Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies

Committee Chair

Nathan Sorber

Committee Co-Chair

Rodney Hughes

Committee Member

Rodney Hughes

Committee Member

Erin McHenry-Sorber

Committee Member

Christopher LeGrow

Abstract

Though the concept of burnout is well developed, there is less research on burnout in higher education, especially on specific staff populations, and loss of work passion. The current study aimed to understand burnout and work passion for academic affairs professionals who work with undergraduate students on academic probation and students conditionally admitted to the institution, including impacts, how these experiences have been navigated, and organizational supports that help alleviate these outcomes. Utilizing a sequential mixed methods research design, the study collected survey responses from identified professionals working with these student populations at a specific institution type. Demographic and t-test statistics were conducted. Then, interviews were conducted with professionals in an academic support department at a case study institution. Results suggest differences in general passion, emotional exhaustion, cynicism, value, and control between entry level and supervisory positions. Qualitative findings suggest high workload and lack of institutional support are among major influences on staff burnout and identify the cyclical nature of burnout for academic support staff during a semester. Variations in support, feeling valued, reward, and community were identified between departmental, institutional, and student contexts. Findings also shed light on how COVID-19 influenced the work experience and burnout of academic support staff. The study includes scholarly and practical implications for departments and institutions, including strategies for employee and institutional support, as well as a more developed understanding of burnout and work passion for this population of academic support staff.

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