Adult and Continuing Education Commons^™

Misleading Elevated Psa Following Recent Prostate Manipulation: A Case Report And Review Of Appropriate Psa Screening, Luis Salcedo, Catherine Matos, Mohammad Aqueel

Research Colloquium

We present a case highlighting the pitfalls of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing shortly after prostate manipulation. A patient with obstructive uropathy and acute kidney injury underwent Foley catheter placement and was subsequently found to have a PSA of 261 ng/mL. A prostate biopsy revealed no evidence of malignancy. This case underscores the importance of timing and indications for PSA testing in outpatient settings and reinforces current screening guidelines.

Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (Pctic): A Training Needs Assessment For Home And Community-Based Services In West Virginia, Ranjita Misra, A. Brianna Sheppard, Natalie Wilson, Megan C. Govindan, Matthew Myers, Amanda Acord-Vira, Steven Wheeler, Heather Henderson, Christena Ross, Laura Cooper, Rachel A. Goff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Person-centered, trauma-informed care (PCTIC) is a combined, holistic service model promoting the well-being and empowerment of trauma survivors.

Purpose: This study examined the PCTIC knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by West Virginia (WV) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) direct service professionals (DSPs) to serve clients that may have experienced trauma.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with diverse stakeholders (n = 32) from 19 organizations that provide HCBS services in all 55 counties. Interviews focused on identifying current training, needs and knowledge gaps, and priority areas for additional PCTIC training. ATLAS.ti software was used to manage and code. Validity …

Autonomous Instrumental Music Learning On An Online Platform: How Is Study Motivation Related To Engagement And Study Outcomes?, Kai Tuuri, Jukka Vahlo, Oskari Koskela

Visions of Research in Music Education

Musical instruments have been recognized as attractive targets of volitionally developed long-term engagement. However, in music education research, the significance of autonomy in fostering learning motivation has mainly been perceived through the prism of student-teacher interaction. Addressing this gap, this study shifts the focus towards an autonomous learner perspective embracing the learner’s volitional approach and interest in engaging with musical instrument learning. Through an analysis of a survey sample (N=215) involving participants’ experiences with an online music learning platform, the study explores participants’ study motives and their association with study engagement, alongside the subsequent learning and wellbeing outcomes. An exploratory …

Framework Integration In Academia: Moving From Theory To Practice, Lori B. Doyle, Kara S. Bratton, Timothy Young, Catherine Webb, Cari A. Chittick, Heather L. Vezner, Rebecca A. Stanton, Tanya M. Tarbutton

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Character education has been a point of focus and research in K-12 education dating back to the 1990s. The work of integrating a character-forward framework in higher education is now considered a beneficial and impactful practice. One university has successfully completed the initial work of integrating a servant leadership framework in the School of Education using an approach in line with the community of practice model. The authors of this paper work together and have each played a key role in not only the early stages but the ongoing phases associated with maintaining and improving. This theory-to-practice article begins with …

New Instructor Orientation: Preparing Faculty To Facilitate Online Courses, Heather J. Leslie Phd, Elizabeth Morgan, Ashley Kovacs

Learning Design Center: Staff Scholarship

This case study of a new instructor orientation describes a course to prepare faculty to facilitate courses in a university’s online programs. This case study provides a detailed description of the course, rationale for design decisions, theoretical and pedagogical frameworks that guided the design, and results from course participant and Academic Director surveys. Overall, course participants and Academic Directors rated this orientation highly and provided constructive comments for improvement. This case may provide ideas for other online learning design teams or institutions looking for an illustrative example of new instructor orientations to prepare faculty for facilitating online courses.

Mda At Your Service: I Need Help With Credentialing — Can The Mda Help?, Rachel Sinacola Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Q&A advises dentists to personally handle and fully comprehend all provisions of the credentialing process when participating with dental benefit companies, as it carries significant consequences. The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) offers resources such as a "Guide to Dental Benefit Contracts" and directs members to the ADA's CAQH-powered credentialing service, which streamlines the process of sharing credentials with multiple plans. Furthermore, MDA-endorsed PPO Negotiation Solutions provides an online guide outlining eight common pitfalls to avoid during the PPO credentialing application, including inaccurate submissions and neglecting updates, which can lead to costly delays and financial losses.

