Dissertation Defense Announcements

The Context-Aware Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network (CA-CTGAN) introduces an innovative architecture for the generation of synthetic tabular data, distinguished by effectively incorporating context-specific elements into its generative process. This enables the production of synthetic datasets that not only accurately reflect real-world distributions but are also tailored to specific contexts across a variety of experimental domains, including laboratory, field, natural, and clinical experiments, as well as survey research. In many cases, CA-CTGAN can generate data suitable for research purposes, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for certain real-world experiments. By utilizing Transfer Learning the model effectively identifies and exploits complex semantic relationships within the data to ensure the implementation of rigorous contextual requirements and maintains high semantic integrity. Furthermore, a novel auxiliary classifier is implemented, which includes entity embedding and multi-class multi-label capabilities, enabling the creation of enhanced datasets that strictly adhere to the specified contextual requirements. These contributions position CA-CTGAN as a remarkably versatile and efficient tool across multiple scientific disciplines. Its ability to generate high-quality, contextually relevant synthetic data not only streamlines research processes and reduces associated costs but also addresses ethical concerns in sensitive studies. Consequently, CA-CTGAN emerges as an essential resource for researchers, facilitating more ethical, cost-effective, and data-informed experimental design and decision-making.

UNDERSTANDING CONSUMERS’ INTENTION TO ACT ON SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS’ COSMETIC SURGERY RECOMMENDATIONS

(Under the direction of Dr. Jared Hansen)

A growing concern is how social media is redefining how consumers view themselves and their choices to reshape their physical bodies. There is a stream of research that indicates that attractiveness is important to people. Some studies focus on the perceived benefits of attractiveness in their authenticity. A different stream has started to look at coolness. Other studies have focused on attractiveness and envy. This research combines all of these different reasons together, comparing how they work in tandem, with a new lens of focus: consumers’ views of the attractiveness, authenticity, and coolness of the social media influencer, and how those elements in tandem, in combination with envy, impact consumers' behavioral intention to do the things (e.g., cosmetic procedures or surgeries) recommended by the influencers. Additionally, it examines if potential envy antecedents of (a) attractiveness to improve job opportunities versus (b) attractiveness to ‘fit in' vary depending on the consumer life stage. I elaborate on implications for future research related to marketing and society, marketing managerial practice, and consumer well-being.

Keywords: Instagram; social media influencer; technology acceptance model (TAM); structural equation modeling; attractiveness; authenticity; coolness; envy; fitting in; career opportunities; cosmetic surgery

This qualitative study examines how Black women mid-level leaders navigate the superwoman schema. The findings extend Woods-Giscombé’s (2010) work by exploring the schema’s impact on Black women working in mid-level leadership administrative positions at HWIs. A descriptive phenomenological study was employed to understand and describe the lived experiences of Black women mid-level leaders and how the superwoman schema impacts work, leadership style, and personal care. The research questions addressed were: (1) How do Black women mid-level higher education administrators experience the superwoman schema at HWIs?; and (2) How do Black women mid-level higher education administrators respond to the superwoman schema at HWIs? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 Black women who identified with the characteristics of the superwoman schema, worked at a HWI, and served in a mid-level leadership role. Data were analyzed utilizing Colaizzi’s seven-step descriptive, phenomenological data analysis process (Appendix F). Findings from one-on-one interviews indicate Black women mid-level leaders experience the exhaustion of misogynoir and use resistance responses focusing on their personal advocacy and joy. In relation to the superwoman schema, participants were aware of their emotions, exhausted from external pressures to succeed without the proper resources, and committed to the preservation of self and survival. There was consistent commitment to help others and preserve the Black community while also finding community for themselves.

U.S. school achievement has been the subject of much discussion. In the case of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), the national underperformance across the country, as well as the underrepresentation of minorities are key issues (Anderson et al., 2023; Handelsman & Smith, 2016; National Research Council, 2015; The White House, 2017). Particularly, there is a small, but growing body of research on the low numbers of Black women in STEAM, and the Black girls' STEAM pipeline. Extracurricular STEAM programs have shown some success in increasing minority STEAM participation. As such, this dissertation seeks to investigate the following research questions: RQ1: How do online extracurricular STEAM programs created for Black girls serve as a potential counterspace to increase STEAM identity? RQ2: Are there identifiable features that exist in online extracurricular STEAM programs that are important for creating a counterspace for adolescent Black girls? Through a qualitative case study, this dissertation explored Black girls’ participation in online STEAM programs. The findings of the study reveal that the extracurricular STEAM programs helped to foster STEAM identities in young Black girls. The programs also helped students build a sense of community and created a safe space for Black girls. The study provides implications and recommendations for educators and policymakers who are interested in increasing minority STEAM participation.