Exploring the Connection between Thriving Students and Mission Perception at Institutions Founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph

This phenomenological study explored how students who were thriving at mission-driven institutions founded by female religious orders perceive and experience mission integration throughout their student experience. Participants for this study were Generation Z junior students attending institutions founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in the northeast area of the United States. Participants (N = 15) were identified as thriving as reported on the Thriving Quotient Instrument (The Thriving Project, n.d.). Subsequent interviews and focus groups were conducted to understand what perceptions and experiences of mission or mission integration are common to those thriving students. The findings of this study may have implications related to how to integrate mission and connect mission to student experiences for practitioners across institutions, including enrollment management, student affairs, faculty, and alumni relations. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]