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The 'It' Factor: The Intersection Of Leadership And Personality And The Music Ensemble Director's Influence On Member Retention, Robbin L. Johnston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This predictive correlational study aims to examine the influence of the leadership style and personality traits of music ensemble directors on the retention of students in their programs. The study explores music ensemble directors' leadership qualities and personalities and their ability to maintain student enrollment in their ensembles over the last five years. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and the NEO-PI-3 Personality Assessment. A convenience sample of music educators provided the data for the study. The researcher compared these results to the participants' leadership and personality identities determined in the initial surveys to establish potential intersections …

Leadership, Identity, And Student Voice In Secondary Schools, Gordon S. Geddes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many student leadership programs in U.S. high schools operate without clear guidance, often leaving students as passive participants in systems that may not effectively prepare them for leadership roles both in school settings and elsewhere. This study explores how listening to students’ voices can improve leadership programs by better understanding how young people see themselves as leaders. Using a case study approach at one school, I observed student leaders over one school year and analyzed their experiences through leadership development theories. The findings suggest that when schools take students' perspectives into account, they can create leadership programs that are more …

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 …

Linguistic Inclusion And Identity: A Sociolinguistic Perspective On Lgbtq+ Language Use, Brian Kapustka

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This article explores how American English can subtly dehumanize and marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals through linguistic practices such as nominalization, objectification, misused indefinite articles, euphemistic slurs, and gendered expressions. Drawing on Safe Zone facilitation and sociolinguistic theory, the paper argues that constructions like “a lesbian” reduce identity to a category, while idioms like “that’s so gay” and gendered humor reinforce heteronormative and misogynistic ideologies. The analysis further examines how terms like “female” are nominalized and weaponized in ways that dehumanize women, revealing deep-seated linguistic asymmetries tied to power hierarchies. Building on original insight and expanding with work by Zola (1993), Cameron …

The Role Of Teacher Leaders In Sustaining School Culture During Principal Transitions: A Case Study, Leah Curtright

Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the lived experiences of eight teacher leaders at a public high school navigating rapid principal turnover, with five principals in 36 months. It sought to understand their perceived roles in maintaining school stability, focusing on how they countered adverse effects on culture, morale, and achievement. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with eight teacher leaders. After the interviews were transcribed and codes identified, four themes emerged. The findings were aligned with the frameworks of this study: Eco-leadership, Distributed Leadership, and Teacher Leadership. Findings indicated that teacher leaders actively attempted to mitigate the adverse effects of principal …

How Does An Air Force Instructor Analyze Officer Occupational Competencies And Translate Them Into Professional Development Courses?, Julia A. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how Air Force instructors translate officer occupational competencies into professional development courses. The study aims to address a pressing need to align Civil Engineer education with the Department of the Air Force objective of competency based education in the midst of changing operational demands. The methodology uses expert elicitation, thematic analysis, qualitative and quantitative statistics to formulate a curriculum development methodology. Data collection involved an expert elicitation from subject matter experts in the Civil Engineer career field. This data helped to pair 32E competencies with course learning objectives. The expert opinions provided insight into where civil engineering …

Impact Of Different Leadership Styles On Job Satisfaction Of Private Sector School Teachers In Private Schools In Pakistan, Saira Ali

Theses and Dissertations

he present study aims to investigate educational leadership styles i.e. Transformational and distributed leadership style, teacher job satisfaction, and student outcomes in secondary schools in Pakistan. The present study employed phenomenological interviews with a sample size of 5 teachers and 1 principal in order to investigate the potential relationship between transformational leadership styles and indicators of teacher satisfaction and student success. The findings of this research revealed a positive association between transformational leadership styles and both teacher satisfaction and student success. Positive school climates conducive to growth were fostered by leaders who demonstrated empathy, collaboration, and transparency. The challenges encountered …

Days Of Future Past: The Legacy And Self-Efficacy Of Black And Hispanic Educators In Predominantly White School Districts, Tesfa S. Stewart

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This mixed-methods dissertation investigates the self-efficacy of Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial educators in predominantly White institutions (PWIs), examining its connections to job satisfaction, career development, and perceived impact on students. Data from 34 participants, collected using the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), indicated high overall self-efficacy, particularly in instructional strategies and classroom management. A one-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant effect of race/ethnicity on total self-efficacy scores, with Black educators reporting significantly higher scores than their Hispanic and Multiracial peers (η² = .271). A simple linear regression using years of educational experience as the sole predictor did not produce …

