Digital Commons Network^™

Artificial Intelligence In Collegiate Athletic Communications: Revolutionizing Communications And Collegiate Athletics, Jared T. Gerke

Leadership Education Capstones

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, its influence across professional fields, including athletic communications, demands closer examination. Despite extensive research in journalism and public relations, scholars have largely overlooked AI’s role in collegiate athletic communications. To address this gap, this study surveyed professionals from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) to explore current use of AI and aspirations for its integration in the workplace. The results of this study show that NSIC professionals generally view AI as a beneficial tool. However, adoptions remain low within both the NSIC and the broader field. Most respondents expressed little concern about AI …

The Reality Of Transformation: A Case Study Of An American Community College Implementing Holistic Student Supports, Calie Marie Holden

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

This dissertation examines the implementation of Holistic Student Supports at a community college that served as an early adopter of this approach, providing insights into the decade-long process of transformational change. Against the backdrop of community colleges' ongoing efforts to improve completion rates, this study investigates how one institution navigated the implementation process, made necessary adaptations, and sustained reform efforts over time. Through document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group, this study documents the evolution of this initiative from its inception in 2010. Kotter's Eight-Step Change Model frames the analysis, which confirms the model's applicability and extends it by …

A New Paradigm Of Transnational Higher Education In China: From Local Divergence Towards Global Convergence Of Harmonious Governance?, Huili Si

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Trauma On Brain Development And Learning, Jodie Subbert

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Early childhood trauma significantly impacts brain development, particularly in the areas of language processing and executive functioning. This inquiry-based research explored how trauma influences students’ attention, engagement, and emotional regulation in early learning environments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trauma on learning and literacy development and to identify trauma-informed teaching strategies that support academic success in young learners. Data collected through reflective journaling, classroom observations, and teacher discussions revealed that students affected by trauma often struggle with emotional regulation, focus, and task engagement. However, the implementation of trauma-informed practices, such as consistent routines, emotional …

Breaking Barriers: An Educator's Pursuit To Provide Equity In Student Achievement, Christina L. Korsun

Dissertations

There is a sense of urgency to address the widening achievement gaps among minority students, students with disabilities, and English-language learners. This makes immediate school action necessary to create a more equitable learning environment. Without strategic interventions, including improved teacher retention efforts, stronger student support systems, and effective leadership, these challenges will continue to hinder student success and overall school performance. The purpose of this project is to find solutions for schools to institute to narrow the achievement gap by ensuring all students receive the support needed to succeed. Schools can respond to the learning gap by promoting equitable learning …

A Multiple Case Study Of Four-Year Public, Non-Flagship Universities: Meeting Common Institutional Goals Of Increased Enrollment And Academic Profile, Alicia Kornowa

Dissertations

For several reasons, the number of students seeking and enrolling in a postsecondary education has started to decline in the United States (U.S.) and the decrease is expected to intensify for the foreseeable future. This trend is cause for concern among higher education enrollment leaders, especially those who serve at institutions not among the most elite universities or without a national brand—the campuses researchers project will have the greatest difficulty maintaining enrollment levels. Using strategic enrollment management (SEM) as an example of general systems theory and systems thinking, this multiple case study explored how four public, four-year, non-flagship institutions increased …

Navigating Challenges: Public Community College Leadership In The Face Of Existential Crisis, Sarah Lynne Lupton-Houston

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

This study answers the question: "When faced with an existential crisis, indicated by declines in key performance indicators, how do public leaders make decisions?" The research uses the Garbage Can Model and Incrementalism combined theoretical framework to explore how public administrators navigate crises in complex, hierarchical, and bureaucratic structures where unpredictable challenges often demand adaptive responses. This study offers insights into decision-making processes that blend reactive, opportunistic choices with measured, gradual adjustments.

