Education Commons^™

An Evaluation Of The Penn Resiliency Program For Disruptive Preadolescents In An Elementary School Setting, Mildred Howard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Penn Resiliency Program in decreasing disruptive behavior, modifying negative automatic thoughts and improving academic achievement. Forty-eight students from two Title I schools in Georgia participated in this study. The Behavior Assessment Scale for Children, Second Edition, Progress Monitor, The Children's Automatic Thoughts Scale and report card grades were used to evaluate program effectiveness. Research results suggest the program effectively reduced negative automatic thoughts and improved academic performance.

Frequent Father Miles: A Phenomenological Study Of Divorced Fathers' Perceived Roles In Their Child's Education, Rebecca Bowman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how divorced fathers perceive their role in the education of their middle or high school child. The central focus of this study was: How do divorced fathers describe the roles they play in their child's education? The following questions guided the study: (a) How do divorced fathers describe the role they play in their child's education? (b) What are the factors that influence a divorced father's role in his child's education? (c) What can schools do to facilitate involvement of divorced fathers in their child's education throughout secondary schools? The co-researchers …

An Engineering Journey: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of African-American Engineers' Persistence, Kristy Somerville-Midgette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological research study examined the perspectives and lived experiences of African-American female engineers related to the factors that led to their persistence to enter, persist through, and remain in the field. The study was guided by four research questions: (a) How do K-12 experiences shape African-American female engineers' decisions to enter the STEM field? (b) What persistence factors motivated African-American female engineers to enter the engineering profession? (c) What are the factors that shape African-American female engineers' persistence to progress through postsecondary engineering programs? (d) How do professional experiences shape African-American female engineers' persistence in the field? Cognitive …

Humane Education: Perspectives Of Practitioners On Program Evaluation Efforts And Analysis Of Changes In Knowledge, Attitudes, And Empathy In Two Violence Prevention And Intervention Programs, Melanie Wagner

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This descriptive and comparative study examined the current landscape of humane education program evaluation and data analysis through a survey of humane educators across the country. Results of the humane education survey show that data collection and evaluation are occurring in humane education programs but these efforts do not capture and measure empathy, the primary goal of most humane education programs. Humane educators reported they felt the profession is progressive and relevant to a broad host of purposes, from building positive relationships with animals to playing a role in the larger social justice scheme. They also suggested that the field …

Depression In Children And Adolescents: The Role Of School Professionals, Emily Dawn Hoerman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Depression in children and adolescents is a significant issue for schools. Research has indicated that most students who see mental health professionals do so within the school setting, indicating a need for effective school-based programs to address mental health issues in the schools. The symptoms of depression and short and long term effects are reviewed. The need for, and necessary components of, a comprehensive mental health system in the school setting is discussed.

Analysis Of Academically At-Risk Second Year Students' Perceptions Of How Campus Support Services Engage Them Via Social Media, Brad Sandefer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Black Males' Perceptions Of Parental Involvement, Influence, And Their Educational Outcomes, Victor Jones Jr.

Masters Theses

Using qualitative inquiry and methods, this study explored the effect of parental involvement and influence on Black males' educational outcomes. The participants in this study were six Black males from a mid-sized, predominately White, four-year university in the Midwest. The findings from this study suggest that parents' involvement and influence shapes the way that Black males view education, which, in tum, affects their motivation and educational outcomes. In addition, this study provides suggestions for future research, as well as recommendations for educational professionals and administrators.

First-Year First-Generation College Students And Their Transition To A University, Jennifer Lynn Stevenson

Masters Theses

Prior research has examined the ways in which first-generation students were underprepared for college life. This study looked at the expectations, self-reported preparedness, experiences, and perceived levels of family support of first year college students. This study utilized a previously administered instrument from Khanh Bui. Results from the quantitative survey were compared between those students whose parents had not gone to college, first-generation college students, and non-first-generation students. The research was conducted at a mid-sized, public, four-year institution in the Midwest. Results from this study suggest, at this particular institution, the differences between first- and non-first-generation students are not as …

The Path Into Student Affairs: How Undergraduate Experiences Influence Students To Pursue A Career In Student Affairs, Bryce Jacob Reuer Gergely

Masters Theses

The career field of Student Affairs is one that most individuals know nothing about until coming to college when they have the chance to interact with professionals in the field. How exactly do individuals come to be professionals in student affairs? This study looks to answer that question through the examination of nine individuals in various stages of the process into Student Affairs, analyzing their experiences throughout their undergraduate career. Special focus is given to experiences during participants' undergraduate education, influences on their decision to pursue Student Affairs as a career, and how interactions with Student Affairs professionals played a …

