Educational Leadership Commons^™

A Qualitative Study Exploring Senior Leaders’ Experiences And Perceptions In Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment In The U.S. Federal Government: A Systems Perspective, Karen Jane Dean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual harassment (SH) is a prevalent, costly, and often unreported problem in the U.S. Federal Government. Despite decades of research from multiple perspectives and recommendations to address SH, the problem persists and remains complex. While some researchers and U.S. Government agencies have called upon leaders to commit to eliminating workplace SH, others have suggested using an integrated conflict management system (ICMS) to manage the complexity, nuances, and conflicts. Even though there is a call for leadership to address SH, there is limited documentation in the literature about leaders’ experiences and perceptions in addressing the problem. Therefore, this qualitative study was …

Creating A Sense Of Home: Hispanic Students At Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Eva Cordero

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) provide critical access to higher education for Hispanic students, yet their designation is based on enrollment rather than active support for student success. The purpose of the study was to describe and explore the sense of belonging for Hispanic students at a select Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a high percentage of Hispanic students. Using photo voice, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the study identifies five key themes: (1) agency in belonging, (2) club participation, (3) fostering a sense of value, (4) institution and institutional agents, and (5) scholarship and funding. Findings underscore the need for HSIs …

An Instructional Remodel: How Adopting A Unifying Model-Of-Instruction Impacted Teacher Self-Efficacy And Teacher Development And Evaluation Efforts In A Midwestern High School, Charles D. Patterson Carpenter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study sought to determine the effect of adopting a unifying model-of-instruction on teacher self-efficacy and the development and evaluation processes of administrators. By assessing the level of teacher self-efficacy (Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 2001) in the nascent stages of the instructional model’s implementation, then reassessing it after a multiple-month sequence of professional learning, the researcher provides a judgment on statistical significance concerning the two measurements and conjectures the extent to which the instructional model impacted any differences in self-efficacy levels. Using two separate “before and after” interviews with purposefully selected administrators, the researcher explored how the unification of …

Exploring The Relationship Between Novice Teacher Autonomy And Workplace Engagement, Burnout, And Intentions To Remain In The Teaching Profession, Bryce Bennett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Administrators and experienced faculty frequently disagree on the degree of autonomy that should exist for classroom teachers. Administrators seeking to make adjustments to the levels of autonomy experienced by their teachers may struggle to account for differences between novice teachers and their more seasoned counterparts. This study applies researched-based models for exploring the relationship between various job resources and demands and their ultimate impact on workers. A mixed method designed employing a survey across three large school districts in Arkansas asked participants questions intended to uncover the degree of autonomy novice teachers typically experience, levels of burnout & workplace engagement, …

Exploring Hybrid Cohort-Based Doctoral Program Features That Support Nontraditional Doctoral Students’ Persistence: A Preregistered Case Study., Glenda Winborn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the rise of hybrid learning models, non-traditional learners have greater access to doctoral education. However, attrition rates from doctoral programs remain high, ranging from 40% to 50% across all doctoral programs and exceeding these levels in online non-traditional programs. Numerous causes of attrition or persistence in doctoral studies have been researched and can affect the student, the academic institution, and the broader academic society. This qualitative case study will explore adult and lifelong learning doctoral students' perceptions of the programmatic and instructional support resources that have helped improve persistence in their program. Two of the important programmatic features of …

Investigating The Role Of School Leaders’ Feedback In Texas Noncertified Teachers’ Professional Growth And Self-Efficacy, Sonja R. Long

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that the role of school leaders’ feedback in noncertified teachers’ professional growth and self-efficacy is unknown. The purpose of this case study was to investigate the perspectives of noncertified teachers’ understanding of their school leaders’ feedback and how those practices contributed to their professional growth and self-efficacy. A qualitative case study approach was used, with data collected from 12 participants across six Texas school districts through semistructured interviews, questionnaires, and classroom observation documents. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically, with triangulation and member-checking ensuring credibility. Two key findings emerged. First, supporting professional …

It Starts With Trust: How Mid-Level Student Affairs Supervisor Trust Behaviors Impact Entry-Level Staff Leave Intention, Latonya Monique Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of how higher education student affairs mid-level managers (supervisors) develop and maintain trust with directly supervised entry-level staff (employees). Intervention in complex student development-oriented activities, student crises, and political protests has increased since the 1930s at higher education institutions throughout the United States. Entry-level or frontline student affairs staff manage these challenges most frequently. Yet these professionals often leave their positions within 3 years. Studies have highlighted inconsistent supervision as one of three reasons entry-level staff vacated their roles. Although many researchers have investigated why these staff members exited the field, less knowledge exists about …

