Education Commons^™

Student Connection: How Graduate Assistants Of Rowan University Connect To The Campus Community, Janelle R. M. Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate how graduate assistants at Rowan University, Glassboro campus connect to the campus community using socialization theory. Data collection consisted of interviews of 10 randomly selected first and second year graduate students during the 2006-07 academic school year. The interviews were conducted at Rowan University during the spring 2007 semester. On average the interviews took about 25 minutes to conduct. Participants were interviewed to see how the graduate assistants felt about graduate school and their programs of study. Interviews were transcribed into a word document and then analyzed for common themes.

The study …

A Study Of The Attitudes Of Selected African American Students Toward Leadership & Black Greek Letter Organizations, Elora L. Crump

Theses and Dissertations

The participants in this study consisted of 76 African-American students at Rowan University in the spring 2005 semester. The purpose of the study was to replicate the research of Kimbrough (1995) exploring the attitudes of two groups of selected African American students regarding the impact of Black Greek organizations on the development of personal leadership. Subjects completed a survey indicating their level of leadership skills and activities, attitudes of Black Greek organizations and their leadership, along with demographic information. Members of Black Greek organizations (BGOs) and-non-members were compared to determine if there were attitudinal differences. The information collected from the …

Student-Athletes And Involvement Theory, Thomas F. J. Iacovone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to better understand the level of involvement student athletes have at Rowan University. The researcher surveyed 99 student athletes at Rowan University during the 2006-2007 academic year. The subjects were administered a survey to measure their level of involvement, as well as their attitudes toward involvement at Rowan University. Surveys were statistically analyzed to determine frequency, percentages, means, standard deviations, and significant correlations between selected demographics and specific involvement activities.

The study provides insight on the relationship between student athletes' academic performance and their level of involvement, as well as insight on relationships between …

An Analysis Of The Attitudes Of Higher Education Leaders In 18 High-Immigration States About The Appropriateness Of Providing Education Benefits To Undocumented Immigrants., Elizabeth Feranchak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of public higher education must meet the challenges presented by providing education services to the significantly increasing number of undocumented students. However, public policy has not clearly addressed undocumented immigrants' residency status in regard to college and university admissions standards. This issue will affect education leaders in public institutions of higher education who have the authority to define admissions criteria and influence state legislation.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of higher education leaders' attitudes toward the appropriateness of providing education benefits for undocumented immigrants. Data collected from 384 returned surveys representing 18 states were …

A Study Of Student Involvement At Rowan University, Joseph P. Lizza

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine the reasons why students get involved in student organizations, the benefits perceived by being involved, and the impact of the "highly involved" student. Seventy-five undergraduate students from Rowan University participated in the study by completing a survey that asked about involvement in a Student Government (SGA) chartered organization, Greek Life, and Varsity Athletics and the perceived learning outcomes associated with involvement. A follow-up interview was conducted with four students who completed the survey in order to more fully answer the question of what motivated and characterized the highly involved student. The survey inquired about …

A Study Investigating The Opinions And Experiences Of Selected Teachers Regarding Teacher Bullying, Christian A. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand the opinions and experiences of selected teachers regarding teacher bullying at Triton High School. The researcher surveyed teachers with instructional responsibilities. A total of 70 out of 100 teachers participated in the survey. Participants were administered a Likert-scale survey that measured teacher experience with bullying, interpersonal dynamics of bullying teachers, the causes of bullying, and personal experience of bullying. Surveys were statistically analyzed to determine frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations on the opinion factors.

The study provides insight on the opinions and experiences of teachers regarding teacher bullying. Teachers at …

A Pilot Study Investigating The Sophomore Experience At Rowan University, David R. Stuart Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of the study was to develop and pilot test an instrument to better understand the sophomore experience at Rowan University. The study investigated the importance and level of satisfaction of factors that contribute to the sophomore experience. Of particular interest was to identify those factors which are controlled by the university, so that improvements can be made in order to better serve students. The study was conducted at Rowan University during the 2007 spring semester of the academic year. A total of 574 students chose to participate in the study. The participants were asked to take the …

Acceptance Or Denial: What Matters Most In College Admissions, Lori Ann Getler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of selected college admissions officers regarding the most important criteria of a high school senior's application for admission into 4-year public undergraduate colleges and universities in New Jersey. The researcher surveyed admissions officers at eight 4-year public undergraduate colleges and universities in New Jersey. A total of 21 admissions officers participated in the survey. Participants were administered a Likert-scale survey that measured the weight given selected criteria contained in the application for admission to their institution. Surveys were statistically analyzed to determine the means, percentages and frequencies regarding the selected …

Leadership Issues, Concerns, And Competencies Of Senior Level Student Affairs Professionals: A Study Of A 4 Year Public University, Todd C. Brelsford

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the leadership competencies commonly exhibited by selected student affairs professionals at a 4-year public university in the northeast. To have a deeper understanding of leadership within the field of student affairs, issues and concerns were investigated using relevant leadership theories (Eddy & VanDerLinden, 2006). The study sought to close the gap in the literature base by examining a division of student affairs from the director (or equivalent positions) up to the vice president of the division.

