Committee Chair

Taylor, Jessica N.

Committee Member

Williamson, Cindy T.; Rausch, David W.

Department

Dept. of Applied Leadership and Learning

College

College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Student retention remains a central concern in higher education, particularly as the demographic composition of college populations shifts toward a growing number of contemporary students. While extensive research has examined retention strategies for traditional students, there is a notable gap in understanding how institutional resources, such as Campus Recreation, support contemporary student success. This study explores the impact of Campus Recreation participation on student retention, with a specific focus on contemporary students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, this research investigates participation trends, perceived benefits, and barriers to engagement in Campus Recreation programs. Quantitative analyses examine differences in participation rates between traditional and contemporary students and assess the relationship between recreation involvement and retention. Qualitative data provides insight into students’ lived experiences, highlighting perceived benefits such as stress reduction, improved mental health, enhanced well-being, and a strengthened sense of belonging, as well as barriers including time constraints and accessibility challenges. Findings suggest that Campus Recreation plays a meaningful role in fostering holistic student development and contributes positively to factors associated with persistence, particularly for contemporary students. However, disparities in participation indicate a need for more flexible, inclusive, and targeted programming. This study underscores the importance of adapting Campus Recreation offerings to better meet the diverse needs of today’s student population. By leveraging recreation as a strategic tool for engagement and well-being, institutions can enhance retention and create a more supportive campus environment.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my dissertation committee for their guidance, support, and commitment throughout this process. Your collective expertise and encouragement have been invaluable in bringing this project to completion. I am especially thankful to Dr. Jessica N. Taylor, my committee chair, for her unwavering support, thoughtful feedback, and consistent encouragement from the earliest stages of this work through its completion. Dr. Taylor challenged me to think more critically, pushed me to grow as a scholar and practitioner, and remained a steady source of guidance throughout this journey. Her belief in this project, and in me, made a meaningful difference. I would also like to thank my committee members for their time, insight, and contributions to this work. Your perspectives strengthened this study and helped shape it into what it has become. I would finally like to thank all the professors of the UTC Applied Leadership and Learning Programs. I am sincerely grateful for the role each of you has played in my academic and professional development. I know that while I have spent countless hours throughout these five years, you all have spent even more time on both my colleagues and me.

Degree

Ed. D.; A research project of practice submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Education.

Date

12-2026

Subject

College students--Retention; Campus recreation--United States; College students--Social networks

Keyword

Campus Recreation; Student Retention; Sense of Belonging; Contemporary Students; Non-Traditional Students; Modern Higher Education

Document Type

Doctoral dissertations

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

xiii, 132 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Download

Share

COinS