Educational Leadership Commons^™

Supporting Students In Transition To And From High School, David Naff, Jamelle Simmons, Meleah Ellison, Shelby Garofalo, Laura Thoene, Kim Dupre, Sooyeon Moon, Karli Johanson, Paul Harris, Martin Darby, William L. Parker, Tracy Booker, Janel Miley, Mysia Perry, Xun Liu, Maggie Szydlowski, Ahmed Abbas

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of high school school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from high school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions …

The Impact Of Stem Self-Efficacy And Sense Of Belonging On Academic Performance For Students Of Color In Introductory Stem Courses, Danyelle Nichole Stokes

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the interplay between STEM identity development, race and gender in relation to academic performance in STEM at the beginning of post-secondary education. Statistical analyses of this study included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and a multiple linear regression. The quantitative results indicated no statistically significant differences in self-efficacy and sense of belonging scores between White students and students of color. However, participants’ open-ended responses warranted a holistic examination to look for qualitative differences in the STEM identities of students of color and White students. The findings supported existing literature on disparities in support, inclusion and access to …

Restorative Leadership: A Generative Exploration With Women School Leaders, Camille Rénée Pauline Tyson Jacobs

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

As schools increasingly adopt restorative practices, a parallel shift in leadership is occurring, challenging traditional leadership models like servant and transformational leadership. While research has largely focused on student outcomes, there is a critical gap in understanding how restorative practices influence school principals’ leadership. Given their central role in sustaining and expanding restorative initiatives, this study aimed to address that gap by developing a definitional framework for restorative leadership, grounded in the experiences of women school leaders in grades 5 to 12. Using sensemaking theory, the research examined how leaders conceptualize and apply restorative values in practice. Key questions included …

The Influence Of A Northwestern School District's Equity And Inclusion Initiative On Classroom Teachers' Perceptions Using Culturally Responsive Practices: A Pilot Study Of Selected Principles, Latrica Rich

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Racial tensions are high in the United States of America in the 21st century, and hate crimes are on the rise due to political rhetoric and more frequent litigation. This situation challenges current approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion, commonly known as (DEI). Although these tensions affect many societal areas, the public education system has seen particularly dramatic changes as the nation's diversity grows. This shift has invoked the first moves to adapt culturally relevant practices to promote inclusion and belonging in response to evolving classroom dynamics. This study examined some of the significant issues surrounding the implementation of cultural …

First-Gen Latinx/Afro-Latinx And Complex: Keeping Resilient Responses On Shuffle, Tibisay I. Hernandez

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This qualitative study examined the racialized experiences of first-generation Latinx and Afro-Latinx students in higher education. Fourteen participants engaged in pláticas, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups to reflect on how their identities, race, and institutional dynamics shaped their collegiate journeys. The study examined how these students navigated both personal and institutional settings, revealing the emergence of tensions around belonging, authenticity, and cultural responsibility in everyday interactions. Using Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) alongside Multidimensional Identity Negotiation Theory (MINT) and Co-Cultural Communication Theory (CCCT), this study developed an emergent framework—the Resilient Response Model—to better understand how students respond to complex identity …

Stress And Resilience In Higher Education Administrators: Exploring The Role Of Mindfulness, Michael Baumgardner

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation explores stressors experienced by higher education administrators (HEAs) and examines the role of mindfulness practices in mitigating stress and fostering resilience and job satisfaction. HEAs manage essential institutional functions yet face intensifying pressures from volatile funding streams, shifting demographics, changing public perceptions, political and cultural challenges, technological disruptions, and pandemic-related change. Despite HEAs central role in sustaining higher education, limited research examines how these professionals experience stress, and even less has considered mindfulness as a potential resource for coping and resilience.

Guided by a qualitative methodological approach, this study draws on semi-structured, thick description interviews with 18 HEAs …

Leaving It All Behind: A Storied Experience, Brandi Sheree Wynne Winfrey

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals are experiencing an unprecedented time as conservative politicians and legislators work to dismantle DEI in higher education. In 2022, Florida became one of the first states to introduce and enact anti-DEI legislation. Few studies have examined or investigated the lived experiences of DEI professionals currently living in the midst of this experience. The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to capture and restory the lived experiences of DEI professionals employed at public Florida universities during the introduction and enactment of anti-DEI legislation. Five co-composers contributed their stories of experience as data to this narrative …

Understanding Shifts In Student Satisfaction Between Peak And Post Pandemic, Brian Verkamp

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates student satisfaction in online learning environments at the University of North Florida (UNF), with a focus on how satisfaction levels have fluctuated between the peak-pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Utilizing a combination of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, the research examines the relative importance and satisfaction ratings of various educational factors, including demographic influences such as gender, race, and academic program. By creating a composite measure of overall student satisfaction, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that most significantly impact student experiences in online courses. Findings highlight the critical role of both satisfaction and importance …

