decided to take the dissertation path towards graduation. The titles and brief description of their dissertations are as given below. Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like more information about any of these dissertations.
Congratulations to our DBA Grads! DBA News Doctorate of Business Administration Learn about the graduates and the dissertation research at SPS UIW on Page 2.
Please join us in warmly congratulating Dr. Brit Peek, Dr. Diane Rodriguez, and Dr. Joren Scharn who will be walking the stage in December 2019 to receive their Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees for successfully completing all the requirements of the program culminating in a full dissertation.
Cardinal
Three SPS DBA Students complete Full Research dissertations
New Criminal Justice Program at UIW Learn more about this exciting new program from Dr. Phan on Page 3.
The Bulletin Board and Events Be in the know about the happenings in the School of Professional Studies and other campus-wide events on Pages 5.
September 2019
Issue 2
of coursework. In the past, a majority of students have pursued the presentation/publication/work-based study options but all of that changed this year with three of our DBA students completing full dissertations and successfully defending them publicly in August, 2019. More than a total of 85 people attended the three Public Defenses that were held on August 21st- 23rd by Zoom conferencing and each student had a chance to get very meaningful feedback from the audience. All three students started their individual research journeys in Summer 2018, when they worked on mixed methods research proposals for one of their classes. Once they explored the literature and found the potential for a meaningful contribution in their fields of interest, the students
Success is not a matter of mastering subtle, sophisticated theory but rather of embracing common sense with uncommon levels of discipline and perseverance - Patrick Lencioni
In the DBA program at the School of Professional Studies, students have the choice of pursuing a full dissertation over the course of a minimum of three semesters or selecting the presentation/publication/work-based project options to meet the culminating experience requirements of the 45-hour (minimum requirement) program successfully after finishing at least 33 credit hours
Vince Porter, Dean School of Professional Studies
Monthly
Corpus Corner A Word from our Corpus Campus UIW Corpus Christi Director of Operations, Jessica Parra has news about the happenings at our Corpus Christi campus. Read now on Page 4.
Features:
School of Professional Studies Office of Student Success
This publication is available in an alternate format by request. To request an alternate format, please contact the UIW SPS Office of Student Success at 210.805.3013
A word from our Dean
Joren Scharn, DBA
Brit Peak, DBA
Congratulations, Doctors!
NEWS
DBA at UIW
Dr. Rodriguez also lives in San Antonio and worked on her dissertation titled “Preventive Care Usage in the United States: Does Health Insurance Matter?” under the direction and support from her dissertation committee, which consisted of Dr. Kruti Lehenbauer (Chair), Dr. Adam Guerrero, and Dr. Gregg Anders. The main goal of this dissertation was to test whether insured and uninsured people in the United States have distinct approaches to using preventive care services for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and general physical checkups using MEPS National Survey data for the year 2015. Dr. Rodriguez finds that there are distinct differences among people with and without health insurance and their approaches to preventive health care in general. Socioeconomic variables such as race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, and income play a large role in both, the propensity to have health insurance as well as the propensity to utilize preventive care services.
Dr. Peek, who lives in San Antonio, worked on her dissertation titled “Affordable Care Act and Preventive Care Usage: A Mixed Method Analysis of Cardiovascular Care” under the direction and support from her dissertation committee, which consisted of Dr. Kruti Lehenbauer (Chair), Dr. Bob Kiser, and Dr. Alan Xenakis. The main goal of the dissertation was to identify whether the usage of preventive care for cardiovascular services such as cholesterol checks and blood pressure checks had increased after the Affordable Care Act mandated medical insurance for the population in the United States. Dr. Peek finds that when comparing pre-ACA and post-ACA data obtained from the MEPS National surveys that while the number of uninsured people decreased between 2009 and 2015, there was no substantial impact on the usage of preventive cardiovascular health services indicating that the ACA might not play a significant role in reducing the mortality rates directly associated with chronic cardiovascular diseases in the population.
Dr. Scharn, who lives in The Netherlands, worked on his dissertation titled “Understanding Employee Engagement: A Mixed-Methods Study” under the tutelage of his dissertation committee consisting of Dr. Kruti Lehenbauer (Chair), Dr. Adam Guerrero, and Dr. Diana Garza. The goal of this mixed methods dissertation was to identify whether the methods by which employers currently and traditionally attempt to measure “employee engagement,” are sufficient. Employee engagement is often considered to be one of the crucial intangibles that can impact employee productivity and employee satisfaction, and thereby the bottom line for companies! Dr. Scharn uses a three-pronged approach to his analysis by comparing the results from secondary datasets obtained from International agencies to a primary dataset created by collecting surveys from individuals working in the financial sector in the San Antonio region and then further testing the outcomes qualitatively by conducting personal interviews with a small sample chosen from among those that completed the surveys. His results indicate that while current methodologies capture some components of employee engagement, the measurements and surveys used are insufficient to accurately estimate employee engagement and related factors in the context of employee productivity.
Diane Rodriguez, DBA
SPS
New Criminal Justice Leadership Track for the Master's of Arts in Administration
Wear your Black and Red Snap a photo Win a PRIZE!
Show Us Your Cardinal Pride!
riculum also provides a broader foundation in knowledge of leadership skills, the understanding of human behavior, and critical decision-making abilities that are needed to be effective leader in the field of criminal justice. Leadership also goes hand-in-hand with confidence and is a vital trait when making important decisions. The criminal justice leadership curriculum helps criminal justice professionals balance legal and ethical considerations in their decision-making. The School of Professional Studies’ Criminal Justice Advisory Board that comprises of criminal justice administrators and professionals from the city, county, state, and federal sectors have endorsed this curriculum. The Criminal Justice Leadership concentration track is offered on-ground and online.
