Education Commons^™

How Do Higher Education Administrators And Leaders Perceive Academic Persistence And Achievement Of Afro Caribbean Immigrant Students?, Rory T. Richards

Publications and Research

This research looked at Higher Education Leaders’ Perceptions of Persistence and Achievement of Afro Caribbean Immigrant Students. The research was qualitative and took a phenomenological, narrative approach. Sixteen administrators, across three campuses, one private for-profit and two public nonprofits were interviewed. The participants consisted of one President, one Senior Vice President, three Vice Presidents, one Assistant Vice President, three Deans, two Assistant Deans, two Directors, one Department Chair, and one Special Assistant to the President. The participants were also multiethnic, comprising eight Black leaders, five white leaders, two Latino leaders, and one Asian leader. The research found that leaders at …

Opportunities In Study Abroad: Planning, Steps And Suggestions, Diana Saiki, Alyssa Dana Adomaitis

Publications and Research

Faculty lead field studies are supported at most universities, but they can be time consuming and daunting to plan. The benefits of study abroad experiences have been well documented (Livingmore, 2011). There is growing evidence that short term faculty lead field studies provide a positive outlook on the fashion industry (Boorady, et al., 2016). Furthermore, these experience enhance students’“cultural intelligence” or the ability to communicate with diverse cultures and work well in diverse cultural settings (e.g., Livermore, 2011, Rolling,Presley, & Thornton, 2018). There is some literature on faculty lead international experiences study the apparel industry, such as El Salvador (e.g.Ha-Brookshire,2008). …

Building University Relationships: A Holistic Approach To Student Success In Online Learning Environments, Elizabeth Carson-Murphy

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Online learning in the higher education sector has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. Whereas online learning was once a viable alternative for the nontraditional adult student, enrollment trends now show an influx in traditional students opting for virtual education opportunities especially in the last three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been exponential growth in online learning, the rates of attrition have also significantly increased, making it difficult for institutions to retain their online students. This qualitative narrative inquiry study will explore the impact of authentic relationships on student success, engagement, and overall persistence in online …

Project Approach – Teaching Dinosaurs In Pre-K, Erin Preslar

A with Honors Projects

For this honors project, the author has outlined a lesson plan for Pre-Kindergarten students using dinosaurs as the subject.

Importance Of Diversity In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Powell

A with Honors Projects

This honors project discusses the importance of diversity in childhood education and how to achieve it.

A Phenomenological Study Of Flexible Blended Learning In A Fourth Grade Classroom, Betsy Kim Henn

Dissertations and Theses

This phenomenological study explored fourth-grade students' perspectives on the barriers and successes they experienced in flexible blended learning. Focus group interviews were conducted to gain insight into the students' motivation, perceived barriers, possible changes, and their own skills and characteristics for success. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes that addressed the research questions. Students identified several barriers to participation in flexible blended learning. Internal distractions, such as losing focus, and external distractions caused by disruptive behavior by classmates were barriers. Students found video lessons to be passive learning experiences that lacked flexibility. Technology problems and glitches were also identified …

Making The Invisible Visible: A Case Analysis On Institutional Workload And Rewards For Women Faculty, Andrea Carlile

Dissertations and Theses

Women make up the majority of degree earners and a majority of those teaching at higher education institutions. Yet, women are not advancing to the highest ranks. How female faculty receive credit for the work that they do make account for the discrepancy in women advancing to the highest ranks. This single institution convergent mixed methods case study explored institutional practices and policies as it related to workload satisfaction and rewards for female faculty. Following the framework from the Faculty Workload and Rewards, FWRP, project the case analysis leveraged survey instrumentation from the project and used constructs of equity-minded faculty …

Empowering The Nagi (Spirit): A Phenomenological Asset-Based Study Of The Success Stories And Lived Experiences Of Native American College Graduates, Kaylynn Marie Two Bulls

Dissertations and Theses

Helping Native American college students find their purpose and develop their holistic identity will help them be successful in college and in their professional careers. In this study the structural framework of the interview questions are based on Chickering and Reisser’s (1993) student identity development theory which includes seven vectors. Along with Chickering’s student development theory, the Woope Sakowin, seven laws were incorporated into this study. The seven laws align with Chickering’s seven vectors to develop a holistic identity. An interesting component of Chickering’s seven vectors is they do not occur in a step-by-step manner, but rather are seen as …

