The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the identity development of mixed race Asian students, also known as Hapas, and the influence of college environments of their perceptions of self. More specifically, this study will use Narrative Inquiry to gain insight into the lives and experiences of 20 Hapa students at the University of…

This case study offers a qualitative perspective on a relationship between institutional structures and student outcomes. The data describe the conditions in 10 English remediation classrooms at one urban community college district. The study uses new literacies as a theoretical framework with which to understand how these conditions supported…

This study investigates how university students taking fully online language-learning configure their learning environments to enhance opportunities for learning and meet broader academic and social-emotional needs. The study adopts a view of learning as both physically and socially situated, acknowledging that the physical (material, digital and…

The purpose of this study was to complete a mixed-methods comparative analysis of first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest to determine potential differences between students' college satisfaction, retention factors, college selection, college experience, and deciding factors on attending college at private, public, and…

When underrepresented minority (URM) students from high-poverty, high-minority K-12 schools enter college, they often encounter academic, financial, and cultural obstacles in addition to experiencing discriminatory events (DeCuir & Dixson, 2004; Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1995; Hurtado & Alvarado, 2015; Yosso, Parker, Solorzano &…

The author met Jerome when he was a senior in a psychology class taught by the author. He stood out from the rest of the class not only in his academic performance, but also in the ways he approached class--always prepared, asking good questions, going above and beyond in his assignments. He was the dream student--hard working, curious, passionate…

This study aimed to better understand campus mental health culture and student mental health coping strategies, and to identify the mental health needs of students as well as gaps in mental health services within postsecondary education. A videovoice method was used to identify and document health-related issues and advocate for change. Forty-one…

Trans* is becoming a buzzword and trans* celebrities have become increasingly visible. On college campuses, trans* students have also become more visible and advocacy for them continues to be extremely important. To support these claims, some literature has emerged regarding trans* college students' identity development and experiences on…

In this critical narrative inquiry study, we explored the experience of gay cisgender men in college at the borderlands of social constructionism, critical race theory, and queer theory. Findings included 3 major themes: (a) the salience, tokenization, and centrality of being an "other" in a given space, (b) how performativity varied in…

This article seeks to examine Black male bonding at a predominantly White university. Prior research suggests that Black students seek social connections with other Black students as a means for negating the discomforts of racial alienation. However, these friendships are not always sought solely in response to difficulties integrating into White…

Colleges and universities are increasing their cultural and racial diversity, encouraging institutions of higher education to creatively develop opportunities for students to feel connected to their campus outside of the classroom. With the growth of racially diverse student bodies, many PWIs co-curricular opportunities need to serve the specific…

The review of literature did not identify any previous studies on the cultural competence level of nursing students at Historically Black College and University (HBCU) environments. A descriptive comparative approach was used to examine the level of cultural competence of junior and senior baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) students and to…

Research consistently indicates that less affluent students across the country are often deprived of the necessary academic preparation and college guidance needed to successfully select, attend, and graduate from a postsecondary institution (Louie, 2017). Independent schools across America have historically served affluent, White students;…

Increasing participation and success in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields continues to be a national imperative, with particular attention paid to eliminating barriers for women and underrepresented students of color. Some attention has been paid to the underrepresentation of students with disabilities in STEM fields, while…

Ensuring success in public higher education among underrepresented students is integral to social equity in the United States today. The current research contextualizes proximal and structural characteristics shaping the opportunities of underrepresented students by drawing on multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to consider the influence of…