Service on Dissertation Committees
Below is a list of completed dissertations from my Ed.D. graduates, where I served as a chair, committee member, and/or advisor at Lee University:
Swartzentruber, R. (2025). Experience, Efficacy, and Effectiveness of Teachers in a Southeastern Tennessee School District (Order No. 32395554). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3280520686). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/experience-efficacy-effectiveness-teachers/docview/3280520686/se-2
Helie, M. (2025). The Impact of a Guided Math Framework on Middle School Students’ Achievement: Evidence from a Rural School District in Georgia (Order No. 31997447). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3196020752). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/impact-guided-math-framework-on-middle-school/docview/3196020752/se-2
Lastoria, S. (2025). Exploring the Challenges and Needed Supports of Elementary Special Education Teachers: A Qualitative Descriptive Case Study (Order No. 32038892). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3204181569). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/exploring-challenges-needed-supports-elementary/docview/3204181569/se-2
Hattabaugh, E. L., & Rodriguez, S. A. M. (2024). Designing a Teacher Induction Program: A Springboard for Success (Order No. 30992159). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3047968670). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/designing-teacher-induction-program-springboard/docview/3047968670/se-2
Rodriguez, S. A. M., & Hattabaugh, E. L. (2024). Designing a Teacher Induction Program: A Springboard for Success (Order No. 31241116). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3047798335). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/designing-teacher-induction-program-springboard/docview/3047798335/se-2
Perry, L. (2024). A Case Study of Pre-Service Teachers’ Emerging Perceptions of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) (Order No. 31241736). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3049563359). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/case-study-pre-service-teachers-emerging/docview/3049563359/se-2
Zuzart, N. (2024). Exploring the Relationship Between Standards-Based Grading and End-of-Year State Assessments: A Quantitative Research Study (Order No. 31764966). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3144845431). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/exploring-relationship-between-standards-based/docview/3144845431/se-2
Beard, S. J. (2023). The Impact of Vocabulary Instructional Strategies on Student Achievement: Evidence From Two Large K-5 Elementary Schools (Order No. 30572158). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2840141508). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/impact-vocabulary-instructional-strategies-on/docview/2840141508/se-2
Hayes, A. (2023). Empowering Leadership Preparedness: A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Courageous Journeys of Novice Female Principals (Order No. 30573254). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2841223112). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/empowering-leadership-preparedness/docview/2841223112/se-2
Taylor, V. E. (2023). Addressing the Misrepresentation of At-Risk, Including Minority Students in Secondary Schools: Examining Teacher Practices in Restorative Discipline (Order No. 30572088). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2841617934). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/addressing-misrepresentation-at-risk-including/docview/2841617934/se-2
Wages, D. E. (2023). The Perceptions of Middle School Teachers as They Relate to Meeting the Academic Needs of Foster Children (Order No. 30530298). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2832616539). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/perceptions-middle-school-teachers-as-they-relate/docview/2832616539/se-2
Early, K. N. (2023). Gamification of Mathematics Instruction: A Quantitative Study on Student Growth and Proficiency in a Suburban Middle School (Order No. 30488148). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2811112888). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/gamification-mathematics-instruction-quantitative/docview/2811112888/se-2
Parker, J. A. (2023). Preservice Teacher Perspectives on Self-Care and the Impact of Training on Those Perspectives (Order No. 30486484). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2808437739). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/preservice-teacher-perspectives-on-self-care/docview/2808437739/se-2
Clark, W. A. (2023). Evaluating Independent Living Skills: A Quantitative Case Study of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (Order No. 30486554). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2808175728). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/evaluating-independent-living-skills-quantitative/docview/2808175728/se-2
CURRENT 2025-2026 DISSERTATION CHAIR/COMMITTEE MEMBER
Degree Year Role Student Name
Ed.D. Ongoing Chair Kathi Douglas
The Lost Boys: The Impact of Grit on the Grade Point Average (GPA) of First-Generation Male Students in Christian Higher Education
Ed.D. Ongoing Chair Amanda L. Jones
Predictors of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in Elementary Preservice Teachers: How Mathematical Anxiety, Teaching Self-Efficacy, Course Engagement, and Prior Achievement Relate to the Development of PCK
Ed.D. Ongoing Chair Albert LaBoy
Preparing Teachers for Cross-Cultural Classrooms: Teaching Chinese International Students in U.S. Christian High Schools
Ed.D. Ongoing Chair Daphne Smith
Does Dual Enrollment Credits Predict First‑Year GPA and Second‑Year Retention Status? Evidence from Undergraduate Students at Lee University
Ed.D. Ongoing Member Stacey Wielfaert
Student Perspectives on Cell Phone Bans: A Mixed-Methods Study in a Rural East Tennessee High School
Ed.D. Ongoing Member David VanBenschoten
Thou Shalt Not Teach “Prohibited Concepts”: A Phenomenological Case Study Examining the Intersection of Political Climate, Education Policy, and Teacher Practices and Perceptions