Education Commons^™

A Professional Development Certification Program For Instructors Teaching In The Online Environment And Student Completion And Success Rates At A Midwestern Community College: An Ex Post Facto Study, Marie L. Gardner

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

The increased demand for online courses in higher education, particularly at community colleges, highlights two concerns: 1) online courses have high drop-out rates and 2) the prevalence of part-time instructors teaching online courses. As demand for online increases, administrators are challenged to hire faculty who are knowledgeable about their content and also qualified to teach in the online environment. Since the quality of online programs depends upon the performance of faculty, community colleges that offer online programs should provide training and on-going support for their instructors. The literature indicates that a best practice in online education to facilitate student learning …

Critical College Experiences Of The Middle Third Of The High School Graduating Class, Nathan Kaoru Keikiokamakua Hanamaikai

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

Seven recent graduates from a large, open access university in the Western United States who also graduated from high school in the middle third of their graduating class were interviewed to examine what they considered critical decisions during college and what effect those decisions had on their progress towards graduation. More than 45 critical incidents were identified by the participants. All incidents involved interaction with another person to some degree. All but 11 of the incidents were with people outside of institutional employees. Of the 11 incidents, the majority involved faculty members in either positive or negative situations. Upon further …

Community Partnerships In Urban, Title 1 Elementary Schools: A Mixed-Methods Study, Jae L. Strickland

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

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to identify and describe community partnerships in Urban, Title 1 Elementary Schools.

Fifty-one principals from the Southern and Midwestern regions of the United States completed a 19-question on-line survey designed to explore community partnerships in Urban, Title 1 Elementary Schools. Of the 51 principals who completed the survey, 26 agreed to participate in a semi-structured interview.

The findings of the study suggest that community partnerships play an essential role in supporting Urban, Title 1 Elementary Schools. Finding community partners can be challenging. Principals who wish to engage community partners should identify the needs …

Leadership Perspectives Of Chief Student Affairs Officers, Jeff Beavers

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

Leadership in student affairs continues to be a challenging enterprise for universities. Colleges are expected to help students succeed while providing for abundant needs through graduation. Chief student affairs officers have increasing demands of students and faculty amid decreased funds. This exploratory study took an in-depth look at the leadership perspectives of 19 chief student affairs officers at 4-year, public universities across the Midwest. The researcher sought responses on common leadership perspectives, challenges faced, and opportunities encountered. The three emerging themes were elements that inform leadership, knowledge and skills, and mindful leadership outlook. These emergent themes formed the basis for …

Teacher + Technology = Blended Learning: How Important Is The Teacher In This Equation?, Catherine A. Doom

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

This mixed method study investigates teacher belief, knowledge action and technology adoption rate in a blended learning setting and the impact those variables have on student comprehension measures. Surveys and data collected from the blended learning program were used to gather data in pursuit of answers to the following research questions: (a) Does the teacher’s adoption of technology rate impact reading comprehension growth in a blended learning environment? (b) Does the teacher’s knowledge, belief and action in a blended learning environment impact student reading comprehension growth? (c) Does the teacher’s adoption of technology rate combined with the teacher’s knowledge, attitude, …

Implementation Of State Developmental Education Policy: A Multiple Case Study Of Community College Faculty Perceptions Of Involvement, Shirley Davenport

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

Numerous studies have indicated that developmental education as it is currently offered in many colleges and universities produces dismal results, with student success rates averaging as low as 25%. To address this issue, legislators in some states have begun to intervene, adopting policies that vary from suggestions for improvements to mandated pedagogical approaches. However, given the higher education organizational environment, the manner in which any change is implemented can be key to its success.

The purpose of this comparative multiple case study was to describe and interpret the perceptions of developmental education faculty regarding their level of involvement in developmental …

English Language Learners And Special Education: One District's Journey Through The Collaborative Problem Solving Process, Laura S. Salem

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

English Language Learners are a growing population in schools in the United States. There are many challenges that face this group of students in addition to learning English as a new language. A major issue for teachers, schools, and districts is determining whether an English Language Learner is experiencing academic difficulties based on issues primarily related to language acquisition or whether a learning disability is contributing to the academic challenges. As a result, English Language Learners are often misidentified for Special Education services and may be placed in classrooms that are not adequately prepared or appropriate to meet their needs. …

Comparison Of Nebraska Accreditation Options And Effect On Student Achievement: A Mixed Methods Study, Tami Sue Eshleman

