Educational Leadership Commons^™

An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Leadership Development For College Students In An Army Rotc Program, Joseph O. Gagnon

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the learning behaviors for young leaders from Generation Z is important for the United States Army in their development for future commissioned officers, who are primarily trained in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in select private and public universities across the country. The Army expectation of leaders at every level regardless of rank are to possess and continuously develop six leadership capabilities codified in the Army Leadership Requirements Model (ALRM). The ALRM describes what an Army leader is (i.e., the attributes) and what an Army leader does (i.e., the competencies). The purpose of this study was to understand …

University Students' Wellbeing: A Case Study Of An International Private University In Egypt, Alia Attia

Theses and Dissertations

Wellbeing is a crucial topic that is gaining increasing attention in higher education and should be taken into careful consideration. This is a qualitative case study, using a phenomenological approach, which explores the phenomenon of student wellbeing in an international private university in Egypt. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews with a total of fourteen participants: eight purposefully selected students who have taken part in wellbeing programs, initiatives, or events at the American University in Cairo (AUC), as well as six faculty/staff members, leaders, mentors, or coaches in the field were interviewed. In addition to the interviews, conversations were …

Improving Post-Secondary Credential Attainment: A Case Study Of Action Research In A Workforce Development Context, Peter James Selden

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand what environmental, structural, group dynamic, programmatic, intermediate measure, or outcome measure factors influence the effectiveness of action research being used to improve postsecondary credential attainment for the Tulsa Talent Hub team. This case study focused on the perceptions of those team members that were involved in an action research or community-based participatory research project in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was facilitated by a team of individuals from Impact Tulsa. The researcher examined how each member that was interviewed perceived overall impact and effectiveness of the action research process used. Through qualitative analysis, the …

Making Sense Of English Placement And Its Effect On Emergent Multilingual Students At An Emerging Hsi: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Samantha Glassford

Theses and Dissertations

Language acquisition support for Emergent Multilingual, or EML, students in community colleges across the United States does not receive as much attention in research as it does in K-12 schools and universities, despite the growing number of EML students enrolling in community colleges. With 25% of community college students being from immigrant backgrounds, these colleges - HSIs and EHSIs in particular - support for English language acquisition will need more attention and funding. The purpose of this study was to explore the sensemaking that occurred after the interruption of Guided Self-Placement, as well as the discourses present at an EHSI …

Foreign-Born Black Males: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Their Persistence In Higher Education, Eliezer Marcellus

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the academic and social integration experiences of foreign-born Black male students who persist at a four-year research institution. Research has shown that foreign-born Black males do not self-identify, and, as a result, their experiences in higher education have been grouped in with the persistent experiences of native-born Black males (Nesbett, 2002; Williams, 2005). This phenomenological study examines the lived experience of foreign-born Black males in higher education. Ten face-to-face interviews were conducted in order to describe the essence of this phenomenon. The findings from this study revealed five themes that explained the …

A Case Study Of The Implementation Of The New Clery Act Guidelines, Eunice Adigun

Theses and Dissertations

The Clery Act requires all higher education institutions participating in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose campus crimes by submitting an Annual Security Report by October 1st of every year. In October 2020, the U.S. Department of Education replaced the 265-page Clery Act guidelines for administrators with a 13-page Appendix with specific changes to geographical locations to include in the report, eliminated the definition of crimes, and limited individuals designated as Campus Security Authority to those with direct responsibilities over student affairs. This case study examined how campus security officers implement the new Clery Act guidelines in crime …

The Exploration Of Faculty-Student Mentoring For First-Generation Community College Students, Mariana Torres

Theses and Dissertations

Retention, persistence, and academic achievement for first-generation students have become increasingly prevalent with increasing access to higher education. Beyond access, the most discernible challenge relates to their identity as a first-generation college student and the lack of mentorship from their parents in navigating the college experience. While research promotes the positive impact of faculty-student mentoring programs for the success of the traditional student, more work is needed to analyze the effects on first-generation community college students. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if there was a relationship between faculty-student mentoring and student success, as defined by persistence, …

Leadership In Two-Way Dual Language Programs: Administrative Decision Making In Elementary Two-Way Dual Language Programs, Ana R. Martínez-Fuentes

Theses and Dissertations

With an increase of English language learners in public schools across the United States, the importance of addressing the needs of students who require language access in their home language has resulted in an increase in the implementation of dual language programs. This increase continues to challenge educators to provide effective programs that provide quality instruction for English language learners. This has prompted schools to offer a two-way dual language program as an educational bilingual option to assist in meeting the needs of emergent bilingual students. In this qualitative case study, the researcher explored the extent to which school principals’ …

