Education Commons^™

Asian American Community College Presidents: An Asiancrit Analysis Of Their Approaches To Leadership, Johnny Hu

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

This study explores the experiences of five current and former Asian American community college presidents including their career transitions into executive leadership using an AsianCrit analysis for framing their narrative experiences. The literature review situates the experiences of Asian American community college presidents in various contexts by providing a brief summary of several historical moments and political movements that have shaped the realities they currently confront as higher education leaders. This study employed a Critical Race Theory (CRT) approach to counter storytelling to analyze the participants’ narratives both individually and thematically based on their social identities as Asian Americans and …

How School Leaders Shape School Culture: A Qualitative Case Study, Jennifer L. Schreiber

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify how school leaders shape school culture and specifically what behaviors contribute to a positive school culture. The central question framing this study was: How do school leaders influence a positive school culture? I conducted a multiple case study at two central Pennsylvania public middle schools, referred to by the pseudonyms of Montem Middle School and Silvan Middle School. These schools were identified by the 2018 Niche report as having a positive school culture, which was affirmed through the district’s own survey data. Through purposeful sampling, I identified school leaders to …

The Impact Of Leadership And Change On Job Satisfaction, Team Effectiveness, Employee Engagement And Workplace Culture: An Organizational Improvement Plan, Victor Jimenez Gonzalez

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan presents an actionable plan to the problem of low job satisfaction in the International Department of an Institute of Technology. The connections amongst leadership, workplace culture, employee engagement, and team effectiveness are explored with a view to implementing changes to leadership, employee engagement and team effectiveness that will foster a positive workplace environment with improved job satisfaction. Leaders and staff in the International Department are aware that some members systematically engage in behaviours that are anathema to the institution's ethical principles. Consequently, this has resulted in a plethora of adverse outcomes such as lack of trust …

Responding To The Absence Of Leadership Education In The Early Years Curriculum, Elena Merenda

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

The field of early childhood is in a state of flux. Governments nation-wide are initiating changes, in response to the growing body of research demonstrating that early engagements with children and families creates positive outcomes for the whole community. Due to this evolution, there is a social and political expectation that early childhood professionals act as leaders. Although leadership is necessary as the field evolves, the literature suggests that early childhood professionals are hesitant to enact leadership, as their nurturing and caring characteristics are contrary to those required by traditional leadership models enacted by men. In order to empower early …

The Lived Experience Of Healthcare Leadership Dyads: Perceptions Of Agency, Susan Murphy Campanelli

All Theses And Dissertations

Healthcare leadership is evolving in response to recommendations from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Physicians and administrators are partnering to form leadership dyads. These leadership dyads are focusing on improving healthcare quality, decreasing costs, and improving access. Existing literature on healthcare dyads explores leadership training needs for physicians, focuses on the differences between physicians and administrators, and emphasizes the need to develop role clarity for dyad leaders. There is a lack of empirical literature exploring how the physician and the administrator develop into a leadership team and extend shared leadership into their organization.

This phenomenological study applies Bandura’s (1986) …

To Plant A Garden Is To Believe In The Future: An Autoethnographic Journey Of Doubt And Restoration In A Co-Principalship, Arturo Abrego

Dissertations

This autoethnographic research study explored the circumstances and challenges I encountered as an educational leader during the inception of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. Through the use of autoethnographic vignettes, I provided an intimate account of the circumstances and conditions that led my school district to establish a co-principal leadership structure. The use of autoethnographic vignettes was not only a vehicle to tell my story but also served as an avenue for the reader to connect, conceptualize, and contextualize the circumstances and outcomes associated with this personal journey. Specifically, the stories and responses within this research are intended …

Artist As Academic Leader, George H. Brown

Dissertations

The American College President Study (ACE, 2017) revealed that 78% of university presidents are planning to retire within the next nine years. With the increasing complexity of higher education, the demand for innovative leadership will grow as a result of the departure of these leaders. This demand will create opportunities for artist practitioners interested in higher education leadership. However, if artist practitioners doubt an administrative role will give voice to their imagination, will they accept the challenge and opportunity of leadership?

