Education Commons^™

Leadership Tools To Support The Transformational Leadership Style, Emily P. Haire, Dr. Catherine E. Barrett, Dr. Ashley C. Johnson, Dr. Bradley Mills

Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research

The lives of many have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (Dumulescu & Mutiu, 2021). In higher education, students, professors, instructional aids, and other school staff were sent home from institutions to protect health and safety. There became an immediate need for clear, straightforward leadership to guide and lead higher education students and professionals through these unprecedented times, and amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, transformational leaders have been effective in changing the world of higher education institutions. This paper will explore the findings of effective leadership styles for individuals after going through a global pandemic.

Are State Comprehensive Institutions Prepared For Ai? Not Yet., Brent J. Goertzen, Brett L. Whitaker, Donnette J. Noble, Justin Greenleaf, Ryan D. Olsen

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has profound implications for higher education and teaching and learning. The present study, conducted at a state, comprehensive university (SCU) is the US Midwest, evaluated how effective faculty in a leadership focused program are at differentiating between human or AI-generated content. Participants reviewed 12 “student assignments” representing short answer essays, and completed the following tasks: 1) evaluated the assignment on three dimensions of the grading rubric; 2) assigned a percent grade; 3) indicated whether it was human or AI-generated; and 4) provided a rationale for their selection.

Evolving technologies like ChatGPT and other LLMS …

Vignettes Expose Undergraduates’ Perceptions Of Consent And Sexual Assault: Implications For Sexual Assault Education, April N. Terry, Mackenzie Orchard Esq., Vivian Aranda-Hughes

Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research

Under Title IX and the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter, universities were reminded of their obligation to educate, prevent, and respond to sexual assaults and other forms of gender-based violence. The current study used a survey packet including a Rape Myth Acceptance scale, questions about related education, and a scale rating participants’ level of confidence on seven vignettes. The sample indicated participants were more likely to recognize whether consent was given than they were to recognize whether the vignette met legal standards for sexual assault. The results can provide universities with information to better individualize their sexual assault prevention efforts.

Trauma-Informed Court, April Terry, Ziwei Qi

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Trauma-informed practices recognize the widespread impact of trauma on individuals and the need to deliver services that avoid re-traumatization. In the context of the mainstream court system, trauma-informed care is crucial for ensuring that individuals who have experienced trauma are treated with compassion and understanding. Trauma-informed care can help court officials recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, including the triggers that can cause individuals to experience distress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, and take steps to address those triggers. The purpose of this research is to map the degree and extent of trauma-informed practices in two judicial districts …

Climatic Impact Of Cross-Timber Production And Ecosystem Services On Profit Efficiency, Brian Sancewich, Iryna Mcdonald

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The Cross-Timbers is a forested region that stretches from southern Kansas to central Oklahoma and into Texas. As an essential transitional ecotone between the eastern forest and Great Plains grassland biomes, this region is crucial for maintaining biological diversity. Much of this land is not actively managed for the critical ecosystem services that benefit people living in the region. The Cross-Timbers face threats from natural and anthropogenic factors, including climate variability. The lack of proper forest management (prescribed fires and thinning’s) has resulted in a reduction of wildlife habitats and water availability, and an increased risk of wildfires surrounding human …

A State University’S Assessment Of Acue: Feasible Model For Evaluating The Impact Of A Faculty Instruction Quality Program, Jeffrey Budziak, Daniel Super, Thomas Gross, Douglas Mcelroy

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

State comprehensive universities often stress the development of teaching quality to improve the outcomes and retention of students, especially for recently matriculated students. These universities invest in teaching quality programs, but often lack a feasible method to examine the longitudinal impacts of these programs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a model for universities to evaluate outcomes related teaching quality programs. ACUE, a teaching quality program, was implemented across 30 instructors, which equated to 463 course sections. ACUE instructors were matched to non-ACUE instructors using propensity score matching (PSM) and compared on the rate of end-of-the-semester students with …

From Shared Governance To Shared Leadership: Our Covid Response To Faculty Evaluation, Support, And Advancement, John Burnight, Danielle Cowley, Becky Wilson Hawbaker, James Mattingly, Patrick Pease, Amy J. Petersen, John Vallentine

