Education Commons^™

Institutional Culture, Performance, And Learning In A Two-Year Technical/Community College, Vicky Maloney

All Dissertations

The environments of higher education institutions have undergone significant changes in the past twenty years as a result of concerns expressed in prominent reports. These external concerns and initiatives reflect contemporary criticisms by the public about the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of institutions. The response from research, legislatures, and the institutions has been to implement practices aimed at improvement and borrowed from business and industry. Research indicates that this performance orientation to change in higher education has largely failed, due in part to the lack of attention given to the culture of the institution.
Emerging research indicates a …

The Experiences Of Chief Student Affairs Officers In Addressing Incidents Of Racial Insensitivity On College And University Campuses, Idella Glenn

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT
This study examined the Chief Student Affairs Officer's (CSAO) role in addressing incidents of racial insensitivity on college and university campuses. The research methodology used for the study was a qualitative research design. Utilizing the collective case study method, within-case and cross-case analyses were completed for the study. Data were collected from eleven CSAOs at public institutions through their participation in telephone interviews.
Five major themes emerged from the study. First, the CSAO
must be multiculturally competent in order to address a variety of incidents of racial insensitivity. Second, the CSAO must understand the law and legal precedents regarding …

Presidential Fundraising In South Carolina's Two-Year Technical Colleges, John Boyd

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to explore fundraising at South Carolina's Technical Colleges. The major focus of the study was on presidential characteristics and practices along with various institutional characteristics and fundraising success. The research design was descriptive and employed various methods in the collection of data. Data were obtained from administrative sources, public documents, surveys, and interviews. The study includes general information on South Carolina's Technical Colleges, information from IRS Form 990s on 15 of the colleges, results of survey data from 12 colleges, and follow-up interview responses from 5 of the presidents who completed the survey. …

Student Perspectives Of Political Bias In The College Classroom, Darren Linvill

All Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how students experience political bias in the college classroom and the extent to which this bias is perceived by students in one midsized, public, land-grant university in the Southeastern United States. The current study addressed the issue of politically biased college professors in U.S. college classrooms, a matter that has gained attention in academia and the general public in recent years. A review of literature explored both partisan research and the limited available peer-reviewed research addressing political bias in the classroom. The research model, the sequential, exploratory mixed methods model, was described …

An Impact Evaluation Of The Ujima Female Mentoring Program At Rowan University, Talia Shiri Adalyah Sykes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of selected members of the 2007/08 Dr. Harley E. Flack Female Mentoring Program, Ujima, at Rowan University. The sample of 160 was divided into three groups. Group one consisted of 90 lower division and transfer female students. Group two consisted of 20 upper division female students. Finally, group three consisted of 50 female faculty, staff, and administrators.

The subjects provided data through a survey and an interview. The survey obtained background information, attitudes of the subjects toward the academic support services provided by Ujima, and the impact on …

Engineering A Global-Minded Citizen: The Impact Of International Service Projects On Students Engaged In Ewb, Maria Perez-Colón

Theses and Dissertations

In order to explore the benefits of student engagement in Engineers Without Borders (EWB) on participants, a blended method was utilized to study the transformative impact of international service learning projects on selected undergraduate students' global perspective. Students currently engaged in EWB, and preparing for travel abroad to a project site, were surveyed prior to travel using the Global-Mindedness Scale (GMS) to determine global perspective within the following dimensions: interconnectedness, cultural pluralism, responsibility, globalcentrism, and efficacy. Upon return from the mission, the GMS was re-administered to note changes, if any, to original responses. Pre-travel questionnaires and post- travel interviews were …

Mattering And Marginality Among African American Students At Rowan University, Lovely Durham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine student perceptions of advising relationships, administrative interactions, classroom climate, peer interactions, faculty interactions and diversity of campus services, and in which of these dimensions students felt they mattered or were marginalized most. Further, this study sought to determine if there was relationship between the dimensions of the institutional environment. Lastly, the study aimed to find out if there was a statistical relationship between student perception of the environment and their involvement in student organizations. The study also examined the student's perception of their involvement in relation to their perceived significance to the …

