Leadership Commons^™

Building Motivation Through A Christian-Based Vocational Sports Academy, Elasha E. Naylor-Cooper

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Project Type: Business Proposal Capstone

Project Overview: CTA Academy - Christian Technology and Athletics Academy - is a proposed private Christian school designed to provide 6-12 grade students with an alternative educational pathway that integrates academic achievement, Christian formation, career preparation, athletics, wellness, and leadership development. The project responds to concerns surrounding student engagement, motivation, academic performance, limited access to affordable private education, and the separation of academic, vocational, spiritual, and athletic development within traditional educational models. CTA Academy proposes a diversified funding model, including scholarship-supported funds, college and business partnerships, donors, sponsors, and fundraisers. This model seeks to make …

Adaptive Leadership: The Pathway To Increase Child Welfare Retention Through Perceived Organizational Support Of The Supervisor’S Voice, Shawna Higgins

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Child welfare organizations continue to experience high rates of case manager turnover, disrupting continuity of care and negatively affecting outcomes for children and families. Although previous research has established that supportive supervision influences case manager retention, little was known about child welfare supervisors’ perceptions of the organizational support they receive or how adaptive leadership behaviors demonstrated by organizational leaders influence those perceptions. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 13 supervisors employed in Florida nonprofit child welfare organizations. Guided by Adaptive Leadership Theory and Perceived Organizational Support Theory, the study examined supervisors’ perceptions of organizational support, organizational silence, …

Designing Leadership Pipelines For Organizational Health: The Development Of The Civitas Dei Institute, Jeanette Salguero

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Project Type

This project was an applied qualitative case study.

Project Overview

This doctoral capstone project examined leadership formation needs within the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and proposed the design of the Civitas Dei Institute as an auxiliary organizational structure. The study addressed the gap between increasing leadership demands placed on pastors and the lack of structured, scalable, and contextualized systems to support their development. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, a leadership survey utilizing Likert-scale questions, and document review of existing leadership initiatives. The study focused on a purposive sample of approximately 100 pastors and ministry leaders participating in …

Voices Of Resilience: Black Women’S Navigation To Executive Leadership Roles In Corporate America - A Narrative Inquiry, Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Black women remain markedly underrepresented in the C-suite, despite their growing educational attainment and presence in the workforce. This narrative inquiry examined the lived experiences of five Black women executives to illuminate how they interpreted and navigated the realities of leadership within corporate environments. Guided by Clandinin and Connelly’s (2000) three-dimensional framework, the study explored how temporality, sociality, and place shaped their leadership identities and strategies. Participants described early life influences, organizational dynamics, and identity-based challenges that shaped their trajectories, revealing how they confronted exclusion, navigated scrutiny, and cultivated resilience through faith, preparation, community, and strategic competence. Cross-case analysis identified …

The Effect Of Moral Potency On Employee Fraud Motive In Organizations, John Kopalchick Iii

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This study examined the drivers of employee fraud behavior. The theory of planned behavior served as the foundation for understanding how moral potency related to employee fraud motive. A sample of 102 auditors and audit-related professionals completed a survey on fraudsters’ behavioral traits. Using quantitative, nonexperimental methods, this study employed correlational and predictive statistical tests to examine the relationship between moral potency and employee fraud motive. Results showed no significant relationship between moral potency and employee fraud motive. The study filled a gap by applying quantitative methods, specifically the employee fraud motive scale, to understand employee fraud behavior in a …

Empowering Early Childhood Leaders: A Strength-Based And Ecological Approach To Leadership Development, Dora Sanders

PhD in Education

Professional development models for early childhood (EC) leaders are often generic and deficit-focused, overlooking their diverse strengths, contexts, and experiences. This study addressed that gap by exploring how EC leaders identify and leverage their strengths to enhance leadership effectiveness and how professional development can be differentiated to meet their unique needs. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, eight EC leaders representing varied educational backgrounds and community contexts were engaged. Semi-structured interviews captured their lived experiences, which were analyzed thematically through the lens of the strengths-ecological leadership framework designed by the researcher that integrated individualized professional development, strengths-based leadership, and ecological systems. …

