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Understanding Faculty Perception Of Completely Asynchronous And Synchronous Online Education On Student Retention At Community Colleges In Western Pennsylvania: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Faculty Online Education Experience, Sally A. Mercer Apr 2024

Understanding Faculty Perception Of Completely Asynchronous And Synchronous Online Education On Student Retention At Community Colleges In Western Pennsylvania: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Faculty Online Education Experience, Sally A. Mercer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand completely online education’s impact on student retention for faculty at community colleges in western Pennsylvania. The theory guiding this study was Michael G. Moore’s transactional distance theory, which centers on three components of online education—structure, communication, and student autonomy. The literature review revealed these factors, and their relevant sub-factors all influence faculty’s experience and knowledge of the factors that impact student retention. The central research question for this study was as follows: What are faculty’s perceptions of completely asynchronous and synchronous education at community colleges in western Pennsylvania? This study …


Perceptions Of Senior International Officers' Efforts Regarding The Acculturation Of International Students In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Ann-Margaret J. Themistocleous Apr 2024

Perceptions Of Senior International Officers' Efforts Regarding The Acculturation Of International Students In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Ann-Margaret J. Themistocleous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe Senior International Officers’ lived experiences regarding attitudes and beliefs about the adjustment of international students in private and public universities in the Southeast region of the United States. The theory guiding this study is Berry’s theory of acculturation as it relates to a person’s adjustment to a new culture as they either assimilate, separate, integrate, or marginalize. The central research question focuses on the experiences of Senior International Officers regarding the acculturation process of international students on their respective college campuses. The methodology included a qualitative, transcendental phenomenological approach. The participants …


The Interdisciplinary Music Degree: Music Education, Music Performance, And Music And Fine Arts Administration, Edwin R. Williams Apr 2024

The Interdisciplinary Music Degree: Music Education, Music Performance, And Music And Fine Arts Administration, Edwin R. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite numerous available careers and degrees in music education, music performance, and music administration, perspectives of many music educators and students desiring an interdisciplinary music degree program inclusive of music education, music performance, and music administration have yet to be expressed or examined publicly. The notion of 21st-century skills presents a demand for flexibility across most facets of K-12 and higher education. These skills necessitate fluency in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, thus, music education must move toward more flexible and rigorous preparatory music training programs to remain consistent with current trends. Most undergraduate and graduate degree programs in music …


The Experiences Of Low-Income Students Focusing On An Online Learning Environment In Southwest Georgia: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Jayda M. Williams Apr 2024

The Experiences Of Low-Income Students Focusing On An Online Learning Environment In Southwest Georgia: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Jayda M. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study is to understand the experiences of low-income students in an online learning environment and how they are socially and academically integrated at an institution in southwest Georgia. Tinto’s 1997 revised student integration model and theory on how institutions must socially and academically integrate students to improve students’ persistence is to guide this research. The participants for this study are ten low-income students who participated in the data collection tools, which are surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews. The participants expressed their experiences, barriers, social and academic integration, and persistence in an online learning …


Leadership Experiences Of Athletics Directors In Faith-Based Small College Departments: A Phenomenological Study, Michael Teague Apr 2024

Leadership Experiences Of Athletics Directors In Faith-Based Small College Departments: A Phenomenological Study, Michael Teague

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the leadership experiences of intercollegiate athletics directors at faith-based, small colleges and universities throughout the United States. The theory guiding this study was Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership theory, as it explores how leaders can most effectively lead and engage their employees given unique circumstances and how those types of leaders are found within the faith-based, small college and university intercollegiate athletics departments. The central research question in this study is: How do athletics directors describe their leadership experiences in a faith-based, small college intercollegiate athletics setting? The phenomenological research using …


Basic Needs Fulfillment And Course Completion Rates For Online University Students With Disabilities: A Quantitative, Non-Experimental, Causal-Comparative Study, Ashleigh M. King Apr 2024

Basic Needs Fulfillment And Course Completion Rates For Online University Students With Disabilities: A Quantitative, Non-Experimental, Causal-Comparative Study, Ashleigh M. King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference in the percentage of courses completed between online university students with disabilities who are experiencing food and/or housing insecurity and those who are not. Students with disabilities at universities are less likely to complete courses than peers without disabilities, and while this discrepancy is often blamed on disability, other factors that impact student performance must be examined to determine if intersecting factors that disproportionately impact people with disabilities, specifically food and housing insecurity, may be contributing to decreased percentages of course completion. The theory …


