Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Academic Advising On The Retention Of First-Year Students In A Gulf-Arab University, Selma Hagahmed

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study investigated academic advising and retention in a Gulf-Arab university. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered in order to understand how academic advising could have potentially contributed to the improvement of student retention. The focus of the study was on first-year students in the College of Business and Economics and the College of Law in a Gulf-Arab national four-year institution. The study compared the Grade Point Average (GPA) and the number of credit hours in two groups of first-year students: 1) a treatment group of students who utilized academic advising services and (2) the control group of students who …

Massive Open Online Courses And Mission: A Qualitative Study Regarding Matching Mooc Opportunity With Mission Statement, Tara L. Waln-Lewellyn

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Since the first offering in 2008 (Fini, 2009; Liyanagunawardena, Adams & Williams, 2013), Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been a phenomenon in higher education. While much research has been conducted on activities and experiences within these courses, little research from an administrative standpoint has been completed (Liyanagunawardena, et al., 2013). This qualitative case study examined the use of the mission statement in a committee’s determination whether or not to implement a MOOC at a Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States. Interviews were conducted with committee members, transcribed, and analyzed. Analysis determined that the mission statement did …

Community Colleges Respond To Cyber Threats

Instructional Leadership Abstracts

Headlines describing massive data breaches at multinational corporations are commonplace these days. However, virtually all employers are vulnerable to similar attacks. Stolen employee information, customer data, or industry secrets can lead to identity theft, compromised financial information, or even cyberterrorism. While the tech industry and research universities have key roles to play in adapting to this threat, community colleges also have a pivotal role to play in “Information Assurance.” The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have established the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) program to recognize colleges that are at the forefront in education …

Principals Who Supervise Teachers Of The Deaf: A Mixed Methods Study, Tanya Hilligoss

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

School principals are responsible for supervising educational staff. Since the majority of students who are deaf or hard of hearing are served in public schools, it is important for principals to understand how to supervise teachers of the deaf. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of school principals who supervise teachers of the deaf in public schools in the United States.

In this mixed methods study, data was collected separately and sequentially, using an explanatory sequential design. Information was gathered from state-level personnel using a web-based survey for quantitative data. Data collected included: a) number of …

Strategic Indicators At Assemblies Of God Colleges, Charles Bryan Davis

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify strategic indicators for use at Assemblies of God colleges. Strategic indicators are metrics which synthesize data to report on the current condition and trajectory of an institution in terms of the institution’s ability to pursue its mission. While some indicators are useful to almost all types of institutions of higher education, other indicators reflect the unique mission and goals of the individual institution. These indicators can be used to monitor trends over time at the same institution, or to compare data among a group of peer institutions. Peer institutions compare their …

The Predictive Validity Of Pre-Admission Measures On Podiatric Medical School Performance, Kevin M. Smith

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study explored the influence of pre-admission measures on podiatric medical school performance. The purpose of the study was to predict which students are most likely to succeed in podiatric medical school when admitted, and potentially decrease the cost of attrition experienced by the student and institution. A review of the literature on medical school admissions was completed and used to develop this research.

Podiatric medical students from a Midwestern institution who enrolled between the years 2000 and 2015 were included as the sample for the study (n = 804). Pre-admission measures that were available for the subjects included Medical …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Undocumented Latino Students To Enroll In And Persist At A Four-Year Public Hispanic-Serving Institution In Texas, Angela C. Stuart-Carruthers

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Undocumented students in the United States are trapped in a myriad of completing federal, state, and local laws that impact their lives daily. While approximately 60,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year, the college going rate for this population is substantially lower than their documented peers. Since President Obama signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive order, undocumented students have gained national attention. Despite this new focus on undocumented students few studies have been conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the live experiences of these students.

Framed by Tinto’s (1993) Theory of Student Departure and Latino …

Determining The Difference Between Nebraska Administrators’ And Nebraska Secondary English Teachers’ Perception Of The Teacher Evaluation, Michael Scott Musil

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between Nebraska administrators’ and Nebraska secondary English teachers’ perceptions of the teacher evaluation. The study explored teacher and administrator perceptions of the teacher-evaluation process as it relates to Nebraska secondary English teachers. Teachers and administrators from across the state of Nebraska had equal opportunity to participate in this study.

