۴ý

Skip to Main Content Skip to bottom Skip to Chat, Email, Text

college of doctoral studies

Research white papers

Welcome to your source for scholarship and discovery emerging from ۴ý College of Doctoral Studies.

latest publications

Reinventing Productivity: Aligning AI Innovation with Human Potential in the Modern Workforce

ByJessica Sylvester, EdD

This white paper explores AI’s impact on employee productivity, engagement, and psychological well-being, and considers the leadership practices essential for aligning AI integration with equitable, sustainable workforce outcomes, drawing on findings from the 2025 Career Optimism Index® and related scholarship.

The G.R.O.W. Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ Reportand Probing the Unique Characteristics of Rural Schooling: A Narrative Inquiry

ByJames Lane, EdD

In this white paper, the author analyzesG.R.O.W. Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ reportfindings to contextualize a narrative study of significant experiences and insights of current and retired educators who teach or have taught within small rural distant schools, in order to better understand characteristics that make these schools unique fabrics within the American educational tapestry.

Optimism: A Value-Added Requirement for 21st Century Organizations

ByJulie A. Overbey, PhD, and Pamela Ann Gordon, PhD

This white paperexplores the role of worker and organizational optimism in countering uncertaintyand discusses how developing and maintaining an optimistic work culture becomes an important value-added component for innovative organizations.

Discovering School Memories Positive Relationship with Parents’ Engagement

ByRoxanne Jordan EdD, MBA, BS

This white paper presents a quantitative correlational study aimed at exploring the relationship between school memories and parents' involvement in their children's education and future planning.

more papers