Educational Leadership Commons^™

Empowering Filipino American Young Adults Through Culturally Relevant Leadership Experiences, Donnaly Y. Atajar

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership development of Filipino American young adults. As an advisor for Lakas Mentorship Program in the Inland Empire, I explored the following question among program staff and mentors: How could I use culturally relevant curriculum to foster personal and professional development for young Filipino American leaders? I evaluated the impact of four cycles centered on leadership training and improving program practices to understand how to deepen engagement and facilitate positive transformation. I found that the following contributed to meaningful engagement: intentional leadership opportunities, institutionalized program structure, and peer mentorship and community …

Full Of Pride: Improving Latino Engagement And Retention In Usd's Lgbt+ Community, Miguel Rios

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my study was to examine and implement strategies that would get gay Latino students at USD to engage more with the LGBT+ community on campus. Using McNiff’s action research method, I researched how I can work effectively with USD’s LGBT+ community to create a more diverse community that enhances the involvement of Latino students. My findings indicate that Latino students choose to explore their LGBT+ identity through other identity-based organizations and that a stronger need for community building is critical to enhance the involvement of Latino students within the LGBT+ community.

Enhancing Racial Allyship At A Predominately White Institution, Breana Z. Clark

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

This action research explores how undergraduate students involved in multicultural clubs and organizations at the University of San Diego, define and engage in racial allyship. The purpose of the study was to understand how these students identify allies of color or other racially minoritized groups; as a means to work in collaboration for resource acquisition, persistence, and to magnify student voice. This is important to the research as current social and racial justice rhetoric primarily focuses on white people as allies to communities of color. Thus, my research question was: how can I help students of color enhance their capacity …

Peer-To-Peer Interactions Between First-Generation Students At The University Of San Diego, Christopher Kitchings

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the interactions between peers who identify as first-generation college students at the University of San Diego. Thus far, research regarding first-generation college students has shown that those students who have increased interactions with other first-generation students experience increased success during their time in college. This study sought to examine which specific characteristics of these interactions facilitated or enhanced the success of those students. This study also sought to examine how higher education professionals can better serve first-generation college students through the programs and services which they provide. The results of this study …

Changemakers Bend The Beam Inward: Contemplative Practices In Social Innovation Education, Catherine Northcutt

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

Why, as a global community, are we collectively creating results that nobody wants such as poverty, hunger, and inequality? Learning about the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the leadership learning and change theory known as Theory U by Otto Scharmer (2009), led to a profound shift in my awareness of the global challenges we face as a species and a strong desire to study Theory U. This action research report includes an explanatory account of my collaboration with the University of San Diego Global Social Innovation Community to cultivate vertical literacy (capacity for awareness of self and …

Soaring Through Leadership Development, Marisela Cornejo

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

With an increase in the enrollment of students of color at the University of San Diego, it is important to assess their sense of belonging and leadership engagement. This study evaluates the leadership development plan established for students of color in the Student Outreach and Recruitment (SOAR) Ambassador Club. As the advisor of the SOAR Ambassador Club, I had the opportunity to conduct three Action Research cycles including a survey of the organizational climate, one-on-one interviews with current and previous advisors, and one focus group with the executive board members of the organization. The findings of this research address how …

A Student’S Journey To Career Readiness: Maximizing On-Campus Employment, Daniela Saldana Gurgol

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this research was to improve my capacity as a supervisor in building career readiness. I used a total of three action research cycles utilizing qualitative methods only. The research participants included professional staff, graduate assistants and part-time student employees within the University of San Diego. The findings of this research provide insights into the lived experiences of student employees, the tactics used by supervisors to develop career readiness and the institutional initiatives to maximize student employment. The primary research question guiding this report is: How can I as a supervisor develop career readiness for undergraduate student employees …

A Collaborative Approach Toward Onboarding For Graduate And Law Students, Yuri Kwak

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this action research was to examine the silo effect across schools when onboarding graduate and law students to the University of San Diego. My research question was, how can I collaborate with students and administrators in enhancing the onboarding experience to foster a sense of community for graduate and law students across campus? By evaluating administrators’ practices and graduate and law students’ experiences, I found that creating a culture of communication among administrators and involving graduate student leaders are key steps toward standardizing onboarding processes and designing opportunities for engagement among all incoming graduate and law students.

