Digital Commons Network^™

Establishing Nursing Excellence: A Quality Improvement Approach To Nursing Administration Evaluation Using Frontline Feedback, Meredith Sykora

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In the increasingly complex environment of nursing education, leadership quality and responsiveness significantly influence workplace culture, faculty satisfaction, professional development, and student outcomes. Despite these realities, many academic nursing programs, including the Division of Nursing at a community college in Arkansas, lack formal structures for bidirectional leadership evaluation. This gap limits frontline faculty’s ability to provide formative feedback to program leaders, weakening shared governance and transparency. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate leadership effectiveness following the implementation of a structured bidirectional feedback process between nursing faculty and program leaders. Guided by Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Practices …

Transforming Nurse Leaders: The Power Of Flexible Schedules In Healthcare, Emily Calabro, Rodica Pop

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: This pilot feasibility study investigated the impact of flexible work schedules on the mental, psychological, and physical health of healthcare workers within a large hospital system, aiming to identify innovative leadership strategies for workforce planning and development.

Background: Traditional work schedules often negatively impact productivity, well-being, and job satisfaction, contributing to challenges in recruiting and retaining nurses. This study explored the feasibility and benefits of flexible work schedules as a leadership initiative to improve workforce well-being and retention.

Methods: A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods, time-series design was implemented across a 12-hospital system with the partnership of 4-Day Global. Eligible leadership teams …

What Will It Take To Keep You? A Phenomenological Investigation Of Teacher Career Decisions In Title I Elementary Schools., Tonya Nicole Holt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the factors influencing teachers’ decisions to remain in or leave Title I elementary schools in Kentucky. Grounded in Herzberg’s Motivation–Hygiene Theory, the study examined the interplay of intrinsic motivators and extrinsic conditions that shape teacher satisfaction, commitment, and attrition. Twelve current Title I teachers participated in semi-structured interviews designed to capture their lived experiences and perceptions of work in high poverty contexts. Analysis revealed a balance of pull factors—such as purpose, relationships, and supportive leadership—and push factors—including workload, resource limitations, and inadequate administrative support. Leadership quality emerged as the central variable mediating these forces. Teachers …

Georgia Teachers’ And Leaders’ Perceptions Of Teacher Evaluations, Jessica Okelley

Dissertations

This research is a quantitative, non-experimental study that analyzes teachers’ and leaders’ perceptions of teacher evaluations in Georgia. The goals were to identify similarities and differences in teachers’ and leaders’ perceptions and to determine what factors may contribute to any identified differences. The study was conducted in a high-performing, suburban school district using two similar surveys and Likert scale questions to assess levels of agreement with various statements about the teacher evaluation process. This work was rooted in Self-Determination Theory and Postpositivism.

The study found that teachers and leaders have several common perceptions, like a general disbelief in evaluations’ capacity …

Public Perceptions Of Leadership Effectiveness In Ethiopia Over The Last Decade, Fikadu Reta Alemayehu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ethiopia is one of the largest countries in Africa, with a fast-growing economy, rich history, diverse agroecology, more than 70 languages, and a population exceeding 130 million. However, the country continues to face serious internal conflict, high malnutrition, and economic hardship, while the study of leadership effectiveness remains limited and lacks consistent longitudinal research. To help fill this gap, this study examined how public perceptions of leadership effectiveness and development outcomes changed in Ethiopia between 2013 and 2023, using Afrobarometer survey data. The analysis explored how citizens’ views about governance, wellbeing, and access to services evolved during a decade of …

Pathways To Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation In 4-H Teen Leaders, Trang Ta, Steven Krauss

Journal of Youth Development

Youth leadership development is crucial for empowering young people to thrive and contribute to society. Research on 4-H has demonstrated significant leadership growth among program participants, with effects persisting into emerging adulthood. However, little is known about what specific experiences shape 4-H youth’s motivation to lead. This qualitative study explores meaningful experiences—vividly remembered moments with positive and enduring effects—that nurture leadership motivation among 4-H teen leaders. Seven emerging adults aged 18-21 with extensive leadership experience in Missouri 4-H programs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, we identified two categories of meaningful experiences, namely transformative moments and …

Virtual Coaching: Ushering In A New Era In School Improvement, Tygere Alisha West Charles

All Dissertations

This research study examined virtual coaching as a vehicle for principal professional development. The study focused on coaching a principal in a rural, low-performing, high-poverty South Carolina school district to improve support for teachers and students. This study explored virtual coaching and is rooted in improvement science as measured by plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles (Bryk et al., 2017). It explored how virtual coaching supported a rural principal’s professional development needs.

Principals must be transformational leaders who balance their support needs and accountability while meeting the needs of the diverse stakeholders they serve. Ongoing professional development is an essential component in helping …

A Qualitative Descriptive Study On The Importance Of Principal Leadership On Title I Middle School Teachers’ Decisions To Remain Teaching In The School, Lebrandan Keshaun Jenkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study examined the perspectives of novice middle school teachers with 0–5 years of experience who taught core academic subjects in Texas Title I school districts. I sought to understand how principal leadership or the building administrator to whom these teachers report influenced their decisions to remain in the teaching profession. Grounded in Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, I described how leadership functions as both a motivator and a hygiene factor in shaping job satisfaction and retention. Data collection involved semistructured interviews and an optional Likert scale survey to capture both narrative insights and measurable perceptions. The findings illuminated the …

The Influence Of Individual And Collective Social Capital On Teachers’ Decisions To Move Districts, Melinda Dawn Hodgkiss

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Understanding what contributes to teachers’ decisions to stay or leave in a school district is complex. There is a need to further investigate factors that influence teacher retention and attrition so that policy makers and school leaders can be informed about practices that may replenish and sustain the educator workforce. In an effort to understand the essence of the lived experience of teachers who previously made a decision to move districts, this study used phenomenological methods for the purpose of discovering the role that access to individual and collective social capital played in teachers’ decision making. Semi-structured interviews were conducted …

Developing American Indian/Alaska Native Children As Leaders In The Climate Movement, Joseph Burns, Alessandra Angelino, Danielle Heims-Waldron, Allison Empey, Jason Deen

Journal of Youth Development

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) voices are critical in the climate movement, as numerous social drivers have rendered these communities particularly vulnerable to the consequences of environmental change. In recent years, specific events, including the Dakota Access Pipeline, have galvanized AI/AN youth, who have been increasingly involved as leaders in the climate movement both in the United States and internationally. This yields a significant opportunity to promote leadership development for Indigenous youth, both through local, national, and international organizing and through curricular development to spark interests in environmental science. This review aims to discuss the role of AI/AN youth leadership in …

Exploring Variations In Emotional Intelligence And Burnout Among Nursing Students, Carrie Ann Bailey, Lynn Beeler, James Lewis

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The purpose of this research is to further validate a clinician language centric self-assessment of emotional intelligence and burnout to determine if there is a difference in the subscales that measure Emotional Intelligence between the accelerated baccalaureate student nurses (ABSN) and the traditional baccalaureate student nurses (BSN). Junior level traditional BSN students and first semester ABSN students were recruited and surveyed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Scale of Emotional Functioning in Medicine. Demographic data was also compared between the two groups. Data was analyzed using Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test. Results: The two groups of students were significantly different …

Sigma Peer Chapter Collaboration: Promoting Global Partnerships, Cheryl A. Sheils, Elizabeth Rosser, Leslie Gelling, Liz Westcott, Nancy Thompson, Cheryl Sabola

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: International partnerships empower nurses with the capacity to address global health challenges. In August 2022, Phi Mu chapter in Bournemouth, England, UK, and Beta Zeta at-Large chapter in western Massachusetts, US, launched an informal peer chapter collaboration.

Purpose: The purpose is to promote a global partnership among chapter leaders and students and increase membership in Sigma as the preeminent international professional nursing organization positioned to promote global health equity.

Goals: Aligned with Sigma’s 2023-2025 Biennial Call to Action, Represent, the goals of this peer chapter collaboration are to reflect on our shared experiences, respect our diversity and distinct …

The Nurse As An Inspiring Leader Of Health: A Framework Rooted In Neurochemical Drivers Of Influence, Sandra D. Shapiro, Rachel Mcmahan Thomas

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, demanding nurses navigate increasingly complex and challenging situations. Modern nursing goes beyond providing care and motivation—it now requires inspiration and mentoring to drive meaningful, systemic change promoting health at every level. Inspiration is an essential intrinsic motivator, positioning nurses as leaders uniquely equipped to foster resilience and excellence.

Transformational leadership principles, deeply rooted in nursing philosophy, place human caring at the core. By embodying these principles, nurses can inspire change within themselves, their peers, and their organizations. As guardians of public health, nurses are inherently positioned to lead socio-ecological transformations, advance health promotion, and …

Decreasing Symptoms Of Burnout In Nurses Through Mindfulness Training, Mckenzie Posey

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: An important initiative in many healthcare systems is aiming to reduce stress, not only because of the psychological effects, but because of the effect it has on the safety of our patients and their outcomes. Nurses’ stress levels have increased over the years and have an impact on healthcare outcomes, staff satisfaction and retention, and patient safety.

Problem: Patient safety and quality of care are the most important pieces of healthcare, but taking care of our healthcare providers should also be at the top of the list to address this global, national, and local nursing issue. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction …

Mental Health Among Minorities In Law Enforcement Positions, Sydnee Monet Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement officers often deal with complex work environments, including negative public opinions, challenging legal systems, and resource constraints. These factors can compound to make officers' work more psychologically stressful. This is especially true for minority officers who also have to deal with daily incidents of prejudice, discrimination, and cultural misunderstandings within the police force. The current qualitative phenomenological study employed semi-structured interviews to investigate the experiences of minority police officers, in an effort to gain more insight into their mental health experiences. The results of this study show that discrimination, systemic issues, and stigma associated with accessing psychological help …

The Impact Of Follower Conscientiousness On Leader-Member Exchange Quality: Exploring The Moderating Role Of Work Environment, H. A. Eliason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective leadership is a vital component of an organization’s viability and competitive edge in today’s complex and dynamic environments. Leadership is not a one-directional act but instead a reciprocal process that shapes both individual experiences and organizational outcomes. Despite recognition of this reciprocal nature, a gap remains in understanding how specific contextual factors, such as individual personality traits or work environment, affect the quality of leader-member exchanges. At the same time, workplace relationships are undergoing momentous change and transformation as organizations shift between traditional, hybrid, and remote models in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the influence …

The Influence Of Leadership Development On Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Moderated By Leader-Member Exchange, Christopher Houston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study addressed the problem of lacking leadership development in the higher education industry and the reduction of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Increasing demands on higher education resulted in a need for improved leadership acumen across the industry, but inefficient and lacking development persists. This study evaluated a regional higher education institution of higher education in the Southwest to better understand how specific leadership development opportunities relate to organizational behavior. The research utilized the 24-item OCB survey and the LMX-7 survey to capture participant responses in combination with different leadership development participation responses. The findings indicated that while leadership …

The Relationship Between Perceived And Actual Knowledge Of Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support/Response To Intervention (Mtss/Rti) In Middle School Principals In Florida, Susan L. Sanger-Miller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Principals play a crucial role in implementing MTSS/RtI (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support/Response to Intervention), yet little is known about their understanding of the RtI component. This quantitative survey examined Florida middle school principals’ actual and perceived knowledge of MTSS/RtI, as well as how training and demographic factors—such as special education certification, education level, Title I status, administrative experience during rollout years (2006–2010), district training hours, and college coursework—relate to that knowledge. Data from 54 principals were collected through perception scales, training background, and knowledge-based questions. Results showed principals rated their perceived knowledge higher than their actual knowledge, with a moderate …

Faculty Touchpoint Survey 2025: Key Findings And Recommendations, Lisa A. Marchiondo, Naila V. Decruz-Dixon, Julia Fulghum

ADVANCE Reports

A Spring 2025 climate survey finds that UNM faculty remain committed to their teaching, scholarship, and collegial relationships, despite concerns about research funding, academic freedom, and graduate student recruitment and well-being. The survey also found that faculty have higher levels of stress than in a previous ADVANCE survey, worse psychological well-being, more difficulty concentrating, and more concern about tenure and promotion. A set of recommendations for academic leaders are provided.

Do Sports Develop Leadership? The Impact Of College Varsity Sports On Leadership Capacity And Self-Efficacy, Benjamin Correia-Harker, Lindsey M. Clark, Jacob J. Capin

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Effective leadership in sports is associated with better team functioning, physical and psychosocial wellbeing, and reduced incidence of severe injuries. In spite of widespread anecdotal support, few studies have empirically evaluated leadership development in athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate socially responsible leadership capacity and self-efficacy in college varsity athletes and determine the impact of competitive sports participation on leadership capacity and self-efficacy. We hypothesized that college varsity athletes would (1) exhibit greater leadership capacity and self-efficacy than nonathletes and (2) demonstrate greater growth in leadership capacity and self-efficacy than nonathletes.

Methods: The Multi-Institutional Study of …

Sharing Leadership In The Context Of Socioeconomic Diversity: Combining Shared Leadership And Socioeconomic Diversity For The Greater Good, Rebekah Dibble, Carlos S. Baradello

American Business Review

Shared leadership involves a collective effort where multiple identities, perspectives, skills, and experiences are incorporated into relational and decision-making processes. As such, we argue that diversity is a critical consideration in the presence of shared leadership. Specifically, we argue that socioeconomic diversity is an important consideration when engaging in collective forms of leadership; nevertheless, organizational research has yet to adequately understand shared leadership in this context. We identify this as a critical gap and draw upon qualitative data in our study of a large non-profit organization in Latin America to extend and develop theory on shared leadership in the context …

The Heart Of Policing: Exploring The Essence Of The Phenomenon Between Organizational Culture And Police Officer Job Satisfaction, Charles C. Palmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the essence of the phenomenon between organizational culture and police officer job satisfaction among rural law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma. Retaining police officers has become an increasingly challenging task for law enforcement organizations across the United States, as high turnover, costly recruitment, and voluntary resignations continue to strain departments. While previous research has primarily examined demographic and occupational variables influencing satisfaction, limited attention has been given to how organizational culture affects the lived experiences of U.S. police officers. Guided by Edgar Schein’s organizational culture theory, this study examined how …

Breaking Barriers: Mentorship Pathways For Hispanic Women In Leadership Roles, Ana Paola Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the unique lived experiences of 10 Hispanic Latinas serving in leadership roles in 2-year community colleges in Texas. As the graduation rate of Hispanic women increases, institutions must identify mentorship programs that motivate women who continue to graduate to seek leadership positions within their institutions. Through life stories and lived experiences, the study's findings illustrate that mentorship is essential to creating, but that self-determination and self-advocacy also make it possible to find paths to leadership. Through thematic analysis, three themes emerged from the data: identity and representation, mentorship and support structures, and resilience and advocacy. …

Leadership In The Era Of Remote Work: Challenges And Strategies For Effective Management, Aferina Skeja

UBT International Conference

The rapid shift to remote work has transformed leadership practices across organizations. While remote work offers flexibility and global collaboration, it also introduces a range of management challenges. This paper examines the key challenges faced by leaders in remote settings, including communication barriers, employee isolation, accountability, and technological readiness. It synthesizes strategies recommended in the literature on remote leadership. Drawing on recent academic and practitioner sources, the paper emphasizes the importance of cultivating a robust digital communication culture, establishing clear expectations, promoting employee well-being, and maintaining a secure technological infrastructure. As organizations continue to navigate hybrid and fully remote work …

Leadership And Organizational Culture As Catalysts Of Innovation And Business Sustainability, Fisnik Ferizi, Kujtim Zylfijaj

UBT International Conference

This paper examines how leadership and organizational culture jointly stimulate innovation and promote business sustainability, focusing on enterprises in Kosovo. Adopting a qualitative methodology, data were gathered from twelve firms across diverse sectors through open-ended questionnaires and analyzed thematically. The study identifies three dominant dimensions: leadership-driven innovation for efficiency and transformation, culture-based creativity and learning, and innovation as a collective pathway to sustainable growth. Findings demonstrate that transformational and inclusive leadership encourages experimentation, collaboration, and psychological safety, while innovation-oriented cultures reinforce adaptability and resilience. Furthermore, open innovation through partnerships with universities and external stakeholders enhances knowledge exchange and sustainable outcomes. …

An Authentic Leader Never Dies: Lessons Learned From The Seminal Work Of Elizabeth Yerxa, Daniel Cezar Da Cruz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This Opinion in the Profession is based on the enduring legacy of Elizabeth June Yerxa, a pioneering leader in occupational therapy and occupational science, following her passing in December 2024. Rather than a traditional "in memoriam," the author uses the present tense to emphasize Yerxa's ongoing influence. The paper highlights four key themes from Yerxa’s work: the commitment of occupational therapy to social change, the importance of an occupation-centered education, the term “engaging in occupation”, and the establishment of occupational science as a foundational discipline. Yerxa’s advocacy for critical thinking, holistic perspectives, and the integration of diverse fields …

From Awareness To Integration: Leading The Change For Occupational Therapy, Shirley A. Wells

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

In her lecture for the inaugural Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Shirley A. Wells acknowledges the growing importance of creating more inclusive and equitable environments across all aspects of health care, with occupational therapy being no exception. Inclusion and integration are fundamental values that should be woven into every part of the practice of occupational therapy. It is not enough to be aware of these concepts; occupational therapists must actively engage in Acts of Inclusion and Integration in their delivery of care, collaboration with clients and colleagues, and shaping of the future …

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Women Leaders, Personality Traits, Leadership Self-Efficacy, And Leader Role Occupancy, Lisa M. Bragg

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationships among personality traits (extraversion), leadership self-efficacy (LSE), and leader role occupancy (LRO). Grounded in trait theory and social-cognitive perspectives, the study examined whether (a) LSE related to LRO, (b) personality traits (extraversion) related to LRO, (c) personality traits (extraversion) related to LSE, and (d) LSE moderated the personality trait–LRO relationship. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (John et al., 1991) and the Multidimensional Leadership Self-Efficacy Scale (Bobbio & Manganelli, 2009). The correlational methodology involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, chi-square test of independence, one-way analysis of variance, and Hayes’ …

Reclaiming Eve: The Importance And Benefits Of Women In Leadership, Takesha S. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite considerable progress in women's career representation, global barriers remain rooted in gender discrimination through the lens of historical, cultural, and theological traditions. Imposing invisible obstacles such as the glass ceiling and sticky floors are entrenched biases that obstruct upward career advancement. Amid these challenges, the diverse talents and unique perspectives of women often remain overshadowed by their male counterparts in perceptions of quality leadership. This study aimed to explore the connection of the sins in the Garden of Eden narrative to the origins of and ongoing disqualification of women as unfit to lead. The study aimed to reaffirm gender …