Education Commons^™

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 …

Caregiver Implemented Standardized To Individualized Behavior Analytic Toilet Training Package For Autistic Preschoolers, Jessica A. Osos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Autistic children often face challenges with toilet training and may benefit from a more structured and systematic approach compared to methods used for neurotypical children. While research and literature in this area has shown that behavior analytic toilet training packages can lead to increasing successful urinations and reducing accidents for autistic children, limitations such as not including caregivers as the individuals implementing the package, unsustainable sit schedules, and lack of acceptable levels of checks for accurate data collection and implementation of procedures highlight the need for refining of implementation oversight and examination of updated toileting procedures without the use of …

The Role Of Mindset In The Academic Resilience Of Non-Residential Health Profession Students: A Phenomenological Study, Julie Lynn Branagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of academic resilience of non-residential healthcare students in rural regions of the Northeast United States. The theoretical framework guiding this study was Carol Dweck's theory on growth mindset, as it exposed the relationship of personal perspective on academic resiliency. This study attempted to answer the central research question: What are the lived experiences of academic resilience among non-residential health profession students? An extensive review of the literature revealed the compounding aspects of resilience research with specific attention to health profession students. Data collection methods included a letter-writing …

Nursing Faculty Experiences Of Teaching Dementia Care: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jeannie Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of nursing faculty teaching dementia care to nursing students in Texas. The theory guiding this study was Kolb’s experiential learning theory as it offers a structured framework for examining how experiences lead to learning. This theory also introduced the concept of the Experiential Educator profile, specifically delineating the role of educators in facilitating knowledge acquisition (Kolb, 2014). This study bridged the gap in existing literature regarding the experiences of nursing faculty in teaching dementia care to nursing students and provided a comprehensive look at dementia education in nursing schools. …

Development In Comprehensive Onboarding Training And Professional Development For Online Adjunct Faculty, Leslie R. Stover

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hiring online adjunct faculty in higher education continues to grow, encompassing nearly half of the overall faculty population. As four-year institutions rely on the benefits of adjunct faculty, they must also invest in their orientation and continuous development. Existing literature confirms the varied approaches to supporting adjunct faculty, deficiency in coordinated programming, and reveals a lack of understanding in adjunct faculty's perception of training delivered. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, this study explored the gap between the onboarding and professional development an institution provides and the online adjunct faculty’s perception of its effectiveness. The research questions explored the lived experiences …

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 …

Teachers' Experiences Implementing Reading Comprehension Strategies With Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenology Study, Melissa Katherine Mcdermott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study described educators' experiences implementing reading comprehension strategies with elementary school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in northern Delaware. The theory guiding this study was theory of mind, which addresses higher-order cognitive skills and impairments, evoking challenges for students with ASD regarding their reading comprehension skills. This study sought to answer the following research question: “What are teachers' experiences implementing instructional strategies to develop reading comprehension skills for students with ASD?” A hermeneutic phenomenological research design was used to investigate and understand the lived experiences of 12 educators in elementary schools who provide reading comprehension instruction …

The Lived Self-Care Experiences Of Parents Of Children With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Karen Nadine May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (CWSID) who attend a special needs school accommodating children with various learning disabilities. Self-care is defined as a deliberate action to control problems that lead to an improved quality of life and good health. The theory guiding this study was the transactional model of stress and coping theory. The study's central research question was, “What are the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (SID)?” The qualitative phenomenological design allowed the data to be …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Post-Graduates Of A Spiritual Direction Training Program Rooted In Ignatian Spirituality: A Phenomenological Study, Traci Arends

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand and explain the lived experiences of the graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Ignatian Ways Center for Spirituality (IWCS). The theory guiding this study was Mezirow’s theory on transformative learning as it informs the transformative journey for the graduates. With this in mind, the central research question was, “What are the transformative learning experiences of graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the IWCS?” This qualitative design was appropriate because it considered the nature of the problem. The study utilized purposeful sampling of the lived experience …

Die With Me: An Exploration Of Cultural Notions Of Mortality And Their Potential Influence On In-Law Relationships Through A Fictional Shared-Near-Death Experience, Suzana Stipanovic

Postgraduate

This exegesis explores the transformative potential of near-death experiences (NDEs) and shared-near-death experiences (SNDEs) through the creation of the fictional screenplay titled Die With Me. Employing a non-linear narrative structure, the screenplay follows a protagonist who, through a SNDE, enters her mother-in-law’s NDE - an encounter that profoundly reshapes their perspectives and relationship.

