Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Client Intake Efficiency In The Removal Defense Program: A Nursing-Led Quality Improvement Initiative, Johnny Linares, Julia Tran Ngo, Daniel Orea, Atheana Yadira Lopez

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project focuses on optimizing the intake process for the Removal Defense Program at a nonprofit immigration legal office serving asylum-seeking clients. The existing intake relied on unstructured, phone-call-based intake interviews that gathered incomplete information, leading to inconsistent documentation, reduced efficiency, and significant client processing delays. A structured, multilingual, and multiplatform new-client admission protocol coupled with the implementation of a client-facing resource guide for waitlist clients were co-developed and implemented using the Lippitt Change Theory framework. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the study involved staff interviews and observational assessments with staff members from the program. Baseline intake process …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Exploring Experiences Of Secondary Teachers With Content- Only Training Instructing English Language Learners, Anita Ellis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the initial experiences of secondary content teachers from diverse backgrounds during their first five years in high schools with a substantial number of English Language Learners (above 50%) in north Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg's transition theory as it helps to understand the psychological and emotional adaptations teachers undergo while instructing ELLs, highlighting changes in their self- perceptions, circumstances, and support networks. The central research question is: What challenges and strategies do secondary education teachers without ESOL training describe in their experiences teaching various subjects to classrooms with …

A Force To Be Reckoned: Strategic Equity Sense Leadership Of Unit-Level Higher Education Leaders, Jin M. Mims

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The #BlackLivesMatter (#BLM) movement in 2020 pressured higher education institutions to address their oppressive and exclusive systems. As these institutions communicated their diversity, equity, and inclusion, (DEI) commitments and processes, it was those who took charge to facilitate the operational and cultural change for their respective area through the DEI lens, those who assumed DEI roles in their designated units, actualized the ground-level work of designing and implementing DEI programs and policies to produce the institutional progress reported by the university’s executive leadership. I will refer to those change agents as Unit-level DEI Officers (UDOs). Meanwhile, the current body of …

A Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Design Analysis Of Sponsorship And The Advancement Of Women In The Workplace, Shaparak Malek-Morvai

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Sponsorship is vital for advancing women's careers but is often inconsistently applied. Limited programs for women seeking leadership roles and a lack of sponsors can hinder progress. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 73 participants with qualitative insights. Sponsors advocate for protégés, emphasizing visibility, promotion, and networking, while mentorship offers guidance and coaching. Many leadership roles confuse sponsorship with mentorship, as noted by Helms et al. (2016). However, the key difference lies in influence. The study had four objectives: to explore women's perceptions of sponsorship, analyze how roles and tenure influence these perceptions, enhance discussions …

Understanding Administrator Approaches To Trauma-Informed Care: Findings From A Mixed Methods Study, Megan Coalwell

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic events during childhood have been termed adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Experiencing traumatic events or ACEs is common for school-aged children. Research reports indicate that as many as two out of three children will experience at least one traumatic event by the time they are eighteen. The negative effects of experiencing trauma are well documented. Trauma can lead to long-term outcomes in adults such as chronic health problems, mental health problems, substance misuse, and even early death. During childhood, it can lead to internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as difficulties in school. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an approach to …

Exploring Communication, Connection, And Culture During Technology Implementation: An Autoethnography, Paula Bryant Blue

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies have been undertaken on technological innovation in the classroom; however there is a lack of study on innovation at the organizational level and there is also a lack of focus on experiences of individuals leading the transformation. Individuals who are spearheading change can gain and offer valuable insights into their behaviors during the change process by reflecting on and examining their interactions, inclinations, and objectives. Furthermore, it is crucial to take into account the organization's culture and structure in order to comprehend how leadership operates throughout periods of change. This analytical and evocative autoethnography documents the experiences of …

Open Educational Resources In Elder Refugee Esl Contexts: Instructor And Administrator Perspectives, Alison Elliott

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a promising solution to educational disparities through their free, adaptable, and shareable nature, fostering collaboration and innovation in pedagogy. While OER, alongside Open Educational Practices (OEP), has seen a vibrant and growing integration within K-16 foreign language contexts, its application within adult English as a Second Language (ESL) education remains significantly under-researched. Adult ESL contexts, especially those serving refugees, present unique challenges: learners have experienced trauma, interrupted education, and have urgent practical English needs, while adult educators contend with inconsistent training, demanding part-time workloads, and a fragmented professional ecosystem that limits professional development and research …

Exploring The Impact Of Inclusion Initiatives On The Retention And Engagement Of People Of Color In Nonprofit Organizations: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Kesha Carter

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the impact of inclusion initiatives on the retention and engagement of people of color (POC) in nonprofit organizations. Grounded in Ray’s (2019) theory of racialized organizations, this study examined how organizational structures and practices influence inclusive workplace cultures for POC employees. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies have gained traction, many nonprofit organizations struggle to move beyond performative efforts and address the systemic inequities that shape POC experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 full-time POC employees working in nonprofit organizations across New York State to capture their lived …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Leader Emotional Exhaustion And Patient Safety Culture: A Quantitative Study Devoted To Enhancing U.S. Healthcare Leaders, Katrina J. Wojciechowski

Education Doctoral

The United States (U.S.) healthcare system faces significant challenges, including high costs and disparities in access and quality of care. These issues were exacerbated by the COVID- 19 pandemic, which strained resources and staffing. Healthcare leaders must navigate the complexities of delivering care, managing costs, and ensuring high-quality, equitable healthcare services. Their role is crucial in transforming the healthcare system, driving change, and implementing innovations to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency. Equipping healthcare leaders with transformational leadership skills allows them to foster a culture of collaboration by inspiring and motivating teams to embrace change. This quantitative study aimed to (a) …

Give Me A Break: Exploring The Use Of A Reset Room On Secondary School Students And Resilient Practices In Tennessee, Alex White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The culmination of toxic stress and social-emotional instability can result in significant challenges for students. Incorporating an appropriate response to address the social-emotional needs of students must be a priority if schools seek to see improvements in attendance, discipline, and ultimately academic success. Resilient middle and high schools recognized the need to create innovative spaces for students to learn how to self-regulate challenging emotions during the school day. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to investigate the relationship between chronic absenteeism, office disciplinary referrals, and the use of Resilient Schools Reset Rooms in middle and high schools from …

Between Compliance And Commitment: Community College Administrators And The Politics Of Dei Policy Implementation, Carol Birth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores how community college administrators navigate the complex and politically charged landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy implementation in the face of evolving state legislation. Grounded in Michael Lipsky’s theory of Street-Level Bureaucracy, the research examines how mid- to senior-level administrators perceive their interpretations, mediations, and actions on DEI mandates in contexts where such policies are contested or pressured. Using semi-structured interviews with administrators across multiple community colleges, the study investigates the tension between institutional commitment to DEI values and the necessity to comply with external political and legal directives. The study contributes to …

From Digital Natives To Ai-Natives: Rethinking Assessment And Instructional Design In The Age Of Autonomous Ai Tools, James Lipuma Ph.D., Cristo Leon Ph.D., Yi Meng Ph.D.

STEM for Success Resources

No abstract provided.

Human Resource Management And Black Teachers’ Employee Experience In K-12 Urban Public Schools, Danielle Renee Cooper-Williams

Dissertations

National teacher data indicate that publicly funded schools in the United States struggle to retain Black teachers in high-need urban areas and in comparison to other groups (Carver-Thomas & Darling Hammond, 2017). This qualitative investigation employed case study methodology. The case study focused on one school within a charter management organization (CMO), exploring interactions among Black teachers and their supervising administrators at the site and management organization levels. The study was organized around concepts articulated at the nexus of teacher retention scholarship and human resource management theory, two bodies of literature yet to be substantially integrated to understand Black teachers’ …

Professional Learning For Antiracist District Transformation: The Role Of Transformational Leadership And Double-Loop Learning, Patricia Marisol Virella, Chedia Ayari, Steve Tozer

Department of Educational Leadership Scholarship and Creative Works

Introduction: This study investigates how professional learning contributes to antiracist district transformation, focusing on the roles of transformational leadership and double-loop learning. Transformational leadership inspires followers to achieve exceptional goals, while double-loop learning involves questioning underlying assumptions and values to foster systemic change.

Methods: A longitudinal case study approach was employed to examine the experiences of seven district and school-level leaders in an urban-intensive school district. These leaders participated in a multi-year antiracist professional learning series designed to promote equity and systemic change.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate that the professional learning series facilitated a shift in participants’ racial schema and …

Perceptions Of Air National Guard Students’ Transformative Technology Experiences During Their Professional Military Education Courses: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Tiffany Colburn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of Air National Guard students stationed in the United States about technology integration during their professional military education (PME) courses and its role in encouraging leadership perspective transformative learning in the United States. The theory guiding this study was the transformative learning theory. This study explored how technology could help students expand their views while completing their PME courses and enabled them to use their own experiences to add value to the course. The central research question was: What are the perceptions of Air National Guard students on …

Exploring The Impact Of Professional Development On Teachers As They Implement New English Language Arts Curriculum In Secondary Schools In The Southeast: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Sara A. Ancrum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study is to explore the implementation of a new state-adopted ELA curriculum for English teachers at secondary schools in the Southeast United States. At this stage in the research, sustained professional development will be generally defined as multiple touchpoints at regular intervals that build capacity and efficacy with the new curriculum. The theory guiding this study is Bandura's theory of self-efficacy. Understanding the impact of professional development on teachers as they implement a new curriculum is essential to the success of teachers' classroom practices. High-quality professional development that keeps teachers at the heart of …

Enhancing Medication Communication In The Acute Care Setting To Strengthen Patient Comprehension And Retention, Ashleigh C. Christensen

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Research has shown that breakdowns in communication, especially in the context of medication education, play a critical role in the delivery of safe and effective patient care. These findings underscore the need to prioritize effective communication in medication education. In the acute care setting, effective communication is essential for ensuring patient safety, adherence, and improved patient-centered outcomes.

PICOT: In clinical staff providing direct patient care in the acute care setting (P), does the implementation of the evidence-based teach-back method (I), as compared to current practice (C), improve patient knowledge, understanding, and self-management upon discharge (O), over ten weeks …

Intentional Innovation: Strategies To Increase Engagement For A Hybrid Faculty Group, Sheri Pickover, Allison Arnekrans, Pamela Sickinger, Mary Katherine Wright

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

The proliferation of online education has increased the need to examine how to foster an ongoing culture of community, support, and engagement for faculty, specifically remote faculty. This article describes a single case study example of how one Midwestern counselor education program leveraged online platforms and intentional community building strategies to successfully integrate remote core faculty into all aspects of departmental processes. This article describes specific strategies and provides recommendations for other remote programs to consider.

Exploring Exemplary Leadership Practices Of Elementary Principals, Latoya R. Gray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is insufficient understanding regarding the educational leadership practices that have enabled one elementary school, out of 23, to achieve continuous school improvement in ELA and mathematics in Grades 3–5 over 3 consecutive academic years. Although all schools in the district implemented a uniform curriculum, the study site consistently increased the percentage of students scoring proficient or above in both subjects during 2022, 2023, and 2024, as measured by the state end-of-grade assessment. This qualitative single-case study explored how an elementary principal in a suburban Georgia district achieved continuous improvement through distinctive leadership practices. Grounded in Kouzes and Posner’s framework …

A Qualitative Study Utilizing The Design Thinking Process To Structure And Organize For Small Group Reading Instruction In Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade, Ashlee Utt

Dissertations

Having educated and knowledgeable classroom teachers in reading instruction is a key tool in changing the dynamics of the struggling readers in schools. Being able to lead reading instruction in both whole and small group ensures students are able to learn and build reading strategies and skills to be implemented during whole group and independent time, where text is utilized with grade-level expectations. Utilizing explicit small group instruction can have a positive effect on student achievement and success. Research has shown that “guided reading makes it possible for students to effectively process an appropriate text every day, expanding their reading …

Trauma-Informed Training For Early Childhood Educators, Tarah Bryant

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

More students are arriving in the early childhood classroom with trauma. This trauma can lead to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD and reactive attachment disorder. This leads to early childhood teachers feeling burned out and experiencing secondary trauma. Despite this, early childhood educators are not getting additional training that would help support children who have exposure to trauma. In addition, the training they have received doesn't include classroom strategies or social-emotional materials that would address the uptick in trauma-impacted children. The purpose of this study was to look at the perspectives of early childhood educators when it comes to their …

Utilizing Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices In The Classroom, Lindsey Nicole Finley

Theses and Dissertations

This research study aimed to address the impact of teaching concepts of culturally responsive pedagogy on teachers’ understanding of their implicit biases. Additionally, it examined the impact that professional development training utilizing culturally responsive teaching (CRT) methods have on teachers working with multilingual learners (MLs). The research questions were: (1) What is the impact of teaching concepts of culturally responsive pedagogy on teachers' understanding of their implicit biases? and (2) What is the impact of intentional, ongoing professional development utilizing CRT methods for teachers working with multilingual learners? This study used a theoretical framework of culture centered pedagogies such as …

An Investigation Of Preservice And Novice Elementary Education Graduate Students’ Self-Efficacy Toward Teaching Engineering Design, Victoria Harkins Cameron

