Digital Commons Network^™

"We Have Such Fantastic People Working Here": Using Action Research To Address Community College Burnout, Christine Pipitone

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research dissertation explores faculty burnout at a New Jersey community college to propose actionable, faculty-led solutions through a collaborative approach. Grounded in a theoretical framework that integrates theories of action, critical theory, and job demands–resources theory, the study included three phases that followed an explanatory sequential design. In the first phase, quantitative and qualitative data obtained through an anonymous questionnaire provided baseline information about the dimensions of burnout participants experienced. The data informed the second phase, which consisted of semi-structured focus group interviews. In the third phase, an action research team worked together to make recommendations based …

An Approach From The Plithogenic Dea To The Calculation Of The Efficiency Of A Pedagogical Strategy On Basic Digital Competencies In Students Of The Basic Education Program At The Bolivarian University Of Ecuador, Johanna Irene Escobar Jara

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

In the context of higher education, the evolution towards a full integration of digital technologies has been significant globally, but its effective implementation varies between different regions and institutions. In Latin America, the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has been uneven, despite efforts to incorporate digital tools into education. Significant gaps in infrastructure and teacher training persist, which limit educational quality and the full development of digital skills in students. This paper aims to measure the impact of implementing a pedagogical strategy on developing basic digital skills and how it im-proves the pedagogical skills and innovation capacity of …

Strategic Planning Model In Higher Education Using Neutrosophic Z Numbers, Luis León Gómez, Hortencio Flores Flores, Adán Humberto Estela Estela, Manuel Cesar Vildoso Villegas, Juvita Dina Soto Hilario, Virgilio Vildoso Gonzales, Yessika Madelaine Abarca Arias

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Strategic planning in higher education faces complex challenges due to the imprecise nature of decision-making criteria, the diversity of stakeholders involved, and the changing dynamics of academic environments. This study addresses the problem of how to model institutional planning processes that effectively incorporate the uncertainty, subjective assessments, and incomplete data characteristic of this context. While various approaches to decision-making in education exist, the current literature presents a significant limitation: the lack of methods that simultaneously integrate the vagueness of human perceptions, the inconsistency of institutional preferences, and the quantitative restrictions inherent to the university setting. To address this problem, we …

Neutrosophic Evaluation Of Conventional And Non-Conventional Resources In Higher Education, Walter Cente Pérez, Hortencio Flores Flores, Manuel Cesar Vildoso Villegas, Adán Humberto Estela Estela, Carlos Fretel Martínez, Virgilio Vildoso Gonzales, Eli Carrillo Vásquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Evaluating the effectiveness of teaching resources in higher education faces the challenge of inherent subjectivi-ty and ambiguity in pedagogical processes. Existing studies often oversimplify the complexity of the educa-tional phenomenon. This research proposes an innovative model combining neutrosophic theory with mul-ticriteria decision-making methods (specifically SVNLOWAD-TOPSIS) to simultaneously assess truth, falsity, and indeterminacy in resource effectiveness. The methodological framework, acknowledging the plithogenic nature of educational processes, uses a mixed-method design integrating expert perceptions synthesized via neutrosophic operators. A case study evaluating four resource types—traditional classes, online platforms, vir-tual simulations, and Project-Based Learning (PBL)—demonstrated that PBL is the most effective, followed by …

Forging The Future, Kenneth Benoit

Asian Management Insights

How AI is rewriting the rules of knowledge, expertise, and practice.

Future Of Inclusive Education In The Uae: Supporting Learning Disabilities In Higher Education, Christina Ayub

Theses

Inclusive education is a critical component of higher education, ensuring that students with learning disabilities (LDs) receive equitable access to academic opportunities and institutional support. While global advancements in inclusive education have been significant, the UAE’s higher education sector faces unique challenges in accommodating students with LDs, particularly as technological disruptions, demographic shifts, and evolving policies reshape the broader educational landscape. This research investigates how a higher education institution in the UAE, such as RIT Dubai, might adapt its support systems for students with LDs, such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia, under a range of plausible future conditions …

Becoming A Beloved Community: A Restorative Reckoning For A Radical Conversion To Transform Discourse In Higher Education, Latasha Tomay Varlack-Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the misappropriation of Restorative Justice Discourse (RJD) within three predominantly white institutions (PWIs), analyzing 59 institutional documents through Critical Discourse Analysis, Relational Critical Discourse Analysis, and Rhetorical Criticism (Fairclough, 1995; Vaandering, 2021; van Dijk, 2008). Tribal Colleges and Universities and South African institutions have emerged as exemplars of authentic RJD, countering co-optation within PWIs. The findings demonstrate that RJD as applied in PWIs is framed in ways that attenuate its transformative potential, perpetuating color-evasiveness (Bonilla-Silva, 2017) and obscuring the intersectional experiences of Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities (Crenshaw, 1991; Million, 2009).

