Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies Student Dissertations
2022
Charles Salvo
- Dissertation Title: "Stress Levels Amongst Home Health Care Workers Following the COVID-19 Omicron Variant."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Abigail Davis
- Dissertation Title: "Admission Variables as Predictors of Success on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Aleni Mackarey
- Dissertation Title:" An Exploration of the Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Recent College Graduates in the TriState Area Seeking Employment During the COVID-19 Pandemic."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Tammy McDonald
- Dissertation Title: The Impact of the Interruption in Learning Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic on English Language Arts and Mathematics Achievement of Middle School Gifted Students: A Quantitative Case Study.
- Dissertation committee Chair: Dr. Lia Richards-Palmiter.
Ann Romanosky
- Dissertation Title: "The Foundational Predictors of Loneliness in Older Adults Living in Northeastern Pennsylvania with the Added Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Narad Pokhrel
- Dissertation Title: "Ongoing Effects of Pre-Migration Trauma on the Mental Health of Bhutanese Refugees in the United States: A Qualitative Inquiry."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
PREVIOUS DISSERTATIONS
2021
Sneh Akruvala
- Dissertation Title: "Breastfeeding attitudes and intentions in nursing students in India and the United States: a descriptive study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Diane DellaValle.
Sheikh Dukuly
- Dissertation Title: "The Impact(s) of Cultural Factors on Health-Seeking Behaviors among Racial-Ethnic Minorities in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota while Controlling for Income & Health Insurance Status."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Philip Jenkins.
Kimberly Coleman
- Dissertation Title: "Nontraditional Students’ Lived Experiences and Obstacles to Persistence: A Phenomenological Investigation."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Dan Langan
- Dissertation Title: "A Query into the Motivation of senior Runners in Northeastern Pennsylvania: A Pilot Study."
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Lori Swanchak.
2020
Christina Brundage
- Dissertation Title: "An Examination of Racial/ Ethnic Minority Student Engagement in Career Development Activities and Barriers to the Career Development Process While Attending a Predominantly White Institution of Higher Education: A Quantitative Case Study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Brooke Hansen
- Dissertation Title: "Examining Factors Related to Academic Achievements: Grit, Self-Efficacy, Mindset, and Socioeconomic Status."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Sister Kevin Karimi
- Dissertation Title: "Exploring the Impact of Nontraditional Leadership Training on Catholic Sisters' Self-Efficacy and Latent Potential for Sustainable Leadership Skills Development in Africa South of the Sahara."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
Kelly Kemmerer
- Dissertation Title: "Female Leadership of Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations: Leadership Practices that Retain Volunteers."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Renee Zehel.
Ryan Leckey
- Dissertation Title: "The Effects on Self-Esteem of Viewing Male Idealized Bodies on the Setting of Social Media: A Comparison of Gay and Straight Men."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lea Palimiter.
Janice Mecca
- Dissertation Title: "Examination of Non-Hodgkins's Lymphoma Survivor's Self-Disclosure of Cancer History in the Workplace."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lori Swanchak.
Caroline Millen
- Dissertation Title: "The Impact of Teaching Resilience, Goal Attainment, and Other Essential Leadership Skills to Young Adults via Virtual Instruction."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Justine Samanas
- Dissertation Title: "Physician Assistant Education for the Opioid Epidemic."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
2019
Kenneth Luck
- Dissertation Title: "Emergence of Conspiratorial Ideas and Big Data: A Google N-gram Viewer Quantitative Analysis of Historical Trends from 1900 to 2008."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Deborah Hokien.
Leon John
- Dissertation Title: "Self-Efficacy among Students of Color at Predominantly White Institutions of Higher Education in Northeastern Pennsylvania."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Maria Montoro-Edwards.
Yerodin Lucas
- Dissertation Title: "Factors Affecting Black Male Student Persistence to Earning a Baccalaureate Degree at Predominantly White Institutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Adam Shiprintzen.
