Date Approved

8-13-2025

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Education-Higher Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

Education Leadership & Counseling

First Advisor

Dr. Paul Bylsma

Second Advisor

Dr. Alisha Davis

Third Advisor

Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams

Academic Year

2024/2025

Abstract

Basic needs insecurity scholarship in higher education consistently highlights the need to provide more and better support to students. Little research has been done to address basic needs insecurity in residence halls, and this study is the first to use the #RealCollege survey to evaluate basic needs insecurity among residential students. I use the results of the survey tell the story of what it is like for Grand Valley State University students to face basic needs insecurity while living on campus, to assess what resources participants use to secure their basic needs and offer recommendations for improved support offerings to students and further scholarship to advance basic needs insecurity research. Participants in this study still faced food insecurity, housing insecurity and homelessness in the thirty days and 12 months prior to completing this survey despite living on campus and having a meal plan, for some participants. Survey results showed a low use of campus resources and public assistance programs to support basic needs access. Access could be improved through strengthened campus services and in-hall programming.

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