Education Commons^™

Perceptions Of Peer Mentorship Within Living Learning Communities: A Case Study, Nicole Marie Nicholson

Masters Theses

Living-learning communities (LLC) are seen as a way to help promote student engagement and retention using best practices in higher education (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, 2014). Resident Assistants (RA), also known as resident advisors, and LLC peer mentors are members of a residential community in college who are employed to help provide a sense of community among residents on their floor or in their building (Rieske & Benjamin, 2015). Previous research (Wyile, 2012) on LLC peer mentor interactions provided examples of how peer mentors could enhance a community within a college LLC. This qualitative study …

Academic Choices Matter For Collegiate Student-Athletes, Kendra Arielle Berry

Masters Theses

As college athletics has grown during the last two decades, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the governing institution of college athletics in the United States, has renewed its focus on academic reform and the academic performance of student-athletes (Petr & McArdle, 2012). Athletic administrators and academic support units have started to exert a greater amount of control over student-athletes’ academic lives. However, research with general samples of college students has suggested that having some degree of autonomy is important for academic performance. This raises questions about whether increased control (and reduced autonomy) is actually in the best interest of …

Peer Educators In National Panhellenic Conference Sororities, Kelsey Kathleen Elam-Geuting

Masters Theses

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) member organizations have numerous officer positions that might be informally defined as peer educators based on their position responsibilities. Little is known about these officers’ experiences as peer educators, the amount of training they receive, and their effectiveness in providing relevant and purposeful programs for their chapters. The purpose of this study was to better understand peer educators’ experiences within NPC sororities. If the experiences and leadership development of peer educators in NPC sororities are better understood, more can be done to support them in creating meaningful programs and services for their sisters. By supporting small …

Student Perceptions Of Institutional Crisis Management, Preparedness, And Response: The Case Of The Active Shooter, Jared Allen Grimsley

Masters Theses

Institutional crisis management is becoming more relevant with every passing tragedy and crisis event. This study utilized a modified existing survey to collect quantitative data from students attending a large four-year public research institution located in the Southeastern region of the United States. A stratified random sample of commuter students and non-commuter students was analyzed to compare statistical similarities and differences between the groups. The largest group of student respondents were full-time, freshmen, female, involved, and currently live on campus. Students perceived their institutions to be moderately prepared to respond to both general crises and active shooting situations, although a …

Exploring The Effectiveness Of Environmentally Sustainable Practices In Municipal Government: A Case Study Of The City Of Knoxville’S Department Of Parks And Recreation, Anthony Michael Brown

Masters Theses

Sustainability practices produce programs and services that meet current needs while preserving the environment and natural resources for the future. City parks and recreation departments are facing budget shortfalls and increasing expectations from customers. Governments are now embracing sustainability practices to create financial savings while also fostering relations with customers.

The purpose of this single case study was twofold: (1) to examine the effectiveness of one city department’s strategies in outsourcing its environmental sustainability program through a performance contract with Ameresco; and (2) to examine the perceptions of key department employees about the effectiveness of the sustainability initiative. A …

Corporate, Political, And Academic Perspectives On Tennessee Higher Education Accountability Policy, Andrew Quentin Morse

Masters Theses

The purposes of the research are (1) to identify the similarities and differences among corporate, political, and academic leaders in Tennessee on postsecondary education accountability policy and (2) to investigate ways for improving accountability policy as evidenced by the various stakeholders. The two following research questions will be adapted from the larger, ongoing study by Bogue et al. (2009) on accountability:

· What differences and similarities exist among corporate, political, and academic stakeholders on the issues of collegiate mission and issues of accountability definition and evidence?

· What are the most important steps that institutions of higher education can take …

Examining The Experiences Of Six Women On Their Personal Journeys To Becoming Deans Of Agriculture: A Qualitative Study, Sarah Jane Kleihauer

Masters Theses

Understanding one’s own personal journey provides for effective learning, growth, and development of self (Madsen, 2010). Reflection on the influences and experiences of successful women leaders is essential to understanding the factors that have enabled them to obtain and sustain leadership positions in nontraditional career fields. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lives of women deans in agriculture in an attempt to conceptualize the leadership styles they have developed as a result of their positions as deans in a predominantly male field, as well as their upbringing and life experiences. Six women deans of agriculture were …

Professional Preparation Of The Ncaa Division I Athletic Director: An Occupational Framework, Jeffrey Charles Spenard

Masters Theses

The study collected occupational data from the 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I membership institutions head athletic directors. The purpose of this study was to identify common professional preparation and occupational characteristics among NCAA Division I athletic directors. Through issuing an electronic survey, the current study identified common characteristics and themes among Division I athletic directors specifically within the socio-demographical background, educational background, professional experience and career progression, and career and job satisfaction. The study also provided demographic information about the participant’s institutional athletic department. The necessity of this study is not due directly to the current lack …

Volunteer Management Needs Assessment Of The Tennessee 4-H Program, Robbie B. Casteel

