The research addresses how post-secondary education can enhance Black student participation in STEM fields, which historically lag behind their White counterparts. Through improvement science, the researchers test the effectiveness of providing scaffolded learning and awareness modules for faculty and staff to enhance curricular design efforts and…

The researchers believe that post-secondary education can provide a greater number of Black students with degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Using improvement science, this research aims to test whether providing scaffolded learning and awareness modules around success in STEM programs for faculty and staff…

Apprenticeship programs in North Carolina act as a crucial talent pipeline and economic development solution. These registered apprenticeships have also been proven to address many workforce challenges directly by matching well-trained, highly skilled, invested jobseekers to organizations choosing apprenticeship as an economic solution. Despite…

Mid-career teachers make up the majority of the educator population (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021) and a significant number of mid-career teachers encounter career cycle periods known as career frustration and career stability (Fessler & Christensen, 1992). The first is characterized by overall frustration and disillusionment…

This study aimed to rectify the problem of inadequate preparation and support of faculty in the Student Success (SLS) course at Brentwood State College (name of institution changed for reasons of confidentiality) (BSC). This problem of practice is significant because the SLS course is intended to contribute significantly to students acquiring…

The three articles included in this dissertation are connected through theory and practice. Study one identifies the factors influencing Extension agents' participation in supplemental professional development opportunities using Ajzen's (1985) theory of planned behavior. Study two was a systematic investigation of Extension personnel's…

Developmental math courses have long been considered a barrier for students (Benken et al., 2015), especially for minority and low-income students, who are enrolled in developmental courses disproportionately to their peers (Chen, 2016). Research has shown that various redesign efforts (e.g., multiple measures placement, corequisite support,…

U.S. in-service PK-12 teachers have less time for professional learning (PL) but their needs for applicable professional development (PD) have increased (Birch & Lewis, 2020) and teachers, both new to the field and veterans, are looking to reskill and upskill their knowledge and teaching abilities (Bayar, 2014; Birch & Lewis, 2020; Leung,…

The purpose of this study was to determine the structures and support systems implemented to foster a district educational equity and culturally responsive professional development series. In this qualitative study, an action research design team implemented a four-part professional learning series to describe the impact of an educational equity…

Modeling with mathematics (MP4) is a mathematical practice standard that can be used to engage students in mathematical content standards as well as additional mathematical practice standards. Research has shown the benefits of mathematical modeling (e.g., Aguirre et al., 2019; Cirillo et al., 2016a), but also the challenges teachers can face…

The problem addressed in this study was that professional learning experiences offered to teachers are not designed and implemented by considering theories of human learning or theories of adult learning, with equity goals in mind for teachers and students (for teachers' professional growth and enhanced students' outcomes), and with context…

This study explored apprenticeships as a means of workforce development and the creation of new talent pools within manufacturing companies. An apprenticeship is an arrangement between an individual, a company, and in some instances an academic provider to learn a trade or a job through the combination of academics and on-the-job training (OJT).…

Educational intervention research addresses multiple barriers that under-sourced communities face in education. I test three methods to improve education program design and evaluation to develop programs that have substantial and lasting impacts on student outcomes. In my dissertation, I review current challenges to educational program evaluation…

A well-designed compliance program is necessary for higher education institutions (HEIs) of all sizes to mitigate the risks of severe penalties and reputational damage resulting from regulatory noncompliance. The U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines provide a broad framework comprised of the Seven Elements contributing to an effective compliance…

Education is a constantly evolving field that requires continuous professional development. While policymakers continue to implement school reforms, many of them depend on teachers' ability to learn and improve instruction to increase student learning. Teachers have a double role in educational reforms by being simultaneously subjects and objects…