Empowering State-Level Multilingual Education Leaders: Harnessing Generative Artificial Intelligence For Program Administration, Geqigula M. Dlamini

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand how generative artificial intelligence could empower program staff at the California Department of Education (CDE) who support state-level multilingual programs by providing training and opportunities to review existing practices and identify promising use cases. With limited fiscal and personnel resources, state program staff had to rethink and intentionally consider how to enhance their own capacity to keep program momentum and support practitioners in the growth area of multilingual education.

With empowerment theory as the theoretical framework, this qualitative, participatory action research study involved 11 members of the Multilingual Support Division at the CDE. These co-researchers …

Examining Challenges For Sociology Master’S Degree Students At California State University, David Ortuno

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to identify the lived experiences of CSU sociology graduate students pursuing a master’s degree. Seven sociology graduate students from six of the eight (75%) total sociology MA programs throughout the entire CSU system were interviewed. Their responses were designed to analyze the support systems and challenges they face while pursuing a master's degree, as well as to investigate whether their experiences correlate with or fail to correlate with the promises in the CSU mission statement, and to answer the study’s research questions and achieve the purpose of this qualitative study.

Four themes emerged from …

Organizational Executives’ Perspectives On Cultural Humility And Diversity, Lynette Piggee-Pinero

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action-oriented dissertation was to understand how executives perceive their own cultural humility and how their perceptions impact diversity promotion in the workplace. This study used action research to examine the perspectives of executives on their own cultural humility and how cultural humility promotes diversity. This study included data collected from interviews with eight executives. Findings from the study revealed that executives perceived their own cultural humility as evident in a commitment to learning about others, their ability to suspend their own biases, and their commitment to ongoing learning. The findings were also that executives expressed connections …

The Teacher Shortage Crisis: How Workplace Relationships Influence Retention, Attrition, And The Education Labor Market, Jeremy Brooks

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study took a closer look at how high school teachers perceive the ongoing teacher shortage, with particular attention to how workplace conditions and the broader school climate impact whether they choose to stay in the profession. Special focus was given to teachers in their first five years, a group especially vulnerable to early attrition. As the conversation around teacher turnover grows louder, this research seeks to better understand what’s driving teachers’ decisions from their own perspectives, not just policy data or administrative assumptions.

The study used a basic qualitative research design, relying on one-on-one, in-depth interviews to gather insights …

Coaching-Based Leadership Communication In Higher Education Hybrid Work Environments, Lisa Erck

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how coaching-based leadership (CBL) communication practices were associated with participants’ perceptions of communication, collaboration, and engagement within a hybrid higher education work environment. Grounded in constructivist leadership theory (CLT), CBL, and action research (AR), the study explored how intentional shifts in leader communication behaviors influenced team interactions over time. Using a qualitative AR design, I partnered with a higher education administrative leader and their team in a hybrid setting. The participant group included the leader and their direct reports. Data were collected across iterative AR cycles through semistructured interviews, observational data, and participant reflection journals. Data analysis …

Empowering Equity: Latinas In Leadership – Navigating Work-Life Balance In The Post-Pandemic Era, Teresa Excinia

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the lived experiences of Latina leaders as they navigated how cultural expectations influenced work–life balance in the post-pandemic era. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped workplace dynamics, blurring boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal life. For Latinas, these challenges were compounded by cultural expectations that shaped their roles both at home and in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to understand how Latina leaders managed the dual pressures of balancing career demands with cultural and familial obligations. Using Testimonio as the methodological framework, this study captured the voices and narratives of Latina leaders across industries, offering an …

Leading Schools Effectively During A Crisis: Lessons Learned From The Covid-19 Pandemic, La Tonya Elizabeth Overton

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This qualitative study explored the successes, challenges, and lessons learned by elementary principals serving systemically marginalized communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through in-depth interviews with nine principals across multiple school districts, the study identified three overarching themes that characterized effective crisis leadership: relationships, well-being, and innovation. Principals described how sustaining strong relationships, prioritizing humanity, and centering trust were essential for navigating trauma, uncertainty, and rapid change. They emphasized meeting basic needs such as food, technology access, health supports, and housing stability as foundational to school continuity. Principals also demonstrated equity-driven responsiveness by removing systemic barriers, adapting communication to diverse …

