Education Commons^™

The Intersectionality Of Trauma And The Master Status Of Urban School Students With Incarcerated Parents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Latoya L. Medley

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to explore the intersectionality framework in place in schools and to examine school-based responses to the trauma students may face when they have incarcerated parents. Intersectionality theory emphasizes the interconnected nature of various social identities, such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and more. Applying intersectionality theory to the context of students with incarcerated parents enhanced our understanding of the challenges they face. This qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to examine how five urban school administrators handled the effects of trauma in students with incarcerated parents.

The findings from the interviews highlight the critical …

From There To Here: How Black Women From Areas Of Black-Concentrated Poverty Understand, Generate, And Use Social Capital To Influence Economic Mobility: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Tatiana C. Parker

Education Doctoral

This qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study investigated how Black women, with experience residing in areas of concentrated Black poverty in Syracuse, New York between the ages of 25 and 34, understood, generated, and utilized the social capital within their networks. The research also sought to understand these women’s perspectives regarding the role of network social connections in their economic mobility. Four one-on-one interviews were conducted and, through the lens of networking social capital theory, revealed significant themes, including the role of proximity in relationship dynamics, access points such as educational institutions and workplaces, and the influence of guidance and character congruency …

Black And Latiné College Student Expectations And Perceptions Of A College Leadership’S Responses To Nationally Known, Racially Biased Incidents, Grace Maxon-Clarke

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to understand Black and Latiné students’ expectations and perceptions of their college leaderships’ responses to nationally known, biased incidents. Through a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological design, 11 participants, within one institution, across three focus groups, shared their expectations and perspectives. The data analysis was done using open-ended coding to determine the major themes and codes across all focus groups.

Themes for student expectations were (a) no expectation: first-year student, COVID restrictions, primarily White institutions; (b) expectations met: met the needs of the White majority, public institution; and (c) expected different: expected more, …

Cementing Success: The Impact That Mentoring Has On Women Of Color Business Owners In The Construction Industry, Nneka Bell

Education Doctoral

The number of women of color entrepreneurs in the construction industry lags significantly behind that of their White women and male counterparts. The construction industry is one of the most gender-segregated industries in the world. Women of color entrepreneurs have encountered barriers to forming mentoring relationships, impacting their success in entrepreneurial endeavors. This qualitative phenomenological study examines how women of color entrepreneurs perceive the professional mentoring experience. This study examines women of color entrepreneurs’ experience of professional mentoring and whether it contributed to their success. This study identified successful professional mentoring elements for women of color entrepreneurs and assessed professional …

Student-Veteran Transition Strategies From The Military To Higher Education, David L. Gardner

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe the strategies that student veterans employed as they transitioned from active-duty military engagement to civilian college classrooms. Transition theory drove this study as it explored military-veteran transitions from the military to undergraduate programs. The research questions were, What thoughts, incidents, or people associated with your military service stand out for you? How did your military service and transition affect your college experience? and What thoughts or feelings stand out as you think about your transition? Transcendental phenomenological methodology was used for this study as it followed structured data collection …

The Mindful Way: An Explorative Case Study Of The Transformative Effects Of Afro Flow Yoga A Culturally Adapted Mindfulness Intervention On The Health And Well-Being Of Black Women, Danielle A. Jones

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological exploratory case study explored Afro Flow Yoga to evaluate its potential as a culturally adaptable mindfulness-based intervention for enhancing the health and well-being of Black women while addressing the historical ills and adverse effects of intersectionality. From its beginning, the United States has discriminated against and defeminized Black women while profiting from all aspects of their lives. To be Black and female in America is to experience perpetual racism, sexism, and other "isms" as forms of harm and oppression. Therefore, culturally adapted mindfulness interventions are essential to cater to the unique needs of Black women. The mindfulness …

Navigating The Stem Landscape: Exploring The Challenges And Opportunities For Latinas In Pursuit Of Representation And Inclusion, Ana B. Mendieta

Education Doctoral

This phenomenological study delves into the underrepresentation that Latinas experience in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industry, a notable disparity given their increased enrollment in higher education, revealing a significant concern within the STEM educational pipeline. Utilizing the core components of the STEM identity framework (competence, performance, and recognition) in conjunction with the cultural value of familismo, which emphasizes strong familial bonds, the research seeks to illuminate the complexities Latinas navigate as they strive to carve a pathway within the STEM education to workforce pipeline. Using a qualitative approach, the study identifies that the timing of participants' initial …

Experimenting With Transparency: A Mixed Methods Approach To Assessing Crisis Communication Messaging, Melissa Greco Lopes

