Digital Commons Network^™

Emerging And Young Adult Student Loan Borrowers: Financial Behaviors And Characteristics, Gaurav R. Sinha, Sean P. Mullen, Christopher R. Larrison, Sicong Sun

Journal of Student Financial Aid

We examined patterns and sociodemographic correlates of financial characteristics and behaviors among emerging and young (18-34-year-old) student loan borrowers who were repaying their loans. Employing latent class regression modeling on a subset of the 2018 National Financial Capability Study (N =1,490), we explored heterogenous constellation of patterns in financial characteristics and behaviors of these borrowers. Results indicated four distinct classes of financial characteristics and behaviors: financially strained (20.8%), financially balanced (29.2%), financially capricious (20%), and financially vulnerable (30.1%). Gender, race, and education were found to be consistently correlated with financial characteristics and behavior patterns. Marital status, income, employment, and welfare …

2025 March 5 - Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes, Undergraduate Curriculum Council, East Tennessee State University

Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Guardians Or Bystanders? Examining School Shooting Responses In The Southern United States, Andre L. Tompkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

School shootings challenge educational safety, demanding effective leadership strategies. The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, heightened concerns about campus vulnerabilities, urging administrators to prioritize student protection. I performed a qualitative study interviewing principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders to examine their experiences addressing campus threats. The findings revealed three themes: (1) ineffective leadership affects campus safety, (2) prompt actions enhance trust in leadership, and (3) connecting with others enhances safety. In this study, I spotlight the crucial role that proactive leadership plays in building the coalitions needed to …

Newsletter, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

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

Differences In Reading College Readiness By The Language Status Of Texas High School Students: A Statewide, Multiyear Analysis, Lidia Garza Calderón, John R. Slate, Tershundrea Branch, Clare A. Resilla

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The extend to which differences were present for Emergent Bilingual students and non-Emergent Bilingual students in their performance on the Texas state-mandated English I End-of-Course exam for the 2018-2019, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 school years was examined. Specifically addressed was the extent to which Emergent Bilingual students and non-Emergent Bilingual students differed in their performance on three Grade Level performance standards: Approaches Grade Level standard, Meets Grade Level standard, and Masters Grade Level standard in the pre-pandemic year and the first and second-post-pandemic years. Non-Emergent Bilingual students had statistically significantly better English I End-of-Course exam performance than Emergent Bilingual students in …

Creating A School Climate Of Belonging And Engagement Through Visionary Leadership And Student Art, Jeff Irvine, Kyra Kristensen-Irvine

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This research adopted a case study methodology to investigate how student artwork helped establish a school climate that was intentionally inviting to students and the wider school community. Through the visionary leadership of two principals, a Kindergarten to Grade 5 school and a middle school enhanced their common areas through student visual arts projects. Previous research on school physical environments focused on safety, cleanliness, and noise levels. This paper addresses a research gap, identifying the role that physical environments played in promoting a positive school climate which in turn promoted students’ sense of belonging and engagement.

Novice School Prinicpals' Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices, Maria De Lourdes Viloria, Alexandra Vasquez, Georgina Hernandez

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This paper investigates the perspectives of three novice school leaders who explore ways to accommodate new instructional practices at their campuses by setting high expectations and getting to know students and their educational needs. The three novice school leaders who participated in this investigation emphasized the importance of communication and relationships with all the stakeholders, including: teachers, staff, students, parents, office personnel, and community members. Additionally, all three novice school leaders expressed gaining trust and proactively providing support to teachers at all times. Moreover, they concurred that the key skills required for success as a novice school leader are: communication, …

Journal Of Educational Leadership In Action, Volume 9, Issue 3, Full Issue

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

No abstract provided.

Exploring Rural School Principals’ Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence For Implementation And Challenges In Pk-12 Schools, Patrick D. Hales, Hamada Elfarargy, Tony Durr

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This paper explores the perceptions of rural school principals in South Dakota regarding the implementation and challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in PK-12 education, aiming to understand their familiarity with AI, considerations for integrating it into student learning, and perceived obstacles. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed methods design, the study combines quantitative data from a survey of 46 rural school principals with qualitative insights from open-ended responses. The findings reveal a significant gap in AI usage among rural principals, emphasizing the need for targeted professional development and increased AI literacy. Ethical considerations are crucial, with principals highlighting the importance of …

Traditional Vs. Modern-Grading Practices: A Comparative Case Study, Sarah Ruth Morris, Matt Townsley

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This comparative case study explores the influences of traditional and modern grading systems on ninth-grade students' academic and psychological outcomes. Employing quantitative and qualitative methods, including OLS regressions and focus group discussions, our research investigates student attitudes towards grading practices at two contrasting schools—one utilizing traditional grading methods and the other a more modern, progressive, standards-based approach. Findings suggest that while modern grading practices are favored for their fairness and focus on mastery, they do not significantly enhance academic outcomes or student well-being in the short term. The study highlights the complex implications of grading reforms and underscores the need …

