Digital Commons Network^™

Good Trouble For Good Debt? A Comparative Analysis Of Financial Factors And Racial Differences In U.S. Student Loan Debt Burdens, Carlton R. Smith, Kim E. Bullington, Matthew J. Smith

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

This study examines the relationship surrounding undergraduate student loan debt burdens and income levels post-graduation, focusing particularly on the financial impacts of both on Black student borrowers. Using two datasets from the National Center for Education Statistics, our quantitative analysis highlights that while student loan debt in and of itself is not problematic in theory, when combined with other factors and barriers, debt becomes an additional stressor potentially impeding student success during and after college. We offer short-, intermediate-, and long-term implications, while also highlighting examples of targeted intervention programs tailored to specifically benefit Black student borrowers.

The Influence Of First-Year Seminar Course Modality On The Academic Outcomes Of First-Generation College Students, Keia Dodd

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

When universities effectively implement first-year seminars, a popular type of support designed to assist students during their initial year of college, they can meaningfully boost the academic performance of first-generation college students. This study examined whether first-year seminars influenced the academic outcomes of first-generation college students at a specific institution compared with those of their continuing-generation peers. Specifically, it investigated the extent to which course modality (face-to-face, online, or hybrid) influenced variation in first-semester grade point average (GPA) and first-to-second-year retention after controlling for race, sex, and first-generation status. The sample included 7,848 first-time undergraduate students. Multiple linear regression was …

A Phenomenological Analysis Of Sense Of Belonging Among Community College Educators, Muhammad Owais Aziz

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the complex phenomenon of sense of belonging (SB) among diverse health professions educators (HPEs) and non-health professions educators (non-HPEs) at a Canadian community college. SB, as a dynamic construct shaped by an individual's perception of being valued and respected, is influenced by personal preferences and by complex interactions with the individual's surroundings. To better understand SB and foster a more inclusive environment for diverse educators, it is necessary to investigate SB among these educators. This qualitative study used eleven semi-structured interviews and seven steps of data analysis. The results of this study can inform strategies, policies, …

Where Perspectives Meet: A Comparative Case Study Of How Participatory Practices Shape Deliberation During District-Level Educational Change, Gregory Vincent Massara

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Public education in the United States is socially and politically constructed, and ongoing reforms increasingly require collaborative engagement among diverse stakeholders amid heightened divisiveness. This mixed methods comparative case study examined how educational stakeholders make sense of one another’s perspectives during district-level collaborative work and the conditions that may foster conscientization, the critical reflection on one’s positionality. Two school districts developing a Profile of a Graduate (POG) and one engaged in deliberation about the relationship between public and charter schools within its community serve as comparative cases. The study triangulated meeting observations, a post-deliberation survey of stakeholders (N = 43), …

Wired For Inclusion: Leveraging Strengths Of Neurodivergent Special Educators, Brok Hess, Teresa Clark Ed.D.

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Special education teachers face unique challenges, and neurodivergent special educators possess distinctive strengths that can allow them to excel in the classroom. However, barriers, stigma, and ableism persist that have prevented neurodivergent individuals from accessing this career, receiving support, and thriving as special educators. Self-efficacy and executive functioning both correlate to success and retention within education. This research analyzed the relationship between special education teachers’ self-efficacy and executive functioning, specifically among neurodivergent special educators. Results concluded that a significant positive correlation exists between neurodivergent special education teachers’ executive functioning and self-efficacy. Attention to these results will highlight the importance of …

Impacts Of The Besse Scholarship On College Attendance: An Evaluation Of A Rural Scholarship Program, Andrew M. Mertig, Julie Dilling, Wayne Thompson, Jennifer Flatt

Journal of Student Financial Aid

The rising costs of higher education have presented challenges for many students, particularly in rural areas where access to free-tuition programs has been limited. This cross-sectional study investigates the impact of the Besse Scholarship program, a rural guaranteed scholarship fund, on college attendance among students from Butternut High School. Targeting graduates between 1993 and 2022, the study employed convenience sampling and online surveys, with 120 respondents representing 21.4% of the eligible population. Results indicate that the Besse Scholarship motivated students to pursue higher education and provided significant financial relief. Eligibility for the scholarship was found to be positively associated with …

