The three articles included in this dissertation are connected through theory and practice. Study one identifies the factors influencing Extension agents' participation in supplemental professional development opportunities using Ajzen's (1985) theory of planned behavior. Study two was a systematic investigation of Extension personnel's…

Although there is a research base for incorporating movement into teaching and classroom lessons, there currently is a lack of research on incorporating movement into school counseling practices. The present mixed methods exploratory study aimed to identify school counselor attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding the use of movement in…

This doctoral dissertation was a study that assessed the impacts of a student-driven student voice and student leadership program in a secondary public school in a rural district in Maine. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, this study gathered evidence of the impacts of the Student Summit Leadership Program (SSLP) on…

Summer camps in the United States operate in different contexts and formats to attract and serve youth with varying backgrounds. Overall, they currently serve more White, able-bodied, middle- to upper-class youth than youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, youth with differing physical abilities, and other diverse identities (American Camp Association,…

Over the past 10-15 years, the Volunteer Program at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County has undergone an immense transition. This program overhaul tackled historical methodology that had been creating barriers to participation, addressed the changing needs of modern volunteer audiences, and worked to highlight access and inclusion in…

As organizations' reliance on data increases, the prevalence of data analytics programs in universities likewise increases. However, despite this specialized education, scholars still report a gap between the knowledge and skills students graduate with and those required by industry upon beginning work as an entry-level data analyst. We draw on…

Compared to advising on college campuses, advising students in a national nonprofit organization presents distinct and understudied challenges that require targeted approaches. This action research qualitative study was conducted to address the need for regional-level advisors volunteering in the National Association of College and University…

Background: Families entrust their children to school staff with the expectation that they will keep their children healthy and safe for an average of seven hours a day. The reality is, medical emergencies due to trauma or illness, can occur at any time, whether it involves an adult or a student. From individual medical events to mass illness or…

Despite its presence on many colleges and universities and substantial financial investment in higher education, very little research has explored whether and how participation in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) shapes college students' experiences and development. Using data from interviews with 20 cadets in one U.S. Army ROTC…

This book redefines leadership in early childhood education (ECE), offering fresh theoretical insights and practical approaches. Delving into the challenges of the workforce in the ECE sector, this book unravels the narrative of leadership development. It underscores the importance of leadership practices in maintaining process quality within ECE,…

Background: Flourishing in the highly competitive world of academia poses challenges for all faculty members, especially for those with disabilities. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of faculty with disabilities in rehabilitation counseling education (RCE). Methods: The participants were five faculty members in a…

LifeSkills Training is the only program to prevent substance use disorder among adolescents that has evidence of effects on substance use outcomes from multiple randomized controlled trials. Evaluations have shown that the version for middle school students reduces their use of substances in high school, but these studies were conducted in the…

Organizations interested in raising their performance and results spend large sums of money on training their employees, but unless the resultant learning is transferred to the work situation that investment will not yield a return. This study's initial premise is that national cultures may play a part in the transfer process. The study's purpose…

In an uncertain labour market, the questions around the employability of graduate students take on a new urgency. Fears about the graduate market in the coming years are acute and are compounded by a sense that there is a large disconnect between a university education and what is expected in the workplace. Australian labour market trends clearly…

A training package for the Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success (COMPASS), a multilevel consultation and coaching intervention for improved educational outcomes of students with autism, was developed and evaluated. Using a Hybrid Type 3 design with emphasis on implementation and a multidimensional approach to evaluating…