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Women in Leadership: Factors that affect the Achievement of Women in Higher Education Administration At Four-Year Public and Private Universities in Texas
Get PDFWomen in Leadership: Factors that affect the Achievement of Women in Higher Education Administration At Four-Year Public and Private Universities in Texas
By: Dawn Marie Ramirez
Dissertation Chair, Absael Antelo, Ph.D.
University of the Incarnate Word, 2012
The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the factors that affect women administrators in higher education at four-year public and private universities in Texas. By comparing private and public universities, the research provided an assessment of similarities and differences of the factors impacting achievement of women in higher education. This study surveyed (N = 288) female administrators in higher education, who are currently working in private and public institutions of higher learning. Family and educational factors were examined with descriptive and inferential analysis. A chi-square statistical procedure indicated significant association between private and public four year universities and certain factors impacting women achievement in higher education. The study added to the framework of literature and presented an understanding of the nature of the field of women administrators in higher education in Texas.
Results confirmed that women administrators at four-year public and private universities in Texas have significant demographics differences. However, they had similar factors that impacted their achievement as women administrators. The important factors that most affected women administrators included educational level, higher education teaching experience, and not having children. There was a strong positive relationship between the participants mother earning a four-year degree and the participants father earning a four-year degree (r = .55, significance level = .000). Since the variables were found to be significant, mother and father earning a four-year degree was a factor that affects women in becoming administrators
Increasing the Numbers: A Training Strategy to Improve Volunteer Participation
No full textThe purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the opinions of VITA volunteers in various cities concerning the current method of training, its usefulness and effectiveness, their views towards a need for alternative online tax law training method of instruction, and their intent to return. While the literature acknowledges that the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program continues to be one of the most effective government assistance programs for low to moderate income taxpayers, the demands for this aid continues to grow at an astounding rate. It is estimated that the demand reaches over four million taxpayers (IRS, 2010) and the number of available volunteers nears 100,000 (2010). As the desire from taxpayers to participate in this program has increased, there exists a critical need to recruit and maintain a greater number of highly trained and experienced volunteers. It is especially important to be more receptive to their needs. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the opinions of VITA volunteers in various cities concerning the current method of training, its usefulness and effectiveness, their views towards a need for alternative online tax law training method of instruction, and their intent to return. The study involved a survey instrument conducted online which was sent to 1040 participants, of which 415 volunteers participated in this research. Demographic analysis indicated that most respondents were female, Hispanic, with an age range of 20-29 with less than five years of service with VITA. Most of these respondents were tax preparers with a background in accounting and generally were not students. From this data, descriptive statistics were used. Cross tabulations were calculated for some demographic values and various components the study. Inferential statistics was used to evaluate the effects among variables and the research questions. Kruskal Wallis H tests were conducted for this research. The results of the study indicated that most volunteers are satisfied with the current method of training. Most volunteers feel that the current training is useful; however, the results indicated that it is not always effective. Since most volunteers certify at a basic level, they are more likely to occur situations outside of their level of expertise. However, their view towards at alternative tax law training method of instruction is quite favorable. More importantly, most volunteers indicated that there is a strong likelihood of returning to volunteer in the future
An Exploratory Study of Consumer Decision-Making and Learning Styles Among the Millennial Generation in Taiwan
No full textThis cross-sectional quantitative survey research used factor analyses, including principal components analysis (PCA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), to analyze the data as well as to endorse the validity and reliability of both instruments.
This study investigated the possible relationships between consumer decision-making styles and individual learning styles among the Taiwanese Millennial Generation through administering the Chinese version of the Consumer Style Inventory (CSI) and the Index of Learning Styles Questionnaires (ILS) to 770 valid random samples at one private university in Southern Taiwan. This cross-sectional quantitative survey research used factor analyses, including principal components analysis (PCA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), to analyze the data as well as to endorse the validity and reliability of both instruments. Via comparison analyses of Pearson correlation, Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Canonical correlation, the findings confirmed correlations and revealed differences in profiles of consumer styles and learning styles among various demographic groups, including gender, age, and type of program and college. Brand conscious, price-value conscious, and high-quality conscious were found as the top three consumer shopping characteristics. Visual, reflective, sensing, and global learning styles were more preferable than active, intuitive, verbal, and sequential ones. The results prompted implications for guiding effective marketing strategies for Millennial customers
African American Male Academic Success
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of 10 selected academically successful African American male leaders. In this study, academic success was defined as these African American men who attained a master\u27s or postgraduate degree such as a M.D., Ph.D., or J.D. Even though there is bountiful research on the deficiencies in the lives of African American males, it is still unclear what conditions lead African American men to higher educational attainment. The goal of this study was to also add to the deficient, ever-emerging body of research in the area of African American male educational attainment, while providing viable solutions that speak to the plights of African American males from all educational backgrounds and experiences. Using a basic interpretive qualitative inquiry format, the research questions focused on (a) how professional and familial social capital is related to academic success, (b) the participant\u27s perception of the role of resilience in the pursuit of academic attainment, and (c) how does self-efficacy influence academic success for these African American male participants? This research analyzed recurring themes from these participants, who were solicited because they can provide expert testimony on how an African American male can achieve academically. The inquiry produced three recurring themes: Self Belief and Identity, Social Network and Support, and Faith, Spirituality, and Inspiration. After a comprehensive qualitative analysis of the themes, the following categories emerged: Resilience Over Faulty Mindsets; Competition; Above Mediocrity; Social Network and Support; Family; Positive Influences, Mentors, and Peers; Opportunities; Faith, Spirituality, and Inspiration; Faith in a Higher Power; and Historical Responsibility. All the participants identified Social Network and Support as a major factor in their academic success. Most participants credited a parent, peer, mentor, or teacher as the most influential person that helped them throughout their educational pursuits
