Educational Leadership Commons^™

Experiential Learning From Stakeholder Perspectives At A University Partnership Program, Maggie M. Shader

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative survey study was to determine the stakeholders' perspectives on experiential learning at Canvas College. Experiential learning has potential benefits for students as stakeholders, and internship can be a vehicle for experiential learning. Experiential learning can involve benefits such as employability, real-world experience, calling confirmation and spiritual growth, soft skills, and immediate application of learning. Stakeholders in an internship are not limited to students. Faculty and internship leaders are also stakeholders; however, a partnership program encompasses more stakeholders, including church staff, alumni, and host university staff. The survey was researcher developed and the Cronbach’s alpha …

Recruitment And Retention Of Black Faculty Women In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study, Gerald Keith Warmack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine Black Faculty Women's (BFW) lived experiences concerning recruiting and retention practices. The theory guiding this study was Critical Race Theory (CRT). CRT acknowledges that racism is central and the norm in the educational system. In addition to CRT, Social integration theory plays a critical role in how BFW form relationships, participate in social activities, and integrate into higher education. This research project used a hermeneutical phenomenological research design for BFW’s recruitment and retention experiences. Data for this study was collected using individual interviews, letters of advice, and journal prompts. Data analysis …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of College Students' Experiences With College-Provided Mental Healthcare Services, Adrian M. Campbell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand college students' perspectives on college-provided mental healthcare services. The framework guiding this study is the theory of planned behavior (TPB), developed by Fishbein and Ajzen. The TPB theory is based on attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention. The central research question: What are college students' perspectives on college-provided mental healthcare services? The design of this qualitative study is hermeneutic phenomenology, a rigorous and well-established approach. A sample of twelve participants, carefully selected based on pre-determined criteria, was included in the study. The participants, a diverse mix of current …

Exploring School Of Education Faculty Emotion, Attitudes, And Experiences Related To Student Mental Health, Jesse Mossholder

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

Student mental health concerns among adolescents and young adults are continuing to rise (Reis et al., 2023, Ashoorian, 2018; Burns et al., 2017; Davies et al., 2016). The purpose of the present study was to explore teacher preparation faculty perceptions of student mental health concerns. The author adapted Stine Ekorne’s (2016) Perceived Competence Scale to score each participant's perceived competence, responsibility, and emotions related to addressing student mental health concerns. The 27-item Qualtrics questionnaire was distributed to faculty and academic staff in the School of Education at a midwestern public university. Participants were recruited through email. Participants included tenured and …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Mentees Involved In A University Transfer Program In A Two-Year Technical College: A Qualitative Case Study, Jason Ray Whiteside

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the lived experiences of mentees involved in a University Transfer program in a two-year technical college. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory. Bandura postulated that learning occurs in the social context through observing and emulating a mentor (model), thus creating the opportunity for the mentee (observer) to acquire new practices and skills. The study consisted of 10 mentees who participated in individual interviews and focus groups and maintained a reflective journal to share their personal experiences with their assigned peer mentor during the mentorship. The …

The Lived Experiences Of Educators Leveraging Educational Technology And Connectivism For Fostering Academic Achievement In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cynthia T. Plueger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States who leverage educational technology to enhance student engagement and improve academic achievement through the application of connectivism principles in learning environments. This study was guided by the connectivism theory, which highlights the significance of interconnected networks, contemporary knowledge, and the interrelatedness of information in digital higher education learning environments. The central research question was: How do educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States describe their lived experiences with leveraging …

Exposing The Pervasive Culture Of Whiteness At Predominantly White Institutions: A Narrative Analysis Of White Deans Of Students' Understanding And Role In Responses To Campus Racial Incidents, Jennifer Helen Reid

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Deeply embedded in U.S. higher education institutions is a culture of whiteness that benefits white students, staff, faculty, and administrators through racist policies, structures, and cultural norms designed to uphold whiteness. This culture not only minimizes the presence of racism, but also is pervasive on college campuses, where administrators often fail to recognize blatant racism and treat ongoing campus racial incidents as isolated events. Despite the frequency of racial incidents, campus responses are typically ineffective, failing to address the underlying institutional practices that reinforce white supremacy and further harm those affected. This study explored the experiences of white deans of …

Middle Management Role In Informally Managing Conflict, Incivility, And Bullying In Higher Education Institutions, Maria E. Caratini Prado

