The Department of Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Special Education prepares the school leaders and special education faculty of tomorrow by offering graduate degrees and certificates in over ten specialized areas. Students are encouraged to participate in the pursuit and dissemination of the results of educational research.
Theses/Dissertations from 2026
College Preparedness: Exploring Faculty Perceptions of First-Year Students’ Literacy Skills Transitioning from High School, Shanell Glass Bailey
Educating With Chronic Health Conditions During and After a Pandemic: A Narrative Study of Experiences, Job-Related Stressors, Mental Health, Wellbeing and Coping Strategies Among Black Female Educators, Shawnee Stanfield Blake
Exclusionary Discipline’s Impact on Minority and Low Social Status Student Achievement, Ulanda Latreace Branch
Investigating The Challenges That Black Female Superintendents Face While Navigating Local School Boards, Eric Dailey
Perceptions Of Mentoring Relationships and Novice Teacher Self-Efficacy and Attrition, Renee Dunwoody
Minding The Gap – Exploring Predictors of Retention and Success for Minority Students in Online Classes at a PBI, Erin Kathleen Gordon
The Impact of Alternative Education Campuses of Choice on a District’s Graduation Rate, Joshua Paul Gossett
K-3 Southern, Rural, Public-School Teachers’ Perspectives on Literacy Post Covid, Venesia Dreon Griffin Brown
Mississippi Teachers' Perspective of Professional Learning Supports and Their Effects on Student Learning Outcomes When Implementing High-Quality Instructional Materials, Mandy Michael Johnson
Examining The Influence of Cultural Sameness or Difference of Principals and Teachers on Students Perceived Connectedness, Asmaa Fahmy Kabel
The Educational Leadership Trajectories of Black Gay Males: A Narrative Inquiry, Abidemi Omowale Kayode
Change Management in Higher Education: The Role of Non-Academic Staff in the Change Process., Scott Robert Kuttenkuler
The Role of Athletic Department Staff and the Effects on Student-Athlete Persistence, MaKenzie Brooke McGaha
Online Student Perspectives of Impactful Feedback, Kathleen McNichols Irvin
Preparation Of Novice Teachers in Special Education, Shayna Miles
Vertically Aligned Curriculum in the Rural Education Setting and Its Effect on Student Achievement, Jordan Palmer
The Impact of Applying for a Post-Secondary Opportunity When Coming from a Low Socioeconomic Status, David Marlow Price
An Exploration of the Relationship Between Resilience and Self-Perceived Leadership Effectiveness in Academic Leaders in Higher Education, Jessica Ann Richards
Teacher Perceptions of the Motivational and Influential Strategies of Their Principals, and that Effect on Teacher Retention, Carl Henry Semler
A Phenomenological Inquiry into Kindergarten Teacher Perceptions of Literacy Skills, Angela Shelton
A Qualitative Exploration of the Factors Influencing the Academic Experiences of African American Division I Collegiate Athletes in Mississippi, Deshannon Smith
Relationship Between High School Science Olympiad Participation and Declaration of a College STEM Major, Gregory Lee Spiegel
Why Black Teachers Decide to Stay: A Phenomenological Study to Understand Retention of Black Teachers in the Suburban School Setting, Chere Swearingen
Examining The Influence of Principals’ Perceived Authentic Leadership and Teachers’ Psychological Capital on Teachers’ Burnout Syndrome and Turnover Intentions in Catalan Schools, Eduardo Torrecillas Sanchez
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Principal Experiences and Persistence in Title I Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade Central Texas Schools, Lisa Islas Walls
Teacher Retention in West Tennessee: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Valeria Louise Walters
A Case Study of Why Mid-Career Teachers Stay in Education, Rachael E. Wilcox
Planning and Implementing a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program: A Case Study, Allison Nicole Young
Factors Affecting Teacher Satisfaction at Two School Districts in North Carolina Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Thomas Young
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
Ways To Motivate Rural Tennessee Teachers to Use Best Instructional Practices in Elementary Classrooms, Holly Shoulders Anderson
