Dissertations
Dissertations
Research in Practice for Real Change.
The dissertation is the culminating scholarly experience of the Ed.D. Working closely with faculty and your committee, you design and conduct original research on pressing issues of equity, leadership and practice across California's educational system, from early childhood through higher education. Reflecting the applied nature of the Ed.D., you may pursue a traditional dissertation or an alternative format, such as a program evaluation, participatory action research or a multi-media approach. Whatever the format, every dissertation must demonstrate doctoral-level scholarship, methodological rigor, ethical research and a commitment to advancing educational equity.
Cohort 16: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2025
Cohort 15: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2024
Cohort 14: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2023
Cohort 13: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2022
Cohort 12: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2021
Cohort 11: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2020
Cohort 10: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2019
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Ana Maria Barrera | Testimonios of Undocumented Students in Higher Education: A Critical Latina Feminist Phenomenology |
| Sheryl Cavales Doolan | Equity-Oriented Instructor Perspectives on Teaching Developmental English in the Community College |
| Charles La Von Cole III | Beyond Grit and Resilience: How Black Men Impacted by the Crack Epidemic Succeeded Against the Odds and Obtained Doctoral Degrees |
| Tabitha Conaway | "You Gotta Care": Hearing the Stories of Previously Incarcerated Youth in Community College |
| Samyalisa Enright | Early Childhood Educational Leaders' Views on Preschool Discipline, Suspension, and Expulsion |
| Landon Hill | Re-thinkin' Language Rules: The Educational and Psychological Impacts of African American Students Navigating Various Language Practices |
| Alexander Jones | California State University Education to Employment Pipeline |
| Marilyn Jones | The Comeback Queens: Understanding Black Women's Transition from Incarceration to Higher Education |
| Janeen Malatesta | Integrating a College Transition Curriculum Into Senior English: Increasing Access & Persistence |
| Mary Reynolds | Supporting Girls Towards the Development of Positive Mathematical Identity |
| Mallory Stevens | AB 288 Dual Enrollment: From Policy to Practice |
Cohort 9: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2018
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Ronald J Andrade | The Influence of Validation on Academic Outcomes for Oceania Community College Students |
| Gina Carole Baleria | Counteracting Othering: Increasing Belonging & Curiosity to Improve Student Success |
| John Ballard | Anti-Racist Leadership in a High Performing Public High School: A Design-based Study of Detracking Mathematics |
| Wissem Chefai Bennani | Contributors to the Successful Transfer of International Community College Students |
| Donald Frazier | A Symbolic Interactionist Analysis of Undercredited Black Males' Socio-Academic Realities at a High-Achieving Public High School |
| Jose Lopez | The Effects of Service-Learning on the Academic Success of First-Generation College Students |
| Vanson Nguyen | Co-Constructing Power Relations in a Community College Mathematics Classroom |
| Roam Romagnoli | Decarcerating California: A Critical Trans Politics Approach to Prison Higher Education |
| Arielle Joelle Smith | Social Reproduction in the Community College Classroom |
Cohort 8: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2017
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Melissa Padilla Cervantes | Program Evaluation: Gaining Access 'N Academic Success |
| Heather Clary-Wheeler | Using Student Voice to Scale Up Success at Suburban Schools for Black and Latino Students |
| Alejandro Guerrero | Identifying Transformative Teaching Practices for Chican@/Latin@ Community College Students |
| Nolan Higdon | Effective Critical Media Literacy Pedagogy in Higher Education: Turning Social Justice Theory into Practice |
| Katrina Keating | Noncognitive Variables for Placement: A Randomized Control Trial |
| Nancy Martinsen | Taking Notice: The Lived Experiences of Pacific Islander Students in Higher Education |
| Vanessa Mercado | Food and Housing Insecurity Among Students at a Community College District |
| Laurie Murdock | Exploring Teacher Learning Processes Within a Community of Practice to Serve Latina/o Biliterate Students |
| Robert Nakamoto | Pedagogy of Racial Dissonance: Managing and Counteracting Implicit Racial Bias in Education |
| Marlai Ouch | Patterns of Academic Success of Southeast Asian Americans |
| Janine Saunders | Educational Experiences of Incarcerated Youth: Doing School While Doing Time |
| Janelle Waldrep | Strengths of First-Generation College Students in Education Abroad |
| Brittany Anais Wiley | Parables of Passing and Pedagogy: A Practitioner Study of Teaching Africana Literature Online |
Cohort 7: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2016
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Trisha Gonzales-Waters | Therapeutic Classrooms as Refuge for Students with Behavioral Problems |
