Leadership Studies Commons^™

Exploring The Landscape Of Collective Leadership Practice In Rural Nebraska: A Qualitative Sequential Multimethod Study, Haden Myles Botkin

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Rural communities across Nebraska face a myriad of complex challenges that cannot be solved by individual, heroic leaders. As such, collective leadership has begun to emerge in these communities as actors coalesce around local issues. However, little is known about collective leadership practice and development in rural contexts, resulting in a theory-to-practice gap. To that end, this qualitative sequential multimethod study sought to explore how rural community leaders and community development educators perceive, describe, and make meaning of collective leadership practices in rural Nebraska. Three phases comprise this study.

Phase I, the QUAL phase, was guided by the question, How …

Gamification As An Effective Method In Developing Leadership Skills And Competencies, Tianshi Hao, Ziyi Liu, Hanhui Bao, Siyuan Chen, Jesse Llamas, Michael Llamas

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Gamification, the incorporation of game design features into non-game environments, has been implemented in a variety of disciplines, including education, sustainability, language learning, and workplace transformation. According to research, workplace gamification enhances employee engagement and productivity. The gaming business has leveraged incentives and motivation to drive behavior and participation. This literature study assesses gamification's potential as a technique for leadership development and competency building. Leadership is characterized by a combination of personality characteristics, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors. Existing leadership competency analysis frameworks include emotional intelligence and taxonomies such as Gallup's "Strengths Finder." Through points, levels, and leaderboards, gamification has been …

Leader-Member Exchange And The Effect Of Deaf Identity On Relationship Quality, David Hylan Jr., Melissa J. Hawthorne

JADARA

The focus of this study was the relationship between leaders and their team members and how Deaf identity can predict the quality of that relationship. Employment and personal identity are often linked, and this is true of Deaf identity. This study explores how Deaf identity impacts leader-member exchanges and seeks to identify components of Deaf identity that promote better workplace experiences. The results of a Pearson r correlation analysis supported a significant positive correlation between the Deaf Acculturation Scale score and the Leader-Member Exchange 7 questionnaire score. A linear regression analysis indicated that Deaf identity was a significant predictor of …

The Perceptions Of Psycap Growth Among College Student Leaders Who Mentor, James Lee

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the perceptions of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) growth among college student leaders who mentor. Recent research documented a positive association between mentoring and the mentee’s PsyCap growth, yet little is known about how mentoring impacts the mentor’s PsyCap. Additionally, though PsyCap has been researched considerably in the last decade, little is known about both the antecedents of PsyCap and the social mechanisms that contribute to the growth of PsyCap. This study addresses these gaps and examines the influence of mentoring for leadership development on the mentors’ perceptions of PsyCap growth. There are …

Examining Alignment Of Leadership Education And Observed Practices: A Study Of Leadership Studies Department Chairs, Sara Zare

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined how leadership studies academic department chairs’ leadership is influenced by their discipline and their professional identities as leadership educators. This study is an exploration of the alignment between leadership theories and practice. Two conceptual frameworks informed this study: (a) the leadership educator professional identity development (LEPID) model (Seemiller & Priest, 2015) and (b) the four frames model (Bolman & Deal, 2017). Using the LEPID model, this study investigated the intersection of leadership education professional identity dimensions and the leadership role of the leadership studies academic department chairs. Bolman and Deal’s (2017) four frames model was used …

Jepson School Of Leadership Studies Dean's Report 2020 - 2021, Sandra J. Peart

Jepson School of Leadership Studies Dean's Reports

University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies Dean's Report for 2020 - 2021.

Empowering Filipino American Young Adults Through Culturally Relevant Leadership Experiences, Donnaly Y. Atajar

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership development of Filipino American young adults. As an advisor for Lakas Mentorship Program in the Inland Empire, I explored the following question among program staff and mentors: How could I use culturally relevant curriculum to foster personal and professional development for young Filipino American leaders? I evaluated the impact of four cycles centered on leadership training and improving program practices to understand how to deepen engagement and facilitate positive transformation. I found that the following contributed to meaningful engagement: intentional leadership opportunities, institutionalized program structure, and peer mentorship and community …

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, Jimmie Gibson

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"A leader cannot and should not think that they know everything there is to know. Maxwell did an excellent job of showing the importance of asking questions and allowing them to be asked. i think one of the important things he brings out is that questions are just as important as the answers. he states, “By asking questions, i harness the horsepower of every member of my team, and together we pull the weight of the organizations” (p. 289)."

