Education Commons^™

Constructed Borders In Higher Education: A Critical Policy Analysis Of Undocumented College Students' Access To Study Abroad, Louise K. Hon

Master's Theses

Abstract Between 2012 and 2017, undocumented youth in the United States with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival status were able to apply for Advance Parole permissions to travel abroad for educational purposes. During this time, DACA students attending colleges and universities across the nation engaged in study abroad through established education abroad programs. This qualitative study examines undocumented students’ decision to pursue educational abroad opportunities during their undergraduate education in the context of national, state and institutional policies and climate and compares and contrasts the experiences of the undocumented college students who successfully studied abroad with those who either attempted …

Adaptive Analytics: It’S About Time, Charles Dziuban, Colm Howlin, Patsy Moskal, Tammy Muhs, Connie Johnson, Rachel Griffin, Carissa Hamilton

Current Issues in Emerging eLearning

This article describes a cooperative research partnership among a large public university, a for-profit private institution and their common adaptive learning platform provider. The focus of this work explored adaptive analytics that uses data the investigators describe as metaphorical “digital learning dust” produced by the platform as a matter of course. The information configured itself into acquired knowledge, growth, baseline status and engagement. Two complimentary models evolved. The first, in the public university, captured end-of-course data for predicting success. The second approach, in the private university, formed the basis of a dynamic real-time data analytic algorithm. In both cases the …

Making Meaning In The Anthropocene: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Investigation Of College Student Response To Planetary Ecological Crises, Kristen Nelson

Doctoral Dissertations

Higher education, with its core purpose in the generation and transmission of knowledge, has a particular role to play in society’s response to the global ecological crisis. Yet a key question is whether higher education is part of the problem or part of the solution. Sustainability educators insist that higher education, if it is to adequately address these challenges, must shift away from “mechanism” – a rationalist worldview that historically has shaped higher education’s culture and practices – toward an integrative worldview and epistemology that will guide teaching and learning in the new millennium. Emergent pedagogies and student development theories …

Challenges Of Using A Blended Learning Approach: A Flipped Classroom In An English Teacher Education Program In Mexico, Edgar Emmanuell Garcia-Ponce, Irasema Mora-Pablo

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The objective of the study was to understand the views, experiences, and challenges that preservice English teachers perceived in a flipped classroom, which was implemented in a language teacher education program following our institution’s desire to promote blended learning.

Method: Two focus groups were conducted with the students (19). We analyzed the data using thematic analysis.

Results: The results show that the students perceived flipped practices as innovative and beneficial for their learning. However, their responses also reveal that the autonomy required from them and taking more responsibility for their own learning were particularly challenging because of their lack …

Minority Student Food Insecurity In Higher Education, Joe Sevillano

Master's Theses

The minority student population in higher education has been affected by food insecurity at a disproportionate rate. Several studies have captured some of the issues associated with the material deficit but fail to identify more in-depth contributing factors. Using the theoretical framework of intersectionality, the researcher examines the experience, interpretation, and navigation of food insecurity in a medium-sized university located in a major city on the west coast. The researcher interviewed three students that self-identified as having multiple minority identities and experiencing some level of food insecurity while pursuing a degree. Findings from three rounds of interviews gave further context …

Approaches To Curricular And Co-Curricular Community Engagement With College Students: Building Relationships, Shifting Power, And Developing A Social Justice Mindset, Luci-Jo Dimaggio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Which programmatic principles of community engagement have a higher potential to irritate the beliefs that college students hold regarding their own power, privilege, understanding of social justice? This study takes a qualitative approach to the exploration of three groups of students representing curricular community engagement, co-curricular community engagement, and a hybrid model. Data showed that reflection and education as components of community engagement with college students allow students to better develop characteristics indicative of a social justice mindset.

An Examination Of Indicators Regarding Student Choice In Social Media Marketing And Platforms Of Higher Education Institutions In Missouri, Emmy J. Zimmerman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate relationships between social media marketing, social media platforms, and student choice of higher education institutions. Through evaluating current research, this study addresses potential changes needed to ensure colleges’ and universities’ marketing and admissions teams are using social media in ways that increase return on investment (ROI) and attract students to institutions. Previous research exposed social media marketing as a relatively untested method of reach for students’ college choice; therefore, the study will be original in nature. Previous studies provided data from an admissions counselor’s perspective, notably, a study by Barnes and Jacobsen …

Women In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (Stem): Pre-College And College Factors Of Success, Jada Russell

