Effective collaboration between key stakeholders increases the educational opportunities and outcomes of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although the value of collaboration between the central members of a student's network has been widely cited, how collaboration occurs between different stakeholder groups in the education of…

In an era where digital platforms increasingly shape the educational experiences of learners, this dissertation examines activity in the Mathematics Discord Server (MDS), an expansive online learning community used by hundreds of thousands of mathematics learners worldwide. Daily interactions, numbering in the tens of thousands, focused on…

This qualitative study contributed new insights into the complex interplay between California Community College (CCC) campus climate and faculty-led diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) changemaking. Using focus groups and interviews with 22 full-time faculty, this study found that supportive campus policies and practices, such as…

This study explored the multifaceted journey of Black women ascending to senior-level leadership positions within Illinois community colleges. It aimed to uncover, understand, and provide actionable recommendations concerning the progression of these women into prominent roles, focusing on their unique identities, the impact of leadership support,…

Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) educate more Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students than predominantly White Serving Institutions, yet their leadership lacks representation, especially of Black women leaders. This study explores the experiences of Black women leaders at HSIs. Moving beyond a deficit model, exploring how these leaders leverage…

The purpose of this study was to deepen understanding of faculty of color experiences with their community college campus police, use a systematic approach for exploring their feelings connected to these experiences, and identify alternative strategies to increase sense of safety among faculty of color. A critical race theory (CRT) theoretical…

The American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires all SLPs who have a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-SLP) to earn at least two credit hours of professional development in "culturally responsive practices, diversity, equity, inclusion" or the like as a part of the three-year certification maintenance period that began…

This dissertation examines the way novice social studies teachers learn to support multilingual learners in their social studies classes. I take a critical lens to practice-based teacher education (PBTE) to understand the decisions novice teachers make as they support multilingual students in their content classes. In this way, I bridge…

Internships are by design experiential, high impact learning opportunities, and many institutions of higher education include the completion of internship requirements prior to graduation. Business students completing internships generally do so at corporate offices, accounting firms, and other traditional for-profit business entities. The purpose…

In this paper, a group of nine international scholars reflect on the collective responsibilities of stakeholders within inclusive educational settings. This reflection was prompted by the need to identify specific elements which would support intentional, collective responsibility to support authentic inclusion for all students. In order to…

In addition to demographic characteristics, it is important to understand how the location of prior educational experiences may impact adjustment for international students. Indeed, international students who graduate from high school outside their home countries are assumed to have easier college adjustments than others due to their previous…

In the wake of current sociopolitical movements, research on the lives of Black girls and women is gaining momentum. However, studies providing Black girls space to voice their experiences within learning and afterschool environments remain a crucial--and often ignored--component of this conversation. This study had three primary objectives. The…

Self-efficacy significantly influences the success of school leaders in managing the school environment, offering instructional programs, and working morally with the community. In this study, I addressed the following questions: What are school leaders' self-efficacy and its various components of management, instructional, and moral leadership?…

Mathematics education researchers examined teacher practices that support students who have historically been marginalized and have underperformed in school. These efforts have led to much discussion about how to incorporate culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) theoretically and pragmatically. Many teachers want to develop and implement more…

This quantitative study examined the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) implementing a "Focus on Learning" in a Title I school in north central Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact PLCs can have on student growth and achievement in fourth and fifth-grade mathematics, once teachers spend time…