Education Commons^™

Community Partner Perceptions About Community Engagement Experiences For Nursing Students, Judith E. Wattman, Marjorie A. Schaffer, Maureen J. Juarez, Leanne L. Rogstad, Timothy Bredow, Sara E. Traylor

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study explored community agency staff perceptions about community engagement learning experiences for nursing students. Focus groups with staff from eleven health-related community organizations revealed seven themes that will contribute to effective curriculum development and implementation for community engagement: (a) agency expectations for students, (b) orientation, (c) schedule of student experiences, (d) invested student participation, (e) student match with agencies, (f) projects envisioned, and (g) effective interactions with the population. Practice implications for developing community engagement learning experiences are suggested.

Evaluating The Impact Of Seed Money Grants In Stimulating Growth Of Community-Based Research And Service-Learning At A Major Public Research University, Judith A. Jetson, Mary E. Evans, Wendy Hathaway

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

At a major research university, community engagement must intersect with research productivity and attract external funding to be well-regarded. At USF, community engagement increased its value to the institution by using seed grants for community-based research and service-learning projects. Between 1998 and 2006, 132 projects received $1.65 million in seed money from general revenue and local government funds, bringing over $9 million in grants to USF, a return on investment of approximately 6-to-1.

Providing Counseling Services In An Off-Campus Clinic: A Blueprint For Creating A Successful Partnership, Judith A. Nelson, Mary Nichter

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

We offer a blueprint for creating an off-campus clinic through a university, school district, and community partnership. The facility which is housed in the school district provides university students with direct counseling experiences with clients who have genuine needs, allows the university to expand its goal of providing for the public good, and benefits the school district by enabling it to grow its own school counselors who currently teach in the district.

A Pre- And Post-Pandemic Analysis Of The Reading College Readiness Of Texas Hispanic Boys By Their Economic Status, Sa’Myra K. A. Bradford, John R. Slate

School Leadership Review

In this multiyear study, we addressed the relationship of economic status (i.e., Economically Disadvantaged, Not Economically Disadvantaged) to the reading college readiness skills of Texas Hispanic high school boys. Texas statewide data on the state-mandated English I End-of-Course exam were obtained for two years pre-pandemic and the last four years post-pandemic. The three grade level standards on the STAAR English I End-of-Course exam (i.e., Approaches Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, and Masters Grade Level) were analyzed by economic status. Inferential statistical analyses revealed that lower percentages of Hispanic boys who were economically disadvantaged met the Approaches Grade Level, Meets Grade …

Cultivating Commitment Within Educational Ecosystems: Improving Teacher Satisfaction Through Autonomy And Expertise, Jane Mcintosh Cooper, Leslie Gauna, John Decman, Sheila Baker

School Leadership Review

This study explores the experiences of Texas educators’ job satisfaction, focusing on their ability to enact curriculum and pedagogy within their school ecosystems. Reporting of partial qualitative results of a larger mixed-methods survey of teachers in Texas, the research examines how administrative and contextual stances impact teachers’ professional and personal goals. Findings reveal that dismissive attitudes toward teachers’ content expertise and micromanagement by evaluation-focused leadership lead to dissatisfaction and potential attrition. Conversely, growth-oriented leadership that values autonomy and respects teachers’ practical knowledge enhances job satisfaction and commitment. The study, grounded in self-determination theory, highlights the critical role of intrinsic motivators—such …

Effects Of Different Loads Used In Post-Activation Potentiation Exercises On Sprint And Vertical Jump Performance Of Young Amateur Soccer Players, Emre Karaday, Yusuf Köklü, Erhan Işıkdemir, Bilal Utku Alemdaroğlu, Özlem Köklü

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different loads used in post-activation potentiation (PAP) exercises on the vertical jump and sprint performance of young amateur soccer players. Materials and methods: Twelve young amateur soccer players (age: 16.3 ± 1.2 years; height: 172.6 ± 3.88 cm; body weight: 63.2 ± 6.7 kg; training experience: 2.3 ± 1.4 years) participated voluntarily. The half squat exercise was performed in unloaded conditions and at three different intensities (L1:80%, L2: 90%, and L3: 100% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]), and its effects on players' countermovement jump (CMJ) and 30 m sprint …

