The number of direct support professionals (DSPs) needed to support the increasing numbers of adults diagnosed with autism within the United States continues to grow exponentially. DSPs receive minimal training and often fail to generalize the training they have received, which can directly lead to poor learning outcomes for the adults they serve.…

This qualitative historical single-case study examines how a practitioner-directed approach to professional development for teachers resulted in successful technology integration in a newly unified school district in California's Central Valley. The study details the process of creating and implementing a professional development plan for newly…

This constructivist qualitative case study examined factors that assisted and impeded the expansion of City University of New York's (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) from 4,300 to 25,000 students between 2014-2018. The study consisted of open-ended interviews with 11 CUNY system and college leaders who directly led the work…

Despite growing evidence about the significance of Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs, public investment has been relatively low, resulting in slower expansion of evidence-based ECD programs. This dissertation consists of three essays on conducting and using economic evaluation methods to scale up early childhood education and development…

For decades, professional organizations and leaders in the field of student affairs have called for student affairs professionals to engage in evidence-informed programming (EIP). EIP refers to the use of theory and empirical research to build programs intended to impact specific student learning or development outcomes. The benefits of EIP range…

Knowledge of surgical procedures, instruments, and supplies is essential to the perioperative nurse working in the operating room (OR). Nursing school curricula do not specifically educate surgical nurses; therefore, it is difficult to fill open OR positions with experienced perioperative nurses. The purpose of this doctoral project was to develop…

The ultimate aim of translational research in the prevention sciences is to establish evidence-based programs and services that facilitate the adoption or maintenance of positive health behaviors. Success is indicated by reductions in the incidence of mental and behavioral health disorders at the individual and population levels, and universal…

This Educational Leadership Portfolio (ELP) documents my exploratory study of the feasibility of developing a new associate level (A.A.S) degree program. While this study and plan is designed to serve as a guide for any two-year or community college thinking of developing such a program, many of the artifacts in this study are written specifically…

ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders that appears in childhood and continues through adulthood. It is considered to be a chronic disorder caused by a combination of neurobiological and genetic factors. The children and adolescents who experience this disorder have, along with other symptoms, trouble staying focused, difficulty…

This project was a dissertation of practice designed as a needs assessment of a specific program. Specifically, the project identified the needs of an After School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program in a Southern California School District (SCSD). The purpose was to provide recommendations to address the needs of…

This project was a dissertation of practice designed as a needs assessment of a specific program. Specifically, the project identified the needs of an After School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program in a Southern California School District (SCSD). The purpose was to provide recommendations to address the needs of…