Date of Award
5-2025
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
Rachel Friedensen
Second Advisor
Breanna Galuska
Third Advisor
Jennifer Jones
Fourth Advisor
Marguerite Ohrtman
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
school counselor, concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, school counseling
Abstract
The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to examine how Minnesota high school counselors negotiate their role in concurrent enrollment course advising and registration. This study aimed to highlight barriers and opportunities that could ultimately enhance student access and success. Three research questions guided this study: (a) How do high school counselors describe the experience of advising students on course registration in a concurrent enrollment program? (b) What do high school counselors share as challenges when advising students on college course registration in a concurrent enrollment program? And (c) How do high school counselors describe their learning or training on college course advising in a concurrent enrollment program? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Minnesota high school counselors. Despite the unique context of each high school counselor’s experience, three key themes emerged: managing confusion and constraints at the high school, feeling like overlooked advocates, and remaining committed to their students and schools despite the challenges. The findings suggest opportunities for K–12 districts and postsecondary institutions to provide greater support, ranging from practical solutions, such as offering targeted training, to systemic changes, such as standardizing program criteria or dedicating staff to support these efforts. Additionally, this study highlights a mismatch between Minnesota’s educational policies and the realities faced by high school counselors, underscoring the need for policy alignment to better serve students.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Kelsey, "Neglected Gatekeepers: The Minnesota High School Counselor’s Role in Concurrent Enrollment" (2025). Culminating Projects in Higher Education Administration. 95.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/hied_etds/95
