Utilizing Relevant Bible Centric Studies As A Means Of Retaining Young Adults In Active Church Membership And Ministry In An Older Puerto Rican American Baptist Church, Jessica Lugo-Melendez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project will explore how the integration of young adults’ everyday life issues and struggles into Bible Studies content can become more attractive for this demographic. With the intention of adding relevancy as a means of retention of young adults within a local American Baptist Church in Puerto Rico. Several recent studies provide a concrete picture of the lack of local church involvement among young adults’ lives, translating into attrition in many cases. In terms of church attendance, a study maintains that only 30.9% of young adults attend religious services "regularly," meaning at least twice a month, 35.4% report never …

An Exploration Of Self-Determination Of First-Generation College Students: A Phenomenological Study, Chelsa Rash

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the self-determination experiences of first-generation college students. For this study, first-generation college students were defined as students with parents who do not have any college education. The study examined students taken from a population of first-generation college students who are at least 18 years old, classified as a sophomore or higher at a university or college in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, and enrolled as either full-time or part-time students. The theory guiding this research study was Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory. The research questions expounded upon the individual, self-determined …

From At-Risk To Graduation: A Causal Comparative Study Of Mentoring The At-Risk Student With The Jag Model, Stacy Bishop Carlton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is imperative for students to graduate career-ready in order to enter the employment field and fill this gap. This research examined a non-experimental causal-comparative quantitative study of at-risk students and their career readiness upon graduation. The effectiveness of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) mentoring program was analyzed to determine the impact of career readiness among these at-risk students. A comparison of the data of at-risk students enrolled in the JAG program versus at-risk students not enrolled was compared to determine their career-readiness skills upon graduation. A review of the research showed that early intervention significantly increased the success of …

Lead Pastor Support In Balancing Marriage, Family, And Ministry As It Related To Stress And Depression, Yolanda K. Mcbride

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The role of a pastor encompasses many duties and responsibilities within the church as well as in the home. In particular, associate pastors are akin to lead pastors in dealing with issues that arise in their personal marriages, family, and ministry. Balancing the three can be daunting and arduous tasks without proper guidance and leadership. Lead pastors have a responsibility to assist associate pastors in balancing those three areas of concern to ensure the ability to serve in ministry with a strong state of mind necessary for a full and thriving career in leading others to Christ. Without the assistance …

Impact Of Cultural Competence Professional Development On The Suspension Referrals Of Minority Students, Philip Bonar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Racial disparity in discipline practices is a concern in public schools across the United States. Racial disparities in exclusionary discipline practices (EDP), such as in-school and out-of-school suspensions of minority students, have been well documented. The purpose of this causal-comparative quantitative study was to examine if a relationship exists between cultural competence (CC) professional development training of faculty (administrators and professional teachers) and the suspension referral counts of Latinx and African American students in an affluent, award-winning public school system in a Mid-Atlantic state. Discipline referral data was collected from the Office of Planning and Evaluation to run a Mann-Whitney …

Boards Of Trustees' And Senior-Level Administrators' Experience With Presidential Turnover In The Higher Educational System: A Case Study, Kismet K. Matthews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative single-instrument case study was to explore how leadership styles and funding knowledge impact presidential turnover as experienced by trustees and senior-level administrators using a rural member college of the North Carolina Community College System as the setting. The central question of this study was, how do trustees and senior-level administrators describe their experience with presidential turnover involving the factors of leadership style, institutional funding, and presidential fit? The theories guiding this study were Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership theory and Duignan and Macpherson’s educative leadership theory as these theories explain leadership styles which are appropriate …

The Effects Of A Mindfulness Curriculum On Mathematics Word Problem Performance In 3rd And 4th Grade Students, Adrianne S. Blackwelder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if a 15-week mindfulness curriculum, MindUP, impacted participants’ performance on a standardized mathematics word problem measure. The study was conducted in two elementary schools in a large public school district in North Carolina during the 2020-2021 school year. Participants included 74 third- and fourth-grade students who received a supplemental mindfulness curriculum and 77 students who received only business as usual instruction (N = 151). The research question and null hypothesis were tested using a quantitative, quasi-experimental, pretest posttest, nonequivalent, control group design. The TOMA-3 Word Problems subtest was administered by school personnel …

