Date of Award

2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

School of Education

First Advisor

Katherine Cho

Abstract

This study examines how student affairs professionals interact with and support bereaved students through policy and practice. Suffering the loss of a family member or loved one while enrolled in college can have adverse effects on a student’s ability to persists through their studies and various student affairs offices and officers are charged with providing care and support to this unique population as they navigate their grief journey. While some studies exist on the prevalence of grief among students on college campuses and the effects that loss can have their academics and mental health, there is little research on how student affairs supports and perceives the needs of bereaved students. Nearly 30% of students will suffer the loss of a family member or loved one during the course of their college career (Balk, 2010). Because of this student affairs units across higher education will be tasked to provide support for these students. Through a qualitative narrative inquiry study of 12 participants, guided by three core tenets of the Student Personnel Point of View (1937), this study addresses the following questions: (1) how do student affairs professionals perceive the needs of bereaved students, (2) how do student affairs professionals address the needs of bereaved students, and (3) what strategies do they employ to provide emotional and academic support regarding bereavement. This study highlights how student affairs professional marry their perception of need with university policy in their intervention strategies to support bereaved students. The results of this research offers valuable insights into the needs of bereaved students and the ways in which student affairs professionals apply policy and practice to their work to support this population.

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