Leadership And Change From Within: An Honors College And Ctl Partnership, Connie M. Schroeder, Hilary K. Snow

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Scaling sustainable change in teaching and learning is an institutional priority in higher education, yet often it is elusive, given the decentralized and siloed academic landscape. Most colleges and departments lack the necessary expertise to design and implement scaled change or the critical organizational structures to sustain change. Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) seek to advance improvement in teaching and learning and highlight improving institutional culture as part of their mission. Reliance on traditional programming and consultations, however, primarily targets individual change versus scaled or sustainable change.

The successful process of change at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Honors College …

How To Create A Self-Sustaining Meditation Garden, Heather Salazar, Lydia Barrett-Miller, Kaitlyn Parisan

Honors in Practice Online Archive

This essay presents the creation and maintenance of a campus meditation garden as an outgrowth of four successive philosophy classes in honors. The authors describe the garden’s inception, execution, curricular advantages, and administration, with specific examples of the impact on student health and well-being. The authors observe the ways in which honors students attained skills in transformational leadership by collaborating to develop projects and lead events, suggesting that a meditation garden may be appropriate for any learning environment emphasizing cooperation, creativity, mindfulness, and well-being.

Examining The Practice Of Teacher Leadership Across Nevada: How Is Context Associated With Practice?, Peter Wiens, Kaavonia Hinton, Ami Pritchard

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Teacher leadership (TL) is recognized as vital to creating effective schools with demonstrated benefits to principals, teachers, and students. Teacher leadership is defined in this study as teachers leading from within and beyond the classroom in both formal and informal capacities. TL can take the form of a variety of behaviours such as professional learning, the leading of professional development, collaboration, shared leadership, and equity leadership. While there are commonalities, the practical applications of TL can vary greatly from context to context. Even within specific policy contexts, TL can vary from school to school. This article analyzed the responses of …

The Perceptions Of Training And Development And Emotional Intelligence Among Virtual Leaders In Public And Private Institutions Of Higher Education, Ryan J. Trautweiler

Theses and Dissertations

This applied qualitative dissertation explored virtual leadership in higher education, examining virtual leaders' perceptions of training and development and emotional intelligence. Using an inductive research approach, data were collected through semistructured interviews and a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms to eight virtual leaders from public and private higher education institutions. Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. Findings revealed distinctions between public and private institutions. In public institutions, training and development focused on faculty preparedness, resourcefulness in overcoming limitations, and its impact on student engagement. In private institutions, training was …

Symposium On Leadership Competencies For Peace Leadership: An Overview And Invitation, Whitney Mcintyre Miller

Education Faculty Articles and Research

"This Symposium proposes eight leadership competencies, presented by experts in each area, as examples of ways in which leadership can be aligned with peace in order to bring about sustainable, positive change. This Symposium does not argue for just another list of leadership skills and practices, but rather, illustrates that when leadership competencies are intentionally combined with peace practices, we can engage in the work of peace leadership: leading our communities, organizations, and societies toward peace and equitable justice. Therefore, this Symposium utilizes these competencies as a “jumping off point” to nudge the field of leadership studies to begin to …

Leading Redemptively: The Heart Of Christian Leadership, Ryan G. Zonnefeld

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study Focused On Understanding P-12 School Leadership Through The Perceptions Of P-12 Educators And Leaders, Amanda Lorraine Pederson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative study was conducted to understand the perceptions of school leadership through the lens of P-12 educational leaders (superintendents and principals/assistant principals) and P-12 teachers. The focus was on the perceptions of important qualities and characteristics of effective school leaders. The study examined how P-12 educational leaders and P-12 teachers viewed leadership and what they identified as important skills and characteristics for effective educational leadership. The Minnesota Department of Education Teacher Evaluation of Principals was used as a guide to understand the characteristics and skills P-12 school leaders are expected to demonstrate. An email was sent to schools in …

Shaping Tomorrow’S Ethical Leaders, Christina M. Secrist

Masters Theses, 2020-current

This qualitative research study sought to explore the essences of ethical leadership by reviewing existing theories and frameworks, the characteristics and behaviors of ethical leaders, the leadership styles that portray an ethical component, the motivations of ethical leaders, and the self-efficacy of emerging leaders when faced with challenging decisions of an ethical nature. A thorough literature review was completed in an effort to gain a better understanding of how research studies have defined ethical leadership over the last couple of decades. Transcendental phenomenological interviews were conducted with four self-identified ethical leaders across the industries of agricultural manufacturing, a global non-profit …

A Professional Series: Servant Leadr, Jeremy P. Todd

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Jeremy Todd on May 2, 2024.

