College of Education Theses and Dissertations
Theses/Dissertations from 2026
“Affirming Minds, Lives, and Bodies”: Secondary English Teachers’ Perceptions of Critical and Humanizing Antiracist Pedagogy in Urban Schools, Jennifer Leigh Ankerberg
Leadership Approaches in Music Administration: Intra and Interconnections of Adaptive, Servant, and Transformational Leadership in Music Educators Transitioning to Administrative Roles, Joel Raynald DeFayette
Social Capital in the Puerto Rican Deaf Community, Javier Figueroa Quintana
The Unspoken Struggles and Unseen Strength: An Autoethnographic Exploration of Single Motherhood in Higher Education, Alexis Summer Gunartt
Eagle-winged Worms: Seeing Contingent Faculty Through Currere, Nicholas Hayes
Merging for Success: A Case Study on School Mergers as a Sustainable Alternative to Closures in Urban Education, Darcy Lynn Maxim-Otterbacher
Beyond the Script: A Qualitative Study Exploring Drama Teachers’ Experiences Using Improvisation in Chicago Public Schools, Nicole Theresa Minardi
Procedural Justice and Instructional Alignment in Body-Worn Camera Policies: A Comparative Policy Analysis of Large U.S. Urban Police Departments, Michael A. O'Connor
Always On, Never Off: A Phenomenological Study of Entry-Level Residence Directors in Coextensive Environments, Brent Ploughe
Capability Expansion or Constraint: Examining Equity and Academic Outcomes in Chicago’s Option Schools, Lacherie Reed
A Qualitative Study: How Does The Underrepresentation of Black American Contributions to American Society In K-12 Curricula Affects Black Students' Self-Perception?, Deniece M. Rogers
Socio-Informed Policing: Applying Bourdieu to Mandatory Police Reform Training, Neil T. Shelton El
Surviving The Hood: An Autoethnography on Violence, Trauma, and Agency, Deonte Tanner
The Impact of Leadership of International Baccalaureate Schools in Low Socio-economic Communities, Sheena Wallker-Carruthers
Redefining Retention: Analyzing the Experiences of Black Men in Higher Education Through the Lens of Race, Masculinity, and Strength-Based Approaches, Roderick Waters
Steer for the Deep Waters Only: Exploring Student Value Creation through Dialogue and Art, Amy Weatherford
The Relationship Between Culturally Based Mentoring and Academic Persistence in African-American and Latino Male Community College Students, Corey M. Williams
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
Developing Transferable Skills Not Just GPA: The Case of a University Lab, Mopelola F. Adelakun
Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education: The Importance of Recruiting Emotionally Intelligent Leaders, Baker H. Alfarajat
The Impact of the Co-Teaching Model on the Academic Growth of the General Education Student, Paula Matkov Andries
Liberated Education: Sustainable Paradigms and Pathways for Black and Latino Communities Beyond Formal Education, Stephanie C. Bennett
Exploring South Asian Parent Perceptions of Involvement in Their Child’s Schooling, Qazi Mohammed Faaizuddin Biabani
Unraveling the Decline: A Phenomenological Narrative Exploration of Chinese Students' Experiences and Decisions in Selecting U.S. Higher Education, Lorne K. Brandt
Navigating Knowledge: An Autoethnographic Journey Through Instructional Decision-Making and Educational Technology Development, Daniel James Clark
Blind School Saved My Life: An Autoethnography on the Benefits of Visual Impairment Schools, Valenzuella Jordan
Chicago Detective Explorers: Examining the Effects of Applied Social Emotional Learning Practices on Project-Based Forensic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Within Out-of-School Time Programs, Jesus Roberto Magallon
Self-Assessment in Educational Makerspaces: Exploring Self-Regulated Learning as a Formative Assessment Tool, Sarah Margalus
Melanin Pedagogy: Black K-12 Public School Educators' Intention to Stay in or Decision to Leave Teaching, Erin M. Mason
A Case Study of an Instructional Design Model for Creating Scalable Courses in Healthcare, Zoaib Mirza
"That's Not Happening to My Kid:" Six Chicago Public Schools' Families Speak Out, Julie Parson Nesbitt
Classroom Teachers' Approaches to Values Education: Exploring Explicit and Implicit Strategies for Teaching and Modeling Values, Maria Ukamaka Clare Okeke
Creative Development and the Repertory Grid Method: Investigating How a Team of Theater Teaching Artists Describe and Assess the Formative Creative Skills and Dispositions of Students, Mark Andrew Onuscheck
The State of Wellness Amongst Title I Suburban High School Counselors, John Steven O'Rourke
Beyond the Curriculum: The Influence of Teacher-Student Relationships in Special Education, Courtney Romero
Leadership Attributes to Guide the Adoption and Curricular Design Process of Environmental Sustainability Education for EC-12 Public School Districts, Katherine Marie Seguino
A Life Raft in the Storm: An Arts-Based Self-study of Teacher Burnout and Renewal in Special Education, Rebecca Snyder
Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ: Master Architect of the Company of Poets, Timothy J. Wesley
Theses/Dissertations from 2024
A Quantitative Study Examining the Mental Health Needs of African American Students Compared to their Counterparts in Higher Education, Luxury Bryant
Community Policing and Meta-Stereotypes: Improving Citizenry-Police Relations in a Large, Multicultural Urban Area, Through a Participatory Action Research Community Safety Workshop, Cornelius Darnell Davis
Exploration of Centralized and Decentralized Education Systems Around the World, Melissa Feiger
Stories of those Untold: Identifying Retention, and Graduation Obstacles and Solutions of Black Women at Four-Year Predominately White Institutions, Courtney Alicia Griffin