The research integrates case study analysis of relevant films, a review of academic literature, and engagement with autobiographical accounts of NDEs and SDEs. Grounded in Smith and Dean’s (2009, p. 20) iterative cycle web of practice model, the project employs a cyclical approach that blends creative-led, practice-led …

Building A Virtual Gallery: How The User Journey Can Inform Technological Innovation Towards Best Practice In Creating A Virtual Gallery?, Paula Cordeiro

Postgraduate

Building a Virtual Gallery: How can the user journey inform technological innovation towards best practice in creating a virtual gallery?

This research investigates how user journey frameworks can inform technological innovation towards best practice in creating a virtual gallery and how virtual hubs can serve as cultural and heritage art spaces, through collaborative interaction with Regional Councils. This exegesis, together with the accompanying creative artwork, Byron Bay Regional Gallery_Virtual Hub (BRGVirtual-Hub), explore the potential of VR gallery design as a platform to emerge from my literature review, technological innovation, cultural and social interaction, artistic collaboration and real-time connectivity among local …

Language, Equity, And Power: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Student Conduct Policies At Unl, Mandi Laib

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis of student conduct policies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1977 to 2003 to examine how language reflects and reinforces institutional power structures. Utilizing Critical Race Theory and Queer Theory, this research investigates how conduct policies have historically marginalized Students of Color, LGBTQ+ students, and those facing economic hardship. Through a deductive coding process, themes such as institutional control, surveillance, and punitive framing were identified across four decades of student handbooks. While there are moments where student rights and restorative justice are acknowledged, these are often overshadowed by dominant discourse that prioritizes compliance …

A Phenomenological Study On Teachers' Lived Experiences With Digital Learning And Students With Disabilities During And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Angie R. Tyson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of educators with digital learning and students with disabilities during and post-pandemic in various areas in the Satellite Central Regional Area of eastern Georgia. The central research question of the study, "How do teachers describe their experiences with digital learning and students with disabilities during and post-pandemic?" was addressed by considering Bandura's perspectives on the theoretical framework of self-efficacy. Participants were 11 educators with lived experiences of self-efficacy working with students with disabilities and achievement gaps during and post-pandemic. The participants described their experiences in detail through focus …

A Holistic Case Study On Leaders In The Division Of Enrollment Services’ Experiences Implementing Interdepartmental Partnerships In Higher Education, Christopher A. Almond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic case study was to understand the experiences of higher education leaders in the division of enrollment services at a public research university who experienced departmental realignments or mergers because of performance-based funding initiatives. The study addresses the gap in the literature on the effect of change on interpersonal relationships in higher education. The theory guiding the study is Tierney’s theory on organizational behavior among college employees. The research methodology consisted of three phases. I conducted focus groups, individual interviews, and document analyses. The setting was a large research university in an urban city. There were …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of General Education And Special Education Teachers Within The Inclusion Classroom: Exploring The Factors And Barriers Of Success, Allison Parks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the inclusion experiences related to self-efficacy and barriers to inclusion for secondary general education teachers and special education teachers at a metro-area high school in Georgia. This study aimed to understand how do general education and special education describe their self-efficacy when teaching in an inclusive classroom? The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the confidence levels associated with teachers’ experiences. This qualitative study utilized convenience sampling in a large rural high school setting. Data was collected using one-on-one interviews, participant journaling, …

Exploring Teachers' Experiences Developing Adaptive Learning Systems With High-Stakes Testing Requirements: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Brian J. Le Fevre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which was utilized to relate to teachers’ beliefs about engaging in behaviors influenced by high-stakes testing. A transcendental methodology was used for the study design as the study aimed to explore teachers’ shared experiences while bracketing my previous experiences. The sample population consisted of second- to sixth-grade teachers who instructed subjects who were assessed by high-stakes testing in the Southeastern United States. Data was collected using interviews, focus groups, and journal prompt responses. Following data collection, the data was coded and analyzed to develop the essence of the shared experiences …

