Graduation Semester and Year
Fall 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Department
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Yi Leaf Zhang
Second Advisor
Dr. Elsa Camargo
Third Advisor
Dr. James Kumm
Abstract
Commuter students at large public universities often face barriers to engaging in campus co-curricular activities, primarily due to off-campus commitments, which can affect their academic success and retention. Drawing on student engagement theory, this qualitative narrative study explores commuter students’ experiences with co-curricular involvement and its perceived impact on their academic performance, skill development, social connections, and persistence at a large public four-year university. Data collected through in-depth interviews with commuter undergraduates were analyzed to identify common themes regarding students' perspectives, challenges, and impact related to co-curricular activities. The findings suggest that active involvement in student organizations and campus events promotes a sense of belonging, fosters personal growth, and enhances academic achievement and retention. However, participants also highlighted specific challenges such as limited time, commuting logistics, and feelings of disconnection from residential peers. These insights can inform higher education practices by guiding student affairs initiatives and retention strategies to better support commuter students. Overall, the study underscores the importance of intentional co-curricular programming and targeted support services in improving commuter students’ engagement, academic success, and persistence.
Keywords
Commuter Students, Co-Curricular, Engagement, Belonging, Persistence, Narrative Inquiry, Student Affairs, Non-Residential, Retention, Social and Academic Integration, Qualitative Research
Disciplines
Adult and Continuing Education | Educational Leadership | Higher Education Administration
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ressl, Seth A., "THE COMMUTER STUDENT EXPERIENCE: CHALLENGES AND IMPACTS ON STUDENT SUCCESS" (2025). Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations. 226.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/edleadershippolicy_dissertations/226
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons