Education Commons^™

Does Encouraging Use Of Self-Testing In An Introductory Psychology Course Increase Effective Study Behaviors?, James Koppenhofer

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Students continue to use ineffective study strategies in classroom settings. Research suggests the efficacy of student study strategies may be enhanced by learning encouragement interventions. The present study implements a flashcard-oriented learning encouragement intervention in an applied setting and measures its effectiveness through a one-group pretest-posttest design which was used with three surveys. Undergraduates were recruited from two sections of an Introductory Psychology course (n=89) and all students received the learning encouragement intervention. Results indicated that the intervention increased flashcard use, and exam performance was correlated with flashcard use when measured immediately after the intervention. After the intervention …

Educating The Whole Child: Using A Holistic Education Approach And Mindfulness In The Classroom, Julie Strittmatter

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Throughout this thesis I will outline how the current school system creates considerable gaps in developing happy, healthy, and fulfilled individuals. Since I believe the purpose of a democratic education is to help all people reach some level of self-actualization, I will explore how schools can and should tend to the basic needs of children as a foundation for their learning experience. By investigating the purpose of schools and the purpose of educators, I will argue the importance of taking education beyond the world of academics to tend to the physical, emotional, and social bodies of all students and the …

Transformative Social Emotional Learning: A Call To Heal The Effects Of Racial Trauma On Identity And Self-Efficacy, Elizabeth Trostle

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Growing up I was never a child that loved school. I fell in love with learning in environments that did not look or feel like classrooms. And in 2005 I learned that I had a passion for learning about pedagogy. I entered the classroom again this time as a teacher, ready to engage students in learning. What I was offered was curriculum and learning standards that left little room for experiences. Despite my efforts, and after a decade of experience, I was still baffled by the resistance to learning.

I wanted to understand this because I saw that education—when you …

Linguistically Diverse Writers And The Shaping Of A Scholarly Ethos: Rhetorical Listening As A Strategy In Composition Pedagogy, Ashlynn T. Rader

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis project advocates for a more inclusive approach to writing instruction, challenging traditional pedagogical practices that have historically excluded marginalized groups from fully participating in academic discourse. This project highlights the ways that Aristotelian interpretations of ethos continue to inform and shape contemporary writing pedagogy, despite their potential outdatedness in the context of the 21st-century composition classroom. By examining the Conference of College Composition and Communication's policy resolution entitled Students' Right to Their Own Language, this project recognizes the presence of linguistically diverse writers and their historical, ongoing struggle for academic legitimacy. Furthermore, this project proposes rhetorical listening …

Critical Latino Studies: Combatting The (Mis)Education Of Latino Students In U.S. Public Schools, Heidi Kern

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this thesis, I will explore the historical undervaluing and miseducation of Latino youth in U.S. public schools using a lens of decolonial theory to combat the systems of oppression that continue to affect our Latino youth today. First, I explain what experiences brought me to this concern and provide a clear theoretical framework to explain my philosophy of education. I also articulate key concepts from decolonial scholars and educational activists that inform my own work on the educational experiences of Latino students. In Chapter Three, I provide a historical review of how a public school system rooted in colonialism …

Empowering Silenced Voices: Implementing Critical Pedagogy To Move Toward Decolonizing Music Education, Alexis Adams

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Throughout this thesis, I will delineate the historical and current issue of Eurocentrism and racism being perpetuated in K-12 music education and music teacher education programs. I will argue that music teacher education programs need to be decolonized and radically transformed so that music classrooms and curricula are anti-racist and counterhegemonic. Through utilizing theoretical frameworks, a historical review, and a literature review, I will further contextualize this problem. Lastly, I will propose a two-pronged intervention to address this over-arching issue: an undergraduate course entitled Critical Pedagogy in Music Education and a radically transformative professional development series for current music educators.

Resisting Neoliberal Policy And The Intensification Of Racial Capitalism Through Fostering Critical Awareness: A Series Of Educational Workshops To Occur Within Social Justice Unions, Chloe Polentes

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This is a master’s thesis that focuses on neoliberal policy within the education system. In this thesis I prove that neoliberal policy intensifies the current overarching framework of racial capitalism. I explore central elements of neoliberalism and racial capitalism to bridge understanding of how the two are intertwined with the goal of providing the reader an understanding of how neoliberal policy is detrimental. After an introduction to my thematic concern, an in-depth analysis of theoretical frameworks that helped shaped my understanding of my concern, and a historical and literature review focused on central elements of my concerns, I propose of …

Grades Do Not Define You: Mindfulness-Based Intervention Effects On College Students' Self-Efficacy, Health, And Wellbeing, Jayla Godfrey

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Abstract

This thesis explores the punitive grading norms and lack of support from institutions and how it effects college students. More specifically, how it effects college students’ self-efficacy, self-esteem, health, and wellbeing. Through the lens of critical action research this thesis investigates the experiences of stakeholders and will integrate research and methods that have been supported by seasoned scholars. In this thesis, a two-part program focusing on imposter syndrome, fear of failure, grades, mindfulness, and improving student’s self-efficacy and wellbeing is proposed. The leadership of this programmatic intervention relies on the facilitator and focuses on mindfulness-based interventions and group discussions. …

More Than Just A Seat At The Table: Shared Governance For Graduate Student Mentorship, Katherine Canazzi

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Since its inception, public education in the United States has billed itself to the masses as an “equalizer” that “prepares the citizenry.” Although there are varying institutional types in higher education, Americans believe the myth that higher education is an extension of the same K-12 educational values. Despite higher education teaching the components of civic engagement separately, the skills are seldom combined for students to practice. Students do not learn how to transfer or combine these skills into their “real lives” outside of higher education. Since graduate students are electing to further their education, higher education has an increased responsibility …

Well, What Are You Going To Do With That?: Combating The Corporatized University Through Transformative, Holistic Career Education, Alexandra Karlesses

West Chester University Master’s Theses

The corporatization of the university has brought with it a neoliberal ideology of belief that students should be funneled through systems of market-determined success that engineers its students to serve as human capital. Nowhere is this more evident than in career centers, which, due to declines in state education funding, have become chief sources of revenue for universities, and therefore have an increased dependence on employers to dictate university operations. The purposeful shift to a neoliberal, corporatized university model has removed focus from student-centered, holistic advising. Coupled with declines in funding, public perception, and extreme racial bias, the university has …

An Evaluation Of Student Government: Diminishing The Disconnect Between Student Government Organizations And Their Constituencies, Elizabeth Roberts

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Student Government Organizations (SGOs) exist to serve and represent the student body. However, SGOs often face issues that lead to a disconnect between them and their constituency. The issues that can lead to a disconnect include responsibilities and purpose, representation and voter turnout, lack of knowledge and transparency, relationship to administration, and internal issues such as bias and mistreatment, transition, and personal outcomes. This thesis proposes an intervention of a yearly Student Government Evaluation where student government organizations are evaluated by the student body and their members and then create an action plan based on the results. The aim of …

The Sadie Alexander Project: A Professional Development Mandate For Student Affairs Professionals, Lauren Sealy

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this thesis, I address the lack of professional development and the absence of resources provided for student affairs professionals. By utilizing critical action research, I propose an intervention of creating a professional development mandate for all student affairs professionals called the Sadie Alexander Project. The Sadie Alexander Project uses holistic and collaborative division efforts with a focus on supporting and advocating for student affairs professionals. The proposed intervention also promotes continuous education initiatives for student affairs professionals and ensuring that institutions have up-to-date resources for students in need. I emphasize the importance of evaluating employee satisfaction and highlight the …

"Don't Let Your Schooling Interfere With Your Education:" A Comprehensive Look At Co-Curricular Involvement And Advising, Maryclare Rae

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this thesis, I explore the need for continued student engagement. I am proposing an office or department responsible for advising students in their co-curricular endeavors and assisting them in translating transferrable skills. I plan to launch this program with a marketing campaign to inform students of the benefits of co-curricular engagement, followed by a survey to gauge interests, a meeting with an advisor to review results, and an exit ticket that students can take with them, detailing the conversation they had with their advisor. These advisors will be available to meet with students at any time in their college …

Creating Connections To Enhance International Student Sense Of Belonging, Emily Quinn Rooney

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This is a critical action research thesis proposal that explores international student sense of belonging at a United States University campus. As someone who has studied and lived abroad, I understand firsthand the importance of the relationships we foster and how having someone to lean on can be beneficial when you are in a new place. International students do everything in their power to come study in the United States, yet are met with endless barriers due to the laws the government has in place as well as the broader environment of higher education in U.S. society. They want to …

Improving Perceptions Of On-Campus Activism: Preparing Student Affairs Professionals To Support Student Activists, Kathryn Melvin

