37903 research outputs found
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Student affairs professionals\u27 perspectives as first-generation college students
Full text linkThe qualitative study aimed to investigate the perceptions of student affairs professionals (SAPs) who identify as first-generation college students (FGCSs). SAPs are essential in supporting institutional missions, yet the field faces high attrition rates, particularly among earlycareer professionals. By examining these SAPs\u27 perceptions regarding their professional experiences, along with the support received and influences on their career paths, we may better understand the barriers to workplace inclusion and career readiness. Although much research explores the factors driving attrition among SAPs, limited attention is paid to the SAPs whose identities as FGCS impact their professional experiences and influence their decisions to stay in or leave the field. This quantitative study investigated whether barriers to workplace retention, inclusion, and career advancement exist for First-Generation Student Affairs Professionals (FGSAPs) as they do for FGCSs.
Purposeful sampling was used for this study to allow data collection from a specific population of eight current and eight former SAPs who were also FGCSs. Participant recruitment occurred through social media groups consisting of current and previous SAPs. The study was guided by five research questions focusing on the challenges faced by FGSAPs, the institutional barriers they encounter, the role of compensation and mentorship in career decisions, the impact of job demands and resources, and strategies for improving retention. Using qualitative methods, the researcher interviewed 16 current and former SAPs who identified as FGCS, revealing several themes: the path to student affairs, professional development, mentorship, politics, compensation, and the ongoing awareness of their first-generation status. Participants described positive influences—such as mentorship during their college years—and challenges, including feelings of imposter syndrome, limited onboarding, and a lack of preparation for institutional xii politics. Despite these challenges, the resilience and determination of FGSAPs were evident in their narratives.
Key findings from the study underscore the significant role of compensation, professional development, and work-life balance in the career decisions of FGSAPs. While mentorship was found to be crucial for some, it was not consistently available, with participants who left the field often citing inadequate support. Participants also expressed frustration with the financial and emotional challenges of working in student affairs, including navigating limited resources and addressing the complex needs of students. Several participants described their personal experiences as FGCS as beneficial when supporting students with similar backgrounds. However, they also faced internal struggles, such as self-doubt and the pressure to prove their belonging. The study\u27s findings emphasize the potential impact of mentorship on retention and the need for institutions to prioritize and enhance mentorship programs for FGSAPs.
Recommendations for higher education institutions include enhancing onboarding processes, fostering mentorship programs tailored to FGCS professionals, increasing transparency during recruitment, and providing wellness initiatives to support work-life balance. These recommendations, if implemented, have the potential to significantly improve the experiences and retention rates of FGSAPs in higher education. Future research should investigate the long-term impact of mentorship on retention, the emotional well-being of firstgeneration professionals (FGPs), and the specific contributions of FGCS identities to the field of student affairs. These findings emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing FGSAPs\u27 unique challenges to improve retention and foster a supportive professional environment in higher education
Convenience and price: what leads to repurchase intent?