The Evolution Of School Accountability In Virginia: Research, Early Results, And Implications For Policy And Practice, David Naff, William L. Parker, Meleah Ellison, Amy Bollt, Andrea Herndon, Paula Muente Mizushima, T'Airra Belcher, Lauren Grob, Lindsay Duncan, Kelly Denny, Emily Leavitt, Gyun Min Jung, Theresa Thompson, Sandra Rucker, Meredith Collier, Jamelle Simmons, Samantha Hope

MERC Publications

This MERC research and policy review focuses on the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF), Virginia's school accountability system. It synthesizes relevant research literature, student outcome data, and information about accountability systems in other states to provide context, projections, and potential next steps for the SPSF. It concludes with implications and recommendations for state policymakers and education leaders, school boards and division leaders, and school leaders and educators.

Examining How Engagement Strategies Of Principals Influence Teacher Retention In Urban Title I Schools, Bridgette Allen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As the teacher shortage continues to rise, it is critical for educational leaders to focus on teacher retention. Principals play a significant role in teacher retention, teacher engagement, and job satisfaction; therefore, they must implement effective engagement strategies to improve teacher retention. The purpose of this basic qualitative study is to explore how engagement strategies employed by principals at urban Title I schools contribute to teachers’ decisions to remain at these schools. The research question for this study examines teachers’ perspectives on how the engagement strategies used by their school principals influence their decision to remain in an urban Title …

Exploring Teacher Perceptions: A Comparative Analysis Of Departmentalized And Self-Contained Instructional Models In First And Second Grades, Jason R. Trotter

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative multiple-case study examined the perceptions of first- and second-grade teachers who have taught in both the departmentalized and traditional self-contained instructional models. The study explored teachers’ perceived advantages and disadvantages of each model, examined how their experiences within each model influenced instructional strategies and classroom management approaches, and assessed their perceived impacts on student engagement and learning outcomes. Each grade level was a bounded case. This study was conducted at a Title I elementary school in Southeast Georgia, where both models were implemented.

Guided by social constructivism, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teachers (four first-grade and three …

Staff Perceptions Of The Roles, Responsibilities, And Effectiveness Of School Resource Officers In Ensuring School Safety, Jana B. Collins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

School safety remains a critical concern in education, particularly in rural settings where resources, staffing, and community dynamics may differ from urban and suburban environments. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine staff perceptions of the roles, responsibilities, and effectiveness of school resource officers in maintaining and enhancing school safety within a rural school system. A researcher-designed survey using a 4-point Likert scale was administered to teachers and staff members (N = 417). Descriptive statistics summarized overall staff perceptions, and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) examined differences based on demographic and professional characteristics. Findings indicated that staff generally …

Extracurricular Activities' Influence On High School Students' Academic Achievement, Michael Jones Jr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This quantitative study investigates the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and academic achievement among high school students, as measured by Grade Point Average (GPA). This study uses a cross-sectional research design to analyze GPA data from Greenbrier High School in Evans, Georgia. Greenbrier is a part of the Columbia County School District and serves approximately 2,000 students. Historical data were collected from 2024-2025 school records and analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA to compare the impact of ECAs on academic achievement. The study analyzed differences in academic performance based on (a) participation versus non‑participation in ECAs, (b) the type of …

Recruitment Strategies For Rural Black Students At Georgia Colleges And Universities: From An Admissions Counselor Perspective, Jayde B. Nelson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the recruitment practices of admissions counselors at colleges and universities in the state of Georgia, with a focused lens on their efforts to engage and enroll Black students from rural high schools. The study investigates how geographic isolation, racial identity, and systemic inequalities converge to shape the college access landscape for underrepresented students in rural communities. Using a qualitative approach grounded in Culturally Responsive Leadership as the theoretical framework, this research examines the strategies, barriers, and institutional priorities that influence outreach efforts and recruitment outcomes. By analyzing admissions counselor perspectives and institutional approaches, the study found that …

Academic Coaching Modality, Academic Self-Efficacy, Academic Success, And Executive Functioning Skills In Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Tracey Y. Hurd

