Exploring the "At-Risk" Student Label Through the Perspectives of Higher Education Professionals
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
12-1-2021 3:00 PM
End Date
12-1-2021 3:20 PM
Abstract
Institutions of higher education often use the term “at-risk” to label undergraduate students who have a higher likelihood of not persisting. However, it is not clear how the use of this label impacts the perspectives of the higher education professionals who serve and support these students. Our qualitative study explores the descriptions and understandings of higher education professionals who serve and support at-risk students. We use thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2006) to interpret our data and develop our themes. These themes include conflicting views of the “at-risk” definition, attempts to normalize at-risk, fostering relationships, and “at-promise.”
Keywords
Labeling Theory, Higher Education, Student Success, At-Risk
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5674-0698
Exploring the "At-Risk" Student Label Through the Perspectives of Higher Education Professionals
Institutions of higher education often use the term “at-risk” to label undergraduate students who have a higher likelihood of not persisting. However, it is not clear how the use of this label impacts the perspectives of the higher education professionals who serve and support these students. Our qualitative study explores the descriptions and understandings of higher education professionals who serve and support at-risk students. We use thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2006) to interpret our data and develop our themes. These themes include conflicting views of the “at-risk” definition, attempts to normalize at-risk, fostering relationships, and “at-promise.”