Education Commons^™

The Philanthropic Motivations Of Community College Donors: A Study Of The Educational Foundation Of A Mid-Sized, Multi-Campus Community College In Virginia, Linnie Smith Carter

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the philanthropic motivations of the donors of a mid-sized, multi-campus community college in Virginia as part of a plan to enhance relationships with donors and increase the amount of private funds raised. Dependence on dwindling, traditional and limited funding sources leaves community colleges vulnerable and constantly struggling to fund the ever-increasing needs of their internal and external stakeholders (Sheldon, 2003). Community colleges are attempting to address the problem by enhancing their fundraising efforts and strengthening relationships with donors.

A mixed-method, multi-step approach was used for this research study. The approach in this study involved five steps. The …

The Impact Of Participation Or Non-Participation In The Academic Excellence Commitment Area Of The Ncaa Champs/Life Skills Program On The Academic Progress And Graduation Success Rates Of Division I Football Teams, Melanie Miller

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the difference that participation or nonparticipation in the academic excellence commitment area of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program had on the academic progress and graduation success of Division I-FBS football teams.

A quantitative non-experimental study was conducted on a primary population of 116 Division I-FBS football teams and a secondary population of all athletes at these institutions. The football teams were examined by conference participation and nonparticipation subgroups from 11 of the 12 Division I-FBS conferences, by football teams, and by African-American and Caucasian football player ethnic groups. GSR data for the football teams and all athletes …

A Comparison Of Traditional And Nontraditional Students Attending Historically Black Or Predominantly White Institutions, Courtney H. Podesta

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Previous studies have demonstrated that there are benefits for some African American students in attending an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) over a Predominantly White Institution (PWI); however, studies have not considered how results might be impacted by student status, traditional vs. nontraditional, or the degree to which a student is considered to be nontraditional (minimally, moderately, or highly nontraditional). The current study addressed this gap in research by examining differences between the HBCU and PWI environments for 336 African American traditional and nontraditional students for the following variables: social support, academic self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy, role strain, ethnic identity, …

A Grounded Theory Of School Counselors' Conceptualizations Of Their Training Regarding Adolescent Mental Health Issues, Cynthia Theresa Walley

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

There is a paucity of research regarding master's level school counselors' conceptualizations of their training regarding recognizing and responding to adolescent mental health issues. The purpose of this study was to propose develop a theory that illuminates new school counselors' conceptualizations of their training related to gaining knowledge in recognizing and responding to adolescent mental health issues. To accomplish this, eight school counselors in the southeastern Virginia area participated in two rounds of individual interviews and a reflective writing activity. Utilizing a qualitative grounded theory design, both the interviews and the reflective writing were analyzed to extrapolate themes about their …

Reflective Visual Journaling During Art Therapy And Counseling Internships, Sarah P. Deaver

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Visual journaling is thought to promote students' critical reflection upon their previous learning, their current experiences, and their ongoing professional growth. Research supports the value of written journals as educational tools that encourage reflection, but the potential for visual journaling to facilitate reflection has not been explored through systematic inquiry until now.

This qualitative multiple case study explored four art therapy students' and four counseling students' responses to visual journaling during their internships. They maintained their journals throughout one 15-week academic semester, and were interviewed four times over the course of the study. Data consisted of transcribed interviews and photographs …

The Impact Of On-Line Training On College Faculty Attitudes And Knowledge Of Students With Disabilities, Wayne M. Pollock

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

Due to legislation, advances in technology, and hopefully, a more positive social acceptance, students with disabilities are entering college at a faster rate than has ever been experienced. Data reveal that the largest increase in identified disabilities of incoming college freshmen are in the area of learning disabilities. However, many students with disabilities do not complete their college education, partly due to faculty members' lack of knowledge about various disabilities, less than accepting attitudes, and the lack of accommodations made for them. Using the Scale of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (SADP) and the Disability Knowledge Questionnaire, the impact of an …

Institutional Factors Supporting The Enrollment And Persistence Of African-American Males In Virginia Community Colleges, Alfred A. Roberts

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

The participation and persistence rates of African-American males in American institutions of higher education consistently trail those of other ethnic and gender subgroups. These national enrollment, graduation, and transfer statistics are reflected in the member institutions of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The purpose of this study was to determine which of the 23 member colleges of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) have been able to enroll and graduate or transfer the highest proportional number of African-American male students and to identify the institutional characteristics and practices that best predict the enrollment and persistence of African-American males.

The …

Emerging Workforce Trends And Issues Impacting The Virginia Community College System, Mary Greer Landon

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

The mission of the Virginia Community College workforce development leaders is to expand their training and development services to new and emerging high growth occupational areas in support of Virginia's economic growth and changing workforce needs in each of their regions. This research was designed to identify: high demand occupational skill needs; current training services; the shifting and changing trends based on technology, competition, and workforce composition; and the need for partnerships. A survey, based on current and emerging trends and their impact on workforce development training services, was sent to the 22 Virginia Community College workforce development leaders. This …

The Impact Of Dual Enrollment Participation On Degree Attainment, Peggy Anne Westcott

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

Dual enrollment programs continue to grow in the United States; however, little empirical research examines the relationship between this high school experience and future college success and degree attainment. This study examines degree attainment for first-time beginning students who began their postsecondary education at a Virginia Community College during the fall semester, 2002. It follows those students for six years across all institutions attended, comparing degree attainment for two identified groups; students with dual enrollment credit earned prior to fall 2002 (dual enrolled students) and students with no prior dual credit (traditional students). It explores the differences that exist between …

An Evaluation Of The Long-Term Effectiveness Of A Women's Leadership Development Program, Kirsten S. Ericksen

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Women's Institute for Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) program to determine the immediate and long-term impact as defined by the alumni program participants from three cohorts (2008, 2005, 2003). A secondary focus of the career transition decision-making of recent W.I.L.D. participants was also investigated. Qualitative (individual interviews and W.I.L.D. inventory open-ended written responses) and quantitative [Career Transitions Inventory, (CTI), and the W.I.L.D. inventory] results were examined. Within group and between group differences were analyzed using a paired samples t-test, while a grounded theory approach indicated emerging themes for the immediate and long-term …

Leadership Development Programs In Two-Year Colleges: Critical Components, Delivery Methods, And The Role Of Distance Learning Technology, Mary Clare Digiacomo

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

Post-secondary education will face an impending shortage of leaders in the near future. Two-year colleges in particular are facing a dearth of leadership. Many administrators and faculty that were part of the great growth period in community colleges in the 1960's are near retirement. Therefore, developing or sustaining sufficient institutional leadership is a critical and urgent issue that must be addressed. Two-year colleges need to develop and implement leadership development programs in a timely manner to ensure a qualified pool of faculty and staff are ready to ascend to leadership positions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the …