Higher Education Commons^™

Early College Credit Programs As Predictors Of Postsecondary Student Success., Emily K. Spoden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early college credit programs (ECCPs), such as AP, dual enrollment, and IB programs, were created to provide more challenging college-level coursework to academically advanced high school students. Educators and policymakers have encouraged high school students to participate in these programs with the goals of being prepared academically for college, saving money on tuition by earning college credits early, and speeding up time to postsecondary graduation. The purpose of this study was to examine likelihood of postsecondary first-year retention and graduation timeframe as a result of participating in — and earning credits from — these programs. Participants of this study included …

Grading Of Discussion Boards In Asynchronous Higher Education Courses And Its Effect On Social Presence: A Causal-Comparative Study, Heather Ann Hanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative, non-experimental study was to determine if the grading methods of discussion board assignments in asynchronous courses affect the students’ perceived social presence. Social presence is one of the three factors of the Community of Inquiry (COI) that play a role in supporting the learning experience. The target population was graduate students in asynchronous online education courses. A sample of 92 students were surveyed from five institutions using the Community of Inquiry (COI) survey. They were placed in three groups based on the grading methods of discussion board assignments. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) …

The Impact Of On-Campus And Off-Campus Employment On College Students' Leadership Development, Juliet Eckert

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This study examines the impact of on-campus and off-campus employment on college students’ leadership development, focusing on three proximal indices: leader self-efficacy (LSE), motivation to lead (MTL), and leader identity. Drawing from the Hexagon Theory of leadership, the study utilized secondary longitudinal data from a sample of students enrolled in leadership development programs across five universities, tracked over six years from freshman year through two years post-college. A series of two-step linear regressions were conducted to assess the predictive value of employment type on each leadership construct. Results revealed that neither on-campus nor off-campus employment significantly predicted LSE, MTL, or …

College Readiness In Mathematics Related To Student Academic And Belonging Mindsets, Tabitha Sherrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My quantitative study investigated the differences and correlations between students’ academic (growth vs. fixed) mindsets and belonging mindsets when enrolled in a college-level mathematics course or enrolled in both the college-level mathematics and learning support mathematics courses. The study was conducted at a Tennessee community college in the Fall 2021 semester. Sixty-two students completed the paper survey, which consisted of 17 items that measured academic (growth vs. fixed) and belonging mindsets and included demographic items (age and gender) and ACT mathematics scores. I conducted independent t-tests to find any significant differences between academic (growth vs. fixed) mindset scores and belonging …

The Uneven Disruptions Covid-19 Caused To Scholars’ Publication: A Preregistered Study, Marco De Prosperis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This proposed, preregistered study investigates the uneven impacts of COVID-19 on scholarly productivity among University of Arkansas faculty, focusing on how demographic and professional factors—such as gender, ethnicity, academic rank, tenure status, field of study, and the presence of children—may have moderated productivity during the pandemic. Utilizing a non-experimental, cross-sectional design, this research will collect data from 160 full-time faculty members through an online survey. Grounded in Role Theory, the study will examine role conflict and enrichment as faculty navigated shifting responsibilities in research, teaching, and caregiving during remote work. This study is particularly relevant as many assistant professors who …

Creating A Sense Of Home: Hispanic Students At Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Eva Cordero

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) provide critical access to higher education for Hispanic students, yet their designation is based on enrollment rather than active support for student success. The purpose of the study was to describe and explore the sense of belonging for Hispanic students at a select Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a high percentage of Hispanic students. Using photo voice, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the study identifies five key themes: (1) agency in belonging, (2) club participation, (3) fostering a sense of value, (4) institution and institutional agents, and (5) scholarship and funding. Findings underscore the need for HSIs …

The Reality Of Reputation: Exploring Proxy Measures And Predictive Modeling In U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, Aubree Diane Hughart-Thomas

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since 1983, U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) has published annual college rankings that shape institutional decision-making, student choices, and public perceptions of higher education. While widely utilized, these rankings have been criticized for their reliance on subjective reputation metrics, methodological opacity, and emphasis on factors correlated with institutional wealth rather than student outcomes. This study examines whether publicly available data from sources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard can serve as proxies for the factors used in the USNWR National Universities 2025 Best Colleges rankings. Using …

2025 Summer - Veterans Upward Bound Newsletter, Veterans Upward Bound, East Tennessee State University

Veterans Upward Bound Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Barriers And Supports For Latinx Students Pursuing Higher Education, Ashanti Salazar

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Latinx students make up a growing portion of the student body in Northwest Arkansas, yet they continue to face unique barriers in their pursuit of higher education. This study explored senior Latinx students’ perceptions of barriers and supports they encounter as they begin the college enrollment and admissions process. This research takes place at Valley High School, a majority-Latinx public school in Northwest Arkansas. My intention was to better understand how financial concerns, access to college knowledge, staff support, and school-based resources shape their school experiences, future aspirations, and decision to pursue college after high school. A quantitative approach was …

It Starts With Trust: How Mid-Level Student Affairs Supervisor Trust Behaviors Impact Entry-Level Staff Leave Intention, Latonya Monique Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of how higher education student affairs mid-level managers (supervisors) develop and maintain trust with directly supervised entry-level staff (employees). Intervention in complex student development-oriented activities, student crises, and political protests has increased since the 1930s at higher education institutions throughout the United States. Entry-level or frontline student affairs staff manage these challenges most frequently. Yet these professionals often leave their positions within 3 years. Studies have highlighted inconsistent supervision as one of three reasons entry-level staff vacated their roles. Although many researchers have investigated why these staff members exited the field, less knowledge exists about …

Faculty Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence As A Teaching And Learning Tool In Higher Education: A Causal-Comparative Study, Elizabeth A. Fitch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine the differences in attitudes, benefits, and threats of using artificial intelligence tools in teaching and learning among community college faculty in Tennessee. The findings of this study are important because faculty acceptance or rejection of emerging technology determines educational innovation. The sample was composed of 211 full-time faculty employed at twelve community colleges in Tennessee. Data were collected using the Attitudes, Benefits, and Threats instrument which was administered by electronic survey. The results of the two-way MANOVA did not find a significant difference among attitudes, benefits, and threats associated with …

Effects Of Domestic Violence On Third-Grade Students' Academic And Behavioral Performance, Leah N. Gordone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to investigate the relationship between witnessing domestic violence and third-grade students' academic performance and behavioral conduct, with a focus on gender differences. Additionally, the study explored the connection between exposure to domestic violence and English Language Arts achievement. The research involved 280 third-grade students and parents at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in southwestern Georgia. Participants were part of social-emotional learning programs. Data collection included parent observation surveys, end-of-grade test scores (using the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade assessment), and a child survey (the Violence Exposure Scale for Children – Revised). The …

Crises In Australian Education, The Push For Educational Technology And The Medium-Oriented Perspective Of Neil Postman, Andrew Hutcheon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

From teacher shortages to declining literacy, the Australian education system faces multiple crises. This paper turns to the work of Neil Postman, who started as a high school teacher but later turned towards communication and media studies, to provide an alternative account of parts of this crisis, especially those around the role of technology in education. In his early works, his concern is attached to the concept of education as a ‘subversive concept’ and then a ‘conserving concept’ – first aiming to create young people engaged in civic society, then aiming to preserve written culture against television. After a middle …

Die With Me: An Exploration Of Cultural Notions Of Mortality And Their Potential Influence On In-Law Relationships Through A Fictional Shared-Near-Death Experience, Suzana Stipanovic

Postgraduate

This exegesis explores the transformative potential of near-death experiences (NDEs) and shared-near-death experiences (SNDEs) through the creation of the fictional screenplay titled Die With Me. Employing a non-linear narrative structure, the screenplay follows a protagonist who, through a SNDE, enters her mother-in-law’s NDE - an encounter that profoundly reshapes their perspectives and relationship.

The research integrates case study analysis of relevant films, a review of academic literature, and engagement with autobiographical accounts of NDEs and SDEs. Grounded in Smith and Dean’s (2009, p. 20) iterative cycle web of practice model, the project employs a cyclical approach that blends creative-led, practice-led …

Building A Virtual Gallery: How The User Journey Can Inform Technological Innovation Towards Best Practice In Creating A Virtual Gallery?, Paula Cordeiro

Postgraduate

Building a Virtual Gallery: How can the user journey inform technological innovation towards best practice in creating a virtual gallery?

This research investigates how user journey frameworks can inform technological innovation towards best practice in creating a virtual gallery and how virtual hubs can serve as cultural and heritage art spaces, through collaborative interaction with Regional Councils. This exegesis, together with the accompanying creative artwork, Byron Bay Regional Gallery_Virtual Hub (BRGVirtual-Hub), explore the potential of VR gallery design as a platform to emerge from my literature review, technological innovation, cultural and social interaction, artistic collaboration and real-time connectivity among local …

Research Week 2025 Award Ceremony Program, Scholarly Communications

Liberty University Research Week

Research Week 2025 Awards Ceremony program.

Unf Housing And Residence Life, University Of North Florida

Student Affairs Printed Materials

Flyer: University housing informational flyer for Osprey Landing, Osprey Cove, Osprey Crossing, Osprey Hall, and Osprey Fountains. Circa 2025

April 30, 2025 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Blazer Weekly (student newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Effective Professional Education And Training Program In A Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, Matthew Hamilton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The determinants contributing to successful professional development programs in long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities, which enhance clinical staff performance and healthcare outcomes, remain unclear. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore clinicians’ perspectives on the key determinants of an effective professional education and training program in an LTAC hospital in a Northeast U.S. metro area. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 clinicians who were recruited from an LTAC facility. Thematic analysis, following Saldaña’s framework, identified institutional barriers, financial constraints, time limitations, and unmet training needs as major challenges. Participants emphasized the …

Refining The Student Admissions Process And Retention Methods In Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Beatrice Ransom Johnson

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The overarching goal of the study is to address the admission and retention problem in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This is after identifying a research gap on how these colleges can retain their significance in the current educational environment that has altered their functionality concept and approach (Smith, 2018). Initially, HBCUs were instituted to specifically meet the needs of Black students who lacked higher educational opportunities due to racist practices and systemic injustices that barred them from joining Predominantly White Institutions and other non-HBCUs (Jones & Williams, 2020). Hence, they were designed to accommodate the Black students' learning …

The Impact Of A National Crisis On Academic Research Productivity: Experiences Of Program And Department Heads In Israel, Emanuel Tamir

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The research examined the impact of a national crisis on the research output of academic program and department heads in Israel, investigating how these leaders functioned in the face of prolonged uncertainty and exploring whether their administrative role resulted in personal costs.

Methods: Data were drawn from interviews with 27 heads; then 133 heads answered a questionnaire.

Results: The findings revealed factors restricting research during the crisis: overload relating to students, overload relating to administration, family difficulties, and inaccessible research infrastructure. Some heads developed successful strategies to sustain their research during the crisis.

Conclusions and Implications: Critical insights into …

Bridging The First-Year Divide: A Comparative Study Of Online And In-Person Fye Courses, Lynnlee S. Mitchell, Paula Gonzalez Prado, Braden Jones, Cole Young

ATU Scholars Symposium

This research study will focus on the Tech 1013 and 1001 First Year Experience (FYE) Courses as a comparative study between the success of in-person and online students as well as instructor type for both modalities. This study aims to examine the success of students who enroll in face-to-face courses versus online enrollment to discover student engagement and success from the two available class options. Moreover, the investigation continues into whether a correlation between instructor type and student success exists and what form of relationship is presented. The subject area of this study will be students from the Spring 2024 …

New Tricks? Understanding The Role Of Education, Incarceration, And Reentry On The Older Correctional Population, Angela S. Murolo Phd, Lena Campagna Phd

Journal of Prison Education Research

Abstract

Education in prison provides an opportunity for personal growth and increased professional opportunities upon release. As older people leave prison and return to communities, the need for education serves multiple functions including successful reentry and healthy aging. The aim of this research was to explore the current literature relevant to older people during incarceration and upon release. The authors conducted a systematic literature review on 15 years of research between 2008- 2023 to understand how education in prison impacts older people while incarcerated and upon release. Articles published prior to 2008 were excluded from this study. Twenty-seven articles were …

April 29, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Bearcat Advantage: Year One Evaluation Report, Michelle Miller-Adams, Kevin Hollenbeck, Bridget Timmeney, Kyle Huisman

Reports

No abstract provided.

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

After Turns In Uab Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Productions, Jalen Kirkman Pursues Professional Performance Career, Shannon Thomason

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

Resolution In Support Of Sb 13/Hb 1581: Formula Funding For Higher Education, Todd Bruns

Faculty Senate Resolutions

No abstract provided.

High Ability, Hidden Gaps: Building Quantitative Reasoning Amongst Singapore’S Mathematically Literate, Rebecca M. Nichols

Numeracy

In Singapore, where primary and secondary students routinely top standardized worldwide mathematics examinations, a paradox emerges: when reaching university, many struggle to apply their skills critically in real-world contexts. This commentary examines the challenges and strategies involved in teaching quantitative reasoning (QR) to mathematically literate students in a top-ranking Singaporean university. While these students arrive well-trained in computation and procedural problem-solving, they often lack confidence and flexibility in ambiguous, data-driven decision-making. This article argues that fostering QR education is crucial not only for Singapore but for education globally, as QR skills underpin evidence-based reasoning within and across disciplines. Such an …

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, April 28, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.