Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Linda M. Howard
Committee Member
Kenneth E. Varcoe
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Claudia Santin
Keywords
annual evaluation, assessment design, Averett University, benefits, campus community, cost effectiveness, criteria for effectiveness, direct cost, evaluation methodologies, evaluation models, focus groups, formative committees, funding, higher education, interview sessions, leadership, leadership development, leadership experiences, leadership minor program, leadership programs, literature review, performance gaps, practical leadership, program evaluation, program participants, program records, questionnaires, research questions, student records, student questionnaires, success, summative committees
Abstract
The purpose of this applied dissertation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Averett University Leadership Minor Program. There were four research questions for this project. First, “What are the criteria to be used to evaluate the Averett University Leadership Minor Program?” Second, “What are the criteria for effectiveness and the assessment design for the leadership minor program?” Third, “Do the benefits of the program outweigh the direct cost associated with maintaining the program?” Fourth, “What are the findings and recommendations based on the assessment information?”
Development and evaluation methodologies were used to address the problem and research questions. The first question addressed the criteria for effectiveness by reviewing the literature relating to evaluation models and leadership development. Additionally, a review of other evaluation models of similar programs was conducted and an assessment design was drafted and submitted to the formative and summative committees for their comments. The second and third questions were addressed through the collection of data from focus groups, interview sessions, student questionnaires, and the review of program records, student records, and materials to aid in the assessment of the program’s cost effectiveness.
The findings revealed some considerable performance gaps including the lack of a an annual evaluation process and inadequate funding. It was recommended that a systematic way for program participants to gain practical leadership experiences within the campus community should be established, that the leadership program be appropriately funded to continue meeting the needs of its participants, and that further research be conducted to determine the future success of the program.