How Leaders And Followers Make Meaning: Perceptions Of Spiritual Leadership And Organizational Culture, Joshua J. Yancey

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This dissertation was grounded in the premise that spiritual leadership behaviors significantly influence organizational culture within faith-based nonprofit organizations yet remain insufficiently understood as lived experiences across organizational levels. While prior scholarship has established theoretical links between spirituality, leadership, and organizational outcomes, fewer studies have examined how such leadership is perceived by both leaders and followers within real organizational contexts. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how spiritual leadership behaviors were experienced and interpreted in relation to organizational culture, mission alignment, morale, and work meaning within a faith-based nonprofit setting. Data were collected from fifteen participants …

Toward A Neuroleadership Framework, Bryan G. Wood

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Neuroleadership is an emerging field that seeks to connect neural mechanisms, psychological processes, and leadership behaviors within organizational contexts. Despite continued scholarly interest, the literature remains conceptually fragmented and lacks a coherent framework for organizing its recurring themes and constructs. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual framework for neuroleadership through a quantitative analysis of records retrieved from the PsycINFO database and interpreted through qualitative synthesis. The findings revealed recurring themes related to core leadership processes, applied contexts, and associated outcomes while also indicating thematic convergence without full conceptual integration across the field. These patterns were organized …

Military Recruiting Crisis: A Qualitative Study On The Motivation Of Generation Z, Ruth D. Kane

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This qualitative study investigates the declining motivation of Generation Z to join the U.S. military, using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a framework. Despite significant investments in recruitment, enlistment rates continue to decline, revealing a gap between military structures and the psychological needs of potential recruits. SDT provides a useful perspective by emphasizing the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in motivating and promoting well-being. Through in-depth interviews with eight Gen Z individuals eligible for service, this study explores how social, cultural, and institutional factors influence perceptions of military service and career decisions. Results indicate that motivation to enlist increases when …

As I Remember Your Tears: A Biblically Grounded, Integrated Ecosystemic Model For Mentoring Ministers In Distress, John R. Dingle

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This study addressed a gap in the literature concerning how mentoring supports ministers who are experiencing distress and turnover intention. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop a biblically grounded model for mentoring ministers in distress. This qualitative study employed a two-phase design consisting of a sociorhetorical analysis of 2 Timothy and a phenomenological study of four Assemblies of God ministers who experienced turnover intention but remained in ministry because of a mentor’s intervention. The biblical text was analyzed using the sociorhetorical textures of inner texture, intertexture, and sacred texture. The phenomenological data were analyzed using open, values, and …

The Discovery Map Retreat, Kimberly Kay Bland

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Title of Project: The Discovery Map Retreat

Defense Date: 3-1-2026

Candidate Name: Kimberly Kay Bland

Personal Email Address: [email protected]

First Advisor: Dr. Jolene Erlacher

Second Advisor: Dr. Debra Dean

DSL Final Project Abstract

Project Type: 2-Day Retreat

Project Overview: The capstone project focused on designing, developing, and facilitating a 2-day retreat for high-achieving women aged 38-55 experiencing burnout, exhaustion, or a sense of being stuck. The retreat is structured around reflection, the power of questions, and self-awareness, supporting authentic self-discovery in talents, passions, and values.  Through coaching, reflective exercises, group dialogue, and experiential learning, participants will engage in a process …

Collaborative Ministry Leadership: A Mixed-Methods Study Into The Application Of Collaborative Leadership In United Pentecostal Churches In The Southeastern United States., Omar A. Williams

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

This dissertation examines how collaborative leadership, grounded in theological and practical applications, impacts ministry effectiveness in United Pentecostal Churches (UPCI) in the Southeastern United States. It employed a mixed-methods design, with in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with twelve senior UPCI pastors, and quantitative surveys administered to 63 members of their core leadership teams. Although collaborative leadership is a widely held ideal in ministry, a gap often exists between its theory and its practical implementation. The findings reveal a significant convergence in the relational, visionary, and developmental dimensions of collaboration. The pastors are theologically committed to rejecting autocratic models. They are perceived …