Cynthia LaRosa
- Dissertation Title: "Mental Health and Public Secondary School Students: Perceptions of School Administrators in a Public School Setting."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Patricia Arter.
Kimberlee Jennings-Heckman
- Dissertation Title: "Use of Principles to Increase Preparedness of Special Education Teachers in the Education of Students Diagnosed with Emotional Disturbance Disabilities."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Tara Lopatofsky
- Dissertation Title: "The Perceived Impact of Post-Secondary Education Program on Kenyan Catholic Sisters' Understanding of their Lives as Women Religious: A Case Study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Diane Keller.
Matthew Hill
- Dissertation Title: "Self-Regulated Learning and Ninth Grade Reading."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Jennifer Barna.
Jennifer Elizabeth Welgosh
- Dissertation Title: “Women’s Perceptions of Workplace Sexual Harassment: A Phenomenological Study”
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Polizzi.
Dorothy June Grill
- Dissertation Title: “Vanquishing the Labyrinth: Re-framing a Future with Androgynous Authentic Nonprofit Women Leaders.”
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. A. Dawody.
Linda Denz
- Dissertation Title: "Effects of Self-Care Practices and Personal and Occupational Variables on Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Fatigue in Hospice Nurses."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Sister Gail Cabral.
Diana Bixby
- Dissertation Title: "The Future of Zero Tolerance and/or Exclusionary Discipline Policies: Perceptions from the Front Line."
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Kelley McConnell
- Dissertation Title: "Teacher Attitudes and Beliefs on the Socialization of Cyber School Students."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
David Schweitzer
- Dissertation Title: "Differences in Quality of Life Among College Students in Northeastern Pennsylvania: The Role of Family Structure and Parental Conflict."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Tracie Pasold.
Tiffany Mulally
- Dissertation Title: "An Examination of Exposure Risk, Economic Growth, Household Responsibility, and State Parity Score to Predict Gender Equity of Bicycle Use in Active Transportation."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Nadine Urash
- Dissertation Title: "An Investigation of the Impact of Prevailing Wages on Employee Motivation on Taxpayer-Funded Public Works Construction Projects in Merit Shops."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Amy Washo
- Dissertation Title: "Social Engineering Susceptibility: A Study on Demographics and Information Security Awareness in Small Businesses."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
2018
Stanley J. Kania III
- Dissertation Title: "The Use of Social Media and E-Marketing Practices in Graduate Student Recruitment: An Investigation of Graduate Enrollment Management Practices."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Joseph Cice
- Dissertation Title: "Cice Crucial Cs Assessment (CCCA): Design, Development, and Initial Validity Establishment for an Assessment of the Crucial Cs."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Deborah Hokien.
2017
Jeffrey Attick
- Dissertation Title: "The Process and Practice of Transformative Learning in an International Education Context."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Polizzi.
Tanya Carrelle
- Dissertation Title: "The Hidden Cost of Special Education Due Process."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Patricia Arter.
Erin Dunleavy
- Dissertation Title: "Empathy During the Third Year Clerkship: A Crossover Study of a Traditional Block and a Longitudinal Integrative Clerkship Experience."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Brooke Cannon.
Sandra Kerstetter
- Dissertation Title: "Healthcare Excellence and Clinician Characteristics."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alice Elaine McDonnell.
Meagan Mielczarek
- Dissertation Title: "Rape Myth Acceptance in High Education: A Quantitative Study of Faculty, Staff, and Administration at Two Religiously Affiliated Schools Located in Northeast Pennsylvania."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Deborah Hokien.
Mark Shaffer
- Dissertation Title: "The Experiences of African American Studies at Predominantly White Institutions."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Kerri Tobin.
Amanda Silva
- Dissertation Title: "Women Living History: A Case Study Exploring Persona, Transformative Learning, and Social Identity in Group Participation."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Polizzi.
