Digital Commons Network^™

No Coward Soul Is Mine’: A Critical Edition Of Select Works By Ina Boyle (1889 - 1967) - Volume I, Emma C. O'Keeffe

Dissertations

The primary aim of this project is to produce an authoritative critical edition of five works by Ina Boyle composed between 1913 and 1958, through the medium of digitally typeset scores, these include: Elegy (1913) for cello solo and orchestra, Psalm (1927) for cello solo and orchestra, the Virgilian Suite (1930–31), a ballet suite for dancers and orchestra, Lament for Bion (1944–45) for tenor solo and string quartet, and Three Ancient Irish Poems (1958) for soprano solo, viola and harp.

“A Real Man . . .”: Deconstructing Machismo Heteronormative Standards With K–12 Latino Male Educators Through Dialogic Spaces, Mario Echeverria

Dissertations

In a K–12 educational landscape where 75% of educators are white women, recruitment of Latino male educators is crucial for diversification, yet these educators represent just 2% of the teaching workforce in the United States (NCES, 2020). These educators grapple with a layered sense of identity as they navigate expectations of hegemonic masculinity and machismo norms that dictate their roles as disciplinarians and saviors, especially for young boys of color (Brockenbrough, 2018; Lara & Fránquiz, 2015; Martino & Kehler, 2006; Mills et al., 2004; Singh, 2021). Unfortunately, Latino male educators leave the profession at twice the rate of their Latina …

Up For The Challenge? A Phenomenology Of Secondary English Teachers' Text Selection Experiences, Selene S. Mcalister

Dissertations

This study sought to describe secondary English teachers’ experiences with text selection. Its first aim was to determine how secondary English teachers perceive the use of young adult literature (YAL) with adolescent students. The study also details factors that influenced teachers’ text selections. Finally, the study describes how teachers’ perceptions of administrative support influenced their self-efficacy.

The study was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative research method that employs in-depth, semi-structured interviews to develop descriptions of participants’ experiences. Participants included six secondary English teachers from a school district in the southeast United States. Teachers completed a survey about …

Charting New Paths: Exploring The Influence Of Followership Perspectives On Millennial Career Behaviors In The Changing University Workplace, Kimberly M. Stapleton

Dissertations

This dissertation will explore the attributes and application of the Reversing the Lens Approach (Shamir, 2007) to followership and its influence on career advancement strategies for millennials working at universities. The research will assess millennials as being born between 1980 and 1995 and currently working at universities in the southeast United States. This is a phenomenological study with an exploratory qualitative research design that seeks to uncover and understand to what extent millennials' roles as followers and their interactions with their leaders influence their career advancement strategies and what, if any, are the implications for their current institutions and higher …

A Framework For Identifying Transit Deserts In Rural Areas With Demand-Response Transit Services, Agnes L. Barnwell

Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to develop a comprehensive framework for identifying transit deserts in rural areas with Demand Response Transit (DRT) services. This framework will focus on marginalized rural areas in Alabama, providing a foundation for better understanding their transportation needs. The research gap regarding transit deserts in rural areas is significant. While the concept of transit deserts has been explored in urban settings, rural areas with DRT services remain largely under-researched. Addressing this gap is vital for establishing equitable access to transit services across rural areas. This research contributes to the existing body of literature in …

Navigating Global Landscapes: Exploring The Dynamics Of Cultural Intelligence In Business Organizations, Rong Min

Dissertations

This dissertation delves into the multifaceted factors influencing Cultural Intelligence (CQ) among U.S. managers, with a specific focus on openness to experience, emotional intelligence, international experience, and the role of age. Employing a quantitative research methodology, this study engages a diverse sample of managers across various industries in the United States to ascertain how these variables collectively contribute to or hinder the development of CQ within a global business context. Both openness to experience and emotional intelligence were significant predictors of higher CQ, underscoring their importance in facilitating effective leadership in multicultural settings. Although international experience also enhances CQ, its …

["At That Time"] In The Hebrew Bible And Its Role In Daniel 12:1: A Diachronic And Synchronic Study On Semantics Of Narrative And Prophetic Temporality, Roger David Ruiz Araica

Dissertations

Problem

The expression ["at that time"] in Dan 12:1 is the last temporal expression of the predictive discourse of Dan 11:2–12:3. There is no consensus about the temporality of this expression. Thus, this dissertation seeks to answer the following question: What is the temporal frame of the phrase ["at that time"] is in Dan 12:1 according to the temporal indicators provided in the context of the predictive discourse of Dan 11:40–12:3?

