You are encouraged to attend the defence. The details of the defence and attendance information is included below:  

Date:  Friday, December 12, 2025 

Time:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (PT)

Defence mode:  Hybrid

In-Person Attendance: Senate Chambers, UNBC Prince George Campus  

Virtual Attendance: via Microsoft Teams 

Please contact the Office of Graduate Administration for information regarding remote attendance for online defences. 

To ensure the defence proceeds with no interruptions, please mute your audio and video on entry. The meeting will be locked to entry 5 minutes after it begins: please ensure you are on time.  

Thesis entitled: FACTORS AFFECTING RETENTION OF STUDENTS AT SMALL RURAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES IN CANADA

Abstract: 

            This thesis investigates the relationship between student service utilization, self-efficacy, and retention among first-year undergraduates at a Canadian university. Student retention remains a critical issue in higher education with increasing expectations for post-secondary institutions to demonstrate student success outcomes. This research study explored factors including student awareness, access, and perceptions of university services influence decision-making in relationship to institutional retention for first-year students. The premise of this research study has drawn upon theoretical frameworks of self-efficacy and social learning.

            The original intent for data collection and analysis was from a mixed methodology approach; however, the participants did not commit to the qualitative method of focus group sessions once they completed the quantitative method of data collection. Quantitative data for the research was gathered through a student survey which included open-ended questions that provided qualitative data regarding the students’ first-year experience. The research results indicated that while awareness of student services is moderate to high, this awareness did not lead to increased impact or usage of student services. The classroom experience regarding instructor-student relationships, assignment feedback, in-class feedback, and self-efficacy provided the most impact on student academic and social experiences. Anxiety, stigma, trust and privacy were noted as factors contributing to students’ lack of usage of services as presented in the findings.

            The results indicated that the institution must find an approach to connect the student services directly with the student academic and social experiences. Maintaining existing student-faculty relationships is also important. Ensuring transparency and clarity regarding confidentiality and safety of the services will improve uptake.

            This thesis will contribute to the broader literature on student retention and success through the findings regarding service awareness, relational engagement and perceptions of trust engaged with self-efficacy to influence retention. Student services effectiveness is not solely dependent on open access but on appropriate clarity of communication and integration, leading students to understand the value or beneficial impact on success within the institutional environment.

Defence Committee:

Chair: Dr. Shannon Freeman, University of Northern British Columbia  

Supervisor: Dr. Catherine Whalen, University of Northern British Columbia  

Committee Member: Dr. Clayton Smith, University of Windsor 

Committee Member: Dr. Shendah Benoit, University of Northern British Columbia  

Committee Member: Dr. Peter MacMillan, University of Northern British Columbia  

External Examiner: Dr. Ian Hartley, University of Northern British Columbia