Burdened And Fatigued: The Hidden Costs Of Supporting Undocumented Students In Postsecondary Contexts, Blanca Elizabeth Vega

Department of Educational Leadership Scholarship and Creative Works

Sociopolitical and institutional barriers significantly influence the mental health and overall well-being of undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students in US higher education. Concurrently, higher education and student affairs (HESA) professionals who serve these students face their own psychological and professional challenges as they navigate restrictive policies and bureaucratic uncertainty. This brief research report extends the Immigration Battle Fatigue (IBF) framework by integrating principles from administrative burden theory to examine the interconnected experiences of undocumented students and the professionals who support them. Drawing on qualitative data from a Spencer Foundation–funded study of HESA professionals’ work with undocumented …

2025 September 22 - Faculty Senate Agenda And Minutes, Faculty Senate, East Tennessee State University

Faculty Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Comparing Standards-Based Grading And Traditional Grading Practices: The Influence Of Two Grading Practices On State-Standardized Test Scores And High School Grades, Brooke Daugherty

Student Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based and traditional grading practices were compared in this research by the analysis of state-standardized test scores and classroom grades. The problem described in this quantitative comparative study is that state-standardized test scores do not always match a student’s knowledge. Students, teachers, and parents are affected because learning must be communicated to all parties. The purpose of this study is to compare state-standardized test scores through traditional and standards-based grading practices in elementary and high school mathematics. Using the four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the grading experience was examined. Approximately 700 students’ state-standardized test scores and 350 classroom …

K-6 Teacher Perspectives Regarding Pre-Covid-19 Digital Competencies Professional Development And Teaching During The Pandemic, Melissa Kay King

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the impact of pre-pandemic digital competencies training on K-6 teachers’ preparedness for the rapid shift to remote and hybrid teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sudden transition to online education, teachers, particularly those with limited technological experience, faced challenges in adapting to new digital environments. The purpose of this study was to explore how pre-pandemic training influenced teachers’ ability to effectively teach in these novel settings and identify the strategies they employed to overcome obstacles. The study was guided by sensemaking theory, which posits that individuals interpret new experiences based on their prior knowledge and existing …

Overcoming Traumatic Barriers To Maximize The Potential Of College Students Facing Mental Health Challenges, Ashley Blanche

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore gaps in knowledge and support for young adults with trauma, with the goal of improving their mental health and academic success. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate how past trauma contributed to mental health challenges that affected the academic success of disadvantaged undergraduate students aged 18–25 in Mississippi. The problem to be addressed in this study was the lack of mental health consciousness in the college community as it related to past trauma in disadvantaged college students aged 18-25. This study’s theoretical framework was based on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, linking adverse …

Case Managers As A Compass: A Strategy For Influencing First-Generation College Student Success, James Riley

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of case managers who use case management as a strategy for improving first-generation student retention at higher education institutions in the United States. Case managers are college or university staff members who provide non-clinical one-on-one student support, including interventions, advocacy, referrals and follow-up services for students who are experiencing significant difficulties. Guided by Tinto’s Theory of Student Departure (1975) and Pascarella’s Model for Assessing Student Change (1980), this study involved interviews with 11 case managers from institutions across the United States and a subsequent review of 24 …

Education Pandemonium: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Middle School Teacher-Parents’ During The Covid Crisis, Harold Wayne Stanfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of middle school teacher-parents (MST-Parents) during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban school district in southeastern Mississippi. The research investigated how educators balance professional responsibilities with familial obligations during a public health emergency. Semi-structured interviews with eight participants identified role ambiguity, deficits in institutional support, and resource limitations as significant stressors. To balance their dual role demands, participants depended significantly on the assistance of colleagues. Numerous findings aligned with the study's theoretical framework; however, a notable limitation in participant feedback, particularly about instructional and technical support from their children's schools, necessitated additional …

The Impacts Of The Lack Of Access To Information And Communication Technologies (Ict) On African American Students, Alisha Shanta Williams

