Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Roadless and Remote: Intersecting Dimensions of Rural Identity and Alaskan Higher Education

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/0c483s422

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  • This study frames the problem of needing to better understand retention patterns in Alaska among students from distinct levels of rurality and how those levels of rurality or geographical distance may interact with other variables including race and gender in predicting student retention. Alaska is a highly rural state with a distinct cultural and geographical landscape which translates into unique needs for students pursuing higher education in this environment. Through a review of literature, it is evident that although research into rurality in higher education is increasing, understanding its intersection with other identities which may be marginalized is still emerging. Engaging intersectionality theory as a basis for understanding how marginalized identities may intersect, this study utilizes a framework based on extant retention models, research on rural college students, and research on Indigenous college students. A logistic regression model was generated utilizing institutional data from a small college in Alaska. Data included demographic, pre-college, and college variables entered in forward stepwise blocks. A significant model was generated, however interactions between geography and race and geography and gender did not significantly contribute to the model. Non-significant findings suggest the need to further disaggregate data and include additional variables that have been found to be predictive of retention in previous studies. Nonsignificant findings also suggest a possible level of efficacy at serving rural and Indigenous students at this institution. In a discussion, strategies for continuing to improve institutional environments to support students with intersecting marginalized identities, particularly rural, Indigenous students are explored.
  • Keywords: rural, Alaska, higher education, retention, persistence, logistic regression, intersectionality
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  • Pending Publication
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  • 2021-05-17 to 2023-06-18

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