Digital Commons Network^™

Digitized Asic (Adaptation, Standardization, Integration, And Compliance) Framework: An Innovation For Optimizing Technologies And Innovations For Medical And Higher Education., Joshua Owolabi

PCOM Scholarly Works

This article serves several specific purposes: Presenting transferable information on transforming innovative ideas into educational products with practical applications; showcasing a digitized version of a leading innovation aimed at optimizing technologies and innovations in medical education, health professions education, and higher education; advancing an evidence-based approach to integrating innovations into educational ecosystems and promoting education through innovations and technologies. A 10-step approach to developing the ASIC framework (ASIC stands for Adaptation, Standardization, Integration, and Compliance) is presented, with explanations and illustrations of the processes and activities involved. Empirical evidence and sound principles are provided in support of activities to assure …

Fieldwork Supervision, Motivation And Competency Among Norwegian Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Even E. Edvardsen, Tore Bonsaksen, Sissel Horghagen, Cathrine Arntzen, Unni Sveen, Astrid Gramstad, Ruca E. K. Maass, Linda Stigen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists’ supervision of students remains a critical component during occupational therapy education. This study aimed to examine supervision practice, motivation, and competency among community-based occupational therapists in Norway, exploring organizational and personal factors associated with formal and perceived supervision competency, willingness to serve as fieldwork educators, and collaboration with educational institutions. A cross-sectional survey was distributed among occupational therapists in community-based practice in Norway. A total of 617 occupational therapists participated in the study. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Differences between fieldwork educators and non-fieldwork educators’ training, recency of being fieldwork educators, willingness to assume the role …

Impact Of Academic Advising On Student Satisfaction And Persistence, Michelle Pickett

Dissertations of Practice

Enhancing college student success is a critical challenge for higher education. Traditionally measured by retention and graduation rates, student success is now viewed through a more holistic lens. This dissertation of practice examines the impact of developmental academic advising on student satisfaction and persistence at a four-year regional public university in the Midwest, focusing on first-year students. Using a quantitative approach, this study addresses gaps in the literature by examining the impact of developmental advising on student satisfaction and persistence.

Findings indicate that while developmental academic advising positively impacts student satisfaction with their advising experience, it does not significantly influence …

Cracking The Quotas: The 1948 New York Fair Educational Practices Act And The Jewish Quest For Color-Blindness, Miyuki Kita

FIU Law Review

This article explores how vigorously Jews pushed to enact the 1948 New York Fair Educational Practices Act to fight anti-Jewish quotas in higher education. The Act was the first state-level legislation to prohibit higher educational institutions from excluding, limiting or otherwise discriminating against persons seeking admission as students because of race, religion, creed, color, or national origin. Seeking a way to overcome discrimination in university admissions, Jews sought to combat it by promoting racially and religiously neutral admission procedures within the broad context of the expansion of opportunities in higher education after World War II instead of directly attacking antisemitism. …

Artful Approaches For The Study Of Multiracial Student Experiences: Not Artifact, But Aperture, Orkideh Mohajeri, Victoria Malaney-Brown

Educational Leadership & Higher Education Administration Faculty Publications

Within higher education, various methodologies are used to collect data on student experiences, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This paper highlights the importance of attending to artful methodologies particularly when learning with/from mixed and multiracial postsecondary students. We share three artful productions generated by multiracial undergraduate and graduate students from three separate studies, conducted over a range of time from 2017 to 2020. We argue that in each case, the art itself goes far beyond an artifact or "thick description" and instead serves as an aperture to new possibilities for inquiry and analysis. Not only are artful methods a …

Navigating Stress In Higher Education Leadership: The Role Of Mindful Meditation For Women Administrators, Christine T. Harper

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Women higher education administrators encounter distinct stressors which can significantly impact wellbeing and lead to burnout. These challenges include implicit bias, difficulty achieving work-life balance, and increasing institutional expectations. This study utilizes a Mixed Methods Action Research (MMAR) framework to assess stress levels, trait mindfulness, coping mechanisms, and the effectiveness of a structured mindfulness-based intervention. While the quantitative analysis revealed only a slight increase in trait mindfulness and no notable reduction in stress levels, the qualitative findings showcased meaningful personal benefits to the participants. They reported heightened awareness of stress triggers, improved emotion regulation, and an ability to apply the …

Manifesting A Shift In The "Overton Window": The Threat Of Project 2025 On The Lgbtq+ Community In Higher Education, Athena M. King, Sara Sanatkar

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Since the first Trump administration, historically marginalized groups in the United States have been subjected to greater instances of bigotry and discrimination due to conservative influence on sociopolitical institutions. These actions suggest a shift in the "Overton Window," whereby policy preferences previously deemed "unacceptable" are given consideration in the mainstream, especially by conservative policy actors. "Project 2025" is a comprehensive plan to restructure the federal government according to conservative dictates in the second Trump administration. This article is an examination of how higher education may be impacted by this plan, especially as it relates to LGBTQ+ faculty, administration, staff, and …