Methodology

The methodology of this dissertation combines diachronic and synchronic approaches. First, as a diachronic procedure, it analyzes ["at that time"] in the Hebrew Bible to determine its temporality …

Perceptions Of High Stakes Testing And Burnout As Predictors Of Quality Of Life Among Primary School Teachers In Trinidad And Tobago, Victoria Patricia Elder

Dissertations

Problem

This study explored how high-stakes testing (HST) and burnout affected the quality of primary school teachers in Trinidad and Tobago. HST refers to school exams often required by government agencies that are used to make key decisions pertaining to students, teachers, and schools (Embse & Hanson, 2012). Burnout is defined operationally as a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and impaired personal accomplishment induced by repeated workplace stressors (Maslach & Schaufeli, 2017). Quality of life (QoL) is the measure of an individual’s ability to function physically, emotionally, and socially within his/her environment at a level consistent with his/her own …

The Andrews University Mba Program In Vietnam: Assessing The Experience And The Career Advancement Of Its Students, Masazumi Mark Sugi

Dissertations

Problem

The demand to recruit highly skilled managers and laborers in Vietnam has encouraged educational institutions to upgrade the quality of their higher education programs and to evaluate their effectiveness. Andrew University’s MBA program did not have an assessment developed to evaluate the program’s effectiveness in Vietnam. It required an assessment of students’ experiences as a major predictor of evaluating how the Andrews University MBA program in Vietnam has impacted their career path and the extent to which it has benefited students.

Method

This study investigated the motivations, expectations, actual experiences, and career advancement opportunities of graduated students and current …

The Relationship Between Secondary Ela Teacher Pedagogical Practices, Student Self-Regulated Learning And Digital Self-Efficacy In A Blended Learning Environment, Melissa K. Miller

Dissertations

In the era of emerging technologies in the 21st Century classroom, secondary English Language Arts (ELA) students may exhibit complications in navigating literacy in blended learning environments. The purpose of this research study focused on addressing a gap in the current literature in these specific areas to investigate the relationship between ELA teachers’ pedagogical practices and elements of secondary students’ learning motivation for ELA. Specifically, this study explored secondary ELA students’ perception of teachers’ classroom practices, self-regulated learning, and digital self-efficacy. The overarching research question in this study examined: What relationship exists between (a) the pedagogical practices of secondary ELA …

Benefits Of Quadratically Tapered Flexures For Mems Resonators And Gyroscopes, Brian Grantham

Dissertations

An investigation into the benefits of quadratically tapered flexures for MEMS resonators and gyroscopes is performed and compared to the traditional non-tapered flexure design. Quadratically tapered flexures exhibit constant strain along the outer edge of the flexure whereas non-tapered flexures have significant stress concentration near the base of the flexure. The investigation considers peak stress, thermoelastic damping (TED), nonlinearity, and sensitivity to manufacturing variations. The impact of inside corner fillets on peak stress, TED, and resonant frequency is also investigated. Five new anti-phase lever mechanism (APLM) configurations for resonators and gyroscopes are designed and analyzed using CoventorWare 10. Fabrication experiment …

Perception Of The Elementary Education Profession And Levels Of Job Satisfaction: Is There A Correlation?, Alexis H. Redman