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

As a state comprehensive university in a small, midwestern metropolitan area, “Students First” is more than a slogan. The preamble to our Faculty Constitution and our University’s mission statement both specify that students and their flourishing are the justification for our institution’s existence. We have learned, however, that a precondition to robust attention to students’ well-being is parallel attention to the well-being and development of our faculty. This article chronicles the principles and practices by which our shared leadership team responded to unique challenges presented by the COVID crisis and its ripple effects. A closing theme acknowledges that COVID revealed …

Career Preparedness: Perspectives From C&Cj Alumni At An Scu, Tracey Woodard, Courtney Mcdonald

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

State comprehensive universities (SCUs) feature degree programs designed to help graduates achieve their career aspirations. Criminology and Criminal Justice (C&CJ) programs have become popular at SCUs, in part because students are inspired by media portrayals of law enforcement to work in the criminal justice field. Yet little is known about how C&CJ alumni of SCUs perceive their educational experiences. For this exploratory study, an online survey was distributed to alumni of a Southern SCU C&CJ program. Alumni were asked about their perceptions of their own career preparedness following graduation and their satisfaction with the C&CJ program. Overall, alumni were satisfied …

Supporting The Student Service Member And Veteran Population As Learners: An Exploratory Study Of Academic Motivation And Best Practices In Student Services At A State Comprehensive University, Seth D. Kastle, Brendon Fox, Jeni Mcray

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

This article explores best practices in student services for Student Service Members and Veterans (SSM/V) learners at a Midwestern state comprehensive university (SCU.) The Military Learner Academic Success Perception Survey (MLASPS) was administered to a small but targeted cohort population of SSM/V’s enrolled in a customized Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program through the institution’s new centralized student support center for SSM/V’s. The research team collected data related to the enrolled students’ perceived academic preparedness, student service needs, and academic motivation. Results informed the center about how to best serve SSM/V’s in persisting through graduation. Results may also be valuable …

Junior Faculty Advising For Effective Student Growth And Academic Success: A Qualitative Study, Noreen Powers, Russell Wartalski

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

Supporting the academic advising needs of adult learners is paramount for colleges and universities. Research suggests that the faculty advisor's role is pivotal in students' academic progress. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, faculty advisors are tasked with supporting adult learners in achieving their professional goals and providing resources to ensure their academic success. Specifically, they help students navigate curriculum requirements and provide support both inside and outside the classroom. The tasks and responsibilities associated with faculty advising can vary based on the institution type and program needs. However, junior faculty who take on advising responsibilities at regional public …

Book Review: Cracks In The Ivory Tower: The Moral Mess Of Higher Education, Bruce Henderson

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

Review of Jason Brennan and Phillip Magness, Cracks in the Ivory Tower: The Moral Mess of Higher Education.

Preface To The Special Issue: Student Affairs At The State Comprehensive University, Phillip A. Olt

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

In this special issue of Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University, authors are encouraged to submit original manuscripts based on new data collection and/or analysis that investigate student affairs within the context of the state comprehensive university. For the purposes of this special issue, “student affairs” is defined broadly and does not exclude specific divisions of practice (ex. academic advising); rather, it may include anything that extends beyond the standard curriculum of academia in order to develop the whole student. This may even include coursework wherein it is oriented toward the student affairs mission (ex. freshman orientation taught …

International Students’ Transition To A Rural State Comprehensive University, Phillip A. Olt, Bingbing Tao

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

International students face challenges as they transition to higher education in the United States. In this article, we explore that transition process when it intersects with an institution in a rural setting. We used Schlossberg’s transition theory—with a particular emphasis on the 4Ss of situation, self, support, and strategies—as the theoretical framework for this case study, and we found that the situation for international students in this transition was fraught with concurrent stressors of isolation, food, and safety. While their sense of self included a strong desire to experience United States culture and language, they struggled apart from familiar support …

Book Review: How Humans Learn, Daniel Kulmala

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

Review of Joshua Eyler, How Humans Learn (2018)

Teaching College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jacqueline Lubin

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

According to Wei, Wagner, Hudson, Yu & Javitz(2016), approximately 33% of students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the K-12 setting pursue higher education. As more children are being identified in schools, more are transitioning into postsecondary settings (Gelbar, Smith, & Reichow, 2014). While college personnel working in counseling, disability, and guidance offices may have some familiarity with working with students with ASD, many faculty do not. This increase in the number of students with ASD present on college campuses makes it pivotal that professors understand the population with whom they are working (Barnhill, 2016). This literature review aims …

