The study examined the extent to which faculty at a regional university in Mississippi possess metacognitive knowledge and incorporate metacognitive teaching practices in their classrooms. Furthermore, the study examined the influence of age, gender, teaching experience, and subject area taught on general metacognitive awareness and metacognitive…

The number of Nontraditional-age students has been on the rise in higher education over time, and although this population has been increasing nationwide, there has been a continued decline in nontraditional-age students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). This quantitative study focused on the background characteristics, academic…

The purpose of this action research study was to investigate challenges to college success specific for first-generation undergraduate students at a public regional institution, and to improve their lived experiences via a first-generation student intervention in the form of a one-quarter student success course. Data collection in Cycle 1 of this…

Many higher education institutions review the disciplinary and criminal history of applicants to assess potential threats and ensure a safe learning community in the college admissions process. This review is often criticized for exacerbating the opportunity gap and racial disparities for marginalized populations and creating barriers to college…

This dissertation studies opportunity and equity in college admissions, as well as how higher education affects labor market outcomes. The first two chapters explore how state policies affect enrollment at public institutions of higher education. The third chapter characterizes outcomes in a labor market in which agents with different skill levels…

American-Indian and Alaska Native students attending Midwestern Regional University (MRU) are experiencing graduation rates lower than the national average. This dissertation in practice attempts to solve this real-world problem by providing a voice for the indigenous students at MRU so that services and policies can be adjusted to increase the…

A mixed-method study in the United States of a northeastern regional charter middle school (CGA) attempted to address the underrepresentation of Black students in academic opportunities and success and their overrepresentation in student discipline by addressing the root causes: teachers' racial and cultural biases and equity instruction efficacy.…

The purpose of this research is to quantify differences in key performance indicators between paid and organic (not paid) website traffic over a one year period of time at a regional comprehensive university in Kentucky, which is located in the southeastern United States. Two distinct sources of website traffic can be measured: paid traffic and…

As access to higher education for underserved minority (USM) students has consistently increased over the past 20 years, college and university campuses across the United States have observed an achievement gap between USM students and their white counterparts (Brown, 2019; Doan, 2015; Flores, Park & Baker, 2017; Pope, 2002; Ramos; 2019). This…

Completing college is associated with tremendous benefits in American society (Carnevale et al., 2015). Yet, while college access has expanded dramatically over the past half-century, graduation rates remain frustratingly unequal by class, race, and parental education (Cahalan et al., 2019). Much of this disparity is due to factors that occur…

This research explored how leaders from a mid-range university, industry, and government described collaborative efforts to enhance regional economic development. This study found that a mid-range university can effectively collaborate with industry and government to advance regional economic development. The collaboration of…

Transitioning in to adult-hood as a special needs youth can be a challenging experience for both disabled youth and their families. IDEA 2004 legislation mandates all special needs individuals receive skill development in the areas of self-determination, self-advocacy, employment, adult service agency access and independent living. School…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students with Individualized Education Programs who attend regional safe schools of their educational experiences. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that students with disabilities be provided a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive…

This dissertation explores organizational narratives of engagement initiatives involving two comprehensive universities and the larger regional communities they serve. The purpose of this study is to develop a holistic description of engagement initiatives, reflecting data collected through interviews, documents and other artifacts from…