Education Commons^™

Keynote Panel: Creative Research Methods At Govstate - Possibilities For Cross-Pollination And Collaboration, Ujvala Rajadhyaksha, Katherine Carl, Frank Czuba, Christopher A. Dignam, Megan Vangorder

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Unlocking The Potential: Unraveling The Impact Of Standardized Testing On 3-8th Graders In Illinois, Khalliah Gardner

Research Days

This presentation examines the impact of standardized testing on students in grades 3 to 8 in Illinois. I will explore how standardized tests affect students' grades, fairness in education and their overall happiness using existing research and data. I will also investigate the perceptions and attitudes of teachers, parents, and students towards standardized testing. My findings indicate that while standardized testing may provide valuable information about student performance and help identify areas for improvement in education systems, it also has several negative consequences. Big tests can make teachers only teach for the test, instead of teaching everything. Big tests worsen …

Links To Parent Involvement And Higher Education Success Literature Review, Tiffany M. Weathers-Fincher

Research Days

Parental involvement in education is a topic of ongoing debate and research due to its impact on student's academic and social development. This literature review explores parental involvement in higher education, focusing on transitioning from K-12 to college. Epstein's Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence guides this study, emphasizing parents' critical role in nurturing a conducive learning environment.

The review highlights the complexities, challenges, and impacts of parental involvement in higher education, emphasizing the need for effective partnerships between families, institutions, and communities to nurture student success. While parental involvement is familiar in K-12, it becomes less clear in college, …

Improving The High School And College Classroom Experience For Learners With Refugee Status: Theory, Practice, And Change., Kayte Thomas, Sara-Jean Lipmen

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Refugee populations are increasing globally, and children make up more than fifty percent of those displaced. Unique experiences that come with forced migration including fragmented education, trauma, family separation, grief, and adverse other effects can impact learning in the classroom for refugee students. Existing data indicates that schools lack sufficient protocols to meet the needs of students with refugee status who consistently face risks associated with ill-prepared learning environments, and therefore must rethink possibilities to address this. By adopting strategic decolonized approaches, educational leaders can create supportive environments which improve instructional methods and learning outcomes for these students as they …

Parental Involvement In Urban Schools, Tiffany M. Weathers-Fincher

Research Days

Parental involvement continues to decline in urban schools, and their engagement is critical to closing growing educational gaps. As a result, this research aims to explore the perceptions of elementary school principals and teachers and parents' experiences relating to promoting parental involvement. The researcher examined existing research to explore this topic and utilized Epstein's Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence, commonly used to study family involvement within schools. Research suggests that the participation of parents is at the core of student academic success, and the lack thereof is a consequence of the disconnection of the spheres of influence, which are …

Post Secondary Leadership: Promoting Leadership Development In Average Achieving Students, Deborah J. Clair

Research Days

This proposed research seeks to explore the intersection of leadership and average-achieving high school students. Specifically, the study aims to shed light on the experiences of adults who were once perceived as average-achieving high school students but possessed innate talents and abilities that were overlooked and excluded from leadership opportunities during their time in high school. Despite facing deficit thinking by school administration due to their grades, these individuals went on to become successful leaders in their careers. While there have been anecdotal claims and media coverage of the success of average-achieving students, there has been limited formal research conducted …

Examining The Mathematical Education Gaps During The Transition From Middle School To High School, Theresa Graben

All Student Theses

This research examines the transition from middle school to high school and the effects that this transition has on a student’s mathematical gains. PSAT 8/9 test scores and NWEA MAP scores were collected for a unified district and paired T hypothesis tests were utilized to examine the change in test scores throughout the transition from eighth grade to freshmen year. This data shows that overall, there was an increase in the mean score for each test from the end of eighth grade to the end of freshmen year and there was an increase in the number of students meeting the …

Governors State University Operating Plan - Academic Year 2022-2023, Governors State University

President Dr. Cheryl Green

Throughout the pandemic, Governors State University (the “University” or “GSU”) has prioritized the health and safety of the GSU community while focusing on providing high-quality instruction and advising, no matter the delivery platform. It will continue to do so for Academic Year 2022-23 (AY23) as outlined in this plan. The times are unprecedented, and the campus has drawn on its history of innovation and flexibility to construct the AY23 Operating Plan (the “Operating Plan”) with its models of working and learning that meet campus needs.

