Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Challenges Faced By Adult Gifted Students Who Have Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury: A Phenomenological Study, Dawn M. Nessler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the educational experiences of gifted adult students who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). The theory guiding this phenomenological study was Kazimierz Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration, with a focus on how the tragedy of various natures impacts the development of an individual's identity. This qualitative phenomenological study sought to understand the shared educational experiences of gifted undergraduate students who have experienced a TBI. 12 participants from Strong Minds, Kind Hearts, a Christian counseling and educational office located in Northwest Florida engaged in the study. Stratified sampling was used within the …

"The Career Does Not Love You Back": Impacts Of Contingent Employment On Workers, Cultural Heritage Institutions, And The Archival Profession, Stephanie Bredbenner, Alison Fulmer, Rose Oliveira-Abbey, Meghan R. Rinn

Library Staff Publications

This article reports the findings of the 2021 New England Archivists Contingent Employment Study, which comprised a survey with eighty-three valid responses, fifteen interviews, and analysis of 250 job postings. The study found that although contingent employment often provides useful professional experience and mentorship, it can negatively impact archival workers due to low pay, inadequate benefits, and short term lengths. Additionally, many experience low morale and isolation due to their contingent status, and the inherent instability of contingent employment causes some to feel that they have little control over their careers and personal lives. Cross-tabulation analysis revealed that new professionals …

Conscientiousness Personality Trait On Job Performance And Retention Of Public Service Employees, Arsenio Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Retention of federal employees is vital to the structure of our society in the United States. Keeping the workforce sufficiently staffed with high-performing individuals is necessary to maintain a key component of our strong nation. This research study delves into the conscientiousness personality trait to further understand the impact that this trait may have on the federal workforce. Current research focuses on the conscientiousness trait concerning the job performance of employees. However, the current literature lacks explicit depth on the federal workforce, and this study focuses on that demographic. This quantitative study seeks to fill gaps within the literature by …

From Doom To Bloom: The Effects Of Pre-Major Coaching On Undecided Student Persistence, Lisa Dianne Wycoff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student retention is a persistent dilemma in higher education because it is how student success is measured. Universities invest resources in retaining vulnerable populations and provide additional support measures because they are most at risk of dropping out. The premise of this study is that students who enter college without a major are considered vulnerable, as they are highly prone to drop out. Numerous studies have found that entering college with an “unknown/undecided” status negatively impacts retention, well-being, and motivation due to a lack of clearly defined educational goals. However, students and families often lack adequate information about the importance …

Fiu Libraries Salary Task Force Report On Staff Salaries To Library Assembly, Kelley Rowan, Annia Gonzalez, Adriana Harris, Christopher M. Jimenez, Patricia Pereira-Pujol, Jamie Rogers, Jennifer Scholl

Works of the FIU Libraries

The Florida International University (FIU) Libraries Salary Task Force was commissioned to address salary disparities among library staff. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, the task force identifed salary inequities and recommends areas where fair compensation could be addressed. Guided by principles of transparency, sustainability, and competitiveness, the task force suggests employing a more equitable salary framework. Their goal is to enhance job satisfaction and morale while attracting talented professionals. This report outlines their findings and recommendations.

Foster Inclusivity And Equity:Strategiesfor Retaining Racialized Workers In Ontario’S Healthcare Sector, Kiannah Kerr-Mccarthy, Natasha Bonnick

Capstone Research Posters

This research endeavors to explore the factors influencing the retention of racialized workers within Ontario's long-term care sector, recognizing the imperative of fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. Employing a mixed-methods approach, survey data was collected to unravel the unique challenges faced by racialized workers and discern the determinants influencing their decision to remain in the sector or seek employment elsewhere. The study delves into various facets such as workplace culture, organizational policies, and interpersonal dynamics, elucidating their pivotal role in retention. Furthermore, the research evaluates the potential impact of mentorship programs, diversity training initiatives, and career development opportunities …

Ouachita Announces Another Increase For Spring '24 Enrollment, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has reported its highest spring enrollment in more than 40 years with a total Spring 2024 headcount of 1,722.

The university has sustained momentum in student recruitment and retention, maintaining steady growth with a total enrollment surge of 20% since 2016 in contrast to reports of declining enrollment in colleges and universities nationwide.

