Educational Leadership Commons^™

January 2024 Bulldog Alumni & Friends News, Kari Jones, Garrett King

Bulldog Alumni & Friends News

January 18 SWOSU Alumni Music Mixer, Tulsa. SWOSU Music Mixer Tulsa – SWOSU Foundation.

February 15 &16 SWOSU Jazz Festival, www.SWOSUJazz.com

March 18-22 Spring Break

April 5 Friends of Crowder Lake Dinner & North Family Endowed Lecture

April 6 Crowder Lake Opening Day

April 15 Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic

Investigating The Benefits Of Integrating Social Media Into Educational Leadership Learning, George Nyaboga Nyarieko

Master of Education

As digital technologies become increasingly integral to teaching and learning, educational institutions must continuously promote the development of digital skills and competencies among educators. This study explored using the popular smartphone application WhatsApp to enhance personalized learning for participants of the DELM program.

A mixed-methods approach was employed, collecting qualitative and quantitative data through surveys, interviews, focus groups and analytics over two phases. Phase I assessed participants' digital skills using DigComp 2.1 as a framework and identified competency gaps. Phase II consisted of a design-based intervention integrating targeted WhatsApp workshops. Hands-on activities aimed to improve content creation abilities and familiarity …

Perceptions Of Educational Leaders Towards Inclusion Of Children With Disabilities In Early Childhood Education In Arua City, In Uganda., Bako Jane

Master of Education

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of educational leaders on inclusion of children with disabilities into early childhood education (ECE) in Arua city, Uganda. The research focused on key elements influencing inclusive early childhood education, including perceptions, challenges, and policies. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), it aligned with global initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education. Using a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative case study design, the study involved twenty-four participants, including headteachers, deputy headteachers, and teachers from three pre and primary schools. The constructivist approach, inspired by Jean …

An Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Gender Responsive Pedagogy In Science Education: A Comparative Study Of Teacher Training Institutions In Uganda, Sara Agnes

Master of Education

This study focused on evaluating the implementation of gender-responsive pedagogy (GRP) in science education within teacher training institutions in Uganda and its significance in promoting equity and inclusion. The study objectives included examining the understanding of the concept gender responsive pedagogy, assessing its level of implementation, and measuring the impacts on students learning outcomes and engagement. Comparative case study was employed within mixed methods to engage science tutors and teacher trainees in two teacher training colleges within Arua city in Uganda. Survey questionnaires were administered to science tutors to gather information on their understanding of GRP and implementation strategies. Lessons …

Advancing The Integration Of Ict In Teaching And Learning: A Study Of Secondary School Principal’S Engagement In Malindi Sub-County, Kenya, Simon Onyango Omollo

Master of Education

Effective leadership is critical for driving meaningful integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning. This study, anchored on the TPACK theory, examined the efforts of school principals in advancing ICT adoption through strategies employed, barriers encountered, and impacts realized in public secondary schools in Malindi Sub-County, Kenya. A qualitative research approach under case study design was employed targeting two principals and their deputies, eight teachers and sixteen students purposefully selected from two public secondary schools. Data was collected through semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, documentary analysis and classroom observations while data was analyzed thematically. Findings …

Assessing School Self-Evaluation For Enhancing Academic Achievement: A Case Of Selected Secondary Schools In Mara Region, Tanzania, Wambura Mhoni

Master of Education

This study investigates the practices and impact of School Self-Evaluation/Internal School Quality Assurance (SSE/ISQA) on academic achievement in secondary schools within the Mara region of Tanzania. Employing a qualitative approach and case study design, 41 participants were purposefully sampled, including school administrators, teachers, and students. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis, with thematic research applied for data interpretation. Key findings revealed that specific SSE practices, including teacher-student collaboration, follow-up on teaching and learning, and the provision of examinations, positively influence academic achievement. However, stakeholders displayed mixed perceptions towards SSE/ISQA, with concerns about transparency and potentially …

School Leadership Strategies To Promote Teachers’ Participation In Professional Development Initiatives: An Exploratory Case Study Of Two Secondary Schools In Rongo Sub-County, Kenya, Jacqueline Achieng Dianga

Master of Education

This study aimed to address the low teacher participation in PD initiatives, focusing on two public secondary school in Rongo Sub-County, Kenya. A qualitative approach and case study design were utilized to explore the strategies employed by school leadership to promote teacher engagement in PD. The main objective of the study was to explore the strategies used by school leadership to promote teacher participation in professional development initiatives. The specific objectives were: To assess the current forms and levels of PD initiatives the school leadership supports: To examine the role of school leadership in promoting teacher engagement in PD; To …

