Leadership, Technology, & Workforce Development - Valdosta State University

Leadership, Technology, & Workforce Development - Valdosta State University Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Leadership, Technology, & Workforce Development - Valdosta State University, College & University, Valdosta, GA.

The Department of Leadership, Technology, & Workforce Development at Valdosta State develops practitioners and researchers who are knowledgeable and skilled in improving school and other learning organizations in our region and beyond.

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Hepburn-Richardson on successfully defending her dissertation, “Burnout Among Career Counselors...
05/16/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Hepburn-Richardson on successfully defending her dissertation, “Burnout Among Career Counselors in Higher Education: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study,” on April 29, 2026!

Her study explored burnout among higher-education career counselors and strategies to support counselors' well-being and performance. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the research incorporated the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Educators Survey (MBI-ES), interviews, and Intellectus Analysis software to examine participants’ experiences.

Findings revealed consistent levels of emotional exhaustion across roles and career stages, while counselors continued to maintain a strong sense of personal accomplishment despite occupational stressors. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of burnout in higher-education career counseling and offers insights into improving workplace well-being.

Her committee members included Dr. Keith Waugh (Chair), Dr. Matthew Smith (Researcher), and Dr. Jamie Workman (Reader).

đź‘Ź Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Deborah Oliver on successfully defending her dissertation, “Elementary Teachers’ Experiences wi...
04/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Deborah Oliver on successfully defending her dissertation, “Elementary Teachers’ Experiences with and Applications of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy,” on March 31, 2026! (Photo Included)

Her narrative inquiry explored the lived experiences of eight fourth- and fifth-grade teachers in Title I and non–Title I schools, examining how culturally relevant pedagogy is learned, interpreted, and implemented in practice.

Her committee members included Dr. Christine James (Co-Chair), Dr. Richard Schmertzing (Co-Chair), Dr. Lorraine Schmertzing (Researcher), Dr. Steve Downey (Researcher), and Dr. Felicia Sauls (Reader).

đź‘Ź Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Connie Guthrie on successfully defending her dissertation, “Basic Descriptive Study of Mentorin...
04/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Connie Guthrie on successfully defending her dissertation, “Basic Descriptive Study of Mentoring Programs in Accredited Christian High Schools,” on March 25, 2026! (Photo Included)

Her qualitative, narrative inquiry study addressed the problem that while mentoring programs are mandated to support students’ holistic well-being, implementation often reflects compliance rather than intentional relational practice.

Special thanks to her committee, Dr. Debbie Paine (Chair), Dr. Steve Downey (Researcher), and Dr. April Strevig (Reader), for their guidance and support throughout this journey.

đź‘Ź Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Justin Purvis on successfully defending his dissertation titled “Circles of Control: Examining ...
04/28/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Justin Purvis on successfully defending his dissertation titled “Circles of Control: Examining the Relationship Between School Leaders’ Beliefs, Practices, and Math Outcomes for Students with Disabilities in Rural Schools” on April 27, 2026! (Photo included)

This quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study examined relationships among school leaders’ motivational beliefs, evidence-based instructional leadership practices (EBILPs), and College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) mathematics progress scores for students with disabilities (SWDs) in rural Georgia secondary schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. Grounded in Self-Efficacy and Growth Mindset theories and guided by the Circles of Control model (Covey, 1989), the study drew on ESR, EER, and the 90/90/90 Schools framework. Data were collected via a survey using the PSES, TIS, and PIMRS and matched with CCRPI scores. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were used for analysis.

Dr. Purvis earned his EdD in Leadership with the support of his committee: Dr. Kathy Nobles (Chair), Dr. Marsha Simon (Researcher), and Dr. April Strevig and Dr. John Lairsey (Readers).

đź‘Ź Please join us in celebrating this outstanding accomplishment!

