Education Commons^™

Short-Term Relationships With Eternal Impact: Mentoring Male Students At Faith-Based Institutions, Joshua R. Craton

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Mentorship serves an important role in college student development. It provides individual support and guidance to students as they explore their identities and look for answers to life’s big questions. Over fifty running definitions of mentorship appear in social science literature (Crisp & Cruz, 2009); therefore, this study sought to describe mentorship in the context of university faculty members mentoring their male students. In order to define mentorship in this context, the researcher interviewed ten male college students who claimed to have a mentor. Their perspectives on mentorship provided a deeper understanding of how best to mentor men in college. …

Exploring The Shared Cores Of Gender Issues: The Significance Of Same-Sex Interactions As Pathways To Equality And Reconciliation, Charles Warren Allen

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Achieving gender reconciliation involves the consideration of many different conflicts between the sexes, from institutional to individual conflict. Men and women have identified inequality in workplaces (Elkins, Phillips, & Konopaske, 2001), education systems (Ancis & Phillips, 1996), sexualized media (Hoyt & Kogan, 2001) and judicial courts (Sanauddin, 2012). Additionally, negative personal relationships have led to deeply rooted mistrust between men and women (Nomaguchi, Giordano, & Manning, 2011). Conflict exists at the most basic level of identity formation. Gender identities comprise behaviors and traits that have opposing gender associations (Long, Fish, Scheffler, & Hanert, 2014; Monin, Clark, & Lemay, 2008). Efforts …

The Impact Of Minority Faculty And Staff Involvement On Minority Student Experiences, Elijah Genheimer

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

This study explores the experiences of racial and ethnic minorities on American college campuses as well as the impact the involvement of minority faculty and staff persons has on this experience. Using a phenomenological case study method, this study interviewed participants at a small faith based liberal arts university in the Midwest. Ten individuals in total, comprised of students, faculty, and administrators, participated in this study. This study found significant themes regarding what forms of involvement minority faculty and staff practice. These practices included the creation of a safe space; accessibility; and advocacy and representation of minorities on campus. Significant …

Milo A. Rediger: A Narrative Study On Leadership And Collaboration As Academic Dean, Britney N. Graber

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Little research has explored academic leadership, more specifically the academic deanship. This narrative study examined the leadership of Dr. Milo A. Rediger as an academic dean and dean of students—unique positions to hold concurrently. Rediger leveraged his position to promote collaboration between student and academic affairs in an effort to produce seamless student learning. This study delved into Rediger’s personal characteristics that defined his leadership as described by participants who knew him personally, as well as sought to understand how Rediger utilized his position to influence cross-campus relationships, resulting in high-quality, holistic education for students. As a result, this research …

Student-Athlete Perceptions Of Institutional Advisement, Bailey Judd

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

As colleges and universities continue to enroll student-athletes, higher education professionals should emphasize their efforts to see students succeed in their athletics, as well as their academic work. The current study sought to unearth the student-athlete experience related to advisement using phenomenological design. Advisement is defined more holistically and includes institutional constituents offering support to student-athletes. The results suggest that student-athletes encounter significant challenges or difficulties as they attempt to balance their academic and athletic priorities. Student-athletes indicated several groups of individuals who were key supporters during their time spent in a collegiate sport. Implications from the study indicate a …

Reflecting Back: Do Senior Students Believe They Experienced A Sophomore Slump?, Taylor M. Eddy

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The present study sought to understand the reasoning behind the occurrence of the sophomore slump through the perspectives of students. Though the sophomore slump is defined as overall poor academic performance and apathy toward academia, the reasoning for this trouble has not received deep exploration. The researcher for the present study surveyed fifty-one seniors to understand better what year of college these students considered their worst, most difficult, and/or most disappointing. Sixteen of those seniors (31%) indicated at least one semester during their sophomore year that they would categorize as the “worst.” Sixty-seven percent indicated freshman year, and 50% indicated …

In God We Trust: A Case Study Analysis Of The United States Supreme Court Ruling From The Wheaton V. Burwell Lawsuit Against The Health And Human Services Preventative Services Mandate And The Directions For Private Institutions, Jason Wayne Koh

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The division between private non-profit organizations and the federal government continues to grow as an emerging topic. The difficulties resulting from religious objections against federal mandates stand as integral parts of higher education history. The current disagreement is represented in the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health and Human Services Preventative Services Mandate. According to both legislative documents, the HHS mandate requires non-profit institutions to provide contraceptive coverage to all employees. As a result, many faith-based institutions sued for exemption claiming religious violations from the federal government. This case study focused on the original Supreme Court …

The Experience Of Introverted Students On A Residential College Campus, Erica Gleason

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

The residential college setting often seems dominated by social opportunities and experiences, which may not prove conducive to the dispositions and preferences of introverted students. The current study sought to describe the overall experience of introverted college students on residential campuses in order to understand challenges they face and how they respond. Using a qualitative, phenomenological design, the study explores how introverted students experience the residential environment, friendships, and involvement in college. The researcher interviewed nine junior and senior students identified as introverts on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; participants discussed their experience of introversion in the context of residence halls, …

Cohesive Purpose: Learning In General Education And Residence Life, Elizabeth Ann Hicks

