Unseen students: Exploring rural young adults’ college and career decision-making experiences through action research approaches

Authors

  • Brook Batch Mount St. Joseph University
  • Noah Douglas Mount St. Joseph University
  • Mackenzie Roth Mount St. Joseph University
  • Rebecca Allen Mount St. Joseph University
  • Alex Nakonechnyi Mount St. Joseph University
  • Jackie Roberts Mount St. Joseph University

Keywords:

Rural students, College access, Social capital, Action research, Participatory action research

Abstract

Rural young adults’ college decision-making experiences are impacted by challenges such as financial barriers, limited academic opportunities, and sources of social capital. This participatory action research project highlights the experiences of five rural young adults and their peers in the Midwestern United States. Our research team collected information through narrative reflections, surveys, and interviews. Findings suggest students wanted to attend college to advance their future careers, struggled when applying for financial aid, and relied on their parents for assistance. The challenges rural students face while making college and career plans are reduced when these students have a support network consisting of their parents, high school guidance counselors and teachers, and college admissions counselors. As such, our research group developed specific action items aimed at strengthen rural young adults’ pathways to college.

Author Biographies

Brook Batch, Mount St. Joseph University

Brook Batch is a first-year educational studies doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Thomas More University. She currently works as a content editor and research associate for Mount St. Joseph University. Her research interests include postsecondary literacy, writing communities, college access, and using technology to engage diverse populations.

Noah Douglas, Mount St. Joseph University

Noah Douglas is a first-year undergraduate student in Liberal Arts and Computer Science at Mount St Joseph University. He is currently working as a student content designer and student research assistant for Mount St. Joseph University's Center for IT Engagement. His research interests include the rural community, college access, and using technology to solve educational issues.

Mackenzie Roth, Mount St. Joseph University

Mackenzie Roth is a first-year undergraduate student at Mount St. Joseph University. She received an associate’s degree in science from Vincennes University. She studies biomedical science and computer science at Mount St. Joseph University. She works as student research assistant for the Center for IT Engagement. Her research interests include extracurricular participation, rural student college access, healthcare, pediatrics, sports medicine, and physical therapy.

Rebecca Allen, Mount St. Joseph University

Rebecca Allen is an Assistant Professor at Mount St. Joseph University. She teaches Natural Language Processing and does research at the university’s Center for IT Engagement—her research interests include action research, resource navigation, and access disparities.

Alex Nakonechnyi, Mount St. Joseph University

Alex Nakonechnyi serves as Mount St. Joseph University’s Associate Provost. He received his PhD in Educational Studies from the University of Cincinnati. His research interests revolve around engaging students in learning through technology.

 

Jackie Roberts, Mount St. Joseph University

Jackie Roberts is a first-year educational studies doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati. She earned a BS in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration from Mount St. Joseph University. She currently works as an Instructional Technology and Data Visualization Manger for Mount St. University. Her research interests include mobile learning, blended synchronous learning, and designing innovative learning environments.

Action Learning and Action Research Journal Volume 27 No 1 front cover

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Published

22-10-2021

How to Cite

Batch, B., Douglas, N., Roth, M., Allen, R., Nakonechnyi, A., & Roberts, J. (2021). Unseen students: Exploring rural young adults’ college and career decision-making experiences through action research approaches. Action Learning and Action Research Journal, 27(1), 63–92. Retrieved from https://alarj.alarassociation.org/index.php/alarj/article/view/297

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2021): ALARj October 2021

Section

Articles

License

On submission authors agree to share 50% copyright with Action Learning, Action Research Association Ltd (ALARA). On receipt of payment for public access to papers authors who are members of ALARA will receive 50% of the fee. The remaining 50% will be returned to ALARA.

ALARA is publishing both a hard copy and an electronic copy. There may be a delay in receiving the hard copy, as it is printed by an external print-on-demand publisher.