University Presentation Showcase: Graduate Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
January 2024
Major
Social Work
Department
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Degree
Graduate
Mentor
Erin Stevenson
Mentor Department
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Abstract
Colleges and universities are seeing an increase in LGBTQ students enrolling in undergraduate and graduate programs. This has nudged many institutions to examine the resources for educational and socioemotional support that are offered for students including some unique needs of LGBTQ young adults. The leading questions in this investigation were twofold: 1) What resources and programs do LGBTQ EKU students need? 2) How well are EKU's current programs and resources fulfilling students' needs?
Participants were recruited through campus email and provided a link to a short questionnaire about the research study. Inclusion criteria for participation were identifying as LGBTQ, enrolled at EKU, and willingness to participate in a confidential focus group. Participants had the option of virtual or in-person sessions. The virtual sessions were recorded with audio and visuals, while physical focus groups only had audio recordings. The qualitative data were analyzed using grounding theory which follows a coding process that begins with open coding, followed by axial coding. The final step in the grounding theory process is selective coding.
Initial findings from the data provide insights into a variety of supports LGBTQ students identified as being important to them. These supports included educational training/courses, access to safe spaces, and better representation of diverse gender identities. Though EKU has some resources and programs in place for LGBTQ students, these focus groups highlight areas where EKU could work to improve and expand access to LGBTQ-supportive programs and resources.