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As the number of students with a diagnosis of ADHD rises, postsecondary institutions must determine support services, such as academic coaching, that can contribute to their academic success. This study sought to examine the use of academic coaching in students with ADHD to increase executive functioning skills, while determining if the modality of the sessions affects these skills and student academic success, taking into consideration the role of academic self-efficacy in these behaviors. The study also examined Academic Coaches' perceptions of how their coaching practice impacts student academic success, the survey findings, and the potential impact of those findings on …

Perceptions Of Georgia Elementary School Administrators Toward Elementary Agricultural Education, Addie Tucker

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Elementary agricultural education (EAE) is a growing component of K-12 agricultural education, yet limited research exists on how school leaders perceive its value. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Georgia elementary school administrators regarding the implementation and value of EAE programs. Specifically, this study examined elementary principals’ and district superintendents’ views on the benefits, effectiveness, and value of EAE. A descriptive research design was used. Georgia elementary principals and district superintendents with active EAE programs during the 2025-2026 academic year were surveyed in the fall of 2025. The sample consisted of 18 principals and 18 …

The Effect That Positive And Negative Self-Concepts Have On Adolescents' Behavior And Personalities, Portia L. Davis

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The development stage of adolescence is a complex process in which adolescents begin to explore their identity and form either a positive or negative self-concept. Self-concept plays a crucial role in shaping adolescents' personalities and behaviors. Self-concept includes how adolescents view themselves and how others see them. An adolescent's self-concept can influence their self-confidence, social relationships, and decision-making abilities. This study examines the relationship between overall self-concept and adolescents' personality traits and behaviors. To gather this information, a quantitative research design is used, in which adolescents complete assessments such as the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), the Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ-IV), …

The Economic Impact Of The Georgia Young Farmers Association On Georgia's Economy, Robert E. Bodiford Iii

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Agriculture is Georgia’s largest economy, generating billions of dollars annually. Sustaining this sector requires ongoing investment in human capital through education, training, and leadership development. While research has extensively examined youth agricultural education, limited attention has been given to the economic contributions of adult agricultural education programs. The Georgia Young Farmers Association serves as a primary provider of structured adult agricultural education in the state, offering continuing education through meetings, farm tours, workshops, and leadership development activities. The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic impact of the Georgia Young Farmers Association on Georgia’s economy[BL1] . The …

Career Readiness Indicators In High School Influenced By Leaders In Alabama, Kevin J. Wieseman

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study investigated how educational leaders conceptualize and influence Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) in Alabama high schools. As Alabama places increasing emphasis on College and Career Readiness (CCR), this research explored how leaders’ lived experiences affect initiatives designed to prepare students for postsecondary achievement. Drawing on Transformational Leadership Theory and Distributed Leadership Theory, the study examined leadership practices associated with work-based learning, soft skills development, academic preparedness, and career-readiness outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with educational leaders from Alabama school systems recognized for exemplary CCR performance. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach to identify shared leadership experiences and …

Wired For Inclusion: Leveraging Strengths Of Neurodivergent Special Educators, Brok Hess, Teresa Clark Ed.D.

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Special education teachers face unique challenges, and neurodivergent special educators possess distinctive strengths that can allow them to excel in the classroom. However, barriers, stigma, and ableism persist that have prevented neurodivergent individuals from accessing this career, receiving support, and thriving as special educators. Self-efficacy and executive functioning both correlate to success and retention within education. This research analyzed the relationship between special education teachers’ self-efficacy and executive functioning, specifically among neurodivergent special educators. Results concluded that a significant positive correlation exists between neurodivergent special education teachers’ executive functioning and self-efficacy. Attention to these results will highlight the importance of …

Emotional Labor, Well-Being, And Community Care In Student Conduct Administration, Tiffany M. Shierling, Kelly A. Burlison

College of Education Faculty Publications & Presentations

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined emotional labor, stress, and coping among student conduct administrators (SCAs). SCAs work in emotionally intensive, high-stakes environments that require balancing student development, institutional risk management, and legal compliance. Despite clear parallels to other helping professions, the emotional toll of student conduct work remains underexamined. Grounded in self-compassion theory and resilience theory, this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined the emotional labor demands, stressors, and coping strategies experienced by SCAs in higher education. Quantitative (n = 101) findings revealed strong relationships among stress, burnout, and anxiety, while individual self-care practices offered limited protection without institutional support. …