This study explored the math course taking patterns of Nebraska's secondary students from 2014-2020 using statewide data. Three course taking patterns were identified and examined. There are nuanced differences through these pathways based and race and gender. Student success through the pathways is dependent on course placement in the first year…

Titled professorships have existed within higher education since the creation of the first endowed professorship at Harvard College in 1721. Yet, only in the last one hundred years have titled professorships become a regular part of higher education nomenclature on a national scale. Neither the total number of titled professorships nor the total…

This study reviews if the glass cliff phenomenon is occurring in U.S. higher education presidential hires. This topic is essential to review as U.S. higher education institutions are primarily presided over by male presidents. Female presidents do exist, but more often at more risky institutions. One reason for the lack of equity may be the glass…

There is, a significant gender representation gap in higher education. Along similar lines are the aspect of hiring faculty that identify as female within an ethic minority group, despite the noted benefits of hiring a diverse faculty. Unfortunately, many studies on minority hiring do not differentiate between the two genders, as a result there is…

First-generation college students (i.e., those whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree or higher), enter college without the same resources, skills, and knowledge as their non-first-generation counterparts which may lead to disadvantage regarding their chosen field of study in college (Prospero and Vohra-Gupta 2007; Roksa and Levey 2010;…

This study explored the relationship between middle school and high school math course-taking patterns in Nebraska using statewide reported course-taking data from 2009 to 2021. Course-taking trajectories were evident starting in middle school and were then studied by considering school-level variables and student-level demographic variables.…

Increasing the racial and gender diversity of the teacher and school leader workforce in public schools has been the focus of policy efforts in dozens of states. Using administrative longitudinal data for all Texas public schools over a 20-year period, this dissertation consists of three chapters examining the role of relational demography and…

One of the earliest indications that a student may be interested in STEM paths is the students' own self-efficacy for science as well as how they may see themselves in a STEM career as part of their science self-identity (Schlegel et al., 2019). Currently, there is a need to contribute to research that can assist agencies such as the National…

This study examines the impact of high school academic indicators and participation in the federally funded Upward Bound program on college graduation rates for first-generation, low-income students. Specifically the extent to which participation in the federally funded TRIO Upward Bound program and related factors--high school GPA, course rigor,…

Nearly two thirds of students are not ready for college level work in mathematics as evidenced by the inability to succeed on standardized math placement tests. Unfortunately, this necessitates developmental coursework, which is not credit bearing, and ultimately makes these students significantly less likely to earn a college degree. This study…

Higher education research supports that diverse faculty reflecting the students' ethnic and gender diversity is best practice to facilitate students of color academic success. Yet regrettably the underrepresentation of faculty of color in higher education is a historic and ongoing problem. Further, may scholars point to college senior leaders as…

Student satisfaction is an important factor when analyzing online courses. Research has shown that student interactions in online courses are linked to overall satisfaction and success in their courses. However, student satisfaction in online courses at HBCUs has not been evaluated in great detail in relation to interactions. The researcher in…

The study was designed to provide key factors that impact male reading gaps in relation to females using a quantitative approach. K-5 teachers and reading specialists were given a survey on reading and how it pertains to males and reading. The surveys consisted of the importance of reading, reading efficacy, reading avoidance, reading challenges,…

My dissertation "Choice and Inequality in Higher Education" describes the way seemingly benign choices predict course and campus experiences and can perpetuate inequality. I draw on literatures of capital, habitus, identity development, and gender status beliefs and contribute to literature on stratification and sociology of education. I…

There continues to be a discrepancy in the number of females occupying the superintendent position in the United States. In Illinois, 24% of superintendents are female while 75% educators are female. This study examined the perceived barriers of aspiring superintendents in achieving the top position in education as well as the differences between…