Beyond Counseling: Lived Experiences of Northeastern College Students on Student Engagement through Guidance Office Services in Santiago City: A Phenomenological Study

Authors

  • Dr. Noriel R. Caillan Northeastern College, Santiago City, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64358/sih.v2i4.166

Keywords:

student engagement; guidance office services; lived experiences; phenomenology; higher education; student support services; institutional belonging

Abstract

Student engagement is a critical dimension of higher education, influencing academic persistence, psychological well-being, institutional belonging, and students' overall educational experiences. While guidance offices have traditionally been associated with counseling and psychological intervention, their broader contributions to student engagement remain insufficiently explored, particularly within the context of local higher education institutions in the Philippines. This study seeks to explore the lived experiences of students at Northeastern College in Santiago City, Isabela, regarding their engagement with guidance office services. Anchored in a phenomenological research design, the inquiry will employ purposive sampling to identify students with firsthand experiences of accessing institutional guidance services. Data will be generated through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using a phenomenological approach to identify significant statements, meaning units, and essential experiential themes. The investigation will examine how guidance services shape students' academic participation, emotional resilience, interpersonal relationships, institutional connectedness, and help-seeking behaviors. Particular attention will be given to perceived accessibility, confidentiality, responsiveness, and the institutional conditions influencing service utilization. The study is expected to contribute contextualized insights into the evolving role of guidance offices as student engagement partners and to inform the development of inclusive, proactive, and student-centered support programs in Philippine higher education.

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Published

2026-11-06

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): Studies in Interdisciplinary Horizons

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Articles

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