Assessing Teachers' Competence In Sustaining The Use Of Ict Tools For Instructional Delivery During The New Normal Era, Yinusa Faremi, Ramota Ajoke Rasaq Ms, Ramota Ajoke Rasaq, Charles Silvane, Yemisi Olubunmi Fashoto

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Amidst the post-covid era, blended teaching has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, necessitating educational system changes. This study aimed to assess teachers' competence in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools for instructional delivery during the new normal era. The study utilized a quantitative survey design with a sample size of 150 secondary school teachers from private and public in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The study revealed that most respondents lacked adequate competence in sustaining the use of computers to assess learners and in utilizing PowerPoint presentations during the teaching-learning process in the new normal …

Widening The Net: How Cogat And Act Aspire Compare In Gifted Identification, Al Mansor Helal, Jonathan Wai, Andy Parra-Martinez, Sarah Mckenzie, Dustin Seaton

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

Previous research indicates that many academically accomplished students from disadvantaged backgrounds are not identified for gifted and talented (G/T) programs. This study examines a large sample of students (N = 10,508), many of whom took both the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the ACT Aspire test. We examined test similarities and differences with an eye to widen the net for G/T identification in practice. This study demonstrates that the ACT Aspire and CogAT have a significant correlation in our sample of r = .59. However, the correlation varies across cohorts noticeably from r = .72 to r = .49. This …

Board-Head Relationships: The Role Of Relational Trust And Intentional Care In Fostering Head Of School Well-Being, Cassidy Klutts, Albert Cheng

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

Given the challenges of school leadership and high rates of school leader attrition, scholars have increasingly given attention to the wellbeing of heads of schools. However, that research has not considered the way governing boards potentially influence head of school wellbeing. We fill this gap by examining how relational dynamics between heads of school and governing boards are associated with head of school wellbeing. Using data from about 140 heads of schools who participated in the Society for Classical Learning’s 2023 Thriving Schools Survey, we find that (a) relational trust between heads and boards and (b) care of the head …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, February 28, 2025, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2025 February 21 - Academic, Research, And Student Success Committee Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

2025 February 21 - Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Stop The Brain Drain: A Higher Education Collaborative Autoethnographic Change Study Using A Soft Systems Approach, Danny Darden, Angela Nunez, Stella Shen, Rob E. Carpenter, Ginger Vaughn, Tim Murphy

Student Posters

Knowledge loss is a common challenge within IHEs—highly educated and skilled individuals leave—often taking the knowledge to do their job well with them. Turnover in IHEs is currently at an all-time high. There is a strong correlation between knowledge management practices and organizational performance. This paper (in progress) explores this phenomenon using collaborative institutional ethnography, enabling a critical analysis of how power dynamics and uncertainty shape both individual experiences and broader workplace social structures. Participants include six IHE employees (in various IHE roles) from three separate universities in the eastern region of Texas. We aim to uncover the internal experiences …

2025-02-07 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 February 7, 2025, which includes the meeting minutes of the meeting held on November 15, 2024.

Examining Leadership Practices To Promote A Positive Culture Of Research Integrity In Higher Education Institutions, Seán Lacey, Jennifer J. Wilkinson

Publications

What is new?

While Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have, in recent years, placed greater emphasis on promoting good research practices, it is yet relatively unknown what leadership approaches are best suited to cultivating a positive culture of research integrity (RI) in HEIs. This small-scale exploratory descriptive study therefore sought to uncover initial findings from within the European context on practices research leaders found to be most effective in leading positive change in this space.

What was the approach?

The design was constructed using semi-structured interviews with five senior research leaders. Countries that were members of the European Network of Research …

Quantifying Educational Impacts Under The Nypd's Stop-And-Frisk Era, Matthew T. Stanton

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project examines the educational and economic impacts of the New York Police Department's "Stop, Question, and Frisk" (SQF) program, implemented predominantly under "Operation Impact" from 2003 to 2022. Using data from the NYPD and the American Community Survey, the study explores correlations between high rates of stop-and-frisk encounters and reduced educational attainment among targeted demographics, primarily Black and Hispanic young men. It contextualizes the socioeconomic consequences of SQF policies, including their effect on lifetime earnings and community trust. The project highlights the limitations of data correlation, advocates for further longitudinal and qualitative studies, and suggests frameworks for mitigating inequities …

Factors Influencing Jordanian College Understudies' Impressions Of Learning Through Emergency Distance Learning (Edl), Abdelnaser Sanad Alakayleh

Journal of Research Initiatives

In this study, which used a quantitative and correlational approach, the variables influencing Jordanian university students' perceptions of their education under emergency remote learning scenarios were investigated. An online survey was administered to a sample of 765 male and female education stage students. Jordan offers higher education for both genders and at different levels in different regions. Many criteria connected to perceived learning were taken into consideration when administering the study questionnaire. It was discovered that the economics students had a more positive perception of learning than the education and science students, followed by deep learning, avoiding superficial learning factors, …

