Education Commons^™

Campus Collaboration At The University Of San Diego For Student Veterans, Jennifer Castro Garcia

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

The purpose of my research was to help provide better resources for student veterans during their experience in higher education at the University of San Diego (USD). My research question was: how can I collaborate with campus partners in creating a central hub for the Military and Veterans Program at the University of San Diego. This was important because as a student veteran there are multiple obstacles to overcome while learning how to be integrated back into civilian life. I looked specifically at student veterans as they have particular characteristics that may differ from other military-connected students on campus, such …

A Cross National Comparison Of Family Friendly Work Policies: The Potential Influence Of Cultural Values, Adeline Grace Hardten

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Around the world people must work for a living, but also must raise their families. To balance these obligations, parents need high levels of support. But the existence of family friendly work policies, defined as paid parental leave and affordable, high-quality childcare, vary significantly across nations, making it difficult for many to obtain the necessary support. Research indicates that countries providing supportive family friendly policies see economic benefits, increases in profitability, and stronger overall youth development. Even though research reveals strong positive outcomes, there is a deficiency of exploration into why more countries still lack comprehensive policies that support working …

The Construction Of Student Mathematical Identity And Its Relationship To Academic Achievement, Ann Trescott

Dissertations

The California university and state college systems (UC and CSU) are committed to accepting a diverse student body. Although there has been some growth in the percentage of minority students admitted each year, a low number of minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged students meet minimum entrance requirements. For example, in 2018, only 33% of socioeconomically disadvantaged African American students and 39% Hispanic/Latinx students who graduated from California public high schools met minimum UC/CSU requirements (CDE, 2019).

Explanations for ineligibility include the fact that many high school students have not completed the requisite mathematics classes due in part to the inequitable practice …

First-Gen Mental Health: The Experiences Of First-Generation Graduate Students At The University Of San Diego, Edith Mendez

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

Higher education professionals can better support struggling students by having more of an awareness of their experiences and how their mental health is related to the identities they hold. As a first-generation Latina college student, I am reminded of my own experiences and struggles, which impacted my sense of belonging and academic success. My action research responds to the question: "What are the mental health concerns that first-generation students studying at the University of San Diego (USD) encounter?" After making changes to my research because of unforeseen circumstances, I designed a study focusing on graduate students with cycles consisting of …

Immersive Leadership: Creating An Experiential Curriculum To Build Our Students' Leadership, Kimberly Guzman

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

As a higher education professional, I seek to use creative programming to encourage the exploration of alternative learning opportunities and to enhance student success. My action research project explores the process of creating and implementing an immersive leadership experience for students from start to finish. Through a curriculum based on experiential learning and critical reflection, students explored, learned, and developed a social justice lens and leadership skills. Students also reflected on their engagement with leadership in various spaces such as on the University of San Diego’s campus, their home environments, and the Duncan community in Jamaica, where this immersive leadership …

Student Success Coaching: Intentional Training For Professional And Program Development, Andrea Aduna

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

The purpose of my research was to improve the effectiveness of the Student Success Coaching Program’s retention and outreach of students on academic probation and midterm deficiencies. The research question is: How can I professionally develop the student success coaches, or peer coaches, to better engage with their nontraditional students? Research suggests that coaching programs must first define the unique support they provide students to be fully proactive. How can diversity and inclusion training add to the effectiveness of the program and the coach’s impact on students throughout the academic semester? The significance of my research was the value of …

Exploring The Narratives Of Underrepresented Southeast Asian Students In Higher Education, Donna Soukantouy

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

In my study, I examined how underrepresented Southeast Asian (SEA) students, specifically Cambodians, Hmong, and Laotian students, navigate college by exploring their personal narratives. The research question I used to inform my study was how could I represent and better support underrepresented SEA students in the surrounding San Diego, California colleges and universities? I found that the focus groups I facilitated contributed to meaningful engagement. Oftentimes SEA students are never in the same room with other students like themselves. Through interviews, interactive activities, and dialogue, I found that we need to provide spaces, platforms, and workshops for SEA students to …