The findings from this research contribute to the field of public administration by examining the decision-making strategies used by leaders at public community colleges in Virginia during a …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Latina Leaders In Higher Education: A Regional Study, Marlee R. Stephenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focused on and discussed the experiences and perceptions of Latina women in senior level leadership positions within higher education. The problem of this study was the continued underrepresentation of Latina women in senior roles, and this was seen within the overall low percentage of women in senior roles like president, the absence of women mentorship at senior levels, and the continued barriers women face in senior-level positions. The purpose of this study was to understand how the mentoring relationships, backgrounds, and leadership experiences impact or influence the careers of Latina women leaders in higher education within the Southwest …

Adaptivity And Ethics In Educational Leadership: Improving Essa Subgroup Outcomes, Priscilla A. Green

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Project Type

Educational Leadership

Project Overview

The project is a workshop/seminar with four components or sections: ESSA subgroups and factors of ethics and adaptivity, Ethical leadership and its applications in education, adaptive leadership and its applications in education, and combining ethical and adaptive leadership strategies to improve and increase ESSA Subgroup data outcomes. The project will include a workshop with educational leaders to help them understand and define strategies to support teacher training and practice in schools. The seminar encompasses both the initial and closing sections, featuring engaging self-assessments, data, and a focus on the organizational change in education. A …

Administrators’ Lived Experiences Of The Implementation And Teacher Efficacy Of Professional Learning Communities In Rural Title 1 Middle Schools, Jennifer J. Wilson

Dissertations

This study investigates administrators' lived experiences regarding the implementation and efficacy of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in Title 1 rural middle schools in the Southeastern United States. The research aims to provide insights into the organizational dynamics and effectiveness of PLCs in schools serving diverse student populations, particularly those families in economically disadvantaged hardships. Through qualitative methods, including interviews and document analysis, the study explores administrators' experiences, perceptions, and strategies related to the establishment, management, and outcomes of PLCs.

Teachers are constantly pressured to perform well on high-stakes testing, improve their professional practices, and work collaboratively. Over the past 10 …

Cost Modeling For State Longitudinal Data Systems, Benjamin Boer

Practitioner Toolkits and Resources

A tool to support the development and scaling of longitudinal data supports in state policymaking.

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 …

The Impact Of Educators’ Perceptions Of Neurodivegence On Their Self-Efficacy In Teaching Middle And High School Students With Adhd And Autism In Rural Minnesota, Nicolle D. Bettcher Erickson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore how we can best support our teachers in matching our ever-changing educational landscape, specifically our neurodivergent learners. When educating neurodivergent students (students with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), we must understand how to teach these creative, sometimes misunderstood individuals and unleash their full potential. To do so, we need educational practitioners who have healthy perceptions of what it means to be neurodivergent and educators who understand both the talents and hurdles that being neurodivergent may entail. This study examined how non-special education teachers' perceptions of neurodivergence correlated with …

Faculty Views About Their Covid-19 Layoffs From A Public University In The Us Midwest, Susan E. Ramlo

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

In July 2020, a public university in the US Midwest announced it would lay off 96 bargaining unit faculty based on a force majeure clause in the union contract. Most of the faculty held tenure and some were distinguished professors. The layoffs occurred with no faculty input and immediately following a major university reorganization. This study uses Q methodology [Q] to examine the Perceived Organizational Support [POS] of these laid off unionized faculty within an agency theory framework. Q allows us to reveal and describe the divergent views of the laid off faculty based upon analyses of their sorts of …

Empowering Educators, Transforming Futures: An Explanatory Multiple Case Study Of The Smou Schools In Saudi Arabia, Hana Ali Alzandi Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes educational reform as a critical pathway for national development, highlighting the role of educators in fostering student success. The Smou program, a professional development initiative, seeks to enhance the instructional and leadership capacities of school leaders and teachers in elementary public schools. This study explores how school leaders navigate their role in supporting teachers’ application of Smou program strategies and how teachers perceive their preparation for implementing these strategies in their instructional practices. Using an explanatory multiple case study approach, the research explores two elementary schools in the Mecca region—one high-performing and one low-performing—selected based …

A Mixed Methods Design-Based Study Of Effective Supports Provided By School Administrators To Increase Trust Among Special Education Staff, Margaret Dyer

Dissertations

The scholar-practitioner used a mixed-methods design-based study to address the problem of increased teacher attrition in the field of special education. The problem was an urgent issue within the schools the scholar-practitioner supervised as the special education coordinator. The symptoms the scholar-practitioner observed within the problem of practice were a lack of collegiality among staff. The behaviors observed demonstrated that special education teachers were visibly stressed. Due to the critical importance of quality teaching on student success, the scholar-practitioner believed the problem of increased attrition among special educators was urgent. The study took place in St. Louis County, Missouri, where …