Both groups of teachers and administrators responded by Likert scale to 42 online statements arranged by theme about their experiences regarding the teacher-evaluation process. Participants aggregated themselves by geography, school size, gender, experience, and socioeconomic status of students. Quantitative data was …

An Analysis Of The District Marginal Costs Of Mandatory State Standardized Tests, J. Eli Crow

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the estimate for the district marginal cost of mandatory state standardized assessments, (b) if student enrollment can be used to predict the district marginal cost of mandatory state standardized assessments, and c) the unit (per student) district marginal cost of mandatory state standardized assessments. The study included the use of a simple linear regression analysis with associated plots and trend lines.

The study established that district enrollment was correlated with district marginal cost of standardized testing which allowed the researcher to calculate the total and per student district level marginal cost …

Nefdc Exhange, Volume 27, Fall 2014, New England Faculty Development Consortium

NEFDC Exchange

Contents

President's message - Deborah J. Clark, Quinnipiac University

Embracing the Changing World: Incorporating Team-Based Learning in an Upper Level General Education Course - Mei-Yau Shih, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Susan Han, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Information Literacy: From Today’s Critical Challenges to Tomorrow’s Critical Thinking Opportunities - Kisha G. Tracy, Fitchurg State University and Jennifer Fielding, Northern Essex Community College

Preparing Future Faculty: By Chance or Design? - Keith Barker, University of Connecticut

Encouraging Crosstalk: What Higher Education Can Learn from the Next Generation Science Standards - Tracie Marcella Addy, Quinnipiac University

Spring 2015 Conference Announcement

The College …

Gaps And Opportunities: Ste(A)M In Early Childhood Education, Tonia Renee Durden

DBER Speaker Series

This research talk will share findings from an environmental scan of the STEM focused professional development programs offered within the Cooperative Extension System. A study was conducted to identify the programs’ content, delivery, scope, evaluation and partners. Results indicate that Extension has become a player in providing professional development opportunities for early childhood professionals and, with a focused effort on streamlining current resources, has the capacity to become a leader in this field.

An Interpretive Plan Guide For Wilderness Park In Lincoln, Nebraska, Rachel J. Ward

Community and Regional Planning Program: Professional Projects

Wilderness Park, located in Lancaster County, Nebraska, is a public park of unique ecological and historical value to the city of Lincoln and to the surrounding region. The natural and historical features of the park present an opportunity to communicate environmental and historical topics that are relevant on local, national, and global levels, as well as inspire a lively sense of pride in the community. The problem is that many topics relevant to Wilderness Park are not currently being interpreted at the park, and that there are relatively few interpretive resources available to park visitors.

The purpose of this project …

Principals’ Experiences Of Autonomy In Nebraska Schools With Increased Hispanic/Latino Student Populations, Gary Czapla

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This phenomenological qualitative study explored the autonomy experienced by five Nebraska public school principals as they lead their respective schools that have growing Hispanic/Latino student populations. This study determined if the principals’ autonomy has increased, decreased, or been impacted in any manner due to these changes of student demographics.

In-depth interviews were conducted with five principals working in schools where there has been an increase of Hispanic/Latino/ELL students over the last decade. This study revealed that the principals perceived that they have experienced a loss of autonomy. This study revealed the principals lacked autonomy to manage resources and personnel they …

Impacts Of Daylighting On Preschool Students' Social And Cognitive Skills, Safak Yacan

Interior Design Program: Theses and Other Student Work

The focus of this study is the element of daylight in preschools and its social and cognitive effects on preschoolers. The current study is a correlational study that assesses infants’ social and cognitive developments, and daylight in preschool classrooms. Participants were 69 children (30 boys and 39 girls), aged from four to five, who enrolled in two different early childhood facilities in Van in Turkey. It was hypothesized that preschoolers’ social and cognitive skills would be correlated with daylight in preschool classrooms. Results revealed that there was a crucial correlation between preschool students’ social behavior and cognitive skills and daylight …

The Association Of Wellness Policy Quality And Percentage Of Obesity In Schools, Bryce M. Abbey

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Schools possess a unique opportunity to reach a large captive audience and are becoming one of the battlegrounds for childhood obesity. To address the school environment’s role on the influence of American children’s nutritional intake and participation in physical activity, the United States (US) Federal Government adopted the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, placing an emphasis on implementation of the local school wellness policy (LSW). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between LSW and percentage of obesity in school districts within Nebraska. Aggregate district-wide body mass index (BMI) percentile data were utilized from previously collected …

