Higher Education Commons^™

Pathways To Success: Unleashing Experiential Learning In Higher Education For Aspiring Law Enforcement Professionals, Leonard A. Averhoff

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This generic qualitative inquiry (GQI) explores experiential learning in higher education for students interested in law enforcement careers. Through interviews and focus group discussions, the study aimed to uncover insights into the perceptions and experiences of students engaging in a university student security program (USSP). The USSP allows full-time students to work as uniformed, unarmed paid employees of the university’s police department providing various law enforcement type functions. The research identified five themes that emerged from the data analysis: exposure, career development, training, leadership, and personal growth.

The theme of exposure highlighted the importance of hands-on learning, allowing students to …

First-Year Engagement And Intention To Return In Higher Education: A National Study Of Undecided Major Students, Jacqueline Galler

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research suggests that a student’s persistence in higher education is influenced by their academic preparation, commitments, and involvement, (Tinto 2005). Predictors including student demographics, academic preparation and commitments have shown in previously studies to affect the rate at which students persist in higher education, (Pascarella & Terenzini 2005, Astin & Oseguera 2005, Terenzini & Reason 2005). Involvement at an institution contributes to a students’ engagement and intent to persist in higher education or at a specific institution. Researchers have found that students engage in the university, academically and socially, based on how their values align with the institution, feedback they …

The 2016 Presidential Election Of Donald Trump And Its Impact On The College-Going Experience For Then-Undergraduate Lgbtq+ Students, Nicholas Russo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

On November 8, 2016, businessman and mogul Donald J. Trump won the U.S. presidential election, sending shockwaves across the country given that polls indicated that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton would win the election. On U.S. college campuses, students reacted to the election win, and for LGBTQ+ undergraduate students, their marginalized identity was negatively impacted by Trump’s win because of his rhetoric towards this population. Colleges and universities responded to the 2016 election results by sending out communications to affirm their mission and values for all their constituents, but this response was perceived as not supporting by LGBTQ+ undergraduate …

An Inquiry Into Higher Education’S Controversial ‘Countermovement’: Contemplative Pedagogy, Roberta Mary Pughe

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Academic interest in “mindfulness” has grown exponentially since the 1980s. Along with the dissemination of mindfulness came an appropriation of contemplative sacred texts and the somatic psychologies along with a misperception of its concepts and practices as inherently religious. Contemplative pedagogy, which addresses the application of contemplative studies to the classroom and its community, is therefore equally likely to be misunderstood. Despite recent studies claiming the benefits of contemplative pedagogy on students’ mental health, test results, and personal and interpersonal relationships, contemplative pedagogy is still widely underutilized; this suggests such a misunderstanding of the field and could explain the lack …

A Study Examining The High School Counselor Experiences In College Choice Decision-Making, Beverley Gaines

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Low-income, minority, and/or first-generation students are more likely to undermatch. The consequences of this decision can negatively impact degree attainment, as well as individual and societal gains. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of high school counselors in order to gain a deeper understanding of how high these counselors serve as institutional agents within the college decision-making process. The sample consisted of 12 New Jersey public high school counselors employed at Title I funded high schools. Results from the study concluded that high school counselors do not perceive undermatching as a negative decision. In …

Institutional Mentorship For Bridge Program Students: Fostering Meaningful Engagement, Elizabeth Hoehn Mcdermott

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study explored the relationships between at-risk, bridge program students and institutional mentors. The purpose of this dissertation was to learn more about the ways that bridge program students’ relationships with institutional mentors may (or may not) influence students’ development of academic confidence and campus engagement. Bridge programs are designed to foster student mentoring relationships with both faculty members who teach within the programs, as well the administrators and staff members (usually student affairs professionals) who run the program. Thus far, the research on bridge programs has been overly focused on predictive student attributes and quantitative outcomes (e.g. GPA or …

The Chosen Tokens: Exploring The Work Experiences And Career Aspirations Of Latina Midlevel Student Affairs Administrators In Higher Education, Sofia Bautista Pertuz

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Student Affairs serves as a viable career option for professionals working in higher education, including Latinas, who have increasingly entered as undergraduate students and found careers in student affairs. Latinas seem to be bottlenecked at midlevel, with few advancing to senior level leadership positions. According to the literature, negative work experiences and barriers related to identity have impacted advancement opportunities for Latina administrators. This qualitative study employed the methodology of narrative inquiry. Interviews were conducted with 26 participants selected by purposeful sampling of Latina professionals holding midlevel positions in student affairs. Data was analyzed using traditional coding methods of constant …

Beyond Socioeconomic Status: The Impact Of Principal Leadership In Urban And High Poverty Turnaround Schools, Mojisola Adejumo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The quest to transform failing urban and high-poverty schools in America has been a slippery uphill battle since the banner of war was raised against the many schools serving impoverished children. As battle rages, a few are schools leading their students, teachers, parents, and community to victory by turning their once-failing schools into institutions of academic excellence. However, the shouts of victory and strategic planning that led to their success have been overlooked or relegated to mere happenstance. As these successful schools claim unchartered territories of success, a quick glance at the battlefield reveals the reality that the battle is …

Exploring Postsecondary Market And Discipline Influences On Faculty Role Performance, Wendiann R. Sethi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Prior research has shown that the type of institution, disciplines, and characteristics of the faculty influence the structure and character of academic work. Zemsky and Shaman (1997) and others have suggested that differentiation among institutions, which has historically been structured along level of degree offerings and size/complexity, is now becoming increasingly structured along the lines of market segments – with many non-selective four-year institutions increasingly resembling two-year “convenience” institutions in terms of their academic organization. The purpose of this study was to test the extent to which academic work is increasingly organized by institutional market segment rather than traditional categories …

Doctoral Scholarship Examined: A Study Of Strategy Research In Education Settings Conducted By Students Seeking Degrees From Doctoral Programs In Education In The United States, Joseph M. Hearl Jr

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe strategy-related dissertations in education doctoral programs in the United States. Using content analysis, dissertations published from 2005 to 2014 were classified into two time periods. Time-period 1 ranged from 2005 through 2009. During this period, the EdD degree was differentiated from the PhD degree in doctoral programs in the field of education. Time-period 2 included the years from 2010 through 2014 and was marked by the awarding in 2014 of a grant to the Carnegie Project for Education Doctorate (CPED) Initiative to document the success of a four-year effort …

The Identity And Mission Of An American Catholic University, In Light Of Pope John Paul Ii's Apostolic Constitution On Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Irenaeus Otsemuno Ikhane

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Catholic colleges and universities in the United States started experiencing major identity crisis in the late 1960s when people started asking serious questions about the meaning of the Catholic identity of Catholic institutions of higher education. At the time, there were no satisfactory answers to the questions asked. As a result of the crisis, many Catholic colleges and universities lost their Catholic identity. To address the problem and set forth directions for a lasting solution, Pope John Paul II issued the Apostolic Constitution, Ex Corde Ecclesiae. In the document, the Supreme Pontiff defined Catholic identity, enumerated the essential characteristics of …

Those Who Quit: A Study Of Student Retention At Two-Year Community And For-Profit Colleges, Robert L. Woods

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study intends to explore factors influencing first-year student persistence at two-year community, and for-profit institutions. Much of the existing retention literature on post-secondary education has mostly centered around traditional four-year institutions, thus this study remedies the limitations with prior literature and provides insight into how to help two-year college officials better understand their students, their mission, and persistence measures at their colleges. Tinto’s Longitudinal Model of academic and social integration was systematically combined with Bean and Metzner’s retention model on non-traditional students to guide this study. A two-stage procedure consisting of descriptive analysis, and regression analysis was performed on …

Differences In Remedial Pedagogy Approaches Between Teachers And Students, Jessica Accurso-Salguero

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study determined and assessed the perceptions of both students and teachers on the best approaches to remedial education. Although much of the research in the remedial education field has used quantitative approaches to determine the impact of taking remedial classes on academic outcomes, qualitative research has been less extensively used but offers a better understanding of why students do not remediate successfully. While remedial programs work well when students successfully complete remedial courses, students often fail to complete them. Therefore, it is important to understand why remedial programs sometimes succeed but so often fail. Based on the Grubb and …

The Influence Of Social, Religious, Institutional, And Cultural Factors On Postsecondary Education Transition Of Arab American And Muslim Students In Northern New Jersey, Ismael A. Khalil

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ABSTRACT

Arab American and Muslim students’ population growth on campuses has been very rapid, which in turn has required comprehensive planning to accommodate the needs of this minority. Documented experiences of Arab American and Muslim students are underrepresented in research literature and lag behind every other minority, despite the fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States. With all the challenges facing Arab American and Muslim students in our society, it is important to ensure their ability to sustain a positive attitude toward their religion, culture, and college education to prevent imminent problems such as cultural …

Educational Opportunity Fund Program And Community College Student Retention, Aretha Watson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The EOF program is a state funded student support services program designed to provide access and financial support to disadvantaged students, and to improve student success as measured by student retention and graduation rates. This research examined the effects of EOF program and other factors on first semester retention in a community college. . Three models were developed: baseline model (whole group), and two sub group models (EOF and comparable non-EOF). Logistic regression analysis revealed that participation in EOF was positively related to student retention at the end of the first semester. Gender, race/ethnicity, college placement test (reading and math), …

This Is How We Did It: A Study Of Black Male Resilience And Attainment At A Hispanic Serving Institution Through The Lenses Of Critical Race Theory, Demond T. Hargrove

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative narrative inquiry based research sought to gain a better understanding of how Black male upperclassmen and recent college graduates experience the process of academic resilience and attainment within the context of their intersecting identities of race, class, and gender at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The theoretical framework guiding this study draws upon two distinctive collections of scholarship: Critical Race Theory (CRT) and academic resilience.

Findings revealed Black male risk to postsecondary attainment was adversely impacted by academic (dis)integration, fractured sense of belonging, physical and mental illnesses, lack of financial support, racialized and gendered experiences, and lingering affects …

Why Do Undergraduate Women Persist As Stem Majors? A Study At Twotechnological Universities, Ronald Brandt

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields despite significant policy efforts to increase the number of qualified women. Prior research focused on access for women into advanced high school mathematics and science courses. Parity has been achieved in academic prerequisites for STEM studies in higher education, yet the number of women majoring in STEM has remained static. Recent research has focused on the socio-cultural obstacles that women face, including a lower self-confidence in their abilities, bias and gender stereotypes.

A survey was undertaken to examine the self-confidence, opinions and backgrounds of female students persisting as STEM majors at two …

“What The Hell Is Revise?”: Student Approaches To Coursework In Developmental English At One Urban-Serving Community College, Stefan A. Perun

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The primary objective of this dissertation was to help illuminate why most students who enroll in developmental English at community colleges never make it to a college-level course. The extant literature suggests that students’ learning experiences in a course largely account for success or failure, yet few studies have uncovered how students experience content and pedagogy in developmental English at community colleges, and how these experiences shape students’ success or failure in their course. To remedy this gap, I conducted a semester-long, classroom level, qualitative study of three sections of developmental English at one community college. I primarily relied upon …

Development Of University Related Foundations In China, Li Guo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The major purpose of the study was to identify significant organizational changes that have taken place in foundations of national Chinese public universities from 1999 to 2012. The study also attempted to explore major forces behind these changes. A secondary purpose was to seek for ideas on promoting higher education philanthropy in China by explore successful experiences in other countries.

To achieve the goals, this study: (a) started by identifying challenges on financing higher education in China as well as pointing out that the Chinese government and higher education institutions have begun to generate diversifying revenue sources including recently adopted …

Exploring Community Colleges In The Stem Education Landscape : Development Of Stem College Major Choice Model, Colleen Evans

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Community colleges are becoming increasingly relevant as an entrance point into postsecondary education for potential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. These institutions are also an important education pathway for women and racial/ethnic minorities who are currently underrepresented in the STEM workforce. The purpose of this study is to understand how student demographics, high school, and college experiences influence the entrance of community college students to the STEM college majors. Data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002) were used for the study. Students included in the study began their postsecondary education at community colleges. Descriptive and …

Organizational Sense-Making And Enactment: Public Policy And Change-Making Of Private Professional College Administrations In Kerala, India, Biju A. Chittuparamban

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Relationship Between Student Engagement And The Development Of Character In Mission Driven Faith-Based Colleges And Universities As Measured By The National Survey Of Student Engagement, David M. Turi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For many institutions devoted to their mission, especially those that state as their I goal the promotion of character development, the need for measurement tools becomes a priority. These tools can by used not only to assess the stated outcomes, but also to guide I institutional policies, practices, and improvements. The purpose of this study is to determine whether educationally purposeful activities and institutional type are related to the student development of character and how these relationships differ across institutional type. The data from senior students at four-year institutions who completed the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) were used. …

Women In Higher Education Administration: A Synthesis Of The Literature, 1970 To 1999, Patricia Burgh House

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Father Theodore M. Hesburgh And The University Of Notre Dame's Change In Governance To A Predominantly Lay Board Of Trustees, Mary Patience Hogan

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Proposed Strategic Undergraduate Enrollment Marketing Plan For St. Thomas Aquinas College, Danielle N. Mac Kay

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Self-Perceived Leadership Style And Comprehensive Profile Of African-American Women In The Role Of President At Four-Year Historically Black Colleges And Universities (Hb Cus) In The United States, Tasha Chantey Toy

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Role Of The President In Achieving Balance Between Athletics And Academics At Division I-A Institutions, Kristen Koehler

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Case Study Of The Differences In Ratings On Faculty Course Evaluations Based On Faculty Type In A Graduate Education Program At A Private College In New Jersey, John Defilippis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Leadership Styles Of Dominican College Presidents At Four-Year Institutions Of Higher Learning, Emmanuel N. Ogu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Leadership Practices Of Chief Academic Officers From Hispanic-Serving Institutions: A Comparative Analysis, Melanie Mcdonald

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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