In light of the increasingly complex international and regional educational landscape, enhancing student academic achievement has emerged as a critical, shared objective for nations, institutions, educators, and students alike. This volume presents an in-depth review of the current conditions, challenges, and dilemmas confronting students in their…

The number of college athletes in the US has gradually increased, and in the 2020-2021 academic year, a record high of approximately 480,000 athletes participated in NCAA sports (NCAA Research, 2024). Along with this growth, scholars have highlighted various factors influencing college athletes' career development (e.g., career maturity, athletic…

This study, based on the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), examined pathways to pluralism orientation among more than 5,700 students who attended 118 U.S. colleges and universities between 2015 and 2019. Grounded in Critical Religious Pluralism Theory (CRPT), the analysis elevated the role of identities…

Within an international context, the role Online Learning Environments (OLEs) play in offering students opportunities to engage with other students to co-create positive experiences is complex. This paper examines the engagement facilitated by an OLE between students at a UK university and its Chinese partner. Findings show that OLEs can…

Creativity is a critical skill for problem-solving and innovation, yet its development is influenced by cultural and educational contexts. This study examines pathways to student creativity using data from 15-year-old students in Australia and Thailand who participated in PISA 2022. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was employed to…

This study examined the team and classroom experiences of student athletes in the autonomous student athlete climate. A narrative qualitative research approach was used to describe and interpret the experiences and perceptions of six NCAA Division I student athletes from three different universities located in the Midwestern and South-Central…

Student engagement and well-being are critical for academic success and overall development. This Spotlight explores strategies to create supportive and engaging learning environments that foster student motivation and well-being. From re-emphasizing the importance of play in kindergarten to leveraging the power of outdoor learning, these articles…

This dissertation investigated the science identity development of first-generation college students (FGCS) within learning assistant (LA) -supported science classes. The research aimed to uncover the complex and multifaceted processes through which FGCS come to see themselves as "science people" and how various elements of the…

Black students have faced several challenges and inequities in higher education (Williams et al., 2020). However, their experiences were not solely defined by the barriers in their way. Therefore, this study aimed to explore asset-based approaches (Denton et al., 2020) to Black students' success, including institutional support through a sense of…

There has been a growing discourse within higher education to engage with students as partners and harness the strength of students and faculty working together. Engaging in student-faculty partnerships activities offers benefits to both students and faculty, yet there is less research on these practices within science, technology, engineering and…

Nontraditional educational settings (NES) cater to diverse student populations, including those considered at-potential or at-risk. Research on interventions and the role of helping professionals in these settings is limited. This dissertation comprises two studies aimed at elucidating interventions and support mechanisms for at-potential students…

Purpose: The number of international students in China has been increasing over the recent decades. The rapid expansion of the international student population aroused concerns over the capacity of Chinese universities to fulfill international students' expectations toward academic development. Perceiving student learning experiences as an…

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the impact of institutional context on Black first-generation college women's identity development. We examined their experiences along the lines of their minoritized race, gender, and first-generation student status using intersectionality theory. Six Black, first-generation college…

This qualitative study investigates, through focus groups, how students in upper secondary school in Norway experience schooling. The background for the study is a tension between measurable outcomes and the educational aim of supporting students' human growth, their "Bildung." As teacher educators, we wanted to learn about situations…

This study investigates the factors influencing the development of communication skills among students at The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Recognizing the pivotal role of effective communication in healthcare, the research aims to identify key elements, such as the learning process, environment, teachers, and students,…