Causes Of Police Officer Career Apprehension Following George Floyd, Michael T. Rossler, Charles Scheer

Faculty Publications - Criminal Justice

Police workforce retention has become a persistent managerial concern. The public response to recent events of police misconduct have fueled the perception that police may be seeking other career paths following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Despite growing evidence, current research has been unable to ascertain what conditions may prompt officers to voluntarily separate from police work following Floyd’s murder, or whether the impact varies across demographic groups. Drawing upon a survey of over 600 police officers across eight police departments in the United States, the current inquiry examines what percent of officers reported reconsidering their career following …

Examining The Predictive Weight Of Perceived Organizational Support And Job Embeddedness On Turnover Intention, Tyler J. Swansboro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Generation Z personnel are entering the workplace in monumental numbers. As this understudied population enters the work domain, the business environment will continuously struggle to adapt to their new perceptions, motifs, and thought processes. When these new workers enter the workforce, many will inevitably enter the leisure and hospitality industry. This specific industry has the highest turnover rate in America (Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2022). To further the understanding of retention, this study was structured to explore the predictive weight of perceived organizational support (POS) and job embeddedness (JE) on turnover intention, to assess which construct was the stronger …

Promises Made, Promises Kept? A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of California Community College Promise Program Students And Their Pursuit Of A Bachelor's Degree, Eric R. Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of students formally enrolled in a California community college promise program at Mountain View Community College, Lakeview Community College, Hillcrest Community College, and Ocean Valley Community College, each located in Southern California. The theoretical framework guiding this study was grounded in Astin’s theory of student involvement which provided a lens to analyze the experiences of promise students and their pursuit of bachelor’s degrees. The central research question under investigation was: What do promise program students previously enrolled at a California community college that have transferred to a four-year …

People, Places, & Things: Connecting The University Of North Florida Library To First Time In College Student Retention, Trina Mccowan

Library Faculty Presentations & Publications

No abstract provided.

Ouachita's Fall 2023 Enrollment Highest In 57 Years, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has reported its highest enrollment in 57 years, with a Fall 2023 headcount of 1,815.

Since 2016, the university has sustained momentum that’s reflected in a 20% increase in total enrollment and a 14% growth in undergraduate enrollment. Residential undergraduate enrollment now numbers 1,581. There are 81 students enrolled in Ouachita’s six graduate programs this fall, more than doubling the number who enrolled when graduate programs were reintroduced in 2020 through the university’s expanding catalog.

Exploring Factors For Employee Attrition And Retention By Life Stage, Robert Joshua Whitton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this study was to evaluate if a relationship exists between factors for push (attrition) and pull (retention) and employee life stage. With job attrition rates increasing almost 10% in the last 10 years and employers paying $2.4 trillion in 2021 because of employee turnover, the need to understand what drives retention and attrition remains very real. A survey, containing a demographics section and items rated on a Thurstone-like scale, was administered to full-time employees in the United States. Four hundred and eighty participants responded to the survey, but after removing responses that were incomplete or were completed …

Moving From Learning To Active Accountability: Inclusive Position Description Toolkit To Advance And Cement All Colleagues' Work Towards A Just Library, Annie Bélanger, Emily Frigo, Kristin Meyer, Brian Merry, Jason Durham, Joseph Vanarendonk

Presentations

So much of Libraries’ Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) work has been dually focused on increasing diversity while changing hearts and minds through training. Eventually, learning must lead to action and active commitment if inclusion, equity, and accessibility are to be integral parts of a library’s organizational culture as a PWI. By articulating how every role within the Libraries actively contributes to its IDEA commitment, leadership is making expectations clear for individuals and part of ongoing work. By building accountability for the IDEA work for all, including leaders, the libraries are ensuring that efforts are concrete, part of ongoing …

Succession Planning In The Federal Government, Christine Noel Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Succession planning is a term that refers to the systematic and methodological efforts an organization uses to plan for organizational stability and proficiency. Organizations must provide employees the training, experiences, and knowledge required to assume positions of increased responsibility when those jobs are vacated. Agencies should strive to create a diversified pool of qualified candidates to avoid a talent gap, workforce shortages, or a loss of agency knowledge. Over the past fifteen years, the Federal Government has continued to highlight the need to take a proactive approach to succession planning by first identifying the skill sets needed for critical positions …

Competing For Innovation: A Case Study Of Knoxville And Similar Metropolitan Areas, Lucille G. Marret

Baker Scholar Projects

Knoxville competes with other mid-sized metropolitan areas for economic development and business attraction at the national level. Cities such as Greenville, SC, Huntsville, AL, and Ann Arbor, MI have similar resources and attributes to Knoxville, yet they are consistently surpassing Knoxville in business attraction and expansion. It is necessary for policy makers to understand what factors are contributing to underperformance in order to better support Knoxville’s efforts to create an innovation fund. Comparing available assets and access to funding for each MSA reveals that Knoxville has the necessary resources through the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to …

