The Lived Experiences Of African American Clergywomen In In New York City,
2026
Liberty University
The Lived Experiences Of African American Clergywomen In In New York City, Rosa Queen-Allen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In this century, there has been a notable escalation in the tally of African American women purporting the imperative in their lives to serve within the Black Church in clergy oversight positions. Despite overt inequities in clergy leadership regarding the percentage of males versus females, there is a dearth in the ministerial leadership literature concerning African American females. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American females in senior ministry in New York City. For this study, African-American clergywomen will be generally defined as African-American women who lead a church or are called/ordained …
Perceptions Of Novice Career And Technical Education Teachers Regarding Teacher Evaluations,
2026
Texas State University
Perceptions Of Novice Career And Technical Education Teachers Regarding Teacher Evaluations, Felix Quayson, Chris Zirkle
Journal of Research in Technical Careers
As states expand funding for alternative teacher-licensure pathways, this qualitative descriptive case study examined how 38 novice Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in a Midwestern research university’s alternative licensure program perceived teacher evaluation during their first years in the profession. Analyses yielded ten major themes with three subthemes each, which were synthesized into the DEEPS conceptual evaluation framework: Development, Evaluation, Engagement, Partnerships, and Skills. We arranged the acronym DEEPS based on data analysis for conceptual coherence rather than order of occurrence. Participants described evaluation as misaligned with the specialized demands of CTE instruction and called for tools that better …
An Analysis Of Professional Development Preferences, Needs, And Engagement Among Family And Consumer Sciences Teachers In Illinois,
2026
Illinois State University
An Analysis Of Professional Development Preferences, Needs, And Engagement Among Family And Consumer Sciences Teachers In Illinois, Sally E. Arnett
Journal of Research in Technical Careers
The purpose of this study was to identify the professional development preferences, needs, and engagement of family and consumer sciences (FCS) teachers in Illinois. Signature pedagogy and its three theoretical elements served as a foundational framework for structuring respondents' professional development considerations. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through an online survey completed by 45 (42%) Illinois FCS teachers. Findings indicated that teachers preferred professional development that was offered in person, located within geographical proximity, and scheduled during contracted working hours. Respondents identified discipline-specific FCS content, effective lab management, and the integration of AI in an FCS classroom …
Education Journey: A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Lived College Experiences For Black Women Ages 20–39,
2026
Liberty University
Education Journey: A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Lived College Experiences For Black Women Ages 20–39, Marsha Natalie Tucker-Scott
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This phenomenological study focused on the lived college experiences of Black female students aged 20-39 in the New York Metropolitan area, drawing on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory to examine how cultural context, social interaction, and community expectations shaped their academic engagement and development. Using in-depth interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts with ten participants from local communities and churches, the study found that race and social expectations exerted a more profound influence on participants’ academic journeys than gender or age. Their narratives affirmed the value of hermeneutic phenomenology and intersectionality in understanding Black women’s experiences in higher education, particularly as they …
The Herd: Shepherd Leadership Development Program,
2026
Liberty University
The Herd: Shepherd Leadership Development Program, Ronald Dean Axworthy
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This dissertation-in-praxis focuses on the development and implementation of a Shepherd leadership development program for high school students, grades 9-12, in a private Christian high school setting. This program examines how the intentional integration of leadership curriculum shapes students’ views and perspectives on leadership and their ability to lead others as Shepherd leaders. Drawing on the Shepherd leadership motif found throughout the Bible, educational philosophy, and Christian pedagogy, this program examines various methods and curriculum strategies used in the Christian high school setting to build future Christian leaders. The study focuses on understanding how the Shepherd leadership curriculum impacted the …
Non-Denominational Female Ministry Leaders' Disciple-Making Experience Using Digital Platforms: A Phenomenological Study,
2026
Liberty University
Non-Denominational Female Ministry Leaders' Disciple-Making Experience Using Digital Platforms: A Phenomenological Study, Vorlea C. Chaney
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A global pandemic in the winter of 2020 forced the faith community to close its doors in the interest of public safety. Due to the closings, the faith community resorted to digital platforms to continue to make disciples, according to Matthew 28:19-20 (King James Version, 1991). Jun (2020) asserts the current digital age is poised to be the next industrial revolution used by the church to make disciples. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate female ministry leader’s digital disciple-making experience. According to Leedy and Ormrod (2019), “the term phenomenology refers to a person’s perception of the …
A Predictive Correlational Study Of User Acceptance Of Electronic Medical Record Systems In Nursing Higher Educational Institutions,
2026
Liberty University
A Predictive Correlational Study Of User Acceptance Of Electronic Medical Record Systems In Nursing Higher Educational Institutions, Clara Awosika
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to examine the extent to which perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use predict behavioral intention and actual usage of electronic medical record systems among nurses who have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Using the Technology Acceptance Model, this study sought to address a gap in the literature regarding the level of user acceptance and utilization of EMR systems among nursing students during their training in higher education institutions. Participants included 85 actively licensed nurses who used EMR systems during their academic preparation. Data were collected using …
The Faculty Advisor's Role In Student Retention And Success: A Case Study From The Student Perspective,
2026
Liberty University
The Faculty Advisor's Role In Student Retention And Success: A Case Study From The Student Perspective, Alice Lorraine Buchanan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this collective case study was to understand the role of faculty advisors in student retention of traditional full-time undergraduate students in their final year of study at a four-year university. Guided by Bean’s theoretical model of student attrition, this study examined how organizational interactions influence students’ attitudes, advising satisfaction, and subsequent intent to leave. The Central Research Question was: How do faculty advisors influence student retention for traditional full-time undergraduate students in their final year at a four-year university? The setting was a small, faith-based, highly residential, private university in the Midwestern United States, where faculty advisors …
Contending With The Digital Age: Faculty Insights On Collaborating With Administrators For Technology Integration In Higher Education – A Qualitative Study,
2026
Liberty University
Contending With The Digital Age: Faculty Insights On Collaborating With Administrators For Technology Integration In Higher Education – A Qualitative Study, Letty N. Kisten
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences and perceptions of higher education faculty members who collaborate with administrators to integrate technology into the classroom. The study was designed to inform administrative decision-making by highlighting ways to align institutional technology goals with teaching practices that promote faculty effectiveness and student academic success. Through the lens of Bruner’s (2004) constructivist theory, the study framed technology integration as a means of fostering active learning and student engagement. The central question guiding this study was: What are the experiences and perceptions of higher education faculty members who collaborate with …
A Causal-Comparative Analysis Of General Self-Efficacy And Social Media Use Among College Students With Differing Political Affiliations,
2026
Liberty University
A Causal-Comparative Analysis Of General Self-Efficacy And Social Media Use Among College Students With Differing Political Affiliations, Jennifer Lee Wool
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative research was to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in general self-efficacy and integration of social media use among college students who were Democrats compared to those who were Republicans. This is a relevant research topic because college students are a priority in the educational system, with attention to their general well-being, academic performance, and the effects of social media on their lives. There is a lack of research on this topic regarding political affiliation. The sample consisted of 165 college students from various colleges and universities. Participants were recruited from an …
A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study On The Queen Bee Phenomenon In Women Higher Education Administrators In Public Colleges,
2026
Liberty University
A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study On The Queen Bee Phenomenon In Women Higher Education Administrators In Public Colleges, Joy L. Medford
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of women leaders in higher education administration who have experienced the queen bee phenomenon. The theory guiding this study was Tajfel’s social identity theory as it relates to women leaders in public higher education administration. The central research question aimed to explore the lived experiences of women in higher education leadership roles who have experienced the queen bee phenomenon. This hermeneutical phenomenological study included 10 participants who were administrators in public higher education institutions in the United States. Data was collected through semi-structured, individual interviews, journal entries, and …
A Phenomenological Study Of Principals Leading Learning Recovery,
2026
Liberty University
A Phenomenological Study Of Principals Leading Learning Recovery, Charlene Catherine Burroughs
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of principals who worked to support the recovery of the learning lost by the school's fourth graders from a large, urban school district in Texas. Three centralized research questions guided this study. How did principals describe the lived experience of working to support the normalization of the educational experience so that the learning lost by the school’s fourth graders was recovered? How did principals describe their work as leaders who supported the educational process by developing resilience in the face of crisis? How did principals describe the impact …
Organizational Change Model Modified For A Biblical Worldview,
2026
Liberty University
Organizational Change Model Modified For A Biblical Worldview, Mark Alan Van Dyke
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The goal of this proposal was to implement the first six steps of Kotter’s eight-step organizational change model at Emmanuel Lutheran Church to help the leadership improve unity and cohesion within the congregation. A key part of this process was training a guiding coalition of important leaders in essential communication skills, team leadership, and intergenerational ministry concepts. Successfully completing this process and training positioned the congregation to serve its community as a family-oriented culture where disconnected and disillusioned people can find belonging. Using a well-known organizational change theory in a church setting presents its own challenges for pastoral leaders, who …
Workplace Realities And Leadership Aspirations: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Black Female Educators’ Experiences Toward Organizational Leadership,
2026
Liberty University
Workplace Realities And Leadership Aspirations: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Black Female Educators’ Experiences Toward Organizational Leadership, Angela D. Mcguire