An Examination Of How Professional Relationships And Professional Development Influence The Lived Experiences Of African American Women Serving As Superintendents In Texas, Tiffany L. Linwood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study investigated the effects of professional relationships and professional development on the experiences of 11 African American women superintendents in Texas, a historically underrepresented minority in educational leadership. It explored the challenges these women have had in advancing to and excelling in superintendent positions, emphasizing the need for mentoring, networking, and ongoing professional development. Despite the variety of students, educational leadership, especially at the superintendent level, is primarily White and male. This study used qualitative approaches, particularly semistructured interviews, to explore the perspectives of African American women superintendents about how professional relationships and growth impact their careers. …

School Leaders’ Role In Supporting Teacher Well-Being, Olena V. Stuart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher well-being is a crucial component of thriving and successful schools and impacts multiple domains of education. A multitude of research shows the teaching profession is not easy and teachers continue to face daily challenges in their work, leading to increased stress, low morale, lack of commitment, and departure from the teaching profession. Teacher well-being continues to suffer due to the many challenges teachers face. While knowledge exists on what factors affect teacher well-being, there is insufficient research about how to support and enhance teacher well-being. The purpose of this qualitative single holistic case study was to explore the practices …

Exploring Education Policy And Resources In Virginia Secondary Education, Gabrielle Lyon

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

The study examines the intersection of federal special education policy within Virginia's secondary schools, specifically focusing on teachers’ compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The study explores educators' awareness and usage of the Virginia Department of Education's hearing decisions index, which documents IDEA violations and due process decisions. Through analyzing federal education legislation, state implementation practices, and teacher perspectives, this study reveals critical gaps in educator preparation and resource awareness regarding special education policy compliance. The findings suggest that while the IDEA violations are being tracked and documented, there remains a significant disconnect between available resources and …

When My Intersecting Identities Of Being Racially Oppressed And Privileged Become Blurred: An Autoethnographic Dive Into Unlocking The Polarities Of Who I Am, Susan Acosta

Dissertations and Theses

Freire argued that each person is, at times, both the oppressor and the oppressed. He posited that the path to liberation is increased critical consciousness, problematizing our circumstances, and finding ways to take action. As a person from the global majority (PGM), this autoethnography incorporates my personal narratives, communication with colleagues, photo observations, and professional writings that problematizes and examines ways I have been both complicit in, or have been victimized by, racialized oppression, particularly in educational settings. I've had an increasingly keen sense of awareness toward my own racialized tensions when interacting with individuals, in groups, or with an …

Creating Systems Of Professional Learning To Encourage Deep Thinking In Social Studies: A Qualitative Study, Elizabeth Poda King

Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes a problem that developed due to a lack of systems in place to provide professional learning for teachers in social studies. This problem was ignited when revised standards were adopted which shifted from heavy content focus to skills and content. Standards requiring both skills and content encourage student inquiry and promote deep thinking by students through the use of historical evidence. Therefore, the purpose of the improvement science plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles was to develop a system of job-embedded professional learning to assist teachers with teaching strategies that use historical evidence to promote deep thinking in social studies …

The Impact Of A National Crisis On Academic Research Productivity: Experiences Of Program And Department Heads In Israel, Emanuel Tamir

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The research examined the impact of a national crisis on the research output of academic program and department heads in Israel, investigating how these leaders functioned in the face of prolonged uncertainty and exploring whether their administrative role resulted in personal costs.

Methods: Data were drawn from interviews with 27 heads; then 133 heads answered a questionnaire.

Results: The findings revealed factors restricting research during the crisis: overload relating to students, overload relating to administration, family difficulties, and inaccessible research infrastructure. Some heads developed successful strategies to sustain their research during the crisis.

Conclusions and Implications: Critical insights into …

Reducing Barriers To Entry: Enhancing Inclusivity And Engagement In Elementary School Extracurricular Programs, Katie A. Monahan

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study explores the barriers and strategies related to developing inclusive extracurricular programs in an urban elementary school. Through stakeholder surveys, interviews, and archival data, the study investigates how extracurricular activities support student engagement, social-emotional learning (SEL), and a sense of belonging, particularly for students from marginalized backgrounds.

