Nicole Stedman | University of Florida (original) (raw)
Papers by Nicole Stedman
Advancements in agricultural development, Aug 20, 2023
Possessing leadership skills has been determined to be an essential requirement within the workpl... more Possessing leadership skills has been determined to be an essential requirement within the workplace. A multi-level leadership program was designed to help provide undergraduates with more exposure to leadership principles. The program team was created through the collaboration of multiple universities found within the southeastern United States. Through a 14-week online training program followed by a field experience, participants were exposed to Bolman and Deal's organizational frames. Participants then created cased studies grounded in this leadership framework and based on the data that was collected during their field experiences. This study quantitatively analyzed the consistency with which each of the frames were used. From the 16 published case studies on the multi-institutional project's website, assessment questions were analyzed based on which frame/frames were being referenced. Findings from this study identified a similar use of each of the frames throughout all the case studies. Further research should be conducted to better understand each participant's comprehension of the organizational frames prior to the development of their case studies.
NACTA Journal
Despite an abundance of research in the past 20 years on the importance of teamwork in higher edu... more Despite an abundance of research in the past 20 years on the importance of teamwork in higher education, little data exists on what factors predict faculty self-evaluations of teamwork competence. This is important for leadership educators because as research on the science of team science has increased there has been a proliferation of different training programs for faculty in academia to improve collaboration, with little regard for what variables predict self-perceived teamwork skill. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect faculty self-evaluations of teamwork competence from a national sample of agricultural faculty. Regression analysis was used to determine what factors, identified as potentially important from prior research, predicted positive self-evaluations of teamwork competence. Results showed that discipline self-efficacy, feelings of impostorism, team participation, the presence of prior training, and gender were all significant predictors. The impl...
New Directions for Student Leadership
The modern era's wicked problems create an impending need to develop leaders through graduate... more The modern era's wicked problems create an impending need to develop leaders through graduate education, professional degree programs, and campus‐wide efforts. Shifts to leadership‐as‐practice and an eco‐leadership discourse may help transform leadership education and surface new signature pedagogies for the professions. How might the current reality drive leadership educators toward collaborative learning that aligns with these frameworks?
New Directions for Student Leadership
Games allow adult facilitators to develop youth participants’ leadership learning in a meaningful... more Games allow adult facilitators to develop youth participants’ leadership learning in a meaningful and educational way. When working with youth as the audience there are particular elements that need to be considered to guarantee applicable leadership development. This article discusses the model of youth leadership development, youth‐specific facilitation practices, as well as examples of games that can be integrated into leadership development programs.
Journal of Applied Communications, 2020
Technically Speaking: Technical Skills Needed for Agricultural Communication Baccalaureate Gradua... more Technically Speaking: Technical Skills Needed for Agricultural Communication Baccalaureate Graduates Technically Speaking: Technical Skills Needed for Agricultural Communication Baccalaureate Graduates
NACTA Journal • June 2018, Vol 62(2) Abstract Today’s college graduates must be prepared to think... more NACTA Journal • June 2018, Vol 62(2) Abstract Today’s college graduates must be prepared to think critically about complex global issues. Study abroad programs can be a great learning opportunity for students. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts a short-term study abroad experience had on students’ critical thinking. A reflective journaling process was implemented while on a study abroad program in Belize guided by the conceptual framework proposed by Roberts et al. Results revealed participation in a shortterm study abroad program to Belize focused on agricultural issues resulted in expression of critical thinking, although students did not demonstrate all types of critical thinking. Based on these results, recommendations for future short-term study abroad programs are provided.
Journal of Leadership Education, 2004
The focus of this paper is to provide the profession of volunteer administration (VA) a model out... more The focus of this paper is to provide the profession of volunteer administration (VA) a model outlining theoretical dimensions of the discipline. The dimensions provided include the (a) processes, (b) discipline, (c) foundations, and (d) theoretical base. Volunteer administration is the set of associated processes of operating a volunteer program. Included are a compilation of competencies identified by the Association for Volunteer Administration (2001) and 13 professionals that participated in a study conducted by Boyd (2002). The seven processes are Commitment to the Profession, Organizational Leadership, Systems Leadership, Accountability, Management Skills, Personal Skills, and Organizational Culture. The foundational disciplines are Leadership and Management, Community Development, and Teaching and Learning. Psychology and sociology provide the empirical evidence that supports the foundations and processes of VA. Professionals should look deeper into the theoretical base of VA, in order to develop and encourage focused research initiatives and academic curricula for volunteer administrators.
