Doctoral Candidate Brochures
College of Education, Health and Human Services
Doctoral Candidate Brochures - Spring 2025
Updated: 4/15/2025
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Jessalyn Newell (Ed.D.)
Effective Techniques of Pax Good Behavior Game for Students with Behavioral Needs
For the degree of Doctor of Education, Interprofessional Leadership
February 5, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
This dissertation explores the effective techniques of the PAX Good Behavior Game (PAX GBG, PAX) for students with Behavioral needs as taught in the tier-two setting and implemented in the general education tier-one setting. The study emphasizes the importance of providing students the opportunity and support for repetitive practice of self-regulation skills with positive interventions found in the PAX Kernels, which are the guiding principles of the PAX GBG. Read more...
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Eman Aljuaidan (Ph.D.)
Principals' Integration of Information and Computer Technology (ICT) in Saudi Arabia K–12 Schools: Opportunities and Challenges
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership (K–12)
February 12, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
This qualitative study investigated how administrators in primary through secondary schools in Saudi Arabia infuse Information and Computer Technology into their educational leadership. Applying interview, observations, and document analysis, the research revealed how ICT transforms administrative issues into solutions. Read more...
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Ya Na (Ph.D.)
The Role of Vocational Schooling in the Empowerment of Rural Migrant Girls in Western China: A Comparative Study of Ethnic Mongolian Girls and Majority Han Girls
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Cultural Foundations
February 17, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is undervalued in Chinese society as an alternative to academic education. However, due to its accessibility for young rural migrant women, it is important to assess whether TVET provides them with capabilities that they value or whether it reproduces systemic inequities. This study examines how TVET impacts the capabilities of two cohorts of rural migrant women—ethnic minority Mongolian and majority Han women in western China. Read more...
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Nicole Yoder (Ed.D.)
Exploring Faculty Perceptions of Collaborating with an Instructional Designer During Asynchronous Online Course Development
For the degree of Doctor of Education, Interprofessional Leadership
March 6, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
The rapid growth of online learning, accelerated by the COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the need for faculty to partner with instructional designers to develop high quality coursework. This mixed-methods study aimed to explore faculty perceptions of collaborating with instructional designers (IDs) during asynchronous online course development at Â鶹ӰԺ. Read more...
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Abdoulaye Fall (Ph.D.)
International Graduate Students In Canada And The United States: Selection of Study Destinations, Students’ Perspectives, and Experiences Navigating Post-Study Work Programs
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education Administration
March 19, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
This qualitative research aimed to identify the factors influencing selected international graduate students to study in the United States or Canada and to explore their post-graduation employment experiences. The researcher compared the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program in the United States with Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). The ultimate goal was to determine the similarities and differences in the students' rationales for choosing a study destination and in their experiences with post-graduation employment, considering the post-study work program available in each host country. Read more...
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Rachel O’Donnell (Ph.D.)
The Moderating Effect of Comprehensive Sexuality Education on Risk Factors for Sexual Violence Perpetration
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Health Education and Promotion
March 20, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of comprehensive sexuality education on risk factors linked to perpetration of sexually violent behavior among males. Comprehensive sexuality education was viewed as a potential protective factor against sexually violent behavior through its ability to moderate against risk factors commonly identified in perpetrators of sexual violence. Comprehensive sexuality education was also viewed as being predictive of sexually violent behavior amongst participants. Read more...
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Jennelizabeth Sepúlveda (Ph.D.)
Beyond Appointments: Academic Advisors’ Experiences with International Students
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education Administration
March 20, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.
The purpose of this qualitative, narrative inquiry was to explore professional academic advisors’ experiences with international students at a public, research institution in the Midwest. Ten professional academic advisors shared their narratives and interactions with international students through semi-structured interviews. Participants shared that interactions happened in advising appointments, in classrooms, on committees, and at cultural and celebratory events including graduation and holidays. Read more...
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Clifford Heidorn (Ph.D.)
Effects of Ventilatory Training on Blood Pressure Regulation and Exercise Performance in Individuals with Paralysis
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Exercise Physiology
March 20, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.
The first study aimed to investigate the influence of ventilatory training on blood pressure regulation as well as cerebral tissue oxygenation during an orthostatic challenge in individuals with paralysis. The second explored the influence of electrically stimulated cycling exercise on muscle and cerebral tissue oxygenation. Read more...