Education Doctoral

This study sought to add to the body of research on transparency in crisis communication messaging in a higher education setting through the lens of Coombs’ (1995) situational crisis communication theory. Using a mixed methods explanatory sequential experimental design, the study collected quantitative data via an experiment to determine how specific elements of a message might result in more positive perceptions of message and organizational trust, transparency, and reputation. Next, the study collected qualitative data through four focus groups to provide a deeper understanding of which elements of the message readers found most transparent and how it might have impacted …

The Retention Of Newly Tenured Faculty Of Color At A Community College In New York State, Jacqueline Goffe-Mcnish

Education Doctoral

Given the lack of retention of employees of color from 1991 to 2001, this qualitative descriptive case study investigated the benefits of, barriers to, and strategies for the retention of faculty of color at a community college in New York State. The participants were five administrators and eight faculty members who self-identified as people of color and as White people. Each participant was interviewed using semi-structured questions via Zoom and all interviews were recorded. A notebook was created, and participants’ interviews were transcribed and coded.

Six categories were identified through the coding process, which included the social, psychological, physical, intellectual, …

Predicting Njcaa Student-Athlete Success: An Analysis Of Graduation Over A 5-Year Period Using Precollege And College Variables At A 2-Year Institution, Alina Nazari

Education Doctoral

College student-athletes have to navigate unique challenges in order to graduate on time primarily due to their dual roles on campus (Beron & Piquero, 2016; Cooper et al., 2017). While previous research has primarily explored predictors of academic success (e.g., graduation within 150% of the standard completion time) among student-athletes at NCAA Division I institutions,

this study addressed the significant gap in knowledge specific to NJCAA Division I student- athletes. This quantitative study extended the work of Autry (2010) by investigating the

precollege and college predictors of academic success among 2-year student-athletes at a NJCAA Division I institution in the …

Nurse Preceptor Preparation For Supporting Graduate Nurses In The Acute Care Hospital Setting, Emery House

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to explore, through analysis, six Central New York State nurse preceptors’ experiences relating to their preparedness and empowerment to train graduate nurses in the acute care hospital setting.

The nurse preceptor participants expressed concern for the lack of clarity, expectations, and preparation for their leadership roles. The participants reported that combining information, support, and resources are essential for the sustainability of the nurse preceptor role. Recommendations for practice improvement would be to introduce preceptor preparation early in a nurses career, and to update educational delivery to meet the current climate of healthcare.

How Do Superintendents Execute The Skill Sets Of Trust, Communication, And Leadership Differently In Rural, Suburban, And Urban School Districts, Rebecca Curtis Stone

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to determine how the superintendents’ skill sets of trust, communication, and leadership skills were executed differently in rural, suburban, and urban districts. This qualitative descriptive analysis study analyzed 12 superintendent interviews using the six-phase thematic analysis method. Superintendents were selected who had 3 or more years of experience, with at least 1 year in their current position. Two women and two men superintendents were interviewed from each district size: rural, suburban, and urban. Skill set execution was determined based on Bolman and Deal’s four frames of leadership. The three skill sets of trust, communication, …

Good Evening And Thanks For Joining Us Tonight, I’M A Black Female Journalist Struggling To Achieve And Ascend In A Television Newsroom Near You: A Qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study, Carol Elaine Houston

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this research was to examine the lived experiences of six Black female television journalists working in newsrooms throughout the United States. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select the participants, with half the participants coming from a Black online networking group, Black Girls in Broadcasting, and the other half coming from the snowball sampling. The data were collected via Zoom utilizing one-on-one, semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes. The qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology used in this allowed the participants to not only share their lived experiences but explain how they made sense of what …

Exploring Leadership Perceptions And Practices Supporting Urban Middle And High School Students Diagnosed With Adhd, Ekiyor Stanley

Education Doctoral

Although children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been extensively studied in the educational setting in past decades, urban public school leaders’ (UPSLs) views have been overlooked. A transcendental phenomenological design was used in this study to capture the lived experience of UPSLs’ perceptions and practices in supporting urban middle and high school students diagnosed with ADHD. Eight retired UPSLs participated in open-ended, semi-structured interviews. As a result of the rich stories and open discussions, the researcher identified four themes: (a) behavioral and pharmacological interventions, (b) systemic challenges and obstacles, (c) school policies and mandates, and (d) ADHD training …

Perspectives Of Teachers And Administrators In Rural Schools Regarding The Implementation Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Initiatives, Debra R. Lubberts

Education Doctoral

This dissertation research study examined teacher and administrator perspectives on conceptual and logistical issues and supports in implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in rural schools. More research is needed regarding rural schools due to a lack of understanding of the nature and value of place in rural learning environments. This phenomenological study utilized semi-structured interviews to examine DEI initiatives through the lens of the adult learning theory of Knowles et al. (2015). Three key findings emerged from the research. First, rural schools lack the funding, human resources, and systems to implement DEI initiatives. Second, the implementation of DEI …

Through Their Eyes: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Examining The Role Of The Teacher Certification And Licensure Process And The Teacher Racial Diversity Gap In New York State Public Schools, Nichole J. Brown

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to investigate if and how the teacher certification and licensure process influenced the Black public school teacher participants, who were teaching in New York State schools, and how they perceived and experienced the certification and licensure exam process.

