Date of Award
5-2026
Culminating Project Type
Dissertation
Styleguide
apa
Degree Name
Higher Education Administration: Ed.D.
Department
Educational Administration and Higher Education
College
School of Education
First Advisor
Jennifer Jones
Second Advisor
Rachel Friedensen
Third Advisor
Chukwuemeka A. Ikegwuonu
Fourth Advisor
Benjamin Witts
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
Higher education, community college students, mental health, positive psychology, positive education, Ryff’s Model of Psychological Well-being
Abstract
Community college students are experiencing high rates of mental health conditions, which can pose a significant barrier to their academic persistence. Community college instructors play a central role in students’ academic journeys and are uniquely positioned to support their psychological well-being in the learning environment. The purpose of this study was to understand, from the perspective of community college students, the role faculty play in supporting their psychological well-being, the barriers they face to psychological well-being in the learning environment, and the pedagogical practices that positively contribute to their psychological well-being. By understanding what practices students perceive as beneficial to their psychological well-being, faculty can develop specific strategies to enhance the overall educational experience while supporting student mental health and well-being. This study was framed in Carol Ryff’s Model of Psychological Well-Being and guided by three research questions: (1) What do community college students perceive as the role of faculty in supporting their psychological well-being? (2) What do community college students perceive as barriers to their psychological well-being in the learning environment? and (3) What pedagogical practices do community college students perceive as contributing positively to their psychological well-being? Interviews with 15 participants revealed three important themes:1) Sense of Belonging Supports Students’ Psychological Well-Being, 2) Faculty Compassion Promotes Student Resilience, and 3) Well-Structured Courses Support Students’ Psychological Well-Being. By cultivating connection, practicing compassion, and providing clear and meaningful learning experiences, faculty can support students’ psychological well-being and help them thrive in college.
Recommended Citation
Miller, Kendra, "Exploring Faculty’s Role in Supporting the Psychological Well-Being of Community College Students: Insights from Students" (2026). Culminating Projects in Higher Education Administration. 110.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/hied_etds/110
Comments/Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I would like to thank my husband, Nathan, for your support and patience throughout this journey. Your home-cooked meals and constant encouragement helped me push through the most challenging times. I am looking forward to spending more quality time with you now that my dissertation is complete. To my children (Emily and Cameron), my daughter-in-law (Viktoria), my mom (Donna), my in-laws (Dennis and Marian), Ruby, and friends, thank you all for nourishing my spirit and keeping me grounded. To my dad (Lance) and my grandparents, I wish you were here to help me celebrate being the first in the family to earn a doctorate!
Thank you to my advisor, Dr. Jennifer Jones, for your guidance throughout this process. Your patience, kindness, and gentle reminders that I could do hard things helped me keep moving forward. To my committee members, Dr. Friedensen, Dr. Ikegwuonu, and Dr. Witts, I appreciate your time and the valuable feedback and insights you contributed to this project. Thank you all for helping me get over the finish line. To my SCSU cohort, I have enjoyed sharing this learning journey with you. You all inspire me, and I have learned so much from each of you.
Thank you to all the study participants for taking the time to share your honest insights with me. I will remember your stories as I strive to put your suggestions into practice to support students. To my colleagues, community college faculty, you truly are amazing. Your dedication to students and their success is unparalleled. Thank you for everything you do for students each and every day. And finally, thank you to my students. You are the reason I love this work. I learn just as much from you every semester as you learn from me. Thank you for letting me be a part of your academic journey.