Leadership Studies Commons^™

Graduate Student Experiences: The Impact Of A Mixed-Cohort Format, Kacy Kilner Hayes Phd

Dissertations

Student cohorts have been regaining popularity among graduate programs over the past few decades because they offer numerous advantages for students and can be molded to fit programmatic needs. The format of these cohorts range from open to closed according to the inclusion or exclusion of additional students during the life of the program. Although a number of graduate level programs employ a mixture of closed- and open-cohort formats, there has been a lack of empirical research examining the benefits or consequences of mixing cohort formats within a single academic program. To address this lack of inquiry, this study utilized …

The Initiation Of Growth-Focused Relationships Involving Healthy Accountability At The Carbondale Church Of Christ, Stephen Shaffer

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

After several years of transition, the Carbondale Church of Christ is in the early stages of becoming a spiritual growth-focused community. However, the emerging growth community appears to reflect the prevailing cultural assumptions that growth is a personal, private, and an individual task. To shape this emergent growth culture, this project initiated a group of congregational opinion leaders, organized in pairs, into the practice of growth-focused relationships involving healthy accountability. The initiation involved a theological orientation followed by a four-week healthy accountability praxis.

The theological framework of the project involved three main aspects. First, the project used the body image …

Investigating The Impact Of A Mentor Text Inquiry Approach To Narrative Writing Instruction On Attitude, Self-Efficacy, And Writing Processes Of Fourth Grade Students In An Urban Elementary School, Christine Marie Kealoha Kane Edd

Dissertations

Writing in its many forms, is the signature means of communication in the 21st century. Writing is also arguably the most complex and difficult challenge facing all students in school. The purpose of this study was to monitor the narrative writing performance of urban students who received explicit writing instruction using a mentor text inquiry approach. A mentor text is a published piece of writing whose ideas, structure,or written craft can be used to inspire a student to write something original. It is a piece of quality literature text that students can use as an exemplar text to model their …

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Writing Instruction In An Ungraded Informal Learning Environment, Samuel Patterson Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate and describe the teaching of writing in an informal setting through the voices of teachers and students. The intent of this study was to describe the roles of teachers and students in this learning environment and specifically to describe the role of writing response groups in this environment. Research in both writing instruction and informal education suggests that writing instruction is a good contextual match to camp-style informal education. Both informal education and writer's workshop-style writing instruction put the individual and their choices at the center of the experience. VI This …

Preparing Global Leaders: A Theoretical Model For Understanding The Development Of Intercultural Competency, Cynthia Ann Martinez Phd

Dissertations

As globalization increases, organizations are seeking individuals that have developed intercultural competency (ICC) and are prepared to lead for the 21st century. Although there are competing definitions among scholars as to what characteristics (ability, attitude, awareness, behaviors, knowledge, skills, or values) make up ICC (Ang & Van Dyne, 2008; Bennett & Bennett, 2004), a considerable body of research has found that studying abroad is one of the best ways for undergraduate students to develop at least one characteristic of ICC (Chieffo & Griffths, 2004; Deardorff, 2006; Sheridan, 2005). The question remains, however, whether or not study abroad programs can contribute …

The Undergraduate Classroom As A Community Of Inquiry, Cara Taylor Miller Phd

Dissertations

This project contributes to the literature on action research and undergraduate pedagogy for leadership development through application and expansion of existing theory on collaborative ways of teaching and learning. I applied a participatory, inquiry-based approach to teaching an undergraduate course in leadership studies over four semesters using the action research process of recursively asking and answering living questions in real time about teaching and learning with students' participating as co-researchers. Reflection on my initial, mostly traditional teaching strategies generated questions about the students' detachment from and resistance to exercising leadership, as well as the challenge of aligning my deepest values …

Advising To Promote Self-Authorship: Exploring Advising Strategies And Advisor Characteristics Among New Student Affairs Professionals, Emily Marx Phd

Dissertations

Self-authorship, a theory developed by Robert Kegan (1982) and applied to college students by Marcia Baxter Magolda, is the ability to internally define one's own beliefs, identity, and relationships (Baxter Magolda, 2001). People who self-author have the ability to make career, academic, relationship, and life decisions that take into consideration their own internal voice rather than relying on others' advice. The development of self-authorship has been correlated with gains in key learning outcomes, such as cognitive complexity and independence (Baxter Magolda, 2001; Pizzolato, 2008; Pizzolato & Ozaki, 2007). Achievement of self-authorship does not typically occur until after college, when young …

Specific Communication Choices Of A Transformational Leader That Followers Perceive As Necessary For Effective Leadership, Karen Creasy

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The basis of this research is to examine the transformational leader in regards to the way he or she communicates. The study will pursue a unique angle on this topic and examine leadership communication choices from the viewpoint of the follower. The rationale behind this focus is that the follower has insight into the effectiveness of the leader’s communication choices by process of affiliation. The thesis goal therefore, is to answer what the specific communication choices are of a transformational leader that followers perceive as necessary for effective leadership. This paper provides an overview of research and three theories that …

Out Of The Heart Springs The Communication Of Leadership, Jodi A. Kohut

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study is based on the philosophical and biblical notions that words are a sacred gift from God and should be used with care. This study is concerned with how a leader uses these words in the organizational context. Edification is presented as a performative speech act by connecting its intention, “to build” to the rhetorical functions of the locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts. Using Sullivan’s (1988) foundation for extending these language functions to the organizational context, the author proposes that edifying language has functions across three dimensions: 1.) Perlocutionary, subordinate building properties 2.) Illocutionary, relationship building properties and 3.) …

Law Enforcement In The Fog Of Mistrust: Solving The Problem Of Black Mistrust In Law Enforcement, Mark Wayne Whitson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

What is the relationship between educating police officers in African American history and culture and the development of empathy and accommodative communication during interactions? This question is important to study because history and culture define African-American mistrust in general and specific mistrust of law enforcement in the United States. “Studies consistently show minority group members are more distrustful and less confident in the police and courts” (Tyler, 2001, p. 217). African-American perceptions are shaped by historical experiences and as a result Blacks believe they are treated differently because of race. All police officers, regardless of their race or gender, because …

An Analysis Of Twitter Usage By Select Black Professional Athletes Presenting Their Online Identities, As Related To Black Hypermasculinity, Bryan Rinkus

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The mainstream media stereotypes Black professional athletes as overly aggressive and more masculine than athletes of other ethnicities. This study examines how three professional athletes, Reggie Bush, Chad Ochocinco, and Paul Pierce use the micro-blogging service, Twitter, to present their own identities through social media. The literature explores online identity formation, parasocial interaction, and masculinity in sports. Fifty Tweets from each athlete were collected, then coded using discourse analysis, and deconstructed through impression management theory with a focus on the dramaturgical perspective. Results reveal that athletes portrayed more individualized identities when their sport was in the offseason, while athletes currently …

An Examination Of Communication Preferences For Service Members Suffering From Combat Stress-Related Injuries: A Framework For Serving Those Who Serve Us, David J. Wray

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This grounded theory research study examines communication preferences among combat veterans suffering from combat stress-related injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, general anxiety, and substance abuse. The study employed personal interviews of a purposive sample of such veterans and constant comparative analysis of the data to derive grounded theory. The author suggests a path to find the most effective communication strategies and channels to reach other veterans who are suffering from combat stress experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 2.4 million service members have deployed to these combat theaters, with up to 90 per cent experiencing the …

Study Of Leadership Characteristics During Transformational Change In Health Care Organizations, Susan Long

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative research study explores the behavior of leaders during transformational change in health care organizations. For this study, health care workers, who had experienced transformational change within their organization in the previous three years, were interviewed about the behaviors of their leader. Findings of this study suggest leaders who regularly communication and support of team members; build organizational culture that supports collaboration and team work; and effectively plan for change initiatives, including providing adequate resources for the change, have more positive change initiatives than leaders who not demonstrate these behaviors

Leadership Department Newsletter - April 2012, Andrews University

Leadership Department Newsletter 2012

No abstract provided.

Ua77/1 Wku Spirit, Wku Alumni Relations

WKU Administration Documents

WKU's alumni magazine. Contents:

• Ransdell, Gary. President’s Letter
• Your Legacy – Frank Myers
• Gary Ransdell Attends Confucius Institute Conference, Visits Chinese Universities
• Talisman, WKU’s Yearbook, Receives 13^th National Pacemaker Award
• WKU, Elizabethtown Community & Technical College Expand Partnership
• Enrollment at WKU Passes 21,000 Sets Record for 14^th Consecutive Year
• Cheryl Stevens Named Dean of Ogden College of Science & Engineering
• WKYU-PBS Receives Grant for Digital Studio, Control Room Equipment
• WKU Public Relations Program Earns Renewal of International Certificate
• 5 Gatton Academy of Mathematics & Science Students National Semifinalists in Siemens Competition
• Ray Harper Tapped as Full-Time WKU Head …

Understanding The Role Of The Veteran Employee: How Organizational Communication May Bridge Gaps Between New And Veteran Employees, Jacqui L. Barker

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Framed through evaluation of the Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT), Constructive-Development Theory (CDT), and the Rational-World Paradigm philosophy, this research focused on existing, or veteran, anxieties when a new employee joins an organization‟s group or team. This research surveyed United States Navy federal civil servants employed at two, geographically dispersed, Navy science and technology laboratories and discovered these employees do in fact experience anxieties, and seek various means to manage or reduce the emotion associated with a newly-hired employee by either avoiding, talking about, observing the new person, working with the person or taking a blended approach and incorporating one or …

Combining Social Media & Traditional Media In A Modern Communications Plan, Shannon Mortland

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study explored (a) how organizations can determine the best ways to reach consumers as social media and traditional media evolve, therefore changing the way people conduct their lives; and (b) how organizations can combine traditional media and social media to enhance conversations with consumers, given that changes in media have forced organizations to develop relationships and have conversations with consumers. The literature review investigated how traditional media and social media have evolved in recent years, how they currently are being used, and how their combined use differs from previous marketing tactics. This information was filtered through the theoretical belief …

Uw Impact: A Civic Engagement Initiative Case Study, Dana Robinson Slote

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

In 2010 funding for higher education was negatively impacted by Washington’s economic environment. University of Washington executives launched UWImpact to encourage advocacy on behalf of the institution. This case study explores which aspects of UWImpact’s approach created a culture that influenced the State Legislature to allow UW to develop a funding mechanism. Methods used to construct the project include: Evaluation of UWImpact materials and website, plus five news articles, reviewed for recurrences of specific adjectives; data obtained from (Vocus) software, and augmented by participant-observations during informal interviews at three events. The data was gathered from December 2010 through April 2011. …

Gender Roles In Organizations In The Southeastern United States, Dianne Conlee

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is a study on gender roles in organizations in the southeastern United States as compared to the rest of the United States. The hypothesis was developed after a review of literature that included relevant research on traditional gender roles, gender roles in organizations, gender roles in the southeastern United States and gender roles over time. After reviewing the literature the hypothesis that gender role experiences in organizations located within the southeastern United States will reflect more traditional than gender role attitudes than experiences in the rest of the United States. The research study was conducted using egalitarianism as …

Student Satisfaction And Frustration With Online Education, Chris Alan Tohm

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Although online education is praised for convenience, a stigma still remains about its quality. Constant comparisons to traditional methods coupled with a popular belief that online education is ”easier” continue to denigrate online learning to an inferior alternative. Online education and the technology behind it are innovative but their relative immaturity has limited most of the research to an institutional perspective. This exploratory study examines the student perspective of online education in terms of personal satisfaction and frustration by interviewing eight students with online education experience and analyzing their perceptions using existing computer mediated communication theories. This study provides insight …