Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2017, Secondary Education

Conducted over 5 weeks, this multiple case study involved seven secondary science students in an urban, STEM-focused high school. Observations, documents, and interviews were used to obtain feedback on teacher-to-student respect from the student point-of-view in answer to the question: What actions by teachers do students reckon as representations of teacher-to-student respect in the classroom? The purposes were: to understand a complex phenomenon, to add to the educational knowledge base, and to inform constituencies (Newman, Ridenour, Newman & DeMarco, 2003). Two themes, person-to-person respect and learner-to-learner respect, emerged along with seven categories of teacher actions of respect: Gives, Lets, Treats, Listens, Understands, Helps, and Answers. Students reckon as respect any teacher action that affectively or cognitively meets or exceeds students' respect desires or respect expectations by encouraging or supporting students as persons or as learners. Two respect-reckoning questions and two meaning-making questions were representative of the types of questions students ask themselves; despite use of similar mechanisms, students reckon respect and make meaning variably. Interpreted via Goodman's (2009) framework, person-to-person (interpersonal) respect serves as a gateway to learner-to-learner respect. Of the three categories of interpersonal respect (Gives, Lets, and Treats), Gives serves as a precursor to Lets and Treats. By respecting a student, a teacher earns that student's respect. Though investigated via science, results are presented via art in a play: Between the Bells.

Committee: Francis Broadway Ph.D. (Committee Chair) Subjects: Science Education; Secondary Education; Teaching

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2024, Educational Administration

African American religious organizations have been the pillar of the urban community since their inception in the late 1700s. Throughout the years, as the religious organization grew, so did the need for church and attendance. In 1990, the number of Christians reported attending church service was 70%. By 2018, it was reported a 50% decline. In that, 50% decline are millennials who serve as important members of that church as it relates to the future of the church's existence. Church attendance continues to decline in the present day. The purpose of this study was to determine those contributing factors and identify opportunities for religious organizations to stop declining participation. I found that focusing on authentic engagement may improve church attendance.

Committee: Dr. Clare Liddon (Committee Chair); Dr. James Olive (Committee Member); Dr. Patrice Hunter (Committee Member) Subjects: Religion; Spirituality

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2022, Arts Policy and Administration

This research aims to elevate dancers' perspectives of the operational dynamics within a major U.S. ballet company to better understand their working relationship to the Dual Executive Leadership (DEL) team and their role as critical contributors to the development of an arts organization and broader arts policy. Examining the case of Miami City Ballet, this study gathers feedback from dancers on how they interact with the company's DEL team, comprised of the Artistic and Executive Directors, and how these interactions impact their work. The central questions ask how ballet dancers perceive dynamics of communication, trust, value, and respect in their working relationship with company leadership. Using narrative inquiry as methodology, dancers were asked to share their stories of interactions with the DEL team through a survey and interviews. Twelve (12) dancers completed the survey, and of those, five (5) agreed to participate in a follow-up semi-structured interview. Findings suggest opportunities for improving communication practices to foster more connection between dancers and leadership, for developing a work culture that invites feedback and is based on mutual trust, and for reconsidering how dancers are valued as key contributors to decision-making spaces. These findings add an important new perspective to research on leadership and organizational studies in ballet and the arts more broadly.

Committee: Tiffany Bourgeois (Committee Member); Rachel Skaggs (Advisor) Subjects: Arts Management; Dance; Labor Relations; Management; Organization Theory

Doctor of Education (EdD), Wright State University, 2022, Leadership Studies

The study outlines the path that the researcher took to investigate the phenomenon of nomophobia as it relates to employee engagement. In the first two chapters, the researcher outlines a synopsis of the problem, presents gleanings from a review of pertinent literature on employee engagement and nomophobia, and articulates a basic conceptual framework for the study. The researcher also shares how the data was collected and analyzed in the third chapter of this document. In the fourth chapter, the method is articulated and finally, results and recommendations are shared in the last chapter.

