This dissertation explores the experiences of BIPOC students studying at predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Through in-depth interviews with a diverse group of participants, the study identifies seven categories that encompass the students' experiences: perception of the school, chosen community and friendships, academics and scholarships,…

The purpose of this case study was to understand how attending an undergraduate academic conference contributes to a student's sense of belonging, not only within their institution but also in the larger academic community. This research was informed by the literature on club participation in conferences and faculty/student connections. Through…

Transfer agreements between institutions have existed for decades, but a newer 2+2 model provides pathways to bachelor's degree completion for students who initially applied to 4-year institutions but were not admitted. Most literature on these programs focuses on how articulation agreements and dual-admissions processes provide a gateway to…

Despite the shift from elite to mass education, the odds of accessing university remain stacked in favour of those with a university-educated parent. Not only are first-generation students less likely to engage in higher education, but the dominant narrative surrounding their enrolment emphasises cultural deficiency, constructing individuals as…

Researchers have long struggled to accurately identify the needs of English learner (EL) students and the factors that facilitate their postsecondary success. Although prior research suggests that EL students disproportionately select into community colleges, there is a dearth research that examines transfer to four-year schools among community…

Students who transfer from a two-year institution to a four-year institution often have some difficulty settling into their new university home, but a combination of social and academic supports can ease the transition. This change to a new institution can be even more difficult for students who are transitioning into a fully-online program.…

Research suggests that community college alumni may be underrepresented within PhD programs. As such, we implemented and evaluated the Community College to PhD (CC2PhD) Scholars Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. CC2PhD was a 7-month undergraduate research and PhD preparation program for community college sophomores in the…

Food insecurity, a condition of limited access to nutritious food, is a critical issue for college students' health and well-being. In this report, we present results from our project that examines the long-term effects of college students' food insecurity on future socioeconomic status, wealth, and food insecurity using nationally representative…

Degree completion rates are significantly lower for first-generation students pursuing majors in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM). Hispanic and Black students are disproportionately represented among first-generation students and significantly underrepresented in STEM degree programs and careers. Colleges and universities…

This chapter explores the impact of academic advising on rural students' sense of belonging in college and outlines opportunities to provide further institutional support for rural students.

In the current study, we focused on measuring the development of important professional attitudes, such as "compassion satisfaction" and "burnout." Students from four different colleges worked in teams to conceptualize innovative engineering products. During the ideation phase of their project, participants completed a…

Objective: Examine effects of self-affirmation on university students' processing of health risk messages related to sedentary behavior. Participants: Eighty-eight students from a Canadian university (females = 53; males = 35; M[subscript age] = 21.74, SD = 5.36) participated during the 2018-2019 academic year. Methods: Participants were…

Objective: Because of COVID-19, higher education changed as institutions went remote and students' mental health was challenged. Rural universities were disproportionately affected because of limited Internet access. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological need satisfaction/frustration and mental health among rural college…

Objective: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) proprietors strategically placed near college campuses and pervasive marketing on social media platforms, such as Facebook, are critical to the tobacco industry's effort to acquire new young adult users. Understanding the themes used on Facebook to promote ENDS products to college students is…

Objective: The objective was to examine mental health of undergraduate researchers (UGRs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: We surveyed 962 UGRs who were conducting research in Spring 2020 at over 100 US universities. Methods: We conducted an online survey in July 2020. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and multivariable…