This study explored how institutions can empower minoritized graduate students by leveraging their existing forms of capital, shifting from a deficit view to an assets-based approach. Through qualitative case study methodology, data from interviews and documentation illustrated the vital role of institutional agents, such as faculty and staff,…

Black first-generation college students (FGCS) often encounter challenges in the collegiate classroom due to implicit racism, academic unpreparedness, and cultural shifts. My study explores how strengths philosophy, a social work framework that leverages inherent strengths to encourage agency and change, can enhance the self-efficacy of Black…

School leaders, educators, and community members are keenly aware that New Mexico has consistently ranked last in the nation in education, childhood poverty rate, and access to appropriate individualized educational support for children (Bobroff, 2019; Martinez, 2021; Rodriguez, 2019; Sanchez & Martinez, 2019). Now is the time to address the…

There are fewer doctoral degrees earned by women than men in many STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, and gender gaps in higher education pathways persist. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and understand the experiences and persistence of women Ph.D. students in male-dominated STEM…

In 2023, the value of a college education is being questioned. Because information is readily available, we Google what we want to know, type a query or phrase into ChatGPT, press the enter key, and then a multitude of answers become accessible. However, in this age of technology, online access, and Artificial Intelligence, could self-directed…

Two articles explore how education leaders influence the education system to empower and enhance the wellbeing of students experiencing poverty. Recognizing that poverty is a wicked problem (Head, 2008) that requires complexification (Joosse & Teisman, 2021), I use the capability approach (Sen, 1990, 1999,2009) extended empowerment dimensions…

Previous research related to Youth Adult Partnership, Empowerment and Empowering Environments, and Liberatory School Design all highlight the importance of relationships in ensuring that young people experience school environments as empowering. Currently, there is a lot of interest and energy around redesigning schools to be Learner-Centered, in…

This mixed methods study aimed to explore how using Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs) in an aural skills classroom can promote student motivation and engagement. Aural skills courses, which focus on ear training and sight singing, benefit from MEAs--activities that require students to create models to solve progressively complex problems. As…

Massachusetts General Law does not recognize students as stakeholders in school turnaround, despite extant literature supporting the benefits of including students as decision makers in their education experiences. The purpose of this Action Research study was to understand why student voices are critical to successful school turnaround, and to…

This quantitative predictive study investigated the intricate dynamics of the Imposter Phenomenon (IP) among online doctoral students, exploring its impact on Student Belongingness (SB) and Self-efficacy (SE). Findings revealed a significant negative association between higher IP scores and decreased SE, highlighting the imperative to address IP…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore African American students and school administrators' experiences with out-of-school suspension (OSS) and their perceptions of strategies to reduce suspensions. Researchers have identified research-based strategies to reduce OSS, including restorative practices and Positive Behavior…

This study aimed to research the impact Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs have on the development of student agency in high school students. AVID was founded in San Diego, California by teacher Mary Catherine Swanson in 1980 (AVID.org). The AVID framework is divided into two sections, "What Students Need" and…

This dissertation focuses on the role of tradition and ritual in historically Black education, particularly combating the legacy of antiblackness in school discipline. The study argues for the use of prophetic disruptive rituals that are grounded in meaning, hope, and love. Using Morehouse College as a philosophical case study, the project draws…

While evidence suggests PBL teachers' roles support higher student learning outcomes, there was a general lack of data that explores how PBL teachers describe their roles in teaching (Kaplan & Garner, 2017; Leng et al., 2018). The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how high school teachers, who used project-based…

Doctoral students face unique challenges that require dedicated support services to help them successfully complete their studies and graduate. With the proper resources to help lessen these challenges, doctoral students take a shorter time to complete their degree and are less likely to drop out before completing. The purpose of this study was to…