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to introduce the context and purpose of the research study. The study’s focus was on the perception of the elementary education profession and the prestige ascribed to classroom teachers working in public education by individuals outside the education system. The research questions were as follows: (1) What level of prestige is afforded to the elementary public school classroom teacher from the noneducator perspective? (2) To what extent do noneducators’ perceptions affect the level of job satisfaction among elementary public school classroom teachers? Themes found in literature supporting the research questions included the perceived devaluation …

Lived Experiences Of Cooperating Teachers And Student Teachers In Their Clinical Year, Ashley Nolette

Dissertations

Many aspects of a student teacher’s clinical year help determine their success in the future. Understanding the lived experiences of both cooperating teachers and student teachers is essential to understanding the dynamics of that relationship and how district-university partnerships foster an environment of mentoring and support. This study aims to understand and evaluate the lived experiences of cooperating teachers and their student teachers during the clinical year. This study focuses on understanding the cooperating teacher-student-teacher relationship and how mentoring does or does not happen in that relationship. For this study, the problem is selecting cooperating teachers and the lack of …

Connectedness To Others Through Virtual Social Music Improvisation, Jody Webb

Dissertations

This mixed methods action research intervention study analyzed the influence of social music improvisation (SMI) on students' behaviors and perceptions of their connectedness to others in a virtual middle school classroom setting. Nine 10-minute SMI sessions allowed for the accumulation of data, with two additional pre-sessions being informative and exploratory to describe the SMI intervention and practice its aspects with participants in the intervention group. This study acquired pretest and posttest data from the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness (Karcher, 2005) and observational information through process coding and field notes. Results showed how the presence or absence of SMI influenced …

Developmental Pathways From Player To Coach For Volunteers In An American Football Organization In Germany, Gary Cramer

Dissertations

The leadership style of organizational leaders is a key factor affecting volunteer coach recruitment and retention; yet the examination of developmental pathways from player to coach is lacking in the literature, especially as viewed from the perspective of those who are followers. The study addressed the following research question: How do volunteer coaches in an American football organization in Germany, who once played for the same head coach in the organization they currently coach, describe their pathway of development from player to coach? The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to inductively investigate the developmental pathways of volunteer sport …

Leading From The Middle: Arts Administrators' Beliefs About The Impact Of Arts Education On High-Needs Students, Sofia Fojas

Dissertations

Research on arts education notes the positive impact of arts education on educational outcomes for students, particularly students of color, students in poverty, and students needing additional academic support. Students living in low-income communities receive different educational opportunities than those in high-wealth districts. This disparity is especially true for highly mobile and high-needs students of color. Arts education has made positive differences in student outcomes. This qualitative study examined the beliefs of county arts leads, leaders in the middle, situated between the California Department of Education and their local school districts, and how they can be empowered to be change …

In Their Words: Voices Of High School Graduates Who Were Labeled English Learners, Yolanda K. Jimenez

Dissertations

This research captures the experiences of high school graduates who were labeled English Learners while they were enrolled in a public high school in the greater Sacramento area of California. The study examined what these bilingual high school graduates report as beneficial and detrimental experiences faced while completing the course requirements for high school graduation. This study builds on research that includes secondary classroom teachers and their perceptions of English Learners, classroom teaching and learning, and experiences of emergent bilingual students. The study expands the body of research and informs praxis pertaining to supporting emergent bilingual students as they attempt …

Addressing Equity Gaps In Stem: A Self-Study, Prabhjeet Kaur Brar

Dissertations

The Hispanic/Latinx population is increasing nationwide and in the state of California; however, the Hispanic/Latinx population remains underrepresented in STEM professions contributing to a lack of diversity in STEM. To increase the academic success of the Hispanic/Latinx student population in STEM majors, high leverage research-based teaching strategies through the lens of historically responsive literacy were applied and examined throughout this research. The purpose of this mixed-methods self-study was to examine the impact of research-based effective strategies/high leverage practices on Latinx students’ success rates in my introductory biology classrooms. The study focused on two biology course sections with a laboratory. Each …

How Can We Do Better? Understanding Student Experiences And Support Needs During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kevina M. Brown

