In times of the rise of the "A4 waist" trend on social networks (SNs), concerns have been raised over appearance-related content's adverse effects on body image and well-being in parasocial relationships. We conducted a survey on Chinese college students (N = 333) to examine the effects of comparison targets (same-gender acquaintances,…

The role that symbols play in facilitating or hindering institutional transformation efforts on campuses is underexplored. Through this embedded, multiple case study, we examine interview data from 52 participants at four private postsecondary institutions to investigate how power dynamics influence symbols to advance or hinder these institutional…

Many women leave higher education and the workforce due to inadequate support after childbirth, as student affairs units often struggle to create family-friendly environments. The purpose of this narrative inquiry qualitative study was to understand why and how mothers who work in student affairs choose to stay after having children. This study…

Greater emphasis on ethical issues is needed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The fiction for specific purposes (FSP) approach, using optimistic science fiction texts, offers a way to focus on ethical reflection that capitalizes on role models rather than negative examples. This article discusses the benefits…

Purpose: This study aims to describe and analyze an innovative mechanism of teacher-led, system-wide professional learning that has been widely adopted since the beginning of the twenty-first century in China--the Master Teacher Studio (MTS). Design/methodology/approach: This paper drew from policy documents, published Chinese literature relating…

Purpose: Black women are devalued in many aspects of American culture--physical education (PE) is no exception. Platforms to celebrate Black women's excellence in PE are scarce. Drawing on Black feminist thought and critical race theory, the purpose of this article is to describe and explain the experiences of Black women physical educators who…

In this study, academic freedom in teacher education is related to preservice teachers' possibilities to develop critical and autonomous thinking in teaching practice. Self-awareness and self-confidence provide certainty to deal with the uncertain situation in teaching where creativity and judgment must be given priority over an instrumental…

In the United States, schools and universities have too few Black male teachers. Although many factors contribute to this significant problem, one primary factor is the existing lack of Black male educators to serve as role models for Black male students. This literature review captures information from peer-reviewed research, public scholarship…

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.…

Program administrators must be intentional when hiring faculty and selecting electives in order to hire faculty the students will be able to relate to, perceive as role models, and who will be able to provide students in higher education in prison (HEP) programs with knowledge about racial issues in our society often from personal experience.…

This study examines urban and rural South African accounting students' perceptions of their professional skills development through participation in an extended professional project (hereafter 'project'). We find students from the rural-based institutions perceived higher levels of professional skills development than their urban-based…

Increasing representation of women and minorities in STEM disciplines is imperative. We employ Social Identity Theory in conjunction with Self-Determination Theory to explain how STEM-related stereotypes keep students from following STEM pathways. We conducted an experimental investigation using 70 10th-grade students to determine if exposure to…

This article considers how transnational campuses can enhance educational leadership and management in 2023 and beyond by drawing on case study examples from one provider in eastern China. It considers the importance of recruitment and retention initiatives, and the roles that employment motivation, job satisfaction, and employee well-being play.…

Students often experience social and psychological barriers to success in General Chemistry, which is a key gateway to many students' science pathways. Learning assistants (LAs) have the potential to reduce these barriers and to strengthen students' sense of belonging in General Chemistry and STEM more broadly. Here, we used a 17-item Likert scale…

Women, ethnic minority, and less affluent groups are widely underrepresented in chemistry, a problem that is observed at all levels but begins before college matriculation takes place. The importance of representation and humanization of scientists is crucial. Despite limited progress over recent decades, poor visibility of role models from…