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to examine the relationship between the lack of access to information and communication technologies and the grade point averages among African American students in Arkansas Rural Delta schools. The problem addressed in this qualitative phenomenological study is limited access to technology among African American students in the Rural Arkansas Delta and its influence on grade point averages and overall academic success. This research strived to explore and portray the experiences of students facing extenuating circumstances and barriers with technological resources and the effect on their achievement. The methodology used is qualitative, and …

Identification Of Leadership And Managerial Roles Used By School Superintendents To Manage Rural School Districts, Bruce Allen Gillham

Student Theses and Dissertations

The role of rural superintendents is multifaceted, often requiring a balance of strategic leadership, operational management, and community involvement within school systems that face resource limitations and geographic challenges. However, existing job descriptions for rural superintendents frequently do not reflect the realities of their daily tasks, resulting in misunderstandings and misalignments between governing bodies and the superintendents. This study aims to enhance the understanding of rural superintendents' roles by examining the experiences of four superintendents from southeastern Oklahoma. Drawing on Mintzberg's managerial role framework and an interpretive phenomenological approach, this research highlights the importance of the researcher's self-reflection and the …

Exploring Mental Health Services Within Elementary Schools In The First Through Third Grades: Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Case Study, Yolanda Y. Thomas

Student Theses and Dissertations

Exploring Mental Health Services Within Elementary Schools in the First Through Third Grade: Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Case Study An overwhelming amount of research shows that youth in America are experiencing a mental health crisis (Nelson, 2020), impacting students’ ability to self-regulate and self-isolation tendencies and emotional behaviors have increased resulting in the need to address school-based mental health services, the instructional support provided to early childhood teachers, and students' well-being. The problem investigated in this study was the impact of school-based mental health services provided in response to the experience of the pandemic and the holistic relationship between instructional support and …

Examining The Influence Of Schools’ Federal Designation Of “Continuous Support And Improvement” On Teachers’ Workplace Stress And Self-Efficacy, Kimberly Michelle Seybolt

Student Theses and Dissertations

Workplace stress among teachers, accompanied by diminished self-efficacy, particularly in virtual environments, may lead to higher teacher turnover and hinder school improvement efforts. This qualitative, phenomenological study examined teachers’ lived experiences at a virtual charter school federally designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement school to understand whether this designation influenced workplace stress and, in turn, whether that stress affected teacher self-efficacy in the areas of classroom management, instructional strategies, and student engagement. More specifically, the study explored how federal designation influenced teachers’ workplace stress and whether this stress influenced teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs. The conceptual premises of Bandura’s Social Cognitive …

Athletic Coaches’ Perspective: The Intersection Of Female Collegiate Athletic Involvement, Emotional Health, And Academic Performance, Kimba P. Jackson

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the mental health challenges faced by female Division I collegiate athletes. The problem addressed was the issue of poor psychological health among Division I female collegiate athletes. The pressures faced by this subpopulation can lead to psychological distress, which may manifest as anxiety, depression, and role conflict. Consequently, female athletes encounter unique challenges that can adversely affect their overall well-being and performance in athletics and academics. This research aimed to investigate the influence of collegiate athletic participation on female athletes' mental health, particularly from the perspective of coaches, who play a vital role in shaping their athletes' …

The Effects Of Technology On Engagement Among Stem-Based Students At Historically Black Colleges Or Universities, Matthew Evan Bellinger

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study is meant to address the positive or negative instances of student engagement through technology use among STEM students at HBCUs. The intended demographic from this includes STEM students at HBCUs, but also administrators who have a role in enrollment or retention. The wider range of relevant parties is due to the purpose of this study which is to investigate the different forms of technology on STEM students and faculty as they are implemented in higher education at HBCUs. This was accomplished by connecting the technology used by students or faculty to either a Technology-Enhanced Learning environment (engagement) or …

Defining Student Success: Whether Inconsistencies Impact Institutional Resources And The Ability To Meet Student Needs, Kathleen Swain

