Matching Items (27)
Filtering by
- Creators: Arizona State University
Description
The primary purpose of this research was to evaluate the differences in retention intention between men and women in collegiate aviation programs. Data was collected through the use of surveys and follow-up interviews. It was found that women are no more likely than men to consider dropping out of their academic institution or abandoning the pursuit of a career in aviation. Regardless of retention intention, women in collegiate aviation programs report a much lower sense of belonging than men, which can be attributed to low self-efficacy, a lack of representation of women, and feeling disconnected from both peers and faculty. All of the women interviewed did not identify gender as a salient identity when describing these similar experiences and instead pointed to other social identities and factors to explain their feelings. Survey and interview results, however, indicate that women in collegiate aviation programs often responded to questions similarly regardless of experience level, race and ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
ContributorsShantz, Rachael M. (Author) / Cirillo, Michael (Thesis advisor) / Roscoe, Rod (Committee member) / Wallmueller, Katherine (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Arizona State University's Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness department plays a vital role in enhancing the physical health and well-being of its student population. However, the demanding responsibilities placed on campus recreation professionals, combined with the high expectations for student engagement, have led to a concerning rise in employee turnover. To address this issue, a comprehensive series of professional development workshops was designed, aiming to empower campus recreation professionals in navigating their roles effectively and improving their overall experience. This mixed-methods action research study was conducted to address the challenge of employee retention among entry-level campus recreation professionals at Arizona State University. The research encompassed both quantitative and qualitative assessments, focusing on critical factors such as self-efficacy, career success, job satisfaction, sense of belonging, and motivation. The study aimed to determine whether significant differences existed in these variables before and after the intervention. Data collection involved surveys, open-ended questions, and interviews, offering a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the professional development workshops.
The results of this study indicate that the professional development workshops served as an effective intervention on various constructs. Quantitative data showed a positive change in career success, motivation, and job satisfaction among staff members, while qualitative data shed light on key factors influencing employee retention. These factors included the lack of professional development opportunities, unclear career advancement pathways, a strong desire for more substantial recognition, and the paramount importance of supportive leadership and a positive work environment.
ContributorsSealey, Joshua (Author) / Rillero, Peter (Thesis advisor) / Ross, Lydia (Committee member) / Spivak Smith, Courtney (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024
Description
Transfer students have emerged as a growing student population in higher education. There is a need for higher education professionals to understand the needs of transfer students. In this study, the implemented intervention consisted of restructuring retention programming for first-semester transfer students. This qualitative action research study explored how first-semester transfer students understand and experience academic and social engagement across the semester they participate in retention programming. Students identified perceived barriers and facilitators to engagement. The researcher also examined transfer students’ experiences of the intervention. The findings indicate that students’ understanding of engagement align with their expectations of their first semester and remained consistent throughout the study. One of the biggest perceived barriers to engagement was lack of time. Overall, transfer students found the intervention useful during their transition to a new institution.
ContributorsKulhanek, Kristy Lynn (Author) / Bernstein, Katie (Thesis advisor) / Wilcox, Jeanne (Committee member) / Edwards, Sarah (Committee member) / Dorn, Sherman (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
The purpose of this study was to examine how positive impacts could be achieved on student’s ability to successfully navigate financial aid processes within the Maricopa Community College system and specifically at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC). By evaluating existing processes and implementing enhanced system protocols (ESP), this study aimed to see how much of a positive impact ESP would have on student’s ability to access financial aid funding and enroll in classes. The study also took a closer look at how financial aid staff could better understand the systems through ESPs. In order to effectively evaluate the implementation of ESPs at CGCC, there were two approaches used within the research methodology. The first was front-end ESPs designed to target protocols that were student facing. The second was back-end ESPs targeting the financial aid staff and operations at CGCC. With the help of established ESPs, when looked at as a whole, more students were able to successfully navigate the complexities of the financial aid process, and receive their financial aid award offers at CGC. One of the front-end ESPs that held the greatest significance, in terms of successfully influencing students, was text messaging campaigns. The available evidence suggested text messaging as the most impactful way to get student’s attention. Although all of the back-end process improvements were important, the online policy and procedure repository quantitative data analysis suggested staff were empowered to provide a higher level of service with confidence and accuracy. Each of the ESPs made a small impact to student’s success and when aggregated the combined ESP results demonstrated a large enough impact that other colleges should explore the options of implementing ESPs to help more of their students receive financial aid.
