This qualitative study examined the intertwined processes of purpose development and meaning-making of 15 participants (12 females, 3 males; age range 18-21 years) students from three private universities on the East Coast of the United States. Consensual qualitative research analysis revealed that as participants considered their purpose in life,…

First-generation college students make up one-third of the undergraduate population of college students in the United States. It is essential to understand all aspects of a first-generation student, their desire to persist in college, and their experiences while in college. Once they are enrolled in college, first-generation students will need…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and develop a detailed description of how digital inequities in rural Alabama contribute to the underrepresentation of African Americans in STEM careers. The participants' unique lived experiences with digital inequities related to understanding the intersection of attributes such as rurality,…

Outstanding leadership is essential for an organization to flourish, including higher education. One of the issues facing leaders in higher education is mental health. Students at universities face many challenges leading to emotional and health problems. College and universities explore traditional and non-traditional wellness models to support…

My experiences and identity as an African immigrant who attended a predominantly White institution (PWI) has served as the foundation for my scholarship interests and research questions. I experienced challenges in developing relationships with African American peers. These challenges led me to research factors that influence the relationships…

Earning a college degree in the United States, especially from a college or university deemed elite or prestigious, is seen as the path to a more financially secure and prosperous life for the student and their family. Competition for financial aid or admission to top-ranked colleges and universities is fierce. For this reason, families of all…

As emergent new traditional student groups, such as first-generation and single mother students, increase on college campuses, this study attempts to highlight the voices of single-mother first-generation transfer students. To identify how their motherhood identity has influenced how they navigate the four-year institutional environment. Also, to…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the ways in which LGBTQ+ students at the University of Miami make meaning of their shared experiences in the LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program that the university offers, in order to explore ways in which higher education institutions might consider better supporting this key group of students.…

While much research has been conducted on principal (and teacher) leadership styles, there is less knowledge on the relationship between initial instructional certification, leadership style, and longevity. This study focused on New Jersey principals in the public-school sector in the preschool to 12th grade setting to determine if the…

In the present study, I attempted to understand how students perceive their voice in the 2900 student public high school where I serve as principal. The study is a qualitative inquiry that combines human-centered design and action research for its conceptual framework. My dual roles of researcher and principal influenced every aspect of this…

STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are a key source of economic progress in many countries. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia works toward an innovative and knowledgeable economy, more qualified national professionals in STEM are needed. Nevertheless, the problem of STEM attrition is still insufficiently explored in Saudi…

This research articulates the views of 25 early college high school leaders regarding their leadership philosophies and how their perspectives inform ECHS student outcomes. The research sought to understand how leaders describe how their philosophies and leadership attributes support student achievement in ECHS. The research posed three questions:…

Mentoring has been attributed to lowering attrition rates of teachers. At present, the majority of teachers in the United States are White and female. The national teacher workforce does not represent the student body. Although there have been recent initiatives to improve the diversity within the teacher workforce, by explicitly recruiting…

Though there are a number of practices identified by researchers and other professionals as inclusive, the question remains about whether the students themselves truly "feel" included. There has been limited research surrounding specific experiences in inclusive classrooms that students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive to be…

New nurse graduates are entering the nursing profession unable to meet the demands and clinical responsibilities expected of them. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of clinical reasoning abilities new nurse graduates possess to care for the nation's health care needs. The study's focus was to explore the differences in…