Findings highlight persistent barriers, including funding limitations, staffing shortages, logistical challenges, and the absence of a centralized system for tracking participation. These issues disproportionately impact students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELLs), and those from low-income households. The study also identifies key supports, such as community partnerships and culturally …

The Lived Experiences Of High School Students Serving As Peer Mentors, Heather S. Mitchell

Dissertations

Youth mentoring is an intervention that has demonstrated a tremendous amount of potential in mitigating a variety of struggles experienced by youth (DuBois & Rhodes, 2006; Grossman & Tierney, 1998; Herrera et al., 2008; “Impact Evaluation”, 2009; Karcher, 2009; Karcher, 2010; Kraus & Cleveland, 2016; Lerner et al., 2006; McQuillin et al., 2020). The exploration of the possible benefits to adolescents serving as mentors, especially nontraditional student mentors, has received little attention (Besnoy & McDaniel, 2016; Deane et al., 2018; James et al., 2014; Karcher, 2009; Karcher et al., 2010; Larson et al., 2020; Opara et al., 2023; Quimby et …

Enhancing Self-Efficacy For Engagement With Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Initiatives: Evaluation Of A Seven-Day Immersive Pilot Program In A College Of Education, Health, And Human Sciences, Jennifer M. Jabson Tree, Stefanie Benjamin, Dorian L. Mccoy Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Colleges of health, human sciences, and education are often administratively organized to include a diverse array of human sciences departments that share roots in social justice and a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. Despite espoused commitments to equity and inclusion, they frequently struggle to achieve the changes necessary for advancing equity, and inclusion principles across policies, practices, procedures, and units. We implemented and evaluated a 7-day, total immersion, 56-h, educational program entitled the “Social Justice Institute” (SJI) for two cohorts of faculty, staff, and administrators to develop self-efficacy to intervene in systemic oppression in their academic units. SJI delivered …

Enhancing A Client’S Website Design Through Research On Executive Function Skills: Informed Decision-Making In A Service-Learning Context, Jacob Irelan

Honors Projects

This synthesis project explores how research on executive function skills can inform effective website design in a service-learning context. Executive function skills—including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—are foundational to learning and development. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and engaging in service-learning through a client-based web design project, the study bridges interdisciplinary knowledge between education and visual communication technology. The project involved redesigning a client’s website focused on supporting individual's executive function skills, enhancing both its usability and search engine optimization. Hands-on, service learning experience supplemented by academic research allowed for the development of practical skills such as …

Centering Relationships In Leadership Preparation, Kara Lasater, John C. Pijanowski

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

Relationships are central to the work of school leaders; however, little is currently known about how leadership preparation programs provide learning experiences for students which develop their relational abilities and orient them to adopt a relational stance in their work. The purpose of this paper is to fill this knowledge void by describing leadership preparation experiences provided through the IMPACT program. Specifically, we describe the IMPACT program and present the unique program features which exemplify how leadership preparation programs can create meaningful learning opportunities to achieve the following: (a) equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to foster transformative …

Using Social Emotional Learning To Connect Social Awareness And Classic Literature, Erin Anderson

Honors Projects

The following case study explores how social-emotional learning (SEL) teaching strategies enhance seventh-grade students’ engagement with classic literature during English Language Arts (ELA) class. Using S.E. Hinton’s classic novella The Outsiders as a foundation for this research, this study examines whether SEL-based lesson plans help adolescents make deeper connections between literature and their own lives. Two groups of students were compared in the study: one group received traditional, comprehension-based instruction, while the other participated in SEL-based assessments, encouraging perspective-taking and personal reflection. This study utilizes qualitative assessments like character analysis, reflection, and surveys to affirm that students who are exposed …

Sustainability Recognition Program: A Gamified Approach To Student Engagement On Campus, Sydney K. Gandolfi

Masters Projects

This project explores how gamification can be used to increase student engagement in sustainable practices on college campuses by creating a Sustainability Recognition Program. College students, though aware of environmental issues, may struggle to connect individual actions with meaningful change. By introducing a point-based system with digital badges, milestone rewards, and leaderboards, this recognition program is designed to make sustainability more accessible, visible, and motivating for students living in residence halls. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the program is designed to support students’ intrinsic motivation (autonomy), competence, and relatedness. By aligning sustainability goals with positive reinforcement and SDT, the overall …