ContributorsWolsey, Timothy (Author) / Graves Wolf, Leigh (Thesis advisor) / Beaty, Shaun (Committee member) / Peterson, Greg (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
More than half of the students who start this year at a community college will not return to the same institution the following year. This persistent problem negatively impacts students, institutions, and society at-large. However, institutions that experience greater success in retaining students place academic advising initiatives at the core of their retention efforts. The Appreciative Advising Model (AAM) may be uniquely suited to promoting student persistence because the AAM engages a student in long-term planning, showing how their current and future academic efforts can be aligned to achieve their goals. Employing the AAM, advisors use open-ended questions to uncover a students’ dreams, and then co-construct, with the student, a set of systematic goals uniquely tailored to help the student reach their dreams. As part of this study, the AAM was implemented as an innovation at a community college advising center. Guided by a framework that includes theories of social constructivism, positive psychology, and appreciative inquiry, this qualitative action research study employed semi-structured interviews and focus groups with students and advisors to explore their perceptions and experiences related to the AAM as a potential tool to enhance community college
retention. The goal of this study was to chronicle the implementation of a new advising model for a community college—the AAM—study the perceptions and experiences related to the new model, and to assess the model’s influence on a student’s likelihood of persisting at their community college. This work increases the understanding of the AAM
in a community college setting and results may have implications for community colleges, advising centers, and retention efforts.
ContributorsDisrude, Jim (Author) / Sampson, Carrie (Thesis advisor) / Coronella, Tami (Committee member) / John, Beth (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Description
Black male students experience a number of issues related to identity during the persistence process, which have potential to deter them from graduating. Some of these issues include feeling isolated and lack of access to resources due to their ethnic and/or racial identities. Recent statistics indicate that though there is an increase in college enrollment for Black students, the graduation rate is disproportionate to their enrollment. Using critical race theory, co-cultural theory, and communication theory of identity, this study investigated the role of identity in the persistence of Black male students’ graduation rates. Specifically, the central question was ‘What role, if any, do identity processes play in Black male students' decisions to continue or depart from a Predominantly White Institution?’ In order to answer this question, fifteen first-generation Black male college students were interviewed in order to understand the specific experiences that impacted them in relation to graduation. The study sample included a subset of Black male athletes who were found to have distinct differences in college experiences based solely on their athlete status. The overall results indicate that Black male students have expectations of the persistence process and that their personal identity also plays a significant role in the persistence process. In order to maintain their identities and continue with coursework, Black males enacted persistence strategies that were consistent with an overall goal of graduating. Research findings suggest that Black males must maintain a strong personal identity in order to maintain their personal commitment to graduation and college institutions can support them in this endeavor. Research outcomes also suggest that Black males should have a plan of persistence upon entering college, which is constantly reinforced as a graduation motivator.
ContributorsRobinson, Jennifer Christine (Author) / Martin, Judith (Thesis advisor) / Alberts, Jess (Committee member) / Jimenez-Castellanos, Oscar (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
Description
This mixed methods action research study explores the impact of a multilevel intervention on retention indicators of special education induction teachers and the leadership capacities of the special education induction coaches and coordinator. The purpose of this investigation was to understand the impact of developing and implementing an action research study on three different levels of participants the special education induction coaches, teachers and me. A theoretical framework based upon Bandura's (1977, 1982) work in Social Learning Theory, and in self and collective efficacy informs this study. The conceptual framework developed based upon the tenets of Authentic Leadership Theory and special education mentor programs inform the development of the intervention and data collection tools. Quantitative data included results collected from the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ), and the Special Education Induction Teacher Questionnaire (SEITQ). The qualitative data included results collected from the SEITQ open-ended questions, Email Reflective Response (ERR), organic and structured focus groups, fieldnotes, and the Teachers' Final Letter. Findings include: a) I changed as a leader and a researcher, b) the special education induction coaches began to think and act as leaders, c) the special education induction teachers' retention indicators increased, d) by actively participating in the co-construction of the special education induction program, both the coaches and the teacher provided valuable insights as pertains to developing a program that supports special education induction teachers. Implications and next steps are discussed.
ContributorsImel, Breck (Author) / Wetzel, Keith (Thesis advisor) / Ewbank, Ann (Thesis advisor) / Davidson, Carter (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2012