The transitional experience from the military into higher education can pose unique challenges to student veterans, especially for those who seek to obtain professional licensure in nursing. This action research study sought to identify and understand these challenges. Participants and data collected in Cycle 1 were student veterans entering…

This qualitative study explored how supervisors in student affairs describe their supervisory learning journey. Supervision is an important facet of the student affairs profession, yet there is an apparent lack of intentional supervisory training and development for these professionals. This study endeavored to understand how supervisors in…

This dissertation examines the evolution of supervision among new student affairs professionals, exploring the transformative journey from graduate school to full-time roles. Drawing upon qualitative research methods, the study delves into the experiences and perceptions of new student affairs professionals as they navigate their supervisory…

The experience of undergraduate students in American higher education is curated by student affairs and student services professionals. However, there is not a great deal of scholarship focusing on how these practitioners' leadership style impacts this experience. This study seeks to analyze how student affairs and student services directors'…

The purpose of this explanatory case study was to learn how a designated veteran services office on a university campus supports student veterans preparing to transition into the civilian workforce after their college graduation. This study provided an in-depth understanding of the operations of a nationally recognized veteran services office by…

According to Schaefer (2010), enrollment of adult students in college grew 285% from 1970 to 2005 and grew an additional 20% by 2016. Therefore, understanding how TRIO professionals which are professional staff members that serve students on a daily basis perceive adult students will be beneficial to the literature. There is currently a massive…

The purpose of this case study was to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that support combat student veterans in a private institution of higher education. The theory guiding this study was Astin's developmental theory of student involvement for higher education. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Vacchi's model of student…

This dissertation contributes to the body of knowledge about the utilization of synergistic supervision in practice and about the adult learning experiences reported by participants within the context of supervision. The research questions guiding this study are: (1) What are the synergistic practices of mid-level Student Affairs supervisors at a…

Nearly half of students enrolled in colleges and universities today are adult learners, who often must balance their education with other family or work-related priorities. However, institutional policies and practices continue to be largely developed based on the needs of traditional students. Drawing on national research findings, widely cited…

This qualitative study examined the experiences of student affairs educators who serve student veterans, their knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and how these experiences and qualities influenced their practice and the community of practice that is shared within the field at large. There is a dearth of research regarding these educators on…

This dissertation examines my experience as a Student Services Advisor and Coordinator at a proprietary postsecondary educational institution. I chose to examine the field of proprietary postsecondary education. The proprietary postsecondary education industry maintains a contradiction that is empowered by the respectability for delivering…

A diverse sample of 329 student conduct administrators, holding at least a Master's degree, participated in a study to explore whether their level of specialized training, their need to stay up-to-date on current trends, and mastery of specific skills sets met the necessary criteria to determine whether student conduct administration could be…

Decisions in student affairs often require the integration of multiple knowledge bases (O'Brien, 2018). Although learning and development have historically been core values of the profession (Evans & Reason, 2001), legal demands on student affairs professionals have grown with increasing responsibility for compliance in areas like Title IX and…

Student affairs and adult education professionals in colleges and universities are inundated with increasing demands on resources, placing stress on allocation of time, energy, human capital, and finances. Contributing to these difficulties is an unprecedented level of oversight from government and from families of students. "Helicopter"…

The purpose of this study was to investigate entry-level student affairs practitioners' perceptions of professional development and their involvement in individualized professional development opportunities within the student affairs field. The literature review explored the founding of student affairs, a historical review of student affairs,…