The Influence Of Computational Thinking On New York State Geometry Regents Proficiency Rates, Joseph Crifo

Theses and Dissertations

The present study was conducted to determine how implementing computational thinking (via a proxy in AP Computer Science Principles) into a school’s curriculum impacted student proficiency rates on the New York State Geometry Regents. Recent research has suggested that computational thinking is a skill that transcends specific content areas and can influence student learning outcomes across multiple disciplines. By equipping students with these skills, each individual’s zone of proximal development may increase, leading to increased learning efficiency. Given the rise of technology and the need for computational literacy, schools are looking to implement courses to help students develop these skills. …

Do Relationships Matter? An Examination Of The Effects Of Teacher-Student Relationships On Performance And Progress In An Alternative High School, Kellie Cook Mclaurin

Theses and Dissertations

The role of the Teacher-Student Relationship (TSR) has been widely recognized in research for its implications on students’ motivation, achievement, well-being in school, behavior, and ultimately, progress toward completing school and graduating (Barile, 2012; Bergeron et all., 2011; Obsuth et al., 2017; Pianta et al., 2012; Rimm-Kaufman & sandilos, 2011; Uslu & Gizir, 2016). Therefore, the impact of TSR are all the more important for teachers of students who have been identified as ‘at-risk’ – having a higher susceptibility of not completing high school due to poor grades or deficient credits to graduate, truancy, disruptive behavior, pregnancy, or similar factors …

The Transitional Journey From Incarceration To A College Degree Through The Lived Experiences Of Women, Marsha Milan-Bethel

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative study shares the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated women, their reintegration into the community, and their journey to and through college. The eight participants span between 25 and 64 years of age, have spent varying lengths of time incarcerated, and are now either in college or recent graduates of both public and private universities. Research indicates that a large majority of incarcerated women come from economically disadvantaged communities, are vocationally unskilled, and have limited access to in-prison postsecondary programs (Mallory, 2011; Western et al., 2015). However, by earning a college credential, women rebuild their sense of self, …

A Qualitative Study On The Experiences Of Women Principals In Catholic Schools: What Can We Learn?, Carmen Z. Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

“Let it be known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever-present Teacher in its classes, the model for its children, the inspiration for its staff.” - Anonymous. This study explored the journeys and experiences of women leaders in Catholic secondary schools, focusing on their challenges and successes. The research included six participants who held leadership positions ranging from school principal to regional superintendent and represented diverse ages and perspectives. Using a qualitative approach with a case study framework, the study drew on Ciriello’s (1996) theoretical framework and Uhl’s (2020) systemic …

Voices Of Strength: An Examination Of A School Based Mentorship Program And The Impact On Underrepresented Students, Arlene Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Marginalized students often feel a greater sense of detachment from their schools in comparison to non-marginalized peers (Bottiani et al., 2017). Mentorship programs provide positive experiences that enhance adolescents’ social, behavioral, and academic development. These programs help disconnected students establish a stronger connection within their school community. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of four underrepresented high school mentees. The researcher based the theoretical foundation for the study on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development (1978) and Rhodes’ theory of mentorship (2005). The data collection process incorporated various methods including observations, interviews, field and reflection notes, personal documents, and …

Student Barriers And Motivators To Bystander Intervention If Witnessing Potential Sexual Violence On College Campuses, Jaquenette G. Lochrie

Theses and Dissertations

Bystander intervention has received increased attention as a potential sexual violence prevention strategy, primarily to address campus sexual assault (McMahon et al., 2017). Shifting the focus from potential victims and perpetrators, the bystander approach engages all members of a campus community to act by increasing positive attitudes and behaviors related to sexual violence and greater willingness to intervene in pro-social ways. This study examined associations between college students’ bystander intervention behavior and three key factors: (a) perceived self-efficacy, (b) a sense of responsibility to act, and (c) the relationship between the student bystander and the victim or perpetrator. The researcher …

Girl Power: How Can School Counselors Empower Female Students To Study Stem-Related Majors In College And Beyond?, Carly Bank

Theses and Dissertations

There is a gender gap among females studying STEM ( Technology, Engineering and Math) majors and pursuing STEM careers. More males than females pursue these majors and careers. This study explore d how high school counselors influence the choices of STEM majors for female students. The researcher explored the perspectives of seven experienced high school counselors who work with students on college exploration and career planning activities in this multi case study. The processes these counselors apply when working with female students and improving these practices so school counselors can better support their students was examined. Key findings of this …

The Impact Of Perceived Job Satisfaction, Motivational Attitudes, And Organizational Commitment: A Comparative Analysis Between Special Education Teachers Employed In Public Versus Private Schools, David Haimovich

