Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Scott Gaier

Second Advisor

Skip Trudeau

Third Advisor

Kim Case

Abstract

This study explores the use of motivational interviewing by a resident director in his residence hall at a faith-based, liberal arts institution in the Midwest. The purpose of this study was to determine if the practice of motivational interviewing led students to enact meaningful change in their lives. A secondary purpose was to observe how the practice of motivational interviewing affected the relationship between the resident director and his students. Data was collected through a questionnaire sent to students after meeting with the resident director who used motivational interviewing in an academic support meeting, as well as two interviews with the resident director. While limited by the number of participants, results from the study indicate potential for the use of motivational interviewing by a resident director to help students enact change and to positively impact the relationship between the resident director and student. Despite the exploratory nature of the study, residence life departments may benefit from the implementation of the results as well as considering the use of motivational interviewing within their institution.

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