Signifying Improvement: Reform Symbols As Discursive Practice In School Improvement Plans, Madhu Narayanan, Matthew S. Mccluskey

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

School Improvement Plans (SIPs) have been shown to be generally of poor quality and written more as acts of compliance than efforts at genuine reform. This raises the question: if SIPs are ineffective at improving schools, what is their larger purpose? In this conceptual paper, we argue that SIPs are discursive sites where schools can signal their adherence to ostensibly proven and acceptable models of reform. They do so through the use of reform symbols, discursive markers that signal legitimized organizational change through the adoption of accepted modes of improvement. We illustrate this concept by showing how a variety of …

District Administrator Perceptions Of Response To Intervention Implementation In K-12 Underperforming Public Schools In Connecticut, Sarah J. Idris

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand the perceptions of Connecticut public school district administrators working at K-12 underperforming schools implementing response to intervention (RTI). Little was known about district administrators working in Connecticut K-12 underperforming schools’ perceptions of RTI implementation. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with six volunteer participants who qualified as district administrators working in underperforming K-12 public schools in Connecticut. The information from this study illustrated how the district administrators perceived RTI implementation within their districts and the barriers they faced related to RTI implementation. Four themes and nine subthemes were identified. The four themes were …

Examining The Influence Of Digital Transformation On Organizational Culture And Employee Adaptability In Higher Education Institutions Across The Gulf Cooperation Council (Gcc), Hussein Elsayed Mohamed Ismail

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

The study aimed to explore the impact of digital transformation on organisational culture and employee readiness within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Conducted in 2024, it involved research that used a sample of employees and administrators from various universities across the region. Structured questionnaires served as data collection tools, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of the different dimensions of digital transformation. This study primarily utilises secondary data analysis, which involves examining data from existing studies, reports, and scholarly articles. This approach is selected for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as it allows access to extensive …

How We Stopped Charging Students To Submit Etds: Case Study Of A Five-Year Odyssey, Gregory Wiedeman, Emily Kilcer

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

In 2019, the Graduate School at the University at Albany, State University of New York wrote to the University Libraries about the processing of archival copies of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), hoping to reduce or eliminate deposit fees for authors. Interested library faculty and staff self-assembled into a project team and found that the university’s switch in 2008 to a born-digital submission workflow provided by an external vendor was deeply flawed as a service, and unnecessarily costly to student authors. Later, in 2013, the Libraries established an open access institutional repository (IR), which had the potential to support a …

Adaptive Leadership: Strategies Used By U.S. Navy Command Senior Enlisted Leaders To Build Adaptive Capacity In Times Of Great Change, Derek Wayne King

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe strategies used by U.S. Navy command senior enlisted leaders (CSELs) to build an adaptive capacity based on the five key characteristics of adaptive leadership identified by Heifetz et al. (2009).Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of U.S. Navy CSELs. Purposeful, convenience sampling was used to identify 10 participants who met the study’s criteria. The semistructured, open-ended interview protocol was developed by a thematic research team of nine peer researchers and three faculty advisors. Data collected from the interviews and artifacts were analyzed to identify themes related …

Increasing Inclusive Practices In An Elementary School Using Transcendental Phenomenology, Jenny C. Chiappe, Bryan E. Thornton, Mary A. Falvey

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

This transcendental phenomenology study examined two schools, one comprehensive elementary school and one segregated special education center, as they transitioned to become one school to create more inclusive spaces for students with extensive support needs (i.e., intellectual and developmental disabilities). The transition occurred over a three-year period. The study used purposive sampling. Three general education and three special education teachers and the principal completed individual interviews during Year 3 of the transition. Classroom observations were conducted. The study used thematic analysis and revealed themes that described the school restructuring process: uncertainty during restructuring process; uncertainty around access based on students’ …

The Lived Experiences Of Higher Education Staff Leaders In A Four-Week Transformational Leadership Program: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Lastarsha Alston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of higher education staff who have completed a four-week transformational leadership program at a higher education institution in a mid-Atlantic state. The phenomenon was generally defined as exploring staff leadership and the influence on the leadership staff derived from the program. The theory guiding this study was Bass' transformational leadership theory. The central research question was as follows: What are the lived experiences of staff leaders who participated in the four-week transformational leadership program in a Mid-Atlantic state higher education? The methodology used for the research study …

