Digital Commons Network^™

Our Stories: Black Parents’ Experiences At K-12 Predominantly White Institutions, Jason Thompson

Dissertations

Black parents of Black children attending K–12 predominantly White institutions (PWIs) often experience stress as they navigate school environments where they may be perceived as uninterested, combative, or “token” members of the school community. These deficit-based perceptions can cause Black parents to limit school interactions, question whether their perspectives will be valued, and develop distrust toward school personnel. Although research has examined Black students’ experiences in PWIs, fewer qualitative studies have centered on Black parents’ stories. Capturing these experiences in parents’ own words helps challenge harmful stereotypes and offers schools, especially school counselors, deeper insight into strengthening relationships with Black …

Behind The Curtain Of The Faculty Job Interview Process, Russell T. Johnson, Natalia Sánchez

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Securing a faculty position is the final milestone for many individuals completing their PhD or postdoctoral training. However, navigating the academic job market can feel like a full-time endeavor, which often has to be balanced alongside tasks like manuscript preparation, dissertation completion, or grant applications. Despite extensive training in research and teaching, many candidates report feeling underprepared for the multifaceted and often hidden nature of the faculty interview process. Furthermore, seeking guidance about this process can be intimidating for some, as individuals may lack access to a career development mentoring team. As part of the 2024 American Society of Biomechanics …

An Evaluation Of The Nebraska Ffa Launch! Program, Miranda M. Hornung

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this program evaluation was to discover the experiences of entrepreneurial education received in the Nebraska FFA Launch! Program in relation to future decisions for high school students about entrepreneurship. The Launch! Program aims to provide an educational experience for youth to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and view entrepreneurship as a possible career pathway. This focus addresses the opportunity to potentially help solve the issue of brain drain in rural Nebraska communities. A program evaluation was conducted by story harvesting from past participants through Zoom interviews to understand personal experiences and takeaways from their time in the Launch! …

National E-Criteria In Finnish Higher Education: A Tpack-Informed Policy Analysis, Ejike Okonkwo

Essays in Education

Responding to calls for a deeper understanding of contextual factors shaping learning, this paper examines the Digivisio 2030 e-criteria, a recently introduced national higher education quality framework designed to enhance digital pedagogy. Document analysis was used to examine five key features of the e-criteria: research-based, modularity, diversity, accessibility, and availability. The findings reveal that the e-criteria function as structural enablers, offering non-prescriptive guidelines that support reliable and user-friendly digital environments, flexible course design, inclusive teaching practices, equitable access to learning resources, and ongoing reflection on pedagogical processes. These findings are interpreted through a deductive approach using the Technological, Pedagogical, and …

Teaching With S2scc-Ai: A Practical Framework For Sport Management Classrooms, Kimberly D. Bynum, Wendy T. Gillis

The COSMA Journal

ABSTRACT

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, are radically changing how higher ed students approach their college learning experience. These shifts are especially impactful in undergraduate sport management programs, where employers expect graduates to demonstrate teamwork, critical thinking and digital literacy skills. As AI becomes embedded across sport industry functions such as event operations, marketing, analytics, and fan engagement, higher ed pedagogy must evolve to reflect the professional contexts students are preparing to enter. In this paper, Student-to-Student Co-Creation enhanced by AI (S2SCC-AI) is advanced as a practical, COSMA-aligned pedagogical framework for leveraging …

Developing Pediatric Educational Resources For Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Students And New Employees, Alyssa Gottheiner

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

For occupational therapy students, the fieldwork education portion of their curriculum allows them to apply theory and principles learned in their academic program into practice with actual clients (Occupational therapy fieldwork education, 2022). Research indicates the benefit of access to resources and adapting to different learning styles in occupational therapy fieldwork education (Grenier, 2015). Research also indicates that training programs for new healthcare employees can positively impact knowledge, skills, and performance (Patel et al., 2023).  However, there is a lack of research on the availability and benefit of supplemental educational resources for students to access during fieldwork education in pediatric …

Development Of The Automated Verification And Validation System For The Improvement Of Operations Of Morehead State University's Dss-17, Austin S. Music

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Engineering Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science by Austin S. Music on April 16, 2026.