The Journal of Leadership Education
The Journal of Leadership Education, 2021
The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of leadership development as experienced ... more The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of leadership development as experienced by nongovernment organization (NGO) executive leaders in international agricultural development. Data were collected from twelve executive NGO leaders through in-depth interviews to understand the textural and structural essences of the participants' lived experiences of leadership development. Findings indicated the integral role of mentoring in leadership development prior to obtaining an executive leadership role and supported the conceptual model inclusive of mentoring as a mediating factor of efficacious leadership development. The study provided implications and future research recommendations for executive leaders in international agricultural development, as well as for leadership educators and practitioners.
Leadership Strategies for Success, 2012
Advancements in Agricultural Development
University faculty are charged with advising graduate students through their degree program and e... more University faculty are charged with advising graduate students through their degree program and equipping them with skills needed to conduct research, but there is limited literature that observes researcher identity development from student to tenured professor. Using self-efficacy as a guide, this phenomenological study examined the research journey of 19 university faculty to better understand the process of researcher identity development. Data were collected from faculty at three annual research conferences regarding four life stages: (1) first contact with research, (2) dissertation, (3) early-career faculty, (4) post-tenure and/or promotion. Findings indicated faculty navigate researcher identity crises following the transition from graduate student to faculty, and researcher identity must be self-identified before accepting external validation as a researcher. Adequate development as a researcher is imperative for graduate students to be effective future members of the acade...
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education
Throughout Latin America, increasing women’s leadership has been part of many development efforts... more Throughout Latin America, increasing women’s leadership has been part of many development efforts. However, extensive research on this topic, especially with rural indigenous women, is limited in the literature. Barriers and opportunities for women to participate in leadership within their communities and local organizations may be related to economic, psychological, and social factors that influence their personal empowerment. This study used mixed methods to explore multiple perspectives of community participation and leadership of two Lenca villages in the western department of Lempira, Honduras. The findings from this study provide insight into structural constraints on women’s leadership in the community, and how gender affects engagement in agriculture. The importance of this research is its applicability to agricultural extension practitioners working in rural communities where participation in traditional gender roles may create gaps in women’s opportunities to engage in dec...
NACTA Journal
Despite an overwhelming amount of research in recent years on the importance of mentoring in high... more Despite an overwhelming amount of research in recent years on the importance of mentoring in higher education, little data exists on what factors predict faculty self-evaluations of mentoring competence in agricultural faculty. This is important because as research on mentoring has increased there has been a proliferation of different training programs for faculty in academia to improve mentoring outcomes, with little regard for what variables predict self-perceived mentoring skill. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect faculty self-evaluations of mentoring competence from a national sample of agricultural faculty. Regression analysis was used to determine what factors, identified as potentially important from prior research, predicted positive self-evaluations of mentoring competence. Results showed that discipline self-efficacy, feelings of impostorism, average mentoring frequency, and prior mentor training were all significant predictors, while gender was alm...
Journal of Leadership Education, 2013
Teaching efficacy beliefs of agricultural science student teachers, and their relationship with t... more Teaching efficacy beliefs of agricultural science student teachers, and their relationship with their cooperating teachers during field experiences, are variables that may affect the number of student teachers entering the profession. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects implementing structured communication between student teachers and cooperating teachers on student teachers' selfperceived teaching efficacy, and the relationship between the student teacher and cooperating teacher. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a non-random sample in a multiple time-series design. The average respondent in this study was a 23 year old white undergraduate female placed at a multiple placement cooperating center. Based on data from this study, it was concluded that structured communication did not affect teaching efficacy or the relationship between the student teacher and cooperating teacher.
