Master's Thesis Proposals and Defenses

Spring 2024

Garrett Oehlert (MS in Kinesiology) – Thesis Defense

  • Within-Day Reliability of Submaximal Running Economy Testing: Implications for Advanced Footwear Testing
  • 4 p.m. Apr. 19, 2024, College of Education Annex, room 114 
  • The thesis committee includes Dr. Eric Jones (chair), Dr. Malcolm T. Whitehead, Dr. Amber Chelette and Dr. Dustin Joubert.

Fall 2023

Garrett Oehlert (MS in Kinesiology) – Thesis Proposal

  • Reliability of Submaximal Running Economy Testing on a Calibrated Metabolic Measurement System
  • 4 p.m. Dec. 7, 2023, via Zoom
  • The thesis committee includes Dr. Eric Jones (chair), Dr. Malcolm T. Whitehead, Dr. Amber Chelette and Dr. Dustin Joubert.

Kristina Rivas (MS in Human Sciences) - Thesis Defense

  • Homeless not Hopeless: The Experiences of Participants Enrolled in the 100 Families Initiative
  • 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7, 2023, via Zoom
  • The thesis committee includes Dr. Rachel Jumper (chair), Dr. Flora Farago, Dr. Victoria Wagner-Green and Dr. Donna Fickes.

Bradi Ware (MA in School Psychology) – Thesis Defense

  • Special Education and Inclusion: A Literature Review
  • 12:30 p.m. Oct. 24, 2023, via Zoom
  • The thesis committee includes Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey (chair), Dr. Jamie Flowers, Dr. Elaine Turner and Dr. Amanda Rudolph.

Summer 2023

Kristina Rivas (MS in Human Sciences) – Thesis Proposal

  • Homeless not hopeless: The Experiences of Participants Enrolled in the 100 Families Initiative
  • 10 a.m. May 12, 2023, via Zoom
  • The thesis committee includes Dr. Rachel Jumper (chair), Dr. Flora Farago, Dr. Donna Fickes and Dr. Victoria Wagner-Greene.

Fall 2022

Ashia Anderson (MA in School Psychology) – Thesis Final Defense 

  • Religion and Spirituality as a Coping Mechanism for Racial Microaggressions: A Literature Review
  • 10:30 a.m. Sept. 28, 2022, via Zoom (Zoom link)
  • The thesis committee includes Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey (chair), Dr. Daniel McCleary (Co-Chair), Dr. Elaine Turner and Dr. Amanda Rudolph.

Doctoral Program Dissertation Proposals and Defenses

Fall 2024

Aaron Harrell (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Developing an AI Grading Assistant: A Mixed Methods Study of Artificial Intelligence Grading and Feedback Capabilities
  • 4 p.m., Nov. 21, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Brian Uriegas (chair), Dr. Ali Hachem, Dr. Amber Wagnon and Dr. Luis Aguerrevere.

Tiffany Burks (PhD in School and Health Service Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Do Resiliency and Coping Skills Moderate the Relationship Between Psychopathology and Interpersonal Relationships Due to Parental Relationship Distress?
  • 3:30 p.m., Nov. 21, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Elaine Turner (chair), Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Dr. Luis Aguerrevere and Dr. Michael Walker.

Melanie Yates (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Evaluating Community College Faculty Preparedness to Teach Students with Non-Visible Disabilities:  A Mixed Methods Study
  • 2 p.m., Nov. 19, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Marigold Hudock (co-chair), Dr. Stacy Hendricks and Dr. Summer Koltonski.

Misty Wilburn (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • From Small Towns to Big Dreams: Understanding the College Experience for Rural First-Generation Students
  • 9 a.m., Nov. 19, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Marigold Hudock, Dr. Stacy Hendricks and Dr. Freddie Avant.

Morgan Pulliam (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Sisterhood an Socioeconomic Status: An Ethnographic Study of Low-Income Women in NPC Sororities
  • 1:15 p.m., Nov. 18, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Marigold Hudock, Dr. Bailey Thompson and Dr. Beth Gound.

Rosilyn Jackson (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Defense

  • 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Program Evaluation Evidence from Texas
  • Noon, Nov. 15, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Ali Hachem (chair), Dr. Brian Uriegas, Dr. Wendy Killam and Dr. Freddie Avant.

Summer 2024

Alison Bradford (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Defense

  • Effects of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Special Education Teachers
  • Noon July 11, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Dr. Elaine Turner and Dr. Summer Koltonski.