Doctoral Dissertations

Scholars have reported that the competitiveness and innovation of the United States’ workforce in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM] fields are critical to maintaining our nation’s security and economic edge (Chen, 2009; Carlone & Johnson, 2007; Espinosa, 2011). Indeed, STEM is one of the fastest growing fields in the employment industry, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (Langdon, et. al, 2011), and between 2008 and 2018, the number of STEM jobs is expected to increase 17%. Fostering learning pathways for all individuals interested in pursuing careers and education in STEM disciplines is necessary for us to meet the …

Organizational Stressors As Predictors Of Burnout, Kristen Albritton

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if organizational stress, measured by role conflict and role ambiguity, predicts burnout among employees. A review of the related literature identified variables that demonstrate a relationship with burnout, supported by the Maslach (1998) theory of burnout and Katz and Kahn’s (1966) organizational role theory. The researcher also examined whether organizational level and demographic variables (gender, education level, and job tenure) moderate the relationships between role conflict, role ambiguity, and burnout.

The study follows a non-experimental, cross-sectional design using data collected from a survey. Results of linear regression analyses reveal role conflict and …

Unhinging The Machismo Binary Through A Third Space Lens: Reframing Latinx Males Postsecondary Academic Decision-Making, Matthew A. Witenstein, Alejandro Cervantes

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

This critical and conceptual analysis problematizes the machismo binary and situates it in a third space framework. It explores Latinx males’ higher education experiences and how machismo influences academic decision-making. Situating Latinx males’ college-going in the third space provides a more nuanced portrayal of their academic decision-making across diverse postsecondary settings. In doing so, the Latinx Gender Identity Development Model for Latinx Males in the Third Space is proposed and connects machismo with other domains such as marianismo, caballerismo and familismo. The proposed framework is illustrated by applying it to Latinx males across critical dimensions that impact their decision-making in …

Understanding The Professional Experiences Of White Jewish Women In Higher Education: An Intrinsic Case Study Analysis, Janna M. Bernstein

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The exploration of female professionals’ experiences within the realm of higher education is steadily increasing, yet researchers have yet to analyze, much less include, Jewish women. Following a qualitative intrinsic case study approach, this study assesses the lived experiences of ten white Jewish women professionals to better understand how they engage in the world of higher education differently than their non-Jewish counterparts. Using racial formation theory and intersectional analysis as theoretical frameworks, the research examined the current and historical literature on Jewish identity, the role of Jews and Jewish women in higher education, and the relevant methodological research. The study …

Mind-It. Introducing Mindfulness Online To Help Students Change Perceptions And Develop Interest: A Design-Based Research Approach, Joana M. Franco

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study aligns with contemporary perspectives on higher education suggesting that learning ought to be holistic, going beyond disciplinary knowledge and seeing students as whole beings, to support them in knowing themselves and integrating a more conscious society. In the attempt to contribute to this vision, this study advocates for incorporating mindfulness meditation—a contemplative practice to train the ability to be fully aware of the present moment with a nonjudgmental and curious attitude—into higher education curriculum. Adopting design-based research, I created and iteratively refined a two-week online course called Mind-IT to introduce mindfulness meditation to graduate students in the Veterinary …

An Analysis Of Policies And Practices For The Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities In Public Universities In Mexico, Lilia G. Lopez Arriaga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the laws and regulations regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities in selected Mexican universities. Seven public autonomous universities on the northern border of Mexico were selected for participation. Official documents were reviewed and administrators were surveyed to determine the extent to which federal legislation requiring inclusion was implemented at their respective institutions. Faculty members of psychology were also surveyed regarding the guarantees and accommodations provided by their institutions and the effectiveness of those efforts. Principal findings were that the commitment to serve students with disabilities was high, however the existing plans …

An Examination Of An Engagement Indicator For Non-Traditional First-Generation Black Students Enrolled In U.S. Institutions, Chantae D. Still

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

More students than ever have been provided access to higher education; however, the increase in enrollment is outpacing the data on successful completion rates. Student engagement has been identified as fundamental for college student success and retention.

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the student engagement of non-traditional first-generation Black students attending 4-year public institutions in the United States. Using the Student-Faculty Interaction (SFI) National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) scales of student engagement, this study examined the relationship between SFI and selected personal characteristics of traditional and non-traditional, first-generation first-year and senior-year Black students, …

The Day After Tomorrow, Katherine Rowe, A. Benjamin Spencer

Popular Media

Katherine A. Rowe and A. Benjamin Spencer discuss how college leaders can help restore civil discourse after the election.

