Date

9-17-2026

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)

Chair

Ireremena FelixOtuorimuo

Keywords

After-school programs, Out-of-school time programs, Faith-based youth programs, faith-based youth community programs, nonprofit after-school programs, Leadership development

Disciplines

Educational Leadership

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative embedded multiple-case study was to explore how leaders at a faith-based nonprofit community center cultivated after-school programs that supported the development of youth life skills. The theory guiding this study was Burns’ transformational leadership theory, which explains the behaviors youth leaders fostered to create a supportive learning environment in after-school programs. The central research question explored how transformational leadership practices influenced the development of youth life skills in a faith-based nonprofit community center. The case study design enabled the researcher to explore how life skills developed naturally within the community center setting. The sample of 10 participants included willing participants who met the study criteria: at least one year of leadership experience and at least six months of experience in a faith-based nonprofit organization. The setting was in multiple after-school programs managed by the Coastal Community Center (pseudonym) in two southeastern coastal counties. This study used three data collection methods, semi-structured interviews, observations, and document reviews to explore how community center leaders fostered a supportive learning environment. Alongside the coding process, the data analysis was informed by Burns’ transformational leadership theory. This lens helped the researcher emphasize an in-depth, comprehensive exploration of leadership strategies and behaviors that cultivated an environment supportive of youth development.

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