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A Study To Understand The Experiences Of Black American Christian Women In Leadership Positions Who Serve Within The Black Church, Keyona N. Harper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study contributes to the gap in academic literature through the identification of themes within the participants' experiences of being a Black American female leader within the Black church. This study uses a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative design to understand the experiences of Black American Christian women in leadership positions who serve within the Black church. The findings offer insight into the role of race, gender, religion, and environmental factors in the human experience. Through this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological research approach, data were analyzed to find universal themes of commitment to calling, pastor idolization, exclusion, navigating church culture, balancing personal and …

Exploration Of The Congruence Between Environmental Concerns And Eco-Spirituality Programming At Retreat Centers As Experienced By Participants, Jean Golicz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-embedded case study was to explore the role of environmental awareness and concerns in influencing engagement in retreat practices that were organized around the theme of eco-spirituality and the impact on organizational leadership and program development at two retreat centers in the northeastern region of the United States. Roman Catholic retreat centers were the focus of the study as they endeavored to fulfill leadership directives reflected in the papal encyclical Laudato si’. The centers examined offered immersion in nature, reflection on the interdependence of organic systems, and the development of action plans to address environmental issues. …

"That's Not Happening To My Kid:" Six Chicago Public Schools' Families Speak Out, Julie Parson Nesbitt

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to understand the experiences of six diverse families when Chicago Public Schools (CPS) failed to meet their children’s educational needs. The children attended grades k-8 in four Chicago neighborhoods. Nine family members from three generations were interviewed. They related school responses to their children’s behavior, and emphasized school failures and refusal to communicate with them and to provide and implement IEP and 504 Plans for their children. In response, family members advocated within and outside of CPS, searched for resources, used insider knowledge, bonded with other parents, and made major life changes. …

The Epidemic Of Fatherlessness: Implications For Ethical Development And Mental Health, James Elbert Ellis Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the negative effects of fatherlessness on childhood development and the long-term impact on adult mental health. According to Bhugra, Watson, and Wijesuriya (2021), significant racial demographic differences existed in the prevalence of fatherless households. Harris (2019) noted that mental illness affected individuals across various racial groups, including Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. Research by Bhugra et al. (2021) indicated that children raised in homes without fathers were more likely to experience mental health challenges. This study sought to determine whether a fatherless environment predisposed children to the development of …

Understanding How On-Campus Involvement And Socioeconomic Status Impacts Academic Success: A Causal-Comparative Study, Eric Ryan Rivenbark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine the differences between a college student’s academic success based on campus involvement (low, medium, or high) and a student's socioeconomic status (low, medium, or high). This study employed quantitative causal-comparative methods to explore the impact of student characteristics on college transition and academic success. A successful high school-to-college transition was pivotal for overall achievement and degree pursuit. Focusing on 253 college students, the study examined links between socioeconomic background, on-campus involvement, and academic achievement. Participants completed the Academic Success Inventory for College Students and a survey to determine on-campus involvement. …

The Difference In Parent Involvement And Parental Satisfaction In Suburban, Rural, And Urban Schools, Jennifer Whittie-Wells

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study examines the influence of parental satisfaction on school choice, parental involvement, and socioeconomic status in suburban, rural, and urban elementary schools. The Parent Involvement Satisfaction Survey (PISS) and the Parenting Satisfaction Scale (PSS) were administered to a purposive sample of parents (N = 126) from Texas public elementary schools through online surveys. The primary objective was to explore how parental satisfaction varies by community type (suburban, rural, or urban) and socioeconomic factors. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess differences in parental satisfaction based on school location and socioeconomic status. Results …

The Fidelity Of Iep Implementation In The Secondary Choral Classroom, Kristen Ellison Passmore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite efforts to support teachers in successfully implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in the secondary music classroom, music educators still face challenges in differentiating instruction for each student with an IEP during secondary choral rehearsals. Legally, teachers must follow all accommodations outlined in a student’s IEP, and every student served by an IEP deserves equity in the classroom. This study examines the opinions of secondary choral educators in the State of Georgia regarding IEP implementation. This qualitative phenomenological transcendental study investigates the difficulties associated with implementing IEP goals and explores secondary choral educators’ perceptions of their implementation. Themes such as …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Sub-Sahara African Catholic Priests On Their Transition Through The Covid-19 Global Pandemic In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Cornelius Kelechi Anyanwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has disrupted significant aspects of societal life worldwide, forcing individuals, communities, health organizations, educational institutions, consumer industries, and governments all over the world into unprecedented challenges. Likewise, religious organizations like the Catholic Church were not spared. African Catholic priests in the United States provide pastoral ministries in US dioceses and parishes, fulfilling the roles of shepherding their congregations and offering spiritual, moral, social, and emotional support in times of great adversity, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore how sub-Saharan African Catholic priests …

