Connected at the HIP: Exploring Quality Dimensions in First-Year Seminars for Student-Athletes

First-year seminars have been identified as a high-impact practice resulting in heightened academic performance, retention, and skill attainment (Kuh, 2008). Many higher education institutions offer exclusive sections of this transition course to first-year student-athletes, but a lack of research exists about their curriculum and learning outcomes. As such, this study sought to examine the design of first-year seminars for student-athletes as it relates to their quality implementation. The review of syllabi and institutional websites revealed that first-year seminars address a wide range of student-athlete needs, and for the most part, meet the expectations of HIP quality dimensions. Yet, this study found that a more focused and intentional approach when designing these courses would be beneficial in producing desired high-impact educational outcomes. The study concludes with implications for practice as well as recommendations for future research. First-year seminar instructors can utilize this study as a guide on how to evaluate their curriculum design and implementation in terms of quality measures

Keep It Green for Generations to Come: Trail Running Events and the Impact on the Environment

Trail running events, which are a form of adventure sport tourism, have been growing in popularity. However, with the influx of trail users, concerns prevail about the impact of these events on the natural environment. In general, sport and nature have a bidirectional relationship, and one cannot exist without the other. Therefore, for sport to remain an integral part of people’s lives and be preserved for future generations, it is imperative that all sport stakeholders, inclusive of patrons of sport and those managing it, accept their ethical responsibility toward nature and find ways to become more environmentally friendly. As such, it is important to educate future leaders of the sport industry about the importance of environmental sustainability and stewardship. Subsequently, this case allows students to (a) examine the relationship between sport and the environment, (b) reflect on how values shape the sport industry, (c) practice ethical decision making, (d) develop a code of conduct for a sport organization, and (e) craft a personal “leadership philosophy” statement.</jats:p

¡Échale Ganas!: Student Engagement Experiences of First-Generation Latinx Collegiate Student-Athletes

Latinxs continue to be underrepresented in the ranks of college graduates despite increasing in the proportion of U.S. population and undergraduate student bodies. Approximately 6% of Hispanics participate in intercollegiate athletics, which is one type of extracurricular activity among many others that are available to students. Overall, research links involvement in such campus services and activities to increased rates of student persistence to degree attainment. However, a large gap in literature currently exists concerning studies that explore the experiences of Latinx student-athletes. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of first-generation Hispanic student-athletes who participate in NCAA Division I non-revenue sports at HSIs as well as PWIs in regard to student engagement services and activities as it pertains to their persistence to degree attainment. Grounded in Latinx Critical and Rendón’s validation theories, this qualitative study found athletic participation to be beneficial for first-generation Latinx student-athletes’ persistence to degree attainment. Specifically, Latinx student-athletes who participated in this study built a support network from their teammates, athletic advisors, and coaches. However, given the time demands of their sport, most of the student-athletes did not engage outside of the athletic community on their respective campus. Moreover, first-generation Latinxs relied on their cultural and familial capital to persist to degree attainment. Additionally, while the student- athletes perceived all campuses as welcoming, the setting of the university, HSI or PWI, made a difference in the strategies Latinxs utilized to carve out a sense of belonging and to find their Hispanic niche on campus.Educational Leadership, Curriculum & InstructionCollege of Education and Human Developmen

Contributions of International Professionals to College Athlete Development/Academics: “We’ve Got a Lot to Offer”

Higher education lacks international presence in the field of college athlete development/ academics. This study explored the work experiences of non-resident aliens who are employed in said field. Six individuals participated in this qualitative case study. Data analysis uncovered the themes of (1) Barriers to Entry, (2) An Asset to the Profession due to International Background, and (3) Athletic Insiders. This study highlights the significance of the contributions of international professionals who work at U.S. higher education institutions, and their perception. The international background was found to be beneficial in their profession but a limiting factor during their hiring process

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Experiences of Student-Athletes in STEM with Dual Advising

Despite the nation's critical need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college graduates, the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I student-athletes represent a small portion of STEM majors. Student-athletes pursuing STEM disciplines benefit from the assistance of academic and athletic advisors; this study explored student-athletes' experiences with such dual advising. Building on Terenzini and Reason's (2005) comprehensive model of influences on student learning and persistence, our findings highlighted STEM athletes' need for individualized advising, support engagement in STEM, and options and flexibility in the curriculum. The study also exposed uncertainty about the different roles of academic and athletic advising units and the ways limited communication diminishes the effectiveness of the advising units' collaborative efforts.</jats:p

Entrando en el juego: The Role of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Fostering Educational and Athletic Outcomes for Latinx Athletes

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) enroll the majority of Latinx undergraduate students and constitute the second-largest institutional type in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (D1). Yet, little is known about the role intercollegiate athletics play in fostering educational outcomes for Latinx students at HSIs. Under the guise of Latinx critical race theory, this qualitative study examined how HSIs operate both the federal designation and NCAA D1 membership in relation to athletic participation and completion outcomes for Latinx student-athletes. Document analysis was utilized to disaggregate data from various reports to identify the HSI-D1 institutions and their Latinx athletes’ participation, and graduation rates. These findings were then compared to the overall NCAA D1 averages. Among the findings, Latinx student-athletes graduated at higher rates than non-athletes from the HSI-D1s. However, as an aggregate, these institutions had below average graduation rates of Latinx students and student-athletes in comparison to the national rates across NCAA D1 membership. Furthermore, HSI-D1s provided limited athletic participation opportunities for Latinx athletes. The study concluded with the implications of findings and recommendations for future studies.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; </jats:p