Browsing by Subject "Higher education administration"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Educational ideals vs. architectural expression : the genesis of building excellence(2011-05) Vaughan, Brenda Sisco; Lasher, William F.; Speck, Lawrence W.; Northcutt, Norvell W.; Sharpe, Edwin R.; Danze, Elizabeth A.EDUCATIONAL IDEALS VS. ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION: THE GENESIS OF BUILDING EXCELLENCE Brenda Sisco Vaughan, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2011 Supervisor: William F. Lasher How education is articulated, understood or comprehended, in the vocabulary (i.e. the expressive techniques or devices) of architecture provokes a certain fascination and intrigue for those interested in methods of pedagogy and cognition at institutions of higher education. This research entered the discussion about architectural expression in the university setting with a focus on the educational aspects in the programming, planning, and design of new buildings on campus. Educational ideals refer to concepts of perfection or models of excellence at institutions of higher education. Architectural expression refers to design or the determination of form which includes every aspect of every quality of a building (size, shape, materials, texture, color, ornamentation, etc.), while supporting the function and intended use of the building. This research examined the processes by which educational ideals translate into architectural expression. Analyses of the processes or systems used in planning and designing new buildings provided data to understand influences on the system. Qualitative data were analyzed in this study from a systems point of view utilizing Interactive Qualitative Analysis, IQA methodology. Following IQA protocol, the problem of how educational ideals translate into architectural expression produced and named the factors (affinities) influencing the processes on university campuses; identified relationships between these factors in cause-and-effect terms; provided the forum to compare and contrast similarities and differences in the systems; and identified similarities and differences in the processes utilized in planning and designing new buildings at private vs. public institutions. In this study, focus groups of higher education administrators and professional architects explored the case study of The University of Texas at Austin. After the data were analyzed, a theoretical model was produced to explore the case study of Rice University. Research synthesis provides information, guidance, and recommendations for educational administrators and professional architects in leadership and decision-making roles guiding the direction of new building projects on campuses.Item The Utility of the Texas Award for Performance Excellence Criteria as a Framework for Assessing and Improving Performance Excellence in the Texas A&M Foundation: A Case Study(2012-02-14) Wine, Sherryl LeighIn 2007 nonprofits became eligible to apply for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and the state-level Baldrige-based Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE). There exists minimal research on quality management frameworks to guide performance excellence in nonprofits and there is a lack of understanding regarding the applicability and utility of the MBNQA and TAPE Criteria as a framework for performance excellence for nonprofit organizations. This study looks at how one nonprofit organization deployed the TAPE Criteria framework across the organization and the extent to which organizational learning resulted and was integrated across the organization. The qualitative case study utilized naturalistic inquiry methodology to chronicle situational themes and relationships that emerged during the organization's year-long process of preparing an application for the TAPE. The study took place in a natural setting and the researcher was immersed in the organization's experience as a participant-observer assisting with developing the application. Data collection methods included direct observation, interviews, and document analysis. The case study approach provided a context and perspective for other nonprofit entities seeking to assess and improve performance. The TAPE Criteria framework is a systematic and structured approach to improving performance excellence and its methodologies are repeatable and based on facts and data. Leaders recognized the value of assessing the organization's current condition in a holistic manner, yet they distinguished and used only those parts of the Criteria that they found meaningful and effective. Leadership viewed the TAPE Criteria in light of how it could support its mission success, rather than supplanting management practices that had historically achieved organizational goals that met or exceeded customer needs and expectations. The results of the study are relevant and may assist nonprofit executives and administrators in applying and utilizing Baldrige-based improvement methodologies. The information gleaned from the study will help administrators of the TAPE to improve the usefulness and functionality of the framework across all business arenas. TAPE administrators should benefit from the research as it provides information on how individuals experienced and learned the taxonomy of the framework.