Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of Special Education Teachers Regarding The Influence Of Transformational Leadership: A Phenomenological Study, Jaleesa Glover

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of school leadership among special education teachers in inner-city charter schools in the United States. At this stage in the research, the lived experience of school leadership support is generally defined as how special educators perceived, interpreted, and responded to the leadership behaviors of their school administrators within their professional roles. The theory guiding this study was Burns’ transformational leadership theory. The central research question addressed in this study was: What are the lived experiences of special education teachers in inner-city schools with school leadership support? Data …

The Role Of Mindfulness In Building Sustainable Educational Leadership, Joe Mueller

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Educational leaders work in environments characterized by sustained responsibility, complex decision-making, emotional demands, and persistent stress. While these demands are well documented in the current literature, the question of how educational leadership might remain healthy, effective, and sustainable still remains. Mindfulness has emerged as a potential resource for managing and navigating stress across multiple professional fields. Despite a growing interest in mindfulness, little research has directly examined the connection between dispositional mindfulness and perceived stress among practicing educational leaders. The purpose of this study is the examination of that connection among educational leaders in the state of Minnesota. This research …

The Journey Of Accompaniment: Pastoral Care Education For The Laity At The University Church Of Christ In Abilene, Tx, Alejandro Ezquerra

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This Doctor of Ministry project addresses the need for intentional pastoral care formation among lay members at the University Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, with particular attention to its bilingual ministry context. Grounded in the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers as articulated in 1 Pet 2:9, the project argues that pastoral care is not the exclusive responsibility of ordained clergy but a shared calling within the body of Christ. In response to congregational interest in chaplaincy and caregiving, a five-session curriculum titled The Journey of Accompaniment: Forming Hearts for the Ministry of Care was developed to equip …

A Curriculum To Empower And Equip Women For Leadership In The Monash City Church Of Christ In Melbourne, Australia, Devni Yasindra Attygalle

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses women in Christian leadership in the Monash City Church of Christ Melbourne, Australia. The problem identified within this ministry context was a lack of appropriate theological teaching around women in leadership, especially in the areas of preaching, teaching, and leading, which has led to misconceptions and prejudices in the minds of church members, negatively impacting the congregation’s mission. The purpose of the project was to develop a curriculum specific to MCCOC that provides a theological foundation for advocating for future senior leadership roles for women. The curriculum provides biblical teaching on women in leadership that will equip …

A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Community College Presidential Job Announcements And The American Association Of Community Colleges Competencies For Community College Leaders, Leslie M. Boon

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Women are overrepresented as students and employees of community college, yet they are underrepresented in presidential leadership roles. Prior research has examined the career trajectories and experiences of women aspiring to community college presidencies; however, less research has examined how discourse shapes expectations of leadership. Because community colleges have been described as gendered, the language used to describe leadership competencies may reinforce gendered assumptions about effective leadership. The purpose of this study was to examine the discourse of community college presidential job announcements and the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Competencies for Community College Leaders (4th edition) to examine …

Not All Ei Dimensions Are Created Equal: Differential Effects Of Perceived Leader Emotional Intelligence On Lmx Quality And Employee Engagement, Michael Frommack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the pathways through which employees’ perceptions of their leaders’ emotional intelligence influenced employee engagement, with leader-member exchange (LMX) quality as a mediating mechanism. Using structural equation modeling with data from 368 full-time employees, the study investigated whether the four dimensions of leader emotional intelligence differentially predicted the three dimensions of employee engagement. Results demonstrated that leader EQ strongly predicted LMX quality (β = .80, p < .001, R² = .64), and that leader emotional intelligence and LMX quality significantly predicted employee engagement in bivariate analyses (β = .43, p < .001, R² = .19; β = .47, p < .001, R² = .22, respectively). However, LMX quality completely mediated this relationship. The indirect effect was significant (β = .26, p = .002), while the direct effect was nonsignificant after accounting for LMX (β = .17, p = .108), indicating full mediation. No dimension-specific pathways emerged after controlling for relationship quality. Supplementary analyses revealed that others’ emotion appraisal (OEA) demonstrated almost twice the predictive strength of the other emotional intelligence dimensions for predicting LMX quality (β = .45, p < .001). These findings provide empirical support for Social Exchange Theory and demonstrate that leader emotional intelligence is statistically accounted for by relationship quality mechanisms. Practical implications suggest that organizations should prioritize relationship building competencies in leadership development and selection. Theoretical implications challenge assumptions about dimensional equivalence in emotional intelligence frameworks and establish LMX quality as the complete mediator for leadership influence on employee engagement.

Exploring The Role Of Higher Education Leaders In Quality Culture Development: A Mixed Methods Study, Eshetu Mandefro, Tesfaye Semela, Ashebir Bezabhi

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: In higher education institutions (HEIs), building a strong quality culture (QC) is essential to ensure the quality of education provided. QC integrates organizational, managerial, and psychological elements that shape how quality is understood and improved in HEIs. This study explores how leaders at the departmental and faculty levels navigate and contribute to quality culture development (QCD).

Methods: We employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. A total of 1,029 academics completed questionnaires, and 33 leaders at the departmental and faculty levels were interviewed at three public universities in Ethiopia.

Results: The findings reveal that leadership roles at the departmental and …

Negotiating Tradition And Modernity: An Ethnographic Study Of Leadership And Collaboration In Acehnese Islamic Higher Education, Basri Basri, Mujiburrahman Mujiburrahman, Mohammad Nasir, Muhammad Nazar

The Qualitative Report

This ethnographic study explored the relationship between State University Institutes (SUIs) and Ulama Dayah (Islamic scholars) as mutual co-existing beneficiaries in an Islamic educational organization in Aceh, Indonesia. While the relationship is characterized by a shared commitment to Islamic education, tensions simmer regarding leadership styles and the balance between tradition and modernity. This study is guided by the following research questions: (a) How do SUI leaders in Aceh perceive and manage the inherent tensions between upholding Islamic values and adapting to contemporary demands? (b) How do these leaders reconcile the potentially competing expectations of religious and secular stakeholders? (c) How …

From Bad Apples To Zombies? Walking Dead Leadership In The Contemporary University, Tara Brabazon

Fast Capitalism

Leadership remains an open sewer of assumptions, ego, platitudes and potential. When contextualized within an international university sector struggling and grasping to find a purpose, leadership becomes toxic and dangerous. This article reactivates, challenges and then transforms Ulrich Beck's zombie concept and applies it to university leadership, management and administration. I probe the renegotiation of power and identity, with particular attention to recent scandals and appointments of university ‘leaders.' This article also signals a movement from cosmopolitan sociology to claustropolitan cultural studies, repositioning leadership in universities at the end of the world.

Author Biography

Tara Brabazon, Dean of Graduate Research …

Everyone's Table: Growing Polycultural Leadership Through Mutually Facilitated Peer Learning, Joel Bert Zantingh

Doctor of Leadership

Despite multiculturalism being an official policy in Canada since 1971, significant challenges remain in achieving genuine belonging among immigrant communities, particularly within leadership structures. This project responds to the marginalization of diasporic and newer-to-Canada leaders within evangelically aligned Canadian organizations, focusing specifically on leadership culture.

Grounded in biblical and theological scholarship that advocates for unity amid cultural diversity, this project articulates a normative and interpretive framework rooted in the Christian theological tradition. It also integrates insights from sociological and organizational studies that examine power, ethnocentrism, and the psychological experiences of visible minorities within dominant cultural contexts. I found how implicit …

Building A Digital Altar For The Justice-Centered Torch-Bearers: The Role Of Digital Networks In Supporting Contemporary Racial Justice Activists Through Contemplative Practices, Renée L. Bradford

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This mixed-methods study aimed to identify factors critical in building a digital support network employing contemplative practices to support activists engaging in racial justice work in the United States. The research question that guided this study was: What factors do racial justice activists regard as critical in building a digital support network employing contemplative practices? The study’s importance lies in addressing the evolving landscape of digital activism while honoring the spiritual and relational foundations that have historically sustained social justice movements, particularly as contemporary activists navigate new technological tools while seeking to maintain authentic connection and contemplative grounding. Key findings …

Abc Pharmaceutical Company Change Model: Implementing J.P. Kotter's 8-Step And Adkar Change Models For Ethical Alignment, Shelbi B. Chandler, Amalfi Gayosso, Alison Lawton, Ali Holness-Roland

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

In this paper, we use the pseudonym ABC Pharmaceuticals (ABC) to refer to the company under examination, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). ABC Pharmaceutical (ABC) must assess, adapt, and change to ensure regulatory compliance, maintain and attract employees, and remain competitive. ABC has a history of erroneous practices and is at risk internally with employees, and externally with regulators and the public sectors. The authors applied J.P. Kotter’s (1996) 8-step and the ADKAR (Hiatt, 2006) models for change management. J.P. Kotter’s top-down model addresses leadership’s role in creating a compelling vision aligned with its actions, and the ADKAR bottom-up model assesses employees’ readiness …

'The Rest Is Silence': Reframing Stasis As Integral To Creative Practice, Corinna Di Niro, Pablo Muslera

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This duoethnographic study examines the relationship between motion and stasis in creative practice through the lens of two creative educators working in postgraduate and undergraduate Creative Industries. Drawing on our combined experiences as practitioners and educators at SAE University College, we explore how creative blockages can be reframed as productive rather than problematic, challenging dominant productivity paradigms in contemporary creative industries and education. Through structured dialogic exchange, we investigate three interconnected themes: the rhythmic nature of creative practice, the pedagogical value of embracing productive stasis, and the tension between institutional timelines and creative development. We consider how encouraging SAE creative …

Research Nexus : Volume 30 - 2025, Office Of Research And Graduate Studies

Office of Research and Graduate Studies Archives

• Researcher Spotlight
• Research Milestones & News
• Research 2024
• AKU Faculty Named Among World's Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists
• Research Townhall - East Africa
• A New Addition to the Team
• Research Townhall – Pakistan and United Kingdom
• Capacity Building Initiatives
• Effective Project Management
• Navigating Grant Opportunities

Exploring Dimensions Of Crystallized Identities, Candice L. Ruh

Feminist Pedagogy

For college students, learning about the components of identity can generate deeper knowledge about how personal and social identities differ, and how identities influence the way individuals experience socio-cultural systems and structures. The Exploring Dimensions of Crystallized Identities activity uses principles of self-reflexivity and dialogue to explore theoretical frameworks for practical application. This experiential activity is a facilitated dialogue driven by student involvement and is best suited for students in mid- to upper-level undergraduate courses. It encourages students to reflect on their and others’ identities, and to consider the social impacts of diversity in their lives.

Solving Global Problems Requires Global Cohesion, Harvey Whitehouse, John, Lord Alderdice, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Peter Gluckman, Hakima El Haité, Lukas Reinhardt

New England Journal of Public Policy

A growing body of evidence from evolutionary anthropology and social psychology suggests that group cohesion can be scaled up beyond the level of nations and even regional blocs and transnational religions to encompass humanity at large. This article brings together insights from globally renowned political leaders, activists, and academics by arguing that this scaling up is not only possible but necessary to address the most pressing collective action problems facing our planet today. Drawing on evidence from experiments, longitudinal studies, and multi-country surveys, along with extensive practical experience—from serving as a head of state to playing leading roles in climate …

Collaborative Leadership Approaches’ Impact On Student Athlete Participation, Jacob Ledger

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify reasons for the decline in student athletes participating in high school football within the Big Nine Conference. The research is intended to identify several key reasons for the decline in youth sports, which contributes to high school sports, and ultimately football programs in the conference. The study also identifies two specific coaching and leadership styles and how they impact sports participation. Collaborative leadership and coaching styles compared to authoritative leadership and coaching styles. Using a qualitative research method using surveys and document review themes of sport specialization, Technology, burnout, Culture, and Feedback …

Mapping Ideology, Nonprofit Leadership, And Organizational Change, Christopher S. Collins, Regan Harwell Schaffer

Journal of Ideology

This article underscores the distinction between management and change, with change being a primary task of nonprofit leaders. It delves into the literature, both research and theory, on organizational change and its implications for leading a nonprofit organization. The implications discussed include how ideology can either inhibit or foster change. By highlighting the pivotal role of nonprofit leaders in promoting change, we aim to draw meaningful connections between self-awareness, ideology, and organizational action.

Assessing Best Practices Of Facilitation Of The Free Exercise Of Religion By Army Chaplains Utilizing The Success Case Method, Geoffrey N. Bailey Phd

Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examined how U.S. Army chaplains experience and facilitate the free exercise of religion. The research explored compelling narratives of best-case facilitation experiences, identified leadership qualities associated with successful religious support, and analyzed similarities and differences between best and worst-case scenarios. Using Brinkerhoff's Success Case Method, the study distributed a quantitative survey to 1,478 active-duty chaplains (achieving a 23% response rate) followed by twelve guided interviews with participants representing diverse ranks and faith traditions. The research revealed six major themes: significant gaps in education for pluralistic ministry, tension between personal religious convictions and professional duties, crucial impact of …

Staying In The Game: A Study On Mentorship And Persistence Of Women Ncaa Division Iii Athletics Directors, Myranda Hope Nash

Dissertations

Mentorship and persistence among women NCAA Division III Athletics Directors (ADs) remain underexamined despite their significance for leadership continuity. With women comprising only 33% of Division III ADs, intentional mentorship is essential to advancing gender equity in collegiate athletics. This qualitative study analyzes interviews with ten women ADs to examine mentorship structures, professional trajectories, and psychosocial outcomes. Seven themes emerged: institutional culture and alignment; supervisors as mentors; queen bee syndrome; career pathways; influential leadership; Clutterbuck’s mentorship phases; and psychosocial support. Informal mentorship proved most effective, frequently developing into sustained professional relationships. Participants reported increased confidence, validation, and emotional support, particularly …

Leading Organizational Learning Through Stories In U.S. “Big Technology” Companies, Stephanie R. Voss

Theses and Dissertations

Storytelling is becoming increasingly influential across various domains, particularly in executive education and leadership development, where it plays a crucial role in the concept of leadership as performance (Gonzalez & Chakraborty, 2012). Storytelling in the classroom setting provides an opportunity for learners to embed elements of narrative and identity in classroom pedagogy (Edwards et al., 2013). In the professional context, employees construct meaning in their workplace by hearing and/or participating in stories (Echeverria et al., 2017).

This qualitative exploratory study investigates the influence of storytelling in driving organizational learning. The research focuses on the U.S. Big Technology (Tech) sector, home …

Leading Towards The Queerest Insurrection: Queer Anarchism And Leadership Studies, Josie Holland

Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies

Leadership shapes our world, our narratives, and what is possible to imagine. Unfortunately, leadership studies has some trouble imagining queer leadership, or rather, queer theory and leadership studies. In order to integrate the more abstract aspects of queer theory with the largely evidence-based field of leadership studies, I draw on the texts, history, practices, and theory of queer anarchism. This article aims to highlight a gap in leadership studies as it currently stands, and through accounting for the absence of queer anarchism in leadership studies, expand what leadership looks like. To this end, I suggest the framing of ‘leadership acts’ …

A Comparative Study Of Argentinean And Colombian Employee Perceptions Of Managerial Behavioral Effectiveness, Carlos E. Ruiz, Melinda K. Cline

Journal of Global Business Insights

This study explores the similarities and differences among Argentinean and Colombian employees regarding their perceptions of effective and ineffective managerial and leadership behavior by conducting a qualitative multiple cross-case and cross nation comparative analysis of findings from two previous emic replication studies. The findings of this study suggest more similarities than differences in the perceptions of Argentinean and Colombian workers about effective/ineffective managerial and leadership behaviors and highlight important nuances. Although there are cultural differences among Argentineans and Colombians, the findings of this study suggest that culture may not play a substantial role in the perception of managerial behavioral effectiveness. …

Next Generation Practitioner-Scholars Navigating Community Engagement Professional Development: A Collaborative Autoethnography, Lori E. Kniffin, Trina Van Schyndel, Elisabeth G. Fornaro, Jennifer W. Purcell, Stacey Muse

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This collaborative autoethnographic research study examines the motivations, experiences, and professional outcomes of seven community engagement practitioner-scholars who served in a highlevel elected position in a community engagement research association and its affiliated graduate student network. The findings highlight the role of professional associations and graduate student networks in facilitating professional development for next generation community engagement practitioner-scholars, such as supporting them in creating connections, expanding networks, developing professional identities, and cultivating cultural capital.

Leading With Joy: Lessons From The Literature, Jennifer A. Keach, Jenne M. Klotz, Galen J. Talis

Libraries

This article provides an introduction for library leaders at all levels to support equitable conditions for joy in the workplace, as well as for anyone who wants to develop their personal practice of joy through lessons discovered in popular, academic, and professional writing and multimedia. Joy has a place in contemporary libraries’ conversations about burnout, vocational awe, and care. The article begins with a guide to the annotated bibliography which explores five themes: defining joy, finding individual joy, work and organizational joy, empowering change with joy, and joy-adjacent emotions. The thematic guide may be read alone or used as an …

Predicting Loyalty & Leadership: Personalities Prone To Leadership, Length Of Service, & How Religiosity Plays A Part, Michael Joseph Camire

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study was designed to examine whether relationships exist between personality type and religiosity, with leadership and organizational commitment. The connection between these variables has not been previously explored. The purpose of researching these variables was to enhance the field's knowledge surrounding the employee selection process as well as human resources development practices for organizations of all types and in all cultures. Study participants provided information on personality, religiosity, and employment and the data was evaluated to see if a statistically significant relationship existed. The study found statistically significant evidence to support that individuals with religion in their lives …

Mindful Military Leadership: Leveraging Critical And Creative Thinking To Navigate Modern Generational Dynamics In Teams, Kenneth E. Dowd

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

Contemporary military leadership faces a pressing challenge in reconciling traditional doctrine with the evolving needs and characteristics of Generation Z service members. This paper explores the vital importance of integrating critical and creative thinking skills into military small group dynamics to effectively prepare leaders for the complexities of their responsibilities as both decision makers and facilitators of successful teams. Drawing on a diverse range of sources, including academic literature, military publications, and firsthand experiences, the paper examines the inherent tensions between traditional military practices and the demands of a rapidly changing world. Through a synthesis of insights and recommendations, it …

The Stratified Leadership Model Of The First-Century Christian Church, Barton Schuyler Garratt Edsall Iv

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As Christianity enters its third millennium, it faces the sharpest decline in the number of people attending church congregations compared to the total population. In Romans 1:13, the Apostle Paul states that God’s people should not be ignorant that the purpose for leaders within the collective church body, beginning with himself as the example, is so the people’s lives would be fruitful–spiritually enriched and productive. Logic dictates that if the lives of those who attended Christian churches in the twenty-first century experienced and displayed such spiritual quality, attendance would not be declining but contrarily on the rise. Regarding church clergy …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Amber Thornton

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This reflection on my journey through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program highlights the transformative influence of critical self-reflection, research, policy analysis, and leadership in shaping my development as a social worker. The program has equipped me with key competencies to engage effectively with individuals, families, groups, and communities, promoting empowerment and advancing social justice. Through hands-on experiences in individual engagement, family assessment, group intervention, and organizational evaluation, I have gained a holistic understanding of social work that emphasizes empathy, tailored interventions, and systemic change. My involvement in policy practice and advocacy has underscored the importance of evidence-based research …

Indigenous Culture And The Path To Democracy: An In-Depth Case Study Of Ghana's Democratization Process, 1992 – Present, Nana Quame Owusu-Nti

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The study sought to ascertain whether introducing democracy has adversely impacted Indigenous cultural practices in Ghana or whether the path to democracy has enhanced, shaped, or strengthened aspects of the country’s Indigenous culture. The study sheds some light on the realistic, symbolic, and pervasive threat(s) that transitional or Indigenous societies like Ghana undergoing the process of democratization face and must deal with. More specifically, the study provides some insights into how traditional societies, where Indigenous values and practices are held with some reverence and esteem, can be integrated into liberal democratic institutions to potentially ameliorate cultural tension and political discord …