Lacey Folsom (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Defense

  • A Qualitative Narrative Study About Mental Well-Being and Coping Strategies in Generation-Z Undergraduate Student Leaders
  • 1 p.m. June 25, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Summer Pannell (chair), Dr. Brian Uriegas, Dr. Bailey Thompson and Dr. Chrissy Cross.

Jennifer Sturm (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • The Relationship Between Stress, Burnout, Attendance, and Methods of Self-Care Among Teachers
  • 11 a.m. June 10, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Elaine Turner, Dr. Frankie Clark and Dr. Brian Uriegas.

Priscilla Davila (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Patterns of Eye Movement and Performance Validity of ADHD malingerers
  • 11:30 a.m. May 17, 2024, in the Human Services Building, room 301
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Rebecca Recio-Swift, Dr. Frankie Clark and Dr. Laura Cooper.

Spring 2024

Max Gerhold (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Unveiling the Deception: Detecting Coaching Malingering of ADHD through Eye-Movement
  • 9 a.m., Apr. 26, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Roselia Juan, Dr. Daniel McCleary and Dr. Steven Estrada.

Rosilyn Jackson (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Program Evaluation Evidence from Texas
  • 10 a.m., Apr. 25, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Ali Hachem (chair), Dr. Wendy Killam, Dr. Summer Pannell and Dr. Freddie Avant. 

Jennifer Goddard (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Defense

  • The Impact of Dual Credit on Student Success: A Mixed Methods Study at a Texas University
  • 2 p.m., Apr. 22, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Summer Pannell (chair), Dr. Brian Uriegas (co-chair), Dr. Andrew Sutherland and Dr. Michara Delaney-Fields.

Herbert Midgley (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Defense

  • A Narrative Inquiry into Contingent Music Faculty Experiences
  • 1 p.m., Apr. 10, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Summer Pannell, Dr. Kevin Jones and Dr. Thomas Nixon.

Madison Kelly (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Defense

  • The Impact of Perceived Administrative Support on Teacher Burnout
  • 1 p.m., Apr. 5, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation Committee includes Dr. Elaine Turner (chair), Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, Dr. Amanda Rudolph and Dr. Valerie Weed.

Hunter Marzolf (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Defense

  • The Effects of a Visual Schedule on Cochlear Implant Use
  • Noon, Mar. 7, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Jaime Flowers (chair), Dr. Daniel McCleary, Dr. Luis Aguerrevere and Dr. Lindsey Kennon.

Lauren Biggs (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Defense

  • College Students’ Perceptions of the Student-Teacher Relationship
  • 11 a.m. Feb. 23, 2024, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey (chair), Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (co-chair), Dr. Jaime Flowers and Dr. Sarah Savoy.

Fall 2023

Jennifer Goddard (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • The Impact of Postsecondary Dual Credit on College Success: A Mixed Methods Study at a Texas University
  • 11 a.m. Nov. 10, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Summer Pannell (chair), Dr. Brian Uriegas (co-chair), Dr. Michara DeLaney-Fields and Dr. Andrew Southerland.

Herbert Midgley (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • A Narrative Inquiry into Contingent Music Faculty Experiences
  • 1 p.m. Nov. 9, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Summer Pannell, Dr. Kevin Jones and Dr. Thomas Nixon.

Maximilian Gerhold (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Unveiling the Deception: Detecting Malingering of ADHD Through Eye-Tracking Technology
  • 8 a.m. Oct. 30, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Daniel McCleary, Dr. Steven Estrada and Dr. Roselia Juan.

Reggie Rios (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Defense

  • The Effects of COVID-19 School Disruptions on Social, Emotional and Behavioral Skills
  • 9 a.m. Oct. 27, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Elaine Turner (chair), Dr. Daniel McCleary, Dr. Luis Aguerrevere and Dr. Laura Beth Cooper.

Summer 2023

Madison Kelly (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • The Impact of Administrative Support on Teacher Burnout
  • 9 a.m. July 14, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Elaine Turner (chair), Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, Dr. Brittany McCreary and Dr. Amanda Rudolph.

Claire Murphy (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Defense

  • Analysis of the Appointment, Experiences, and Job Satisfaction of Leaders in Large Schools of Music
  • 11 a.m. July 11, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Ali Hachem, Dr. Deborah Buswell and Dr. Jerry Williams.