Culture In Mind: Fostering A Sense Of Belonging For Students Of Color In Wellness-Affiliated Spaces, Mandy Mekhail

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between students of color and mental health resources at a predominantly white institution. Previous research demonstrates that negative mental health outcomes are positively correlated with students who feel a lack of belonging while on campus. These negative outcomes are felt more pronouncedly by students of color. Furthermore, students of color are shown to underutilize mental health resources relative to their white-identifying peers. Utilizing my positionality as a person of color working within a wellness office, I worked with students of color, wellness professionals, and multicultural professionals to ask what more …

The Impact Of Hypermasculinity On Students' Development In Fraternity Organizations, Cristian Mcgough

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my study was to explore the concept of hypermasculinity in fraternal organizations and how that may affect students’ personal development during their collegiate years. My research question was, how can I work with fraternity students to understand what contributes to hypermasculinity and provide support that will better promote an inclusive masculine culture? My findings indicate that certain environments in fraternity organizations promote hypermasculinity traits and that students on the executive board of the Interfraternity Council are seeking spaces to have dialogue about their experiences to challenge the norms of fraternity organizations.

Support Services For Formerly Incarcerated Students, Janelle Brown-Peters

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my study was to improve and/or create support services for formerly incarcerated students at the University of San Diego. I sought to discover first if there were any existing support services available for these students at USD. I also sought to discover what kinds of support services existed at other local colleges and universities in order to compare and contrast with USD. Through 1:1 interviews, surveys, focus groups, and community restorative justice organizations, I learned that USD was one of the only higher education campuses in San Diego not currently providing support services for this population of …

Gender Equity In Outdoor Adventures: How Gender Constructs Shape Engagement At The University Of San Diego, Lauren Wong

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

Outdoor Adventures (OA) at the University of San Diego bridges the industries of outdoor education and higher education. This action research investigates the constructions of gender that inform programming and relationship building within OA. Through a survey and focus groups, I collected data from OA professional staff and student leaders. The purpose of this research was to explore how different genders engage with experiential learning in an outdoor setting through a lens of queer theory, by evaluating the engagement of OA professional staff and participants. My findings indicate that the constructs of gender inform the ways students experience their capacity …

Sponsored International Students, Chimchanbo Uk

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my study was to explore and understand the spaces sponsored international students experience at the University of San Diego. Given that we live in a diverse society, it is important for me to explore and understand the experiences of students who have traveled thousands of miles away from their home country to seek education in the United States. It is important for one to take the time to connect with students from other cultures in order to gain insight on how to better serve diverse student populations. As we come from different backgrounds our stories can be …

Developing A Study Abroad Program For Student Veterans, Andrea Dame

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

Universities across the nation are seeing an increase in student veterans who are taking advantage of the educational benefits offered for life after the military. These students are non-traditional and come from diverse backgrounds bringing in a unique perspective to higher education institutions (Howard and Brode, 2013). Since 2009, there have been more than 1.7 million Post-9/11 GI Bill users (Department of Veteran Affairs, 2017). This educational benefit has been instrumental in helping veterans and their dependents go to school and obtain a two or four-year degree but there is a 36-month limit to this educational benefit which reduces the …

Creating Meaningful Relationships Between New Members In Fraternity And Sorority Life, Elizabeth Aiello-Coppola

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to build meaningful relationships with the new members which would strengthen the community within Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) at University of San Diego (USD). My research question is: ‘How can I as a student affairs professional support the development of stronger relationships with new members involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life in building community at USD?’ Through this research, I hope to gain a better understanding of how I can contribute to building stronger relationships between different groups of students at USD. Furthermore, I hope to learn how these strengthened relationships impact building …

Reshaping What Emerges: Empowering Student Employees To Be Authentic, Amber Williams

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my study was to understand who my students are authentically and discover what keeps them from being authentic within the workplace. I focused on culturally minoritized students in the context of professional expectations and intersecting identities. The research questions that guided my study are: How do I help students be authentic in their role as culturally minoritized employees at a multicultural center? What does authenticity look like for the students I work with, and where do they find it most difficult to express their most authentic selves within the United Front Multicultural Center? What interventions and/or practices …

Promoting Community Through Caring Leadership: An Action Research Project, Hazel Claros

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The overall purpose of this study was to increase collaboration across USD’s decentralized graduate admission departments through the approach of caring leadership (Uusiautti, 2013). The study was guided by the overarching question: How can I use caring leadership (Uusiautti, 2013) within academic affairs to encourage effective collaboration and understanding and foster a sense of community across departments? It was also guided by the sub-questions: Does gender impact the practices of collaboration and exchange of ideas within decentralized admission offices? If so, how does the current culture and structure of USD’s graduate admission offices aid/impede the practice of caring leadership (Uusiautti, …

Fostering A Sense Of Belonging: The Asian American Student Experience, Linh Phuong Nguyen

