Lifelong Education Administration and Policy

Adult Education

Recent Doctoral Dissertations

DOCTORAL GRADUATES

Fall 2007:

Stephen Smith, Ph.D.
Working the Planning Table: A Case Study of the Politics of Planning an International Academic Exchange Program (USA-Mexico)
(Major Professor, Ronald Cervero)

Judy Hibbs, Ed.D.
EFNEP Training and Work Experience: The Psychosocial Impact on the EFNEP Paraprofessional
(Major Professor, Lorilee Sandmann)

Dennis Humphrey, Ed.D.
Career Development of African American Male High School Principals
(Major Professor, Bradley Courtenay)

Summer 2007:

LuAnn Cooley, Ph.D.
Discipling Sisters: How Women Learn the Culture of a Conservative Christian Church
(Major Professor, Laura Bierema) Dissertation on-line

Li-Kuang Chen, Ph.D.
Older Taiwanese Women's Learning through Volunteering and its Roles in Successful Aging
(Major Professor, Sharan Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Alfreda Harper-Harrison, Ed.D.
The Career Development of Black Women Nursing Faculty: Discovering the Meaning of Being Black in the Academy
(Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey)

Spring 2007:

Evetta Armstrong, Ph.D.
How Evangelical Black Women Learn to Negotiate Power Relations Based on Race and Gender in Their Ministry Preparation and Practice
(Major Professor, Ronald Cervero)

Sandy Jennings, Ed.D.
Women Program Planners: Negotiating for Interests
(Major Professor, Laura Bierema) Dissertation on-line

Marilyn Mitchell-McCluskey, Ed.D.
The Professional Development of Adult School Professionals and Their Attitudes toward Homosexuality and Their Sexual Minority Counterparts
(Major Professor, Robert Hill) Dissertation on-line

Penelope Lane, Ph.D.
Reinventing Freire in Post Soviet Ukraine: Learning Transformation
(Major Professor, Robert Hill)

Chandler Newell, Ed.D.
Learner Characteristics as Predictors of Online Course Completion Among Nontraditional Technical College Students
(Major Professor, Bradley Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Nicole Ray, Ph.D.
Working for a Greater Purpose: Successful Black Women Faculty Employed At A Historically White Research University
(Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey)

Troy Sullivan, Ed.D.
The Role of Spirituality in Meaningful Work
(Major Professor, Sharan Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Fall 2006:

Daisy Davis, Ed.D.
Perceptions of Classroom Dynamics by Developmental Studies Students at a Two-year College
(Major Professor, Thomas Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Christa Hofacre, Ph.D.
Walking Outside of the Box: The Journeys an International Multicultural Immersion Program Precipitated in K-12
(Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey) Dissertation on-line

Minider Sodhi, Ph.D.
Embodied Knowing: An Exploration of How Social Work Practitioners Incorporate Embodied Knowledge into Practice
(Major Professor, Laura Bierema) Dissertation on-line

Douglas Anne Taylor, Ph.D.
Intended and Actual Outcomes of an Urban Workplace Literacy Program
(Major Professor, Thomas Valentine)

Summer 2006:

Elisabeth Bennett, Ph.D.
How Organizational Culture and Change are Embedded in an Organization’s Intranet
(Major Professor, Dr. Bradley Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Dae Joong Kang, Ph.D.
Images of Life and Learning: A Postmodern Qualitative Study of Five Korean People's Published Oral History
(Major Professor, Dr. Sharan Merriam)

Susan Layton, Ed.D.
The Role of Adult Education in Diabetes Compliance
(Major Professor, Dr. Bradley Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Margaret McLaughlin, Ed.D.
I Fix Yours, and You Fix Mine: A Community of Practice in an ESOL Classroom
(Major Professor, Dr. Thomas Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Jonathan Messemer, Ed.D.
Influences on Teacher Decision-Making in the Correctional Education Classroom
(Major Professor, Dr. Thomas Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Kim Carlyle Osborne, Ph.D.
The other side of media literacy: How Interest and Power Relations Shape the Production of Television News
(Major Professor, Dr. Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Haidong Wang, Ph.D.
How Cultural Values Shape Chinese Students' Online Learning Experience in American Universities
(Major Professor, Dr. Sharan Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Spring 2006:

Charlene Goodwin, Ed.D.
Online Learning as Perceived by nontraditional Adult Learners (Major Professor, Laura Bierrema) Dissertation on-line

Fall 2005:

Jeanette Fleming, Ph.D.
The Role of Spirituality in the Practice of Adult Education Leaders (Major Professor, Bradley C. Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Summer 2005:

Augustine Amenyah, Ed.D.
The Importance of Learning for Changing Sexual Practices in Response to HIV/AIDS Crisis in Ghana. (Major Professor, Bradley Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Sherry Ann Clouser, Ed.D.
Building And Sustaining Community In Online Courses For Adults (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Jannette Wang Gutierrez, Ph.D.
How Asian/Asian North American Women Theological Educators Negotiate Power Dynamics (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Hye Ryung Jung, Ph.D.
Professionals’ Double Life: Life Histories of Korean Professionals Involved in Social Activism for Social Justice. (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Rachelle Diane Lehner, Ph.D.
Crossroads: What Leaders Intend and What Employees Perceive (Major Professor, Wendy Ruona) Dissertation on-line

Diane Lamb Monaghan, Ph.D.
Community Partnering for Literacy Education: Experiences of Interorganizational Collaboration (Major Professor, Thomas Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Letha J. Mosley, Ph.D.
Negotiation of Sociopolitical Issues in Medical Education Program Planning that Planning That Addresses Racial and Ethnic Disparities (Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey) Dissertation on-line

Dionne Michelle Rosser-Mims, Ph.D.
An Exploration of Black Women’s Political Leadership Development (Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey)

Spring 2005:

Janet Sharon Valente, Ed.D.
The Role of Self-directed Learning in Older Adult’s Health Care (Major Professor, Sharan Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Tuere A. Bowles, Ph.D.
Black Women’s Learning and Knowledge Construction in the Environmental Justice Movement. (Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey)

Robin Sankowski Grenier, Ph.D.
How Museum Docents Develop Expertise (Sharan Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Candida Lea Robinson Hollenbeck, Ph.D.
Online Anti-brand Communities as a New Form of Social Action In Adult Education (Major Professor, Sharan Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Ju Sung Jun, Ph.D.
Understanding Dropout of Adult Learners in E-Learning. (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Fall 2004:

Lisa L. Palmer, Ed.D.
The Perceived Importance of the Occupational Work Ethic Among Adult Students in Technical Colleges. (Major Professor, Laura Bierema) Dissertation on-line

Jayne Langford Smith, Ed.D.
The Impact of Commercial Support On The Provision And Outcomes Of Continuing Pharmacy Education (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Michelle Christine Burch, Ph.D.
The Leadership Roles of Women in Contemporary White Supremacist Organizations (Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey) Dissertation on-line

Han Byul Kim, Ph.D.
The Politics of Evaluation for Human Resource Development: A Stakeholder Perspective (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

G. Andrew Page, Ph.D.
Exploring the Digital Divide: Poverty and Progress in a Rural County (Major Professor, Talmadge Guy

Summer 2004:

Jonathan Stephen Penland, Ph.D.
The Impact of Intercultural Factors on the Planning of Theological Education in the Dominican Republic. (Major Professor, Ronald Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Robert Francis Reardon, Ph.D.
Responses of Skilled Industrial Workers to Imposed Technological Change. (Major Professor, Thomas Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Andrea M. Griffin Cook, Ed.D.
The Enduring Nature of Perspective Transformation in the Context of Christian Conversion. (Major Professor, Bradley Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Lois Sneade Neighbors, Ed.D.
Apart but a Part in Adult Distance Study: Persistence in an Online Cohort Graduate Certificate Program. (Major Professor, Bradley Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Sonya Lenatt Thomas, Ed.D.
The Impact of Race on Classroom Dynamics in the Adult Education Classroom. (Major Professor, Thomas Valentine) Dissertation on-line

SPRING 2004:

Nikki Leigh Ashcraft, Ph.D.
The Role of Formal and Informal Adult Learning in the Adaptation Processes of Mexican Immigrants (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Lorenzo Bowman, Ph.D.
Black and White Attorneys' Perspectives on Race, the Legal System, and Continuing Legal Education: A Critical Race Theory Analysis (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Michelle Lee D’Abundo, Ph.D.
Health Messages and Instructional Practices: Understanding the Content and Delivery of Health Messages in Aerobic Classes for Women (Major Professor, Bierema) Dissertation on-line

