Digital Commons Network^™

We Are Still Here: A Narrative Inquiry Examining The Experiences Of Black Women Chief Diversity Officers At Historically White Institutions, Jasmin M. Robinson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Black women serving as CDOs in higher education institutions to understand their unique challenges, opportunities, and contributions as diversity leaders. The study uses a narrative inquiry approach, comprising of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to understand how six Black women CDOs lead DEI efforts at historically White institutions, what their identities mean to them, and the lessons learned along the way. Eight core themes emerged from the findings addressing institutional commitment to DEI, institutional perceptions of CDOs, chief diversity officer responsibilities, how Black women understand their race and gender, how …

Application Of The Mattering Model By Generation In The Context Of Teacher Retention In Indiana K-12 Schools, Byron C. Sanders Ii

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When teachers see their actions as significant and recognize they would be missed if they were gone, they realize the significance of their individual impact (Wilfong & Donlan, 2024). Understanding what matters to teachers is an important factor in the process of teacher retention. This study examined the difference in four generations of Indiana K-12 teachers against the eight elements of mattering identified by Dr. Shelly Wilfong (2021). A survey instrument utilized the Foundational Elements of Mattering Survey for K-12 Teachers (Wilfong & Donlan, 2024) and the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale survey (1966a), and it was taken by …

Cracking The Hive Code: A Quantitative Examination Of Queen Bee Syndrome Behaviors In K–12 Education, Katie Renee Gordon

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Queen Bee Syndrome (QBS) has historically been used to describe women who distance themselves from other women and hinder the advancement of female peers (Staines et al., 1974). While early explanations framed QBS as rooted in individual competitiveness, more recent scholarship suggests it may reflect responses to gender discrimination and organizational context (Derks, 2017). In K–12 education, women comprise the majority of the workforce, yet remain underrepresented in upper leadership roles, particularly the superintendency. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of Queen Bee Syndrome behaviors among female leaders in K–12 educational settings and to explore how internal …

Qualitative Insights In Superintendent Habits And School Culture, Katy Eastes

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Superintendents are responsible for shaping the vision of a district, yet they are often removed from the daily interactions that define building-level school culture. This study examined the relationship between superintendents’ professional habits and their ability to identify and demonstrate ownership of school culture. Guided by Leader–Member Exchange Theory and Organizational Culture Theory, the research explored whether relational and organizational dynamics influence how accurately superintendents perceive culture within their schools. Using a dataset from the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute, public school superintendents who had nominated a principal between 2021 and 2025 were identified as potential participants. Ninetythree superintendents were invited …

Commodore Kid To Campus It Leader: The Experiences Of Black Men On The Path To Becoming Chief Information Officers In Higher Education, William Adu-Mensah

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since its inception, the chief information officer (CIO) role has become increasingly crucial. Today, the role of the CIO has never been more important. Having CIOs on the leadership table is essential, and that table should include Black IT professionals whose perspectives have long been missing. Yet, Black male chief information officers remain profoundly underrepresented in higher education information technology leadership. Across higher education in the United States, only about three percent of CIOs identify as Black. This underrepresentation raises urgent questions about barriers to entry and how these men navigate institutions with minimal racial representation. The study examined the …

A Friendly Welcome From The Guest Editors Dr. Jeanne Surface And Dr. Elliott Ostler:, Jeanne Surface, Elliott Ostler

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

No abstract provided.

Leading With Intentionality: A Prek-12th Grade Public School District's Initial Journey Of Ethical Artificial Intelligence Integration, Michael J. Lucas Dr.

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This article chronicles the intentional and evolving approach of Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning. Grounded in historical parallels to earlier technological shifts such as calculators, the Internet, and search engines, the district emphasizes ethical implementation, transparency, and ongoing professional learning rather than restriction or avoidance.

Through the development of an AI Task Force, differentiated professional development, and community engagement initiatives, Westside seeks to promote AI literacy while preserving academic integrity and human-centered decision-making. The district’s framework prioritizes safety, equity, and responsible use, positioning AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—critical …

Leading Artificial Intelligence Integration: Trust, Tension, And Decision-Making, Teresa G. Perkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Artificial intelligence integration in education is advancing faster than shared trust and understanding are being established. Educational leaders are responding in real-time to questions of risk and efficacy while navigating conditions that are still forming. This article situates artificial intelligence integration within the paradox of educational leadership, identifying trust as the critical condition shaping leaders’ interpretations of the tensions.