Exploring The “At-Risk” Student Label Through The Perspectives Of Higher Education Professionals, Nick Dix, Andrew Lail, Matt Birnbaum Ph.D., Joseph Paris

The Qualitative Report

Institutions of higher education often use the term “at-risk” to label undergraduate students who have a higher likelihood of not persisting. However, it is not clear how the use of this label impacts the perspectives of the higher education professionals who serve and support these students. Our qualitative study explores the descriptions and understandings of higher education professionals who serve and support at-risk students. We use thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2006) to interpret our data and develop our themes. These themes include conflicting views of the “at-risk” definition, attempts to normalize at-risk, fostering relationships, and “at-promise.”

The Therapeutic Nature Of Qualitative Interviewing: Benefits Of Research Participation, April Perry, Mary Grace Bigelow

Journal of Research Initiatives

This research explored the notion that interview studies can be therapeutic for participants. It examines the common themes that participants report as beneficial from participating in a study about the transition from higher education to post-university life. The findings are presented as common themes and illuminated by participant excerpts. It is concluded that there are therapeutic characteristics to the qualitative interview process that mirror some of the benefits individuals can receive from the counseling process.

Factors That Influence Emirati Male Achievement In Higher Education, Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Kaitlin M. Jackson

Journal of Research Initiatives

The success of Emirati male students in higher education is one filled with positive interactions between the students, faculty, and staff. The influence of faculty in the success of Emirati males is vital to the overall curricular success of this student population. The strong cultural ties to seeking out elders for guidance and influence is easily replicated on college and university campuses. In this manuscript we examine the history of education in the Middle East from its inception to the meteoric rise of higher education. Through examining the past and present education we will explore how the cultural and societal …

Burnout: Why Are Teacher Educators Reaching Their Limits?, Tiffany Coyle, Erica V. Miller, Christa Rivera Cotto

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

Burnout among our P-12 teachers has been well documented throughout the years. Yet, little research has been conducted into the burnout of higher education professionals in general. Lackritz (2004) found that emotional exhaustion is significantly and positively related to teaching load, grading, office hours, grant money, service time, and number of service activities. This research looks further into the variables that may impact burnout for higher education faculty, specifically in teacher education, seeking to answer the questions: Are teacher educators in NY experiencing stress/burnout? If so, what internal and/or external factors/conditions are contributing to their burnout? And are specific groups …

Racial Battle Fatigue And Black Male Higher Education Administrators, Joshua Walehwa

Dissertations

Racial Battle Fatigue was first coined by Dr. William A. Smith as a theory describing the burnout of African Americans in higher education institutions. While much of the current research focuses on the faculty and student experiences, in various formats, this provides an autoethnography capturing the various phases of a Black Male higher education administrators experience with experiencing and coping through Racial Battle Fatigue. The belief behind this approach focuses on the value of storytelling and autoethnography in particular in research, the interconnected nature of life experiences that impact professional life as well as the reverse, and a call to …

Race, Gender, And Salary Equity: A Cross-Classified Random-Effects Approach To Examining Faculty Pay And Salary Equity Within Higher Education Research Institutions, Kimberly G. Lecompte

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study expands on decades of research by exploring inequities in faculty salaries between gender as well as race/ethnicity while acknowledging the complexities of the higher education labor market that influence salary. Drawing from human capital, structural, and academic capitalism theory, this analysis utilized three recent surveys administered by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics matched with aggregated institutional data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for the years 2013, 2015, and 2017. The results indicated that the variance observed in faculty salaries is largely due to demographic and human capital variables such as experience, rank, and …

Study Of The Incorporation Of Sustainability Topics Into The Accounting Curriculum At Missouri Four-Year Colleges And Universities, Kimberly Ulrich

Dissertations

Businesses around the world voluntarily utilize corporate sustainability reporting to display non-financial information along with their financial results to satisfy the curiosity of their stakeholders. The United Nations played a key role in the evolution of sustainability over time and development of reporting standards. Eventually governments may require thorough coverage of financial and non-financial information in one comprehensive integrated report. To meet this demand, the accounting curriculum must include sustainability reporting topics for accounting students. Leading research and this dissertation demonstrated a holistic approach was best. The most successful higher education institutions incorporated sustainability practices throughout their institutions in addition …

How Do Usu Students Use University Support Services?, Amanda M. Hagman, Meghan Lewis, Kristi Swainston, Mitchell Colver

Publications

The central mission of USU is to be one of the nation’s premier student-centered universities. This is accomplished by fostering academics and offering opportunities to expand students’ vision of the world around them through co- and extra-curricular activities. These auxiliary activities are designed to support academic achievement and to engage students in meaningful opportunities to practice and enhance their personal and professional well-being. This analysis describes how students are using co- and extra-curricular services. It investigates the most salient student-facing programming in supporting student retention.