Transforming Pastoral Leadership: Reimagining Congregational Relationships For Changing Contexts, Evadne Williams-Henry

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"As we go through changes, we must remember that god is in control of his church and we must always seek him for guidance and direction. this is an excellent book to help pastors who are seeking to honor god in a society that is ever changing. it helps pastors to recognize that our ultimate Leader is Jesus christ, and we should follow the example that he has set for us. i strongly recommend this book to all pastors."

An Examination In The Role Of Spirituality In The Development Of The Moral Component Of Authentic Leadership Through A Sociorhetorical Analysis Of Paul's Letter To Titus, J. D. Henson

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"this study examined the role of spirituality in the moral development component of authentic leadership in comparison to leadership principles found in the Epistle to titus. the study of moral development was drawn from literature on authentic leadership theory, spiritual leadership theory, and preexisting frameworks of moral agency, self-concept, and the stages of moral development. the exegetical process followed the methodology of sociorhetorical analysis and was interpreted for the moral, ethical, and leadership principles found in the pericope. the study yielded five themes of leadership from which 10 principles of leadership were discovered as found in Paul's letter to Titus. …

The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Style And Employees' Perception Of Leadership Success In Higher Education, Tatrabian D, Jackson

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"The problem addressed examined whether two merged academic institutions were successful in implementing a transformational leadership style within the united organization. Successful leadership cannot be limited to the perception of only the leader, but must include the perceptions of the follower as well....the findings highlight the potential benefits of the use of transformational leadership as an advancement of humankind and business and industry profits."

Strong And Weak: Embracing A Life Of Love, Risk, And True Flourishing, Gregory J. Bullion

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"to flourish, one must master the delicate balance of authority— defined by the author as “the capacity for meaningful action,” (loc 35)— and vulnerability, or, “exposure to meaningful risk” (loc 40). If that balance of authority becomes out of balance, we fall into the pitfalls of “exploiting” (authority without vulnerability), or “suffering” (vulnerability without authority), or worst of all, “withdrawing” (an absence of both)."

Designed To Lead: The Church And Leadership Development, Shawn Ellis

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"the book presents biblical and practical aspects of the three c’s with suggestions on application. While the author’s biblical examples of conviction, culture and constructs are illustrative, there are few examples of present-day implementation, successful or otherwise. the authors assume that real-world expressions of these concepts are intuitive to the reader. It is surprising that research from Geiger’s company on church transformation was not used to provide an up-to-date, quantitative perspective to support the author’s positions."

A Passion For Leadership: Lessons On Change And Reform From Fifty Years Of Public Service, Joel L. Honore

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"In this book, Robert Gates sets out to inspire young people considering public service as a career. he seeks to provide them the tools and attributes needed for effecting change in the bureaucratic world of government. his opinion is that bureaucracies are failing systems, and he seeks to build a case for their reform."

Missional Virtues In Leadership: Assessing The Role Of Character Strengths Of Christian Social Entrepreneurs In Creating Missional Organizations, William M. Manuel

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"the findings of this dissertation are that there are particular and identifiable virtues and character strengths that are possessed by christian social entrepreneurs which enable them to lead in the growth of the organizations that they have started."

Revelations From A Resident Assistant Mentoring Study: Misalignment On Mentoring, Sherry Early Phd, Britt Frye, Jessica M. Hanna Edd

Leadership Studies Faculty Research

What do we really know about mentoring Resident Assistants (RAs)? Does mentoring affect RAs’ leadership efficacies? To address these two research questions we created a successful collaborative research project between Housing and Residence Life (HRL) and Leadership Studies faculty. We wanted to learn more about mentoring encounters/relationships and leadership efficacy (self-efficacy and leadership behaviors). Any successful assessment or research project requires communication and delegation of tasks.

The Untapped Potential Of Introvert Leaders, Marina A. Pawlaczyk

Selected Honors Theses

Academic research shows that extroverts are generally seen as more productive and

effective leaders than their introvert counterparts because they possess the characteristics our society has so often revered (Grant, Gino, & Hofmann, 2009). With the rise of the “extrovert ideal” throughout our society, introverts are left wondering what role they play when it comes to leadership (Cain, 2013). Through examples of four successful introvert leaders (Susan Cain, Warren Buffett, Laura Bush, and Bill Gates), it can be derived that it is not the personality that makes the leader but, rather, the passion, drive, and self-actualization of the individual. With …

A Comparative Study Of Select Autism Advocacy And Research Organizations: Their Mission, Purpose And Focus Related To The Efficacy Of Service(S) Provided To Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Peter Joseph Sciabarra Phd

Dissertations

Autism has been prominently featured in the news headlines of the Western world for well over 30 years. A reported rise in the incidence of autism has sparked a corresponding increase of interest in research, treatment modalities, and political considerations related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The first autism organization in the United States, the National Society for Autistic Children, currently the Autism Society of America, was founded in 1965, devoted to autism research, resources, and services; the dissemination of information; and support and advocacy. Organizations devoted to autism research, resources and services, the dissemination of information, support and advocacy …

The Role Of Chief Diversity Officers In Institutionalizing Diversity And Inclusion: A Multiple Case Study Of Three Exemplar Universities, Cynthia D. Dávalos Phd

Dissertations

Due to demographic shifts and the changing political and economic landscape, universities are experiencing increased demands to produce a culturally competent and well-trained globally minded workforce. To address these demands in a systematic manner, several universities have created a new senior level administrative position to direct campus diversity and inclusion efforts. This position known universally in academia as the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is responsible for institutionalizing diversity and inclusion so that diversity moves from the margins of the university to the center and becomes a standard way of thinking and doing business. Given this high-level executive leadership design, the …

Educating The Whole Child: Evidence Of Health And Wellness Instruction In The Schools Serving Low-Income Students, Andria M. Shook Phd

Dissertations

Educators in the United States are expressing concern about student physical and mental well-being. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past three decades, and today, one in five children experiences symptoms of mental illness. Low-income children are especially subject to these conditions. The long-term consequences for the country as a whole are significant. Schools are particularly well placed to address these problems by supporting the well-being of the whole child. Efforts have begun in select schools and districts to incorporate health and wellness instruction into the school day. This study identifies existing health and wellness components that three …

Services For Parentally Placed Catholic School Students Under The Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act, Julie Cantillon Phd

Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which Congress enacted in 1975 with subsequent revisions, states that school districts are to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Public local education agencies (LEAs) including school districts have an obligation to identify, locate, and evaluate private school students suspected of having a disability—the "child find" process. Students enrolled by their parents in private schools are not entitled to a FAPE if they choose for their children to remain in private school after the children have been identified as having a …

A Tale Of Two Schools: The Spiritual Development Of Leaders In Protestant Seminaries, Patricia A. Rhodes Phd

Dissertations

Scholars and practitioners increasingly consider the spiritual development of leaders to be essential, not only for individual well-being, but that of the culture at large. This is particularly important for clergy, a profession centered on spiritual leadership. While the institutions in which most Protestant ministers pursue training have historically privileged scholarship over spirituality, this has changed substantially since the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) added spiritual development of students to its accreditation standards in 1992. Since then, seminaries have sought to comply in various ways. This study explored two Protestant seminaries, addressing these questions: (a) what is the process seminaries …

"Parent Trigger" Legislation In The United States: A Key To Parent Empowerment In The Local Context, Julie A. Zoellin Cramer Phd

Dissertations

Parent involvement in public education has changed over time in the United States. Recently it has taken on a more radical dimension aimed at shifting the role of parents. These efforts are identified by some as parent empowerment and arguably may be part of a larger policy movement to secure parent voice in equity-focused education reform. The policy innovation allows parents with students in persistently underperforming schools to force a change in school governance. Since the passage of the first parent trigger law in California in 2010, three parent petition campaigns have forced a turnaround in school governance. The purpose …

Study Abroad As A Multifaceted Approach To Supporting College Sophomores: Creating Optimal Environments To Promote Intercultural Maturity, Jessica Luchesi Phd

Dissertations

Leaders in higher education bear the responsibility of creating educational environments and programming that promote student development and help prepare graduates to work, live, and lead in today's interconnected and global society. Such institutional programming, which fosters intercultural maturity, defined as the cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal developmental capacities that enable students to act in ways that are aware and appropriate, should be available to all students. Scholarly work, however, demonstrates that sophomore students receive the least amount of institutional attention and thus have fewer programs directed at fostering their development. As a result, sophomores can find themselves negotiating developmental challenges …

We Are Not Mahogany An Exploration Of The Social Construction Of Masculinity In Ugandan Meaning-Making, Nathaniel P. Dunigan Phd

Dissertations

In the study of both economic and human development, the men of the global South [sic] are often considered to be responsible for the lack of progress and for the lack of human flourishing. An abundance of literature exists exploring how women and children make meaning in the global South with many clear indicators that the choices made by men in their lives have led to an overall sense of need and a lack of wellness. Attempting to better understand how men of different cultures make sense of their world and navigate their life experiences can only enhance strategies in …

A Multi-Level Investigation Of Leadership Effectiveness And Systems Awareness In The Leadership Circle Profile, Crystal L. Dujowich Phd

Dissertations

Leadership is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, with scholarly literature that documents the progression from leaders focused on inspiring transformation in others, to leaders who can engage entire systems towards more globally conscious and ethically focused actions. Such leadership involves increasingly complex relationships, perspectives and context. Empirical contributions to the study of leadership, however, have remained focused on the individual and thus limited to a single level of analysis. As researchers acknowledge the dynamic process of leadership, it is paramount that studies identify and investigate the multiple layers of analysis present. This study sought to uncover patterns in leadership effectiveness …

Comparing Factors Of Bachelor's Degree Attainment For First And Continuing Generation Students, Holly Gilbertson Hoffman Phd

Dissertations

Colleges and universities have recently been under great pressure to increase institutional graduation rates, due to a surge in consumer demand for accountability and the use of graduation rates to deter nine effectiveness and funding. Many colleges may choose to achieve higher graduation rates by simply increasing selectivity. However, this strategy has the potential to exclude at-risk student populations, namely first generation students, who lack a family track record of college completion and have been shown to be less likely to graduate than continuing generation students. To allow for continued access for first generation students, institutions have the ability to …

Convergence Or Divergence Of Values? A Comparison Case Study Of Teacher Credentialing Programs, Rachel Homel Rice Phd

Dissertations

Educational commentators have long debated whether or not public school teaching is a profession. The definition of a profession is commonly anchored in Andrew Abbott's criteria, which include knowledge (specialized and academic), jurisdiction (diagnosis, treatment, professional inference), and control (ethics, professional organizations, licensure). Teachers in most states need to complete credentialing programs to be licensed. The purpose of this study was to explore what teacher credentialing programs at three diverse universities are doing to build teaching as a profession. The guiding research questions were: (1) What is the relationship between teacher credentialing programs and the professionalization of teaching? (2) What …

Central And Secondary Struggles In Social Interventions: The Impact Of Group Relations Learning On Real Life Practices, Ole-Kristian Setnes Phd

Dissertations

Recently, there has been considerable research focusing on outcomes of Group Relations conferences as a unique form of adult experiential learning. Most of the focus has been on participants' learning during and immediately after conferences with less attention paid to applications of learning outside conferences in participants' professional and/or personal lives. The San Diego group relations/ case-in-point model is integrated into the University of San Diego's graduate leadership studies program. Participants in this study included 10 individuals who had participated in this model's experiential learning as teaching assistants. The methodology that was implemented, Relational Qualitative Research, synthesizes elements from several …

Do New Buildings, Equipment, And Technology Improve Student Outcomes? A Look At One Community College's Experience, Danene Twyman-Brown Phd

Dissertations

During the last decade, community colleges have taken a close look at the way they educate and train students, and are using an assortment of student engagement indicators in an effort to assess and document learning outcomes of their students. While these indicators have proven helpful, the extent to which new buildings, equipment, and technology have been integrated into these metrics has been sorely lacking; instead, the assumption has been that more modem facilities, equipment, and technology will improve students' learning and better prepare them for the workforce. To test this assumption, this study examined the relationship between a new …