Educational Leadership Commons^™

Navigating The Shift: Supporting Health Sciences Faculty Transitioning From Industry To Asynchronous Online Education, Joshua D. Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative exploratory study examined how new online instructors in the health sciences division of a North Texas community college experienced institutional onboarding and professional development as they transitioned from industry roles into asynchronous online teaching. As community colleges expand online instruction to meet the needs of nontraditional learners, many health sciences faculty enter academic roles with strong clinical expertise but limited preparation in online pedagogy. Guided by the community of inquiry framework and self-efficacy theory, this study explored instructors’ perceptions of their preparedness for asynchronous teaching; the instructional challenges they encountered, particularly related to student engagement; and the types …

Teaching In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Lived Experiences, Nicholas Ricks Harris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing education, creating new opportunities for teaching and learning while also raising challenges for teachers. Although schools are encouraging the use of AI, little is known about how teachers experience this transition or how it affects their professional roles. This study explored teachers’ lived experiences as they begin working with AI, using a phenomenological research approach to understand both what they encounter and how they make sense of those experiences. Through interviews with teachers who have recently engaged with AI in their practice, the research identifies themes that reveal opportunities, challenges, and shifts in professional …

Support Leads To Success: Exploring Culturally Responsive And Relevant Education For Tertiary Level Students Of Color, Aisha Milaham

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Culturally responsive and relevant education (CRRE) teaching practice are crucial to implement at the tertiary level to support post-graduate preparation for students from marginalized communities. This case study explores the impact, or lack thereof, of these teaching principles in a higher education program specifically created to support diverse populations of students in preparing for graduate level studies and professions in academia. Data were collected via one-on-one interviews with students and staff in the program. Data were then analyzed to explore the extent to which culturally CRRE principles were integrated into TP and how that integration impacted student preparation for academia. …

One Faculty, One Mission: A Unified Faculty Model For California Community Colleges, Debbie Klein

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

This article advances a unified, non-tiered faculty model as essential to fulfilling the mission of the California Community Colleges (CCC) system. Although the system is charged with realizing open access and educational equity, nearly 70% of faculty serve in part-time or contingent roles—often without proportional compensation, institutional stability, or meaningful participation in governance. Drawing on research demonstrating that faculty working conditions shape student learning conditions, the article argues that structural employment inequities undermine the system’s democratic promise. Situating the proposal within national “One Faculty” efforts and recent legislative attention to pay parity in California, it demonstrates that reform is both …

Building A Better Clinical Competency Committee: A Multi-Institutional Approach To Improving The Quality Of Resident Feedback Through Appreciative Inquiry, Nikita Khetan, Emma Omoruyi, Elizabeth Hanson

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires pediatric faculty to convene twice yearly as a Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) to review resident performance and provide feedback. Variability in review processes and limited feedback quality remain common challenges. Incorporating Appreciative Inquiry within a Deliberate Practice framework may enhance the quality of summative feedback provided to residents.

Methods

This project was conducted with pediatric residents and faculty during the 2019–20 academic year at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Health San Antonio (UTHSA) and during the 2021-22 academic year at The University of Texas Health Science Center …

Optimizing Antibiotic Strategies With A Clinical Pathway Approach: Enhanced Initiation And De-Escalation In Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Ahmad Behzadpour

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of hospitalization, mortality, and health care expenditure worldwide. Inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug events, and increased costs. Antibiotic stewardship and standardized clinical pathways are key strategies to improve prescribing practices.

Methods

This quality improvement (QI) initiative was conducted at a 240-bed tertiary care teaching hospital from January 2023 through January 2025. A CAP-specific digital clinical pathway was developed using Curbside Health® and integrated into the electronic health record (EHR), accessible through a structured order set to support real-time clinical decision-making. The intervention included provider education and …

Establishing Nurse Innovator Competencies: A Collaborative Initiative, Lori M. Brodie, Susan B. Patton, Dara Lanman, Ismail Dilek, Noah R. Zanville, Tracy A. Ortelli

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Rapid advancements in augmented and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping health care, necessitating a strategic approach to integrating innovation into nursing education and practice. This article details a collaborative initiative between academic and practice partners aimed at the initial steps towards establishing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for nurses to lead change through the creation of Nurse Innovator Competencies.