Dissertations

This dissertation study aimed to provide opportunities for students at San José State University (SJSU), to share about their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic and to provide feedback and recommendations regarding resources and culturally engaging supports on campus. The research inquiry involved survey and interview methodology to gain insights into student experiences pertaining to financial and mental health challenges and academic disruption and social isolation during the beginning, middle and end of the pandemic, as well as their engagement with resources and supports provided on campus. Recruitment was done by flyer distribution throughout campus and via email distribution to students …

Queer A.F.: Queer Educators In Affinity Family Personal-Professional Development, James Egisto Aguirre

Dissertations

Scholarship shows that affinity groups are spaces of support, learning, and healthy career development that are responsive to the needs of a particular marginalized community. The concept of heteroprofessionalism– the implicit or explicit pressure/s queer educators feel to fit within the proverbial cisgender/heterosexual (cishet) box–is but one of a myriad issues and pressures affect queer educators across the nation. This study brings queer educators from one school district together to unpack their experiences through the lens of heteroprofessionalism. Via queer theory, qualitative, written response data was collected and subsequently analyzed in three, half-day sessions offered in spring 2024. Thirty participants …

Exploring Manifestations Of Pluriform Love In The Leadership Of Christian Early Childhood Communities: A Phenomenological Study 2019-2024 In New Zealand, Sharon Kaye Judge

Dissertations

Problem

This study responds to the need to explore and/or propose models of leadership for Christian early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings in New Zealand (NZ). While previous studies identify love and care as a priority there is a need to define and prioritize Biblical understandings of love that may align with the principles of the national ECE framework. The study represents an alternative narrative to the neo-liberal influences which dominate areas of ECEC leadership through the marketization and standardization of children’s services nationally and globally.

Purpose of Study

Many factors contribute to the purpose of this study which …

Cbct Perceptions Of Radiology Leaders In The Midwest Dental Schools: A Qualitative Study, Tenzin Dadul

Dissertations

Problem

The integration of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in dental education is hindered by a lack of formal training among radiology leaders, insufficient institutional support, and financial constraints. Despite the proven efficacy of CBCT in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning, its adoption in pre-doctoral curricula remains limited. This gap in education poses significant challenges for dental graduates, who are increasingly expected to utilize advanced imaging technologies in clinical practice.

Purpose of Study

This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of radiology leaders in Midwest dental schools regarding the integration of CBCT education into pre-doctoral curricula. The objectives …

Employees' Perception Of The Management Of The Covid-19 Crisis At Najran University, Saudi Arabia, Noora Nasser Alsuhaibani

Dissertations

Problem

During the COVID-19 crisis, particularly in the context of Saudi education, the ability to physically attend schools and colleges was greatly hindered due to the widespread transmission of the virus and the resulting obstacles. The issues necessitated the use of crisis management strategies. Some Saudi universities are capable of implementing an organized plan both before to and during crisis management, whereas others lack this competence. This is a substantial problem. Several universities in Saudi Arabia effectively managed the COVID-19 epidemic, whereas others did not. Furthermore, prior studies on crisis management indicate that administrators exhibit diverse responses. By participating in …

Reporting And Addressing Sexual Harassment At Four Institutions Of Higher Learning In Zambia: A Quantitative Study Of Related Attitudes And Perceptions, Earlymay Chibende

Dissertations

Problem

Sexual harassment is a social ill that exists across nations, socio-economic backgrounds, races, nationality, ethnicity, age groups, and sex. Although both male and female members of society experience sexual harassment, research shows that a greater percentage of sexual harassment victims are women (Whitley & Page, 2015; CharterJee, 2018). A comparison of the prevalence of sexual harassment at workplaces and educational institutions shows that sexual harassment is more widespread at institutions of learning than at workplaces. Research on the prevalence of attitudes and or perceptions toward sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning shows that between 10%- 68% of female …

(Miss)Educated Latino Males: Academic Preparedness, Navigation, And Retention At 2-Year Colleges, Nannette Stephanie Regua

