Book Review Of The Power Of Positive Leadership: How And Why Positive Leaders Transform Teams And Organizations And Change The World, Bethany Peppers

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

This book review examines the impact a leader has once they set a tone of positivity. It examines the importance of a leader's mindset, as it will be the determination of success for an organization. A single individual has the power to change the culture of an organization to allow for improvement within the organization. This book shows the strategy of positive leadership and how it can create a transformative workplace.

School Leadership’S Impact On Teacher Turnover Post Covid-19, Andrea C. Womack

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This qualitative dissertation involved investigating the pivotal role of school leadership in shaping teacher turnover and support in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was situated within the broader context of educational challenges, where teacher retention remains a critical concern. The pandemic introduced unprecedented disruptions to the education system, underscoring the need to understand how school leadership practices influence teacher retention and support in this new landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally transformed the teaching profession, impacting every aspect of educators’ careers as evidenced by responses across the structural, human resource, political, and symbolic frames. Structurally, educators had to …

From First Steps To First Stories: The Power Of Being The First, Samuel Osuna

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

Abstract

This action research project centers on empowering first-generation college students (FGCS) through storytelling and reflection to identify better ways to support them and expand resources. The guiding question of my research is: How can I better empower first-generation college students? To explore this, I will incorporate two cycles, one involving visual art representations and another consisting of individual interviews. These methods were intentionally chosen to provide FGCS with creative and personal avenues to express their experiences. Through this project, I anticipate that students will feel more empowered by sharing their stories and gain a stronger sense of agency in …

Principals' Views Of The Mississippi Department Of Education's Administrator Growth Rubric, Emma Hughey

Honors Theses

Principals have a significant impact on student achievement in their schools. Having an effective principal can increase student test scores across grade levels and subject areas. Having a reliable way to measure principal effectiveness and guide principals to become more effective is important for improving school performance. Mississippi’s evaluation tool for principals is called the Administrator Growth Rubric. This research surveyed 194 public school principals across Mississippi to determine their thoughts on the Administrator Growth Rubric and how it might be improved. Fewer than half (43%) of the respondents believe that the Administrator Growth Rubric is a good evaluation tool …

Collaborative Leadership Approaches’ Impact On Student Athlete Participation, Jacob Ledger

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify reasons for the decline in student athletes participating in high school football within the Big Nine Conference. The research is intended to identify several key reasons for the decline in youth sports, which contributes to high school sports, and ultimately football programs in the conference. The study also identifies two specific coaching and leadership styles and how they impact sports participation. Collaborative leadership and coaching styles compared to authoritative leadership and coaching styles. Using a qualitative research method using surveys and document review themes of sport specialization, Technology, burnout, Culture, and Feedback …

Las Jefas: Latina Leadership On The Us-Mexico Border Region Las Jefa's Fronterizas, Ruenna Valdez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study shares the lived experiences of a Latina superintendent leading a large school district along the U.S.-Mexico border, with the aim of highlighting the systemic barriers and enabling factors that shape Latina leadership trajectories in historically underrepresented contexts. Grounded in Latino/a Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) and employing a narrative inquiry through Testimonio methodology, a semi-structured, in-depth interview was conducted and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using Saldana's (2015) two-cycle coding approach - narrative coding followed by pattern coding - to distill rich, counter-storytelling insights into the superintendent's journey. Four interrelated themes emerged overcoming systemic barriers and gender bias, …

To Lead Or Not To Lead? How Smu Libraries’ Ellssa Program Can Help Develop Leaders For The Future, Rajendra Munoo, Sumita Govindan

Research Collection Library

Digital libraries exist symbiotically with traditional physical libraries creating an ecosystem of hybrid services built around innovation and creativity. Leading the digital library requires the ambidexterity to keep up to date with trends and developments and be a catalyst to lead change management. With the pandemic, academic libraries learnt to become champions of agility in transforming their services to meet the new demands and needs of the community they serve. Libraries are now facing new challenges; the disbanding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the United States, the rising threats of censorship, and the gradual erosion of …

Leadership, Identity, And Student Voice In Secondary Schools, Gordon S. Geddes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many student leadership programs in U.S. high schools operate without clear guidance, often leaving students as passive participants in systems that may not effectively prepare them for leadership roles both in school settings and elsewhere. This study explores how listening to students’ voices can improve leadership programs by better understanding how young people see themselves as leaders. Using a case study approach at one school, I observed student leaders over one school year and analyzed their experiences through leadership development theories. The findings suggest that when schools take students' perspectives into account, they can create leadership programs that are more …

