Title: The impact of youth sports participation on academic performance and sense of belongingness in middle school students.
Committee:
Dr. Jason Burns
Dr. Jennifer Timmer
Dr. Walter Cmielewski
Oral Defense: November 5, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m.
Category: Defenses
Cecil Boone, Ed.D.
Title: Strengthening the Shield: Resilience in Law Enforcement and the Transformative Effects of Higher Education
Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Kishon Hickman
Dr. Harvey Barnwell
Oral Defense: October 15th, 2025 @ 2:00 p.m.
Location: Bethany Hall 202 or Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Nzk2NmZlN2UtYzhlMi00NGQ5LThjZWUtNjUxZTI0MGYzM2Q2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2251f07c22-53b7-44df-b97c-a13261d71075%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22816aec2b-9deb-43cc-a01e-673008ed0cb9%22%7d
Lucy Pesce, Ph.D.
Title: When Prayers Aren’t Enough: The Need for Mission Formation and Professional Development for Lay Faculty at Catholic Colleges and Universities
Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Nicole Giglia
Rev. Patrick J. Griffin
Oral Defense: October 10st, 2025 @ 10:00 a.m.
Location: Bethany Hall 202 or Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzUwZTE1NGEtNWQ4Mi00ZTFjLWJmMWQtNzZiMDhiNzBiMGJm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2251f07c22-53b7-44df-b97c-a13261d71075%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22816aec2b-9deb-43cc-a01e-673008ed0cb9%22%7d
Craig Woodward, Ed.D.
Title: Profit & Loss: A Narrative Inquiry Into the Salience of the Black Male Experience in MBA Programs
Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Demond Hargrove
Dr. Michael Altamirano
Oral Defense: October 1st, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.
Location: Bethany Hall 202 or Teams Link:
Kendra Sherman, Ph.D.
Title: : Holistic Support and Development: Collaboration Between Residence Life and Faculty on Short-Term Education Abroad Programs
Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Randall Clemens
Dr. Kate Naatus
Oral Defense: October 6, 2025 at 11:00am
Teams Link: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 289 547 735 977 1
Passcode: Xx6cu6Qb
St Rachel Ustanny, Ph.D.
Title: Relationships among Personal, Institutional, Engagement, and Outcome Factors: Comparison of American College Seniors with and without reported Disabilities
Committee:
Dr. Santiago Castiello
Dr. Nicole Hansen
Dr. Jonathan Stoessel
Oral Defense: September 22nd, 2025 @ 9:30 a.m.
Location: Bethany Hall 201 or Teams Link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Nzk5NGY2ZjYtMWYwNi00NjViLTljMTctMjE3ZTUzZTE3NDE5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2251f07c22-53b7-44df-b97c-a13261d71075%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22cc0be57d-7dbe-4bae-91ed-8d37a2ed428a%22%7d
Alicia Subervi, Ed.D.
Title: The Response of Educators in New Jersey to the Covid-19 Pandemic
Committee:
Dr. David Reid
Dr. Aubrey Johnson
Dr. Danny Robertozzi
Oral Defense: September 18th, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.
Marie Chezuette Dort, Ed.D.
Title: The Influence of Remote Instruction on Middle School ELL students’ New Jersey States Learning Assessment ELA and Math Achievement
Committee:
Dr. Wendiann R. Sethi
Dr. Jason Burns
Dr. Natalie Diaz
Oral Defense: May 28, 2025 @ 7:30 p.m.
Carmen T. Morales
Title: Exploring the Experiences of Women of Color High School Principals – An Investigation into the Factors that Influence their Longevity
Committee:
Dr. Jennifer Timmer
Dr. David Reid
Dr. Lynnette Dortrait
Oral Defense: May 12, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://essextech-org.zoom.us/j/83414983069
Kyle Roddey, Ed.D.
Title: Faculty and Administrator Perceptions of the Implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program In Relation to Roger’s Theory of Diffusion of Innovation
Committee:
Dr. David Reid (Mentor)
Dr. Daniel Gutmore
Dr. Matthew O’Brien
Oral Defense: May 13, 2025 @ 10:30 a.m.
Teams Link: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 235 572 861 818 7
Passcode: nu3NP6QU