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Transformational Leadership Skills and the Impact of Retention Practices
No full textDefense Date August 28th, 2025
Candidate Name Amanda McDonald
Personal Email Address [email protected]
First Advisor Dr. Emile Hawkins
Second Advisor Dr. Joshua Henson
Project Type DSL Final Project: Educational Workshop
Project Overview
Transformational Leadership has proven to impact institutional retention at a small Christian College located in the upper Midwest. This project provided support to faculty members who were interested in identifying personal leadership styles and the impact personal leadership has on retention. Faculty gained knowledge supporting the four characteristics of Transformational Leadership: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation
Project Themes
Transformational Leadership Skills and the Impact on Retention Practices encompasses three key components designed to optimize institutional retention, Transformational Leadership Skills, and Faculty-Student Relationships, designed to enhance faculty\u27s ability to understand Transformational Leadership, personal leadership practices, and the impact Transformational Leadership plays on retention. Faculty engaged in a modified MLQ assessment and open discussion supporting engagement and learning. Delivering Transformational Leadership Skills, best Retention Practices, and Faculty-Student Relationships supports increased institutional retention.
Contributions to the Field of Leadership
Transformational Leadership skills enhance institutional retention rates at a small Christian College located in the upper Midwest by implementing idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation. Administrators benefit from understanding the leadership styles of key department leaders. Transformational Leaders display idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation. Continued exploration of Transformational Leadership Skills and the Impact of Retention should continue to support and expand on the research of this project.
Real-world Implications
This project serves administrators and faculty in small Christian Colleges, offering Transformational Leadership knowledge, self-awareness, and positive retention results. Increasing institutional retention supports a healthy operating budget and student experiences. Positive Transformational Leaders develop meaningful relationships with students, supporting both academic and career development
GENRE OR GENRE-LESS: AN ANALYSIS OF MUSIC CLASSIFICATION AND COMPLEXITIES OF GENRES AND SUBGENRES
No full textThis thesis analyzes the current problems with music classifications via genres. Specifically, the issues with genres are the boundaries they create or how a genre is defined, and how music fits under that definition. Either genre boundaries are too broad, not truly defining a specific song, album, and/or artist, or genre boundaries are too specific, to the point where the necessity for using genres is questioned. Sub-genres were created as a result of this ambiguity, and their modern-day usage highlights why using genre to define music is complicated. This analysis views how genre outside of music is used and defined, the application of said usage and definition to music, the troubles genres bring, and possible solutions. As a demonstration of these issues and complications, I have decided to release an EP that consists of songs of multiple genres to show that while an EP or album contains different genres, it’s hard to define the project as a whole or the artists under one genre
MULTIPLYING MULTIPLIERS: HOW TO DEVELOP CHURCH PLANTERS WHO MULTIPLY THROUGH EVANGELICAL CHURCH-BASED PLANTING
Get PDFThe Evangelical Church of America is declining, while the population of the United States is growing. Though the church has a biblical mandate to multiply and fulfill the Great Commission, the church-planter pipelines within church-planting churches and organizations are shrinking, and only a fraction of churches are multiplying by developing church planters and releasing them to plant new generations of churches. The challenge of generational church multiplication is captured in the research question: How can church-planting churches and church-based church-planting networks prepare church planters to multiply? This study provides a biblical foundation for a practical theology of church multiplication and generational leadership training that guides the missional ecclesiopraxis for developing church planters who multiply. The qualitative studies for this project utilized mixed methods research through surveying and interviewing. The cross-sectional surveying of over 100 church planters revealed the qualities of church planters who multiply in contrast to those who do not. The triad interviews of multiplying leaders within six church-based church-planting networks provide insight into how Multiplying Pastors develop and transfer multiplicative efforts into new generations of church planters. Integrating the theological findings, insights from contemporary literature resources, and the results of the qualitative research provide a developmental framework for cultivating potential church planters toward generational church multiplication
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP AS PREDICTED BY THE FISHER TEMPERAMENT INVENTORY SCALES
Get PDFAuthentic leadership has garnered increasing attention from scholars and practitioners for its emphasis on ethical and transparent leadership practices that foster positive organizational outcomes. Despite its popularity, research into its antecedents remains underdeveloped. This study is a response to calls to examine potential psychometric predictors of authentic leadership, focusing on temperament as a biologically-rooted factor. This quantitative research involved surveying 338 U.S. leaders on temperament and authentic leadership. Temperament, as measured by the Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI), offers a neuroscience-based perspective and resolves the potential crossover issues found in the widely studied Five-Factor Model (FFM). Using the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) to measure authentic leadership dimensions, this research investigated how the FTI’s four temperament scales—Explorer, Builder, Director, and Negotiator—predict authentic leadership traits. Results revealed significant predictive relationships, with each authentic leadership component being associated with at least one temperament scale. These findings provide new insights into the biological antecedents of authentic leadership and contribute to theoretical advancements in understanding how intrinsic traits shape effective leadership behaviors
TURNING THE TIDE: LEADERSHIP, VISION, AND STRATEGIES FOR CHURCH REVITALIZATION IN THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD.
