Date

2-29-2024

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction (EdD)

Chair

Christian Raby

Keywords

Military-connected, transitioning to higher education, transitioning to college, military-dependent, transitioning, transitioning from high school to college, deployment, coping, strategies, transitions, resiliency

Disciplines

Education | Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to better understand the phenomenon of the lived experiences of military-connected students transitioning from the military way of life to higher education. This study was guided by Schlossberg’s 4S theory on transitioning adults as related to situations, self, support, and strategies concerning military-connected students in Alaska. The participants were chosen by criterion sampling to select students based on their military affiliation, who attended the universities in the United States, and who have experienced multiple transitions related to the military lifestyle of their parents. The data collection process involved an initial questionnaire using criterion sampling to determine whether each candidate was a suitable match for the study. The researcher’s data collection approach was distributing questionnaires and forming focus groups of 3-5 participants, followed by conducting and recording one-on-one interviews. The participants in this study relied on family and friends as a key strategy when transitioning to higher education. They credited preparing for the transition for reducing the familiar stressors associated with military-connected students. Their ability to adjust and adapt to changing environments was a significant coping strategy pivotal to handling the move to higher education.

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