Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to discover why some Black Millennials of a large State University in Northeastern Ohio go to church and some do not. The design of this project was a five-point Likert-scale survey that was administered electronically through Survey Monkey. The participants of the survey were Black graduate students; as well as Black Millennials who accessed my personal Facebook. The survey indicated a strong need for preaching, teaching, and fellowship being critical to why the participants either did or did not go to church.

Committee: William Myers Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: Minority and Ethnic Groups; Multicultural Education; Spirituality

MFIS, Kent State University, 2024, College of the Arts / School of Fashion

While research shows that online shopping is increasing at an exponential rate, off-price shopping is growing at an equal or even higher rate, in which many have an e-commerce presence in addition to their brick-and-mortar stores. The off-price “sport shopper” enjoys sifting through the random and disorganized product assortments at off-price retailer stores. Previous research has established the Sport Shopper Experience (SSE) scale, which measures the effort and mastery, authentic pride, level of knowledge, level of satisfaction, and repurchase intentions of “sport shoppers”. Previous studies suggest that millennials share similarities with “sport shoppers” when shopping online. Despite this, the specificity of the “sport shopper's” online presence has yet to be examined. Therefore, this study's purpose is to investigate the “sport shopping” behavior of millennial women who have recently purchased from an off-price retailer's website. The Achievement Goal Theory was used as the theoretical framework, with data collected from a Qualtrics XM survey and analyzed using SPSS 27.0. A total of 146 participants across the United States completed a 24-question survey adapted from the SSE scale, which was modified to fit this study. The results have implications that will help off-price retailers better understand their consumers and thus maximize their profits.

Committee: Lauren Copeland (Advisor); Noël Palomo-Lovinski (Committee Member); Gargi Bhaduri (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences

Bachelor of Arts, Walsh University, 2023, Honors

“Agency theory has been one of the most important theoretical paradigms in accounting during the last 25 years” (Lambert, 2006, p. 260). Lambert writes that agency theory in the accounting profession focuses on the client-business relationship, specifically how incentives affect information, accounting, and compensation designs and structures. The present work examines “agency” in the accounting profession from a different perspective—as a psychological concept relating to accountants' perceptions of their own control over one's mind, body, and immediate environment, known as “Sense of Agency” (SoA) (Synofzik et al., 2013; Tapal et al., 2017). This concept is further divided into the sub-constructs of sense of positive agency (SoPA) and sense of negative agency (SoNA) with sense of positive agency referring to a sense that respondents believe they can successfully enact desired outcomes and sense of negative agency being they believe they cannot. An online survey administration organization was used to collect data from 90 professionally active accountants living throughout the United States on the variables of gender, generation (age), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. In addition to collecting responses on Sense of Agency (SoA), the Big Five personality concept of Agreeableness was also included because of its documented connection (Alderotti et al., 2023; Donald et al., 2017; Jejeebhoy et al., 2010). Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used to examine the relationship between SoPA and SoNA and the variables of gender, generation, CPA certification, and agreeableness. Results indicated partial support of the proposed hypotheses, most specifically a relationship between SoA, both positive (SoPA) and negative (SoNA), of accountants and generation (age). The results of this research add to the body of knowledge and can be compared to initial studies on Sense of Agency in Israel (Tapal et al., 2017 (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Patricia Goedl (Advisor); Julie Szendrey (Advisor) Subjects: Accounting; Psychology

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2022, Doctor of Ministry Program

This project discovered the financial knowledge and actions of participants at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Greater Cleveland vicinity. A five-point Likert scale survey was distributed to twenty-seven African American millennials. The major findings for knowledge were the importance of a checking and savings account. The major findings for actions revealed owning a vehicle and having a checking account. Finally, comparative analysis revealed the unchurched were informed and participated more in financial matters juxtaposed to the churched. Likewise, the Greater Cleveland vicinity was informed and participated more in financial matters juxtaposed to NMZBC.