Grounded in decolonial praxis (Smith, …

Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education, Kelly Freeman

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), is a growing field of research and practice in higher education. AIED is increasingly permeating the student journey, from admissions through graduation, and is affiliated with tools such as early alert systems, adaptative tutoring, predictor systems, and language learning chatbots. These emergent technologies provide previously unforeseen opportunities to advance student success, such as widespread individualization, yet pose challenges related to technical literacy and ethical and safety concerns. After the initial excitement surrounding AI chatbots in 2022, catalyzed by the introduction of ChatGPT, the pace of technological innovation continues to accelerate, with …

Finite Disappointment, Infinite Hope: Enacting Cultural Humility, Institutional Accountability, And Sustainable Resistance, R. Danielle Scott

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Higher education faces unprecedented political and organizational shifts, including bans on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These challenges create barriers for educators committed to equity and justice. Grounded in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “Finite Disappointment, Infinite Hope,” this article explores cultural humility—particularly institutional accountability—as a key strategy for navigating this evolving landscape. Cultural humility fosters critical self-reflection, redressing power imbalances and lifelong learning, offering a sustainable approach to social justice advocacy. This article outlines strategies for bolstering institutional accountability. The author introduces Five Care Practices—Recalling Core Values, Remembering, Resting, Reading and Intellectualism, and Radical Self-Care—as essential tools …

Play The Game Until You Can Change It, Code-Switching Through The Lens Of Black Mid-Level Administrators, Kale W. Walker

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study explores the multifaceted phenomenon of code-switching, defined as the practice of alternating between languages, dialects, or language varieties within conversations. It posits that code-switching transcends mere linguistic behavior, functioning as a strategic tool for social survival and the enhancement of social capital. The study examines how individuals utilize code-switching to navigate complex social landscapes, negotiate identities, and pursue specific social and professional objectives; thereby contributing to their social capital—the network of relationships and resources that facilitate access to opportunities and influence. The research highlights the broader implications of code-switching on social structures and power dynamics, illustrating how …

Impacts Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy On College Students' Self-Esteem And Mental Health, Adriana Hay

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this senior capstone research project is to examine the potential impacts of culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) on the self-esteem and mental health of college students. CRP is an approach which connects students’ cultures, experiences, and identities to what is taught in the classroom. Through the use of literature review and anonymous surveys to college students, faculty, and professors, the results suggest that students indeed benefit from the caring relationships which CRP creates at the university level. By assessing the methods of CRP implementation within higher education, this senior capstone also evaluates how educators could optimize their students’ …

Predicting And Forecasting University Rankings In The Uae Using Machine Learning, Fatma Ibrahim Ahmad

Theses

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a vital role in advancing knowledge economies, and institutional rankings are increasingly used as global benchmarks of academic performance and reputation. In the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), enhancing institutional competitiveness in global rankings aligns with national strategies such as UAE Vision 2030 and the Centennial Plan 2071. This research applies machine learning (ML) techniques to develop predictive models that forecast institutional ranking outcomes, enabling data-driven planning and continuous academic improvement. The study utilizes a dataset compiled from the QS World University Rankings (2020–2024), cross- referenced against the institutional listings maintained by the …

High Ability, Hidden Gaps: Building Quantitative Reasoning Amongst Singapore’S Mathematically Literate, Rebecca M. Nichols

Numeracy

In Singapore, where primary and secondary students routinely top standardized worldwide mathematics examinations, a paradox emerges: when reaching university, many struggle to apply their skills critically in real-world contexts. This commentary examines the challenges and strategies involved in teaching quantitative reasoning (QR) to mathematically literate students in a top-ranking Singaporean university. While these students arrive well-trained in computation and procedural problem-solving, they often lack confidence and flexibility in ambiguous, data-driven decision-making. This article argues that fostering QR education is crucial not only for Singapore but for education globally, as QR skills underpin evidence-based reasoning within and across disciplines. Such an …

A Survey-Based Quantification Of Imposter Phenomenon In Occupational Therapy, Dina Prisco, Siobhan Walsh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Imposter phenomenon is a professional issue that negatively affects health professionals’ performance and well-being. This study examined imposter phenomenon’s prevalence in occupational therapy (OT). Researchers hypothesized that imposter phenomenon is prevalent in OT, more so in underrepresented groups. The rate of imposter phenomenon throughout OT was quantified and rates between demographic groups compared.