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

This study sought to explore general education professors’ and residence hall directors’ efforts to address liberal learning objectives and draw connections between various learning opportunities in the curriculum and co-curriculum. Previous research assessed the contributions residence life and other co-curricular learning opportunities make to students’ overall development in college. Additionally, general education courses educate students broadly in a variety of disciplines. Researchers also emphasized the importance of all learning opportunities focusing on a shared institutional mission. In this study, eight general education professors and four residence hall directors participated in interviews regarding their practices related to both topics in their …

A Life Lived At The Intersection: A Case Study Of The Leadership And Humility Of Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Mackenzie Elizabeth Lechlitner

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Throughout history, societies have exhibited a deep fascination with leaders. In fact, many leaders adopted a sense of hero-affiliation due solely to the position they held. However, Morris, Brotheridge, and Urbanski (2005) paraphrased hero as an individual willing to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others. What, then, are modern-day heroes lacking? Perhaps humility is the missing quality. Unlike heroism, humility, especially in its formal association with leadership, stands as a less explored concept. In the context of history, the value of humility has become generally associated with religiosity (Klancer, 2012). Not until 2001, when Jim Collins identified humility …

Better Together: An Analysis Of Collaboration And Reciprocity In Service-Learning Partnerships, Elise Krueger

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

This study sought to measure the value of building a service-learning partnership around mutual benefits. The survey created a quantifiable assessment of the importance of collaborating towards mutual benefits (i.e., reciprocity) as well as individual satisfaction. Seventeen faculty members (n = 10) and community agents (n =7) involved in service-learning partnerships in the preceding academic year completed questionnaires. The questionnaires asked participants to agree or disagree with statements regarding collaborative practices—defined in the literature as indicators of reciprocity—as well as their personal satisfaction with the service-learning experience. The researcher surveyed and analyzed both community agents and faculty members’ perspectives. The …

Tradition With A Capital "T": The Value Of Campus Traditions, Morgan K. Morris

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

This study explored the value of campus traditions in higher education. Literature regarding tradition and campus traditions has answered the question “what is tradition?”, analyzed the emphasis on tradition in the Southern United States, and investigated the role of tradition in higher education. This original research sought to survey student, personnel, and general perceptions of the value of campus traditions in higher education through a qualitative, phenomenological approach focused on a single campus tradition. In order to obtain a holistic perspective, the researcher conducted a review of archival resources and interviews with students, faculty, staff, and administrators connected to the …

Exploring The Impact Of A Faculty-In-Residence Program On The Student Experience, Lauren Oliver

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Research shows faculty-student interactions outside of the classroom positively impact students’ holistic development. Throughout history, a number of universities have created space in residential education for these meaningful interactions to occur by allowing faculty to reside in student housing. This study explored the student benefits of a faculty-in-residence program at a private liberal arts and sciences university in the Midwest. Through the utilization of a mixed methods approach, the researcher developed a deeper understanding around the phenomenon of faculty-student interactions within a faculty-in-residence program. According to this study, the majority of students participate in the program in some capacity. Still, …

The Experience Of Christian College Male Undergraduates With Pornography, Benuel Post

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Pornography use appears a pervasive trend among male college students, including those who attend Christian colleges. This trend proves concerning because of the negative effects pornography can have on men’s self-perception, relationships, and neurological functioning. It also concerns Christian students at faith-based colleges because their pornography use does not align with orthodox Christian teaching and the conduct expectations of their institutions. The current study sought to understand the experience of male undergraduates who have regularly used pornography while attending a Christian college and what—if any—effect the Christian college environment has on this experience. This qualitative phenomenological study took place at …

When A Parent Comes Out: The Experience Of Christian College Students Who Have A Parent Come Out As Homosexual, Celeste H. Ryan

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Research has continually indicated that a family member disclosing a homosexual identity creates a traumatic experience for those they disclose to. This reality proves especially true when a parent discloses a homosexual identity to their children and even more so when faith plays a role in the family atmosphere. The present study looked at the experience of four Christian college students whose parents had come out to them in order to find commonalities. The researcher asked the following questions in order to understand this phenomenon:

(a) What is the experience of college students at faith-based institutions who have a parent …

Can We Be Friends? An Examination Of The Role Of Cross-Sex Friendship On Emerging Adults' Spiritual Development, Brittane Y. Turner

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Much curiosity surrounds the question of whether men and women be just friends. Heterosexual cross-sex friendship is a nonromantic, nonfamilial, relationship between a man and a woman (Schoonover & McEwan, 2014; O’Meara, 1989). While nonromantic by definition, the relationship may not remain void of all sexual tension. Furthermore, these relationships are especially explored during emerging adulthood (O’Meara, 1989). The emerging adulthood life phase involves individuals ages 18 to 30 (Smith, 2009). During the transition to adulthood, many emerging adults feel curious about religion and spiritual development (Setran & Kiesling, 2013; Bryant, 2007). Although some emerging adults seem non-committal especially in …

Quantitative Reasoning In The Numbers: A Qualitative Study Of Trends In Higher Education Mathematics Curriculum, Julia C. Vandermolen

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Mathematics occupies a dynamic place in general education curriculum. The subject once served primarily as a language to explain the natural world and more recently adopted more usefulness-centered value in research and society. Changes in K-12 curriculum standards over the last two decades have again reoriented the subject toward quantitative reasoning (QR) acquisition, responding to demands by employers for greater facility with quantitative information and recommendations by researchers with regard to learning acquisition and transfer in mathematics. After defining components of QR, this study examined mathematics curriculum at highly ranked liberal arts colleges and universities across a ten-year period to …