👏 👏 Congratulations to Dr. Parris Story on successfully defending her dissertation titled “Investigating the Relationshi...
04/24/2026

👏 👏 Congratulations to Dr. Parris Story on successfully defending her dissertation titled “Investigating the Relationship Between Mentorship, Advanced Degrees, and Career Advancement Among Mid-Level Black Women Administrators in Higher Education in the Southeastern United States” on April 23, 2026. (Photo Included)

Her study examined the relationship between mentoring and career advancement among mid-level African American women administrators in higher education. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from participants in the southeastern United States and analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression. Results showed no significant relationship between degree level and professional experience. However, career advancement differed significantly by institutional type, and mentoring was not a significant predictor. These findings suggest that structural and organizational factors may play a greater role than mentoring in shaping career outcomes and highlight the need for future qualitative or mixed-methods research.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement alongside her committee: Dr. Jamie Workman (Chair), Dr. Matt Smith (Researcher), and Dr. Marsha Simon (Reader).

đź‘Ź Please join us in congratulating Dr. Story on this outstanding accomplishment!

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Tory Candea on successfully defending her dissertation, “They teach you things that people can’...
04/23/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Tory Candea on successfully defending her dissertation, “They teach you things that people can’t”: Exploring Student Experiences in an Equine-Assisted First-Year Seminar Course, on April 22, 2026! (Photo Included)

Her multi-study design examined student experiences in STRIDES, an equine-assisted learning course for first-year students aimed at developing noncognitive competencies predictive of degree persistence. The first study explored how reflective practices within the course promote identity development, self-awareness, and meaning-making. The second examined how participants made sense of their development and emerging identities. The third investigated whether participation influenced levels of grit, growth mindset, and self-directed learning.

Findings suggest that participation in STRIDES (a) fosters awareness of, and engagement in, relational beingness within higher education and the future self; (b) cultivates learners’ meta-self-awareness of their identities and learning processes; and (c) strengthens grit, a key predictor of academic persistence.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement alongside her committee: Dr. Gwen Scott Ruttencutter (Chair & Researcher), Dr. Kate Warner (Reader), and Dr. Martha Laughlin (Reader).

đź‘Ź Please join us in congratulating Dr. Candea on this outstanding accomplishment!

đź‘ŤWe would like to share a proud moment: Our LTWD Leadership alumnus, Dr. Javier Gonzalez, was featured as a keynote spea...
04/21/2026

đź‘ŤWe would like to share a proud moment: Our LTWD Leadership alumnus, Dr. Javier Gonzalez, was featured as a keynote speaker at the Georgia Council of Graduate Schools conference on April 17, 2026. He defended his dissertation on June 23, 2021, with Dr. Richard Schmertzing (Chair) and Dr. Lorraine Schmertzing (Researcher) leading his dissertation committee, and Dr. James Martinez and Dr. Ericka Helena Parra serving as readers.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Gonzalez highlighted the experiences and needs of migrant and rural students, the importance of intentional support, and the role of his doctoral journey in shaping his leadership. His story serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for institutions to better support diverse graduate student populations.

Please see the attached screenshot for more information.

Since November 2022, COEHS has hosted Kaizen Day, a professional development event designed to address the needs of our ...
04/20/2026

Since November 2022, COEHS has hosted Kaizen Day, a professional development event designed to address the needs of our colleagues. This spring’s theme focused on AI, with our LTWD faculty and alumni sharing their expertise—Dr. Steve Downey, Dr. Marsha Simon, Dr. Felicia Sauls, Dr. Gwen Ruttencutter, and Dr. Star Glover (LTWD alumni). Prior to the start of Kaizen Day, we also celebrated service milestones for the LTWD faculty members: Dr. Jiyoon Jung (5 years) and Dr. Lorraine Schmertzing (25 years). 👏👏👏 (photos included)

1. “HAL to Hail Mary: How AI Works” presented by Dr. Steve Downey

Dr. Downey’s session provides a foundational overview of how AI works and addresses common misconceptions, helping participants gain a clearer understanding of key AI concepts and better evaluate its role in education.

