Date
7-22-2025
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Matthew Ozolnieks
Keywords
COVID, organizational development, Federal employee, training, professional development, United States Federal Government, Learning Organization
Disciplines
Education
Recommended Citation
Coley, Nathaniel D., "Exploring Sustainable Learning and Development Strategies for Federal Employees: A Case Study of Pedagogical Approaches" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7236.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7236
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to discover the sustainable pedagogies and curriculum for Federal employee educational programs that help ensure that Federal employees are consistently prepared to serve the public interest at United States Federal Government agencies. The central research question guiding this study was: How can pedagogies and curriculum for Federal employee educational programs ensure that Federal employees are consistently prepared to serve the public interest at United States Federal Government agencies? The theory of organizational development guided the study as it describes the interdependence between the success of Federal agencies in achieving their missions to provide critical services to United States citizens. The study methodology included a qualitative bounded single case study design approach for examining the experiences at least fifteen Washington D.C.-based and remote Federal employees who represent the stakeholders of various Federal Government agencies. The purpose was to identify themes and develop a detailed understanding of the central phenomena of traits that lead to sustainable pedagogical and curriculum strategies. Data collected during the study included interviews, educational program documents, website data, and other artifacts. Analysis of the data involved triangulating the data sources to uncover common themes that informed the research. Participants articulated six overarching themes related to their perceived experiences with Federal employee training programs. Subthemes permeated these major themes. The finding pointed to a matrix of opportunities to improve the quality of educational programs for Federal employees.
