Graduate Student Research
A collection of Graduate Student Research by students in the College of Education.
Theses/Dissertations from 2026
Because We’re Worth It: Insulating Rural Teachers from Secondary Traumatic Stress, Susan Cobley Ackerman, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Enhancing Phonemic Awareness Through Explicit Instruction in a Kindergarten Classroom: An Action Research Study, Emily M. Caylor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
A Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Emergent Bilingual Students with and without Disabilities, Ben Christensen, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Breaking Barriers and Bridging the Gap: Advancing Comprehensive Sex Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, Peyton Curtis, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Are Iowa PK-12 Schools Prepared for a School Shooting? A Needs Assessment of Iowa Superintendents, Kurt MJ DeVore, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
An Analysis of the Influence of Project-Based Assessments in Middle School Mathematics, Andrea Fettkether, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
A Pathway to Becoming: A Critical Analysis of Professional Identity Formation in Occupational Therapy Assistant Students, Laura Green, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
The Need to Prioritize Educating Special Educators on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems, Natalie Owens, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Challenging Deficit Views: Mental Health, Disability, and Equity in Urban Preschool/Pre-K Education, Tonya L. Ryan, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
The Shared Superintendent in Iowa: Benefits, Challenges, and Lessons Learned Over the Last Thirty Years, Amanda Schmidt, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
“So, Thanks Procrastination:” Procrastination Among College Students in Academic Recovery and the Role of Community in Breaking the Cycle, Heather M. Asmus, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Reasons for the Exodus of Potential Teachers from Public Education, Gary D. Benda, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Competitive School Culture and the Gifted Adolescent, Kailyn Bettle-Nilles, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Academic Advising Administrators’ Early Career as Midlevel Managers: Self-Perceived Impacts of Training on Job Effectiveness, Kim Bock, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Thesis
Understanding Student Barriers to Selecting and Applying to Midwest Community College, Christina R. Brandon, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
Facilitating Student Engagement in Elementary Science Classrooms with Reformed Teaching Principles, Nathaniel Bryant, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
The Impact of Structural Gamification on Student Motivation and Engagement in a Middle School Language Arts Classroom, Natalie Campbell, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Arts-Integrated Mindfulness: Social-Emotional Learning for Elementary Education, Ashley J. M. Canny, Katherine A. Taylor Clausen, Amanda K. Cox, and Bryce D. Cox, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Educating Students With Limited or Interrupted Formal Education in Midwestern Schools: Navigating Shifting Terrain, Lillian Cook, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
Motivations and Challenges for African International Students in Choosing On-Campus Housing and Transitioning Off-Campus, Francis Dugbartey, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Servant Leadership in Education: Nurturing School Climate for Growth and Success, Lisa M. Dursky, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
Every Teacher a Reading Teacher: An Exploration of Teacher Preparation and Literacy Instruction, Jossette N. Finney, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Collaborative Groups in Math: How Student Grouping Strategies Can Impact Math Achievement, Trevor S. Fletcher and Jenifer J. Dise, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Benefits of Play Within Mathematics, Nicole Gerlach, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
From Neurons to Action: Building Bridges between Brain-Based Education and Bias Training & Development, Ericka Gonzalez-Smith, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
“Why Do I Have to Do This?”: Examining General Education for CTE Students, Jennifer Hough, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
High School Students Enrolled in Asynchronous, Online, Dual Credit Courses: An Exploration of Student Preparedness and Academic Support, Amy Hueser, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
Exploring Postsecondary Students’ Beliefs Relative to Behavior That Promotes Sleep, Levi T. Kirkpatrick, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
An Examination of Middle School Girls’ Perceptions and Preferences of Reading from a Device Versus Paper, Debra Kisch, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Check All That Apply: The Persistence and Problem of the Black/White Racial Binary in Iowa Public Schools, Jessica Nessan Kluck, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
From Grades to Growth: Exploring Student Perceptions of Standards-Based Grading, Feedback Utilization, and Teacher–Student Relationships, Meghan Koellner, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
What are Teacher Beliefs and Perceptions About Teaching Children to Read Within a One-Way Spanish Immersion School?, Kathleen Konrardy, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