Fostering Peer Mentorship Amongst Student Conduct Leaders, Gianna Metz

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

The purpose of my study was to explore the peer mentor relationships amongst the Student Conduct Leadership Team at the University of San Diego. My research question is: How can I work with the Student Conduct Leadership Team to further develop peer mentor relationships amongst each other in order to create a more effective hearing process? Based on my experience working with these student leaders, I have observed challenges in group cohesion and connection to the team’s purpose. I sought to develop strategies to better advise them in order to strengthen their self-advocacy and sense of belonging to the team. …

Onboarding Transfer Students At The University Of San Diego, Andrea Garcia

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

In this study, I explored the experiences and needs of transfer students at the University of San Diego (USD) through assessment analysis, the implementation and observations of Spring orientation, and student leader surveys. My positionality as a graduate assistant for New Student Onboarding allowed me to implement Spring orientation programming, analyze postorientation assessment data, and survey transfer student leaders about their experiences. This study provided me a better understanding of how we as a department and an institution as a whole can improve how we onboard our transfer students and further support them throughout their undergraduate career. While cultivating a …

Paving The Way: Enhancing The Transfer Admission Practices At The University Of San Diego, Andrew Alsoraimi-Espiritu

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

The purpose of this study is to examine how the University of San Diego’s (USD) Office of Undergraduate Admission can better serve prospective students from local community colleges by striving towards a Transfer Receptive Culture (Jain, Herrera, Bernal, & Solórzano, 2011). Using my positionality as an admissions counselor at USD, I explored the following question with current and prospective transfer students, as well as local community college partners: how can I enhance the practices of my department to better support transfer students during the pretransfer phase at USD? My findings indicate that the transfer path to USD is hectic and …

Reducing The Rate Of Falls In Hospice Patients: A Fall Prevention Pilot Program, Allison Floyd

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background and Evidence Problem: As the population ages, there is an increase in the incidents of falls. Falls are the predominant cause of both nonfatal and fatal injuries among adults aged 65 years and older (Bergen et al., 2016). Extensive research has been conducted in fall prevention in hospitals, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation units. End-of-life care in a hospice setting presents a greater challenge in risk identification and prevention of falls. A local hospice had 457 falls between July 2018 to mid-March 2019 with a lack of consistent, detailed, fall education and documentation.

Evidence-Based Practice Intervention: Utilizing the American Geriatrics …

Assessing The Need For Standardized Pre-Chemotherapy Education: An Outpatient Oncology Clinic Initiative, Spana Patel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Purpose: In a diverse southern California outpatient oncology clinic, assess the need for standardized pre-chemotherapy education for newly diagnosed cancer patients to aid in the improvement of health literacy, self-management of side effects, satisfaction, and reduction of anxiety.

Background: Cancer patients often feel anxious, overwhelmed, and confused by the abundance of information and medical jargon that they must digest. One southern California outpatient oncology clinic identified the need for consistent, standardized procedure in providing chemotherapy education and assessing treatment knowledge in newly-diagnosed cancer patients as evidenced by: inconsistent attendance in educational classes and or appointments, inability to articulate treatment …

Fall Prevention Assessment In The Intermediate Care Patient Population, Dawn Rose

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Fall Prevention Assessment in the Intermediate Care Patient Population

Falls cause greater than 600,000 deaths per year and are the most common injury in people over 65 years of age. Fall prevention in the acute care setting has been identified as key goal in the most recent JCAHO review process. Falls on an intermediary care unit lead to an increased rate of morbidity, delayed discharge, and excess cost expenditure.

Even with appropriate evidence-based tools in place, Hospital A’s intermediate care unit, recorded an increased rate of falls; the highest rate in its health care system. An investigation identified factors contributing …

Intentional Residential Programming For Upper Division Students, Sally Zheng

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

The purpose of this study explored ways that the residential education department supported students through their transition out of college at the University of San Diego. In particular, it focused on intentional programming for upper-division students. The participants in this study were upper-division students who were in their second year, third year, fourth year, or fifth year at USD. This study showed that there is a low attendance rate of upper-division students at campus programming and challenges around finding a sense of belonging. Upper-division students are known to be independent, academic and career focused. This research also found that most …

Intentional Curriculum Development For An Introductory Leadership Course At The University Of San Diego, Kayla Snow