Hunter Marzolf (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • The Effects of Non-Contingent Escape on Cochlear Implant Usage
  • 10 a.m. June 13, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Jaime Flowers (chair), Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, Dr. Daniel McCleary and Dr. Lindsey Kennon.

Angela Lucas (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Defense

  • The Behavior Assessment System for Children Third Edition (BASC-3)’s Classification Accuracy for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Young Adults
  • 11 a.m. May 25, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Frankie Clark and Dr. Sarah Savoy.

Spring 2023

Herbert Midgley (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • A Qualitative Portraiture Study of Performing Arts Contingent Faculty in the Performing Arts at Colleges and Universities
  • 11:30 a.m. May 2, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Pietro Sasso (chair), Dr. Summer Pannell, Dr. Kevin Jones and Dr. Thomas Nixon.

Lacey Folsom (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • A Qualitative Narrative Study About Mental Health and Coping Strategies in Generation-Z Undergraduate Student Leaders
  • 10 a.m. May 2, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Pietro Sasso (chair), Dr. Mark Ludorf, Dr. Bailey Thompson and Dr. Brian Uriegas.

Alison Bradford (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Affects of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Special Education Teachers
  • 10 a.m. May 1, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Dr. Elaine Turner and Dr. Summer Koltonski.

Claire Murphy (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Analysis of the Appointment, Experiences, and job Satisfaction of Leaders in Large Schools of Music
  • 9:30 a.m. Apr. 24, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Ali Hachem, Dr. Jerry Williams and Dr. Deborah Buswell.

Hunter Marzolf (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • Effect of Non-Contingent Escape on Cochlear Implant Removal
  • 11 a.m. Mar. 31, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Jaime Flowers (chair), Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, Dr. Daniel McCleary and Dr. Lindsey Kennon.

Nicole Baker (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • The Effects of Transcranial Direct Stimulation (tDCS) on Facial Expression Approach/Avoidance in College Students and Faculty with Broad Autism Phenotype
  • 1 p.m. Mar. 30, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Dr. Elaine Turner and Dr. Scott Drury.

Tiffany Allen-Duran (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • The Impact of the Comprehensive Crisis plan Checklist-2 on a District Crisis Plan
  • Noon Mar. 1, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Daniel McCleary (chair), Dr. Amanda Rudolph (co-chair), Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey and Dr. Elaine Turner.

Angela Lucas (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Proposal

  • The Behavior Assessment System for Children Third Edition (BASC-3)'s Classification Accuracy for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Young Adults
  • 3 p.m. Feb. 16, 2023, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Luis Aguerrevere (chair), Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Dr. Frankie Clark and Dr. Sarah Savoy.

Fall 2022

Blade Wise Perry (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • Does Teacher Bias Increase Referral of Blacks to Special Education for a Reading Disability?
  • 1 p.m. Nov. 11, 2022, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey (chair), Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, Dr. Amanda Rudolph and Dr. Elaine Turner.

Raven Mitchell (PhD in School Psychology) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • The Efficacy of an Expressive Writing Intervention to Facilitate Emotion Regulation and the Reduction of Aggressive Behaviors in Junior high School Students
  • 10 a.m. Nov. 11, 2022, via Zoom
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Elaine Turner (chair), Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Dr. Laura Cooper and Dr. Daniel McCleary.

Summer 2022

Jeremy Small (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • Black Students, Discipline, & Cultural Responsiveness: Texas Black Educators as Cultural Translators
  • 2 p.m. July 20, 2022, Human Services Building room 319 and via Zoom (Zoom link)
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. James Standley (chair), Dr. Ali Hachem, Dr. Heather Olson-Beal and Dr. Kevin Jones.

Cleo Wadley (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • Schooling Black Males: Hegemonic Discourses, Structural Constraints, and Strategic Resistance
  • 11 a.m. July 20, 2022, McKibben Education Building room 451 and via Zoom (Zoom link)
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Freddie Avant (chair), Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant and Dr. Summer Pannell.

Sheenah Hopkins-Johnson (EdD in Educational Leadership) – Dissertation Final Defense

  • Differences in Academic Achievement Between African American males and White Males in Grades 6-8: Comparative Evidence from Selected Texas Rural Schools
  • 10 a.m. July 18, 2022, via Zoom (Zoom link)
  • The dissertation committee includes Dr. Barbara Qualls (chair), Dr. Richard Skuza, Dr. Dustin Joubert and Dr. Sarah Straub.