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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Identifying The Core Components Of Christian Humility, Martin Bernard Timoney May 2020

Identifying The Core Components Of Christian Humility, Martin Bernard Timoney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research in the field of humility has grown exponentially within the last 20 years. From being an under-explored and under-researched virtue, humility has become a subject of significant interest. Philosophical and methodological issues have hampered the field of humility research in regard to defining and measuring humility. Despite these issues, the existing literature indicates that humility has important features as both an intrapersonal and interpersonal facet. The research has shown strong indications that humility is an essential factor for successful relationships – social, romantic, and spiritual. Despite the evidence regarding the significance of humility within relationships, very little research has …


Effective Leadership Practices Of Blue-Collar Workers In Manufacturing Organizations, Graham Wesley Howard May 2020

Effective Leadership Practices Of Blue-Collar Workers In Manufacturing Organizations, Graham Wesley Howard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated and analyzed leadership’s impact on the frontline, blue-collar workers in manufacturing industries in the Southeastern United States that were non-union companies. This study is a qualitative, multiple case study that investigated leadership practices at three different manufacturing facilities. The specific effects of leadership that this study focused on was how leaders affected employee outcomes such as turnover, satisfaction, and motivation. The results of this study identified a need for leadership training in blue-collar, manufacturing industries as well as the need to develop stronger leader-follower relations in order to improve employee turnover, satisfaction, and motivation within manufacturing industries.


Teachers’ Perspectives On Extended Learning Activities During A Balanced Calendar In A Rural Setting, Charlene Lovette Isom May 2020

Teachers’ Perspectives On Extended Learning Activities During A Balanced Calendar In A Rural Setting, Charlene Lovette Isom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For over a century, most public schools across the United States have operated in a traditional nine-month calendar. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine teachers’ perspectives regarding the influence of the extended learning activities on student achievement. A small rural school system adopted a balanced school calendar that included two intersession weeks, one in the fall and one in the spring. Students were provided enrichment and remediation extended learning activities during the intersession weeks. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s (1977, 1986) self-efficacy theory. The researcher conducted on-site interviews with teachers. Additional data collection included focus …


Shared-Traumatic Experience And The Role Of The Minister Of Music: A Case Study Of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wayne Singleton May 2020

Shared-Traumatic Experience And The Role Of The Minister Of Music: A Case Study Of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wayne Singleton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The ministry of the minister of music is essential when the local church has experienced a shared-traumatic event. Since many churches have never experienced a shared-traumatic event, there is little research to aid worship leaders in leading their congregation through loss and grief. There is a need to study the significant role of the minister of music when confronted with a life-changing event that has affected the local church ministry. Mother Emanuel AME Church, located in Charleston, SC, experienced a tragic event that significantly influenced the worship leader’s role in leading the congregation through a shared-traumatic event. This phenomenological study …


Factors Influencing The Completion Of The High School Equivalency Program By Black Female Inmates, Erica L. Yuille May 2020

Factors Influencing The Completion Of The High School Equivalency Program By Black Female Inmates, Erica L. Yuille

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is limited available research to date that has investigated the factors influencing the completion of the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) by Black female inmates. A high school education is an important subject explored by researchers when studying females in prison. This predictive correlational study used archival data to determine if age, length of sentence, type of crime, and family status influenced Black female inmates’ HEP completion rates. A logistic regression analysis was used to examine 100 Black female inmates in state prison. After completing the investigation, it was determined the criterion variable of age was statistically significant in …


The Difference Among School Librarians' Self-Efficacy Levels And The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy Of School Librarians And Reading Scores, Jessica Lynn Thompson May 2020

The Difference Among School Librarians' Self-Efficacy Levels And The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy Of School Librarians And Reading Scores, Jessica Lynn Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the difference in school librarians’ self-efficacy between elementary, middle, and high school librarians. It also attempted to determine if self-efficacy levels in elementary school librarians can predict the overall average pass rates on the Virginia Standards of Learning Reading assessment for their schools. The study was conducted quantitatively using the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale that was sent out electronically to members of the Virginia Association of School Librarians contact list, using a convenience sample of 234 school librarians across the state of Virginia as well as the results of the Virginia Standards of Learning reading scores. …


