Evangel University - EdD Program

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Lydia Snavely successfully defended her dissertation titled, "A Qualitative Study Investigating Special Education Teacher Perception of the Impact of a Professional Development Coaching Cycle on Self-Efficacy" on Monday, December 8. Thank you to the dissertation committee members, Dr. Samantha Henderson and Dr. Nathan Moore, and Dr. Susan Langston, dissertation committee chair, for supporting Dr. Snavely through her dissertation research and writing.

We're excited to announce that Dr. Alyssa Neal successfully defended her dissertation titled, "A Mixed Methods Study Exploring the Perceptions of Teachers, Counselors, Administrators and Former Students Regarding the Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences" on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Thank you to committee members Dr. Cynthia MacGregor, Dr. Chanda Clayman, and committee chair Dr. Chris Ford for your support during Dr. Neal's dissertation research and writing. Congratulations, Dr. Neal!

Congratulations to Dr. Nina Shields, who successfully defended her dissertation titled, "A Qualitative Study Examining the Perceptions of First-Grade Teachers’ Reading Strategies Used in Title 1 and Non-Title 1 Schools" on May 30, 2025. Thank you to dissertation chair, Dr. Cynthia MacGregor, and committee members, Dr. Susan Langston and Denise Baumann for supporting Dr. Shields through her dissertation process.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Brittany Flowers successfully defended her dissertation titled "A Qualitative Multiple Case Study of Effective Retention Practices for Novice Teachers" on Monday, August 4, 2025. Thank you to committee members Dr. Garrett Lowder, Dr. Jenny Talburt, and committee chair Dr. Jennifer Renegar for your support during Dr. Flowers' dissertation journey.

Congratulations to Dr. Antonio De La Torre! Dr. De La Torre successfully defended his dissertation titled, “A Qualitative Study Investigating Perceptions of Effective Strategies to Address Private and Public School K-12 Students’ Achievement Gaps” on Monday, July 21, 2025. Thank you to dissertation chair, Dr. Susan Langston, and committee members, Dr. Chanda Clayman and Dr. Rosie Carlson for supporting Dr. De La Torre through his dissertation research and writing.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kevin Creighton successfully defended his dissertation, “A Quantitative Study Examining the Impact of Psychological Safety on Collective Teacher Efficacy and Trust in Collaborative Teacher Teams” on July 11, 2025. Thank you to Dr. Creighton’s dissertation committee members, Dr. Cynthia MacGregor and Dr. Jennifer Renegar, and Dr. Matt Stringer, dissertation committee chair, for their support and encouragement through his dissertation journey. Congratulations on a job well done, Dr. Creighton!

Congratulations to Dr. Matthew Searson, who successfully defended his dissertation titled, “A Qualitative Study of the Perceptions of Missouri Public School Principals as to the Impact of COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Stressors on their Mental Health and Emotional Well-being” on June 24, 2025. Thank you to Dr. Searson’s dissertation chair, Dr. Susan Langston, and dissertation committee members, Dr. Pat Bauer and Dr. Vicki Wisdom for their support of Dr. Searson throughout his dissertation research and writing.