Educational Leadership Commons^™

Balancing Dual Roles: Instructional Leadership And Daily Management Among School Principals In The United Arab Emirates, Mohammad Abdelkarim Al Adwan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

School principals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face increasing pressure to serve simultaneously as instructional leaders, guiding curriculum innovation, mentoring teachers, and fostering professional growth and as operational managers responsible for budgeting, staffing, and daily administration. While global and regional research has highlighted this duality, a gap persists in understanding how UAE principals themselves perceive and navigate these competing demands. This qualitative collective case study purposively sampled 12 principals from private and international schools. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, a focus group with seven middle leaders, and documentary review. Using reflexive thematic analysis, the study provides in-depth insights …

The Road To Effective Leadership: The Role Of Practical Training In Shaping Leadership Skills Of Students For Success In Educational Leadership, Fatima Ali Saeed Salem Alnuaimi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Educational leadership programs play an important role in preparing future leaders to deal with the challenges of educational settings. However, relying only on theoretical knowledge may not be enough to develop the skills and mindset required for an effective leadership role. In addition, this study aimed to explore the role of practical training and experiential learning in shaping leadership skills and leadership identity among students enrolled in educational leadership programs. This study utilized a mixed-methods design. First, quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire distributed to 24 participants, including master's and PhD students and educators in leadership roles in schools. …

The Impact Of Social Emotional Learning Interventions On Students, Kaiya J. Nelson

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has become increasingly prevalent in schools, with 83% of schools nationwide implementing SEL curricula or programs as of 2024, compared to 46% in 2018. In Minnesota, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework identifies five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—as foundational to student development. SEL supports students in managing emotions, building relationships, and making responsible choices, while fostering a positive and inclusive school climate. Despite growing adoption, challenges such as limited instructional time, the need for culturally responsive practices, adequate mental health staffing, and strong family …

Honors In Focus: A Study Of Public University Programs With New Course Proposals For Arkansas Tech University, Haley Greer, Payton Mccain, Hannah Melton

ATU Scholars Symposium

This project evaluates the structure and effectiveness of honors programs at Arkansas Tech University and five comparable public institutions—University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Truman State University, Northeastern State University, and the University of Central Missouri—to identify best practices that support student achievement, engagement, and retention. The study was designed to assess how honors programs influence academic rigor, curricular flexibility, community development, and access to high-impact educational opportunities. Using a mixed-methods approach, the researchers collected data through student and faculty surveys, follow-up interviews, and a comparative review of institutional materials, including honors curricula, housing models, scholarship structures, and program …

A Tale Of Two Systems: A Cross-Cultural Reflection On Ai Integration In Higher Education Between France And The United States, Monisha Gupta, Elizabeth C. Alexander Dr

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

The Association Between School Teachers’ Competence, Autonomy, And Relatedness And Their Capabilities In Leading Change And Self-Leadership In Al Ain City Government School, Asma Saeed Khethail

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Education systems globally are experiencing ongoing reform due to globalization, rapid technological development, and increasing expectations for innovative and adaptable learning environments. Teachers are increasingly required to implement policy initiatives and be active leaders of change within schools. However, teachers’ ability to engage in change leadership and self-leadership is influenced by the psychological and relational conditions of their professional environments. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study investigates the association between teachers’ perceptions of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. It further examines how these perceptions relate to their capabilities in leading change and practicing self-leadership in government schools in Al Ain …

The Exploration Of Black Women Leaders In Rural Community Colleges, Tiara D. Howard

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

The Exploration of Black Women Leaders in Rural Community Colleges

Abstract: Black women have a hunger for education and self-sufficiency. Among Black students in higher education, women are more likely than men to earn degrees: Black women obtain 64.1% of bachelor’s degrees, 71.5% of master’s degrees, and 65.9% of doctoral, medical, and dental degrees (AAUW, n.d.). Yet despite this drive, dedication, and ambition, there remains a scarcity of Black women leaders in rural areas, particularly in community colleges. And when a successful Black woman does rise to a position of influence, there isn't a blueprint or road map for others …

Beyond The Tour: Designing Graduate Library Orientations That Build Research Confidence And Belonging, Megan York

