Educational Administration and Supervision Commons^™

Holding The District Together With Duct Tape And Determiniation: A Study Of Superintendent Stress, Robert Orion Thompson

Dissertations and Theses

Researchers’ work found the superintendent role was increasingly complex. Superintendents experienced elevated stress, burnout, and turnover. However, the ways in which district context and coping strategies interacted to shape superintendent well-being remain insufficiently understood, particularly in rural settings. This study examined how school superintendents perceived and experienced occupational stress, the impact of that stress on their well-being and leadership, and the coping strategies they used. Notably, there was a focus on district size differentiation. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through two focus groups in the western side of a rural state with superintendents representing districts with large …

Effective Practices In A School-Based Mentorship Program: Insights From An Elementary School Setting, Kimberly Noele Steger

Dissertations and Theses

(School-based mentoring programs) SBMPs have demonstrated beneficial outcomes for mentees, mentors, and overall school culture; however, their effectiveness was highly dependent on intentional implementation and the educators who facilitated them. Limited research exists on how SBMPs were practically introduced, structured, and sustained; thus underscoring the need for deeper examination of successful implementation practices. Therefore, this case study explored the implementation of SBMPs within a specific elementary school, focusing on mentors’ perceptions and experiences. The researcher sought to understand mentors’ roles within the program, including their successes and challenges, the training and support they received, and how implementation conditions influenced their …

Why Teachers Stay In Rural Schools: School Culture And Leadership Practices, Michael Eldridge

Dissertations and Theses

Teacher retention continues to be one of the greatest challenges that rural schools are facing across the United States. While many strategies have been implemented, such as financial incentives as a way to counter geographic isolation, there is limited information available on the impact that leadership and school culture have on a teacher’s decision to remain in a rural school. Having a stable teacher workforce in rural schools is vital in providing high quality instruction and opportunities for rural communities across the nation. Guided by Organizational Culture Theory (OCT), this qualitative comparative case study explored how school leadership practices and …

Preparing Students For What Comes Next: A Qualitative Study Of District Approaches To Postsecondary And Career Readiness, Amanda C. Pelsor

Dissertations of Practice

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR WHAT COMES NEXT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DISTRICT APPROACHES TO POSTSECONDARY AND CAREER READINESS

This qualitative study examines how Illinois school districts support students’ readiness for postsecondary success and career planning and exploration. Despite longstanding state and federal efforts to improve college and career readiness, many students continue to face challenges after high school, including lack of workforce readiness, underpreparedness for postsecondary education, unclear career pathways, and difficulty navigating complex transitions. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores how districts conceptualize and implement career readiness frameworks, the ways readiness work is embedded within district systems, and the barriers …

Supporting First-Generation College Student Success Through Increased Participation In High-Impact Academic Practices, Michael Daly

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

First-generation college students, those with neither parent having earned a bachelor’s degree, represent approximately one-third of all students attending college in the United States. Many enter college not fully prepared for success and, despite decades of research and the development of a variety of student support interventions, substantial and lasting improvements in their institutional retention and graduation rates on a national level have been elusive. This persistent issue creates a variety of negative consequences for the students, the institutions they attend, and society. The purpose of this action research study was to develop recommendations for improving the practice of supporting …

A Qualitative Case Study Exploring The Processes And Criteria For Presidential Leadership Selection In Three United States Higher Institutions Of Learning, Gabriel Kofi Boahen Nsiah

Dissertations

Background of the Problem

Today, research on U.S. higher education presidential search processes is limited, and existing literature characterizes these searches as reactive postures that are secretive, closed-door practices that have not adapted to the early signals of external seismic change. According to Quincy Martin (2021), “the world has evolved (p. 99).” Therein lies the problem. Quincy Martin insists, “Higher education has entered a period of upheaval, aided by new technologies, but hampered by political and cultural shifts. These are only amplified by modern, warp-speed information-sharing practices. All of this has exacerbated the consequences of scandals that threaten the stability …

A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Board Chairs Toward Governance In Seventh-Day Adventist Schools Across Canada, Shad Lehmann

Dissertations

Problem

There is limited understanding of how school board chairs within the Canadian Seventh-day Adventist education system perceive and carry out their leadership and governance roles. The role of the board chair is complex, involving oversight of the organization, adherence to denominational policies, and alignment with the school’s academic and spiritual missions. Although effective governance is vital for school success, there remains a lack of clarity about how board chairs interpret their roles, fulfill their responsibilities, and navigate the unique demands of faith-based school leadership. This gap in understanding restricts the system’s ability to provide appropriate training, support, and clear …

Values-Based Behavioral Frameworks As Contributors To Organizational Culture In Higher Education: A Literature Review, David J. Park Do

