Vocational Education Commons^™

Becoming A Beloved Community: A Restorative Reckoning For A Radical Conversion To Transform Discourse In Higher Education, Latasha Tomay Varlack-Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the misappropriation of Restorative Justice Discourse (RJD) within three predominantly white institutions (PWIs), analyzing 59 institutional documents through Critical Discourse Analysis, Relational Critical Discourse Analysis, and Rhetorical Criticism (Fairclough, 1995; Vaandering, 2021; van Dijk, 2008). Tribal Colleges and Universities and South African institutions have emerged as exemplars of authentic RJD, countering co-optation within PWIs. The findings demonstrate that RJD as applied in PWIs is framed in ways that attenuate its transformative potential, perpetuating color-evasiveness (Bonilla-Silva, 2017) and obscuring the intersectional experiences of Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities (Crenshaw, 1991; Million, 2009).

Grounded in decolonial praxis (Smith, …

The Digital Incorporated Worker Narrative: A Mixed Methods Study Of Digital Capital, Work Selection, And Outcomes In The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Tracie King

Dissertations

Digital technology permeates society and industry, making digital-ready workers necessary for firms of all sizes as a firm seeks competitiveness in the market (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; de Ruyter et al., 2018; Gorski et al., 2022; Karaboğa, 2023; Kim et al., 2017; Qureshi Zia, 2019). Firms seeking digital-ready workers face a complex digital divide that creates a worker shortage (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; Karaboğa, 2023; Qureshi Zia, 2019). This study aims to describe workers' work selection, work experience, and outcomes in a complex digital society.

Most digital divide research focuses on the individuals excluded from owning, accessing, and having skills …

Perceptions Of Special Education Teachers On The Transition Planning Process: Examining Practices That Predict A Positive Post-Secondary Outcome For Students With Disabilities In The Lower Rio Grande Valley School Districts, Mayra Lorena Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the significance of the transition planning process for students with disabilities, particularly from the perspectives of the special education teachers. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this research examined the role of the student, parent, work related experiences and teacher involvement in the transition process, and the relationship between these factors and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) measures. Using a quantitative approach, that included special education teachers’ responses to the Secondary Education Transition Questionnaire adapted version and a cross analysis with 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) CCMR indicators, the study identified critical gaps between …

Frequency Of Academic Advising: The Impact On Retention Of First-Time, Full-Time Students At Henderson Community College, Michael W. Knecht

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Michael W. Knecht on April 10, 2025.

Aviation Maintenance Education: Recruiting For Mctc's Aas Program, Shana Savard-Hogge

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Shana Savard-Hogge on April 10, 2025

Creation Of Hctc Works! Apprenticeship Services Program Evaluation At Hazard Community & Technical College, Keila H. Miller

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Keila H. Miller on April 3, 2025.

Pillars Of Purpose: Postsecondary Career And Technical Education Faculty Viewpoints On Retention, Garry Brandon Hensley

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The retention of postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) faculty in community colleges is critical for maintaining a skilled workforce to meet evolving labor market demands. This study employs Q methodology to explore the subjective viewpoints of community college CTE faculty regarding factors influencing their job satisfaction and retention. Grounded in Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of Motivation and Job Embeddedness Theory, the research integrates the concept of Employee Experience Management (EEM) to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding faculty retention. Data collected from Q sorts and follow-up focus group interviews reveal six distinct factors representing diverse faculty perspectives on job satisfaction, …

Bridging Academia And Industry: Enhancing Workforce Readiness Through Experiential Learning, Sharon Obasi, Beth Hinga

eJournal of Public Affairs

In today's rapidly evolving job market, it is imperative for educational institutions to prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce. This project highlights the integration of experiential learning opportunities into the curriculum through partnerships with industry organizations. By bridging academia and industry, students gain practical skills, industry insights, and professional networks essential for thriving in their careers.

Teaching Disciplinary Ways Of Knowing Using Stem In Afnr, Elizabeth E. Ogar, Neil A. Knobloch, Hui-Hui Wang

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

This study explores the integration of STEM in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) education through a course designed to teach disciplinary ways of knowing such as scientific inquiry, engineering design, mathematical modeling, and agroecosystem thinking. The course prepares upper-level undergraduate and graduate students to design and implement STEM-integrated mini-units in both formal and nonformal settings. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and real-world applications, the course encourages critical thinking and problem-solving in addressing global challenges like food security and sustainability. The outcomes include enhanced pedagogical skills, real-world STEM application, and increased student engagement, preparing learners for careers in STEM-related fields.

