Education Commons^™

In This Skin, At This Institution, At This Time: Black Women University Administrators’ Stories Of Survival During The Pandemic And Racial Reckoning, Kyra Lobbins

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The underrepresentation of Black women in executive leadership positions at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) persists, despite their high-achieving credentials and degrees. However, crises such as the racial reckoning and the pandemic have revealed an increase in the number of Black women called upon to lead under risky circumstances, a phenomenon referred to as the glass cliff theory. In this study, I examine the leadership strategies and behaviors of Black women executives at PWIs during these critical periods. Specifically, I explore how these leaders make meaning of their adverse experiences and crucible leadership moments and whether these experiences equipped them for …

“This Is Anonymous, Right?” A Qualitative Study Of Why Higher Education Students Cheat, Anne Marie Rogers

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Academic dishonesty occurs in higher education. Students who choose to cheat will find a way no matter the assessment type, learning environment modality, and deterrents. Academic integrity in online assessments has been prevalent even before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to the recent increase in online learning modalities, cheating is at the top of faculty concerns, and many instructors believe that online assessments open the door for cheating.

I conducted a root causal analysis using an improvement science framework to identify why students cheat in higher education. This study identified two major themes of reasons students participate in academic dishonesty. …

Understanding The Experiences Of Underrepresented Women In Student Affairs At A Predominately White Institution Through A Dynamic Network Analysis Framework, Lani San Antonio

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As institutions become more diverse among the student body, minority faculty and staff are recruited to better support underrepresented students. However, while much thought is often placed in recruitment efforts, institutions often fail to execute appropriate retention efforts of their minority faculty and staff (Turner, Gonzalez & Wood, 2008). Due to this, underrepresented women often find themselves faced with many barriers and lack of resources needed to successfully transition into new roles and environments (Harris, Wright & Msengi, 2011; Jackson & Harrison, 2007; Maramba, 2000). The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of underrepresented women in student …

The Process By Which Black Male College Students Become Leaders Of Predominantly White Organizations In Higher Education: A Grounded Theory, Eric Moschella

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This study sought to understand the process by which Black undergraduate men on predominately White college campuses become leaders of predominately White organizations. Using the theoretical frameworks of Black and White racial identity development (Helms, 1990), Critical Race Theory (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001), and Wijeyesinghe's (2001) Factor Model of Multiracial Identity the researcher sought to understand the process, challenges, and strategies Black college men employ as they emerge as leaders at predominantly White colleges. Specifically the researcher sought to answer the following research question: What is the process by which Black men become leaders of predominately White organizations on predominately …

Longitudinal Trend Analysis Of Performance Indicators For South Carolina's Technical Colleges, Mohammad Hossain

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ABSTRACT
This study included an analysis of the trend of performance indicators for the technical college sector of higher education in South Carolina. In response to demands for accountability and transparency in higher education, the state of South Carolina developed sector specific performance indicators to measure various educational outcomes for each of the 34 public colleges and universities in the state. Performance indicators allow an institution to compare its position in key strategic areas to peers, to past performance, or to previously set goals. The state assigned 13 performance indicators to the technical colleges. The study analyzed six specific indicators …

An Analysis Of Expenditures On Student Affairs / Services And College Student Retention At Four-Year Colleges And Universities In The United States, Jason Umfress

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The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between expenditures for student affairs / services and college student retention rates. Data reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Set (IPEDS) for the 2007-2008 academic year were used. Public and private-not-for-profit institutions in the United States that completed the IPEDS survey we included in the population and analysis.
A multiple regression analysis was conducted, controlling for institutional size, institutional control, institutional mission, institutional selectivity, and non-student affairs / services expenditures. The study found that expenditures for student affairs / services were a significant predictor of college student retention rates, …

College Football Players: The New Nontraditional Student, Michael Godfrey

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The focus on the collegiate careers of student athletes continues to grow within the community of higher education. As the focus has been centered on academic performance, a growing concern is evolving for the overall experience student athletes obtain in a higher education setting. As the focus on college experience gains momentum, higher education professionals must investigate why traditional stereotypes maintain their strength and the appropriateness of the expectations placed upon student athletes.
The purpose of the study is to gain understanding and insight into the relationship between athletics and academics for Division I football players in higher education. To …

The Influence Of International Service-Learning On Cultural Competence In Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates And Their Subsequent Nursing Practice, Roxanne Amerson