Committee: Corey Seemiller Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Dan Noel Ph.D. (Committee Member); Brenda Kraner Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Bright Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Leadership; Management; Occupational Psychology; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2013, Psychology

This study explored the impact of process variables on the effectiveness of Civility, Respect, and Engagement in the Workplace (CREW), an intervention designed to increase civility in the workplace. Data were collected from thirty-six VHA facilities operating 80 workgroups who began the CREW intervention in March 2011. Workgroups completed pre- and post-civility surveys and facilitators were administered surveys once a month for six months. Bivariate correlations were conducted to evaluate associations between each process variable and the civility change scores. Results from correlational analysis were then used to evaluate the effectiveness of the process variables examined. Supplemental analyses, including independent samples t-tests, were also conducted to investigate mean differences among process variables over time. Findings revealed that facilitator experience was positively predictive of CREW intervention outcomes, (r(160) = .22,p = .005). Results also demonstrated that workgroup employee attendance percentage and the perceived engagement of the supervisor, significantly decreased from survey Time I to Time 6, t(70) = 2.91,p <.05, d=.70, and t(55) = 3.18,p <.05, d=.86, respectively. These results imply that substantial attention should focus on the recruitment and training of facilitators due to the medium to large effect sizes which provide support of the significant impact of their experience on the outcome of CREW. Additionally, significant decreases with regard to attendance percentage and supervisor engagement over the course of the intervention suggest that these are areas that facilitators and coordinators should focus on prior to the intervention in order to enhance prevention efforts.

Committee: Mark Nagy Ph.D. (Committee Chair) Subjects: Psychology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2016, Leadership and Change

This research centered on the experiences of a dozen women who served in U.S. Army Reserve leadership positions. Although they served in dangerous contexts the Army had an exclusionary policy at the time that formally excluded the women from direct combat. The impetus for the research was Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's announcement in January 2013 that the U.S. military would be eliminating the exclusionary policy. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into what individual, social, and organizational factors support women's effective leadership in dangerous contexts. The research utilized narrative inquiry in order to bring forth the essence of the lived experience of the women leaders. The research had two phases: phase one interviews, phase two panel discussion. In phase one, an unexpected outcome was that 75 % of interviewees discussed issues of gender bias and toxic leadership. In the second phase a panel of four military leaders (two men and two women who were not part of the first phase) offered validation for the interpretation and findings obtained from the interviews. The analysis of the interviews and panel discussion provided recommendations for individual, social, organizational, and cultural changes needed to correct dysfunctional gender and cultural biases and support women's leadership. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/, and OhioLINK ETD Center, http://etd.ohiolink.edu.

Committee: Alan E. Guskin Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Mitchell Kusy Ph.D. (Committee Member); Patrick Sweeney (Ret.) COL, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Mary Marcy Ph.D. (Other) Subjects: Military Studies; Women's Studies

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2015, Gerontology

Respect to residents and their choices has been established as a fundamental right of nursing home residents. Despite the importance of this basic right, little is known about perceived respect in nursing homes and the factors associated with it. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine perceived respect and its possible correlates across Ohio nursing homes. On average, nursing homes in Ohio had relatively high respect scores. After adjusting for a range of facility factors, I found facility size, facility location, resident participation in care planning and Center for Medicare and Medicaid star ratings in the staffing domain to be associated with perceived respect. Our understanding of how these factors affect respect among the resident population in Ohio nursing homes would benefit from a more nuanced examination of each subdomain of respect. Although additional research is needed, this study identified several potential next steps for policymakers seeking to ensure that residents are treated with respect.