Committee: William Meyers PhD (Advisor) Subjects: African American Studies; Black Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2021, Arts and Sciences: Sociology

Religion has always been racialized in America, yet little research centers the contemporary experiences of Black young adults. The present study extends this body of literature through an assessment of young Black Christians and how they make sense of their intersecting racial, religious, and political lives. Drawing on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 65 Black Christian Millennials (born between 1981-1996) and quantitative data from their responses to two surveys, the Duke University Religion Index and the Social Justice Scale, this project examines the complex ways their religious lives differ from both white Christian Millennials and older Black Christians amid the ongoing Black Lives Matter Movement. Specifically, using Wilde's theory of Complex Religion as a framework, I analyze how perceptions of race and inequality inform their behaviors surrounding religious expression, identity construction, and political mobilization. Exploring the experiences and meaning-making processes of this generational cohort contributes to understandings of how religion remains a strong structural force in the lives of many racial minorities, despite macro-theories like secularization and hyper-focused attention to white Christian Nationalism, that together might suggest otherwise. Results indicate that recent shifts in the socio-political climate and culture have had major implications on Black Christian Millennials and the ways they “do religion.” First, respondents report convoluted engagement with religious institutions, sharing narratives about performing their faith both in and outside of the church in ways that are distinct, particularly through the use of new media and technology and other individualized forms of expression. Second, study participants report engaging in a process I refer to as “strategic identity construction” to formulate identities as “woke” Black Christians in order to reconcile tensions between their racial realities and religious beliefs (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Earl Wright II Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Sandra Barnes Ph.D. (Committee Member); Derrick Brooms Ph.D. (Committee Member); Annulla Linders Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2021, Leadership and Change

The issues that this research addressed were the changes related to engagement in religious education (RE) in the Unitarian Universalist (UU) church in the past several decades. To address this problem, the purpose of this research was to innovatively problem-solve with other religious professionals and consider how to redefine engagement to support families in their faith formation. The research aims to answer the question: How could UU RE professionals more effectively engage families in faith formation opportunities designed to meet the desired outcomes of RE parents/caregivers? To gather data, interviews with seven Millennial and Generation X parents/caregivers from the Baja 4 UU congregations in Southern Arizona were conducted. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. The data from interviews provided insight about Gen X and Millennial parents'/caregivers' needs, desires, and expectations and gaps in their RE program, types of multigenerational offerings, and alternative approaches to engagement. A new RE engagement pilot study was designed by a team of innovators and launched for three weeks. Following the pilot study, a summarizing focus group was facilitated. Parents/caregivers had the opportunity to offer additional thoughts, suggestions, and ideas. Together we made meaning of the data from the interviews and focus groups and synthesized it to redefine engagement and offer pedagogical indications for the future of faith formation in the UU church. This dissertation is accompanied by one MP4 file. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd.

Committee: Lize (A. E.) Booysen DBL (Committee Chair); Lemuel Watson EdD (Committee Member); Joseph Wegwert PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Curriculum Development; Demographics; Families and Family Life; Organizational Behavior; Pedagogy; Religious Congregations; Religious Education; Spirituality

BBA, Kent State University, 2019, College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Ambassador Crawford / Department of Management and Information Systems

Millennials are often scrutinized for what appears to be generational differences. However, the Millennials might not be as different as the older generations think, although they have one overwhelming challenge: technology. This paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages that entrepreneurs have experienced across several generations. In addition, the paper discusses whether the influence of social media is harmful or helpful to Millennial entrepreneurs. Overall, it is difficult to determine whether Millennials are at a disadvantage compared to previous generations. Millennials face monetary challenges, education barriers, and unsupportive home lives just as entrepreneurs of older generations. Though the effects from overuse of technology can be negative, it offers Millennials certain advantages that previous generations did not have. Through new methods such as online businesses, franchising, and personal branding, Millennials are continuing the ingenuity that defines entrepreneurship.

Committee: William Daugherty (Advisor) Subjects: Business Administration; Entrepreneurship; Management

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2019, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

Polyamory (poly) refers to a way of loving involving multiple concurrent romantic relationships. It has been suggested that consensual non-monogamies are becoming increasingly visible, particularly in the millennial generation. This warrants exploration of cultural considerations and the unique needs of this population to inform care and minimize potential for harm. The present study used interpretative analysis to explore the phenomenon of polyamorous millennials in therapy as described across semi-structured interviews with therapists and poly clients. Three primary themes emerged from aggregate data, including Idiographic Experiences in Therapy, Therapy with Polyamorous Millennials, and information about Polyamory and Millennials beyond a therapy context. These themes synthesized participants' accounts of satisfying, desired, and unsatisfying experiences in therapy, as well as recommendations for and the qualities of a preferred therapist. Therapists who “get it” were delineated, and results additionally reflect learning practices, processes and interventions within therapy, ethical considerations, and information about consensual non-monogamy and the millennial generation in general. In addition to striving to accurately reflect the essence of participants' experiences, results of this study intend to support providers towards empowering and well-serving this population in therapy.