Think Again: How Communication Eportfolios And Work-Based Learning Foster Resilience Through Double-Looping, Megan Mize, Alison Lietzenmayer, Gary Beck

Communication & Theatre Arts Faculty Publications

In a changing professional landscape, students need more than disciplinary knowledge; they need tools for reflection, adaptability, and purpose-driven growth. At Old Dominion University (ODU), ePortfolios and work-based learning (WBL) are strategically embedded across the Communication curriculum to foster double-loop learning, a recursive, metacognitive process through which students not only reflect on outcomes but also interrogate the assumptions behind their choices. Drawing from a decade of institutional practice, course-based examples, and student reflections, this chapter illustrates how these high-impact practices (HIPs) help students connect coursework to career goals, revisit self-perceptions, and build resilience over time. By linking academic learning to …

Voices From The Field: A Q Methodology Study In Postsecondary Cte Faculty Retention, Brandon Hensley, James E. Bartlett, Michelle Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) faculty shortages intensify challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified faculty. This study examines the viewpoints of faculty regarding workplace experiences and values concerning retention using Q methodology. Grounded in Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and Job Embeddedness Theory, the research identifies viewpoints toward remaining in the profession. A Q-set of 64 statements was developed through an academic literature review, contemporary publications, social media, and expert input. Thirty-four CTE faculty from multiple institutions sorted the statements on −7 to +7 forced distribution under the condition of “statements that influence their desire to stay in their roles”. …

The Launch Of An Undergraduate Accelerated Program: Initial Quantitative Data, C. Tomovic, M. Bartlett, M. Tomovic, V. Jovanovic, S. Bawab

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The launch of an accelerated Training Specialist undergraduate program at a U.S. public university began with a pilot course in Fall 2024. This paper presents initial quantitative findings from pre- and post-course surveys designed to assess students' perceptions of the benefits of accelerated courses, as defined in the literature, as well as their self-perception as self-directed learners. The survey results revealed significant changes in students' views on the advantages of accelerated courses, particularly in terms of completing their degree more quickly and better managing family obligations. Additionally, the surveys showed a notable shift in students' perceptions of themselves as self-directed …

Teaching To Whom And With Whom: The Role Of Context In Developing Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy For Teaching Engineering And Coding Via Robotics, Jennifer Kidd, Kristie Gutierrez, Min Jung Lee, Danielle Rhemer, Pilar Pazos, Krishna Kaipa, Stacie Ringleb, Orlando Ayala

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Due to mandates for the inclusion of engineering and computer science standards for K-6 schools nationwide, there is a need to understand how teacher educators can help develop preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) teaching self-efficacy in these areas. To provide experience teaching and learning engineering and coding, PSTs in an instructional technology course were partnered with undergraduate engineering students in an electromechanical systems course to teach robotics lessons to fifth graders (10–11 year olds) over Zoom. A multi-case study approach explored teaching self-efficacy development for three preservice teachers during their robotics project experiences using multiple data sources, including surveys, reflections, interviews, and …

Building Cyber Resilience: Educational Programs In K-12 Education, Mildred Jones, Vukica Jovanovic, Petros Katsioloudis

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The article discusses the challenges of teaching cybersecurity in K-12 education. Topics mentioned include the lack of access to resources and appropriate professional development, the career and technical education cybersecurity pathways, the fundamental pathways for cybersecurity and information technology and the results of program evaluation in several local community high schools from 2021 and 2022.

Addressing Food Security In Cameroon, Stacy A. Adams, Ruth Abunaw Besong

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Cameroon Africa has experience a period of nearly a decade of unrest as militants fight for independence for two Anglophone regions within a predominantly Francophone country. The English-speaking minority have felt aggrieved for continued erosion of rights by the central government. Protests have rapidly spread since 2016, causing closure of schools, businesses, and medical facilities. People have lost homes and been displaced, negatively affecting food production and crop availability. The United States Department of State leads an effort of diplomacy beyond emergency food relief through the Mandela Washington Fellowship that connects American professionals to innovative and impactful young African leaders. …

Academic Clustering For Athletes, Reginald Overton, Bob Case, Michael Ross

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

A trend is developing in academia as it relates to Student-Athletes and advisement practices. With the NIL deals and transfer portals on the continually evolving forefront of collegiate athletics it is difficult to keep the athletes not only eligible to compete but also on track to obtain a degree. A student athlete may be advised to take the track of an Integrated Studies degree and then a transfer to or from a Sport Management Degree. This occurs throughout both the undergraduate and graduate levels of higher education. In addition, certificate programs in athletic administration, sport marketing, sport management, and sport …

