Digital Commons Network^™

Dissertatin' While Black, T. Gertrude Jenkins

Black Educology Mixtape "Journal"

Dissertatin’ While Black (DWB) is a racial affinity space that employs a community-engaged approach to completing dissertation elements. More than a writing retreat, DWB centers holistic care, creating a site for mentorship, celebration, and the exchange of ideas. Rooted in BlackCrit (Dumas & ross, 2016) and Black Liberatory Educational Subversion (Jenkins, 2024), DWB emphasizes that participation in Black institutional third spaces can counter the isolation often experienced by Black doctoral students, especially at predominantly white institutions. Ultimately, DWB operates as a “homeplace” where Black doctoral students can feel seen, valued, and supported in their research (hooks, 1994). We believe that …

Academic Identity Construction Among 1.5-Generation Students In Esl Business Communication Courses At A U.S. University, Rachel K. La Russo

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Although 1.5-generation students complete most of their K-12 schooling in the United States, at the university level they are often placed in ESL courses due to deficit views of multilingualism that assess their writing as grammatically inaccurate. Research shows ESL courses often fail to foster 1.5-generation students’ academic development, resulting in low educational achievement and high drop-out rates (Barsony, 2016; di Gennaro, 2016; Marchese, 2021; Uman, 2018). The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate academic identity construction among 1.5-generation students enrolled in two de facto ESL Business Communication courses at a large urban university in Fall 2022. Drawing …

Equity, Identity, And Representation In Community College Leadership, Jacob Fry, Tashaka Merriweather, Jennifer Hoeger

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Community colleges provide important access to higher education for many diverse student populations, yet aspiring leaders still face equity, representation, and structural barriers for women and underrepresented groups. Prior research highlights the persistence of gendered norms, gatekeeping practices, and underdeveloped leadership pipelines despite the increased attention to diversity within leadership in community colleges (Eddy & Khwaja, 2019; Hines, 2023; Burmicky & Hartman, 2023). This qualitative phenomenological study examines how leadership perceives the role of women and underrepresented groups in leadership. The study focused on the School of Continuing Education at Santa Ana College and involved semi-structured interviews with 11 leaders …

Leadership Practices And Subordinate Perceptions In Continuing Education: A Case Study At Santa Ana College, Jacob Fry, Jennifer Hoeger, Tashaka Merriweather

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Community colleges play a critical role in expanding access to higher education and workforce development for diverse populations, yet traditional leader-centric models remain prevalent, despite growing calls for collaborative and distributed leadership approaches (Eddy et al., 2023; Fulton-Calkins & Milling, 2005). This qualitative phenomenological study explores leadership, styles, strategies, and perceptions of subordinates among continuing education leaders at a California community college. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 administrators, faculty, and classified professionals at Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic analysis approach. Findings identified four dominant leadership approaches: collaborative/participatory, …

Ai-Augmented Pedagogy In Higher Education: An Ethical And Equitable Framework For The Governance And Operational Integration Of Ai In Teaching And Learning, Asrat G. Amnie

Publications and Research

Abstract

Higher education faces a convergence of pressures that no single institutional response has yet resolved: widening demographic diversity, pandemic-exposed structural fragility, and the persistent inequity of whose learning gets supported and how. Artificial intelligence (AI) has entered this landscape not as an optional enhancement but as an infrastructural reality— embedded in adaptive platforms, feedback systems, and early-alert protocols at institutions worldwide. Yet adoption has consistently outpaced governance, and tools celebrated for democratizing access carry real risks of encoding and amplifying the inequities they promise to address. This article introduces the AI-Augmented Pedagogy (AAP) framework, developed through a Sequential Explanatory …

Philosophical Orientations And Their Influence On Responsive Curriculum Development In Tanzanian Universities, Ibrahim Barnaba Mtweve, Ignasia Mligo, Alcuin Mwalongo