The Role Of Spirituality In Resilience Among Male And Female Education Staff And Role Differences, Cindi R. Bowling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working in the field of education can be challenging, even more so seems the challenge following a worldwide pandemic. Resilience is needed in any career, but education is one in which it is needed on a continuous basis. Spirituality may increase resilience in life. The idea that Jesus died and rose from the grave for a fallen world and through the Holy Spirit there is power to overcome is one that can help people press through hard times in life. This correlational study examined the relationship between spirituality and resilience in educational staff post-pandemic. To do this, The Daily Spiritual …

The Influence Rural Leaders Have On Local Population Change: A Two-Part Study, Nichole T. Reiner

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This two-part research study aims to understand factors that influence a rural community population and how local leaders believe they can influence those factors to impact population changes. The first study focuses identifying factors that predict population change using a linear regression model. The second study is a multiple case study focused on three communities, where a mix of secondary data and community leader interviews provided an in-depth understanding of how local leaders perceive their capacity to influence factors influencing population change in their communities.

Advisor: LJ McElravy

Leadership Development: A Qualitative Inquiry To Investigate Preparedness For Higher Education Administrative Roles In Online Doctoral Programs, Stephanie Fletcher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The changing climate of academia requires higher education leaders to refine online doctoral programs to ensure future administrators are equipped to navigate institutions of education successfully. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of graduates from online educational doctoral programs to understand how instructional activities, mentorship opportunities, and practical experiences shaped their preparedness for higher education administrative roles. Data collection strategies included twelve individual interviews with higher education administrators who completed their preparation in an online doctoral program. Findings included seven themes: perceptions of leadership preparation; online learning and leadership preparedness; peer learning and leadership …

Navigating Perspectives: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Communication Experiences Between North American–Trained International School Leaders And Expatriate Staff, Maggie Marie Cashdollar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the communication approaches and experiences between leaders and expatriate staff in English-medium international schools. The researcher aimed to understand how leadership communication, feedback, and cultural awareness impact professional relationships and organizational effectiveness in diverse educational settings. Semistructured online interviews were conducted with seven current or former international school leaders and teachers to capture their lived experiences. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (a) communication approaches, (b) the role of feedback in the workplace, and (c) cultural awareness in communication. Five subthemes emerged: (a) expectations, (b) inclusion, (c) being present, (d) growth mindset, and (e) positivity. …

Meta-Analysis Of Leadership Styles And Mental Health Management Strategies For University Leaders, Justin P. Mckinstry

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In this culminating project, a multiple-case study approach was used to investigate the impact of different leadership styles and their effects on mental health in the higher education sector. The research questions are: RQ1: What leadership styles in the past have positively affected employees' mental health at this higher education institution? RQ2: What leadership styles in the past have hurt employees' mental health at this higher education institution that caused a toxic work environment? Three real-world cases out of seventeen were selected and analyzed. The findings care RQ1: The transformational leader boosts and contributes to overall job satisfaction and well-being. …

Navigating Leadership: The Impact Of Intersectional Identities On Female Leaders In Postsecondary Education, Sara A. Shaw

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of female leaders in postsecondary education, focusing on how intersecting identities influence their leadership and decision-making processes. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and the theoretical framework of intersectionality, the research explored the relationships between gender, leadership, career decision-making, and other social identities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and demographic surveys with 11 female leaders. The findings revealed seven key themes: Identity Influenced Experiences, Unintentional Navigation, Institutional Bias, Playing the Game, Institutional Champion, Supportive Mechanisms for Career Advancement, and Value Alignment. These themes illustrate how gender and intersecting identities shape career decisions …

Examining The Impact Of The Executive Healthcare Leadership Institute On Faculty Readiness To Lead, Blythe Eggleston

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Americans living in rural communities face significantly poorer health outcomes compared to those in urban areas. Academic medical centers (AMCs), such as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), play a critical role in addressing these disparities by incorporating rural health improvement into their mission. UAMS has committed to mitigating adverse health outcomes through targeted initiatives. However, AMCs operate within highly complex environments, balancing their tripartite mission of teaching, research, and clinical care, which demands exceptional leadership. These institutions also face unique organizational and economic challenges, compounded by personal and professional pressures on faculty members. To enhance leadership capacity …

Researching Research Leaders: A Qualitative, Phenomenological, Transcendental Study Of University Institutional Official Relations With Stakeholders Using The Competing Values Framework, Sara Grano