Full text linkThis study strives to understand drivers of repurchase intent for service-based small businesses in terms of firm attributes and service conveniences. This study also examines the impact of customer satisfaction on repurchase intent in service-based small businesses. The theories used for this research are Economic Utility Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior. This research aims to identify which factors are most important when starting the customer journey with a service-based small business, including signing up for the service, realizing the benefit, and the customer’s intention to repurchase. This research will compare firm attributes, including price discounts and service conveniences. This research will survey people paying for a service to see which options helped make their decision easier, added convenience, and what they value as most important compared to firm attributes. This research focuses on four of the five dimensions of convenience (access, transaction, decision, and benefit). Within these areas, this research aims to identify how they affect a consumer’s decision to buy or sign up for a service. The anticipated outcome of the research is to help in-person learning small businesses make better marketing and management decisions to help them meet their customers where they are
The Perfect Storm : Weathering Black Racial Trauma Across the Lifespan and the Impact of COVID-19
Full text linkDescendants of Africans Enslaved in the United States (DAEUS), who lived in the South prior to 1965 and experienced decades of legalized discrimination, were found to have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Arline Geronimus (1992) coined the term “weathering” to acknowledge the accumulation of racial trauma stored within the body over extended periods of time. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study, aligned by the tenets of Critical Race Theory, explores how continuous racial trauma impacted DAEUS citizens’ well-being and trust in the COVID-19 vaccine. Three Group Experiential Themes emerged during this study, all connected with the experiences of nine DAEUS participants between 69–84 years of age: (a) The Impact of Dehumanizing Experiences, (b) The Impact of Long-Term Racialized Healthcare, and (c) COVID-19 as The Perfect Storm. Implications for counselors and counselor educators are provided to encourage trauma-informed practices on behalf of the DAEUS population
Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XL. \u3ci\u3eBarbaracurus lowei\u3c/i\u3e sp. n. from Ethiopia (Buthidae)
No full textBarbaracurus lowei sp. n. from Ethiopia is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of both sexes of the new species, as well as of their habitat. Included is a key for Barbaracurus and a map of the distribution of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa
Participant 014: Reiki Practitioner with nine months of experience (White; Female; California, USA)
No full textThis is an interview about Reiki and its connection with overall well-being with a Reiki Practitioner holding nine months of experience (White; Female; California, USA). She was interviewed on July 25, 2025. The participant agreed to the terms outlined in the verbal informed consent form before this interview. Some of the broad conversations during this interview were about her use of Reiki and other healing modalities; Reiki\u27s place in her life in the face of work stress in regulatory affairs; Reiki\u27s ability to bring in new relationships and let outdated ones fall away; and early childhood experiences seeing Spirit and embracing this gift later in life. Lindsey Harper was the interviewer and the primary investigator for this project. Please download this document to read the full de-identified interview.https://mds.marshall.edu/reikiconversations/1015/thumbnail.jp
Investigating the extent to which diet-induced obesity alters gene expression in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells following influenza immunization in mice
No full textVaccines are a vital tool in preventing diseases, but their effectiveness varies depending on factors like diet and body weight. Obese individuals often experience reduced vaccine protection, as seen with influenza vaccines, where they have twice the risk of getting the flu compared to healthy-weight individuals after vaccination. This study aims to understand why obesity weakens vaccine effectiveness, focusing on the role of blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow, known as hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These cells are crucial for producing immune cells that defend the body against infections. Previous research has shown that diet-induced obesity alters the types and quantities of immune cells produced by the HSPCs in the bone marrow. This research specifically explores how a Western diet, typically high in fats and sugars alters the gene expression of HSPCs during Influenza vaccination. Understanding these changes could help us develop strategies to improve vaccine responses in obese individuals, potentially through targeted vaccine additives or additional treatments, leading to better protection for those at higher risk
20250728: Technical Services Department Awards, 1979-2000
No full textThese items include materials from the office of the Technical Services Department within Marshall University Libraries from 1979-2000. Items were received in 2025 and include three prestigious awards given to Marshall\u27s Tech Services Department from the Pittsburgh Regional Library Center & OCLC organizations. Please download the finding aid for a full list of contents
The impact of administrator-led walkthroughs on teacher self-efficacy
No full textThis qualitative phenomenological study explored how administrator-led instructional walkthroughs influence teacher self-efficacy in one public school district located in West Virginia. Guided by Bandura’s (1977) framework of self-efficacy, the research examined the lived experiences of teachers and administrators who participated in regularly scheduled walkthroughs as part of a district-wide instructional leadership initiative. Data were collected through open-ended surveys with PK–12 teachers and administrators and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to the perceived impact of the walkthrough process.
Findings revealed that when walkthroughs were conducted with clear purpose, relational trust, and consistent, meaningful feedback, they contributed positively to teacher confidence and professional growth. Conversely, walkthroughs perceived as compliance-driven or lacking follow-up had a neutral or even negative impact. Six central themes emerged: sense of purpose, goals and impact on teacher growth; self-confidence as a key component of self-efficacy; teacher relationships and trust; timing and frequency; consistency and quality of feedback; and context and depth of observations.
This study contributes to the growing body of research on instructional leadership by highlighting the nuanced role walkthroughs can play in shaping teacher beliefs and behaviors. Implications include the need for professional development for districts and administrators on relational leadership and feedback practices, and for districts to ensure alignment between the intent and execution of walkthroughs
