Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivating Delight, Crossing Divides, And Solving Impossible Problems: Lessons Learned From A Year Of Virtual Conferences, Jon Blandford, Kathy J. Cooke, Erik Liddell, Kathryn M. Macdonald, Tara M. Tuttle

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

This chapter highlights some of the lessons learned from a year of virtual conferences held by three different honors organizations, the Southern Regional Honors Council (SRHC), the Northeast Regional Honors Council (NRHC), and the Kentucky Honors Roundtable (KHR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building Virtual Community: The Power Of Peer-Led Engagement, Emily Clossin, Shane Collins, Lisa Ruch, Kristina Horn Sheeler, Kara M. Woodlee

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

The Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Honors College developed a multi-layered strategy to foster interpersonal connection and a sense of belonging among incoming students as well as continued opportunities for engagement among the entire community of scholars. Via social media posts and takeovers, peer mentor commitment, and virtual activities organized and led by students, along with more traditional face-to-face events, our new students developed connections, relationships, and a sense of identity as honors scholars. Our continuing students took on new leadership roles in the honors college, displaying their talents and contributing in ways they had not before in face-to-face formats. …

Before They Set Foot On Campus: Building A Virtual Summer Community For Incoming Honors Students, Laura G. Eldred, Gillian Wenhold, Jacquelyn Mcbride

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Discusses the launching of a brand-new program rooted in community creation during a pandemic, which meant that traditional modes of cohort building were not going to fly. That said, although the impetus was pandemic-specific, the lessons learned about the creation and value of virtual communities are not limited to one historical moment.

Honors Online: Teaching, Learning, And Building Community Virtually In Honors Education: Front And Back Matter, Victoria M. Bryan, Cat Stanfield

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Front and back matter from Honors Online: Teaching, Learning, and Building Community Virtually in Honors Education (NCHC, 2024), edited by Victoria M. Bryan and Cat Stanfield.

“We Advocate A Semi-Revolution”: An Honors Conference Undergoes Transformation, Betsy Greenleaf Yarrison, Bruce Thompson

Honors in Practice Online Archive

Since the 1980s, the Maryland Collegiate Honors Council has offered an annual conference on a host campus in late February. In 2020, MCHC slipped in the conference just before the apocalyptic arrival of COVID-19 in March. Because this conference is hugely popular statewide, we decided to organize it virtually in 2021. Our topic—In Honors…Black Lives Matter—was too important for us to wait out the pandemic. We charged nothing, partly to encourage students and member institutions to participate and partly because it cost us nothing. Attendance tripled. Students who could not miss class or work were able to attend. Programs were …

Mindfulness In Honors: An Experiment In Collaborative Learning And Team Teaching, Pascale F. Engelmajer, Massimo A. Rondolino

Honors in Practice Online Archive

What do students hear when we talk of mindfulness? To reframe unexamined assumptions among students who conceptualize both mindfulness and honors education as “doing more” (more exercises to gain psychological benefits and more work to gain higher GPAs), the authors of this paper piloted a new course in philosophy and religious studies. In this essay, they discuss their collaborative experience designing, co-teaching, and assessing an honors course on mindfulness: its roots in Buddhist thought and practices, its contemporary secular developments, and its potential impact on students’ learning and lived experience. Integral to this experiment is also an approach to teaching …

Addressing The Climate Crisis Through Science And Art: The Value Of Interdisciplinary And Intergenerational Team Teaching, Megan Jacobs, Kineo Memmer

Honors in Practice Online Archive

The climate crisis is a growing concern for many people, especially those who are of college age, making it an important and pressing issue to explore in honors courses. Eco-Art: Using Art to Reconcile with the Climate Crisis, a University of New Mexico (UNM) Honors College course, integrates the disciplines of art and environmental justice to examine climate change and address the social and emotional toll of climate grief. The class was co-created and team taught by Associate Professor Megan Jacobs and UNM undergraduate honors and environmental science student Kineo Memmer. This article unpacks the methodologies and lessons learned from …

An Involvement Journal Assignment Encourages First-Year Students To Attend A Variety Of Events And Engage In Meaningful Reflection And Development., Jean-Paul Benowitz

Honors in Practice Online Archive

After 24 years of trial and error, an honors leadership course evolves to become relevant to the needs of the students while reflecting the learning objectives of the curriculum and giving students something tangible for learning in the real world.

About The Authors [Jnchc (2024) 25(1)]

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

About the authors from the Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council (2024) volume 25, number 1, pages 185-189.

Journal Of The National Collegiate Honors Council (Spring/Summer 2024) 25(1): Whole Issue

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council (spring/summer 2024), volume 25, issue1.

Forum on Honors as Neighborhood

Contents

Dedication to Suketu P. Bhazar

Guest Editor’s Introduction, Linda Frost

Honors as Neighborhood, Ada Long

Honors as a Changing Neighborhood, Betsy Greenleaf Yarrison

Honors, Equity, and the Difference Principle, Patrick Fazioli

Institutional Neighborhoods and the Stories They Tell, Joyce Olewski Inman

From Individuals to Neighbors: Growth through Embracing Positionality, Joy L. Hart, Andrea Radasanu, Timothy Nichols, Rebecca C. Bott-Knutson, and Jonathan Kotinek

International Honors Neighbors, Mimi Killinger, Abigail Arnold, Abby Bouchard, Katharine Poulin, Gabriella Shetreet, and Kailee Soucia

Neighbors Outside, Inside, and …

Creating A Diverse Honors Faculty Through Collaborative Relationships Within The Community And The University, Amelia Underwood, Philip L. Frana, Awn-Amber Montoya

Honors in Practice Online Archive

This essay documents approaches to growing honors affiliate faculties through community and university partnerships. The need for new strategies to prepare non-traditional faculties is shown by evidence that the student population is changing and by the critical responsibility honors programs have in the mentorship of diverse students. Professionals, local experts, student affairs administrators, and international scholars can make valuable contributions to honors programs and colleges, given their practical insights and hands-on experiences. Methods for selecting, recruiting, and integrating affiliate faculty into honors education are also shared. The authors cite examples of successful collaborations with community leaders, officers in multicultural affairs …

The Finnish Line: An International Teacher Exchange Program, Anthony Marano

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This delve into the educational landscape of the United States and Finland uncovers areas of potential growth in the United States with the incorporation of the Finnish Model. By examining first hand experiences inside the Finnish education system, this study proposes a program that could bring international developments in academics, and overall happiness into our domestic education system. First will be presented the position and philosophy from which this thesis will be approached. This will help to prove relevance when viewed through this specific and critical lens. Next, will be a brief historical overview of the systems in question and …

Unmasking Challenges Of African American Women At Predominantly White Institutions (Pwis) Unveiling Phenomenological Realities And Prioritizing Well-Being, Alicia C. Perry

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses African American women's intricate challenges at predominantly white institutions (PWIs), exploring the outcomes of navigating a sense of belonging which eventually affects one's well-being within this professional context. The study employs a qualitative approach to delve into the experiences of those who work or have worked in the environment. By capturing the personal narratives of African American women in various roles at PWIs, the research aims to understand the intersectionality of race and gender dynamics impacting their professional lives. The literature review contextualizes the study by discussing the challenges identified in existing research, including the marginalization experiences …

A Mixed Methods Investigation Of Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Teacher Leadership, Jori S. Beck, Kaavonia Hinton, Peter D. Wiens, Brandon Butler

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Teacher leadership has received attention for empirical and practical reasons. However, despite the evolution of the concept over the last several decades, there is still dissonance regarding the concept of teacher leadership. This study was grounded in the theory of professional identity to understand how administrators and teachers conceptualize teacher leadership. We studied the perceptions of administrators and teachers about teacher leadership using a survey and interviews. While there was some overlap in how administrators and teachers perceived teacher leadership, administrators viewed teacher leadership as occurring outside of the classroom while teachers located it inside of the classroom. Teachers also …

External Funding Bulletin, January - June 2024, Uno Office Of Research And Creative Activity

Sponsored Programs Bulletins

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Predictors Of Vocational Calling In First-Generation College Students, Rodney Palmer

Dissertations

Problem

Several studies have examined the prediction of calling in college students, but no known study has focused primarily on the development of vocational calling among the vulnerable population of first-generation college students who have a higher drop-out rate than their peers. Examining the composition of vocational calling in first-generation college students, will assist faculty and student development personnel in better understanding the factors that predict a sense of calling for these students, which will improve their overall performance. This study will examine to what extent a sense of vocational calling is predicted by student mentoring, social support, faith/spirituality, civic …

The Relationship Between Internet Addiction Test Scores And Academic Achievement, Michael L. Houston, John Foubert

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) score and academic performance in college students. The IAT measured the students’ addiction to the internet based upon their use. Academic performance was measured by grade point average (GPA). A sample of 692 traditional-aged college students from both public and private institutions was used to examine if IAT scores were related to and predictive of GPA. This study found a negative relationship between students’ IAT scores and GPAs. As IAT scores increased, students’ GPAs decreased. A better understanding of how internet addiction is related …

The Elephant In The Room: The Intersection Of Religion And Pornography Among Young Christian Men, Ryan Hewitt

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

Pornography presents a unique paradox for young Christians —a culturally normative phenomenon among younger generations, yet one that most Christians morally oppose. These conflicting trends make pornography an “elephant in the room” among young Christians today—an ever-present reality, yet one often not discussed due to its sensitive nature. This work presents a recent quantitative study exploring pornography use patterns and its impact on Evangelical Christian men from both Christian academic institutions and other social and religious contexts. Results revealed high levels of religiosity and porn use, and significant correlations between religiosity, porn use, potentially problematic use, and perceived problems due …

Full Issue

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

The full issue of the twenty-third edition of Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development.

The Racial Attitudes Of White Students At A Christian Institution, Jarad Russell

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

This phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews to understand the lived experiences and racial attitudes of White students at a Council for Christian Colleges and Universities institution as they related to Black people. The participants were asked about their past experiences with Black people, their discussions with family about race, their present understanding of terminology related to race and racism, and their desire to support racial justice in the future. Through this study, three categories of students emerged: those that had taken steps to educate themselves on matters related to race and racism, those that were just beginning to understand issues …

Digital Restlessness: Student Social Media Misuse As A Problem Of Worship, Scott Busby

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

The Personal Is Political: School Board Members’ Motivation For School Governance, Andrew Lobdell

Dissertations of Practice

Understanding the motivation behind school board members' governance is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of public schools. This research aims to analyze the motivations of five newly elected board members and compare them with past research on governance and motivation. The leadership qualities of school superintendents also impact governance and can influence board members' motivations for running and serving their communities. Similarly, board members' motivations can affect how superintendents lead their districts and prioritize different topics. The research is divided into three papers. Paper 1 reviews existing literature and is organized into three distinct sections that explore school board governance, …

Sel Walkthroughs: Promoting Practices That Foster Social And Emotional Learning, Garrett Podgorski

Dissertations of Practice

The concept of social and emotional learning (SEL) has been around Illinois since the early 2000s and a part of legislation for schools to implement since 2003. This dissertation focuses on the extant data of 483 observations from the Municipal Nashville Public School (MNPS) SEL walkthrough tool, which was utilized to investigate SEL implementation in select Illinois schools. Data were collected in the South Cook County area of Illinois.

