black men living on campus at predominately White institutions (PWIs) and their sense of belonging. Perception of social support, connectedness, and acceptance with the campus community was used as the operational definition of sense of belonging used for this study. Research suggests that Black men…

This quantitative study aimed to understand the association between different types of support from institutional agents and students' sense of belonging culturally and structurally at their respective institutions. We used one-of-a-kind primary survey data from a National Science Foundation grant that included nearly 1,000 international graduate…

Studies show that university students report higher levels of mental health problems and lower well-being than their non-student peers. As demand for university well-being services increases, so too does the need for alternative interventions to support student well-being for students in various states of mental health. In this paper, we introduce…

As the number of international students in higher education continues to grow, so do concerns regarding systemic obstacles, discrimination, and social isolation that can impede students' academic success. Peer mentorship has been shown to support graduate students through academic socialization and achievement in higher education (Lorenzetti et…

While doctoral training can be a challenge for a student of any background, there are specific challenges that face first-generation doctoral students. In addition, over the last decade, the number of women completing doctoral degrees has continued to increase. Many women in doctoral programs also have children at home and professional…

Online universities utilize academic social networks to build connections among students, faculty, and alumni through affinity groups. This study explored how students interact in academic social networks, who they collaborate with, why they use academic social networks, and how this influences their educational experience. This qualitative,…

Despite the increasing number of non-traditional doctoral researchers, this population's experiences remain largely understudied and their voices unheard. Through in-depth interviews with 24 part-time online doctoral candidates, we explored the perceived facilitators and barriers to academic integration and sense of belonging, as well as how…