Perceptions Of Communication And Collaboration Between Special Education And Career And Technical Education Teachers, Alexander Novickoff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the communication and collaboration between Local Education Agency’s (LEA) special education staff and Career and Technical Center (CTC) staff in supporting students with disabilities (SWD). Given the critical role of effective interagency communication in providing comprehensive support to SWD, this study seeks to identify the perceptions, methods, and frequencies of communication between these entities. The research is set within the context of non-comprehensive CTCs in Pennsylvania, where students split their time between their home schools and regional CTCs. Through a quantitative approach, consisting of a detailed survey distributed to both LEA and CTC staff, this study examines …

Predicting The Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (Ocbs) Of Junior High School Teachers, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) plays a crucial role in enhancing organizational effectiveness. This study examines the predictors of OCB among junior high school teachers in the local educational context. Utilizing a quantitative approach, stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify situational and dispositional variables that predict OCB. Seventeen predictors, including situational variables (type of school, organizational climate, and organizational justice) and dispositional attributes (sex, job satisfaction, work motivation, and personality traits), were analyzed. The findings reveal that while the initial hypothesis was not fully supported, specific variables significantly predicted OCB. Teacher job satisfaction emerged as a significant predictor of …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Female First-Generation College Students As They Matriculate Through College: A Phenomenological Study, Rosa Denise Mcallister-Mcrae

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of African American female first-generation college students’ (FGCS) academic, social, emotional, and low economic challenges while attending either a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) or a Predominately White Institution (PWI) located in the southeastern area of the United States. First-generation college students are students whose parents never attended college. Tinto’s retention theory was the framework that guided the research, particularly, the challenges faced by first-generation students. The central research question was, how do African American female FGCSs describe their lived experiences matriculating through an HBCU or …

Leadership Professional Development On Teacher Self-Efficacy: A Causal-Comparative Study, Yolanda Michelle Gilyard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference in self-efficacy between teachers who are in the process of receiving leadership professional development, those who have completed leadership professional development, and those who have not received leadership professional development. This study is significant because it aims to determine if self-efficacy is different between teachers who are in the process of receiving leadership professional development, those who have completed leadership professional development, and those who have not received leadership professional development. The school district is a Title 1 school with an 87.9% poverty rate. Due …

Reputation Management: Branding A Higher Education Graduate Program To Increase Visibility, Vanderbilt Artaxerxes Brabson Iv

Student Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project offers a comprehensive training tool for non-communication professionals working in higher education programs. Its main goals are to give users (1) a summary of valuable research on higher education reputation management, branding, and strategic communication, and (2) an online toolkit for non-communication professionals to boost the visibility and impact of their educational initiatives. By providing practical, actionable resources, these tools help higher education professionals effectively handle the challenges of strategic communication management. The toolkit is especially useful because it delivers evidence-based strategies and methods that can be directly applied to improve communication efforts in higher education. It …

Reputation Management: Branding A Higher Education Graduate Program To Increase Visibility, Vanderbilt Artaxerxes Brabson Iv

Student Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project provides a comprehensive training tool for non-communication professionals working within higher education programs. Its primary objectives are to provide users (1) a summary of valuable research on higher education reputation management, branding, and strategic communication, as well as (2) an online toolkit for non-communication professionals to enhance the visibility and impact of their educational initiatives. By providing practical, actionable deliverables, these resources can enable higher education professionals to effectively navigate the complexities of strategic communication management. The toolkit is particularly valuable as it offers evidence-based strategies and methodologies that can be directly applied to improve the communication …

Innovations In Educational Research: Developing An Original Questionnaire To Measure New Mexico’S Teacher Practices And Beliefs Related To Project-Based Learning And Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Teaching, Zachary R. Ramsey

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This dissertation investigates teacher practices and beliefs related to project-based learning (PBL) and culturally and linguistically responsive teaching (CLRT), central to New Mexico’s educational reform efforts following Martinez & Yazzie v. New Mexico (2018). The study also explored teachers’ professional learning needs and their awareness of the state’s reform initiatives. I collected responses from 37 participants using an original questionnaire instrument. While the findings are not generalizable, they reveal that teachers practiced elements of PBL and CLRT with moderate frequency and generally believed in their efficacy for improving educational outcomes for diverse student groups. The results also highlighted varying levels …