Through the lens of critical race theory, this study examined 12 Black teacher participants’ lived experiences and perspectives regarding if and how the teacher certification process influences New York State schools’ teacher racial diversity gap. Following descriptive analysis steps, three essential themes emerged: (a) minimal information on how to become a teacher, (b) …

We Are Each Other’S Business: Black Entrepreneurship, Trust, And The Mobilization Of Social Capital, Lashawnna R. Harris

Education Doctoral

This interpretive phenomenological study aimed to investigate the interactions between race socialization, trust, and Black entrepreneurs’ social capital mobilization. The 12 study participants conducted business in New York City and the surrounding counties. The primary sources of data collected were semi-structured interviews and researcher journal entries for validity. Four themes emerged from the interpretive analysis conducted: (a) race socialization matters, (b) trust is relationship based, (c) networks are vast but often homogeneous, and (d) competence-based mobilization.

This study found that Black entrepreneurs are influenced by messages about direct and vicarious discriminatory racial encounters. Race socialization messages served as protective instructions …

The Effects Of The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program On Community College Students’ Grade Point Average, Retention, And Graduation Rates, Rhonda Mouton

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to explore whether community college students who received benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outperformed those who did not receive SNAP benefits in terms of retention, grade point average (GPA), and graduation rate. The deidentified archival data collected from the College Tracker and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) systems from fall 2018 through spring 2022 included a total of 4,127 sample size of 3,277 continuing students, 312 freshmen, and 538 transfer students who were either SNAP or non-SNAP recipients.

The study's results for each null hypothesis were reported …

Examining The Lived Experiences Of Adult Learners In Practical Nursing Programs: A Qualitative Study, Amy Archey

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study is to fill a gap in the literature for the role of motivation in adult learners in post-secondary practical nursing programs. While literature exists on supporting traditional learners in nursing programs at the college and university levels, research lacked on the motivations, barriers, and support provided to adult learners in practical nursing programs. This study contributes to literature and fills that gap by exploring the lived experiences of these adult learners using the self-determination theory and hermeneutic phenomenology to explore these motivations, perceived barriers, and needed support. This was accomplished using semi-structured interviews with seven …

Examining Educator Perspectives On Creating And Implementing Inclusive Curriculum In Suburban High Schools, Marie C. Windover

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to examine educators’ perspectives on implementing an inclusive curriculum in suburban high schools. This qualitative research study applied phenomenology through focus groups consisting of district-level and building-level administrators, along with suburban high school teachers. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Though the suburbs are becoming increasingly diverse (Frey, 2011; Frey 2022a), suburban high schools lack consistency in implementing inclusive curriculum measures (Ayscue, 2016). In recent years, both federal and state legislatures have directed public schools to diversify their practices. One recent implementation in the New York State Education Department (NYSED) was the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining …

Culturally Responsive School Leadership: Implementation Of The New York State Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework In Predominantly White, Suburban High Schools, Steven M. Lysenko

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practical application of culturally responsive school leadership in the implementation of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Education Framework (Framework). This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study addressed the research question: What strategies are applied by high school principals in predominantly White suburban districts in the implementation of the NYSED CR-S Education Framework? Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and then coded using content analysis. The a priori themes included the four principles of the Framework, namely Welcoming and Affirming Environment, High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction, Inclusive Curriculum and …

Leading In Forced Change: Superintendent Leadership During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Theodore W. Love

Education Doctoral

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted P-12 public schools in the United States. School district superintendents were forced immediately into managing a crisis and leading organizational adaptation. This doctoral research study examined the lived experience of 15 New York State P-12 public school superintendents. This constructivist grounded theory study found that adaptation is a forced change. The environment forced schools to change, but that force did not change superintendent leadership. It did, however, change the role of the superintendents as they responded to the three major conditions that emerged across the data: (a) the shutdown of schools in March 2020, (b) uncertain …

The Perceived Benefits, Limitations, And Effects Of Virtual Internships On Obtaining Employment For Undergraduates In Business And Information Technology, Taren Mitchell

