The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is happy to highlight to our stakeholders and subscribers a special event happening at ASCC.

Dr. Letupu Tauanu'u-Moananu, Ed.D.

Vice President of Academic, Community, and Student Affairs

Dissertation Title: Perceptions of Samoan Leaders Regarding the Intersectionality of Ethnicity, Culture, and Leadership in Higher Education: A Qualitative Case Study 

Abstract: The long-standing problem of underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in leadership roles in higher education can have detrimental consequences, such as limiting minority voices, marginalizing minority contributions, and impeding success within academe. The purpose of the qualitative exploratory case study was to explore how indigenous Samoan administrators in higher education describe their leadership journeys, and discover (a) how the intersectionality of ethnicity, culture, and leadership operates within the organizational culture of their institution, (b) the challenges this intersectionality creates in their leadership practices, and (c) the contributions they can make towards informing and enhancing cultural competence of the organization.  Thematic Analysis of the data revealed nine key themes to answer the questions posed.

To'oto'ole'a'ava Dr. Evile Feleti, Ed.D

Chairperson, Samoan Studies Institute

Dissertation Title: Investigating the Changes in Language Skills of Samoan Students Entering and Exiting from the Samoan Studies Institute, American Samoa Community College.

Abstract: This lecture is focused on language skills of students entering and exiting from introductory Samoan classes at the Samoan Studies Institute, ASCC. The problem was growing writing deficiencies in Samoan evidenced by students’ performance on the Samoan Studies Institute Exam for Basic Samoan Classes and classroom work. Samoan Studies faculty members needed a swift grammatical intervention to address students’ weaknesses. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental ex post facto study was to determine if a difference existed in the pretest to posttest in scores on the Samoan Studies Institute exam. Summative assessment theory and conversational teaching theory guided the research. Efforts to promote Samoan studies necessitate that educators take a proactive stand toward the Samoan language. There is room and purpose for both English and Samoan, but only through the Samoan language can the Samoan culture and heritage be expressed fully and completely and lived as it was destined.

Dr. Rosie Ah Chee-Toeava, Ed.D

Chairperson, Criminal Justice Department

Dissertation Title: How College Faculty Adapted Instruction to Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: The problem addressed in this study was the challenges of the transition of courses to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to collect and examine the experiences of XYZ (pseudonym) faculty who transitioned their courses to online learning platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Piaget’s constructivism was the conceptual framework of this project. The research questions examined the experiences of college faculty members about previous knowledge that contributed to the transition of courses using online platforms. Ten research participants were selected using purposeful sampling while conducting semistructured interviews. Content thematic analysis was employed for data analysis with findings to answer the research questions, revealing six major themes: (a) unprepared for online instruction; (b) lack of support and training; (c) faculty attitudes towards Moodle; (d) student issues; (e) internet connectivity, accessibility to technology, and technical support; and (f) accessible information. A 3-day professional development was created to train faculty on how to effectively transition to online instructions using Moodle and online pedagogy. The findings from this study can contribute to positive social change for educators and administrators to understand the barriers that impacts the performance of educators transitioning to online instructions in response to a future crisis.

Dr. Reupena Na'oupu Tofiga Lesa, Ed.D.

Instructor, Computer Science Department

Dissertation Title: Training Faculty to Integrate Technology into Curriculum Design Using the Moodle Learning Management System. 

Abstract: The doctoral capstone project focused on the development of a curriculum to be used in professional development training for faculty at a community college located on the island territory of American Samoa. The purpose of the training is for participants with the knowledge and skills to use Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (MOODLE) technology and software to design or modify their college courses to improve instructional delivery, student engagement, and academic achievement.