Understanding how the experiences, perceptions, and culturally engaging campus environments build a sense of belonging and persistence among first-year dual-enrolled college students in a unique and diverse nation in the Western Caribbean (Greater Antilles) is an area of inquiry that had yet to be researched prior to this study. Using a case study…

This observational, quantitative longitudinal study examined the retention gap among students studying exclusively online and those studying on-campus and compared variables related to outcomes and the completion rates of students at one private, non-profit, four-year university Master of Public Health Program (MPH) in the Midwest. It was unknown…

Both the counseling and counselor education fields assert to increase diversity when considering representation of practitioners and educators to provide culturally sensitive and considerate care to diverse clients (Meyers, 2017). Relatedly, Black doctoral students represent 25.09% within counselor education programs highlighting a lower…

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore the role of Latino parents and their contributions to their daughter's pursuit of higher education from the perspective of both the parent and the daughter. Yosso's (2005, 2006) Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework served as a data analysis tool to explore the primary question guiding…

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study addressed the perceptions of at-risk, Generation Z, undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), related to their persistence and retention. The problem was that many at-risk, Generation Z undergraduate…

Caring is a core-concept in the nursing profession, but the nature of the academia influences how caring is demonstrated in the faculty-student relationship making this a complex topic. Faculty are called upon to serve in a variety of roles, some of which may cause contention with nursing students. The purpose of this study was to understand gaps…

Beginning teachers of color leave the country's schools at higher rates than their White colleagues. National attention has turned to the development of induction, or beginning teacher support, programs to help stem beginning teacher attrition rates. Despite having developed a comprehensive induction policy to support beginning teachers,…

Retention rates for African American students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been low compared to rates of predominantly White institutions. The problem investigated was the retention rates of African American students enrolled at degree-granting Title IV HBCUs. The absence of research focused on African…

Examining why a student leaves a nursing program, voluntarily or involuntarily, after successfully meeting competitive admission criteria is an important area of research. The ability to persist in higher education, and in particular for student nurses, is a critical determinant of academic success. Attrition rates among nursing programs range on…

This study's topic was "Reframing narratives: How African American male students attending an urban Historically Black College and University (HBCU) use reframing narratives to redirect their mental health well-being to persist in college." The problem addressed by this study was the lack of specific information about the reframing…

Nontraditional student-parents compose approximately one-quarter of the student body on college and university campuses. Student-parents face unique challenges, have unique needs, and graduate at lower rates than other nontraditional students. Yet many campuses, like the local study site, focus support on traditional students. The purpose of this…

Hope, the ability to establish goals, plan for the future, persist in the face of challenges, and motivate oneself throughout the goal cycle, is a social endeavor requiring the collective support and resources of families, school staff, and peers. Schools that teach and reinforce life skills (i.e., hope and social-emotional competence) are able to…

School leaders play a vital role in ensuring student achievement. In fact, they are second only to classroom instruction. All too often, however, principals are immersed in administrative duties with little time or training to become true leaders of learning who can shape the success of a school. This dissertation focuses on the need for central…

There is a critical need for teacher retention in all schools, and the need is even greater in urban schools in the U.S. There are disparities in teacher retention rates between teachers of color and white teachers, the latter staying in their roles at a higher rate. While teachers of color are entering the workforce at higher rates than a decade…

The problem addressed in this study was the equity gap in college certificate and degree completion between first and continuing generation college students. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of first-generation, low-income students regarding their persistence decisions for…