Education Doctoral

Students recognize the value that internships bring in enhancing employment prospects and increasing earnings potential in conjunction with their college degrees. The COVID- 19 pandemic has highlighted the advantages of online and hybrid work options for employers. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of virtual internships is crucial for students, employers, and institutions of higher education, as it enables them to leverage the benefits of internships, creating a talent pipeline and enhancing employment prospects after graduation. This descriptive phenomenological qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of undergraduate business and technology school graduates regarding the benefits, limitations, and effects of virtual internships …

Does Quality Meet You At The Door? Nursing Home Administrators Perspective Of Quality Of Life For Black Residents Of Nursing Homes In The Capital Region Of New York: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Carolyn Mclaughlin

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to gain the perspectives of nursing home administrators on the quality of life experienced by Black nursing home residents in the Capital Region of New York. Semi-structured 1-hour interviews were the primary source for data collection capturing the perspectives of current nursing home administrators in the Capital Region of New York. Other instruments to collect data were: (a) a qualifying participant survey, (b) interview questions, (c) field notes, (d) journal, and (e) the researcher. From this process five categories emerged: (a) cultural competence, (b) well- being, (c) quality of life, (d) environment, and (e) …

Barriers To Implementing And Sustaining Restorative Practice Programs In K-12 Education, Barbara Fagan-Zelazny

Education Doctoral

Restorative practice (RP) improves student learning by focusing on repairing relationships after acts of wrongdoing rather than administering punitive discipline. However, barriers frequently occur when implementing RP in American K-12 public schools. Thus, the purpose of this doctoral project was to acquire an understanding of the barriers impeding RP implementation. A literature review was conducted using the qualitative research synthesis (QRS) strategy to find appropriate RP qualitative studies for analysis with the normalization process theory (NPT) framework and analytic technique. Four RP qualitative research studies were found with QRS that met the appraisal criteria for NPT analysis. The emerging themes …

Higher Education Designed For Nontraditional Students: A Case Study Of Program Design Features That Impact Attraction, Enrollment, And Persistence In A Degree Program Intentionally Designed For Adult Learners, Jill Pippin

Education Doctoral

Despite declining overall enrollment and projected demand, regional comprehensive universities in central upstate New York are not engaging nontraditional adult students to register and complete baccalaureate degrees. To maintain enrollment goals, institutions oriented toward traditional students could embrace their mission to provide access to higher education to people in their region, including adults. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study is to understand the program design features that affect nontraditional students’ choice to apply, enroll, and persist toward degree completion in a program designed for adult students at a regional comprehensive university in central upstate New York. This study …

Examining The Construct Of Collective Efficacy In Rural High School Teachers Working In A Model Professional Learning Community School, Eileen M. Feinman

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the perceptions of 18 rural high school singleton teacher participants who worked in districts that had implemented the professional learning community (PLC) framework and to assess if there was a relationship between the teachers’ perception of collective efficacy and the PLCs—despite the potential of limiting the organizational structures within their schools. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential case study in one rural high school with the designation of a Model PLC School was used to conduct the research. The participants reported a significant positive correlation between the variables of instructional practice, student behavior, …

Lgbtq+ Support Services At Community Colleges From An Executive Leadership Perspective: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Chris Kukenberger

Education Doctoral

Community colleges were created to serve regional communities while removing barriers to education for marginalized populations. Community colleges have thus made public commitments to serve minoritized populations including those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) identities. Despite the fact that community colleges are making public claims of commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, our nation’s LGBTQ+ population is being left out. The purpose of this study was to explore the misalignment between espoused beliefs and practice with respect to support being offered to LGBTQ+ students through the lens of social capital theory as viewed …

Examining School Awareness And Support For Children Of Incarcerated Parents: Perceptions Of Educators And Caregivers, Wanda Labrador

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological study investigated the perceptions of educators and caregivers of children of incarcerated parents (CIP) regarding how CIP may best be supported and whether they receive the social-emotional support they need at school. Additionally, this study gives voice to a subject that affects many but is considered by few, and can benefit CIP, educators, and caregivers.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) framework is the theoretical structure for the study. SAMHSA’s framework includes the four Rs principles of the trauma-informed approach: realization, recognition, response, and resisting re-traumatization. The data were collected using one-to-one semi-structured interviews …

Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Of Successes And Challenges Implementing Racial Equity Leadership Practices, Nicole M. Reid Christopher

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological study examines the professional experiences of eight principals who have undergone professional learning in race and racial equity in schools and have led public elementary schools serving at least 5% Black students for a minimum of 3 years. Through a phenomenological design, this study explores the phenomenon of equity leadership practices. Data from individual, semi-structured interviews were analyzed using descriptive phenomenology. The findings of the study suggest that trained principals are consciously making attempts to employ equity-focused leadership practices, albeit with limited success. They encounter several challenges and seek support from higher levels of leadership. This study …