Educational Leadership Commons^™

The Efficacy Actions Of Priority School Leaders During The Dynamic Change Of School Reform, Micole D. Dyson

Dissertations

There are increasing demands and challenges from the state and federal government for continual academic improvement for all schools. Each year, the Michigan Department of Education creates a “Top to Bottom” list of schools, with the lowest-performing schools designated as priority schools. This priority designation invariably creates the need for principals to examine their own self-efficacy beliefs as they work with teachers to improve these schools.

The purpose of this basic qualitative study is to identify and describe principals’ beliefs in their abilities to organize and execute complex actions to achieve changes within priority schools. Identifying and naming a leader’s …

Delaying Kindergarten Entrance By Participating In Pre-Kindergarten And Academic Achievement In Elementary School: Red-Shirting And Achievement Scores, Rachael Postle-Brown

Dissertations

The purpose of this ex post facto causal comparative study is to examine the academic achievement of students entering the educational system, that is, kindergarten, either through pre-kindergarten or no pre-kindergarten. Allowing me to examine “red shirting,” a practice of giving children an additional year, in pre-kindergarten, to mature physically, socially, and academically before entering kindergarten. This study is important to school district personnel and parents whom need to make informed decisions concerning pre-kindergarten programs.

In this study, I compare the elementary academic achievement of students through 3^rd grade, who delayed kindergarten entrance with those who did not delay. …

University Auxiliary Services: A Review Of Factors Impacting Privatization Decisions, Rita S. Gordon

Dissertations

The dynamics of higher education funding present unique challenges and opportunities for administrators. One method university administrators employ to contain expenses and provide additional revenue is privatization of academic and non-academic services.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the specific factors considered in a decision to privatize bookstore and/or dining service operations, and perceptions about whether the post-privatization decision met pre-privatization expectations. Gordon’s (2019) Privatization Decision Framework was created based upon existing research and then used to develop survey questions. Twelve pre-privatization decision factors, nine post-privatization contracted relationship expectation factors, overall satisfaction with the privatization decision, and …

Design Parameters For Planning Cluster Randomized Trials Of Cognitive Skill Interventions: An Empirical Analysis Using The Collegiate Learning Assessment, Yu Du

Dissertations

Recently, higher education has started to place a premium on rigorous research that uses randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to test the impact of educational interventions. This may be due in part to concerns about a deficiency of high-quality evidence of the effectiveness of programs, policies, and practices to improve undergraduate students’ outcomes. Given the naturally nested structure in higher education, e.g., students nested in colleges/universities, researchers in higher education start considering a specific type of RCT called a cluster randomized trial (CRT), which have been frequently used in K-12 impact research. In a CRT, whole clusters, such as colleges/universities, are …

Factors Contributing To The Attrition Of New Student Affairs Professionals, Nicole Millar Allbee

Dissertations

Alumni who graduated within the previous five years from student affairs master’s degree programs across the nation were surveyed to examine issues related to attrition. In total, 697 alumni responded, of which 588 (84.36%) were still in the field of student affairs and 109 (15.64%) had departed. Participants were surveyed regarding their levels of occupational commitment to student affairs and their satisfaction and burnout in their first postgraduate professional role in order to understand how these factors influenced their retention in the profession. These measures were assessed for all alumni as well as for both comparison groups and a logistic …

The Lived Experiences Of Occupational Therapists In Transitioning To Leadership Roles, Shawn Sasha Shams, Ravneet Batth, Andrea Duncan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Several studies on leadership in occupational therapy have discussed the key qualities of leadership and its importance, even though little is known about the transition process into leadership roles. This research examined the lived experiences of occupational therapists who have transitioned from a clinical to a leadership role and identified the supports and challenges that were found to be important.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into the transition process of five occupational therapy professional practice leaders. NVivo software was used to organize and analyze the qualitative data.

Results: Three common themes were identified as “supports” for …

“Not My Issue!!!”: Teaching The Interpersonal Conflict Course, Nancy Brule, Jessica J. Eckstein

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

Students who enroll in communication courses to improve their conflict management abilities should be provided with both an understanding of, and skills pertaining to, interpersonal conflict across diverse contexts. In this article, we offer pedagogical guidance for teaching the Interpersonal Conflict course. With an emphasis on building communication skills usable in a variety of real-life situations and settings, this article includes discussion of necessary foundational concepts and applied content areas, sample application assignments, and relevant considerations for those teaching the course.

Journal Of Communication Pedagogy, Complete Volume, 2019

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

Burnout Among Filipino Occupational Therapists: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Rod Charlie Delos Reyes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is a shortage of practicing occupational therapists in the Philippines, with approximately one Filipino occupational therapist per 30,000 stakeholders. One of the possible consequences is the experience of burnout among therapists.