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis explores the perception of student activism at institutions of higher education and proposes a starting point to begin to change it. Increasing numbers of students are involved in on-campus activism but the typical perception remains negative despite its benefits. Using a transformative philosophy of education as a framework, I argue that activism is an undervalued form of student leadership and activists’ desire to push for change is integral to both their development and that of the institution where they attend. Through reviewing historical literature of past campus movements, the roles of student affairs professionals, and the dynamics at …

Finding The Yellow Brick Road: Bridging The Gap Between African American Foster Care Youth And Higher Education., Chyna Hart

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This critical action research thesis addresses the need for a university-based bridge program for African American foster care youth seeking to obtain a college degree. The reviewed literature explores a plethora of barriers experienced by African American foster care youth, which are brought on by social and systemic racism and inequity. In examining this literature, I have proposed and justified an intervention plan coined “The Yellow Brick Road Program”. This program will help to combat the barriers that hinder accessibility for African American foster care students by creating an on-campus hub that provides these students support services that address their …

Queer Composition: A Guide To Knowing And Supporting Lgbtqia+ Students, Cara Fordenbacher

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Influenced by its founding in religious, white, and male-dominated power structures, higher education today still often pushes marginalized communities out of academic spaces. Across the nation the LGBTQIA+ community is being threatened with anti-gay and anti-trans bills that are being signed into effect in schools. One of the most popular being the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill passed in Florida earlier this year. The work laid out in this thesis proposal aim to combat these efforts and create spaces on university campuses where LGBTQIA+ students can go and be their authentic selves; where their voices are highlighted and celebrated. All higher …

A Community Of Friends: A Proposal For A Supportive Living Learning Community Centered On Body, Mind, And Soul, Stefan Martyniak

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis hopes to develop an experimental, multi-themed, Living Learning Community centered on multiple dimensions of college student well-being. These dimensions include the mental, spiritual, environmental, ecological, economic, social, and structural which all impact student success, potential, growth, and satisfaction of students in different ways. This community hopes to expose students to alternative ways of being and living. In this program students will be exposed to a variety of experiential learning opportunities in order to strengthen their awareness of mental health topics and their and ability to advocate for themselves and others in order to seek help. To explore and …

Inclusive Campus Recreation: Creating A Space Where All Belong, Emelia Bebee

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis examines discrepancies that marginalize students, faculty and staff from utilizing or working in campus recreation facilities. More specifically, Campus Recreation departments lack strategies that ensure inclusion for all abilities, identity backgrounds and genders. This critical action research thesis considers the experiences of stakeholders and will integrate research that has been supported by seasoned scholars. In this thesis, a three-day diversity and inclusion workshop is proposed supplemented by monthly programming for faculty and staff that focuses on inclusion techniques to incorporate into departmental planning. Solid leadership of this programmatic intervention would focus on collaboration and dedication to lifelong learning. …

Severing Ties With Traditional Service-Learning In A Neoliberal Society: Implementing Transformational Service Through Moral Reasoning, Feminist Ethics Pedagogy, And Critical Consciousness, Abigail Demcher

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis critiques traditional service-learning from a neoliberal perspective. More specifically, I address how whiteness and competitiveness insert themselves into traditional service-learning in colleges and universities revealing their connection to neoliberalism. This Critical Action Research thesis explores reaching Transformational Service through models and theories of moral reasoning, feminist ethics pedagogy, and critical consciousness. In this thesis I propose a Social Change and Awareness Pilot Program for fourth-year students, which will impel them to understand and target their passions of social justice and dispel toxic traditional-service-learning ideologies. Solid leadership of this program would involve long-term collaboration and effective communication with communities, …

Making Mindful Moments: Encouraging Self-Care Practices With Resident Assistants, Michael Herbison

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this intervention, we will be discussing the use of mindful practices and how they will be incorporated into training for the residence life and housing staff. Through experience and research, there is a recognition of the amount of stress that impacts the resident assistant’s (RA) day to day life. Often times, an RA will neglect their own health for the sake of helping others. These stressors can then not only impact their work performance, but their mental health as well. Through a mindful practice training, the RA will be able to identify resources that they can utilize in their …

Soar: A Holistic Approach To Supporting Survivors, Sabrina Glass

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this thesis, I address the systemic issue of sexual violence and rape culture that affect students on college campuses at an alarming rate. By utilizing critical action research, I propose the creation of the Department of Survivor Outreach and Response (SOAR), a holistic and collaborative department that focuses on supporting and advocating for survivors of sexual violence while also conducting prevention and education initiatives. I emphasize the importance of Kimberlé Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality (1993), encourage the use of the Social Change Model of Leadership (Astin & Astin, 1996), and empathy within leadership. SOAR is designed to ensure sexual …