No full textThe words of Jesus, spoken over 2,000 years ago and recorded in Matt 16:18, serve a prophetic purpose regarding the power and endurance of the Church. Addressing one of His closest disciples, the Messiah emphatically declared, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” This statement shows that the Church—built by mortal men and women in service to the Divine—is God’s chosen instrument to reach lost humanity. With that in mind, this dissertation seeks to answer a critical question: “What are the optimal strategies and best practices for church turnaround, as perceived by six district superintendents within the Assemblies of God?” Through interviews with these leaders, this research aims to identify key insights that contribute to church revitalization. Although signs of decline are evident across the nation, this study moves beyond the symptoms, focusing instead on the specific strategies that district superintendents have successfully implemented to foster renewal. Furthermore, this dissertation includes an in-depth theological study on church growth, a comprehensive literature review on church revitalization, in addition to the qualitative research study featuring interviews with six district superintendents. By synthesizing biblical principles, contemporary research, and real-world leadership experiences, this study highlights the strategies and best practices that foster church turnaround. Ultimately, every church experiencing stagnation or decline holds the potential for turnaround, a body existing as a thriving, revitalized community
REALISM, INSTRUMENTALISM, AND THE LANGUAGE OF SCIENCE TEACHING: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY
No full textThe purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, correlational study was to investigate how science educators\u27 epistemological orientations, specifically, their leanings toward realism or instrumentalism, influence the degree of certainty in their instructional language. The study addressed a significant gap in science education literature by empirically analyzing whether educators\u27 philosophical beliefs about the nature of scientific knowledge predict the language they use when teaching science. Data were collected through a researcher-developed survey, the Science Educators\u27 Epistemological Beliefs and Classroom Language Practices Survey, which measured participants\u27 epistemological positions and linguistic tendencies across a sample of current and former science educators in the United States. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated a statistically significant relationship between educators\u27 epistemological orientations and their use of certainty-driven or tentative language in the classroom. Educators with realist leanings were more likely to communicate scientific content using definitive and authoritative language. However, those with instrumentalist perspectives employed language that reflected the provisional, model-based nature of science. These findings have implications for teacher preparation and professional development, particularly in fostering classroom discourse that accurately represents the nature of science as a dynamic and evolving field of inquiry
ANALYZING THE METHODS AND EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE SERVICE STYLES IN THE CHURCH
No full textThis thesis explores the motivations and methodologies behind offering different styles of worship services in churches in Lakeland, Florida. The study is inspired by the ongoing debate over modern worship, which has intensified over the past fifty years. As contemporary worship grew in popularity, many churches adapted by incorporating various worship styles into their services. In response to the controversy surrounding these changes, some churches implemented multiple service options—one reflecting a contemporary/modern style and another adhering to a more traditional approach. As this practice became more widespread, it sparked further discussion among church leaders regarding its impact on congregational unity, engagement, and overall church dynamics. This research examines select churches in Lakeland to better understand why this approach is adopted, how it is implemented, and how it affects each church community as a whole
PROPOSED METHOD FOR ANALYZING COGNITIVE EFFECTS OF CHIARI MALFORMATION TYPE I AND THE PROGRESSION FOLLOWING CEREBRAL TONSIL REDUCTION
No full textChiari Malformation Type I (CM-I) is a neurological condition characterized by the descent of cerebellar structures through the foramen magnum. This malformation can be associated with cognitive implications, including impaired executive functioning, slowed processing speed, memory deficits, difficulties with attention and concentration, irregularities in emotional processing, and challenges in communication and fluency. Research indicates that cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in CM-I patients, affecting their daily lives. There are two surgical treatments commonly recommended for CM-I: posterior fossa decompression (PFD) and cerebral tonsil reduction (CTR). While both interventions are supported in the literature, studies on their long-term effects and effectiveness remain debated. The purpose of this research is to develop a conceptual framework that proposes a method for analyzing cognition before and after CTR using standardized neuropsychological assessments. This analysis aims to evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness in relation to concomitant effects and overall quality of daily life