Female Students With Disabilities’ Perceptions Of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Education, Toni Anne Walkowiak

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The demand to increase enrollment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs has intensified globally since the early 21st century. Researchers have concentrated on the gender divide with limited research on female students with disabilities (FSwDs). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore FSwDs’ perceptions of their successes and challenges with accessibility, inclusion, and support experienced in STEM education programs, as well as their recommendations for improving policies and practices in STEM higher education. The study was grounded in social identity and social learning theories. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with nine …

Principals Perceptions Of Balancing Leadership And Self-Care, Marchelle Latanya Williams-Hines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing demands of educational leadership place significant stress on school principals, leading to challenges in balancing leadership responsibilities with self-care. This study explored principals’ perceptions of three key aspects: the challenges of balancing leadership and self-care, the demands contributing to stress, burnout, and turnover, and the resources that help mitigate these challenges. Guided by the job demands-resources model and mindfulness theory, this qualitative study utilized semistructured interviews with 10 elementary school principals in a southern Jamaican district. Data collection focused on self-care practices, leadership demands, and coping strategies, with thematic analysis identifying six major themes: the unpredictability and overload …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Leadership Practices That Support Retention In Oregon Schools, Isaac Ej Anthony Reyes Tenorio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While numerous studies have addressed teacher turnover, significant research gaps still exist, highlighting the need for further investigation. The problem addressed in this study was the high teacher turnover rate in a high school compared to its district counterparts in a northwest Oregon school district. Guided by Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of leadership practices that support teacher retention in a northwest Oregon school district with a high turnover rate. Twelve high school teachers currently employed in the school district with at least five years …

From Surviving To Thriving: Trauma Informed Models For Survivors Of Human Trafficking, Charity Pugh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of seven educators, program leaders, and other direct service providers who support the learning and development of human trafficking survivors in trauma-informed agencies in Kentucky. Using narrative inquiry methods (Clandinin & Connelly, 1990), this study identified the trauma-informed models and strategies currently employed in Kentucky agencies that serve trafficking survivors, participants’ experiences with successful strategies, and the barriers they have experienced. This study addressed research gaps between the effects of trauma on learning, trauma-informed educational models, the unique needs of trafficking survivors, and trauma-informed care for trafficking survivors in non-educational settings. The theoretical …

Not A Foregone Conclusion: Faculty Hiring At Regional Comprehensive Universities, Karley A. Riffe

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

Abstract: Building on research surrounding the changing academic profession and regional comprehensive universities, and using both document analysis and semi-structured interviews, this study uses a multisite case study design to uncover the factors that shape university administrators’ academic hiring decisions at regional comprehensive universities, especially those related to appointment type. By exploring faculty hiring decisions, this study's findings highlight the contributing factors in the changing academic labor systems at regional comprehensive universities and provides evidence about changes to the academic profession within this institutional sector of higher education.

Proof Of Concept: Leveraging Large Language Models For Qualitative Analysis Of Participant Feedback, Andrew B. Crocker, Marcelo Schmidt, Juan Diego Tejeda, Howard Rodriguez-Mori

Journal of Extension

This proof-of-concept study explores the innovative application of Large Language Models (LLMs) for qualitative analysis of feedback from an Extension program, addressing the challenge of efficiently analyzing qualitative data. The study juxtaposes traditional human-led qualitative analysis with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven techniques, revealing the complementary strengths of human insights and AI efficiency. It underscores the potential of LLMs to enhance qualitative analysis while recognizing the need for human oversight to ensure depth and context accuracy. This research contributes to the fields of program evaluation and data analysis, offering a new paradigm for integrating advanced AI tools in qualitative research.

Counseling Students’ Perceptions Of Support During The Covid-19 Crisis: A Qualitative Study, Breahannah Hilaire, Galaxina G. Wright, Lea H, Laurie O. Campbell

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the counseling programs in clinical instruction, mentorship, and student’s perception of the university. The qualitative data presented in this paper identifies eight counseling students’ beliefs of support during their time in counseling program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews. An interpretive phenomenological analysis resulted in four themes: including higher education response, personal resources, emotions in crisis, and transitions in crisis.