Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study In Resiliency: How A University Survived A Pandemic, Mary Ellen Stewart

Dissertations

This case study was conducted to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the campus of a small private university in central Mississippi, where traditionally, relational community and interaction were key contributors to campus culture. Through document analysis, individual interviews with campus leaders, and focus groups consisting of members of key departments, the role of resiliency was examined during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging from the data were the four thematic categories of leadership, campus culture, engagement and interaction, and challenges. Key components in each category revealed the significance of resiliency of university leaders, faculty, and staff as …

A Phenomenological Study To Describe How Hispanic Entrepreneur Women Use Mark Crowley’S Four Principles To Accomplish Extraordinary Results, Elizabeth Vargas

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how exemplary Hispanic entrepreneur women lead from the heart using Crowley’s four principles (building a highly engaged team, connecting on a personal level, maximizing employee potential, and valuing and honoring achievements) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological research approach was used in this study to illuminate the lived experiences of exemplary Hispanic entrepreneur women. A sample of eight Hispanic entrepreneur women from the target population in Southern California was chosen. The sample of eight Hispanic entrepreneur women was chosen using predetermined criteria. Each participant was …

Black Women Vice Presidents Of Student Affairs At Community Colleges Leadership Pathways And Barriers, Danielle Sims Brooks

Dissertations

This study explored the lived experiences of five Black women Vice Presidents of Student Affairs (VPSAs) at community colleges through narrative inquiry to get a better understanding of the strategies Black women deploy to be successful as well as the challenges and barriers they must navigate. Data was analyzed from a purposeful sample of five Black women VPSAs to get a better understanding of the experiences of Black women executive leaders in higher education. Participants shared many similarities in their educational and professional backgrounds in higher education by their experiences with leading and developing essential areas in student affairs. Findings …

An Investigative Analysis On Female Presence And Highly Ranked Positions In Professional Kitchens In Ireland, Roann Byrne

Dissertations

This study aims to gain an understanding of the state of the cheffing industry currently, to analyse whether there is a lack of women within the industry particularly in positions of high power. This research intends to understand the causes for the lack and showcase possible solutions and recommendations for this. It exists as a role of advocacy; hoping to inspire more people into the career of cheffing, and to retain women within it. It aspires to challenge and thus forth change the narratives that have pushed many people, particularly women, out of this work for so long. This research …

Collaboration Among Parents Of African-American Students And A Church Sponsored Tutoring Program, Latiya Evette Kirby-Curlin

Dissertations

This study examines the lived experiences of African-American parents with children who attend a church-sponsored tutoring program. While this study focuses on the African- American parents' perspectives and lived experiences, the study provides an insight into the barriers that impact the implementation and success of the program, challenges of parental involvement, and promotes a higher level of academic achievement in education. This study provides information about lessening the barriers and the way in which parent involvement plays an essential part in a child's education. This qualitative study consisted of nine semi-structured interviews that focused on capturing information as well as …

Reflections On Professional Development: An Autoethnographic Study In Theories Of Practice, Sara Elizabeth Jennings

Dissertations

This autoethnographic project extends the work of Argyris and Schön (1974); Houchens (2008); Houchens and Keedy (2009); Houchens, Hurt, Stobaugh, & Keedy (2012); and Houchens, Stewart, and Jennings (2017) by replicating an experiment in reflective practice using a self-coaching protocol as a means for mapping one’s own theories of practice. Relying on selfreflexivity to study professional learning in a culture of school reform, the author used Argyris and Schon’s (1974) theories of practice as a conceptual framework by adapting a self-coaching protocol (Houchens, 2008; Houchens et al., 2012; Houchens et al., 2017) and pairing it with selfobservations of video-recorded instructional …

A Mixed-Method Study On The Online Learner Readiness Questionnaire Instrument At A Midwest University, Sky Toland

Dissertations

Online learning readiness is a field of study that has emerged and become increasingly relevant over the past two decades. Several instruments have been developed and used to measure readiness for online learning in college students. The Online Learner Readiness Questionnaire, or OLRQ, sought to measure student readiness for online asynchronous learning through a 30-question instrument. The OLRQ generated feedback for students, based on their answers; this feedback was designed to address both strengths and areas of deficiency, giving specific guidance on how to strengthen these areas. Literature in this field typically fell under the larger umbrella of online and …

Evaluating Transition Programs For Students With Disabilities In A Midwest Suburban School District, Edward J. Rodgers

Dissertations

This study aimed to address current support, the effectiveness of services, successful programs, critical resources, potential outcomes, and limitations for the school district's transition services through the program evaluation. The researcher developed a qualitative research study focusing on six research questions to provide recommendations on special education transition services for post-secondary success. The researcher and dissertation committee developed a survey distributed to 121 employees of the study's district. The minimum number of survey responses was surpassed by three, resulting in 33 responses. The survey questions gathered responses to provide information about the district's special education transition programs and services that …

