Digital Commons Network^™

Educational Leadership In A Vuca World: The Crisis Management Experiences Of Rural School Superintendents, Lucas J. Grossnicklaus

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

The job of both urban and rural superintendents is challenging, but it is the rural school superintendency that comes with unique challenges that aren’t always faced by their urban and suburban counterparts. The COVID-19 Pandemic brought about a number of crises for school superintendents such as school closures, mask mandates, and navigating positions taken by governors, teachers unions, and school boards. While concerns about school closures and mask mandates has dissipated, conflict within school districts has only seemed to grow since the pandemic.

This multi-case study explored the lived experience of rural superintendents in the Midwest who have experienced a …

College Student Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Resilience Through The Eyes Of Transition, Andrew Dies, Juliann Sergi Mcbrayer, Pamela Wells, Antonio P. Gutierrez De Blume, Summer Pannell, Mary Josephine Carney

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

This research focused on the role that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) play in the lives of today’s college students and how protective factors may increase a student’s level of resilience. This study examined participants’ levels of resilience, what ACEs they experienced prior to entering college, and what role protective factors played in mitigating the impacts of ACEs on resilience levels. Results indicated that older students scored higher in resilience than their younger counterparts. The findings indicated protective factors coupled with resilience play a role in the success of college students. Implications for practice suggest institutions of higher education should examine …

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

Navigating Perspectives: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Communication Experiences Between North American–Trained International School Leaders And Expatriate Staff, Maggie Marie Cashdollar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the communication approaches and experiences between leaders and expatriate staff in English-medium international schools. The researcher aimed to understand how leadership communication, feedback, and cultural awareness impact professional relationships and organizational effectiveness in diverse educational settings. Semistructured online interviews were conducted with seven current or former international school leaders and teachers to capture their lived experiences. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (a) communication approaches, (b) the role of feedback in the workplace, and (c) cultural awareness in communication. Five subthemes emerged: (a) expectations, (b) inclusion, (c) being present, (d) growth mindset, and (e) positivity. …

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

Why Teachers Stay: A Multiple Case Study Of Retention In Small To Midsized Schools, Karen Shaw Ewton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher retention presents a critical challenge for small to midsized school districts, often compounded by limited resources and unique community dynamics. Using Herzberg’s twofactor theory, this qualitative study explored factors influencing teacher retention in districts with retention rates exceeding 85%. Semistructured interviews with nine teachers examined the impact of hygiene factors, such as administrative support and compensation, and motivators, like autonomy and professional growth. Thematic analysis revealed that administrative support and equitable workloads prevent dissatisfaction, while motivators such as meaningful relationships, recognition, and relevant professional development drive commitment. Professional development emerged as both a motivator and a hygiene factor based …

Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Connection, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Talisman:

• Alali, Cecilia & Ragan Harrington. Connection
• Hardesty, Emma. On a Roll – Dungeons & Dragons
• Muscutt, Carson. Grinding Through Life – Molotov Skateshop
• Cox, Kate. Stopwatch
• Harrington, Ragan. 1 Campus, 7 Strangers – Logan Hesse, Nicholas Basile, Spencer Winterbottom, Alliyah Jones, Alex Gehring, Annie McClurg, Rowan Finley
• Vickers, Abigail. Forged in Combat – Mixed Martial Arts
• Wood-Morris, Oli. Survivors to Neighbors – Bosnian Refugees
• Jordan, Shylin. Severed Roots
• Bivens, Emily. Behind the Screen – Social Media
• Dean, Clarissa. Shear Talent – Shake Rag Barbershop
• Sutton, Avery. For the Love of the Old – Thrift Shopping
• Phelps, Maggie. …

Minutes, College Of Liberal Arts Faculty Meeting, Thursday, April 30, 2025, College Of Liberal Arts Faculty, Rollins College

The College of Liberal Arts Faculty Minutes

No abstract provided.

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

Higher Learning Research Communications

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

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

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

Conclusions and Implications: Critical insights into …

K-12 Special Education In The South: Where Are We And Where Should We Be Going?, Jack G. Walker

Honors Theses

Throughout the past century, special education has undergone significant transformation and increasing accessibility to those who need it. However, persistent challenges remain. Some of these challenges include but are not limited to teachers still challenged with job stress and paperwork overload, schools faced with lack of funding for the program, and the lack of importance seen by administration on close relationships with parents of said students. These problems can affect all involved and especially the students who deserve the best education experience they can receive. The purpose of this thesis is to look into what has gotten policymakers to where …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, April 25, 2025, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 100, No. 3, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Magazine edition of the College Heights Herald for the period February 17 - April 20, 2025.

