The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of validation experiences on academic outcomes for Oceania community college students, utilizing Rendon's theory of validation. Quantitative analysis of survey data showed Oceania students at a midsized community college were experiencing validating interactions with faculty and staff. The…

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to explore the effects of the use of gamification on students' motivation and engagement in the college environment. The study drew from three theoretical principles: Self-determination theory, new literacy studies, and behaviorism. The study was conducted at Washington State University on two English…

We examined whether American college students who perceive their college environment as supportive for their meaning searching report higher levels of meaning in life. We also examined whether students' perception of college environmental support for meaning searching moderates the relation between the presence of and search for meaning. Students'…

In this chapter, the authors decenter soulless curricular and administrative practices in collegiate settings and re-conceptualize justice work through faith as a labor of love.

Although person-environment fit (PEF) has been extensively studied in organizational psychology and business literature, its application to educational context has been limited. The current study used PEF framework in terms of creativity within the context of higher education. The nature of relationship between person-environment fit, college…

The college years are meant to be transformative for traditional-aged students who come into university as adolescents and leave as emerging adults. Pedagogy can play an active role in moving students through this transition by providing "ritual" occasions for students to practice their emerging identities. Public Sphere Pedagogy…

Employing critical race theory and a student resistance framework, this study qualitatively explored how minoritized college students view and interpret their racialized experiences in academic settings at a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) and what strategies they have employed to manage and respond to the campus racial climate. Drawn from…

A proverb goes that education is the backbone of a nation. No nation can step up without educating the nation. Quality education is achieved by the better academic performance of the students. Indeed, the university is the tertiary education where the undergraduate students are enrolled to appropriate academic excellence that can be transformed to…

As increasing numbers of colleges establish inclusive postsecondary education programs, it is important to explore how students with intellectual disability are supported in all aspects of campus life. The present study focused on inclusive first-year orientation programs from the vantage point of 16 student group leaders, faculty group leaders,…

In this analysis of narratives study, I used Black Feminist Thought (BFT) and Critical Race Theory's (CRT) counternarratives to examine the experiences of first-generation African American women (FGAAW) doctoral students at southern Historically White Institutions. The study explored the roles of self-definition and self-valuation (BFT) and what…

Black women majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experience a number of emotions as they navigate spaces and seek their identity. Black women experience greater challenges when striving for their sense of belonging while at PWIs than at Historically Black Colleges and…

Institutions of higher education are being tasked with utilizing corporate business practices to recruit and retain their students. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate causes of negative customer service and improve the service approach of the Residential Education department at a private, liberal arts institution. Data…

The study used a theoretically guided questionnaire to examine student experience in college and to gain a better understanding about how college environment affects student persistence. Data were collected from a single four-year institution; the findings suggest that institutional control over academic quality is the most critical factor in…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the different factors that empower young adults that were in foster care to be successful in a college environment. It has been documented that foster youth have significant challenges during secondary education (Conger & Rebeck, 2001; Geenen & Powers, 2006). Due to these challenges,…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between engagement indicators and intent to persist of first-year full-time Hispanic students attending public versus private universities. Design/methodology/approach: Metadata from the Your First College Year survey from the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) were selected…