Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2020

Thesis Director

Dianne Timm

Thesis Committee Member

Mark A. Hudson

Thesis Committee Member

Patricia J. Fewell

Abstract

Activism has been an ever present on college campuses throughout history. The student activist has been a part of some of the biggest movements in American history, such as, the Anti-Vietnam War movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the Kent State Massacre, and the #MeToo movement. This study seeks to understand student activism on college campuses and how activism has changed in our new digital era. The internet’s social media platforms have created new meeting places and areas for idea sharing for college activists. These social media platforms mean that students can remotely plan, organize, and execute their protests, demonstrations, or movements quicker than ever before. This has led to a relatively new idea of activism called slacktivism. This study interviewed student affair professionals about college student activists on their campuses and how they perceive students organizing and executing their movements.

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