Method: A two-phase mixed methods study using a sequential explanatory approach was used. The first phase involved the administration of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) with a survey questionnaire that supplied demographic and work-related factors through an online platform. The results were analyzed using frequency distribution and measures of central tendency. Relationships were analyzed using Spearman’s Rho and Cramer’s V. The second phase …

Harnessing The Power Of Gold, Christopher Hunt

Academic Leadership Academy

Consistent branding at WMU has been the topic of many on-campus discussions in 2017. The Strategic Management Executive Council (SMEC) identified brand and communication consistency and continuity as a risk priority. As part of that risk assessment, a Collaborative Risk/Opportunity Management (CRŌM) team has been assigned to evaluate the following issues: •Many units are still not aligning with established brand messages and design guidelines, diffusing marketing efforts. •Lacking clear voice for the University. •Internal communication occurs in silos, so people do not get the full picture; especially a problem with part-time staff and faculty, impacting overall staff morale. •Under-empowered University …

Shared Gold: Mapping Of Community Engagement, Brian Gogan, Jennifer Harrison

Academic Leadership Academy

Engaged universities and communities are a key focus for meaningful social transformation and addressing complex educational issues including access, research ethics, and business development (Cherrington et al., 2018).

Universities throughout the nation are called not only to serve their academic community, but also the communities in which they are situated. In fact, ongoing revisions to the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation criteria suggest that community engagement will serve as a primary means by which institutions of higher education will demonstrate their publicly oriented missions and fulfill accreditation criterion number one (Higher Learning Commission, 2018).

Community engagement can be defined as “the …

Wmu Food For All, Wayne Lee Bond Ii

Academic Leadership Academy

While the numbers are unclear, the amount of food waste on campus is quite noticeable. For anyone that has used our facilities and catering services, there are little options for the remaining food at the end of an event. Due to legal reasons, food is not able to be taken from the buildings. While this provides a hindrance on how to manage food waste, there are other alternatives.

At Ferris State University, a program called “There’s Food Here” has been implemented. This is a simple program where those that hold events on campus are invited to join a Facebook group. …

Engaging Student Patrons With Traditional And Experimental Technology, Scott Russell, Joshua Enos, James Lane, Roy Zimmer

Academic Leadership Academy

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Strategic Parent And Family Fundraising Program, Julia Kuntz

Academic Leadership Academy

It is no secret that state and government funding for higher education has decreased significantly over the last 10 years. Colleges and universities are challenged with finding new financial sources. Funding through privates gifts and philanthropy has become a new way of sustainability for not-for-profit colleges and universities.

Alumni, faculty/staff, and friends are constituents that provide financial support to the university. However, there is a subgroup of these people who are worth a closer look and require more engagement: parents and families of currently enrolled students.

There are many benefits to having a strategic engagement plan with parents and families …

Leadership Through Self Transformation, David Paul

Academic Leadership Academy

In the Spring of 2006 I taught PHIL 3150: Race and Gender Issues for the first time. In my preparation for the course I was overwhelmed by my own lack of education. I was humbled by the experience and motivated to inform all of my teaching by what I came to understand through teaching the course.

Years later, in the Spring of 2013, I was again asked to teach the course and felt more prepared. Though I introduced substantial changes to the course, I was again overwhelmed by my own ignorance as I pushed deeper into studies of exploitation, oppression …

Online Evaluation Training Program, Lori Wingate

Academic Leadership Academy

The Western Michigan University (WMU) Evaluation Center and Extended University Programs are developing an online professional development program in evaluation. The learner-centered program will include a mix of live and self-paced instruction, including webinars, videos, text, assessments, and practice exercises. The following qualities set this program apart from existing academic and ad hoc evaluation training programs:

Equity-informed: As a critical aspect of high-quality evaluation practice, the curriculum is infused with guidance on how to address equity throughout the evaluation process.

Practical: Instruction is connected to practical application so learners can use what they learn right away.

Accessible: Barriers to learning …

The Development Of A Wmu Faculty Learning Community Focused On Exploring Pedagogical Strategies In Graduate Education, Ramona Lewis

Academic Leadership Academy

The purpose of this Academy Leadership Academy (ALA) poster is to summarize the development of a WMU Faculty Learning Community (FLC) that will focus on pedagogical strategies in graduate education. This purpose of this FLC is to provide faculty from all disciplines the opportunity to discuss developmentally and disciplinarily appropriate pedagogies for graduate students.

Ensuring Successful International Teaching Assisstants (Itas), Dyanne Foskey

Academic Leadership Academy

To ensure the success of both the international teaching assistants and their students, various types of training and support are needed.

Introductory Pages, Christopher W. Tremblay, Patrick O'Connor

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Complete Issue, Christopher W. Tremblay, Patrick O'Connor

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Courtrooms And Classrooms: A Legal History Of College Access, 1860-1960, Mark A. Addison

Journal of College Access

Issues of college access are increasingly met with resolutions within social and economic contexts. Models such as cost of production output, and race and socioeconomic-conscious strategies form the basis of such analyses (Jenkins & Rodriguez, 2013; Henriksen, 1995; Treager Huber, 2010; Schmidt, 2012). We can expect retooling and reinventing of such models with increasing college costs and changes in student demographics.