Viewing The Whole Student: Creating Access By Incorporating A Holistic Review Method In Higher Education Admissions, Delaney Logan

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this thesis, I will explore how higher education institutions can provide greater access to, and support for, students who do not meet traditional admissions requirements such as standardized test scores. This topic is important because traditional admissions requirements are inequitable for various groups of students, and they are also not accurate predictors of success in higher education for all students. My interest in this topic originates from my own personal experiences applying to and attending higher education, as well as my belief that higher education should be accessible to all who wish to pursue it. Therefore, barriers such as …

Black Men Can: Change The Narrative Of Black Male Students, Levi Tucker Ii

West Chester University Master’s Theses

The master narrative about Black male students has impacted their experience in the education system from the early elementary level through undergraduate studies. This narrative was birthed out of the same racial attitudes that deemed the Black community inferior in every aspect of society. The idea that Black men are academically inferior is backed by research that focuses on Black men who are failing to graduate from college. This type of research and reporting perpetuates the idea that Black men can’t be successful at anything outside of athletics and entertainment and if they are not good at that they are …

Interrupting The Urgency Of The Undecided Student: An Intentional Advising Approach, Nicole Phillips

West Chester University Master’s Theses

The most significant decision in college a student can make is their choice of major. A popular opinion in order for students to persist and succeed in college is to declare as early as possible. However, research has found that many students entering higher education are not ready to make a commitment or unsure of their career aspirations. In this thesis, I will present a historical overview of the undecided student by addressing the characteristics such as self-efficacy and anxiety, provide a developmental aspect of indecision such as the lack of career identity, and introduce related theories such as the …

Housing 365: A Response Rooted In Supporting Students During Academic Breaks, Abigail Mccourt

West Chester University Master’s Theses

In this thesis, I explore how higher education can improve their Residence and Housing Services for students experiencing housing insecurity. Incorporating a comprehensive housing plan, Housing 365 is a response rooted in supporting students through academic breaks when they can be most vulnerable. For students to be considered basic needs secure, their basic needs must be satisfied. My proposed intervention sets a standard to ensure all college students are considered housing secure. Meeting students’ basic needs requires an ecosystem where multiple systems work together to support students. This collaboration allows individuals to thrive across multiple domains including academic, economic and …

Restructuring Enrollment Management Policies At Hbcus: The Next 184 Year Initiative, Kathleen Rzucidlo

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were created in the early 1800s during times of segregation and explicit racism. HBCUs continue to play a very key role in educating students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds but continue to focus on the development of Black students in the United States. Currently there are 101 HBCUs in 19 states and in Washington D.C. and the Caribbean. For my thematic concern, I will be tackling the concern of why being student success focused in enrollment management approaches are critical at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and how student success and support practices …

The Black Feminist Scholar Collective: Empowering Black Women In Higher Education, Mariama Quist

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis addresses how a Black feminist approach in higher education institutions can contribute to the success of African American women students at predominantly white institutions. More specifically, I examine the barriers African American women students face and their strategies to seek support at their university. I utilized the methodology of Critical Action Research to analyze the interlocking systems of oppression that affect African American women as they navigate their undergraduate careers. In this thesis, I propose an organization, the Black Feminist Scholar Collective, that will empower African American women attending PWIs through mentoring, workshops, and smaller programs. The …

Getting Ahead Of The Game: Financial Fundamentals For Prospective College Students, Dia Taliaferro

West Chester University Master’s Theses

As the cost of college and student loan debt increase, there is also a concern with the lack of financial literacy from Black low-income students. Students are eager to attend college and obtain a college degree, yet they are barely prepared academically and financially. Not only are students unaware of the total cost to attend college but their support system (parents/guardian and family) are also not familiar with the basic financial fundamentals to prepare for higher education. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the influences and resources available to Black low-income students. Colleges and universities can support prospective …

Polaris: Guiding Students On Their Journey To Global Citizenship, Tanna Frank

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis examines the need for a shift in the mindset behind education abroad programming. As the term global citizenship begins to appear in more university mission statements and institutional goals, education abroad programming should shift from a human capital mindset to one that promotes the values of becoming a global citizen. My intervention aims to foster global citizenship within students and give back to the global communities that partner with education abroad programming by incorporating a critical pedagogy of place. Students will learn what it means to be a global citizen and how to embrace these values by centering …