Parent Partnerships: Promoting Student Growth Of Exceptional Students, Dayne Fletke, Todd Millemon, Tiffany Tipton, Sherly Wiele, Jerri Brooks

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Meaningful parent partnerships are key in the educational process (Lueder, 1998/2000), especially for students with high incidence disabilities, as these students often “slip through the cracks.” Academic success and quality of learning improve for students of all ages and abilities when the family and school join forces (National Education Association Policy and Practice Department, 2008). This study analyzed parent partnerships in various school settings. Data was used to develop a meaningful parent partnership model to promote student growth, both academically and socially. Data collected allowed us to learn how individuals in varying roles within the educational system and parents presently …

Effects Of Audiobooks And Group Discussion In Inclusive Special Education, Tiffany Tipton, Brooke Moore

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Research has shown us that reading while listening has potential benefits. With the popularity of audiobooks growing along with technology advances, it is much easier to implement audiobooks in the classroom than in past years. There have also been indications of positive effects from social interactions on student reading skills and habits, such as those occurring during group discussions and literature circles. This action research study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using both of these techniques in conjunction with one another to improve reading comprehension among a small group of students identified as struggling readers receiving special education support …

The Effects Of Art Integration On Math Achievement Of 6th Grade Male Students, Greta Mountain

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

The United States educational system continues to cut back on art programing; however, international statistics report countries with a stronger art presence continuously perform at higher academic levels. Art integration provides multiple pathways through curriculums and enables engaging learning environment. Art integration refers to three forms of art collaboration: learning in core subjects with and through the arts, creating interdisciplinary connections throughout curriculums and collaboration engagement. When all three of these forms are combined, casual relationships with increased student achievement and higher levels of engagement are formed. This study examined the effects of art integration on math achievement on male …

Getting Into Character: A Qualitative Study On Readers’ Theater And Fluency, Natalie Frericks

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

The need for fluent readers is clear in schools today as many readers are lacking reading fluency. This qualitative study examined the influence Readers’ Theater, a reading strategy, has on reading fluency. The following questions were addressed: 1) How does Reader's Theater influence reading fluency? 2) How did students’ selfassessment influence reading fluency? 3) How did teacher assessment influence reading fluency? The participants included four third-grade students from an elementary school in the Midwest. The findings suggested that Readers’ Theater positively influenced student’s reading fluency. Students’ self-assessment was helpful in getting students to become more aware of their reading. Teacher …

Thematic Analysis Of Social Issues In Ten Young Adult Novels, Brittany Sale

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

The purpose of this study was to complete a thematic analysis on ten randomly selected young adult novels published in the year 2018. Novels were selected based on the criteria of (1) being published in the year 2018, (2) age-appropriate for middle and high school students, (3) written in English and (4) not being a part of a series. The novels were published in the United States or Canada. The thematic analysis was conducted to determine recurring social issues presented in the novels that are affecting young adults. The novels examined in this study are: What If It’s Us, Swing, …

Journal Of Applied And Educational Research - Front Matter And Table Of Contents, Dharma Jairam Editor-In-Chief

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Individualized Literacy Interventions On Eighth-Grade Students’ Perceived Self-Efficacy In Content Reading And Reading Achievement, Sara Kellogg

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

Many middle school students struggle to reach proficiency in reading. The implications of their struggle for success in high school and beyond are far-reaching. Literacy interventions at the middle school level are vital to addressing skill deficiencies and related challenges facing adolescents in the United States. Using individualized literacy interventions featuring fluency, guided reading, word study, and academic vocabulary this study examined grade equivalencies of 41 eighth-grade students over a four-month period. Twenty of the 41 students were randomly selected and randomly assigned to one of two groups: (a) weekly one-to-one self-efficacy debriefing sessions (experimental, n=9) and (b) no debriefing …

The Effects Of Ability Grouping On Kindergarten Students’ Readingachievement, Katie Nauman

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

The number of elementary students in the United States reading at a proficient level is significantly low. Elementary schools in the United States need to increase the number of students reading at the proficient level in order to move towards success in other subject areas, raise graduation rates, increase economic opportunities, and boost the likelihood of favorable long term health. Foundational reading skills, beginning in kindergarten, are an early predictor of future reading proficiency. Homogeneous ability grouping is one instructional strategy that can help students master foundational reading skills. Ability grouping is an educational practice that can be used with …