Leveraging paradox and trust theory, the article explores how competing demands are not problems to be solved, but tensions to be navigated. When trust is present, leaders respond to tension points through both/and sense-making; when trust is absent, decision-making collapses into …

Harnessing Ai In Legal Education: Opportunities For Innovation, Leadership, And Student Success, Peculiar Awa, Grant Shostak

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming the practice of law, from predictive analytics in policing and algorithmic sentencing to generative AI-assisted drafting and research. Despite this technological shift, legal education remains predominantly doctrinal, inadequately preparing graduates to function effectively in an AI-mediated environment. This paper contends that law and legal studies programs must integrate AI literacy, applied AI skills, and ethical instruction into curricula. By leveraging experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, AI-driven simulations, and critical inquiry, institutions can produce graduates who are both technically competent and ethically grounded, ready to navigate the evolving legal profession.

Artificial Intelligence Tools And Job Performance Among Secondary School Administrators, Adebola Oladiji Alaba, Abosede Boladale Olukayode

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This study investigated the relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and job performance among secondary school administrators in Egbedore and Osogbo Local Governments, Osun State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the extent of AI tools usage, the relationship between AI tools usage and administrators’ job performance and differences in AI tools usage between public and private secondary school administrators. The study was motivated by the growing expectation for school administrators to improve administrative effectiveness through digital technologies. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 252 respondents comprising 162 administrators and 90 teachers drawn from 18 secondary schools (nine schools …

Small College Registrars As Leaders: A Multiple Case Study Of Shared Leadership, Kyle John Wigboldy

Dissertations

This study investigates the leadership relationship between the small college registrar and the people with whom they work most closely. The college registrar is not structured to be a strategic leader within the small college, but their leadership contributions across the campus are constantly felt. This research uses a qualitative case study approach to explore how three college registrars lead and participate with coworkers.

This investigation used a multiple case study design where data collection involved exploring three small colleges of fewer than 1,000 students. The study used semi-structured interviews with the registrar at each of the three colleges, and …

Designing The Future Of School Leadership: Cultivating Creative Capacity In Leadership Preparation Programs, Nicole Wagner

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Education systems are increasingly expected to prepare students with skills such as creativity, adaptability, collaboration, and problem solving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.  However, educational leadership preparation programs often provide limited explicit instruction in creativity and creative leadership.  This project examines how creativity is currently incorporated within educational leadership programs and explores ways creative problem solving and creative leadership competencies can be more intentionally integrated into leadership preparation.

Drawing upon scholarship in creativity, Creative Problem Solving (CPS), leadership, and educational change, this project includes three outcomes: (a) a comparative analysis of educational leadership preparation programs; (b) …

Listening To Those Who Stay: Support Systems Influencing Special Education Teacher Retention, Carol Jean Dawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retention among special education teachers is a constant challenge across the country. Educators in these positions often have heavy workloads, emotionally demanding responsibilities, and complex caseloads leading to burnout and high turnover rates. Despite these challenges, most of them persevere in the field for extended periods, which indicate that robust and effective support systems are essential to aiding their commitment. In examining this phenomenon, this qualitative study focused on the lived experiences of six special education teachers who worked in the same school setting for a minimum of five years with the aim of identifying support structures that affect motivation, …

A Phenomenological Study: The Cultural Identity Of Black Transfer Students In Higher Education, Briana Lashon Levi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Black transfer students from the California Community College system to Southern Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Guided by two theoretical frameworks, Afrocentric Pedagogy and Black Identity Development Theory (BIDT), the study investigated how participants described and interpreted their cultural identity as they transitioned from a community college to a Southern HBCU. In this study, cultural identity was understood as a holistic construct that included students’ sense of belonging and their experiences of cultural affirmation, which functioned as core components rather than separate constructs from cultural identity. This research specifically focused …

Why Do Teachers Leave? Investigating Teacher Attrition In A New Orleans Charter School: A Qualitative Phenomenological Case Study, Carlos J. Machuca Rivera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to investigate the lived experiences of former teachers who worked at Goodlife Academy (GLA), a charter school in New Orleans, Louisiana, between 2019 and 2025, with particular attention to how teachers experienced job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction and how those experiences influenced their decisions to leave Teacher attrition—defined as educators leaving their school or the profession—has been associated with factors such as burnout, inadequate support, low compensation, and persistent challenges in addressing achievement gaps. Although these factors are well documented in the literature, many existing studies rely on quantitative methods and focus …

