This page collects theses produced under the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, as well as those produced under its previous name Department of Counseling and Student Development.
Theses from 2024
Incarcerated to Educated: The On-Campus Experiences of College Students Post Incarceration, Taylor Comer
Social Gender Norms and Depression in College Students, Derek Deeney
The Transition of Music Students into College, Amanda J. Durbin
Navigating Campus Climate: Microaggressions and Microaffirmations Impacting Trans* College Students on College Campuses, Chas Figueroa
The Role of Study Abroad Directors in the Internationalization of Higher Education, Alexandra Tserenova
Burnout in Resident Assistants of Color, Lily Weaver
Theses from 2023
The Transition into Higher Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tj Estabrook
Fraternal New Member Processes: An Alumni Perspective, C J. Gibson
Still, We Rise: Experiences of Black Women in Leadership Positions at Predominately White Institutions, Dionne Lipscomb
Academic Faculty Perceptions of Student-Athletes, Jacob M. Mueller
Student-Athletes’ Decision-Making Process for Selecting an Academic Major, Gina S. Pearson
Evaluating the Assessment of Resident Assistant Training, Diego Ulloa
The Role of Time Perspective in the College Major Selection Process, Anders C. Voss
Compassion Fatigue Among Resident Assistants at Five Illinois Public Institutions : A Mixed Methods Approach, Téa E. Wheat
Theses from 2022
Conduct Professionals' Experiences with Student Misconduct and Mental Health, Robyn Bauer
Student Affairs Professionals as Tempered Radicals: Lessons on Action and Advocacy, Devin A. De Both
Students’ Reflection of Cross-Cultural Experiences: A Study Abroad Narrative, Alexandra Dudley
The Influence of Institutional Social Media and College Students' Choice, Anna Fishbein
Quarantine and Isolation Experiences of College Students: A Narrative, Brooke Gibson
Hazing Prevention: The Advisor Perspective, Gabby Hiller
Faculty Perceptions on Working with Students with Learning Disabilities, Ashley Jezik
The Experiences and Transition of Black Former Student Athletes Through and Out of College, Nyjah Lane
The Experiences of Professionals of Color at a Predominantly White Institution, Brandy Matthews
Undocumented Students’ Barriers to Completing Higher Education, Yesenia Muruato
A Case Study on Illinois Regional Public Universities and the 2015-2017 Budget Impasse, Colin L. Roberts
Theses from 2021
Listening to Their Voices: A Narrative on Campus Climate for Trans* Students, Cloe Bourdages
Student Athletes’ Perception of Hazing, Faith Bradbury
Female Student Service Member’s Experiences with Higher Education and Military Transitions, Sophie Cieslicki
Preparing for Life After College: The Career Skills Learned by Resident Assistant Alumni, Kala Cousineau
Is the Customer Always Right? An Exploration into the Expectations of Student Affairs Professionals, Brittany Floyd
Adapting to Change: Transitional Experiences of Vertical Transfer Students, Anna K. Goldberg
The Digital Generation: Exploring the Effects and Creation of Collegiate E-sports Programs, Joshua Gostlin
How Do I Do This? How Universities Support Students Experiencing Grief, Jackie Hirn
Feels Like Home: On Campus Housing and Its Effect on Sense of Belonging, Makenzie Joseph
Student-Centered Learning Spaces During a Pandemic, Rebeccah J. Maley
The Impact of Mentoring African Americans Males during Their Undergraduate Experience at Predominantly White Institutions, Michael D. Miller
An Exploration of the Perception of Faith Development at a Midwestern Public Institution, Zachary Sandoval
Examining the Relationship Between Acculturative Stress and Religion/Spirituality Among International Students, Ly'Jerrick Ward
Speaking to Power: An Exploration of College Students’ Experiences with Student Lobbying, Catie Witt
Theses from 2020
How Christian College Student Leaders Discover Purpose, Emmanuel Ayiku
Adjustment to Life in America: Black African Graduate Level Students, Denver Daniels
The Transitional Experiences of International Students Studying in the United States, Philip Fennell
Making the Dream Become a Reality: How Student Affairs Professionals Support Undocumented Students, Jacqueline R. Garcia
Panhellenic Women's Leadership Development and Self-Efficacy, Caitlyn Gastfield
Transitional Experiences of Post-Secondary Students with Non-Disclosed Disabilities, Sierra E. Headrick
The Living Mission: Mission Statements Evidenced in the Student Experience, Darek D. Hollis
Growing Pains: Self-Efficacy Development in Resident Assistants, Zachary King
A Qualitative Study of Why Women Join Panhellenic Organizations, Alex T. Martens
Female Student Veteran's Transition to College, Doug Michaels
