Educational Administration and Supervision Commons^™

An Analysis Of The Self-Perceptions Of Women Leaders In Higher Education, Angela Mclendon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (a) investigate perceptions of women administrators in higher education as they relate to their positions and (b) learn more about women’s perceptions as they relate to gender in leadership in higher education. and (c) determine where we need to go from here in terms of improvement. Investigating these issues in the 21st century will give us a current temperature and a snapshot of where we are and where we need to go from here as it relates to women leaders in higher education.

The focus of this study was women who are administrators …

The Impact Of Prior-Prior Year On Federal Student Aid Eligibility, Valerie A. Mockus

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Each year, millions of Americans complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in hopes of securing federal, state, and institutional funding to support their educational goals. The FAFSA recently changed the age of tax data used to determine eligibility for aid, including the Federal Pell Grant—eligibility for which is often used as a proxy for students with the highest need. This study includes a comprehensive review of the extant literature on the subject of prior-prior year. It is also the first look into the actual impact of the recent shift from Prior Year (PY) tax information to Prior-Prior …

The Relationship Between First Year Student Expectations And Persistence Into The Second Year Of College, Ashley Baltuch Dees

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Incoming first year students have varying expectations for their college experience. As Florida public education budgets are more closely aligned with student persistence and graduation rates, it is vital institutions retain more first time in college students. The purpose of this study was to better understand how first year student college expectations on academic preparation, co-curricular involvement, socializing, and institutional commitment relate to persistence into the second year of college at one of Florida’s large, preeminent public research universities.

This quantitative study utilized the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) in order to better understand incoming student expectations. The …

Creating Laboratories Of Practice For Scholarly-Practitioners: How Leaders Learn Through Action Research Of Clinical Supervision, Ian Mette, Teresa Starrett

Journal of Practitioner Research

The purpose of our work the past three years has been to understand how clinically rich laboratories of practice can be created that allow aspiring administrators hands-on experiences in order to learn how to provide effective supervision to teachers. Through our cross-university collaboration, class members in our Educational Supervision courses have been provided an action learning structure and experiential learning opportunities to develop their own concepts of educational supervision. The two primary goals of our work were to understand a) how aspiring administrators identify when to apply directive versus nondirective supervisory behaviors (Glickman, Gordon, & Ross-Gordon, 2014), and b) analyze …

School Leadership And Appreciative Inquiry In Culture Of Care, Anthony Jones

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project was part of a group project completed by five school and district administrators in Hillsborough County, Florida. The project began because of our passion for teachers who are able to establish a culture of care in their classrooms that support students academically but transform their learning through experiences that enable them to be more highly engaged and productive students, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, perceived academic abilities, and backgrounds.

My focus in this group project was an exploration of how Walker Middle Magnet School became more diverse while increasing student achievement during the conversion to a ‘reverse …

Lynn Steen's Imprint On Demographic Change And The Demand For Higher Education, Nathan D. Grawe

Numeracy

Nathan D. Grawe. 2018. Demographic Change and the Demand for Higher Education (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press) 192 pp. ISBN 978-1421424132.

This essay introduces and excerpts my Demographic Change and the Demand for Higher Education, published by Johns Hopkins University Press. The book reflects Lynn Steen's vision of quantitative reasoning as more to do with the quality of thought than the impressiveness of the mathematical tools involved. The excerpt lays out the basic demographic challenge facing higher education and how a refinement of simple headcount forecasts can support institutions of higher education as they make preparations.

Student Employment During Senior Year Of Undergraduate Study, Christina A. Brown-Wujick

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study filled a gap in the higher education literature regarding whether a relationship exists between students’ employment location on or off campus, students’ identification as either native or transfer, and academic success as measured by self-reported grades for full-time seniors between the ages of 20-23 who enrolled in urban colleges and universities. The researcher used the National Survey of Student Engagement survey to collect data. It was administered to students during the 2013 or 2014 administrations at urban colleges and universities, with the purpose of representing the senior cohorts of students at their college or university during the years …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Institutional Financial Resources And Global Ranking, Matthew S. Anderson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Global rankings are a popular way for governments, HEI’s, faculty, staff, and students to compare institutions worldwide, therefore it is important to rank well. However, in order to have top-quality research and education programs, HEI’s need to have significant financial resources. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between an institution’s financial resources and its global ranking. The results of this study provide additional insight and a better understanding of global rankings and the nature of the relationship between various financial resources and global rankings.