Methods

After an extensive review of literature, the team identified the absence of established Nurse Innovator Competencies. Through a collaborative and iterative process involving subject matter experts (SMEs) in both innovation and academia, key domains for the competencies, including …

Catalyzing Learner-Centered Ecosystems In Pennsylvania For A Future Of Human Thriving, Danielle S. Shylit

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

School-centric education has failed to produce equitable outcomes for Pennsylvania's learners. Declining student engagement, widening opportunity gaps, and the demoralization of educators and leaders escalate an urgent need to shift systems, mindsets, and praxis from a school-centric to a learner-centric paradigm. This action research dissertation elevates what is learned at individual, group, and system levels through disciplined inquiry with aligned district public education leaders in Pennsylvania willing to co-create learner-centered ecosystems with community stakeholders for a future of human thriving. Grounded in Education Reimagined's definition of Learner-Centered Ecosystems, and the theoretical frameworks of Bryk et al.'s Networked Improvement Communities and …

Facilitating Student Success Through Scholar Programs, Jenna Heath, Isabella Shenouda

College of Liberal Arts Faculty Research

This poster features a series of career highlights from the UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program. This document profiles four exceptional current and former students—Fyona Mortel, Nikki Adams, Jordan Paul Guimarey, and Haydee Herrera—who demonstrate how the program's unique blend of mentorship, financial support, and community engagement accelerates career readiness. Through hands-on internships, leadership roles, and diverse professional networking opportunities, these scholars have cultivated essential competencies such as leadership, critical thinking, empathy, and professional branding, effectively preparing them for future success in their respective fields.

Monthly Cohort Meetings As A Pathway To Career-Related Success And Readiness, Jenna Heath, Isabella Shenouda

College of Liberal Arts Faculty Research

The UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program utilizes a monthly cohort-based meeting structure to foster professional and personal development among its approximately 100 scholars. Led by Graduate Mentors, these sessions provide a consistent, structured space for community building, networking, and critical reflection. By incorporating diverse, curated programming (ranging from professional development and guest speakers to stress-management workshops and peer-led activities), the practice cultivates essential competencies. These include emotional intelligence, accountability, and interpersonal communication, ultimately enhancing scholars' holistic career readiness and well-being.

The Collaborative Capstone Model As A Showcase Of Holistic Career Growth, Jenna Heath, Isabella Shenouda

College of Liberal Arts Faculty Research

The UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program capstone project requires graduating students to present their cumulative experience at the "End of Semester Celebration". Intended to build communication skills, emotional intelligence, and professional competencies, the assignment helps scholars reflect on their nonprofit sector learning and share their personal experiences with diverse audiences. This poster proposes shifting the capstone from an individual, three-minute presentation to a six-to-eight-minute collaborative group project focused on the program's core pillars: scholarship, leadership, and service. This transition aims to foster UNLV Career Competencies such as interpersonal communication, accountability, and flexibility by requiring students to navigate group dynamics and integrate …

Enhancing Assessment Tools For Foster Youth: A Phenomenological Approach To Preparing For Independent Living, Karen M. Armstead

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract

Foster youth transitioning to independent living often face challenges that extend beyond technical life skills. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 10 former foster youth (ages 18–21) regarding readiness for independent living and the adequacy of preparation they received. Semi-structured interviews were guided by an 18-question instrument reflecting real-world transition domains commonly addressed by nonprofit independent living programs. Thematic analysis yielded three primary themes: (1) lack of preparation, (2) emotional strain and abandonment, and (3) life skills training. Findings indicate that readiness is multidimensional and shaped by practical preparation, emotional readiness, and relational support. For nonprofit …

Understanding Higher Education Resources: A Critical Policy Analysis Of The Fafsa Simplification Act Of 2019 Implementation At A Private, Catholic University, Jasmine Hamm

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The qualitative study examined a private, Catholic university’s implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2019 alongside the broader, layered federal and state policies involved in financial aid award allocation in higher education (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Rubin & Rubin, 2011; Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Critical Policy Analysis and Institutional Theory guided the research in examining (1) policy development, (2) implementation, (3) external pressures, and (4) organizational adaptation (Diem et al., 2014; Meyer & Rowan, 1977). Eight administrators and staff members who worked in the Enrollment Management Division and the Financial Aid Office were interviewed regarding the implementation of the …