| Julie Jang | Special Education Transition: Preparing Students with Learning Disabilities for Post-Secondary Education |
| David Lee | Predictive Validity of TOOLS |
| Clyde Lewis | When 1st Feels Like 2nd: Understanding the Experiences and Academic Journey of California State University First Generation Doctoral Students |
| Lillian Marrujo-Duck | Talking Ourselves into Outcomes: Teaching, Learning, and Equity in California Community Colleges |
| Billy Martin | A Case Study Investigation of Practices and Beliefs of Teachers at a STEM-Focused Elementary School |
| Angela Meeker | "Just Showing our Culture": Latino/a Students Constructing Counter-stories Through Baile Folklórico |
| Joshua Pong | Effects of a Comprehensive Array of Droupout-Prevention Interventions: Responders vs. Non-Responders |
| Holly Royaltey | Level Up: Dual Enrollment in the AVID and International Baccalaureate Programs |
| Valerie Royaltey-Quandt | Preparing Educational Leaders for Queer Inclusion in Schools |
| Supinda Sirihekaphong | Resurfacing Race: Recruitment & Retention of Faculty in the California Community Colleges |
| Maia Steward | Collective Critical Conversations: A Pilot Study to Address Equity in a Suburban Teacher Induction Program |
| Timothy Weekes | Culture and Character: A Case Study Analysis of Three High-Performing California Charter Schools Serving Minority and Low-Income Students |
Cohort 6: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2015
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Francisco Castillo | Baccalaureate Completion for AD-T Business Administration Students at San José State University |
| Lori Capizzi | Implementation for Students in Foster Care: A Case Study of Three School Districts |
| Omar Murillo | Family Away from Home: Support Systems for Multi-Generational Hispanic Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) |
| Courtney Paulger | Voices of Successful Women Advanced Technological Education Graduates: Counternarratives |
| Mark Reibstein | Amplifying Teacher Voice: Veteran High School Teachers During CCSS Implementation |
| Nancy Reyes | The Desire to Persist: Voices of First-Generation Latino Community College Students |
| Kathleen Schoenecker | Implementing Student Success and Support Program Services in a California Community College District |
| Christine Solari | "It's Tensious Work": A Case Study of Anti-Racist Educators |
| Mary Streshly | Change Leadership and Female Superintendents |
Cohort 5: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2014
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Diana Balgas | Predictive Factors in Baccalaureate Degree Attainment Among Latin@ College Students |
| Darren Battaglia | Teacher and Organizational Characteristics Predict Teacher Retention |
| Eric Claravall | Creating and Sustaining Classroom Knowledge Through Teacher Research: Morphology as Design Intervention for Struggling Learners |
| Megan Corry | The Evolution of Crisis at City College of San Francisco |
| Meredith Dillon | Male Pacific Islander Student-Athletes at the California Community College |
| Ana Gutierrez | Bridging the Community College Divide: Developing Homegrown Educators in Salinas |
| Jeanine Hawk | Show Me the Money: Investment in Equitable Outcomes for California Community College Students |
| Carol Hill | Putting the Community in Community Schools |
| Armineh Noravian | Building Technical Capital Among Community College Students In Advanced Technological Education |
| Avani Patel | An Evaluation Study of Ravenswood's Youth Transitioning To and Through High School |
| Carissa Purnell | Amor Sin Condiciones: The Impact of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy on Latin@ Students |
| Kelvin Quan | Academic Journeys of Chinese American High School Girls and Their Immigrant Parents |
| Marla Williams | Dollars and Sense: Examining Academic Investments in Urban Continuation School Programs |
| Rebecca Wong | Factors That Promote the Adoption of Acceleration Among Community College Mathematics Faculty |
Cohort 4: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2013
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Lael Adediji | Transfer Students: Actions for Success and Perceptions of University Support |
| Jeffery Alves | Technology Practices of High School Social Science Teachers in Socioeconomically Diverse Classrooms |
| Blanca Arteaga | It's About Being Genuine and Having Heart: Latinos' Perspectives of College Counseling |
| Brenda Bachechi | How Teacher's Efficacy Impacts Their Attitude Towards the Inclusion of All Learners |
| Kathrina Bell | Similar Goals & Dueling Agendas: Perceptions of Campus Internationalization and Equity Policies |
| Thomas Drescher | The Impacts of Differential Resources in California Basic Aid Elementary School Districts |
| Lisa Everett | Re-envisioning Professional Development: A Case Study of a California Community College |
| Jacqueline Vo Felbinger | Examining the Association of District Size and the Opportunity Gap: A Mixed Methods Study |
| Andrea Goldfien | Planting Seeds for Implementation: Expanding Access Through Community College STEM Bridge Programs |
| Rama Kased | Countering Oppression: Examining Metro's Model of Social Justice Education |
| Julissa Mendoza Gonzalez | Harvesting Hope Through La Corrida: The Experiences of Highly Mobile Migrant High School Students |
| Macheo Payne | The Three Commitments: Critical Race Theory and Disproportionate Suspension of Black Males |