An Examination Of Areas Of Involvement That Foster Student Retention, Abigail L. Ford

Masters Theses

Campus involvement has been proven to improve the persistence of students through college. This qualitative study was designed to learn if there are certain areas of involvement that are more influential to creating a perceived sense of belonging for students and in turn influencing their persistence. Using a qualitative approach the researcher gathered narratives from four undergraduate students who were involved in varying out-of-class activities and analyzed the resulting data for important themes. Three major themes emerged which were importance of involvement, connectedness to the university, and employment. The results indicated that being involved in extracurricular activities is influential in …

The Experiences Of Community College Student Athletes, Holly Nichols

Masters Theses

Due to the scarce amount of research and prior literature regarding community college student athletes, the experiences regarding this group's athletics, academics, and social realms was investigated. This unique group is constantly forced to balance the time demands of academics and athletics, among other areas, at a level much more different than Division I student athletes. The results of the present study indicated that although community college student athletes may not compete at the same level as student athletes at the Division I level, the time demands, levels of support received, and academic behaviors are all similar in many ways. …

Satisfaction And Importance Analysis Of Features And Services To Nontraditional Students: A Mixed Methods Approach, Denise E. Corray

Masters Theses

The study examined the importance and satisfaction to nontraditional students (NTS) with features and services offered at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). Participants included students over age 25 who were currently or recently enrolled at the university at the time of data collection. A triangulation mixed-methods approach was utilized; a 40-item instrument was created to measure NTSs' EIU experience. Findings indicated that Instructors' knowledge of course content, Overall quality of instruction, Relevancy of subject matter taught in classes I attend, Cost of tuition to attend EIU, and Clarity of degree requirements were the most important to NTS at EIU. Participants were …

Exploring The Relationship Between Self-Reported Religiosity And Alcohol Usage Among Undergraduate Students, Angelica Maria Bradley

Masters Theses

Alcohol usage is one of the greatest high-risk behaviors that institutions face today. In this study, 166 undergraduates were surveyed to explore the relationship between their religiosity and alcohol usage. The data revealed that religious students drink less than unsure or spiritual students, supporting the Social Identity Theory, which suggests that a group a student most identifies with influences them the greatest. The study also suggests that we should seek to understand this relationship, which can lead to a better understanding of why students use alcohol, and therefore, a step closer to helping them succeed where it matters most.

Attitudes Toward Volunteerism By Fraternity Men, Jennifer Serrano

Masters Theses

Many student organizations, such as fraternities and sororities, require members to engage in some type of civic engagement activity as a component of membership. This study focused on the motivations of fraternity men to engage in volunteerism, community service, and philanthropic work. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher conducted semi-constructed one-on-one interviews with four undergraduate fraternity men. The significance of brotherhood, the implications of mandated service, and the impact of completed service explain the various attitudes fraternity men have toward civic engagement. Recommendations for fraternity and sorority life personnel were provided to improve the quality and deepen the breadth of …

The Effectiveness Of Student Success Courses On Students Enrolled In A Remedial Reading Course, Emily Walters

Masters Theses

This study examined the impact of strategies for success courses on success of students in remedial education at a rural community college. Participants included 594 students ages 17 to 51 (M = 20.03, SD = 4.25) that were enrolled in one of two remedial reading courses while concurrently enrolled in strategies for success course. A quantitative study was used to determine if students completed more terms and achieved a higher cumulative GPA, if they were enrolled in strategies for success compared to their peers that were not enrolled in a strategies for success course. Results showed that students enrolled …

Trauma-Informed Services And Trauma Awareness Among Staff On The College Campus, Tricia Wisniewski

Honors Program Theses

For college students to work through the effects of trauma and be able to live a more normalized life, the availability of effective trauma-informed services on campus environments is crucial. Therefore, I chose to investigate the availability of trauma-informed services to all students on the college campus. The purpose of this study is to examine the relatively unexplored area of trauma informed services in the context of college campus through survey methods at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). In particular, this study focuses on trauma-informed services and employees’ trauma awareness in four service units on the UNI campus: the …

School Social Work As An Intervention In A Rural Setting Iv Classroom Serving Students With Behavioral Needs, Melissa Pletcher

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of the project was to review the evidence-based literature to determine how to best support the academic and other needs of students with EBD in a school-based setting and to determine the role that support service professionals, particularly school social workers, play in providing such evidence-based supports and services.