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Middle-level managers in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) encounter various stress-related conflicts, including instances of incivility and bullying, yet literature on their role in improving workplace interpersonal relationships and suitable conflict-management training is limited. This article represents findings from the qualitative study that delves into conflict management through the lens of HEI middle-level managers within the manager-to-subordinate relationship. Through in-depth interviews with 10 managers, four overarching themes emerged: structural challenges, sources of conflict, conflict training, and managing conflict. Surprisingly, findings revealed that managers did not extensively apply knowledge from conflict-management training, instead crafting their own tactics and strategies. These results contribute …

A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Analysis Of Cross-Race/Cross-Ethnic Academic Advising First-Generation Latina/O Students Attending A Predominantly White Institution, Aisha A. Alvarez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of first-generation Latina/o students with non-Latina/o academic advisors at a Predominantly White Institution, Pink Ivy University. It is important to identify policies and practices for academic advising that can strengthen the relationship between first-generation Latina/o students and non-Latina/o academic advisors. Miller’s relational-cultural theory (RCT) guided this study. RCT was used to shape the sub-research questions and was used to frame the data analysis. First-generation Latina/o students over 18 who have completed at least one full year at the selected PWI and have used the services of their non-Latina/o …

Empowerment And Advocacy Culture Within Higher Education For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Case Study, Rachel R. Kovach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the impact that advocacy and empowerment practices have on the intellectual disabilities community in academic and social constructs for students within community colleges and disability programs on the West Coast of California. The theories that served as the foundation of this study are intergroup contact theory and empowerment theory. Intergroup contact theory assures that the acceptance of societal norms and expectations must be agreed upon and embraced by all within a subpopulation for cultures to adapt and advance. Empowerment theory states that a fundamental goal during moments of progress and struggle …

Technology Leadership Influence On Intention To Use Ai-Based Early Alert Systems (Eas) At Higher Education Institutions (Heis), Tatjana Titareva

Dissertations, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to test quantitatively the potential influence of Technology Leadership (TL) in Higher Education (HE) and Technophobia on Intention to Use AI-based Early Alert Systems (EAS) at higher education institutions (HEIs) by faculty and administrative staff. This research was conducted collecting and analyzing data from a mid-size higher education institution (HEI) in southeast of the Unites States. The measurement instrument used previously validated measures of Technophobia, TL in HE and Intention to Use Technology. From statistically significant findings, though of weak strength, the results showed that an individual's role in HEI (faculty vs. administrative staff), …

Exploring Community College Faculty And Administrators Work Providing Educational Opportunities For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (Idd): An Integral Framework For Inclusive Postsecondary Education, Stacy Eldred

Education (PhD) Dissertations

There is a growing number of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs and scholarship in higher education. Providing a spectrum of educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in higher education plays a pivotal role in creating inclusive and meaningful access to postsecondary education. However, little is known about the ways in which the faculty and administrators who are integral stakeholders on campus perceive their work developing and supporting higher education as a socially valued experience for students with IDD. Utilizing constructivist grounded theory, this study examines the ways in which community college faculty and administrators working in …

Mothering In Higher Education - Creating Inclusive Spaces For Mother-Scholar Faculty At Jesuit Universities, Michele Carlene Darchuck

Doctoral Dissertations

The percentage of female faculty members who have achieved tenure is disproportionately represented against their male peers. Even more so, female faculty members who are also mothers, or mother-scholars, represent less than half of tenured female faculty. Current research posits that a lack of female faculty in higher education translates to a lack of female students in the classroom, as well as lack of female students who see themselves in higher education positions. Mother-scholars face additional stressors as compared to their male, and/or non-parent peers that leads to an increased likelihood of mother-scholars not pursuing tenure. While there is significant …

Students' Assessed Knowledge Of Preparation For The Workplace Based On Professional Development Competencies In Higher Education, Sophia M. Powell

Dissertations (2016-Present)

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of college students regarding their knowledge of professional development competencies by classification and area of academic study. The study sought to answer the following questions: 1) was there a difference in the perception of college students towards professional development competencies (overall career readiness, professionalism, communication, critical thinking, and career & self-development) based on classification? and 2) was there a difference in the perception of college students towards professional development competencies (overall career readiness, professionalism, communication, critical thinking, and career & self-development) based on areas of academic study? This study used …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Undergraduate Students Who Participated In The Ronald E. Mcnair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, Alexandria C. Craft

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of former McNair Program participants at a regional postsecondary institution in northeast Tennessee. More specifically, the study examined how past participants of a McNair Program perceived their program experiences related to their post-undergraduate educational endeavors and career pursuits. Although research has been conducted on McNair Programs, no research has been conducted on the lived experiences of individuals who participated in a McNair Program in northeast Tennessee within the last two decades, and little to no research has been conducted to identify the program components that former participants believe …

