Education Commons^™

From The Arab World To The United States Of America: The Wellness Of Arab Graduate Women Studying In The U.S., Mariam Mostafa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The pursuit of higher education symbolizes a profound and transformative journey, particularly for international students who embark on the path of studying abroad. This dissertation undertakes an in-depth exploration of the well-being of Arab women pursuing their graduate studies in the United States (US), emphasizing four crucial dimensions of wellness: social, mental/emotional, physical, and financial well-being. Employing a qualitative research methodology, this study delves into the multifaceted experiences of this specific student population and investigates how these experiences impact them. Through a series of interviews and rigorous qualitative analysis, we illuminate the distinct challenges and opportunities that Arab graduate students …

Improving Student-Athlete Mental Health Through Wellness Check-Ins, Emma Erin Strasberger

Culminating Experience Projects

Mental health is an urgent topic in higher education as many college students are feeling an overwhelming sense of stress, anxiety, and depression. A population of students that significantly struggles with their mental health but does not utilize campus mental health services are student-athletes. Many student-athletes have reported wanting to reach out for help with their mental health, but they do now want to due to the stigma that seeking help makes an individual appear weak. This project explores the recent research regarding access to mental health services among collegiate student-athletes and how removing those barriers can encourage this population …

Educating The Whole Child: Using A Holistic Education Approach And Mindfulness In The Classroom, Julie Strittmatter

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Throughout this thesis I will outline how the current school system creates considerable gaps in developing happy, healthy, and fulfilled individuals. Since I believe the purpose of a democratic education is to help all people reach some level of self-actualization, I will explore how schools can and should tend to the basic needs of children as a foundation for their learning experience. By investigating the purpose of schools and the purpose of educators, I will argue the importance of taking education beyond the world of academics to tend to the physical, emotional, and social bodies of all students and the …

Eat Well, Be Well: Basic Needs Initiative's Online Hub For Nutrition Education, Misha Moseley

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Basic Needs Initiative at California State University, Monterey Bay is a department that provides students with food, housing, and wellness resources. Over half of the university's students experience food insecurity, and over 85% use non-academic resources to learn about nutrition. This project adds a dietary health section to the department’s website to increase students’ access to nutrition education. It addresses the micro-level agency problem that too few students eat a healthy, balanced diet. Unhealthy eating is a risk factor for food insecurity, so the project indirectly addresses the macro-level health problem that too many college students in California experience food …

Evaluation Of A High School Wellness Center, Malka S. Moya

Theses and Dissertations

High school students are often burdened with academic, home, and peer stressors. With adolescent mental health issues and suicide on the rise, administrators have worked with nonprofits and the community to solve these problems. School-based wellness centers are tranquil rooms for students to decompress for up to 20 minutes during the school day with various sensory activities, calming nature scenes, and sounds for relaxation purposes. Wellness centers are meant to be a haven for self-regulation so students can come back to class with a calmer frame of mind. So far, there has not been a formal evaluation of school-based wellness …

Exploration Of Creativity, Leadership, And Entrepreneurism: Reflection And Participation In A Unique Holistic Military Transition Fellowship With Dog Tag Inc., Valerie-June Button

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Leaders and Entrepreneurs change the world. How might we best help them to inspire positive change? Perhaps by recognizing that the positive change that leaders and entrepreneurs drive starts with the hearts and minds of humans. Being mindful of this can open doors to new creative leadership/entrepreneurial development practices and have a positive butterfly effect on the world we live in. The purpose of this project is to observe, reflect and document the experience of participating in a uniquely holistic entrepreneurship hands-on fellowship as it relates to creativity and leadership development. The fellowship is a five-month program that exists to …

A Student Conduct Administrator’S Journey To Wellness, Corie Amanda Marie Mccallum

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation research chronicles my experiences with emotions and learning as a student conduct administrator throughout the arduous process of investigating, becoming, and transforming by engaging sociocultural theory. Grounded in Authentic Inquiry (Tobin, 2006), this research centers my lived-experience and nuances the role of emotions in student affairs and especially student conduct practices. Throughout this dissertation I address themes surrounding reflexivity (Bourdieu, 1992), emotions (Turner, 2002) (Collins, 2004), and self-care. Each chapter is interpretive and impressionistic and represents my thinking as a researcher and conduct administrator. Throughout the chapters I narrate salient events and experiences in my student conduct practice …