Committee: William Heusler Psy.D. (Committee Chair); Christopher Heffner Psy.D.; Ph.D. (Committee Member); Strauss Ashley Psy.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Families and Family Life; Mental Health; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Psychotherapy

MDES, University of Cincinnati, 2019, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design

The thesis investigates Chinese Millennial young women's notion towards feminism through fashion blogging. Fashion blogger as an emerging profession has acquired much public attention and created much social cultural influence, especially for young women. How does fashion blog as a tool to affect Chinese young women's feminist identity, confidence, and self-expression has been a fascinating concept. Through analyzing a specific Chinese fashion blogger's blazer looks and conducting related surveys, it is able to conclude that fashion is a tool for not only self-expression, but self-promotion amongst millennial women in China. Results also show that the millennial generation is more diverse and comprehensive in terms of the choice of fashion, which contributes to the zeitgeist of this era.

Committee: Peter Chamberlain M.F.A. (Committee Chair); Brooke Brandewie (Committee Member); Vittoria Daiello Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2018, Gerontology

Advance care planning (ACP) is a process recommended for all adults to help understand and articulate their choices regarding future medical care. ACP is considered an integral component of high quality end-of-life (EoL) care, yet only 1 in 3 US adults completes ACP and little is known about ACP in college-aged adults. The objectives of this study was to better understand what a group of millennial college students (aged 18-25) reflect upon after completing an ACP assignment and how students interact with a commercially available ACP tool. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze 21 ACP tools and 27 student reflections. Most students choose to complete sections of the ACP tool related to choosing a health care proxy (~76%), how they wanted people to treat them (~66%) and their personal comfort (~66%). Three themes: the reality of mortality, importance/value of ACP, and concern for others were most prevalent after completing the qualitative analysis process.

Committee: Kate de Medeiros (Committee Chair); Katy Abbott (Committee Member); Robert Applebaum (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2018, Educational Leadership

Many of the narratives, media images, and studies depicting the phenomenon of single Black mother are dangerously destructive and misrepresentative of this population. Add into that phenomenon the descriptor millennial and one finds the research is limited. There is need for intervention that will deconstruct the master narratives and decolonize the minds of all who have been affected by them. With Black feminist thought/womanism as a methodological approach and narrative inquiry as the research method, this qualitative study offers that intervention and serves as a space from which knowledge about the mothers being studied is produced by the mothers being studied. One-on-one semi-structured interviews, video group chats, and group texts were used to gather these counter stories from the five single Black millennial mother participants. Choice emerges as the foundational tenet for a “I got this” philosophy that acts as a guiding principle for the behaviors of these intellectuals from “outside academia” (Walker, 2009, p.20). Choosing to embrace single motherhood, secure their children, self-define, determine their own worth and destiny, give and accept support represent a few of the methods the single Black millennial mothers employ to undergird their sense of self-efficaciousness as first teachers to their children.

Committee: Kate Rousmaniere Ph.D (Committee Chair); Denise Taliaferro Baszile Ph.D. (Committee Member); Tom Poetter Ph. D. (Committee Member); Sherrill Sellers Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Educational Leadership

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2018, Communication

Organizational communication research has uncovered that the values of generational cohorts can impact workers expectations of management, desired reward systems, and overall satisfaction. This case study approach employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to analyze communication and satisfaction differences across generations in one Midwest public school system. A modified version of the ICA communication audit (Goldhaber & Krivonos, 1977) and the USEIT survey ((Russell, Bebell, O'Dwyer, & O'Connor, 2003) were utilized to evaluate generational differences. After analysis of survey data was complete, a small sample of participants took part in interviews to explore specific factors that influence these assessments. Differences in information expectations, technology use, and satisfaction were uncovered. Within the interviews, themes arose of struggling to find a balance between adoption and addiction in ICT use, distancing one's self from the negative perceptions of one's group, and negotiating mobility and the loss of autonomy. The combination of data reveals important similarities and differences in generational experiences that are shaped by a variety of factors.