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to conduct a state-wide needs assessment of Tennessee 4-H Youth Development Extension Agents to determine the perception in working with 4-H Volunteer Leaders and the knowledge level of volunteer management. This study also determined the need for a formalized 4-H Volunteer Leader management system. Targeted participants were University of Tennessee (UT) Extension Agents and Tennessee State University (TSU) Extension Agents with 4-H job responsibility. Participants were asked to complete a four part questionnaire instrument. Components one through three of the instrument were used to determine the need for a formalized 4-H Volunteer Leader …

Exploring The Career Mobility Of Women In Campus Recreation, Jessica Michelle Hobart

Masters Theses

This thesis is a quantitative research design that examines the upward mobility of women administrators in campus recreation. The purpose of this study is to examine the career mobility of women currently working in the administration of campus recreation. A criterion sampling method was used to select women currently holding administrative level positions in campus recreation as well as solicit participation using the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Member Database. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 18.0) was utilized to analyze the data. For the quantitative data, basic descriptive statistics were performed which included means, standard deviations, and …

The Undergraduate Experience And Giving: What Makes A Donor?, Laura C. Simic

Masters Theses

Private support of public higher education has become increasingly important for institutions to remain competitive in times of decreasing tax support. Among scholars, there is general agreement that private support has become the vital ingredient which provides the difference between adequate and great institutions. There is little agreement, however, about the primary factors that motivate donors to give to colleges and universities.

To help answer the question, "Why do people give?" a study was conducted of University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Communications alumni with regard to aspects of their undergraduate experience. The alumni were divided into non-donor and donor …

The Knoxville City Schools Proficiency Project: A Summary Analysis Of Three Years And Year-Three Results, Kathleen S. Puckett

Masters Theses

The Knoxville City Schools (KCS) Proficiency Project was designed to help inner-city high school pupils improve their scores on the state proficiency test. Grade-nine pupils in lower achieving project high schools and grade-eight students from the corresponding middle schools were given intense treatment over a three-year period. Proficiency test scores for grade-nine students were analyzed each year and were compared to results in control high schools and to the scores of the total city high school population.

Project results showed steady, sustained improvement. By the end of year three, the average percent of pupils passing the state proficiency test in …

Systematic Human Relations Training And Resident Assistant Effectiveness, William Foster Hayes Jr.

Masters Theses

Systematic human relations training has been shown to be an effective method for training both by lay and professional counselors. However, its usefulness for resident assistants in a residence hall setting has been sparsely documented.

The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to reaffirm existing evidence that a systematic human relations training program can make a group of resident assistants more effective helper and (2) to determine whether this change in effectiveness can be detected in the immediate environment for the resident assistant, that being his res residents and supervisor. In order to establish the first objective, resident assistants …

Religious Practices In The Public Schools Of Tennessee In Light Of Their Historical And Legal Background, Charles Eugene Bryant

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was (1) to analyze the interpretation given by the United States Supreme Court to the principle of separation of church and state, through its decisions pertaining to various religious practices; (2) to determine the nature and extent of these practices in the public schools of Tennessee; and (3) to offer some basis for comparing current practices with the legal provisions.

The Court interpretations, as they apply to public education, may be summarized as follows. Public schools may not do the following: (1) aid a religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another; (2) …

The Role Of The Assistant Secondary School Principal, Paul Franklin Gearing

Masters Theses

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

The primary objective of the study was to determine the actual duties and responsibilities of assistant principals in selected high schools. Another goal was to determine whether the assistant principals participating in the investigation believed these duties should be theirs, or if the duties should be the responsibility of someone else. A comparison of these duties identified with those presented in educational literature was a final objective of the study.

Developing A Guidance Program For Townsend High School, William T. Brickey

Masters Theses

Introduction: There has been some form or guidance since the earliest days of education. Guidance and education are practically inseparable since individual growth and development cannot be realized without both. The purpose of guidance is to promote individual understanding, to enable the individual to evaluate his circumstances and opportunities, and to plan his life in a way that he may better serve himself and a democratic society.

During the past few years guidance has come to occupy a prominent place in secondary education in the United States. This is apparent from the increase in the number or secondary school guidance …

Machine Data Processing For Educational Administrators: Problems And Solutions, James Floyd Cunningham Jr.

Masters Theses

The problem of the present study was to determine the major difficulties encountered by educational administrators in initiating and administering punched card processing systems, the degree of con­cordance among administrators as to the relative difficulty of problems encountered, and possible solutions or circumventions of the problems.

The Role Of The Administrator Of Academic Affairs In Selected Universities, Roy M. Bacon

Masters Theses

Higher education institutions began with simple organ­ ization and were limited in scope and purpose. Naturally, the entire teaching load and administrative details could be carried on by a few individuals. None of the administrative jobs demanded the entire attention of one person. The ad­

ministrative head of the institution had to assume the re­ sponsibility for several of these jobs. He determined who would be admitted, collected fees, found living accommoda­

tions for students and staff members, taught classes, re­ corded student progress, served as placement director and ad­ ministered the business affairs of the institution.

As the institutions …

The Professional Status Of Teachers In The Southern Appalachian Region, William Lyle Evernden

Masters Theses

The problem in this study was to investigate, analyze and assess the progress made toward the development of a teaching profession in the Southern Appalachian Region.