Cards On The Table: A Practicum Experience Aiming To Bridge The Gap Between Otterbein's Athletes And Mental Health Services, Asha Wallace

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this practicum was to help bridge the gap between Otterbein’s athletic population and mental health services. Previous research has discussed the potential barriers to student athletes seeking mental health assistance from their institution, including by not limited to lack of time, stigma, education, and negative past experiences. A barrier for receiving care for DIII athletes, specifically, is access. It has been noted that, due to limited resources, Otterbein does not have a mental health professional designated specifically to its athletes. There are, however, a variety of resources both on and around campus that can increase the mental …

Examining Self-Care Practices From A Sytemic Perspective: Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Hispanic Female Counselors In Rural New Mexico, Melissa C. Henry

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) explored the experiences of Hispanic female counselors in rural New Mexico conceptualization and practice of self-care and wellness. The aim of the study was to understand the systemic, environmental, and cultural factors that reinforce and prevent resilience and wellness. Data consisted of two interviews: one structured hour-long demographic interview and one semi-structured hour-long interview related to the participant’s experience of identity, professional counseling, and self-care. Participants included 9 Hispanic women practicing professional counseling and living in various rural communities in New Mexico. Six main themes identified systemic, environmental, and cultural strengths and barriers for participants …

The Moderating Effect Of Intraoffice Group Dynamics On The Ambulation Of Sms-Prompted Utah Tech Professionals, David Collins Moore

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research examined the extent to which group membership affects the impact of text message activity prompts on daily step count. Two 17-member convenience samples were recruited from various software companies in Utah. The participants in the cohesive group unit sample worked in close proximity to one another in a single office, while the lone participants were recruited from and worked in separate offices. Participants’ daily step count baselines were established during the initial 2 weeks of the experiment, after which they were sent text message activity prompts twice per workweek day for the remaining 4 weeks. Step count data …

Fostering Sustainable Wellness Practices Through Programming For Residential Education Staff At The University Of San Diego, Edith Velasco

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to focus on supporting staff at the University of San Diego (USD). This includes resident assistants, community directors, and graduate students taking on the role of assistant community directors to develop resilience in the form of tangible tools and resources to provide recommendations for office policies and procedures to prevent burnout. The department of residential education (ResEd) is primarily student facing at the USD, so my goal was to focus on the residential life staff experience who directly manage communities of students residing in on-campus housing. I found residential life jobs have a high …

Sleep Hygiene Practices And Subjective Well-Being As Predictors Of High School Students' Obtaining Sufficient Sleep During The School Week, Erin M. Brennan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sleep is critically important to human health. However, the quantity and quality of sleep can vary within and among individuals over time, affecting overall wellness. Adolescence is a critical time for development, both for physical health, as well as health-related behaviors and habits. Physical health is known to be influenced by health-related behaviors such as sleep hygiene, which promotes good sleep. Physical health and engagement in health-related behaviors also are known to influence other aspects of well-being, namely subjective well-being, or happiness. Adolescents are often characterized by their changing sleep needs, patterns, and habits. This study is a secondary analysis …

Obesity Prevention Toolkit To Combat Weight Gain Related To Sedentary Behavior And Dietary Habits In College Students: An Evidence-Based Project, Maria Amos, Martha Fuller

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Forty percent of the US population ages 20-39 are categorized as obese,

their BMI is over 30, and 35% of college age students are obese or overweight. Issues related to obesity cost the US $147 billion annually. Between 40%-50% of college students are reported to be inactive. Inactivity can lead to increased morbidity and mortality related to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal issues, and depression. Providing dietary and physical activity education and access to nutritional information promotes behavior change in young adults.

Aims of Service Change: This evidence-based project proposal aims to provide a toolkit …

Appreciating Empathy: How Writing Center Collaborations Inform Leadership Development For Student Wellness And Success, Hugo Werstler

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my action research project was to understand the practice of collaboration within the University of San Diego’s Writing Center as an emerging leader in Higher Education. The goal of this study was to explore the benefits of empathy and relationship development as practiced by the Writing Center to develop leadership strategies for other campus organizations that regularly interact with the institution’s student population. Using several research cycles of Appreciative Inquiry, I observed that the Writing Center functions as a stellar example of collaboration, focusing on peer-to-peer writing consultations with an emphasis on student empathy and relationship development. …

Avi & U.S And Hungary Healthcare, Khyla Jones

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The American Virtual Institute began as an opportunity to teach Hungarian high school students about American Culture in different areas of life. These meetings were to occur every Saturday over Zoom, starting in October of 2020. There were 14 different presentations, dispersed among the 3 AVI members to present on their corresponding day. AVI participants and Hungarian successfully collaborated to obtain more knowledge on each country through this practicum in regard to wellness, leadership, and understating culture.

