Educational Leadership Commons^™

Dual Enrollment Programs: Advising Policies And Practices For High School Students In Post-Secondary Institutions, Devin V. Cribb

All Theses And Dissertations

This study focused on the role of academic advising within dual enrollment programs, those programs that allow secondary students to enroll in college credit bearing courses while still in high school. Research questions were as follows: (1) What advising policies and practices are in place for those that advise high school students at post-secondary institutions that host dual enrollment programs? (2) How do those that manage and advise dual enrollment students perceive these policies and how their job roles and responsibilities relate to these policies? (3) How do those that manage and advise dual enrollment students enact current policies to …

Professional Advisor Practices For Student Identity Development, Brittany Potter

All Theses And Dissertations

Due to COVID-19, the state of higher education has been transformed, including the way student services like advising are offered on college campuses. More importantly, current literature on Generation Z students articulated that they need advisors who will build trust by implementing practices that go beyond prescriptive approaches. Therefore, it was imperative that this research examined how current undergraduate professional advisors work with Generation Z students and the practices that they use. Previous advising literature indicates there is a lack of scholarship surrounding the practices of professional advisors. With little information on professional advising practices and approaches, higher education leaders …

How African American College Graduates Who Attended An Early College Describe The Benefits, Reginald L. Towns

All Theses And Dissertations

The study documented how first-generation African American college graduates who attended an Early College program in North Carolina describe the benefits of this educational experience. There are many different types and structures of the Early College Program concept, that is, programs where high school students earn college credits. Students taking courses at a community college may leave with an associate’s degree while students attending a college or university will graduate from high school with transferable college credit. Students that attend high schools with Early College programs may finish their last two years of high school on a college campus and …

Urban Teachers Program: Culturally Responsive Middle School Teachers Describe Their Competencies, Kristina Sterling

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to document ways that Urban Teachers’ candidates enact culturally responsive teaching practices in an effort to combat the opportunity gaps in education and increase students’ achievement rate. This study focused on documenting responses to the questions: How do Urban Teachers enact culturally responsive teaching practices in their classrooms? How do teachers in the Urban Teachers program describe overcoming perceived barriers to implementing culturally responsive teaching in an urban school district? The problem of the study was a lack of evaluation of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices of those Urban Teachers once they entered the …

Experiences Of Successful African American And Hispanic Non-Traditional Single Mothers At An Urban Community College, Gerald Maitre

All Theses And Dissertations

Single parents who are public welfare recipients and seek to complete a college degree face many obstacles to persist and stay enrolled. Factors such as (a) being custodial parents of a child(ren), (b) juggling a job and family responsibilities, and (c) dealing with financial strains, to name a few, can create role overload which can be daunting (Weber & Tribe, 2019). Because these barriers are present, it is essential to know the motivational orientation of the single parent who has persisted and stay enrolled. Besides documenting the research on programming and policies, the present study explored what motivation students needed …

Leadership Style And Subordinate Work Stress, Jennifer Yoho

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the work stress perceived by public safety dispatchers and determine whether the supervisor’s leadership style played a role in the stress experienced. Research showed, and evidence suggested, that many stress-related symptoms at work occur because of unhealthy supervisor-subordinate relationships (Skakon, Nielsen, Borg, & Guzman, as cited in Belanger et al., 2016). Previous researchers found that a leader with a toxic, laissez-faire, or destructive leadership style increased the stress experienced by the employee (Syed, Rehman, & Kitchlew, 2018) while a supervisor with a transformational leadership style decreased the stress (Abbasi, 2018). Pishgooie, …

The Benefits And Barriers To Arts Integration: Arts Accessibility In Public Montessori, Heather Teems

All Theses And Dissertations

This mixed-method exploratory case study investigates the research question: To what extent do pre-K through eighth-grade public Montessori school teachers perceive that their professional knowledge and abilities, experiences, and resources impact their capacity to integrate arts into their general classroom curriculum? Public Montessori teachers from five public-choice Montessori schools in a school district of the suburban and urban areas of southeastern South Carolina were invited to participate. The teachers in these public Montessori schools have varied levels of education and professional development experience with the arts in education. Some participants were general education teachers prior to becoming Montessori teachers due …

Measuring Faculty Motivation And Engagement Through An Institutionally Supported Faculty Development Program At An Academic Healthcare Center, Elizabeth S. Rose

All Theses And Dissertations

Trends in the literature suggest that institutional support, defined as provisions for balancing work demands, schedule, and protected time, is a critical factor consistent with institutional academic success and an increase in faculty satisfaction. Competing factors including societal scrutiny, cost containment the safety and effectiveness of academic healthcare institutions, faculty recruitment and retention, increasing expectations for faculty, and pressures for high-functioning productivity can lead to feelings of ineffectiveness for faculty.