This was a quantitative study that used ranking data from the Academic …

Grit And Academic Performance Of First- And Second-Year Students Majoring In Education, Lindsey N. Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Postsecondary student performance has been studied in great detail by higher education systems and their stakeholders in attempts to identify what may contribute to increased rates of retention and degree completion. Research on predictors of postsecondary performance has focused significantly on the relationship between performance and traditional cognitive measures, yet a growing body of literature examines other factors that may play a role, including that of grit, a non-cognitive trait described as a disposition toward perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Moreover, for graduates who enter the workforce in a profession as demanding as teaching, characteristics such as grit have …

Understanding The Relationship Between Informal Interactional Diversity And Males’ Engagement In The Undergraduate Experience, Amanda Cutchens

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The diversity of the undergraduate student population encourages understanding of others and provides opportunities for students to challenge their assumptions of cultures, political and religious views, values, and personal backgrounds. However, it also creates challenges for academic and student success as faculty and administrators struggle to meet different generational and cultural needs. A broader, more inclusive definition of student success may help meet the needs of a more modern complex institutional student demographic. It may also allow for new avenues of research specifically related to success for Black, Hispanic, and White undergraduate male students, as these students continue to struggle …

Graduate Nursing Student Persistence To Graduation, Tyler C. Dean

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether certain student-entry characteristics collected from an admissions application from one nursing school’s graduate (master’s degree) programs had a statistically significant relationship with student persistence. Specifically, the study determined if the variables sex, age at matriculation, U.S. citizenship, state residency status, most recent schooling year, last statistics course taken and grade, graduate-level program of study, and credit hours identified on the graduate nursing admissions application and school transcripts, had a statistically significant relationship in predicting student persistence to graduation. If a relationship existed, it would contribute to graduate student persistence literature and …

Beyond Charlotte: Reflection For Continuous Improvement Of Practice, Barbara S. Rieckhoff, Sharon J. Damore

Journal of Practitioner Research

Little positive correlation exists between teacher performance, or value-added teacher assessment, and student achievement (Darling-Hammond, 2014; Harris, Ingle, & Rutledge, 2014). “Thus, evaluation in its current form, often contributes little … to teacher learning…” (Darling -Hammond, 2014, p. 1). Minnici (2014) summarizes “teachers are the most important in school factors that influence student achievement” (p. 1) and yet she questions whether the current systems of teacher evaluation improve teaching practices and engages teachers in necessary, continued professional development and growth during their careers. Additionally, Nolan and Hoover (2008) express concern about the current practice of ill-defined, mixed use of teacher …

Teaching Principals To Be Action Researchers: The Indiana Principal Leadership Institute Coaching Model, Nancy Fichtman Dana, Linda Marrs-Morford, Shelley Roberts, Kelly Laffoon

Journal of Practitioner Research

This article chronicles a year-long model of engagement in action research for administrators as it unfolds within a professional development program for practicing principals. Part one of the article, authored by the program developers, describes five components of the inquiry coaching model: (1) introducing the action research process, (2) developing a wondering/research question, (3) developing a plan for research, (4) analyzing data, and (5) sharing work with others. Part two of the article, authored by a principal, provides an example of action research produced by a participant in program.

Faculty Perceptions Of The Quality Enhancement Plan In A Us Public Doctoral University With Highest Research Activity: A Case Study, Maha Alamoud

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to explore faculty members’ perceptions of the QEP in a public doctoral university with highest research activity. Particularly, the study explored how faculty members perceive the role of the QEP in student learning and institutional effectiveness, the relevance of the QEP activities in student learning and institutional effectiveness, and how faculty members’ involvement with the accreditation process associated with their perceptions of the QEP. The study design was a qualitative single case study and data were collected from the Quality Enhancement Plan Questionnaire (QEPQ), face-to-face interviews, and documents. Findings revealed that faculty members …

Parent Involvement Factors From The Perspectives Of Academically Successful Black Male College Students, Vernon Leo Stanley Smith

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During the past two decades, concerns about Black males’ academic achievement have been a major theme in the literature devoted to education and social sciences. Despite over two decades of studies focused specifically on Black males and their academic underachievement, the achievement gap persists. According to the National Center for Educational Statistic (2006), African-American males were reported as being disproportionally negatively represented in regards to academic achievement. Some researchers suggested Black children’s underachievement might be due to the lack of parental involvement. Other studies have highlighted statements of Black males who indicated parental involvement factors that contributed to their academic …