Papers

Colleges and universities almost universally publish statements of organizational values, yet a gap often persists between those stated values and the regularly observed behaviors. This review examines how that gap relates to culture in higher education institutions and specifically explores how translating values into observable behaviors contributes to organizational culture. This literature review used a structured, criteria-guided approach to source identification, selecting sources against three constructs: 1) institutional adoption of values-based behavioral frameworks, 2) organizational culture in higher-education settings, and 3) the perceptions through which organizational members perceive culture. The resulting corpus of 40 sources spans organizational culture scholarship, virtue …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Leaders’ Role In Implementing The Four Pillars Of Community Schools For Improving Student Achievement, Adrian Irwin Thomas

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This study examined teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ roles in implementing the Four Pillars of Community Schools to support Student achievement in under-resourced schools. The four pillars of Community Schools- Integrated Student Support, Expanded Learning Time and Opportunities, Family and Community Engagement, and Collaborative Leadership and Practices- served as the conceptual framework for the study. Distributed Leadership Theory and Epstein’s Framework of Parental Involvement provided the theoretical lens that guided the interpretation of the findings. The study explored teachers’ perceptions of leadership practices associated with the four pillars and identified leadership strategies perceived as most effective for sustaining the community …

Ai Policy In Virginia Public Schools: A Comparative Analysis, Jesse Senechal, Jamelle Simmons, Jonathan D. Becker, Melissa Ware, Michael Broda, Kindy Anderson, Eric Byers, Kiana Bradford, Thea Racelis, Meleah Ellison

MERC Publications

This MERC research and policy review explores policy implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in Virginia public schools. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 teaching and learning. The report has two parts:

1. A review of the AI policy landscape around PK-12 education
2. Virginia AI policy analysis

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

College Vs. Career School Counseling: How Role Differentiation Shapes Student Postsecondary Expectations And Outcomes, Sam Luby

Journal of College Access

This study examines how high school counselor role differentiation, specifically college preparation and workforce readiness, relates to students’ postsecondary expectations (2012) and early outcomes (2016) using nationally representative data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09). Multinomial logistic regression models controlling for academic achievement and socioeconomic factors indicate that the presence of college-preparation counselors significantly reduces the likelihood of students entering the workforce without postsecondary enrollment.

Workforce-preparation roles show no statistically significant association with postsecondary outcomes, though they are more common in schools serving higher-need populations. Academic performance and poverty status remain strong predictors across models. Findings underscore …

Ai In Pk-12 Education: Implications For Teaching And Learning, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Casey Bailey, Tzu-Wei Wang, Kiana Bradford

MERC Publications

This research and policy review from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning in public PK-12 education. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 policy. The report explores two questions:

1. How is AI shaping teaching and instructional practice?
2. How is AI shaping student learning and development?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

Not Just Cheap Labor: A Critical Mixed Methods Assessment Of Working Learner Supervision To Advance Equitable Work-Integrated Learning, Jonathan D. Fuller

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how supervisory relationships shape the quality of on-campus student employment (OCSE) as a work-integrated learning (WIL) experience, with particular attention to the experiences of working learners (i.e., student employees). Situated in response to growing student demand for meaningful, career-relevant work opportunities in college, the study investigates how universities can leverage existing OCSE roles to expand access to WIL. Using a mixed methods explanatory social justice design, the research integrates working learner responses (N = 478) to the Student Supervisor Support Measure with interviews of students and supervisors in relationships characterized as both supportive and cross-identity.

Survey …

Where Perspectives Meet: A Comparative Case Study Of How Participatory Practices Shape Deliberation During District-Level Educational Change, Gregory Vincent Massara

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Public education in the United States is socially and politically constructed, and ongoing reforms increasingly require collaborative engagement among diverse stakeholders amid heightened divisiveness. This mixed methods comparative case study examined how educational stakeholders make sense of one another’s perspectives during district-level collaborative work and the conditions that may foster conscientization, the critical reflection on one’s positionality. Two school districts developing a Profile of a Graduate (POG) and one engaged in deliberation about the relationship between public and charter schools within its community serve as comparative cases. The study triangulated meeting observations, a post-deliberation survey of stakeholders (N = 43), …

Examining Teachers’ Data Usage Using The Teacher Data Use Survey, Natasha L. Hawkins

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The United States spends approximately 2.7 billion dollars on classroom assessments and local exams for K-12 students (SIMBA, 2019).  However, despite this financial investment and the adoption of data-driven frameworks such as Multi-Tiered System of Support, the U.S. Department of Education found that only 55% of teachers used student data to make instructional decisions (U.S. Department of Education, 2007).  This study aims to explore the psychological and organizational factors that influence teachers’ data use when making instructional decisions.

