Youth Engagement With Rural School & Community Institutions: Implications For Future Orientation,
2026
Hanover, NH Parks and Recreation
Youth Engagement With Rural School & Community Institutions: Implications For Future Orientation, Hannah Falcone, Cindy L. Hartman, Jayson Seaman, Andrew D. Coppens, Kate Moscouver
Journal of Youth Development
Rural youth in the United States have long demonstrated a consistent pattern of outmigration from their rural communities, often driven by aspirations for higher education and specialized careers available elsewhere. This qualitative study explores the positive youth development (PYD) experiences of youth in rural New Hampshire, focusing on how schools, community engagement, work, and experiences in nature shape their development and future orientation. Eighteen youth ages 14–19 participated in online interviews. Data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive strategies, including the application of the Developmental Systems Model of PYD. Four key themes emerged: (a) rural schools are a central …
Fostering Developmentally Nurturant Relationships To Promote Character And Thriving: Perspectives Of Program Practitioners In Rural South Africa,
2026
Tufts University
Fostering Developmentally Nurturant Relationships To Promote Character And Thriving: Perspectives Of Program Practitioners In Rural South Africa, Jonathan M. Tirrell, Alexa Hasse, Margaret Mackin, Elizabeth Dowling, Kirsten Olander, Roya Abbasi-Asl, Katherine Mcconnel, Thobeka Kwela, Raah Msimango, Justine Mccarthy-Martin, Tyler Howard, Angela Larkan, Richard Lerner
Journal of Youth Development
Developmentally nurturant relationships are fundamental to enabling children to thrive across contexts, including homes, schools, and communities. Such relationships are also a central feature of effective positive youth development (PYD) programming. As strengths-based PYD programs are increasingly being adopted in majority-world countries, a better understanding of how to foster and promote developmentally nurturant relationships is needed. As part of the Thanda Study of Character and Health, we interviewed 15 program practitioners about their understandings of and approaches to fostering developmentally nurturant relationships with children enrolled in Thanda programs in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Phenomenological analysis indicated that practitioners’ understanding of …
Leadership Revisited,
2026
American Dental Association
Leadership Revisited, Allen Vean Dmd
Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine
This Reflections examines the importance of communication, collaboration and human connection in dental practice management. Dr. Allen Vean draws parallels between healthcare teams and organizational leadership models, and discusses how trust, morale and team engagement directly impact patient care and practice culture. The article also explores the evolving role of AI and technology in dentistry while emphasizing that human interaction remains essential to long-term success. The author implores dentists to foster stronger team relationships to create patient-centered practice environments.
Understanding Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Disabilitiesto Improve Out-Of-School Programs,
2026
University of Florida
Understanding Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Disabilitiesto Improve Out-Of-School Programs, Vanessa Spero, David C. Diehl, John M. Diaz, Serap Gorucu
Journal of Youth Development
This study explores adolescents’ attitudes and perceptions toward individuals with disabilities in out-of-school time (OST) settings. Gaining insight into these attitudes can help inform future initiatives and interventions to develop programs that foster inclusion and greater participation of people with disabilities in OST programs. This study employed quantitative methods using the Brief Questionnaire for Adolescents on Attitudes Toward Persons with a Disability (CBAD-12A), developed by Álvarez-Delgado et al. (2020), to survey adolescents about their attitudes and perceptions toward individuals with disabilities. The results of the study revealed no statistically significant differences in attitudes toward individuals with disabilities based on whether …
The Heart Of Camp: Belonging, Relationships, And Growth Of Character And Skills,
2026
Foundation for Jewish Camp
The Heart Of Camp: Belonging, Relationships, And Growth Of Character And Skills, Alecia Moser, Nila Rosen, Maurice Elias, Sarah R. Sprayberry, Andrea Vest Ettekal
Journal of Youth Development
This study examined how campers’ experiences of belonging, counselor support, and new close friendships relate to life skill and character development in North American Jewish youth. Residential summer camps are relational settings that promote positive youth development. Although belonging and supportive relationships are theorized to drive such development, few studies have tested these camp features in current camper populations, and less is known about how friendship formation and perceptions of counselors distinctly interact with belonging to shape development. In this study, end-of-summer surveys were administered to middle- and high-school-aged campers at five Jewish residential summer camps. Measures included assessing belonging, …
4‑H Efforts Toward Demographic Representation, 1980–2025: A State‑Of‑The‑Art Review (Part 1),
2026
Virginia Tech
4‑H Efforts Toward Demographic Representation, 1980–2025: A State‑Of‑The‑Art Review (Part 1), Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Jeff Wayne Howard
Journal of Youth Development
This state-of-the-art review synthesizes 45 years of scholarship (1980–2025) to assess how effectively the 4-H program has worked to serve a demographically representative youth population. Drawing on academic and gray literature (n=99) sources, the review traces 4-H’s evolution from its segregated land grant origins to contemporary efforts focused on access, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It documents progress in culturally responsive programming and national diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) initiatives while highlighting persistent disparities in participation and benefit distribution. The review identifies effective strategies, enduring structural barriers, and areas where research and practice remain limited, offering a comprehensive foundation for understanding 4-H’s …
Negotiating Complementary Pathways In Europe: Faith-Based Actors And Humanitarian Corridors In Italy And Belgium, 2015-2017,
2026
University of Massachusetts Boston
Negotiating Complementary Pathways In Europe: Faith-Based Actors And Humanitarian Corridors In Italy And Belgium, 2015-2017, David J. Sulewski
Graduate Doctoral Dissertations
For decades, migration has ranked among the most pressing issues in European domestic and regional politics as the number of forcibly displaced persons seeking protection continues to rise. Complementary Pathways, developed as an alternative to the retrenchment of state-led refugee resettlement and restricted access to asylum, have gained increasing prominence in policy discourse and practice. Existing scholarship often explains their emergence through transnational policy transfer or government-led initiatives. Less attention, however, has been given to cases in which civil society actors initiate and negotiate such policies with the state. This dissertation examines the development of one such model—Humanitarian Corridors—focusing on …
Ethically Grounded Charismatic Leadership,
2026
Pepperdine University
Ethically Grounded Charismatic Leadership, Jiaxing Wu
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
Charisma has long been praised as one of the best features that a leader could have to not only successfully inspire their employees but also be able to transform an organization through a shared vision. Although it has been widely regarded as a favorable leadership quality, prior research has also not fully explored the ethical foundations that determine whether its influence produces beneficial or destructive outcomes. With that duality in mind, this paper aims to conduct a literature review to examine the potential ethical issues within charismatic leadership theory moderated by the effect of ethical leadership. Drawing from the existing …
Utilizing Research Narratives To Advance Systems Thinking In Doctoral Education,
2026
Pepperdine University
Utilizing Research Narratives To Advance Systems Thinking In Doctoral Education, Ryan Charles Weber, Kathleen Teresa Scott
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
This study examines how narrative storytelling functions as a pedagogical mechanism for advancing systems thinking in doctoral education. Drawing on a qualitative narrative synthesis of publicly available scholarly literature, the analysis explores how narrative practices support sensemaking, complexity integration, and collaborative learning among doctoral students. Grounded in Senge’s (2006) learning organization framework, the study investigates how storytelling contributes to the development of mental models, shared vision, personal mastery, and team learning in advanced academic contexts. Findings indicate that narrative engagement enhances cognitive integration, deepens understanding of systemic interdependence, and strengthens collaborative discourse among emerging scholars. The study extends leadership and …
Analyzing The Impact: Foster Grandparent Program,
2026
Pepperdine University
Analyzing The Impact: Foster Grandparent Program, Shanetta Weatherspoon, Miyue Chen, Monica Pereda
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is a multigenerational approach to community volunteerism. The study uses intergenerational solidarity to conceptualize the impact of the FGP. The study aims to examine the impact of two dimensions by analyzing data from the Assignment Assessment Forms and the New General Self-Efficacy Scale. Paired t-tests were conducted to determine whether there is a difference in the mentees’ behavior pre- and post-intervention over four years and by way of three priority areas. Results indicated that the FGP has an impact on both the mentees and volunteers. Findings suggest that the program’s activities are the vehicle for …
The Intersection Of Bias, Critical Thinking, & Innovation: A Quantitative Analysis,
2026
Pepperdine University
The Intersection Of Bias, Critical Thinking, & Innovation: A Quantitative Analysis, Jacob Sands, Angel Huerta
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
This study examines whether gender differences exist in critical thinking skills among elementary school students through a secondary quantitative analysis of an existing dataset (Putera, 2020). Using a sample of 25 students with complete data, the study employs linear regression and an independent samples t-test to evaluate the relationship between gender and critical thinking test scores. Results indicate that female students scored slightly higher on average than male students; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.634). Regression findings further confirm that gender is not a significant predictor of critical thinking performance. These findings align with existing literature …
Educate. Don’T Annihilate: A Narrative Inquiry Into Students With Dark Personality Traits Who Orchestrate Bullying Campaigns Against A Target Through Mob Formation,
2026
Pepperdine University
Educate. Don’T Annihilate: A Narrative Inquiry Into Students With Dark Personality Traits Who Orchestrate Bullying Campaigns Against A Target Through Mob Formation, Zoey Roosevelt
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
Less is understood about how peer relationships can escalate into coordinated exclusionary dynamics and sustained group-based targeting within student populations than about acceptance into a higher education program. Moreover, existing literature grounded in Social Identity Theory and Organizational Ostracism has primarily focused on workplace and organizational settings, leaving a gap in understanding these processes in higher education contexts. This study addresses that gap using Dark Personality Framework, Social Identity Theory, and Conflict Escalation Theory to explain how and why this phenomenon occurs. The study asks, “What happens when a higher education student with dark personality traits orchestrates a coordinated bullying …
Natural Resources Conflict In The Nile River Basin: Natural Resource Nationalism, Environmental Governance, And Transboundary Security.,
2026
Pepperdine University
Natural Resources Conflict In The Nile River Basin: Natural Resource Nationalism, Environmental Governance, And Transboundary Security., Reagan Ronald Okumu
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
This article used a qualitative literature-based transformation methodology to examine governance and leadership in the shared use of the transboundary water of the River Nile Basin. This is important because the basin is conflict-ridden yet yearns for development, driven by natural resource discoveries and the utilization of the River Nile. Appropriate governance and leadership, along with cooperation, are required for development to be achieved. The article examines the increased competition over the exploitation of natural resources, driven by development objectives, pressured by population growth, and fueled by the need for hydroelectric generation, oil and gas extraction, and mining by international …
Equity, Identity, And Representation In Community College Leadership,
2026
Pepperdine University
Equity, Identity, And Representation In Community College Leadership, Jacob Fry, Tashaka Merriweather, Jennifer Hoeger
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
Community colleges provide important access to higher education for many diverse student populations, yet aspiring leaders still face equity, representation, and structural barriers for women and underrepresented groups. Prior research highlights the persistence of gendered norms, gatekeeping practices, and underdeveloped leadership pipelines despite the increased attention to diversity within leadership in community colleges (Eddy & Khwaja, 2019; Hines, 2023; Burmicky & Hartman, 2023). This qualitative phenomenological study examines how leadership perceives the role of women and underrepresented groups in leadership. The study focused on the School of Continuing Education at Santa Ana College and involved semi-structured interviews with 11 leaders …
Leadership Practices And Subordinate Perceptions In Continuing Education: A Case Study At Santa Ana College,
2026
Pepperdine University
Leadership Practices And Subordinate Perceptions In Continuing Education: A Case Study At Santa Ana College, Jacob Fry, Jennifer Hoeger, Tashaka Merriweather
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
Community colleges play a critical role in expanding access to higher education and workforce development for diverse populations, yet traditional leader-centric models remain prevalent, despite growing calls for collaborative and distributed leadership approaches (Eddy et al., 2023; Fulton-Calkins & Milling, 2005). This qualitative phenomenological study explores leadership, styles, strategies, and perceptions of subordinates among continuing education leaders at a California community college. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 administrators, faculty, and classified professionals at Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic analysis approach. Findings identified four dominant leadership approaches: collaborative/participatory, …
When God Lifts The Veil: Transformational Leadership And Political Skills Model As Counters To Machiavellianism And Organizational Politics In The Los Angeles City Council,
2026
Pepperdine University
When God Lifts The Veil: Transformational Leadership And Political Skills Model As Counters To Machiavellianism And Organizational Politics In The Los Angeles City Council, John Sandy Campbell
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
This paper examines how Machiavellianism and Organizational Political Behavior contribute to destructive organizational politics and applies Transformational Leadership Theory and the Political Skill Model as countervailing frameworks to the Dark Triad. Grounded in leadership and organizational behavior research, this theory-based conceptual paper provides a theory-driven analysis that synthesizes established models to explore how power and unethical governance erode public trust. This paper examines the relationship between leadership behavior and power dynamics in a contemporary political context. Rather than relying on empirical data collection, it draws on Transformational Leadership Theory, the Political Skills Model, the Dark Triad, Organizational Politics, and Organizational …
The Efficacy Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy For Anorexia Nervosa In Adolescent Females: A Literature Review,
2026
Pepperdine University
The Efficacy Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy For Anorexia Nervosa In Adolescent Females: A Literature Review, Tyler L. Brink
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
Anorexia nervosa (AN) in adolescent females is associated with high mortality, significant relapse rates, and cognitive and emotional disturbances, suggesting that existing treatments may not sufficiently address core maintaining mechanisms. This literature review synthesizes current research examining the efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) for adolescent females with AN, with emphasis on neurobiological vulnerability, emotional dysregulation, and maladaptive overcontrol. Neuroimaging research indicates reductions in cortical thickness and gray matter in regions associated with self-referential processing and emotional regulation, while emerging evidence suggests structural plasticity following mindfulness-based interventions. Behavioral studies demonstrate that emotional dysregulation …
Ministry Leaders Applying Psychological Theories To Overcome Apathy: A Case Study,
2026
Pepperdine University
Ministry Leaders Applying Psychological Theories To Overcome Apathy: A Case Study, Glen A. Bowman
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
This case study examines the persistent challenge of congregational apathy and the efficacy of integrating psychological motivational theories to revitalize a stagnant church culture. The research focuses on a congregation in California’s Central Valley characterized by a "lukewarm" spiritual atmosphere in much of its leadership and membership. The case study follows a newly appointed minister—representing a different age bracket and cultural background—as he navigates the resistance of an entrenched, change-averse leadership team. The researcher evaluated the practical application of three psychological frameworks to combat complacency and found that the Action-Trait Theory proved itself as the most successful method. The theory …
Leadership Experiences Of Gender-Diverse Managers In U.S. Libraries And Museums,
2026
James Madison University
Leadership Experiences Of Gender-Diverse Managers In U.S. Libraries And Museums, Galen Jay Talis
Faculty Scholarship
This article explores how gender-diverse managers in U.S. libraries and museums experience leadership and perceive gender to influence leadership. In-depth interviews were conducted with five gender-diverse managers. Data were analyzed with inductive, semantic thematic analysis and a complementary, deductive analysis using Wharton’s multilevel gender framework. Participants described relational, pragmatic, point-person leadership—connecting and supporting people, coordinating work, and translating between units—while expressing ambivalence about formal and hierarchical roles. Most did not initially link leadership to gender; when prompted, they articulated gender’s influence at individual, interactional, and institutional levels. Gender discrimination and transphobia persist even in woman-dominated contexts, shaping decisions about visibility, …
American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, And The Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union: An Anthology,
2026
Tobin College of Business, St. John’s University, New York City, USA
American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, And The Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union: An Anthology, Jay Nathan
Journal of Global Awareness
No abstract provided.