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

The purpose of this study is to determine if and how each of the two accreditation options in Nebraska may influence student achievement outcomes. A mixed-methods study was developed. Phase I quantitative analysis determined whether a significant difference existed in the ACT composite scores and the NeSA reading and math assessments in schools accredited by either the Nebraska Frameworks or AdvancED. The analysis revealed that NeSA math was influenced by accreditation choice. Based on the quantitative results, school superintendents were identified for Phase II qualitative methods to survey and interview to share (a) attributes that contributed to their academic success, …

College-Going Experiences Of Male Foster Youth Alumni Who Have Stopped-Out Of College, Felipe D. Longoria

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

This qualitative research study examined how foster care experiences and masculinities influenced male foster youth alumni’s decision to go to college. The study also sought to understand the in-and-out-of-college factors that led participants to exit college prematurely. Five participants were each interviewed twice for data collection purposes. Findings from data analysis indicated that establishing and maintaining relationships in college were challenging and affected an already vulnerable population in their help-seeking behavior. Recommendations are offered for higher education professionals and areas for future research are noted.

Advisor: Corey Rumann

The Culture Of A (Multi)Culture Center: A Quantitative Analysis Of The Use Of A Multicultural Center At A Pwi, Jessica E. Weed

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

Diversity in higher education is becoming an increasingly popular topic of discussion amongst administrators, particularly in regards of how to best support students of color as well as how to encourage students of differing social identities to interact with one another. However, little is known about multicultural centers, where students of color go to build community and where engagement in diversity initiatives is prominent. Using the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center (JGMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as the focus, this study analyzes the population of the center for commonalities and differences between student and faculty/staff populations as well as White …

Social Media: How A University's Student Organizations Communicate With Students, Becky R. Freeman

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

This thesis explored the use of social media at one Midwestern University to understand how student organizations used social media to communicate with students. Through a review of existing research, it was found that past research has focused on how institutions used social media. No studies were identified that examined student organizations' use specifically. The research sought to understand if social media was used to engage more students on campus. The research is important to understanding strategies to increase student engagement. Data were collected using an online survey that was sent to presidents of student organizations (designed to understand if …

Paths To Leadership Of Native Hawaiian Women Administrators In Hawaii's Higher Education System: A Qualitative Study, Farrah-Marie Gomes

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

The purpose of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of the pathways to leadership for Native Hawaiian women administrators at the University of Hawaii by exploring and describing the experiences along their education and employment journeys. Eight Native Hawaiian women administrators shared the supports and challenges they encountered along their education and employment journeys, provided advice for Native Hawaiian women aspiring to be leaders, and suggested ways that the University can facilitate the development of more Native Hawaiian women leaders.

Using methods consistent with qualitative research, this narrative study utilized semi-structured interviews, field notes from the interviews and …

We Matter, We’Re Relevant And We Are Black Women In Sororities: An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Black Sorority Members At A Predominately White Institution, Delores J. Allison

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

This qualitative research study explored the experiences of NPHC Black sorority women at a predominately White institution and the benefits that their individual sororities provided. The theory that guided this study is Black feminist thought, which reveals the complexity of Black women’s experiences. The case study approach was used to collect their stories because it focuses on them individually. Three Black graduate sorority women were interviewed in depth. Throughout these women’s college careers they have been faced with racism and sexism. Through their individual sororities they were able to find solace and embrace their Black womanhood on campus.

Advisor: Stephanie …

Navigating The Labyrinth Of Leadership: The Experience Of Female Presidents In Arkansas Community Colleges, Amanda Doyle Herwatic

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

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of female presidents in Arkansas community colleges. This was accomplished by collecting data through one-on-one interviews to examine how these women have navigated the labyrinth of leadership to reach the presidency of a community college. Using the conceptual framework of the labyrinth, as purported by Eagly and Carli (2007), this study focused on these lived experiences of these women and examined the life choices made, career paths, educational background, and obstacles these women have faced in navigating the labyrinth of leadership to reach the presidency. Through an inductive and …

The Assimilation Of Beginning Teachers Into An Established School Improvement Project: A Qualitative Case Study Examining Formats Of Job-Embedded Professional Development, Lynn A. Fuller

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

This dissertation examined formats of job-embedded professional development that were experienced by beginning teachers at a high-poverty, high-mobility elementary school in the third year of a School Improvement Grant. A qualitative case study was conducted to examine formats of job-embedded professional development that were most useful to help beginning teachers assimilate into an established school improvement project and support gains in effective teaching practices and student achievement.