Organizational Culture in a Warehouse Environment
No full textTitle of Project: Organizational Culture in a Warehouse Environment
Defense Date: July 9, 2025
Candidate Name: C. Anthony Goff
Personal Email Address: [email protected]
First Advisor: Dr. Joshua Henson
Second Advisor: Dr. Debra Dean
DSL Final Project
Project Type: Workshop and Assessment
Project Overview: This capstone project focused on designing and delivering a workshop aimed at enhancing the organizational culture within the leadership team of a cross-dock warehouse in the Southeastern United States. The initiative specifically addressed how culture influences an operation\u27s productivity and efficiency. The leadership team, consisting of supervisors, managers, and a facility leader, oversees roughly 125 diverse hourly associates. Utilizing Cameron and Quinn\u27s Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), the workshop offered a structured method for understanding and improving the facility\u27s culture. Key activities included introducing core organizational culture concepts, providing an overview of the Competing Values Framework and OCAI, administering and tabulating OCAI surveys, and facilitating a collaborative session to develop actionable steps based on the findings.
Project Themes: The primary themes explored in this project were organizational culture, leadership development, team cohesion, and strategic cultural assessment. The project underscored the importance of cultivating a strong, value-driven culture to foster employee engagement, enhance job satisfaction, and improve overall organizational performance, particularly within diverse workforce environments.
Contributions to the Field of Leadership: This project contributed to the field of leadership by demonstrating a practical application of established organizational culture assessment tools, specifically the OCAI, within a real-world logistics environment. It provided a framework for leadership teams to actively diagnose their current cultural landscape and collaboratively strategize for desired cultural shifts. The project underscored the critical role of intentional cultural development in mitigating the effects of external disruptions on workforce stability and productivity.
Real-world Implications: This project carries significant real-world implications for 3PL companies and warehouse operations aiming to build strong, adaptable organizational cultures. By giving leaders the tools and knowledge to assess and shape their culture, the project can boost employee retention, improve productivity, and create a more engaged workforce. The insights from this work can also help guide strategic human resource initiatives and leadership training programs in similar logistics environments, fostering a positive work atmosphere and ultimately contributing to the organization\u27s success
Spiritual Awakening for Christ\u27s Church: A Strategic Leadership Approach to Equipping Believers Through Discipleship and Encounter in a Christian University Context
No full textProject Overview: This presentation examined the spiritual wilderness as a critical environment for genuine formation in the life of a believer. Drawing from your doctoral capstone, it explored how confronting what you described as “Carnival Cruise Ship Christianity” becomes necessary for believers who desire depth rather than ease, conviction rather than comfort, and spiritual fire rather than passive faith. The session highlighted how practicing the presence of God in hidden seasons produces authentic Pentecostal identity marked by hunger, holiness, and continual encounter with the Holy Spirit.
Project Themes: The central theme of the presentation was that the wilderness is not a setback but a refining space where superficial forms of Christianity are exposed. It emphasized the contrast between entertainment-driven faith and a life shaped by personal communion with God. The seminar explored how intentional rhythms of worship, prayer, repentance, and sensitivity to the Spirit cultivate stability, spiritual fire, and renewed devotion. It also showed how strategic leadership principles can support believers in navigating seasons of testing by helping them anchor identity, purpose, and direction in the presence of Jesus.
Contributions to the Field of Leadership: This project broadens leadership studies by integrating spiritual wilderness formation with strategic leadership development. It reframes leadership as the fruit of a life shaped by presence rather than performance. By showing how Pentecostal practices such as listening prayer, encounter, and Spirit-led discernment can guide decision-making and cultural formation, the presentation demonstrates that leaders become most effective when their authority flows from intimacy with God and the refinement that takes place in seasons of hiddenness.
Real World Implications: The presentation offers insight into how Christian universities, ministries, and developing leaders can cultivate environments that resist shallow cultural Christianity and encourage deeper spiritual formation. Practicing the presence of God becomes a sustaining force that strengthens personal leadership, ignites spiritual passion, and shapes communities marked by authenticity and devotion