90-Day Consulting Engagement Grounded In Authentic And Servant Leadership Approaches–Building Capacity For Small Business, Michon Hicks

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

This doctoral capstone project examined a 90-day consulting engagement designed to strengthen organizational capacity in a small, M/WBE-certified professional services firm operating in a government contracting environment. Grounded in authentic and servant leadership frameworks, the engagement used a structured 30-60-90-day intervention model to assess leadership alignment, administrative infrastructure, human resources capacity, data management practices, and marketing readiness. The project employed an organizational health check-up approach to diagnose systemic gaps, co-create solutions with organizational leadership, and implement practical tools to improve operational consistency, compliance readiness, and leadership effectiveness. Outcomes of the engagement included improved leadership alignment, standardized administrative and operational workflows, …

Building Spiritual Resilience Through Generational Connections In Military Chapels, Dexter (Dj) Brock

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

This presentation, 'Building Spiritual Resilience Through Generational Connections in Military Chapels,' explores how intentional organizational design can turn generational divides into opportunities to strengthen faith communities. This research is based on qualitative ethnographic study of three Protestant chapel services—Traditional, Gospel, and Contemporary—to evaluate how different worship styles and cultural expectations affect engagement among retired military members (Baby Boomers and Gen X) and active-duty service members (Millennials and Gen Z). Using Senge’s (2006) systems thinking, Galbraith’s (2014) Star Model, and Schein and Schein’s (2016) organizational cultural framework, the study identified four essential pillars for building resilient chapels: valuing connections, fostering mentorship, …

Exploring The Role Of Transformational Leadership In The Health And Growth Of Nazarene Churches In The Africa East Field, Warren W. Rogers Iii

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The transformational leadership model is associated with positive outcomes in the follower experience, as well as in educational, healthcare, and business sectors. There is limited research on the impact of transformational leadership on church health and growth (George & Sreedharan, 2023; Kouni et al., 2018; Rahmatulloh et al., 2023; Tian & Guo, 2024). The purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore how transformational leadership contributes to the health and growth of Nazarene churches in the Africa East Field (comprising Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda). Eight pastoral leaders were interviewed to share their thoughts, perspectives, …

An Exploration Of How Internally Driven Faith Leaders Attribute Outcomes: A Qualitative Case Study., Evelyn Cardenas

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Control is a key factor for understanding behavior, decision-making, and leadership. Whereas locus of control (LOC) explores a person’s belief about how much influence they have over their life (Rotter, 1966), God control explores how much influence a person believes God has over their life (Welton et al., 1996). In the context of faith leaders, the topic of control is nuanced, as two entities cannot be in control simultaneously (Slatinsky et al., 2022). There is ample research on LOC, sense of control, and leadership. There is also extensive research on faith leaders. However, research exploring internally driven individuals and faith …

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’ …

Followership Theory In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: A Phenomenological Study Of How The Integration Of Ai Into An Ai-Human Hybrid Cancer Research Team Affects Followership Characteristics, John F. Carrera

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of cancer research teams, helping with data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision support. Although AI changes how work is completed, little is known about how AI changes how followers adapt when AI becomes part of the team. This study examined how AI influences followership characteristics within AIhuman hybrid cancer research teams. A qualitative phenomenological research design was used to explore the lived experiences of nine cancer research professionals who interacted with AI as part of their routine work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed through multiple rounds of qualitative coding to find …

Understanding Career Advancement Challenges Of Mid-Level African American Leaders: A Phenomenological Case Study, Adrienne N. Long

PhD in Organizational Leadership

As workplace demographics become increasingly more diverse globally, the curation of organizational inclusion is becoming more dire (Shore et al., 2018). One workforce dynamic, however, has fundamentally remained unchanged: the underrepresentation of African Americans in executive or senior leadership roles (Beckwith et al., 2016). Despite tremendous legislative progress in gender and racial equality, a pervasive gap persists in organizational cultures that fail to intentionally and consistently provide equitable career advancement opportunities for African Americans to attain senior leadership roles. This study employed a phenomenological qualitative research methodology to examine the career advancement challenges faced by mid-level African American leaders and …

An Effective And Organized Mentorship Model: Does It Affect The Emerging Leaders’ Call To Ministry And The Longevity Of The Universal Church?, Linda F. Parker

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

The concept of mentorship is undeniably a fundamental tool for personal and professional growth. Statistics show that mentorship has a vital impact on both individuals and organizations. Could having a strategic mentoring plan in ministry make a meaningful difference for individuals and the Universal Church? This dissertation has explored the effects of mentorship and models based on experiences and strategies from those who identify as ministry leaders. For the Apostle Paul, Christ's life serves as a model and example, as he states, “Follow my example, as I follow Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). These words are the exact phrase that Jesus …

What Went Right And What Went Wrong: A Multiple Case Study Of Firefighters Surviving Life-Threatening Situations, Peter J. Gushee

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The present study explored the lived experiences of firefighters who survived life-threatening situations in burning buildings, examining how these experiences unfolded and the leadership structures that shaped those experiences. Employing A. P. Giorgi and Giorgi’s (2003) scientific phenomenological analysis, the present study identified the general structure of the firefighter survival experience, which was comprised of 11 constituents, highlighting survival as a dynamic, identity-bound process shaped by adaptive behaviors, internalized beliefs, and evolving situation-specific conditions. Leadership was found to operate at the systems, organizational, and group levels, enabling or constraining firefighter readiness, adaptation, and recovery. By integrating Safety-I and Safety-II perspectives …

The Influence Of Millennial Women In Leadership: Examining Emotional Intelligence And Motivations Of Millennial Women, Leah Gossai

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This quantitative study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and motivation to lead (MTL) among millennial women in leadership roles. Using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and the Motivation to Lead (MTL) framework, the research examined how four EI dimensions, self-emotion appraisal (SEA), others’ emotion appraisal (OEA), use of emotion (UOE), and regulation of emotion (ROE), relate to three MTL dimensions: affective-identity (AIMTL), social-normative (SNMTL), and non-calculative (NCMTL). Data were collected from 117 millennial women leaders across various industries in the United States. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between SEA and NCMTL, suggesting that those …

A Quantitative Study Of Presidents At Public And Private 4-Year Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Richard J. Gallot, Jr.

PhD in Organizational Leadership

There has been a notable increase in presidential turnover at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), leading to significant leadership challenges (Freeman & Gasman, 2014). Abrupt leadership changes create instability that impacts recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff, as well as overall morale on campuses (Gasman et al., 2010). Despite the importance of effective leadership, there is limited research specifically focusing on HBCU presidencies (Freeman & Palmer, 2020). Although the American Council on Education (ACE) has surveyed college and university presidents every 5 years since 1986, few studies have investigated HBCU presidents as a distinctive group. Existing research …

Servant Leadership In Empowering Marginalized Communities: A Qualitative Case Study Of A Nonprofit Organization With A Holistic Mission, April D. Mosely

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This qualitative case study examined the impact of servant leadership on organizational culture, service delivery, and long-term sustainability within faith-based nonprofit organizations serving marginalized and racialized populations. The research focused on the City of Refuge (COR) in Atlanta, Georgia, an organization with a holistic mission dedicated to life transformation through supportive services. Employing Greenleaf’s servant leadership theory as the theoretical framework, data were gathered via semistructured interviews with nine staff members and analyzed thematically. The findings revealed three primary themes: cultivating culture, cultivating compassion, and cultivating community. The results indicated that servant leadership positively influenced COR's capacity to foster trust, …

Fostering Innovation At Work: Leadership Strategies For Motivating Innovative Work Behavior Across Generations Within The Christian Higher Education Environment, Sarah Clark

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Project Type

Organizational Consulting Project, Organizational Design or Change, Seminar or Workshop

Project Overview

This capstone project involved the design, facilitation, and evaluation of a strategic leadership workshop developed for mid to senior-level enrollment leaders at Southeastern University. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Innovative Work Behavior (IWB), and Transformational Leadership, the workshop offered a diagnostic and developmental experience designed to motivate innovation across generational teams within a Christian higher education setting. The workshop was structured to transition from research-based theory to data-informed strategy, helping leaders translate organizational insights into actionable plans.

Project Themes

Core themes included intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, …

Does Anxiety Affect Shared Leadership? A Case Study On The Shared Leadership Practices Of A Pentecostal Denomination, Gretchen H. Abney

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This study investigates the interplay between anxiety and shared leadership within the organizational structure of a Pentecostal denomination, focusing on its One Team initiative. This qualitative case study examines how anxiety and self-differentiation affect leadership dynamics and team interactions. Using the Bowen family systems theory as a conceptual framework, the research explores organizational clarity, team roles, decision-making, and relational trust. Data collection involved three phases: analysis of organizational artifacts, focus group interviews with One Team members, and individual interviews with executives. Emergent themes included organizational experiences, expressions of anxiety, self-differentiation, commitment to future development, and the importance of training opportunities. …

Does Culture Eat Talent? A Quantitative Study Exploring The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Turnover Intentions In Conservation Organizations, T'Noya W. Thompson

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Talent retention can be a significant challenge within organizations, especially when turnover intention (TI) is high. High TI indicates that employees experience low job satisfaction, lack organizational commitment, and perceive more opportunities outside the organization; consequently, they consider leaving, which can disrupt organizational stability and effectiveness. This study examined the relationships of perceived and preferred organizational culture (OC) and TI among a sample of 217 individuals from the conservation workforce. Of these participants, 121 were associated with 15 conservation organizations that participated, and the remaining 96 participants were acquired through conservation networks. Participants responded to an online survey that combined …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Trained Pastoral Leaders On The Perceived Role Of Mental Health Conditions In Spiritual Formation, Duane P. Roberts

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The call of the pastoral leader is to serve and lead their congregants through a process of spiritual formation in alignment with how Jesus led His disciples to fulfill the Great Commission. However, when an underlying mental health condition is present, it can play a disruptive role in the spiritual formation of congregants in unique ways. Mental health conditions are a global phenomenon that continue to significantly affect individuals across all sectors, including the church. Thus, pastoral leaders are seeking to employ the most effective leadership style to guide congregants in continual spiritual formation when an underlying mental health condition …

The Moderating Effect Of Organizational Culture On The Relationships Between Job Satisfaction, Employee Engagement, And Employee Turnover Intentions, Irene N. Agbodjah

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Retaining top talent is a growing challenge in the United States. High employee turnover, as highlighted in the study, is a significant concern for many organizations. A recent Gallup survey, revealed that nearly half of U.S. workers are actively seeking or monitoring employment prospects, with approximately 48% of U.S. workers being in this category. This quantitative, nonexperimental, and correlational study involved the Organizational Cultural Assessment Instrument, Organizational Engagement Scale, Job Satisfaction Survey, and Turnover Intent Questionnaire, drawing on the experiences of 120 participants to examine the moderating role of organizational culture in the relationship between employee engagement, job satisfaction, and …

Youth Mac: Exploring The Impact And Influence Of Varied Youth Pastor Leadership Qualities And Practices That Lead To Efficacious Student Ministry, George L. Fultz Ii

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Congregations across the United States are experiencing significant declines in youth and young adult engagement and retention, raising a red flag when thinking about the long-term sustainability of the church. While previous research has focused on senior pastoral leadership, there has been limited exploration of youth pastor leadership and its effects on church growth and adolescent retention. This qualitative study utilizes McGavran’s church growth theory to investigate how youth pastors’ leadership styles influence ministry effectiveness. This research used semistructured interviews with six youth pastors from diverse congregations to collect the data. After completing thematic analysis, four themes emerged: (a) the …