Committee: Sara J. McLaughlin PhD (Committee Chair); Robert A. Applebaum PhD (Committee Member); Jane K. Straker PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aging; Gerontology

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2015, Communication

Increasing the health literacy of the nation has become a national priority for major health care agencies in attempt to improve effective use of the health care system and overall health outcomes. The present study sought to explore the impact of patient-provider interactions on health literacy and the effect of demographic characteristics on both health literacy and perceptions of patient-provider interactions. Perceptions of patient-provider interactions were evaluated via four communicative dimensions: understanding and communicative ability, respect and trust, participatory decision making, and receptionist helpfulness. A closed-ended questionnaire was administered orally to 82 participants to gather their perceptions of interactions with health care providers, assess their health literacy, and record various demographic characteristics. Results indicated that those with perceptions of better quality interactions with health care providers had higher average health literacy scores. There were statistically significant differences in health literacy between those reporting high and low levels of each communicative dimension, with the exception of the receptionist helpfulness variable for which no significant differences were found. The oldest age groups reported significantly more understanding, communicative ability, respect, and trust with health care providers than the younger age group. Annual household income also had an effect on perceptions of understanding and communicative ability, with those in lower income groups reporting less understanding and communicative ability. The present findings support past literature that found higher health literacy to be associated with more educational achievement. Contrary to past research, the oldest age group had a significantly higher average health literacy score than the younger age group and those identifying as black/African American had the highest average health literacy score. Based on the findings of t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Teresa Thompson (Advisor) Subjects: Communication; Health Care

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2014, Leadership and Change

The purpose of this study is to examine professional hurt across the public services of the Commonwealth Caribbean with a view toward creating what could probably be the first body of knowledge that will offer insights into its nature and relationship with the practice of leadership. The study also sought to explore an understanding of professional hurt that could inform the design of leadership development programs to help develop leaders who can navigate or avoid hurt. I utilized the biographical research approach to access the lived experiences of 20 public sector leaders across 9 independent Commonwealth Caribbean islands. Narrative thematic analysis data from the experiences are summarized and presented using six emergent themes, illustrated with thick narrative descriptions. The findings suggest that professional hurt is a combination of the deep hurt a leader experiences as a professional, pooled with the undermining of his/her sense of professional pride, dignity, confidence, capability, credibility, and worth as a leader. While all facets of the leaders' hurtful and humiliating experience are sometimes stretched over a period of time, there is actually an identifiable point at which professional hurt occurs. The findings suggest that professional hurt is not necessarily a planned attempt to destroy a leader, but the result of a poorly managed complex social system. This study may thus offer some useful insights for a holistic and transformative change in the practice of public service leadership in the Caribbean. A video author introduction in MP4 format accompanies this dissertation. The electronic version of this Dissertation is at OhioLink ETDCenter, http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd

Committee: Philomena Essed PhD (Committee Chair); Elizabeth Holloway PhD (Committee Member); Lisa Booysen DBL (Committee Member); Paula Kibbelaar PhD (Other) Subjects: Caribbean Studies; Organizational Behavior; Psychology; Public Administration

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2008, Art Education

This dissertation examines a Central Ohio Fair Trade arts organization, Global Gallery, and its capacity building process. The focus of the study primarily revolves around the educational aspects of the non-profit organization's mission, as understood by its constituents, artisans, volunteers, staff and board members. The methodologies for the study fall within qualitative research and include critical participatory action research and autoethnography. These methods were carried out within a pragmatist, feminist, communitarian theoretical framework. The goal of this study was to improve Global Gallery's educational programming and the visibility of all shareholders' work toward realizing its mission and a broader effort to build organizational capacity. An appreciative inquiry approach prioritized building on strengths to achieve results. My data was collected through a series of four focus group sessions with Global Gallery constituents in Ohio and Bolivia. Additional data included board strategic planning processes and the researcher's autoethnographic narratives. These two data sources were integrated into the data findings and analysis to illuminate epiphanic moments in the capacity building process. Four themes emerged from the focus group and strategic building processes that were then developed into action plans that are to be carried out in collaborative committees made up of diverse constituents from at least three of the four categories. These themes turned into specific goals around educational programming, policies and procedures, earned income and fundraising. The conclusion delivers a conceptual framework that incorporates the lessons learned from the research. This visual and narrative presentation provides a template outline for future Global Gallery projects, current action plan implementation, relationships with Global Gallery partners and other Fair Trade or international arts organizations. This template constitutes one manifestation of the goal (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: James Sanders PhD (Advisor); Wayne Lawson PhD (Committee Member); Amy Shuman PhD (Committee Member); Karen Hutzel PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Art Education