Exploring The Writing Center's Role On At-Risk Students' Self-Efficacy And Writing Performance: A Phenomenological Study, Lacey Sipos Apr 2024

Exploring The Writing Center's Role On At-Risk Students' Self-Efficacy And Writing Performance: A Phenomenological Study, Lacey Sipos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the beliefs and attitudes regarding at-risk higher education students’ experiences with using their institution’s writing center services at a public state university in the Northwestern United States. The research was a transcendental phenomenological approach that used psychologist Moustakas's methodical data analysis procedures and guidelines to construct descriptions that captured the essence of the lived experiences of at-risk students who participated in the study. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Previous research continues to examine multiple factors that may contribute to at-risk student populations' underutilization of …


Alumni Perceptions Of Formative Feedback During The Dissertation Process While Pursuing A Doctoral Degree In Biomedical Science At A Historically Black College And University: A Phenomenological Study, Shontell M.N. Stanford Apr 2024

Alumni Perceptions Of Formative Feedback During The Dissertation Process While Pursuing A Doctoral Degree In Biomedical Science At A Historically Black College And University: A Phenomenological Study, Shontell M.N. Stanford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to discover through the perceptions and lived experiences of biomedical research Ph.D. alums who earned their terminal degree at a southern regional Historically Black College and University (HBCU) if the formative feedback they received impacted their dissertation process. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory and it’s suggestions of how behavior cultivated by a mentor’s actions and feedback changes the mentee’s behavior and can mature into self-efficacy. This study sheds valuable insight through the lenses of this phenomenological qualitative research methodological strategy of one-on-one interviews, questionnaires, and document reviews. The findings not only uncovered …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Examining Science Faculty Experiences With Change When Transitioning From Traditional Laboratories To Non-Traditional Laboratories, Jessie Bostic Mar 2024

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Examining Science Faculty Experiences With Change When Transitioning From Traditional Laboratories To Non-Traditional Laboratories, Jessie Bostic

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe science faculty’s experiences with change as they transitioned from using traditional laboratories to using non-traditional laboratories at postsecondary institutions. The theory that guided this study was the transtheoretical model of change, as it explains the processes of change the faculty may have gone through as they transitioned from using traditional laboratories to non-traditional laboratories. A transcendental phenomenological qualitative design was used with a sample of 10 purposely selected post-secondary science faculty members to answer the study’s central question: What are the shared lived experiences of science faculty transitioning from traditional …


Exploring Perceptions Of Lived Experiences Of Nursing Program Students With Grant Funding Investment In A Community College, Brian Richard Michel Mar 2024

Exploring Perceptions Of Lived Experiences Of Nursing Program Students With Grant Funding Investment In A Community College, Brian Richard Michel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutical phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of nursing program students with grant funding investment in a nursing, allied, and physical health program at a rural community college in Western New York. This rural institution is a member institution of the State University of New York system. The research was guided by the underlying central research question, “What are the perceptions of lived learning experiences made possible through grant funding investment of nursing program students at a rural community college?” Three different data collection methods were used in interviews, a focus group, and …


The Lived Experiences Of Women In Higher Education Administrator Roles Through The Salary Negotiation Process At The Time Of Hire: A Phenomenological Study, Nancy Kay Hernandez Feb 2024

The Lived Experiences Of Women In Higher Education Administrator Roles Through The Salary Negotiation Process At The Time Of Hire: A Phenomenological Study, Nancy Kay Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of salary negotiation at the time of hire for women in full-time administrator positions at Texas institutions of higher education. Eagly’s social role theory guided this study to explain gender roles and negotiation. A qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of women in higher education administrator roles during the salary negotiation process. Institutions within the south-central regions of Texas, including public and private colleges and universities, served as the site for this study. Participants were 12 women in full-time administrator positions at …


A Phenomenological Study: The Academic Experiences Of Low-Socioeconomic-Status Esl Learners Enrolled In A Mid-Sized Urban Community College, Anna Buck Feb 2024