Student Theses and Dissertations

The term student success is frequently used in higher education, yet no universally accepted definition exists. This lack of a common understanding of what success means can lead to inconsistent priorities and practices across institutions. This qualitative case study explored how internal stakeholders at one community college define student success and whether discrepancies exist between their definitions. Guided by the framework of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this study addressed three research questions: (1) How do definitions of student success vary across community college stakeholder groups? (2) How do different community college stakeholders describe the relationship between the academic components of …

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, September 22, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda, September 22, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting agenda from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Special Education Teacher Attrition, Gender Roles And Human Motivation, Kristen Yurczak

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined the lived experiences of special education teachers working within United States public schools, focusing on factors contributing to special education teacher attrition, such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, and gender dynamics. Fifteen certified special education teachers with at least two years of experience participated in semi-structured interviews conducted during the summer of 2024. This study is framed in theories of human motivation and gender roles, which informed the research questions and the analysis. The study’s findings indicated that intrinsic motivators—including a sense of purpose and the opportunity to positively impact students' lives were …

Examining The Influences Of Principals' Authentic Leadership Practices On Positive Classroom Learning Climate, Students’ Social And Emotional Learning, And Student Behavior, Craig Wesley Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

For many years, students’ well-being has been affected by hostile classroom learning climates, the lack of social-emotional learning, and disruptive student behavior. This study was guided by the Authentic Leadership Theory and Social-Emotional Learning. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the impact of principals' authentic leadership practices on the classroom learning climate, social-emotional learning, and student behavior. A quantitative study using ANOVA and hierarchical aggression test was conducted through a questionnaire, which 108 participants completed in a small rural school district in Southeast Missouri. Data showed no relationship between teachers’ years of experience and student behavior. Data …

The 3d Double Spherical Pendulum: Modeling, Analysis, And Simulations, Alexander Gofen

CODEE Journal

This paper presents an inquiry-based research project that develops and analyzes the system of ordinary differential equations governing the motion of the 3D double pendulum, blending computational experiments with applied and theoretical mathematics. We formulate the Lagrangian for the three-dimensional double spherical pendulum and use Maple to derive the four coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in angular variables; for completeness, we also present an equivalent Cartesian formulation. We then compare and visualize the models using the Taylor Center high-order Taylor-series solver, which delivers high-accuracy trajectories and real-time animations in 2D and anaglyph 3D (red/blue). We place the system in context …

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

09.22.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award
• MIG Application Opportunity
• 10th Annual Advancing MS Conference

How Does R.I.S.E. Arkansas Address The Reading Needs Of Students In The Delta Region Of Arkansas Public Schools?, Kristy Brasfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) Arkansas on reading achievement in grades 3–10 across Arkansas public schools from 2015 to 2023, with particular attention to high-poverty districts in the Delta Region. Using ACT Aspire Summative Assessment data, the study employed independent samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to analyze trends in student performance, subgroup disparities, and district-level variation. Results indicated incremental statewide gains in reading, with the most significant improvements occurring in early grades. However, schools with 70% or higher National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation showed …

Exploring Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Core Competency Within A Beginning Teacher Assistance Program: A Phenomenological Study, Alayna Roller

Student Theses and Dissertations

Novice teachers often begin their careers without sufficient preparation in classroom management and community building, core competencies critical to creating structured, supportive learning environments. These gaps can hinder teacher self-efficacy, affect student engagement, and contribute to high attrition rates. In a single Southwest Missouri school district, the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) was designed to support new teachers in developing these competencies. However, little is known about how novice teachers perceive their experiences within this program. The purpose of this study was to explore how novice teachers interpret their experiences related to classroom management and community building through their participation …

The Pedagogical Experiences Of Online Correctional Education English Composition Faculty, Candace Chambers

Journal of Prison Education Research

With increasing efforts to expand correctional education college programs, previous research has primarily explored the experiences of instructors teaching in face-to-face settings. However, little is known about the experiences of faculty teaching in online correctional education programs within the United States. This qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study addresses this gap by examining the experiences of five online English composition correctional education instructors. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a focus group. Findings revealed that instructors adapted their teaching practices to accommodate the online format, faced challenges in building relationships with students, and desired more professional development. These insights …