Title: Examining the Impact of Social-Emotional Learning on Academic Achievement in African American Middle School Girls

Committee:
Dr. Randall Clemens
Dr. Kanika Chopra
Dr. Amy Arsiwala

Oral Defense: March 30, 2026 @ 9:30 AM

Teams link: Dissertation Defense – R. Solomon @ Seton Hall University | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams 

Title: Teacher Retention Across Contexts: Examining Teacher Workforce Stability and Its Impact on Student Outcomes in New Jersey Traditional Public Schools and Charter Schools

Committee:
Dr. Jennifer Timmer
Dr. Randall Clemens
Dr. Jacynth Joyce Johnson

Oral Defense: March 13, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

Zoom link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84998545217?pwd=ARfBCg1eN4NGQiTsdbaAuzwYtEPSa3.1

 

Title: The Perception of Employers in Hiring Black Men That Lack High School Credentials

Committee:
Dr. Richard Blissett
Dr. David Reid
Dr. Alexandra Freidus

Oral Defense: March 12, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89786398132?pwd=efnTxZtYctDMI9Sh4aTrifxPE1tTrc.1

Title: The Role of State Policy in Influencing Teacher Academic Expectations

Committee:
Dr. Jason Burns
Dr. Erin Grogan
Dr. Aubrey Johnson

Oral Defense: March 10, 2026 @ 7:30 PM

Zoom link:  https://masterycharter.zoom.us/j/8601971477
Meeting ID: 860 197 1477

Title: Principals’ Perceptions on How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Used in Schools by Administrators, Teachers, and Students: A Mixed Method Research Study

Committee:
Dr. David Reid
Dr. Rebecca Conley
Dr. Rui Dionisio
Dr. Aubrey Johnson

Oral Defense: March 13, 2026 @ 10:00 AM

Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21687821953677?p=eV9jDOfZgtBC0655zb
Meeting ID: 216 878 219 536 77
Passcode: zR9Nb7KW

Title: Unveiling Unseen Obstacles: A Phenomenological Exploration of Black Women’s Tenacity in Doctoral Programs

Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Omayra Arocho
Dr. Ibiyemi Adesanya

Oral Defense: March 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM

Location: Bethany Hall Room 202 (seating is limited) OR
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23802083749719?p=QemLZMux6hMoLbQK2X

Title: Navigating Concrete Ceilings: The Lived Experiences of African American Women Presidents at Predominantly White Institutions

Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Nicole Giglia
Dr. Hazel Jack
Dr. St. Rachel Ustanny

Oral Defense: March 12, 2026 @ 3:00 PM

Room: University Center 201 or
Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27929245029447?p=aeeLc0BF5ca0dwOfRM 

 

Title: The Impact of Participation in Career and Technical Education (CTE) on High School Graduation, College-Going Status, and Entry into the Workforce

Committee:
Dr. Jennifer Timmer
Dr. Randall Clemens
Dr. Dawn Stokes-Tyler

Oral Defense: March 13, 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27286457549046?p=nhOOF8fTslbsRzoXt9 

Title: Child Study Team Attitudes Toward Inclusion

Committee:
Dr. Jennifer Timmer
Dr. Maribeth Edmunds
Dr. Francesca Ciototi

Oral Defense: March 12, 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Zoom link: https://kenilworthschools.zoom.us/j/88530371791?pwd=XrOTDBwckFnMQAIX3a8JlMDEsaE6wK.1
Meeting ID: 885 3037 1791
Passcode: 518612

Title: Understanding How Teachers Define and Employ Civics Education in Non-Elective Social Studies Classrooms

Committee:
Dr. Christopher Tienken
Dr. Sean Cronin
Dr. Armand Lamberti

Oral Defense: February 24, 2026 @ 6:15 PM

Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27471994758428?p=xlebKbQMLjvsCQtmlV