Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Community leadership programs'

For many years, community colleges that chose to offer community college baccalaureate (CCB) programs were looked upon in a negative light (Rice, 2015). However, as the need for specialized baccalaureates within specific fields and job markets have continued to grow (McKee, 2005), CCB programs are becoming more widely accepted throughout the United States. In spite of this paradigm shift, Mississippi is one of the remaining states that have not embraced the idea of CCB programs, in spite of its statistical deficiency in regards to baccalaureate degree holding citizens (Williams, 2010).

The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions of community college administrators in Mississippi with regards to the influence of CCB programs to the community college mission of institutions in their state. This study indicates that administrators in Mississippi recognize the benefits of offering CCB programs, but do not want CCB programs to take away from the well-established statewide higher education system through mission creep. Many of the strong position statements received overwhelmingly neutral responses. In contrast, Administrators who chose to give their opinion indicated that they are not familiar with how CCB programs are implemented, and do not believe that Mississippi is ready for CCB programs across the state. However, respondents felt that the community college mission is always evolving, should meet students’ needs, and varies from location to location. The findings also show that administrators are favorable to the piloting of CCB programs at a few (1-2) institutions, even though they believe the programs will take funding away from current programs and do not want community colleges evolving into 4-year institutions. The study also concludes that there is a significant difference between institution size and survey questions #18 and #20. There is also a significant difference between length of time in the community college sector and survey questions #15, #17, and #18.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect that different North Carolina state legislation had upon overall student engagement and success in dual enrollment Huskins, Learn and Earn Online, and Concurrent enrollment in comparison to the later Career and College Promise (CCP) dual enrollment program within North Carolina community colleges.

The questions researched in this study were the following: a. Was there a difference in completion between students who were dually enrolled in North Carolina community college programs in 2008 compared to 2012, as measured by the awarding of a certificate, diploma, or degree, three years from initial enrollment? b. Was there a difference in cumulative grade point average (GPA), total college credits earned, and total courses completed between dually enrolled students in North Carolina community colleges in 2008 compared to 2012, three years from initial enrollment? c. Was there a difference in success indicators specific to gender and minority status between dually enrolled students in North Carolina community colleges in 2008 and in 2012, three years from initial enrollment?

Dual enrollment student data including student GPA, course completion rates and cumulative course completion, level of credential awarded (certificate, diploma, or degree), gender, and minority status, were retrieved from state-wide student records contained in the Data Warehouse at the North Carolina Community College System Office. Data were analyzed using a combination of chi-squared and t-test statistical tests for significance testing (Mead, 2009). The results suggest that there were higher completion rates and higher GPAs for students who participated in Career and College Promise dual enrollment over earlier programs. It appears that minority students were not negatively impacted by CCP policies, in fact, Hispanic students showed marked improvement in several areas.

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the personal insights, preferences, and experiences of individuals who graduated from a community leadership development program. Fifteen Bay Area Leadership Program graduates from the Burlington and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada program between 2002-2007 participated in this study. Several inter-related themes emerged from the respondents’ stories and narratives regarding the program elements that influenced the learning experience. Respondents’ acknowledged and recognized that the program had positively impacted their development as a community leader and the community. Through findings from extensive interviews of the graduates, the study: (1) extends current knowledge concerning the development of community leaders; (2) offers community program board members and management an understanding of key program elements that contribute to the learner’s experience; (3) extends evaluation approaches to the personal learning experience and developing theories of leadership to practice; and (4) provides an understanding of long-term program benefits in assisting future funding, supporting long-term sustainability of the community leadership development movement and ultimately strengthening communities.

Teachers may benefit more from a professional learning community (PLC) than from professional development initiatives presented in single day workshops. The purpose of this program evaluation study was to identify characteristics of an effective PLC and to determine how the members of the PLC have benefitted from the program. Fullan's educational change theory provided the framework for the study, which refers to learning experiences of teachers when collaborating with peers. The sample consisted of 9 biology teachers during the 2012-2013 school year. Data were collected through online surveys and face-to-face interviews regarding effective PLCs. The online survey questions were asked to identify the characteristics of PLCs. Interviews were conducted to examine how biology teachers benefited from PLCs. Survey data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis for emergent themes. According to study findings, PLCs are used for shared teaching vision and practices. Sustained use of PLCs in schools could help create supportive professional learning environments for teachers to improve their teaching practices through purposeful collaboration.

