Previous research suggests that creativity training is effective in academic settings, and that creative skills are increasingly important for success within unconventional careers such as self-employment or starting a business. This study extends research on creativity and entrepreneurial training in higher education, using data from the National…

This research study seeks to explain how perceptions about higher education impact persistence in first-generation students within the University of Maine System. The design uses semi-structured interviews as well as data from the University of Maine System's 2020 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to analyze how engagement and…

High-impact practices (HIPs) are important co-curricular educational experiences in post-secondary education, as they promote learning, development, and persistence among students. The goal of this study was to extend the research on HIPs to explore potential connections with HIP participation and career outcomes. Using data from the National…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and its companion projects serve bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities committed to assessing and improving the quality of the undergraduate experience. Created to offer a legitimate and actionable view of college quality, the survey focuses on activities and experiences that decades…

The United States must tap into its growing minority population in STEM fields to maintain global competitiveness. Despite increased diversity in STEM work-related fields within the United States, African American (AA) students are still underrepresented in STEM majors, resulting in low community participation in STEM careers compared to their…

The first-year students join college with several expectations in their mind about their upcoming academic endeavors and their career. The first-year of college is the most crucial year of a students' college career. This dissertation explores first-year students' perceptions/ expectation of academic rigor and academic help-seeking in college as…

While previous literature documents the importance of sense of belonging for a positive educational experience, much of this research is focused on students early in their college careers and incorporates a single measure of sense of belonging. In contrast, the current study sought to explore whether senior students' faculty-related engagement…

The purpose of this research brief was to identify and provide an overview of national databases containing information about college students with disabilities. Eleven instruments from federal and university-based sources were described. Databases reflect a variety of survey methods, respondents, definitions of disability, and research questions.…

The distinctive impact of a Catholic college on students springs from its identity. Students sense Catholic identity in a vibrant campus environment shaped by the Catholic college mission. Although many constructs found in mission statements are common to a host of colleges, their practical application in the campus environment affects student…

Though much research has been conducted about the factors that contribute to overall college student success, little research has been conducted which ties self-efficacy, career focus, and a critical third variable, sense of life calling or purpose to race or ethnicity and the relationship of college classification to this topic. Specifically, the…

With university mission statements focused on preparing emerging adult students for globally inclusive professional careers, moral and leadership development has become a central focus of many colleges and universities (Bass, 1991; Binghamton University, 2016; Zimmerman-Oster & Burkhardt, 1999). Colleges and universities utilize interactions…

Regarding collegiate experiences, several studies have examined the effects of diversity experiences on educational, psychosocial, and other college outcomes (Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005). However, there exists a limited body of research, which has focused on the impact of those types of experiences on leadership development among students…

To encourage college students to stay enrolled and to graduate remains a challenge for educators and educational policymakers. There are basically two lines of actions in addressing the issue of student persistence. One is directed towards eliminating or reducing the risk factors such as poor student services and hostile learning environment;…

Academic advising is an integral part of the college experience. Outcomes of academic advising may be more critical than realized by either advisors or advisees. Studies have been compiled to suggest that meaningful and developmental contact with advisors promotes student success (Johnson & Wang, 2011; Kuh, 2008; Tuttle, 2000). However, a…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…