The rapid spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in March 2020 had a profound impact on global kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) education, causing significant disruption to the learning environment and compelling many education leaders to immediately embrace emergency remote learning measures. There was a gap in knowledge of education leaders'…

Faculty and staff working from home during the COVID pandemic were presented with new challenges in adapting to emergency remote teaching, as well as new and expanded cyber security threats. Changes to course delivery, remote access from public locations, and the potential of faculty and staff storing confidential educational records on…

Background: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine for healthcare delivery was uncommon. Medicare restricted routine fee-for-service reimbursements for rural patients, with payments made under restricted circumstances. In response to the pandemic, the Department of HHS amended the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental…

The purpose of this study is to examine whether university leaders employed effective and appropriate crisis communication strategies via internal communication channels and systems with university faculty, staff, and students in Southern California during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 crisis. This study reviews (from the perspectives of university…

The increasing complexity of modern power systems, coupled with the integration of diverse rapidly evolving technologies involving physical systems requiring cybersecurity, has presented significant challenges for engineers in the field and researchers in laboratory facilities. This research and dissertation presents the development of a…

Rapid technological advancements have fueled the need for the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education systems worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on education prompted a shift towards remote distance learning, exposing significant vulnerabilities within the system while creating a digital divide. This…

This dissertation used three independent studies to evaluate learning adaptations, techniques, and tools in response to COVID-19. Study 1 provides a personal narrative about COVID-10 and school closures. The first-hand reflection explores technologies used for remote education and how the technologies can improve learning experiences. Study 2 is a…

The attrition of working mothers in technology workplaces is a pressing issue that demands attention from IT, HR, and D&I leaders who strive to forge inclusive environments within predominantly male industries. Through this study, I illuminated the multifaceted challenges these working mothers faced within the technology sector, exploring…

This qualitative case study investigated the challenges Information Technology (IT) professionals faced in Higher Education Organizations (HEOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought unforeseen challenges and technological disruptions to HEOs, significantly impacting IT professionals. The study aimed to deepen the understanding of…

The COVID-19 pandemic forced educators to adapt to remote and hybrid learning environments, resulting in an unprecedented increase in the use of digital resources in secondary mathematics classrooms. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the use of digital resources in secondary mathematics classrooms, and to…

COVID-19 created a support problem for public universities across the United States and required that IT departments and professionals alter how they performed in 2020, and perhaps beyond. IT professionals tasked with safeguarding large amounts of data were required to shift to a teleworking posture to continue offering a similar level of service…

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of using information and communication technology (ICT) in the Black worship experience for recruiting and retaining young adults in relation to church services, engagement (defined in this study as communication, community outreach, social activism and collaboration, and support services), and…

The purpose of this study was to examine the digital literacy of Gen Z employees in higher education and provide implications for HRD research and practice and contribute to the HRD literature on Gen Z employees in the 21st century workforce. Three research questions guided my study: How do Gen Z employees in higher education experience digital…

While online information is abundant and easily accessible, its quality varies widely. Fact-checkers evaluate online information by reading laterally, i.e., opening a new browser tab to research sources and verify claims. This dissertation consisted of three studies that used course outcomes assessment data to examine the impact of a lateral…

Black collegians who attend historically white institutions continue to struggle with racism, microaggressions, feelings of alienation, minimal or improper advising, and an undue pressure to prove themselves (Bonner, 2010; Feagin & Sikes, 1995; Strayhorn, 2010). These barriers to success result in part due to a lack of support from the…