This summative program evaluation focused on the success of the Scholars Program, an institutionally supported faculty development program. The researcher sought to identify and describe faculty perceptions of the program’s …

People Manager Mindset Perceptional Influence On Culture At A Large Technology Company, Robert Patterson

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of a growth mindset, meaning an innate desire to learn, persist in the face of setbacks, value failure as essential to learning and regularly seeks feedback to improve by eight people managers in a large technology company (e.g., Microsoft, Alphabet’s Google, Facebook, and Amazon). Utilizing LinkedIn.com, eight people managers were identified and asked to describe their roles in communicating their organization’s culture to their direct reports and the tools supplied by their respective Company to influence their process (e.g., trainings, internal communications, etc.). Additionally, the study documented examples of how …

Rural Elementary Teachers And The Impact Of Professional Development On Mathematics Instruction, Heather Rockwell

All Theses And Dissertations

Rural elementary math teachers often lack a background in mathematics and even those with a strong mathematics background can sometimes struggle to model elementary math concepts (Holm & Kajander, 2019). Professional development (PD) provides teachers with an opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills while in the field. Although there are clear guidelines of what constitutes high-quality PD, not all PD achieves the same outcomes for teachers and students. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to understand PD experiences from the viewpoint of the rural elementary teachers, specifically the ways the PD experiences impact teacher efficacy and …

Computer-Mediated Communication Of History Museums In The Midwestern United States: A Web Content Analysis, Heather Lynn Dialfredi

All Theses And Dissertations

Adult museumgoers have come to expect increased access to museum information and resources through computer-mediated communication (CMC). Current research suggests that museum websites can increase the desire to visit the museum physically. The purpose of this study is to investigate how small, medium, and large history museums in the midwestern United States communicate the value of digital experiences to adult museumgoers. This qualitative content analysis follows Pauwels’ (2012) Multimodal Framework for Analyzing Websites as Cultural Expressions. The data was collected from 16 history museum websites, then analyzed using MAXQDA. The data collected provides insight into the methods and language museums …

1:1 Chromebooks In High School Classrooms: Teacher Perceptions Of Integration Efforts, Jason Saltmarsh

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry study was to fully explore high school teachers’ perceptions of their experiences teaching in a 1:1 Chromebook environment. Data included high school teachers’ personal narratives detailing their experiences and observations about the use of 1:1 Chromebooks to support teaching and learning. Study data also included in-depth interviews with eight high school teachers. The four constructs of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology provided a theoretical framework for this study. Educational leaders face significant challenges in understanding the considerable impact of teachers’ perceptions of their decision to integrate and effectively use …

The Influences On And Experiences Of Underrepresented Minority Females In One Southeastern United States Medical School, Brianne Holmes

All Theses And Dissertations

Representation in enrollment of African American female and Latina students is inconsistent with the demographic makeup across the United States. Exploring the experiences of current and past students at one southeastern medical school assisted in determining a possible cause for that underrepresentation. Two questions guided this study: (1) How do underrepresented minority (URM) females describe their decision to pursue medical education? (2) How did cultural, societal, or familial experiences or expectations influence these URM females to pursue medical education? This study employed an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology with a Critical Race Feminism framework to gather the stories of female medical …

Role Of Health Professions Faculty Leadership In Student Success: Exploring Student And Faculty Views, Kim Emery

All Theses And Dissertations

High student achievement translates into high retention and graduation rates yet raising retention rates continues to be a challenge in U.S. health professions colleges. Institutions of higher education use a variety of program strategies to improve student success. Studies show that student success, although multi-factored, is most strongly influenced by faculty-student interactions. Radiologic technology programs have better retention rates compared to nursing programs but there is a lack of literature explaining this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to explore how health professions faculty and students in radiologic technician and nursing programs understand faculty leadership behaviors related to the …

Attitudes Related To Trauma-Informed Care In The Educational Setting: An Exploratory Case Study, Natalie Lynne Smith

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative, exploratory case study was used to explore the perceptions of public high school faculty and staff towards trauma-informed practices in the school environment. Faculty and staff attitudes toward adverse childhood experiences and their attitudes toward implementation of trauma-informed care (TIC) in the educational setting are not well known. This study applies constructivism as a theoretical framework because the research depends on the participants’ views of the topics under study. Ten faculty and staff from a suburban high school in the northeastern part of the United States participated in this exploratory case study, completed the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed …

Exploring Public, Primary School Educators’ Perceptions Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Jessica Berry

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry was used to explore public primary school (K–8) educators’ perceptions of ACEs and how their understanding of ACEs might contribute to creating a trauma-sensitive school climate. The conceptual framework of the study was centered on Mezirow’s Transformational Learning Theory, with the premise that learning and change require: (a) a recognition of one’s own biases, norms, and constructs, which would be followed by (b) reflection, (c) the realization that change is needed, and (d) a willingness to learn (Mezirow, 1991).

