Field-based practicum experiences are essential in connecting classroom theory to the real world. In this mixed methods study, we analyzed principal candidates' perceptions of their summer residency practicum experiences via a self-assessment principal leadership competency instrument and virtual semi-structured interviews. We found that principal…

Objective: To examine the components of successful food assistance programs for college students. Participants: Focus groups conducted during the fall 2019 semester included undergraduate students who accessed a food assistance program on campus (n = 26). Key informant interviews were conducted with professionals working with campus-based food…

Low-income students struggle with resources while trying to achieve future financial stability. As colleges explore ways to support students, one solution is integration with public benefits. This study focuses on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a program that offers cash assistance to low-income adults with children. Statistical…

This essay is a discussion of the lived experiences of first-generation college students each August when they arrive on a college campus for the first time. The author's approach offers a reflective component for institutions of higher education to consider when creating support or programs for first-generation students as they navigate an…

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is an integral part of the federal financial aid plan in the United State since 1964 providing employment opportunities, financial assistance, and opportunities to improve career readiness to over 675,000 students annually. However, little investigation has been completed into the effects of participating in…

Objective: To determine the impact of a new food scholarship program on nutrient intake and dietary quality. Participants: College students (n = 49), female (78%), single (76%), average age 28 years, and white (49%). Methods: Fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat products and nonperishable foods were distributed twice a month. A one-group pretest…

Only 11% of students who are Pell-eligible and the first in their family to attend college graduate with a bachelor's degree. Upward Bound is a federal-funded project that seeks to: (1) improve the motivation and skills of disadvantaged students; and (2) increase students' likelihood of success at two- and four-year institutions. The study sought…

Do nudge interventions that have generated positive impacts at a local level maintain efficacy when scaled state or nationwide? What specific mechanisms explain the positive impacts of promising smaller-scale nudges? We investigate, through two randomized controlled trials, the impact of a national and state-level campaign to encourage students to…

This study focuses on The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. Its mission is to increase the number of underrepresented students in STEM majors. This study will explore the interventions and support strategies in The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program that support underrepresented…

The High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program is an out-of-school-time (OST) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program that aims to encourage and inspire Texas high school students to pursue STEM degrees and careers. The program gives Texas high school juniors the opportunity to participate in an interactive online…

The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program provided education and occupational training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other adults with low incomes. HPOG training is for healthcare occupations that pay well and may experience labor shortages or be in high demand. This report details common themes…

The Latinx population is increasing in the United States and within Higher Education. Despite this increase, there remains a lower completion rate of Latinx students completing a higher education degree. Higher education institutions have worked hard to achieve upward mobility and try to close the achievement gap by providing students with…

This study employs the framework of intersectionality to offer a first-person perspective on being an undocumented high school student with college aspirations in the digital age. Using Instagram posts as a data source, the study describes everyday encounters with sexism, racism, classism, and nativism across household, community, and school…

The COVID-19 pandemic and shifts to virtual learning drastically altered school environments, often leaving students without a say in the many changes happening in their lives. To understand how diverse adolescents experienced their school's climate during the COVID-19 pandemic and elevate youth voice in school decisions, we conducted a…

This qualitative, multi-site case study across three McNair Scholars Programs uses interviews to explore Black students' aspirations to attend graduate school. While the undergraduate students in this study faced various personal and academic challenges at their predominantly white institutions (PWIs), all the 13 students used community cultural…