This dissertation examines the post-college career choices of no-loan program alumni at Harvard College. Using a conceptual framework informed by elements of social cognitive career theory (Lent et al., 1994) and Perna's (2006) model of college choice, it identifies "what" careers alumni chose after college and "how" and…

While much of the literature on Black women teachers documents their legacy of addressing anti-black racism in traditional public-school settings, there is room for more dialogue about the labor of Black women teachers who teach in non-traditional school settings. This study draws on endarkened storywork, a methodological approach derived from the…

Increasing numbers of international students bring their different cultures, languages, and educational backgrounds to higher education, and they expect their experiences and interactions with higher education institutions to be rewarding journeys. A key issue - the dynamic and multifaceted concept of student engagement as an important indicator…

Enrolling in an online program has become an increasingly popular choice for graduate students, as this format allows the flexibility to balance personal, academic, and professional commitments. However, this flexibility alone does not guarantee that an online program will contribute positively to students' lives. In this qualitative action…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to understand how certified public school librarians in the United States describe their experiences within librarian Facebook groups for their self-directed professional learning. Two data sources with 14 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups with 7 participants each were conducted.…

This grounded theory study uses a semi-structured interview process, as well as a differentiated information acquisition approach to explore the perceptions and experiences of individuals who identify as neurodivergent in the postsecondary setting. The aim of this study is to gain firsthand knowledge about the lived experiences of former and…

This dissertation presents a critical literature review exploring the influences of repatriation and adjusting to the university experience in the United States of America on the identity development of third culture kids. A third culture kid is someone who spent a significant part of their developmental years living outside their passport country…

This dissertation explored the experiences of 14 first-generation graduates who had recently completed a master's degree, analyzing the saliency of their first-generation identity with a strengths-based focus. Much literature exists regarding the experiences of first-generation undergraduate students and doctoral students, yet few studies center…

The Oregon community college system employs a full-time faculty workforce that is overwhelmingly White. This study aimed to research why the representation of faculty of color in the state's community colleges remains low by conducting interviews with faculty of color about their experiences at these public 2-year institutions using…

Bullying was a pervasive issue affecting high schools in the United States despite anti-bullying programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of former high school bullying victims about why anti-bullying programs have not reduced incidents of bullying. The conceptual framework that supported this study was…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate how first-year college students describe their experiences with stress and coping. This study sought to understand what coping mechanisms first-year college students use when they experience stress. Prior to this dissertation, it was not known how first-year college students describe…

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused unexpected and unprecedented disruptions worldwide, inflicting inconvenience in daily life, heightened health risk, and psychological distress. University students, especially international students, faced unique challenges and stressors related to education, financial situation, safety, mental…

Physical education is a cycle of replication when it continues to be taught the way it was experienced. Students enter a physical education teacher education (PETE) program with their perceptions of physical education based on how they experienced it. This action research study aimed to examine how perceptions and the way the students experienced…

High-impact practices (HIPs) are well-documented experiences that deepen engagement and go beyond traditional markers of success for college students. First-generation college students (FGCS) may even see greater gains in participation than their continuing-generation counterparts. Since universities historically retain FGCS at lower rates, this…

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of teacher-coaches, those who simultaneously hold official positions as licensed teachers and athletic coaches, as they cope with role conflict and navigate relationships with students and athletes. A three-pronged conceptual framework that includes role…