Criminal justice is one of the most challenging and rewarding occupations, dedicated to keeping people safe and society running fairly. Like any other field, climbing the highest rungs of the job ladder can be difficult. While it takes experience and dedication to get into leadership roles, it also takes education and credentials. The School of Professional Studies is offering a concentration in Criminal Justice Leadership as part of the Master of Art in Administration. The Criminal Justice Leadership curriculum is an interdisciplinary concentration that prepares students for leadership roles in criminal justice organizations. Criminal justice leadership is an essential part of decision-making; it encourages big-picture thinking that considers details from multiple sources. This concentration provides excellent preparation for current criminal justice administrators and managers within the field. The cur-
Dr. Jack Phan Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Prizes winners will be judged based on creativity, quality, and originality. The contest starts on Oct. 1st and ends on Oct. 31st. The winning photo will be featured in our November newsletter with an opportunity to be featured in further SPS marketing material. So have fun, snap away, and show us your pride at EAPsuccess@uiwtx.edu.
Advising Saturdays! Come meet with an academic advisor to go over your Degree Works profile, register for classes, discuss graduation and any other academic advising inquiries. Open to Undergraduate and Graduate Students Saturdays, 8 AM - 2 PM Walk-Ins and Appointments Northwest Center
Free Math & English Tutoring on Saturdays! Open to Undergraduate and Graduate Students Saturdays, 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Walk-Ins Only Northwest Center Only
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE UIW CORPUS CHRISTI CAMPUS?
NEWS! The Corpus Christi Center was recognized as 2019 Underwriter of the Week, September 1 – September 7. The center was recognized for one year of underwriting support which further demonstrates their sincere commitment to the people of South Texas and the Coastal Bend through quality community-oriented Radio Programming. Save the Date! Friday, November 22nd 4:00pm – 6:00pm, Corpus Christi Center will have a Kendra Scott Mixer. This is your chance to exchange business cards, meet up with fellow classmates, faculty and alumni while enjoying sips and sweets. Kendra Scott will give back 20% of the sales toward the UIW School of Professional Studies scholarship program.
Jessica B. Parra Director of Operations
Jacqueline Gonzales Northwest Campus
ADVISOR'S CORNER
SATURDAY SERVICES
The biggest thing I like to remind and share with students is the importance of actively participating in community service events. I cannot stress the vitality of connecting with the community and providing both impactful and meaningful service that does not always benefit you, but others. Knowing you have helped in some way no only strengthens you as person, but helps you develop respect and civility. Undergraduate students should remember that they will need to complete 45 hours of documented community service in order to graduate. In fact, you should not even apply to graduate before you've completed and documented your community service hours. Check back often with your advisors and the Ettling Center for community service events and activities. Volunteering with a community garden, reading to children at the library, and volunteering to teach computer classes to seniors are all great ideas.
UPCOMING HOLIDAYS
THE BULLETIN BOARD
SAT., OCT. 26 Homecoming Game - UIW vs. Northwestern State Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium UIW Main Campus, 4301 Broadway Kick-off starts at 4 p.m. Come cheer the cardinals on to victory against the demons.
HELPFUL CONTACTS
Help Desk: (210) 829-2721 or helpdesk@uiwtx.edu
Financial Aid: (210) 829-6008 or finaid@uiwtx.edu
Veterans Affairs: (210) 832-5651 or veterans@uiwtx.edu
Business Office: (210) 829-6043 or eapbo@uiwtx.edu
Ettling Center: (210) 283-6423 or ccl@uiwtx.edu
Registrar's Office: (210) 829-6006
Bookstore: (210) 829-6056 or uiw@bkstr.com
Alumni Office: (210) 829-6014 or (800) 584-5322
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FREE UIW Sporting Event Tickets for Military. All active duty, reserve, guard, DoD civilians and veterans are eligible to receive FREE admission (up to 4 free tickets) to all UIW Athletic sporting events! For more details, visit uiwcardinals.com/military.
Are you on active duty Airman in the Air Force? The General Education Mobile (GEM) program is a partnership with the CCAF to provide freshmen and sophomore level courses online for CCAF credit. Airmen may take up to 15 semester hours in approved gen. ed. courses. Visit https://military.uiw.edu/air-force/air-force-gem-program/
Do you need a student ID? The Cardinal Card office is located in the Student Engagement Center Suite 3150. You may also get an ID made at the Northwest Center during normal operating hours.
THURS., OCT. 24 - SUN., OCT. 27 Homecoming and Family Weekend Various Locations, Register Now: https://alumniandfriends.uiw.edu/article.html?aid=252 Enjoy football and family fun for four days leading up to homecoming and ending in homecoming mass.
THURS., OCT. 3 Etiquette Dinner with Diane Gottsman Student Engagement Center (SEC) Ballroom 4301 Broadway 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Learn proper table manners while you enjoy a 3-course meal!
FALL II 2019 OCT. 12: FIRST DAY OF CLASS (SATURDAY) OCT. 14: FIRST DAY OF CLASS (WEEKDAY & ONLINE) OCT. 18: LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES OCT. 18: LAST DAY TO DROP WITH 100% REFUND NOV. 22: LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A 'W'
IMPORTANT TERM DATES
UPCOMING UIW EVENTS
HALLOWEEN, OCT. 31 All Campus Offices Open All Classes Held As Scheduled THANKSGIVING, NOV. 28-29 All Campus Offices Closed No Classes Will Be Held WINTER BREAK, DEC. 24 - JAN. 1 All Campus Offices Closed No Classes Will Be Held