Summer Bridge Programs In National And Local Context, Osvaldo Palma Vargas

Honors Theses

Research suggests that summer bridge programs (SBPs) meet their intended goal, which is to improve first-generation students’ academic outcomes as defined by first-year retention and GPA. However, we know little about whether, and if so, how SBPs optimize the implementation of known best practices and how they are perceived by participating students. This thesis compares evidence regarding key practices of SBPs at a selection of Land Grant institutions, to identify commonalities and differences. In addition, this thesis compares the key practices of these peer institutions with a local SBP in place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, known as the Nebraska …

A Survey Of Issues In The Recruitment, Hiring And Retention Of Law Enforcement Officers : Investigating The Rural-Urban Divide, Morgan Steele, Tamara Lynn, Abigail Hayes

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

The continuing crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and issues surrounding disparate policing practices have illuminated an underlying issue facing law enforcement agencies: how to recruit, hire, and retain qualified officers. Using survey data from over 200 rural and urban agencies across three states, this article explores the various issues agencies have with recruitment and retention, paying particular attention to the apparent differences between agency type and size, as well as the extent of urbanization in the jurisdiction. The implications of and potential policy solutions to these issues are then discussed.

Information Professionals' Hiring And Retention: Pakistani Librarians' Perspectives, Mirza Muhammad Akbar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of this research was to shed light on the problems faced by IPs working in Pakistani academic libraries. It lays out the challenges that academic libraries confront when trying to hire qualified IPs and suggests solutions for doing so in today's fast-paced academic setting. It also includes a list of desirable qualities that universities and colleges seek when employing IPs.

We conducted semi-structured interviews with ten hiring-process-involved libraries in charge at five public and private universities. Based on the results, it seems that in the present and future, interpersonal skills are the most sought after quality in IP …

Volunteer Management During Covid-19: The Case Of Galway 2020 European Capital Of Culture, Samantha Morris

Other resources

The European Capital of Culture is an initiative by the European Union to highlight the richness and diversity of cultures across Europe. Cities are designated for a period of one calendar year during which they organize a series of cultural events. In July 2016 Galway was awarded the Irish designation for European Capital of Culture for 2020. Over 1900 events across 154 projects had been planned throughout the year. The Wave Makers volunteer programme was created to help with the delivery of the event. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent restrictions imposed by the Irish government, required Galway …

Are Infographics Worth It?: An Assessment Of Information Retention In Relation To Information Embedded In Infographics, Z. Sylvia Yang, Jessica A. Abbazio

Library Faculty publications

Infographics are an effective means to communicate with audiences, draw attention, and make concepts digestible in a quick and straightforward way. This study explores students’ opinions on infographics used in library instruction, and provides quantitative data to help librarians determine whether these tools will help students engage with text and retain key concepts. Based on research conducted with undergraduate music students at two universities, DePauw University and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, this paper examines how students understand and interact with content embedded in infographics, and measures retention of information presented in either plain-text or infographic form.

Data Quality And Study Compliance Among College Students Across 2 Recruitment Sources: Two Study Investigation, Abby L. Braitman, Megan Strowger, Jennifer L. Shipley, Jordan Ortman, Rachel I. Macintyre, Elizabeth A. Bauer

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Models of satisficing suggest that study participants may not fully process survey items and provide accurate responses when survey burden is higher and when participant motivation is lower. Participants who do not fully process survey instructions can reduce a study’s power and hinder generalizability. Common concerns among researchers using self-report measures are data quality and participant compliance. Similarly, attrition can hurt the power and generalizability of a study.

Objective: Given that college students comprise most samples in psychological studies, especially examinations of student issues and psychological health, it is critical to understand how college student recruitment sources impact data …

The Shared Experiences Of Black Women Faculty In Counselor Education Programs At Predominately White Institutions: A Thematic Analysis, Caitlyn Ybarra

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black women faculty (BWF) are underrepresented in university settings when compared to national representation in the population. This underrepresentation of Black women is also seen in counselor education; however, there is a lack of research regarding the factors that influence BWF to pursue and secure tenured positions at predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Given the current underrepresentation of BWF at PWIs, there is a need to examine the factors that would increase the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty. Prior research has mainly focused on factors that supported the recruitment and retention of Black women doctoral students, but little research …

Factors Affecting Retention In The Philippine National Rural Physician Deployment Program From 2012 To 2019: A Mixed Methods Study, Erika Louise L. Flores, Edric Matthew R. Manahan, Miguel Paulo B. Lacanilao, Isabella Ma. Beatriz T. Ladaw, Mico Martin B. Mallillin, Nikolai Thadeus Q. Mappatao, Juan Alfonso Leonardia, Veincent Christian F. Pepito

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background

To address the maldistribution of healthcare providers and the shortage of physicians in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the Philippines, the Philippine National Rural Physician Deployment Program, or more commonly known as the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program was established in 1993. However, as of 2011, only 18% of the DTTBs chose to stay in their assigned municipalities after their two-year deployment, termed retention. This study aims to identify the individual, local, work, national, and international factors affecting the retention of DTTBs in their assigned communities after their two-year deployment.