Critical Thinking In Law Enforcement Training Academies: A Phenomenological Study Of Officer Experiences, Billy J. Spruill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, law enforcement officer use of force incidents resulting in death has seemingly become more prevalent. Generally, the educational requirement for a law enforcement officer is a high school diploma or general education development degree. One must question if this requirement is sufficient for a law enforcement officer to be successful in a modern world as the law enforcement training academy may be the law enforcement officer’s only postsecondary education. Critical thinking is a needed skill identified by high-stress professions such as the military, nursing, and disaster management, yet there is limited study regarding critical thinking in law enforcement. The …

Understanding The Barriers East Texas Community College Students Experience In Transferring To A Regional University, Kelly Leigh Coke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a plethora of research available on students and the barriers they face in transferring to a university, such as transfer processes, articulations, pathways, 2+2 plans, institutional agents, and financial issues. However, in rural areas of Texas, little research is available on the barriers students endure in transferring from community colleges to four-year universities. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to determine the transfer barriers faced by a community college student population and the support services needed for their successful transfers to four-year universities. The framework that guided this study was transfer student capital and transfer shock. …

An Organization’S Ability To Improve Outsourcing Outcomes In Information Technology Outsourcing Initiatives By Increasing Organizational Knowledge: A Case Study, John Michael Mello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was the literature gap regarding how internal organizational knowledge can be increased effectively within outsourcing projects. The study was a qualitative social constructionist case study composed of senior technology leaders. The purpose this study addressed was to understand the current structure of technical outsourcing contracts and how future contracts could be structured to address the problem of this study. The research incorporated how a reconceptualized absorptive capacity model, sociocognitive theory, and digital leadership mindsets could improve knowledge transfer outcomes between a vendor and client. Research shows that increasing an organization’s knowledge during an outsourcing …

Peripheral Intravenous Replacement In Adults: Routine Vs. Clinically Indicated, Carol A. Hunt

Department of Education

No abstract provided.

Sisterhood & Scholarship While Black, Stephanie Anckle

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Developing And Assessing A Workshop That Utilizes A Serious Game To Introduce Joint All-Domain Operations, Christopher M. Voltz

Theses and Dissertations

The DoD has begun developing Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) to prepare for the future of warfare. As complexity and technological capability increases, the U.S. military needs to adapt to provide a more lethal and capable force, able to compete and win against near-peer adversaries. This research describes the development of an Introduction to JADO Workshop designed to provide a structured primer into JADO concepts. The research also presents an extension of BSN in the form of BSN scenarios. These scenarios alter the rules to lessen the learning curve for the game and to engage with JADO concepts. This research proposed …

A Regional Case Study: Effective Administrator Feedback To Inform Teacher Performance, Richard M. Vandermolen, Catherine L. Meyer-Looze

Peer Reviewed Articles

In 2013, the Michigan Department of Education required all public school districts to adopt a state-approved evaluation system. The Department’s rationale for this change was to increase teacher accountability and thus to improve student achievement. Because schoollevel administrators are responsible for implementing district policy and acting as the primary evaluators of teacher performance, the authors conducted a study to identify the type of administrator feedback principals give in observations and evaluations. In this 3-year study, evaluation data were collected from random districts within a rural Michigan Intermediate School District and analyzed for average total score and manner of feedback. Three …

Social-Emotional Supports For African American Males: An Examination Of Strategies And Practices That Inform Persistence For College And Career Readiness, Kamilah Hampton

Dissertations

African American males are faced with many challenges because of the lack of social-emotional supports and current society. African American males experience trauma as a result of their exposure to violence, mistreatment in most environments, and implicit biases in obtaining an education. Social-emotional programming designed specifically for African American males is proven to positively impact their learning outcomes. This study found that the implementation of programming can have a direct impact on African American male’s ability to achieve at high levels. This must be addressed through continuous professional learning and support to challenge and improve a teacher’s instructional practice with …

An Evaluation Of One School's Reading Program To Support Struggling Readers Through The Use Of Data, Gabrielle Jones