You Are Safe Here: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Psychological Safety And Organizational Ombuds In Higher Education, Angella J. Wint

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to better understand the nature of ombuds’ psychological safety experiences in higher education by exploring how ombuds make meaning of their lived experiences with psychological safety and how it informs their roles with the constituencies they serve in higher education. Relying on data gathered related to the lived experiences of 12 organizational ombuds working at institutions of higher education, this study utilized one-on-one, open-ended, semi-structured interviews to collect data. The Four Stages of Psychological Safety was the conceptual framework used to study participants’ lived experiences. This study will contribute to the limited published empirical research …

Understanding The Identity Work And Aspirations Of Indigenous Males Navigating Elite Australian Higher Education, James A. Smith, Garth Stahl, Andrew Harvey, Braden Hill, Himanshu Gupta, Sam Moore, Jianing Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia, there has been increased attention to attracting Indigenous peoples into higher education but, despite a recent growth in enrolment numbers, they remain severely underrepresented. This underrepresentation is particularly notable among Indigenous males, who are the least likely to attend. In this paper, we investigate the experiences of four Indigenous young men who attended an elite higher education institution. Aligned with other research on the experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic males in higher education, the article captures how their experience in privileged institutions compels them to reflect on their own positionality and the cultural interface between Indigenous and …

Supporting Careers, Strengthening Institutions: A Framework For Understanding The Careers Of University Professional Staff, Michelle Gander

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In recent decades, universities have undergone profound transformations shaped by globalisation, digital disruption, new accountability regimes, and shifting societal expectations. While considerable scholarly and public attention has focused on academic staff within these institutions, far less has been devoted to understanding the evolving roles and contributions of professional staff. This report addresses that gap by bringing much-needed visibility to the increasingly complex, strategic, and professionalised work undertaken by professional services staff in higher education. This report foregrounds the career trajectories and aspirations of university professional staff. It sheds light on the opportunities and constraints that shape their advancement. By tracing …

Navigating Complexity In Sustainability And Climate Action: Comparing Participatory Action Research And Developmental Evaluation In Higher Education, Elizabeth J. Cook, Fiona Boyle

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate how sustainability and climate action are integrated in higher education through collaborative researchmethodologies. Specifically, it addresses the challenges encountered by those using participatory action research (PAR) and suggests developmental evaluation (DE) as a potentially suitable alternative participatorymethodology in certain contexts.

Design/methodology/approach: A comparative analysis of PAR and DE is conducted, highlighting their strengths and limitations in sustainability and climate action initiatives within higher education. Philosophically grounded in pragmatism, the study draws on existing literature to clarify the theoretical foundations and practical implications of both methodologies, focusing on their application in complex, dynamic environments.

Findings: …

Cinderella On The Path At Midnight: Students On Regional University Campuses And Equity, Colleen Carlon, Lucinda Aberdeen, Robyn Eversole, Merete Schmidt, Janet Congues, Kylie Wrigley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Just as Cinderella’s prospects for attending the ball seemed elusive, so does higher education for people living in rural, remote and regional locations in Australia. The concentration of university campuses in Australian capital cities systematically diminishes opportunities for people living in regional locations. Indeed, most regional communities in Australia do not have access to a local university campus. This article presents research that captures the voices and experiences of students studying on three small regional university campuses through semi-structured interviews. Acknowledging their intersectional diversity linked to gender, ethnicity, caring and cultural responsibilities, disability, and socio-economic status, a thematic analysis of …

Black Women Found: Higher Education Leadership Experiences And Lifespan Identity Development Through Hip-Hop Feminism, James Antone Perry Jr.

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study investigates the leadership experiences and lifespan identity development of Black women in predominantly White institutions (PWIs) of higher education at the dean level and above. Black women have typically been excluded from positions of leadership at colleges and universities nationwide throughout history. Additionally, the experiences of Black women in higher education leadership roles have not been extensively studied in scholarly research. The literature review clearly demonstrates that a sizeable portion of the analyses on leadership identity and experiences have been shaped by homogeneous viewpoints. Hip-Hop feminism is the theoretical framework utilized within this study. The methodology is …

Analysis Of Dual Roles: Work-Life Balance Experiences Of Female Professors And Mothers In California, Lu Liang

Theses and Dissertations

The study aims to discover and understand the work-life balance experience of mothers who are also professors working in higher education institutions in California. The research reveals the unique challenges, needs, and motivations to manage work and family responsibilities. The literature review indicates that mother professors encounter conflicts of roles and responsibilities from academic work and domestic duties. Moreover, mother professors experience persistent gender disparity and systemic barriers as an underrepresented group in academia, hindering their personal and professional advancements. This qualitative study utilizes quantitative ethnography (QE), an incorporated research methodology to examine mother professors’ work-life balance experience. Additionally, the …