Re-Entry Policy Implementation In Uganda: A Case Study Of Two Public Secondary Schools In Vurra County, Arua District., Mane Flavia Eriku

Master of Education

The Education Re-entry Policy aims to provide a second chance for teen mothers to pursue their education after experiencing pregnancy-related interruptions. This study explored Re-entry Policy implementation in two secondary schools in Vurra County, Arua District with the aim of identifying the Re-entry Policy implementation practices, examining the challenges, and investigating the strategies for addressing these encounters in the implementation process. A qualitative approach with case study design was employed where data was collected through interviews with 2 Heads of schools, 2 class teachers, 3 parents, 2 Guidance and counselling teachers, 4 teen mothers who had re-entered school and 4 …

Exploring Coping Strategies Employed By Headteachers In Managing Administrative Challenges In Public Junior Secondary Schools: A Case Study Of Selected Junior Secondary Schools In Rarieda Sub County In Kenya., Steve Biko Abudho

Master of Education

Junior secondary schools in kenya serve as crucial intermediaries between primary and secondary education, facilitating the transition of students from a foundational to a more specialized curriculum. Despite their significance, they face multifaceted administrative challenges that impede their effective operation and the successful implementation of the competency-based curriculum. Research that has examined the coping strategies these administrators employ to effectively handle the multiple difficulties encountered in their roles is scanty. This qualitative study therefore sought to delve into administrative challenges faced by the headteachers of Junior secondary schools in Rarieda sub- county in kenya and the coping mechanisms and strategies …

When School Was Not Designed For Your Family: A Culturally Responsive High School Parent Engagement Guide, Julia Straszewski

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Beginning with a brief historical analysis of how the education system came to be and an analysis of culture, themes came forth demonstrating the White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) roots of education no longer align with the diversity of society. Parental engagement in education has been veered as a pillar of overall success; however, it was consistently view through a nonculturally responsive lens and geared toward early childhood and elementary education, leaving out high school as an equally important facet of a child’s development. Synthesizing the themes of cultural responsiveness, parental engagement, and positive relationships, a culturally responsive guide emerges to …

Harnessing The Power Of Social Media: Opportunities For Learning And Professional Development Among Educational Leaders, George Nyaboga Nyarieko, Wachira Nicholas

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

This study investigates the benefits of integrating the social media platform specifically WhatsApp into an educational leadership development program in Kenya. Focusing on a cohort of participants in the blended-learning Diploma in Educational Leadership Management (DELM) program, which combines face-to-face, Zoom-enabled online classes, self-paced modules and Moodle assessments, the research explores the value that WhatsApp can add to facilitate peer collaboration and resource approach, sharing. including A the mixed-methods Design-Based Implementation Research (DBIR) design, was employed to comprehensively understand the factors influencing educational leaders' engagement within the platform. The study first assessed participants' current level of digital skills through pre-intervention …

Electrostatic Sorting Of Lunar Regolith Simulants For Sustainable Resource Utilization: Modeling And Characterization Of Particle Size Distribution, Abdullah Al Moinee, Peter Bachle, Kyle Newport, William Schonberg, David Bayless, Jeffrey Smith, Daoru Han, Fateme Rezaei

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In pursuit of sustainable resource utilization on the Moon, this paper delves into modeling and characterization of particle size distribution (PSD) of lunar regolith simulants in an electrostatic system. a prototype electrostatic sieve was built and tested with four sample simulants mirroring properties of lunar mare and highland regolith. an alternating four-phase (90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, 360 degrees) traveling square-wave was utilized for particle-directed transport to model the diverse trajectories of the particles. Numerically, we scrutinized how the distribution functions of the particles are manifested as the electrostatic field propagates, with a focus on three distinct particle ranges …

Educating Future Leaders In Fraternities: Outcomes From Participation In A National Fraternity Emerging Leaders Program, Meghan Grace, Pietro A. Sasso, Kim E. Bullington, Dawn Wiese, Kathleen Stedman, Xinyue "Coco" Liu, Anthony M. Graziani

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Campus engagement opportunities such as leadership development have potential for students to strengthen their personal skills. As such, fraternities and sororities can play an influential role in strengthening students’ leadership skills. The present study examines the efficacy of a fraternity emerging leaders program, which is an educational opportunity focused on the development of new leaders. Data were collected from participants at three time intervals. Findings suggest students develop across several leadership domains, creating a stronger appreciation of their organizational values and fraternity ritual compared to non-participants. Recommendations for practice are included to address the transfer problem of leadership application and …

Centering Equity Within Principal Preparation And Development: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Meagan S. Richard, Shelby Cosner

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Throughout the globe, there is growing attention being paid to issues of equity and efforts to produce more equitable student learning outcomes in schools, and much of the scholarship internationally has begun to center school leaders as key drivers of more equitable conditions. Indeed, in the United States, persistent inequities in education have highlighted the need for K-12 principals who can effectively support diverse students. Effective leader preparation and development, particularly with a focus on equity, is crucial, as it equips school leaders with the knowledge and skills to create inclusive and equitable learning environments. U.S.-based research highlights that high-quality, …

Navigating Virtual Halls: Stories Of Online Transfer, Working Adult Learners' Journeys With Student Services, Lashica Davis Waters, Michelle Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This qualitative narrative inquiry study explores lived experiences of seven working adult part-time online students, mostly community college transfers, in a Research 1 institution's online degree-completion program. Using in-depth interviews, four key themes are identified: access, engagement, inclusion, and university pride in students' interactions with student services. Access covers service availability, engagement the interaction quality, inclusion the feeling of being valued, and university pride the over-all perception of their educational journey. Engagement further divides into positive connections and negative disconnections. Findings suggest positive experiences with student services, recommending enhanced service provisions for similar students to foster accessibility, engagement, inclusivity, and …

Global South Sisterhood In Virtual Exchange: A Critical Autoethnography, Bhavika Sicka, Arzu Atajanova

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

We are two women international students from the Global South, situated in Turkey and the U.S. respectively. In this article, we utilized collaborative autoethnography to critically reflect on our intellectual, emotional, linguistic, and cultural growth during a virtual exchange program that we participated in during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this co-exploration, we analyzed our experiences and reflections as participants in a COIL program to consider, more broadly, the evolution and trajectory of virtual mobility in an uneven higher education landscape. Our virtual exchange emerged as a digital and transnational third space, unbounded by hegemonic epistemic, linguistic, or geographical borders. We …

Relationship Between Technology Student Association Participation And Soft Skills Development, Lauren Lapinski, Mickey Kosloski, Philip Reed

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between student participation in Technology Student Association activities and soft skills development. This study specifically sought information on relationships between soft skills development and (a) time spent on Technology Student Association activities, (b) competitive event success, (c) assumption of leadership roles, and (d) gender. Data were provided by Pennsylvania Technology Student Association and consisted of survey responses from middle and high school students who are active Pennsylvania Technology Student Association members (n = 229). In addition to descriptive data, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the …

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 …

Money Matters To All Students, George Padilla, Michelle H. Abrego

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

The question whether money matters in education strikes at the foundation of America’s democracy—an educated electorate. Despite decades of evidence that money does matter, the question still remains unanswered among many and even answered to the contrary of the evidence. It is important to fully understand that money does matter in American education, American lives, and America’s future and to increase awareness of political and social factors that undermine that money matters for all students to learn.

Faculty Perceptions Of Online Instruction And Educational Technology In Higher Education, Raul Nick Cabrera, Velma D. Menchaca, Marie Simonsson, Hilda Silva

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research was to obtain faculty perceptions of online instruction and educational technology in higher education. Data was collected from eight participants through interviews and open-ended questions at a higher education institution. Results showed that faculty consider that online instruction is only possible for certain programs and that it’s only for certain student populations. In addition, faculty perceive online learning environments as a repository for class information and serve as a communication medium between instructor and student. Furthermore, faculty believe that there is no substitution for traditional teaching methods regardless of the educational technology available. Theoretical and …

Mc Means Mentor The Child: Examining School-Based Hip-Hop Clubs For Youth Empowerment, Leadership Development, And Capacity For Change, Daniel Wolford

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This dissertation examined the relationship between students in a school-based hip-hop club and their ability to develop leadership capabilities through club activities. This study followed a hip-hop club at an urban high school in the Midwest to better understand how hip-hop spaces impact youth participants. The participants included four current members of the club and three alums, all of whom were African American. This study used qualitative methods through heuristic inquiry to understand the phenomenon of hip-hop clubs. Data collection methods included session notes, musical creations, semi-structured interviews, and a Microsoft Teams group chat. Additional heuristic data was collected through …

Leadership Strategies And Multi-Frame Thinking Of Rural School Superintendents’ During Periods Of Crisis, Steven J. Moses

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This dissertation examined the leadership strategies used by rural, public-school superintendents in the Central Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky during and following the flood of 2022 that was considered a natural disaster. The context of this study was framed by a 1 in 1000-year flooding event that devastated school districts and communities in Eastern Kentucky. The geographic boundaries of this study were limited to school districts that were part of counties identified as “Appalachian” by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). In addition, school districts in this study were also identified as rural by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) …

The Influence Of Independent Secondary School Heads On Shaping Organizational Culture, Ian D. Macphail

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This dissertation examined the experiences and connections between head of school leadership and culture in small, independent boarding schools in New England. This study was the result of the participation of eight heads of school from eight separate institutions, engaging in semi-structured interviews. All of the schools were secular in their practice, all-gender, and had a formal dormitory-based boarding program. Each school enrolled 400 or fewer students, focusing the impact of these leaders on a tighter, interactional lens. This study explored a relatively under-researched area of K-12 education and used exploratory, qualitative methods to gather the stories of these formal …

Distributed Leadership In International Schools Across The Asia Pacific: A Sequential Explanatory Study, Robert A. Appino

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This explanatory study examined how distributed leadership is practiced in international schools. This included looking at principals’ readiness to practice a distributed perspective of leadership, how they practice leadership, the opportunities for teacher leadership, and the relationship between distributed leadership practices and school innovation and improvement. Principals have increasingly adopted distributed leadership, sharing responsibilities with others, in response to COVID-19 (Azorin, Harris, & Jones, 2020). However, this response was not by design but to survive (Harris & Jones, 2020). The demands of the pandemic left leaders stretched more than ever, and adopting distributed leadership practices was essential (Harris & Jones, …

Enrollment Management Leadership Response To System Changes: Case Study, Christopher R. Jensen

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

While the impact of government funding for institutions of higher education has been researched extensively, little research looks at the impact of students as a funding source. This is important because students are one of the greatest contributors to higher education budgets. Within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, there has been a decline in high school graduates as well as state funding since the Great Recession in 2008.

This study uses systems theory as a theoretical framework to help understand the dynamic relationship between the external environment and institutions of higher education, as well as frame how leadership at regional institutions …

Onboarding New Administrators At Noblesville Schools, Janae Mobley

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

While many organizations invest in their leaders when onboarding them for their new role; oftentimes this process can be overlooked in the K-12 school setting when it comes to school administrators. As a result, this study focuses on analyzing the needs of new school administrators and how to better support them in their role when transitioning to a new district or from the classroom. This study utilizes Mixed-Methods Action Research methodology to assess and address the needs of new school administrators at Noblesville Schools, a K-12 public school district in Hamilton County, Indiana.

Enhancing Planetary Well-Being Through "With-Ness" Pedagogy In Social Emotional Learning: Critical Theoretical Engagements, Lynsey Helen Mori

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Leveraging the researcher’s unique diverse cultural and educational background, this dissertation explores integrating social emotional learning (SEL) within an innovative pedagogy of “with-ness” (PoW) towards planetary well-being in educational settings. The overarching purpose is to redefine educational strategies through SEL and PoW to advance planetary well-being in tertiary contexts. As such, this dissertation critically engages with three published articles authored during the researcher’s doctoral tenure to highlight transformative SEL practices that are fundamentally attuned to ecological consciousness. Informed by critical theory, feminist perspectives, and process philosophy, the hermeneutic circle reflects on these articles to address complex 21st-century challenges educational systems …

From Trails To Triumph: Documenting Two Decades Of Impact With Adventure Wv, Sean Lowdermilk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper and accompanying short film (https://youtu.be/gTnXbvkX0MA) examines the impact of experiential learning through the lens of Adventure WV, an outdoor orientation program at West Virginia University. Using Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as a foundation for the research, this study explores how outdoor and expeditionary learning fosters personal and professional growth, builds a community, and deepens students' connection to the state and the institution. Through interviews with the program's founder, as well as current students and administration paired with archival footage and modern video, the research highlights Adventure WV's role in student retention, professional development, and student …

School Leaders Creating An Inclusive School Culture For Students With Exceptionalities, Dawn Spears

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Studies indicate that principals who create an inclusive culture and champion students with exceptionalities work towards success for all students. When students with exceptionalities spend time in the general education setting, they experience academic, social, and emotional growth. This study contributes to research on inclusive school leadership for students with exceptionalities to enhance capacity for inclusion and provide strategies around initiatives that foster inclusive school cultures. The research used a sequential mixed method multiple case study. Emotional intelligence, leadership styles, and leadership practices were examined for elementary school principals in urban and rural schools. The Emotional and Social Competency Inventory …