Impact Of Involvement In Athletics Upon Leadership Preferences Among Selected Rowan University Athletes, Lindsay K. Hanson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to assess the level and attitudes of involvement of selected Rowan University student-athletes and any significant relationships between involvement and preferences among five dimensions of leadership. Involvement included activities such as academics, athletics, on and off campus occupations, religious organizations, professional clubs, and other organizations found on campus. Demographic factors were also studied including age, class level, role on team, ethnicity, gender, and participation in a specific sport. The five dimensions of leadership studied were autocratic behavior, democratic behavior, positive feedback, social support, and training and instruction.

The researcher surveyed 210 student-athletes at Rowan …

Service-Learning At Rowan University: Perceived Impact On Selected Student Participants, Dawn E. Sandas

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the perceived impact that involvement in two service-learning courses had on participating Rowan University students during the spring semester of 2008. This study also investigated the impact of service-learning courses on the traditional classroom setting. Data were collected by means of a survey using Likert scale statements measuring related outcomes based on six components: academic, civic, developmental, social skills, leadership, and personal. Additionally, students were asked to rank those outcomes using another set of Likert scale items, comparing the service-learning experience to that of the traditional classroom setting. Overall, the data …

Collaboration To Institutionalize Service-Learning In Higher Education Organizations: The Relationship Between The Structures Of Academic And Student Affairs, Joanne A. Dreher

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Higher education organizations are distinguished by a structural divide between academic affairs and student affairs. Specific to this separation is the divide between the formal curriculum created and managed by faculty and the informal 'hidden' curriculum developed and delivered to students by student affairs professionals. This divide prompts questions about the role of structure and the cultures that are reinforced by those structures to influence collaboration to integrate new pedagogies such as service-learning.

Case study design was used to analyze three institutions in New England to understand the influence of organizational structures to institutionalize service-learning and to determine the degree …

The Impact Of Cumberland County College's Student Pathways Leadership Institute On Selected Participants, Anjelica N. Leonard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall attitudes of Cumberland County College's Student pathways Leadership Institute of 11 selected participants who were all enrolled in the 2007-2008 Student Pathways Leadership Institute at Cumberland County College, Vineland, NJ, in April, 2008. Attitude data were collected through a survey consisting of 23 Likert scale items using a 5-point scale. Data analysis suggests that the selected participants had a positive attitude towards the Student Pathways Leadership Institute. Overall, 10 out of 11 participants reported that they agreed that participating in the Student Pathways Leadership Institute increased their understanding of leadership …

Military Veterans In Higher Education: Application Of Adult Development Theories To Selected Rowan University Undergraduate Veterans, Jennifer Deborah Dahan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of all undergraduate veterans in college after serving in a military setting, by using Schlossberg's transition theory and mattering study, and Mezirow's theory of transformative learning. Of particular interest was how veterans described their experiences, as well as what transitional issues they faced, and what the university might do to meet their needs. The methods used were both quantitative and qualitative, administering an interview protocol, as well as a survey instrument based on the Schlossberg, Lassalle and Golec survey created in 1990. The findings suggested that most students believe they …

The Impact Of Student Involvement And Engagement On African American Undergraduate Success In College, Keron A. Piper

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of the study was to investigate student involvement and engagement levels and its impact on various aspects of student life on selected African American students at Rowan University. Data were collected by means of a Likert-style survey. In addition, a focus group was conducted consisting of students from the survey sample. Data analysis from the survey suggests that faculty involvement and active/collaborative learning in the classroom are very important to academic success in college. Holding an internship, making class presentations, and tutoring other students were reported as having a positive impact on GPA. From the focus group, …

Development Of An Academic Advising Program For Student-Athletes At The Division Iii Level, Harris Adler

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine the need for an academic advising program for student-athletes at the Division III level. Two hundred sixteen undergraduate student-athletes from Rowan University participated in the study by completing a survey that asked about their needs for an all-inclusive academic advising program, that would include advising, mentoring, study hall and tutoring. Phone interviews and a focus group session were conducted with student-athletes in order to more fully answer the question of whether an academic advising program for student-athletes at the Division III level would be helpful and practical. The major findings concluded that there is …