Low-income, first-generation, urban students are typically underprepared academically for college-level course work and lack knowledge, which most non-first-generation students possess (Ward, Siegel, & Davenport, 2012). Success in higher education depends on students effectively navigating and transitioning into an institution (Pike & Kuh, 2005). Community-based nonprofit organizations support first-generation, low-income, urban students as they navigate through the provision of college access/readiness programs (Smith, Benitez, Carter, & Melnick, 2012). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of one community-based college access program on the persistence, retention, and matriculation of its participants. Quantitative data included retention rates and grade point averages of 39 students who participated in the program and 82 similarly qualified non-participants. The retention rate for students participating in the program was 95% and the GPA was 2.88, as compared to a 79% retention rate and a GPA of 2.40 for similarly qualified students. The difference in both retention rates and GPA was statistically significant. For the qualitative portion of the study, focus groups were conducted to understand perceptions of 15 participants who were first-generation, low-income, urban students. Their responses were viewed through the lens of Schlossberg's (1989) theory of marginality and mattering. In addition, staff members who have worked longitudinally with students were interviewed. Three themes emerged: relationships, intentional experiences, and self-advocacy. Based on the findings from this study, college access programs should design their curriculum and experiences around the relationship between students and staff members.

This is a qualitative study to explore the relationship between leadership development programs and emotional intelligence development in students. Research exists regarding the connection between emotional intelligence and academic achievement, but there is a lack of research concerning how to develop students’ emotional intelligence. This study provided research in this area. The researcher utilized the ESAP-A/B to calculate Emotional Intelligence growth, along with qualitative focus groups and one-on-one interviews. The data showed that students experience EI growth through leadership training programs. Students showed increased growth in the area of self-esteem, which students felt was due to being pushed outside of their comfort zone in the areas of public speaking and group communication. Qualitative data demonstrated that students felt the mandatory workshops, teamwork activities, and the experience of being a part of a cohort, were the three most impactful components of training. This research creates a foundation for further research into training best practices and encouraging EI growth in college students through leadership training programs.

This qualitative research was performed with a deep multiple case study design to inquire the best practices of the faculty of Nursing and Social Work Programs at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. Those practices have become effective in sustaining the professional accreditation for more than twenty years. Also, to determine if their organizational culture of evaluation is according to the collaborative leadership principles. The studied phenomenon was the organizational culture of evaluation of professional or programmatic accreditation, and the study were focused on: higher education institutions, professional accreditation, faculty leadership and collaborative leadership. The research questions were: Which are the best practices related to the regulatory and procedural aspects, the characteristics of programs, academic and administrative faculty styles that are contributing to the sustained professional accreditation?; Which are the characteristics of the organizational culture of evaluation of programs that contribute to sustained professional accreditation and the influence of the collaborative leadership of its faculty?; and, What are the best practices of the academic programs under study that results effective to achieve and maintain the professional accreditation?. Data were collected through focus group, semistructured interview, document review and field notes techniques. The study had two focus groups, one per program, and eight semistructured interview with academic and administrative leaders. Twenty professors with experience in professional accreditation participated in this study. The data were organized according to the research questions, were analyzed with the method of “Miles and Huberman”, and a cross-case analysis was done. It was found that the most effective practices instituted in both Programs were the leadership of the department director and faculty, teamwork, the program’s culture of assessment, comprehensive planning for reaccreditation, continuous faculty development, a system to collect evidence, and continuous communication between professors and leaders. It was concluded that the most effective strategies to keep the accreditation in both Programs were professor leadership and their teamwork. Participants recommend to others higher education institutions the same practices that have been proven effective to them, in addition, the commitment of the professor and institutional support. Both Programs have a culture of external evaluation of professional accreditation.