The Relationship Between Undergraduate Student Leadership Potential And Selfperceived Employability And The Moderating Role Of Student Engagement, Aizhan Shomotova

Dissertations

The employability of university graduates is increasingly crucial for economic development, particularly in the Arab region, where youth unemployment is escalating. This thesis examines the Self-Perceived Employability (SPE) among undergraduate students in the UAE, exploring its relationship with Leadership Potential (LP) and Higher Education Student Engagement (HESE). Previous studies underscore the importance of aligning higher education outcomes with labour market demands. Research in student leadership and student engagement emphasizes that proactive engagement and leadership development are pivotal in enhancing employability. This thesis builds on these findings, focusing on the unique context of the UAE. A quantitative methodology was used to …

Exploring Superintendents’ Understandings On Virtual Learning Responses, Kate Maxlow, Karen Sanzo

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

In this study, the authors sought to explore superintendents’ understandings of the various influences on how their districts implemented a 100% virtual learning experience for students for the 2020-2021 academic year. Understanding these influences allowed the authors to develop a framework for leading redesigns of learning systems in long-term crisis situations. In this qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with fifteen superintendents in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Findings showed that districts sought to plan equitable virtual learning experiences for all students based on unintentional influences and the district’s intentional responses. We found that during an educational crisis, learning plans emerged …

Ennobling Each Other Through Collaborative Inquiry: Exploring Music As A Provocation For Leadership Development, Ihan Ip

Dissertations

Amid the challenges in a global village, leadership education needs to surpass traditional methods, nurturing creativity, flexibility, and adaptability. This study is a collaborative action inquiry that considers music as an arts-based method in service of leadership development. The study unfolded over five cycles, in which 14 coinquirers collaborated in a process of exploration. The study illuminates the strong potential of music as a provocation for leadership development and reveals crucial realizations in the area of facilitation in collective processes.

This dissertation tells the story of the inquiry with the voices of its coinquirers and offers insights on facilitation through …

4-H Volunteer Orientation Handbook, Joeseph D. Drake

UNH Cooperative Extension

New Hampshire 4-H Volunteer Orientation handbook.

A Phenomenological Study Of Complexity Leadership Interactions Of An International Protestant Convention During Covid-19, Thomas S. Narofsky

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to explore the in-depth perceptions and insightful reflections of 12 International Protestant Convention leadership team members to explore and investigate their lived experiences and leadership decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of Complexity Leadership Theory. The 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic changed the world when the emergent fast-paced virus disrupted and overwhelmed societal life, creating pre- and post-COVID bifurcation points that will shape world dynamics and social interactions for years (Warren, 2022; Christianson & Barton, 2021; Harari, 2020; Pierce, 2020). For this research, complexity leadership interactions, social network dynamics, and information flow were studied to discover …

Educating Future Leaders In Fraternities: Outcomes From Participation In A National Fraternity Emerging Leaders Program, Meghan Grace, Pietro A. Sasso, Kim E. Bullington, Dawn Wiese, Kathleen Stedman, Xinyue "Coco" Liu, Anthony M. Graziani

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Campus engagement opportunities such as leadership development have potential for students to strengthen their personal skills. As such, fraternities and sororities can play an influential role in strengthening students’ leadership skills. The present study examines the efficacy of a fraternity emerging leaders program, which is an educational opportunity focused on the development of new leaders. Data were collected from participants at three time intervals. Findings suggest students develop across several leadership domains, creating a stronger appreciation of their organizational values and fraternity ritual compared to non-participants. Recommendations for practice are included to address the transfer problem of leadership application and …