Katherine Stefanelli
- Dissertation Title:The Effect of Guided Meditation on Chronic Stress and Health-Related Quality of Life in Millennial Generation Students
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Tonya Saddler.
Teresa Tulaney
- Dissertation Title: "The Life of a Nurse: An Instrumental Case Study on Lateral Violence in Nursing."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Marie Bonavoglia
2016
Joanne Bohrman
- Dissertation Title: "Transcending Minority Trust Boundaries in a Multicultural School Community: An AutoEthnography."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Polizzi.
Kelly Carroll
- Dissertation Title: "Self-Efficacy in Behavior Management and Discipline and Psychological Type Among Secondary Education Teachers and Alternative Education Teachers."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine
Kimberly Fetter
- Dissertation Title: "The Relationship Between Professional Development and Perceived Teacher Efficacy in Practicing School Teachers in Grades Kindergarten Through Twelve."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Gail Cabral.
James Feuerstein
- Dissertation Title: "Predicting Underachievement in Middle School Gifted Students Utilizing the SAAS-R."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Kerri Tobin.
Lisa Imbriaco
- Dissertation Title ":Factors Impacting College Students in Managing Credit Card Debt."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Arthur Comstock.
Margaret Ptakowski
- Dissertation Title: "The Significance of Professional Development as Perceived, Accessed, and Used by Early Childhood Teachers in Nine Northeastern Pennsylvania Early Childhood Centers."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Christine Fryer.
Melissa Heinlein Storti
- Dissertation Title: "Are Volunteer Resource Managers Experiencing Dimensions of Burnout? An Exploratory Study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Diane Keller
Helene Strutko
- Dissertation Title: "General Education and Special Education Teachers' Perceptions of the Co-Teaching Experience in a Career and Technology High School in Northeast Pennsylvania."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Tammy Brown.
Mark Wade
- Dissertation Title: "How Well Do Emotional Intelligence, Discipline, Gender, Race and Socioeconomic Status Predict Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Northeast Pennsylvania?"
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards.
David Wright
- Dissertation Title: "Predictors of Performance on Fourth Grade State Science Assessments in Eastern Pennsylvania: Guided Inquiry-Based Science Instruction and Direct Textbook-Based Science Instruction."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Christine Fryer.
2015
Christina Bracey
- Dissertation Title: "How Practicing Teachers Identify and Address Ethical Dilemmas."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Polizzi.
Matthew Caputo
- Dissertation Title: "Factors Influencing Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Uptake Rate Among Undergraduate College Students in Scranton."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Deborah Hokien.
April Hortman
- Dissertation Title: "Self-Identified Multi-Racial Individuals: A Quantitative Exploration of the Effects of Racial Category Choices on Collective Self-Esteem and Perceived Discrimination."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
Elizabeth McGill
- Dissertation Title: "Predictors of Bullying Victimization on a College Campus."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Francis DeMatteo.
Rachel Francis
- Dissertation Title: "The Effect of a Yoga Therapy Program Among Cancer Patients: An Analysis of Personal, Psychological, and Economic Impacts."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lori Swanchak.
Ronald Hollm
- Dissertation Title: "Predictors of Tobacco Reduction With Non-Treatment Seeking 18 to 24 Year Old Tobacco Users."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
April Hortman
- Dissertation Title: "Self-Identified Multi-Racial Individuals: A Quantitative Exploration of the Effects of Racial Category Choices on Collective Self-Esteem and Perceived Discrimination."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
Heather LaBarre
- Dissertation Title: "Understanding the Development of Cultural Competence for BSW Students: An Examination of Social Construction and Classroom Experience."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
Rodeen Lechleitner
- Dissertation Title: "A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Home Health Nurses' Communication From a Therapeutic and Caring Perspective."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alice McDonnell.
John Lichtenwalner
- Dissertation Title: "Factors That Influence Web 2.0 Usage Among Social Work Faculty: A Quantitative Study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Diane Keller.