Stories Of Midwest Higher Education Public Safety Administrators, The Clery Act, And Keeping Campuses Safe, Bryant Jackson

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this narrative inquiry qualitative analysis study is to examine the lived experiences of Midwest higher education public safety administrators regarding the Clery Act. Since 1990 when the Clery Act became law, higher education public safety administrators have been required to implement this law at their institutions. While research on the Clery Act has been limited, it is critical to examine the lived experiences of those tasked with its implementation and compliance. Three themes were identified when examining the lived experiences of the Midwest public safety administrators experiences with the Clery Act. The first theme explored overall impressions …

Gvsu Undergraduate And Graduate Catalog, 2023-2024, Grand Valley State University

Course Catalogs, 1963-

Grand Valley State University 2023-2024 undergraduate and graduate course catalog. Course catalogs are published annually to provide students with information and guidance for enrollment.

Promoting Well-Being Among Intercollegiate Student-Athletes: A Gratitude Intervention Using Positive Psychology, Laura Kruger

Dissertations and Theses

Intercollegiate student-athletes face rising stress and pressures which challenge their well-being and mental health, and sometimes with alarming concerns. Over the years, supportive services and resources specifically available to student-athletes have not evolved at the same pace as student-athlete needs. Also, barriers and stigmas hinder student-athletes from readily accessing supportive mental health services. The high stress of student-athletes can contribute to the development of negative mental health symptoms and impairs positive well-being. Evidence supports how outreach initiatives help student-athletes. Positive psychology, including gratitude as a positive psychological state, has shown benefits to well-being. This experimental study design researched if the …

Capstone Projects In Education: Learning The Research Story, Kim Chappell, Greg Voykhansky J.D., Ph.D.

All Open Educational Resources

This book is designed to facilitate understanding of education research and guide the development and the writing of a capstone project. In education, like other social sciences, we are investigating issues directly involving or influencing humans. Research involving humans can be a complex and awkward endeavor. However, if we view this endeavor through the lens of a research story, we find a familiar genre we can relate to and understand. This concise, open textbook weaves the story of a cat throughout to explain the components of typical education capstone projects.

Identifying Barriers To The Longevity Of Athletic Coaching: A Case Study Of A National Association Of Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Ross Douma

Dissertations and Theses

Significant research regarding longevity existed for many professions. However, very little research was conducted on longevity for small college athletic coaches. This case study sought to identify barriers that affected athletic coaches who served at small colleges in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Participants in this study were current head athletic coaches in the GPAC with at least 15 years of experience. The research concluded that each of the participants in the study was a transformational leader who desired to impact and influence young people beyond their sport. This study of eight athletic coaches revealed themes pertinent to coaching …

Academic Advisors’ Perceptions, Knowledge, And Attitudes Toward Working With Students Experiencing Substance Use Concerns, Amy Orr

Dissertations and Theses

Academic advisors have played an essential role within higher education institutions. Not only did academic advisors assist students in selecting courses/scheduling, but advisors could also help address students' substance use concerns. These concerns could be a factor preventing students from graduating. Students with substance use concerns who did not receive adequate services were barred from reaching their full potential in life and academics, receiving lower grades, and suffering from higher dropout rates than other students. Thus, it was vital for advisors to have the skills to help students with substance use concerns or refer them for additional services. Intrusive advising …

Developmentally Appropriate And Evidence Based Approaches For Improving Attention In Kindergarteners, Alana Brown

A with Honors Projects

This project examines evidence based practices to improve the attention of kindergarteners in the classroom based on development in three domains: cognitive, social emotional, and physical. It describes scientifically based practices in contrast with popular practices, or fads, that have little or no evidence of success in improving attention. The findings reported here provide information that teachers can use to assess whether classroom techniques use developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) to improve the attention of children.