A Return To Relevance: The National Association Of Student Financial Aid Administrators From 2012 To 2017, Saralyn Mckinnon-Crowley, Jacob P. Gross

Journal of Student Financial Aid

This paper delves into the historical narrative of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) from 2012-2017, focusing on its operational evolution, policy advocacy efforts, and the changing landscape of financial aid programs. It discusses key developments within NASFAA, such as the shift from a committee structure to a task force model, to enhance operational efficiency and member engagement. Furthermore, the document discusses NASFAA's strategic initiatives, including NASFAA University (NASFAA U) and the AskRegs Knowledgebase, as well as the pivotal role NASFAA played in the move to the use of prior-prior year for the Free Application for Federal …

Exploring Perceptions Of Generative Ai On Study Abroad Programming, Justin T. Sleppy

Capstone Collection

This study examines the perceptions and experiences of international education professionals regarding the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. While AI offers new opportunities for enhancing learning, existing research highlights both potential benefits and ethical, environmental, and pedagogical concerns. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores how study abroad staff in the Claremont Consortium engage with and assess the implications of AI within international contexts. Guided by critical frameworks from Paulo Freire, the research situates AI within broader discussions of power, labor, and knowledge production. Findings indicate that sampled staff predominantly use AI for low-stakes tasks or …

Predicting Emotional Intelligence Based On Cultural Dimensions And Narcissism Among Military And Educational Leaders, Juan P. Remy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study is to examine how well cross-cultural dimensions and narcissistic tendencies predict emotional intelligence among military and educational leaders. This study is important because it will identify how cross-cultural dimensions and narcissistic tendencies influence the emotional intelligence of military and educational leaders. The sample consisted of 90 of 122 military leaders who had attended any professional military education (PME), and 120 educational leaders were recruited from a population of 183 within a military school district in the central United States. The data were collected using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), …

Examining Aba Classroom Paraprofessional Training Methods In New Jersey, Melina Campos

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In recent years, paraprofessionals have become an integral part of educational teams, particularly in classrooms supporting students with disabilities (Giangreco et al., 2010). Their role has been crucial in ensuring that students received necessary academic and social support. This study evaluated the training provided to paraprofessionals in New Jersey, specifically those working in applied behavior analysis (ABA) classrooms. By surveying paraprofessionals on training that they receive and assessing how training influenced their self-perceived knowledge and skills, the study offered insight into how well-prepared these educators felt to support students with disabilities. A total of 57 participants completed the survey. When …

2025 December 11 - Academic Council Agenda And Minutes, Academic Council, East Tennessee State University

Academic Council Agenda and Minutes

The Academic Council convened on December 11, 2025, under the leadership of Provost Kimberly McCorkle to address routine approvals, curriculum updates, policy changes, and new program proposals. The council endorsed multiple curriculum modifications, including renaming the Advertising minor to Public Relations and Social Media Management, revising graduate program requirements in Criminal Justice & Criminology and Early Childhood Education, removing the GRE requirement for the MPA program, and placing the Sociology M.A. program into inactive status due to sustained low enrollment. Two new graduate certificate programs—in Nonprofit Management and Urban Planning and Regional Development—were presented and approved, each designed to meet …

Toxic Behaviors In Higher Education Institutions: Examining Demographic Factors Affecting Faculty Perceptions, Patrice C. Elder

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the relationship between demographic factors and faculty perceptions of organizational toxicity at four-year higher education institutions. Using the Perceived Organizational Toxicity Scale (POTS), data were collected from 131 faculty members across Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The study investigated four dimensions of toxic behaviors: narcissistic, aggressive, unethical, and rigid behaviors. Key findings revealed that unethical behaviors were the most prevalent form of organizational toxicity (M=2.59, SD=1.05), followed by narcissistic behaviors (M=2.32, SD=.93). Significant demographic differences emerged across academic rank and seniority. Assistant and associate professors reported significantly higher levels of …