Method: This study used an exploratory, survey-based research design. Survey sections included informed consent, demographics, and the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). The CIPS measured rates of imposterism. Analyses of variances and independent group t-tests were performed to identify significant differences between groups. Inclusion criteria …

Rewriting The Map: How First-Generation Students Navigate Capital And Construct Place Identity In Higher Education, Joseph Rory Weinstein

Theses & Dissertations

First-generation (FG) college students navigate higher education as both participants and disruptors in an institutional system that privileges dominant forms of cultural capital. This study explores how FG students develop place identity at a private university in the northeastern United States, examining how they interpret and negotiate the campus environment and the capital exchanges inherent to the space. Using Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital and Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth model, this research critically interrogates how students leverage, preserve, and redefine capital within an academic landscape shaped by neoliberal values. Through participant-generated photo elicitation and semi-structured interviews with five FG students, …

Transforming Education With Ai: An Exploratory Study Of Faculty Insights On Chatgpt's Opportunities And Risks, Sobaih Abu Elnasr E., Mohamed Naceur Mahjoubi, Riadh Brini, Amer A. N. A. N. Al-Qutaish

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Objective: This study explores ChatGPT adoption in higher education, highlighting both its benefits and perceived risks. Method: This research adopts an exploratory and qualitative approach to deeply analyse instructors’ perceptions regarding ChatGPT adoption in higher education. This approach is implemented via semi-structured interviews with 25 faculty members from different nationalities. Result: The findings reveal that ChatGPT improves academic performance, research activities, and training, but also raises concerns about technology dependency, ethical implications, and diminished human interaction. Conclusion: Faculty members emphasize the need for thoughtful and balanced integration of this technology to maximize its benefits while minimizing its potential risks.

Perspectives Of Support Services Among Non-Traditional International Students: A Phenomenological Exploration, Christian M. Gallie, Robert A. Griffin

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Deadtime In The Vale Of Soul-Making: Hermeneutics, Humanization, And Higher Education In Prison, Dale Michael Brown

Dissertations

This body of work examines higher education with and for justice-involved people from a descriptive, theoretical, and empirical perspective—pulling together multiple disciplines and employing different methodologies from the humanities and social sciences. The investigation is written from a philosophical perspective via educational foundations and a social science perspective via qualitative research, including an examination of carceral higher education’s connections to teaching and experiential learning. This approach reflects the interdisciplinary nature of both the author’s degree program and the topic itself, which (as a field of academic inquiry) is part theoretical and part empirical (both qualitative and quantitative). The papers in …

Navigating Generative Ai In Honors, Anne Dotter, Victoria M. Bryan

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Considering the historical significance and pedagogical impact of educational technologies on teaching and learning in higher education, authors suggest that generative artificial intelligence creates more questions than solutions for honors practitioners. What might meaningful AI literacy look like throughout a multidisciplinary honors curriculum? To what extent will generative AI level educational inequities, or create new ones? If policing AI misuse is ultimately a losing battle, how might this understanding reshape assignment design, assessment practices, and even our definitions of academic dishonesty? Drawing on examples in current teaching practice, authors observe the two sides of generative AI—one holding powerful possibilities for …

Teaching Ai Literacy Through Science Studies, Rhetoric, And Ethical Reasoning, Michael J. Klein, Philip L. Frana

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Building on the idea of productive troublemaking, this essay presents a team-taught interdisciplinary honors course that integrates science and technology studies, rhetorical analysis, ethical reasoning, and artificial intelligence policy. Rather than framing AI as a threat, this course invites honors students to experiment with AI technologies and develop competencies by analyzing AI as a social and subjectivity-shaping phenomenon—writing policy briefs, producing rhetorical analyses of science fiction, and completing self-paced AI literacy modules. Honors education is uniquely positioned to model responsible and human-centered uses of intelligent systems, thereby cultivating graduates who can both use and critically interrogate the AI tools that …

Honoring Intellectual Risk-Taking: A Dialogue, Julie Bowman, Alexis Teagarden

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Presented in the form of a Socratic dialogue, this piece considers what honors courses should strive to teach. Bowman, an experienced instructor of both non-honors and honors classes, notes that while universities’ honors colleges prize intellectual curiosity, her honors students might not. Teagarden, the other interlocutor and a writing program administrator, wonders whether curiosity is a sufficient end goal for honors or any teaching. The speakers turn to whether curiosity or courage is the more important virtue to instill, explore a classical difference between courage and audacity, and then discuss whether and how courage could be taught.