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

The purpose of this study was to better understand the needs of the Emerging Leaders courses at the University of San Diego. My overarching research question was: how do I utilize previous instructors, students, and campus partners to implement curriculum changes that will enhance classroom inclusivity and educational impact for this undergraduate leadership course? Using McNiff’s cycles of action research as a guiding framework, I explored the intentionality behind developing a curriculum that guides these classes. Reflecting on student feedback, I was able to see an overall satisfaction in the implemented curriculum changes. Ultimately, this work was significant in understanding …

Looking Within The Rainbow: An Action Research Project On The Rainbow Educators, Hannah Gray-Chambers

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

The purpose of my research was to explore the importance of learning about oneself in order to teach others effectively. My overarching question was, how can I cultivate identity development and better equip Rainbow Educators (RE) as facilitators? A secondary question was: how can I create space for identity development and storytelling when people are in different developmental stages and have different experiences to help deepen the learning? Using Coghlan’s Spirals of Action Research as a guiding framework, I conducted one pre-cycle, a needs assessment, as well as three cycles of data collection. As a result of this study, I …

Retention Of Returning Orientation Team Leaders, Matthew Menor

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

This action research looks at reasons why Orientation Team Leaders choose not to return for another year on the team. Orientation provides information and a glimpse at life on a college campus to our incoming students. To make Orientation happen, Orientation Team Leaders are needed. The Orientation Team Leaders at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) are students that are passionate about the work they do. Orientation gives student leaders the ability and skills to utilize in everyday work as well as helps them work on their development as student leaders. This research analyzes different reasons as to why Orientation …

Recognizing Resiliency In The Experiences Of Current And Former Foster Youth In Higher Education, Laura Rivera

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

This study explored current and former foster programming from local San Diego community colleges and a San Diego four-year institution to provide insight and recommendations to increase enrollment and retention of foster youth at the University of San Diego for their program Torero Renaissance Scholars. My participants included current and former foster youth who either had attended a local San Diego community college or a San Diego four-year institution. Through my focus group, one-on-one interviews, and my surveys, participants recommended a high need for four-year institutions to begin college outreach in K-12 education and inclusion of holistic resources (leadership workshops, …

Leadership Development Of Women In Panhellenic Organizations, Kristen Reynolds

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

This study seeks to understand how women of Panhellenic sororities at the University of San Diego (USD) define and perform their meaning of leadership to create positive change in their organizations. My overarching research question was: How can I assist the members of Panhellenic sororities at USD to take up their authority as leaders to influence positive change in their chapter? This research reflects my experiences with Panhellenic sorority women at USD and intentional stakeholders throughout the 2019-2020 academic year. This study was influenced by Ira Chaleff's work on courageous followership, Baxter Magolda’s theory of self-authorship, and David Cooperrider, Diana …

Caring For The Whole Self: Analyzing The Relationship Between Graduate Students’ Involvement On Campus And The Onset Of Imposter Syndrome, Christian Perez

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

The purpose of this study was to enhance the current understanding of Imposter Syndrome in the context of student involvement on campus, specifically the University of San Diego’s (USD) graduate student population in an effort to better understand how higher education institutions can support students’ growing mental health concerns and take action to add or adjust current resources to benefit those who may need it. The research question that guided this inquiry was if a graduate student’s level of involvement on campus affects one's mental health, specifically, the onset and prevalence of Imposter Syndrome? My findings suggest that there is …

First Generation College Students’ Connection To Campus Involvement At The University Of San Diego, Ashley Ortega

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

The purpose of this study was to explore undergraduate first-generation college students (FGCS) and their campus connections. The overarching research question guiding my study was: How can I, as a FGCS, graduate student and future higher education educator create more accessible on-campus resources for undergraduate FGCS at USD? A secondary question was: In partnering with the first-generation stakeholders how can we better adapt our services to meet the needs of FGCS during their time at USD? Using Coghlan and Brannick’s Cycles of Action Research as a guiding framework, I conducted one pre-cycle, a needs assessment, and three cycles of data …

Promoting Learner Agency Through Critical Pedagogy In The English Language Classroom, Susan Zyphur

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Student Scholarship

In this self-study action research project, I explored how students exercised agency and how it may be affected by a critical pedagogy approach in a community college English as a Second Language (ESL) setting. The participants were adults enrolled in an advanced ESL course in a community college in the greater San Diego area. Students engaged in three dialogic circles as part of a needs assessment dialogue and two successive critical pedagogy dialogues. Data were collected using a classroom observation protocol (supported by audio recordings of the dialogues), student writings in response to journal prompts, and an analytic journal which …

