Research shows that adjunct faculty do not receive the same types of orientation and professional development that is given to full-time faculty. Research has also shown that adjunct faculty satisfaction can be improved by allowing them to be included in the same programs that are given to full-time faculty. This study surveyed full-time and…

This qualitative case study focused on the impact of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity member-development program enabling socially responsible leadership in its members. The aim of this study was to analyze the current SAE member-development program to provide recommendations for enhancement that instill and reinforce socially responsible…

Catholic schools play an important role in the United States' educational landscape, forwarding a model of excellence in education, providing school choice, lowering overall public education costs, and central to their mission, serving as a ministry of the Catholic Church. However, Catholic schools face historically unprecedented challenges, and…

While by and large urban public schools continue to not serve the needs of all of the students in their communities, there are some school principals who are creating educational equity for all of their students and deserve to be called social justice leaders. This study aimed to expand the field of school leadership studies and focus on social…

The academic department chairperson continues to face significant challenges in the administration of the contemporary university. Due to retrenchment resultant from the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), higher education has already faced significant financial cutbacks, and more reductions seem inevitable. Particularly susceptible are…

The purpose of this study was to examine institution-based leadership development programs in rural community colleges in Illinois, and the impact of these programs in supporting and preparing future community college leaders. The study also explored the efficacy of these programs and whether their implementation aligns with the institutions'…

State support for colleges and universities has been in decline since the 1970s. Institutions of higher learning have been forced to rely increasingly on private gifts to balance their budgets. The private gifts are managed by each school's foundation, a separate non-profit entity that exists to raise money for its respective institution. The…

The present research was designed to address principals' perceptions of meeting vision and collaboration standards in alternative schools. A multiple case study was used to accomplish the goals of this study. The objective and questions of this research pertains to school leaders' behavior, knowledge, and performance within the context of a school…

This report describes a problem based learning project focusing on the cultural elements of a high performing school district. Current literature on school district culture provides numerous cultural elements that are present in high performing school districts. With the current climate in education placing pressure on school districts to perform…

This dissertation investigates Vermont principals' perceptions of leadership attributes linked to the role of the principal. It is guided by four research questions: (1) are there any clusters of participants who sorted the principal leadership attribute items similarly and differently; (2) how are the principal leadership attribute items within…

The aim of this dissertation project was to explore and extrapolate the work of the left-libertarian social theorist, Murray Bookchin (1921-2006), paying particular attention to his theory of social ecology and to examine its implications for and use as a comprehensive philosophical/theoretical framework for alternative secondary education that…

The purpose of this case study was to develop an understanding of the elementary principal's perceived role in creating and sustaining a collaborative workplace environment within their school. Collaboration among education professionals, when used effectively, is one strategy that has demonstrated improvement of instruction and student learning.…

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation of 2001 increased the stakes for all schools to increase student achievement by mandating all students meet or exceed state standards by 2014. A small rural school responded 5 years ago to their failure to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) by implementing professional learning communities (PLC) as a…

The study examined the transformation of Mercer University from a small liberal arts school into a comprehensive institution. The purpose of the study was to explore the historical transformation of Mercer University and the role of leadership throughout the process. The qualitative study was a historical case study of Mercer University based on…

In response to significant changes in the global economic, social, and cultural context over the past decade, the teaching, research, and public service missions of public universities and colleges are being reshaped significantly. Faculty professional development programs are a vital but under-examined resource for institutional and academic…