Positive Behavior Intervention And Supports (Pbis): Improving Staff Buy-In With Pbis In A Rural District In The Midwest, Christena Schultz

Dissertations and Theses

Many schools have implemented School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to address student behavior and social-emotional issues. Historically, the implementation of PBIS has been most prominent at the elementary level; however, more secondary schools have implemented PBIS in the past few years. Staff buy-in of PBIS at the secondary level proved more challenging because of secondary school barriers. This improvement science study used qualitative research to explore what factors contributed to or hindered staff buy-in of PBIS and whether transformational leadership improved buy-in. Participants included seven staff at BEMHS. Qualitative data was derived from a focus group and themes …

Micro Credentialing For Teachers: A Case Study In Personalized Professional Development, Brad John Berens

Dissertations and Theses

Professional development for teachers must evolve to provide a personalized approach to better meet the needs of the individual. Micro-credentialing is one way to provide teachers with personalized professional development. This case study explores the implementation of a micro-credentialing course in one school district. The district selected a company that provides micro-credential courses nationwide. The theoretical framework for the study is Andragogy, the theory of adult learning (Knowles, 1984). The objective of the study is to determine to what extent micro-credentialing meets the needs of teachers, and to what extent it is effective professional development. Data for this qualitative study …

Information Technology Security Concerns For University Workforce And Supporting Infrastructure During A Pandemic, Garrett Stevens

Dissertations and Theses

Faculty and staff working from home during the COVID pandemic were presented with new challenges in adapting to emergency remote teaching, as well as new and expanded cyber security threats. Changes to course delivery, remote access from public locations, and the potential of faculty and staff storing confidential educational records on university-issued devices, and potentially personally owned devices, made faculty and staff prime targets of malicious attackers. Information technology departments were challenged to support and secure the remote workforce from new cyber threats to protect their faculty, staff, and students from cyber-attacks. The focus of this study was to identify …

Examining Elementary Teachers’ Self-Efficacy To Teach Engineering: The Impact Of Project Lead The Way Launch Professional Development, Branden Robert Hoefert

Dissertations and Theses

Today’s elementary teachers are expected to teach the engineering practices included in the National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. Recent studies have indicated that teachers are less self-efficacious in teaching engineering than in other subject areas. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that offers pre-K–12th grade curricula and teacher training focused on three pathways: engineering, computer science, and biomedical science. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PLTW transitioned its teacher trainings to a virtual modality. At the time of this study, most of PLTW’s teacher training remained virtual or hybrid. …

Late For Class But Still On The Bus: Women's Persistence At A Community College, Mellisa Flanigan

Dissertations and Theses

The importance of post-traditional women’s persistence in earning credentials at community college cannot be understated. The literature addressed the issue of non-completion within the community college; however, it did not address why or how some students completed, particularly, post-traditional women. Gaps existed in the literature, as it primarily concerned why students did not finish. Therefore, the research conducted for this study was critical for higher education to understand why some post-traditional complete credentials.. Throughout this phenomenological study, five themes emerged: resiliency, respect, economics, support, and integration, as well as subthemes as the women shared stories of how they persisted in …

Closing The Digital Divide: Understanding Organizational Approaches To Digital Accessibility In Higher Education, Angela Kae Jackson

Dissertations and Theses

Digital accessibility practices are becoming standardized in higher education as institutions seek to meet compliance with federal and state equal access laws. Students with disabilities have equal rights to access university programs and services in digital format. The widespread use of assistive technology, artificial intelligence, and content available in digital format brings forth ethical and legal concerns about equal access for individuals with disabilities. While broad approaches to digital accessibility in higher education are in the literature, there is a growing need for more studies to examine comprehensive approaches to digital accessibility across multiple units, disciplines, and the organization's hierarchy. …

Perceptions Of Mental Health Support Services Among South Asian Students, Naina Richards

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

PERCEPTIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES AMONG SOUTH ASIAN STUDENTS

Naina Richards, Ed.D.

Department of Counseling and Higher Education

Northern Illinois University, 2023

Katy Jaekel, Director

This qualitative research study aimed to identify stigmas surrounding mental health that influenced South Asian graduate students’ help-seeking behavior while enrolled in higher education. Findings from this study suggest that cultural stigmas associated with mental illness foster concerning attitudes among South Asian students that equate mental illness with weakness and thus, promote minimization of personal mental struggles to avoid negative labeling and judgement. Recommendations from this study encourage university student support services to …

Teacher Retention: Retaining Teachers In High-Needs, Urban Secondary Schools In A Midwest State Post-Pandemic, Christopher Kenneth Schmit