Ten public school K–8 educators from the state of Maine participated in semistructured interviews that were transcribed …

The Impact Of Administrative Support For Dental Hygiene And Nursing Online Faculty, Margarita Rivera

All Theses And Dissertations

This study examined online faculty in dental hygiene and nursing baccalaureate degree completion programs and their experiences with online education in the area of administrative support. The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of administrative support systems needed for dental hygiene and nursing faculty to teach in baccalaureate degree completion programs in New York State, which offer more than 50% of their curriculum online. The objective of this study was to provide leaders in institutions of higher learning with insight and aid in reaching the goal of improving dental hygiene and nursing online programs. A total of …

Compassion Fatigue Among Help Me Grow Care Coordinators: A Case Study, Alexandra Goldberg

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory sequential mixed methods case study was to explore the perceptions of the prevalence and impact of compassion fatigue among Help Me Grow (HMG) care coordinators throughout the United States. Guided by the compassion fatigue and professional quality of life theories as the conceptual framework, the prevalence of compassion fatigue was explored quantitatively through the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire (ProQOL) and the impact of compassion fatigue was explored qualitatively through semi-structured, open-ended interviews. The ProQOL questionnaire results indicated that no participants were experiencing compassion fatigue. Seven key themes emerged from the qualitative interviews, including (a) …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Restorative Practices In K–8 Classrooms, Jamie Elizabeth Coady

All Theses And Dissertations

In this qualitative phenomenological study, the researcher sought to examine teachers’ perceptions of restorative practices in Kindergarten–Grade 8 (K–8) classrooms. The authors in the current literature concerning restorative practices have referenced the connection to social–emotional learning and school climate, yet there is limited understanding of how teachers perceive these practices and use them in their classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenon of restorative practices including when, where, and how teachers use these practices and support social–emotional learning efforts. Ten public school teachers in K–8 classrooms in Connecticut shared their lived experiences through semistructured interviews. Data …

Exploring The Roles, Responsibilities, And Leadership Styles Of Rural School Principals, John L. Hewitt Iii

All Theses And Dissertations

Rural schools face challenges that differ from those faced by urban and suburban schools. Many are isolated, located in poor areas, understaffed, and subject to resource scarcity. In addition to these challenges, rural school leaders are often assigned or assume additional roles and responsibilities as school principals. My goal was use Northouse’s (2016) leadership theory to perform a qualitative comparative case study on eight rural school principals in districts in southwestern Wisconsin to explore their roles, responsibilities, and leadership styles. The study found that rural school principals incur multiple, non-traditional, and unfamiliar roles and responsibilities. The study also found that …

Creating The Conditions For Deeper Learning: Leadership Practices For Reframing 21st Century Education Systems, Caryn M. Lewis

All Theses And Dissertations

The convergence of advanced technologies, sociocultural trends and transformative shifts in global industries is accelerating the need for change in the American education system. Research and practice reveal promising developments in pedagogical approaches and a growing movement toward the implementation of deeper learning models. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences and perceptions of superintendents leading dynamic shifts in public education to provide equitable access to deeper learning methodologies. The application of a dual framework supported the development of the study design and allowed for synthesis of the key components impacting system redesign. Data was elicited through semi-structured interviews to …

Value Perceptions Of Basic Clinical Laboratory Assistant Training With Certification, George Noll

All Theses And Dissertations

This study examined the perception of the value of medical laboratory science (MLS) program training and validation of that training with respect to entry-level clinical laboratory professionals. The demand for clinical laboratory professionals is increasing due to the number of retirees expected to peak by 2024 and is expected to yield a two to one job vacancy gap, mainly in entry-level positions. The study examined the perceived value of such traditional educational clinical laboratory programs from the viewpoints of the MLS educators and employers to effect change efforts to better match these programs with what is required within the career …

A Data Analysis Of Emotional Intelligence Interventions With Third Year Medical Students, Frank Bailey

