The primary purpose of this research was to examine institutional characteristics of four-year, public colleges and universities that closed off-site locations between 2012 and 2019 through the lens of resource dependence theory. As institutions attempt to maximize their available resources and make the best use of existing resources, there will…

Diversity is a vital concept when engaging with modern social science research and among higher education practitioners. Despite the pervasive discourse surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, quantification of diversity remains a challenge across the social sciences. This study proposes a new conceptual framework, applies…

The problem addressed in this study was determining the preparedness of 100 U.S. Higher Education Institutions for the revised certified public accounting examination scheduled for release in January 2024. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental research was to use a one-group pretest-posttest design to test the overall preparedness of…

William Allen High School (WAHS) was once a pillar of success. From a growing student body to a successful vocational wing, the high school was the epicenter of the district and the city for over a century. Today, however, WAHS evokes a different image. Between 1960 and 2020, WAHS evolved from a predominately White and high-achieving institution,…

This dissertation intends to inform self-assessment and data collection practices within Rutgers University and act upon the encouragement of university leadership to advance the potential of the public service mission. These goals are accomplished by exploring relevant questions to inform the practices of institutional research (IR) and…

Higher education institutions adopt conversational agents, or chatbots, to perform and automate certain business functions. While chatbots exist to support Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and other departments within an institution, Institutional Research lacks options. Institutional Research supports higher education institutions by providing…

This study examined the perceptions of institutional research practitioners in advancing racial and ethnic equity, including understanding if institutional researchers view themselves as change agents and whether institutional researchers feel equipped or have the capacity to advance racial and ethnic equity at their institution. Further, this…

Institutional researchers use skills from their diverse backgrounds to collect, analyze and report data about their institutions to stakeholders representing various interests and levels of data literacy. However, there is little research into how these professionals process data and none into what aspects are important to institutional…

Secondary social studies education in Missouri has played a crucial role in shaping students' cultural awareness, values, social identities, and civic engagement. Missouri's public high schools have been vital in preserving and disseminating culture, holding significance for a democratic society. This study surveys the historical development of…

Institutional researchers (IRs) at higher education institutions fulfill a crucial role in identifying, processing, and disseminating data to administrators. Identifying effective ways for leaders to make sense of data is essential to advancing the most critical institutional issues, including achieving equitable student outcomes. However, leaders…

The state of California has the largest community college system in the United States with 1.8 million students from diverse backgrounds and 64% percent of students who are economically disadvantaged (California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, 2022; Felix & Castro, 2018). California community colleges also experience inequitable…

IRB insiders (author's term) refers to the individuals within IRBs who make regulatory determinations on research. The term also includes individuals who have the authority to make decisions around how the IRB operates (e.g., associate director or director). This study sought to understand the lived experiences of IRB insiders who review primarily…

This study examined the performance of Title I elementary schools in South Carolina from the 2017-2018 school year to the 2021-2022 school year. The academic performance of each Title I school in the study was evaluated by examining data from the South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessment (SC READY). It also investigated the effect of the…

This study examined the level of degree on-campus jobs at Eastern Kentucky University assist with the overall student success rate regarding retention, grade point average and degrees awarded to ensure state and other funding sources are maximized. Specifically, this study focuses on major student employers on campus including the Admissions…

Dual credit programs have become important gateway programs between universities and school districts across the nation. The ability for high school students to take academically rigorous college courses while still in high school creates a situation that can be beneficial to students, parents, districts, and higher education partners. Morehead…