Currently, only 0.33% of university presidents serving four-year degree-granting institutions of higher education in the U.S. come from the …

The Heritage Leadership Process: Exploring Meaning Making And Social Emotional Competencies In Heritage Interpretation And Education For Sustainability, Lynn Cartmell, Tonia Herndon, Thomas Moffatt, Katy Mike Smaistrla Lampe

Dissertations

This study explores qualities identified as being critical to leadership work in heritage fields as identified by established leaders in heritage work. It also establishes a foundational definition of the term heritage leadership. After reviewing existing data to identify significant questions related to heritage leadership, the research team interviewed leaders in HIn and Education for Sustainability with a specific focus on leadership, meaning making, and social emotional competencies as guiding constructs in heritage leadership. A proposed definition of the term heritage leadership resulted: Heritage leaders aspire to serve others and to create meaningful connections to shared natural and cultural heritage …

Analyzing The Impact Of Student Involvement And Leadership Development On Academic Achievement, Kalie Sabajo

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

This study examined my effectiveness in supporting students’ use of the CSUSM Co-Curricular Model to deepen their understanding of and ability to articulate transferable skills between academics, employment, and extracurriculars, motivated by the following research question: (a) How can I, as a professional staff in student activities, support the students I serve to connect academic achievement and engagement in leadership development and student involvement? Data was collected through student self-evaluations, weekly one-on-one meetings, and larger group surveys with seven undergraduate students and three faculty members. My findings informed further implementation of the Co-Curricular Model in campus-wide programs and student evaluations.

An Exploration Of Resilience: Evaluating Resilience Scores Among Honors Undergraduates Involved In Leadership Programs, Amy Van Buren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resilience is vital to college and university student success. Furthermore, resilience is necessary for successful leadership. Student leadership programs must consider resilience building as part of successful program development. By considering resilience as a factor in student leadership success and future leadership success, programs may encourage the development of leaders who are highly equipped to lead and continue to lead in the long term. Because of the need to promote resilience building through leadership program development, the researcher sought to explore the potential relationship between participation in leadership activities and student resilience scores.

The purpose of this quantitative research was …

Leading Change In Fresh Food Access: Increasing Food Security Through Urban Agriculture, Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick

Leadership Education Capstones

This pragmatic qualitative case study explored leadership strategies regarding urban agriculture related to food deserts in the research city. One-to-one interviews, a focus group, and a review of documents were the data sources for the study. The themes emerging from the investigation were a moral obligation, policy and protocol influence on individual practice, disproportionate access, health factors, cost factors, take it to them, building community with food gardens, and the need for farmers to grow food. This study utilized a political ecology framework that acknowledges the relationship between environmental, economic, political, and social factors. With rapid population growth expected in …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Leaders In Investor-Owned Utilities In California On Managing Organizational Change Initiatives, Maria Liza Legaspi

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study employing in-depth interviews was to identify the strategies and practices executive leaders and midlevel managers of investor-owned utilities (IOUs) perceive are effective in creating employee acceptance and support of organizational change and to identify the supports and barriers executive leaders and midlevel managers perceive as affecting employee acceptance or resistance to organizational change in IOUs.

Methodology: A qualitative research design enabled the capture of deeper thoughts and insights of executive leaders and midlevel managers of 4 IOUs in California. The study delved into the strategies and practices used by IOUs that are perceived …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Job-Related Experiences Of Early Career Catholic Elementary School Principals In The Mideastern Region Of The United States, Sarah Kerins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the job-related experiences of early career Catholic elementary school principals in the Mideastern region of the United States. Alderfer’s (1969) existence, relatedness, and growth theory provides a foundation to answer the central research question: How do early career Catholic elementary school principals in the Mideastern region of the United States describe their job-related experiences? Participants were purposefully selected from a population of Catholic elementary school principals employed within the Mideastern region of the United States who had completed one but not more than five years of service. Using a transcendental …

How Behaviorism Shaped A New Department Chair's Approach To Leadership, Diane Myers

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

During this presentation, a second-year department chair will discuss how her background in behaviorism (specifically, in positive behavior interventions and supports) shaped her approach to working with faculty. She will share successes, not-quite-successes, and other lessons learned from implementing a behavioral approach to leadership.

