Transitioning back into society successfully after incarceration comes with its downfalls, but educational support could potentially address transitional success, especially for formerly incarcerated women. Previous research mainly focused on exploring education options and recidivism outcomes for formerly incarcerated men. There is limited…

Adult cultures matter. In today's volatile political climate, the call for human-focused leaders is stronger than ever. Guided by adult development theory and supported by multiple scholarly sources, the researcher synthesized a theoretical framework for understanding what human-centered leadership entails: Honing compassion; Understanding one's…

Public speaking is a skill used in many professions. This study examined the impact of awareness training (AT) and competing response training (CRT), two components of habit reversal training, on the use of filled pauses during public speaking. Following baseline, these components were administered remotely to reduce the occurrence of filled…

This dissertation is a quantitative analysis of language proficiencies through the lens of the dynamic model of multilingualism, using survival analysis to evaluate time until thresholds of foreign language proficiency are reached and nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon signed rank and Kruskal-Wallis) to compare proficiencies at distinct time intervals…

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to investigate the impact of instructional design elements on cognitive load for adult neurodiverse learners in online learning environments. For the utility of this study, cognitive load will be generally defined as the working memory and mental resources needed to perform a task. This study is…

This dissertation examined two phonological and morphological changes in Ghamdi Arabic (GA), focusing on vowel harmony and gender distinctions. By comparing Prochazka's 1988 findings with recent data from 26 participants across two age groups. Participants consisted of 20 younger speakers (10 males and 10 females, ages 20 to 35) and six older…

Society often holds strongly biased and stigmatized opinions when it comes to what is deemed appropriate or inappropriate for the sexual behavior of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) or developmental disabilities (DD). This is typically due to the beliefs that the ID/DD population are either only capable of having child-like…

Remote or online education has progressed learning opportunities for higher education and training. This study reviewed this gap by surveying experienced students considered non-traditional adult learners and examining their satisfaction regarding adult learning theory. Using surveys and interviews, this qualitative research study consulted a…

The purpose of this quantitative post measure only experimental study was to determine if, or to what extent, the use of emojis by a chatbot pedagogical agent in a threaded conversation is effective in eliciting social presence, human-like, and engaging perceptions by adult learners living in North America. Social presence theory provided the…

The overarching aim of this dissertation is to expand evidence and theory of adult identity processes in the context of environmental stewardship, as well as to provide knowledge and recommendations to environmental stewardship and environmental education professionals. The intent is to better understand variation in how adult environmental…

Adolescents and young adults living with chronic illness experience more complications and challenges when transitioning to adult-oriented care. Despite various interventions to support medication management, goal setting, and collaboration with care teams, AYAs continue to struggle, affecting their health and life outcomes. In this dissertation,…

This qualitative study explores the perceived barriers to professional advancement among Black Americans who graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) in Louisiana. Through in-depth interviews with 36 participants spanning four generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation…

A music fundamentals instructor teaches music literacy, core musicianship skills, the harmonic and melodic principles, and assesses the overall musical competency of students. Many instructors take pedagogy courses while either an undergraduate or graduate student that might prepare them for classroom teaching. However, not all pedagogy courses…

Adult learners in the early 21st century are no longer the fringe group they once were because their numbers and their significance are both on the rise. Thus, the time is right to reframe our understanding about how adult learners of today perceive their experiences of going to school while also managing their other life-role responsibilities.…

The effect of gamified elements among adult learners in online post-secondary education classrooms is essential to determining the needs of each learner and if they vary from generation to generation and affect their playful experience and academic success. The gap in research exists as this is yet to be determined. The research questions tested…