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Anne E. Funke, Ed.D., is a 2024 graduate of the Ed.D. program in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University.

Dr. Anne E. Funke

Dissertation Committee:

  • Dr. Gary Delanoeye, Chairperson, Ed.D
  • Dr. Susan Stillman, Ed.D
  • Dr. Liza Johnson, Ed.D

Keywords

emotional intelligence, student-athletes, Success Factors, well-being

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

In this dissertation, I explore the emotional intelligence (EQ) competencies of 19 female student-athletes at one Division III institution. College students are suffering from a collective brain health crisis in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). Students’ social and emotional needs and skills have continued to steadily decline. Colleges have a responsibility to prioritize the social-emotional health of all students above performance and achievement. Student-athletes in particular face unique challenges and pressures that non-athlete students do not. Managing time commitments of athletic schedules and coursework, navigating publicity and increased attention, and facing pressure to perform well in sports and academics are just a few of these unique challenges. Female athletes have historically been under-recognized compared to male athletes and there is a lack of scholarship examining the intersection of being a student, an athlete, and a female. There is existing research that explores the student-athlete experience, yet few of these studies focus on Division III institutions, female athletes, or how EQ helps to identify factors that contribute to well-being and success both in and outside the sporting arena. The central inquiries of this research are: (1) What trends are observable in the emotional intelligence competencies of Division III female college athletes? (2) What do their emotional intelligence competencies reveal about their Well-being success factor specifically? (3) How can college campuses continue or improve the provision of support for female collegiate athletes? In this study, I listened to students’ voices, using an explanatory mixed methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data to explore well-being and EQ. This study’s theoretical foundation is grounded in the Six Seconds EQ-in-Action framework and influenced by Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Vansteenkiste, 2023). The implications of this study are threefold: leveraging EQ as a learnable strategy for measuring and improving well-being, building a more comprehensive understanding of the female collegiate athlete experience and ultimately, offering ways in which campuses can more effectively meet their needs. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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ORCID No.: 0009-0003-1712-734X

Bio:

Anne Funke has spent over a decade working in higher education that has included career advising, teaching courses focused on vocation, developing purpose, and emotional intelligence, as well as wellness through the practices of yoga and mindfulness. Anne currently serves as a faculty member and the Director of World View Studies at the University of Dubuque, completed her EdD through Antioch University with an emphasis on Social Emotional Learning. Anne is a passionate advocate for brain health and emotional intelligence, particularly in college student populations, as well as the practices of mindfulness as a modality of well-being.

Publications and Presentations:

Johnson, L. D., & Funke, A. (2024, November 12-14) SEL goes to college: Creating a common language on a college campus [Poster presentation]. SEL Exchange, Chicago, IL, Unites States. https://sel-goes-to-college-ud.my.canva.site/resources

Funke, A., & Baus, A. (2019). Preparing students to foster collaboration in a multi-generational workforce. Career Developments Magazine, (6-9).

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