The purpose of this research project was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has interacted with college cultural ideologies to impact identity and personal growth among female-identifying freshman students. Because COVID-19 has significantly altered the world we live in, an anthropological perspective may contribute to the investigation of the changing social norms of college as experienced by women. Ten students of varying majors elected to participate in a survey involving basic demographic information and the Personal Growth Initiative Scale by Christine Robitschek, as well as an interview that engaged with the students’ experiences at Miami. Preliminary analysis has found significant associations with students’ level of self-confidence as measured by their personal growth index and their adaptations to college life. Female freshman students at Miami University appear to adjust to isolation, academic, and social pressures to varying degrees. Students generally concur that while the pandemic has had negative impact on their experience so far, overall “Miami University is still Miami” and offers a multitude of resources a student can utilize to facilitate one’s personal growth.
The next step of this project is to repeat this process with ten female-identifying senior students whose majors map onto the previously selected freshmen. Resulting analysis of this data will allow for further discussion on the personal growth of women at Miami University. This can also result in ideas and solutions that may aid Miami in understanding students’ needs during their undergraduate career.
Author: Abigail Heldman
Faculty Advisor: Cameron Hay-Rollins, Anthropology
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