A Phenomenological Study: The Academic Experiences Of Low-Socioeconomic-Status Esl Learners Enrolled In A Mid-Sized Urban Community College, Anna Buck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the academic experiences of low socioeconomic status ESL learners enrolled in a mid-sized urban community college located in Pennsylvania. The theory that guided this study is Walberg’s theory on educational productivity, as it looks at how learners’ psychological characteristics and the psychological environments in which they live influence academic outcomes and their ability to succeed academically. Walberg’s theory of educational productivity provided a framework to answer the central research question and three sub-questions: (A) What are the academic experiences of low socioeconomic status ESL learners? (B) What are the socioeconomic …


A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Factors That Contribute To Persistence In Online Doctoral Programs For Students With Learning Disabilities Or Adhd, Jerry L. Pitts Feb 2024

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Factors That Contribute To Persistence In Online Doctoral Programs For Students With Learning Disabilities Or Adhd, Jerry L. Pitts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the factors that contributed to persistence in online doctoral programs for students with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s theory of student persistence, as it suggested the more students were academically and socially integrated into their institution, the more likely they were to persist in their studies. The Central research question of this study is, “What are the factors that contribute to persistence in online doctoral programs for students with LD and ADHD?” Participants in this study consisted of seven …


Faculty Perceptions Of Professional Growth After Course Design Collaboration With An Instructional Designer: A Phenomenological Study, Althea Anita Streater Dec 2023

Faculty Perceptions Of Professional Growth After Course Design Collaboration With An Instructional Designer: A Phenomenological Study, Althea Anita Streater

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study had the objective of examining the experience of faculty subject matter experts in higher education as they collaborated with instructional designers to develop online learning courses at a college in the northeast United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. The central research question was: What are the SME reflections on their previous pedagogical and instructional skills, and what growth, if any, can be identified after the course design process? Additional questions examined the faculty's perspective on their past and present pedagogical knowledge. The study took place at a four-year private college …


A Case Study Of Staff Perspectives On Job Satisfaction In The Community College Setting, Ashlyn Paige Wilson Dec 2023

A Case Study Of Staff Perspectives On Job Satisfaction In The Community College Setting, Ashlyn Paige Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This single embedded case study explores the influence of job satisfaction perceptions of employees in the roles of full-time support staff within the community college setting. The theory guiding this study is Herzberg’s motivator-hygiene theory, which defines job satisfaction as having two sectors of components: the hygiene factors relating to extrinsic needs and the motivators relating to intrinsic needs. The outcomes for employees are linked to their motivation from satisfaction and dissatisfaction components, as well as their interpretation of values within this framework. The central research question is “How does the perception of job satisfaction components influence non-teaching, full-time employees …


Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Undergraduate Transfer Students At Faith-Based And Religiously Affiliated Institutions: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda Nicole Davis Nov 2023

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Undergraduate Transfer Students At Faith-Based And Religiously Affiliated Institutions: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda Nicole Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of undergraduate transfer students at faith-based and religiously affiliated institutions in the United States. Thus, in order to explore this phenomenon, the central research question directing the present study was: What are the lived experiences of undergraduate transfer students at faith-based and religiously affiliated institutions in the United States? The two theories guiding this study were Astin’s theory of involvement and Tinto’s theory of engagement, as they explain the relationship between institutional fit, involvement, and feelings of belonging. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological design and included …


The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Female Faculty At Predominantly White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Jasmine L. Jackson Nov 2023

The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Female Faculty At Predominantly White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Jasmine L. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological approach aims to understand the perceptions and lived experiences of African-American female faculty at predominantly White institutions and the strategies used to overcome barriers. The theory guiding this study is intersectionality theory, introduced by Kimberlè Crenshaw, discovering the multilayers of discrimination that women face and providing a template to encourage antidiscrimination. This theory adequately addresses the focus of this inquiry because it highlights the discrimination often experienced by African-American female faculty and the experiences of various individuals from the targeted population. This study's methodology was based on interviews with different African-American female faculty at predominantly White institutions. …


Leadership Development Through Service-Learning For First-Year Students: A Phenomenological Study Of The Significance To Leadership Studies, Jennifer E. Wilson Nov 2023

Leadership Development Through Service-Learning For First-Year Students: A Phenomenological Study Of The Significance To Leadership Studies, Jennifer E. Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the leadership development experiences of first-year undergraduate students who participated in service learning. The central research question is: What are the shared leadership experiences of alumni who participated in service-learning activities during their first-year courses? Ten recent graduates from a large public research university in the Midwest make up the sample for this study. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory as it aims to explore experiential leadership development through service-learning during first-year undergraduate studies. Data collection methods included a timeline and digital data collection, individual interviews, …


