Date Approved

4-29-2026

Embargo Period

4-28-2028

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ed.D. Educational Leadership

Department

Educational Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Monica Reid Kerrigan, Ed.D

Committee Member 1

Ane Turner Johnson, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Jacob C. Farbman, Ed.D.

Keywords

Heuristic Inquiry;Organizational Citizenship Behaviors;Professional Staff;Role Ambiguity;Role Strain;Staff

Abstract

Professional staff working in community colleges in New Jersey comprise a large portion of the total staff count, but professional staff overall have been among the least studied groups of education professionals. As community colleges are evolving to change to meet the needs of a 21st Century student and funding challenges, professional staff are more often relied on to fill the gaps for extra workload when positions are not filled due to retirement, turnover, or strategic reorganizations, with these extra tasks not listed as part of their job descriptions. Since these staff members will want to do what is best for their departments and institutions, they will take on these tasks knowing they are not recognized or compensated for them. Four themes were identified during the course of this study that highlighted the lived experiences of the staff members, and they were personal initiative and dedication, coping strategies, job expectations, and day-to-day workplace culture. Over time, these extra-role tasks will begin to strain the staff member, putting them in an ambiguous position regarding their actual job responsibilities, leaving them with role ambiguity and role strain.

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Available for download on Friday, April 28, 2028

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