American Virtual Institute: The Covid Practicum, Mitchell Stotler

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The American Virtual Institute: The COVID Practicum is a practicum experience focused on presenting to Hungarians and other international attendees about American wellness, leadership, and lifestyle. This practicum experience was completed entirely online via Zoom, Google Meets, and Facebook Live over the 2020-2021 academic year.

The Emerging Science Of Wellness In The College Writing Curriculum, Peggy Suzuki

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation argues that the college writing curriculum – and indeed any educational program---would benefit from an emphasis on human wellness and the arts. Wellness consists of one’s emotional, social, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and vocational well-being. Additionally, students’ environmental circumstances, like home life, finances, diet, exercise, and work obligations play a huge role in balancing personal health, especially in marginalized communities. Since one’s physiological and psychological connection impacts one’s identity and health, improving writing in the classroom requires holistic and creative approaches for rewiring individual thinking. I draw from positive psychology, where concepts like complex optimism and positive emotions nurture …

[W]Hole Health, Maudlin, Kimberly Williams-Roberts

Education Projects

Since the onset of COVID-19 during the early part of 2020, business owners and leaders have mostly focused on keeping their doors open amidst lockdowns and social distancing mandates. After over a year into the pandemic, the world is slowly opening up, despite the imminent threat of the virus. As we continue to adjust to this “new norm,” business leaders now must look at how these changes have and will affect their employees. The continuation of this process includes finding ways to provide the much-needed support to employees by way of improving wellness programs. Despite the availability of vaccinations, businesses …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Lived Experiences Of Workplace Burnout, Wellness, And Resilience In Independently Licensed Private Practice Counselors Who Operate Their Own Practice While Maintaining A Caseload Of Clients, Sara Lynne Thaxton

Dissertations - ALL

Private practice counselors who own their practice are unique from agency practitioners in that they function as both counselor and business owner. Therefore, these counselors must work to find a balance between the human aspects of practicing and the logistical business components of owning and operating a practice. The combination of these two roles can pose unique threats to a private practice counselor’s wellness and how they experience of burnout and resilience - which may differ from agency counterparts. Although resilience and burnout experiences and practices in agency and community counselors are prevalent in the literature, there is a lack …

Exploring School Counseling Students’ Unpaid Internship Experiences In Their Personal Lives, Tatiana Eggum

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Research by Foss and Kelly, that graduate students face specific challenges in their lives due to multiple roles that they partake in as a student, professional, and family member (2017). The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the impact of unpaid internships on school counseling students’ personal lives by asking about their financial, social, and emotional experiences. The research focuses on school counseling students that are in an accredited program by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and are currently participating in an unpaid internship. After seven days the survey was deactivated and …

Measuring The Accessibility Of Mississippi High Schools' School Wellness Policy Documents, Samikshya Thapa

Honors Theses

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern and its

prevalence is increasing. Since children spend much of their time in schools, programs available in this setting can play an important role in promoting student health and reducing obesity. With the purpose of addressing childhood obesity, the U.S. Congress passed the Healthy Hunger Free Kids (HHFK) Act, 2010, which strengthened the mandate and regulations for schools to develop and implement School Wellness (SW) policies put into place to promote students health. Transparency and accessibility of SW policies among schools and public communities are important and required for the development …

Sport Clubs And Wellness: Analyzing The Impact Being A Sports Clubs Member Has On The Dimensions Of Wellness, Michael Anthony Brito

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how a student's wellness is impacted through participation in sport clubs. This was done at a division three public institution with a Campus Recreation department, which offers 45 sport clubs. This study was conducted during the spring 2020 semester at Rowan University by distributing an online survey. The survey focused on gaining information about their sport club experience and the impact on occupational, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical dimensions. As well as understanding the factors that may affect their wellness.

The findings of this study showed a high positive impact to …

Healthy Behaviors For Healthcare Workers, Nicole Mccullough

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

ARC Healthcare is a health technology contracting company that handles provider network development, software development, and healthcare consulting for large health plans and provider partners. ARC Healthcare is providing contracts to health providers in region 4 states to allow our focused, confidential client to make additional referrals to the providers who agree to the contract through a community care network. Patients who have been referred by the client will then be able to be seen by providers of countless practices and specialties.