From Chatbots To Thought Bots: Teaching And Learning In The Age Of Ai, Stephen J. Mcconnell

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Dr. Stephen McConnell’s keynote address took place on Friday, October 18, 2025, at the 82^nd Annual NYSCA Conference. In this personal but scholarly discussion, Dr. McConnell explores how various AI technologies do more than “assist” us – they also socialize us. He describes and explains several case studies that were part of his course at New York University entitled “Communications and AI,” and provides us with ten principles for teachers and students to become active participants with the tools of AI.

Dr. McConnell is a media scholar whose research focuses on the intersection of AI, digital communication platforms and …

Differences In Peer Social Connections Between Traditional And Online Nurse Residency Programs, Tatum Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The anticipated retirement of baby boomer nurses by 2030 will intensify the global nursing shortage, a crisis that demands innovative strategies for onboarding and retaining new graduate nurses. Nurse residency programs (NRPs) are designed to ease the transition from student to practicing nurse, reduce turnover, and foster professional resilience. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many NRPs rapidly transitioned from traditional, in-person seminars to synchronous, online formats. This study explored differences in peer social connections between traditional and online NRPs, focusing on three constructs: sense of community, collaborative learning, and peer social support. Using a quasi-experimental, mixed methods approach, this secondary data …

Transforming Education Through The Cohort Model In Graduate Schools Of Education, Kristi Young, James R. Mixon, Dionne Williams, Danielle Williams

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

The cohort model has emerged as a transformative approach in graduate schools of education for fostering a collaborative learning environment, providing professional networking opportunities, increasing community, and fostering a sense of belonging. This analysis is framed within Mead, Vygotsky’s, and Wenger’s theoretical framework on the interconnectedness of social interaction and cognitive development. Increased engagement, learning opportunities, promoting student success, enhanced leadership development, and improved program components are noted benefits of utilizing the cohort model in graduate schools of education. These authors noted some challenges to the cohort model, such as group dynamics and cohesion, diversity and inclusion, rigid structure, pressure …

Developing An Instrument To Measure Teacher Attitudes Toward Multilingual Pedagogies, Lauren H. Ramers

Dissertations

In an increasingly globalized world, substantial numbers of multilingual learners occupy K–12 and higher education spaces bringing diverse linguistic resources that, when intentionally and appropriately leveraged, can significantly enhance English language learning outcomes. Multilingual pedagogies, which honor and build upon students' full linguistic repertoires, are essential for fostering equitable and inclusive learning environments. This quantitative exploratory study investigated teachers' attitudes toward multilingual teaching with the goal of developing a reliable survey instrument—the Multilingual Pedagogy Scale (MPS)—to measure how teachers perceive language learning in multilingual classrooms and what they report doing in their classrooms.

First, a review of the research helped …

Medical Students Trained In Emotional Intelligence Seem To Be More Apprehensive Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare, Austin P. Runde, Shambhavi Mishra, Marina Feffer, Ramzan Shahid

School of Medicine

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is becoming increasingly widespread. While AI has been touted to reduce burnout and improve outcomes, its potential to undermine the doctor-patient relationship has been recognized. It is not known what future physicians believe regarding AI in healthcare and whether formal training on emotional intelligence and resilience (EIR) affects their opinion. Our medical students were asked to anonymously and voluntarily complete a 12-item survey regarding the potential impact of AI on the doctor-patient relationship (IRB #219038). Results were summarized as means and standard deviations, stratified by whether students did (EIR⁺) or …

Understanding Black Students Experiences Through Faithcrit, P. J. Welch, Timothy P. Westbrook, Larissa Malone

Journal of Graduate Education Research

Abstract

Many faith-based higher education institutions have sought to improve the experiences of Black students. Yet, they often fail to understand Black students' unique experiences. What are the experiences of Black students at a Christian higher education institution? This qualitative study explores the experiences of Black students at one Christian higher education institution, focusing on their social experiences, retention strategies, and faith in their academic journey. Black alumni and current students were interviewed about Black students' experiences and retention at a Christian institution. This study utilizes the theoretical lens of FaithCrit, a new branch within critical race theory that delves …