This Operating Plan represents the framework within which decisions will be made for Summer 2022 …

University Honors Program: Enhanced Learning Experiences, Jonathan C. Cruz

Research Days

The role in any university honors program is to provide an enhanced learning experience. Students who are enrolled in the honors program could gain hands on practical experiences and can be utilized in the real world. Additionally, honors program students can participate in research projects and potential internship approaching graduation. With these opportunities in mind, The GSU Honors Program seeks to expands its initiatives focusing on three strategies: connection, engagement, and long-lasting professional relationships with its alumni (Chaney et al., 2020).The purpose of this paper is to establish a framework correlated to the role of the University Honors Program’s strategic …

Governors State University Operating Plan - Academic Year 2021-2022, Governors State University

President Dr. Cheryl Green

Throughout the pandemic, Governors State University (the “University” or “GSU”) has prioritized the health and safety of the GSU community while focusing on providing high-quality instruction and advising, no matter the delivery platform. It will continue to do so for Academic Year 2021-22 (AY22) as outlined in this plan. The times are unprecedented, and the campus has drawn on its history of innovation and flexibility to construct the Academic Year 2021-2022 Operating Plan (the “Operating Plan”) with its models of working and learning that meet campus needs. The University has been monitoring current public health conditions, including the recent rise …

Synchronous Learning In K-12, Jonathan C. Cruz

Research Days

During the period of COVID-19, K-12 students continue to learn in-person, remotely, or in hybrid formats. This presentation provides an opportunity to provide techniques and concepts to keep students active and engaged, regardless of environment. This presentation will also describe various interactive platforms to guide students in their academic success.

Supporting Students In Elementary Statistics, J. Christopher Tweddle, Maxwell Luetkemeier

Research Days

General Education mathematics requirements can present a significant hurdle for student progress towards attaining a degree. Nationally, students enrolled in introductory college-level mathematics classes successfully earn credit towards a degree about 65% of attempts. GSU is no exception. Since we began admitting first-year undergraduate students in 2014, we have offered different support opportunities to promote student success. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the interventions and the data on student success in Elementary Statistics. Additionally, we'll provide preliminary information on pilot offering of a corequisite support model.

Promoting Literacy In A Virtual World: Success Stories Of Two University Student Clubs, Katherine R. Drish, Stefanie Flory, Dr. Katy E. Hisrich, Dr. Amy Vujaklija, Dr. Amy Kelly, Dr. Lisa Pennington

Research Days

The Student Education Association and Kappa Delta Pi at Governors State University has a main goal this semester, which is to promote literacy in a virtual world. The purpose of this is to help all young individuals become strong readers. Our organization was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the National Education Association (NEA) that allowed us to purchase children’s books, invite guest speakers, and create workshops about varying social issues. This was in collaboration with a local library. Some of the social issues that were highlighted in our workshops are community and activism, women’s rights, and identity. We …

Cultivating Community And Wellness In Honors, Melanie D. O'Connell, Lauren Cleary

Research Days

The 2019 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in New Orleans was a beneficial experience for our honors program here at Governors State University. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to speak with other honors student council members from all across the Nation. These other honors programs have established impactful learning opportunities that have greatly increased the involvement in their honors community. As a relatively new honors program, we are looking into new ways of implementing opportunities in the community of Governors State University. Our goal during our time here at Governors State University is to build a stronger community …

Activities In A Virtual World: Engaging Students, Faculty, And The Community, Katherine R. Drish, Rama Diab, Stefanie Flory, Dr. Lisa Pennington, Dr. Katy E. Hisrich

Research Days

The Student Education Association and Kappa Delta Pi at Governors State University prides itself on the amount of time and thought that is put into planning and hosting our very own virtual events and socials. Our organizations have worked rigorously to create varying outlets and resources for our members. With computer screens acting as barriers for real life interaction, we were determined to find a solution to gather people together safely to have fun, stay connected, and extend learning. We have had tremendous success in reaching this goal early on in the semester. Our first social, a Virtual Pet Show, …

Post-Secondary Leadership And Success: Promoting Leadership Development In Academically Low-Achieving Students, Deborah J. Clair

Research Days

At successful high schools, professional educators hold high expectations for all students to become leaders regardless of the grades students may receive in high school, including grades of “C” or “D.” When all students are supported and held accountable, and the college buzz is in the air, students remain engaged and committed to attending post-secondary education- a key factor in student leadership development (Fazekas & Warren, n.d.). Educators need to use an anti-deficit framework approach in leadership education for students who perform below average and highlight how students out of classroom experiences (for example, students who may be musically inclined …