The Impact of Administrator Beliefs on Positive School Environments: A Quantitative Study of High School Administrators in One East Central Iowa District, Sarah E. Kruse, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
True Inclusion: A Qualitative Study in Autoethnography; Examining the Educational Journey and Divine Calling of an Administrator to Champion the Inclusivity of Students with Special Needs, Andrea Loutsch, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Understanding the Problem of the Modern-Day Teacher Shortage: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Stories of Teachers in the Profession, Adam R. Magliari, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Making the Jump: A Self-Study of the Implementation of Gamification and Student Discussion in Middle School Mathematics, John Pauly, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Black Girls in School: The Harmful Effects of Dehumanization and Disciplinary Inequities, Annika Peterson, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Opportunities and Barriers in Iowa’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program, Patricia Ryan, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Socioeconomic Status and Educational Opportunities Through the Eyes of Students and Teachers: Diverse Realities, Shared Insights, Jill Schany, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Revealing the hidden benefits of social emotional learning: unpacking what’s really going on?, Marissa Schweinfurth, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
The Educational Perspective of At-Risk Students: How Standards-Based Grading Affects Students in Alternative Education, Matthew John Secl, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Iowa Teacher Attrition: Is the Grass Truly Greener on the Other Side?, Shauna L. Smith, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
Migrant Families and Curriculum: A Formative Program Evaluation on the Impact of Curriculum on Migrant Family Engagement, Ellen Sonnet, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Dissertation (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Learning to Learn: Underprepared College Students Who Succeeded, Todd Spellman, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Teacher Becoming of Alternatively Licensed Teachers, Erin Summerhays, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
The Next Generation Science Standards and their Implementation in Iowa High Schools, Janell Wright, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Submissions from 2024
Student Reading Motivation through Book Talks, Amy Abbott, Stephanie Stockton, Luvy Webb, and Jessica Werderman, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
A Case Study of the Impact of Lateral Reading Instruction On Students’ Evaluation of Digital Information, Devon Allbee, Jenny Marburger, and Tiffany Ostrowski, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Teacher Librarian Book Promotion: Bringing Motivation to The Forefront: A Research Proposal, Christy Bartels, Bree Dickens, Chris Frimml, Jennifer George, and Kristel Groenewold, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
A Proposal for an Analysis of the Depiction of Prosocial Behaviors in High Quality Early Elementary Picture Books, Teresa Bettin, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
The Impact of Book Self-Selection and Format on Student Motivation to Read, Josie Bishop, Mattie Carstens, and Molly Mitola, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Gamification and Engagement in a 3rd Grade Classroom, Ellen Braet, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Impacts of Schools, Technology, and Covid-19 on Elementary Students’ Social Skills: Next Steps Post Covid-19, Paige Busick, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Boxes With Curves: The Necessity for School Leaders to Empower and Engage Through Culturally Competent Lenses, Priscilla Culp, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
Examining the Impact Book Promotions Have on Student Book Selection, Chelsea Dearborn, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Teacher Librarians’ Influence on Information Literacy Skills: A Research Proposal, Amy Diewold, Diana Lord, and Sierra Johnson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Addressing the "Why" Behind Student Behavior Through Tier 2 Behavioral Interventions, Meg Dredge, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Body Image in College Athletics, Tyrell Gordon, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Quality Inclusive Classrooms and Integrating the Project Approach with Children with Special Needs, Marie Elizabeth Helmrich, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
A Process Evaluation of a Program Designed to Expand Access to the Iowa Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), Justine R. Hoover, Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education, Open Access Dissertation
The Evidence Behind the Use of Mental Health and Social-Emotional Screenings in Schools, Makenna C. Klug, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Equity Focused PBIS as a Potential Solution to the Discipline Gap, Sydney Laures, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Developing and Delivering New-Hire Training Curriculum, Lacey A. Montgomery, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
The Effects of Sleep Quality on the Performance and Health of Athletes, Andy Niese, School of Kinesiology, Allied Health and Human Services, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Increasing Reading Fluency in ELL learners, Jennifer N. Patton, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
