Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Educational Leadership / W. Franklin Spikes / Eduard Lindeman (1926) stated, “the approach to adult education will be via the route of situations” (p. 8, emphasis in original). Training professionals often face situations that require them to develop and present training programs on subjects for which they have limited or no previous content expertise. This occurs even though the literature stresses the need for trainers to be experts or masters on the material they present (Bernthal et al., 2004; Brookfield, 1990; Draves, 1984, 2000; Galbraith, 1990; Houle, 1984; Long, 2002; McArdle, 1993; McCain, 1999; Slusarski, 1994; Symonds, 1968; Wlodkowski, 1999). Although there is considerable literature on the roles and responsibilities of trainers (McLagan & Suhadolnik, 1989; Nadler & Nadler, 1989), self-directed learning (Candy, 1991; Knowles, 1975; Tough, 1979), and developing training programs (Caffarella, 2002; Long, 1983; McCain, 1999), very little links these areas with the knowledge acquisition process trainers use. This dissertation describes the phenomenological inquiry into the nature of the process trainers use to acquire the knowledge necessary to develop and present training programs for which they have little or no previous content expertise. The population was selected because of the researcher’s background in training and adult education. Criterion, snowball, convenience, and maximum variation purposeful sampling techniques were used to identify trainers who met the criterion of the study. Potential participants were contacted by the researcher and asked to participate in the study. Data was collected via semistructured interviews until thematic saturation was reached. Constant comparison was used to analyze the transcripts of the interviews. Twenty-six common themes were identified during the study and were categorized into six different categories. The six categories are self-directed learning, the training and development process becomes part of the trainer’s life, the needs assessment is part of knowledge acquisition, knowledge acquisition is a continuous part of the trainer’s life, understanding the importance of adult learning principles, and reflection. The results of this study have implications for the adult education, self-directed learning, program planning, human resource development, and training literature.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Adult and Continuing Education / Jacqueline D. Spears / This study focused on the professional development experiences of teachers in the Altai Republic, Russian Federation. Russia is a country in flux, transitioning from a totalitarian state into a democracy reflective of its unique ethnic composition, geographic context, and history. The Russian educational system is currently undergoing computerization and teachers are learning to integrate educational technology into classroom practice. In this setting, teachers are beginning to learn how to integrate educational technologies into their classroom practices. This qualitative study explored the potential for transformative learning associated with this type of learning and experience. Transformative learning theory (TLT) was used to explore if and how the world views and perspectives of teachers is changing with respect to their educational philosophies and classroom practice. The study utilized multiple sources of evidence (interviews with program and school administrators, school teachers, observation) and multiple units of analysis (federal/republic levels of training and support, school level training and support, informal experiences, teachers, administrators). Findings indicated that the methods used to train teachers have a high likelihood of being facilitative of transformative learning. It also found that teachers are beginning to think and act in new ways based on their experiences with educational technology. Teachers are also collaborating in this learning process, which provides an important support for continued learning and growth. Findings also indicate that TLT is a useful framework for exploring transformative learning in this setting and helped to uncover the elements of transformative learning which are culturally determined. Further research is needed to further our understanding of how transformation occurs and is experienced in this setting. Collaboration with local experts and researchers is necessary to uncover the cultural differences related to perspective change. Many future pathways are available for continuing to explore transformative learning in this context. They include continued work with teachers, a general exploration of transformative learning, and work with university students.