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A series of research studies was completed over 3 years to evaluate baccalaureate nursing students' transcultural self-efficacy following the completion of service-learning projects. A quantitative pilot study was completed in 2007 with a convenience sample of students (n=60) enrolled in a community health nursing course. Several clinical groups worked with local communities and one clinical group took part in a one-week program in Guatemala. The Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET) was administered at the beginning and completion of the semester. A paired-samples t test demonstrated a significant increase for pre-test to post-test total and subscale scores.
A follow-up field study was …

Examining Client Motivation And Counseling Outcome, Guy Ilagan

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University mental health clinics have experienced a marked increase in demand for services without an increase in resources to meet the rising demand. Consequently, university mental health centers need strategies to determine the best allocation of their limited resources. Transtheoretical Model, based on client motivation, may offer valuable insight into whether a university student is likely to benefit from campus mental health counseling.
The subjects included 331 university students at a liberal arts, public university in the Southeastern part of the United States. The subjects consisted of all students over age 18 who visited the research site campus mental health …

Perceptions Of County Extension 4-H Agents/Educators Regarding Essential Elements And Delivery Modes Of Positive Youth Development And Their Collective Impact On Character, Kellye Rembert

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The purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of county 4-H agents/educators regarding the level of emphasis placed on the eight elements (caring adult, safe environment, mastery, service, self-determination, inclusiveness, futuristic view, and engagement) in each of the four delivery modes (clubs, special interest, school enrichment, and camping). Participants were also asked to give their perceptions of the character in action of the youth participating in the county 4-H program. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used to collect data regarding agent/educator perceptions. Participants responded to a web-based survey and provided 4-H youth demographic information from ES237 Federal …

Exploring Pre- And Post-Admission Characteristics Of Retained First-Year Students Enrolled In Non-Proximal Distance Learning Programs Within Public, 2-Year Colleges, Laurie Hillstock

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The primary purpose of this study was to explore pre- and post-admission characteristics of retained first-year students enrolled in non-proximal distance learning programs within a public, 2-year college environment. Pre-admission characteristics included student attributes, such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, GPA, and technology experience. Post-admission characteristics included lifestyle variables (i.e., employment status, family obligations, and finances) and student perceptions regarding institutional variables (i.e., academic integration, commitment and technology access). The sample for this study consisted of 197 first-year students enrolled in non-proximal distance learning programs from among five, public, 2-year colleges in Virginia during the 2008-09 academic year.
A quantitative data …

A Case Study On Graduates From An Online Certificate Program And Their Experiences Related To Engagement Practices, Lorraine Angelino

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The number of students taking online courses increased 146% from fall 2002 through fall 2007. In addition, the number of distance education programs increased 299% from 2000–01 through 2006–07. As the number of students taking online courses continues to increase, institutions of higher education will need to focus on increasing student retention and increasing student success. Low retention rates plague online programs that lack engagement practices. One method to achieving student success is engaging online learners early and often using engagement practices focused on increasing interactions with faculty, other students, course content, and members of the community.
Angelino and Natvig's …

Ethical Leadership In Higher Education: Evolution Of Institutional Ethics Logic, William Hanson

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In higher education, we face a decade in which institutional integrity and legitimacy is under fire. In the words of Charles Dickens, this is certainly 'the worst of times' both economically and ethically for our nation, as well as for our colleges and universities. While members of higher education call for student academic ethics reform, ethical infractions by institutional leaders and faculty permeate professional literature and news--student loan scandals, charges of plagiarism, and falsified research, are but a few. This study begins with the premise that perhaps our efforts toward reform should focus on a better holistic understanding of system …

Discovering The Academic And Social Transitions Of Re-Enrolling Student Veterans At One Institution: A Grounded Theory, Wade Livingston

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Student veterans have been overlooked as a unique student population at institutions of higher learning. Moreover, student affairs practitioners, faculty, staff, and peer students are largely unaware of the unique needs of student veterans. The purpose of this study was to build a base of research on the academic and social experiences of re-enrolling student veterans with the goals of better understanding the student veteran experience and discovering new avenues of support for this population.
The researcher conducted a qualitative study utilizing grounded theory methodology to answer the primary research question: how do student veterans manage college re-enrollment after deployment, …

Academic Self-Efficacy, Academic Integration, Social Integration, And Persistence Among First-Semester Community College Transfer Students At A Four-Year Institution, Susan Whorton