Threats And Opportunities To Critical Thinking Development Students Encounter In A Christian College Environment: A Case Study, Mark Edward Schwartz Oct 2023

Threats And Opportunities To Critical Thinking Development Students Encounter In A Christian College Environment: A Case Study, Mark Edward Schwartz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single unit case study was to describe the efforts of Small Christian University (SCU) to develop critical thinking skills and dispositions amongst its students. The theory guiding this study was Fowler’s stages of faith theory, which explains the role of experiences and crises in developing faith, a process which parallels closely with the process of developing critical thinking skills. This study examined interviews with students, a focus group with faculty and documents recording assessments of completed student assignments to describe how effective SCU’s efforts were in developing students who could think critically and were disposed to …


A Case Study Of Diverse Faculty Recruitment In A Graduate Higher Education Institution, Miguel Valenzuela Sep 2023

A Case Study Of Diverse Faculty Recruitment In A Graduate Higher Education Institution, Miguel Valenzuela

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to describe higher education faculty’s experience with recruitment and retention through the university hiring process and to discover the equity standards of the phenomenon for higher education institutions. The importance of recruitment and retention of diverse faculty within higher education institutions is imperative for the health of the institution and will assist in furthering diversity initiatives for faculty recruitment that will enable better student experiences. The theory guiding this study was critical race theory (CRT) that was initially intended to be used in the legal field. However, CRT has been used in …


Weak Organizational Culture In Higher Education Leads To Unmet Organizational Goals, Jennifer Willard Matthews Aug 2023

Weak Organizational Culture In Higher Education Leads To Unmet Organizational Goals, Jennifer Willard Matthews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study explores the perception of weak organizational culture at one institution of higher education and the influence of weak culture on attaining organizational goals. The general problem addresses a weak organizational culture where department leaders operate independently of organizational policies and procedures, resulting in the inability to reach organizational goals. The study included fifteen survey responses from faculty and staff, two follow-up interviews, two observations of university-sponsored group activities, and current data from the 2021 Work and Well-Being Survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. Themes emerged from collected data and existing literature allowing the researcher to …


Online Versus Face-To-Face Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Student Outcomes: A Causal-Comparative And Correlational Study, Nicole Christine Shears Aug 2023

Online Versus Face-To-Face Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Student Outcomes: A Causal-Comparative And Correlational Study, Nicole Christine Shears

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative and predictive correlational study was to investigate how online CSD graduate students compare to their face-to-face peers based on three measurable student outcomes with an additional investigation of how their age impacts these outcomes. This study is important because the number of online graduate programs in CSD is growing despite a lack of evidence in the research that online programs in this field have similar student outcomes as their face-to-face counterparts. This ex post facto study investigated outcomes from 188 students who graduated from or were previously enrolled in a CSD graduate program from …


A Case Study On Persistence Among Financially Stressed College Students From Low-Income Families, Steven E. Mcdaniel Aug 2023

A Case Study On Persistence Among Financially Stressed College Students From Low-Income Families, Steven E. Mcdaniel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of low-income undergraduate students concerning the effects of financial stressors and the persistence to academically succeed at Anytown University. Anytown University is a large institution of higher education with over 100,000 total student enrolments, 46,438 undergraduate students and 154 programs of study. The theory supporting this study is Deci and Ryan’s theory of self-determination which is concerned with the motivation behind one’s choices and their goal to fill a psychological need. As applied to this study, the psychological need is the motivation to pursue the attainment of a …


Career Pathway Of Women In Higher Education Leadership: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Avel Shenika Fulp Aug 2023

Career Pathway Of Women In Higher Education Leadership: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Avel Shenika Fulp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study aimed to explore the real-life experiences of women serving in senior-level higher education leadership positions in higher education institutions. The theory guiding this study was the Self-Efficacy Theory, as presented by theorist Albert Bandura, was used as a theoretical guide, identifying if participant's self-efficacy could be or was affected by whether or not they were successful in the studied environment, along with how others within the environment contributed to that perception as imposed by their experiences. This research employed a qualitative method, with the design being a transcendental phenomenological study. Purposeful and snowball sampling identified …