Committee: Heather Walter Dr. (Advisor); Kathleen Clark Dr. (Committee Member); Andrew Rancer Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Master of Fine Arts, Miami University, 2017, Art

Millennial women were sold a promise of equality that society was not prepared to deliver. Raised to believe they could do and be anything, they followed their passions and pursued their dreams. Now, as they collectively move into adulthood, they are encountering both overt and normalized forms of discrimination that shatter the narrative of equality they once believed. Frustrated, bewildered and unprepared to fight a battle they believed was already won by generations of women before them, young women today are turning to feminism in a new way. They seek a community of peers with whom to bring issues of inequality to light and resources to take action against injustice. This research examines millennials in Cincinnati, Ohio and emerging forms of protest against gender inequality. Traditional methods for civic action are combined with modern digital tools to produce a contemporary model for social activism that appeals to the unique values and aspirations of the millennial generation. By bridging their physical and digital worlds, young activists can connect locally with peers to empower each other and gain tools for identifying and eliminating gender hierarchy in their lives and their communities.

Committee: Dennis Cheatham (Advisor); Gaile Pohlhaus (Committee Member); James Coyle (Committee Member) Subjects: Design; Gender; Gender Studies; Social Research; Technology; Womens Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2017, Media and Communication

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of Millennials organizing around a social enterprise. It details critical ethnographic methods that include 12 in-depth interviews, and participation and observation for nearly three years of a TOMS shoe company campus club in Northwest Ohio. Visual analysis, political economy, and audience engagement add to a cultural studies perspective that frames this study. Grounded theory principles inform analyses and reveal that the organizing efforts of these particular Millennials involve three processes: living precarity, living affect, and making a local place from a global space. The processes intersect continually yet are distinguishable by various themes that influence a Millennial organizing experience. Laboring as an entrepreneur, laboring in servant leadership, doing charity, and defining needy, work throughout and within club communication in ways that affect members' meaning-making about the club and the TOMS corporation. This research helps define the Millennial experience with one social enterprise in an effort to better understand Millennials and social enterprises in general.

Committee: Radhika Gajjala PhD (Advisor); Barbara Bergstrom PhD (Other); Alberto Gonzalez PhD (Committee Member); Kate Magsamen-Conrad PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Master of Arts (M.A.), Xavier University, 2015, Psychology

Ideal leadership style preferences in the workplace is an issue that has received a large amount of attention; yet, the vast amount of literature remains inconsistent about the type of leadership that most subordinates prefer. Previous research has indicated that men and older generations prefer task-oriented leadership styles, whereas women and younger generations prefer interpersonally-oriented leadership styles. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between generation and gender on ideal leadership style preferences. The sample consisted of 272 participants who completed an online survey, consisting of the initiating structure and consideration subscales of the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire – Ideal and the transformational and transactional subscales of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire – 5X – Short Form via Amazon's Mechanical Turk. The results of this study provided evidence that men, women, and all generations preferred significantly more transformational leadership behaviors than transactional leadership behaviors. This has several implications for organizations in how they should recruit, hire, and train potential managers, so that leadership styles are conducive to subordinates' leadership style preferences.

Committee: Mark Nagy Ph.D (Advisor); Morrie Mullins Ph.D (Committee Member); Dalia Diab Ph.D (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender; Gender Studies; Organizational Behavior; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Social Psychology; Social Research; Sociology; Teaching; Womens Studies

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2014, English

This novel explores the particularly difficult period of underemployment for four college graduates living in Chicago. Utilizing multiple points of view, the thesis aims to present different takes on the lives of those most affected by the Great Recession. Structurally, the thesis also contends with criticisms of the new social media generation and its inability to forge real physical connections with those closest to them. The resultant blend of voices that never quite get on the same page takes the reader through a story that is both deeply personal and difficult to swallow.