| Richard Ramos | Stopping at the Starting Line: Community College Students Who Apply But Do Not Enroll |
| Damien Robinson | Out of the Mouths of Babes: Hope & Hopelessness in Middle School Students of Color |
| Tara Taupier | In Other's Words: How Important is Critical Pedagogy For Students of Color in a Suburban High School? |
| Anjanette Winckler | The Role of the Principal at High Performing Title I Schools |
Cohort 3: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2012
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Lisa M. Andrew | Professional Development That Prepares Administrators to Lead Organizational Change |
| Scott Cline | Impact of the Institutional Financial Aid Process on Students of Color |
| Dayo M. Diggs | "Planned Happenstance": African American Retention Programs Promoting Completion With Cultural Relevant Pedagogy |
| Jefferson L. Flowers | Understanding and Unlocking the Potential of Online Academic Advising |
| Theresa E. Hansen | Promising Pedagogical Practices in African American Learning Communities |
| Jeanne Louise Knapp | An Analysis of Environmental Sustainability Instruction in California Public High Schools |
| Savita Malik | Engaging in the Beautiful Struggle: Influence of Faculty Learning Communities on Teaching |
| Joseph McCreary | One School's Journey Through Understanding and Implementing Culturally Relevant Teaching Practices: A Principal's Perspective |
| Deepa Mukherjee | Implementation and Impact of State-Mandated Intervention for Schools in Program Improvement |
| Roseann Myers | Promising Student Services Practices in the African American Learning Community |
| Victoria M. Quijano | Writing in Disciplines: A Study of an Upper Division Writing Assessment Policy at SFSU |
| Laurie Ann Scolari | First-Generation Students of Color: Easing Their Transition to Community College |
| Darrick A. Smith | Staff Culture and School Transformation: Enabling at a Small School for Equity |
| Lygia Stebbing | Supporting Diversity in the Early Childhood Workforce |
| Kelly M. Stuart | Taking Science to Afterschool: Supporting Identity Development for Low-Income Latino Youth |
| Patricia Sullivan | A Trail of Breadcrumbs: Black Early Childhood Education Student Success in Higher Education |
| Lisa A. Thomas | A Phenomenological Study: An Analysis of No Confidence Votes Among Presidents in California Community Colleges |
| Sharon Turner | Community Based Organizations as Initiators of Partnerships with Community Colleges |
| Lorianne R. Ventura | Impact of Timing of Algebra on Future Mathematics Achievement |
| Maria D. Villanueva | Transforming Parents, Students, and Community: A Case Study of the Madres Involucradas Program |
Cohort 2: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2011
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Gwen Agustin | Response to Intervention: Moving Towards Equity and Social Justice in Special Education |
| Arlene Daus Magbual | Courageous Hope: Critical Leadership Praxis of Pin@y Educational Partnerships |
| Lawrence Edwardson | Adult ESL Learner Transition: Insights into Participation in a Community of Practice |
| Luis Escobar | Breaking Barriers: A Qualitative Study of the Educational and Social Transformational Experiences of Latino Males |
| Vidrale Franklin | The Perspectives and Experiences of African American Female Elementary School Principals |
| Michael Gallagher | Compassion, Accountability, and Collaboration: Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools |
| Angélica Garcia | Ser Educada: The Persistence and Resistance Strategies of First-Generation Latinas |
| Raymond Kaupp | The Gap Between Latino and White Student Achievement in Online Classes |
| Amy Lee | Negotiating Space: Critical Race Counterstories of First-Generation College Students of Color |
| Pamela Mery | A Mixed Methods Study of a Statistics Pathway for Community College Students Placed into Developmental Mathematics |
| Susan Myers | Community College Counseling, Student Education Plans, and Educational Outcomes : A Quantitative Analysis |
Cohort 1: Dissertations from the Graduation Class of 2010
| Graduate | Dissertation Title |
|---|---|
| Deborah Budd | Institutional Effectiveness and the Relationship to African American and Latino Transfer Rates |
| Michelle Donohue | Supervision and Career Advancement of Women in Higher Education Administration |
| Janet L. Egiziano | How Gendered Values Impact Institutional Effectiveness: A Case Study of Leadership |
| Matthew Harris | Impactful Student Learning Outcomes of One-to-One Student Laptop Programs in Low Socioeconomic Schools |
| Matt Kritscher | How Peer Mentors Affect the Persistence of Community College Students of Color |
| Vincent Matthews | The Impact of Results Based Budgeting on the Oakland Unified School District |
| Alexis Montevirgen | Consciousness, Resistance, and Praxis: Counter-Narratives of Transformative Leaders of Color |
| Newin Orante | Transformative Leadership and Resistance: (Re)Constructing Self as Leader in Today's Community College |
| Curt Sanford | Inquiries into L2 Writing Practice: Professional Learning Communities in Community College ESL |
| Stacey Shears | Understanding African American Community College Transfer Students' Experiences: A Qualitative Case Study |
| William Watson | Latino Educational Attainment in a California Community College: The Impact of Social Capital |