Angie Novak

Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Jocelyn Gutierrez

Abstract

Binge drinking among first-year college students is a persistent public health and academic issue, particularly during the transition to higher education. As students gain independence and navigate peer influence and campus norms, many perceive alcohol use as a central part of the college experience. This descriptive case study investigates the personal, environmental, and behavioral factors contributing to binge drinking among first-year students at the University of North Dakota (UND).The study, guided by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), explored how students adopt and reinforce drinking behaviors through peer modeling, social expectations, and institutional culture. Qualitative data was collected through individual interviews with first-year students and university staff, demographic surveys, and institutional records. Thematic analysis revealed three dominant influences on binge drinking: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), Pre-gaming Practices, and using Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism for stress and social adjustment. Students frequently associated drinking with social belonging and saw it as a normative and almost expected part of student life. Additionally, the study identified institutional challenges in alcohol policy enforcement and a lack of proactive, engaging prevention measures. Findings from this study offer UND administrators valuable insights and evidence-based recommendations to support the development of targeted intervention strategies. These insights will inform a grant proposal to secure funding for prevention programs designed to reduce binge drinking and promote safer, healthier behaviors among first-year students at UND.

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