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a 10-exercise emotional intelligence (EI) series composed of exercises from the Lynn Leadership group in third-year medical students, taught over one year. This study sought to assess the education’s efficacy as evidenced by the change in the overall EI score. The overarching aim of the 10-exercise EI series was to offset the decline in medical student empathy during the clinical years; empathy undergirds the EI construct of social awareness. The data were collected from medical student cohorts in their third year Core Clerkships at a Northeastern United …

The Lived Experience Of New Physical Therapy Graduates Working In The Early Intervention Setting: Perceptions Of Preparation, Michelle L. Donahue

All Theses And Dissertations

Understanding the experiences of new physical therapists transitioning to the early intervention workforce will provide a richer exploration of the preparation of physical therapists, which can guide educators to ensure adequate preparation. Since passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1994, an increasing number of children qualify for service creating a growing need for physical therapists to provide service in the early intervention program. In this qualitative, interpretive phenomenological analysis, the researcher explored the lived experience of new physical therapy graduates. The preparation and adequacy of entry-level physical therapist education to work in the early intervention setting …

The Impact Of Student-Centered Coaching On Teacher Self-Efficacy: An Exploratory Case Study, Dustin L. Collins

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to determine the impact that participation in student-centered coaching had on teacher self-efficacy within a large, international school in east Asia. The study aimed to fill the gap in international school research around student-centered coaching and teacher self-efficacy. The study explored how the student-centered coaching process impacted teacher self-efficacy and perceptions of self as well as how teachers described their development of self-efficacy in relation to the student-centered coaching model. Four elementary homeroom teachers participated in this single site study. Data were collected over a six week period in the form …

Rural Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Principals’ Leadership Behaviors Affecting Motivation To Improve Professional Practice., Zeljko Micevic

All Theses And Dissertations

School principals and teachers being a powerful force of social change is a well-established argument. While literature confirms the substantial impact school leaders and teachers have on improving organizations and student outcomes, there is a dearth of granular knowledge related to how rural school principals in China influence teachers' motivation to improve professional practice. Thus, by engaging in a qualitative study leveraging the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA) this study aimed to illuminate the principals' behaviors that teachers perceived as having significant impact on their motivation to improve practice. As part of its conceptual framework, the study incorporated a theoretical framework …

Faculty Perceptions Of Self Efficacy In Interprofessional Healthcare Education, Rose M. Defeo

All Theses And Dissertations

Interprofessional team-based care is of the utmost importance to maximize health outcomes. These mixed discipline teams work together to complement skills and support each other for patient-centered care delivery. To prepare future healthcare clinicians, effective and efficient interprofessional healthcare education is needed. Students must learn to reflect on their abilities and demonstrate confidence in their skillsets to work effectively within this type of group. Reflective ability and development of self-efficacy are the foundation for learning how to function in an interprofessional team. Faculty within undergraduate and graduate healthcare programs have been tasked with facilitating activities to teach teamwork, roles, responsibilities, …

First-Generation College Students: Making Sense Of Academic Advising And Advisor Leadership For Student Success, Andrew Martin Frazier

All Theses And Dissertations

Earning a college degree is one of the most socially and economically beneficial accomplishments individuals can achieve in the United States. The benefits of a college degree are evident, however not all students attain such credentials equitably. One student group that graduates from college at disparate rates when compared to others is first-generation college students (FGCS), or those who are the first in their family to earn a degree. FGCS are twice as likely to leave college with no earned degree compared to students who have parents or guardians with college degrees. Additionally, while significant research focuses on FGCS support …

Childhood Factors Influencing Elder Never-Married Women’S Avoidance Of Economic Vulnerability, Kimberley J. (Mendall) Mondoñedo

All Theses And Dissertations

Older populations in the United States are increasing, and poverty for women over 65 has also increased. Females constitute more than half the elderly in America. Elder never-married women make up only 5% of the female cohort but are the demographic most prone to poverty in old age and nearly half fall into economic vulnerability. However, some of this susceptible group have avoided economic vulnerability. Using the theoretical framework of self-efficacy, this qualitative case study provided insight into childhood factors that influenced why and how eight never-married women living in Maine avoided late-age economic vulnerability. Behaviors, influences, and self-efficacy emerged …

Women C-Suite Executives In Cybersecurity: Transformational Experiences And Gender Barriers On Their Leadership Journeys, Toni C. Plato

All Theses And Dissertations

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries with a critical role in protecting businesses and people from attacks that continue to grow and affect our nation. There is an increasing gap between the demand to fill jobs in the field and the skilled professionals available. Women currently fill less than 17% of those skilled positions. Understanding the paths of success and the barriers experienced by women cybersecurity leaders is key to determining how to fill the skill gap in the industry. This study uses a qualitative methodology with a descriptive phenomenological design to answer the research questions from the …