Twenty one participants were selected because of their rank of senior level student affairs professionals at …

Planning An Employee Spanish Training Program At The Community College Level, Melissa A. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research the process of planning and creating an employee Spanish training program. The researcher determined employees' previous knowledge of the language and culture as well as training preferences utilizing two surveys (n = 120) and a personal interview (n = 15). Surveys were statistically analyzed using SPSS software to determine frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations and the interviews were analyzed using a content analysis procedure. Research on adult learning theories, program planning theories and exemplary Spanish training programs complemented the quantitative and qualitative data collected.

The study revealed that CCC employees had …

Communication Theory Vs. Performance Skills: How Do Rowan Public Speaking Professors Weave Both Into Class Lectures?, Renai Ellison

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how Rowan University public speaking professors blend the teaching of communication theory and performance skills in their classroom lectures. The researcher conducted one-on-one interviews and classroom observations of public speaking professors at Rowan. Five professors participated in the process. Each professor was asked open-ended questions which were created by the researcher to determine the specific methods used to impart knowledge about communication theory and performance skills. A classroom observation was conducted to provide confirmation and further elaboration of the information gathered from the interviews.

The study uncovered each professor's feelings and attitudes …

Evidence Of Heterarchical Planning Within Higher Education Institutions: Learning Garden Planning And Development At Rowan University, Sheri K. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes during the early stages of planning for an educational garden at Rowan University. This study also attempted to fill the gap in the literature that exists between garden planning and development and planning at higher education institutions. The investigator surveyed 20 committee members involved in this large-scale project, in addition to interviewing six committee members who were considered key stakeholders and have displayed high levels of involvement during the initial stages of the project. Participants were administered a Likert-scale survey that looked for the emergence of heterarchical practices during the development …

Attitudes Towards Accommodations For Students With Learning Disabilities: A Study Of Rowan University Faculty, Sean C. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of Rowan University faculty regarding accommodations for students with learning disabilities. A survey was sent to 350 full-time assistant, associate, and full professors from Rowan University's six colleges. The study aimed to discover what instructional, exam, policy, as well as university accommodations faculty members were willing to make for students with learning disabilities. The demographic data of age, gender, college, years teaching experience were correlated with the attitudinal statements included in the survey. The study revealed that, overall, faculty were willing to make accommodations for students with learning disabilities.

Perceived Benefits Of Involvement In Student Government, Kristen Diorio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived benefits of being involved in student government at Rowan University. Thirty-five undergraduate students involved in the Student Government Association (SGA) at Rowan University completed a survey to determine their perceived benefits, discover why they decided to become involved, and to determine whether there was a pattern of involvement.

The findings showed that involved students saw positive benefits in the areas of: personal development, educational, and developing social skills. Rowan University students who were involved in SGA saw positive values from their experience. The higher level of involvement a student had …

A Study Of Selected Student Attitudes Toward Factors That Influence Academic Achievement, Marquis L. Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of selected African-American male college students and the impact of financing, role-modeling, high school preparation, college/community acceptance, and family support on academic achievement at Rowan University. The study sought to determine if any of these factors had a significant relationship with academic achievement.

Academic achievement was measured by a self-reported GPA of 2.76 or higher, which was higher than Rowan University's minimum requirement (2.5) for graduation, and honors achievements (awards, certificates, honor societies). Responses were measured using a Likert scale of 1-Strongly Agree to 5-Strongly Disagree.

Respondents reported that financial …

Teacher Perceptions Of Bullying Prevention: A Comparative Analysis Of Teacher Perceptions Of Bullying Prevention Programs, Diana Howell

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

School bullying has often been tacitly minimalized as a rite of passage—an unfortunate but common experience among children. In the past few years there has been an increasing awareness of school bullying as a catalyst of school violence. Parents, school boards, and administrators are understanding and taking more seriously the negative impact that bullying has on victimized students and are actively looking for ways to reduce incidents of such violence. This research provides a discussion of bullying behavior and an examination of teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs in their schools. If teachers do not feel that …

A Study Investigating Academic Advising Support For Student Athletes At Rutgers University-Camden, Thomas Thomasson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a need for an academic advising support program for student athletes at Rutgers University-Camden. Rutgers University-Camden is currently in the process of developing such a program. The sample studied consisted of 122 student-athletes at Rutgers University-Camden.

