Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2025

Thesis Director

Jon K. Coleman

Thesis Committee Member

Dianne Timm

Thesis Committee Member

Anne G. Flaherty

Abstract

Research has shown that a student’s first six weeks of college have a strong impact on the rest of their college experience. Because of this, institutions concentrate programming efforts in the first six weeks of the academic year to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for their first-time students. However, little research has been done on this topic in recent years. This quantitative study sought to examine first-time student event attendance in the first six weeks of the academic year and its impact on sense of belonging, which has been shown to be an important factor of the college experience. This study also sought to examine differences in belonging based on gender, race, and transfer status. Findings revealed a minimal relationship between attendance at these events and sense of belonging, and no significant differences in belonging were found based on gender, race, or transfer status. Institutions should assess if their programming efforts in the first six weeks are still achieving their intended outcomes, as the six-week programming model may not be as effective as it once was.

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