Assessing The Influence Of The Imposter Phenomenon On Critical Leadership Competencies: Conceptual Framework Proposal, Theresa Bowen, Petrus A. Botha

Journal of Research Initiatives

Will the imposter phenomenon influence critical leadership competencies, specifically decision-making self-efficacy, and innovative work behavior? This prospective study will propose a framework to investigate the impact of the imposter phenomenon on essential leadership skills, focusing on exploring whether self-esteem acts as a mediating factor. The research will seek to evaluate the potential effects of the imposter phenomenon on leadership competencies, such as innovative work behavior and decision-making self-efficacy, among managers in South Africa. The significance of this proposed investigation stems from a recognized gap in previous studies addressing the relationship between the imposter phenomenon and these leadership skills within the …

The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence And Leadership Development In Principal Efficacy, Lorine Olivarez Bazan

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, public schools have seen an increase in obstacles and challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and school leaders have had to pivot and adjust to meet these ever-changing demands (McLeod & Dulsky, 2021). Principals in today’s schools have had to discover new and innovative ways to successfully lead, motivate and support their school communities. This emerging leadership includes the leader’s ability to utilize emotional intelligence and leadership skills effectively and intentionally.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to take a deeper look at investigating the school principal’s utilization of emotional intelligence and effective leadership skills. This …

The Sustainability Of African American Female-Owned Businesses, Chantelle Daniel Thibeaux

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

African American women–owned small businesses fail more often than non-Black-owned
businesses. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to describe successful
African American women small business owners’ leadership styles, traits, strategies, and
behaviors. Additionally, this study aimed to provide insights into specific leadership traits,
strategies, and behaviors that affect the sustainability of African American women–owned
businesses. Three leadership styles that have contributed to their business success were used to
frame this study: transformational, transactional, and situational leadership. All three of these
styles of leadership have been shown to help businesses succeed. Data were collected from
African American women business …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers’ Lived Experiences While Addressing Cultural Diversity In Middle Schools And High Schools, Juan Pablo Vivialdi Remy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study sought to understand and describe teachers’ lived experiences with cultural diversity in middle school and high schools using cross-cultural dimensions as lenses. A social constructivist research paradigm derived from Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory urged this study’s theoretical framework. The approach of cross-cultural dimension from Geert Hofstede was applied as a lens to investigate the participants’ views about their experience with cultural diversity. Teachers from middle school and high schools participated in the research. The participants were from different social backgrounds, races, lifestyles, countries, and organizations, which made each answer unique regarding cultural diversity and cross-cultural …

Understanding Administrators' Perceptions Of Gifted Ell Students, Abigail Eaton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Students with gifts and talents are identified in school districts across the nation. However, there is severe underrepresentation of minority groups in gifted education programs, specifically students with ELL backgrounds. This issue is important because students from diverse backgrounds are the fastest growing group of the K-12 population. If the issue is not addressed, many talents will be overlooked and underdeveloped (Peters & Engerrand, 2016). The purpose of this study was to analyze administrators’ perceptions of gifted ELL students.

Participants in this study include six administrators from a small, rural district in Southcentral Kentucky. All of the administrators participated in …

Systematization Of Central Office Support For Schools In Need Of Improvement In A South Texas School District, Louisa Aguirre-Baeza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Independent school district central office administrators were challenged with defining, detailing and disseminating systems of support and structure during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain focus on instruction during a pandemic that caused needed attention on quarantined environments and remote learning structures, campus administrators were tasked with making school happen without being in their school building environments that were structured for instruction. This research presents an intentional production of knowledge through actions and experiences of one Texas school district that provided effective instruction that earned them an A-rating from the Texas Education Agency. Through the leadership and …

Establishing Connectivity And Trust In High Schools During Covid-19, Lisa De Leon, Matthew D. Wilkens

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Although meta-leadership was originally a framework used to examine healthcare leadership in crisis, it is also a valuable framework for educational leadership. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused school leaders to endure a crucible of fire in every area, such as balancing children’s safety with losses to education quality. The action plans of educators are frequently in flux as the pandemic evolves and unfolds. The continuation of this crisis has led to uncertainty, and at times, chaos.

This study examines how meta-leadership, with emphasis on connectivity, has been applied by educational leadership in American high schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 …