August 29, 2025 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Addressing Psychosocial Barriers To Participation In People Experiencing Homelessness: An Occupational Therapy Workshop, Preston E. Bender

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project addressed the critical gap in occupational therapy education and practice regarding the psychosocial needs of people experiencing homelessness. Despite the occupational therapy profession’s emphasis on holistic, person-centered care, many occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students report feeling a lack of self-efficacy and preparedness to navigate the complex psychological, social, and systemic barriers that hinder occupational participation among this population. This capstone project aimed to address the perceived unpreparedness among clinicians through the creation of an 8-hour interactive educational workshop. The workshop is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation and informed by the Bridging the Transition …

Stress Management Is ‘In The Cards’ For Farmers And Ranchers: The Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum, Alison L. Brennan, Katharine Sutphen, Parker T. Webb, Michelle U. Grocke-Dewey

Journal of Extension

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers need practical, culturally appropriate stress management resources. The Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum (MWCC) is a novel approach to health promotion that relies on community facilitators to share stress management information using a customized deck of playing cards organized around specific wellness themes. We implemented and evaluated two facilitator trainings in 2023. Training participants reported increases in relevant knowledge, as well as improved confidence about leading mental wellness events. The MWCC is currently being adapted for use with additional, diverse audiences. Future research should explore the implementation and impact of this innovative health promotion modality.

Exploring 360 Immersive Videos And Tours In Extension Landscape Design Workshops, Margaret C. Hoffman

Journal of Extension

Immersive 360 technologies are increasing equity and inclusion, learning motivation and engagement of students in many educational disciplines. Extension stakeholders could also benefit from the use of this technology in educational settings. The affordability and ease of use adds a tool to the Extension repertoire to interest and engage stakeholders in the digital age. Surveys were conducted in two green industry workshops after the use of 360 immersive technology to determine the technology’s effectiveness and participant perceptions. Participants reported a positive response when assessing the technology as a learning tool and for ease of use.

Transforming Text To Images: Prompt Engineering Principles For Generative Ai Use In Extension, Paul Hill, Xue A. Dong, Aubree L. Miller

Journal of Extension

Generative AI (GenAI) systems facilitate the creation of visual images by utilizing extensive datasets to interpret text-based instructions. Effective prompt engineering is essential for optimizing the output of AI-generated images. This article examines various GenAI systems and their functionalities, explores text-to-image prompt engineering principles and their application in Extension work, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of visual content creation with respect to educational materials, data visualization, and promotional content. The article also provides guidance and examples to assist Extension professionals in leveraging GenAI for improved communication and engagement. Recommendations include crafting detailed prompts and continuously refining them for desired results, …

Evaluating Current Practices In Operative Nontechnical Skills Training And Feedback In General Surgery Residency: A Mixed Methods Approach, Madeline Cloonan

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Non-technical skills (NTS) are the interpersonal and cognitive abilities that are critical to accomplishing high-risk tasks. Deficiencies in NTS, including communication, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making, are linked to errors in the operating room. Structured training and feedback in NTS remain inconsistent and have not been integrated into daily training. This dissertation addresses this gap by evaluating current NTS training and feedback practices and developing a rubric to enhance the effectiveness of NTS feedback.

Methods: We conducted five complementary studies to assess current NTS training and feedback. The first was a systematic review aimed at identifying intraoperative NTS training interventions …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

Factors That Contribute To Occupational Burnout Among Occupational Therapists And Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants: A Qualitative Design, M'Kayla Davis, Kim Broussard, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project investigates the prevalence, contributing factors, and impact of occupational burnout and compassion fatigue among occupational therapists (OTs) and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) in inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Using a qualitative research design, structured interviews and thematic analysis, the study identifies heavy workloads, staffing limitations, emotional demands, and sleep deprivation as primary contributors to burnout. The research employs occupational adaptation theory to explore adaptive strategies practitioners utilize, such as boundary setting and seeking professional or interrelationship support, to mitigate these effects. Findings highlight the pervasive nature of burnout among participants on professional performance and personal well-being, and the …