1232 research outputs found
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A KINGDOM-CENTRIC SPIRITUAL FORMATION MODEL: DEVELOPING CHURCHWIDE STRATEGIES FOR FORMING PEOPLE INTO CHRISTLIKENESS
No full textThis dissertation explores how churches can better form people by examining the central research question: “What strategies can churches use to develop a Kingdom-centric spiritual formation model that prioritizes shaping individuals into Christlikeness as the church’s primary vision and mission?” Drawing on Paul’s desire to see Christ formed in the Galatian church (Gal 4:19), as well as exploring Jesus’s mandate in Matt 28:19 in connection with Acts 2:42-46, these texts show the connection between the spiritual formation of early believers and the Church. The researcher employed a quantitative methodology at The Worship Center in Leesburg, Virginia. Research revealed significant perceptions of communal and individual formation among participants. Furthermore, the data revealed that individuals participating in intentional communal formation events were experiencing even greater degrees of formation and praxis in their lives. These insights highlight that forming people into Christlikeness is possible in the local church context, offering myriad applications for any church contex
90-Day Consulting Engagement Grounded in Authentic and Servant Leadership Approaches–Building Capacity for Small Business
No full textThis doctoral capstone project examined a 90-day consulting engagement designed to strengthen organizational capacity in a small, M/WBE-certified professional services firm operating in a government contracting environment. Grounded in authentic and servant leadership frameworks, the engagement used a structured 30-60-90-day intervention model to assess leadership alignment, administrative infrastructure, human resources capacity, data management practices, and marketing readiness. The project employed an organizational health check-up approach to diagnose systemic gaps, co-create solutions with organizational leadership, and implement practical tools to improve operational consistency, compliance readiness, and leadership effectiveness. Outcomes of the engagement included improved leadership alignment, standardized administrative and operational workflows, enhanced compliance readiness, and the development of customized tools to support performance tracking and decision-making
THE INTERNAL MOTIVATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS TO ACQUIRE THE LANGUAGE
No full textThis case study utilized qualitative research to investigate how the adult education program at a school in a northeastern state’s English as a second language (ESL) program affected the students’ intrinsic motivation. Students’ recruitment followed the principle of homogenous sampling, which entailed choosing a small number of the population that fit the study’s parameters. As a result, the data collection for the study consisted of interviews with 11 individuals enrolled in the ESL program. All interviews were carried out in the interviewee’s private setting via the Zoom platform to ensure the collection of the most genuine data possible. The main aim of the interviews was to explore English language learners’ (ELLs) perspectives regarding the instructional methods that boost intrinsic motivation to learn English. Participants felt their prior English language instruction experiences were demotivating due to instructors’ failure to impart language skills and their preference for activities without clear learning goals. All participants stressed the importance of student engagement in learning to make students feel comfortable with teachers. The results of this study showed that teacher-student collaboration boosted excitement. Participants saw this teaching as collaborative learning, which lifted ELLs’ spirits and motivated them to improve their English. The study also provides additional recommendations for future research and practical considerations
PATH-GOAL LEADERSHIP THEORY: AN EXAMINATION OF TEACHER LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR AND TEACHER MOTIVATIONAL INFLUENCE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
No full textThe purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to examine the relationship betweenteacher leadership behaviors and teacher influences on academic motivation amongst students currently enrolled in vocational education and training (VET) programs in the State of Florida. Grounded in Robert House’s Path-Goal Leadership Theory, the study investigated how specific leadership behaviors impact student motivation within VET settings. While research on leadership and student motivation is extensive in general education, limited empirical attention has been given to how these variables interact in the context of VET. Utilizing a quantitative survey design distributed online, data was collected from students across multiple VET institutions. Results of this study revealed statistically significant positive correlations between both directive and supportive leadership behaviors and student academic motivation. These findings suggest that teacher leadership behavior plays a meaningful role in shaping student motivation in VET programs. Findings from this study aim to contribute to the growing discourse on teacher leadership in specialized learning environments and offer practical implications for teacher development. Implications for teacher training, policy development, and strategies to enhance student motivation and institutional success were discussed
A Quantitative Study of Presidents at Public and Private 4-Year Historically Black Colleges and Universities
No full textThere has been a notable increase in presidential turnover at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), leading to significant leadership challenges (Freeman & Gasman, 2014). Abrupt leadership changes create instability that impacts recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff, as well as overall morale on campuses (Gasman et al., 2010). Despite the importance of effective leadership, there is limited research specifically focusing on HBCU presidencies (Freeman & Palmer, 2020). Although the American Council on Education (ACE) has surveyed college and university presidents every 5 years since 1986, few studies have investigated HBCU presidents as a distinctive group. Existing research is primarily qualitative. St. Charles (2002) examined private HBCU presidents’ tenures and their links to various characteristics, while Henry (2009) explored personal and professional attributes using the Fisher/Tack Effective Leadership Inventory. Graham (2019) applied the ACE model to study presidential competencies, focusing solely on private HBCUs. A common limitation of these studies is their exclusive focus on institutions within the United Negro College Fund. Notably, comprehensive quantitative research on public HBCUs has not been conducted in over 25 years. Graham advocated for future studies on public HBCU presidential competency, highlighting the need to compare both private and public institutions. This study heeds that call, broadening the scope to include both public and private HBCUs, thereby enriching the understanding of leadership dynamics within these institutions
THE EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY AND COMMITMENT ON THE RETENTION OF ALTERNATIVELY CERTIFIED TEACHERS