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate student orientations often lean heavily on logistics: where to find resources, how to log in, and which services the library offers. While this information is important, it rarely addresses the deeper needs of graduate learners. Many of the students I work with arrive on campus already balancing careers, families, and demanding academic programs. At the University of Arkansas, graduate orientations in the College of Education and Health Professions frequently take place on weekends, serving students who travel from out of state and receive an overwhelming amount of information in a short time. For them, orientation is not simply a …

A Mixed-Methods Study On The Relationship Between Athletic Coaching Effectiveness, The Coach-Athlete Relationship, And Student-Athlete Academic Outcomes, Tabithia Graves, Angeline Hale, Megan Holloway

Student Scholar Symposium

With discussions about education focused on student achievement and school accountability, it is important to understand what factors influence student persistence and success in a variety of environments, including school athletics. Student athletes are expected to dedicate significant time to their sport while also maintaining academic expectations. The researchers of this mixed-methods study seek to explore the relationship between coaching effectiveness, the coach-athlete relationship, and student-athlete academic outcomes. Through the lens of established motivational theories, this study examines how coaches’ autonomy-supportive behaviors can impact student-athletes' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Specifically, the study investigates whether motivation from athletic coaches relates to …

Investigating Bilingual Co-Teaching In Kindergarten Classrooms In Abu Dhabi, Fatema Jamal Almahri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study investigates the perceptions and experiences of bilingual co-teaching in a school in Abu Dhabi, focusing on how teachers coordinate and collaborate to support students’ learning in both Arabic and English. This study aims to understand how teachers view their roles, challenges, and professional needs when implementing bilingual co-teaching in KG1 and KG2 classrooms.

This study uses a qualitative design with a bilingual open-ended survey that allows teachers to express their views freely and share examples from their daily practice. Eight teachers participated: four from KG1 and four from KG2, each working as part of an Arabic–English co-teaching pair. …

Exploring The Impact Of Faculty–Student Interactions Outside The Classroom On The Sense Of Belonging, Engagement, Self-Confidence, And Retention Among Undergraduates In Uae Federal Universities, Mona Malalla Alhammadi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of faculty-student interaction (FSI) in influencing students' social and academic outcomes and success. In particular, this study sought to investigate the impact of the informal interactions between faculty members and their students outside the classroom on four student outcomes: sense of belonging (SB), engagement (EG), self-confidence (SC), and retention (RT). The participants were 570 undergraduate students who were at their first- and second-year of study from three different UAE federal higher education institutions. The study employed quantitative research design while utilizing an online survey as the main data collection instrument. …

How Do Emirati University Students Develop Their Academic Biliteracy? A Mixed-Method Study, Eman Kamel Rababa

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Framed by Hornberger’s continua of biliteracy model, this study investigated the developmental dynamics of academic biliteracy among Emirati university students. The research employed a sequential mixed-methods design, conducted across three public universities in the UAE. In the initial qualitative phase, interview data were collected from 30 students. Informed by these findings and the extant literature, a quantitative survey was then developed and administered to a sample of 299 students from various disciplines. The qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, while the quantitative data were examined using advanced statistical analyses, including structural equation modeling. Three primary themes emerged from …

Exploring The Recursive Meaning-Making And Multiliteracy Activities Of Arab College Students Through Engagement With Video Games: A Phenomenological Study, Nour Al Okla

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study aims to explore the engagement of Arab college students as an assemblage of actors and actants within video games, focusing on their dynamic interactions within social networks. It seeks to examine the fluid nature of social structures by questioning conventional distinctions between societal and multimodal literacy elements, such as video games, and their contributions to multiliteracies through the study of unique digital communities and affinity spaces within video gaming communities. The study highlights Arab college students' perceptions of meaning-making processes and negotiation strategies in video games, including social interactions within these virtual communities, challenges encountered during gameplay, and …

Conflict Clarity: How To Teach Students To Turn Disputes Into Growth Opportunities, Eileen Paige Petzold-Bradley

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Conflict is an unavoidable part of learning and working in today’s fast-changing industries. Faculty often observe students struggling with teamwork, communication breakdowns, and emotional self-management during group projects or internships. This session equips educators with practical strategies to help students build durable skills—conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness—that translate directly into professional success.

Drawing on research in conflict management, leadership, and organizational psychology, participants will explore the “Conflict Clarity” framework: a set of teaching tools, reflection prompts, and case scenarios designed for classroom use across disciplines. Faculty will learn how to integrate conflict styles, the CLEAR conversation framework, and role-play …

Characterizing Attendance At Faculty Education Sessions From A Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Perspective, Mauro D. Rodriguez, Do, Kimberly A. Randell, Md, Msc, Emilie Keeton, Msod, Myles Chandler, Ms, Ashley K. . Sherman, Ma, Jacqueline Hill, Phd, Mph, Frances Turcotte Benedict, Md, Mph

Research Days

The impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) education for faculty is largely unknown. This retrospective analysis tracked CMH faculty participation over three years to determine attendance by gender, race/ethnicity, academic rank, and department at DEI and non-DEI education sessions. Ultimately, further studies are needed to understand participation barriers to DEI education.

Perceptions Of High School Students Of Anxiety As An Impact Of The Emsat Exam In The United Arab Emirates, Ameirah Hassan Aal Mohamed

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT) exam, introduced in 2017, is a key national standardized test in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that is considered a major criterion for admission to higher education institutions. As such, the EmSAT exam can create significant pressure on students due to its role in determining future educational opportunities. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the UAE standardized EmSAT exams impact high school students’ anxiety from the students ' perspectives. The study employed a phenomenological qualitative study to collect and analyze data from grade 12 students. The research was framed by Spielberger’s Trait-State …

Investigating Teachers’ Perspectives On The Practices Of Public-School Inspections In The United Arab Emirates, Ruqaia Adel Haidara

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This research paper investigates public school teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of school inspections in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Additionally, it examines the impact of teachers’ demographic factors on these perceptions. Data were collected using an online, structured, five-point Likert-scale survey distributed via email to teachers in UAE public schools by the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE). A total of 218 teachers across the UAE participated in this study. The research focused on four key domains within the School Inspection Perception Framework (SIPF): Perceived Effectiveness of School Inspections (PESI), Perceived Effectiveness of School Inspection Training (PESIT), Perceived Credibility of School …

A Psychosociocultural Exploration Of Connection Among First-Generation Latina Undergraduates, Elizandra Sandoval M.S., Mary Dueñas Ph.D

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Using a narrative inquiry, we explored the educational experiences of first-generation Latina college students and highlight opportunities for integrating their educational wisdoms in resource and service development. We center notions of critical consciousness to focus on how students’ language identity kept them connected to their home pedagogies in higher education.

Redefining Possibilities: A Template For Mission-Based Medical School Innovation, Yossef Alsabawi, Elias Arellano, John M. Gaddis, Tyler Torres, Dominic Chau-Zanetti, Victor Espinoza

Research Symposium

Background: Small, mission-based medical schools play a vital role in shaping future healthcare providers by offering meaningful and unique opportunities for students to learn patient-centered care. However, these institutions often face challenges when compared to larger, research-intensive universities. Specifically, they tend to be less research-oriented and are limited in their ability to provide early exposure to diverse medical subspecialties. Traditionally, these limitations have been viewed as institutional challenges requiring top-down solutions. This study seeks to challenge that perspective by demonstrating that student-led initiatives can serve as innovative, cost-effective, and impactful strategies to overcome these barriers. Additionally, this research aims to …

Importance Of Principal-School Counselor Relationship, Moya A. Pope Ed.S, Monica Y. Pace Ed.S

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Principals and School Counselors - y'all alright?!? What's your relationship like: Good? Bad? Ugly? The relationship between the school counselor and principal can affect the school as a whole - and when they have a strong relationship, the school community is stronger. This presentation will give you tips on how to strengthen your relationship, become better leaders and positively affect student achievement and school climate.

What Is Ethical And Responsible Use Of Generative Ai?, Marti Snyder

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

In this session, we will explore the ethical and responsible use of generative AI in higher education. We will examine key issues identified in the literature and discuss their relevance across various disciplines. Through a guided discussion, we will explore our pressing challenges and discuss the tools, guidelines, or frameworks needed to support informed decision-making in the use of generative AI.

The Future Of Public Health: Developing The Workforce Through Public Health Americorps, Kristi James

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

The American Public Health Association (APHA) and its Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response worked closely with the Public Health AmeriCorps program (PHACP), CDC and AmeriCorps on a set of activities which strengthen workforce capacity. Within APHA and its Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response team, the assigned project consists of providing opportunities for Public Health AmeriCorps members and grantees to make new connections and increase engagement with those in the field. The overall goal of the project is to address the critical need for public health professionals by supporting the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of …

Implementing And Marketing Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Practices And Resources: Creating The E‐Buzz!, Essraa Nawar, Kristin Laughtin-Dunker

Digital Initiatives Symposium

Leatherby Libraries Librarians are committed to supporting and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for students, faculty, researchers, and staff. We demonstrate this commitment holistically through the provision of all resources and services in support of teaching, learning, and research. Our goal is to reduce obstacles to accessing diverse research resources, services, learning, and engagement through educational outreach in order to raise awareness of diversity related issues.

In 2020, Library administration selected a Diversity and Outreach librarian that was charged with creating a comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Outreach plan. As a result, a number of practices and initiatives …

The Mind And Body Fitness Program: The Challenges And Rewards Of Implementing A Service Learning Course, Avery R. Thompson, Zoey Ojukwu

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning (Archived)

Service-learning courses offer a new dynamic to student learning, as the relationship between students and instructors has changed, requiring shared power and equal participation rather than a hierarchical transfer of influence. Students new to service-learning courses require a new kind of support from faculty within the field. This necessitates the ability of course instructors to create an opportunity for students to become equally contributing members of a community program.

Drawing from the P.A.R.E model, the service-learning course merges students' experiences, guiding them through practice regimens, project implementation, and reflection activities to connect service experiences with course content. This reflective process …

Hurting The Helpers: Mental Health And The United States’ Education System, Simone Fh Banks

National Cross-Cultural Counseling & Education Conference for Research, Action & Change (2016-2024)

Teachers in US public schools are in the midst of a workforce crisis. Mounting responsibilities, struggling to make a liveable wage, and the impact teaching has on a person’s mental health are reasons why teachesr are leaving the profession in huge numbers. This presentation will highlight the impact the current system has on teachers’ mental health.

"Success Is The Only Option", Sherene A. Carpenter Phd

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

"Success Is the Only Option". Reflective, Engaging, Imperative. Often times teachers place grades on report cards without analyzing or reflecting. Interesting conversations take place when teachers are presented with a chart displaying the number of As and Bs compared to the number Ds and Fs. What does a snapshot of your classroom, school, or district reveal about both student and teacher academic success? This presentation allows participants to identify resolutions to barriers, as well as receive tools that enhance student/teacher engagement - as Academic Success Is the Only Option.

Prison Walls To College Halls- How To Win With The Most Challenging Students, Floyd D. Lyles

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Prison Wall to College Halls- How to WIN with your most challenging students is about teaching educators about how to work with at-risk, and challenging students. I believe all students need a champion. Are you a champion for every kid in your building? I will teach you the winning formula and how to be successful with the most challenging, difficult students. You must be Willing to Invest your time and Never give up.

A Trauma Responsive Approach To Fostering Resilience, Addressing Equity Issues And Improving Student Wellness And Academic Success, Mark Harrington, Joe Thompson, Catherine Stone, Kim Witeck

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

. The REO (re-entry option) Program was created in response to an overwhelming need to address severe disciplinary referral patterns and the disproportionate impact on students of color. It is rare that the underlying issue that may have precipitated the undesirable behavior is considered, and even rarer that a referral to clinical staff is the response. In the REO program is an intervention designed to be initiated by a teacher who recognizes or experiences a student in pre-crisis or a student a student who believes they need to a safe place to self-regulate to prevent escalating behavior. The student is …

Students’ Perceptions Of Crisis Intervention: Using A Trauma Informed Approach Versus Restraint, Mary Triana, Eric Bieniek

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This presentation reviews first-of-its-kind research that directly interviewed students who have experienced both restraint and a restraint-free trauma-informed approach during crisis. It will review the results of these interviews including students’ understanding of interventions, relationships with staff, and recommendations for schools.

Mentoring Matters! Designing Mentoring Programs For Misbehaving Black Boys, Tina D. Nelson-Jackson

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Statistics indicate that Black males who continue to experience progressive disciplinary action in school eventually suffer academic failure, which inevitably leads to the school-to-prison pipeline. However, research proves that mentoring programs that are specifically designed for misbehaving Black males can be a viable option for improving behaviors, decreasing disciplinary occurrences, improving grades, and thereby increasing their chances of academic success in the classroom setting.