Attitudes Toward Women's Roles: A Study Of Selected Undergraduate Students At Rowan University, Alicia M. Groatman

Theses and Dissertations

The main purpose of this study was to look at students' attitudes toward women's roles of 381 selected undergraduate female and male students at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, in March, 2008. Also investigated was the impact of demographic factors such as age, class level, class status, major, gender and race. The data on the attitudes toward women's roles was collected using a 25 item Likert-scale survey. The data analysis suggests that the selected students had a profeminist, egalitarian attitude rather than a traditional, conservative attitude. There was a moderate correlation between the gender of the students and their attitudes toward …

The Sophomore Experience At Rowan University From The Perspective Of Selected Sophomores, Sarah Beth Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to better understand the needs of sophomores at Rowan University through interviewing five purposefully selected sophomore students at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, in the spring semester, 2008. The study investigated the experiences of selected sophomores in the classroom, outside of the classroom, and with identity and self concept that contributed to student success at Rowan University. Data were collected by means of three interviews with each participant. The interviews took place throughout the spring semester one in January, one in February, and one in March. The instruments used to collect the data consisted …

The Adult Student Decline: A Study Of The Longterm Impact Of The Rowan University Strategic Plan, Derrell Pustizzi

Theses and Dissertations

Adult students are considerably different as compared to the more traditional college-aged student. Along with school work adult students must grapple with work and family responsibilities presenting many challenges and time demands. Rowan University has evolved from more of a commuter institution to a traditional school with increased numbers of full-time enrollments and fewer part-time students. With this change, the needs of today's adult students may not be met and could potentially create an enrollment and student services problem for Rowan University.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adult student population of Rowan University to see if …

Academic Hope: A Study Investigating The Graduate School Experience Of Selected African American Male Students, Jay C. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the experience of selected African American male graduate students at Rowan University. Specifically, the study examined how selected students experience graduate school academically and socially. The study involved eight participants who engaged in an interview process and completed a demographic survey.

The data collection instruments included an interview schedule and a demographic survey. The demographic survey consisted of 11 questions that obtained information to better understand the participants. The interview schedule solicited information from the African American male participants about their experiences in graduate school, and what further recommendations they have to …

Factors Affecting Academic Performance In Selected Division Iii Student-Athletes, Jaime A. Dickerson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand selected NCAA Division III student-athletes and the factors that impact their academic performance. Of particular interest were Rowan University student-athletes. One hundred thirty-three athletes at a Division III institution completed a survey to evaluate what factors they reported impacted them academically. The survey addressed in-season versus out-of-season, athletes' attitudes, coaches' attitudes, and teachers' attitudes. It also dealt with demographic factors. The findings of the study showed that demographics play a role in academic performance. The study also found several correlations related to sport played and factors impacting academic performance.

A Program Evaluation Of The Impact Of The Education Expo At Rowan University, Lauren Kontje

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Education Expo at Rowan University from the candidate and employer perspective, and to get an overall understanding of what the participants felt about the quality of the program. Of related interest were recommendations the candidates, employers and Coordinator of the Education Expo suggested for improvement of future programs. Fifty-six employers and 167 candidates completed the survey to evaluate attitudes, impressions, and recommendations. The findings suggest that employers and candidates believe there is a need for program development and improvement for the Education Expo at Rowan University. Improvements with diversity of candidate …

The Institutionalization Of Service-Learning At Land-Grant Colleges In South Carolina, Lorilei Swanson

All Dissertations

Although service-learning became a popular method for advancing civic engagement on college campuses in the 21st Century, it struggled with gaining academic legitimacy and the support necessary to become institutionalized. The primary research question for this study was: What factors characterize and distinguish the institutionalization of service-learning in higher education at two nationally recognized land-grant institutions in South Carolina? The secondary research questions for this study addressed how philosophy and mission of service-learning, faculty support for and involvement in service-learning, student support for and involvement in service-learning, community participation and partnerships, and institutional support for service-learning manifest in these institutions. …

