Doctoral Dissertations

Boston, Tessa (2026). Citizenship through Communal Occupation: An Appreciative Ethnography in Communities with People with Serious Mental Illness.
Dissertation chair: Kendra Heatwole Shank

Callihan, Emily (2026). An Occupational Analysis of Mommy Drinking: Mapping the Drinking Patterns and Social Network Characteristics of Mothers Who Drink.
Dissertation chair: Jenna Yeager

Tatelman, Kristin (2025). Exploring the Relationship Between the Individual Sensory Patterns of Autistic Children and their Occupational Engagement with Dogs.
Dissertation chair: Amanda Jozkowski

Foura, Alison (2025). A Qualitative Exploration of Social Participation for Afghans with Refugee Backgrounds as Viewed through an Occupation-Based Lens.
Dissertation chair: Jenna Yeager

Nolan, Kayleigh. (2023). The Lived Experiences of Postpartum Mothers and Their Emotional Well-Being: A Work of Art (Assisted Reproductive Technology).
Dissertation chair: Kate Eglseder

Alexander-Greene, Christine. (2022). A Case Study of Key Program Elements Supporting the Occupational Participation of Foster Youth in the Student Role.
Dissertation chair: Lisa Crabtree

Lankford, Ashley. (2022). The Experience of School-Age Assistive Technology Users and Their Families During Emergency Remote Instruction and the Impact on Classroom Engagement.
Dissertation chair: Amanda Jozkowski

Pugh, Heather. (2022). Occupations and the More-Than-Human World: An Ethnographic Exploration of Multi-Species Occupations Involving Horses and Humans.
Dissertation chair: Kendra Heatwole Shank

Weatherly, Matthew. (2022). Adolescents with Cancer: A Phenomenological Examination of Parents' Occupational Experience.
Dissertation chair: Barbara Demchick

King, Terris. (2018). Occupational Engagement: African American Culinary Ministers' Perceptions and Beliefs about Meal Preparation and Eating Practices.
Dissertation chair: Janet DeLany

Wrightsman, William. (2018). Gay Mens’ Experience of Same-Sex Marriage and its Relation to Well-being: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Dissertation chair: Jenna Yeager

Greenbaum, Ann (2017). Activity Patterns and Well-being in Commuters: An Occupational Perspective.
Dissertation chair: Beth Merryman

Voss, Maren (2017). Understanding Well-being Among Retirees Experiencing Late-life Unemployment.
Dissertation chair: Beth Merryman

Roman, Cynthia (2016). Occupational Time: A Case Study of the Experiences of Time in a Sample of American and Filipino Healthcare Practitioners.
Dissertation chair: Regena Stevens-Ratchford

Eglseder, Kate (2015). The Lived Experiences and Occupations of Intimate Partners of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Related to Sexual Well-Being.
Dissertation chair: Maggie Reitz

Batarseh, Haifa (2015).  A Mixed Methods Study of Mood Disorder in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mothers of Typically Developing Children.
Dissertation chair: Janet DeLany

Natasi, Julie (2014). Occupational Lives of Individuals with Visual Impairment.
Dissertation chair: Regena Stevens-Ratchford

Leimbach, Linda (2013). Men as Quiltmakers: Crafting the Intersection Between Gender and Creative Occupation.
Dissertation chair: Janet DeLany.

Flanagan, Joanne (2012). Movement and Play in Infants at Risk for Autism.
Dissertation chair: Janet DeLany.

Demchick, Barbara (2012). Quality of Life in Families with a Transition-aged Young Adult on the Autism Spectrum.
Dissertation chair: Karen Eskow

Krutis, Susan (2012). Medication Adherence, Social Support and Recovery: Perspectives of Consumers with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and their Families.
Dissertation chair: Beth Merryman

Stav, Eli (2012). First Generation College Students: A Mixed Methods Study of Experiences and Academic Success.
Dissertation chair: Jenna Yeager

Moghimi, Christine (2012). A Phenomenological Examination of the Caregiving Experience of Elderly Spousal Caregivers.
Dissertation chair: Regena Stevens-Ratchford

Zadnik Newell, Mary (2011). A Two Part Study of Student to Professional Transition: Analysis of Objective Factors Related to a Successful Outcome on the NBCOT Exam and a Qualitative Exploration of Student Transition into Practice.
Dissertation chair: Sonia Lawson

Kyler, Penalpha (2009). Contributory Phenomena of Family-Centered Care Leading to Effective Partnerships.
Dissertation chair: Marcie Weinstein

Wingrat, Jennifer (2007). The Impact of Classroom Furniture on Third Grade Childrens' Occupational Performance.
Dissertation chair: Charlotte Exner