Transformando A Sala De Aula Universitária: O Uso Do Photovoice Como Ferrmenta Metodológica, Sandra I. Musanti, Bettina Steren Dos Santos

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Improving teaching practices in higher education requires an understanding of the impact of pedagogical innovations in student learning through the analysis of the theoretical implications and the articulation of creativity, motivation and learning. This article describes a pedagogical experience that integrates the use of Photovoice, a strategy originally designed to combine photography with digital narration and social participation. This experience was implemented in an online master's course for educators at a southern university in the United States. The use of Photovoice allowed students to explore issues of equity, social justice and education through digital images as the mediating element to …

Exploring The Influence Of Acbsp Accreditation On The Value Proposition Of Nc Business Schools, Jamie Holleman Conrad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

National accreditation agencies, such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, offer accreditation opportunities to provide external validation of continuous improvement processes implemented within the business schools’ programs of study. The requirements for obtaining and maintaining the most popular national business program accreditations are resource consuming and do not yet have a documented level of influence on the business schools’ value propositions associated with the accreditation process or accreditation status. The current study is necessary to explore the influence accreditation has on the value proposition presented to the marketplace, which is an essential component of the marketing strategy …

Race-Conscious Admissions Policies In American Institutions Of Higher Education: How Students For Fair Admissions V. Harvard Could Impact The Practice Of Affirmative Action, Christine Kiracofe

BYU Education & Law Journal

Since inception, affirmative action programs have been char-acterized as everything from institutional ‘reverse’ racism, to neces-sary plans that seek to ameliorate decades of racism. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that a large majority of Americans support affirmative action. When asked whether “[a]ffirmative ac-tion programs designed to increase the number of black and minori-ty students on college campus are. . . good or bad,” 71% of respond-ents answered “good” in 2017.16 This is a significant increase in the percentage of Americans responding favorably to affirmative action programs. In comparison, when Americans were asked the same question in 2003, just …

The Perverse Dynamics Of University Career: A Narrative Analysis Based On The Personal And Professional Implications, Gustavo González-Calvo, Alejandra Hernando-Garijo, David Hortigüela Alcalá, Ángel Pérez-Pueyo

The Qualitative Report

We seek to describe some of the features and symptoms that define novice university teachers in their attempts to pursue a professional career at university. Presently, university culture revolves around the evaluation of professionals based on the quantity of work published in high-impact journals (“weight evaluations”).This situation not only has its effects at a personal level, but also on the quality of the education that teachers might wish to impart. Nine university teachers -five women and four men- with experience of between three and five years in different knowledge areas were interviewed to ascertain these symptoms. The results reflected the …

"Because It's Free": Interviews Of Successful Tennessee Promise Students On How They Value Their Community College Experience, Susanna C. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations

Tennessee Promise is a tuition-free community college scholarship program for high school graduates that was initiated in Tennessee in 2015. This program is part of the State of Tennessee’s Drive to 55 initiative, the goal of which is to have 55% of the state’s workforce with a post-high school credential by 2025. This qualitative study was designed to learn how students who used TN Promise and graduated between 2015 and 2019 value their community college education experience. The research questions are: 1) What value do TN Promise students place on their education given that it is tuition-free? 2) What are …

Adult Students’ Perceptions Of Tutoring As An Academic Support Tool, Jennifer Filz

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined adult student perceptions of academic support services at an urban-service research university in the Midwest. While adult students often return to school to start or finish their degrees, the six-year graduation rate for students who enter college over the age of 20 is 12% less than those who enroll in college before the age of 20. Adults face situational, institutional, and dispositional barriers to graduation. This qualitative research study examined the perceptions of tutoring as an academic support tool of 13 adult students. Using Cultural Historical Activity as a theoretical framework, three major themes emerged from …

Burnout, Compassion Satisfaction, And Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Higher Education Faculty Members, Ramon Jose Velez-Cruz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study used a quantitative correlational method to examine the correlation between self-care, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress among higher education faculty members across multiple disciplines. One hundred and fifty-one participants from two higher education institutions and Listservs provided feedback for the study. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire and two surveys, the National Alliance in Mental Illness Self-care instrument and the Professional Quality of Life scale. Results showed collectively significant results between self-care and burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress. Physical self-care and emotional self-care had significant, positive relationships with compassion satisfaction. Physical self-care and emotional self-care …