Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2660-1431

Advisor

Winkler, Christa E.

Committee Member

Molina, Danielle K.

Committee Member

Dickerson, John R.

Committee Member

Wallace, Jason K.

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Higher Education Leadership

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Education

Department

Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations

Abstract

This quantitative narrative inquiry study examined the experiences of undergraduate recruitment professionals, and the impact institutional investment can influence staff retention of these professionals within higher education. Using Job Embeddedness Theory often applied within private industry and Bolman and Deal’s (2017) human resource theoretical framework, the research question was: To what extent are specific dimensions (support, compensation, professional advancement) of institutional investment related to the retention of undergraduate recruitment professionals within higher education? Data were collected using an anonymous online survey that was shared with potential participants via email. Responses were analyzed through SPSS software using item-level and composite score multiple linear regression models to determine significant between the independent variables, the dimensions of institutional investment, and the dependent variable, self-report influences on retention. Results indicated that undergraduate recruitment professionals place greater emphasis on factors of being supported than anything more. These findings indicate that higher education administrators and leadership should begin focusing attention and additional efforts to better understand how undergraduate recruitment professionals can be supported.

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