Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses
The Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) program at Taylor University is built on the foundation of a unique, longstanding institutional commitment to whole-person higher education. To prepare students as leaders and educators, the program’s instructional methodology teaches, models, and applies exemplary higher education practices from a Christian perspective.
As a distinctive component of the MAHE program, the thesis is integrated into the curriculum from the very first semester and constitutes a significant learning experience for each student. The thesis process encourages deep engagement with the field and builds professional skills in developing students to think like and operate as scholar-practitioners.
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Theses from 2016
The Experience of Christian College Male Undergraduates with Pornography, Benuel Post
When a Parent Comes Out: The Experience of Christian College Students Who Have a Parent Come Out as Homosexual, Celeste H. Ryan
Can We Be Friends? An Examination of the Role of Cross-Sex Friendship on Emerging Adults' Spiritual Development, Brittane Y. Turner
Quantitative Reasoning in the Numbers: A Qualitative Study of Trends in Higher Education Mathematics Curriculum, Julia C. VanderMolen
Theses from 2015
A Culture that Aspires, A Culture that Inspires: A Case Study Analysis of the Calvin College Philosophy Department, Hannah M. Adderley
Man Up or Man Down?: Male Perceptions of Gender Identity, Matthew N. Barr
A Phenomenological Study of Bicultural Competence Among International Students, Kiplangat Cheruiyot Bii
Korean International Students in the Midwest: How Do They Understand Integration?, Jordan T. Bolte
Bereaved College Students' Experiences with Peer Support, Tianna F. Clark
Embodying Man: A Phenomenological Study of Body Image and Its Relationship to Masculinity, D'Andre Coats
Learning to Live Together: Measuring Global Perspective Through Roommate Pairing, Drew Crane
The Strategic State of Information Literacy Implementation in Christian Higher Education, Shawn D. Denny
Mentoring Self-Authorship: A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Mentoring on Self-Authorship, Grant M. Henry
Healthy Habits, Holy Habits: Spirituality's Relationship to College Students' Health, Lindsay M. Hubbell
Continued Service: A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Immersive Service-Learning Courses, Jonathan T. McIlvaine
Disrupting the Cycle of Self-Objectification, Hayley G. Meredith
Experiential Empathy: The Impact of Service-Learning Immersion Experiences on College Students' Cross-Cultural Empathy, Amy Lynne Nicols
A Different Kind of Home: The Impact of Residential Colleges on Student Learning and Development, Seth Oldham
A Faith that Endures? An Exploration of the Perceived Influence of Parental Control and Responsiveness on the Spiritual Change of College Students, Joshua P. Riedel
Encouraging Student Involvement and Engagement to Foster a Deep Sense of Calling, Kirsten D. TenHaken
Theses from 2014
In Pursuit of Purpose: The Effects of Involvement on the Development of Calling in College Students, Jeffry T. Aupperle
The Co-Curriculum and the Core Curriculum: Exploring the Relationship Between Student Involvement and Academic Outcomes, Natalie D. Berger
Ring by Spring: The Impact of Marriage on Undergraduate Student Engagement, Jessica Clark
Perceived Parental Involvement: Impact on Student Involvement in Higher Education, Nicholas Coats
High Expectations: The Impact of Perfectionism and Religiosity on Female Body Image, Meredith J. Gross
Young Entrants and Self-Authorship, Greta Johnson
Picture Perfect: The Impact of Spirituality and Media on Women's Sexuality, Diana Kim
Morality in Sport: Student-Athletes' Perceptions of Coaches' Abilities to Instill Moral and Character Development, Jake W. McCurry
Motivational Factors that Influence Non-Mandatory Chapel Attendance at a Small, Faith-Based Institution in the Midwest, Aaron Morrison
Loving Neighbor as Self: Translating the Study Abroad Experience into Cross-Cultural Friendships on the Home Campus, Kelly A. Pengelly
First-Year Students' Perception of Vocation at a Private Faith-Based Liberal Arts Institution, Jonathan D. Rupp
Undergraduate Attitudes Toward Sexual Minorities Based on Religious Beliefs, Brady Schaar
Spiritual Struggle within a Faith-Based Institution, Hannah Kristine Schundler
Boys to Men: A Phenomenological Study of Men's Construction of Masculinity at a Faith-Based University, Taylor Thomas Smythe
Undergraduate Student Engagement of Intercultural Competence, Amanda Joy Steinbeck
The Impact of Short Term Missions and Study Abroad on the Academic Engagement of College Students, Jeffrey J. Wallace
Understanding the Academic and Social Experience of a Transfer Student at a Small, Midwest, Residential Institution, Bryce Colin Watkins
Theses from 2013
The Impact on Career Women of Mentoring, Role Models, and Defining Moments During College Student Leadership Experiences, Lisa A. Barber
Finding a Place in the World: The Impact of a Semester Abroad on Life Calling, Emily M. Bryan
