Educational Leadership Commons^™

Teaching Growth: A Quantitative Study Of Faculty’S Instructional Techniques And Their Participation In Professional Development, Daniel Cole

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between faculty’s instructional practices and their participation in professional development. Data collected from the Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) was analyzed to investigate correlations between instructional techniques faculty are interested in and their participation in professional development programs (FSSE, 2024). The survey asked faculty which instructional practices they want their institution to teach them, as well as what types of professional development programs those faculty members have participated in during that current school year (FSSE, 2024). Participants provided a response on a 1-4 scale representing how important it is that their institution assists them …

The New Normal: A Qualitative Study Exploring The Experiences Of Today's Academic Nursing Faculty, Lisa R. Scott

Dissertations and Theses

There is a long-standing shortage of academic nursing faculty. This shortage limits the ability of nursing colleges to expand student enrollment, creating a barrier to addressing the nation’s need for well-trained nurses. Despite decades of targeted interventions, the faculty shortage remains a pressing challenge for nursing education and the broader healthcare system. This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of academic nursing faculty navigating dynamic educational and healthcare landscapes. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 12 full-time, doctorally-prepared faculty members with at least six years of experience, the study explored how participants responded to rapid technological advancements, increasing diversity, the long-term …

Preparing For Inevitable Uncertainty : Collaborative Sensemaking Of Assets And Barriers To Becoming A Jewish Supplementary School Educator., Mindy M. Gold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While teacher shortages are a shared national challenge, responses are shaped by local nuances (McHenry-Sorber et al., 2019). This research explored how community-identified assets might address teacher recruitment challenges in supplementary Jewish education programs, a microcosm of public education. Many Jewish supplementary schools are investigating curricular and programmatic approaches to attract students and families without commensurate inquiry into attracting teachers to the field. The disproportionate focus has occurred amidst a shrinking pool of candidates (Rosov Consulting, 2021b). In this study, I asked: What do supplementary Jewish education school community members see as assets/barriers to recruiting educators in their school community? …

Lauryn C. Salazar: A Life History Of Mariachi Leadership, Berta Alicia Guerra

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze Lauryn C. Salazar’s mariachi/educational leadership style by focusing on her contributions to the community of Texas Tech University and Tarleton State University. Leadership styles, as defined by Northouse, 2021, refer to the distinct approaches leaders use to guide, motivate, and influence their teams. After examining Salazar’s background to place her motivations and actions in the proper context, this study analyzed what Salazar did, how she perceived her actions, and how others perceived her actions. The life history written by the researcher was primarily based on data collected through eight interviews; however, …

Here Be Dragons: The Barriers Of Korean American Female Leaders In Secondary Schools, Joyce A. Kim

Dissertations

In K-12 public schools, there is a shortage of Korean American women in school leadership roles at the secondary level. This phenomenological study explores the contributing factors to this lack of representation, how institutions can recruit and retain Korean American female leaders, and how school systems can better support them. This study examines the leadership experiences of eight Korean American women. It utilizes the socio-political contexts of Korean patriarchy, the Model Minority Myth, and mentorship to help frame the problem of existing barriers. This study explores the following questions: What factors hinder Korean American women in school leadership? What structural …

Melanated Reflections Through Testimonios: Centering The Experiences Of African American Women Teachers Turned Leaders And Their Implications On Recruitment, Selection, Hiring, And Retention Of Women Of Color In Leadership Positions, Tanya Rochelle Santos

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2022), during the 2017–2018 academic year, only 7% of all teachers identified as Black or African American, with approximately 76% of that group being women. This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of African American women educators who have transitioned into leadership roles within P–12 educational settings across the Great Plains Region of the United States. The research explores how their experiences intersect with issues of racial and gender equity, particularly within the broader discourse of social justice in education and educational leadership.