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences and workplace dynamics of Black female educators and their transitions into organizational leadership, including entrepreneurship. The theory guiding this study was the social cognitive career theory, as it seeks to establish connections between cognitive and contextual factors, and people and their careers, and represents how individuals exercise personal agency. The Central Research Question was: What are the lived experiences of Black female educators as they transition from traditional teaching roles into organizational leadership, including entrepreneurship? A qualitative study was the most appropriate research design to report on the …
The Road To Effective Leadership: The Role Of Practical Training In Shaping Leadership Skills Of Students For Success In Educational Leadership,
2026
United Arab Emirates University
The Road To Effective Leadership: The Role Of Practical Training In Shaping Leadership Skills Of Students For Success In Educational Leadership, Fatima Ali Saeed Salem Alnuaimi
Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses
Educational leadership programs play an important role in preparing future leaders to deal with the challenges of educational settings. However, relying only on theoretical knowledge may not be enough to develop the skills and mindset required for an effective leadership role. In addition, this study aimed to explore the role of practical training and experiential learning in shaping leadership skills and leadership identity among students enrolled in educational leadership programs. This study utilized a mixed-methods design. First, quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire distributed to 24 participants, including master's and PhD students and educators in leadership roles in schools. …
A Colonial Past Revisited: An Authethnography Of Outsider And Insider Identities In Indigenous Education Communities,
2026
University of New Mexico
A Colonial Past Revisited: An Authethnography Of Outsider And Insider Identities In Indigenous Education Communities, Tara L. Deyoung
Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs
In the late 90s, at Rehoboth Christian school, a small private boarding school in northwest New Mexico, I had four different English teachers in my four years of high school. All but two of my teachers at that time would be considered outsiders to the community in which they taught. Teacher outsiders leave schools and districts at higher rates than insiders to a community; this is especially true for rural and remote areas (Hudson et al., 2020). The purpose of this autoethnographic study is to analyze my history as a cultural outsider and insider in relation to my core beliefs …
Write To Lead: A Document Analysis Of Leadership Communication,
2026
University of New Mexico
Write To Lead: A Document Analysis Of Leadership Communication, Rosenda B. Minella
Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs
This qualitative study examined how executive leaders at an urban community college in the Southwestern United States used motivating language in written communication. Community colleges face increasing complexity, including enrollment declines, limited resources, and heightened expectations for student success. In this context, written leadership communication helps align organizational goals, build trust, and reinforce institutional values. Motivating Language Theory served as the primary coding framework, with findings interpreted through the lens of Authentic Leadership and informed by AACC Leadership Competencies. Using qualitative document analysis and an AI-assisted workflow to support coding consistency, the study analyzed publicly available executive communications produced over …
The Efficacy Of Emotional Reframing As An Intervention To Promote Adult Transformational Growth,
2026
Lesley University
The Efficacy Of Emotional Reframing As An Intervention To Promote Adult Transformational Growth, Linda Rossetti
Educational Studies Dissertations
This study investigates the underexplored relationship between adult developmental growth and emotions. Developmental growth requires an individual to respond to self-concept instability by adopting new meaning structures and navigating oppositional emotions. This quantitative study examined the relationship between an emotional reframing intervention and perspective shifts, an indicator of developmental progression. Data collected on three college campuses in the 2024-2025 academic year revealed a strong positive relationship between the intervention and perspective shifts, as evidenced by differences in pre- and post-assessment responses within the studied population, both in aggregate and in specific use cases. The findings contribute to three academic arenas: …
We Need To Do Better: Exploring Educators’ Perspectives Of Transformative Trauma-Informed Social-Emotional Learning,
2026
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
We Need To Do Better: Exploring Educators’ Perspectives Of Transformative Trauma-Informed Social-Emotional Learning, Heather Stay
Education Doctorate Dissertations
This qualitative, descriptive case study examined educators’ understandings, enactment, and professional learning related to transformative, trauma-informed social-emotional learning (SEL) practices in a center-based emotional support school setting. Data were collected through semi-structured educator interviews and classroom observations to capture a holistic view of pedagogical practices. Guided by the theoretical frameworks of Dis/Crit, Transformative Learning Theory, and Foucault’s Theory of Power, the findings illuminate how educators leverage trauma-informed SEL strategies to support students affected by trauma as they navigate structural and systemic constraints within a normative educational system. Results highlight both effective cultural-sustaining and trauma-responsive practices already in place, as well …
Leadership Regarding The Support And Implementation Of Collaborative Teacher Teams To Advance District Equity Goals,
2026
Lesley University
Leadership Regarding The Support And Implementation Of Collaborative Teacher Teams To Advance District Equity Goals, Deborah Holman
Educational Studies Dissertations
Educational leaders increasingly prioritize equity reform processes; however, many struggle to enact sustainable change that addresses persistent disparities in student outcomes. Existing research on district effectiveness identifies key improvement practices but offers less insight into how leaders operationalize these practices effectively. The growing body of research on professional learning communities (PLCs) offers emerging evidence that job-embedded, focused PLCs are a mechanism that can positively impact student outcomes. This study addressed the connection between the improvement practices and PLCs by exploring how school and district leaders leverage collaborative teacher teams as a mechanism for equity-minded reform. Using a constructivist grounded theory …