Disability Services As Related To Higher Education Leadership: An Exploratory Study, Tara Wade Franklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past three decades, the number of students with disabilities (SWD) attending postsecondary institutions has increased, yet their completion rates remain significantly lower than those of students without disabilities. This mixed methods exploratory study investigates the role of provost leadership in supporting disability services and understanding the needs of SWD in higher education. The study focuses on Texas higher education institutions, examining the relationships between provosts and directors of disability services. Data collected through the e-survey with open-ended questions primarily came from directors of disability services. Quantitative analysis of Likert scale items explored domains such as leadership, collaboration, consultation, …

Disability Services As Related To Higher Education Leadership: An Exploratory Study, Tara Wade Franklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past three decades, the number of students with disabilities attending postsecondary institutions has increased, yet their completion rates remain lower than those of students without disabilities. This mixed methods exploratory study investigates the role of provost leadership in supporting disability services and understanding the needs of students with disabilities in higher education. The study focuses on Texas higher education institutions, examining the relationships between provosts and directors of disability services. The researcher collected data through esurveys and open-ended questions of 16 participants, primarily directors of disability services. Quantitative analysis of Likert scale items explored domains such as leadership, …

Perceptions Of Senior International Officers' Efforts Regarding The Acculturation Of International Students In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Ann-Margaret J. Themistocleous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe Senior International Officers’ lived experiences regarding attitudes and beliefs about the adjustment of international students in private and public universities in the Southeast region of the United States. The theory guiding this study is Berry’s theory of acculturation as it relates to a person’s adjustment to a new culture as they either assimilate, separate, integrate, or marginalize. The central research question focuses on the experiences of Senior International Officers regarding the acculturation process of international students on their respective college campuses. The methodology included a qualitative, transcendental phenomenological approach. The participants …

"There Is Power In Being Out": A Three Article Approach Celebrating The Experiences Of Queer University Leaders, Andrew R. E. Lorenzana

Dissertations

Institutions of higher education were historically built to serve a wealthy, White, straight male student population and the leaders of these institutions still largely reflect these demographics. This project specifically aims to celebrate and amplify the life and career of university administrators who identify within the LGBTQ community. Mainly through the use of a portraiture methodology, this three-article study attempts to examine the ways in which LGBTQ identity and career influence one another.

Worldmaking and narrative will be used as a theoretical frame to help analyze the ways in which the telling of a queer individual’s story makes the world …

Who Cares?! Fostering Inclusive And Empowering Environments For Black Students In Predominantly White Institutions: Strategies For Retention And Cultural Engagement, Joel Mandell Stancer, Danielle Allen, Angela Haywood-Gaskin, Kelly Atkins, Rhonda Lingard, Kuriston White-Dunlap

Dissertations

This research focuses on the critical components of caring relationships and how they relate to first-generation Black students’ achievement in higher education. It will reveal how staff-led collegiate programming could benefit first-generation Black college students by allowing them to establish caring relationships and mentorships that allow them to construct a solid support system that is easily accessible to them from the moment they begin college until graduation.

Using data collected from interviews with current college students enrolled in a retention program at a PWI (Predominately White Institution) and in connection with a conceptual framework informed by theorists Nel Noddings, Vincent …

My Story Is In The Structure: An Autoethnographic Study By An Instructional Designer Working In A Centralized Academic Reporting Line, Pamela Williams

Dissertations

Although not officially named in the shared governance of an institution, instructional designers play an important role as they collaborate with administrators and faculty to create high quality, regulatory-compliant courses for enrolled students. Instructional designers working in centralized, academic reporting units may be well-positioned to advance the work of institutions to maintain good standing with the industry and regulatory bodies. To illustrate the challenges, opportunities, and strategies employed by an instructional designer working in such a position, an autoethnographic study was conducted to elucidate how shared governance influences, empowers, and disempowers an instructional designer’s ability to lead and collaborate on …

Brilliance Unbothered: A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Influence Of The Impostor Syndrome On Black Graduate Women Enrolled In Master’S Level Programs At Predominantly White Institutions, Phyllis Clark

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Framed within Hill-Collins' (2009) Black feminist thought, this study delves into the emergence of the impostor syndrome construct among Black graduate-level women in higher education. Despite the growing literature on impostor syndrome and its consequences across various demographics and sectors, inadequate scholarly attention has been dedicated to comprehending the specific challenges faced by Black women in education. Nine participants enrolled in Master's programs at predominantly White institutions were engaged in this exploration. Consistent with most of the existing literature, findings accentuated the pivotal role of educational attainment for Black women, who consistently outpace other groups. Interviews further unveiled a relentless …

“Redención”: Testimonios Of Latinas Who Chose To Leave The Higher Education Industry, Delia P. Madrid-Nothdurft

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Using the methodological framework of testimonio, this study was an exploration of the experiences of former higher education professionals who identify as women in the Latinx community. Grounded in Latino Critical Theory (LatCrit) and Critical Race Feminism (CRF), this research aims to highlight the narratives of Latina professionals who have separated from the higher education sector. The study is informed by the conceptual framework of Chicana feminist perspective, which contextualizes the analysis of these experiences within a socio-cultural context. Using semi-structured interviews, participants shared their testimonios, providing rich accounts of their journeys and challenges within higher education. Through thematic …

Imposters In The Dorms: Exploring The Significance Of Imposter Syndrome In Residential Life Live-In & Live-On Professionals, Samantha Rose Knapton

M.S. in Leadership

Imposter syndrome has been thoroughly studied across fields and disciplines for decades to understand the impact it has on students and professionals in the field. This paper aims to understand the relationship between imposter syndrome and professionals working for residential life departments for colleges and universities while they are living on campus. This study used a mixed methods approach to collect both numeric data as well as a linguistic understanding. Through surveys and interviews, there is a relatively equal feeling of imposter syndrome among residential life live-in/live-on professionals. Many aspects influence the development of imposter syndrome within residential life professionals, …

#Dusomething! A Qualitative Exploratory Study To Identify Challenges And Opportunities For Improvement In Du's Response To Sexual Harassment And Assault, Alejandro Cerón, Amanda Cali, Briana Cox, Camille Cruz, Camryn Evans, Cyndal Groskopf, Ashley Joplin, Clayton Kempf, Kēhaulani Lagunero, Jayvyn Jakai Lewis, Aili Limstrom, Gray Messersmith, Cal Quayle, Yadira Quintero, Michael Sze, Aaron Toussaint, Sami Zepponi

Anthropology: Undergraduate Student Scholarship

The purpose of this course-based research project was to identify where DU has made progress in its response to sexual harassment, identifying challenges and opportunities for improvement, with the hope that the results will support the DU community’s efforts to prevent, address, and eradicate sexual harassment.

The Role Of Organizational Leadership In The Success Of Higher Education Institutions: A Portraiture Study On Ashesi University In Ghana, Amanda Childress-Kannan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa are severely under-resourced, systemically lack strong leadership, have low enrollment numbers, lack scholarly productivity, and have high rates of attrition and turnover of students and faculty. Higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa do not compete well globally, with low research productivity and failure to retain top scholars. Higher education institutions in Ghana are particularly facing this problem: Ghana has a relatively stable government, society, and economy, with less corruption and other malfeasance as compared to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Even with these advantages, Ghana generally fails to establish and maintain …

The Lived Experiences Of Women In Higher Education Administrator Roles Through The Salary Negotiation Process At The Time Of Hire: A Phenomenological Study, Nancy Kay Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of salary negotiation at the time of hire for women in full-time administrator positions at Texas institutions of higher education. Eagly’s social role theory guided this study to explain gender roles and negotiation. A qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of women in higher education administrator roles during the salary negotiation process. Institutions within the south-central regions of Texas, including public and private colleges and universities, served as the site for this study. Participants were 12 women in full-time administrator positions at …

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 …

Current Students’ Perceived Effectiveness Of Early Alert Intervention Strategies At A Public Two-Year College In Arkansas, Catherine Burton

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry study explored students’ perceptions of intervention strategies used in the early alert program at an Arkansas two-year college. The problem addressed in this study was that student perceptions do not inform early alert program designs. By assessing the student’s perceptions of intervention strategies, improvements can be made to the effectiveness of the method of intentional support through these intervention strategies. The guiding theoretical framework that served as the basis for this study was Tinto’s (1993) theory of student integration. Interviews were conducted with current college students attending a public, two-year college in Arkansas to collect student …

Women In Leadership Positions In Higher Education: Challenges, Opportunities, And Strategies For Success, Maria Bowen

M.S. in Leadership

This research project is aimed to identify the challenges and barriers women face in higher education while striving to obtain leadership positions and provide possible solutions to resolve the gender gaps found in higher education’s leadership. A literature review was conducted, which informed questions that were asked in an interview setting. Interviews were conducted with leaders that identify as women in higher education and sought to provide personalized accounts of the researched trends. Ultimately, despite higher education being perceived as a progressive industry and having legislature in place to combat gender disparities, leadership positions are not reflective of gender distribution …