Dillon-Marable, Elizabeth, Ph.D.
Conceptualization, Measurement, and Prediction of Computer Technology Integration in Adult Basic Skills Education (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Merriweather Hunn, Lisa Renee, Ph.D.
Hitching a Wagon to a Star: An Oral History Study Exploring African American Adult Education in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1930-1949 (Major Professor, Guy) Dissertation on-line

Monaghan, Catherine Heatherman, Ph.D.
Development of the Adult Learners’ Management Philosophy Through Critical management Studies Courses (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Ng, Kit Yoong, Ph.D.
From the First Line to the Byline: Malaysian Journalists' Learning in Practice Under the Power of Media Ownership (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Robertson, Mary Kathryn, Ph.D.
Building Program Theory for Evaluation: The Process Through a Political Lens (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Beach-Duncan, J. Adrienne L., Ed.D.
Career Development Factors of Black Women Who Work in the Professions (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey) Dissertation on-line

Crosby, Jarvis Lee, Ed.D.
How Learning Experiences Foster Commitment to a Career in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Pruitt, Dena Jo Williams, Ed.D.
Bragging Rights: Informal Learning and Self-Development of Women in the Leisure Context of the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Tait, Catherine Mae, Ed.D.
Officers as Mentors Within the National Guard Context (Major Professor, Watkins) Dissertation on-line

Templeton, Debra Roberts, Ed.D.
How Displaced Female Textile Workers Make a Successful Transition to Skilled Employment (Major Professor, Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Thomas, Alvetta Peterman, Ed.D.
Factors Contributing to the Career Success of African American Women Executive Leaders in Community and Technical Colleges (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey) Dissertation on-line

Wilson, Patricia Ann, Ed.D.
The Career Development of Senior-Level African American Women Working in Community and Technical Colleges in the United States (Major Professor, Juanita Johnson-Bailey) Dissertation on-line

FALL 2003:

Patricia Hulsey Bridges, Ed.D.
Factors Affecting the Propensity To Adopt Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy (Major Professor, Bierema)

Rebecca Jean Corvey, Ed.D.
The Role of Communities of Practice in the Professional Development of Nurses (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Bernadette Alicia McKelly, Ph.D.
Why Jacob Can't Read? Why Black Farmers Can't Farm: A Case Study of Black Farmers' Exclusion from The Agricultural Policymaking Process (Major Professor, Guy & Houston)

Nanette Burchfield Sayles, Ed.D.
Preparing for New Roles in Health Information Management (Major Professor, Bierema) Dissertation on-line

Janice Morgan Saturday, Ph.D.
The Influence of Early Internalized Experiences on Adult Learning Groups (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Summer 2003:

Richard R. Bohannon, Ed.D.
Understanding Decisions Made During the Initial Stages o OD Interventions (Major Professor, Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

SPRING 2003:

Emuel Lonnie Aldridge, Ed.D.
Acculturation in the Age of Information: Exploring the Implications and Uses of Emergent Digital Technologies for the Adaptation of Salvadoran Immigrants (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Mavis Anita Clarke, Ed.D.
Learning Experiences of Black Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Adult Male Learners: A Narrative Analysis (Major Professor, Guy) Dissertation on-line

Millard Timothy Hixson, Ed.D.
Understanding How Adult Educators Become Interculturally Competent Practitioners (Major Professor, Courtenay) Dissertation on-line

Linda Gay Hughes, Ed.D.
The Role of Pop Culture in the Self-Development of Midlife Women (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Ulrica Jones, Ed.D.
How Do African Americans in Rural Areas Learn to Become Homeowners. (Major Professor, Cervero)

Ellen Jane Kilgos, Ed.D.
Essential Curriculum Topics for Entry Level Employees: Perspectives of Adult Literacy Students, Instructors, and Potential Employers (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Janet Rose Oliva, Ph.D.
Actual and Preferred Classroom Interpersonal Dynamics in Law Enforcement Education (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Rosalee A. Opengart, Ph.D.
Women Managers: Learning about Emotional Expression in the Workplace (Major Professor, Bierema)

Donald N. Roberson, Jr., Ph.D.
How Older Rural Adults Utilize Self-Directed Learning in Late Life Adjustments (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Mary P. Shotwell, Ph.D.
Socio-Ecological Analysis of Participation in Physical Activity by Rural-Dwelling Older Adult Women (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Fall 2002:

Joan Maxine Detry Burke, Ed.D.
The Silent Voices of Those Who Care: Cultural Learning of Older Black Women Caregivers of Alzheimer's Family Members (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Linda Elaine Logan, Ph.D.
Exploring White Privilege among Adult Learners in the Historically White College and University Classroom (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Karen Elaine Manglitz, Ph.D.
How White Adult Educators Challenge Racism (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Summer 2002:

Pamela Ann Harroff, Ed.D.
Dimensions of Quality for Web-based Adult Education (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Suh Young Jang, Ed.D.
How University Attendance Affects the Personal Development of Highly-educated Middle Class Korean Reentry Women (Major Professor, Merriam) Dissertation on-line

Spring 2002:

Lynn Yvonne Villyard Brannon, Ed.D.
Negotiating Feminist Interests in Elementary and Secondary Schools (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Brendan Sean Leahy, Ed.D.
The transfer of learning process: from outdoor, adventure-based programs to the practice setting (Major Professor, Merriam)

Scarlette Spears Studdard, Ph.D.
Behind the mask of success and excellence: impostorism and women doctoral students (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Fall 2001:

James Ivan Mauldin Berger, Ph.D.
Perceived consequences of adopting the Internet into adult literacy and basic education classrooms. (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Jashoda Sanghvi Bothra, Ph.D.
How faculty members design and implement complimentary on-line course management systems in graduate face-to-face instruction. (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Tonic Lefetogile Maruatona, Ph.D.
Literacy for what? A critical analysis of planning for the Botswana National Literacy Program. (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Donald Elliott Rouse, Ed.D.
An investigation of the outcomes of short-term diversity training. (Major Professor, Valentine) Dissertation on-line

Summer 2001:

Debra Lee Dukes, Ed.D.
A Multiple Case Study of How College Career Centers are Responding to the Needs of Adult Students (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Jong-Chul Jung, Ph.D.
The Impact of Social Structures on Adults Participation in Undergraduate Programs: A State Level Analysis (Major Professor, Cervero)

Glenn Palmer, Ed.D.
The Career Development of African American Managers in the Areas of Training and Organizational Development. (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Jennifer Sandlin, Ph.D.
Manufacturing Workers: Exploring Ideological Assumptions in Educational Programs for Welfare Recipients. (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Spring 2001:

Robert Wallace Burns, Ph.D.
Learning the Politics of Ministry Practice (Major Professor, Cervero)

Harriett Leigh Cohen, Ph.D.
Transformation for Women in Midlife (Major Professor, Merriam)

Michael Frances Healy, Ed.D.
The Insight (Vipassana) Mediation Transformational Learning Process: A Phenomenlolgical Study (Major Professor - Merriam)

Mary Dee Medley, Ph.D.
How Gender Specific Listservs Contribute to the Professional Development of Faculty Women in Computer Science (Major Professor, Merriam)

Jacqueline Acenith Wilson, Ph.D.
Defensive Routines and Theories-in-Use of Hotel Managers: An Action Science Study (Major Professor, Watkins)

Jeong-Hwa Yang, Ed.D.
Interpersonal Interactions in the Modified On-Line Learning Environment (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Fall 2000:

Fall 2000: Ian Courtney Barrett, Ed.D.
Pressing On: The Career Development Experience of Black Human Resource Developers (Major Professor, Cervero)

Debra Fair Faust, Ed.D.
Factors Associated with Participation of Learners in College Freshman Multi-age Classes (Major Professor, Courtenay)

Julie Ann Gedro, Ed.D.
Urban Cowgirls: How Lesbians Learn to Negotiate the Heterosexism of Corporate America (Major Professor, Cervero)

Marion Lynda Hanscome, Ed.D.
Influence of Gender and Power Relationships among Human Resource Development Managers (Major Professor, Cervero)

Miguel Hernandez, Ph.D.
The Impact of the Dimensions of the Learning Organization on the Transfer of Tacit Knowledge Process and Performance Improvement Within Private Manufacturing Firms in Colombia (Major Professor, Watkins)

Jeanne Vosecky White, Ed.D.
"How Can I Make It Here?": The Adaptation to Rural American Life by Lao Refugee Women (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Summer 2000:

Lisa Marie Baumgartner, Ed.D.
The Incorporation of HIV/AIDS Into Identity Over Time (Major Professor, Merriam)

Ronald Malcus James, Ed.D.
Understanding How African Americans Experience Adult Literacy Education (Major Professor, Courtenay)

Rebecca Fatima Sta. Maria, Ph.D.
Perception of Learning Culture, Concerns About the Innovation, and Their Influence on Use of An On-Going Innovation in the Malaysian Public Sector (Major Professor - Watkins)

Spring 2000:

Cassandra Elizabeth Drennon, Ph.D.
Enacting Democratic Aims of Practitioner Inquiry in the Context of Power and Politics (Major Professor, Cervero)

Marlin Catrina Scott, Ed.D.
Playing the Hand You're Dealt: An Investigation of the Classroom Encounters of Professional Black Women and the Strategies They Used to Ensure a Successful Academic Experience (Major Professor, Johnson-Bailey)

Fall 1999:

Mary Hope Wilson Callahan, Ph.D.
Case Study of an Advanced Technology Business Incubator as a Learning Environment (Major Professor, Watkins)

Khairuddin Idris, Ph.D.
The Other Globalization: Organizational Learning Experiences of Malaysian Firms (Major Professor, Watkins)

Su-Fen Liu, Ed.D.
Motivational and Deterrent Factors Associated With Participation in Training for Younger and Older Workers (Major Professor, Courtenay)

Susan Kay McHargue, Ed.D.
Dimensions of the Learning Organization as Determinants of Organizational Performance in Non-Profit Organizations (Major Professor, Watkins)

Audrey Wynelle Rosser Milo, Ed.D.
Common Land - Uncommon Ground: An Exploration of Racial Identity Development as a Critical Factor for Black and White Planners of Cultural Diversity Programs (Major Professor, Guy)

Peggy Gabotlhapiwe Ntseane, Ph.D.
Botswana Rural Women's Transition to Urban Business Success: Collective Struggles, Collective Learning (Major Professor, Merriam)

Merle Douglas Strangway, Ed.D.
The Development of Transformational Leadership in Pastors of Protestant Churches (Major Professor, Courtenay)

Dorothy Anne Rhodes Tunmer, Ed.D.
Practicing Citizens: An Investigation of the Impact of Neighborhood Leadership Institute Training on Adults (Major Professor, Holt)

Summer 1999:

Rebecca Jo Adams, Ed.D.
Are We Having Fun Yet? The Use of Play-based Training Methods and Health Educator's Flow Experience (Major Professor, Watkins)

Lolita Chappel Aiken, Ed.D.
Weathered by their Experience: Black Women Returning to RN Completion Programs (Major Professor, Cervero)

Carl J. Reichel, Ed.D.
Perceived Committee Effectiveness Among Program Advisory Committees in Technical Education (Major Professor, Moore)

Benjamin Peter Brodigan Salt, Ph.D.
Worker Education Programs' Responses to Globalization: International Experts Speak (Major Professor, Cervero) Dissertation on-line

Spring 1999:

Lynda Louise Thomas Goodfellow, Ed.D.
A Self-assessment of Critical Thinking Behaviors in Respiratory Care (Major Professor, Holt)

Lilian Helen Lock Hill, Ph.D.
The Global Consciousness of Human Resource Development Practitioners: A Phenomenological Study (Major Professor, Merriam)

Evelyn Paulette Isaac, Ed.D.
African Americans' Motivations: A Study of Participation in Church-Based Adult Education Programs in the African American Church (Major Professor, Guy)

Elizabeth Anderson Kenimer, Ed.D.
The Identification and Description of Critical Thinking Behaviors in Clinical Laboratory Science (Major Professor, Holt)

Carol Anne Myers, Ed.D.
Perspectives on an Incomplete Higher Education Experience: How Former Adult Students View Themselves as Learners and the Role of Higher Education (Major Professor, Merriam)

Kathy J. Perdue, Ph.D.
Deterrents to Participation in Web-based Continuing Professional Education for Certified Public Accountants in Georgia (Major Professor, Valentine)

Pamela Jane Schreiber, Ed.D.
The Nature of Career Development for Women Who Telecommute (Major Professor, Merriam)

College of Education hosts the inaugural Black Issues in Higher Education Conference