Dissertations and Theses

Teacher retention has been a challenge for most schools for several years. High-needs schools have been known to have twice the trouble with teacher retention as schools not considered high-needs. The purpose of this study was to identify effective practices school principals can implement to retain teachers at high-needs, urban secondary schools. This quantitative study called on teachers from high-needs schools in Iowa to complete a survey identifying principal qualities related to retention, perceived reasons for teacher attrition, and reasons they continue to teach at their current school. Three hundred eighty-five teachers from five different Iowa school districts participated in …

Disconnected, Frustrated And Withdrawn: Institutional Policy Implications For Equity In Student And Faculty Community, Jessica Marie Welsh

Dissertations and Theses

DFW rates at intuitions of higher education for students from underrepresented populations trended higher than majority students. A single explanatory case study provides insight to the factors impacting DFW rates in first-year gateway courses at a four-year, public, comprehensive institution. The study employed the use of focus groups of students, non-tenure-track faculty, and tenure-track faculty. In addition, institutional data was collected and used to triangulate to the data collected from focus groups. The inductive results showed multiple institutional barriers causing DFW rates among first-generation, Pell Grant, and/or students of color. Using Turner and Angulo’s (2018) theoretical framework of high-risk decision-making …

An Examination Of Pell Grant Recipient Graduation Rates And Institutional Expenditures At Public Baccalaureate Institutions, Lamont Alphonso Sellers

Dissertations and Theses

The present study examines the differences between public baccalaureate institutional expenditures and Pell Grant recipient graduation rates at high and low Pell Grant recipient graduating institutions. IPEDS data were analyzed, including instructional, academic support, student services, institutional support, and Pell Grant recipient 6-year graduation rates from the 2018 academic reporting year. Results from a Mann-Whitney U test compare 99 institutions divided into a high graduation rate group (N_high=40) and a low graduation group (N_low=59). The analysis showed there are mean rank differences between the groups that are statistically significant. These results support the need for further study to make sense …

Induction And Mentoring Programs: Pathways To New Teacher Retention And Success, Valerie Kim Seales

Dissertations and Theses

The pipeline of college students seeking teaching positions is shrinking. The teacher shortage makes finding and retaining new teachers even more challenging. The cost of replacing existing teachers who leave is tremendous, and new teachers leave the profession at an alarming rate. This dissertation explored the lived experiences of new teachers who recently completed their induction and mentoring program. The study addresses three primary research questions: (1) What are the perceived benefits and deficits of the induction program (2) What (if any) additional support do new teachers need to improve their work experience in our schools? Using a phenomenological research …

Disturbing Development Through Drawing: Preservice Teachers’ Visual Representation Of Childhood And Their Links To Teaching ., Debbie Sonu

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Using Utuat To Investigate Corporate Acceptance Of Optional Online Training Programs In Saudi Arabia, Asma Albahli

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The pandemic and post pandemic job market showed the importance of online professional training for employees to improve professional skills necessary to acquire skills to adapt to the new environment and get promoted in their current professions, while contributing to organizations’ success. The present dissertation study utilized the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTUAT) as the theoretical lens to examine the effect of performance expectation (PE), effort expectancy (EE), and social influence (SI) on the behavioral intention (BI) of Saudi Arabian corporate employees working at organizations and companies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to use optional online training …

Perceptions On Detracking Secondary Mathematics Classes And Individual And Collective Teacher Efficacy Beliefs For Teaching In Heterogeneous, Inclusive Classes, Melissa A. Dudic

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore secondary mathematics teachers’ perceptions of detracking including benefits, challenges, and needed support as well as their individual and collective efficacy beliefs for teaching in a detracked class. Shifting to heterogeneous and inclusive secondary mathematics classes is a significant shift from past practice, and thus, teachers’ beliefs about their individual efficacy for such a change can impact the success of detracking reform. By understanding the areas of strength and areas for growth through the lens of individual and collective teaching efficacy, leaders can better understand the professional learning and support needed to sustain …

Is Special Education Effective? A Propensity Score Weighting Analysis In Elementary School, Moira Wendel

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study analyzed the effect of elementary special education receipt within the U.S. Given the nonrandomized nature of special education, the statistical method for measuring the effect of special education must adequately control for contextual factors that are associated with special education receipt. Propensity score weighting is a technique that can control for covariates to test outcomes of those receiving special education compared to those who have not received special education. Using propensity score weighting, this study analyzed the impact of special education status on academic skills (i.e., math, reading, and science), social-emotional functioning (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors), …