Digital Commons Network^™

The End Of Indeterminacy In Affirmative Action, Carla Pratt

Faculty Articles

After the Supreme Court's decision in Fisher v. UT Austin, the stage has been set for judges to demand more specificity in the articulation of the protected diversity interest. Gone are the days when institutions of higher education could rely on the abstract concept of diversity to support efforts to enroll a diverse student body. Now higher education institutions will need to give serious thought to how they define the sought after diversity interest and how racial diversity improves educational outcomes and enhances the education that is delivered.

Graduate Programs Course Catalog 2014-2015

Bryant University Graduate School Course Catalog

No abstract provided.

I’M A Librarian, Captain, Not A Developer! – Teaming Up With University It For Creative Web Solutions, Zach Boudreau, Joel Kelner, Kendall Larson, Lori Mjoen, Tammi M. Owens, Allison Quam, Mollee Sheehan

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Winona State University, Krueger Library, Summer 2013. Time for a library website reboot. We wanted our online presence to be user-focused, simple, and elegant. Our dilemma? No developers on staff at our library. Our vision was galaxies ahead of our tools and knowledge. We turned to our university Web Communications and Web Development teams to boldly go where the library website had not gone before. At first, we educated each other. Librarians learned about the university’s web systems, and developers learned about library systems. Then we met weekly to share our ideas as a team, identifying and overcoming obstacles together …

Students Perceptions Of Volunteering During The First Two Years Of Studying A Social Work Degree, Sherryl Gaston Ms, Mellissa L. Kruger Ms

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

There are benefits to volunteering for both the community and the student undertaking the volunteering, it can help to enhance the students understanding of the area they are moving into, or it can show them where they do not want to work. It can assist the student to connect with the community and develop an awareness of the society around them. In most social work programs in Australia there is no practical experience until the last half of the program. This study wanted to identify if social work students undertaking volunteer work during the first two years of their course, …

Case Study On Higher Vocational Education And Training At Eqf-Levels 5 To 7 In Ireland, Frank Mcmahon

Reports

No abstract provided.

President's Annual Report, Brooks Keel

Office of the President: Annual Report (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Validating The Octave Allegro Information Systems Risk Assessment Methodology: A Case Study, Corland Gordon Keating

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

An information system (IS) risk assessment is an important part of any successful security management strategy. Risk assessments help organizations to identify mission-critical IS assets and prioritize risk mitigation efforts. Many risk assessment methodologies, however, are complex and can only be completed successfully by highly qualified and experienced security experts. Small-sized organizations, including small-sized colleges and universities, due to their financial constraints and lack of IS security expertise, are challenged to conduct a risk assessment. Therefore, most small-sized colleges and universities do not perform IS risk assessments, which leaves the institution's data vulnerable to security incursions. The negative consequences of …

The Development Of A Public Optometry System In Mozambique: A Cost Benefit Analysis, James Loughman, Stephen Thompson, Geoff Harris, Luigi Bilotto, Jorge Ferrao, Kovin Naidoo

Articles

Background: The economic burden of uncorrected refractive error (URE) is thought to be high in Mozambique, largely as a consequence of the lack of resources and systems to tackle this largely avoidable problem. The Mozambique Eyecare Project (MEP) has established the first optometry training and human resource deployment initiative to address the burden of URE in Lusophone Africa. The nature of the MEP programme provides the opportunity to determine, using Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), whether investing in the establishment and delivery of a comprehensive system for optometry human resource development and public sector deployment is economically justifiable for Lusophone Africa. …

Information Architecture For Social Media: A Case Study On Building An Event Backchannel With Twitter, Robert L. Moore

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This paper presents a case study on creating a backchannel through Twitter for the live event, featuring the Secretary of the US Navy, hosted by the School of Government. The project, which ultimately was successful in creating social media buzz for the lecture, was a new approach for the School of Government in how it markets its events. The study discusses the tools and processes used in the backchannel's creation and development. This paper was written because the author discovered a gap in existing literature on creating backchannels. It outlines how the adaptation of best practices from the general population's …

Transforming A University? A Qualitative Analysis Of The Grantee-Grantor Relationship Between Florida Institute Of Technology And The F. W. Olin Foundation, Matthew Ruane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to discuss and examine the nature of the grantor-grantee relationship between the F. W. Olin Foundation and Florida Institute of Technology in the larger context of grants by foundations and philanthropies to higher education. At the center of the research is a $50-million-dollar grant that "transformed" Florida Institute of Technology in ways that were perhaps unforeseen by either the grant-issuing foundation or the higher-education institution itself. This research will include a brief history of the two institutions involved and the circumstances that led to this grant proposal and its eventual implementation by the university, …

Student Created Videos In A Spanish Language Course: Promoting Active Learning, Jaya Kannan, Pilar Munday

Languages Faculty Publications

Active learning is broadly defined as a learning context in which the student takes charge rather than being a passive receiver. Teaching practices in the foreign language classroom can be enhanced by incorporating student created videos in order to promote this active learning. Based upon a case study of three activities involving student created videos to learn Spanish in an undergraduate curriculum, we identify key characteristics of active learning, such as the following: applying learning to the real world, contributing to and benefiting from a connected learning network, moving toward autonomy, and lastly, applying self-assessment as part of critical analysis. …

Higher Education, Higher Costs: An Income-Contingent Approach, Catherine Hensly

Undergraduate Research Awards

An examination of different methods of paying for higher education with an emphasis on an income-contingent approach. The paper applies this method to a real-world institution, Radford University in Virginia. The limitations of this method and gender disparities in higher education are also considered. The author's entry essay for the 2014 Undergraduate Research Awards is included.

