Digital Commons Network^™

Opening Day! A Networking Activity For The First Day Of Class, Kerri Anne Crowne

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Diversity has increased in our classrooms, and students, on average, spend over seven hours on screens daily. These factors create more complexity in higher education. Networking provides opportunities to engage students with others and build social capital in diverse environments. So, during the first day of the semester, I conduct a networking icebreaker that provides students the chance to get to know their classmates better. During the activity, students use a handout with a table of criteria to find someone in the class who fits each criterion listed. Then they write the person’s name in the table and ask them …

Leadership In Higher Education Amid Demographic Shifts: Implications Of Campus Event Management, Marrissa J. Williams

M.S. in Leadership

This study focuses on how demographic shifts within higher education have influenced leadership practices, specifically within enrollment management and campus event programming. As student populations become increasingly diverse, institutions are challenged to change their recruitment, engagement, and support strategies to meet the needs of first-generation, low-income, and non-traditional learners. The research explores the role of leadership in shaping these responses, with a focus on how decisions related to admissions events, like campus visits, outreach initiatives, and multicultural programming, have contributed to student engagement and enrollment outcomes. Using a qualitative approach grounded in the analysis of peer-reviewed articles and case studies, …

Leading Through Difference: Core Values, Neuroscience, And The Habits Of Transformative Leaders, Jaime E. Welborn

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Educational leaders are increasingly called to meet the demands of K-12 schools by managing diversity, navigating conflict, and leading change. One's core values, neuroscience, and cultural proficiency of educational practices play a very important role in how they lead organizations and interact with others. This conceptual paper explores the intersection of neuroscience, core values, and associated habits that support effective cross-cultural interactions. Drawing upon frequency count data from documents collected during professional learning activities in school organizations in New York, Missouri, and California from 2018 to 2025, empathy, open-mindedness, and communication emerged as the most frequently reported important core values …

4‑H Efforts Toward Demographic Representation, 1980–2025: A State‑Of‑The‑Art Review (Part 1), Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Jeff Wayne Howard

Journal of Youth Development

This state-of-the-art review synthesizes 45 years of scholarship (1980–2025) to assess how effectively the 4-H program has worked to serve a demographically representative youth population. Drawing on academic and gray literature (n=99) sources, the review traces 4-H’s evolution from its segregated land grant origins to contemporary efforts focused on access, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It documents progress in culturally responsive programming and national diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) initiatives while highlighting persistent disparities in participation and benefit distribution. The review identifies effective strategies, enduring structural barriers, and areas where research and practice remain limited, offering a comprehensive foundation for understanding 4-H’s …

Transforming Experience Into Practice: A Portfolio Of Growth, Identity, And Leadership, Ana I. Loli

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This professional portfolio documents the integration of my academic learning, practicum experience, and personal transformation throughout the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. Drawing from trauma‑informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive frameworks, I demonstrate competency across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice, with particular emphasis on ethical decision-making, ADEI engagement, community assessment, policy analysis, research-informed practice, and collaborative leadership. Through narrative reflections and applied artifacts—including case analyses, simulated clinical sessions, community-based research, organizational evaluation, and leadership implementation—I illustrate how meaning, context, power, history, and possibility shape my approach to social work. This portfolio highlights my development …

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 …

Navigating Privilege And Power: The Lived Experiences Of Ivy League Administrators In Promoting Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion. A Hermeneutics Phenomenological Study, Alize Roberson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of university administrators in Ivy League institutions as they promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the purpose of this research, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion is generally defined as the practice of facilitating inclusivity for students of color. This study is guided by the conceptual framework of culturally responsive pedagogy, which informs the research design, data collection, and analysis. These elements are essential and deserve recognition and understanding in their educational experience. The implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies at Ivy League institutions is explored through …

Organizational Executives’ Perspectives On Cultural Humility And Diversity, Lynette Piggee-Pinero