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study examined how an experiential learning–based pedagogical approach influenced the development of teaching engineering self-efficacy in preservice and novice elementary education graduate students. Grounded in Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, the study examined the impact of mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and affective states on shaping participants’ instructional self-efficacy. Data were collected using the Teaching Engineering Self-Efficacy Scale (TESS), written reflections, and a focus group. Engineering pedagogical content knowledge was the only TESS construct to show statistically significant gains, while qualitative findings indicated broader growth in self-efficacy and emotional readiness. The study’s …

"We Have Such Fantastic People Working Here": Using Action Research To Address Community College Burnout, Christine Pipitone

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research dissertation explores faculty burnout at a New Jersey community college to propose actionable, faculty-led solutions through a collaborative approach. Grounded in a theoretical framework that integrates theories of action, critical theory, and job demands–resources theory, the study included three phases that followed an explanatory sequential design. In the first phase, quantitative and qualitative data obtained through an anonymous questionnaire provided baseline information about the dimensions of burnout participants experienced. The data informed the second phase, which consisted of semi-structured focus group interviews. In the third phase, an action research team worked together to make recommendations based …

The Torchbearer Project At The Whitefield Center Lessons Learned From Developing An Adolescent-Level Christian Discipleship Program, Kenneth Reed Vaughn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this dissertation, the author discussed the lessons learned regarding building and administering Christian discipleship programs for adolescents. The discussion involved three institutions influenced by the work of the Reverend George Whitefield, all of which have recently faced challenges related to forced organizational transformation or renewal for sustained growth and service. At Bethesda Academy, founded by Whitefield in 1740 as an orphanage, the need for transformation arose from the decreased necessity for the academy to continue providing that service, prompting Bethesda to seek a new purpose. In the case of Christ Church Anglican, founded in 1733, where Whitefield served as …

To Use Or Not To Use Exclusionary Discipline In Early Childhood Education? A Phenomenological Analysis Of Pre-Kindergarten Teachers In Alabama, Christal C. Coker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine the lived experiences of pre- kindergarten teachers in Alabama regarding their use of and restraint from using exclusionary discipline. The study aimed to find outcomes that could potentially improve social contexts in Alabama's preschools by creating more equitable learning environments. The problem addressed by the study is that the lived experience of preschool teachers regarding their use of and restraint from using exclusionary discipline when students misbehave at school remains to be discovered. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to recruit seven preschool teachers licensed in Alabama for a one-on-one semi-structured Zoom …

“You Learn To Control What You Can Control”: A Mixed-Methods Examination Of Burnout In Rural Pk–12 Administrators Using The Pillar-Integration Process, Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs, Eu Gene Chin, Rollin D. Nordgren

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Teacher burnout is a growing concern among educators and the communities they serve, due to a nationwide shortage of teachers. Burnout of principals and other school administrators, however, is relatively unexamined. This mixed-methods study of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade (PK-12) administrators in rural Midwestern school districts found that contributors to burnout included safety concerns and student behavior, lack of resources and support, and mandatory assessments of student learning. Factors that mitigated burnout included choosing to protect personal energy, getting support from colleagues and administrators, and making a difference in students’ lives. Forty-three administrators completed a survey adapted from the Maslach …

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Under Siege Worldwide: Moving Beyond Limiting Notions Of Gender And Sexuality In Education Organizations And Leadership, Margaret Grogan

Education Faculty Books and Book Chapters

As 2025 gets underway in the United States, educators across this country, like in many others, are bracing for unprecedented opposition to their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and policies. Newly elected President Trump is rapidly dismantling many federal agencies, cutting off aid to foreign entities, and causing major apprehension across the globe. His stated agenda to eradicate progressivism echoes many other international ultraconservative and far-right movements, who applaud his authoritarian regime. To mount the best possible resistance to these disturbing developments, and, indeed, to expand and strengthen DEI work, this chapter argues for collective action across all the …

Sustainability Of Private Historically Black Colleges Or Universities, Herbert A. Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, private Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been declining in enrollment, revenues, and profitability, and many have closed permanently. The problem, which is important to HBCU leaders, is the lack effective strategies for sustainability. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore the successful strategies some successful HBCU leaders have used to increase enrollment and maintain profitability for sustainability. Data were collected through personal interviews and publicly available documents or documents provided by participants. Yin’s 5-step process was used for data analysis, which …

Faculty Implementation Of Online Teaching Practices Learned In A Professional Development Course, Laurie Ann Pendleton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was the low implementation rate of practices learned during professional development courses which can limit positive student outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the challenges online faculty encounter when implementing teaching practices learned in an online PD course in effective online teaching practices and to better understand the characteristics of the practices they were able to implement. Rogers's diffusion of innovation theory grounded the study. In this basic qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 12 participants who recently completed the course and responded to an …