Standing Rules Of The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Nebraska, As Adopted July 18, 2014, University Of Nebraska Board Of Regents

Policies, Acts, and Materials: University of Nebraska Board of Regents

SECTION 1. Structure of the Board

SECTION 2. Meetings of the Board

SECTION 3. Agenda for Board Meetings

SECTION 4. Conduct of Board Meetings

SECTION 5. Appearances Before the Board

SECTION 6. Records of the Board

SECTION 7. Waiver of and Amendments to Standing Rules of the Board

SECTION 8. Reference Guide for Board Meetings

SECTION 9. Expenses

SECTION 10. Board Member Requests for Reports

The Impact Of Urbanicity On Student Engagement At Small, Residential, Liberal Arts Colleges, Todd Clark

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study analyzed the impact of urbanicity on student engagement at small, residential, liberal arts colleges. Data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) were analyzed from 29 schools (14 rural and 15 urban) using five scalets developed by Pike (2006) and six demographic variables from the NSSE survey. This analysis determined how urbanicity impacts student engagement and which group of students is particularly affected from among the demographics studied. The effects of urbanicity were measured in three ways: aggregate student data, school level data, and within-school data. These analyses showed that urbanicity does significantly impact student engagement, though …

Ownership Of Intellectual Property, Policy Of The University Of Nebraska Board Of Regents, University Of Nebraska Board Of Regents

Digital Commons / Institutional Repository Information

The prompt and open dissemination of the results of research undertaken at the University of Nebraska and the free exchange of information among scholars are essential to the fulfillment of the University's obligations as an institution committed to excellence in research, education, and service. Matters of ownership, distribution, and commercial development nonetheless arise in the context of technology transfer, which is also an important aspect of the University's commitment to public service. The University of Nebraska as a public institution has a responsibility to recognize the State’s contribution of tax support for research and creative activity by devoting an appropriate …

Bylaws Of The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Nebraska, Contains Amendments Through May 30, 2014, University Of Nebraska Board Of Regents

Policies, Acts, and Materials: University of Nebraska Board of Regents

Excerpt from 1.2 of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents Bylaws (with amendments through May 30, 2014):

1.2 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, a body corporate created by the people of Nebraska through the Constitution, has constitutional and statutory power for general supervision over all elements of the University, control and direction of all expenditures, and for general operating policies of the University. The Board of Regents consists of eight elected members, who are elected for six-year terms, and four nonvoting Student Regents, as provided in …

Unfulfilled Expectations: Impact Of Formal Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment On Unmatched Potential New Members, Gregory J. Golden

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Across hundreds of college campuses in North America, sorority organizations have rapidly expanded membership since their establishment in the late 18^th century. In this time period, many collegiate undergraduate women have come to realize the perceived benefits of sorority membership and the positive impact affiliation can have for a college experience. However, for every woman who is afforded this experience, there are numerous others whose initial transition into college is defined by exclusion from these privileged organizations.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the Panhellenic sorority recruitment process on former potential new members (PNMs) …

Exploring The Factors That Influence And Motivate Female Students To Enroll And Persist In Collegiate Stem Degree Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, Rosemary L. Edzie

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nationally, the need for an increase in interest, enrollment, and degrees awarded from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree programs continues to suffer. While students are enrolling in collegiate STEM degree programs, it is not occurring at a rate that meets the workforce demand. In addition to the concern that there is not a sufficient amount of collegiate STEM majors, there is a concern over too few females enrolling and persisting in collegiate STEM degree programs.

This mixed methods sequential exploratory research study considered the factors that influence and motivate undergraduate female students to enroll and persist in collegiate …

University Of Nebraska Board Of Regents Student Code Of Conduct And Disciplinary Procedures, University Of Nebraska

Policies, Acts, and Materials: University of Nebraska Board of Regents

Student Code of Conduct

Preamble

The community of scholars at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is dedicated to personal growth and academic excellence. By choosing to join the community, each member agrees to comply with certain standards of civilized behavior; and therefore, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln adopts this Student Code of Conduct, in order that it might: (1) promote a campus environment that supports its educational, research, and outreach missions; (2) protect the members of the community and its resources from disruption and harm; (3) provide a guide to appropriate individual and group behavior; and (4) foster ethical standards and civic …

Developing A Sense Of Belonging For Commuter Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Eric S. Bloomquist