Private Religious Schools And Disability Discrimination, Kevin Timpe

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

In the lead-up to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), religious institutions and organizations lobbied to be exempt. Because they were successful in securing an exemption to most of the ADA’s requirements, religious private schools maintain the legal right to refuse admission to disabled students or to fail to give them various legal protections. After considering the arguments given in its favor, the paper critiques this exemption on moral grounds. It then suggests that these considerations should lead to a reexamination of the legal right such schools have to discriminate against disabled individuals, especially in those cases …

Are We On The Same Page? A Look At Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion At A Small Liberal Arts College, Lisa Johnson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education have gained momentum in recent years, yet struggle to achieve meaningful, lasting change. This dissertation critically examines whether institutional structures at a small liberal arts college are effectively supporting DEI initiatives, questioning whether institutional efforts align with the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff. It challenges the notion that mission statements or policy reforms alone are sufficient to drive systemic change. Using an action research framework, students were engaged as coresearchers to explore the disconnect between institutional rhetoric and the realities of DEI implementation. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating …

A Comparison Of College Readiness Among Adult And Traditional-Age College Students, Oxana Rosca

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation examines age-based differences in college readiness by comparing newly enrolled adult undergraduates (age 24 and older) with traditional-age undergraduates at two public institutions: a large online university serving primarily working adults and a residential research university serving primarily younger students. The study uses secondary data from 5,447 incoming students who completed the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills (DAACS) Reading and Mathematics assessments between May 2022 and May 2023. The primary goal was to test whether adult and traditional-age students differ in reading and mathematics readiness after adjusting for background characteristics.

Multistage bifactor and unidimensional two-parameter logistic …

A Critical Examination Of First-Generation Faculty Scholarship: Demonstrating The Need For Intersectional, Empirical Analysis, Derria Byrd, Noreen Siddiqui

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

The triumphs, tribulations, and trials associated with first-generation status during the undergraduate years are well-established in educational research; however, limited scholarship systematically investigates the dispositions, experiences, and practices of first-generation faculty (FGF)—that is, former first-generation college students who have joined the professoriate. In this critical review of literature, the authors identified and analyzed 173 sources, uncovering five dominant themes—(a) negotiating a discordant culture, (b) reframing success, (c) relating to family, (d) seeking social networks, and (e) leveraging identity—that provide insights into how FGF navigate the social, cultural, and professional norms of the academy. Despite recent expansions that center FGF of …

Experiences Of Exemplary Supervisors Promoting Workplace Dignity Across Social Identity Differences, Emily Joy Aiken

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Imagine a workplace where supervisors centered the dignity of each unique individual and sought to honor each person in their wholeness. This type of work environment moves beyond a toxic culture to a space that fosters flourishing, growth, and inclusion. Given that supervisors play an integral role in the experiences of staff members, this study explored the experiences of supervisors in promoting workplace dignity across cultural differences within higher education. With a focus on relational practices and a positive framing, this research sought to develop a nuanced understanding of dignified leadership across social identity differences. Leveraging a constructivist grounded theory …

Should We Clear The Cobwebs In Our Minds Or Dismantle Racial Structures? Reflections On The Lack Of Critical Thinking Of Higher Education Staff In The Uk, Chrissie Da Costa

Journal of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

Higher education in the UK constantly emphasises  critical thinking for students. However, analysis of comments made about *Black students and staff indicate that some academic staff fail to critically analyse their thoughts, words, and deeds. This paper sets out to analyse these utterances of HE staff and to investigate whether they actively reproduce and are intended to reproduce racist practices in HE, which could affect the experience, performance, and confidence of some of these students and staff who identify as Black and Global Majorities.  Applying critical race theory and socio-ideological analysis of language (Bakhtin 1981 and Voloshinov 1973) to analyse …

The Promise Of Lived Experience: Assessing Race And Merit After Sffa, Taonga Leslie, Claire Comey

Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy

70 years after Brown, students of color remain underrepresented in U.S. colleges and universities and in professions like law, medicine, business, and academia, which, in turn, drives inequitable social and economic outcomes. Recent Supreme Court decisions threaten to further exacerbate this inequity by preventing schools from considering race when making admissions decisions and shaping their classes. This article contends that by placing greater emphasis on applicants’ experiences of race, admissions officers can more accurately assess merit, improve services to disadvantaged communities, and achieve the pedagogical benefits of diversity. The article situates the lived experience approach within a well-established tradition permitting …

Reflective Practice Of Early Career Teachers: Identifying And Mitigating Major Instructional Challenges, Saheeh Shafi