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action-oriented dissertation was to understand how executives perceive their own cultural humility and how their perceptions impact diversity promotion in the workplace. This study used action research to examine the perspectives of executives on their own cultural humility and how cultural humility promotes diversity. This study included data collected from interviews with eight executives. Findings from the study revealed that executives perceived their own cultural humility as evident in a commitment to learning about others, their ability to suspend their own biases, and their commitment to ongoing learning. The findings were also that executives expressed connections …

Navigating An Uncharted Path: Chief Diversity Officer Challenges In Creating And Implementing A Dei Strategy Plan Within Major Hospital Systems, Diane Shines Mcdaniel

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative phenomenological study investigated the major challenges Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) face when creating and implementing DEI strategy plans within major hospital systems in the United States. The study was guided by one research question: What are the major challenges that Chief Diversity Officers face in creating and implementing a DEI strategy plan within major U.S. hospital systems? A phenomenological design was used to examine the challenges of six Chief Diversity Officers serving in major U.S. hospitals as they led DEI strategy planning and implementation. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews consisting of eight open-ended questions designed to elicit …

Tensions And Transformations: Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In A Diverse Urban School Division, Lesley Eblie Trudel, Kishi Anderson Leachman, Wayne Davies

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study examines how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are understood and implemented within a large, diverse, urban school division in Canada. Using a mixed-methods approach and grounded in theoretical perspectives, including critical race theory, intersectionality, the ecology of inclusive education, and collective efficacy theory, we gathered insights from surveys and focus groups with educators, administrators, clinicians, educational assistants, caregivers, and students. Findings suggest that, while support for EDI is broad, the implementation is inconsistent and shaped by systemic barriers, resource constraints, and unclear leadership. We highlight the need for shared language, coordinated supports, and ongoing professional learning and instructional …

Beyond Compliance: Investigating The Motivational Power Of Equality, Diversity And Inclusion (Edi) In European Hospitality, Alessandro Ferrazza Dr

ICHRIE Research Reports

The base concept of this study is to explore the interrelationship between Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices, employee motivation and performance within the European Hospitality Industry. The research aims to identify the barriers and facilitators that shape motivational synergies stimulating performance outcomes, particularly for underrepresented employee groups. The researcher employed a mixed-methods approach underpinned by a pragmatic interpretivist framework. The findings revealed that there is wide use of discriminatory practices, limited career progression and poor work-life balance which act as significant demotivators (Siu et al., 1997). The study also reconceptualises EDI not merely as a compliance requirement, but as …

Between Compliance And Commitment: Community College Administrators And The Politics Of Dei Policy Implementation, Carol Birth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores how community college administrators navigate the complex and politically charged landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy implementation in the face of evolving state legislation. Grounded in Michael Lipsky’s theory of Street-Level Bureaucracy, the research examines how mid- to senior-level administrators perceive their interpretations, mediations, and actions on DEI mandates in contexts where such policies are contested or pressured. Using semi-structured interviews with administrators across multiple community colleges, the study investigates the tension between institutional commitment to DEI values and the necessity to comply with external political and legal directives. The study contributes to …

Leaning In: Diversity, Dialogue, And Whiteness At A Quaker Independent School, Mauricio Thomas Torres

Dissertations - ALL

Diversity has emerged as a hallmark of institutional excellence in several fields. At the same time, it has been vilified and maligned by conservative pundits and politicians as Donald Trump has worked to frame diversity as un-American and unmeritocratic. This tension makes diversity worthy of sociological analysis. Though there is an emerging critical sociology of diversity, much of that work has been primarily concerned with the discursive, ideological, and symbolic dimensions of diversity. In contrast, this dissertation examines how diversity moves through and is contested and supported within the organization and cultural context of Friends Prep (FP), a progressive Quaker …

