EDAD grad Kane awarded for dissertation, selected ACE Fellow



EDAD grad Kane awarded for dissertation, selected ACE Fellow

11 Apr 2016    

Cindy Kane, a December 2014 Ph.D. graduate from the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has been awarded with the Dissertation of the Year Award from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI). Her dissertation, titled “Finding a Place for Scholarship in Campus Activities,” studied factors of integrating scholarship and practice, identifying obstacles and influences related to career preparation, professional institutions, and other issues.

“After all that work, it’s really great to know my research might be useful to the field,” said Kane, who is director of student involvement and leadership at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. “It’s great validation and I hope that it contributes something positive.”

On April 13, she was also named an ACE Fellow with the American Council on Education. Designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration, the ACE Fellow program includes opportunities to observe and participate in key meetings and events, take on special projects, participate in seminars, visit other campuses and develop a network of higher education leaders across the U.S. and abroad. Only 33 ACE Fellows were selected nationwide this year.

Kane’s doctorate in education studies with an emphasis in educational leadership and higher education was mostly completed online through the College of Education and Human Sciences. “Because I completed my degree via distance, it taught me to be an independent scholar and practitioner,” said Kane. “UNL had a great balance of challenge and support when I needed it. Completing my degree gave me a high level of confidence.” 

The ACUI dissertation award recognizes outstanding dissertation research in the field of college unions and student activities. Selection is based on writing quality, significance and relevance of research, quality and significance of literature review, research design, implications for practice and significance of findings. Kane has also been invited to publish her research in the “ACUI Bulletin.”

Brent Cejda, Educational Administration department chair, served as Kane’s dissertation chair.


College of Education and Human Sciences
Educational Administration