Parents Of Students With Severe Autism Studying In Virtual Learning Environments And Their Perceptions And Experiences Working With School Administrators: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Shelli L. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand parents’ lived experiences and perceptions of their interactions with school administrators in virtual learning environments. The study centers on the following research question: What are the experiences of parents of children with severe autism as they work with school administrators in virtual learning environments? The hermeneutical framework guiding this study is Vygotsky’s Constructivist Learning Theory, which helps us understand learning through interaction, collaboration, and cognitive apprenticeship, with a focus on instructional practices that prioritize students’ cognitive development. The phenomenological design is to help the researcher to examine parents’ lived experiences …

Reducing Challenging Behavior Through Classroom Management Techniques In The Early Childhood Classroom, Mayra Moreno

Masters Projects

This literature-based project examines the impact of challenging behavior on student learning and evaluates the effectiveness of preventative classroom management strategies. Challenging behaviors include aggression, disruption and withdrawal, negatively affect the learning environment by decreasing student engagement, increasing teacher stress and burnout, and contributing to a less supportive classroom climate. Grounded in Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development and Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, this project emphasizes the importance of developmentally appropriate practices that support both cognitive and social-emotional growth. Included are preventative classroom management techniques aimed at reducing challenging behaviors. Key strategies include maintaining a 5:1 ratio of positive to …

Empathetic Administration: Leveraging Phenomenological Insights To Enhance Student Mental Health Support In Higher Education, Arlissia Lenton Bradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how students at universities in Texas navigated online mental health resources and coping supports while managing mental health challenges. The central research question that guided this study was: What were the lived experiences of students in higher education who were managing mental health issues? Utilizing Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, the study examined how cognitive appraisals and self-effective beliefs, environmental supports and constraints, and behavioral coping strategies interacted as students interpreted and responded to mental health stressors in academic contexts. Data was collected in a virtual setting …

Examining The Perceived Self-Efficacy Of Governing Board Members Of Charter Schools In Florida: A Qualitative Holistic Case Study, Donald Toy Williams Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, holistic case study was to examine the perceived self-efficacy of governing board members in charter schools in Florida. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, which explains how personal beliefs, behaviors, and environmental influences shape an individual’s and collective governance self-efficacy. The central research question guiding this study was: How does the self-efficacy of governing board members in Florida charter schools influence their governance practices? This study used a qualitative, holistic case study design and purposeful sampling to select governing board members from charter schools across Florida. Data were collected through …

A Phenomenological Study: Experiences Of Educational Instructors Utilizing Technology Within Higher Educational Institutions, David B. Mead

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of instructors within higher educational classrooms at institutions of higher education in the Southern region of the United States. The guided theory for the study was the TPACK theory, which combined educational knowledge with educational technology. The TPACK theory of integrating technology with the knowledge framework to answer the central question and three sub-questions: (A) What are the lived experiences of educational instructors in higher education institutions as they engage in utilizing technology in their teaching practices? (B) How do instructors perceive the role of integrating technology in …

A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Veterans During Their Separation Transition, Nereida Valentine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the phenomenon of the lived experiences of U.S. veterans’ during their transition into civilian life across all military branches. The theory guiding this study was Schlossberg’s 4S theory on adult transitions, this theory identifies what factors influence how veterans adapt to their transition into civilian life. Data analysis was led from this central research question: “What are the lived experiences of veterans’ and their academic readiness during their transition into civilian life?” The methodology used was transcendental phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of 12 participants and how they adapt …

Exploring The Role Of Values And Ethics In Transformational Leadership And Their Impact On Teacher Wellbeing: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Brittany Nicole Evans Javier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the impact of values and ethics in transformational leadership on teacher wellbeing for teachers at a private Christian school. The transformational leadership theory proposes that leaders lead through inspiration, and this theory underpinned the study, as more recent research focused on specific aspects of transformational leadership and called for further research in the area of ethical leadership. The primary research question asked how values and ethics in transformational leadership impacted teacher wellbeing in a private Christian school in North Carolina. A transcendental phenomenological study was conducted, as a phenomenological qualitative study …