No full textTeacher attrition has opened the doors for professionals from other fields to enter the teaching field by following an alternative path. Yet, the attrition rate of these alternatively certified teachers (ACTs) is higher than that of traditionally certified teachers (TCTs). The objective of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the effect of self-efficacy and commitment on teacher retention of ACTs in Northwest Florida. The participants in the study worked in several schools in the area. After interviews, responses were evaluated, and categories and codes were compiled. Analysis was then done on the frequency and quality of response data to assess the effect of each category and code on the retention of ACTs. The responses revealed that ACTs entered the profession believing in their abilities as teachers and showing high levels of self-efficacy. However, the effect of the environment—surrounding teachers, administration, student discipline, and other factors—has a powerful effect on ACTs’ commitment. The responses of the participants revealed the importance of a supporting team. Effective support from administration and mentors allowed the new teachers to develop a stronger commitment to the teaching craft, which in turn strengthened self-efficacy. Additionally, participants felt that when they were empowered in everything from involvement in curricular planning to extra-curricular support, their self-efficacy soared. As a whole, both commitment and self-efficacy are vitally influential factors in the retention of teachers
ISSUES THAT MINISTERS IDENTIFY AS FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
No full textAlthough mental health is an emerging topic within the church community, the stigmatization of mental illness within ministers’ lives can create a myriad of personal beliefs that can lead to shame and discontent in ministers’ lives. Many ministers have daily stressors that compromise their mental health, and these stressors can contribute to depression or anxiety. This study defined mental health issues and described mental illness’ influence on ministers’ lives and the factors that contribute to mental health issues. This health condition, described as mental illness, involves significant changes in thinking, emotion, behavior, distress, and problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.1 The sample of ministers in Central Florida identified shared factors contributing to mental health challenges. This study investigated disorders defined in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual on Mental Health Disorders, 5th ed., specifically those that focus on anxiety and depression
Does Culture Eat Talent? A Quantitative Study Exploring the Relationship Between Organizational Culture and Turnover Intentions in Conservation Organizations
Get PDFTalent retention can be a significant challenge within organizations, especially when turnover intention (TI) is high. High TI indicates that employees experience low job satisfaction, lack organizational commitment, and perceive more opportunities outside the organization; consequently, they consider leaving, which can disrupt organizational stability and effectiveness. This study examined the relationships of perceived and preferred organizational culture (OC) and TI among a sample of 217 individuals from the conservation workforce. Of these participants, 121 were associated with 15 conservation organizations that participated, and the remaining 96 participants were acquired through conservation networks. Participants responded to an online survey that combined the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and the shortened Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6). The results showed noteworthy correlations among various dimensions of OC and TI. Specifically, perceived clan and adhocracy cultures negatively correlated with TI, whereas perceived market and hierarchy cultures displayed positive correlations. Participants expressed an OC preference for enhancing collaboration (clan) and creativity (adhocracy) while decreasing competitiveness (market) and control (hierarchy). In addition, the TIS-6 scores fell within the moderate range, indicating organizational ambivalence. These findings highlight the importance of internal cultural alignment in reducing TI and retaining talent in conservation organizations. Diagnosing the perceived and preferred OC means conservation organizations, like the ecosystems they serve, can support needed changes to sustain talent in the same way biodiversity is prioritized
Modern Classical Christian Education?
Get PDFThis thesis asks if the ancient tradition of classical education is an education method for the modern world. More specifically, this thesis questions, how might classical education methods be implemented for the acquisition of wisdom in the modern world? The literature review gives a brief history of classical education from the Greeks, and a history of why classical education is again a topic of conversation in the modern world. The three stages of classical education, the trivium, is explained. Classical Christian education is defined noting the method remains the same, but the difference is the nuances of the virtues of seeking truth, goodness, and beauty and acquiring wisdom. Primary sources were found through an online university and a personal library search on the following topics: classical and classical Christian education, their histories and methods, the trivium, the virtues of truth, beauty, goodness, modern use of classical education, and the acquisition of wisdom. Secondary sources were used if primary books and documents were unavailable. Statistics show that modern classical Christian education is producing students who are productive adults. The implication is classical education and classical Christian education are viable modern educational options that produce adults able to discern truth, goodness, and beauty, and wisely contribute to the modern life that surrounds them
Critical Theory and the Decline of American Patriotism
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CRITICAL THEORY AND THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN PATRIOTISM
Caron Norton
Southeastern University, 2025
Nationwide there has been a progressive decline in patriotism since the turn of the 21st century. Instead of growing in affection towards their country, more and more American citizens reach adulthood frustrated and angry with the United States and its heritage. Some become consumed with hatred. Rather than honoring America’s forefathers, Americans have torn down and desecrated statues and symbols from the past. Where did this antipatriotic fervor come from? How did Americans become disillusioned? This shift in mood can be directly attributed to the rise of Critical Theory and its subcategories, Critical Pedagogy and Critical Race Theory. Over the course of the 20th century, the tenets of these philosophies infiltrated the educational system and became common place in both methodology and content. As a result, the culture-changing ideas of Critical Theory have become so ingrained in society that they are barely noticeable. The decline in patriotism is the successful completion of the intentional goal of Critical Theory to instigate social unrest