Data were collected through an 18 item survey designed to obtain background information on the student athletes and their attitudes toward academic-advising at Rutgers University-Camden. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program to calculate the descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations for responses …

Organizational Leadership In Academic Libraries : Identifying Culture Types And Leadership Roles, Monica Garcia Brooks

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify organizational culture types and leadership roles among research and non-research libraries in higher education institutions in the United States and to reveal trends that can assist in enacting needed organizational change. Organizational culture and leadership are two intertwined concepts that are strongly aligned with the human element of any supervisory experience. According to Crosby, they help “nurture effective and humane organizations” (Crosby, 2004). This research project sought to test the claims brought forth by library researchers such as Kaarts-Brown et al. in which they reported a tie between the library manager’s ability …

Survival Of The Fittest? The Rebranding Of West Virginia Higher Education, James Martin Owston

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

During the years 1996 to 2005, West Virginia produced the greatest proportion (56.25%) of regionally accredited institutional rebrandings. In addition, the state experienced the greatest proportion (25%) of the specific “college-to-university” rebranding strategy than any other state. This study set out to discover the reasons why West Virginia produced such a high percentage of “college-to-university” changes. Using a mixed method approach of analysis, the researcher used quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the rationale, strategies, and implications of the college-to-university change. As West Virginia was viewed as a nested population in Appalachia, a population of 51 institutions that experienced the …

Risk Management Practices Of Collegiate Athletic Trainers: An Examination Of Policies And Procedures, Ericka Point Zimmerman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe (a) risk management practices of collegiate athletic trainers, (b) perceived risk management practices important to the collegiate athletic trainer, (c) risk management responsibilities of the head athletic trainer, and (d) resources utilized by collegiate athletic trainers in the development of a risk management plan. Risk management practices were divided into 13 categories: (a) periodic review, (b) consultation, (c) periodic in-services of policies, (d) periodic inservices for personnel, (e) methods for insuring against loss, (f) participation and consent of athletes, (g) emergencies, (h) care and treatment of injuries and conditions, (i) …

The Relationship Between Leadership Styles And Organizational Culture Withinschools Of Nursing, Debra K. Vankovich Mullins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and organizational culture within schools of nursing. A non-probability convenience sample (N=149) of subjects was obtained from BSN schools of nursing within the Southern Regional Education Board geographical area. Three data collection tools were utilized including a demographic questionnaire; the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (Bass & Avolio) which measures transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership styles; and the Organizational Culture Assessment Inventory (Cameron & Quinn) which measures four culture types including clan, market, adhocracy and hierarchy cultures. A descriptive – correlational design was used. Inferential statistics utilized included multiple …

A National Study Of Job Satisfaction Factors Among Faculty In Physician Assistant Education, Wallace D. Boeve

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the job satisfaction factors for physician assistant (PA) faculty. Job satisfaction factors were divided into two categories: intrinsic factors about the respondents (work itself and opportunities for advancement) and extrinsic factors about the institutional faculty support (salary, supervisory support, and coworker relations). The theoretical approach used in this study to examine job satisfaction among PA faculty was Herzberg’s (1966) two-factor theory of motivation. Additionally to enhance Herzberg’s theory regarding intrinsic and extrinsic factors, Smith, Kendall, and Hulin’s (1969) facet-specific job satisfaction theory (i.e., Job Description Index (JDI)) was utilized. A Web-based survey …

How Effective Are College Based Websites At Providing Students With The Information Necessary To Make An Informed College Choice?, Joanne Ambat Escatiola

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the project was to develop a rubric to assess whether a selected group of college websites, chosen to represent most of what is available to students, meet the requirements necessary for students to make an informed college choice. The project was undertaken as a way to determine if these sites, individually or as a whole, present enough information for students to make a choice that correctly aligns with their college aspirations.

The Effectiveness Of Strategic Planning And Self Study Programs In Leading To Improvements In Institutional Performance And Organisational Learning In An Irish Higher Education Institute, Deirdre M. Lillis

Theses

Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) worldwide are investing increasing resources in strategic planning and self-study activities, in order to meet accountability and quality assurance requirements and to improve their performance. Despite this, little empirical research exists which can definitely answer the question as to whether these activities are effective in leading to improvements in institutional performance and organisational learning, let alone shed light on the reasons why.

This study investigated three strategic planning and three self study programs which were undertaken in one HEI in Ireland over an 8 year period from 1997 to 2006. The first research question determined whether …

The Effects Of Institutional Aid On The College Affordability Index And Student Body Diversity, Glenn Anthony Teryek

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Tuition for higher education continues to increase substantially, causing colleges to be less affordable for many traditional college students and their families. To make higher education more affordable, higher education administrators provide students with institutional aid. Such aid is awarded to students based on merit or need, and the way it is awarded may affect an institution's affordability and student body diversity. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of institutional aid on the rate of tuition increase and the diversity of the student body at colleges and universities. This study was further designed to determine if …

The Perceived Effects The Decline Of Catholic Students Has On Governance And Organization At An American Catholic University, James M. Keane

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

A Proposed Strategic Undergraduate Enrollment Marketing Plan For St. Thomas Aquinas College, Danielle N. Mac Kay

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.