Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Michigan State Government Employment Sector: Are We In Line With The National Trends?, Thomas Walter Cronkright Ii

Honors Theses

Examines the national trends of employment to make a comparison for Michigan State government employment. Results show that Michigan's public employment trends do not follow national employment trends in a comparable way. Michigan is distinct from the nation for several reasons: a hiring freeze placed on Michigan State Departments, higher levels of union participation and employee pay, and benefits packages that cost more than the Executive Branch of the U.S. government. Thus, either Michigan provides superior benefits or it pays a premium for those benefits. Suggests further research is needed.

Empowerment In The United States Congress, James D. Mark, Christopher J. Poulos

Honors Theses

The purpose of the forthcoming study is to gain an understanding of how empowerment is utilized in the political arena. The project will primarily deal with Congress and the relations between Members. With all of the facets of the legislative branch, it is necessary to narrow this study to several aspects of the body. Due to the diversity of Congressional Members and the formal structure of House and Senate committees, this investigation will serve to provide a concentrated, yet thorough analysis of the presence of empowerment.

The Death Penalty And Public Opinion, Eve Errickson

Honors Theses

In this research, I will examine public opinion on the death penalty from 1972 to the present. In doing so, I will show that as the awareness of violence and crime increases, support for the death penalty increases. I intend by the consideration of prevalent trends and ideas over the past twenty-five years to show that awareness of crime and prejudice against ethnic groups traditionally associated with crime often dictates public opinion of the death penalty. As these tendencies become more apparent, it will become clear that the Supreme Court's confidence in mitigating and aggravating factors are not entirely valid, …

Clinton, North, And Intellectual Leadership : A Media Analysis, Brian Cavanagh

Honors Theses

The media has often been accused of irresponsibly depicting the news by slanting coverage toward a specific bias. Since very few people witness news-worthy events firsthand, they rely on the written media to reveal the facts, details, and implications of a given event. At times, the coverage is altered by the ideologies of the individual author, the publication, or the subject of the article. Therefore, the media serves as a form of Intellectual Leadership, abusing a relationship with the public by attempting to shape and formulate public opinion. The purpose of the following project is to research two major historical …

Leadership In Teams At Owen And Minor, Inc., Jay Carroll

Honors Theses

In this paper, we researched concepts directly linked with the idea of leadership as it relates to teams. As a result of our initial reactions to leadership in teams at Owens & Minor, we decided to explore the relationship between teams and organizational culture, communication, motivation and empowerment. However, we did not limit ourselves only to these concepts. We selected the above leadership and team concepts based on a review of research that explored issues associated with the use of teams in organizations.With direction provided by our supervisors and other members of the Jepson faculty, we narrowed the plethora of …

Leadership In Community Health Organizations, Stephanie C. Eken

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project was to analyze the characteristics and motivations of leaders in community health organizations and determine if they were initiators and collaborators in bringing about real change in providing health care for their own neighborhoods. To date, there has been little research concerning leadership in the medical field and even less addressing leadership in community health organizations. Yet, every day there are "ordinary" people making significant changes in the lives of Virginians through community-based health promotion. Their efforts and accomplishments in community health care can provide new insight into leadership in an evolving context and in …

Present To Future : The Innovations Of Leadership Studies, Christopher Hartman Engels

Honors Theses

Formal leadership education is the latest craze at the secondary level of education. Private high schools have for years stated in their brochures that their school produces leaders. However, only recently are these same schools clearly articulating a more formal structure in leadership education. An in-depth case study analysis of three private high schools in Virginia will not only allow for a look at their leadership curricula, but will allow for conclusion to be made about the best possible means of teaching leadership.

An Application Of Zen Philosophy To A Modern Conceptualization Of Leadership, John Williams

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project is to determine what relationships, if any, exist between Zen Buddhism and modern conceptualizations of leadership. In a review of existing literature, no analysis was found that examined the relationship between concepts associated with leadership theory and Zen principles. Hence, in order to explore these issues, I employed the following basic procedure. First I identified a modern representation of theories of leadership. This step involved an examination of existing theories of leadership, and a survey in which the faculty at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond ranked a set of …

A Model For Cultural Analysis In The Frame Of Leadership, David Nelson

Honors Theses

Leadership in the business world is coming under scrutiny now more than ever. The foundations of the business world are crumbling and new perspectives are diversifying the context of almost every business. Even the inside of business' are changing. New people are getting the chance to make changes in the companies, and their changes are altering how things are done. Business can be analyzed through the frame of culture. An analysis of the culture of a company will bring to light the way the company is structured (the formal structure) and the way the company works in day to day …

Leadership And Its Impact On Young People Attending American Red Cross Youth Development Conference, Colleen M. Lynam

