Congratulations to December 2024 Graduates

In December, the Watson College of Education celebrated the achievements of our most recent graduates including students who earned undergraduate degrees in teacher education, students enrolled in graduate-level programs and 15 who earned doctoral degrees. Commencement ceremonies were held December 14 in Trask Coliseum. A reception was held at the Watson College for graduates and their families prior to commencement.

View Watson Graduation Reception photos on Facebook >

On December 13, a reception was held to honor WCE’s 15 Ed.D. graduates:

Karen Archer

Dissertation title: Teacher Facilitation of Collaborative Game-based Learning in Title I Middle School Science Classrooms

Committee: Julia Lynch and Daisyane Barreto (co-chairs); Denise Henning

Laura Barbour Bailey

Dissertation title: Teacher Perceptions of Instructional Coaching: Insights for Professional Development and Impacts on Teacher Retention.

Committee: Yan Liu (chair); Kimberly Jamison and Symphony Oxendine

Rabina Baksh Bissessar

Dissertation title: Enhancing Intercultural Perspectives: Exploring Faculty and Staff Study Abroad Experiences.

Committee: Cynthia Demetriou (chair); Amy Garrett Dikkers and Candace Thompson

Megan S. Bolden

Dissertation title: A Bridge to Success: Exploring the Effectiveness of the Transfer Process of Rural Community College Students Advancing to UNCW’s School of Social Work HST-BSW Program

Committee: James DeVita (chair); Satlaj Dighe and Kristin Mapson

Felicia Joyce Graham Brown

Dissertation title: The Experiences of Rural Middle School Students in Their Mathematics Class and Their Impact on Expectancy for Success and Values in Mathematics

Committee: Satlaj Dighe (chair); Symphony Oxendine and Ginger Rhodes

Chris Conner

Dissertation title: Exploring Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy: A Review of the Psychometric Properties of the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale

Committee: Symphony Oxendine and Derek Oxendine (co-chairs); Amy Moody

Courtney Currin

Dissertation title: School Administrator Perceptions of Self-Mentoring as a Professional Development Tool Committee: Yan Liu (chair); Amy Garrett Dikkers and Kimberly Jamison

Paige N. Eppenstein Anderson

Dissertation title: Factors Influencing International Student Enrollment in Engineering Masters Programs in the United States

Committee: Kevin McClure and Symphony Oxendine (co-chairs); Derek Oxendine and Andrew Ryder

Kaylan Ganus

Dissertation title: Beyond the Surface: Unraveling the Layers of a Single Mother’s Journey Through Higher Education

Committee: Julia Lynch and Andrew Ryder (co-chairs); Kevin McClure

Courtney E. Hughes

Dissertation title: “I just didn’t feel like I had a future there:” Examining Factors Contributing To Voluntary Turnover for Women in Non-Instructional Staff Positions at Universities

Committee: Kevin McClure (chair); Andrew Ryder and Samantha Silberstein

Fabio A. Hurtado

Dissertation title: The School and Its Story: Discovering Plurivocal Sediment Stories in Independent Schools Committee: Tamara Walser (chair); Ligia Alberto and Jeremy Hillburn

Laura McBrayer

Dissertation title: Leading Change in Academic Libraries in a Post-pandemic Environment

Committee: Kevin McClure (chair); Marilyn Sheerer and Tamara Walser

William D. Scales

Dissertation title: The Experiences of Academically Persistent African American Male Students Attending a Predominantly White Institution

Committee: Symphony Oxendine chair); Carol McNulty and Wilson Okello

Evan D. Widney

Dissertation title: Technology Adoption in Higher Education: The Individual and Environmental Factors Influencing Faculty

Committee: James DeVita (chair); Sheri Conklin and Symphony Oxendine

Monica Yelverton

Dissertation title: A Mixed Method Study Emphasizing the Impact of the Fundamental Supervisory Practices Course on Local Government Leaders

Committee: Yan Liu (chair); Andrew Ryder and Carlton Smith

Please join us in congratulating all of our outstanding 2024 graduates!