The Effects of Technology on Engagement Among Stem-Based Students at Historically Black Colleges or Universities, Matthew Evan Bellinger
Exploring K-12 Educators Remaining in the Profession in Louisiana Public Schools: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Brittany Benoit
The Impact of Supplemental Resources in Title I Schools on Student Achievement in High School Geometry, Jememia Black
Overcoming Traumatic Barriers to Maximize the Potential of College Students Facing Mental Health Challenges, Ashley Blanche
How Does R.I.S.E. Arkansas Address the Reading Needs of Students in the Delta Region of Arkansas Public Schools?, Kristy Brasfield
A Study of the Sense of Teaching Self-Efficacy Among Emergency Certified Teachers in a Rural Eastern Oklahoma School District, Matthew J. Brunk
Examining Teacher’s Experience of Using Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Improving Mississippi Academic Assessment Program Reading Scores, Kimberly L. Chambers
Exploring the Elements Contributed by School-level Administrators that Influence Teacher Retention, Summer Craddock
Investigating Student Experiences with Math Anxiety, Wendy Elaine Davis
Examining Perceptions of College Facilitators and Parents on the Influence of Mandated Engagement with School Identification in an Early College High School, Elizabeth Wise Dorris
Building a Collaborative Culture Among a Remote Staff in K-12 Virtual Schools, Jamie L. Droegemeier
Identification Of Leadership and Managerial Roles Used by School Superintendents to Manage Rural School Districts, Bruce Allen Gillham
Tutoring and Its Impact on Mitigating Covid-19 Reading Learning Loss in a Rural Title I School District For 3rd Grade Students, Julie Nicole Goodin
Effectiveness Of Online Math Interventions on Middle School Student Math Achievement, Joshua Brandon Goodman
A Case Study of Teacher Perceptions on the Impact of Professional Learning Communities on Teacher Efficacy and Collaboration, Patrice McKelvey Green
Examining Teachers’ Perceived Effectiveness of Marzano’s Teaching Strategies for Enhancing Student Engagement in Secondary Level ELA Classes, Casey Chantel Grinder
Exploring The Use of Artificial Intelligence as an Instructional Learning Tool in Middle School Mathematics Classrooms, Maurice Guest Jr
The Role of Learned Helplessness on Academic Baseline Levels in Adult Education Students Enrolling in a High School Equivalency Program, Kippie Barnwell Hartcraft
College and Career Readiness of Students with Autism in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, James Daniel Hobbs
Qualitative Study of Barriers That Contribute to English Language Learners Academic Underperformance in Middle School Grades 6-8, Marcus Tremayne Holbert
Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Qualitative Study of Educator Perceptions Regarding Its Role and Significance in an Educational Setting, Clyde Eugene Hughley
Teacher Perspectives on The Impact of School-Based Mental Health Services on Academic Performance, Attendance, And Behavior, Carol Ingram
Athletic Coaches’ Perspective: The Intersection of Female Collegiate Athletic Involvement, Emotional Health, And Academic Performance, Kimba P. Jackson
Examining The Influences of Principals' Authentic Leadership Practices on Positive Classroom Learning Climate, Students’ Social and Emotional Learning, And Student Behavior, Craig Wesley Johnson
K-6 Teacher Perspectives Regarding Pre-Covid-19 Digital Competencies Professional Development and Teaching During the Pandemic, Melissa Kay King
Teacher Perceptions of the Arkansas Rise Initiative Regarding Student Performance and Teacher Training, Susan Hoffman Lawrence
Examining Black Teachers’ Experiences and Perspectives of Community Cultural Wealth Within Their HBCU Teacher Preparation Programs, Deajanae K. McLain
Elementary Educators' Perceptions Regarding the Coaching Model in Urban Schools: A Case Study, Kamile Lilieth McNeil
What Happens When Teachers Explore Choice in Low-Choice Educational Environments? A Holistic Case Study on Classroom Autonomy., Jamie Renee Millican Johnson
A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Candidates in a Teacher Educator Preparation Program at a Predominantly White Institution, Tiffany Nicole Mosley
