Congratulations to May Graduates

In May, 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 12 who earned doctoral degrees. Commencement ceremonies were held May 9 and 10 in Trask Coliseum.

On May 8, a reception was held to honor WCE’s 12 Ed.D. graduates:

Carrie L. Brewington

Dissertation title: Principal Traits and Approaches to School Improvement in Rural, Low-performing, Secondary Schools in Southeastern North Carolina

Committee: Kimberly Jamison and Andrew Ryder (co-chairs); Robert Smith

Stephen T. Crowder

Dissertation title: Places of Possibility: Using Critical Reflection as a Method of Inquiry to Explore and Interrogate Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary English/Language Arts

Committee: Donna DeGennaro (chair); William Pinar and Amy Senta

Benita M. Davis

Dissertation title: The Lasting Implications of Early Childhood Teacher Education Programs on Classroom Practices

Committee: Donna DeGennaro (chair); Meredith Jones and Julia Lynch

Daniel P. DuLany

Dissertation title: If You Spark It, They Will Learn: Administrators’ Views on Identifying Diverse Talent for Enrichment Program Participation

Committee: Angela Housand (chair); Kimberly Jamison and Tamara Walser

Robert J. Felker

Dissertation title: Pinocchio’s Strings: Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of and Experiences With Academic Freedom in Title I Schools

Committee: Samantha Silberstein (chair); Amy Garrett Dikkers and Symphony Oxendine

Bobby Garcia

Dissertation title: Investigating School Leadership Strategies and Interventions For Cultivating Positive School Cultures That Decrease Teacher Burnout and Retain Educators

Committee: Donyell Roseboro (chair); Denise Ousley-Exum and Symphony Oxendine

Ivana K. Hanson

Dissertation title: REACHing Adults: Culturally Sustaining, Supportive Career Pathways at North Carolina Community Colleges

Committee: Denise Henning (chair); Deborah Grimes and Andrew Ryder

Terry B. Locklear

Dissertation title: Navigating the Outsourcing Labyrinth: Demographic Factors and Student Persistence in MBA Programs

Committee: Michele Parker (chair); Florence Martin and Symphony Oxendine

Onegaa J. McGhee

Dissertation title: Black Faculty Still Matter: Examining Recruitment and Retention of Black Faculty at Predominately White Institutions and the Impact of the Anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Agenda

Committee: Denise Henning (chair); Kevin McClure and Donyell Roseboro

Sonya Parker

Dissertation title: From Media Centers to Makerspaces: The Experiences of School Library Media Coordinators

Committee: Michele Parker (chair); Ray Pastore and Laura Szech

Douglas M. Thumm

Dissertation title: Mapping the Journey From Uniform to Classroom: A Narrative Inquiry Into the Experiences and Decisions of Enlisted Separated Veterans in Undergraduate Institutions

Committee: Amy Garrett Dikkers (chair); Cynthia Demetriou and Jaime Russell

Michael J. Swofford

Dissertation title: The Importance of the Principalship on Student Achievement From the Teacher’s Perspective

Committee: Yan Liu (chair); Ligia Alberto and Andrew Ryder

Please join us in congratulating all of our outstanding graduates!