Teacher Retention And The Future Of Learning: Alarming Concerns About Preparing The Next Generation Of Citizens, Dejuanna M. Parker, Barbara D. Holmes

Journal of Research Initiatives

Research is robust in detailing the various reasons teachers leave the profession. There is scant literature on why teachers stay and what should be done to improve teacher retention. Teacher retention is a primary concern nationally and internationally. The inability to retain teachers has resulted in a teacher shortage and significantly affects student learning. Sorenson and Ladd (2020) This study yielded three emergent themes related to integral factors of teacher retention: changing attitudes on administrative support, workplace collegiality, and persistence of passion and purpose. Recommendations offered include encouraging administrators to leverage the passion and commitment of the educators to create …

2025 January 27 - Faculty Senate Agenda And Minutes, Faculty Senate, East Tennessee State University

Faculty Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Critical Components Of Successful Cross-Race Mentoring Relationships: Perspectives Of Mentees And Mentors, Sylvia L. Mendez, Jennifer A. Tygret, Anneke Bruwer, Comas Haynes

The Qualitative Report

This intrinsic case study (Stake, 1995) explores the critical components of successful cross-race mentoring relationships from the mentees and mentors involved in the Increasing Minority Presence within Academia through Continuous Training (IMPACT) mentoring program. Stakeholders across academia need to better understand what facilitates successful cross-race mentoring, due to the underrepresentation of senior and emeriti faculty of color in engineering. Interviews with 16 Black engineering faculty mentees and 14 primarily White emeriti mentors were analyzed inductively and resulted in three interconnected themes: (a) self-awareness and empathy create trusting, honest conversations; (b) mentee career advancement must be core to the relationship; and …

Field Note, January 2025, Bob Gallagher

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

Bob Gallagher's reflections on educational beliefs, inspired by the book The Teacher You Want to Be, offer a profound critique and vision for what schools could be. Here's a detailed breakdown based on the themes and beliefs discussed

Mindfulness 101: Integrating Mindfulness Into The First-Year College Curriculum, Shelley Linso

Mindfulness Studies Theses

The college experience offers young people unique opportunities for personal growth and academic development. However, it is widely recognized that college and university students suffer from unprecedented rates of anxiety and depression. Mindfulness, often defined as paying attention on purpose, moment-to-moment, without judgment, has the potential to not only reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression but also to promote flourishing. By integrating mindfulness into the first-year college curriculum, educators facilitate students’ abilities to a) better understand their emotional responses so that they might navigate stress, relationships, and challenges with greater ease, b) better recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and make …

An Exploration Of Collaboration Between School Psychologists And School Administrators, Marian C. Fish, Nathalis Wamba, Tom Matuza, Julie Cooperstone

Publications and Research

Prior research has highlighted strong benefits from having a collaborative environment within schools. However, there has been limited research regarding factors that can promote a collaborative relationship between two key professionals within the school environment: school administrators and school psychologists. The first purpose of this study was to examine the nature of collaboration between school psychologists and school administrators. The second purpose was to explore ways to facilitate and improve this interprofessional collaboration within the school to promote safe, equitable, and supportive school climates and positive student outcomes. Using a qualitative methodology, we collected and analyzed data from three focus …

Where The Black Women At? Exploring The Narratives & Experiences Of Black Women In Higher Education Leadership, Jasmine P. Jean

All ETDs from UAB

WHERE THE BLACK WOMEN AT? EXPLORING THE NARRATIVES & EXPERIENCES OF BLACK WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP JASMINE P. PARKER JEAN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION ABSTRACT This thesis explores the experiences of Black Women in mid- and senior-level leadership roles in higher education, with a focus on the unique challenges they face due to the intersection of race and gender. Black Women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions across the academic landscape, despite earning higher education degrees at high rates. The study seeks to amplify the voices of Black Women leaders, providing insight into the barriers they encounter, the strategies they …

Navigating The Academic Terrain: Examining The Challenges And Success Factors Of Student Veterans In Higher Education Institutions, Katherine Reyes, Corey Idleburg

Education Division Scholarship

This study investigates the academic experiences of student veterans, addressing specific challenges they face in higher education. Using Schlossberg’s adult transition theory, it explores the effects of invisible barriers, enrollment trends, and institutional factors on veteran student success, leveraging the VA’s GI Bill Comparison tool to examine public versus private school support. Findings underscore the need for targeted resources, faculty training, and institutional awareness to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances veteran students' academic success and sense of belonging.

Redefining Success: Insights From Lebanese Women Leaders In Higher Education, Lina H. Safa

Education Division Scholarship

This presentation explores how Lebanese women leaders in higher education define and measure success, emphasizing their innovative approaches and transformative impact. By examining personal narratives through a phenomenological lens, the study reveals how these leaders navigate cultural challenges, offering insights into leadership dynamics in a patriarchal society and contributing to global discussions on gender equity and academic leadership.