2022 Degree Candidates

2022

The Program

Opening Remarks

Invocation

Presentation of Colors

The National Anthem

Musical Selection

Welcome Remarks

Chair’s Remarks

Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

Commencement Address

Dr. Saundra DeLauder Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Rev. Pamela Adams Director of Spiritual Life and University Chaplain

Delaware State University Honor Guard

“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Mr. Francis Scott Key Performed by Delaware State University’s Approaching Storm Marching Band and University Choir

“The Word Was God” by Dr. Rosephayne Powell Performed by Dr. Derrick Thompson and University Choir

Dr. Tony Allen President

Dr. Devona E.G. Williams Delaware State University Board of Trustees, Chair

Dr. Tony Allen

Mr. DeMaurice Fitzgerald Smith Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association

Musical Selection

Original Song “Today” Performed by Mr. Elijah August ’23 and Members of the Music Program

Class Challenge and Remarks Ms. Dionne Williams from the Student Leadership Graduate Student Association, President Neuroscience Ph.D. Program

Musical Selection

“Total Praise” Arranged by Delaware State University Band Director Mr. Sidney Sessoms Performed by Dr. Derrick Thompson and University Choir, Mr. Sidney Sessoms and Concert Band

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees

Dr. Tony Allen Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Dean School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies

Conferring of Degrees

Voice-over Talent: Mr. Marty Denson, Instructor Ms. Renee Marine, Assistant Professor Ms. Ava Perrine, Instructor Mass Communications, Visual and Performing Arts Mr. Terry Bankston, Director of Career Services

Dr. Tony Allen

Induction of Graduates into Ms. Leah Williams ’15 ’16 Delaware State University Delaware State University Alumni Association, President

Alumni Association

Closing Remarks

Benediction

Alma Mater

Dr. Tony Allen

Rev. Pamela Adams Director of Spiritual Life and University Chaplain

Lyrics by Ms. Pauline Williams LeCompte ’26 Music by Mr. Alexis F. Lvov (1799-1870)

Graduate Class of 2022

School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies

Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Dean

Candidates for Doctorate of Education Degree

Justin Alexander | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Transforming Learning: Improving Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Student Engagement and Retention Through Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Advisor: Dr. Chetanath Gautam

Tameca Beckett | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Collaboration Between PK-12 Public and Academic Librarians: Improving the Information Literacy Gap Among Incoming High School Seniors and College Freshmen Advisor: Dr. Joseph Falodun

Jessie Cathey | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: A Comparative Case Study Analysis of the Increase of Student’s Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses: Factors, Impact, Responses, and Resources Advisor: Dr. Chetanath Gautam

Jaracus Copes | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: A Grounded Theory Study from the Perspective of New Teachers on Their Preparedness to Teach in At-Risk Schools in the United States Advisor: Dr. Joseph Falodun

Neisha Coursey | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Socialization and Student Expectations Affecting Retention of First-Year College Students: A Comparative Case Study Analysis Advisor: Dr. Joseph Falodun Jacqueline Griffith | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: A Phenomenological Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Minority High School Seniors’ College Readiness Advisor: Dr. Nirmaljit Rathee and Dr. Richard Phillips

Karen Holland | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Servant Leadership, Effects on Mentoring in Higher Education and Faculty in the Northeastern United States: A Comparative Case Study Analysis Advisor: Dr. Nirmaljit Rathee

Quiana Hutchins | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Work-Life Balance as a Predictor of Higher Education Learning Satisfaction for Single Mothers in Doctorate Degree Programs: A Phenomenological Study Advisor: Dr. Richard Phillips

Mark James | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Critical Examination of Inequities in High Stakes Collegiate Football: A Meta-Synthesis of Recruitment, Finance, and Administrative Relationships of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletics and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Advisor: Dr. Chetanath Gautam

Marvin Jones | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: No Great Principal, No Great School: A Phenomenological Study of Principal Turnover Advisor: Dr. Richard David Phillips