A Mixed-Methods Investigation Of A Comprehensive Clinical Examination In An Accredited Athletic Training Program, Tom Godar

Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the impact and potential benefits of a comprehensive skills-based clinical examination within an accredited athletic training program. It was hypothesized that a comprehensive clinical examination could accurately assess student preparedness for the BOC examination and support the students’ continued academic and clinical development. The clinical examination was developed and adapted over several years, and it consisted of multiple psychomotor skills assessments and scenario-based modules with standardized models. The validity of the clinical examination was examined retrospectively, using historical academic data representing four academic cohorts from a single institution. Student demographic profiles and academic data were …

Investigating Self-Directed Learning And Adult Learner Readiness Attributes In A Call Center Environment, Mary Suzanne Scott-Muenter

Dissertations

This study investigated the self-directed learning (SDL) attributes of call center employees and explored the impact of an adaptive learning intervention used within the corporate training program. In order to explore the perception of the learners, the self-rated scale of self-directed learner readiness (SRSSDLR) survey instrument was used to gather participant feedback (Williamson, 2008). Qualitative data was collected from the surveys, completion scores were gathered through the LMS system, and performance data focused on trainee proficiency on the job following training. Quantitative analysis was conducted using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and t-tests to determine relationship between the self-directed learning attributes …

The Effect Of Preschool And Kindergarten Participation On Later Achievement Of Language-Minority Student, Xin Li

Dissertations

Evidence has suggested that preschool and kindergarten experiences affect the cognitive and social-emotion development of language-minority students (LMS). This quantitative study aims to illustrate the LMS’ preschool and kindergarten experience by investigating the preschool and kindergarten experience, family environment, and school environment. Longitudinal data from the U.S. nationwide Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K), was used to apply a hierarchical linear model (HLM). Due to a gap in the literature regarding how school and family environments influence the holistic development of LMS, this study explores whether and how preschool and kindergarten experiences are associated with LMS’ cognitive and socioemotional outcomes …

Frequency Domain Modeling And Optimal Parameter Tuning Of Power Converters For Dynamic Analysis Of The Grid Integration Of Photovoltaic Systems, Hussein Abdulrazzaq Lafta Alameri

Dissertations

Power electronic converters are essential devices for the effective interconnection of renewable energy sources to the power grid, such as DC-DC, DC-AC, and AC-DC converters. Therefore, power converter models that provide an accurate mathematical representation of their interconnection with other grid components are crucial for reliable transient and steady state analyses during normal or abnormal grid operating conditions.

This dissertation introduces a Laplace domain-based modeling approach for the study of transient converter-grid interactions. The proposed approach is based on the development of two-port admittance models of converters and other components, combined with the use of numerical Laplace transforms (NLT). The …

Predictors Of First-Time National Board Passage For Respiratory Therapists, Jennifer Kay Riggs

Dissertations

Respiratory therapists fulfill a vital role that saves and improves lives. To achieve recognition for their knowledge, unique skills, and dedication to clinical excellence, they must pass a series of national board exams. Achieving credentials from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) is a challenge, a true testament to the skills and strengths required for excellence in the profession. The problem prompting this study is the number of respiratory graduates who are not passing the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam on their first attempt. The goal of respiratory programs is to prepare graduates for success on the TMC exam …

Encouraging Activism In Secondary English: Reading And Writing For Social Justice, Elisabeth Spinner

Dissertations

This dissertation presents researched backed, social justice oriented teaching strategies secondary English teachers can implement to encourage their students to think critically and take action on issues that matter to them. Foundational to this research is critical inquiry which encourages students to not read or listen to information passively, but rather to investigate, critique, explore, and ask questions of what they are reading. This approach is necessary when encouraging students to dispel myths and stereotypes, understand questions of rights and justice, and find the right way to be involved. The English classroom is an ideal place for students to do …

The Effects Of Therapist Attachment On The Process And Outcome Of Psychotherapy, Kristin Elizabeth Roberts

Dissertations

Researchers have demonstrated that therapist attachment is associated with therapeutic relationships and client outcomes (Steel et al., 2018). Yet, results have varied and, at times, seemed contradictory. This study explores how therapist attachment might influence the working alliance and symptom change throughout psychotherapy and uses the recently validated, transcript-based Therapist Attunement Scales (TASc; Talia & Muzi, 2017). The TASc was developed to measure in-session attachment-related verbal behavior. The third session from each pair of 23 therapists-in-training and their clients was transcribed and coded. Clients completed the OQ-45.2 and the Working Alliance Inventory prior to each session.