Pastoral Unity Community Engagement Of Shiprock Area Ministry Association In Shiprock, New Mexico, Rosalind Ann Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This praxis project examines the Shiprock Area Ministry Association (SAMA), a pastoral group which represents different religious denominations of faith in the community. SAMA is located on the Navajo Indian reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico and has struggled to return as a group amid the post COVID-19 pandemic. Since its founding as an organization, the group has gathered for support in unity, prayer, and engaged in activities in Shiprock. The return of SAMA members and new membership is to include pastor spouses, church workers, and ministers within a 15-mile radius. The Hershey and Blanchard (2001) Situational Leadership Self-Assessment will be …

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 …

A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack, Edmond J. Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study aims to ascertain the degree of preparedness for reducing and preventing extreme violence and the countermeasures that are in place (or lack thereof) at houses of worship. All places of worship in this study are considered soft targets and not “holy ground” as traditionally referenced. The terms “places of worship” and “church” will be used interchangeably in this study. A place of refuge for both the physical and spiritual is now considered vulnerable as the congregants are focused on worship rather than protection from an attack. Violence against places of worship will be described at this …

Dunning-Kruger And The Reforming Mind: A Causal-Comparative Study Determining The Role That Confidence When Learning Mathematics Plays In Sixth-Grade Students' Mathematics Performance, Rita Renata Davison-Yragui

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental causal-comparative study was to determine the relationship between sixth-grade students’ confidence level (high, middle, or low) when learning mathematics and their mathematical performance. This study adds to the current body of knowledge on student learning and contributes to a better understanding of the impact of confidence on student performance in mathematics. The sample comprised 132 sixth-grade public school math students in western Washington who completed the i-Ready diagnostic to determine their mathematical performance. The confidence when learning mathematics portion of the Attitudes to Technology in Mathematics Learning Questionnaire was used to measure student confidence …

On A Wing And A Prayer: A Phenomenological Study Of High School Teachers' Experiences Teaching Ell Students, Malerie Rene Huguley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the self-efficacy of high school ELL teachers at a large private high school in central Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and how it related to high school teachers’ preparation and confidence in teaching ELL students. The central research question for this study was: What are the experiences of high school general education teachers who teach ELL students in a private school setting? This study was a qualitative transcendental phenomenological study that included the lived experiences of 13 high school teachers. Data were collected from participants using …

Faculty Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence As A Teaching And Learning Tool In Higher Education: A Causal-Comparative Study, Elizabeth A. Fitch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine the differences in attitudes, benefits, and threats of using artificial intelligence tools in teaching and learning among community college faculty in Tennessee. The findings of this study are important because faculty acceptance or rejection of emerging technology determines educational innovation. The sample was composed of 211 full-time faculty employed at twelve community colleges in Tennessee. Data were collected using the Attitudes, Benefits, and Threats instrument which was administered by electronic survey. The results of the two-way MANOVA did not find a significant difference among attitudes, benefits, and threats associated with …

Educated And Unemployed: A Case Study To Understand The Challenges Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Face After Release, Joyce Blackmon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study was to understand the phenomenon of formerly incarcerated individuals who have received a postsecondary degree while incarcerated, yet were unable to obtain employment that was commensurate to the degree earned. Sixteen participants in the United States were recruited for this study. Formerly incarcerated individuals and prospective employers gave insight and examined why formerly incarcerated individuals have an enormous number of issues obtaining employment after reintegration. The Tadros theory of change provided a theoretical lens for this inquiry and gave understanding of the changes that the formerly incarcerated needed while incarcerated to accomplish …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring Teacher-Student Relationships For Students With Moderate To Severe Disabilities, Karen N. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental, phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of general education and self-contained classroom teachers building relationships with students who have moderate to severe disabilities in rural Maryland. Teachers were selected from elementary school settings in the rural part of Maryland’s eastern shore. The theory that guided this study was Bowlby’s attachment theory. Vygotsky focused on language development and how it affects social interactions between others while Bowlby’s theory explored a child’s attachment to close adults. This study explored teacher-student relationships as it relates to elementary-age students on Maryland’s eastern shore. The methodology for this …