This dissertation provides a review of literature in the areas of SEL that should be taught in K-12 schools and provides an in-depth review of best practices for utilizing walkthrough observations …

School District Budgeting: How School Principals’ Lack Of Budget Knowledge Can Lead To Negative Impact On Funding, Maria Treto-French

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETING: HOW SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ LACK OF BUDGET

KNOWLEDGE CAN LEAD TO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON FUNDING

Maria Treto-French, Ed.D.

Department of Educational Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2024

Kelly Summers, Director

Effective decision-making by school administrators is crucial for enhancing student

learning outcomes. However, many non-finance administrators need a comprehensive

understanding of school funding and allocation, which can hinder their ability to make informed decisions that positively impact student learning. This paper explored the importance of preparing non-finance administrators specifically those at the “Participating Community Consolidated School District” (PCCSD)to navigate the complexities of school funding …

Building Effective Communicative Relationships: Understanding Superintendent And School Board Member Perceptions Of Trust And Role Responsibilities, Jason Blume

Dissertations of Practice

Effective superintendent and school board leadership teams are positioned to create learning conditions that promote student success. Research emphasizes that effective district leadership teams and school board relations directly correlate with improved student outcomes. Understanding the communicative relationships between school board members and superintendents as well as their perceptions of trust and role responsibilities will support leadership teams’ ability to effectively lead their school districts. Communication and mutual trust amongst team members is essential to fostering a strong collaborative environment.

The purpose of this research is to better understand how communicative relationships, trust, and role responsibilities support effective leadership. Following …

Is Involvement The Key To Students' Post-Graduate Success? A Study Of Undergraduate University Exit Survey Results And Co-Curricular Activity Participation, Kari Harris

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

The connection between co-curricular activities and student’s undergraduate university experience was explored in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze existing university exit survey data from the Arkansas State University Leaving the Den survey. The survey was designed to gather feedback on students’ university experiences. This study explored the feasibility of using an existing exit survey to gather data on students’ co-curricular experiences, perceived and real return on investment in their education, and post-graduate plans. Co-curricular experiences identified in the survey were connected to NACE Career Competencies. The outcomes of the descriptive analysis indicate strong connections between student participation …

Building And Fostering Honors Communities: Lessons From Social Distancing, Anne Dotter, Kathleen King

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

While scholars of online education have been developing ways to foster a sense of belonging in online spaces for years, many of us in honors were thrown into the deep end for the first time in March 2020. As a result, we are now able to see the potential of online practices in a way we could not previously. This chapter tells the story of how we came to see the value of virtual community made possible by digital technology as an invaluable complement to the in-person work of a twenty-first-century honors program. Before the Work from Home (WFH) era, …

The Narrative Journeys Of Women Of Color High-Level Educational Leaders, Alyda R. Mir

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Although their numbers are growing in the field of education, women of color are highly underrepresented in high-level leadership positions such as superintendent of schools. The purpose of this narrative research study was to explore the experiences, facilitators, and barriers of 20 women of color high-level educational leaders, including district superintendents and assistant/associate superintendents in California. Framed by the concepts of the Leadership Labyrinth, Critical Race Theory, and Intersectionality Theory, this study aimed to elevate the voices of a marginalized group of educators who earned high-level leadership positions in public educational organizations. This study shed light on the experiences, trajectories, …

White Girl Wasted: Gender Performativity Of Sexuality With Alcohol In National Panhellenic Conference Sorority Women, Pietro A. Sasso, Amber Manning-Ouellette, Kim E. Bullington, Shelley Price-Williams

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

This narrative qualitative study explored how sorority members negotiated their identities within systems of hegemony with their student communities. Sorority members used women’s empowerment discourse to rationalize how they consumed alcohol, engaged in frequent consensual sexual relationships, and navigated relationships with fraternity men and across their campus sorority/fraternity communities. Implications for practice included harm reduction, sex education, and supportive policies.

The Department Chair’S Role In Fostering Equity: Recruitment And Hiring, Susan Morgan, Lynn Bartels

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.