<p> Through empirical research, this dissertation examined whether a substance abuse intervention program implemented at a Midwest university could prove beneficial in addressing the problem of substance abuse on college campuses. Drawing on multiple resources, including Department of Education, psychologists, scholars, and other professional sources, this dissertation provides information on the importance of intervention and behavioral adjustment. This study covered statistical data over a two-year period on an intervention program including measurements such as: grade point average, attendance, number of months in the program, and degree persistence. A second area of research was directed at determining the effect of the intervention program regarding retention. The methodology used in this study was mixed and included examination of program implementation, through use of qualitative and statistical data. It concluded, based on research and final statistics, that participating in a substance abuse intervention program not only increased the potential for student success and behavioral change, but slightly improved the percentage of retention and graduation persistence. It also identified the need for further study based on availability of resources needed to maintain and sustain a viable program. </p><p> Implementation of the intervention program took place during the study. Therefore, adjustments in procedures were made based on feedback received and data gathered. The process for collection of samples was changed to provide secure handling of the sample and subsequent valid test results. Also, as a result of researching discipline measures for substance abuse at universities within the same sports conference, consequences for NCAA athletes changed from suspension from competition for a year to removal from competition until a clean drug screen was provided. </p><p> Studies in the future should include following students who left school prior to graduating to determine the mortality rate of persistence to degree among program participants. Conducting a survey with the fall semester incoming freshmen class would improve study design and provide a better picture of the extent of substance abuse, rather than surveying the spring semester after many freshmen have lived on campus for half of the academic year.</p>

<p> The advent of the <i>Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies</i> (Ratts, Singh, Nassar-McMillan, Butler, &amp; McCullough, 2016), the <i>American Counseling Association</i> (ACA) <i> Code of</i> Ethics (2014), and a more comprehensive emphasis on multiculturalism and social justice (Haskins &amp; Singh, 2015; Ratts, 2009, 2011; Ratts &amp; Pedersen, 2014; Smith &amp; Okech, 2016) within the counseling profession highlight a movement towards examining practices and social identities grounded in a formative understanding of intersectionality. The institutionalization of intersectionality emerges from a longstanding history of feminist scholars (Collins &amp; Bilge, 2016; Hancock, 2016) critiquing misconstrued gaps and revolutionizing the meaning of multiple social identities and social justice movements (Anzald&uacute;a, 1987; Collins, 1986, 1990, 2004; Crenshaw, 1989, 1991; hooks, 1981, 1984, 1989; Lorde, 1984; Moraga &amp; Anzald&uacute;a, 1983). Although intersectionality has richened the possibilities of social justice praxis, its theoretical connection has been largely absent in the context of empirical investigations. This current study utilized an intersectionality paradigm and methodological strategies of interpretative phenomenological analysis (Smith, Flowers, &amp; Larkin, 2009; Pietkiewicz &amp; Smith, 2014) to examine the lived intersectional experiences of privilege and oppression of Queer Men of Color in Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral programs. Three participants were interviewed across nine interviews approximately consisting of 90 minutes in length. Findings indicated six superordinate themes emerging from the data analysis: (a) Multiple Dimensions of Privilege; (b) Multiple Dimensions of Oppression; (c) Context/System; (d) Complexities of Intersections; (e) Critical Incidents/Conflict; and (f) Congruity/Change for the Future. The discussion considers the themes emanating from the participants in light of previous forms of implementation utilizing intersectional approaches. Implications broadly for the counseling profession, the social context of counselor education and doctoral education, and the praxis of pedagogy are explored. Future directions for research and limitations of the study are also explicated.</p><p>

As the dangers of teens and the internet make media headlines, Jennifer Shapka sifts through the fact and fiction of adolescent internet use.