Small Group Skills Based Instruction And Reading Fluency: A Fourth Grade Classroom Study, Stephanie Felts

Journal of Applied and Educational Research

Reading fluency instruction takes place in schools across the nation. Fluency assesses how many correct words a student can read per minute, while also using speed, accuracy, and expression. Many schools across the nation report low reading fluency scores. Students who struggle with reading fluency can lead to essential problems as a child grows causing behavior and social issues, along with unemployment. Students may lack confidence or improvement when they are reading stories out of their level because of poor instruction. Reading fluency issues increase from inconsistent practice, inappropriate reading passages for their levels, and lack of differentiated instruction. Educators …

Non-Traditional Students At Public Regional Universities: A Case Study, Lizabeth Zack

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

This paper investigates the topic of non-traditional students enrolled at four-year public regional universities and addresses questions about who they are, what makes them non-traditional and how they experience college life. The analysis is based on survey data collected from 187 undergraduates at one regional public college in the southeastern United States. The study found a higher portion of non-traditional students than expected and that the non-traditional students tended to break down into two types, a younger worker-student and an older adult student, rather than conforming to a single profile. While the findings highlight other similarities with the broader population …

Chinese Students In U.S. Universities: A Qualitative Study Of Cross-Cultural Learning Experiences, Transition And Adaptation, Josefina E. Oramas, Hagai Gringarten, Lloyd Mitchell

Journal of International & Interdisciplinary Business Research

Chinese students represent the largest single group among international students enrolled in the U.S, and globalization has played an important role in impacting Chinese students’ perceptions of what it means to study abroad. According to The Wall Street Journal, there are 85 percent more international students enrolled today in U.S. schools than ten years ago, adding more than 35 billion dollars to the nation’s economy in 2015 (Belkin & Purnell, 2017). This qualitative study adds to the limited research available regarding Chinese students’ cross-cultural transition and academic adaptation to American universities (Kusek, 2015; Yan & Berliner, 2009). Findings add a …

Is A Country’S Aggregate Income Related To Its Level Of Happiness?, Alexis Crispin, Sam Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The Easterlin paradox suggests that a greater level of economic prosperity does not translate into more happiness for a society. We investigate this paradox using a methodology new to this literature called quantile regression (QR) analysis. We find evidence that aggregate income is statistically related to a nation’s average level of happiness, but (i) the magnitude of this relationship is relatively modest, and (ii) greater levels of income bring about smaller and smaller increases in a nation’s happiness. These results provide a more nuanced understanding of the empirical support for and against the Easterlin paradox.

Electronic Properties Of A New Photosensitizer-Dye Derived From A Cadmium Selenide Mediated Retinoid/Carotenoid-Based Complexes Of Rhenium (I), Fred M. Schertz Ii, Runfan Yang, Amelia Richter

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Two new inorganic-based photosensitizer dyes of rhenium(I) attached to retinoid/carotenoid ligands have been synthesized. All ligands were prepared via Knoevenagel condensation reactions of all-trans-retinal (1) and β-apo-8’- carotenal with cyanopyridyl. Electronic UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy shows that these complexes absorb visible light efficiently. Absorption wavelengths are in the 450 nm to 600 nm range. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the frontier molecular orbitals involved during absorption process occur from the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) to low-energy LUMOs (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) of the Re metal center. Theoretical treatments also show that these orbitals are located primarily on the …

Book Review: The End Of College: Creating The Future Of Learning And The University Of Everywhere, Bruce Henderson

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

Review of Kevin Carey's The End of College: Creating the Future of Learning and the University of Everywhere.

An Evolutionary Perspective On Increasing Student Success, And The (Partial) Fallacy Of First-Year Retention, Doug Mcelroy, Kate Mcelroy

Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University

With state support for higher education declining and/or increasingly tied to performance outcomes, and greater emphasis being paid to the debt load incurred by students, student retention and success have become key drivers of universities’ strategic decision-making. Much effort has concentrated on first-year students; however, it may be more advantageous to pay greater attention to the fate of students at later points in their careers. We apply the concept of Reproductive Value to explore dynamics of retention rates, graduation rates, and degree production within and among seven state comprehensive universities. We ask: (1) Is enhanced first-year retention predictive of subsequent …