A Study of Inhibition Development in Young Children, Ai Thi Thanh Hoang
A Study of Inhibition Development in Young Children, Ai Thi Thanh Hoang
Police Identity and The Role of Media in a Contemporary Society: A Look at the Personal and Professional Effect on Law Enforcement, Nedra LaChelle Jones
Harmony or Discord? The Intersection of Religious Beliefs and International Mindedness, Ranjan Kumar Lima
More Than Just a Paycheck: Campus Student Employment as High-Impact Practice, Katie Martin
The Power of Spiritual Leadership in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Stefanie Mingari
Factors Impacting BSN Degrees in Community Colleges in Illinois and Exploring Community Colleges to Address Nursing Education Reform: A Mixed Methods Study, Lovelle Reynolds
Understanding the Educator-Coach and Student-Athlete Relationship: A Descriptive-Interpretative Study, Thomas J. Saleh
Understanding the Educator-Coach and Student-Athlete Relationship: A Descriptive-Interpretative Study, Thomas J. Saleh
A Phenomenological Study on Preschool Educator Experience in Re-imagining Play and Play-Based Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Ronabeth Keh So
Latinas in Law Enforcement: Tokenism, Barriers and Changes Along the Narrow Bridge to Promotion, saturnino velazquez
Latinas in Law Enforcement: Tokenism, Barriers and Changes Along the Narrow Bridge to Promotion, Saturnino Velazquez
Queering Futures with Data-Driven Speculation: The design of an expanded mixed methods research framework integrating quantitative, qualitative, and practice-based modes, Jess Parris Westbrook
Thai Parents’ Reasons for Sending Their Children to Premium-Fee International Schools: Strategies for Establishing International Schools, Issara Wongcharoensin
Thai Parents’ Reasons for Sending Their Children to Premium-Fee International Schools: Strategies for Establishing International Schools, Issara Wongcharoensin
Theses/Dissertations from 2023
Music in the Liturgy: An Education-Focused Approach, Robert M. Beatty
Black, Male, Juvenile: A Multi-System Perspective on Hope, Dehumanization, and Redemption in Recidivism & Education, Alexandra M. Brandt
Interorganizational Practices that Foster Reciprocal Trust Between Central Office Administrators and Principals, Andrea M. Derdenger
“Young, Gifted, and Black”: Understanding the Complex Experiences of High-Achieving Black Students in AP Classes at a Diverse Suburban High School, Jody Elliott-Schrimmer
The Challenges of Catholic Identity in American Catholic University A Case Study of DePaul University, Andrew Ezechiugo
Northeastern Illinois University: Identifying Characteristics Associated with Low African American Student Retention and Persistence, Laural E. Johnson
The Process of Designing and Revising a High-Quality Digital Math Curriculum For a Large Diverse Urban School District: Recommendations From a Math Designer, Suzan Kheireddin
The Power of Spiritual Leadership in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Stefanie Mingari
Understanding Athletics Academic Advisors’ Experience with Job Burnout and Antecedents that Shape Job Burnout, Felicia O'Rourke
The Sanctity of Human Life: An Examination of the Effects of Education and Training of Less-lethal Force Option Devices in the Royal Thai Police, Trak Silapaduriyang
Theses/Dissertations from 2022
The Pillars that Support School Principals in Cultivating Inclusive, Equitable Practices for Diverse Learners, Karime Asaf
Dual Credit Programs: Does the State of Illinois Provide Programs that are Efficacious for All Stakeholders?, Andrew Buckler
The Illusion of Progress: The Disconnect Between the Anti-Racist Values Professed in Teacher Education Programs and the White Curriculum That Negatively Impact Students of Color, Adrienne Kay Carmona
Mentoring Urban African American Male Students in Secondary School, David Jacoby Collins
College Students’ Perceptions of Sexual Violence Climate on their Campus, Meghan Funk
Hiding Behind the Title: Bridging the Gap Between Identity and Leadership Through Neuroscience, Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Management, Alicia S. Huddleston
In the Name of Freedom: Racist Hate Speech on Campus, Institutional Whiteness, and Neofascism, Karlee Johnson
A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of White Students at a Mission Based University, Suzanne Kilgannon
A Phenomenological Study on African American Male Conduct Officers and their Experiences with Code-Switching in Professional Settings, Bernard Little
"Everything is Political Now": Teaching Politics in the Age of Trump, John G. Lund
News Flash: Content Framing of Higher Education during the COVID-19 Campus Closures, Sara Nelson
Dismantling the Dichotomy: Latinx Identity and Assimilation in Early Childhood Education, Rocio J. Olvera
The Role of International Service Learning and Student Outcomes, Kristen One
Understanding Servant Leadership through the Lived Experiences of Higher Education Administrative Leaders, Michael Roberts
It’s Not Easy Being Green: An Examination of First-Generation African American College Students’ Experiences at Predominantly White Institutions, Sabrina Marie Sanders
A Comparative Analysis of Best Practices in a Facial Recognition Policy for Law Enforcement Agencies, Terry H. Smith
Hybrid Montessori Education: Teacher Reflections on the Care and Education of Under-served Black Children, Heather E. Summers
Enrollment, Academic Persistence, Social Leveraging, and Social Support: A Multiple Case Study of CCAMPIS Campus-Based Child Care, Ariel Sylvester
A Study of Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy: The Attendance Improvement Program at Emil G. Hirsch High School (Chicago, IL), Beverly Taylor-Williams