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological, transcendental exploratory study was to understand institutional officials’ (IO) lived relational leadership experiences with internal and external stakeholders with competing values in U.S. research universities. The competing values framework guided the study to investigate IOs’ lived experiences when relating to diverse stakeholders in research universities. The central research question asked was what are the experiences of IOs in research universities when practicing relational leadership with diverse stakeholders with competing values? Ten participants were recruited for this qualitative study using the purposeful sampling and then snowball method of recruiting. The elite participants had experience serving …

Reimagining Faculty Retention And Governance In Regional Public Universities, Cabdulcasiis Maxamed Ciise

Masters Projects

This project addresses the faculty retention crisis in regional public universities (RPUs) by examining how neoliberal governance, characterized by performance metrics, market-driven funding, and corporate leadership, has restructured academic work and eroded shared governance. The purpose was to explore faculty burnout, disengagement, and leadership gaps, and to develop resources that support more ethical and collaborative institutional cultures. Using Labor Process Theory, Critical Social Theory, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior as guiding frameworks, this literature-based project analyzed the structural and ideological conditions driving faculty attrition and institutional instability. Research included an extensive review of peer-reviewed literature on neoliberalism in higher education, faculty …

Somewhere In The Middle: Assistant Directors’ Leadership, Labor, And Power In Writing Centers, Keri L. Carter, John L. Carter

The Writing Center Journal

The position of writing center assistant director resides in the middle of the often blurry lines of hierarchy. While many writing centers advocate for team leadership, the fact remains that universities are steeped in bureaucratic tradition familiar to university leaders, students, and tutors. Assistant directors accomplish tasks that keep the day-to- day center functioning, yet these tasks equate to sometimes invisible work in the center and often invisible work in the university as a whole. Furthermore, research on assistant directors’ roles, labor, and identities is exceedingly limited. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to understand how hierarchies …

The Impact Of Implementing A House System At East Richland Christian Schools: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Travis Johnson Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis examines the implementation of a House System at East Richland Christian Schools (ERCS), a private Grades 7-12 institution in Saint Clairsville, Ohio, to address deficiencies in the traditional small group model, including limited student engagement, leadership development, spiritual growth, and school spirit. Grounded in Burns’ (1978) Transformational Leadership Theory and biblical principles, the study replaced gradeand gender-segregated groups with four randomized, co-ed houses (Amare, Fidem, Spero, Veritas) for 50 students and eight teachers. The project aimed to create a spirited Christian community through weekly competitions, leadership opportunities, and spiritual activities. Using a mixed-methods approach under the Stake Model, …

Lead Pastor Stress: A Quantitative Study Of The Effects On Mental Health, Marriage, Family, And The Church, Sherri Lee Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church’s lead pastor has many roles and responsibilities, from teaching the Word of the Lord, baptisms, counseling sessions, and leading a staff. These are not the lead pastor’s only role; the majority also have a family, children, and a spouse at home who also need their attention. A balance must be considered between the ministry, family, and marriage. If this balance is off or the pastor becomes overwhelmed with any or all the three, their mental health may suffer and can cause depression and anxiety if not dealt with appropriately (Christianity Today, 2022). Lead pastors, while in ministry, have …

A Qualitative Study Of How Instructional Leaders Describe The Actions And Reflections Of Organizational Management, Ashli Bachmeier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the influence of organizational management on the actions and decision-making of instructional leaders in Title I secondary schools in Nevada. The theory guiding this study was Argyris and Schön’s theory of practice, which states that human beings generally need to become competent by adopting a theory of action and then reflecting on this action to learn from it. This study's theory of practice aligns with the role of instructional leaders in shaping organizational management through actions and reflections. This study employed a phenomenological approach and qualitative research methods focusing on …

A Survey-Based Quantification Of Imposter Phenomenon In Occupational Therapy, Dina Prisco, Siobhan Walsh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Imposter phenomenon is a professional issue that negatively affects health professionals’ performance and well-being. This study examined imposter phenomenon’s prevalence in occupational therapy (OT). Researchers hypothesized that imposter phenomenon is prevalent in OT, more so in underrepresented groups. The rate of imposter phenomenon throughout OT was quantified and rates between demographic groups compared.