ARC Healthcare partnered with the Ignite Health Foundation to organize health fairs for underprivileged communities during my time …

Oh, The Places You’Ll Go: A Journey Through Ohiohealth Home Care, Holly Williams

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This project focuses on the OhioHealth Home Care Practicum with Heather McDavid the Director of Finance and Interim Director of HME (Home Medical Equipment). OhioHealth Home Care has five business lines. These include Home Health, HME, Palliative Care, Hospice, and IV infusion.

There are multiple Home Care locations that enable access to these resources. These locations include, The David P Blom Administrative Complex (The BAC), The Preserve, The HME Warehouse, Riverside Hospital, The Westerville Medical Campus, The Marion HME Offices, The Mansfield HME Offices, and The Dublin Methodist Hospital.

The purpose of this project is to understand processes and decision …

Ohiohealth Employer Services, John Groeber

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Employer Services is one of the many divisions within OhioHealth. The division’s focus is to improve the health and wellness of different employers. This includes onsite clinics, health screenings, flu shots, fitness and nutrition programming, and tobacco cessation programs. OhioHealth offers biometric screenings to employers to determine how healthy employees are. The number of risk factors an employee determines their health insurance. OhioHealth’s 2 largest companies are Nationwide Children’s Hospital and OhioHealthy. Part of these biometric screenings includes screening for tobacco. These cotinine results are stored in a physical book that they bring to different biometric events. The majority of …

Ohiohealth Benefits & Wellness Practicum, Rebecca Gallagher

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

OhioHealth incorporates programs and training for their employees in order to keep them healthy and fit, the program is called OhioHealthy. This project seeks to understand corporate wellness and the programs or practices that can be used in order to promote this wellness.

A Teacher Educator's Narrative Journey Into Mindfulness, Al-Karim H. Gangji

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this manuscript style research study, using multiple approaches and multimethodology, I explore mindfulness and wellness in my college conceptual physics classroom designed primarily for pre-service elementary teachers. This high-stake science course is a pre-requisite class to enter the elementary education program. The subject of physics let alone science, creates high level of anxiety and intense emotions. Over the past three decades, mindfulness has gained an exponential popularity in many fields including education. Mindfulness involves one’s ability to pay attention to the present moment. As a tool, mindfulness raises an awareness of intense emotions that often accompany teaching and learning. …

Leading Well: Anesthesiology Program Directors As Servant Leaders And Their Development Of Resident Wellness Programs, Amy Noel Dilorenzo

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Anesthesiology residents are at significant risk of developing serious issues during training including burnout, depression, and substance abuse. Recent accreditation requirements mandate that these well-being issues be addressed by residency training programs. Program directors, as the leaders of residency programs, are charged with protecting the wellness of residents and leading wellness initiatives. The program director role can be well-described in a servant leadership construct because they are charged with caring for the individual needs of their residents.

This dissertation is a report of a mixed-methods study that explores anesthesiology program directors’ self-perceptions as servant leaders and their efforts to lead …

Wellness And Self-Care Of Counselor Education And Supervision Doctoral Students, Andrew Michael Plath

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the wellness and self-care experiences of current counselor education and supervision doctoral students in CACREP accredited doctoral programs. Data were collected using the FFWEL-A2 inventory, two additional Likert agreement scales, two drop-down menus, and two open-ended questions. A total of 118 participants completed the survey. Total wellness scores on the FFWEL-A2 were higher than the norming group. Self-care data were grouped by strengths and challenges. Themes within strengths included individual activities, social activities, awareness, and overcoming guilt. Themes within challenges were time, lack of motivation or energy, expectations, perceptions of …

Holistic Student Development In Higher Education: Perspectives And Practices Of Holistic Student Development At A Public California University, Francisca Ann Crutchfield

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Within traditional American public colleges and universities, there is an emphasis on academic student success within the structures and values of educational programs, and the lack of a holistic approach to higher education may be negatively impacting college student development and well-being. By balancing academic knowledge with other areas of knowledge, including a heightened sense of community and mental and emotional well-being, higher education can cultivate students who apply their skills with reduced stress, a sense of belonging, and freedom of expression. This qualitative phenomenological study seeks to identify characteristics, educational priorities, and programming approaches of university student service programs …