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A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women’s Leadership Journeys to the C-suite: A Pilot Study
No full textDespite longstanding diversity efforts, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in senior executive roles due to structural, cultural, and social barriers that restrict access to advancement and decision-making power. The problem addressed was the underrepresentation of Black women in the C-suite, which may often lead to a lack of diverse perspectives in decision-making, reduced innovation, and missed opportunities for equitable organizational growth. This qualitative pilot case study was conducted to explore CEOs’ perspectives on the factors contributing to Black women’s persistent absence from the C-suite. Bourdieu’s theory of practice, guided exploration of habitus, field, capital influence norms, networks, and power structures that shape career trajectories. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit former Fortune 1500 CEOs and C-suite leaders with a minimum of three years of executive experience. Data were collected through five semi-structured interviews and triangulated with existing literature to strengthen validity and contextual grounding. Thematic analysis identified barriers including unclear promotion pathways, informal gatekeeping, narrow “fit” expectations, and insufficient sponsorship and mentorship. Enabling practices included formalized sponsorship aligned with succession planning, transparent selection criteria, targeted development initiatives, and intentional visibility for high-impact assignments. Participants emphasized that advancement depends on access, advocacy, visibility, and performance, all shaped by influential networks and unwritten organizational norms. Future researchers should broaden the scope of inquiry through intersectional and comparative analyses to deepen understanding of the structural, relational, and experiential factors affecting Black women’s executive advancement and to inform more equitable organizational leadership strategies
Enhancing supply chain collaboration: Investigating the benefits and challenges across manufacturing supplier and distributor networks
No full textThis qualitative embedded single case study investigated the benefits and challenges of supply chain collaboration across manufacturing supplier and distributor networks, with a focus on the North American sheet metal manufacturing industry. The problem addressed was the ineffective supply chain collaboration within these networks, which limits operational efficiency, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing collaboration effectiveness and to develop strategies for improving supply chain collaboration between manufacturing suppliers and distributors. The conceptual framework guiding the study integrated Social Network Theory, Resource Dependence Theory perspectives. A qualitative methodology was employed using semi-structured interviews with executives, middle managers, and production floor staff. A purposive sampling approach ensured that perspectives were captured across organizational levels and functional roles. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic method, supported by NVivo software, to identify patterns and themes. Findings revealed seven themes under three research questions: communication barriers, technological constraints, process misalignment, cultural differences, leadership gaps, collaborative strategies, and future-oriented practices. Results indicated that ineffective collaboration stemmed from siloed communication, reliance on outdated systems, and cultural resistance, while successful collaboration was facilitated by trust-building, aligned leadership practices, and shared integration mechanisms. Recommendations for practice included investing in digital tools for integration, establishing structured cross-tier communication, and cultivating leadership competencies in collaborative governance. Recommendations for future research included expanding comparative studies across industries and exploring the role of digital transformation in mitigating collaboration challenges
Self-Medication or Self-Sabotage?: Marijuana and ADHD: An Investigation in Long-Term Outcomes on Symptom Severity and Cognitive Functioning
Get PDFAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that significantly impact daily functioning. While stimulant and non-stimulant medications remain the primary treatments, these options present challenges, including adverse side effects, inconsistent adherence, and limited long-term efficacy. Increasingly, individuals with ADHD report using cannabis as an alternative treatment, citing perceived benefits such as improved focus, emotional regulation, and reduced hyperactivity. However, empirical research raises concerns that chronic cannabis use may exacerbate cognitive deficits, emotional dysregulation, and risk for cannabis use disorder (CUD), particularly among adolescents and young adults. This capstone critically evaluates the long-term impact of cannabis use on ADHD symptom management and cognitive functioning. Guided by the Self-Medication Hypothesis, the proposed longitudinal mixed-methods study examines whether cannabis functions as an adaptive coping strategy or a maladaptive behavior that worsens impairment over time. Quantitative measures include standardized ADHD symptom scales and cognitive performance tests, while qualitative interviews capture lived experiences, motivations for use, and perceived outcomes. Findings from this research aim to clarify the balance between perceived short-term benefits and documented long-term risks of cannabis use in ADHD populations. By integrating subjective and empirical evidence, this study seeks to inform clinical practice, guide public health policy, and contribute to the development of evidence-based recommendations for ADHD treatment. Ultimately, the research addresses whether cannabis use represents self-medication or self-sabotage for individuals with ADHD
Understanding Acculturation, Mental Health and Sexual Identity in Gay Filipino Canadians in the Diaspora
Get PDFThis research explores the psychological experiences of gay Filipino Canadians in the diaspora, focusing on how acculturation, cultural values, and systemic barriers shape these individual’s mental health. The research examines the complex interplay between Filipino cultural expectations, Canadian societal norms, compounded by the pressured related to navigating sexuality within these communities. This Capstone highlights the impact of family separation, discrimination, and the challenges of maintaining cultural identity by drawing from research on migration patterns, bicultural stress, and indigenous Filipino psychology. Filipino cultural values such as hiya and pakisisama play a crucial role in shaping coping strategies and emotional well-being. The findings in this research emphasize the importance of culturally sensitive and identity-affirming approaches in mental health supports for the gay Filipino Canadians in the diaspora. This Capstone also argues that understanding the unique stressors that this population face is essential for developing more effective counselling interventions. This research aims to contribute to the growing field of culturally competent mental health care by addressing the intersections of ethnicity, sexuality, and immigration status
Dissertation Construction: Building Better Scholars with Our Toolbox Series