Methods

A descriptive, mixed-methods, explanatory design was …

A Study Of Retention And Recruitment At Southern And Midwestern Weekly U.S. Newspapers, Jessica Fargen Walsh, Jill Martin

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Daily and weekly newspapers are closing at alarming rates, leaving readers without local coverage in many parts of the country. More than 5,000 of the remaining newspapers in the United States are weeklies, providing meeting coverage, agricultural news and keeping small towns informed. Yet, not nearly enough research exists about the people working at those newspapers. More than 1,000 email surveys were sent in early 2021 to weekly news editors, publishers or owners in seven states seeking opinions on successes and challenges in hiring and retaining weekly journalists. Survey results and follow-up interviews revealed a number of insights including data …

Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout And Resilience In The Child Welfare Workforce: Early Results From Nebraska’S Randomized Controlled Trial Of Resilience Alliance, Quality Improvement Center For Workforce Development

Other QIC-WD Products

A 2018 needs assessment indicated that more than 50% of the child welfare workforce in Nebraska was experiencing elevated secondary traumatic stress (STS). STS refers to the experience of people – generally professionals– who are exposed to others’ traumatic events as part of their work. As a result of this exposure, these professionals can develop their own traumatic symptoms and reactions such as sleeplessness and anxiety. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in partnership with the Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC-WD) implemented CFS Strong, a multi-phased workforce intervention …

Person-Environment Fit And Retention Of Racially Minoritized College Students: Recommendations For Faculty, Support Staff, And Administrators, Alex A. Ajayi, Lauren L. Mitchell, Sarah C. Nelson, Jillian Fish, Lovey H.M. Peissig, José M. Causadias, Moin Syed

Faculty Authored Articles

Although colleges in the United States have become increasingly racially and ethnically diverse, degree attainment remains disproportionately low among students from underrepresented and minoritized racial backgrounds. In this paper, we discuss the interactive influence of both person and environment factors in shaping academic persistence and argue that college administrators, faculty, and student support staff can intervene and take specific steps to improve the academic experience of racially minoritized college students. To this end, we offer specific evidence-based recommendations for campus leaders and stakeholders on how to adapt their campus community to facilitate the requisite person-environment fit to maximize academic persistence.

A Predictive Correlation Study Examining Attrition Among Ncaa Diii Student-Athletes Based On Roster Gender, Sport-Type, And Sport-Attrition, Rebecca Jean Kayda

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, correlational study examined whether gender, sport-type, and sport attrition can predict university attrition of student-athletes from a small, private, NCAA DIII institution. Student-athletes attending DIII institutions are considered a vulnerable population and are largely under-studied. Participation in extra-curricular activities, such as belonging to an athletics team, has been linked to higher rates of social integration on campus and smoother transitions into college life overall. This participation has not been shown to decrease academic performance; however, university attrition of student-athletes remains a problem. This problem is especially relevant in smaller schools, where a small percentage of student attrition can …

Women’S Perceptions Of The Aviation Workplace: An Exploratory Study, Lindsay Stevenson, Haydee Cuevas, Katya K. Rivera, Katie Kirkpatrick, Marisa Aguiar, Jorge L. D. Albelo

Publications

The purpose of this exploratory study was to garner a better understanding of the following research question: What factors may contribute to women’s retention in aviation occupations in the United States? The Aviation Occupation Survey was developed drawing from the published literature in organizational retention and diversity in aviation to explore this research question. The survey consisted of 50 Likert-scale items on nine subjects related to career retention. A total of 188 participants (women = 70, men = 118) completed the survey. Results revealed similarities between women and men on perceptions about numerous aspects of their workplace, particularly job satisfaction, …

Associating Psychological Factors With Workplace Satisfaction And Position Duration In A Sample Of International School Teachers, Ross C. Hollett, Mark Mcmahon, Ronald Monson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© Copyright © 2021 Hollett, McMahon and Monson. To be an effective teacher, a combination of specific professional skills and psychological attributes are required. With increasingly fluid employment conditions, particularly in the international context, recruiters and schools are under considerable pressure to quickly differentiate candidates and make successful placements, which involves more than just determining if a candidate holds an appropriate qualification. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to measure theoretically and empirically valuable psychological attributes in an international sample of schoolteachers to determine the most valuable correlates of satisfaction and position duration. An international sample (N = …