Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 336-365).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 293-302). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-130). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-130). Also available on the Internet.

Children in America’s foster care system represent one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations of students. The life outcomes of these children can be tragic, with disproportionate numbers experiencing prison, homelessness, non-marital parenthood, and other poor life outcomes. Many of these children have suffered trauma before and after they were placed in care, and many have special medical, emotional, and social needs. Of all the difficulties that foster children experience, however, low academic achievement may have the most detrimental consequences for their futures. The purpose of this study is to explore the commonalities of the 2-3% of former foster children who graduate from college despite the odds against them. By delving into the experiences of this population, this study hopes to contribute to the research by improving our understanding of academically successful foster care alumni, particularly by studying the social and educational support systems that abetted the success. Because a majority of foster care alumni remain on some form of public assistance throughout the course of their lives, any reduction of that number would be a step in the right direction. By studying the tiny minority that successfully graduates from college, we can gain insight into how this group managed to overcome the barriers that prevented the other 97% of this group from graduating from college. The findings could have implications ranging from K-12 educational support systems in and out of schools, higher education policy decisions, and foster care program design. / text

<p> This study explored and sought to understand the factors that lead to students&rsquo; spiritual development at a secular institution. I focused on examining the perceptions of the students in determining the factors that facilitated individual spiritual growth. The rationale behind conducting this research was that colleges and universities desire for students to have a transformative and holistic experience. Knowing the factors that facilitate growth might enable university officials to intentionally create environments that stimulate growth for all students. Using a qualitative research design, I utilized methods for establishing a grounded theory because I sought to explain how students use their social, spiritual, and emotional experiences to impact their spiritual development. I interviewed 18 upper-division, Christian students of two regional secular state-assisted universities. All interviewed students were involved with local chapters of the nationally established parachurch college student organization. The data displayed a distinct difference between the first year of a student&rsquo;s academic career and subsequent years. The students detailed the first year being a time of confusion and turmoil while the upper-division years were calmer for them a period in which context is important during a time of disruption. Choices consisted of the themes of involvement and authenticity, or aligning behaviors, because of opportunities for reflection. Finally, the change category provided rich data about triggers or internal dialogue that followed from students&rsquo; experiences with disruptions to their routine thinking. Relationships, mentoring, or reading created disruptions in routine thinking. The data suggested that for students to experience growth in their spiritual identity, they must undergo a trigger that disrupts their normal thinking patterns. The reflective disruption model emerged from the vertical structure that was built from the bottom to the top with the themes of context, choice, and change. The four areas comprising the matrix&rsquo;s four concept horizontal matrix are relationships, authenticity, involvement, and spiritual actions. The reflective disruption model provides a foundation upon which future research may be built.</p>

<p> This study evaluated the impact of predictor variables on certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree completion for first-time community college students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees.</p><p> Using binary logistic regression, this study applied Crisp and Nora's theoretical model of persistence and transfer to first-time community college STEM students. The study used binary logistic regression to assess whether demographic variables, pre-collegiate variables, environmental pull factors, and academic experiences significantly predicted whether first-time STEM students completed a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree within six-years of entering a community college. Four out of the 19 variables under this study, significantly predicted certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree completion for first-time community college STEM students.</p><p> The findings from this study indicated that gender, ethnicity, enrollment into high school calculus, and STEM GPA during college significantly predicted certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree completion for first-time community college STEM students. Further, the findings suggest that female STEM students were more likely than males to complete a certificate or degree; Hispanic students were as likely to complete a degree as White students, but their enrollment numbers in STEM fields of study were much lower. Conversely, Black/African American students were less likely to complete a certificate or degree than their White counterparts. Additionally, students with higher STEM GPAs and students who completed calculus during high school were more likely to complete a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree. Finally, enrollment in basic skills courses was not statistically significant in predicting certificate or degree completion.</p><p> The findings associated with the present study indicate academic differences between the general community college student population and the community college STEM student population. As a result, the findings of this study have implications for policy and practice in STEM programs throughout community colleges nationwide.</p>

<p> Doctoral Programs in Educational Organizational Leadership have evolved significantly over time. In the last few decades, some programs have adopted blended or hybrid instructional formats for learning and have begun employing cohorts led by cohort mentors. However, in southern California, a web search identified only four doctoral programs in educational organizational leadership that offer a hybrid model and doctoral cohorts led by cohort mentors. Therefore, the purpose of this ethnographic case study was to examine, understand, and describe the best practices that university cohort mentors employ to support the transformational leadership development of doctoral students at Brandman University. Through methodology that included interviews with cohort mentors, mentee interviews, observations of mentors in cohort meetings, and interviews with university personnel, this study was designed to answer the question: What best practices do cohort mentors in the Brandman University doctoral program employ to support the transformational leadership development of doctoral students? The results of this study identified eight major themes: (a) Builds trust through congruency of character, integrity and transparency; (b) Builds a culture of open and honest two-way communication; (c) Challenges students to be creative, innovative and connect theory with real world application; (d) Demonstrate emotional intelligence and support its development in students; (e) Establishes high expectations for self and others and acts as a role model; (f) Fosters a culture of political intelligence, problem solving and decision-making; (g) Nourishes a safe and supportive climate of collaboration and team building; (h) Supports students to envision, anticipate and plan for the future. These findings have important implications for the effective design of future doctoral programs that integrate the cohort mentor model. The results serve to inform researchers and practitioners of higher education and leadership development programs regarding the cohort mentor best practices identified by doctoral mentors and students.</p>

No description available.

<p> Although it is assumed that students who study abroad will return with improved oral proficiency, a review of research findings revealed that oral gains are not guaranteed for all. The literature review addressed the need to investigate the quality of study abroad (SA) programs as it relates to fostering students&rsquo; oral proficiency. This study investigated the ways in which an SA program in Ecuador fostered undergraduate students&rsquo; oral proficiency through interviews and documentary research. Data analysis of interviews with the program&rsquo;s staff and documents revealed that the program facilitated oral proficiency through Spanish classes, the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)-preparation class, native speaker interaction, intentionality, and outings. A survey capturing students&rsquo; perceptions of the program indicated that students found the OPI-preparation class to be the most helpful and outings to be the least helpful in their oral proficiency development. Overall, students reported that they found the program to be quite effective in helping them improve orally and that they were satisfied with their progress. Finally, a comparison of pre- and post-OPIc results revealed that all students had gained one proficiency level at the conclusion of the program. The present study provides implications for SA programs and higher education institutions for assisting students with their oral proficiency development while abroad. It also gives recommendations for future research of proficiency-based SA programs.</p>