An Investigation of Academic Integrity in Jordanian Universities
Get PDFThis study aimed to describe current practices employed by public and private four-year universities in Jordan in promoting academic integrity and addressing academic dishonesty. This quantitative research provided a framework for the current practices that promote academic integrity in higher education in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. The survey questionnaire developed by Kibler (1992) was utilized to collect data to answer the research questions. This instrument was tested for reliability and validity by Kibler (See Appendix C). In addition, the Cronbach\u27s Alpha was utilized later to check for reliability. The Cronbach\u27s Alpha for the data collected was 0.85. The items included in the questionnaire were constructed to ensure that each item could be measured by using specific criteria. The survey was distributed to 242 (N) participants. Sixty (60) participants completed the survey, which represented a response rate of 25%. In order to analyze the descriptive profile of the 60 participants, all deans and associate deans, a frequency distribution was determined for types of institution, public, and private. Of the participants, 21 were serving in four-year private colleges, while 39 were serving in four year public colleges. The data collected from the deans and associate deans indicated that not all of their institutions have policies that promote academic integrity and address academic dishonesty. In addition, the data received indicated that the mean number of cases of academic dishonesty of the universities that offered educational programs and training were statistically significantly different from universities that did not offer educational programs and training
Influences of Women Teaching Mathematics Related Fields in Higher Education in Mexico and Texas
No full textThis study examined the factors that most influenced women in Texas and Mexico to teach mathematics, and how these motivational factors relate in the two countries. By correlating two different country settings, the research provides a better comprehension of the causes of gender inequity that exist in the field of mathematics and in STEM fields.
Women\u27s representation remains low in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), both in the United States and abroad. In the United States, gender differences in attitudes and interests begin in middle school. Representation of women at the college level varies by field and ethnicity. In higher education professions, the percentage of women in STEM fields continues to decline. Even though women earn almost half of mathematics bachelor\u27s degrees, they earn only 27% of mathematics doctoral degrees in the U.S. (National Science Foundation, 2008). Additionally, in Mexico, female students accounted for only 24.19%) from the total number of engineering students applying to the program in a Mexican university (Peppino, 2006). Several factors contribute to women\u27s underrepresentation in STEM fields: gender differences in learning; self-efficacy; motivational factors, such as family, role models, and teachers; and sociological factors, such as education level, socioeconomic status, and school environment. This study examined the factors that most influenced women in Texas and Mexico to teach mathematics, and how these motivational factors relate in the two countries. By correlating two different country settings, the research provides a better comprehension of the causes of gender inequity that exist in the field of mathematics and in STEM fields. This study surveyed 185 female mathematics professors in higher education or related fields, investigating how two settings, Texas and Mexico, relate in factors that influence persistence in teaching mathematics or a related field in higher education. These factors were examined with descriptive analysis. The most influential factor was passion for teaching in Texas and Mexico. A Chi-square indicated a significant association between motivators that influence women to teach mathematics or a related field, and country. A Logistic Regression was also performed to investigate how well the independent variable motivators (family/parents, faculty peers, friends, teachers, role models, and other) predict or explain country of residence for women teaching mathematics or a related field in Texas and Mexico. This indicated that Texas respondents were over 5 times more likely who had friends and role models as a motivator than respondents from Mexico. In addition, Texas is 3 times more likely to report family/parent as a motivator than in Mexico. Finally, Texas is 2 times more likely to report teachers as a motivator than in Mexico
Exploring Administrative Staff Members\u27 Sense of Purpose in Selected Catholic University Settings
No full textThis qualitative study explored the phenomenon of a sense of purpose as perceived by 12 administrative staff members working in the faith-based environments of three selected Catholic universities in southwest Texas. For this phenomenological study, purposive sampling was chosen in order to identify the primary participants. Participants chosen were six male and six female mid-level administrative staff members who self-identified as having a strong sense of purpose in their work and lives. Through face-to-face semistructured interviews, participants were asked to describe their sense of purpose, how they attained it, maintained it, and if it ever changed. The data collected revealed striking similarities in the characteristics and experiences of the participants. Five prominent themes emerged as rationale and sources of support for participants\u27 sense of purpose: (a) Helping others, (b) Meaningful work, (c) Family and Organizational relationships, (d) Commitment to personal values, and (e) Spirituality/faith/God. How participants first realized their sense of purpose revealed significant patterns that were identified as Pathways to a Sense of Purpose and is presented as a conceptual model. Findings suggest that above all, having a sense of purpose involves serving others and making the world a better place. However, the spirituality/faith/God factor was always the common purpose, and in all cases, was reported to be present before the phenomenon was experienced. The significance of the faith-based environment and organizational culture of the Catholic university in fostering and nurturing a sense of purpose is discussed as well as the role of the spirituality/faith/God factor. Implications are discussed on how corporate organizations might improve employee satisfaction and foster a sense of purpose as well as recommendations for further research. This research established that the perception and belief in God was the core foundation to giving the participants guidance, hope, and a strong sense of purpose. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of initiating dialogue around the critical questions surrounding faith in the workplace and the relationship of how God and work might coexist to produce the goods and services that sustain industry as well as meet the needs of the human spirit