The Journal of Extension, 2012
Many Extension professional associations have had trouble getting members to participate in natio... more Many Extension professional associations have had trouble getting members to participate in national leadership opportunities. The study reported here examined the perception of members of a national Extension professional organization (NAE4-HA) regarding specific leadership actions. It found the single act of taking on a leadership position alters individuals' perceptions of leadership, directly driving their desires to be involved or not. Creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness with the general membership can greatly improve the quality of the leadership experiences these individuals have, reinforcing their desire to affiliate and identify with being part of an association at the national level.
Universities are being called upon to internationalize curriculum as the need for a globally comp... more Universities are being called upon to internationalize curriculum as the need for a globally competent workforce increases. Without globally-competent faculty, international integration within higher education cannot occur. Literature indicates that participation in short-term international agricultural education experiences is important to increasing agricultural faculty members’ cultural awareness. However, the best way to design and implement such experiences for faculty is uncharted. The purpose of the study was to identify best practices for facilitating a short-term international agricultural education experience for faculty in the agricultural and life sciences that encouraged learning, discussion, and reflection leading faculty to further integrate international perspectives in their agricultural courses in the U.S. Through a qualitative research design, reflective observations and statements from a planning team conducting a shortterm international agricultural education ex...
Journal of Leadership Education, 2008
Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. ... more Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. One such organization provides a week long leadership experience to high school students with its primary purpose being to guide students through a process of identifying a community need and developing a plan to address that need. This article reports on two qualitative case studies which investigate this leadership education tool and its impacts on the students' involved, as well as the participating communities. The Living to Serve plans (LTS), the capstone leadership education experience, which the students develop are used to help students understand the process of identifying problems and solving those problems through identified steps.
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2014
Flipping or inverting a course is a relatively new approach to structuring a course. Using this m... more Flipping or inverting a course is a relatively new approach to structuring a course. Using this method, the lectures traditionally delivered during regularly scheduled class time are converted to a media for delivery online, often in the form of videos. Learners are expected to view the online lectures prior to class. Then in turn, in-class time is used for a variety of application-type activities. This study documents participants' perceptions of flipping an agricultural education teaching methods course. Based on data from a focus group, we concluded that the participants thought the flipped classroom approach aided their learning of the teaching methods and the teaching and learning principles presented in the course. However, the participants offered numerous suggestions for improving the flipped classroom experience.
Advancements in agricultural development, Aug 20, 2023
Possessing leadership skills has been determined to be an essential requirement within the workpl... more Possessing leadership skills has been determined to be an essential requirement within the workplace. A multi-level leadership program was designed to help provide undergraduates with more exposure to leadership principles. The program team was created through the collaboration of multiple universities found within the southeastern United States. Through a 14-week online training program followed by a field experience, participants were exposed to Bolman and Deal's organizational frames. Participants then created cased studies grounded in this leadership framework and based on the data that was collected during their field experiences. This study quantitatively analyzed the consistency with which each of the frames were used. From the 16 published case studies on the multi-institutional project's website, assessment questions were analyzed based on which frame/frames were being referenced. Findings from this study identified a similar use of each of the frames throughout all the case studies. Further research should be conducted to better understand each participant's comprehension of the organizational frames prior to the development of their case studies.
NACTA Journal
Despite an abundance of research in the past 20 years on the importance of teamwork in higher edu... more Despite an abundance of research in the past 20 years on the importance of teamwork in higher education, little data exists on what factors predict faculty self-evaluations of teamwork competence. This is important for leadership educators because as research on the science of team science has increased there has been a proliferation of different training programs for faculty in academia to improve collaboration, with little regard for what variables predict self-perceived teamwork skill. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect faculty self-evaluations of teamwork competence from a national sample of agricultural faculty. Regression analysis was used to determine what factors, identified as potentially important from prior research, predicted positive self-evaluations of teamwork competence. Results showed that discipline self-efficacy, feelings of impostorism, team participation, the presence of prior training, and gender were all significant predictors. The impl...
New Directions for Student Leadership
The modern era's wicked problems create an impending need to develop leaders through graduate... more The modern era's wicked problems create an impending need to develop leaders through graduate education, professional degree programs, and campus‐wide efforts. Shifts to leadership‐as‐practice and an eco‐leadership discourse may help transform leadership education and surface new signature pedagogies for the professions. How might the current reality drive leadership educators toward collaborative learning that aligns with these frameworks?