Meeting The Needs Of English Learners With And Without Disabilities: A Team Approach To Intervention, Silvana M. R. Watson, Tara Donahue

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Educating English learners (ELs) in inclusive classrooms requires a team of educators with diverse expertise and knowledge in culturally and linguistically responsive assessment and instruction. To address the unique needs of ELs, we offered three graduate-level courses to the educators over a 9-month period. Teams of three to five educators from various schools were encouraged to apply. This group included administrators, general, and special education teachers, among others. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to expand research on professional development for in-service elementary educators working with ELs in elementary schools; (2) to investigate whether the 9-month team approach …

Networked To Work?: An Analysis Of A Community College Workforce Development Program, Cynthia Finley, Kim E. Bullington, Mitchell Williams, David Ayers

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Barriers to education and training can have a generational impact on socioeconomic status and economic development. Post-traditional students have been shown to experience a variety of barriers to education and family sustaining employment. Social capital has been shown to help alleviate some of the barriers for students resulting in stronger economic outcomes, such job retention, and higher wages.

The purpose of this case study was to determine if the Network2Work model at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) can affect outcomes for students from low socio-economic backgrounds by comparing Network2Work outcomes to non-Network2Work noncredit industry training outcomes. The research compared outcome …

A Historical Review Of Course Requirements In Agricultural Mechanics For Agricultural Education, Teacher Education Undergraduates At Nine 1862 Land-Grant Universities, Kristopher R. L. Rankin Iii, M. Craig Edwards

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Preparing pre-service students to teach agricultural mechanics is a difficult task due to the career pathway including a great variety of topics (Byrd et al., 2015). This study examined the trend in requirements in 1862 land-grant universities for number of courses, course credit hours, and course topics related to agricultural mechanics, as well as the total credit hours needed for degree completion in agricultural education, teacher education. Overall, the universities examined had lessened the total course credit hours related to agricultural mechanics courses from 8.33 to 11.83 credit hour requirements in 1980, to a range of 6.67 to 8.33 credit …

The Phenomenology Of Experiencing Critical Thinking In Vocational Higher Education, Sean Castleberry

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the role of critical thinking in vocational education within the Virginia Community College System by examining the lived experience of administrators, faculty, and students who are associated with vocational education. To complete this task, the researcher employed a phenomenological methodology primarily based on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and other phenomenological philosophers including Edmund Husserl, Mark D. Vagle, and Karin Dahlberg. The goal of the research was to serve as a beginning and help close the gap in knowledge concerning how critical thinking is defined in vocational education, why it is seen as an important part of …

The Importance Of Humanities In A Career-Focused Educational Environment, Geoff Zylstra, Jill Belli, Candido Cabo, Sean Macdonald, Robin Michals, Ann Marie Sowder, Christopher B. Swift

Publications and Research

The humanities have the potential to enhance STEM curriculum in career-oriented professional degree programs. As part of a larger college-wide initiative to develop interdisciplinary curricula, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded a grant to New York City College of Technology to explore the relationship between the humanities and career-focused degree programs in STEM departments. This article describes the design and implementation of coursework that bridges the curricular divides between humanities disciplines and technical or career-focused disciplines by bringing the humanities to bear on science and technology-oriented courses. Specifically, the humanities served to improve technical skills for students in …

Submission To The National Skills Taxonomy Discussion Paper, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Shaping educational policy

This brief submission in response to the National Skills Taxonomy (NST) Discussion Paper relates to the vision for the NST (2.3), relative to other parts of the skills system architecture; and design considerations that support NST’s alignment to other taxonomies (3.1).

Promoting Academic And Social Well-Being For Young Adults With Asd Towards Post-Secondary Education And Employment, Theresa Holcomb, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This program and policy-type capstone addresses the gap in inclusive services for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in post-secondary education (PSE). It resulted in developing and implementing a Social Engagement program designed to enhance communication skills, self-advocacy, and workplace preparedness—key factors for academic and vocational success. Guided by the Occupational Adaptation Model (OAM) and the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, the program used a board game-based format to facilitate interactive learning and the practical application of social skills. Targeting young adults with ASD involved in vocational training, the program emphasized developing professional communication and workplace social interaction. The findings indicate …

Perception Of School Governing Bodies About Decentralisation Of School Governance In Eswatini, Swaziland, Ibiwumi Abiodun Alade, Goodness X. Tshabalala