Increasing Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Among C-Suite Executives In Non-Profit Rural Hospitals, Veaunka Gulley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rural hospital health systems in the United States provide different services to rural communities, such as serving vulnerable populations, providing better access to healthcare, and contributing to the overall health of the community. Ninety percent of nonprofit CEOs are White, and 90% of nonprofit board members are White. This integrative review aimed to explore evidence of strategies to implement, promote, and increase DEI representation among C-suite executives in rural health systems. Twenty-five articles published between 2018 and 2024 were selected based on words used across the databases which included rural health*, hospital*, diversity*, and equity*. Literature containing the inclusion criteria …

Are We Safe?: An Explanatory Dissertation Of African American Females' Psychological Safety At Work, Loren Ashley Shelley

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This dissertation aimed to explore the relationship between demographic diversity and psychological safety within workplace teams, with an additional focus on African American females. Despite extensive research on psychological safety, there is limited understanding of how demographic diversity influences perception of psychological safety within teams and an even more limited understanding of African American females’ perception of psychological safety within teams. The study sought to address this gap by investigating if team similarities and dissimilarities with regards to demographic differences, marginalized identities (moderation), with an emphasis on African American female identity, and microaggressions (mediation) affected individuals’ perceptions of psychological safety …

Investigating Faculty, Students, And Diversity Officers' Attitudes Towards Cultural Diversity: A Causal-Comparative Study, Kerry Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study is to investigate the difference in cultural competence scores among students, faculty, and diversity officers who participated in cultural competence training and those who did not. Research on diversity has seldom examined the effectiveness of cultural competence training on attitudes toward cultural diversity. The study participants (n = 411) were undergraduate students, n = 148, faculty, n = 129, and diversity officers, n = 134) from 4-year private non-profit universities in the Northeastern United States. The present study employed critical race theory to explore the effectiveness of cultural competence training programs and assess …

Architecting A More Gender-Inclusive Curriculum For Graduate Leadership Education, Galen J. Talis

Libraries

Graduate leadership education is an important context for increasing gender-inclusivity. Incoming students are increasingly likely to support an all-gender approach; transgender and nonbinary graduate students report safety concerns on campus; and leadership scholars have identified serious discrimination against trans and nonbinary employees in the workplace as well as the need for greater gender-inclusivity in leadership education. Cis women and men are more widely recognized as gender-diverse, whether due to intersections with other identities or due to within-gender complexity. Yet researchers often fail to identify a gender theory when researching gender and leadership, most commonly assume a gender-binary frame, and do …

Collaborating For Inclusion: Awareness And Understanding In Action At Six-String Biotech, Danny Lackey, Richard Jonsen

Rohrer College of Business Departmental Research

It was early summer 2020. The Breonna Taylor and George Floyd murders were front of mind across the United States. People were flooding the streets of cities large and small, demanding an end to racist policies and actions embedded in the United States’ social fabric. At Six-String Biotech, ten employees of color went to company executives with their concerns about inclusion and equity inside their organization and the need for change. This case tells how Six-String Biotech responded to these employees, engaged in difficult internal conversations, and began a change process to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organizational …

Women's And Men's Authorship Experiences: A Prospective Meta Analysis, George C. Banks, Lisa M. Rasmussen, Scott Tonidandel, Jeffrey M. Pollack, Mary M. Hausfeld, Courtney Williams, Betsy H. Albritton, Joseph A. Allen, Nicolas Bastardoz, John H. Batchelor, Andrew A. Bennett, Roman Briker, Christopher M. Castille, Bart A. De Jong, Elise Demeter, Justin A. Desimone, James G. Field, Maria Figueroa-Armijos, M. Fernanda Garcia, William L. Gardner, J. Jeffrey Gish, Laura M. Giurge, Claudia N. Gonzalez-Brambila, M. Gloria González-Morales, Lorenz Graf-Vlachy, Roopak Kumar Gupta, Amanda S. Hinojosa, Zion Howard, Sven Kepes, Tine Köhler, Dejun Tony Kong, Markus Langer, Teng Lat Loi, Liam P. Maher, Chao Miao, Murad A. Mithani, Lakshmi Balachandran Nair, William G. Obenauer, Ernest H. O'Boyle, Jason R. Pierce, Deborah M. Powell, Roni Reiter-Palmon, Deborah E. Rupp, Srinivasan Tatachari, Jane S. Thomas, Tiia Vissak, Jako Volschenk, Chen Wang, Christopher E. Whelpley, Hans-Georg Wolff, Haley M. Woznyj, Tao Yang

