DIGEST-V8-i1

2 TPC Digest Danielle Pester, A. Stephen Lenz, Joshua C. Watson, Julia Dell’Aquila, Anthony Nkyi Evidence for Use of a Psychometric Inventory of New College Student Adjustment With Ghanaian Students Implications for the Professional Globalization of Counseling igher education in Ghana has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades. As a result of this increasing access to institutions of higher education, student enrollment has been on the rise. Although access and participation in university education has grown rapidly, the proportion of enrolled students versus those eligible to be enrolled remains low, indicating inadequate pre-college academic preparation, lack of affordability, low retention rates, and inadequate supports once enrolled. With its higher education system facing such challenges, resources and tools that can assist Ghanaian higher education institutions meet student needs as they enter university life, adjust to the unique set of demands, and access existing supports are imperative. Researchers have found first-year adjustment to an academic setting to be a critical component in student retention. Furthermore, they have found that positive adjustment within the first year of college can significantly impact a student’s academic persistence to degree completion. A study on the help-seeking behaviors of Ghanaian university students found that the first-year student population was least likely to engage in help-seeking behaviors. Knowing this, Ghanaian students’ first year of university experience is an essential time for university support personnel to proactively engage students regarding their adjustment issues. The capacity to identify new university students who are struggling to adjust to college life and who also may be at a higher risk for attrition is essential for Ghanaian university personnel as they seek to improve university retention rates. H