Date of Degree
2025
Degree Name
Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)
Department
Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE)
Director
Gyant, LaVerne
Co-Director
Nyunt, Gudrun
Committee Members
Caldwell, Katrina; Mac, Jacqueline
Keywords
Student success, Retention, Persistence, Developmental academic advising, Student satisfaction, First-year college students, Higher education, College transition, Advisor training and development, Cultural navigator
Abstract
Enhancing college student success is a critical challenge for higher education. Traditionally measured by retention and graduation rates, student success is now viewed through a more holistic lens. This dissertation of practice examines the impact of developmental academic advising on student satisfaction and persistence at a four-year regional public university in the Midwest, focusing on first-year students. Using a quantitative approach, this study addresses gaps in the literature by examining the impact of developmental advising on student satisfaction and persistence.
Findings indicate that while developmental academic advising positively impacts student satisfaction with their advising experience, it does not significantly influence persistence into the second year. These results highlight the importance of personalized academic support in fostering student engagement and success. Additionally, this research underscores the need for targeted advising strategies to support first-year students as they transition into college.
Beyond its implications for student retention, this study sheds light on the academic and social challenges first-year students face and emphasizes the professional development needs of academic advisors. By equipping advisors with the necessary training and understanding of their role as cultural navigators, institutions can better support students during this critical transition period. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on enhancing educational outcomes and strengthening the role of academic advising in higher education.
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses and dissertations are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors, unless otherwise indicated.
Recommended Citation
Pickett, Michelle, "Impact of Academic Advising on Student Satisfaction and Persistence" (2025). Dissertations of Practice. 71.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-disspractice/71