This study used the Teacher Data Use Survey (TDUS) to investigate the extent that teachers’ use of data could be predicted by …

Examining Principals' Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Lead In Title I Schools, Tiffany Roebuck

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Principals serving in Title I schools face complex instructional, organizational, cultural, and community related demands that require specialized leadership preparation and support.  The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of principals serving in urban Title I schools regarding their preparedness, supports, challenges, and successes as instructional leaders. The study also examined principals' perceptions of culturally proficient leadership and principal preparation program attributes considered essential for leadership readiness in high-needs school settings. Guided by the Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) framework, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 principals serving in urban Title I …

Instruction Vs. Infrastructure: Asymmetric Returns In U.S. Higher Education, Shaibu Yahaya

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Despite massive increases in funding, U.S. higher education degree output has stagnated—a paradox often attributed to external cost pressures like Baumol’s cost disease. This paper tests an alternative hypothesis: that internal resource misallocation, specifically the accumulation of noninstructional liabilities, actively crowds out educational productivity. Using a panel of 26,603 institution-year observations, I estimate the university production function via a fixed-effects Poisson specification, adjusting all financial inputs using the Higher Education Price Index. The results expose a stark asymmetry in productive returns: a 10% increase in instructional spending drives a 1.76% increase in degree production (β = 0.176). In contrast, the …

Incorporating New Guidelines Into School-Based Asthma Management, Jessica Michala Jindra, Angela Duff Hogan

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Purpose of the Review

The aim of this review is to identify barriers and provide solutions to the implementation of inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol as rescue therapy within schools.

Recent findings

GINA guidelines in 2019 and NAEPP in 2020 recommended inhaled corticosteroids combined with formoterol for a rescue inhaler over the traditional short-acting beta-agonist.

Summary

The findings discussed in this article describe the barriers to the implementation of inhaled corticosteroids combined with formoterol for a rescue inhaler in school systems. Traditional asthma action plans, school nursing and parental education, and differences in dosing are some barriers identified. This paper provides solutions for …

An Ethnographic Study Of First-Generation Alumni At Dartmouth College: Perspectives From Alumni, Faculty, Staff, And Administrators, Brittney A. Roden

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

First- generation college students (FGCS) often face challenges adapting to the academic and social environments of elite institutions like Dartmouth College. Lacking familial experience in higher education, they must decode unspoken institutional norms, contributing to stress, social isolation, and barriers to accessing institutional support. This study examines how FGCS experience academic pressure, social belonging, and engagement with campus systems, and how these shape their personal and professional trajectories. Drawing on participant-generated audio diary journals with alumni, qualitative interviews with faculty and staff, and a review of existing literature, this research highlights the interplay of academic stress, coping strategies, cultural capital, …

The Teacher Shortage Crisis: How Workplace Relationships Influence Retention, Attrition, And The Education Labor Market, Jeremy Brooks

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study took a closer look at how high school teachers perceive the ongoing teacher shortage, with particular attention to how workplace conditions and the broader school climate impact whether they choose to stay in the profession. Special focus was given to teachers in their first five years, a group especially vulnerable to early attrition. As the conversation around teacher turnover grows louder, this research seeks to better understand what’s driving teachers’ decisions from their own perspectives, not just policy data or administrative assumptions.

The study used a basic qualitative research design, relying on one-on-one, in-depth interviews to gather insights …

Coaching-Based Leadership Communication In Higher Education Hybrid Work Environments, Lisa Erck

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how coaching-based leadership (CBL) communication practices were associated with participants’ perceptions of communication, collaboration, and engagement within a hybrid higher education work environment. Grounded in constructivist leadership theory (CLT), CBL, and action research (AR), the study explored how intentional shifts in leader communication behaviors influenced team interactions over time. Using a qualitative AR design, I partnered with a higher education administrative leader and their team in a hybrid setting. The participant group included the leader and their direct reports. Data were collected across iterative AR cycles through semistructured interviews, observational data, and participant reflection journals. Data analysis …

Empowering Equity: Latinas In Leadership – Navigating Work-Life Balance In The Post-Pandemic Era, Teresa Excinia

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the lived experiences of Latina leaders as they navigated how cultural expectations influenced work–life balance in the post-pandemic era. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped workplace dynamics, blurring boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal life. For Latinas, these challenges were compounded by cultural expectations that shaped their roles both at home and in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to understand how Latina leaders managed the dual pressures of balancing career demands with cultural and familial obligations. Using Testimonio as the methodological framework, this study captured the voices and narratives of Latina leaders across industries, offering an …

Thriving In The Middle: The Role Of Mindfulness, Psychological Capital, And Supervisor Support For Assistant Principals, Susan Kim, Peter Williams, Mei Jiang, Teresa Farler

Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study investigates the well-being of public-school assistant principals by examining how socio-cognitive mindfulness (SCM), psychological capital (PsyCap), tenure, and perceived supervisor support (PSS) contribute to their experience of thriving, a construct reflecting overall well-being.