Method: This study used an exploratory, survey-based research design. Survey sections included informed consent, demographics, and the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). The CIPS measured rates of imposterism. Analyses of variances and independent group t-tests were performed to identify significant differences between groups. Inclusion criteria …

Higher Education Leaders’ Perspectives About Communication Challenges During Crises, Carey-Ann Marie Balkwill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem was that while impact and problems of crisis communication have been identified in the literature, little is known about the perspectives of leaders in higher education when facing communication issues in times of crisis. Guided by crisis communication theory and leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore higher education leadership team members’ perspectives of communication challenges in times of crisis. Four research questions guided the study on the perspectives of higher education leadership team members about (a) how their own leadership and communication changed during a crisis, (b) how internal communications evolved during …

The Process Is The Reform: Examining The Portrait Of A Learner In Nevada, Jeremy Adam Young

Theses and Dissertations

To understand the process and substance of the Portrait of a Learner as an educational reform in Nevada through examining the experiences of individuals leading the initiative and to connect what is learned to educational reform in a larger context. A comprehensive literature review was cross-referenced with in-depth interview and focus group results from the Nevada Department of Education and two school districts. This qualitative study might be best described as a purposive, non-randomized study. Fifteen participants, including teachers, administrators, policymakers, and nonprofit professionals participated in interviews and/or focus groups, which were semi-structured. The data were analyzed and organized by …

Toxic Leadership In Media: The Brash Bully And The Egocentric Pretender, Ayanna L. Journey

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project features a comparative analysis of two characters who demonstrate toxic leadership in unique ways. Sue Sylvester is the cheerleading coach from the show Glee. She is cruel, dominating, and paranoid. Ava Coleman is an elementary school principal on the show Abbott Elementary. Ava is incompetent, self-absorbed, and exhibits various inappropriate behaviors. In efforts to analyze their behaviors that contrast with those of an ideal leader, I view the characters through a scope of influence, power, identity, and follower relations, based on modern leadership concepts from “The New Psychology of Leadership” (Haslam et al., 2020). Sue’s style …

Sibling Rivals Fighting For The Same Thing, Amber D. Otten, Michael Pepper

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project ties concepts and dynamics of toxic leadership and how they can be effective and impact relationships through analyzing the behaviors, roles, and actions of Beth and Jamie Dutton. Beth and Jamie Dutton portray toxic leadership through their behaviors, actions, and their relationships with each other and others. Beth Dutton is an authoritative figure whose loyalty runs deep for her family and their ranch; she is assertive, brash, demanding, and her high intelligence and background are impactful for leading effectively to ensure her loved ones and the ranch are protected. Jamie Dutton, on the other hand, embodies a more …

Corrupted Kings And Heroes: Toxic Leadership Of Scar And Homelander, Brandon Mckenna

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project uses a qualitative media analysis to look at toxic leadership through a comparative study of two characters: Scar, villainous usurper from “The Lion King,” and Homelander, publicly revered leader of superheroes and private psychopath from “The Boys.” These characters, despite their distinct contexts, exhibit toxic leadership styles. Drawing upon Haslam et al.’s (2020) "The New Psychology of Leadership," this analysis examines the context of their rule, their manipulation of identity, and their impact on followers. Scar’s thirst for power by any means necessary demonstrates a leader who manipulates others for personal gain. Meanwhile, Homelander’s narcissism and greed for …

Utah State University’S Role In Latino Youth Leadership Development, Celina Wille, Lendel K. Narine

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

This evaluation study explores the impact of the Latinos in Action (LIA) leadership boot camps on Latino youth development. Since 2018, these programs have improved participants' communication, teamwork, and goal-setting skills, fostering civic engagement and academic success among middle and high school students within Utah's growing Latino population.

Examining Early-Career Principals' Experiences With Coaching And Self-Efficacy Development In Wisconsin Public Schools, Jeff Carron

Dissertations (1934 -)

Research on principalship reveals that school leaders are entering the position with less experience and staying at their schools for shorter periods of time, resulting in more schools being led by novice principals. Additionally, research highlights how principals have a major influence on student achievement, teacher working conditions, and teacher retention. As a result, district leaders, and the outside organizations that support them, are faced with the challenge of inducting new principals and providing the support they need to be successful. Complicating this support are the myriads of skills, roles, and responsibilities that principals must master to be successful. This …

Medical Faculty Perceptions Of Faculty Development And Its Impact On Teaching Quality, Melinda Turner

Other Scholarly Works

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Educating Leaders 2025 Conference Session Presentation. School/ College: Session: D22.7 - Medical Ed Training Program: Concurrent Oral Session Abstract Theme: Empowering Educators: Professional Development, Leadership, and Scholarship Presentation Type: Research Audience Track: UME - Pre-Clinical Education Brief Description Medical faculty often transition from clinical practice to teaching roles with limited pedagogical training, impacting the quality of medical education. This study addresses the need for effective faculty development programs by examining faculty perceptions of their impact on teaching quality, a critical aspect of medical education. This research investigates the effectiveness of a faculty development …