From The Classroom To The Community: Best Practices In Service-Learning, Donna R. Pawlowski

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

As a pedagogy, service-learning connects students with the community while focusing on course outcomes. The community becomes a live text for reflection and enriches students’ experiences they otherwise would not have in the classroom. This article provides tips and strategies for implementing service-learning in the classroom. These tips and strategies include developing the structure of the course, linking service-learning to outcomes, creating partnerships, working through logistics with partners, communicating with community partners, setting logistics, preparing students, creating reflections, handling challenging issues, giving credit for the learning, and assessing service-learning.

Taking Interest In Students’ Disinterest: Best Practices For Mitigating Amotivation In The Basic Course, Electra Gilchrist-Petty

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

As a general education requirement, basic communication course instructors are afforded the unique opportunity to reach a variety of students. Because many students often are enrolled in the basic communication course out of necessity, student amotivation can transform what should be a dynamic and interactive classroom experience into a daunting challenge that stifles the pedagogical process. To assist in engaging students, 10 best practices for mitigating amotivation in the basic course are presented. By following these best practices, instructors can help cultivate a more engaged and interactive classroom experience for both themselves and their students.

Best Practices For Facilitating Communication-Centered Professional Development For Non-Communication Faculty, Stephanie Norander

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

Communication-across-the-curriculum (CxC) programs commonly support noncommunication faculty by crafting robust professional development learning experiences. This article presents 10 best practices for facilitating professional development designed to support the teaching and learning of communication competencies in non-communication disciplines. These practices draw on lessons learned from a successful professional development course facilitated by the CxC program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Grounded in a situated communication pedagogy framework, these best practices reflect a communicationcentered approach to professional development, thus extending scholarly discourse and practices surrounding CxC programs, communication pedagogy, and professional development of faculty.

Best Practices For Training New Communication Graduate Teaching Assistants, Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post, Kristina Ruiz-Mesa

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are often the first college instructors who new students meet when they arrive for their first day of class, and as instructors and as students, GTAs are the future of the discipline. As such, GTAs need to receive comprehensive training in a variety of pedagogical, procedural, and professional areas to help graduate students continue to develop as instructors and, eventually, into full-time faculty. To assist basic course directors, department chairs, and faculty in creating and supporting a comprehensive and ongoing GTA training program, this article provides 10 best practices for training new GTAs who will be …

Journal Of Communication Pedagogy, Complete Volume, 2018

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

Best Practices For Retaining Public Speaking Students, Kimberly M. Weismann, Shannon B. Vanhorn, Christina G. Paxman

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

This article draws on existing communication research and praxes to share the best practices for retaining students enrolled in the introductory public speaking course. Among the many important pedagogical practices that communication scholars have documented, this article highlights the value of 10 best practices: instructor use of immediacy and confirmation; instructor inclusion of written prescriptive feedback, peer feedback workshops, low-stakes assignments, applied assignments, and individual speech preparation tools; and instructor participation in out-of-class communication, online office hours, and classroom-connectedness.

The Effectiveness Of Using Leadership Practice Lnventory (Lpl 360) Feedback On Leaders' Lnsight Into Their Leadership Behaviors In Higher Education, Abdulrahman S. Alajlan

Dissertations

One of the most popular 360-feedback processes for leadership development is the Leadership Practice Inventory (LPI 360). According to the Leadership Challenge website the LPI tool has been translated into six languages. In addition, it has been implemented in a variety of organizations around the world and there are about 500 studies that have been built around it. However, the popularity of the LPI 360-feedback is not enough reason for it to be adopted for higher education without assurance that it aligns with a higher education organization’s specific vision and goals. After reviewing approximately 153 LPI studies across 766 databases …

Tadoku: Extensive Reading In Japanese, Rika Saito

Academic Leadership Academy

My Instructional Development project is Tadoku 多読 that translates as Extensive Reading (ER) for Japanese language education. Tadoku or ER refers to “many readings” “reading a lot,” the idea of which in foreign/second language teaching has been practiced and theorized since 1950 in the US and Europe. In Japan, ER classes and promotional events, such as workshops and presentations for instructors, are sponsored by a Non-profit organization “Tagengo Tadoku” or “Tadoku Supporters.” This organization was established in 2002 by Japanese educators who originally explored effective reading methods in English language education. Tadoku Supporters later developed ER methods in Japanese.

I …

Cultural Connections In Senegal: Outcomes Of Study Abroad Course, Yvette Hyter, Sarah Summy

Academic Leadership Academy

The purpose of this study was to examine the intercultural competence, critical thinking, and global engagement of students participating in the Cultural Connections in Senegal Study Abroad Course, offered during summer I.