A Qualitative Study Of Veteran Students' Perspectives Of Their Academic Experiences, Beatrice L. Smith

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and explain Veteran students’ perspectives on academic success as they enter or reenter the university setting. Recent research applied to Veteran students has focused on social integration and to a lesser extent on academic integration and student success. For this qualitative study grounded in social constructivism, the primary method of data collection was the recording, transcription, and analysis of oral interviews with 11 Veteran students. The findings were aligned to the theoretical framework which was adapted from Tinto’s Conditions for Student Success (2012). The results contribute to the current body of scholarly …

Leadership In Higher Education: Role Of Persons-In-Charge Of Internationalization Efforts In Community Colleges, Sunita Kumari

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to understand the role carried out by persons-in-charge of campus internationalization efforts at community colleges. The comprehension of this leadership role encompassed identifying and understanding profile and qualities of the person-in-charge of campus internationalization efforts as well as the duties and responsibilities of these individuals. The extent to which the person-in-charge of campus internationalization efforts received institutional support, and the tribulations or challenges they faced as they worked on the internationalization initiatives of their respective institutions were also explored, alongside their personal view of internationalization with respect to globalization. This study added to the …

Administrator And Faculty Perceptions Of Institutional Support For Online Education In Florida's College System, Gerene M. Thompson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 30% of Florida’s college system (FCS) students are enrolled in distance learning courses (FLDOE, 2015). As FCS institutions continue to grow their online programs to meet demand, a lack of support from, and consensus among administrator and faculty stakeholders could undermine institutional efforts to sustain growth and quality standards in these programs. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine administrator and faculty perceptions of institutional support for online education in Florida’s College System. Differences in perceptions between these groups were also investigated. Additionally, this study explored if perceptions differed based on role and level of experience with …

Review Of Qmasc: A Handbook For Directors Of Quantitative And Mathematics Support Centers Edited By Grace Coulombe, Mary B. O’Neill, And Michael Schuckers (2016), Vera Frith

Numeracy

Grace Coulombe, Mary B. O’Neill, and Michael Schuckers (Eds). QMaSC: A Handbook for Directors of Quantitative and Mathematics Support Centers. (Tampa FL: USF Libraries – Tampa Library, 2016). http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/qmasc_handbook/

The over thirty different authors of this handbook, all of whom are experienced in supporting learning in mathematics and quantitative disciplines, provide a useful perspective on the practical issues that affect the running of a learning support centre, as well as the problems of working within a complex institution of higher education. The handbook contains information on leadership and management, how to maintain community interactions, managing staffing (including hiring and …

The Debt Burden Of Entry-Level Physical Therapists In Florida, Steven Benton Ambler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite the education, autonomy, and high demand for physical therapists both nationally and in Florida, recent graduates have seen steadily rising education costs with disproportionate changes in income once they have graduated and entered the workforce. The growing debt burden of physical therapists entering the workforce, coupled with the growth in projected need and stagnant wages, raises concern about where and how entry-level physical therapists will practice and if these choices will be affected by their debt burden. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional survey study was to identify the debt profile of entry-level physical therapists and explore the relationship …

Continuing The Career: An Oral History Of An Emeritus Professor, Kimberly Read

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the perspectives of a professor emeritus regarding his life experiences in the discipline of chemistry and in a career dedicated to research, service and teaching. Another purpose, interwoven within the perspective of this one individual, was to explore the potential influence a professor emeritus can have on his institution, and the impact the institution, its changing culture, and its shifting priorities may have on a member of the professoriate dedicated to this chosen career path. The research guiding questions for this study were: (a) What elements of this professor emeritus’ …

Exploring The Transition Experiences Of Successful International Undergraduate Students At A Public Research University In The Usa: The Impact On International Student Success And Retention, Laurie-Ann M. Spencer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study utilized surveys, interviews and document review to explore the transition experiences of international students at a large, public research university, specifically as it relates to their persistence and success. Within the context of challenges that they face, the study examined factors that the students perceived as jeopardizing their success and further explored both institutional and personal factors these students perceived as enhancing their success and persistence.