Interim Leadership Positions: The Kobayashi Maru Of Academia?, Alisha Ortiz, Julie A. Ray, Victor R. Wilburn, Melissa Odegard-Koester, Jeremy Ball

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Leading a department through a transition such as reorganization or restructuring is difficult. When the unit leader is in an interim position, this is even more complicated. This presentation will be led by faculty who were all in interim leadership positions during major transitions in leadership, restructuring, and staff layoffs.

Implementing The Guided Pathways Model: A Case For Change Management And Transformation, Russell Frohardt, Janie C. Scott

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Wouldn’t we all love to roll out changes according to best practices and reliable data? This session includes a case study on change management at a large community college, as well as a discussion on the strategies and best practices used to help academic leaders implement the Guided Pathways Model.

"The Inevitability Of Playing Politics As Chair: Advantages And Pitfalls”, Domenick J. Pinto

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Politics is a term often frowned upon as it pertains to the role of an academic leader. However as chair for almost 30 years it has become an essential yet sometimes unwanted aspect of the daily rigors of the position. This workshop explores the advantages and pitfalls of “playing politics” as a department chair and allows interactivity among participants in “what if” scenarios.

Effective Communication In Academia: It Goes Both Ways!, Domenick J. Pinto

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This workshops explores both the positive and negative aspects of communication with faculty, staff and administration. It emphasizes the effectiveness of GOOD communication skills as well as the dangers of MISCOMMUNICATION. Case studies, audience participation, and excerpts from literature on the topic will be presented.

Time Management For Department Chairs, Christian K. Hansen

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

In this workshop we discuss time management specifically from the perspective of an academic department chair. Topics covered include management of workflow, prioritizing projects and tasks, delegating effectively, reducing timewasters and using data-centered tools for budgeting and managing time. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in small group discussions using case studies developed based on real-world experiences.

Development For Department Chairs: Why Fundraising Is Now Part Of The Job, Craig D. Hlavac

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Development in higher education is often used synonymously with fundraising – and many believe both are relegated to the Office of Institutional Advancement and perhaps the Deans. However, the work of development in the contemporary university is quickly becoming everyone’s responsibility – including Department Chairs. While many chairs may have experience in writing grants to bring in revenue, the skills required to work with prospective donors are quite different. This session will provide all chairs with tools and resources focused on fundraising for the academic department. Donor relations, building a relationship with Institutional Advancement, and developing a department-based advisory board …

Building Blocks Of Effective Leadership, Katherine Frank, Kristi Haik, Royce Smith

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Three individuals will share their perspectives about mentoring and guidance within academia. They will discuss how the networking, questioning and formation of feedback opportunities in their relationships have contributed to their evolution as administrators—from department chair to provost.

Leadership Lessons From Six Seasons Of "Community", Kim Nehls

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

During five seasons of the NBC sit-com Community (2009-2015) and an additional season on Yahoo (2016), Americans discovered the academics and antics of Greendale Community College. The TV show centered around seven diverse students who formed a study group in the pilot episode and eventually morphed into a tight-knit family that worked and played together beyond graduation. Five student development theories are relevant to Community. Come to this session to see how lessons will be applied to examples from the show.