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

This study aimed to explore how the selected universities in Tanzania apply underlying philosophies to make their curriculum development process more responsive.  Curriculum responsiveness has gained significant importance in university education; however, most universities still struggle to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly evolving society, particularly in social, technological, and labour-market needs. Having a clear understanding of how philosophical orientation affects curriculum development can help create a more flexible and meaningful curriculum. Nevertheless, studies on the impact of philosophical orientation on the development of responsive curricula in Tanzanian universities remain scarce. This study, therefore, aims to fill this …

Urban Removal: The Long-Term Impacts Of The Displacement Of Denver’S Auraria Neighborhood, Sophia Krout, Reginald A. Byron

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

In the early 1970s, the Auraria Center for Higher Education was developed, displacing a well-established Denver Latino neighborhood, which encompassed a 38-block district at the time, including 155 families, 49 single individuals, and 237 businesses, and clearing the way for the establishment of the Metropolitan State University of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver, and Denver Community College. The implementation of remedial measures for the displacement has fallen short of meeting the needs of displaced residents. The residents were promised affordable education through a program named the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship, which has similarly stated intentions of improving the educational attainment …

Fostering Collaboration For Mission And Social Justice: Qualitative Case Studies Of Models Of Jesuits And Non-Jesuit Administrators, Faculty And Staff Members’ Partnerships At Arrupe Jesuit University (Aju) In Zimbabwe And Centre De Recherche Et D’Action Pour La Paix/ Université Jésuite D’Abidjan (Cerap/Uja) In Côte D’Ivoire, Abdon Rwandekwe Edd

Doctoral Dissertations

Jesuit higher education has historically depended on collaboration between Jesuits and non-Jesuit administrators, faculty, and staff to sustain its mission of promoting faith, justice, and the holistic formation of students. In recent decades, demographic shifts within the Society of Jesus and increasing institutional complexity have led to a greater reliance on Lay collaborators in leadership and academic roles. Despite strong ecclesial and Jesuit directives encouraging shared mission and co-responsibility, many Jesuit institutions continue to struggle with translating these ideals into equitable governance and collaborative practices. This challenge is particularly significant in African contexts, where Jesuit universities operate within diverse cultural …

“Being Comrades And Friends”: Friendship Networks Of Activists In College, Lance Paul L. Sunga

Sociology Undergraduate Senior Theses

Friendship is often thought of as a byproduct of activism. People naturally get close and form bonds as they become involved and participate in collective action with others. While scholars have focused on how social networks influence mobilization, there has been a lack of research on the other direction of this relationship, the already commonly held assumption. Using the case of student networks at a liberal arts college, this leads to the following questions: “To what extent do variations in social movement mobilization explain patterns and outcomes of friendship network types? How does activism impact a respondent’s understanding of friendship …

The Faculty Advisor's Role In Student Retention And Success: A Case Study From The Student Perspective, Alice Lorraine Buchanan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand the role of faculty advisors in student retention of traditional full-time undergraduate students in their final year of study at a four-year university. Guided by Bean’s theoretical model of student attrition, this study examined how organizational interactions influence students’ attitudes, advising satisfaction, and subsequent intent to leave. The Central Research Question was: How do faculty advisors influence student retention for traditional full-time undergraduate students in their final year at a four-year university? The setting was a small, faith-based, highly residential, private university in the Midwestern United States, where faculty advisors …

Contending With The Digital Age: Faculty Insights On Collaborating With Administrators For Technology Integration In Higher Education – A Qualitative Study, Letty N. Kisten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences and perceptions of higher education faculty members who collaborate with administrators to integrate technology into the classroom. The study was designed to inform administrative decision-making by highlighting ways to align institutional technology goals with teaching practices that promote faculty effectiveness and student academic success. Through the lens of Bruner’s (2004) constructivist theory, the study framed technology integration as a means of fostering active learning and student engagement. The central question guiding this study was: What are the experiences and perceptions of higher education faculty members who collaborate with …

Social Networking Influences In The Challenges Of West African Immigrant College Students In Kentucky – A Hermeneutical Qualitative Study, Martin Chukwusolum Akwari