Inside Out Apologetics: Engaging Christian And Postmodern Approaches To Higher Education, Camila Alejandra Roldan Hernandez Aug 2023

Inside Out Apologetics: Engaging Christian And Postmodern Approaches To Higher Education, Camila Alejandra Roldan Hernandez

Masters Theses

The current decline in performance and effectiveness of higher education makes it necessary to re-evaluate the teaching foundation on the theology of human nature that college professors hold. Since their foundation determines the approach that defines them as teachers, their pedagogy, and their curriculum, it is essential to consider two approaches. One of them is the transcendent approach of the Christian faith that defines human beings as lovers, believers, and thinkers. The other approach is the autonomist postmodern approach which defines human beings as social constructs. Since the college professor’s approach to human nature affects students' learning outcomes, this thesis …


A Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Involvement In The Retention And Recruitment Of Students At A Two-Year College: A Progressive Approach, Theresa Marie Strong Jul 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Involvement In The Retention And Recruitment Of Students At A Two-Year College: A Progressive Approach, Theresa Marie Strong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the proven strategies used by faculty to increase retention and recruitment at two-year colleges. The theory guiding this study is van Manen’s theory on hermeneutical phenomenology, as it focuses on the lived experiences of the participants and interpreting their told stories. The setting of this research study consists of two-year community and technical colleges throughout the lower Southeastern United States. Participants in this study include faculty and academic chairs at two-year community and technical colleges throughout the lower Southeastern states who have experience in the student advising process. The faculty and …


A Phenomenological Study That Examines The Perseverance Of Young Single Mothers Who Have Earned A College Degree, Christine Marie Kirkpatrick Jul 2023

A Phenomenological Study That Examines The Perseverance Of Young Single Mothers Who Have Earned A College Degree, Christine Marie Kirkpatrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand perseverance in young single mothers who have earned a college degree. The theory guiding this study is Duckworth’s theory of grit since many students who complete undergraduate degrees experience barriers related to the components of grit. Participants for this study were single mothers who have completed a college degree from an institution of higher learning in central Pennsylvania by the age of thirty. Data for the study were collected utilizing one-on-one interviews, personal timelines, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’ data analysis processes, including horizonalization, reduction, and …


The Lived Experiences Of Student-Parents In Higher Education Who Utilize The Childcare Program At Eastern Community College: A Phenomenological Study, Kindra Lawanda Moore-Smith Jul 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Student-Parents In Higher Education Who Utilize The Childcare Program At Eastern Community College: A Phenomenological Study, Kindra Lawanda Moore-Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of student-parents who use the Parents for Higher Education program at Eastern Community College. The theory that guided this study was McClusky’s theory of margin, which addresses the support and services adults need to accomplish their goals in life. This framework provided a connection that explained the importance of childcare subsidies and the needs met while attending classes for community college students—the transcendental phenomenology approach used. The setting for this study was the virtual platform Zoom. The study was conducted using 10 participants, all student-parents who participated in the …


Embracing Diverse Thinkers: A Case Study Examining The Graduation Rates From A High Autism College Student Population, Beverly Donovan Jun 2023

Embracing Diverse Thinkers: A Case Study Examining The Graduation Rates From A High Autism College Student Population, Beverly Donovan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to describe how Alpha College, a private college in the southeastern United States with high neurodiverse enrollment, generates uniquely high graduation rates for its autistic student population. The case study answers the following central question: CQ) How does Alpha College, a private college in the southeastern United States with high neurodiverse enrollment, generate high graduation rates for its autistic student population? The intrinsic case design focused on the case itself; Alpha College observes uniquely high graduation rates of autistic students. This study was guided by Blume and Singers' social stigma theory and …


Developing Strategies To Implement The D.W.S. Program Of Liberty University In South Korea, Taeseong Kim Jun 2023

Developing Strategies To Implement The D.W.S. Program Of Liberty University In South Korea, Taeseong Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study suggests practical strategies to implement the Doctor of Worship Studies program of Liberty University in South Korea. In the past several decades, Christian worship in South Korea has followed America’s footsteps of worship transition. As many Christian leaders in the U.S. have agreed on the urgency of worship renewal, so have Christian leaders in South Korea. True worship must be relational with the Triune God, which is the core of Christian worship. When worship lacks a rightful relationship with God, it becomes human-centered and ritualistic. Worship renewal must flow from the worship leaders to laypeople, and it is …