The Resilient Turn: College Students' Perspectives - A Phenomenological Inquiry, Perah Kessman

Educational Studies Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenology was designed to explore with a sample of undergraduate students in psychology-related majors their perceptions of psychological resilience and the factors they believe contributed to it. While previous studies have examined the construct of resilience in childhood and adolescence, relatively little is known about the phenomenon later in the lifespan. Thus, the rationale for the study stems from the researcher’s wish to fill this gap in knowledge by studying resilience among emerging adults. It was the researcher’s assumption that the knowledge generated from this study would both provide new insights into emerging adult resilience and inform higher …

Books And Our Human Stories, Paul H. Benson

Philosophy Faculty Publications

An essay on the impact of the works in the Imprints and Impressions: Milestones in Human Progress, an exhibition of rare books from the collection of Stuart Rose. Exhibition was held Sept. 29-Nov. 9, 2014, at the University of Dayton.

Science Classics, Mark Masthay

Chemistry Faculty Publications

An essay on the impact of the works in the Imprints and Impressions: Milestones in Human Progress, an exhibition of rare books from the collection of Stuart Rose. Exhibition was held Sept. 29-Nov. 9, 2014, at the University of Dayton.

A Curricula Assessment And Improvement Quantitative Model For Higher Education: A Design For Six Sigma Methodology, Abdullah Halawany

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Curricula assessment is an integrated process to assist higher education institutions in addressing the challenges in a designated field of study and in exploring the opportunities to better educate and prepare their students for an increasingly complex world. Although assessment as a topic has been researched extensively, there has been a lack of quantitative tools that address the requirements of many of the stakeholders that may be critical to the curriculum design and assessment processes. This research proposes the utilization of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) to develop a quantitative model for curriculum assessment and improvement for higher education institutions. …

Examining The Effectiveness Of The After Action Review For Online And Face-To-Face Discussion Groups, William Cradick

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

There is not enough research in the utilization of the After Action Review (AAR), in a college setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the AAR in both face-to-face and online classroom environments. Over the period of a semester, participants of undergraduate psychology courses, at a mid-sized university, conducted AARs with their static groups. Overall course and group activity grades were measured, along with self-efficacy, satisfaction, and motivation ratings. The AAR was found to be overall ineffective at improving performance outcomes. The evidence is not conclusive enough to suggest that the AAR will not be …

Education For Sustainability Through A Photography Competition, Rowena Scott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This article describes the development and history of a sustainability photography competition. From its simple beginnings as an environmental officer's idea, an environmental sustainability photography competition began in just one university. Now hosted by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), finalist entries are viewed on a public website gaining international attention. A purpose of this article is to demonstrate the diversity of views of sustainability by displaying the winning entries from 2013 and 2012. It is anticipated that readers may replicate these ideas in creative arts and across disciplines throughout primary, secondary and other higher education institutions, community groups and diverse …

Queer Desires And Critical Pedagogies In Higher Education: Reflections On The Transformative Potential Of Non-Normative Learning Desires In The Classroom, Jennifer Fraser, Sarah Lamble

Journal of Feminist Scholarship

This article considers what a queer approach might offer in addressing some of the challenges of higher education in the contemporary neoliberal landscape. Despite a rich literature on queer issues in the classroom, most of the existing scholarship has focused on engaging queer students, being a queer teacher, or teaching queer content in the curriculum. Very little work has focused on what it means to take a queer approach to pedagogic techniques or how such an approach might impact educational practices more broadly. We ask: What does it mean in theory and practice to “queer” our teaching methods? What role …

Facilitating Student Discussion: The Case Of A Political Scince [Sic] Class, Emma Fitzhugh

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This case study analyzed four political science simulations in an introductory course with the intent to identify students learning from the simulation and in group collaboration. Though the discussion and collaboration between students surrounds political science topics, the skills students bring into the classroom and acquired during the course can be used in numerous professional fields. The presentation will focus on the scaffolding of assignments and learning that lead up to the classroom simulations. It will also highlight the skills students developed surrounding group collaboration and student's individual conclusions on decision making.

2014-2015 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.

Postsecondary Instruction: Changes In The Academic Workforce And State Appropriations For Community Colleges, R. Ryan Kendrick

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Over the last 30 years continued decline in state appropriations for public institutions has been accompanied by an increase in the use of part-time instruction. Community colleges have been particularly susceptible to both of these problems. Two-year institutions have less freedom than their larger counterparts to raise tuition rates and part time instructors constitute a larger percentage of their workforce. Less revenue has resulted in fewer resources to devote to instruction and student support. Part-time time instruction, on the whole, results in lower student retention and graduation rates.