Framed within the theoretical lens of Black Feminist Thought, …

Strength Over Specificity: Building The Athlete, Not The Skill In Strength And Conditioning, Jack E R Krueger

Leadership Education Capstones

This mixed-methods study explored how athletes, sport coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches perceive the role of general strength training versus sport-specific training in athletic performance. The research was guided by two questions: (1) To what extent can foundational strength and power gains achieved in the weight room influence sport-specific skills? and (2) How do key stakeholders perceive the benefits of general strength versus sport-specific training in the context of sport performance? Data were collected through an anonymous online survey distributed via the Strength Coach Job Network Discord server, Instagram stories, and word of mouth. The final sample consisted of …

Recreational Runner Participation: Barriers, Benefits, And Best Foot Forward In Josephine County, Adam Boothe

Leadership Education Capstones

Running, a simple yet powerful activity, has the potential to significantly enhance physical and mental well-being. While many individuals in Josephine County enjoy running as a recreational pursuit, a cohesive running community remains absent. This research aims to delve into the factors hindering the formation of such a community and explore the potential benefits of participating in a recreational running club.

The Coping Strategies Of Collegiate Football Student-Athletes With Mental Health, James Williams

Leadership Education Capstones

This study explores the mental health challenges faced by Division II collegiate football players, their coping mechanisms, and the adequacy of institutional resources. Through qualitative interviews with student-athletes, the research examines their experiences, stress levels, and perceptions of support systems. Findings indicate that anxiety, stress, and performance pressure are prevalent among players, with 58.3% reporting anxiety symptoms and 50% experiencing football-related stress. Despite 91.7% of respondents being aware of campus mental health services, comfort levels in discussing mental health remain moderate, and coaching support is perceived as only somewhat effective. The results highlight that while individual coping strategies exist, psychological …

Aspiring Leaders And Future Visions About Leadership Communications, Conner Haggerty, Dylan A. Sawicki, Jared Gerke, John Langan, Kaitlyn Mj Calabrese, Kyle Borske, Mattie Schimenz, Barbara Holmes

Leadership Education Books

The spring 2025 Leadership Education LDRS 615 graduate course student writing project focuses on the leadership communications and the future. Graduate students enrolled in this class chose as a topic: Aspiring Leaders and Future Visions about Leadership Communications. Interest in this topic emerges from discussions regarding the new digital tools and mediums implemented in the 21st century.

Upon completion of the Organizational Leaders program, new leaders will add voice and expertise to creating new visions for the workplaces of tomorrow. These graduate students point out that the future is here and the requirement to send clear communications to others remains …

Mathematics Teacher Certification Status And Student Achievement: A Quantitative Analysis, Angela K. Wallace

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sixty years ago, James Coleman (1966) released a report called Equality of Education where he focused on inequalities in education between Black and White students. Today, continued research has built on Coleman’s findings particularly on teacher quality and its effects on student achievement (Coleman et al., 1966). The purpose of this quantitative analysis was to explore if any relationship exists between 8th grade math and 10th grade geometry teachers’ certification status and 8th grade math and 10th grade geometry students’ achievement. By utilizing Pedagogical Content Knowledge Theory (PCK) and Mathematical Knowledge for Teachers Theory (MKT) as the theoretical frameworks, the …

An Ethnographic Study: The Influence Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy On Student Agency, Gerald D. Smith Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study aimed to investigate and analyze the methods and practices of teaching within urban educational settings, with a specific focus on the culturally relevant practices that should be integrated into the learning experiences for Black learners. The primary goal was to highlight the necessity for educators within urban educational settings to adopt a culturally relevant pedagogy within their context that promotes higher academic excellence and meaningful learning experiences for Black students through the cultivation of agency. Using an ethnography qualitative research design, the study worked to answer two questions: RQ1: What culturally relevant pedagogical practices are used to …

Family-Centered Organization Creating “Lazos” To Affix Families And Their Students To Education: A Case Study, Erica Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, parental involvement has alternatively shifted from being a central participant within the United States’ education reform to being a secondary input stakeholder primarily due to the constant attempts to align its purpose, presence, and effects in education initiatives. Additionally, the varied constructs considered by multiple researchers and federal or state education agencies to define ‘parental involvement’, the variety of ‘population descriptors’, and ‘types of communication’ have increased the complexity to address the needs diverse family structures have to successfully build “lazos” to affix themselves and their students to education. This case study explores the perspectives low socioeconomic Hispanic families …