2. “AI as an Instructional Tool: Friend or Enemy?” presented by Dr. Marsha Simon and Dr. Felicia Sauls

Their session examines the benefits and challenges of using AI in instruction, including its impact on student engagement, creativity, and learning outcomes, which inspires participants to reflect on whether AI enhances or disrupts teaching and learning.

3. “Thinking Outside the Chatbot: Defending Academic Integrity in the Age of Gen-AI” presented by Dr. Gwen Scott Ruttencutter and Dr. Star Glover (LTWD alumnus)

Their session explores strategies for maintaining academic integrity in an AI-driven landscape, focusing on assignment design and ethical use of generative tools.

Please join us in applauding their contributions to VSU. We are fortunate to have such dedicated faculty who continue to contribute to the department, college, and university while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

Our faculty, students, and alumni successfully presented their scholarly work at this year’s American Educational Resear...
04/20/2026

Our faculty, students, and alumni successfully presented their scholarly work at this year’s American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting (photos included!). AERA, a national research society, strives to advance knowledge about education, encourage scholarly inquiry, and promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Please join us in applauding their achievement! 👏

- Dr. Christina Chapman (LTWD student), Dr. Jiyoon Jung, Dr. Steve Downey, Dr. Matt Smith ------

1. Chapman, C., Jung, J., Downey, S., & Smith, M. (2026, April 8-12). A mixed methods study of the math workshop model of instruction in middle school [Conference presentation]. 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

Their study of 586 Georgia middle schoolers found that the math workshop model—focused on motivation, differentiation, and engagement—led to higher benchmark scores and greater learning gains than traditional lectures. While effects varied by classroom setting, students generally perceived workshop instruction as more structured and supportive, highlighting its value as a student-centered approach to improving math achievement.

- Dr. Jieun You, Dr. Shannon Perry, and Dr. Diane Gillaspie (LTWD alumnus) ------

1. Park, H., You, J., Hwang, J., & Yu. B. (2026). Sustainable digital literacy education for older adults and healthy aging [Paper presentation]. 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

2. You, J, & Gillaspie, D. (2026). Creating “veteran-friendly” workplaces: A dual perspective study [Roundtable presentation]. 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

3. You, J., & Perry, S. (2026). Spirituality scholarship in adult education and human resource development, 2000-2025: A literature review [Paper presentation]. 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

- Dr. Marsha Simon ------

1. Simon, M. E., Ogodo, J., Sunal, D., & Sunal, C. S. (2026, April). On becoming a reformed physics teacher: A discourse analysis [Poster Presentation]. 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

2. Ogodo, J., Morris, D., Simon, M. E., Bryant, M., Jonas. J., Adedara, T. S., Moos, K., & Davis, K. (2026, April 8-12). Mentoring emerging researchers on developing conceptual framework for scholarly inquiry [Mentoring Workshop]. 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Amy Hancock on successfully defending her dissertation, “Effect of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societ...
04/20/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Amy Hancock on successfully defending her dissertation, “Effect of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Advisor Mentorship on Student Success,” on March 12, 2026! (photo included)

Her study examined the impact of advisor mentorship within the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on student success outcomes, including graduation and transfer rates. Guided by established mentoring frameworks and utilizing the College Student Mentoring Scale, the study found consistently strong perceptions of mentorship across all measured dimensions and reinforced the importance of mentorship practices and advisor engagement in supporting student persistence, academic development, and overall success.

We are proud to celebrate this accomplishment alongside her committee: Dr. C. Keith Waugh (Chair & Researcher), Dr. Pamela Dobbins (Reader), and Dr. John Lairsey (Reader). đź‘Ź

Address

Valdosta, GA
31698

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Leadership, Technology, & Workforce Development - Valdosta State University posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Leadership, Technology, & Workforce Development - Valdosta State University:

Shortcuts

Share

Category