Emotional Intelligence As A Non-Traditional Predictor Of College Student Retention And Graduation, Larry Austin Sparkman

Dissertations

Universities are looking for new predictors of student retention and graduation. Based on the findings of this study, emotional intelligence is a predictor of student retention and performance over time. A survey of 783 traditional college students was conducted using the Bar-On EQ-i:125 prior to initial enrollment for the fall semester 2002 at a particular university in the southeastern United States. At the conclusion of spring semester 2007, data were collected which included enrollment status, graduation status, and cumulative college grade point average. Relationships between the 15 subscales of emotional intelligence as defined by the Bar-On EQ-i:125 (self-regard, emotional self-awareness, …

Understanding And Application Of Learning College Concepts Among Community College Support Staff Employees, Laura E. Weidner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on the Learning College indicates that everyone in the college must support learning. There have not been previous studies that centered on whether or not support staff, a major constituency group in community colleges, participates in supporting learning. This adapted phenomenological study examined staff in a Learning College to determine their understanding and application of the Learning College concept. Three research questions addressed how these employees understand the concept, perceive their roles, and apply Learning College principles. The study was conducted in a theoretical framework combining Learning College, change, and organizational culture theories. Data were collected from a purposive …

A Mixed-Method Study Of The Environmental And Personal Factors That Influence Faculty Research Productivity At Small-Medium, Private, Doctorate-Granting Universities, Gustavo Gregorutti

Dissertations

Problem. This study sought to determine what organizational factors and personal characteristics of faculty members most relate to research productivity at small- to medium-sized not-for-profit, private, doctorate-granting universities.

Method. A mixed methodology was used that included an online survey, follow-up email surveys, and two face-to-face interviews. The main statistical tools used were multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and regression. The final sample came from 12 small- to medium-size, private, not-for-profit doctorate-granting American universities. A group of 277 professors responded to the online survey. An online follow-up qualitative survey was conducted with 34 replies. Two additional face-to-face interviews were …

Student Performance With And Attitudes Toward Electronic Distributed Assessment In First-Year Composition Classes, Annette Arrigucci

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In Fall 2008, UTEP's composition department implemented a pilot program to test a redesign of English 1312, their second-semester freshman composition course. In addition to a redesigned curriculum, a system of electronic distributed assessment was implemented in ten sections of English 1312. Instead of the traditional format of a class where instructors grade all student assignments, a group of teaching assistants graded student writing anonymously using standardized grading rubrics. The system, which has been used at Texas Tech University since 2002, was put in place at UTEP in order to enhance efficiency and consistency in the teaching of this course. …

Women Chief Information Officers In Higher Education: Voices From The Field, Marilyn J. Ziesman Drury

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The lived experiences of women higher education Chief Information Officers (CIOs) were investigated and documented in this qualitative study. Three women higher education CIOs provided their perspectives on the opportunities and obstacles encountered as they pursued and achieved their current positions. These women's stories were gathered under a conceptual framework focusing on the intersection of applicable elements from gendered organizational theory, feminist standpoint theory, and occupational jurisdiction. Methods of overcoming obstacles and facilitating opportunities were discussed in relation to their lived lives and experiences. Examining institutional gendered norms accentuated the thoughts, values, practices, and processes that lead to muted women's …

Perceptions Of Second-Level Managers' Performance In Student Affairs, Jennifer Kingsley

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

This study explored first- (subordinates) and second-level (managers) student affairs professionals' perceptions of managers' skills and abilities (N = 193). Participants in this study were members of the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators, National Association for Campus Activities, Association of College an University Housing Officer-International, and the Association on Higher Education and Disability in Virginia. Two instruments were used for the study: (1) Demographics, collecting demographic information and qualitative data, (2) Survey of Management Practices, which assesses managers' skills and abilities.

The respondents were predominantly Caucasian (82%), female (62%), between 26–40 years old (72%), and held a master's degree …