Dissertations
We are proud to provide access to the dissertations that our students have written as part of the requirement for their doctoral degree. Below is a list by cohort of titles with a link to ScholarWorks, a searchable database where the actual dissertations are available. To search our full collection of doctoral dissertations, you can follow the link to ScholarWorks.
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 |