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The adoption of decentralisation as a reform in the administration of education sector in Eswatini has been a subject of debate due to its attending challenges. This study therefore examined the perception of school governing bodies about decentralisation of school governance in Eswatini, Swaziland. The qualitative case study is embedded in the interpretative paradigm, and it employed the Subsidiarity Theory (ST) as a framework for understanding the decentralization of school governance in Eswatini. Four research questions guided the study while purposive sampling technique was used to select five school principals from the selected schools who had served as principals for …

Differences Between Male And Female Welding Students’ Tinkering Self-Efficacy, Kjersti Decker, Michael Pate, Tyson Sorensen, Michelle S. Burrows, Katie N. Kraus, Don Edgar

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Welding, agricultural mechanics and blue-collar trades have traditionally been perceived to be reserved for males, yet many females in recent years have enrolled in training programs and have entered these careers (England, 2010). In previous research, females have indicated lower levels of tinkering self-efficacy and confidence in mechanics settings (Baker & Krause, 2007). This study examined difference between male and female welding student’s perceptions of welding technology, tinkering self-efficacy, and perceptions of learning welding technology. Students were engaged in designated tinkering activities throughout the semester to promote developing tinkering abilities. Activities included but were not limited to GMAW and …

A Qualitative Inquiry Into Female International Doctoral Students Challenges And Stressors, Sameer Ahmed, Maya Jaber

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Objective: A qualitative inquiry to explore the challenges and stressors female international doctoral students experience. Background: Student challenges and stress result in attrition and non-completion of doctoral programs. Using Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory framework, the study connected the theory subsystems to the challenges and stressors female international doctoral students experience. Method: The study analyzed the lived experiences of five female international doctoral students at an Illinois research institution, using a qualitative approach (phenomenology). The participants were interviewed using themed theoretical framework questions. Results: The results identified concerns related to all subsystems. Academic (microsystem and mesosystem) challenges included a lack …

Credentialing Exam Hesitancy In Dietary Management Certificate Program Graduates: A First Look At Perceived Barriers, Sona Donayan

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Certified dietary managers (CDMs) lead their food services team by ensuring food quality, safety, and palatability while applying nutrition principles to food purchasing, storage, preparation, and service. Despite labor shortages and forecasted growth in both healthcare and food services management jobs, approximately 30% of credentialing exam candidates forego their exam within the first year after completing a didactic career technical education program approved by the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals. Moreover, very few return to pursue their exam after the first year. This study explored, through the lens of the theory of planned behavior, the perceived obstacles contributing to …

Defining Experiential: Higher Education Educator Perspectives On Experiential Education Criteria And Experiential Learning Forms, Paul Gaszak

Dissertations

In the field of experiential education, there is a general understanding that concepts and definitions of experiential education and experiential learning differ by individuals, departments, organizations, and institutions. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive research study was to gather the perspectives of individual experiential educators across higher education (n = 121) on what they perceive to be experiential education’s criteria and what forms of educational methodologies qualify as experiential learning forms. The findings demonstrated inclusive perspectives regarding both criteria and forms, such as receptiveness to experiential education being able to occur within classrooms, in short durations, and without third-party participation. …

New Challenges Call For New Skills: Providing Quality Education For Sustainable Destination Managers With The Wenatour Project., Ilaria Doimo, Martina Catte, Federica Bosco, Alessia Fiorentino, Nicola Orio, Thomas Zametter, Arthur Posch, Shane O'Sullivan, Dominik Muehlberger

GSTC Academic Symposium - In conjunction with the GSTC Global Conference

Major challenges have altered the status quo of tourism in Europe in the last years: COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, geopolitical instability, the energy crisis, and widespread inflation. Concurrently, significant societal changes in work-life, movement, and recreational patterns are also affecting tourism dynamics and trends. The current tourism landscape is thus profoundly different than it was until 2019, and it is in strong need of finding new solutions and pathways to radically innovate while keeping local communities and the environment at the core of its strategies. Destination Management is the systematic management approach capable of guaranteeing a shared vision of …

A Study On The Use Of Reflective Writing Assessments To Indicate The Level Of Knowledge College Industrial Technology Students Possess Related To The Three Elements Of Technological And Engineering Literacy, William Domenick Euefueno

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The problem of the study was to determine if the use of a reflective writing assessment at the beginning, middle, and end of a college semester indicated an industrial technology student’s knowledge and skills related to technological and engineering literacy. Experiences gained during project-based learning activities were used as the basis for this study. This descriptive study examined the reflective writing abilities of junior and senior year college students enrolled in a university’s industrial technology program of study by administering a reflective writing assignment three times over a semester of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) course, STEM 320, Manufacturing …