Two Northwestern School of Professional Studies Faculty Members Earn Doctorates

July 17, 2023

Two Northwestern Oklahoma State University faculty members, Taylor Randolph, assistant professor of psychology, and Mark Zadorozny, assistant professor of health and sports science, recently earned their doctoral degrees.

Randolph (pictured left) earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in counselor education and supervision in May 2023 from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.

His dissertation is titled “Counselor Referral Attitudes and Predictors of Sexual and Gender Minority Counseling Competence: An Exploration of Practice Jurisdiction” and is a continuation of research that was published by McGeorge et al. (2016). According to his research, 62.7% of Licensed Marriage Family Therapists (LMFTs) identified they would refer a client to another person based on their sexual orientation. The American Counseling Association (2014) identified that LPCs cannot discriminate based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of a client.

“In my study, roughly 21% of participants identified it was appropriate to refer based on the sexual orientation or the gender identity of the client,” Randolph said. “There was a relationship between counseling competence and decisions to refer. Religious fundamentalism and Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) counseling experience also significantly predicted SGM counseling competence.

“However, this finding was expected based on previous research. Counselors, counselors-in-training, and counselor supervisors should work to increase competence for SGM clients as they face an increased risk of health, mental health, and quality of life disparities.”

Randolph is a Phillips University graduate who earned a Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Northwestern and a Master of Theological Studies from Phillips Theological Seminary as well. Before joining Northwestern’s full-time psychology faculty in 2016, he worked as a clinical director at Youth and Family Services in Enid. He has worked as a licensed counselor in Oklahoma since 2006 and worked in the mental health field since 2000. As a Northwestern assistant professor of psychology, he teaches courses in experimental psychology, research methodology and overcoming child trauma.

Zadorozny (pictured right) earned a Doctor of Education degree in administration and leadership in May 2023 from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany.

His dissertation is titled “A Case Study Exploring Teacher/Coach Role Conflict in Rural Schools Through the Lens of Occupational Socialization Theory.”

Zadorozny said the purpose of this study was to explore the challenges, barriers, and socialization factors involved when teaching in a core area and coaching at least one sport at one small, rural high school and one large, rural high school in the Central Southwest through a case study design. This research aimed to increase teacher/coach role conflict awareness among current and pre-service teachers/coaches, teacher education faculty, school administrators, and stakeholders.

“My study explored the impact of socialization factors and what successful strategies are necessary to minimize role conflict,” Zadorozny said. “I examined the consequential influences on teaching/coaching orientations, motivations, and role pressures. Five central themes emerged based on the cross-case analysis of the participants in this study: challenging to balance multiple roles, difficulty with compartmentalizing roles, the need for time management, role ambivalence, and role retreatism.”

Zadorozny said his findings suggest that the multiple responsibilities and socialization factors involved in both roles can lead to teacher/coach role conflict resulting in role retreatism (where one role is prioritized at the expense of another).

“The best part of completing my dissertation is knowing that my research and findings will benefit myself as well as other university teacher education preparation faculty and programs in their preparing future educators,” Zadorozny said. “I want to thank my girls, Audra and Ava, for always loving and encouraging me as well as my parents, Allen and Betsy, for believing in me from the beginning. I am thankful for my family, friends, Northwestern colleagues, and dissertation committee that helped make this dream a reality!”

Zadorozny is a Northwestern graduate who earned a Master of Education degree from Northwestern as well. Before joining Northwestern’s full-time health and sports science faculty in 2020, he taught health and physical education, science, and technology at various grade levels (K-12) in both public schools and career tech settings for a combined 12 years. During that time, he also coached football, basketball, softball and baseball. As a Northwestern assistant professor of health and sports science, he teaches courses in technical teaching of rhythms and aquatics, adapted physical education and technical teaching of individual/dual sports.

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CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
(580) 327-8480, eedavis@nwosu.edu