Schentel Jones | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Examining the Impact of Supportive Relationships in Facilitating African American Males’ Success in College Advisor: Dr. Richard David Phillips

Lisa Lancaster | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Exploring the Relationship and Perception Between Planning and Training for Incidents at Institutions of Higher Education from the Perceptive of Campus Public Safety Administrators: A Phenomenological Study Advisor: Dr. Richard David Phillips

Michele McIntosh | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Analyzing the Impact of Professional Dispositions of Nurse Educators on Motivating and Retaining Black Male Nursing Students to Diversify the Healthcare Nursing Workforce Advisor: Dr. Nirmaljit Rathee

Elizabeth Stewart | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Student Affairs Administrators’ Perspectives on Servant Leadership Impacting Students’ Success at Historically Black Colleges & Universities in the Mid-Atlantic Region Advisor: Dr. Richard David Phillips

Travis Sudler | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Sacred Identity: A Qualitative Study of the African American Classification Within the United States and its Impact on the Education System Advisor: Dr. Chetanath Gautam

Amber Ward | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: An Examination of Institutional Support for Adjunct Faculty Development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Phenomenological Study Advisor: Dr. Richard David Phillips

Timothy Yancy | Educational Leadership (EdD) Dissertation: Systemic Racism as an Element of African American Students’ Decision Making While Choosing a Historically Black College and University over a Predominately White Institution: A Comparative Case Study Analysis Advisor: Dr. Nirmaljit Rathee

Candidates for Doctorate of Philosophy Degree

Jose Alcantara | Mathematics and Physics (PhD) Dissertation: Magnetohydrodynamics Stokes Flow Around a Magnetic Obstacle Using Chebyshev Pseudospectral Method Advisor: Dr. Dawn Alisha Lott

Taposh Biswas | Mathematics and Physics (PhD) Dissertation: Semantic Tissue Identification and Quantification in Radiological Imaging using Multi-Atlas Segmentation Advisor: Dr. Sokratis Makrogiannis

Joshua Patterson | Applied Chemistry (PhD) Dissertation: GPS vs MAP: Utilizing Computational Chemistry to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease Advisor: Dr. Cherese Winstead

Onyekachi Williams | Mathematics and Physics (PhD) Dissertation: A Study of Automated Live Cell Tracking and Performance Evaluation Advisor: Dr. Sokratis Makrogiannis Catrina Cosey Onyai’ Glover Nicholas Porter Tch Engl. As Second Lang. TESOL/Bilingual Education TESOL/Bilingual Education

Candidates for Master of Education Degree

Melayna Hall Joena Henry Diamond Lee Gregory Long Educational Leadership Educational Leadership Educational Leadership Educational Leadership

Candidates for Master of Business Administration Degree

Dannielle Allen Dachaun Clyburn Dwight Deloatch Lucy Ebanja Lashaunda Gainey Stephen Gardner Pearl Harris

Business Administration Business Administration Business Administration Business Administration Business Administration Business Administration Business Administration Malik Henry Business Administration Olamide Laosebikan Business Administration Natoya Manning Business Administration Caitlyn Menard Business Administration Cierra Mingo Business Administration Luna Mishoe Business Administration Malcolm Quallo Business Administration Shereen Winfield Business Administration

Candidates for Master of Public Administration Degree

Quadia Ameen Eva Anambo Kharmon Anderson Ramon Apellaniz Bryce Applewhite Jerry Chapusette Sydney Curtis Aje English Wynn Erin Gordon

Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Public Administration Mark Henderson Public Administration Randa Henry-Jenkins Public Administration Precious Igwebuike Public Administration Aishona Jackson Public Administration Dukens Jean-Marie Public Administration Taylor Lee Public Administration Darielle Lemon Public Administration Ayanna Lyons Public Administration Delonte’ Neal Public Administration Jalissa Pollard Public Administration Cassandra Richardson Public Administration Melissa Shaw Public Administration Heting Wang Public Administration Wesley Wootten Public Administration William Young Public Administration