Fostering Educator Well-Being To Manage Job-Related Teacher Stress, Jennifer L. Ringelheim

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The job-related expectations for effective classroom instruction expanded beyond teaching academics after the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased job-related teacher stress (Weisling, 2023). Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the researcher of this Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) identified a problem of practice as the demands of teaching post-COVID-19 on teacher well-being. In Phase 1 of this ISDiP, the researcher conducted end-user consultations, reviewed existing data, completed a root cause analysis, and reviewed scholarly literature to develop a working theory of improvement to manage teacher stress with self-care and regulation strategies. Phase 2 of this ISDiP aimed to understand to what …

Leveraging Elementary Teachers' Social-Emotional Competencies Through Educational Neuroscience, Kara Sievel

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Researchers posit that the adverse effects of COVID-19 on student well-being will extend far past its onset (Lane et al., 2024). Therefore, researchers and education policymakers have prioritized enhancing students’ social-emotional learning (SEL) due to its significant benefits for academic achievement and overall well-being (Greenberg & Abenavoli, 2017; Greenberg et al., 2017; Jones et al., 2019). However, an essential component of the equation - teachers’ social-emotional competencies (SECs) - continually fail to be considered (Donahue-Keegan et al., 2019; Herman et al., 2020; Odak et al., 2023). While educational leaders recognize effective SEL programs’ benefits for students, many seek guidance on …

The Grizzly, May 1, 2025, Kate Horan, Erin Ewing, Renee Washart, Claudia Tracy, Nathaniel Nerone, Sidney Belleroche, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

The Grizzly Takes On CoSA! • Senior Alumni Award Honorees • A Goodbye • And a Hello! • Repair Cafe • Hillel: A Home for Many • Ursinus College 2024-25 Crossword • Sports Stars Shine at URSPYS • Ursinus Softball Battles Through Ups and Downs

School Choice And Spatial Equity: A Comparative Analysis Of Public And Private K-12 School Enrollment In Three American Metropolitan Areas, John A. Schumacher

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the factors influencing school choice and enrollment patterns in three Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs): Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI; Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN; and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell. It explores the role of socioeconomic and spatial variables, including income levels, racial composition, and educational attainment, political fragmentation, and urbanicity in shaping enrollment decisions across public and private schools. Using spatial analysis and multiple regression techniques, the study examines how these factors contribute to variations in school enrollment within the selected MSAs. The results reveal that income level and racial composition significantly affect enrollment patterns while other factors such as urbanicity had minimal impact. …

A Qualitative Study On Recruiting And Retaining Black, Veteran, In-Service Teachers In Rural Tennessee K-12 Public Schools, Paul Andrew Mcmillan

Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, interpretive study was to explore the perceptions of Black, veteran, in-service teachers regarding recruitment and retention strategies in rural Tennessee K-12 public schools. This study addressed significant racial disparities in the Tennessee education system, where the percentage of Black teachers was notably lower than the percentage of Black students, particularly in rural schools. Data were collected from 20 Black, veteran, in-service teachers using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to examine the factors influencing their decisions to seek employment and remain in rural districts. Analysis of the data identified three key themes related to Research Question 1 …

Isolating The Causes Instead Of The Student: Building Belonging And Connectedness Among And With Students, Cheryl Ann Faga

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Embedded at the heart of the educational system is the teacher-student relationship. This qualitative Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) examines the impact of the teacher-student relationship on students’ sense of belonging in the classroom and the broader school culture and climate in an urban interdistrict high school magnet program. At the 2022 Association of Middle School Leadership, Houston Kraft, developer of Character Strong, explained that "If we know connection and belonging is a human need, we have to build systems and skills that support the acquisition of and development of connection before students ever feel safe to learn" (Simpson, …