New Directions for Student Leadership
Games allow adult facilitators to develop youth participants’ leadership learning in a meaningful... more Games allow adult facilitators to develop youth participants’ leadership learning in a meaningful and educational way. When working with youth as the audience there are particular elements that need to be considered to guarantee applicable leadership development. This article discusses the model of youth leadership development, youth‐specific facilitation practices, as well as examples of games that can be integrated into leadership development programs.
Journal of Applied Communications, 2020
Technically Speaking: Technical Skills Needed for Agricultural Communication Baccalaureate Gradua... more Technically Speaking: Technical Skills Needed for Agricultural Communication Baccalaureate Graduates Technically Speaking: Technical Skills Needed for Agricultural Communication Baccalaureate Graduates
NACTA Journal • June 2018, Vol 62(2) Abstract Today’s college graduates must be prepared to think... more NACTA Journal • June 2018, Vol 62(2) Abstract Today’s college graduates must be prepared to think critically about complex global issues. Study abroad programs can be a great learning opportunity for students. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts a short-term study abroad experience had on students’ critical thinking. A reflective journaling process was implemented while on a study abroad program in Belize guided by the conceptual framework proposed by Roberts et al. Results revealed participation in a shortterm study abroad program to Belize focused on agricultural issues resulted in expression of critical thinking, although students did not demonstrate all types of critical thinking. Based on these results, recommendations for future short-term study abroad programs are provided.
Journal of Leadership Education, 2004
The focus of this paper is to provide the profession of volunteer administration (VA) a model out... more The focus of this paper is to provide the profession of volunteer administration (VA) a model outlining theoretical dimensions of the discipline. The dimensions provided include the (a) processes, (b) discipline, (c) foundations, and (d) theoretical base. Volunteer administration is the set of associated processes of operating a volunteer program. Included are a compilation of competencies identified by the Association for Volunteer Administration (2001) and 13 professionals that participated in a study conducted by Boyd (2002). The seven processes are Commitment to the Profession, Organizational Leadership, Systems Leadership, Accountability, Management Skills, Personal Skills, and Organizational Culture. The foundational disciplines are Leadership and Management, Community Development, and Teaching and Learning. Psychology and sociology provide the empirical evidence that supports the foundations and processes of VA. Professionals should look deeper into the theoretical base of VA, in order to develop and encourage focused research initiatives and academic curricula for volunteer administrators.
The Journal of Leadership Education
The Journal of Leadership Education, 2021
The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of leadership development as experienced ... more The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of leadership development as experienced by nongovernment organization (NGO) executive leaders in international agricultural development. Data were collected from twelve executive NGO leaders through in-depth interviews to understand the textural and structural essences of the participants' lived experiences of leadership development. Findings indicated the integral role of mentoring in leadership development prior to obtaining an executive leadership role and supported the conceptual model inclusive of mentoring as a mediating factor of efficacious leadership development. The study provided implications and future research recommendations for executive leaders in international agricultural development, as well as for leadership educators and practitioners.
Leadership Strategies for Success, 2012
Advancements in Agricultural Development
University faculty are charged with advising graduate students through their degree program and e... more University faculty are charged with advising graduate students through their degree program and equipping them with skills needed to conduct research, but there is limited literature that observes researcher identity development from student to tenured professor. Using self-efficacy as a guide, this phenomenological study examined the research journey of 19 university faculty to better understand the process of researcher identity development. Data were collected from faculty at three annual research conferences regarding four life stages: (1) first contact with research, (2) dissertation, (3) early-career faculty, (4) post-tenure and/or promotion. Findings indicated faculty navigate researcher identity crises following the transition from graduate student to faculty, and researcher identity must be self-identified before accepting external validation as a researcher. Adequate development as a researcher is imperative for graduate students to be effective future members of the acade...
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education
Throughout Latin America, increasing women’s leadership has been part of many development efforts... more Throughout Latin America, increasing women’s leadership has been part of many development efforts. However, extensive research on this topic, especially with rural indigenous women, is limited in the literature. Barriers and opportunities for women to participate in leadership within their communities and local organizations may be related to economic, psychological, and social factors that influence their personal empowerment. This study used mixed methods to explore multiple perspectives of community participation and leadership of two Lenca villages in the western department of Lempira, Honduras. The findings from this study provide insight into structural constraints on women’s leadership in the community, and how gender affects engagement in agriculture. The importance of this research is its applicability to agricultural extension practitioners working in rural communities where participation in traditional gender roles may create gaps in women’s opportunities to engage in dec...