Growth curve modeling was …

Holism, Philanthropy, And Community Self-Determination: A Case Study Of Urban Sustainability Logics In Kalamazoo, Robert Roznowski

Dissertations

The social, economic, and ecological crises of contemporary cities have compelled some communities to pursue urban sustainability agendas. In the United States, municipal governments and local actors engage with a myriad of urban sustainability discourses and “logics” that shape urban sustainability agendas. The literature suggests that urban sustainability discourses and logics are shifting in ways that are more “selective” or exclusive of spaces, issues, and people. This study investigates the urban sustainability logics taking shape in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Most existing research focuses on large cities with well-established urban sustainability agendas. In contrast, this case study focuses on the urban sustainability …

Lost In The Cloud: The Experiences Of College Students With Visual Impairments In An Online Environment, Gwen A. Bostic

Dissertations

Online courses have become a necessity in education. Still, the online learning format, course design, and course management systems are not always conducive for learners with visual impairments. “A key concern is that faculty and individuals accountable for supporting and implementing e-learning within postsecondary institutions, in a rush to integrate technology into teaching, fail to think about the accessibility needs of students with various disabilities” (Fichten, 2009, p. 242).

This qualitative study aimed to describe and interpret the lived experiences of college students who are blind or visually impaired in an online environment. This study involved ten blind or low-vision …

The Role Of Motivation In Employee Disposition And Choosing To Act Among Manufacturing Employees: A Grounded Theory Of Discretionary Effort, Shawn Michael Andrews

Dissertations

Managers are often tasked to accomplish more with the resources at their disposal. Doing more with less is especially associated with the manufacturing industry providing a rich and relevant backdrop for study. Understanding discretionary effort as a resource, how it manifests, and when and how manufacturing employees choose to do more than is required is key to achieving results in an increasingly competitive and evolving industry. This constructive grounded research study investigated how 25 non-salaried manufacturing employees conceptualized how and why they chose to engage in activities that were considered above and beyond job role expectations. Extant literature was considered …

The Manufacturing And Engineering Partnership Program: An Examination Of A Partnership Between Manufacturing And Cte, Laura Schoenborn-Preuss

Dissertations

Manufacturing is struggling to find people to fill open positions in the various career opportunities they represent. The skills gap or skills needed by manufacturers has caused challenges in filling those open positions. Adding to this dilemma is that student interest in these careers has reduced, with the focus being on obtaining college degrees right out of high school. Due to these changes, manufacturing and education are partnering in ways to increase student interest and fill open positions.

This study is looking to better understand one such partnership and how the activities students’ experience influence their career decision making. The …

What Are The Factors Affecting African American High School Students' Decision For Applying To The University Of Central Florida?, Janet Martin

Dissertations

The number of African Americans enrolling in higher education has seen a steady decrease in recent years due to factors that act as barriers. This study examined these factors and their influence based on the students’ perspectives. The study design was based on the post-positivist paradigm and the quantitative methodology was used. Urban high school students were surveyed to determine their thoughts on the barriers they experienced as they applied to college. The Google survey included sixteen questions that required yes/no responses, Likert-scale responses, and short responses. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and Chi-square analysis. The results showed …

A Program Evaluation Of The Impact Of Covid-19 On Teacher Mobility, Attrition, And Retention, Carla Foord

Dissertations

Teacher mobility, turnover, and attrition have been continuous issues in public education and have only grown with the introduction of COVID-19 into our society. The purpose of this study was to determine how COVID-19 had impacted these issues and to find solutions for retaining teachers in the profession. The context of this study was to determine factors that educators, teachers, administrators, and parents from across the United States believed impacted teacher attrition and to get input from them on what changes were needed to keep teachers in the profession. My study shows via quantitative and qualitative data that teacher attrition …

An Analysis Of Early Career Educator Experiences And The Impact Of Teacher Recruitment Initiatives, Induction Programs, And Retention Efforts In One School District, John Liddon Pope

Dissertations

The K-12 public education system faces a teacher shortage dilemma of unprecedented proportions. At the onset of the school year, out-of-field teachers, underqualified teachers, or long-term substitutes often fill instructional vacancies, causing many students to begin the school year with uncertainty. Recruiting, training, and retaining highly qualified teachers is critical to student success. The purpose of this study was to analyze early career educator experiences and the impact of teacher recruitment initiatives, induction programs, and retention efforts in one school district, explore common practices in recruitment, induction, and retention in other school districts, and develop strategies and actions to mitigate …

White Racial Identity Development And The Tenure Process Of African American And Black Community College Faculty, Royce M. Carpenter