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of one school’s reading intervention program, and its impact on struggling readers reading performance. Participants in this study included administrators, Grades 3 through 5instructional staff that directly impact student learning in reading through reading instruction. I collected survey data and analyzed it to determine teachers’ ability to instruct struggling readers with high expectations for student learning. As a result, this evaluation exhibit teachers require more quality planning time to prepare effective reading intervention lessons that includes strategies attained from strategically designed professional development structured to increase students’ reading ability. …

The Impact Of School Socioeconomic Status On The Effectiveness Of A Statewide Principal Mentoring Program, Michael Portwood

Dissertations

The professional demands on today’s school principal are varied and expansive, and as a result, relevant training and preparation is of utmost importance. Because of these rising demands, principal turnover is not uncommon, especially in low-SES schools. Formalized and strategic principal mentoring, however, has been shown to reduce principal attrition, keeping leaders in their roles and contributing to increased student achievement. This quantitative study examined the responses from school leaders on their experiences in a statewide principal mentoring program and analyzed the connection, in relation to their administrative peers, between their experience as a protégé and their status as a …

Closing The English Language Proficiency Gap In Post-Secondary Education In Canada, Priscilla Lothian-Hendrix

Dissertations

The proposed research employed a mixed-method approach to investigate why the linguistic standards of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (levels 5–8) are deemed satisfactory for English as a second language (ESL) learners at the college level. An examination of the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) identified why an ESL learner with a CLB level of 5–8 requires English support services in post-secondary education to achieve academic success in Canada. The CLB levels of six female participants were analyzed using a questionnaire in reading, writing, listening, and speaking to explore their English levels in articulating the language, pronouncing words, …

Increasing Strategies And Programs For The Retention And Graduation Of Black Undergraduate Students At The University Of Central Florida, Carla Sorrells Morris

Dissertations

Abstract of Dissertation

Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida

This study aims to expand the knowledge and understanding of retention and persistence opportunities for Black students at the University of Central Florida. Qualitative research and data were collected and analyzed on six minority students at UCF. The study discovered academic, social, and cultural factors that affect Black undergraduate students' retention, persistence, and graduation at the University of Central Florida.

Analysis of the data revealed the need for minority students to access academic strategies and participate in intervention …

Leader Development Of The Health Information Management (Him) Professional, Theresa Jones

Dissertations

This study contributes to the body of knowledge in leader development by examining how higher education programs in a female dominated profession assist learners in developing person-related characteristics that support leader development. A ten-part online survey was sent to directors of health information management (HIM) programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM). Results suggest an opportunity for improvement in the curriculum for development of person-related characteristics critical for leadership positions. In the interest of the progression of women these results should be taken into consideration.

What Factors Support Degree Completion For African American Women Students At A Land-Grant Historically Black College University (Hbcu)?, Samantha Friar

Dissertations

There is minimal research conducted on African American women degree completion who attend a land-grant HBCU. This study investigated key factors that assisted 9 African American women and promoted their degree attainment. My research utilized the ethnography framework to observe a specific culture group, language, behaviors beliefs, and beliefs. The findings in this research identified 5 factors: culture environment, academic advising, student engagement, financial aid, and faculty mentoring. It was determined that cultural environment is a leading factor among the African American participants of this research, as connecting with peers that shared the same cultural beliefs as the participants do, …

The Latina Graduate Experience At Hispanic Serving Institutions, Melanie Flores

Dissertations

Hispanic Serving Institutions are designated as such as a result of meeting the minimum enrollment of 25% full-time, undergraduate Hispanic identifying student enrollment. Though this designation is met solely through undergraduate enrollment, there is a need for services and programming to be expanded to graduate students. This study explores the experiences of Latina graduate students at Hispanic Serving Institutions with the purpose of understanding what support participants needed to persist and succeed and what HSIs are or should be doing to better to increase student outcomes and create a culturally engaging campus community.

