The experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students currently attending universities in rural, Bible Belt areas in the United States are unknown. Additionally, there is disconnect noted in the literature between the purpose of a postsecondary educational institution and what is actually experienced by LGBTQ students. While the college experience should promote personal and academic growth that allows students to reach their full potential, LGBTQ students have historically experienced ill-treatment on campuses which accounts for at least some disconnect noted in the literature. This qualitative phenomenological study offered a group of LGBTQ students the opportunity to tell their stories using their voices describing what it is like to be a LGBTQ student attending a university in rural, Bible Belt America. Findings from this study provide an understanding for universities to promote a healthy, affirming campus climate and combat any findings of disconnect between a quality experience and what is actually experienced by LGBTQ students. Findings will also allow institutions to address the needs of LGBTQ students that could indeed increase retention and recruitment of LGBTQ students.
","abstract_html":"<p>The experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students currently attending universities in rural, Bible Belt areas in the United States are unknown. Additionally, there is disconnect noted in the literature between the purpose of a postsecondary educational institution and what is actually experienced by LGBTQ students. While the college experience should promote personal and academic growth that allows students to reach their full potential, LGBTQ students have historically experienced ill-treatment on campuses which accounts for at least some disconnect noted in the literature. This qualitative phenomenological study offered a group of LGBTQ students the opportunity to tell their stories using their voices describing what it is like to be a LGBTQ student attending a university in rural, Bible Belt America. Findings from this study provide an understanding for universities to promote a healthy, affirming campus climate and combat any findings of disconnect between a quality experience and what is actually experienced by LGBTQ students. Findings will also allow institutions to address the needs of LGBTQ students that could indeed increase retention and recruitment of LGBTQ students. </p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Weber, Eric Joseph"],"institution":"Eastern Kentucky University","degree_name":"Doctor of Education (EdD)","degree_level":"Doctoral's","degree_discipline":"Educational Leadership and Policy Studies","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2015,"date_issued":"2015-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2015-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:15:39Z","subjects":["Bible Belt","campus climate","diversity","LGBTQ students","postsecondary education","rural universities","Gender and Sexuality","Higher Education Administration"],"languages":[],"rights":["Copyright 2015 Eric Joseph Weber"],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/443","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Weber, Eric Joseph"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Encompass Digital Archive, Eastern Kentucky University"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Educational Leadership and Policy Studies"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Doctoral's"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Education (EdD)"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Eastern Kentucky University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Bible Belt","campus climate","diversity","LGBTQ students","postsecondary education","rural universities","Gender and Sexuality","Higher Education Administration"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright 2015 Eric Joseph Weber"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/443"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students currently attending universities in rural, Bible Belt areas in the United States are unknown. Additionally, there is disconnect noted in the literature between the purpose of a postsecondary educational institution and what is actually experienced by LGBTQ students. While the college experience should promote personal and academic growth that allows students to reach their full potential, LGBTQ students have historically experienced ill-treatment on campuses which accounts for at least some disconnect noted in the literature. This qualitative phenomenological study offered a group of LGBTQ students the opportunity to tell their stories using their voices describing what it is like to be a LGBTQ student attending a university in rural, Bible Belt America. Findings from this study provide an understanding for universities to promote a healthy, affirming campus climate and combat any findings of disconnect between a quality experience and what is actually experienced by LGBTQ students. Findings will also allow institutions to address the needs of LGBTQ students that could indeed increase retention and recruitment of LGBTQ students.
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