In their own words: Post-9/11 student Veterans’ perceived motivation in higher education

Abstract:The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the perspectives and voices of Post-9/11 student veterans attending the University of South Florida (USF). This inquiry explored participants' stories and experiences regarding their motivation to attend higher education at a public, research-intensive university. This narrative inquiry was informed by motivational theory (i.e., Situated Expectancy-Value Theory; SEVT) and veteran studies. Four Post-9/11 student veterans participated in semi-structured interviews. Narrative thematic analysis revealed two themes. The first theme was that Post-9/11 student veterans believed pursuing higher education at USF provided them with opportunities for personal growth and professional development. The second theme was that the Post-9/11 student veterans described how their lived experiences and utilization of university resources were integral to their motivation and success at USF. These findings have implications for my scholarly work in higher education and veteran studies, as they offered insight to the motivations of Post-9/11 students and why they chose USF. Additionally, these findings deepen the understanding of this student population of students and the importance of intentional student support through programming and collaboration across campuses.

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