Pueblo Women's Leadership Experiences, Monika A. Whitmore

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This dissertation explored Pueblo women and their perspectives on pathways to leadership and examined ways to provide networking and professional development for Pueblo women. This study identified a number of important themes that offer a better understanding of the particular dynamics Pueblo women encounter as leaders. Four findings emerged from the study: a) bridging traditions; balancing cultural values, b) mediation of conflict through cultural lenses, c) wisdom of generations on mentorship and role models, and d) empowering emerging leaders. In addition to personal accounts, these lived experiences offer important insights into the larger framework of community empowerment, cultural sustainability, and …

Leadership Lessons For Aspiring College Presidents: Essential Tools, Skills, And Strategies For Success, Quincy Martin Iii

Journal of Research on the College President

College and university presidents today face an increasingly complex set of challenges, demanding not only traditional leadership skills but also a nuanced understanding of the unique dynamics in higher education. With heightened financial pressures, technological advances, and evolving student expectations, college presidents must be equipped with the right tools, skills, and strategies to navigate their roles successfully. This article explores leadership lessons for aspiring college presidents, providing a comprehensive overview of the essential competencies required to lead effectively. Drawing from recent leadership theory, case studies, and trends in higher education, this article offers practical guidance for current and future higher …

Editor's Comments, Michael T. Miller

Journal of Research on the College President

Welcome to Volume 8 of the Journal of Research on the College President. In this volume, you will find three exceptional studies that help provide an even stronger understanding of what has been described as one of the hardest jobs in not only in higher education, but in the country. These three articles were accepted through our peer review process, and this year we had 11 submissions, resulting in a 27% acceptance rate.

Black Like Me: Black College Student Perceptions Of Racially Similar College Presidents, David V. Tolliver Iii, Michael T. Miller, Jennifer M. Miles

Journal of Research on the College President

There is a strong interest in higher education to enroll a diverse student body, including groups from historically underrepresented populations. This is particularly true within the Black American community, where Black women have increased their presence in higher education yet Black men continue to account for only a small fraction of all college enrollment. To help increase the enrollment of Black men, some institutions have explored and put into place mentoring programs and have looked to symbolically demonstrate that higher education is a welcoming place by spotlighting college presidents who share similar demographic characteristics. The current study was designed to …

Leading Through Language: Understanding How Presidential Leaders At Faith-Based Institutions Issue Sensegiving Statements Within A Social Justice Context, Benjamin Gibbs

Journal of Research on the College President

The landscape of leadership in higher education is becoming increasingly complex (Gagliardi et al., 2017; Jaschik & Lederman, 2016; Wesley et al., 2021). Significant instances of racial violence and geopolitical unrest have instigated conversations and ongoing movements towards greater social justice in American society and on university campuses. With these movements, higher education leaders at faith-based institutions have been called on to communicate and lead within a social justice context, through the act of sensegiving. This qualitative study investigated the perspectives and roles of presidential leaders who have provided communication regarding social justice topics. The purpose of the study was …

Ready, Set, Woes: A Narrative Inquiry Into Special Education Teacher Attrition By Transfer To General Education, Brent G. Collom

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Despite the prevalence of unfilled special education teaching positions nationwide, it is fair to ask whether there is truly a shortage of special education teachers (SETs). While SETs leave education at high rates, they are almost twice as likely to transfer to general education positions. Many former SETs are employed in schools yet outside of special education.

This narrative inquiry examined the stories of 10 former SETs who transferred to general education. This study found that former SETs continue to identify as teaching special education. Former SETs want general education teachers (GETs) and administrators to have training in special education …

Course Registration Practices At A Jesuit University: Practicing Critical Hope To Address Barriers To Access And Belonging, Corey Knadler, Laura Diaz Martinez, Annmarie Caño, Kirk R. Anders, Yolanda Gallardo, Nancy L. Staub

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Solidarity and critical hope support faculty and staff who wish to accompany students, read the current reality of their experience, and imagine new practices that can rectify injustices and promote access and belonging. Here, we describe an example of this praxis by responding to student concerns about injustices in a course registration process. With some exceptions, undergraduates at this institution register for classes according to their earned college credits. At first glance, this meritocratic system shows care to students by recognizing their hard work. However, our analysis shows that it also discriminates against underserved groups of students. Using 10 years …

Embracing Communal Discernment For Synodal Leadership In Jesuit Higher Education, Deogratias Fikiri Sj

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This paper proposes a transformative shift in Jesuit higher education leadership by advocating for synodal leadership, a model grounded in Ignatian spirituality and Catholic tradition. In response to the limitations of traditional shared and collegial governance models, which often perpetuate elitism and hinder broad-based participation, this paper highlights the need for a more inclusive and adaptive leadership approach. Synodal leadership, revitalized by Pope Francis, emphasizes active participation, communal discernment, and mutual respect, diverging from hierarchical norms. It fosters a “walking together” ethos, allowing every member’s voice to contribute to a collective vision. By integrating synodal principles with Jesuit values, this …

