Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2010

Thesis Director

James Wallace

Thesis Committee Member

Mona Davenport

Thesis Committee Member

Gloria Leitschuh

Abstract

Institutions of higher education in the United States are experiencing the unique challenge of supporting their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) students at a time when their identity development has been well researched. Researchers have shown that the suicide rates among LGBT individuals are comparatively higher than those of their heterosexual counterparts. Many colleges and universities support their LGBT students via a network of other community members through LGBT student organizations on campus. To date, minimal research has been conducted to investigate whether membership in these student organizations is actually beneficial to LGBT members, as well as what participants actually gain from active involvement in these organizations. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of involvement in LGBT student organizations on self-acceptance for students at a small Midwestern university. Through a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study sought to pinpoint factors that may affect a LGBT student's life, as well as identify what can be done to enhance the social, academic, and personal development experiences these students have during their tenure in higher education. Findings from the present study suggest struggling LGBT students tum to their campus' LGBT student organization for guidance before other resources; membership in a LGBT student organization gives members a broader understanding of institutional resources; and that membership in a LGBT student organization provides a comfort zone for participants.

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