NACTA Journal
Despite an overwhelming amount of research in recent years on the importance of mentoring in high... more Despite an overwhelming amount of research in recent years on the importance of mentoring in higher education, little data exists on what factors predict faculty self-evaluations of mentoring competence in agricultural faculty. This is important because as research on mentoring has increased there has been a proliferation of different training programs for faculty in academia to improve mentoring outcomes, with little regard for what variables predict self-perceived mentoring skill. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect faculty self-evaluations of mentoring competence from a national sample of agricultural faculty. Regression analysis was used to determine what factors, identified as potentially important from prior research, predicted positive self-evaluations of mentoring competence. Results showed that discipline self-efficacy, feelings of impostorism, average mentoring frequency, and prior mentor training were all significant predictors, while gender was alm...
Journal of Leadership Education, 2013
Teaching efficacy beliefs of agricultural science student teachers, and their relationship with t... more Teaching efficacy beliefs of agricultural science student teachers, and their relationship with their cooperating teachers during field experiences, are variables that may affect the number of student teachers entering the profession. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects implementing structured communication between student teachers and cooperating teachers on student teachers' selfperceived teaching efficacy, and the relationship between the student teacher and cooperating teacher. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a non-random sample in a multiple time-series design. The average respondent in this study was a 23 year old white undergraduate female placed at a multiple placement cooperating center. Based on data from this study, it was concluded that structured communication did not affect teaching efficacy or the relationship between the student teacher and cooperating teacher.
The Journal of Extension, 2012
Many Extension professional associations have had trouble getting members to participate in natio... more Many Extension professional associations have had trouble getting members to participate in national leadership opportunities. The study reported here examined the perception of members of a national Extension professional organization (NAE4-HA) regarding specific leadership actions. It found the single act of taking on a leadership position alters individuals' perceptions of leadership, directly driving their desires to be involved or not. Creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness with the general membership can greatly improve the quality of the leadership experiences these individuals have, reinforcing their desire to affiliate and identify with being part of an association at the national level.
Universities are being called upon to internationalize curriculum as the need for a globally comp... more Universities are being called upon to internationalize curriculum as the need for a globally competent workforce increases. Without globally-competent faculty, international integration within higher education cannot occur. Literature indicates that participation in short-term international agricultural education experiences is important to increasing agricultural faculty members’ cultural awareness. However, the best way to design and implement such experiences for faculty is uncharted. The purpose of the study was to identify best practices for facilitating a short-term international agricultural education experience for faculty in the agricultural and life sciences that encouraged learning, discussion, and reflection leading faculty to further integrate international perspectives in their agricultural courses in the U.S. Through a qualitative research design, reflective observations and statements from a planning team conducting a shortterm international agricultural education ex...
Journal of Leadership Education, 2008
Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. ... more Many youth leadership organizations exist today and provide a variety of leadership experiences. One such organization provides a week long leadership experience to high school students with its primary purpose being to guide students through a process of identifying a community need and developing a plan to address that need. This article reports on two qualitative case studies which investigate this leadership education tool and its impacts on the students' involved, as well as the participating communities. The Living to Serve plans (LTS), the capstone leadership education experience, which the students develop are used to help students understand the process of identifying problems and solving those problems through identified steps.
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2014
Flipping or inverting a course is a relatively new approach to structuring a course. Using this m... more Flipping or inverting a course is a relatively new approach to structuring a course. Using this method, the lectures traditionally delivered during regularly scheduled class time are converted to a media for delivery online, often in the form of videos. Learners are expected to view the online lectures prior to class. Then in turn, in-class time is used for a variety of application-type activities. This study documents participants' perceptions of flipping an agricultural education teaching methods course. Based on data from a focus group, we concluded that the participants thought the flipped classroom approach aided their learning of the teaching methods and the teaching and learning principles presented in the course. However, the participants offered numerous suggestions for improving the flipped classroom experience.