• Wilborn, Price. You Matter & You Are Not Alone
• Smith, Kane. Peggy Crowe Reflects on Counseling Center in Face of Staff Shortages
• Stafford, Hallie. Help with Horses – New Beginnings Therapeutic Horse Riding
• Hawkins, Kaylee. How a WKU Professor Helps Improve Student Mental Health – Jay Gabbard, National Alliance on Mental Illness Recovery Support Group
• McMahon, Jake. More Than a Coach – Brent Chumbley, Track & Field
• Simpson, Libby. WKU’s American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Brings Mental Health Into the Light
• Hardesty, Emma. Trans …

Relationship Between University Internal Quality Assurance Practices And Employability Of Graduates Of Educational Management In South-West, Nigeria, Peter Olumide Oshinyadi, Hammed Idowu Adeyanju Prof., Olusegun Samuel Olaniyi Phd

Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between internal quality assurance practices and employability skills of graduates of educational management in public Universities in South-West, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted. The population comprised 1,036 final year full-time students in 9 public universities in six states in South-West, Nigeria. The study sampled 354 final year students using a multistage random sampling technique. Two research instruments tagged as Internal Quality Assurance Practices Questionnaire for Students, and Graduates Employability Skills Rating Scale with reliability coefficients of 0.81 and 0.70 respectively were used for data collection. The demographic …

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals' Perceptions Of Principal Preparation Programs, Jennifer Gael Wiese

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand participants’ lived experiences in Principal Preparation Programs (PPPs) and their perceptions of how these programs prepared them for their roles as educational leaders in a public school district in the western United States. The lived experience is generally defined as the participants’ experiences, options, and choices and the influence these have on the participants’ perception of knowledge and education related to educational leadership. The historical, social, and theoretical context of principal preparation was highlighted in the introduction. A systematic literature review was conducted to explore issues in principal preparation. The focus …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session Thursday April 17, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes (February 6, 2025)

Recognition of President Ed Montgomery

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

International Congress on Medieval Studies and Experiential Learning

Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Naming the New Valley Residence Hall “Golden Oaks” at “The Valleys”

Consent Item

• Personnel Report
• Curriculum Proposals
• Sale of BTR Parcel (Unit 30)
• Liquor Licenses – Multiple Events (July 10, 2025, August 7, 2025, November 7, 2025)
• Annuity …

We Speak Life Into Their Language: Black Educators’ Approaches To Linguistic Justice In Urban Secondary Ela Classrooms, Lakeisha A. Davis

Dissertations

This study explores how Black educators navigate linguistic justice, deficit thinking, and stereotypes in urban secondary English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, it examines how teachers affirm Black Language (BL) while balancing the demands of White Mainstream English (WME) in academic spaces. Findings reveal that although educators employ culturally affirming strategies, they face challenges from restrictive language policies and standardized assessments. To counteract these barriers, they adopt negotiation practices that support students’ linguistic and cultural identities. From these findings, the study proposes Dynamic Linguistic Uplift (DLU)—a new theoretical framework that illustrates how Black educators sustain BL …

Artificial Intelligence: In Your Phone And In Your Head, Gabrielle A. Johnson

ENGL 1102 Showcase

Artificial intelligence (AI) innovation has gained traction in recent years due to large investments towards improving the average person’s daily life. While operating the parent companies of common platforms such as Amazon, Instagram, and Microsoft, America’s richest citizens have spent billions on improving and researching the recent technology. AI offers ‘shortcuts’ to many daily inconveniences, fostering an over-reliance on the technology that has also led to human shortcomings. By using artificial intelligence, students can easily fill in homework answers with no calculations or critical thinking necessary. Beyond academics, relying on this technology compromises a broader necessity: human connection. With chatbots …

Culture Trap: Male Educators Of Color And The Academic Role Deficit, Javin Cotton

School of Education Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project is to investigate the systemic barriers that limit the academic career advancement of male educators of color within the educational system, specifically highlighting School District 88. This study specifically addresses the disproportionate placement of Black and Latino male educators into disciplinary roles rather than academic leadership positions. Utilizing Implementation Science principles, the project outlines a multi-faceted intervention plan designed to dismantle implicit biases, enhance mentorship opportunities, and establish structured pathways for professional growth. By promoting equity- driven hiring practices, mentorship programs, and policy reforms, this capstone seeks to increase the representation of male educators …

Higher Education Leaders’ Perspectives About Communication Challenges During Crises, Carey-Ann Marie Balkwill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem was that while impact and problems of crisis communication have been identified in the literature, little is known about the perspectives of leaders in higher education when facing communication issues in times of crisis. Guided by crisis communication theory and leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore higher education leadership team members’ perspectives of communication challenges in times of crisis. Four research questions guided the study on the perspectives of higher education leadership team members about (a) how their own leadership and communication changed during a crisis, (b) how internal communications evolved during …

Intersectional Experiences Of Stem Students With Disabilities, Sandy Heath, Jade Metzger, Tarah Loy-Ashe