In an effort to define what good teaching is and how we can support it, this study informs education leaders about the power of instructional coaching as a way to provide support and …

Exploring The Nexus Of Students' Academic And Employment Experiences, Ryan M. Patterson

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

This thesis focuses on the experiences of college students who are balancing the multiple responsibilities of a full-time student while concurrently being employed 20 hours or more a week. Literature related to the experience of working students provided some insight regarding the impact of work on academics, however, previous research relied primarily on quantitative data. The research that exists largely fails to represent the voices of working students. The results of this study contribute to the literature by describing the positive and negative experiences that exist for students at the nexus of their academics and employment.

Using a qualitative, collective …

Recognizing Earned Credit: Student Motivations For Reverse Transfer Programs And Concurrently Earning Two Post-Secondary Degrees, Matthew S. Geyer

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

In 2006-2007, there were 6.2 million community college students in the United States, making up 35% of all post-secondary students (Provasnik & Planty, 2008). Research has historically examined transfer student experiences from a community college to a four-year institution, overlooking the newly emerging population of reverse transfer students. Reverse transfer students have the potential to concurrently earn an associate and bachelor’s degree while at a four-year institution. This study contributes to the limited research regarding reverse transfer students by filling a literature gap and describing the experiences of reverse transfer students at a large, public four-year institution. The purpose of …

Sense Of Belonging In Greek Lettered Organizations, Is It Different For First-Generation Students?, Samantha A. Martens

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

Involvement on a college campus can lead to students’ persistence through graduation (Tinto, 1993). Student attrition can be in an issue at institutions and Tinto (2012) states, “For four-year colleges and universities, whether public or private, 38% of those who leave will do so in their first year, and 29% in their second year” (p. 3). All students come to college with different backgrounds, experiences, and identities that impact their intentions on departing from their institutions (Tinto, 1975). One of these characteristics is first-generation student status. This quantitative study explored the experiences of first-generation and non-first-generation students by analyzing their …

Transgressing Gender Normativity Through Gender Identity Development: Exploring Transgender, Non-Conforming, And Non-Binary Identities Of College Students, Enrique Tejada Iii

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

This study situates current gender social constructions as harmful, inhibitive, and problematic, especially for those that transgress gender boundaries and do not align with their gender assigned at birth. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to critically challenge and deconstruct the social construct of gender and its norms both within and outside of a college campus. This study works to achieve this purpose and answer research questions through careful analysis of the different gender journeys of three separate gender-diverse individuals. These participants’ stories are shared in a case-study format to recognize how each individual uniquely and personally formed their …

Turnaround Elementary Principals In Rural Missouri, Julie C. Delaney

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

Rural high poverty schools can often be invisible to those not living in rural areas. The number of students in rural areas is not far below the number of urban students, yet there has been little attention or research about rural school student achievement (Arnold et al., 2006; Pitchford 2011; Richard, 2005). The state of Missouri has established a program entitled Top Ten By Twenty. This initiative has been an impetus for change in rural high poverty schools. The program has led to increased student achievement in more than 60 rural high poverty schools. In this study, these schools were …

Principals Matter: Perceptions Of Principals On School Leadership, Melissa J. Poloncic

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

Leadership has long been studied in education. The correlation between effective schools and quality leadership has been linked in research. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of secondary school principals in leadership. Using a phenomenological approach, school principals were asked in an interview to describe the essence of effective leadership through their experiences as a secondary school principal based on their self-perceptions and needs in continuous learning as a leader. Authentic insight from the perspectives of secondary principals defined experiences that influenced them most, the essential elements of effective leaders, and the perceived needs of …

Refugee Women, Hrd, And Transitions To Employment: A Summary Of Methodological Approaches, Minerva Tuliao

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

Refugee women comprise half of the world’s 19.5 million refugees today. Many refugee women resettle in industrialized countries, yet there is limited research particularly on their human resource development issues, including transitions to employment. This paper summarizes the methodological approaches of research conducted on refugee women and their transitions to employment. Majority of the 22 articles surveyed described refugees from Africa, utilized qualitative approaches, and have been conducted in the United States of America. Implications to HRD research include further inquiry on refugee populations using participatory approaches, and ethical considerations in the conduct of refugee research.