Exploring The Lived Experiences And Coping Strategies Of Parents Of Children With Profound Intellectual And Multiple Disabilities, Anne Glaeser Hubach May 2020

Exploring The Lived Experiences And Coping Strategies Of Parents Of Children With Profound Intellectual And Multiple Disabilities, Anne Glaeser Hubach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences and coping strategies of parents of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) in Central Virginia. Research questions used to frame this study are: How do parents of children with PIMD describe their experiences as parents of children with PIMD? How do the parents of children with PIMD describe the impact of their experiences on their well-being? How do the parents of children with PIMD describe their understanding of and perspectives regarding their children’s disabilities? How do parents of children with PIMD describe the impact of …


Classroom Teachers And School-Based Mental Health Professionals: A Multi-Case Study, Andrea Spangler Leonard May 2020

Classroom Teachers And School-Based Mental Health Professionals: A Multi-Case Study, Andrea Spangler Leonard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study was to understand the pedagogy and attitudes of teachers when faced with the presence of school-based mental health professionals in the classrooms in two schools in southwestern Virginia. Semi-structured interviews, with open-ended questions, document analysis, and participant observations were utilized to collect data. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s (1993) theory of perceived self-efficacy as it related to an individual teacher’s sense of how capable he or she is of creating an environment conducive to learning. The research centered around understanding how a teacher addresses necessary changes to pedagogy and attitude, …


The Study Of The Impact Of Cultural Intelligence (Cq) Training On Cq Measures Of Expatriate Employees In International Business, Mykka C. Fisher May 2020

The Study Of The Impact Of Cultural Intelligence (Cq) Training On Cq Measures Of Expatriate Employees In International Business, Mykka C. Fisher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The loss associated with failed expatriate assignments remains significant for international businesses. Leadership within global organizations that can manage cost and improve the chances for success offers an advantage to the firm. Individuals who demonstrate high measures of the four aspects of cultural intelligence (CQ) increase their ability to adapt to new cultural situations and adjust successfully within the new cultural environment. Training regarding culture proves effective for increased cultural awareness and cultural assimilation. This quantitative experimental study was conducted to determine if specialized training related to an individual’s personal cultural intelligence could significantly affect the four aspects of CQ. …


Limited Educational Opportunities And Financial Help For Military Spouses Stationed Overseas, Adriana Torres De Pérez May 2020

Limited Educational Opportunities And Financial Help For Military Spouses Stationed Overseas, Adriana Torres De Pérez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of limited educational opportunities and financial help for military spouses stationed overseas and design measures to address the issue. This multimethod study used a qualitative approach to understand better the problems spouses encounter in overseas posts while taking into consideration their personal experiences. A group of six spouses was interviewed individually to understand their needs, goals, and opinions. Also, data from two quantitative methods were collected and analyzed. A survey that addresses the importance of post-secondary education was available to one group of 30 spouses. Archival data were used …


Special Revelation In Cinema: The Imago Dei And Divine Transcendence In Contemporary Film, Durrell Nelson May 2020

Special Revelation In Cinema: The Imago Dei And Divine Transcendence In Contemporary Film, Durrell Nelson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cinema can motivate soul restoration, alter political views, and confirm or contradict personal religious beliefs. The intention of this dissertation is to show that it is plausible for the transcendent power of special revelation from God to be communicated through the medium of cinema in concert with the imago Dei in humankind. The relationship between a viewer and cinematic characters potentially becomes a visceral experience creating empathy in the viewer with the characters in the story. This relational interaction has the potential of instigating a transcendent experience as both viewer and the protagonist in a film share qualities of the …


Mental Health Counseling For Individuals With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: Attitudes And Experiences Of Licensed Counselors, Alysha Dawn Blagg May 2020

Mental Health Counseling For Individuals With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: Attitudes And Experiences Of Licensed Counselors, Alysha Dawn Blagg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following study examined the attitudes and beliefs of licensed mental health counselors toward individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and those providing services to the population. This study examined if professional and/or personal contact with individuals with IDD impacts counselors’ attitudes. A quantitative research design was utilized to examine the relationships among counselors’ attitudes toward individuals with IDD, contact with the population, perception of treatment effectiveness, and confidence in working with individuals with IDD. The responses from 74 participants were used in data analysis for this study. Findings in this study suggested that counselors may hold neutral to low positive …


