Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School
College for Community Health
Department/Program
Counseling
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Michael D. Hannon
Committee Member
W. Matthew Shurts
Committee Member
Blanca E. Vega
Abstract
In this dissertation, I present the findings of a descriptive phenomenological study I conducted focused on examining the experiences of community college students of color who utilize on-campus food pantries, aiming to understand how these resources impact their well-being. Through in-depth interviews, two central themes emerged. The first theme, Introduction to the On-Campus Food Pantry, highlights the accessibility of the service, with participants emphasizing the simplicity and efficiency of the registration process as a key factor in their initial engagement. The second theme, Experiences Using the Pantry, reveals that students found the pantry environment to be welcoming and non-stigmatizing, fostering a sense of ease and comfort during use. These findings underscore the importance of user-friendly systems and inclusive environments in addressing food insecurity among marginalized student populations.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Marte, Maria Luisa, "An Examination of the Lived Experiences of Community College Students of Color Who Utilize On-Campus Food Pantries" (2025). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1583.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1583
Included in
Counselor Education Commons, Food Studies Commons, Sociology Commons