This analysis intended to establish a connection between cuts to state appropriations …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of Formula Funding Project In The Korea Higher Education System, Kyungsoo Park

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

In 2008, the Korean government launched a funding project that used formulas to select which four-year universities received funding from the government. The aim of the project was to improve university performance and educational quality, particularly with respect to undergraduate student outcome. However, there were few empirical studies on the project's actual impact. This study is an examination of three effects of the project. First, I analyze whether the project itself, regardless of funding, can bring about change in five formula indicators of all universities: employment rate, enrollment rate, full-time faculty rate, educational expenses per student, and scholarship rate. Second, …

Do College Presidents Matter? An Analysis Of The Effects Of College Presidents On Retention And Graduation Rates, Wesley Whistle

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Higher education is going through a transformative time. Effective leadership of these institutions is increasingly important. Public institutions are losing more government support from both the state and federal level. Colleges and universities are also facing higher standards from the federal government. When presidential search committees are looking for candidates for their college or university, they are seeking a leader who addresses these issues, as well as many others.

Addressing falling financial support requires increased attention to fundraising. Some accept that presidents are hired primarily for fundraising for the colleges and do not expect them to play a role in …

Adjuncts And Institutional And College Mission: Maintaining Distinctives In An Era Of Part-Time Faculty, David J. Burns, Yvonne Smith, Keith Starcher

AMTP Proceedings 2014

In 1969, roughly 78 percent of the instructional faculty at colleges and universities were full time and tenured or on tenure track. By 2009, that percentage had declined to 33 percent. Given their part-time status, adjunct faculty members are commonly viewed as a supplementary workforce. Evidence suggests that this looser connection extends to the mission of the university. Today, institutional mission is becoming increasingly important to colleges and universities as higher education has become much more competitive. The competitive environment is forcing colleges and universities to focus more attention on segmentation and differentiating their missions from those of the competition. …

A Survey Of Employer Needs And Expectations From Business Programs At Higher Education Institutions, Tulay Girard, Krissa Weyant

AMTP Proceedings 2014

The recent economic slowdown and changing nature of business environments have made it increasingly challenging and competitive for recent graduates to qualify for higher level positions. Higher education institutions continuously ask what employers are looking for in a newly graduated candidate. However, most do not exactly know the answers. Understanding the changing needs and expectations of employers has become a priority for higher education institutions to remain competitive in their markets. Academics also have to respond to these changes by understanding whether they prepare their students to meet the needs and expectations of employers. This exploratory study aims to understand …

The Effects Of Barriers, Acculturation, And Academic Goals On Latina/O Students’ Academic Performance, Javier Cavazos Vela, Michael B. Johnson, Leticia Cavazos, James Ikonomopoulos, Stacey Lee Gonzalez

Counseling Faculty Publications

The current study explored 112 Latina/o college students’ perceptions of barriers, acculturation, academic goals, and academic performance. Acculturation to the Anglo culture and academic goals were positively related to college performance. Perceptions of career barriers also had a positive relationship with college performance. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings is provided and implications for counselors are offered.

Importance Of Leadership Competencies In College And University Staff Athletic Trainers: Perceptions Of Head Athletic Trainers, Janelle Lynn Handlos

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Importance of Leadership Competencies in College and University Staff Athletic Trainers: Perceptions of Head Athletic Trainers This quantitative study utilized a survey design to determine the level of importance head athletic trainers at the college and university level place on their staff athletic trainers displaying previously identified leadership competencies. Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire designed for the study. Participants were 326 college and university head athletic trainers closely resembling the characteristics of the population. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics to determine the level of importance assigned to each competency and the demographic responses of participants. Inferential statistics …

Development Of A Student Self-Reported Instrument To Assess Course Reform, R.C. Morris, Loran Carleton Parker, David Nelson, Matthew D. Pistilli, Adam Hagen, Chantal Levesque-Bristol, Gabriela Weaver

IMPACT Publications

This study examines the development and implementation of a survey-based instrument assessing the effectiveness of a course redesign initiative focused on student centeredness at a large midwestern university in the United States. Given the scope of the reform initiative under investigation in this study, researchers developed an instrument called the Classroom Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), which was administered to students enrolled in redesigned courses. Early findings demonstrate strong construct validity and internal reliability of the CEQ instrument as well as concurrent validity between the CEQ and observation data gathered in concert with self-report data. The authors conclude that in the absence …

Competencies For A Leadership Role In Educational Development, Kristi Jordan Verbeke

Wayne State University Dissertations

Because the field of educational development (also known as faculty development, academic development, and staff development) is relatively new, very little is known about the competencies required for those who work in the field. Additionally, there are no formal pathways or means of formal preparation for educational developers. This study utilized a mixed-methods research design to explore the competencies required for a leadership role in the field of educational development.

The first part of the study sought to identify these competencies by using the Delphi technique to survey experts in the field. The second part explored whether these competencies were …