Date of Graduation

Spring 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education Policy, Planning, and Administration

Committee Chairperson

Mimi Staulters, PhD

Committee Member

Karen Dickinson, PhD

Committee Member

Craig Stevens, PhD

Abstract

Understanding the students' perceptions of the career readiness skills they develop and how they develop is critical in higher education. This allows campus recreation professionals to better understand and create opportunities for student development related to career readiness. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed to investigate students’ perceptions of the career readiness development of student officials who have participated in the NIRSA Championship Series flag football tournaments. Informal and Incidental Learning Theory and Experiential Learning Theory guided the study. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career readiness competencies were used as a standardized tool to define career readiness. The hypothesis suggests that there is a relationship between the NIRSA Championship Series learning opportunities and the perceived development of specific competencies. The target population was 100 students who work as officials at a NIRSA Championship Series tournament, with a sample size of 39 quantitative participants and 8 interviewees. Results found that there was positive development of all eight NACE competencies, and indicated that mentorship, feedback, and reflection were perceived by students to support their career readiness development.

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