Design/Methodology: This cross-sectional quantitative study explored the mediating role of PsyCap, PSS, and tenure in the relationship of SCM and thriving among public school assistant principals in Texas.

Findings: SCM, PsyCap, and PSS were all positively associated with holistic thriving. PsyCap fully mediated the relationship between SCM and thriving, but PSS did not mediate it. This study identified a portable resource-building route (SCM → …

Navigating Hunger And Academic Success: College Students’ Experiences With Food Insecurity And Campus Food Pantries, Casey J. Weaver, Carl H. Sorgen, Cordelia D. Zinskie

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

Food insecurity is a growing issue faced by many college students, and there is an increasing call for more qualitative research examining food insecurity on college campuses. It may be posited that students who experience food insecurity but have access to resources are more likely to succeed academically than those without access to such resources. This research examined how the resources provided to college students experiencing food insecurity influenced their academic success at a university in the United States. This study explored the experience of four students who identified as food insecure and utilized campus resources to address this issue. …

Good Trouble For Good Debt? A Comparative Analysis Of Financial Factors And Racial Differences In U.S. Student Loan Debt Burdens, Carlton R. Smith, Kim E. Bullington, Matthew J. Smith

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

This study examines the relationship surrounding undergraduate student loan debt burdens and income levels post-graduation, focusing particularly on the financial impacts of both on Black student borrowers. Using two datasets from the National Center for Education Statistics, our quantitative analysis highlights that while student loan debt in and of itself is not problematic in theory, when combined with other factors and barriers, debt becomes an additional stressor potentially impeding student success during and after college. We offer short-, intermediate-, and long-term implications, while also highlighting examples of targeted intervention programs tailored to specifically benefit Black student borrowers.

Comparing Gpas Of First-Time Students Based On Admissions Decision Date, John M. Adkins

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

With the upcoming demographic shift, higher education administrators are aiming to enroll and retain as many students as possible. With this increased focus on enrollment and retention, a question that can be asked is whether students admitted late (two weeks prior to the start of the full term) will be less academically successful after their first full academic year? To study this question, the first-time, full-term cohorts for the fall 2020, 2021, and 2022 were obtained from Georgia Southern University. The data collected were the admissions decisions and registration dates, fall term GPA, spring term GPA, and cumulative GPA. The …

Where You Work Still Matters: A Content Analysis, Catherine E. Gonzalez, Ramona Meraz Lewis, Brianne Steele

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

This qualitative content analysis examines institutional differences in student affairs work through 234 articles from JCSD and JSARP (2006-2023). The study explores the relevance of Hirt's (2006) original framework and identifies emerging themes. Findings reveal research imbalances across institutional types and growing attention to diversity, equity, inclusion, and Professional Competencies. Gaps exist in reward structures, career transitions, and research on institutional fit. Implications for scholarship, graduate preparation, and practice are discussed.

Examining How Engagement Strategies Of Principals Influence Teacher Retention In Urban Title I Schools, Bridgette Allen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As the teacher shortage continues to rise, it is critical for educational leaders to focus on teacher retention. Principals play a significant role in teacher retention, teacher engagement, and job satisfaction; therefore, they must implement effective engagement strategies to improve teacher retention. The purpose of this basic qualitative study is to explore how engagement strategies employed by principals at urban Title I schools contribute to teachers’ decisions to remain at these schools. The research question for this study examines teachers’ perspectives on how the engagement strategies used by their school principals influence their decision to remain in an urban Title …

Extracurricular Activities' Influence On High School Students' Academic Achievement, Michael Jones Jr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This quantitative study investigates the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and academic achievement among high school students, as measured by Grade Point Average (GPA). This study uses a cross-sectional research design to analyze GPA data from Greenbrier High School in Evans, Georgia. Greenbrier is a part of the Columbia County School District and serves approximately 2,000 students. Historical data were collected from 2024-2025 school records and analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA to compare the impact of ECAs on academic achievement. The study analyzed differences in academic performance based on (a) participation versus non‑participation in ECAs, (b) the type of …

What Does It Takes To Develop Game Changers? An Evaluation Of Sport-Based Youth Development Program, Jorge Adriel Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined mentor development within the Game Changers program, a sport-based youth development (SBYD) intervention designed to promote emotional flexibility, mental fitness, and personal growth among young men. Grounded in mentorship theory and positive youth development frameworks, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how participation in the program influenced mentors’ psychological development, perceptions, and leadership approaches.

A mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through repeated surveys administered across four time points to assess changes in mentors’ knowledge, self-awareness, confidence, emotional awareness, mental health, and masculinity ideology. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured focus group …