Virginia Principal Support Program (Vapsp): Cultivating And Supporting School Leaders Case Study, Monica B. Smith-Woofter, Jaclyn R. Nickel, Doug A. Alderfer, Mark A. Rumley, Nancy N. Barbour, James C. Ellerbe

School Leadership Review

Principal support programs focused on advising and professional development can have positive impacts for early career principals and the teachers they lead. The mixed-methods case study aims to report on the impacts of a customized support program on early career principals. The case study gives insights on how a university-designed professional development and advising can have favorable impacts on participating individuals and teacher retention within their schools. The case study specifically reports on the participating early career principal retention rates, teacher retention rates within the early career principals’ respective schools, and the benefits of both professional growth and development and …

A Comparison Of Sixth Grade Student Academic Performance In Indiana Elementary Schools And Middle Schools, Bret Bailey

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to provide school district leaders and policymakers information of the impact grade configuration had on academic performance using math and ELA ILEARN scores over a three-year period. The study included data from 585 schools that were classified into four groups: Elementary Setting, Intermediate Setting, Middle School/Junior High Setting, and Unified Setting. The study analyzed IDOE publicly released ILEARN math and ELA data for each of the three years. A one-way ANOVA test was utilized to run the statistical analysis, and a Games-Howell Post Hoc test identified which had statistically significantly different mean pass …

Impact Of Campus Recreation On Student Success At A Small, Private Institution, Abe Cross

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Institutions of higher education are seeing a decline in enrollment and state funding. These matters are compounded by a smaller number of graduating high school seniors than years past (Pell Institute, 2022). Considering that it costs more to recruit new students compared to retaining current students, colleges and universities are focusing on effective retention strategies (Pell Institute, 2022).

Meanwhile, Misener (2019), Battjes (2019), and Zegre (2019) have found a correlation between campus recreation utilization and student success at NCAA Division 1 schools. Each of these schools enrolls more than 25,000 students. Their work is built on Tinto’s (1975, 1993) Theory …

Examining And Exploring Online Instructors' Professional Development Experiences, Attitudes, And Perceptions In A Post-Secondary Education System, Jena R. Hartley

Dissertations

Effective professional development for online instructors is critical to student and organizational success. The online instructors’ knowledge transfer on workplace performance outcomes positively or negatively impacts student and organizational success. This study explored online instructors’ professional development experiences, attitudes, and perceptions. The research questions guiding this study were: What are the online instructors’ experiences and attitudes about professional development? How do online instructors perceive the quality and impact of professional development experiences? How do the online instructors’ experiences, attitudes, and perceptions impact knowledge transfer and workplace performance outcomes? Participants in this study were from one post-secondary system in Mississippi. The …

Exploring The Interplay Among Effort, Motivation, And Self-Efficacy In High School Mathematics And Act Math Achievement, Katrina Lightsey

Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between high school students' attributions of effort, motivation, and self-efficacy as they relate to ACT math scores. Despite the important role of standardized tests in determining college admissions, there has been little research conducted to determine how students feel about these attributions and how they relate to math grades and ACT scores. A total of 52 juniors and seniors from local high schools participated in this study, which was conducted over the summer through voluntary participation following email invitations. The study was designed to measure students' self-reported effort, motivation, and self-efficacy using a survey instrument. …

Exposing The Disaster Disparities And Experiences On College Campuses, Deleanor Kirkpatrick Murray

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Challenges in higher education continue to arise, providing administrators with insights into how prepared—or unprepared—their institutions may be for future crises. The purpose of the study is to examine how mid-level leadership, staff, and students perceived the disaster response to Hurricane Ida during the 2021–2022 academic year. Using the theoretical frameworks of the Four-Frame Model (Bolman & Deal, 2021), Critical Race Theory (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017), and Institutional Theory (Manning, 2018), this case study employed interviews with 8 participants. Data analysis resulted in the emergence of 7 major themes and 11 sub-themes. The findings from the study suggest that participants …

21st Century Community Learning Centers: Program Evaluation Evidence From Texas, Rosilyn Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Texas afterschool programs strive to enhance academic performance and meet students' needs, yet gaps in program quality persist. This study evaluated 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ performance in reading, math, GPA, attendance, in-school suspension, and engagement, both within these categories and against program goals and demographics. Theoretical frameworks used in this study include the logic model, social justice theory, and cultural relevance theory. This quantitative study utilized a nonexperimental and secondary data research design which utilized five statistical tests: the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, One-Way repeated ANOVA, Spearman Correlation, the Independent Samples t-Test, and the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results showed that …