Master of Science, Miami University, 2006, Family and Child Studies

This thesis is the development of a family life education program: Finding Release to Explore and Experience Dimensions of Me (F.R.E.E.D.O.M). The primary purpose of this program is to encourage sexually abused female adolescents in juvenile detention to develop the self awareness that enables them to learn more effective coping strategies. More specifically, this family life education program recognizes that self defeating behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse and self mutilation are avoidant coping mechanisms used in response to traumatic experiences and therefore focuses on teaching self-awareness and self-respect to girls in the Clermont County (Ohio) Juvenile Detention Center.

Committee: Glenn Stone (Advisor) Subjects:

PHD, Kent State University, 2010, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies

One of the goals of emancipatory education is using curriculum enactment as an attempt to achieve a democratic educational process, according to Dewey (1938/1963), therefore education is not merely preparation for the future, but rather the experience of democratic living. The American College of Nurse Midwives' Code of Ethics reflects the value of this historically significant curriculum aim. The first and third mandates are most relevant for this study as midwifery students are covered by both. Little has been done to understand the curricular issues underlying what transpires in the clinical learning realm between the preceptor and the student. This grounded theory study describes recent graduates' perceptions of their experience of respect, equity and civility while they were students engaged in clinical practicum during their masters nurse midwifery education and to understand how they and the preceptors dealt with the hidden and null curriculum. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with nine recent graduates of master's degree nurse midwifery programs, review of documents, and review of literature. Data analysis followed Glaser and Strauss' methods. Accepted strategies to promote rigor were employed. The nine participants reported varying degrees of feeling respect from their preceptors and others in their clinical settings. All participants reported feeling that they were treated with civility. Most of the participants felt they were treated equally with others. This study explained the descriptive theory “Growing into a midwife: A theory of graduate nurse midwife students' process of clinical learning”. The theory describes the students' internalized thoughts and feelings they experienced as they become a midwife while simultaneously working to establish relationships with their preceptors and others and coming to understanding the nature of working in the clinical setting. Interpretation of the theory using oppressed group, feminist, (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: James Henderson Ed.D. (Committee Chair); Joanne Dowdy Ph.D. (Committee Member); Claire Andrews Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Curricula; Education; Nursing; Teaching

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2012, Management

During the past twenty years legislative and regulatory actions have driven significant changes in the structure and processes of corporate boards. During this same period scholars have provided confounding empirical evidence regarding the efficacy of these reforms on firm performance. The simple reality is we have little understanding regarding the behavioral processes and dynamics associated with board decision making, despite the fact that a potent reminder from the Enron disaster is “good governance comes down to directors making good decisions” (Useem, 2003: 249). Using a multi-methods research approach, this dissertation is built around three separate but interrelated studies. These studies are designed to open the “black box” of the boardroom by investigating the strategic decision making processes of publicly traded U.S. corporate boards with the intent of gaining insights into how strategic decisions are made and their associated behavioral processes and board dynamics. The first study – a qualitative study of eight firms - draws upon decision making theory in order to assess the characteristics that motivate boards to deploy procedural rationality in their strategic decision-making deliberations. I propose that boards that align around a unified corporate purpose, have balanced power relationships, and effective board leadership are more likely to employ rational decision-making processes in lieu of political behaviors. The second study is a quantitative study based on a survey of 151 directors representing 119 U.S. publicly traded companies. This study, drawing on Forbes and Milliken's (1999) procedurally rational model for strategic decision making, provides support for the creation of two factors - a climate of respect within the boardroom as well as collaboration between the executive team and board members - as antecedents in creating procedurally rational decision-making processes. The third study further examines the relationship of trust in the (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Simon Peck PhD (Committee Chair); Diana Bilimoria PhD (Committee Member); Richard Boyatzis PhD (Committee Member); Kalle Lyytinen PhD (Committee Member); Terry McNulty PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Management