An ISU doctoral student has received high honors for his research into the graduation rates of disadvantaged students.

Kevin Saunders, postdoctoral research associate in educational leadership and policy studies, received the Melvene D. Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award for his study on the graduation rates of low socio-economic status students. The award, given by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators each year, was presented in Tampa, Fla., on March 22.

Saunders’ dissertation explored the variables that influence the ability of low socio-economic status students to graduate from institutions of higher learning. These factors included SAT scores, financial aid and high school grade point average.

He looked at surveys from the National Center for Education Statistics and prepared a statistical analysis of the data, said John Schuh, distinguished professor and chairman of the educational leadership and policy studies department.

“One thought is that for low socio-economic status students, grants give them more time to be a part of campus life,” he said.

Saunders first became interested in his dissertation topic after attending a workshop in Washington D.C.

One important finding was that grant aid has an indirect effect on graduation rates of financially disadvantaged students by allowing them to participate outside of class, Saunders said.

“I looked at different financial aid policies. A lot of decisions benefit middle-class families but not necessarily low-income families,” he said. ” I think we need to give everyone a chance for success.”

If these students receive grants, they are more likely to participate in social and scholastic extracurricular activities in college. Students who are more active have a greater chance of receiving their diploma, Saunders said.

The study reaffirms importance of extracurricular participation shown in previous studies, he said.

Although grant aid had an effect on performance, other types of aid such as work-study programs and loans had no significant impact.

Another factor that Saunders took into account was high school GPA. He said he found this was a strong predictor of performance at the college level.

Students must be nominated by faculty to be candidates for the Melvene D. Hardee Dissertation of the Year. Twenty-two dissertations were nominated for the award and Saunders was selected as the final winner.

Schuh said he nominated Saunders for the award.

“It’s a terrific piece of work; it has national implications,” Schuh said. “The quality of the methodology is superb.”