The Latino Achievement Gap: The Role Of Teachers In The Success Or Failure Of Latino Students, Sandra Gonzalez-Adamski

Dissertations

Understanding that the academic achievement of Latino students continues to lag behind their White peers, this study explored the role of the teacher in the success or failure of Latino school-age children. The methodology utilized for this research was qualitative. I used a narrative approach to discuss the thoughts, opinions, and insights of the six teachers interviewed for this study. The in-depth conversations with the participants suggested differences in how Latino and White teachers view their Latino students. Most of the White teachers suggested that academic achievement can be reached through explicit vocabulary instruction, reading a wide variety of books, …

Implementation Of Social Emotional Learning To Service The Whole Child, Willard Willette

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Today’s students are facing an overwhelming number of obstacles that hinder their emotional, social, and academic growth. As a principal, I recognized this growing burden my students were carrying. Such hindrances as a rise in gun violence, continued socioeconomic disadvantages, and countless other more personal obstacles and their effects on students were evident inside the school setting. Many of our students were traumatized by these life changing circumstances and then left clueless as to how to handle them or the challenges life may bring next. The adults in our school and many of the families did not have the …

A Case Study Of A Math Teacher Of Black Students: Examining Instruction That Addresses The Content Knowledge Gap Through Culturally Relevant Instruction, Theartris Childress Iii

Dissertations

This program evaluation focuses on the teaching practices of one Chicago Public School math teacher who has demonstrated success over time in the achievement of African American students. The primary research question explored how educators and leaders can learn from best practice research and case studies of exemplary math instruction the instructional and pedagogical skills needed to work effectively with African American students. Employing a qualitative research methodology, with data gathered from teacher interviews and other stakeholders, and observations, this study identified key components to improve mathematics instruction and culturally proficient practices. Policy recommendations and implications illustrate the need for …

2021-June-01-Etsu Announces Salary Enhancements Bishop Hall And New Board Officers, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Dear ETSU Faculty and Staff,

The ETSU Board of Trustees convened a special called meeting earlier today (Tuesday, June 15, 2021) to consider and take action on a series of agenda items.  Given the significance of these announcements, I want to provide a brief summary update to members of the university community. 

• Salary enhancements:  I am pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees endorsed a one-time bonus of $500 for all regular, non-temporary employees who were employed during the period of April 1-May 30, 2021.  The bonus will be reflected in your June 30 paychecks. 
  
  In addition, we are …

2021-June-01-Etsu Best In Tennessee For Computing Degree Programs, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State University offers the best computing degree programs in Tennessee, according to ranking websites CollegeFactual.com and Universities.com. Both sites recently ranked ETSU the No. 1 “2021 Best College for Computer Information Systems in Tennessee” and the No. 2 “Best Computer and Information Sciences College in Tennessee for 2021,” respectively.

“This recognition underscores the value of an ETSU computing education, as well as the quality and effectiveness of work from both our faculty and our students,” said Dr. Tony Pittarese, department of computing chair and professor. “The department of computing is a place of opportunity for …

2021-June-01-Etsu Health To Bring Covid-19 Vaccine To Summer Events, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY – ETSU Health will continue to offer opportunities for members of the community who are 18 and older to receive the free, one-dose Janssen Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at various locations throughout the Appalachian Highlands. 

“This summer, we will be utilizing some non-traditional settings to reach as many people as we can with the vaccine,” said Donna Noland, manager of the ETSU Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. “While we have had a good response to our vaccine clinics on the campus of East Tennessee State University and will continue to offer those to the public, we realize that …

2021-June-01-Financial Aid Get Ready For Fall, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State University officials urge both current and incoming students to make sure their financial aid is ready for the fall semester.

“There is so much excitement that comes with the start of a new academic year,” said Catherine Morgan, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at ETSU. “Ahead of this exciting time, why not eliminate what stress you can by making sure your financial aid is ready to go?”

Students should take the following three steps if they have not already done so:

• File the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before July …

A Journey Towards Cultural Proficiency: Lessons Learned From Africa, Corinne Brion

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

This autoethnography tells my story as a French American woman who lives in the United States and worked with hundreds of school leaders in five African countries over a period of six years. Using a cultural proficiency continuum, I illustrate my learning and changing frames of references pertaining to cultural differences. Movement along the continuum indicates an alteration in thinking that progresses from marginalization to inclusivity. My experiences, mistakes, and lessons learned contribute to the discourse on cultural difference. For six years, I spent more time on the African continent than in my American home. These extended stays allowed me …