Examining the Influence of Departmentalization on Elementary Teachers' Efficacy in Teaching Mathematics: A Qualitative Case Study of First Grade and Second-Grade Elementary Teachers, Juasita Sherelle Patterson
Examining teacher efficacy and academic achievement: A qualitative exploration of middle schools in a rural Louisiana school district, Kristin Carriere Percle
Workforce Development Initiatives to Improve the Labor Force in Rural Communities: A Case Study, Danielle K. Pugsley
Case Managers as a Compass: A Strategy for Influencing First-Generation College Student Success, James Riley
Exploring Novice Teachers’ Perceptions of a Core Competency Within A Beginning Teacher Assistance Program: A Phenomenological Study, Alayna Roller
Arkansas High School Teacher Perceptions About Declining Enrollment and Learning Experiences in Advanced Science Courses, Tanya Lynette Ruble
The Influence of Principal Leadership on Collective Teacher Efficacy, Mikaela Marie Schaller
Confederate Inspired Mascots as Cultural Representatives in Public Secondary Schools of the American South: A Case Study, Jessica Seat
Examining The Influence of Schools’ Federal Designation Of “Continuous Support and Improvement” On Teachers’ Workplace Stress and Self-Efficacy, Kimberly Michelle Seybolt
The Three Ps: Political Polarization, Perception, and Pedagogy, Tianka Renee Sheard Mitchell
Teachers’ Experiences with the Reduction of Play and Its Impact on Social-Emotional Development and Behavior in the Preschool Setting., Jacqueline Renee Smith
Self-Efficacy of Kindergarten, First, And Second Grade Educators Teaching Students with Behavioral Issues In South Carolina Public Schools, Kathryn Sommer-Gough
Teachers’ Perceptions of Co-Teaching—A Phenomenological Inquiry, Courtney Spann
Education Pandemonium: A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Lived Experiences of Middle School Teacher-Parents’ During the COVID Crisis, Harold Wayne Stanfield
A Case Study of Special Education Students' Transition into Postsecondary Opportunities, Lacy Stanford
Defining Student Success: Whether Inconsistencies Impact Institutional Resources and the Ability to Meet Student Needs, Kathleen Swain
Exploring Science Education Teaching Practices within the Homeschool Community of West Michigan, Amanda Syers
Exploring Mental Health Services Within Elementary Schools in the First Through Third Grades: Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Case Study, Yolanda Y. Thomas
Latino Parent-Daughter Relationships: Educational Motivation and Persistence in High School to Community College Transition, Marlen Vasquez
A Qualitative Study on the Opportunities and Barriers of Female Superintendents in the Northern Region of Missouri, Rondalyn Vaughn
Transition Process Considerations for Collegiate Student-Athlete Sport Retirement, Lindsey Weatherford
The Impacts of the Lack of Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) On African American Students, Alisha Shanta Williams
Impact of a Dance Education for Secondary School Students, Kimeka T. Williams
Veteran Teachers’ Perceptions of the Factors Contributing to Teachers’ Retention in East Tennessee, Yolanda Williams
Enhancing Student Engagement for African American Students in High School English Through Culturally Responsive Teaching, Dominique Leonardo Woodard
Teacher Persistence: A Narrative Study on the Perceptions of Career Oklahoma Teachers, Reggy Yount
Special Education Teacher Attrition, Gender Roles and Human Motivation, Kristen Yurczak
Theses/Dissertations from 2024
Factors Influencing the Selection and Change of Major for Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, David Allen
The Relationship Between Student Performance on Assigned Mastery Goals and STAAR Performance in K-8 Texas School Students, Agamyrat Altyyev
A Qualitative Study of Early-Career Secondary Teachers' Experiences with Organizational Constraints and Supports as Related to Job Satisfaction, Jaime Lee Arnold
Blended Learning in the Elementary Classroom: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Leslie Barger
The Relationship Between Secondary Stem Students Motivational Perceptions, Engagement, And Academic Achievement, Cecil Kevin Belt
Examination of Health Sciences Students’ Attitudes Towards Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education, Lindsay Blake