Professional And Personal Perspectives Of Ohio High School Choral Directors About Their Ensembles’ Participation In Large Group Adjudicated Events, Devon Tamara Gess

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored Ohio high school choral directors’ perspectives on participating or not participating in large group adjudicated events. Utilizing a phenomenological research method identified perspectives that have not been investigated or documented concerning the high school choral director’s professional and personal perspectives about their ensembles’ participation in the Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) Large Group Adjudicated Events. This study posed a central research question that explored Ohio high school choral directors’ philosophies of music education, personal experience, and perceived pros and cons of participating or not participating in the Ohio Music Education Association’s Large Group Adjudicated Event. Participants …

Societal Gender Norms' Influence On Music Education, Lindsey N. Folsom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study uses a phenomenological design to answer the question: How do students and educators perceive the influence of gender on instrument choice, ensemble participation, and student socialization opportunities inherent to ensemble participation? The theoretical framework for this study is Lev Vygotsky’s social development theory. Data was collected using interviews and surveys from K-12 teachers and college instructors. The data is analyzed using qualitative methods such as coding and triangulation. The results of this study and its potential to significantly inform and shape music education practices will provide research on teacher and student perspectives on the influence of societal …

Perspectives Of Korean Christian Worshipers On Spontaneous And Liturgical Dance In Worship Engagement, Young Mee Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the Bible recognizes dance as a form of worship and certain cultures have embraced it for its potential to deepen faith, dance has experienced restricted acceptance in numerous societies and denominations and has received minimal scholarly attention, limited to the study of liturgical dance. This study explores ways for Korean Christian worship, predominantly characterized by Oriental conservative principles, to consider dance as a regular form of worship expression. Exploring responses in a context where spontaneous dance is seldom studied contributes to a deeper understanding of this dance form as a worship practice. The study involves in-depth interviews with six …

The 'It' Factor: The Intersection Of Leadership And Personality And The Music Ensemble Director's Influence On Member Retention, Robbin L. Johnston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This predictive correlational study aims to examine the influence of the leadership style and personality traits of music ensemble directors on the retention of students in their programs. The study explores music ensemble directors' leadership qualities and personalities and their ability to maintain student enrollment in their ensembles over the last five years. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and the NEO-PI-3 Personality Assessment. A convenience sample of music educators provided the data for the study. The researcher compared these results to the participants' leadership and personality identities determined in the initial surveys to establish potential intersections …

Makt, Sex, Och Kön: St. Birgitta And Medieval Swedish Politics, Carl Andrew Lund

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Birgitta Birgersdotter (1302/3 – 1373) was a Swedish noblewoman who began reporting repeated heavenly visions beginning shortly after her widowhood in 1344, although tradition came to believe that she had had earlier visions as well. Her visions had a strong religious component. However, they also gave admonishment and advice to powerful leaders throughout medieval Europe, notably Sweden’s king, Magnus IV Eriksson, and his queen consort, Blanche of Namur. Another important motif of the visions was an insistence of the papacy returning to Rome from Avignon. Birgitta was not always taken seriously due to her gender. However, the privilege obtained from …

In The 21st Century, Poor Communication Within Culturally Diverse And Integrated Ethnic Group Workforce Can Lead To Low Productivity, Resulting In Loss Of Revenue, Ihedi Adugba

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today, business is conducted on a global scale, and consequently, culturally diverse workforces are becoming increasingly common. The continual increase in global economic integration within the workforce has given rise to a deeper knowledge of the essence of better communication with people of differing cultures and languages. Multiculturalism is made up of diverse cultural value systems. A culturally diverse workforce enhances cultural identity with individuals of different backgrounds expressing diverse points of view. Organizations tend to reach their maximum potential when the strategy of managing a culturally diverse workforce is strictly followed. Based on socio-cultural diversity, organizations can accommodate individuals …

Investigating Law Enforcement Retirement Resilience Through Narrative Inquiry: A Social Constructivism Analysis Of An Activist Artwork Anthology, Lisa Ann Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the transition from a traumatic career in law enforcement to resilient retirement. The investigation examines an African American Chicago police officer who served as a detective, bomb squad respondent, and hostage negotiator. Data collection and analysis are conducted according to Connelly and Clandinin narrative inquiry procedures (1990). Investigation was made regarding the familial, educational, professional, and personal experiences of Doctor Detective Melvin Hargrett. Data collection completed through guided interview transcripts was supported by photographs of his social justice artwork. The subject’s trauma processing is evidenced in his activist artwork themes since retirement. …

Collateral Damage From A Legacy Of Silence: Redefining Sexual Violence In The American Civil War, 1861-1865, Chandra K. Waller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the often-overlooked issue of sexual violence during the American Civil War, challenging the myth of Victorian restraint and the romanticized notion of the "gentleman soldier." While traditional Civil War historiography has focused on military strategy, politics, and elite actors, this study foregrounds the experiences of civilian women, particularly enslaved and marginalized women, who were subjected to sexual violence at the hands of soldiers. Drawing on court-martial records, personal letters and diaries, newspaper accounts, and military documents, the paper argues that sexual violence was not an aberration but a systemic and strategic aspect of wartime conduct.

It also …

Membership To Contemplative Discipleship: Using Contemplative Praxis To Enhance Spiritual Growth, Charlene N. Boone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis explores the role of contemplative spirituality, particularly through practices such as meditation, Lectio Divina, and silence, in fostering spiritual growth within the context of Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In an era marked by rapid change and increasing distractions, the need for deeper spiritual engagement has become paramount. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews, teaching modules, participant observations, and reflective journaling to investigate how these contemplative practices can enhance individual and communal spiritual development.

The findings suggest that meditation serves as a vital tool for cultivating inner peace and awareness, allowing individuals to connect profoundly …

Leadership Transition Failure In Small To Medium-Size Enterprises, Jonathan Kieren Smilie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Expanding companies may inevitably encounter leadership transition situations that involve challenges for employees, leaders, and founders. Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) members have experienced leadership transition complications, sometimes due to the loss of tribal and predecessor-specific knowledge, resulting in compromised firm functionality and the long-term viability of businesses. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on leadership transition failure, including an examination of mechanisms that influence the success and failure of leadership transitions. To address identified knowledge gaps, a flexible design, single-case study was conducted using a constructivist paradigm. Data were collected from a diverse selection of interviewees, …

Exploring The Gender Pay Gap And Impacts On Retention Of C-Suite Women Executives, Organizational Performance And Profitability, Shelbie Webster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Gender pay inequity and the lack of representation of women in senior C-suite level roles remain pervasive issues. This behavior results in workers receiving unequal wages and being underrepresented in senior-level C-suite positions, ultimately affecting the organization's bottom line. The purpose of this qualitative, flexible design, single case study was to explore the failure of some organizations to pay senior-level C-suite women comparable to males holding the same title and experience. The location is from the southeast region of the U.S., where employees work for organizations with 1,000 plus employees, resulting in a potential decrease in organizational performance and profitability. …

Exploring Higher Education Shared Governance Constitutional Documents As Potential Culture Building Contributors To Friction Between Faculty And Administration Through A Qualitative Analysis Of Foundational Institution Documents, Lanna Monday Emmett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research project investigates the role shared governance documents in higher education institutions play in communicating the guiding principles and expectations used to create, sustain, and challenge culture through a content analysis of foundational institutional documents. Colleges and universities face challenges driven by technology, globalization, the capitalization of education, and shifting expectations regarding diversity, equity, and sustainability. These changes require institutions to adapt their organizational models for more competitive decision-making while navigating evolving governance issues. In some instances, these changes have been cited as one cause for friction between institutional stakeholders, particularly faculty and administration. Previous studies have more …

The Criminal Justice System And The Effect Of The Color-Blind Racial Ideology On Male Minorities Within Bell County, Texas, Teresa Ortiz Santos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The phenomenological study aimed to define the color-blind racial ideology, understand the effect of the color-blind racist ideology on people of color and determine the perception of racial disparity within the criminal justice system by male minorities within Bell County, Texas. The critical race theory, also known as CRT, explains how the white privileged maintain their standing, allowing them to subjugate others based on their social rank. The author describes the racial disparity within the criminal justice system through the CRT. The author collected data from minority males and those over 18 years old. The information was gathered using a …

How The Lack Of Available Funding Affects Nonprofit Organizations, Stacie Germaine Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nonprofit organizations have been recognized as providing services for underserved populations and offering programs that create household stability. These organizations provide many services and resources to people of all ages. Often, nonprofit organizations are the last resort to meet the essential needs to thrive and sustain their households. These organizations understand their importance to these families, and they try to meet the needs of their communities. However, to do that consistently, funding is required. Over the years, nonprofits have had a decrease in funding. This decrease has caused nonprofits to eliminate programs, services, and close their doors. This study explored …

A Qualitative Approach To Understanding A Baptist Association’S Attitudes And Beliefs While Using Digital Spaces During Covid-19, Carolyn L. Banks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Covid-19 forced worldwide institutional shutdowns, many mass gatherings and public areas of socializing were forced to transition to digital spaces. Of the many institutions that were impacted were the brick-and-mortar church and face-to-face fellowship. Online worship service became the next best mode of communication to keep the body of believers engaged in worship services and other church events. A change from normal brick-and-mortar worship to cyber worship created a need for many to adapt to unchartered territory. Physically unable to be present, hug, shake hands, or personally interact with church members, a sense of belonging, and the potential for …

Teacher Perspective And De-Escalation Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behaviors In Early Elementary Students Who Come To School At Risk Of Academic Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca L. Thurman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to understand the experiences of early elementary educators with the rising negative behaviors, such as aggression and classroom disruptions, in their current classrooms within a progressive and growing school district in northwest Georgia. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s social learning theory. This study addressed the question: How do educators perceive, understand possible causes, and utilize research-based programs and strategies to de-escalate and improve students’ aggressive and disruptive behaviors in the elementary classroom? This study focused on individual and focus group interviews, as well as a teacher behavior …

Homeplace As A Methodology Of Care: Conducting Critical Qualitative Research With 2slgbtqia+ Youth In Higher Education, K. Rende Mendoza, Ferial Pearson, Isa Manhart

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

This paper addresses the alarming trend of policies and legislative actions targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and affirmation/accessibility (DEIA) efforts in higher education, particularly those affecting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. These policies not only pose a direct threat to the physical and psychological safety of marginalized students but also undermine the institutional support systems essential for their personal and academic development. Authored by a nonbinary undergraduate and two 2SLGBTQIA+ teacher education researchers, our paper explores student-led critical qualitative research as a countermeasure to these regressive policies. Building from bell hooks' conception of homeplace, we offer our suggestions for establishing safe, supportive, and liberatory …

Mixed Review Of Constitutional Rights In Cuba, Ngoc Son Bui

Northwestern Journal of Human Rights

Cuba’s 2019 Constitution and the 2022 Law on the Process of Protection of Constitutional Rights create a mixed model of review. Accordingly, the legislature and the executive review the constitutionality of legislation and regulations, while the courts review the constitutionality of state actions. Synthesizing comparative constitutional law and new institutionalism in political science, this article argues that the mixed constitutional review in Cuba is shaped by different historical influences; competing socialist and liberal ideas and discourse; competing political interests; and competing socialist and universal values. The Cuba experience presents a new hope for other socialist countries like China and Vietnam …

Structural Covariance And Episodic Memory: Sex Differences In Schizophrenia, Delaina Brooke Cimmino

Theses and Dissertations

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic brain disease characterized by patterns of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and persist throughout the lifespan. Clinical and cognitive symptoms differ between males and females with the disease, suggesting neurobiological abnormalities that vary on the basis of biological sex. The present study used high-dimensional brain mapping and network analysis procedures of cortical and limbic regions known to be involved in memory formation to investigate sex differences in brain correlates of episodic memory among patients with schizophrenia. This study analyzed multi-site archival data from 363 male (M) and 108 female (F) …

The Interplay Of Coercive Institutional Pressures, Environmental Attitudes And Perceived Behavioural Control In Adoption Of Environmental Management Accounting Among Tanzania’S Manufacturing Firms, James Dendula, Helena Thomas Haule, Henry Zeno Chalu

Business Management Review

Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) facilitates firms’ ability to identify, collect, record and evaluate environmental information critical for informed decision-making. EMA adoption is vital in controlling environmental costs, fostering innovation in eco-friendly technologies/products, and improving overall environmental performance. This study examined the drivers of EMA adoption, focusing on the influence of Coercive Institutional Pressure (CP), the mediating role of environmental attitudes and the moderating role of Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC). Data were collected from 146 manufacturing firms in Tanzania and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS v.4.0.9.5. Findings indicates that CP significantly and positively influences EMA …

Spectator 2025-05-22, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Influence Of Core Transformational Leadership Style On Job Satisfaction And Organizational Citizenship Behavior In A Rural Healthcare Facility, Bruce Daryl Mitchell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The successful application of core transformational leadership (CTL) in healthcare may enhance the quality of patient care and foster a positive and optimistic workforce. As such, CTL may be linked with job satisfaction (JS) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). There was a knowledge gap in understanding CTL’s relation to JS and OCB. In this quantitative study, the influence of the predictor variable CTL on the dependent variables JS and OCB was examined. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provided a theoretical lens for the investigation. The secondary data set included data from 221 participants: 37 physicians, 111 nurses, and 73 other workforce …