Theses and Dissertations

During and after the Covid-19 pandemic, a high turnover rate of PreK-12 special education teachers continues to persist. To ensure all students with disabilities receive equitable access to a special education teacher, turnover intentions among private school teachers require further insight due to a long-standing gap in research. Using the theoretical frameworks of Herzberg’s (1959) Two-Factor Theory and Meyer & Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of Commitment, this non-experimental correlational study examined the influence of six demographic factors related to teachers’ perceptions of job satisfaction, motivational attitudes, and organizational commitment among special education teachers employed in PreK-12 suburban schools in the …

Leveling The Playing Field: Covid-19’S Impact On Interscholastic Athletic Participation In New York State Public Schools: An Ex Post Facto Analysis Of District Demographics And Sport, Justin T. Cobis

Theses and Dissertations

Each year in New York state, tens of thousands of student-athletes participate in interscholastic athletics on over 15,000 public school teams. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interscholastic athletic participation rates in New York state public schools and their relationship to school districts’ demographics, including percentage of non-White students, percentage of economically disadvantaged students, total enrollment, and graduation rates. The sample consisted of 218 public school districts located throughout New York state, with approximately 20 participant districts from each of the 11 New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s governing …

An Examination Of The Cultural Competencies And Practices Of Preservice Teachers Enrolled In Nonurban Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs, Terrie L. Gyles

Theses and Dissertations

The critical shortage of qualified teachers in hard to staff urban schools has been a persistent issue in the U.S. for decades. Teachers and researchers have pointed to the inadequacy of teacher preparation programs to prepare teacher candidates to address the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students and special education students as the catalyst of the teacher shortage in urban schools. Urban school systems, like the New York City Department of Education, have had success in filling their teacher shortages through alternative teacher certification programs. Through these programs, teacher candidates are given a preservice teacher preparation that incorporates three …

The Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Black Male Students At A Northeast Community College, Ashtian C. Holmes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological inquiry is to understand the experiences of formerly incarcerated Black male students who attend a Northeast urban community college and the unique barriers they encounter while navigating the institution. The United States imprisons more people than any country in the world, and Black men are disproportionately overrepresented in the United States criminal legal system. At the same time, Black men, are severely underrepresented in higher education and lag behind their White and female counterparts in nearly all indicators of collegiate success, including enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Formerly incarcerated individuals face unique and substantial barriers …

The Impact Of Catholic Education On Non-Catholic Chinese Immigrant Students, Huifu Hou

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated teachers’ and parents’ perspectives on the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students. The research attempted to answer three questions: How did teachers and parents perceive the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students’ academic achievement? How did teachers and parents perceive the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students’ personal moral values? And what are non-Catholic immigrant parents’ perceptions of Catholic education? The study is framed by moral development (Kohlberg & Hersh, 1977) and sensemaking (Weick, 1995) two frameworks. The methodology chosen for the research was a single case study, …

Is Proximity Enough? A Case Study Examining A College Access Program On The Grounds Of Public Housing On The West Coast, Nicole S. Berry

Theses and Dissertations

The issue of college access for students from low-income communities has been a longstanding challenge in American higher education. Despite numerous efforts to address the gaps in college attendance and graduation rates between students from low-income and more affluent communities, the problem remains present. This has led to a need for an in-depth analysis of college access programming explicitly tailored to low-income communities, particularly those residing in public housing authorities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, 2016) has recognized this need by funding and piloting college access programs in several public housing authorities around the United States. These …

The Journey Of Dominican Women As Administrative Leaders In U.S. Higher Education, Kelba M. Sosa

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative study delved into the experiences and journeys of Dominican women ascending to administrative leadership positions within U.S. higher education institutions. The main purpose was to explore the challenges and successes encountered by these women, addressing the identified issue of their underrepresentation in such roles. Participants, comprising 13 Dominican women, held positions ranging from Directors and Faculty/Professors to Vice Presidents, Chiefs of Staff, and Presidents. Their ages spanned from 45 to 75, representing a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. The research methodology embraced a qualitative approach with a narrative design, aligning with the study's theoretical framework rooted …

The Personal Journey Of Individuals Self-Disclosing Their Disability Status Within An Urban Postsecondary Environment, Nelson Carrillo

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative narrative study was conducted on the personal journey of individuals self-disclosing their disability status within an urban postsecondary environment. The study was intended to uncover the personal journey of students with disabilities self-disclosing their disability status within an urban postsecondary environment. Through semi-structured interviews and targeted journal responses, it explored the students’ lived experiences of seeking out and using accommodations and the students’ perceptions of faculty members’ use of universal design for instruction and universal design for learning. The findings demonstrated that a community-based institution that values diversity among professors, faculty members, and students is an environment that …