No full textLibrarians play a pivotal role in sharpening doctoral students' information literacy toolset, and our Dissertation Toolbox targets specific skill gaps through a comprehensive approach. This presentation shares our project journey, offering insights into a model that successfully empowers doctoral students to participate in contemporary scholarship by conducting precise, impactful research
The Integration of Somatic Therapies for the Treatment of Couples who have Experienced Childhood Trauma
No full textThis capstone specifically examines how integrating somatic therapies into couples counselling may improve relational satisfaction, trust, and communication for partners with a history of childhood trauma. The central research question guiding this inquiry is: How does the integration of somatic therapy into traditional couples counselling impact these relational outcomes? While conventional therapeutic approaches such as the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) offer valuable tools for improving relational dynamics, they often emphasize cognitive and emotional processing without adequately addressing the embodied effects of trauma. Emerging research supports the use of somatic, or bottom-up, interventions as a critical complement to traditional talk-based therapy, particularly for individuals with trauma histories who may experience physiological dysregulation, dissociation, or difficulty accessing emotion through language alone. Through a systematic literature review, this paper synthesizes current findings on the benefits of incorporating somatic techniques, such as breathwork, grounding, and body-based psychoeducation into couples therapy. It also outlines how somatic interventions can enhance emotional attunement, co-regulation, and relational safety between partners. The findings reveal a growing consensus on the value of holistic, trauma-informed frameworks that engage both the body and mind. However, the integration of somatic practices remains underutilized in mainstream couples counselling, and further empirical and longitudinal research is needed to establish best practices and training guidelines. This thesis argues for a more embodied, integrative approach to trauma-informed couples counselling and highlights its potential to support healing, trust, and connection in intimate relationships
Sexed Differences for Student-Parents Pursuing Higher Education
No full textThis study uses newly collected data identifying students who are parents of dependent children (student-parents) as they pursue post-secondary education in Texas to explore the choices student-parents make in pursuit of their higher education goals. Prior research on student-parents have focused on their needs and have relied on population estimates or small or homogenous populations, limiting researchers’ ability to generalize about the relationship between a student parent’s sex and their educational choices. This led to calls for additional research using more diverse and larger populations. This quantitative, non-experimental, archival study seeks to determine whether sex-based differences are observable in the enrollment choices of student-parents in Texas public colleges and universities, using a gendered social control theoretical framework. With a sample of more than 7,000 student records, this study found statistically significant associations between sex and institution type and sex and enrollment modality for student-parents, using chi-square tests of independence. Two-sample proportions tests were then used to provide additional insights into the relationship between student-parents’ sex and their enrollment choices. Student-parents in this study overwhelmingly attended community colleges, rather than universities. While a larger number of mothers were enrolled, a statistically significantly larger proportion of fathers enrolled in community colleges, which may indicate fathers may benefit from more attention from community college recruitment teams and student affairs staff. While just over a third of fathers took all of their classes in fully online formats, nearly half of mothers enrolled in fully online courses, which was a statistically significant result. This study provides new insights for college administrators about how and where student-parents pursue post-secondary educatio
Social-Emotional Learning Effect on School Climate and Student Health
No full textThis capstone examines the impact of social-emotional learning (SEL) on student mental health and school climate in high schools. It addresses key challenges faced by educators, such as reduced funding, increased student isolation from overcrowding and technology use, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth social skills and well-being. The research investigates how the SEL competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making can be cultivated through a three-tier approach using evidence-based classroom programs, extra-curricular activities, and targeted mentoring. The findings show that SEL implementation improves emotional regulation, strengthens relationships among peers and staff, reduces behavioural issues, and fosters a more inclusive and connected school environment. The capstone recommends professional development for teachers, alignment of SEL language across grade levels, structured and inclusive extra-curricular offerings, and robust mentoring with ongoing supervision. Prioritizing SEL at multiple levels is shown to enhance school climate, build student resilience, and address mental health needs which empowers schools to proactively reduce feelings of isolation and promote belonging to school community
Understanding Ambiguous Loss in Transnational Migrant Families: A Literature Review on the Implications for Counselling in Cultural Contexts
No full textAmbiguous loss is a term used to describe the experience of grieving a loved one who is no longer present, but without the finality of death (Boss, 1999). The experience of ambiguous loss is one well known to migrants living in the United States and Canada who are separated from their loved ones and experiencing family transnationally. From a lens of cultural sensitivity, this capstone aims to provide insight into the experience and impacts of ambiguous loss while promoting competence in counselling those experiencing ambiguous loss within a cultural context
Enhancing Adolescent Resilience: The Role of Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Practices
No full textThis capstone project explores how mindfulness and self-compassion practices can enhance resilience and improve coping strategies among adolescents. Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and stress in youth underscore the urgent need for accessible, evidence-based interventions that support emotional well-being. Drawing from research in contemplative traditions, psychology, and neuroscience, this paper examines the theoretical foundations and practical applications of mindfulness and self-compassion in adolescent mental health. It presents a 12-week school-based group counselling program designed to cultivate self-awareness, emotional regulation, and selfkindness among high school students. Pre- and post-program assessments using the Self Compassion Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Child and Youth Resilience Measure to provide quantitative measures of program impact. The proposed intervention offers educators and school counsellors a practical, developmentally appropriate framework to embed mindfulness and selfcompassion practices into school environments, equipping adolescents with tools to navigate life's challenges with greater emotional regulation, resilience, and self-understanding