Faith Maturity Effects on Sexual Decision-Making, Isaac S. Bryan
The Impact and Lasting Effects on Students Involved in a Campus Closing, Julie Caldwell
Mixed Signals: A Phenomenological Study on the Effects of Cell Phones on College Student Involvement, David M. Chizum
Minding the Gap: Impact of Pre-College Gap Year on Transition to College, Julie M. Cline
When Pastor's Kid Becomes College Student: Identity Development of PKs During College, Janette E. DeLozier
Student Leadership Development: A Focus on Experiential Leadership Orientation Within Higher Education, Logan R. Denney
The Impact of a Student's Attachment to God on College Adjustment, Cody J. Lloyd
Student Experience in a Blended Learning Model, JooYong Park
A Narrative Study into the Motivations of Missionary Kid Involvement in Mu Kappa, David W.J. Restrick
Five Factors Relating to Students' Academic Advising Experience at a Small, Private, Liberal Arts University, Jeff Strietzel
How Faculty Promote the Development of Self-Authorship at a Private, Faith-Based Institution, Heather Jane Tyner
The Relationship Between Students' Perceptions of Academic Support and Their Willingness to Seek Support, Lance Vanderberg
A Model of Faith-Learning Integration in Exemplary Teaching Faculty, Kathryn A. Westrate
The Impact of Evangelical Gender Roles on College Females' Vocational Aspirations, Amy L. Wilson
Theses from 2012
Male Disengagement: Assessing Educational Variables Impacted by Male Student Involvement, Ben Aalderink
Finding Meaning and Recovery After the Death of a Friend During College, Jessica L. Cuthbert
The Experience of Evangelical College Women in Disclosing Taboo Sexual Practices Among Peers, Taylor A. Ehrhard
Spiritual Expectations and Experiences of Students at a Faith-Based Institution, Jessica A. Fankhauser
The Impact of a Ministry Experience on the Personal and Academic Development of College Students, Benjamin Goller
The Impact of Mentoring Relationships on Leadership Development, Josiah Hatfield
Understanding Predictors and Formative Experiences of Females in Student Leadership, Dauthan Keener
Spiritual Fit: Spirituality's Impact on Retention at a Faith Based Institution, Crystal Keetch
The Conceptualization of Faith-Learning Integration in Student Affairs, Andrew R. Lehr
A Vision for General Education: The Life and Mind of Ernest L. Boyer, Maria E. Lehr
Theses from 2011
The Value of Relationships for Theological Development and Engagement: A Phenomenological Study of How College Students Experience Theology, Kathleen J. Breitigan
Social and Transitional Experiences of Non-White Third Culture Kids at a Predominantly White Institution, Debby C. Cheruiyot Bii
A Phenomenological Study of Female Faculty Transitional Experience into Administration within CCCU Member Institutions, Meleca Consultado
Faith Integration Development: Faculty Conceptions of Faith-Learning Integration, Brandon J. Jacob
Latino Students' Experiences in a Latin American Study Abroad Semester Program, Melissa S. Lima
The Experience of Female Administrators at a Private, Kenyan University, Elizabeth Lyon
Changes in Student Engagement: The Relationship Between Place of Residence, Gender and Engagement, Kendall J. Stanislav
Theses from 2010
Mercy, Not Sacrifice: College Student Spirituality and Social Concern and Action, Philip D. Byers
A Phenomenological Study of Biracial Identity Development, Felicia T. Case
Student Transition: Common Challenges Facing Recent Graduates, Steve Conn
Depression's Influence on Involvement, David Downey
Parents, Professionals, and Preschoolers: The Experience of Working Parents at a Christian, Liberal Arts Institution, Sara E. James
Spirituality and Rape Myth Acceptance: An Exploratory Study, Stephen M. Mattiace
A Qualitative Study on Female Resident Assistants & Perceived Stress, Kristen N. Osborne
The Impact of Coeducational Residence Halls on Men's Relationships with Women, Josh Wymore
Theses from 2009
The Impact of the Undergraduate Social Experience on Young Alumni Annual Giving, Matthew J. Gin
Sophomore Student Spirituality, Miriam E. Gin
Minding the Mission: Succession Planning for Academic Leadership at Christian Institutions, Emily A. Hunt
College Students' Understanding of Academic Dishonesty, Heidi Johnston
The Experiences of Black Students at a Predominantly White, Faith-Based Institution, Kyle M. Lantz
Students' Experience of Their Campus Closure: A Phenomenological Investigation, Nathaniel J. Mabie
Measuring Spiritual Transformation for the Purpose of Continuous Quality Improvement, Brent D. Maher
Spirituality and Social Climate in the Context of an International Learning Community, Laura M. Rodeheaver
The Effect of Environmental Service Learning on Empowerment for Responsible Environmental Behaviors in College Students, Derek W. Rosenberger
The Long-Lasting Effects of International Study Abroad Programs on College Graduates, Mary Katharine Rousopoulos
Development of the Social Justice Orientation Scale, Benjamin R. Taylor
The Role of Mentoring on the Career Paths of Female Presidents in CCCU Member Institutions, Kelly A. Yordy