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B. Ryan Davis (Ph.D.)
Metabolic and Hemodynamic Responses of Single Leg Emphasis Cycling Compared to Single and Double Leg Cycling
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Exercise Physiology
March 24, 2025 | 12:00 p.m.
The first study sought to investigate the metabolic effects of single leg emphasis cycling compared to double and single leg cycling. The second study aimed to evaluate muscle oxygen consumption and blood flow immediately following double leg and single leg cycling across various intensities. Read more...
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Anthony Pinzone (Ph.D.)
The Relationship Between Relative Rest Index and Team Performance Across Eras of Competition in the National Basketball Association
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Exercise Physiology
March 25, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.
This dissertation assessed the relationship rest discrepancies between competing teams (relative rest index) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with team performance. The first study aimed to assess this relationship over the prior two competitive NBA seasons, while the second study expanded on these findings, evaluating these associations across two, three-year windows of competition in the early 2000s and in recent years. Read more...
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David Kohan (Ph.D.)
The Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Psychological, Behavioral, and Physiological Variables in College Students
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Exercise Physiology
March 25, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.
This dissertation examined the relationships between internet addiction, psychological, behavioral, and psychological variables in 43 healthy college students. Validated and reliable survey instruments were used to collect data, as well as bioelectrical impedance to measure body fat, and a smartphone application to assess heart rate variability. Our findings indicated there is a significant positive relationship between smartphone addiction, social media addiction, and internet addiction. Read more...
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Jessica Smith-Ricketts (Ph.D.)
Understanding Psychological Impacts of an Interactive, NonInteractive, and Story-Telling Gamified Fitness App in Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Approach
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Exercise Physiology
March 26, 2025 | 1:30 p.m.
Older adults (65+) are at an increased risk for developing noncommunicable diseases. Physical activity (PA) has been demonstrated to ameliorate symptoms associated with these diseases; however, physical inactivity remains a concern. Thus, researchers have examined behavior-change strategies that may improve affective experiences. Read more...
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Laurie Robinson (Ph.D.)
Exploring Clinical Judgement Development in Early Prelicensure Nursing Students Using NCJMM Modeled Case Studies: A Two Manuscript Dissertation
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Curriculum and Instruction
March 26, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.
The purpose of this two-manuscript dissertation explores first semester nursing students’ experiences with NCJMM-modeled case studies in their Health Assessment lab prior to entering the clinical environment. Participants completed six case studies and a pretest/posttest throughout the semester and identified which step of the clinical judgment process was hardest through reflections and Likert scoring. The intervention group’s pretest/posttest scores were also compared to the control group that experienced traditional lab curriculum. Read more...
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Krittika Chatterjee Grau (Ph.D.)
A Qualitative Study of International Students’ Experiences with American Pop Culture
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education Administration
March 28, 2025 | 9:30 a.m.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how consumption of American pop culture such as TV shows, movies, books, music, food, fashion, theater, and sports impacts the transitions of international students from their home countries to host countries. Additionally, I endeavored to understand whether engagement with American pop culture influenced participants’ host country choice. Read more...
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E. Andreas Johansson (Ph.D.)
Perceived Organizational Support in School Transportation
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership
March 28, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
This study examined the lived experiences of school bus transportation supervisors and the impact of organizational support structures on their job satisfaction, engagement, and well-being. Through qualitative research, six supervisors from public school districts in a Midwestern state were interviewed. Read more...
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Györgyi Mihályi (Ph.D.)
When Everything Clicks: Exploring Belonging for International Women in Undergraduate Programs
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education Administration
March 28, 2025 | 2:30 p.m.
The purpose of this exploratory interpretive qualitative study was to understand how international women enrolled in undergraduate non-STEM programs at a large public research university in the American Midwest define belonging and how belonging shapes their higher education experience while studying in the United States. The study focused on students’ experiences, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Read more...
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Alicia K. Hall (Ph.D.)
Novice Counselors' Experiences Serving Clients with Trauma Histories
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Counselor Education and Supervision
April 30, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
Novice counselors serving clients with trauma histories are underrepresented in existing research. The purpose of this study was to explore novice counselors’ experiences serving clients with trauma histories. I recruited eight novice counselors and used transcendental phenomenology, a qualitative research method, to discover the essence of their experiences with the phenomenon. Read more...