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my research is twofold: to examine the ways that Asian American graduate students within the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) experience a sense of social belonging at the University of San Diego (USD) and to create a means through which their sense of social belonging may be enhanced. There were two cycles, consisting a total of three focus groups, which worked through the four phases of appreciative inquiry. Cultural themes, such as difficulty approaching authority figures, preference for ethnic subgroup identification, and experiences of marginalization by those from within the Asian American community, other people …

Gender Norms Influence On Student’S Career Goals And Outcomes, Meagan Trudeau

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this research is to examine women’s understanding of gender norms in relationship to their studies and career aspirations at the University of San Diego (USD). This research provided students with a better understanding of the social constructs that exist in the classroom and workforce, specifically in business related industries. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycles is the method I used to analyze my professional development as a career counselor and educational development as a researcher. Achieving this required the six participants to share stories in regards to their academic and professional experiences in a one-on-one interview. Participants also created …

Building Belonging: The Impact Of Physical Space On Student Sense Of Belonging In Student Leadership, Involvement, And Changemaking At The University Of San Diego, Madeline Kreig

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this research is to understand how the structure of the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Changemaking (SLIC) space influences students’ sense of belonging. This study uses Mills’ (2000) Dialectic Action Research Spiral in conjunction with surveys, interviews, and focus groups to explore the questions: How does the structure of the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Changemaking space influence undergraduate students’ sense of belonging? Also, how can I, as a student affairs practitioner, enhance students’ sense of belonging in the SLIC?

In the context of this study, sense of belonging refers to the extent that one feels accepted, respected, included, …

Understanding Hidden Diversity: The Third Culture Student Experience At Usd, Bianca Chau

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The intention of this research was to expand the common notion of who international students are. This research uncovered the unique experiences of third culture students at the University of San Diego with the hopes of raising awareness of the existence of this group of students. The term third culture [student] was defined as an individual “who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parent’s culture” (Pollock, Van Reken, & Pollock, 2017, p.23). Third culture students have experienced a highly mobile life; a kind of lifestyle that is unique and unfamiliar to many USD …

Understanding Group Cohesion And Self-Advocacy In Student Leaders, Jordan Desousa Ma

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to understand what compels student leaders to advocate for others or for themselves in groups. The data will be gathered through surveys and personal reflections. The study will better our understanding of motivations for advocacy, and reveal empowerment strategies for self-advocacy.

Cultivating Community Relations And Fostering Student Self-Efficacy With An Improved Clinical Placement Process, Amy C. Wright

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

In my action research study, I have looked closely at my transition into the role of the clinical placement coordinator for the nurse practitioner programs at the University of San Diego (USD). A role that is traditionally filled by clinical experts has been occupied by a student service professional and this study begins to provide solutions and strategies for navigating the role as an outsider of the nursing field. I have focused on challenges for identifying and retaining quality, appropriate community providers, referred to as preceptors, to volunteer as mentors to the students. I have also reintroduced myself as a …

Underrepresented Student Involvement With The Office Of Sustainability, Jelitsa Fonseca

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to further understand the disconnect between sustainability efforts and the underrepresented student population at the University of San Diego (USD). One of the main concerns of this study is why underrepresented students are not getting involved in sustainability activities on campus, and whether or not that is due to being a minority on campus, which may impact how they choose to get involved in these efforts. The main research questions are: How can I help the Office of Sustainability at USD reach out to underrepresented students who may have stigmas and/or stereotypes towards sustainability? …

Compassion With Action: A Glimpse Into Institutional Influences Cultivating Long-Term Philanthropic And Volunteer Morale Within Undergraduate Student Leaders, Novien Yarber

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

This action research explores the extent of social responsibility—by means of philanthropic learning and volunteerism—that develops within the University of San Diego’s undergraduate student government leaders (Associated Students). The study further explores how the organization’s culture may influence service leadership development, and will identify opportunities within the advising methodology that may encourage students’ service to the larger community. The objective of this research is to: 1) observe whether involvement with undergraduate leadership positions (i.e. student government) can have a substantial impact on students’ conceptualization and commitment to their social responsibility to surrounding communities, 2) explore ways in which the Student …

Greening The Graduate Experience: An Exploration In Sustainability Education For Higher Education Leadership Students At The University Of San Diego, David Horber

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this research is to understand the impact of interactive educational interventions, namely a sustainability inventory (Green Graduate Inventory), campus tours, and sustainability game events, on sustainability engagement in graduate students studying Higher Education Leadership at the University of San Diego. Utilizing an Appreciative Inquiry lens, I aim to celebrate sustainability achievements of participants and the University of San Diego community. My research question is, how can I help develop and empower environmentally conscious leaders, amongst higher education leadership graduate students at the University of San Diego, through intentional educational interventions? Additionally, this research will examine the culture …