This study examined proactive career behavior among college students engaging in career interventions. Specifically, the impact of proactive career behavior on career readiness and career goal attainment was investigated. The study sought to discover what proactive career behaviors are displayed by students who engage in career interventions. The…

This dissertation consists of three quantitative studies analyzing educational policies and programs that help to improve college readiness, college success, as well as the transition from college to the labor market. The first chapter studies the impact of raising the bar for high school math on college readiness and success. The chapter examines…

The purpose of the study was to examine perceptions of preparedness among alternatively certified career and technology teachers and their supervisors. The study employed a qualitative phenomenology using semi-structured open-ended interview questions. Eight teacher participants and eight supervisor participants were interviewed from the sample…

To equip students for effective, long-term cross-cultural ministry during their undergraduate training in institutions of biblical higher education, missions educators should consider whether their training approaches are holistically integrated, relationally oriented, and fundamentally caring. Although such characteristics are suggested in the…

The importance of technology in education has never been more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic. Seemingly overnight teachers throughout the world had to adapt their pedagogy by incorporating technology in every aspect of learning. Schools must continue to prepare students to thrive in our digital society. This preparation requires tech savvy…

The purpose of this study was to understand how student affairs educators make meaning of the concept of career readiness among undergraduate students they directly advise or supervise at a public, research institution in Texas. This study was driven by the increased pressure of higher education as a whole to highlight college graduates'…

Postsecondary education and career training is increasingly important, with growing polarization of the labor market and forecasts for increasingly skilled workers to meet the needs of the US economy, particularly in California. Additionally, gaps between various student groups in educational access and attainment continue to persist despite…

The employability of liberal arts versus specialized degree-holders is a significant concern in a technology-driven labor market. As a result of the specialized market, there has been an immediate demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or STEM-related degree-holders. However, the demand for STEM-related skills also…

The University of Texas Partnership in Advancing Clinical Transition (UT-PACT) was an initiative with the goal of facilitating a better integration of undergraduate and professional skills studies in preparation of students for careers as physicians with reduced student indebtedness, timely entrance into the medical workforce, and professional…

High school classroom teachers with English language learners (ELLs) assigned to their classrooms might not be using effective instructional strategies to increase reading comprehension scores of ELLs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the use of strategies that high school classroom teachers use to teach cognitive…

The principal purpose of this program evaluation was to determine how the 2010-2019 alumni of the William & Mary (W&M) D.C. Summer Institutes (DCSI) perceived their participation helped them achieve career readiness. Existing literature on experiential learning methods and practices has suggested great value in such opportunities, but less…

This study examined secondary science teachers' conceptions of democratic citizenship and their beliefs about how citizenship relates to science education. These beliefs and conceptions were studied through a framework comprised of theories of belief, citizenship education, and civic engagement with science. Data were collected from 10 teachers…

There are a growing number of zoo science degree programs in the US, designed to prepare entry level employees for a zoo or aquarium career that includes animal care, conservation, and public education. These bachelor's degree and associate degree programs include a focus on many areas of science as well as a variety of practical knowledge.…

The busy schedules of student-athletes often prevent them from engaging in career development activities that can impact their career maturity and their transition into the world of work--further making their experiences as both student and athlete complex. The study used the action research methodology to address the complexity of the problem and…

This study attempted to address gaps in how the perceptions of special education teachers had an effect on how they taught, and the support they receive from their leadership. The purpose of the study was to examine how the perception of special education teachers affects how they approach teaching career readiness attitudes and skills that are…