Oral Defense Schedule
Fall 2025
This page lists upcoming oral defense presentations for graduate students in the College of Education, Health and Human Services, showcasing the culmination of their research and academic achievements.
Updated: 10/21/2025
To attend an online defense, please contact the dissertation director listed.
| CANDIDATE | MAJOR | TITLE | DATE OF DEFENSE | TIME OF DEFENSE | LOCATION AND DIRECTOR(S) | BROCHURE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrea D. Sanchez | Curriculum and Instruction | Unruly Literacies: Silence, Embodiment(s), and Becoming in Kindergarten Documentation Practices | August 13, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. | Microsoft Teams Directors: Dr. Janice Kroeger and Dr. Jackie Ridley | Andrea D. Sanchez (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Bahaa Al Ghraibeh | Special Education | Teacher Perceptions of the Self-Esteem of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | August 20, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. | Microsoft Teams Director: Dr. Andrew Wiley | Bahaa Al Ghraibeh (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Stephanie L. Evans | Interprofessional Leadership | Examining the Perceptions of and Barriers to Cultural Competency Training for Division of Student Life Staff at 糖心Vlog | August 22, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. | Microsoft Teams Director: Dr. Kimberly Peer | Stephanie L. Evans (Ed.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Barbara Sherwood Currey | Curriculum and Instruction | Third-Grade Girls (and Boys) Who Code: The Effect of a Robotic Coding Intervention on Spatial Cognition | September 26, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. | Zoom Directors: Dr. Lisa Borgerding and Dr. Shannon Navy | Barbara Sherwood Currey (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Gretchen A. Jessel | Interprofessional Leadership | Participation of K-12 Students with Disabilities in Extracurricular Activities: Parent and Guardian Perceptions & Experiences Regarding their Children's Extracurricular Participation | October 6, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. | White Hall Room 408 Director: Dr. Andrew Wiley | Gretchen A. Jessel (Ed.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Bianka M. Hausknecht | Interprofessional Leadership | From Bias to Belonging: Promoting Well-Being and Inclusion in Higher Education | October 9, 2025 | 2:30 p.m. | Microsoft Teams Director: Dr. Natasha Levinson | Bianka M. Hausknecht (Ed.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Melanie D. Kirin | Curriculum and Instruction | Understanding the Language Literacy Landscape of Novice Career Technical Educators | October 14, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | White Hall Room 403 Directors: Dr. Lori Wilfong and Dr. Scott Courtney | Melanie D. Kirin (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Luxin Hu | Research, Measurement and Statistics | The Relationship Between Everyday Social Environments and Psychological Well-Being: A Study of a U.S. National Sample Using Structural Equation Model | October 16, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. | Microsoft Teams Director: Dr. Jian Li | Luxin Hu (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Ryan W. Gant | Exercise Physiology | The Influence of Relative Rest on Winning Percentage Between Eras in the National Football League | October 16, 2025 | 1:15 p.m. | Microsoft Teams Director: Dr. Adam Jajtner | Ryan W. Gant (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Lara Shigo | Exercise Physiology | The Impact of Speed-Variable Treadmill Training on Gait, Cognition and Motor Function in People with Parkinson's Disease | October 20, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. | MACC Annex Room 272 Director: Dr. Angela Ridgel | Lara Shigo (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Molly F. Schenker | Speech Language Pathology | Neurodiversity of Reading and Speech Perception in College-Age Adults | October 21, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. | A103 Center for Performing Arts Directors: Dr. Julia Jones Hucyk and Dr. Sloane Burgess | Molly F. Schenker (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Scott A. McKinney | Interprofessional Leadership | Executive Leader Perceptions of Advocacy by Members of Institutionally Related Foundation Boards | October 22, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. | Director: Dr. Kimberly Peer | Scott A. McKinney (Ed.D.) Doctoral Brochure |
| Mohammed A. Alsulami | Health Education and Promotion | Behavioral Intentions Among Saudi Red Crescent Authority鈥檚 (SRCA) Active-Duty Paramedics Toward Seeking Psychological Help from Mental Health Professionals | October 28, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. | Nixson Hall Director: Dr. Laurie Wagner, MCHES | Mohammed A. Alsulami (Ph.D.) Doctoral Brochure |