In 2023, women still make less money than men for the same job, including in the field of student affairs within higher education. In this qualitative, phenomenology of sociology study I investigated the experiences of 12 women mid-and-senior-level administrators as they discussed encounters with gender bias. Several themes were discovered through…

Despite the efforts of the Association of Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and the National Society of Black Certified Public Accountants (NSBCPA), there are a limited number of Black/African American accounting professionals. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore…

Parental involvement is the key to a student's overall success academically and athletically. When parents or caregivers engage with the school in-person or reiterate the mission of the district at home, students are more likely to achieve. However, parental involvement often decreases as children enter high school or parents/caregivers place…

Asian American women are underrepresented in college leadership positions, which signals the absence of Asian American women's voices and perspectives in decision making about institutional policies, procedures, and practices for the Asian student body. In addition, the lack of Asian representation, such as role models, mentors, and a diverse pool…

The purpose of this study was to understand the risks, responsibility, and rewards women of color in the sciences navigate and negotiate when choosing to speak truth to power. The theoretical lenses that guided this work included Critical Race Theory, Critical Feminist Theory, Harding's strong objectivity, and Foucault's analysis of…

Youth with foster care experiences (i.e., foster care alumni) have poor educational attainment outcomes (Texas Education Agency, 2021). These poor outcomes compound earlier disadvantages and have individual and collective consequences. Annually, approximately 20,000 youth are emancipated from foster care in the United States (National Youth in…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate disproportionality with respect to Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities for students of color, post qualification, for special education services via the label Specific Learning Disability (SLD). Multiple data sources including existing data, surveys, and semi structured interviews were…

The transition from high school to college is both scary and unfamiliar to each year's new participants. For high school students attending school in underserved communities, this transition can be lonely and often inaccessible. To combat this, nonprofits and other community organizations provide additional support services to students during this…

This study investigated the impact of learning about cultural intelligence (CQ) from senior U.S. Army Special Forces leaders (Group Commanders and Group Command Sergeants Major) on aspiring Special Forces Captains (students) at the Captains Career Course. Three research questions addressed the influence of senior leader interventions on students'…

This participatory action research study took the conceptual framework of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), collaboration merging through solid relationships to analyze the realities of the teacher on special assignment (TOSA) role and the job description. This study involved individual interviews and a focus group; both were coded using inductive…

The phenomenological methodology employed in this dissertation delves into the intricate interplay between stress, mental health, and socioeconomic mobility among Black individuals in the United States. This study aimed to shed light on the complex difficulties experienced by Black people navigating surroundings, mostly White, in academic and…

The lack of diversity within collegiate athletic departments is well documented and continues to be seen currently within the workforce of college athletic departments. There is research on what things might cause the continued lack of diversity however, there has been no research done looking at both sides of the hiring process within college…

This study examined the experiences of Cabinet-level administrators of color at institutions of higher education throughout the USA. Additionally, this study examined the factors that have impacted their journey to those Cabinet-level positions. There is an abundance of literature available on the experiences of African American and Latinx youth…

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has evolved since its implementation in American classrooms. By design, students are able to develop practical skills that are expected to enhance their future employment opportunities when enrolled in CTE courses. As advanced as the programs have become, doubt still exists in program design and usefulness,…

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder often have difficulties with social integration and sensory challenges on collegiate campuses. These difficulties are sometimes tied together as social integration spaces are not always sensory-friendly and can be overwhelming for the individual. Creating a sensory-friendly space within the potentially…