Elizabeth McGill
- Dissertation Title: "Predictors of Bullying Victimization on a College Campus."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Francis DeMatteo.
Judith Rex
- Dissertation Title: "Exploring the Factors of Resilience, Health-Promoting Behaviors and Job Satisfaction Predicting Retention Among Pennsylvania Primary Nurse Aide Instructors."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lee Harrison.
Sara Beth Rothenberger
- Dissertation Title: "The Relationships Between Perceptions of Feedback Utility, Procedural Justice and Quality of Teacher and Supervisor Interpersonal Interactions in Teacher Evaluations."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Jennifer Barna.
Arianne Scheller
- Dissertation Title: "Perceived Parenting, Self-Efficacy, and Parental Smoking: Effects on Adolescent Smoking Initiation."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Shamshad Ahmed.
Elizabeth Sechler
- Dissertation Title: "Social Entrepreneurship in Housing and Residence Life Organizations."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Robert Shaw.
Craig Robert Skaluba
- Dissertation Title: "Transition Into School Leadership: The Influence of Perceived Interpersonal Communication Competence on Perceived Stress, Perceived Coping Abilities, and Beginning Experiences of the Principalship."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Gail Cabral.
Renee Gregori Zehel
- Dissertation Title: "The Influence of Financial Aid and Student Engagement on Young Alumni Giving."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
2014
Mark Choman
- Dissertation Title: "A Grounded Theory Study to Explore World Adoption Concerns and Experiences at Institutions of Higher Education."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Susan Elczyna
- Dissertation Title: "The Incidence of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in the Elderly Population Receiving General Anesthesia For Short Stay Surgery."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alice Elaine McDonnell.
Meaghan Ruddy Godwin
- Dissertation Title: "Transformative Learning in Graduate Medical Education."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Polizzi.
Heather Renee Hall
- Dissertation Title: "Spiritual Growth of Students at Baptist Bible Colleges."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Sr. Mary Salvaterra.
Jennifer Hertwig
- Dissertation Title: "Psychological Type & Multiple Intelligence Profiles of Secondary Students in Pennsylvania Approved Alternative Schools."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alan Levine.
Benjamin David Ivey
- Dissertation Title: "Priming for Improved Attention to Auditory Social Stimuli in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Vijay Ramachandra
Eugene R. Kelly
- Dissertation Title: "Conformity to Masculine Gender Norms as Predictors of Subtle Rape Myth Belief."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. C. Estelle Campenni.
Rodeen Leichleitner
- Dissertation Title: "A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Home Health Nurses' Communication from a Therapeutic and Caring Perspective."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alice Elaine McDonnell.
Beth Taylor Mack
- Dissertation Title: "Health Behaviors of Extreme Commuters: A Phenomenological Study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
Beverly M. McNamara
- Dissertation Title: "High Risk Students: Why Do They Persist in Completing Their High School Education?"
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Sr. Kathryn Clauss.
William Fred Miller
- Dissertation Title: "An Exploration of the Impact of Barriers to Nurse Practitioners Working in Primary Care: A Descriptive Study."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Alice Elaine McDonnell.
Erin A. Murray
- Dissertation Title: "The Perceptions of Behavioral Health Workers on Co-Occurring Disorders: A Quantitative Analysis."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Lloyd Lyter.
Jamie Lynn Valis
- Dissertation Title: "Physical Activity Differences for Individuals With Disabilities in a National Sample of U.S. College Students."
- Dissertation Committee Chair: Dr. Michelle Gonzalez.
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International Faculty Visit MSW program, Participate in Inauguration Events
Social Work and Psychology Faculty from Romania recently visited Marywood’s MSW program and took part in inauguration events on campus.
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Marywood Students Embrace Cultural Exchange in Poland Through Generous Alumni Support
Six Marywood students recently had the opportunity to study abroad in Poland thanks to the generosity of two Marywood donors.
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Marywood Recognized as 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting
This designation recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation.