Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate researchers (UGRs) work under the direction of faculty mentors. Many also work with postgraduate mentors, either graduate students or postdoctoral personnel, but little is known about how these mentors shape student experiences. Using original survey data from 516 participants…

Black and Hispanic or Latino student loan borrowers are more likely to have difficulty repaying their loans than their White peers, according to a significant body of research. Both populations of borrowers are also more likely than their White peers to face barriers to completing degrees and have a higher chance than their White peers of…

Educational and psychological research often involves comparing motivation across groups. It is critical to ensure that observed differences in motivation are true variations by group, not due to measurement biases. With a diverse sample of undergraduate students (N = 2200), this study measured internal consistency and gathered validity evidence…

Objective: To examine family planning and fertility experiences and views, as well as desired parenthood timing and career plans, of diverse undergraduate pre-health students. Participants: 266 pre-health undergraduate students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution in South Texas. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey with a…

Objective: To assess perceptions of university institutional climate related to sexual violence and whether these differed by race/ethnicity. Participants: Matriculated undergraduates > age 18 (n = 1028). Methods: Students were invited via campus email to participate in an online survey. Results: Overall, only 20% agreed that the university is…

Objective: With the rapid growth in the population of Asian and Asian American college students in the United States, there is a need for research examining their participation in potentially risky sexual behaviors in order to expand understanding of this group's needs. This study focused on attachment orientation and hookup motives as predictors…

Mental health treatment utilization is low among Black undergraduate women, despite the prevalence of mental health stressors and difficulties. The consideration of pre-treatment preferences and expectations may help address this disparity. The current study is an attempted replication and extension of prior findings demonstrating race-based…

Race plays a significant role in shaping sense of belonging in higher education. However, little research has analyzed religion and belonging at universities. In this study, we test four hypotheses about race, religion, and belonging with survey data from a Christian university in the South. For first-year students, Asians express less belonging…

In the United States, campus sexual violence research has mostly focused on 4-year residential campuses. The experiences of students on nonresidential campuses are less well understood. Using data from a Web-based campus climate survey, this study explores sexual assault and sexual harassment victimization rates, victimization characteristics, and…

In UK universities, there is a long-standing gap in degree award outcomes for undergraduate students with white British students more likely to graduate with a 'good degree' (first or upper second class) than British students from minority ethnic backgrounds. Given its complex, systemic nature, researchers have highlighted the importance of…

This study of 12,851 students from 34 member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities examined the predictors of student thriving, as well as racial and ethnic differences in thriving and its predictors, within undergraduate, adult, and graduate student samples. Thriving was defined as being vitally engaged in the…

Students vary in their perceptions of teachers' motivational supports, even within the same classroom, but it is unclear why this is the case. To enable the design of equitable environments and understand the theoretical nature of motivational climate, this study explored demographic differences in university students' perceptions of instruction…

Objective: Microaggressions are brief verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities toward people of color. Methods: Cross-sectional study examining the association between demographics, alcohol culture, and witnessing or experiencing microaggressions among undergraduate students. Analysis based on the "Color of drinking" study data…

There is a steady decline in Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) graduation rates, especially from two-year institutions. These institutions have been an integral part of U.S. higher education system, and access for underrepresented groups has been a top priority in recent decades with the passing of specific legislation. Despite growing efforts to…

Using structural equation modeling, this study identifies the direct and indirect relationships among campus diversity climate, faculty attitudes, student--faculty interaction, and cognitive skills development, examining how the relationships differ by students' race/ethnicity. With data from the University of California Undergraduate Experience…