Connecting The International Experience, Michelle Wong

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

The purpose of this study was to explore how relationships between international students and study abroad returnees can further global education throughout the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) community. My overarching question was: how can I, as an advisor at the International Students and Programs Office (ISPO), create a program that fosters cross-cultural interaction between international students and study abroad returnees? A secondary question was: how can these interactions help cultivate the intercultural competencies of both parties? Using O’Leary’s Cycles of Action Research as a guiding framework, I conducted one pre-cycle, a needs assessment, and three cycles of data …

Achieving Student Learning Outcomes Through Intentional Orientation Leader Training Curriculum At Uc San Diego, Kelley Kozlowski

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

Student leadership positions such as Orientation Leaders are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the incoming diverse population of students attending an institution each year, making it essential for professionals within higher education institution to adapt their leadership development curriculum to the students they serve. Leadership development curriculum often neglects the development of group dynamics as an essential part of the learning process, an issue that has been observed in my experience. The purpose of my action research project was to explore my work as the Orientation Graduate Assistant as I assist in creating and facilitating the leadership training …

Evaluating First-Generation Students’ Career Readiness, Mariana N. Robledo De La Torre

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

Research shows that first-generation students have historically had less guidance and resources to support their educational attainment and career development (Tate et al., 2015). This has resulted in considerable growth in the amount of support systems, programs, and services implemented by educational institutions across the United States to help first-generation college students thrive in higher education and their future careers. This study sought to improve my understanding of the career readiness of first-generation students at USD. By engaging with and gathering data from first-generation students, I have greater insight about ways of supporting first-generation students’ career readiness and vocational confidence …

Do We All Agree? A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Impact Of Climate Strength On Psychological Safety, Team Learning, And Team Performance, Taylor Harrell

Dissertations

The majority of today’s organizations rely on teamwork to drive innovation and achieve success. Evidence suggests that two constructs—psychological safety and team learning behavior—demonstrate significant predictive power on performance. Existing research posits that the more psychologically safe a team feels, the more it can learn, which enhances its performance. While organizational literature has established links among psychological safety, team learning, and team performance, the conditions under which these relationships are enhanced or diminished are less clear.

Recent studies indicate that climate strength is a factor that significantly influences the relationship between climate variables and outcomes. Climate strength refers to the …

Trifecta Of Student Engagement: A Framework For Engaging Students In Online Courses, Heather J. Leslie Phd

Learning Design Center: Staff Scholarship

This chapter describes a framework adapted from Michael Moore's three essential areas: student-content interaction, student-student interaction, and student-instructor interaction for engaging students in online courses. To be fully engaged in an online course, students need to be engaged with the course curriculum content, with their peers, and with their instructor. When students are engaged in all three areas, it is referred to as the Trifecta of Student Engagement. This chapter incorporates literature on each area of the Trifecta of Student Engagement: student-to-content engagement, student-to-student engagement, and student-to-instructor engagement as well as some suggested synchronous and asynchronous digital tools.

Growing Emerging Researchers In A Tesol Teacher Education Program: Implications For Feedback Practice, Sarina Chugani Molina

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

As teacher educators (TEs), we have a unique and remarkable opportunity to mentor the next generation of teachers. Over the years, our teacher candidates (TCs) have reported a sense of cognitive and affective dissonance while engaging in their culminating master's research requirement as part of a research seminar course. Cognitively, this research study requires knowledge-generation quite different from research they engaged in throughout the program, where they would synthesize and analyze published work in response to a prompt. This knowledge-generation process would often result in challenging previously held assumptions regarding the topic of inquiry through an analysis of authentic data …

Creating Authentic Contexts For Transnational Language Learning And Teaching In Tesol Teacher Education: Online Elt For Kenyan Youth, Sarina Chugani Molina

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Creating authentic contexts for our teacher candidates to learn about ELT in transnational contexts has become increasingly important for the depth of learning it affords as boundaries begin to blur in this transnational world. In this chapter, I present our work in developing and teaching an online Business English program for Kenyan youth, who were part of a non-profit organization with a mission to help homeless youth escape poverty through the provision of professional development opportunities. Through the process of engaging in this transnational context, our teacher candidates became more cognizant of the conceptual understanding of the historical, political, economic …