Graduate Coursework In College Counseling: An Exploratory Study Of The Certificate Programs Training Pathway In The United States, Christopher W. Tremblay, Ed.D

Christopher W Tremblay, Ed.D

This research is a qualitative case study of graduate certificate programs offered in college counseling in the United States. This study presents historical and current information about eight different college counseling certificate programs and seven themes that describe these programs in the context of national college access and college readiness goals. Eight programs were identified at four schools in California, one school in Michigan, one school in Minnesota, and one school in Massachusetts. These certificate programs have a bifurcated history and have existed since 1990. Results of the study revealed: the two major types of college counseling certificate programs, their …

The Impact Of Cultural Validation On The College Experiences Of Southeast Asian American Students., Dina C. Maramba, Phd, Robert T. Palmer, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

The purpose of this study is to explore the critical role of culture on the success of Southeast Asian American (SEAA) college students. Specifically, we examined the saliency of cultural validation and how it shaped the educational trajectories of SEAAs. A national sample of 34 participants was analyzed across 5 public, 4-year colleges and universities. Findings suggest the need for (a) cultural knowledge, (b) cultural familiarity, (c) cultural expression, and (d) cultural advocacy. In addition, the low number of SEAA students on their respective campuses heavily influenced their college experience. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Student Engagement In Extracurricular Activities And Academic Performance: Exploring Gender Differences, Avi Zacherman, John D. Foubert

John D. Foubert

The effects of time spent in extracurricular activities on academic performance was tested. A curvilinear relationship between hours per week spent involved in extracurricular activities and grade point average was discovered such that a low amount of extracurricular involvement was beneficial to grades, while a high amount can potentially hurt academic performance in college students. Important gender differences were present such that very high involvement was particularly detrimental to men’s academic performance.

Effects Of Gender And Facebook Use On The Development Of Mature Interpersonal Relationships, John D. Foubert, Ryan C. Masin

John D. Foubert

This study analyzed the effects of gender and the intensity of Facebook use on college students’ development of mature interpersonal relationships at a large Midwestern University. Small, significant negative relationships between the development of mature interpersonal relationships and Facebook use intensity existed, with slightly more negative correlations found when only peer relationships were considered. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of both gender and Facebook use intensity on the development of mature interpersonal relationships. A significant difference was found between heavy and light Facebook users, with students who use Facebook more intensely having less developed mature interpersonal relationships than those …

Today's College Men: Challenges, Issues, And Successes, Daniel Tillapaugh

Daniel Tillapaugh

No abstract provided.

Circular Framing: A Model For Applying Bolman And Deal's Four Frames In Student Affairs Administration, Rishi Sriram, Jesse Hines Farley

Rishi Sriram, Ph.D.

Administrators in student affairs navigate bureaucracies, manage staff, advocate for resources, and lead with purpose (Sermersheim & Keim, 2005). Nonetheless, scholars note research concerning student affairs management and leadership remains underemphasized in the current literature (Lovell & Kosten, 2000; Carpenter & Stimpson, 2007). Few models in student affairs exist to help translate theory to practice. Bolman and Deal’s (2013) four frames encourage leaders to view organizations through structural, human resource, political, and symbolic lenses. The four frames synthesize decades of literature on organizational theory and are frequently cited in higher education and student affairs publications. Previous scholarship, however, does not …

Rethinking Intelligence: The Role Of Mindset In Promoting Success For Academically High-Risk Students, Rishi Sriram

Rishi Sriram, Ph.D.

A Contemporary Examination Of Gender Differences In Student Engagement At Historically Black Colleges And Universities: Implications For Research And Practice., Robert T. Palmer, J. Luke Wood, Phd, Brian Mcgowan, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

Seeking to replicate the results of Harper et al.'s (2004), this article examined gender differences in student engagement among Black students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). While this study yielded findings comparable to Harper et al.'s study, the majority of the findings were inconsistent with Harper et al's study. The article discusses factors that may account for these differences and concludes with implications for institutional practice and future research.

Academic Achievement And The Community College: Perspectives Of Black Male Students On The Importance Of ‘Focus, J. Luke Wood, Phd, Robert T. Palmer, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Cultural Validation On The College Experiences Of Southeast Asian American Students., Dina C. Maramba, Phd, Robert T. Palmer, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

The purpose of this study is to explore the critical role of culture on the success of Southeast Asian American (SEAA) college students. Specifically, we examined the saliency of cultural validation and how it shaped the educational trajectories of SEAAs. A national sample of 34 participants was analyzed across 5 public, 4-year colleges and universities. Findings suggest the need for (a) cultural knowledge, (b) cultural familiarity, (c) cultural expression, and (d) cultural advocacy. In addition, the low number of SEAA students on their respective campuses heavily influenced their college experience. Implications for research and practice are discussed.