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Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6036-4434 

Date Available

4-9-2026

Year of Publication

2026

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Education

Department/School/Program

Educational Leadership Studies

Faculty

Beth Rous

Faculty

John Nash

Abstract

Research indicates that postsecondary institutions have struggled to retain historically underrepresented college students. These students continue to experience lower levels of persistence and college self-efficacy compared to their peers (Monjaras-Gaytan & Sánchez, 2023).

This dissertation is a mixed methods action research study that identified the academic challenges historically underrepresented college students face. This study focused on diagnosing the problem, engaging in multiple Reconnaissance phases, and using those findings to plan a contextually responsive intervention.

Findings indicate that historically underrepresented college students may benefit from enhanced academic support, stronger advising relationships, and greater opportunities to build peer connections. The findings of this study indicate that a mentorship intervention represented the most viable and contextually responsive approach to addressing the needs of historically underrepresented college students enrolled at Owensboro Community and Technical College.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.38

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