Master of Science / Department of Educational Leadership / Sarah Jane Fishback / This study was influenced by the desire to better understand the factors that influence the salary County Extension Agents in Kansas who are employed by K-State Research and Extension. The purpose of the study was to determine factors or the correlation among factors that influence salary compensation. Information was retrieved regarding the 241 County Extension Agents employed in Kansas. Demographic data was compiled on the Extension Agents as well as the ten factors that could influence their salary compensation. The factors are as follows: 1. area within the state; 2. county population; 3. number of agents in the county; 4. director responsibilities; 5. gender; 6. months of Extension employment; 7. years of equivalent service outside of Kansas Extension; 8. change of county employment within Kansas Extension; 9. position type; and 10. level of education. Variable selection through backward elimination was performed identifying area, population, the number of Extension Agents in a county/district, whether the Extension Agent was a director, previous years of experience in an equivalent position outside of K-State Research and Extension, whether an Extension Agent was employed by K-State Research and Extension prior to their current position, months of experience in their current position with K-State Research and Extension, and whether an Extension Agent has a Master's degree and if that Master's degree was obtained prior to the start of their current position to be the most significant influences on salary. Multiple regressions of the data were then performed to determine the significant relationships among certain variables. The population-position-gender correlation was found to be significant as well as the correlation among position types and genders. Recommendations for further research were given including studying the affect of performance evaluations and cost of living on salary compensation. In addition, recommendations for further practices include an annual review of the salary gap among position types and gender to ensure equity of salary compensation. Furthermore, recommendations were given regarding the dispersion of the level of education and timeliness of completing a Master's degree salary compensation data.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Brian P. Niehoff / The purpose of this thesis was to provide recommendations for improving the existing Farm Credit of the Virginia's, ACA (FCV) "Training of Today’s/Tomorrow's Association Leaders" (TOTAL) leadership development program. In the wake of pending retirements and increased competition for experienced and talented leaders, FCV has developed the TOTAL leadership development program. TOTAL is a competency based program designed to enhance the interpersonal skills of high potential leaders. An extensive literature review was performed to identify leadership development best practices. The best practices identified were as follows: having an organizational culture of leadership development, leaders developing leaders, 360-degree feedback, coaching and mentoring, and job assignments and action learning. An analysis of the existing TOTAL program yielded the identification of strengths, opportunities, and challenges. Finally, recommendations for improving the effectiveness of TOTAL were provided.

The relationship of culture and healthcare plays an important role in the success of health care access for everyone. In recent decades, the United States has opened its door to welcome not only refugees and immigrants from Europe, but also from other countries all over the world. Coming to the United States, these ethnic groups must overcome many problems to adjust to the American healthcare system. Meanwhile, American health providers not only misunderstand their refugees and immigrant clients' culture, but also want them to conform to the requirement of purely biomedical treatment. The result is that access to healthcare for immigrant groups in the United States is likely to be difficult because of significant cultural differences between the clients and healthcare provider. This research used in depth-interviews, participant observations, and a case study to explore the interaction between culture and healthcare for Vietnamese refugee and immigrant adults and elderly living in the Greater Springfield, Massachusetts area; the level of their involvement in the American healthcare and in traditional healthcare; the extent of integration of American healthcare and traditional healthcare; the obstacles they face in accessing and using American healthcare; and the importance of health education in successful healthcare access. Theories of acculturation, such as Models of Acculturation (Padilla, 1980) and Health Care System Model (Kleinman, 1978a) were used to process the study data to determine the extent of the influence of culture on the effectiveness of healthcare. Finally, based on data analysis, I explain how Vietnamese refugee and immigrant adults and elderly acculturate to the American healthcare system, and make recommendations for improving healthcare for them, as well as for other ethnic groups throughout America.

No description available.

Middle America is dying. The United Nations reports the average number of deaths per 1,00 population in the U.S. has steadily increased an average of 1.2 per 1,000 persons annually since 2015. Existing research offer conflicting theories regarding the factors influencing the phenomenon. the purpose of this study was to examine reliable and valid secondary data to determine if statistical evidence exists to support the prevailing theories. Statistical evidence was observed that suggests the crude death rates among U.S. non-Hispanic white (NHWs) populations was significantly higher than other U.S. population segments between 2015 and 2018. Statistical evidence was also observed that suggests U.S. NHWs sought ambulatory services for alcohol and drug use self-injuries at higher rates than other U.S. population segments. However, the evidence suggest that U.S. NHWs are not more likely to experience earlier than expected deaths from excessive alcohol or drug use than other U.S. population segments. The study's implications are that U.S. policy makers should consider long-term economic development and sustainability strategies focused on the promotion of higher education as a deterrent to self-harm among U.S. residents without college degrees or skills certifications. The study recommends future large-scale quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-use studies that examine the micro, meso, and macro factors influencing higher than expected morality rates among U.S. residents.

The purpose of this convergent mixed method study was to determine whether or not there is a difference in the perceived and actual financial literacy scores of millennials. Exploring the following research questions and hypotheses helped to expand knowledge around actual financial literacy and several other characteristics, including perceived financial literacy, especially among millennials (individuals born between 1981 and 1996): RQ1: What is the difference between millennials' actual and perceived financial literacy scores? RQ2: To what extent do socioeconomic status, gender, and having a bank account predict millennials' financial literacy scores? H0: There is no relationship between millennials' socioeconomic status, gender, banking status and their financial literacy scores. RQ3: What video delivery methods (if any) are millennials using to gain financial literacy knowledge in informal learning environments? Millennial participants (N = 207) were asked to complete a survey. Participants' perceived financial literacy scores were higher than their actual financial literacy scores. While males had higher perceived financial literacy ratings, females accounted for the majority of participants who scored four or above on a 5-point scale for actual financial literacy. Although, the null hypothesis was incorrect, the independent variables used in the ANOVA tables accounted for less than 15% of financial literacy scores. One hundred twenty-one millennials (58.5%) reported viewing a financial video versus 86 (41.5%) who reported not viewing financial videos. Eighty-one percent of participants reported watching financial videos at their homes. To create a lasting impact that can progress financial literacy and informal learning, more knowledge is needed.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Educational Leadership / Charles R. Oaklief / This ex post facto research was conducted using parametric and non-parametric analysis to determine if the mass retirement of community college presidents between 2001 and 2007 had precipitated a diminution in educational qualifications, a reduction in pre-presidential community college experience, or a change in presidential career paths of first time community college presidents by era (before and after 2001). Seven hundred eighty-five currently serving presidents of comprehensive community colleges were surveyed. The overall return rate of the survey was 53.25%: the useable return rate was 49.30%. Parametric (independent samples t-test) and non-parametric (Mann-Whitney and chi square) tests were used to determine if there were significant differences in educational qualifications, pre-presidential community college experience, and presidential career paths of first time community college presidents by era (before and after 2001). The study found: - A diminution of the educational qualifications after 2001 with fewer presidents holding doctorates at the time of their first presidential appointments compared to presidents appointed before 2001; - A significant increase in pre-presidential community college experience of presidents appointed after 2001 at the time of their first presidential appointments compared to presidents appointed before 2001; - A significant difference in presidential career paths by era. Specifically, presidents appointed after 2001 were significantly less likely to have entered the community college system from K12 or from non-educational management positions. Presidents appointed after 2001 were also significantly less likely to have served as a community college Chief Academic Officer and significantly more likely to have served as a community college Primary Academic Officer, Chief Students Affairs Officer, or Vice President.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Educational Leadership / W. Franklin Spikes / The United States (U.S.) response to events in Africa in the 1990s—warlords in Somalia, the genocide in Rwanda, the crisis in Burundi, and the destruction of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania—was the development of the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) followed by the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. This study examined the impact of the command and staff operational skills portion of the ACOTA program to determine how well it prepared Ghanaian commanders and staff officers to conduct peace support operations under the auspices of a legitimate mandate. The importance of this program was revealed in its wide acceptance by the African leaders of 24 participating nations, by its ongoing support by the U.S. State Department, and by the budgetary increases it has received from the U.S. Congress over the years. This case study used qualitative methods to capture and analyze the self-reported perceptions of the course participants. Findings discovered that the students perceived the program as effective; team building was a perceived strength; U.S.-Ghanaian cultural differences were not perceived as effecting training; the teaching methodology instilled confidence to perform the mission; and course reference material, books, and CD-ROMs were valued. Results also showed that the time allowed for the course was insufficient; contingency training did not familiarize students with their mission area; students required timely notification to attend the course in order to properly prepare; and the course benefited the junior officers more than the senior officers.