Generative Ai And The Honors Thesis: A Rhetorical Framework For Gai Policy, Pedagogy, And Equity, Sean Chadwick

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

This article offers a rhetorical framework for understanding how honors students engage with the capstone thesis following the emergence of generative AI (GAI) tools. Author reviews the nature of the honors thesis and analyzes some rhetorical models for thinking about GAI and literacy before offering a heuristic framework identifying four interdependent skill categories—writing, social, executive, and subject matter—that shape students’ thesis work. Drawing on findings from an interview study, this framework clarifies how GAI tools interface with existing thesis practices and pain points, allowing honors practitioners to better articulate our values, evaluate use cases, and craft GAI-informed policy. As a …

The Emotional Geographies Of Vietnamese Students In Australia, Anh N.Q. Phan, Ha H. Nguyen, Thuy T. Nguyen, Tho X. Pham

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Acculturation Experiences Of International Students In The U.S. Cacrep-Accredited Counselor Education Programs: Challenges, Support Systems, And Systemic Barriers, Nargiza Amirova

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

International students significantly enrich U.S. counselor education and supervision programs by contributing diverse cultural perspectives that inspire teaching, research, and professional growth. Yet, these students often face complex challenges including cultural adjustment, language barriers, social isolation, and the academic demands of counseling academic programs that impact their educational outcome s and psychological well-being. Systemic barriers, such as visa restrictions and institutional unawareness, further complicate their experiences. This study explored acculturation experiences of international students enrolled in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs in the United States.

Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with seven international students on J1/F1 visas, …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Robert Smith Gift At Morehouse College, Kinnis Gosha, Nina Gilbert, Whitney Nelson, Kaylah Mackroy, Mi'kayla Newell, Amber Reid, Kaela S. Jackson

Journal of Student Financial Aid

Previous scholars investigating the effects of student loan debt have conducted survey analyses involving large samples to examine the relationships among debt forgiveness, loan repayment behavior, income earnings, and returning home. Fewer works have explored the outcomes of student loan elimination in a qualitative study. In 2019, Robert Smith donated a Gift (RSGift) to the graduating class of Morehouse College, which eliminated the new graduates’ student loan debt, inviting further inquiry into their developments since receiving the gift. This study employs a qualitative investigation to examine how student loan elimination influenced the graduating classes. This study also applies Yosso’s Community …

Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education Accreditation: Advancing Quality, Accessibility, And Special Education Inclusion, Jacques D. Singleton

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education accreditation by enhancing quality assurance, accessibility, and inclusion. Traditional accreditation relies on manual evaluation, but AI- driven tools improve efficiency through realtime data analysis, predictive insights, and automation. This chapter explores AI’s role in adaptive learning, automated accessibility tools, and predictive analytics for student success, with a focus on supporting students with disabilities and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. Ethical concerns, including bias, privacy, and transparency, are addressed to ensure AI complements human judgment. Through case studies and policy recommendations, this chapter provides a roadmap for institutions and accrediting bodies to integrate AI …

Lowell Hardin: Mentor Extraordinaire, Larry L. Murdock, Thomas W. Hertel, Gebisa Ejeta

Purdue University Press Books

Lowell Stewart Hardin (1917–2015), an Indiana farm boy who became an enormously influential international agriculturalist, made the world a better place for the poor and the hungry on this earth. For seventeen years he led the Ford Foundation’s agricultural development efforts, contributing to the Green Revolution. He helped to found and guide international agriculture research centers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He inspired others to get involved and opened doors for them. He taught by example, gave others credit, and always stepped back, avoiding the limelight himself. In this volume, twenty-two people who knew him well share stories of …

Exploring The Impact Of Generative Ai Chatgpt On Critical Thinking In Higher Education: Passive Ai-Directed Use Or Human-Ai Supported Collaboration?, Nesma Ragab Nasr, Chih-Hsiung Tu, Jennifer Werner, Tonia Bauer, Cherng-Jyh Yen, Laura Sujo-Montes

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Generative AI is weaving into the fabric of many human aspects through its transformative power to mimic human-generated content. It is not a mere technology; it functions as a generative virtual assistant, raising concerns about its impact on cognition and critical thinking. This mixed-methods study investigates how GenAI ChatGPT affects critical thinking across cognitive presence (CP) phases. Forty students from a four-year university in the southwestern United States completed a survey; six provided their ChatGPT scripts, and two engaged in semi-structured interviews. Students’ self-reported survey responses suggested that GenAI ChatGPT improved triggering events (M = 3.60), exploration (M = 3.70), …

The Role Of Social Media In Students’ Learning: Perceptions From The Us And China, Jia Pang

CGU Theses & Dissertations

In an era where digital technologies permeate nearly every aspect of daily life, social media emerged as a powerful yet contentious tool in education. This study aims to addresses the broader challenge of understanding how social media reshapes student learning experiences, both positively and negatively, in an increasingly interconnected and information-driven world. The theoretical framework of this qualitative study is built on the principles of connectivism and Phillips’s Model. The data sources for this study include interview data from 30 participants in the United States and China, as well as university policy documents related to social media usage from universities …

2025-2026 Course Catalog, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of The Registrar

University of Montana Course Catalogs, 1895-2024

An annual catalog of courses and course descriptions offered at the University of Montana.