Honors Theses

My involvement with the American Red Cross began in the fall of 1996. After many phone calls and meetings to talk about responsibilities and requirements as a volunteer, I decided to do my Jepson Internship as the Youth Coordinator for the Red Cross. During my semester downtown on Main Street, I learned a great deal about non-profit organizations in general and the Red Cross specifically. The employees there became both my role models and my friends. As the fall semester came to a close, we talked about the possibility of my continuing my association with the Red Cross by finding …

Leadership Education In Elementary Schools, Ivan Squire, Michael Madaio

Honors Theses

Our senior project intends to replicate a leadership curriculum developed by Lockett on two target groups at Ridge Elementary School in Richmond, VA. The first group being student government and the second being "at-risk" students. The purpose of the project will be to modify the leadership curriculum in a manner that addresses the distinct needs of the two target groups in an effort to help them develop leadership skills and awareness in areas where they are deficient e.g. self esteem, communication, etc. The question we seek to answer in this project will be to determine the effectiveness of a leadership …

Leadership Within The Camps : A Study Of Holocaust Resistance, Meredith Ann Fallon

Honors Theses

The primary question underlying my research is, "What environmental factors, individual characteristics, behaviors, beliefs, and socialization factors enabled or ignited certain Jews to emerge as leaders within the concentration camps during WW II?" This study could reveal valuable information concerning why, how, and what types of leaders emerge in highly adverse and life threatening situations, and how some of these leaders were able to achieve success.

Why Teams? : Assessing The Incorporation And Development Of Teams At J.P. Morgan's Delaware Private Client Group-Operations, Christine M. Wang

Honors Theses

J.P. Morgan Services, Inc. implemented teams into its Private Client Group-Operations (PCG-Ops) located in Wilmington, Delaware during the summer of 1996, in an initiative the company called Realignment. The goal of my senior project is to explore the use of teams in corporate settings. By assessing how consistent the Private Client Group's Realignment initiative is with the current team development, organizational change, and organizational development literature. In this project four main concepts will be examined:

l . The reasons why JP Morgan changed from a traditional hierarchical structure to one that is team based.

2. The results of the six …

Community Organizations As Agents Of Change : A Proposed Framework, Heidi E. Gottschalk

Honors Theses

This project evaluates the way that community organizations influence children and adults, and can be leaders as a positive force of change. Programs provide teens with the opportunity to become involved in activities that are more enriching and beneficial to their well-being than alcohol, drugs, sex, violence and crime. The hope is that these programs have a positive effect on teens, which in turn, will indirectly affect positive change within the community.

Effective Nonprofit Organizations Through Leadership And Alignment, Megan Fleischman

Honors Theses

As nonprofit organizations grow in size and number, there is an ever-growing need to strength in leadership within these organizations that will help to combat the general ineffective nature of nonprofits. This leadership must follow a model that emphasizes the essential nature of a cooperative relationship among all of the primary leadership entities that exist in nonprofit organizations. Without a balance among these forces, nonprofit organizations risk their productivity and effectiveness.

A Cultural Test Of Transforming Leadership Using Three Case Studies : W.E.B. Dubois, Leopold Sedar Senghor, And Vaclav Havel, Christie Getman

Honors Theses

The overall goal of this research project is to do a comprehensive study that integrates an undergraduate career in leadership studies with a thorough, critical examination of a topic that is of interest to me. Since beginning course work at the Jepson School, I have felt that a majority of the theories and concepts studied have been primarily focused on the leader and the follower, and their relationship. My goal is to examine the theory of transforming leadership through specific case studies of transforming leaders, and test how the element of culture affects this transforming leadership.

Leadership And King Lear, Lauren P. Fitzgerald

Honors Theses

This project deals with language used in critical works. Specifically, this paper is about leadership in Shakespeare's works.

Early Influences On Leadership Behavior, Autumn Fehr

Honors Theses

The goal of my research project is to study early influences, especially those from the family, on leadership behavior. While children are growing up, their families play a large role in shaping their ideas, beliefs, values and behaviors. Certainly, the development of an individual's leadership style is a continuous process which does not end when one becomes independent of the family. However, the impact of this early influence must be assessed.

Applying Theory To Practice : Virginia's Secondary School Leadership Courses, Kerith D. Dubik

Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the phenomenon of teaching leadership can and is affecting American secondary schools. This involves discussing the problems of our education system as the results of a paradigm shift in America's learning needs.

The Study Of Leadership In Chesapeake Bay Watershed Associations : A Case Study In Citizen Leadership, Joanne Demoss

Honors Theses

There are many watershed associations such as the James River Association or the Chicahominy Watershed Alliance throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, but it is unclear how these organizations function and what makes one more effective than another. I have evaluated these organizations through surveys and interviews in an attempt to develop a guideline of leadership best practices of these various organizations.

