Date Approved
5-27-2025
Embargo Period
5-27-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Department
Educational Leadership
College
College of Education
Advisor
James Coaxum, III, Ph.D.
Committee Member 1
Amy Accardo, Ed.D.
Committee Member 2
Carmello Callueng, Ph.D.
Keywords
Educational Leadership;Higher Education;Neurodivergent;Neurodiversity;Sense of Belonging;Students with Disabilities
Disciplines
Education | Educational Leadership
Abstract
Positive academic experiences for university students are hard to come by when non-academic experiences are negative (Gidley et al., 2010; Sandhu et al., 2022; Tinto, 1975). This issue has become increasingly important for neurodivergent students in higher education as more of this population is enrolling in university (Cox et al., 2002; Edwards et al., 2022; Gurbuz et al., 2018; Lubin & Brooks, 2021; Izzo et al., 2008; Mamiseishvili & Koch, 2011; Yssel et al., 2016). The purpose of this study is to listen to neurodivergent student voices to learn about their university experience and sense of belonging. Research questions include: How do neurodivergent students describe sense of belonging? (RQ1), What academic and non-academic experiences shape sense of belonging for neurodivergent students? (RQ2) and how do neurodivergent students navigate academic and non-academic challenges in a college environment? (RQ3). This study is significant because outcomes can help education professionals understand what changes are necessary to improve the university experience for neurodivergent students. The researcher conducted an interpretative phenomenological analysis where students were interviewed, and their perspectives coded. Major themes became apparent which led the researcher to conclude that students at Blue University developed sense of belonging, which lead to persistence through academic and non-academic challenges.
Recommended Citation
Rubinstein, Mollie, "Exploring Sense of Belonging Among Neurodivergent Students in Higher Education" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 3355.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3355
