Date of Award
8-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Executive Leadership
First Supervisor
Dr. Angela Clark-Taylor
Second Supervisor
Dr. Gilbert Louis
Abstract
This study examines generational differences between Generation X and Millennial nonprofit managers in perceived employer investment in professional development and preferred learning delivery modality. Grounded in Knowles' (1980) theory of andragogy, the study addresses two research questions using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design. A sample of 66 nonprofit managers (35 Generation X, 31 Millennial) from a major northeastern U.S. metropolitan area completed an online survey using the Professional Development Short Scale (PDSS; Mourão et al., 2014) and a ranked-preference measure of learning modality (in-person, hybrid, virtual). Results indicated no statistically significant difference between Generation X (M = 5.85, SD = 0.81) and Millennial managers (M = 5.58, SD = 1.20) in perceived investment (p = .403, p = .290). Findings suggest that while Generation X and Millennial nonprofit managers perceive their employer's investment in professional development similarly, they diverge meaningfully in how they prefer that investment delivered. Implications for nonprofit training design, evidence-based instructional practice, and future research directions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Pereles Jr., Raul Antonio, "Perceived Professional Investment Differences and Learning Modality Preferences between Generation X and Millennial Managers in Nonprofit Organizations" (2026). Education Doctoral. Paper 661.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/education_etd/661
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