What Are The Patterns Of Shared Viewpoints, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Opinions Of Full-Time Grandparent Caregivers About Their Experiences? A Q Methodological Study, Korrin Denee Kim May 2020

What Are The Patterns Of Shared Viewpoints, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Opinions Of Full-Time Grandparent Caregivers About Their Experiences? A Q Methodological Study, Korrin Denee Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Objective: Millions of grandparents in the United States provide full-time care to grandchildren. Although their actions are largely altruistic, they do not come without sacrifice. Often these sacrifices are associated with major consequences. Little is known about how grandparents prioritize their sacrifices. An improved understanding of how grandparents prioritize their sacrifices could facilitate better awareness, more specialized care, and improved policies for this population. Method: I used Q methodology to investigate grandparents’ perspectives on the sacrifices that they make to raise their grandchildren. Thirteen participants were recruited using snowball and purposive sampling. To create the Q-set, I used 26 statements …


Congregational Singing In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church: An Examination Of Engagement, Anwar Gabriel Myron Ottley May 2020

Congregational Singing In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church: An Examination Of Engagement, Anwar Gabriel Myron Ottley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Traditionally, Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) congregations are known for a rich history of worship music. However, the 21st century has introduced an expanded variety of worship music to reflect a number of musical genres found in American culture. SDA worship leaders face the challenge of engaging their congregations with songs that are reflective of the diverse cultures and ages represented, as well as achieving a balance of newer music and music from the historical SDA tradition. Nevertheless, without intuitive song selection, worship leaders may encounter disengagement among congregants during the time of congregational singing. This quantitative descriptive study measured which elements …


Increase The Attendance Of The Parish Health Ministry By Ten Percent At The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral Of New York, Christine A. Walcott May 2020

Increase The Attendance Of The Parish Health Ministry By Ten Percent At The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral Of New York, Christine A. Walcott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church is not responsible for the dietary behavior of its congregants, but the mission of the church is to make disciples that will go into the nation to profess the word of God. The mission to serve God with efficacy and stamina will become a difficult task for many Christians if they are not healthy. In the Bible Jesus makes it undeniably clear the importance of taking care of the body. This is an important issue for pastors as well as for believers. This thesis project will help believers remember that the health of their bodies is an important …


The Difference In Satisfaction Among Academic Advising Formats For Online College Students, Caleb Samuel Gordon May 2020

The Difference In Satisfaction Among Academic Advising Formats For Online College Students, Caleb Samuel Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Online education is growing so quickly that colleges are finding it difficult to provide enough online programs to meet student demands, and they are still finding their way in terms of the best academic advising format. To better understand the best way to support online students, the researcher studied student satisfaction within centralized advising offices with general academic advisors, department academic advisors, and individually assigned academic advisors. The researcher utilized developmental academic advising because it provided an excellent theoretical framework for academic advising’s purpose and its best practices. The instrument Advising Scale was used to measure student satisfaction. Advising Scale …


The Reentry Experience For Study Abroad Counselors-In-Training, Corinna Arndt May 2020

The Reentry Experience For Study Abroad Counselors-In-Training, Corinna Arndt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students often encounter difficulties upon returning home after a study abroad cultural immersion experience, but many counseling education programs provide limited or no reentry assistance. Despite this challenge, there is little research regarding the reentry process as students transition back into their home culture, as most research is focused on multicultural competency building. Thus, understanding the reentry processes can help students successfully navigate this important aspect of study abroad trips. To this end, a qualitative thematic analysis design was used to identify themes related to masters-level counseling students’ experiences upon returning home from a 3-week study abroad cultural immersion trip. …


Comparison Of Perceptions Of Single Mothers And Christian Leaders Through Transformational Change, Brienne Denise Robertson Apr 2020

Comparison Of Perceptions Of Single Mothers And Christian Leaders Through Transformational Change, Brienne Denise Robertson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine the transformational change process of single mothers from their perspective, and to then assess the influence of Christian leaders in this transformational change process from the leaders’ perspective, with respect to the single mother’s family stability: spiritually, emotionally, financially and generationally. The two theories working simultaneously in this study was the transformational leadership theory and transformational learning theory. The implementation of these two theories could spark an authentic life-long change in the single mother. Understanding the role of transformational leadership in Christian leaders then becomes necessary to guide single mothers …


