Educational Leadership Commons^™

First Gen: A Memoir, Hannah Brenton

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Teaching Students To Be Resilient: A Campus-Wide Approach, Connie Horton, La Shonda Coleman, Brad Dudley, Stacey Lee Gobir, Sergio Gallardo Palma

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

In response to escalating mental health concerns among college students, Pepperdine University developed the Resilience- Informed Skills Education (RISE) program to equip students with resilience skills. The biblically sound and research-based curriculum focuses on six dimensions: physical, social, cognitive, spiritual, service, and life skills. All first-year students learn resilience skills through the RISE small-group program. Numerous additional opportunities are made available, including resilience coaching, a resilience interest living community, lunch and learns, a yearly summit, a podcast, a newsletter, and a variety of engaging campus programs. Student leaders have been key to the positive response to RISE, as have partnerships …

The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring Of Childhood Is Causing An Epidemic Of Mental Illness, Aaron J. Howell

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Effects Of A Pornography Use Reduction Program, Justin Heth, John Foubert, Andrew Courtner

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

Pornography use has been shown to be highly common among young men, with numerous documented deleterious effects. Though the dangers of pornography use are well documented, few studies have attempted to determine what methods can be used to decrease use, including use among men attending Christian colleges. The present study began to address this gap by studying different groups of men who sought to decrease their use. Implications of these results are discussed.

Leading Transition: How Special Education Directors Make Meaning Of Their Leadership In Advancing Pathways To Employment, Deanna Gill

Dissertations of Practice

LEADING TRANSITION: HOW SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS MAKE MEANING OF THEIR LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT

Dede Gill, Ed.D.

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2025 Kelly Summers, Co-Director Alexios Rosario-Moore, Co-Director

Despite decades of legislative reform and an expanding body of research on effective transition practices, students with disabilities continue to experience disproportionately poor post-school employment outcomes when compared to their non-disabled peers. Nationally, individuals with disabilities are employed at approximately half the rate of those without disabilities, and their poverty rates remain substantially higher. These outcomes persist even as federal and state mandates such …

Superintendents’ Perspectives On Effective School Board Governance: An Analysis Of Key Characteristics In South Cook County, Illinois, Dana R. Nichols

Dissertations of Practice

Effective school board governance plays a critical role in shaping the success of school districts. This study examines the perspectives of 10 superintendents from elementary school districts in South Cook County, Illinois, on what constitutes an effective school board and explores how their views align with or diverge from Dervarics and O’Brien’s Eight Characteristics of Effective School Boards.

A general qualitative inquiry with a descriptive methodology was utilized to capture the lived experiences and perspectives of superintendents regarding school board governance. Data collection involved standardized, semi-structured interviews and a web-based survey, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of superintendent viewpoints. An …

Educational Matriarchs And All Other Duties As Assigned: A Narrative Inquiry Into Motherhood And Student Affairs Leadership, Allison N. Brady Cullum

Dissertations of Practice

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of mothers who hold senior leadership roles within student affairs in higher education. Despite women comprising the majority of student affairs professionals, mothers remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership positions. This disparity is often attributed to gendered organizational norms and the “ideal worker” expectation, which privileges constant availability and lack of caregiving responsibilities. Using a narrative inquiry methodology and guided by Margaret Sallee’s “ideal worker” framework, this qualitative study amplifies the voices of five mother-leaders, examining how they navigate both their professional and personal responsibilities.

Data was collected through two in-depth, semi-structured interviews with …

The Beautiful Struggle: A Counter-Narrative Study Of African American Male School Leaders, Jamie Crosen Mr

Dissertations of Practice

This qualitative dissertation explores the lived experiences of African American male high school principals in urban and suburban schools across the Chicagoland area. Using critical race theory (CRT) and counter-narrative methodology, the study centers the voices of ten African American male principals to examine how race, systemic inequities, and social justice shape their leadership practices, professional identities, and navigation of racially charged educational environments. These leaders consistently confront institutionalized biases and racialized expectations that limit their professional advancement while reinforcing deficit narratives about African American leadership. Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, three primary research questions guided this study: (1) …

Grading Ecosystems And The Work Of Teaching: Educator Perspectives On Implementing And Sustaining Ungraded Learning Practices, Aliaa Kamara-Ibrahim

Dissertations of Practice

This qualitative study examined the perceptions of ungraded learning environments and their implications for student motivation, equity, and assessment practice. A qualitative interview methodology was utilized. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen K–12 educators from the Chicagoland and North Shore regions. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify convergent and divergent patterns in practice and belief.

Findings indicate that ungraded environments reposition accountability around evidence of learning, feedback cycles, and student reflection. At the classroom level, feedback routines, portfolio curation, and teacher moderation served as the backbone of rigor and coherence. Participants described increased persistence and metacognition when …

Girl, You Betta Testify!: Exploring Brave Narrative Spaces And The Transformative Impact Of Story-Sharing Among Women Of Color In Pre-K–12 Educational Leadership, Amonaquenette Parker

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

GIRL, YOU BETTA TESTIFY!: EXPLORING BRAVE NARRATIVE SPACES AND THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF STORY-SHARING AMONG WOMEN OF COLOR IN PRE-K–12 EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Amonaquenette Parker, Ed.D.

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2025

Kelly Summers, Director

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of Women of Color in PreK–12 educational leadership roles. Rooted in the cultural tradition of testimony, the study seeks to illuminate the stories of Women of Color, assess existing opportunities for them to share their experiences, and highlight the power of their testimonies. Grounded in critical race theory (CRT) and intersectionality theory, which acknowledge …

Nourishing Flourishing: Elevating Elementary Educator Jouissance, Julie T. Siemianowski

Dissertations of Practice

This study was conducted, predicated on the following theories: Nel Noddings’s ethics of care, Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (social cognitive theory), and positive psychology’s Martin Seligman’s PERMA (well-being). For the purposes of this study, Seligman’s PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment) theory encompasses both Kerry Howells’ gratitude and David Chan’s gratitude and subjective well-being. Qualitative methodology, specifically, the combination of narrative inquiry and case study guided and informed my data collection. Through semi-structured interviews and story-telling, teachers and literacy leaders shared their stories of external distressers and internal factors contributing to their professional jouissance or lack thereof.

Key words: …

Bridging Language Barriers: How Secondary Teachers Support English Language Learners In The Classroom, Mason Daniel Smith

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

English Language Learners (ELLs) represent a growing student population in U.S. secondary schools, yet many educators feel underprepared to support their unique needs effectively. This mixed-methods study examines how Pennsylvania high school teachers approach the teaching of ELLs, focusing on their self-efficacy, instructional decision-making, and strategies for fostering an inclusive classroom community. Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, data was collected through surveys from a limited group of 40 high school educators followed by in-depth interviews with three participants. Findings revealed that while teachers express a strong desire to support ELLs, they often experience uncertainty and frustration due to …

Challenges Facing Electronic Educational Supervision As Seen By Educational Supervisors In The State Of Palestine And Ways To Address Them In Light Of Some Variables, Wafa K. Abu Znaid, Nabil J. Jondi

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the challenges facing the application of electronic educational supervision as seen by educational supervisors in the State of Palestine and ways to address them in light of some variables. The study used the descriptive approach through qualitative and quantitative tools, namely the interview and questionnaire, where the quantitative approach was relied upon to measure the challenges facing electronic supervision by developing a questionnaire tool to measure those challenges, which included four areas: organizational challenges, technical challenges, material challenges, and human challenges. The questionnaire was applied to a simple random sample of (45) male and female …

A Mixed Methodology Study On Effective Products And Services For Consulting Firms, Doc S. Dillard

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study evaluated organizational effectiveness within small- to medium-sized educational technology and technology-adjacent organizations for consulting firms to develop appropriate products and services for clients. This allowed consulting firms to develop innovation in their approaches. More specifically, this research supported consulting firms specializing in educational technology in developing products and services for industry leaders to improve organizational effectiveness. The research employed a mixed methodology consisting of 10 educational technology leaders. Data were collected from survey questions and through evaluating related literature. The literature compiled included organizations across education, technology, and technology-adjacent industries. The research evaluated organizations through McKinsey’s 7S framework. …

An In-Depth Interview Study On Needed Professional Development For Assistant Principals Within One Rural School District In North Carolina, Jeffery N. Webb

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this interview study was to gain better insight and understanding into what professional development is needed for assistant principals to be successful in the principalship. During this study, 17 participants were interviewed across three different groups: central office administrators, principals, and assistant principals within one rural school district. Based on the three different groups interviewed, the data provided that the perception is that assistant principals need more development in budget/finance, K-12 curriculum knowledge, school improvement, evaluations/observations, day-to-day operations, policy/law, curriculum/instruction, and professional development. It was determined that professional development in those areas needed to be continuous throughout …

A Phenomenological Study On The Assistant Principal's Preparation For Culturally Responsive Leadership, Lakechisa Phillips

Doctor of Education Dissertations

American public schools today are facing an influx of a more diverse student population. This diversity, driven by changes in demographics, is impacting our public schools and the administration of those schools. The role of the assistant principal in promoting culturally responsive leadership in those schools is critically needed. This study explored the significance of culturally responsible leadership by assistant principals and how that leadership can impact student engagement and the culture and climate of the school. The literature review highlighted the importance of administrators having the time and training to become culturally responsive leaders. Twelve administrators were interviewed to …

The Ethics Of Student Attrition In Healthcare Education Programs, Kent Haina Jr, Peter A. Depergola Ii

Journal of Health Ethics

Student attrition is a problem in healthcare education programs, but there is little in the literature regarding the organizational ethics of lowering it. Some argue that lowering attrition is unethical, because it would lower academic and professional standards, potentially impacting patient care. Others say students deserve to make decisions about when to leave a course of study. However, these arguments ignore inequities in attrition, as well as the conflicts of interest in, and moral obligations of colleges and universities. Lowering attrition rates in healthcare education programs is inherently ethical because it levels the playing field for underrepresented minorities that disproportionately …

January 2025 Bulldog Alumni & Friends News, Kari Jones, Garrett King

Bulldog Alumni & Friends News

January 16

SWOSU Near You - Music Mixer: Tulsa, OK

February 13-14

55th Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival

March 9-15

SWOSU Giving Week

April 4

North Family Lecture & Friends of Crowder Lake Dinner

April 10-12

52nd Annual SWOSU Rodeo

April 28

Everett Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic

May 9

SWOSU Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner

May 10

SWOSU Spring Commencement

Competencies, Knowledge, And Skills For Chefs Working In School Nutrition Programs, Marjuyua Lartey Gibson Phd, Rdn, Jane Peterson Phd, Rdn, Kymberle Gordon Phd, Shellie R. Hubbard Ma, Travis Brewington

Institute of Child Nutrition, Applied Research Division

As school nutrition programs increasingly employ chefs to enhance menu quality, culinary innovation, and operational effectiveness, there is a growing need to define the competencies required for success in these roles. Building upon previous research that identified the roles, responsibilities, and impact of chefs working in school nutrition programs, this study sought to develop a comprehensive competency framework for school nutrition chefs.

The study was conducted in three phases. An expert panel of school nutrition professionals, State agency staff, United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service representatives, and Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition staff first reviewed and confirmed …

The Impact On General Education Students’ Perceptions Of Their Peers With Special Needs When Implementing An Inclusive Buddy Club Program, Katherine Coker

Dissertations

The aim of this study is to explore the impact on general education students’ perceptions of their classmates with special needs after participating in a buddy club. By fostering peer interactions in structured, inclusive settings, the buddy club creates opportunities for students to interact and better understand the experiences of their peers with special needs. There is a lack of research regarding the positive or negative impact of partnering elementary-aged general education students with their special needs peers. Therefore, this study is framed by the following research questions: (1) What are general education students’ perceptions towards their classmates with special …

If You Charge Them, Will They Come? The Effect Of Levying Tuition Fees In International Students, Charles Mathies, Hannu Karhunen, Stephen L. Desjardins

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

In 2017, Finland began levying tuition fees on non-European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) international students. Using data from multiple Finnish government sources, we study the impact of tuition fee reform at various stages of the higher education enrollment selection process. Outcomes examined include how the policy change affects student application behavior, admissions and acceptances by institutions, and student enrollments. To identify the effects of the policy change, we employ a difference-in-differences approach using national register data and program-level tuition variations. Our findings led to three key findings: (1) the implementation of fees did not decrease the number of applications …

Leading Beyond The School Walls: Understanding Principal Community Activism, Jason D. Salisbury, Meagan S. Richard

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to investigate the ways school leaders perceive and engage in community-focused, activist leadership in response to community needs. We rely on a critical qualitative research design that draws on critical urban theory. Sources of data include a pilot focus group, semi-structured in-depth interviews with activist leaders, and publicly available documents. Findings demonstrate the ways that leaders engaged in activism by developing understandings of the communities they served as a first step to activism, rooting their schools as a physical resource for communities, and responding to community needs via activist practices. Through their work, leaders …

Quiet Resistance: Drawing On Covert Advocacy Research To Understand School Leadership Within The Current Anti-Trans Context, Alexandria Gribble, Erica Simpson, Meagan S. Richard

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Over the last few years, there has been a surge in anti-LGBTQIA+ and, specifically, anti-transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming legislation. These laws target the rights of LGBTQIA+ students in K–12 schools, leading to policies censoring gender-inclusive curricula, mandating the outing of students, and restricting transgender students’ access to sports and facilities. The rapid emergence of these bills has outpaced research on how leaders—particularly justice-centred leaders—navigate these hostile policy contexts. Existing research taking a broader lens around leaders’ justice work in schools sheds light on how leaders engage in covert advocacy within complex and constraining contexts. However, understanding how leaders resist …

Collaborative Leadership, Elizabeth Burns

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The article focuses on the importance of collaborative leadership among school librarians to enhance their effectiveness in various roles, including as instructional partners and information specialists. It emphasizes that school librarians often struggle with their leadership identity, but adopting a collaborative approach can facilitate shared responsibility and empower teamwork. The text highlights successful initiatives, such as partnerships between school and public librarians in Napa Valley, which ensure equitable access to library resources for all students, and collaborations between school librarians and administrators that underscore the impact of libraries on student success. Additionally, it discusses the global perspective on school librarianship, …

From Likes To Enrollment: How Social Networking Sites Shape College Decision-Making, David Hermann

Theses and Dissertations

This study applied Chickering and Reisser’s seven vectors of student development (1993), MacMillan’s existential framework (2009), and Chickering and Gamson’s principles for good practice in undergraduate education (1999) as guiding theoretical and conceptual frameworks. These perspectives informed the analysis of voices from young adults in rural communities and explored how recently graduated high school students perceived their use of social networking sites (SNSs) in the college search and decision-making process. I developed five overarching themes from the qualitative data: 1) informational role of social media, 2) visual media and campus impressions, 3) authenticity, peer influence, and human connection, 4) frustrations, …

Building Student-Teacher Relational Trust Through The Promotion Of Student Voice Initiatives, Scott Scherquist

Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice investigated how student voice initiatives can strengthen student–teacher relational trust within an urban Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade (PreK-8) school serving a predominantly Black student population. Grounded in Khalifa’s (2018) Culturally Responsive School Leadership framework, the study implemented a 90-day cycle of inquiry focused on a three-part pathway intervention: the establishment of a Student Voice Committee, professional development on culturally responsive practices, and Student Consultation for School Change. A convergent mixed methods design was employed, combining two administrations of the 5Essentials Survey with pre- and post-intervention interviews of students and teachers. Findings revealed disparities between student and …

Who Belongs And Why It Matters: Belonging At An Oregon Elementary School, Kelly Smith

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

Student sense of belonging is at the foundation of student outcomes with impacts reaching far beyond the walls of the elementary school classroom. This study investigates factors that shape students’ sense of belonging at an Oregon elementary school where Youth Truth survey data over the past three years have revealed a lack of sense of belonging amongst students. Correlates to the low sense of student belonging were identified via a root cause analysis process with students, staff and families. As a result of the root cause analysis, a theory of improvement was developed with input from students, staff and families. …

The Role Of Cooperative Extension In Community Development: A Study Of Success Stories And Leadership Practices, George Grant

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

The Cooperative Extension System (CES) plays a vital role in community education and development across the United States. CES agents and specialists work directly with community members to identify needs, mobilize existing assets, and empower action. Despite the overlap in the fields of CES and community development, few studies have systematically analyzed the specific practices used by extension personnel who act as facilitators of change within communities. To address this gap in knowledge, a qualitative study was conducted using directed content analysis of CES success stories published through the University of Kentucky to identify practices used among two integral positions …

The Use Of Peer-To-Peer Observation And Feedback Cycles To Address Factors Impacting Perceived Professional Self-Efficacy Of School Librarians In A Kentucky School District: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study, Kelli D. Reno

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Research has shown that the school librarian occupies a unique and singular role in school settings. As such, their belief in their ability to master professional competencies is often self-referential and subject to negative influence from external organizational forces. This Mixed-Methods Action Research study explored the effect targeted institutional support for professional practice, via Peer-to-Peer Observation and Feedback cycles, has on perceptions of professional self-efficacy among the school librarians in one district.

A literature review focused on self-efficacy theory and school library research relating to role perception, organizational positioning, professional competencies, and job satisfaction anchored the diagnosis phase of this …

Leadership Vision For Technology Use Post Covid-19, David J. Lucian

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

The integration of 1:1 devices in K–12 education has been widely debated for over two decades, yet few studies have addressed the rapid implementation that occurred post–COVID-19. This study examined a K–8 school in an urban Title I district that, prior to the pandemic, lacked the funding and infrastructure for a 1:1 model. Federal relief funding enabled a swift transition to virtual learning, catalyzing long-term shifts toward 21st-century instructional practices. Using a Mixed-Methods Action Research (MMAR) design, this study explored teacher experiences, challenges, and support needs during the transition. Data collection included interviews with middle school teachers and an analysis …