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutical phenomenological study is to explore how social network groups modulate the lived experiences of West African immigrant students in colleges and universities in Kentucky. Grounded in Bourdieu’s social capital theory and informed by a social constructivist interpretive framework, this study explored how shared experiences within social network groups influence how West African immigrant students interpret their academic and social environments during college years. The study is anchored on a central research question: How does social interaction with others influence how immigrant students of West African origin interpret their lived experiences in higher education institutions …

Improving Quality Of Distance Education: An Illustration And Implications For Universities, Sadia Raisa, Ismet Anitsal, Nebil Buyurgan

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Discussing Barriers And Solutions To Address Student Accommodation And Support Services, Anna K. Garst

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Accommodation and support services are essential for fostering academic achievement and positive well-being among college students with disabilities, yet many students delay or avoid seeking support. The present study used an explanatory mixed-methods design to examine disability and mental health service utilization among college students with disabilities, while also exploring the prevalence and intersecting experiences of basic needs insecurity. Quantitative survey data were collected from 275 students with diagnosed disabilities at a large public Mid-Atlantic university. Results indicated that perceived lack of need for support was the most frequently reported reason for not using services, followed by self-stigma, lack of …

Reining It In: From Reflexive To Intentional Instructor Self-Disclosure, Rona Miles, Alla Chavarga, Chelsea Blaney

Essays in Education

Instructor self-disclosure is often promoted as a means of humanizing the classroom environment and improving learning outcomes. Though disclosure has the potential to be highly beneficial, it also carries a risk to students and learning that is often overlooked. This paper presents a point of departure perspective that instructor self-disclosure should be approached with far greater caution than most educators consider. We argue that disclosures should occur only when they are justified with a clear pedagogical purpose. Casual or spontaneous disclosures, by contrast, carry sufficient potential for unintended harm such that their risks outweigh presumed benefits to classroom rapport and …

The Higher Education Health Insurance Trap: How Underinsurance Fuels Health Inequity And Educational Inaccessibility, Hallie E. Vanney, David J. Satin

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Higher education institutions are increasingly committed to recruiting more diverse students. As these efforts succeed, institutions face the parallel challenge of meeting an evolving student body's broader and more complex healthcare needs. This article highlights how student health insurance is a critical need that may be unmet by institutions traditionally designed for young, healthy, able-bodied students. Graduate and professional students are particularly vulnerable to a “health insurance trap”; they may discover, only after enrollment, that their plan does not cover essential care, they can no longer work full-time to gain commercial insurance, they have aged out or do not have …

A Study On Community And Technical College Students' Identification Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Cynthia J. Carow Schiebe

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether students could identify culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) and, to what extent, in a community or technical college classroom where a set of goals and strategies had been established to guide methodology. Previous research on CRP traditionally focused on the educators’ or administrators’ interpretation of what students had learned when CRP was used as a methodology to reduce the opportunity gap. Students in classrooms where CRP was used were able to identify content that was aligned with their needs and wants, bring their own lives into the class without fear, balance their …

Not An Afterthought: Addressing The Academic And Social Challenges That Create Barriers To Belonging For Transfer Students, Brooke Jankowsky

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the academic and social barriers to belonging for transfer students at four-year institutions, with particular attention to the University of Mississippi. The goal is to bring attention to the issues that surround transfer student populations in general by identifying some of the most pressing structural and interpersonal challenges that shape their experiences. A qualitative approach was used, drawing on existing literature, prior unpublished research at the community college level, and reflective analysis to explore themes such as transfer shock, creating and maintaining social networks, and gaps in institutional support. Findings suggest that transfer students often face a …

The Transformational Role Of Perceived Self-Efficacy In Combating Online Exam Anxiety, Ana Pereles, Carmen Romero-García

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective:This study investigates how university students’ perceived self-efficacy influences anxiety levels during online examinations, a pressing issue amplified by disruptions caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)–driven assessment concerns. The aim is to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy and online test anxiety, identifying effective strategies to mitigate its effects.

Method: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was conducted. Searches in Scielo, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Education, Google Scholar, and Dialnet databases included peer-reviewed articles in education, psychology, social sciences, and computer sciences, published …

Educator Perceptions And Uses Of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) In Middle Level, Secondary, And Higher Education Classrooms, Rachel Stowers

Honors Capstones

GenAI has experienced rapid growth and controversy over its benefits, drawbacks, and ethicality in education. This study examines Illinois educators’ attitudes and classroom use of GenAI across middle school, high school, and higher education. Data was collected through a digital survey containing both quantitative and short-answer questions, yielding 330 respondents who were practicing teachers, along with five supplemental interviews. Preliminary results show that respondents ages 20–29 reported the highest understanding of how to use GenAI yet were also the most likely to express ethical discomfort, with 45.9% disagreeing that they feel comfortable using it ethically. While responses varied, educators generally …

Developing Self-Determination Through Physical Activity Courses In Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs, Shannon P. Zimmerman, Samantha Ross-Cypcar, Peter R. Giacobbi, Lesley Cottrell, Emily Murphy, Andrea Taliaferro, Jeanette Garcia

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience low physical activity levels, with only 23% meeting recommended guidelines, increasing their risk for secondary health conditions. Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) programs in the U.S. present an opportunity for physical activity promotion. This study examined physical activity strategies across a national sample of IPSE programs (n = 27) using a sequential mixed-method approach, including surveys and follow-up interviews, focusing on alignment with Self-Determination Theory (SDT). While 70.37% of programs offered formalized physical activity courses, all promoted physical activity informally. Common practices included peer mentorship (96.3% of programs), goal setting (100%), and …

Generative Ai In Higher Education: A Survey Analysis Of Ethics And Adoption Patterns Across University Faculty, Staff, And Students, Michele Gibney, Sinky Zheng, Cory Davia, Lindsay Gietzen, Karen M. Sarafian, Jennifer Helgren, Rajvinder Bains, Jonas Bianchi, Andrew Lloyd, Bhavana Raja

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) emerges as a provocative new innovation in higher education, institutions require practical, evidence-based strategies for its integration. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of GenAI adoption, usage patterns, and attitudes by surveying the complete range of campus constituents – students, faculty, and staff – at one United States university (N=355). Moving beyond prior research that has focused predominantly on student or faculty perspectives, this multi-constituent approach reveals a more holistic view of institutional AI dynamics and uncovers a notable "ethics asymmetry," where individuals trust their own AI use more than others'. The findings offer actionable …

A Case Study Of Doctoral Students' Perspectives Of The Drastic Move From An In-Person To Virtual Environment During Covid-19, Martha Patricia Cias

Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative case research study investigated the students’ perspectives during the drastic transition from an in-person to a virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) at the doctoral level. The findings were grouped into six themes and revealed (a) the loss of structure and increased isolation, (b) development of online literacy and increased flexibility, (c) social movements stress and peer/professor support, (d) emotional resilience and resource use, (e) recognition of hybrid and mentorship models, and (f) the need for institutional preparedness considering students as stakeholders/customers. Concluding with the acknowledgement of the capacity of doctoral students to adapt in an unforeseen …

Mapping And Evaluating Butler University's Dining And Accommodation Messaging For Students With Dietary Restrictions, Cassia Belle Campbell

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Food-centered traditions are central to campus belonging, yet for students with medical dietary restrictions (e.g., celiac disease, severe food allergies), shared meals can become sites of stigma, exclusion, and heightened self-monitoring. Prior research frames these conditions as “invisible disabilities” (Davis, 2005) and highlights dynamics such as hypervigilance and disclosure fatigue (Schelly et al., 2022), which can be intensified when institutional processes are unclear or inconsistently communicated. This project examines how institutional messaging shapes the navigational burden students may experience when seeking safe participation in dining and campus life.

This study uses an artifact-based analysis of existing Butler University communication materials …

Leveraging Data Analytics For Student Success: Lessons From Building An Analytics Program At Bentley University, Jane De Leon Griffin, Edlira Stefani, Rahat Sabyrbekov, Patrick Dickson, Annie Raunikar

Student Success Publications

Higher education institutions across the United States face an unprecedented convergence of challenges: a shrinking pool of college-aged students, persistent learning gaps from the COVID-19 pandemic, the destabilization of longstanding federal support structures, and the rising cost of attendance, which increases public skepticism about the value of higher education and challenges access for low-income learners. In this environment, student success is no longer simply a strategic priority—it is an institutional imperative.

One way in which Bentley University has responded to these pressures is by launching the Building a Data-Driven Student Success Ecosystem (BaSSE) initiative, a comprehensive analytics program designed to …

Designing A Digital Media Experience: An Abundant Reflection On A Personal Journey In Higher Education, Student Experience, And The Adobe Creative Suite, Madison E. Warner

Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Culminating Experience

This rumination is a capstone reflection iterating the importance of brand identity when designing, and how good design is directly tied to successful events. The author reflects their personal journey through working in the industry, to their time working for an academic institution designing events for students pursuing higher education. Directly correlating their experience as a Digital Designer at a marketing firm, the author talks about the foundation that makes an event successful through measured means of defining identity, recognition, and maintaining a consistent, professional brand. Within this paper, the author highlights some of their experience in large-scale event orchestration, …

A Phenomenological Study Of Black College Students’ Belonging Built Through Meaningful Interactions With Black Staff At Predominantly White Institutions, Katelyn A. Hanley Semelbauer

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore how Black students at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) describe meaningful interactions with Black staff and how they make meaning of those interactions as it relates to building a sense of belonging. The conceptual framework for this study incorporates Strayhorn’s (2019) college students’ sense of belonging theoretical model as a foundation with Museus’s (2014) culturally engaging campus environment model as a lens for analysis of the findings.

Using a hermeneutical phenomenological approach, 12 Black undergraduate students were recruited to participate. Each of the students attended a public 4-year PWI in the Great …

“Sometimes I Feel That Going To College Was A Waste Of Time”: Latinas’ Lived Experiences Navigating Culture, Gender, And Marriage Post-College Degree, Nancy Peña

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative critical narrative study explores how Latinas navigate and make meaning of gender roles within their heterosexual marriages post-college graduation. Data are collected via semi-structured interviews with 10 Latina participants: an initial plática focus group, followed by individual interviews, and a final plática focus group for member checking. Key findings reveal that despite Latinas acquiring autonomy, stability, negotiated power, personal growth, and social development as a result of attaining a degree in higher education, overall development is limited due to heightened responsibilities, persistent gender hierarchies, continuous religious norms, and constant gender role guilt. The evidence suggests that although attaining …

Assessing Trauma Competence Among Title Ix Practitioners: Analyzing Self-Perceived Capability And Associated Factors, Aliena Hansen

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Sexual assault remains a persistent issue on college and university campuses, and the way institutions respond to survivors can significantly influence their well-being and willingness to seek support. Title IX Practitioners are often responsible for responding to reports of sexual misconduct, making trauma-informed approaches essential in their work. However, relatively little research has examined how practitioners perceive their own trauma-related capabilities. The present study examined self-perceived trauma competence among Title IX Practitioners and explored factors associated with differences in perceived competence. Participants completed a survey assessing their confidence in applying trauma-informed principles when working with complainants. Results indicated variability in …

More Than A Destination: The Transformative Power Of A Place-Based Study Abroad Experience For First-Year College Students, Steph N. Dean, Augustine Owusu Achiaw

Publications

Background: Traditional study abroad programs often overlook the importance of place, missing opportunities for deeper, context-driven learning. Despite the transformative potential of place-based education, existing research has not consistently examined or explicitly conceptualized its integration into global learning experiences.

Purpose: This study explores the impact of a place-based study abroad program on first-year college students at a U.S. university.

Method: Using a qualitative design, researchers analyzed reflective learning journals from nine students who participated in a short-term, place-based study abroad program in Scotland. The study was grounded in Experiential Learning Theory and utilized open coding and dyadic analysis to identify …