Perceptions Of Special Education Teachers On The Transition Planning Process: Examining Practices That Predict A Positive Post-Secondary Outcome For Students With Disabilities In The Lower Rio Grande Valley School Districts, Mayra Lorena Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the significance of the transition planning process for students with disabilities, particularly from the perspectives of the special education teachers. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this research examined the role of the student, parent, work related experiences and teacher involvement in the transition process, and the relationship between these factors and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) measures. Using a quantitative approach, that included special education teachers’ responses to the Secondary Education Transition Questionnaire adapted version and a cross analysis with 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) CCMR indicators, the study identified critical gaps between …

Tennessee Magnet Schools: Examining The Relationship Between Magnet School Designation And Student Achievement In Secondary Public Schools, Alex Turner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between magnet school designation and student achievement in Tennessee secondary public schools. Three years (2021-2023) of student achievement data from the Tennessee Department of Education was used to analyze student performance in 24 magnet and 287 traditional non-magnet schools. Schools were included in the study if they operated continuously throughout the study period and were categorized as either a public magnet school or a traditional non-magnet school. Excluded from the study were virtual, charter, alternative schools, and early colleges.

Four research questions were crafted to guide this study. Student …

A Phenomenological Study On Ethnic Studies California Community College Faculty, Anthony Guaracha

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to add to the research about ethnic studies faculty. This study’s goal was to understand the experiences of ethnic studies faculty, post AB-1460. Prior to AB 1460, few colleges offered tenure track positions and few ethnic studies departments existed Ethnic studies faculty increased at college campuses throughout the state after AB 1460 passed. While many studies focus on ethnic studies, few center on faculty and their experiences. This study employed a qualitative research design, and it was a phenomenological study and used the lens of critical race theory. 12 full-time, tenure track faculty members …

Mi Testimonio: The Beginning Of My Healing Journey, Maria A. Vega

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My testimonio, presented as my dissertation, is a deep and personal reflection on my experiences as an immigrant and multilingual student. I share my story by trenzando—braiding—lived experiences, critical analysis, and relevant research on immigration and trauma, language and identity, and the links between multilingualism and academic success. Through deep reflection and analysis, I draw on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (1943), Giles and Johnson’s Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory (1981), and García’s (2009) translanguaging framework to explore the following questions:

1. How does the oppression of one’s linguistic and cultural practices affect identity development?
2. How does my story—my testimonio—empower the mother, …

Elevándose Más Allá De La Culpa: Navigating Family Achievement Guilt And Familismo In The Academic Journeys Of Latino Male First-Generation College Students In The Inland Empire, Thomas C. Robles

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the experiences of Latino first-generation college students (FGCS) in California’s Inland Empire, focusing on family achievement guilt—the emotional tension felt when academic success surpasses that of family members. Rooted in familismo and cultural expectations, this phenomenon can lead to self-doubt, stress, and academic struggles, particularly for Latino males in community colleges. This qualitative study uses a phenomenological approach and testimonios to examine how participants navigate familial obligations, cultural expectations, and academic identities. Findings indicate that while family achievement guilt creates emotional and psychological barriers, students develop resilient coping strategies, including mentorship, peer support, and reframing education as …

The Sense-Making Of Race, Gender, And Masculinity In College Men Of Color: A Critical Race-Grounded Theory Approach, Leon Phú Strayer

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Literature on Men of Color in college has highlighted the disparate retention, persistence, and graduation rates of college Men of Color when compared to their female counterparts or White male peers. As a contribution to the scholarly research on Men of Color, this qualitative critical race-grounded theory study explored this phenomenon and made further inquiry about the nuanced and unique lives of Men of Color attending a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI). This research involved nine Men of Color undergraduate students who attended an HSI in Southern California who collaborated and coconstructed knowledge during the study. The collaborators, or participants, contributed to …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Leadership Practices On Inclusive Education In Rural Appalachian Elementary Schools, Michael Vermillion

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine fifth-grade teachers’ perceptions of principal practices related to the academic achievement of students with disabilities in inclusive schools in the Appalachian region of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The study focused on rural Appalachian schools because they face unique challenges related to poverty, isolation, and limited resources that can influence their ability to provide inclusive education.

Data collection strategies included semi-structured individual interviews and document review. The data analysis strategies included transcription of interviews, member checking, coding, and identifying themes. To ensure credibility of findings, rigorous measures such as coding and …