Management Faculty Publications

The opaqueness of author naming and ordering, when coupled with power dynamics, can lead to a number of disadvantages in academic careers. In this commentary, we investigate gender differences in authorship experiences in a large prospective meta-analytic study (k = 46; n = 3,565; 12 countries). We find that women’s and men’s authorship experiences differ significantly with women reporting greater prevalence of problematic behaviors. We present seven actionable recommendations for improving the receipt and reporting of intellectual credit. Such actions are needed to ensure fairness in authorship, which is one of the most powerful factors in academics’ career outcomes.

How Inclusive Are Degree Programs In Operations Research And Analytics In The U.S.?, Michael P. Johnson Jr., Tayo Fabusuyi, Elham Hesari, Salina Chu

Public Policy and Public Affairs Faculty Publication Series

Academic programs in colleges and universities in the United States have increasingly embraced principles of equity and inclusion to support student success and diversity within professions. Innovations in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in university programs require baseline data on students, faculty and administrators, curricula, and programmatic support. A review of data shows that underrepresented groups in the US workforce have limited visibility in operations research and analytics. A review of DEI-related research reveals some relevant insights including a gap in studies specific to operations research and analytics.

To provide evidence in support of DEI initiatives in OR/analytics, we describe …

Cultural Influences On Leadership Practices: An Examination Of Culturally Diverse Leadership Influences During Organizational Change, Christopher Fairbank

Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the multifaceted culturally diverse influences on leadership practices, specifically in the intricate landscape of organizational change management. The primary objective is to unravel the complexities of leadership dynamics by dissecting the nuances of ethnic leadership styles. The goal of my study is to comprehensively examine how leaders from diverse ethnic backgrounds navigated and exerted influence during organizational change processes. I implemented a robust empirical framework to achieve this objective, strategically incorporating diverse study methods such as surveys, interviews, and organizational case studies. These methodological choices ensured a holistic examination of the interplay between cultural influences and leadership …

A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study Of The U.S. Army’S Performance Evaluation Process And Its Impact On Minority Groups: Bias, Diversity, And Military Readiness, Laterrious Starks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the impact of the U.S. Army’s Officer Evaluation Report process on minority groups. Through a constructivist grounded theory framework, this research unravels the dynamics that influence performance evaluations and examines the Army’s ability to be a developmental organization. As the military sharpens its focus on identifying near-peer threats and updating the National Defense Strategy for large-scale combat operations, diversity and inclusivity policies are increasingly recognized as fundamental to military readiness. This study uncovers disparities that emerge from the organizational practices within the Officer Evaluation Report process. The finding highlights the implications for minority groups and the systemic …

Marianist Holistic Education: Bridging Divides For The Common Good, Katrina Kelly Wicker

Research and Reflection on Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Bridging Divides for the Common Good seeks to rediscover and redefine the essence of holistic education within the Marianist tradition, with a steadfast commitment to understanding what a holistic Marianist education is. Key objectives include benchmarking perspectives of both students and staff on the facets of holistic education imbued with the Marianist spirit and integrating pedagogical strategies that incorporate ongoing assessments and dialogues to uphold these principles effectively. The article explores building cultural competence to create an educational environment that is inclusive and safe. The article highlights the importance of incorporating the Five Characteristics of a Marianist education into curricula …

The Affect Of Diversity And Ethical Principles In Primary And Secondary Educational Leadership: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology Study, Charles P. Holloway Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of diversity and ethical principles in educational leadership for teachers, administrators, and classified licensed professionals within minority school districts. Downton’s (2016) theory on transformational leadership guided this study's theoretical framework for the research and ensuing findings. This research was created to answer the following central question: What are the perceived effects of diversity and ethical principles on teachers, administrators, and classified licensed professionals within minority school districts? Three sub-questions were used to understand the experiences of diversity and ethical principles in educational leadership within minority school districts. The …

