The Ed.D. capstone is the culminating product of the Ed.D. program, developed through a collaborative group effort in the final year in the EdD program. Capstones reflect the EdD focus on action-oriented andragogy and curriculum and the application of theory and research to address unique and complex problems of practice. These capstone reports support organizational improvement for a wide variety of organizations, contexts, and sectors through analysis and research to inform policy and practice.

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Doctor of Education Capstones from 2026

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Bridging the Gap: Strategic Leadership for Student-Centered Advising and Retention at a Community College, Dina Abdul Rahman, Wenjun Chi, Katelynn Jarrells, and Janet Ping

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History Is Durable: A Mixed-methods Study Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions of the Degree and Career Relevance, Hala Al-Tinawi, Damali Curry, Tonya S. Hall, and Sharrie A. Merritte

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Interrupting Inequity: A Systems Change Approach to Reducing Discipline Disproportionality, Jesse Raymond Ault, Jacqueline Theresa Barber, Tara Alexis Hodges, Brittnei Nicole McKeithen-Barnes, and Marleny Perdomo

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Understanding Student Non-Use of VCU's Cabell Library through Ecological Systems Theory: A Mixed-Methods Study, Tracy D. Booker, Ethan L. Carter, Joshua C.J. Lockhart, Margaret E. McDearmon, and Jessica S. Watson

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Sustaining Success: Strengthening the Capacity of the Office of Student Advocacy to Support Students During Financial Emergencies, Sean P. Carlin, Erick U. Lainez-Villanueva, and Diane C. Williams

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An Ecological Systems Perspective on Chronic Absenteeism: The Role of Family Engagement in Virginia Secondary Education, Jenna Conlee, Joel W. Fravel, Bryan M. Hannun, Imani K. Hinson, and Erika R. Napolitano

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From Arrival to Belonging: Strengthening the Transition for International Teachers in Prince William County Public Schools, Lisa V. Garcia, Jonathan D. Roberts, and Zaida N. Morales

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Stuck in the Middle?: A Design Project to Support Do Not Qualify (DNQ) and Other Struggling Students at the Elementary Level, Steven T. Hartnett, Kevin M. Parkinson, and Whitney M. Wayman

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From Compliance to Connection: Advancing Authentic Community in VCU Residence Halls, Sarah M. Ramkey, Keon Nesmith, and Carly Croft

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Growing with Purpose: An Organizational Life Cycle Analysis of Capacity, Strategy, and Client Centered Practices, Jackie Robinson Brock, Stacy Wilson, and Yadira Guerrero-Adams

Doctor of Education Capstones from 2025

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Transforming Numbers and Narratives into Impact at the Richmond Ed Fund, Jasmine C. Brown, Rochelle Clarke, and Truc-Mai Nguyen

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Innovative Secondary School Scheduling Practices to Positively Impact Student Outcomes in West Point Public Schools, Jessica Burdette, Sydney B. Lilly, and Mark A. Strickler

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Professional Learning Partnerships: An Exploratory Study into How Institutions of Higher Education Can Support PK–12 Educators, Eleonore E. Cardinell, Nora Bryant, Danielle Terrell, Alexandra Javna, and Megan Wood

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Transforming from Outsider to Insider: A Study on New Employee Acculturation to Boost Retention, Laura DaVinci, Kathleen Denman, Aaron Gilley, Vickisha Harris, and Alyssa Reddy

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Strengthening Early Childhood Education: Increasing Family Engagement at The Sprout School of Richmond, Virginia, Tara Davison and Jennifer Meadows

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Unpacking the Study Abroad Experience: Exploring How the Perceptions and Awareness of Faculty, Staff, Advisors and Students Shape Study Abroad Participation at Virginia Commonwealth University, Theresa Franklin, Lauren D. Harris, Stephanie Monn, Amy Snead, and Sarah E. A. Steele

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Sealing the Deal: A Case Study of a Private, Southeastern, Regional College’s Student Onboarding Practices, Alicia R. Gaston, Kristen Meyer, Tyler Ogden, Jennifer Perkinson, and Casey Yocum Michaels

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AGILITY IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: USING IMPROVEMENT SCIENCE TO ALIGN NIRSA’S COMMUNICATION STRATEGY WITH MEMBER NEEDS, Stephanie L. Hart, Kimberly A. Bradley, Lisa M. Gwyn, Joanna A. Liebelt, and Denise K. Miller

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UNcovering Graduate Student Achievement at Virginia Commonwealth University: An Exploration of Academic Advising & Administrative Processes, Kenzel Hill, Elizabeth Howley, Madeline Schutt, and Michelle Blackwell

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A ReSET for Virginia: Systemizing Leadership and Resource Support for Alternatively Prepared Special Education Teachers, Nicholas E. Olson Dr., Rebecca W. Harmon Dr., Elizabeth H. Morris Dr., Michael-Jon Rodney Dr., and Matthew Seidita Dr.

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Campus Culture of Hazing at James Madison University: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Perceptions, Behaviors, and Policy Implications, Lauren D. Powell, Amanda K. Simmons, Alexandra E. Holt, Elizabeth M. Matthews, and Mark D. Meadows

Doctor of Education Capstones from 2024

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Bottling the “Secret Sauce”: Capturing the Heart of the East End at Peter Paul Development Center, Melissa E. Abban, Melissa Buckley, Marie Garrenton, and LaTonja Y. Wright

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Safe Schools: A Descriptive Study Examining How to Prevent Peer-to-Peer Sexual Misconduct in K-12 Schools, Crystal R. Bell, Kristine Herakovich-Curtis, Elizabeth Terrier, and Leah Wiedenhoft

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Navigating an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree: A Mixed Methods Study of Student Enrollment in Virginia Commonwealth University’s 4+1 Programs, Rucha Bond, Kevin Maureen Campbell, Kim Dupre, Bailey Mitchell, and Hawley Smyth

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Examining the Efficacy of Unitive Justice Education in the Secondary School Setting, Chris C. Booz, La Toya K. Draper, and Lottie M. Spurlock