Dissertations

This study centers Latino males, first generation, first year students at four 2-year colleges in the Silicon Valley by understanding their experiences in transferable English 1A Writing Composition course and looking at the acts of instilling a sense of belonging and mattering by institutional agents and support services that are invaluable to student retention and success. The purpose of this study is to determine Latino male students’ perceptions of academic preparation, navigation, and success in higher education after the implementation of California Assembly Bill 705. My findings revealed important themes that map onto conceptual frameworks, most notably the Community Cultural …

Evil, Ontology, And Scripture: A Diachronic Analysis Of Augustine Of Hippo's Privatio Boni Concept, Jamie G. Boucher

Dissertations

Augustine of Hippo’s Privatio Boni concept—the idea that evil is not a substance, but the privation of good in a substance—is the most influential early systematic theodical attempt within Christianity to exculpate a good God from responsibility for evil. By approaching Privatio Boni as the intricate interplay of Augustine’s views on evil, ontology, and Scripture, this dissertation aims to clarify misunderstandings surrounding the concept and determine if there is biblical warrant for it. Chapter 1 addresses issues of background, problem, purpose, and justification before introducing a delimited three-staged methodology of establishing context, engaging in diachronic analysis, and conducting a comparative …

Variability In Semidiurnal Surface And Internal Tides In Global Ocean Model Simulations, Harpreet Kaur

Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on semidiurnal (D2) surface and internal tides. Chapter 2 investigates the transition of M₂ barotropic Kelvin waves into Hybrid Kelvin-Edge (HKE) waves and the associated generation of internal tides at widening shelves using theory and a realistic global baroclinic Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) simulation. To understand the effect of complex, realistic bathymetry on the HKE wave transition, we perform quasi-realistic barotropic HYCOM simulations of the Celtic Sea/Bay of Biscay shelf areas. We conclude that the HKE wave transition is most likely masked by the effects of complex bathymetry and offshelf baroclinic fluxes cannot be exclusively …

The Lived Experiences Of School Counselors And Ell Teachers Who Support Ell Students Who Exhibit A Symptom Of Mental Illness, Trenise Duckens

Dissertations

The current literature regarding the lived experiences of ELL teachers and school counselors who support ELL students who may exhibit a symptom of mental illness in high school is very limited. Research is available discussing school counselors and their role when supporting students who may exhibit a symptom of mental illness or may have mental health concerns. This study sought to add to the literature by exploring the lived experiences of ELL teachers and school counselors who support ELL students who may exhibit a symptom of mental illness. By adding to the literature, the researcher hopes to provide a better …

On The Dimensions Of Managerial Readiness Among Middle-Level Academic Managers In Philippine Colleges Of Nursing: An Exploratory Sequential Design, Blaise B. Nieve

Dissertations

The study aimed to establish a valid and reliable research tool to measure managerial readiness among middle-level academic managers in Philippine colleges of nursing. This study employed a mixed methods design, specifically exploratory sequential design. For the qualitative phase of this study, a total of nine participants were purposefully selected for the in-depth interviews, five for the focus group discussions. They were selected on the basis of the following criteria: must be full-pledged registered nurses, currently a full-time employee in a CHEDaccredited college of nursing in the Philippines, must have at least three years of teaching experience, at least three …

Revitalizing The Middle-Skill Talent Pipeline: Exploring The Decision To Enroll In A Postsecondary Career And Technical Education Program, Felicia Hall

Dissertations

A workforce shortage exists within occupations requiring educational training beyond high school but less than a 4-year degree, known as middle-skill occupations. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered at community colleges throughout the United States equip graduates at the middle-skill level. Although affordable CTE programs are readily available, little is currently known about what makes students consider and ultimately enroll in postsecondary CTE programs. This qualitative phenomenological study investigated the decision to enroll in a postsecondary CTE program as experienced by current students at a North Alabama community college to identify enablers and barriers faced during the decision to …