Transformational Leadership Teams And Implementing Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support [Mtss] In The Context Of An Urban All-Male Catholic High School: Bridging The Gap To Academic Identity And Student Efficacy, Markeise R. Russell

Dissertations

This study explored the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at Garfield High School, an urban all-male Catholic high school in Chicago. The study aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of school leaders and stakeholders in facilitating MTSS implementation. Using Tony Wagner's 4C Framework of Context, Culture, Conditions, and Competencies, the researcher assessed the current state ("As-Is") of the MTSS and envisioned the desired future state ("To-Be"). A qualitative research design was employed, involving interviews, focus groups, and document analysis to gather in-depth insights from administrators, teachers, and support staff. The purpose of the study was to identify …

So Why, D&I? A Study On Diversity And Inclusion In The Workplace In The Digital Age, Dina Abed Abughannam

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have adapted new models of work that shifted diversity and inclusion initiatives within the workplace digitally. There is very little research that currently exists on diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace in the digital age. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between perceived management involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives and employee performance, commitment, and engagement. Additionally, this study sought out to determine whether work location (remote, hybrid, onsite) moderated the relationship between the perceived management involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives and employee performance, commitment, and …

How Can Dei Training Change The Culture Of An Organization To Achieve Belonging And Retain Diverse Employees?, Kaisa S. Holt

University Honors Theses

Studies show the need for innovation and higher productivity yields can be best achieved through workforce heterogeneity. Creating effective DEI training frameworks is crucial for belonging, sustainable social well-being and enacting real change. This is key to proactively shifting our current system from one that responds to the need for DEI on a surface level to something that is regenerative. The aim of this review is to evaluate characteristics and enhancements added to evidence-based DEI training between 2020 and 2024. Studies were identified using the Portland State advanced database of academic journals on the DEI training and impacts of the …

Ilead With An Edi Lens, José Aguiñaga, Rebecca Stallworth

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This conceptual paper introduces the joint San José State University, School of Information and Simmons University, School of Library and Information Science, IMLS grant planning project: iLead: Preparing Tomorrow’s Library Leaders. During 2023–24, the grant team project members are designing an asynchronous online program where library employees may earn micro-credentials. The online program focuses on developing leadership skills with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. Contributions from national, state, and local library partners during the development of this curriculum will assist in applying for a future IMLS implementation grant. For more information on iLead: https://www.ileadedi.org/.

Transformative Pathways: Implementing Intercultural Competence Development In Higher Education Using Kotter’S Change Model, Owura Kuffuor, Sakhi Aggrawal, Aparajita Jaiswal, Ronald J. Smith, Pamela V. Morris

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

This study explores the efficacy of Kotter’s eight-step change model in fostering intercultural competence among faculty and staff within a large Midwestern public university. Recognizing the need for intercultural development in higher education, this research applies a structured change framework coupled with the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assessment tool to guide the change process. The development of intercultural competence among faculty and staff is crucial for creating inclusive learning environments, as they play a pivotal role in modeling intercultural competence and fostering students’ skills necessary to navigate an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. This study employs an instrumental case study …

Black Superintendents’ Perceptions On The Effectiveness Of Diversity And Equity Professional Development In New Jersey Schools, Tanisha Hinton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Providing an accessible and equitable education for all students has been an ongoing process mandated by the Managing for Equality and Equity initiative to close the achievement and opportunity gaps among students. This qualitative study examined Black superintendents' perspectives about the effectiveness and impact of diversity, equity, and inclusive initiatives in majority White staffed school districts in New Jersey. Furthermore, the study explored the perceptions of Black superintendents across different regions of New Jersey to understand if there were significant differences in how DEI initiative was perceived. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 Black superintendents and the data was analyzed …