A Study Of Public School Finance In The Southern Appalachian Region, Archie Reece Dykes

Masters Theses

This study was directed toward an investigation and analysis of various aspects of public school finance in the Southern Appalachian Region with emphasis on trends in public school revenues and expenditures as they related to the changing setting in which the schools operated.

Parental Influence On Walland High School Students, Leroy Gooden

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem: The problem of this thesis was to evaluate Walland High School with respect to the attitude of the parents toward the physical needs of the school, the methods used in teaching the students, the relationships existing between the students and the teachers, the social and recreational activities of the school and, the relationships existing between the school and the community.

The Relationship Of Behavioral Patterns Of Selected Superintendents To The Process Of Public School Desegregation, Harry Smith Blanton

Masters Theses

The problem in thi s study wa s to attempt to determine the results or effects on desegregation of varying behavioral patterns of school superintendents which developed when selected school systems attempted to bring about racially integrated school systems.

An important factor to be considered was the actions of various groups within the community and the effects these actions had on the shaping of the behavioral patterns of the superintendents. It was also necessary to look at various other issues which led up to and followed the desegregation issue in order to get a complete report of the behavioral patterns …

A Study Of Top Executive Selection In Industry With Implications For The Selection Of College Presidents, Ramon Leonard Carroll

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the problem area suggested by the following questions:

What have been the findings in industry concerning the selection of top executives? What implications may formal programs of selection in industry have for the selection of college presidents?

The primary concern of this investigation was to examine the literature and four programs of selection which are currently used in industry for selecting executives and at­tempt to identify and to appraise factors which appeared sig­nificant for the selection of college presidents.

The Development Of Education In Roane County, Tennessee, Robert Audubon Ladd

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study is to bring together, in logical and orderly form, information from widely scattered sources. This will enable persons who are interested in the history of Roane County Schools to acquaint themselves with the aspects of it presented in this study without long and tiresome searching of many sources of information.

Factors Involved In Teachers Leav­Ing The Education Profession, Lawrence G. Derthick Jr.

Masters Theses

This s tudy was concerned with the reasons why teachers leave the profession. The problem selected for study was an analysis of the reasons for leaving the teaching profession given by former teachers in eleven selected school systems. The problem was divided into the following sub-problems.

1. To identify teachers who had withdrawn from selected public school systems and who have not returned to teaching else-where.

2. To interview those teachers who dropped out for other than natural causes in order to determine their reasons for leaving teaching.

3. To analyze these reasons to determine whether or not they fall …

The Effect Of Social Classes On The Community And Schools Of Clinton, Tennessee, Robert N. Shumate

Masters Theses

This problem was selected as a subject for research in connection with an effort to determine the extent and nature of the effect of social classes on the town and community of Clinton, Tennessee. It was assumed that social classes do have an effect on the community, and that the influences exerted upon the town and community because of pressure of social classes were significant and noticeable to one who puts forth the effort to make a study and an analysis of the situation. It was also assumed that these influences have a direct bearing on the life of the …

A Study Of The Ability Of Sevier County To Support Its Schools, Dewey Large

Masters Theses

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of he people of Sevier County to support a program of education in its public schools. The available finances and possible sources of revenue for developing, maintaining and improving public education within the County will be investigated with the intention of clarifying the complete financial aspect of the educational situation. It is hoped that the report of findings in this study will be favorably accepted and used by the Quarterly Court and the Board of Education of Sevier County.

The educational situation and financial conditions of …

A Study Of Factors Involved In Organizing And Administering A Student Activity Program For Tyson Junior High School, Joy Coulter Bauch

Masters Theses

(From Chapter I) In a time when public education is being adversely criticized on all sides by those who would find fault with any aspect of our public schools (apparently more for the sake of sensationalism and publicity than for constructive criticism), we must always be alert to accept the challenge to better our schools, maintain deep-rooted convictions concerning the education of our American youth, and strive to experiment and put into practice those concepts which may lead to better schools, better teachers, and a better educated American public. Although at times subjected to tirades from newspaper editorials …

In-Service Education In The Sevier County Schools, William Oscar Bryant

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem: It is the purpose of the writer to give in this study a description of the in-service education program of Sevier County. In order that the reader may understand the program as it now is, it will be necessary to give a brief history of what had been done previous to this year in the way of in-service education, a description of the county, and an analysis of the present program. Perhaps the writer, or other supervisors, will find the study useful in planning next steps in the supervisory program of Sevier County. This study is …

A Study Of Administrative And Supervisory Practices Affecting The Induction And Orientation Of Beginning Teachers, Paul A. Breeding

Masters Theses

(Introduction) Despite the abundance of educational research, little material of outstanding significance is available on the relation of administration and supervision to the induction and adjustment of beginning teachers. While scattered materials are available, such as a few master's thesis, and occasional articles in periodicals, there seems no comprehensive study available dealing with this challenging problem in .American education.

World War II, and particularly the years immediately following the War, have given vigorous impetus to this problem. This study seeks to analyze and synthesize the literature now available in many books, periodicals, and bulletins; and thus determine what …