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this mixed methods study, the researcher explored the experiences of commuter freshmen at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln—a large, four-year, public institution. Specifically, he sought to better understand how commuter freshmen feel that they belong on their residential campus and what they report as their greatest needs in order to succeed. Using a quantitative survey returned from a sample of 92 students (n = 92), he found that a majority of the commuter freshmen did report feelings of belonging. Additionally, responses relating to feelings of not belonging were correlated with lower first-semester self-reported GPAs. In a follow-up Nominal Group …

Understanding The Importance Of English Education In South Korea And Exploring The Reasons Why South Korean Students Come To A University In The Midwest, Jaekeun Cho

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions held by South Korean students who study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) of the benefits and values of studying English language. Furthermore, the researcher found what kinds of challenges Korean students encounter both before they come to UNK and after they come to UNK. A sample of UNK Korean students (30 interviewees) was chosen. The researcher used the stratified sampling technique and the semi-structure interviews to collect the data.

This study found the following results: (a) South Korean students significantly focus on achieving a high level of …

Making Their Own Way: The Experiences Of Gay Male Students In Stem Fields, Adam R. Smith

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis focuses on the experiences of gay male undergraduate students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. These fields are often thought to be very masculine or hyper-genderized, which could conflict with the dominant culture’s perception of a gay student’s identity. It follows, then, that a hypergenderized environment could have negative effects on those who do not identify strongly with the hegemonic masculine identity that may be present in the classroom.

Using phenomenological principles, students were asked to participate in a series of three interviews, which included two reflective exercises designed to explore their experiences in and …

Validation: Latino Voices In Higher Education, Krista Navarrette

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This qualitative study explored Latino men’s experiences in higher education and their capacity to succeed at a Predominately White Institution (PWI) in the Midwest region of the United States. The study focused on six participants as they navigate through college and how they viewed their validation as Latino males in college. The literature review discusses the current state of Latino/a’s in higher education and how they are lacking in the education race in regards to white students. The researcher used Validation Theory to investigate Latino males - deemed the “invisible population”—in order to find new implications for persistence, pursuit, and …

Naspa’S New Professionals Institute: Exploring The Personal And Professional Impact Of A Two-Day, Intensive Professional Development Experience, Ashley Stone

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Professional development experiences, like professional development literature, are vast. While existing professional development literature discussed the needs for and barriers toward professional development as well as the benefits and types of professional development experiences, no research existed about NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education’s (NASPA) New Professionals Institute (NPI), an intensive, two-day leading professional development experience for student affairs professionals who have been in the field for less than five years. Therefore, I conducted a phenomenological qualitative study, which explored the meanings NASPA’s Region IV-West NPI participants made of their two-day professional development experience as well as the personal …

Not Designed With Us In Mind: Exploring The Experiences And Needs Of Adult Learners At A Public Research University, Stephanie N. Meyer

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Adult learners are a rapidly expanding student population, constituting more than 40 percent of college students today (Stokes, 2006). Research on adult learners has historically focused on their experiences within adult-centered institutions where they make up the majority student population. Although older students challenge the status quo of higher education, traditional institutions continue to dismiss their needs in the development of policies and practices. The structure of higher education is historically designed to serve youth and assumptions are often made about students that often overlook the needs, availability, and interests of adult learners. For many adult learners who prefer the …

Struggling To Advance Beyond Mid-Level Positions: Mentoring Women Leaders In Student Affairs, Ashley L.S. Tenney

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This qualitative study explores the mentoring relationship of women in senior student affairs officer (SSAO) positions. Five women in SSAO positions were interviewed, sharing their experiences in being mentored throughout their careers in the student affairs profession. The five participants are employed at public higher education institutions in the west and midwest regions of the United States. The literature review discusses women in higher education, the student affairs profession, and mentoring relationships. Kram (1983) detailed the four phases of mentoring relationships; which was utilized in this research to further explore mentoring relationships that women SSAO have experienced throughout their careers …

What Matters Most? Factors Influencing Choice Of A Student Affairs Master's Program, Stacy A. Dam

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Numerous studies exist on the undergraduate choice process. This has led to undergraduate models being applied to the graduate selection process even though there are known differences between groups. Graduate program enrollment is increasing, yet there is little research on what factors encourage prospective students to enroll in a particular master’s or doctoral program. This study seeks to add to the graduate program choice research for student affairs master’s programs. The sample population of this quantitative study was current master’s students who are members of the professional organization NASPA region IV-West and currently enrolled in a student affairs master’s program. …