Academic goal-setting among college students experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, and other challenges in a diverse public university

ABSTRACT

In recent years, a growing body of research has documented the prevalence of homelessness and food insecurity on college campuses. Related literature calls attention to low retention and degree completion rates among students from specific groups, including traditionally underrepresented minorities and students with a variety of academic, personal, and financial challenges. However, few studies have explored students’ subjective experiences related to achieving academic goals, and whether and how challenges in meeting basic needs inhibit goal attainment. Findings from this mixed methods, longitudinal study (N = 53) conducted at a California State University campus, indicate that students experience significant barriers to goal achievement. Caregiving for family and dependents as well as working significant hours to meet basic needs were frequently reported as inhibiting academic progress. However, despite barriers, 39.6% of the students who completed the study achieved their most ambitious academic goals. Specific groups of students, including sophomores and students participating in the federal food benefit program, were less likely to reach their most ambitious goals as compared to other students. Findings suggest that in addition to support for meeting basic needs, students may benefit from proactive mentoring that specifically focuses on setting and achieving goals.

KEYWORDS:

• Basic needs
• student success
• goal-setting
• higher education
• mentoring

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our thanks to the Stupski Foundation for funding the study, the student participants, and all faculty, staff and administrators who provided input in the study, assisted in data collection, analysis and writing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Nidhi Khosla, PhD, MPH, PGDRM is an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at California State University East Bay. She has a unique training in behavioral, organizational and epidemiological research methods and field experience in management of health programs and working with communities using participatory, rights-based empowerment approaches. Her research concerns access to care among vulnerable populations and reducing health disparities. At present, she is focusing on increasing access to and satisfaction with end-of-life care among minorities, especially persons of South Asian origin. She has also researched organizational behavior such as collaboration among HIV agencies. Dr Khosla received her PhD in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidhi-khosla-ab455445/

Dr. Gamba received a Master’s of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from the University of California Berkeley (UCB) and his PhD from UCB in Epidemiology. Before pursuing graduate school, he worked at the Food Bank of Yolo County and the San Diego State University Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program as a nutrition educator. His research focuses on food insecurity and hunger in America. Ryan is a CASA volunteer, which is a program designed to pair advocates with foster youth to help ensure their physical, mental and emotional needs are being met. Ryan also loves to cook and stay active!

Dr. Sarah Taylor, MSW, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Social Work at California State University, East Bay. Her work focuses on improving social service systems, increasing collaboration, and addressing inequities. She has explored these themes across services focused on transition-age youth and young adults, mental health, disability, and the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Taylor earned her MSW in 2002 and her Ph.D. in 2007 from the University of California, Berkeley. Twitter: @sarahataylor

Dr. Lael Adediji serves as Program Coordinator for the Renaissance Scholars Program, which serves former foster youth at Cal State East Bay. She was a first-generation and low income student, and has a strong interest in supporting these students as they progress through college and enter the career. Before coordinating the Renaissance Scholars Program, she served as an EOP Counselor at Humboldt State, EOP Counselor and Coordinator at Cal State East Bay, and Advising Information Coordinator at San Jose State. Outside of her work hours, she serves on the New Haven District African American Parents Forum and District African American Advisory Council with the purpose of supporting the learning outcomes of African American children in the New Haven School District. Dr. Adediji received her B.A. in Sociology from UC Davis, her Masters in Sociology from Humboldt State University, and her Doctorate in Education from San Francisco State University.

Joel Bovey earned his Master of Social Work degree at California State University, East Bay. He was a scholarship recipient through the Center for Student Research and is mentored by Sarah Taylor. He has worked as a counselor at an adult crisis residential facility in Marin. During his undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara, he worked as a research assistant on a corrective reading program for ELS students. In addition, he mentored at-risk youth involved in gang activity and collected data to study the benefits of having a mentor. This is where he developed a passion for social justice and working with minority groups and disenfranchised populations. In his spare time, he trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, runs marathons, and collects sneakers. He has future goals to become a licensed social worker, publish quality research, and open a community center for at-risk youth. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-bovey-a39879132/

Dr. Alina Engelman, DrPH, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at Cal State East Bay and a member of the Community Health Commission for the City of Berkeley. Dr. Engelman focuses on health disparities and participatory health initiatives for underserved populations, including the deaf and disabled, in her roles as a Research Affiliate at Health Research for Action at UC Berkeley, and as a collaborator on an NIH-funded project at Gallaudet University. Her teaching includes courses in epidemiology, community health, research methods and emergency preparedness and response. Dr. Engelman received her DrPH at UC Berkeley, and her MPH in Global Health at Yale.

Ali Jones-Bey is the Coordinator of the Pioneers for HOPE Learning Framework Program. She is also a former student, having recently earned her MA in English Literature at CSU East Bay. Ali has over 7 years of experience in program management, coordination and writing. She holds a second MA in Poetry from the University of Manchester, and spent 2 years living in England and traveling. She is interested in the intersection of literature and real life, and in her free time, she reads poetry and science fiction. Her favorite podcast is The Read and she also enjoys long motorcycle rides, crocheting, and spending time with her family.

Tsz Kwan Lan (Connie) earned her Master of Social Work degree at California State University, East Bay. In her first academic year, Connie interned at UCSF Citywide Case Management Services which is a mental health outpatient clinic. As a Citywide clinician, she received the Multicultural Stipend from the SF county. Connie is interested serving the underserved population who suffer from mental health issues. Connie can speak multiple languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. She is passionate about helping people with her clinical and language skills. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsz-kwan-lan-abb2b4160/

Huyen Vo, Student Research Assistant, Huyen “Kiki” Vo earned her Master of Social Work degree at California State University, East Bay. She loves working with children, adults, and low-income vulnerable populations. Her dream is to obtain her license in social work (LCSW) and ultimately, work in a hospital or outpatient setting to support burn survivors in the transition back to society. In her free time, Kiki loves to volunteer, dance, cook, hike, work out, and spend quality time with her friends and loved ones.

Victor Washington earned his Master of Social Work degree at California State University, East Bay. During his undergraduate studies Victor endured various barriers, which later sparked his interest in research and mental health. Victor plans to obtain his clinical license, attend doctorate school, and eventually direct a resource center for people previously incarcerated, and those with mental health challenges. For leisure, Victor enjoys spending time with his two-year old son, family and friends.

Dr. Edward Inch, Provost and Principal Investigator, Dr. Inch served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Sacramento since 2011. He previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and has participated as an American Council on Education Fellow and accreditor for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. At Sacramento State, he led the initiative to double his college’s four-year graduation rates and improve retention rates, and served as a member of the University Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Inch received his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Western Washington University and his master’s degree in rhetoric and communication from the University of Oregon. He earned his doctorate in speech communication from the University of Washington. He began his academic career as a lecturer at Western Washington University before moving on to become an assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Theater at Pacific Lutheran University, where he would eventually become the Dean of the School of Arts and Communication. While at Pacific Lutheran, Dr. Inch led international initiatives and programs focused on mediation and conflict management in the Balkans. Linkedin: LinkedIn/in/edwardinch

ORCID

Nidhi Khosla http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1702-0740

Sarah Taylor http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3234-5006

Alina Engelman http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2097-7121

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.