Committee: Joseph Bates (Committee Chair); Eric Goodman (Committee Member); Erin Edwards (Committee Member) Subjects: Literature

Master of Arts (MA), Wright State University, 2010, Educational Leadership

The purpose of this study was to assess whether one private, residential campus had created an atmosphere and culture that encouraged political involvement and civic engagement. This ethnographic study consisted of observational findings, content analysis of institutional documents, and three focus groups composed of residential students who attended Midwestern College. Five central themes were indentified as meaningful influences on Millennial students' levels of political involvement and civic engagement: (a) Campus Connection with the Community, (b) Family-like Campus Atmosphere, (c) Emphasis on Community Service, (d) Awareness of Local, National and Global Issues, and (e) Foundational Quaker Values. These themes were integrated into varied aspects of campus life, developing a campus climate that positively influenced students' levels of civic engagement and political awareness. It was found that the core Quaker values were the foundation for students' levels of political involvement and civic engagement, as well as the other four themes.

Committee: Lawrence Mrozek MA (Committee Co-Chair); Charles Ryan PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Rick Danals PhD (Committee Member); Suzanne Franco EdD (Committee Member) Subjects: Higher Education

Master of Arts (MA), Wright State University, 2008, Educational Leadership

Freshman seminars have become standard in higher education programming. Although there is evidence that these programs are effective in helping the freshman-to-sophomore year persistence rate, there is little research into the specific components of such programs and how they affect academic persistence and career planning. There is also little research on how different students perceive the effectiveness of such programs. This research examined the perceived influence of a freshman seminar on academic persistence and career planning between two student cohorts, a business-major and an undecided-major, via a post-course questionnaire. The student responses between the two cohorts resulted in a significant difference in the overall perceived influence of the freshman seminar on academic persistence and career planning. Additionally, one question pertaining to career planning was found to be significantly different.

Committee: Charles W. Ryan PhD (Advisor); Dan Abrahamowicz PhD (Committee Member); Suzanne Franco EdD (Committee Member); Joanne Risacher PhD (Committee Member); Joseph F. Thomas, Jr. PhD (Other) Subjects: Higher Education

MA, Kent State University, 2011, College of Communication and Information / School of Media and Journalism

This case study examines the use of online interactivity by Barack Obama during his 2008 U.S. presidential campaign and its potential attractiveness to those under 30, often referred to as “Millennials.” By using features that allowed Millennials to have conversations, change or add to content, or share and receive information, Obama redefined the use of the Web for campaigning, setting a high bar for future campaigns and arguably reinvigorating a group of traditionally uninspired voters. A determination of the type of interactive features used by the campaign is undertaken, along with an analysis of their potential impact and the type of communication each exhibits.

Committee: Timothy Smith J.D. (Committee Chair); Barbara Hipsman M.A. (Committee Member); Janet Leach M.A. (Committee Member); Danielle Coombs PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Journalism; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Multimedia Communications; Political Science; Web Studies

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2012, Leadership and Change

There is a monumental changing of the guard that is currently taking place in organizations due to demographic metabolism. One of the largest birth cohorts or generations in history (Baby Boomer) is beginning to retire while their predecessor (Builder) is almost completely out of the workforce. Gen X is hitting stride and on the cusp of inheriting the proverbial organizational mantle. The three aforementioned age cohorts have learned to play in the organizational sandbox together. However, a new age cohort (Millennial, a.k.a. Gen Y), equal or greater in size to the Baby Boomer cohort started entering the playground approximately ten years ago and they are kicking up sand. The etymology of the Millennial story began with a discussion "about" Millennials. The conversation quickly moved to strategies for recruiting them. Talk then shifted to on-boarding and managing Millennials. I desire to broaden the dialogue by inviting a discussion with Millennials about how they are experiencing work life. As is the case with any transition, there is great potential for conflict and angst. The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify the challenges Millennials experience while trying to integrate into organizations and the skills that will help them make a successful transition into the workforce. The electronic version of this Dissertation is at Ohiolink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd.

Committee: Alan Guskin PhD (Committee Chair); Carol Baron PhD (Committee Member); Roger Heuser PhD (Committee Member); Luis Calingo PhD (Other) Subjects: Demographics; Management; Organization Theory; Social Research