Digital Commons Network^™

Global Health Concentration Journey, Leann Torrez

Research Symposium

The Oberlin College Global Health Concentration has played a crucial role in helping me strengthen my personal goals and professional vision, especially regarding the future I hope to shape for others. Before attending Oberlin, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in nursing, driven by both positive and negative experiences that my family, my communities, and I have encountered within the healthcare system. These experiences motivated me to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to create a more equitable, accessible, and intentional healthcare environment for underrepresented communities. Throughout my time at Oberlin, I’ve been learning to think critically about …

Gnsi Decision Brief: De Oppresso Liber – Applying Green Beret Identify And Ethos To Build U.S. Military Resiliency, Robert S. Burrell, Joseph E. Long, Charles Cleveland

GNSI Decision Briefs

Military ethos is the “spirit of the unit, which is the sense of unity that leads warriors on the battlefield to believe that the lives of those around them are more important than their own.” In 2025 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth promised a return to a “warrior ethos,” which he said the Department of Defense (DOD) has lost because of the recent politicized climate, including diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. This brief will utilize the Army's Special Forces as a viable model for achieving collective military spirit in one of the world's most diverse nations.

Leadership In The Construction Industry: An Lmx Analysis, Jackson Wicker

Honors Projects

The purpose of this study is to research the different styles of leadership that are currently used in the construction industry and how LMX effects leaders and their employees relationships. This study seeks to try and answer the question of how different styles of leadership contribute to employee and leader relationships in the construction industry. This study uses content analysis in order to find major themes about LMX relationships and leadership styles and how they affect leader-follower relationships, and effectiveness in the construction industry.

Reimagining Faculty Retention And Governance In Regional Public Universities, Cabdulcasiis Maxamed Ciise

Masters Projects

This project addresses the faculty retention crisis in regional public universities (RPUs) by examining how neoliberal governance, characterized by performance metrics, market-driven funding, and corporate leadership, has restructured academic work and eroded shared governance. The purpose was to explore faculty burnout, disengagement, and leadership gaps, and to develop resources that support more ethical and collaborative institutional cultures. Using Labor Process Theory, Critical Social Theory, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior as guiding frameworks, this literature-based project analyzed the structural and ideological conditions driving faculty attrition and institutional instability. Research included an extensive review of peer-reviewed literature on neoliberalism in higher education, faculty …

Leadership Strategies For Increasing Access To Care For Persons Suffering From Anxiety And Depression, Brandee L. Downes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leadership strategies and decisions can impact the accessibility of mental health services for those seeking services related to anxiety and depression. The impact of readiness of leadership through strategy, implementation, and decision-making was the focus of this study. When the preparedness of an organization is at its peak, it increases the utilization of mental health services among adults, children, and adolescents struggling with anxiety and depression. The problem addressed in this study was how leadership strategies within the behavioral health organization contributed to a lack of collaboration, outreach, and training due to the absence of strategic planning, implementation, and leadership. …

Effective Followership And Successful Leadership In Small And Medium Enterprises In The Middle East, Kayan Alameh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effective leadership has long been recognized as a critical factor in organizational success, yet the role of followership remains underexplored. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to examine the relationship between effective followership and successful leadership within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East. Followership theory, transformational leadership theory, and organizational culture theory grounded this study. The participants comprised 192 employees working in SMEs across the Middle East who completed the implicit followership theories scale developed by Thomas Sy to measure followership effectiveness. Leadership success was determined based on whether leaders achieved at least 80% of …

Unleashing Excellence: Strengthening It Leaders Through Executive Coaching, Tonya S. Rivers

Dissertations

This paper explores the impact of executive coaching on Information Technology (IT) leaders. Many organizations across different industries lack strong leadership, as exposed by COVID-19. Companies aim to keep exceptional leaders and establish upbeat workplaces to achieve success. Although previous research has examined leadership effectiveness, it is still unclear how best to manage employees' perceptions of effective leadership. The goal of this research is to provide new insights into what can improve perceptions of leadership effectiveness. I explored the role executive leadership coaching has on managers working in the Information Technology (IT) field. Current literature often mentions the need for …

Leadership In The Age Of Ai: Review Of Quantitative Models And Visualization For Managerial Decision-Making, Satyadhar Joshi