Teacher Perception Of Administrators' Leadership Qualities Based On The Administrator's Biological Sex, Jennifer Derickson Washington Apr 2020

Teacher Perception Of Administrators' Leadership Qualities Based On The Administrator's Biological Sex, Jennifer Derickson Washington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Determining the criteria necessary for an educational leader or principal to be effective by including employees, such as teachers in evaluating their principals, may aid in strengthening educational leadership overall. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference between teacher perception of their administrator’s leadership qualities of inspiring a shared vision, modeling the way, and enabling others to act based on the biological sex of their administrator. The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) Observer form was used to measure the leadership quality of educational administrators as perceived by their teachers. The population for the …


School Counselors' Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Approaches In Schools, Elizabeth Anderson Burkhardt Apr 2020

School Counselors' Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Approaches In Schools, Elizabeth Anderson Burkhardt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse childhood experiences affect millions of children and adults on a daily basis and this results in many people who are unable to effectively navigate the pathways of life to lead a productive life. Schools are in an ideal position to intercede and provide trauma-informed care to children who are experiencing academic or behavioral problems by providing programs aimed at decreasing the effects of these adverse experiences. One such program being implemented is the multi-tiered support system (MTSS) programs, which is incorporated into the entire school day of all students. Interventions are provided in tiers which correspond to the needs …


Examining The Effects Of Stress, Ego Identity, And Life Satisfaction On The Resilience Of Single-Parent Subgroups, Tara Marie Whitfield Apr 2020

Examining The Effects Of Stress, Ego Identity, And Life Satisfaction On The Resilience Of Single-Parent Subgroups, Tara Marie Whitfield

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Single-parent homes have been identified as a family structure that is disadvantageous to the well-being of children. Being a single parent can also be extremely stressful, thereby putting the mental health of parents at risk. This study examined how the varied life paths of civilians and military veterans can alter an individual’s identity, stress levels, life satisfaction, and resilience when faced with the same adversities. The self-concept of the two populations was examined through the use of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Ego Identity Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The study was guided by three research …


Enhancing Pastoral Care And Support By Providing Opportunities For Spiritual Growth And Transformation To Crisis And Trauma Sufferers, Angela Roberts Jones Apr 2020

Enhancing Pastoral Care And Support By Providing Opportunities For Spiritual Growth And Transformation To Crisis And Trauma Sufferers, Angela Roberts Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Trauma experiences are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. For example, each day, the media reports the widespread impact of war, gun violence, domestic and international terrorism, violent crimes, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, mass shootings, and natural disasters in the general population. The church has long been considered a place of refuge, hope, and healing for people who suffer from crises and trauma. It is often the first place Christians and the surrounding community turn in times of distress. Because pastors and churches are often the first responders when people experience crises and traumatic events, there …


A Correlational And Causal Comparative Study Of The First-Year Retention Of Special Admissions Students, Kelly Sue Wright-Laurents Apr 2020

A Correlational And Causal Comparative Study Of The First-Year Retention Of Special Admissions Students, Kelly Sue Wright-Laurents

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

College retention has been widely studied since it is an important indicator of institutional effectiveness; however, though higher education institutions have focused on factors that increase retention and graduation rates, many students who enter college do not persist to graduation. To increase the retention of all students, both regular admissions and special admissions, many institutions have implemented programs, like first-year seminars, to help students successfully academically and socially transition to college, which are important factors in first-year retention. The purpose of this correlational and causal comparative study was to determine the most significant predictor of first-year retention for special admissions …


Examining The Role Of On-Campus Experiences: A Phenomenological Study Of Persistence For Limited-Residency Doctoral Graduates, Kaitlin Elizabeth Yourous Apr 2020

Examining The Role Of On-Campus Experiences: A Phenomenological Study Of Persistence For Limited-Residency Doctoral Graduates, Kaitlin Elizabeth Yourous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the residential experiences of individuals who completed a terminal degree in education within a limited-residency program from various institutions of higher education. Tinto’s theory of integration provided the theoretical framework for the study to answer the central and research subquestions: (a) How do individuals who completed a terminal degree in education in a limited-residency program describe their residential experiences? (b) How do limited-residency doctoral graduates describe the role, if any, of their residential experiences in relation to their ability to conduct independent research? (c) How do limited-residency doctoral graduates describe …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Inquiry Of First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Jean Marky Leandre Apr 2020