Findings revealed that academic challenges tended to occur during the first year and included teaching styles, course-load/assignments, language issues, time management and understanding the US academic system. Social and cultural challenges …

Faculty Perceptions Of Online Student Disruptive Behavior, Kenneth J. Posner

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Limited research and literature address online student disruptive behavior and the effectiveness of conflict management strategies to address these inappropriate behaviors. Through expanded offerings of online education, higher education institutions need to prepare strategically and intentionally for increased instances of online student disruptive behavior. This research study developed and administered an online survey to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. Utilizing the Qualtrics Research Suite and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for quantitative data analysis and MAXQDA for coding the qualitative data this research study examined five research questions identifying online student disruptive behaviors, observed frequencies, and effective …

A Comparative Analysis Of Demographics And Reported Preferential Learning Modes Of Florida And Non-Florida Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes Members, Jung Min Lee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research examined demographic factors and reported preferential learning mode among a sample of Florida Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members compared to a national sample profile of OLLI members. This study was prompted by an earlier study of OLLI members conducted by the National Resource Center (NRC) for OLLIs, which produced a national profile describing OLLI members. Although there was a national profile for OLLI members, there were no existing profiles of Florida OLLI members that could be used by OLLI administrators and instructors.

This study employed an online survey to compare data between the national OLLI member profile …

Perceptions Of University Faculty Regarding Accreditation In A College Of Education, Sabrina Lewis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine tenured faculty perceptions of accreditation. This qualitative study utilized interviews and document analysis to gather the perspective of faculty in a college of education. While there are quantitative and qualitative studies that have addressed accreditation and faculty, the extant literature lacked the perceptions of faculty involved in the accreditation process. This qualitative study offers an in-depth analysis of the perceptions of faculty particularly tenured faculty in a college of education regarding accreditation.

The inclusion criteria for faculty were: experience in higher education for a minimum of 10 years, involved in curriculum development, and tenured. …

The Crisis Of Caring: Compassion Satisfaction And Compassion Fatigue Among Student Conduct And Behavior Intervention Professionals, Cara Rachel Bernstein Chernoff

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the self-perception of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout by student conduct administrators working in the United States of America. Additionally, this study looked at the years of experience, job responsibilities, on-call responsibilities and direct student contact hours which may impact an individual’s overall professional quality of life. To accomplish the objectives outlined in the purpose statement, the following research questions were explored:

1. What is the relationship between student conduct professionals’ compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress?

2. What is the relationship between student conduct professionals’ years of experience and …

Preparation, Change, Retirement, And Future Challenge: The Leadership Experience Of Former Florida College System Presidents, Kevin O'Farrell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A leadership emergency is developing in higher education. According the American Association for Community Colleges, by 2022, 75% of current community college presidents intend to retire, and within five years an additional 15% will exit the presidency. As these individuals leave their leadership role, the higher education environment they leave behind will change. Understanding this impending leadership crisis, the purpose of this qualitative interview study was to describe and understand the leadership experience of former Florida College System institution presidents, their perspective and reflection on the institution of the presidency and its evolution, and their thoughts regarding the pertinent challenges …

Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program: The Effects Of Losing Merit-Based Financial Aid On Persistence, Robert Laws Liddell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

College completion agendas necessarily presume year-to-year student persistence. Institutional efforts to retain admitted students has emerged for a variety of reasons, some intrinsic and others extrinsic. Some of these reasons include (1) financial exigency as institutions strive to retain tuition-paying students or meet prescribed enrollment and retention criteria currently used in performance funding strategies; (2) reputation enhancement as institutions attempt to ascend annual publications such as the U.S. News & World Report which rely on retention rates as one of several indicators used to measure institutional quality; (3) gaining a perceived advantage in admissions, marketing, and fundraising as persistence rates …

Reframing The Academic Research Library In The U.S.: Perceptions Of Change From Library Leaders, Victoria L. Stuart

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During the past five years (2010-2015), U.S. universities experienced a simultaneous downturn in financial support along with rapid changes in technology and increased demand for accountability. Academic libraries, among the most central and visible units in the university system, were often at the forefront of financial cutbacks and increased pressure to demonstrate both unit effectiveness and closer alignment with the overall institutional mission. Little research existed to document academic libraries’ changes during this volatile period in history, or how the role of the academic library as part of the university system evolved during this period. Through interviews with the library …

Identifying Standards Of Quality In Christian Online Theological Education, Ryan Baltrip

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Changes in computer and communication technology have sparked an educational revolution. For over 20 years, higher education, as a whole, has been adapting to the changing educational landscape. Christian theological education, which is not immune to changing educational realities, has also been adapting to decentralized educational tendencies and experiencing rapid growth in distance and online learning. Christian theological education appears to be a decade or so behind higher education in its contemporary adaptation to online learning,. Questions that higher education began asking over a decade ago about online learning are now part of the contemporary conversation within Christian online theological …