How Leaders in Greek Life View Alcohol, Blake Miller
Parents’ Perceived Financial Behaviors Impact on College Students’ Financial Behaviors, Naomi Saxon
Shaking the Ceiling: First Leadership Role Attainment for Collegiate Women, Elizabeth J. Siecinski
First-Generation Black Males’ Challenges in Attending a PWI: Understanding What Makes Them Persist, Shakeitra Simmons
Social Media's Impact on College Student Activism: Senior Student Affairs Professional's Perspectives, Louis Soltysiak
The Path to Persistence: How Highly-At-Risk Students Persevere to Graduation Day, Alexis Kaine Straub
Values-Based Recruitment: Recruitment Strategy Effectiveness on Gaining Generation Z Matriculation, Alexandra Thompson
Persistence of African American Students at Predominately White Institutions, Candace Thompson
Reinstated Students: The Experiences and Perceptions of Academic Dismissal and Reinstatement, Kiona Webber
Theses from 2019
Perception of the Residence Hall Conduct Process at a Small Private Institution, Brigette Anokwa
Teachers' Perception of Mental Health in the School System, Nicholas Caldwell
Effective Partnerships Between Campus Police and Student Affairs, Michael DiPalma
College Students Experiences Participating in International Alternative Break Trips, Dayton L. Ehrlich
Student Use of Institutional Social Media, Hayley Elizabeth Hanger
The Transition of Male Student-Athletes to a Division I College, Tori Harrison
Impact of First-Generation Student Status on Graduate School Experience, Rachelle Ann Krausen
Support from Above the Glass Ceiling: Narratives of Women as University Student Leaders, Rebecca Schwartz
Factors Students Consider in the Decision Making Process for Graduate Education, Kiley Sturm
Theses from 2018
Students Perspective of Healthy Living in College, Andrea Coxey
A Qualitative Case Study on Best Practices of Emotional Support Animal Policies, Jordan E. Dadez
Provisional Admission Impact on College Self-Efficacy: A Qualitative Approach, Carolyn A. Davis
Factors Influencing Persistence of Students with Learning Disabilities at Four-Year Institutions, Abigail Frye
Students' Perceptions of Safety on a Campus in Relation to Firearms, Porfirio Gallegos Jr.
Using Young Adult Literature to Confront Mental Health: A Culturally Relevant Approach, Briana Hendrickson
How Federal Work-Study Affects the College Student Experience, Cole William Kallio-Crotteau
Is the Relationship Between College Drinking Behaviors and Social Anxiety Mediated by Alcohol Expectancies and Traumatic Life Experiences?, Cortney Lin Kingsmill
Rape Myth Acceptance in Social Fraternities and Sororities Compared to Nonaffiliated Students, Karissa B. Light
The Impact of Faith Development on College Student Decision Making, Kaitlyn Christine Noah
Race, Identity, and Communication: Experiences of College Students from Underrepresented Groups, Raya D. Petty
Understanding the Transition to College for Students with Learning Disabilities, Breanna Rehor
Influences on International Students' Selection of a Regional U.S. Institution: A Descriptive Study, Yazmin Rodriguez
A Photo Illicit Study of Black Women's Sense of Belonging at a Predominately White Institution, Kayla Alexandria Slusher
Art Majors' Perceptions of Their Self-Concept, Academic Self-Efficacy, and Social Identity, Sara E. Triplett
Kids, Spouses, School, Oh My! The Non-Traditional Student Experience, Amber J. Webb
Theses from 2017
A Qualitative Exploration of African American Students' Perceptions of and Experiences with On-Campus Police, Rishawnda Lenett Archie
Access to Higher Education for Black Men: A Narrative Perspective, Kayla R. Branch
Resident Assistant Perceptions of Motivations and Demotivations to Return to Their Position, Carrie Gochnauer
The Relationship Between Participation in Community Service and Students Academic Success, Kelsi Grubisich
Student Veterans and Their Transition to Becoming a College Student, Paul R. Higgerson
Perceptions of Body Image Among College Men, Colton David Janes
Microaggression in the College Environment: Narratives of African American Students at a Predominantly White Institution, Courtney Lynette Jones
Motivation behind Male Undergraduate Students' Decision to Participate in a Study Abroad Program, Rachel Ann Lindhart
Resilience and Thriving in Homeless College Students, Cayla C. Maurer
An Analysis of Black Undergraduate Students' Social Activism through Social Media Usage, Tayla Richards
Perceptions of Transgender Students in Social Fraternities and Sororities, Stacy Rowan
Pivotal Moments in Undergraduate Education: Retention and Student Connection to Campus, Katie Sikora
An Analysis of the Impact of Hall Council on the Acquisition of Transferable Skills, Madeline Smart