A Case Study of the Influence of the Teacher Librarian On Middle and High School Student Book Selection, Hilary Peyton, Lindsay Salinas, Josie Smock, and Meg Tisinger, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Implications of Educational Environments for Gender and Sexually Diverse Adolescents, Margaret J. Staff, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Representation of LGBTQ+ Characters In the 2019 to 2022 Iowa Teen Award Books, Jamie Thompson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
The Impact of Gamification on the Motivation of Students in the Classroom Setting, Jack Woodard, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Submissions from 2023
Diversity in Collections Utilizing Accelerated Reader Programs, Leah Cahill, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
No Need to Set the Alarm, I’ve Been Up Since 2:30am! Why My Teaching Job Keeps Me Up at Night: A Phenomenological Research Study on Empathic Strain of Iowa Educators, Lindsey Cornwell, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Communicating Emotions Through Art and Conversation, Paige E. Kayvan, Samantha R. Doyle, Payton Cannon, and Traci Jolley, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper 2024 Award
Promoting Social-Emotional Development in Elementary Children Through the Use of Quality Picture Books: A Content Analysis, Shauna Mostek, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Does systematic phonological awareness in the early primary grades impact student learning beyond primary grades, Renee Lyn Sorenson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Theses/Dissertations from 2022
Using Internet reciprocal teaching to develop second graders' online text evaluation skills, Annika Buell, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Thesis
Building an understanding of the Common Core state standards and complex texts, while supporting upper elementary readers with complex text through shared reading, Joanna Mae Carlson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Relationship between decoding and writing with early readers: An action research study, Nicole M. Henningsen, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Vocabulary strategies in elementary science - A self-study, Katherine Hooey, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Educational experiences of first generation Black African students with and without dis/abilities, Shehreen Iqtadar, Department of Special Education, Open Access Dissertation
Partnership to grow effective readers: professional learning for interventionists and classroom teachers, Jennifer Lane, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
The writing identity of a Hip Hop lyricist and educator: An autoethnography, Lamont Muhammad, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Teacher librarian influence on students' self-selection of books, Elizabeth A. Nelson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Portrayal of Native Americans and Native culture in children's picture books, Janace Nester, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Investigating the environment needed to shift instructional practice towards a learner-centered classroom in rural Iowa, Kelli Olson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Dissertation (UNI Access Only)
Unstacking the matryoshka nesting doll: A self-study of playful language instruction for adult second language learners, Marine Pepanyan, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
Lexile levels and their value to public school teachers, Kristin Schumacher, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Thesis
Pleasure reading workshop: Meeting SEL competencies based on sustained (and maybe not so silent) reading, Lora Sink, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
The influence of book talks on reader engagement in fourth grade students, Jennifer Smith, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Students vs. suspects: A qualitative examination of stereotype threat and the impact on behavior of Black males, Ryan J. Williamson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Dissertation
A case study of the impact a pleasure reading curriculum has on students' passion for reading, Danielle M. Wolfe, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Hey! That's how I feel! A qualitative content analysis of anxiety in middle grade literature, Heather M. Wood, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2021
Mental illness representation in young adult literature, Ashley Aberle, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Portrayal of characters with autism in picture books, Tara Amundson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Teaching race through multicultural children's literature, Kaley Bailey and Maiya Duthoo-Wolpert, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Examining diversity in the Iowa Goldfinch Award, Jill M. Doyle, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
The influence of book club conversations on reluctant or struggling readers, JaDee Jo Gloede, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Examining teacher librarians' impact on students' self-selection strategies, Sarah Gunsolley, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
The portrayal of fathers in children's literature, Kate A. Hite, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Inspiring students to take action in order to make positive change through the integration of social studies themes in children's literature, Morgan Ives, Taylor Marsho, Ashtyn Riley, and Deidra Rudd, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Diverse representation within secondary-level state consortium-provided e-books, Jill McDonald, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