The Intersection Of Dark Triad Leadership And Organizational Commitment: Examining The Efficacy Of Educational Intervention Among K–12 Central Office Peer Leaders, Monica R. Shallenberger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intersection of toxic leadership traits and workplace loyalty remains a critical area of study within educational administration. The purpose of this quantitative, quasiexperimental study was to examine whether a targeted educational intervention, an asynchronous online minicourse focused on the dark triad leadership traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, influenced the organizational commitment of U.S. K–12 central office peer leaders. This study addressed a gap in the literature regarding proactive strategies for peer leaders, defined as coworkers in leadership positions who are not in supervisory roles over the toxic leaders. I employed a one-group pretest and posttest design to measure …

A Phenomenological Study Of Educators' Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Building Assets, Reducing Risks Program On Foster Youth, Kelly S. Daly

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored educators’’ perceptions of how the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) program supports foster youth during the transition into ninth grade.  Ninth grade is an important year for later school success, but foster youth often experience school changes, disrupted relationships, and other challenges that can make this transition more difficult. Although BARR has shown positive results for ninth-grade students generally, limited research as examined its role in supporting foster youth.

This study focused on educators with experience working with both BARR and foster youth.  Data were collected through interviews and analyzed for shared meaning and themes.  The …

Culture, Context, And Change: How California Community Colleges Counseling Units Interpret And Enact Transformation, James A. Grabow

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines how practitioners experience and implement transfer-related reforms within the California Community College (CCC) system. Guided by sensemaking theory (Eddy, 21013) and organizational change frameworks (Kezar, 2014), this qualitative intrinsic case study explores how administrators, counselors, and student services professionals interpret and enact statewide transfer policies within a single institutional context. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven participants and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings reveal that policy implementation is a complex, non-linear process shaped by three primary factors: sensemaking and communication, organizational structures, and human and relational dynamics. Participants described navigating information overload, inconsistent messaging, and …

May 1, 2026 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Campus Leadership Behaviors On Teacher Experiences With Burnout, Carmen Imai

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Teacher burnout continues to be a significant concern in K-12 education, contributing to emotional exhaustion, decreased job satisfaction, teacher attrition, and negative impacts on student learning. While previous research has examined the causes and symptoms of burnout, less attention has been given to how teachers perceive the role of campus leadership in either mitigating or contributing to burnout experiences. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how teachers who have experienced burnout perceive the role of campus administrators within that process. The study was guided by three research questions focused on teachers' experiences with burnout, perceptions of …

From Instructional Design To Student Experience: Engagement As Designed And Experienced In Asynchronous Graduate Education, Francisco Javier Maldonado

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The expansion of asynchronous online learning in graduate education has reshaped instructional delivery; however, concerns persist regarding declining student engagement in fully online environments. While faculty often perceive engagement as sustained through structured course design and digital communication strategies, graduate students report experiences of disconnection, diminished motivation, and limited meaningful interaction. This misalignment in perception presents a significant challenge for graduate programs seeking to promote student success and retention. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how asynchronous online instructional practices influence graduate student engagement within a Master's-level Higher Education Leadership program. Guided by the Academic Constructs of …

Bridging Leadership: An Autoethnographic Inquiry Into The Governance And Decision-Making Experience Of A Latina Rural School Superintendent, Rosa Isela Vega-Barrio

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This autoethnographic study, Bridging Leadership: An Autoethnographic Inquiry into the Governance and Decision-Making Experience of a Latina Rural School Superintendent, examines how governance and leadership are experienced and enacted through the sustained relationship between a superintendent and a school board president in a rural border district along the U.S.-Mexico border, the study explores how power, trust, reciprocity, role expectations, and ethical tension evolve within this leadership partnership over time. Grounded in Relational Leadership Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Role Theory, the study conceptualizes leadership as a relational and contextually embedded process rather than a function of positional authority. Using autoethnography …

How Do Students Experience And Make Meaning Of Their Participation In A Community-Engaged Work-Study Internship At A Border Hsi?, Heriberto Jose Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

At Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), students often juggle financial need, job obligations, family duties, and academic persistence. In these settings, access to meaningful and equitable experiential learning opportunities is critical for student development, belonging, and professional growth. This qualitative study examines how undergraduate students experience and interpret their participation in a community-engaged work-study internship program at an HSI on the U.S.-Mexico border. The study is guided by the research question: How do students experience and make meaning of their participation in a community-engaged work-study internship at a border HSI? It explores how students interpret their experiences within institutional and community contexts …

The Transformation Of Mexican-American Fathers In Doctoral Studies, Harat Ridrigo Saucedo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Fatherhood and minority are words that are not discussed enough in academia. While there has been an awakening in women enrolling and graduating in higher education, the same cannot be said about males, especially fathers of Mexican-American background. As the fastest-growing minority, Mexican-American fathers in doctoral studies are the most underrepresented. The current state of research in the field is minimal, focusing on Mexican-Americans in undergraduate courses, mothers in graduate courses, and males in graduate courses; little is found on Mexican-American fathers in doctoral studies. The research in this qualitative study was designed to address the limited knowledge about Mexican-American …

Understanding The Role Of The School Librarian: Insights From Principals And Librarians, Ruby Shivery

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines how principals and school librarians understand and define the role of the school librarian with the K-12 school system. Guided by Role Conflict Theory, the study explores how differing expectations regarding instructional support, leadership, collaboration, and library management contribute to role ambiguity and professional tension. As the responsibilities of the school librarian continue to expand, inconsistencies in how the role is perceived may influence both professional relationships and the effectiveness of the library programs themselves. Using semi-structured interviews with both principals and school librarians, the study investigates areas of alignment and conflict in participants' perceptions of the …

What Are You Doing In My Classroom? -- Elementary Teacher Perspectives Of Instructional Coaches, Maria Erika Avalos-Fernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study uses a constructivist grounded theory approach to explore elementary teachers' perspectives as they work with instructional coaches on their campuses. The primary purpose of the study is to examine teachers' perspectives and gain insight into how these interactions influence their professional practice. Participants included elementary teachers from a single campus in El Paso, Texas, all of whom have had experience working and collaborating with instructional coaches. The constructivist grounded theory provides a lens for examining participating teachers' lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Convenience sampling was used, allowing flexibility in selecting participants for the …

Bridging Industry And Academia In Engineering Leadership Education: Using Q Methodology To Identify The Viewpoints Of Engineering Professionals On Effective Engineering Leadership, Pamela Edith Campos Valles

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Engineering leadership has been recognized as a key professional skill by the U.S National Academy of Engineering, leading to increased attention and integration in engineering education research and development. The perception and recognition of leadership within the engineering field remains limited by the widespread definitions of leadership and limited characterization of engineering leaders. The Contextual Engineering Leadership Development framework is grounded on a discipline specific definition of engineering leadership and approaches to leadership development derived from engineering undergraduate programs. The use of this framework provides the opportunity to describe what engineering leaders prioritize, enabling the identification and characterization of …

At The Intersection Of Policy, Mission, And Student Needs: How New Mexico Higher Education Professionals Make Transfer Decisions, Roberto P. Vasquez

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Transfer is a critical step for community college students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, yet it remains a complex and inconsistent process. Transfer research highlights tensions related to student experience, institutional mission, and state transfer policy that higher education decision-makers must navigate.

This qualitative study examined how New Mexico higher education decision-makers experience these tensions in practice. Using narrative inquiry, thematic analysis was conducted on interviews with purposively selected decision-makers. Decision-maker stories were interpreted through a Critical Leadership Theory lens, examining how power, discretion, and institutional context shape transfer practices.

Findings indicate that policy is unevenly enacted, with institutional discretion significantly …

From Policy To Practice: Examining The Influence Of Family Engagement In Administrative Evalustions On School Partnerships, Leadership Perceptions, And Family Engagement Planning In Title I Schools., Shauana L. Harris

Dissertations

This study examined the impact of a policy requiring family and community engagement metrics to be included in administrator evaluations as a strategy to improve engagement practices and student outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which the policy influenced administrator practices related to partnering with families on academic performance, family engagement planning, and administrators’ perceptions of changes in family engagement practices. This study used a mixed-methods research design. Data were collected through surveys of Title I school administrators in the state under study and through an analysis of School Improvement Plans and Parent and …

Senior-Level Administrators’ Perceptions Of Deliberately Developmental Organization Principles And Employee Retention At Historically Black Colleges And Universities (Hbcus), Caprinia L. Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have faced persistent challenges retaining qualified faculty and staff, threatening the environments they are uniquely positioned to create. High turnover, limited professional development, and inadequate support undermine employee well-being and student outcomes. This qualitative phenomenological study explored senior-level administrators’ perceptions of deliberately developmental organization (DDO) principles and their relevance to employee retention at HBCUs. Guided by DDO and organizational culture theory, the study examined how leadership practices, professional development, psychological safety, and organizational culture intersect with retention and belonging. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with participants across diverse HBCU contexts. Participants were selected …