The Impact Of Principal Leadership On Student Achievement Outcomes In K-12 Education, Crystal Valentine-Lindsay

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative scholarly research study was to ascertain to what extent a principal’s leadership contributes to an increase in student achievement outcomes in K-12 education in New York City. The study used the Learning Environment Survey from 2021 and English Language Arts testing data from 2018 for third, fourth, and fifth grades. Two research questions guided this study. First, what are the factors of principal leadership that emerge from the Learning Environment Survey? Second, to what extent do these factors, as a proxy for principal leadership, have an influence on student achievement outcomes, in K-12 education? Four …

Navigating The Maze: Women Experiences Transitioning From Faculty To High-Level Administration In Four-Year Postsecondary Institutions In The United States, Jonathan Hubbell

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the experiences of women transitioning from faculty roles to high-level administrative positions within four-year postsecondary institutions in the United States. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, this study investigates the strategies, challenges, and successes of nine women who have navigated this career progression, highlighting the systemic barriers they faced and the resilience they developed along the way. Through the lens of resiliency theory and intersectionality, the research examines how women balance personal and professional obligations, overcome institutional barriers, and utilize mentorship networks to support their advancement. From the in-depth interviews, four themes emerged: (a) adaptability, (b) resilience, (c) mentoring, …

Midwest Midlevel Professionals' Perspective On Their Entry-Level Experience: Supervisor Leadership And Its Effect On Employee Retention, Joseph Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

For the past three decades, new professionals have been leaving the student affairs field at alarming rates, with around 50% departing within five years of completing their master’s degrees. While numerous studies have explored the reasons behind this exodus, few have examined why the other 50% remain. Moreover, limited research has investigated how servant leadership impacts the retention of these professionals. This basic interpretive qualitative study aimed to understand how leadership’s focus on employee needs influences retention, using the lived experiences of eight mid-level student affairs professionals from large public institutions in the Midwest, each 5-7 years post-master’s degree. Thematic …

A Disconnected School: Why Vertical Alignment Is Not Used To Better Transition Students From Middle To High School (A Qualitative Study), Timothy Revels

Theses and Dissertations

The project focuses on one school – The Carrie Anderson School (TCAS) in Medellin, Colombia which is a private bilingual school that has American accreditation and is one of the most popular and well-regarded schools in the country. The idea for this project started with observation of TCAS ninth grade students and how they struggled during the first half of their freshman year in high school. At that time the school did not have vertical alignment between their middle and high schools. Data was collected from the school using student grade data, faculty surveys, and faculty interviews. The data shows …

Department Chairs’ Impact On The Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Of Their Departments, Nicholas R. Garcia Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Department chairs serve not only as the leaders of their departments but also as middle managers in their schools, colleges, and universities. While many department chairs see their role as having little authority, they still play an integral role in day-to-day campus operations (Hunt & Jones, 2015). As leaders of their departments, chairs can directly influence the department’s organizational culture (Schein, 2010), including the culture of diversity and inclusiveness. Departments nationwide are being held responsible for increasing the diversity of the faculty and responding to students' calls for diversity. Departmental organizational culture and the role of the chairperson are essential …

Stereotypes Of A Black Man Misunderstood: The Experiences And Development Of Black Men With Bipolar Disorder On College Campuses, Gerron Scott

Theses and Dissertations

Black men graduate from universities at a lower rate compared to other groups. Students with disabilities also graduate at a lower rate. When the two groups intersect, the results can be disastrous. Black men with bipolar disorder face a host of problems on college campuses. From a lack of sense of belonging to trouble in class, they struggle to stay afloat in college. The purpose of this study was to document the experiences and development of Black men with bipolar disorder on college campuses. A grounded theory approach was used in this study. Grounded theory was chosen because it leads …

African American Administrators’ Experiences As They Pursue And Transition Into Higher Education Senior Administrative Roles At Four-Year Predominantly White Institutions, Andre Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the experiences of African Americans as they pursued and transitioned into senior administrative roles at four-year predominantly white institutions (PWIs). Insights were drawn from eight participants who held or had held positions such as president, vice president, provost, assistant vice president/provost, and dean.

From in-depth interviews with participants, their experiences were categorized into the overarching themes of career navigation, racial adversity, professional development, and voices of experience, all of which were deeply interconnected through their respective subthemes. In career navigation, subthemes such as empowered by belief and purposeful positioning emphasized the importance of self-confidence, strategic timing, …