A Transcendental Phenomenological Inquiry Of First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Jean Marky Leandre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the United States, 36% of community college enrollments are comprised of first-generation students (FGCS); however, little is known about FGCS as a cohort. Various initiatives have been formulated to encourage success among students with constraints related to social capital, bandwidth recovery, and the education system. The purpose of this phenomenological study aimed to understand the experiences of FGCS in community colleges in the Northeast region of the United States. FGCS are defined as students whose parents did not graduate from college with at least a bachelor’s degree. This study addressed student experiences—including social interactions—that impacted academic achievement positively or …


Pornography And Purpose In Life: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Cynthia Marie Evans Apr 2020

Pornography And Purpose In Life: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Cynthia Marie Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Extensive research has examined the relationship between pornography use, religiosity, and perceived addiction to pornography. Other research has explored the connections between religiosity and meaning or purpose in life. No research has examined the potential relationship combining all four constructs in one research study. To rectify this gap, the present study examined the mediating effect of perceived addiction to pornography, as well as the moderating effect of religiosity on the direct relationship between frequency of pornography use and meaning in life. Two hundred and eighty-nine participants, aged 18–30, who admitted using pornography in the past six months completed assessments addressing …


Effect Of Religious Coping On Faith Maturity As Moderated By Hope, Clark Daniel Thomas Apr 2020

Effect Of Religious Coping On Faith Maturity As Moderated By Hope, Clark Daniel Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As a consideration based in the psychology of religion and hope theory, correlations between religious coping and faith maturity are explored with particular focus on identifying hope as a moderating factor. With hypotheses that religious coping predicts faith maturity as moderated by hope, Snyder’s trait hope and state hope scales along with the Pargament’s Brief RCOPE and Piedmont and Nelson’s Faith Maturity Scale-Short Form, developed from Benson, Donahue, and Erickson’s larger Faith Maturity Scale, are employed via survey of an adult Christian convenience sample. The study is informed largely by Pargament’s work with use of religion, unique in comparison to …


Predicting Academic Achievement Based On Sense Of Community Among Online Public High School Students, Randy Boydie Maraj Apr 2020

Predicting Academic Achievement Based On Sense Of Community Among Online Public High School Students, Randy Boydie Maraj

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Limited research has investigated the relationship between sense of community and academic achievement, as determined by students’ self-reported Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) scores. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the extent by which sense of community can predict academic achievement among online public high school students. The predictor variables were social community and learning community. The criterion variable was academic achievement using student’s PSAT/NMSQT scores. The school form of the Classroom and School Community Inventory was given to 98 online high school students to complete. They represented a major suburban public …


A Collective Case Study Understanding The Barriers To College Access Facing Low-Income African American Male High School Graduates, Emmanuel Schuller Cherilien Apr 2020

A Collective Case Study Understanding The Barriers To College Access Facing Low-Income African American Male High School Graduates, Emmanuel Schuller Cherilien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand the barriers to college access facing low-income African American males in the northeastern region of the United States. This study employed a qualitative methodology approach involving 10 low-income African American high school graduates from two states. The theoretical framework that guided this study was critical race theory. The central research question was: What are the barriers to college enrollment for low-income African American male high school graduates? The data collection methods consisted of semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a focus group. The data analysis process involved open coding, axial coding, …


Equipping Ministry Leaders For Service At Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Vodricka L. Epps Apr 2020

Equipping Ministry Leaders For Service At Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Vodricka L. Epps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project will examine the congregational need for ministry leaders to develop leadership skills. Mount Calvary Baptist Church, located in Hopewell, Virginia, serves as the framework of this investigation. The problem addressed by this research is derived from ten ministry leaders currently serving at Mount Calvary who have servants’ hearts but lack leadership skills to develop their ministries. With adequate training and continuing education, leaders are more equipped to lead ministries. Without leaders who are adequately equipped to lead ministries, it is difficult for the church to carry out its mission and remain active. The findings of this research …