#Blackqueerlivesmatter: Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Gay Male Leaders In Los Angeles, Christopher Jackson

Education (PhD) Dissertations

The Black community and the gay community have historically experienced marginalization from society, public and private institutions, federal government agencies, and law enforcement. Black gay male leadership is not a conversation within leadership academia. This phenomenological study focuses on understanding the lived experiences and leadership among Black gay men who are leaders in Los Angeles County. This study found that the lived experiences such as oppression, mentorship, community involvement, and advocacy have influenced their leadership development and leadership identity. This study identifies how Black gay men define leadership, based off their lived experiences. It also identifies themes of leadership development …

Job Satisfaction Of Student Conduct Administrators And Their Use Of Restorative Justice Practices, Leslie Maxie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effects of restorative justice practices on the job satisfaction of student conduct administrators. This study focuses on Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene theory’s intrinsic and extrinsic factors of motivation for student conduct administrators who use restorative justice practices (RJ). This quantitative study used a member sample from the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) with 176 electronic responses received.

Significant results found that student conduct administrators are more satisfied intrinsically if given the opportunity to take on new responsibilities, given appropriate responsibility and recognition from their supervisor, and if they can make a …

Crisis Leadership And Management Of Superintendents During The 2017-18 California Wildfires, Dianna Kitamura

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods heuristic research study was to discover how school superintendents described their crisis leadership and management experiences during the 2017-2018 wildfires in California through the lens of the Five Critical Tasks of Strategic Crisis Leadership framework of sense making, meaning making, decision-making and coordination, learning, accounting (Boin, 't Hart, Stern, & Sundelius, 2017). Additionally, this study determined the extent to which school superintendents identify their use of the Five Critical Tasks of Strateby Dianna W. Kitamuragic Crisis Leadership framework.

Methodology: This explanatory, sequential mixed methods heuristic research study investigated a quantitative survey and qualitative …

Growing Citizens: Students’ Social Emotional Learning Via School Gardens, Kathryn Markham-Petro

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The importance of social and emotional learning in the life of a student is now being recognized as a factor for academic and life success. How a garden can help in the promotion of skills related to social and emotional learning will provide further justification for the implementation of gardens in schools. The purpose of this exploratory, interpretivist qualitative study, with data collected from a purposive sample of educators involved in classroom-based education within schools, was to explore the social and emotional practices of primary grade students (kindergarten through grade five). The sample size consisted of 14 educators who were …

Four Pillars To Reducing Achievement Gaps In Urban Schools, Gastrid Harrigan

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

The culture of a school has far-reaching impacts over every aspect of the organization. Participants will be exposed to researched-based strategies, and ideas to revitalize their school culture for minorities in urban schools. Participants will learn ways to make positive shifts, build relational trust, and recharge their students, staff and school culture.

Building Impactful Instructional Leadership Teams That Bolster Student Growth And Achievement, Jason Stamper, Shatavia Elder

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Are you a K-12 educational leader and have been searching for that high leverage initiative that will thrust your student growth and achievement to the next level? After attending this session, you will leave with a clear blueprint for establishing and maintaining a strong Instructional Leadership Team focused on the right work and equipped for unprecedented student growth and achievement.

Organizational Learning In Libraries At For-Profit Colleges And Universities: A Mixed-Methods Analysis, Julie Evener

Other Topics

Despite successful application of organizational learning to enhance services in academic libraries, little is known about organizational learning in libraries of for-profit colleges and universities (FPCUs). A quantitative online survey, followed by qualitative interviews, served to assess and explore the use of organizational learning in libraries at FPCUs. Data reflected medium to high levels of organizational learning in the libraries studied, as well as a negative relationship between organizational learning and number of students enrolled. Common themes in the interview responses included external pressures from the FPCUs making it more difficult to implement organizational learning, and the importance of communication.

Playing Nice In The Sandbox: Exploring The Behaviors Of Executive And Operational Leaders In Cross-Sector Collaboration, Debra Mustain

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Educational attainment in the United States is at the highest levels since recording started, yet large numbers of students are not completing education at the secondary and postsecondary levels. This lack of education impacts their long-term prospects for living wage careers, stable housing and the ability to support both themselves and their families. A growing response to this crisis is the development of cross-sector collaborative partnerships to address educational attainment resulting in an educated and skilled workforce that will ultimately improve prosperity in a community or region. This collaborative work has expanded as a result of growing recognition that all …