The current trend among conservative politicians to erase Black history and ban books by Black authors from public schools and libraries in states like Florida and Texas is the latest in a long history of assaults on the civil rights and education of Black people. Laws like Florida's Individual Freedom Act, (H.R. 7/S.B. 148, 2022), commonly known…

Evolving over time, Extension has expanded its programming to meet diverse needs across the nation. In Georgia, UGA Extension operates in all 159 counties, where agents and specialists collaborate to address community needs. Extension plays a unique role in building relationships, conducting needs assessments, and contributing to the development…

Charter schools have witnessed significant growth in the United States, accompanied by increased diversity among student populations. However, Southern Nevada charter schools diverge from national trends, enrolling a less racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. This study examined factors that shape charter school leaders'…

As acts of violence in schools increase, schools are unprepared and in-equipped to prepare for targeted violence. This dissertation focuses on how professionals organizations are preparing educational leaders in threat assessment and how school personnel can reach out for support to community resources and agencies who specialize in threat…

Long Creek Elementary School is a small, rural school with approximately 292 students in Sallis, Mississippi. Long Creek Elementary School has historically struggled with stronger parent involvement in their children's school life. To address this concern, the administration, faculty, and staff at Long Creek Elementary School targeted barriers to…

There is limited understanding of the connections between community engagement and racial DEI at colleges and universities working to institutionalize engagement. Community engagement is not being institutionalized within an educational system that is a blank slate, nor does it operate within a vacuum. Community engagement operates within a…

This research targets retired singers from the university choral ensemble, offering an in-depth examination of the older adults' choir experiences, with a focus on their experiences and reflections. Prior studies have highlighted the benefits of musical involvement for retirees, including extending life expectancy, enhancing quality of life, and…

This qualitative case study examined changes resulting from implementing a democratic strategic planning process and leadership characteristics that influence organizational change. The study's research questions are explored through the lens of Kotter's (2019) 8 Accelerators and 4 Change Principles. Purposeful sampling was used to select the case…

This ethnographic dissertation research project focuses on a digital storytelling workshop called Food/Stories which took place in collaboration with Black Yield Institute in Spring of 2023. The Food/Stories workshop is the case study that I used to explore the effectiveness of Collaborative Visual Storytelling, a methodological approach that…

The purpose of this research was to determine what a school district in Texas does to have consistent bond approval passages. The qualitative research consisted of three interviews that included six questions to district senior staff participants who closely work on school bonds. Research showed that the district relies on guided and established…

Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) serves the beautifully diverse city of Oakland in California's East Bay. The city, or "the Town" as Oakland natives might say, is steeped in community members' dedication to fighting for equity, particularly in education. The decades-long history of organizing and activism, especially that of Black…

Public participation in a range of efforts which have community impact has been used successfully and has been extensively investigated. This study sought to use the case of the heritage conservation of the State Theater in North Point, Hong Kong, a building of cultural interest and architectural merit, employing the Theory of Communicative…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how individuals describe their initial and continued motivation to volunteer at a Texas Veterans Service Organization (VSO). The literature review indicated a gap in understanding the motivations of those who volunteer to support VSOs. The ABCE model of volunteer motivation was used…

The central challenge of social impact education within higher education is the lack of a shared framework to unify language and practice across an institution. One framework gaining popularity among Community Engagement Professionals (CEPs) is the Pathways of Public Service and Civic Engagement. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to…

This qualitative descriptive study delves into the strengths and challenges community-engaged faculty face in sustaining university-community partnerships through community engagement. Framed by Bender's community engagement model, the primary research question examines how university faculty articulate their strengths and challenges within these…