Harrisburg University Other Works

This paper offers a comprehensive review of existing literature on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and leadership, drawing on both theoretical insights and practical implementations. By analyzing scholarly publications from the past two years (2023-2025), the review traces emerging patterns in how AI technologies are being integrated into leadership practices. Key themes include the growing relevance of learning-based systems for adaptive decision-making and the application of attention-based models to improve responsiveness in dynamic environments. The review also addresses ethical dimensions of AI-enabled leadership, emphasizing the need to balance algorithmic efficiency with human judgment and oversight. Concerns around transparency, psychological …

The Impact Of Implementing A House System At East Richland Christian Schools: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Travis Johnson Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis examines the implementation of a House System at East Richland Christian Schools (ERCS), a private Grades 7-12 institution in Saint Clairsville, Ohio, to address deficiencies in the traditional small group model, including limited student engagement, leadership development, spiritual growth, and school spirit. Grounded in Burns’ (1978) Transformational Leadership Theory and biblical principles, the study replaced gradeand gender-segregated groups with four randomized, co-ed houses (Amare, Fidem, Spero, Veritas) for 50 students and eight teachers. The project aimed to create a spirited Christian community through weekly competitions, leadership opportunities, and spiritual activities. Using a mixed-methods approach under the Stake Model, …

Operationalization Of Emotional Connectedness In The U.S. Military, Demetrius N. Booth Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the dynamic and challenging environment of military operations, the successful completion of missions often hinges on strategic insight, technical skills, and interpersonal relationships among service members. Despite its significance, emotional connectedness (EC) is often an overlooked dimension of military leadership. The existing literature on connectedness shows that leaders who prioritize fostering an environment marked by shared leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, work commitment, perceptions of justice, and perceptions of support gain influence and help establish a climate of trust and innovation. This research assists military leaders in defining EC within a military context and developing a practitioner-centered theoretical framework that …

Lead Pastor Stress: A Quantitative Study Of The Effects On Mental Health, Marriage, Family, And The Church, Sherri Lee Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church’s lead pastor has many roles and responsibilities, from teaching the Word of the Lord, baptisms, counseling sessions, and leading a staff. These are not the lead pastor’s only role; the majority also have a family, children, and a spouse at home who also need their attention. A balance must be considered between the ministry, family, and marriage. If this balance is off or the pastor becomes overwhelmed with any or all the three, their mental health may suffer and can cause depression and anxiety if not dealt with appropriately (Christianity Today, 2022). Lead pastors, while in ministry, have …

Emergency Management Single Points Of Failure, Todd Alan Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Disaster management begins and ends at the local level and encompasses every aspect of public administration. Emergency management practices using jurisdictional authority are central to protecting communities during incidents and events. Although contemporary emergency management plans, procedures, and policies are methodically developed over time, a single point of failure may cause preventable issues that result in a measurable loss of time, funding, or opportunity. A single point of failure can be any moment where a process, action, or detail was either overlooked or executed incorrectly and caused emergency management challenges. Fred Fiedler and William Scott’s descriptions of Contingency Theory, a …

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

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

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

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

Higher Education Leaders’ Perspectives About Communication Challenges During Crises, Carey-Ann Marie Balkwill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem was that while impact and problems of crisis communication have been identified in the literature, little is known about the perspectives of leaders in higher education when facing communication issues in times of crisis. Guided by crisis communication theory and leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore higher education leadership team members’ perspectives of communication challenges in times of crisis. Four research questions guided the study on the perspectives of higher education leadership team members about (a) how their own leadership and communication changed during a crisis, (b) how internal communications evolved during …

Effective Engagement Strategies For Management To Increase Job Satisfaction Within Virtual Teams, Judy R. Ramphal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Job satisfaction within virtual teams is a significant challenge for many corporations, affecting goal achievement, retention, and performance. Some managers of medium to large companies lack strategies for the engagement of virtual team members to ensure job satisfaction. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative, multiple case study was to explore effective engagement strategies that some managers of medium and large companies use to increase job satisfaction within virtual teams. Participants included five upper-level managers from five companies who were successful in managing engagement strategies in virtual teams. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes: continuous communication with …

The Process Is The Reform: Examining The Portrait Of A Learner In Nevada, Jeremy Adam Young

Theses and Dissertations

To understand the process and substance of the Portrait of a Learner as an educational reform in Nevada through examining the experiences of individuals leading the initiative and to connect what is learned to educational reform in a larger context. A comprehensive literature review was cross-referenced with in-depth interview and focus group results from the Nevada Department of Education and two school districts. This qualitative study might be best described as a purposive, non-randomized study. Fifteen participants, including teachers, administrators, policymakers, and nonprofit professionals participated in interviews and/or focus groups, which were semi-structured. The data were analyzed and organized by …

Successful Leadership Strategies Hotel Managers Use To Reduce Employee Turnover, Sean Reid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover remains a significant challenge in the hotel industry, impacting service quality and increasing operational costs. Hotel managers are particularly concerned with this issue as it affects their ability to maintain a financially sustainable business. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore successful leadership strategies hotel managers use to reduce employee turnover. The participants comprised four hotel managers from four different hotels in the Caribbean. Data were gathered from semistructured interviews, interview notes, and a review of documents provided by the participants. Four themes emerged from the use of …

Toxic Leadership In Media: The Brash Bully And The Egocentric Pretender, Ayanna L. Journey

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project features a comparative analysis of two characters who demonstrate toxic leadership in unique ways. Sue Sylvester is the cheerleading coach from the show Glee. She is cruel, dominating, and paranoid. Ava Coleman is an elementary school principal on the show Abbott Elementary. Ava is incompetent, self-absorbed, and exhibits various inappropriate behaviors. In efforts to analyze their behaviors that contrast with those of an ideal leader, I view the characters through a scope of influence, power, identity, and follower relations, based on modern leadership concepts from “The New Psychology of Leadership” (Haslam et al., 2020). Sue’s style …

Sibling Rivals Fighting For The Same Thing, Amber D. Otten, Michael Pepper

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project ties concepts and dynamics of toxic leadership and how they can be effective and impact relationships through analyzing the behaviors, roles, and actions of Beth and Jamie Dutton. Beth and Jamie Dutton portray toxic leadership through their behaviors, actions, and their relationships with each other and others. Beth Dutton is an authoritative figure whose loyalty runs deep for her family and their ranch; she is assertive, brash, demanding, and her high intelligence and background are impactful for leading effectively to ensure her loved ones and the ranch are protected. Jamie Dutton, on the other hand, embodies a more …

Corrupted Kings And Heroes: Toxic Leadership Of Scar And Homelander, Brandon Mckenna

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project uses a qualitative media analysis to look at toxic leadership through a comparative study of two characters: Scar, villainous usurper from “The Lion King,” and Homelander, publicly revered leader of superheroes and private psychopath from “The Boys.” These characters, despite their distinct contexts, exhibit toxic leadership styles. Drawing upon Haslam et al.’s (2020) "The New Psychology of Leadership," this analysis examines the context of their rule, their manipulation of identity, and their impact on followers. Scar’s thirst for power by any means necessary demonstrates a leader who manipulates others for personal gain. Meanwhile, Homelander’s narcissism and greed for …

On The Borders: Black Women’S Multiple And Competing Social Identities And Expectations, And The Impact On Their Intragroup Leadership And Relational Experiences, Clover Baker-Brown

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Black women in the United States are often portrayed as a monolithic and unified group—defined primarily by racial identity and expectations of a shared understanding of common experiences. However, while racial identity is frequently foregrounded in public discourse, this framing often overlooks the overlapping of Black women’s multiple identities and the influence on their sense of belonging in their various groups. This omission can be subtle yet misleading. How Black women choose to self-identify may result in competing expectations or intragroup mistrust, which can impact their overall leadership and relational experiences. Black women's social identities are diverse, vibrant, and transcend …

Understanding The Experiences Of Nonprofit Leaders In Psychotherapy, Anna Bramlett

Dissertations (1934 -)

Nonprofit leaders are at the helm of organizations that contribute significantly and meaningfully to society. Nonprofit organizations provide a range of services across sectors that include healthcare, education, mental health, civic engagement, and many others. Existing literature attends to the challenges nonprofit leaders face in their work roles, with managing boards and fundraising frequently cited as stressors. Little is known about the mental health experiences of nonprofit leaders, including common mental health diagnoses they experience, prevalence of mental health symptoms, or effective interventions for mental health concerns. The present study sought to explore the experiences of nonprofit leaders who attend …

Key Factors That Influence The Successful Implementation And Sustainment Of Dei Within Probation Departments, Natalie Martinez

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

The successful implementation and sustainment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within probation departments is essential to create a fair and just criminal justice system. This paper examines the principal elements that impact the implementation and sustainability of DEI practices in probation settings. This research identifies best practices and challenges in integrating DEI principles into organizational structures by analyzing existing literature, case studies, and policy frameworks. The findings highlight the importance of leadership commitment, policy integration, and measurement, as well as an environment that fosters an inclusive culture. Additionally, the study examines barriers such as resistance to change, policy …

From Gamers To Professionals: A Case Study On The Role Of Esports In Developing Employability Skills, Anthony Mark Gray Jr.

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Workforce Skills have evolved to be critically needed and the ways of developing these workplace skills are evolving. This study explores the potential contributions of esports activities at colleges to the development of essential employability skills, including collaboration, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork, skills that are valued by human resources managers. Despite the growing popularity of esports and its potential to prepare students for the workforce, there is limited research connecting esports and even broader video games connected to the activities can influence skill development and career readiness. There is an increase in academic focus and identifying the knowledge skills, …

Progressing Gender Equity In Senior Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review, Michelle Gander, Fleur Sharafizad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This study aim to review and compile the latest research in women’s leadership internationally and across multiple sectors and industries to understand how to fast-track gender equality. As an outcome of this review, this paper presents an actionable universal framework for organisations to use to bolster their gender equity efforts. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review methodology resulted in 36 articles dedicated to research on women in senior leadership interventions across countries and organisational types. Thematic analysis identified a series of enablers and barriers that influence women’s progression into senior roles. Findings: Research since 2020 has shown a significant shift …

Religious Institutionalization: Understanding Why Leaders Practice Shamanism In South Korea, Pál Koudela

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

Political and business leaders in South Korea are often the focus of attention these days because of their relation to shamanism. These activities are labeled superstitious and are widely condemned, though they are not new. Despite the overall condemnation, shamanistic practices among leaders, similarly to the wider population, persisted in the long run. There are two distinct parts to the criticism: everyday practice and high political positions given to mudangs. Practice is condemned because shamanism is not considered a religion as it has no proper institutions, that is, church, ideology, clergy, official history, and so forth. On the contrary, practice …

Building Unity Between Coeur D’Alene Bible Church And Summit Christian Academy Communities Through Leadership Engagement Groups, Nathan T. Duncan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Western church must model unity to its congregation and the local community as part of the battle against the growing cultural focus on individualism. The purpose of this action research project was to develop and build unity between Coeur d'Alene Bible Church (CBC) and Summit Christian Academy (SCA) by utilizing Leadership Engagement Groups (LEGs). LEGs consisted of individuals from the leadership team of each ministry, five from CBC and four from SCA. They met for five weeks to pray, examine biblical unity, and discuss how they can practically assist the other ministry in their ministry goals. Questionnaires, which measured …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Job Satisfaction: Perspectives Of Private School Employees, Wede Lorraine Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The educational marketplace is highly competitive, and schools and higher learning institutions incessantly strive for sustainable education and strategies to adjust to environmental and economic changes. This scenario was especially experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools had to change from the traditional learning style to the virtual approach, thereby imposing a string of financial downturns from a reduction in tuition while still maintaining overhead costs. The change forced leaders to make organizational changes to remain financially stable. The general problem addressed by this case study was the challenges leaders faced in gaining employee support for changes to administrative work …

A Mixed Methods Design-Based Study Of Effective Supports Provided By School Administrators To Increase Trust Among Special Education Staff, Margaret Dyer

Dissertations

The scholar-practitioner used a mixed-methods design-based study to address the problem of increased teacher attrition in the field of special education. The problem was an urgent issue within the schools the scholar-practitioner supervised as the special education coordinator. The symptoms the scholar-practitioner observed within the problem of practice were a lack of collegiality among staff. The behaviors observed demonstrated that special education teachers were visibly stressed. Due to the critical importance of quality teaching on student success, the scholar-practitioner believed the problem of increased attrition among special educators was urgent. The study took place in St. Louis County, Missouri, where …

Strategies To Attract And Retain Employees In Full-Service Chain Restaurants, Beverly Cecilia Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability of full-service chain restaurant managers to attract and retain employees leads to significant understaffing. The shortage raises concerns about their capacity to meet consumer demand and maintain profitability. This qualitative pragmatic inquiry, grounded in transformational leadership theory, explored strategies restaurant managers use to attract and retain employees. The participants were six full-service chain restaurant managers in the locales of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. of the United States, who had successfully used their strategies to attract and retain employees. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and reviewing publicly available restaurant websites. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified: …