Expanding Epilepsy Representation: On Education And Awareness, Aliyah Wise

Honors Projects

The present-day American public education system has evolved to try to teach young students about more cultures and people of different lifestyles. However, despite these reforms to push for an inclusive education system, there is still minimal effort to teach students about disabilities and the people who live with them. As a student living with epilepsy, I have observed a lack of education or conversation about this disability. The purpose of this research project is to ask: How does miseducation on epilepsy contribute to harmful stereotypes and lead to real issues for people living with this disability? How should neurotypical …

School And District Leaders’ Understanding Of Technology Organizations’ Cyber Business Practices, Jayejaye Johnson

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Educational technology (EdTech) interoperability throughout cyberspace provides the financial opportunity to collect and sell student privacy information in digital learning environments, challenging school leaders to govern schools and keep children safe. School leaders provide the resources, funding, planning, decision making, and administration for EdTech cybersecurity practices and policies, yet little is known about what public school leaders understand. A quantitative study was designed using primary data collected from an online survey. Four research questions guided this study: What are the differences in cybersecurity practices and policy response scores (1) between male and female school leaders; (2) among leaders with different …

Wmu Board Of Trustee Board Meeting, Thursday December 4, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes (October 30, 2025)
• Remarks by the Chair of the Board
• Remarks by the President
• Updates by the Faculty Senate President
• Updates by the Western Student Association President
• Updates by the Graduate Student Association President
• Presentation: The Voice of Bronco Success
• Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

Student Housing and Meal Rates 2026/27

Consent Items

Curriculum Proposals

Personnel Report

• General Public Comments

Neuroadaptive Return On Investment In Education: A Critical Review Of Eeg And Eye-Tracking For Decision Optimization, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article advances a critical synthesis of a proposed neuroadaptive return on investment framework that integrates electroencephalography and eye-tracking into educational decision systems. The analysis situates neuroadaptive ROI within scholarship on neurodiversity, engagement, and adaptive learning, arguing that process-level indicators of attention, cognitive load, and persistence merit inclusion alongside conventional outcome metrics in investment models. Methodological scrutiny examines construct validity for neural and gaze indices, requirements for multimodal fusion, calibration across heterogeneous learner profiles, and threats to internal and external validity in classroom contexts. Evidence from pilot implementations suggests feasibility for real-time pacing, friction-point detection, and targeted resource triage, although …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report- Bear Creek High School Agriculture Department, Fatima E. Castellanos

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report provides an evaluation of the Bear Creek High School Agriculture Program. The analysis highlights both program strengths and areas requiring further development, including SAE participation, pathway coherence, and student retention. Overall, the findings demonstrate that intentional planning and strong community partnerships contribute significantly to the program’s effectiveness and continued growth.

Examining The Contextual Factors Influencing Self-Efficacy Of The 21st Century School Principal: A Phenomenological Study, Jessica J. M. English

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the contextual influences contributing to principals’ sense of self-efficacy. This research study addressed the research questions, "What contextual conditions currently influence principal self-efficacy?” and “Do contemporary challenges impact principal self-efficacy?” The themes that emerged from the research could help stakeholders such as school districts, policymakers, and principal preparation programs create programs, policies, resources, and support to enhance the development of principal self-efficacy. The study participants were all current public-school principals with five or more years of experience as a principal. The study participants served in school districts across the United States, with …

From Concept To Community: Building And Sustaining Communication Research Labs, America L. Edwards, Matthew J. A. Craig, Hannah E. Jones, Chad Edwards, Autumn P. Edwards

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This essay explores the conceptual, practical, and relational foundations of building and sustaining communication research labs. Drawing on early models of research teams, we argue that contemporary labs function as living systems that integrate research, teaching, mentorship, and community engagement. The essay outlines practical considerations for creating and maintaining labs, including recruitment, infrastructure, leadership succession, and digital presence, while emphasizing the importance of flexibility and autonomy. Rather than viewing labs as static organizational units, we position them as relational ecosystems that evolve through connection, shared purpose, and adaptability across time and institutions. Ultimately, this work encourages scholars to view lab-building …

Making The Invisible Visible: Cultivating Contexts For Equitable Workloads, Andrea Carlile

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

Women make up the majority of degree earners and most of those teaching at higher education institutions. Yet, women are not advancing to the highest ranks. How female faculty receive credit for their work may account for the discrepancy in women advancing to the highest ranks. This single-institution case study explored institutional practices and policies as they related to workload satisfaction and rewards for female faculty. Following the framework from the Faculty Workload and Rewards Project, FWRP, the case used the constructs of equity-minded faculty workloads to shape the analysis. Three themes emerged in the analysis: context matters, transparency practices, …

External Funding Bulletin July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, Office Of Research And Creative Activity, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Sponsored Programs Bulletins

No abstract provided.

Navigating Upstream: How Medical Educators Strategize The Unfamiliar During Their Transition Into A Leadership Role, Sarah Williams

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

As the medical field grows more complex, the need for medical educator leaders has increased, driving the integration of leadership training into medical education to help manage an increase in administrative challenges. In U.S. medical schools, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) standards require faculty to fill high-ranking leadership roles who must balance academic and administrative duties. Medical educators in these leadership roles must manage the tensions between teaching, research, patient care, and administrative responsibilities. Although leadership programs designed for medical educators exist, as well as faculty development opportunities, educators consistently express a lack of training as they transitioned …

The Development Of Teacher-Student Relationships In The Elementary School Setting And Their Influence On The Whole Child, Jana H. Kline

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship students have with teachers can influence their social development, behavior, and academic performance. Some teachers naturally build positive relationships with students while others may not realize the importance or know how to build them unless specific strategies are given. The purpose of this phenomenological, qualitative research study was to examine teacher perceptions of the development of relationships with students in the elementary school setting and their influence on the whole child.

To address this purpose, data collection strategies included individual interviews with elementary school teachers. Analysis of data involved transcribing interviews and line-by-line coding. Themes regarding teacher-student relationships …

Complete Volume 42

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This is the complete Volume 42 of the Journal of the Association for Communication Administration.

Building Micro-Credential Frameworks: A Strategic Approach For Institutional Success, Justin R. Louder

TxDLA Journal of Digital Learning

The rise of micro-credentials in higher education presents a transformative opportunity for institutions to deliver flexible, workforce-aligned learning experiences. This article explores key strategies for implementing micro-credential frameworks that align with institutional goals while ensuring quality, scalability, and employer recognition. Drawing from existing models and institutional case studies, the article outlines five critical factors for success: (1) aligning micro-credentials with institutional priorities, (2) conducting market and audience analysis, (3) ensuring academic quality and rigor, (4) leveraging technological infrastructure, and (5) fostering external partnerships. The discussion highlights best practices from leading institutions and offers actionable recommendations for practitioners looking to launch …

2025-11-21 Agenda Book, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

Agenda booklet for the Board of Regents meeting of November 21, 2025, which includes the minutes of the meeting held on October 17, 2025 and the agendas of the Audit Committee and AD-HOC Bylaws and Mission Committee meetings held on the same day.

November 21, 2025 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Exploring Generation Z Student Satisfaction In Radiography Programs Within A Southern State: Development And Application Of A Survey Instrument For Leadership Use, Brittany Seruntine Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation employed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design to examine the extent to which Generation Z students in radiography programs within a southern state perceive that their needs and expectations are being fulfilled. Additionally, the study examined how program leaders perceived and plan to utilize the survey and its findings within the cycle of continuous program improvement and accreditation readiness. A Likert-scale survey instrument was constructed by cross-referencing Generation Z’s characteristics, needs, and expectations with JRCERT standards. Items were refined through target population focus groups and validated using Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio. The validated instrument was then administered to Generation …

2025 November 14 - Full Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

2025 November 10 - University Council Agenda And Minutes, University Council, East Tennessee State University

University Council Agendas and Minutes

The University Council met on November 10, 2025, under the leadership of Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, who called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The council approved the minutes from its October meeting and endorsed several consent agenda items, including the University Chemical Hygiene Plan and updates to enterprise information systems and resource‑planning backups. Governance groups provided reports highlighting faculty policy development, Staff Senate participation in the Season of Sharing initiative, athletics updates—including the volleyball team’s Southern Conference Championship—and reminders regarding mandatory cybersecurity training. The council received a comprehensive strategic planning update from Dr. Mike Hoff, who reviewed ETSU’s evolving …