Economic System As A Factor Influencing Leadership Behavior : A Case Study Of Leadership In Russia From 1917 To 1995, Matthew B. Danis

Honors Theses

Envisioned by Lenin and molded by Stalin, the Soviet Union, and its communist economic system, lasted seventy-four years, from 1917 to 1991. The inception of communism in the Soviet Union was a result of the losses Russia incurred during World War I. Devastation during the war and mismanagement by the government throughout created an atmosphere ripe for revolution. With the leadership of Lenin, the Bolshevik Revolution occurred in November 1917, and the Communist Party was created in March 1918.

Emerging Leaders : Leadership Studies In Secondary Education, Scott D. Dalessio, Megan Delany

Honors Theses

The high school students of today that will be the leaders of tomorrow. These individuals guide the country through the new changes and diverse conflicts that characterize the twenty­ first century. How can these students leave the effective leadership skills that they will need to respond to this challenge? American educational systems must provide their students with the tools to cope successfully with such transitions. Programs such as Empowered Leaders of Hanover County High Schools therefore represent attempt to respond to the need for modem leaders and a recognition of the value and imporrtance of the instruction of leadership competencies …

Lifting The Bar : Leadership In The Attorney-Client Relationship, Dennis C. Barghaan

Honors Theses

VA State Senator Mark Earley, a lawyer by trade, addressed the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association in October 1995, and claimed that the profession, in order to survive, must engage in both serious talk and sincere action. As a result, much of the negative feeling about lawyers within American society will begin to change as the public sees attorneys for what they should be -- leaders in their everyday interactions with clients.

A Look At The Leadership Of The Valentine Riverside Museum, Carlo Arjona

Honors Theses

An evaluation of the Valentine Riverside Museum's short attempt to revitalize history in Richmond, VA, and why it failed.

Civic Leadership : Meeting The Civic Needs Of American Communities, In Preperation For The 21st Century, Sara Zeigler

Honors Theses

In many areas of the United States, people complain about the leaders in their communities. Historically, when people think of 'leaders' in their communities, the majority of them are predominantly white, male and affluent. The American citizen believes that a portion of these leaders are shrouded in scandal, corruption, mistrust, exclusiveness, and power. The American citizen finds difficulty when trying to enter into the elite group of decision makers. Citizens and organizations accuse these leaders of making decisions that do not reflect the best interest of society, but rather benefit themselves. As a result, Americans call out for better leadership …

"A Model Of Crisis", Charlotte A. Trudel

Honors Theses

During the spring 1996 semester, the Jepson School of Leadership Studies offered a special topics course titled "Leadership in Crisis." The course, co-taught by Dr. Richard Couto and former Virginia Attorney-General Mary-Sue Terry, intended to "offer students CPR instruction to sustain organizational and personal vision" (Couto) for a group or organization dealing with crisis. Members of the class were instructed in crisis taxonomy and classification, crisis in diverse contexts, crisis management plans, crisis perspectives from both inside and outside of organizations, and the role of the personal in dealing with crisis. The faculty instructors determined that although the course had …

Leadership And The Breast Cancer Movement, Amy Silverstein

Honors Theses

The breast cancer movement stays away from power struggles and superiority complexes. These women figured out that in order to stay organized and in control, every woman needed to feel included. The nature of the issue of the movement helps as well. Since most of these women fought the disease either themselves or with others, they understand how important a supportive environment contributes to a person's well-being. This support flows into the movement and contributes to the sense of togetherness. Some women are more prone to leadership than others, but that does not mean that they are somehow superior. Their …

Making The Net Work : The Influence Of Networking On Black Women Executives' Leadership In The Telecommunications Industry, Kayren J. Shoffner

Honors Theses

Leadership is exemplified by growth. It is not enough to be a strong leader; in order to develop that leadership, one must continue to grow. In order to grow, one must be in the company of likeminded people. Hence, the power of networking to increase and enhance one's leadership development is great. When I look at my leadership development over the past four years, I am able to identify definite growth. This growth was facilitated by the networking situations in which I placed myself or created.

Previous research in this area reveals that women in general, and black women in …

Leadership Skills : A Course Proposal, Joe Rinaldi

Honors Theses

Theory based classes are the foundation that future leadership is built upon. These classes provide a useful framework that leadership majors can draw from for the rest of their lives, but this ignores where they are now. The leadership school focuses too much on leadership beyond graduation and not enough on the limitless opportunities for leadership that are available to students today. The leadership school has no interaction with the vast number of leadership training courses that are taught to every group from Resident Assistants to Orientation Counselors to the various honor councils and governmental bodies that flourish on campus. …

Service Learning, Leadership, And The Health Profession, Melissa Reese

Honors Theses

This report began with a request from the Health Professional Schools in Service to the Nation Program (HPSISN) of the Pew Health Professions Commission. The Pew Health Professions Commission. established in the spring of 1989 and administered by the University of California at San Francisco, Center for the Health Professions is charged with assisting workforce policy makers and educational institutions respond to the challenges of the changing health care system. HPSISN began with funding from Learn and Serve America--Higher Education of the Corporation for National and Public Service to introduce, integrate, and disseminate service learning in the curriculum of health …