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities experience barriers to accessing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers during academic preparation for these careers. This pilot project explored the experiences of postsecondary STEM students who have a disability. The six students interviewed gave their insights into the need to further diversify who has access to STEM careers by describing that cultural and structural barriers posed more of a barrier than the course content during their STEM education. Academic preparation often starts in early childhood education with exposure to STEM topics and continues through postsecondary education. The implications impact both the individual student and society. …

Strategies To Improve Higher Education Institutional Performance Through Predictive Analytics Implementation, Laxshaa Nadpurajah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Higher education institutions face challenges in integrating predictive analytics due to data silos and resistance to adoption, limiting their ability to improve student outcomes and operational efficiency. This issue concerns institutional leaders, as ineffective data use can lead to declining retention rates, financial strain, and missed opportunities for growth. Grounded in the composite conceptual framework of the technology acceptance model and the diffusion of innovations theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore effective strategies to implement predictive analytics tools to reduce costs and improve student outcomes. The study included three higher education leaders in Ontario …

Balancing The Clock: Work Hours And Work-Life Balance Among Texas Principals, J. Suzy Ponton, Christopher Benedetti

School Leadership Review

This study examines the work-life balance of Texas principals, focusing on role balance, overload, and ease and how these factors vary across different school levels when accounting for hours worked. Principals are critical to the success of schools but often face significant stress and burnout due to excessive job demands, long working hours, and limited support, which can lead to turnover. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, the study analyzes survey data from 122 principals across Texas, with findings suggesting that while high school principals report lower role overload and higher role ease than their elementary and middle school counterparts, they …

The Impact Of Dual Enrollment On Educational Aspirations Of Traditionally Underrepresented Students In Community College, Wayne Carter, Carol Gruber

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

This research study examined the difference in academic motivation and academic self-efficacy of traditionally underrepresented students in community college who previously participated in high school dual enrollment programs versus their comparable peers without dual enrollment experience. This is important given the socio-economic disparities between the various student groups participating in this selective college preparatory program. Historically, traditionally underrepresented students have yet to participate in dual enrollment programs commensurate with their non-minority and affluent peers. By examining the difference between these two specific student subgroups, the researchers addressed what types of motivation and self-efficacious behaviors affected these college students who opted …

Ua19/16/2 Ahletics Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases regarding general activities of the WKU Athletics Department for spring 2025.

Ua35/3 Provost's Message, Wku Provost

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Provost's Messages issued to faculty & staff via email. Topics include awards, budget cuts, grants, Transdisciplinary Opportunity Program and administrative decisions.

Newsletter, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

Newsletter created by WKU Staff Council to report on work accomplished.

Swosu Fact Book Spring 2025, Joel Harrel Kendall, Diane Fitzsimmons, Kelsi Burghardt

Fact Books

The 2nd annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University Spring Fact Book provides a ready source of information to answer frequently asked questions about the University and its operations. The Spring Fact Book is compiled annually by the Office of Institutional Research to assist the university with strategic planning, academic program reviews, grant writing, accreditation, and institutional information to help guide decision-making. The report uses data collected from 2016 to 2025 and is designed to help faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders better understand the student body and university trends.

Exploring The Matriculation And Resource Utilization Of African American Students With Hidden Disabilities In The Health Sciences, Kimberly Houston

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction. Learning disabilities result from genetic and neurobiological factors that alter brain function, such that cognitive processes related to learning are affected. Hidden disabilities can be defined as a non-apparent chronic condition that interferes with a person’s activities of daily living. While learning disabilities may be hidden, there are non-learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, autism, depression, fibromyalgia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While all races/ethnic groups have persons within their population who are disabled, African Americans are at a double disadvantage due to race and disability status. Therefore, the intersectionality of race and disability status among African American students in …

Institutionalizing Normality: Disability, Productivity, And Higher Education, Ashley Dirzis

Student Theses

This thesis examines how capitalism and neuronormative domination shape the structures and values of academic institutions, affecting faculty, students, and research subjects alike. By privileging productivity, conformity, and efficiency in the pursuit of income, universities often marginalize those who diverge from normative standards of thinking, behavior, and embodiment, particularly disabled individuals. Drawing on Marta Russell’s Disability and Capitalism and the shaping of disability by capitalist systems, Robert Chapman’s notion of the "Empire of Normality" and Jay Dolmage’s concept of the retrofit from Academic Ableism, this paper analyzes how academia reinforces ableist norms. It explores the realities and barriers that …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Staff Perceptions Of The Threat And Prevention Of School Violence, Rebecca Linton

Dissertations

My study addressed the issue of school safety and student mental health in schools in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify the concerns staff members had about the system and procedures used to track students’ mental health and how staff and students are kept safe within the school environment. The overarching research question for my study was: What are the perceptions of school staff regarding school safety and the support students with mental health issues receive? I used a quantitative research method for my study, collecting data through surveys of teachers and administrators. The survey …