Dissertations

Diversity of student racial and ethnic identities are increasing at predominantly white community colleges. The faculty is not diversifying at the same rate as the student population. The majority of faculty and administrators identify as White. The purpose of this study was to explore how White Racial Identity of White faculty and administrators impacted the tenure process of African American and Black faculty. I used narrative inquiry as the methodology. Interviews were chosen to center the voices and experiences of African American and Black tenured faculty. One Midwest institution was the focus of the study. Based on the data findings, …

The Need For A Gender Neutrality Policy In One State's 4-H Program, Nancy Ann Moores

Dissertations

Policies recognizing gender-neutrality and non-binary identities are needed in youth development programs to create a truly inclusive program and a sense of belonging for all youth. This study explored if and how written statewide policies regarding gender- neutrality can most effectively serve members, agents, and volunteers of the 4-H Youth Development Program in the state under study. The context of this study was the 4-H program in one state (agents and administrators as participants) and 4-H programs around the United States (administrators as participants).Preliminary qualitative and quantitative data from my research study indicated that agents in the state under study …

An Evaluation Of Educator Preparedness In Content Area And Disciplinary Literacies In The High School Classroom, Lauren E. Bernat

Dissertations

A secondary education debate that currently exists between the content area and disciplinary literacy is how content area and disciplinary literacy strategies and educator preparedness to teach those components to fit together to further student achievement. The purpose of my study was to evaluate if educators are prepared to teach content area and disciplinary literacy in high school content area classrooms. The context of this evaluation was to seek information from teachers and administrators about how literacy is integrated within high school classrooms in various communities across the United States. My study demonstrated both quantitative and qualitative data that reflect …

Understanding The Relationship Between Black Chicago Youth And Chicago Drill Music Culture, Dan'iel Tamirra Kendricks

Dissertations

Chicago is most noted as a beautiful, Midwestern city, set to the backdrop of Lake Michigan, with skyscrapers and the bustling energy of the downtown Magnificent Mile. The “Tale of Two Cities,” Chicago is a city full of hope, opportunity, and potential for some, but a city plagued with poverty, violence, disinvestment, and hopelessness for others. There has been a significant increase in the awareness of the violence happening across Chicago. The emergence of social media has provided a direct and unfiltered view of the reality of violence the city has faced on an ongoing basis. Crimes such as shootings, …

Parent-School Conflict In The Education Of Students With Disabilities: Causation, Prevention, And Resolution, Julie Voyles

Dissertations

Millions of children with disabilities have benefited from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (United States Department of Education [USDOE], 2010). However, the law has also been a source of frequent litigation and conflict between schools and parents (Mueller, 2015; Pudelski, 2016). This study was initiated to examine the perceptions of special education directors regarding the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution practices. Data for this study were acquired using a semi-structured interview guide designed to elicit special education directors’ perspectives on the shared experience of parent-school conflict. Results indicated special education directors utilize three standard practices to prevent or …

An Assessment Of The Impact Of Corporate Governance Mechanisms And Principles On Corporate Performance: The Case Of The Uae, Carina Schafer

Dissertations

This research is concerned with investigating the effect of selected internal and external corporate governance mechanisms and principles on UAE corporate performance. The UAE started to apply uniform corporate governance standards in 2009 with the introduction of Resolution No. (518) of 2009 concerning Governance Rules and Corporate Discipline by the regulator SCA. Since then, there have been various rules implemented by the regulator in 2016 and 2020. Corporate governance has been in the spotlight of academic research, particularly in the United States and Europe, due to the vital role it plays in the overall health of economic systems. In the …

The Use Of Short Videos To Promote L2 Interaction Among Young Efl Learners, Safa Alothali

Dissertations

Short videos are a tool for multimodal learning. Utilizing these videos in second language (L2) classrooms to facilitate interaction among learners can be an asset for language learning by providing varied pedagogical approaches. This convergent concurrent mixed-methods design study analyzed the efficacy of short videos to promote L2 interaction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study aimed to highlight if short videos facilitate classroom interaction among EFL learners and in what ways. It also indented to pinpoint young EFL learners’ perceptions and attitudes toward using short videos in promoting their interaction …

Behavior Of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Made With Recycled Concrete Aggregates: Material Characterization And Deep Beam Shear Response, Nancy Kachouh

Dissertations

This research aims to examine the performance of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) and steel fibers. It comprises material characterization tests, large-scale reinforced concrete (RC) deep beam tests, and numerical modeling. Material characterization test parameters included the RCA replacement percentage (30, 70, and 100%) and the steel fiber volume fraction (vf = 1, 2, and 3%). Fourteen large-scale deep beam numerical models with and without web openings made with 100% RCAs and steel fibers were developed and validated through a comparative analysis with test results. A numerical parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying …