The prospect of a college degree can be daunting to many. Even more so for many that lack financial security or emotional support from friends or family. First-generation students can feel this as well with no experiences to refer to, like an older sibling or parent that have been through this situation. Although I personally have not been…

The purpose of this dissertation was to experiment with qualitative research methodologies while exploring the complexities of doctoral education, research practices, philosophies of inquiry, and other topics intersecting with(in) educational scholarship. My vision for this work was fueled by postmodernist critiques of humanist education,…

This research study was designed to determine success factors for Black female executive leaders in the role of president in public colleges and universities instead of focusing on a plethora of barriers historically and systematically encountered. Critical questions about intersections, leadership, and career pathways for the Black female…

Developing professional identity is an important process that all students of medicine undergo as they begin their transformation from layperson to practitioner. Physician assistant (PA) students undergo this transformation, however little is known about their experience, especially within the didactic phase of their education. This qualitative…

Institutions of higher education have faced many challenges over the last few decades. Though many large institutions have the resources needed to respond to these challenges, small institutions have had to be innovative in the ways in which they are adapting. There are similarities between the external challenges that institutions face today and…

Service blueprinting offers a method for analyzing and improving service experiences. This service design technique is commonly used in many service industries, but research exploring its application within a higher education context is very limited. The purpose of this case study was to describe the use and effects of extensive service…

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to explore the strategies needed to increase student retention rates and decrease dropout rates in a higher education organization. The problem addressed in the study was the lack of strategies that managers use to increase retention rates and decrease dropout rates in a higher education…

Institution-specific music is any song or piece of music which is performed by a college or university ensemble such as a marching band, basketball pep band, orchestra, or choir and conveys college/university traditions, arouses enthusiasm and emotions, inspires school spirit, and promotes unity within the college community (Studwell, 1995;…

African American women have been silhouetted. They have been reduced to a one dimensional version of themselves and defined by societies White-male hegemonic background. Currently, limited research exists on the experiences of African American (AA) women graduate students from an Afrocentric perspective. Despite the increase enrollment of AA women…

Intercollegiate athletics programs have become a signature brand for many colleges and universities and have become a prominent revenue builder for many institutions. The problem addressed in this qualitative multiple case study was the lack of understanding of perceptions of current and former student-athletes regarding actions that college…

Intercollegiate athletics is a major segment of numerous college and university communities across America today. Student-athletes participate in strenuous training and competition throughout their college years while managing to balance the rigorous academic curriculum of the higher education environment. This research aims to explore the…

Although rare when compared to other crimes or disasters that occur on college or university campuses, active shootings still affect educational institutions. These campus shootings are also heavily publicized in the media; therefore, everyone can see the damage these tragedies cause. However, while various strategies and plans exist to help in…

Strong faculty members, at any institution of higher education, are important because while educating the student body they represent institutional values and program goals in a diverse teaching and learning environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the areas of need for faculty development based on a secondary analysis of student…

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development conducted a comprehensive needs assessment of the professional development system of Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Agents. A qualitative research design was used to give nine 4-H Agents the opportunity to identify the strengths and challenges of the current…

For decades the City University of New York has served as a model for public higher education in the United States. Since 1969, CUNY has attempted to construct policies that support the postsecondary ambitions of New York's underrepresented students. The era of Open Admissions that ushered in the 1970s remains one of the greatest social…