First Generation Students Sense Of Belonging In Higher Education, Abrea Ramadan

Research Days

The purpose of this poster presentation is to highlight the struggles faced by first-generation college students at their institution and identify where this support is needed. This poster presentation identifies the multiple learning curves and obstacles experienced by first-generation college students towards degree completion. It is recognized that first-generation college students and their paths through higher education are notably different compared to their continuing generation peers. The identity revolved around being a first-generation college student starts with the relationship with their family because they are the first in their family to obtain a bachelor's degree. With the appropriate support given …

Crisis Communication During Covid-19, Jonathan C. Cruz

Research Days

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Kankakee County and surrounding schools since March 2020. This crisis has had an educational impact for the Kankakee Area Career Center. Primarily focused on hands on learning in various trades, the transition towards remote learning lasted throughout the 2019-2020 school year, and has continued periodically in the Fall 2020 semester. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the actions and outcomes on the Kankakee Area Career Center’s COVID-19 response when it comes to remote learning, communications for its stakeholders, and potential recommendations to streamline this process during times of crisis.

Preparing For A New Kind Of Transition: Time To Cultivate Both Resiliency And Care, Mary Elisabeth Cochran

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

Ballet And BooksTm Service Learning And Leadership: A Community-Based Dance And Literacy Program For Children, Talia Bailes

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

The Potential Of Service-Learning: Media Advocacy As Community Organizing With La Casa Guadalupana, Mohammad Yazbek

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

For 16 weeks in a course on community organizing, I applied theory in practice through service-learning to maximize the capacity of La Casa Guadalupana, a nonprofit organization located in Southwest Detroit, Michigan, United States. Throughout the course, we learned the principles and fundamentals of service-learning and its implications in community organizing to achieve public health. The class was divided into smaller groups. Each group was assigned a specific project such as developing social media platforms, media production, health care workshops, tutoring, advocacy, and fundraising. My project was focused on media production, creating an echo in the community to attract contributors, …

Examining Environmental Injustice In Detroit Over Spring Break, Aakrista Shakya

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

Detroit is a city with Environmental Injustice, but yet its story is unheard of. In my Journal, investigate the extent of Environmental Injustice in Detroit by sharing my experience of my service-learning trip to Detroit over Spring Break and the story of people in Detroit.

Urban Forest And The Tree Canopy: A Pathway To Climate Resilience, Ralph Moran, Turner Allison, Brandi Bell, Eric Brown, Monet Dews, Sheena Foster, Lydia Kidane, Zachary Olukani, Tivon Phillips, Llaquelin Reyes-Mendez, Natasha Roy, Lilla Schottner, Kenneth Stancell, Jaheen Watson, Tiesha Wright

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

Background: Urban ecosystems face many environmental, infrastructure, and social systems challenges. Urban forest plays an important role in urban ecology but continue to face many direct and indirect threats. Research indicates that climate change, insects, disease, and urbanization are the major causes of urban forest decline. Tree canopies play a major role in ecosystem services, providing the advantages of a natural, cost-effective system of green infrastructure, removal of air and water pollutants, modulation of energy use, and improvement in water quality. These services increase climate resilience. Purpose: The purpose of this service-learning project was to gain a better understanding of …

Reflections On Applied Social Enterprise Education: Using Weaver’S Social Enterprise Directory To Teach Social Entrepreneurship, Maimouna Mbacke, Kati Gallagher, Rasheda L. Weaver

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

Editors’ Notes: In Loving Memory To Professor Joyce Fieldsthis Is The Last Volume For The Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, And Social Change, Ned Laff

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

Governors State University Operating Plan - Fall 2020, Office Of The President

President Dr. Cheryl Green

As Illinois moves into Phase Four of the “Restore Illinois” Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen our State, Governors State University (the “University” or “GSU”) will begin to bring some of our students, faculty, and staff back onto campus. As we plan for a "new normal," we are prioritizing the health and safety of the GSU community while focusing on providing high-quality instruction and advising, no matter the delivery platform.

As we transition into the fall semester, campus activities will look different not only from fall semesters of years past, but also in some ways from what we have become …

Community Engagement Concerning Soil Lead Levels, Rachel Corsello

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

A Reflection On A Collegiate Service Program, Skylar Nijhawan

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

My Story Of West Virginia, Erin Spence

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.