Journal of Global Education and Research

This paper employs a qualitative descriptive research design to determine how early career teachers (ECTs) use reflective practices to identify and mitigate major instructional challenges in the context of Bangladeshi higher education. A questionnaire was given to 20 ECTs working in different universities to collect data on their reflective practices related to instructional challenges. Analysis of the responses of the ECTs to the questionnaire via thematic analysis revealed three major challenges: (a) inadequate logistic support, (b) diversity of students and pedagogical context, and (c) inadequate comprehension of the students. Solutions to these challenges include (a) three levels of collaboration, (b) …

Controlling Anti-Asian Conduct On College Campuses: Can Including Ethnic Studies Programs Help?, Hani Morgan

Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered hostile acts against Asian college students. One of the ways to respond to these acts is to increase Asian American ethnic studies programs and courses. Although critics argue that ethnic studies cause divisiveness, research indicates that they are beneficial to students from all groups. University administrators may fear implementing these programs because they sometimes associate them with the violence that occurred during the late 1960s when students demanded ethnic studies to be included in the college curriculum. But this to a great extent by the poor representation of racial minority groups in the curriculum and …

Understanding Social Media As A Communicative Tool To Facilitate Critical Discourse: Using #Blackgirlmagic To Explore How Black Women In Higher Education “Talk Back", Crystal Spruill Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have engaged through social media platforms, as a mechanism to uplift their embodiment, despite being relegated to the margins. The hashtag #BlackGirlMagic (BGM) is linked to narratives of Black women in higher education that are empowering and problematic. The development of the popular social media movement during a time when Black women were being portrayed negatively made engaging in the discourse "talking back" possible. This study explores the lived experiences of Black women college students and recent graduates, using currere as an analytical tool for my own communication journals entries as a data source to structure my reflections …

Book Review Of Lorena Basso, Magdalena Cardoner, Paula De Bonis, Mariana Ferrarelli, Stefanía Martínez León And Pedro Ravela. Aprender En Comunidad: Prácticas Colaborativas Para Transformar La Evaluación (Learning In Community: Collaborative Practices To Transform Assessment), Montevideo: Grupo Magro Editores

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

The Right To Inequality: Conservative Politics And Precedent Collide, Jonathan Feingold

Faculty Scholarship

The “end of affirmative action” is the beginning of this story. In Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), the Supreme Court struck a near fatal blow to race-consciousness. Many institutions have since pivoted to “race neutral alternatives.” This is a natural turn. But one that faces immediate headwinds.

The same entities that demanded Harvard pursue racial diversity through colorblind means have sued public high schools for doing just that. These litigants assert a “right to inequality”—a theory that would pit the equal protection clause against equality itself. Even if normatively jarring, a right to inequality might seem a …

Study Abroad Angst: A Literature Review On The Mental Health Of International Students During Covid-19, Daisuke Akiba, Michael Perrone, Caterina Almendral

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique and unprecedented challenges for international students, those studying at institutions of higher education outside of their home countries, due to their distinct circumstances and vulnerabilities. This literature review examines the multifaceted mental health burdens they experienced and highlights the need for targeted support and interventions. Methods: A rigorous search across three databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, and ERIC) yielded 50 empirical studies for inclusion in this literature review. A six-phase thematic analysis framework was employed to identify and synthesize key themes. Results: Seven prominent themes emerged: (1) academic and professional disruptions; (2) challenges navigating international …

Reparations And Higher Education: How Public Universities May Offer Reparation Scholarships To Black Students In The Post-Affirmative Action Era After Students For Fair Admissions V. Harvard, William Y. Chin

Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender, & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women Students With Mobility Disabilities Accessing Higher Education In Oman, Zalikha Al-Marzouqi, Aida Al-Dhoani

Journal of International Women's Studies

The higher education system in Oman offers various services to support disabled students to create a positive relationship between students with disabilities, their families, and the community. Both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development share the responsibility of educating students with disabilities. However, women students with disabilities, particularly those with mobility disabilities, still face challenges within higher education institutions. While Omani law allows women with disabilities to pursue higher education, it is uncertain whether women students with mobility disabilities encounter difficulties in accessing education at higher education institutions. Notably, there have been no studies specifically exploring …

A Qualitative Study Of The Career Experiences Of Asian And Asian American Female Administrators In U.S. Higher Education, Yunru Shen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of Asian and Asian American women administrators’ career paths in U.S. higher education. The research fills a gap in the literature regarding the careers of Asian and Asian American women administrators. The recruitment process was completed between May 13 and July 9, 2024. Recruitment emails were sent to 25 potentially qualified participants, including a network of 17 people made up of mentors, professors, and colleagues, as well as eight professional associations and LinkedIn. The participants were six Asian and Asian American biologically female administrators at U.S. colleges and universities. These participants currently hold …