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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the academic self-efficacy, academic integration, social integration, and persistence among community college students from a selected community college during their first semester at a four-year institution. More specifically, differences between students who participated in a first-year transfer transition program and students who did not participate in a transfer transition program were investigated. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey research design, data regarding transfer students' academic self-efficacy and perceived cohesion beliefs were collected from a web-based survey. These data were analyzed along with students' first semester academic performance and persistence data …

Workplace Incivility And Conflict Management Styles Of Community College Leaders In The Nine Mega States, Michelle Bartlett

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The purpose of the study was to examine the conflict management styles and perceived levels of workplace incivility of community college senior level administrators in the nine mega-states. Six research questions guided the study. Research question one described the self reported conflict management styles of the participants. Research question two described the participants' perceptions of workplace incivility. Research question three examined if relationships existed between conflict management styles and demographic variables. Research question four examined if relationships existed between workplace incivility and demographic variables. Research question five examined if relationships existed between workplace incivility and conflict management styles. Research question …

Institutional Culture, Performance, And Learning In A Two-Year Technical/Community College, Vicky Maloney

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The environments of higher education institutions have undergone significant changes in the past twenty years as a result of concerns expressed in prominent reports. These external concerns and initiatives reflect contemporary criticisms by the public about the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of institutions. The response from research, legislatures, and the institutions has been to implement practices aimed at improvement and borrowed from business and industry. Research indicates that this performance orientation to change in higher education has largely failed, due in part to the lack of attention given to the culture of the institution.
Emerging research indicates a …

The Experiences Of Chief Student Affairs Officers In Addressing Incidents Of Racial Insensitivity On College And University Campuses, Idella Glenn

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ABSTRACT
This study examined the Chief Student Affairs Officer's (CSAO) role in addressing incidents of racial insensitivity on college and university campuses. The research methodology used for the study was a qualitative research design. Utilizing the collective case study method, within-case and cross-case analyses were completed for the study. Data were collected from eleven CSAOs at public institutions through their participation in telephone interviews.
Five major themes emerged from the study. First, the CSAO
must be multiculturally competent in order to address a variety of incidents of racial insensitivity. Second, the CSAO must understand the law and legal precedents regarding …

Presidential Fundraising In South Carolina's Two-Year Technical Colleges, John Boyd

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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to explore fundraising at South Carolina's Technical Colleges. The major focus of the study was on presidential characteristics and practices along with various institutional characteristics and fundraising success. The research design was descriptive and employed various methods in the collection of data. Data were obtained from administrative sources, public documents, surveys, and interviews. The study includes general information on South Carolina's Technical Colleges, information from IRS Form 990s on 15 of the colleges, results of survey data from 12 colleges, and follow-up interview responses from 5 of the presidents who completed the survey. …

Student Perspectives Of Political Bias In The College Classroom, Darren Linvill

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The purpose of this study was to explore how students experience political bias in the college classroom and the extent to which this bias is perceived by students in one midsized, public, land-grant university in the Southeastern United States. The current study addressed the issue of politically biased college professors in U.S. college classrooms, a matter that has gained attention in academia and the general public in recent years. A review of literature explored both partisan research and the limited available peer-reviewed research addressing political bias in the classroom. The research model, the sequential, exploratory mixed methods model, was described …

The Institutionalization Of Service-Learning At Land-Grant Colleges In South Carolina, Lorilei Swanson

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Although service-learning became a popular method for advancing civic engagement on college campuses in the 21st Century, it struggled with gaining academic legitimacy and the support necessary to become institutionalized. The primary research question for this study was: What factors characterize and distinguish the institutionalization of service-learning in higher education at two nationally recognized land-grant institutions in South Carolina? The secondary research questions for this study addressed how philosophy and mission of service-learning, faculty support for and involvement in service-learning, student support for and involvement in service-learning, community participation and partnerships, and institutional support for service-learning manifest in these institutions. …

Financial Aid As A Predictor Of Retention At A Two-Year College, Cheryl Davids

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The primary purpose of this study was to determine the likelihood that the type of financial assistance a student receives is a predictor of retention at a two-year college. The institution utilized in the study is a mid-size, public, two-year college in South Carolina. The effects of five distinct types of financial assistance on retention were investigated. The types of financial assistance include Federal Pell Grant, Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship, South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) Tuition Assistance, a combination of South Carolina Education Lottery Tuition Assistance and Federal Pell Grant, and a combination of Legislative Incentive for …