Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

A steady decline in enrollment among postsecondary institutions and cuts in educational funding, both at the state and federal level, have caused these institutions to look for alternative sources of revenue. With postsecondary institutions struggling to financially survive, international enrollment has become the focus of higher education. The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding on the importance of recruiting and retaining international students. This study used a phenomenological approach and epistemology was used to provide the conceptual framework of the study. Qualitative methods were used to conduct this study. A series of semi-structured interviews provided the data for this study and was collected from a group of higher education administrators. The results from the data were coded and emergent themes identified from the data. The themes from the data provided awareness on how administrators and institutions view the impact international students have on postsecondary institutions. Although five participants from five separate institution participated in this study, the responses from the participants were strikingly similar. Due to the participants’ similar views regarding international students, the implications and recommendations from this study can provide invaluable insight to administrators and U.S. postsecondary institutions.

Year manuscript completed

2018

Year degree awarded

2018

Author's Keywords

International, Recruitment, Retention, Enrollment Management, Postsecondary

Dissertation Committee Chair

Brian Bourke

Committee Member

Landon Clark

Committee Member

Sue Sroda

Document Type

Dissertation

Download

Share

COinS