Wmu Board Of Trustee Board Meeting, Thursday April 16 2026, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes (February 12, 2026 and March 10, 2026)

Remarks by the Chair of the Board

Remarks by the President

Updates by the Faculty Senate President

Updates by the Western Student Association President

Updates by the Graduate Student Association President

Investing in WMU’s Future: Collaborating with University Advancement

WMU/AAUP Scholarship for First Generation Students

Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• WMU Non-Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policies

Consent Items

• Liquor License: College of Aviation, November 6, 2026
• Utility Easement from Consumers Energy: Valley Oaks
• Scholarship or Endowment Amendment – Bernadine P. Carlson
• Curriculum Proposals …

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 9, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Toward A Local Governance Model For Green Building Regulation: Lessons From A Philippine City, Mikaela Amihan S. Arrosa, Aileen V. Lapitan

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

The study analyzed local governance in implementing green building regulations in a city in Metro Manila, Philippines, through a case study. Compliance rates were calculated by comparing projects with Green Building Compliance Certification to those with Green Building Pre-Compliance Certification issued by the city. The Delphi method explored environmental sustainability implications of compliance, while key informant interviews and policy landscape analysis identified the factors affecting Green Building Code management. Fewer than half of the pre-compliance and construction permit holders also received occupancy certificates. Three rounds of the Delphi method were conducted, resulting in consensus on recommendations to enhance governance mechanisms …

Code-Switching Practices In The Nile Delta: A Comparative Study Of Linguistic Fluidity Among Gen Z And Gen X Efl Learners, Wesam Khairy Morsi

English Language and Literature

This study investigates code-switching as a form of linguistic fluidity among Egyptian EFL learners, focusing on how language practices are shaped by proficiency level, socio-cultural background, and generational positioning. Drawing on a convergent mixed-methods design, the research combines survey data from 154 participants with semi-structured interviews conducted with speakers from Generation Z and Generation X. Rather than treating code-switching as a random or deficient practice, the study situates it within established sociolinguistic theories that view language choice as socially meaningful, ideologically loaded, and deeply connected to identity construction. The findings reveal that advanced learners, particularly younger urban speakers, tend to …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Staff Council Meeting, April 2026, Marshall University Staff Council

Staff Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Grizzly, April 16, 2026, Renee Washart, Adam Denn, Sidney Belleroche, Cassidy Denning, Dylan Mchugh, Erin Ewing, Erik Groff

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Graml Announced as President • Ursinus Dance Program Shift • Paige Dickerman '28 Receives St. Andrews Scholarship • Strusowski's Second Year Surge • From Player to Coach: Ursinus Alum Ryan DiVergilis • Opinion: The Missing LINQs • Ursinus Golf Swings for Improvement in 2026 • Ursinus Tennis Teams Tear Through Non-Conference Play

Investigating Racial Bias And Attribution Error In Grading Student Performance, Tony Reibel, Rachel Roegman

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Standards-based grading (SBG) is a relatively recent alternative model of grading designed to increase the reliability of grading while reducing the influence of teacher biases that can distort student evaluations. This study investigated whether SBG mitigates race‑related bias and attribution errors through a mixed‑methods 3×2 factorial vignette experiment with in‑service teachers. A total of 219 teachers scored the same student essay using a common SBG rubric and provided a 1-4 proficiency score, a binary evaluation concerning success criteria and written feedback. “Learning profiles”– a description of the student’s current and past abilities – varied by tone (positive, negative, none: name-only) …

Book Review: Abortion Pills: Us History And Politics, Sydney Elaine Brammer

Feminist Pedagogy

N/A

A Black Feminist Perspective On The Role Of Community Engaged Pedagogy In Communication Education, Katrina Marie Overby, Nickesia S. Gordon

Feminist Pedagogy

As two Black feminist communication scholars, we reflect on the importance of intersectional and culturally responsive community engaged pedagogical practices in communication education. In this paper, we articulate the ways in which integrating community engaged pedagogical practices more intentionally in our curriculum, positions communication educators to participate in and contribute to advocacy based teaching that centralizes reflexivity, dialogue, critical literacy, and alliance building. Rooted in bell hooks’ theory of engaged pedagogy, our approach advocates for educators to articulate a pedagogy of Conscientizacao and to create curricula that teach us all to transgress.

Parental Conceptions On The Causes Of Neurodevelopmental Disorders In The United Arab Emirates, Mariam Mohammed Ali Aljaberi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

When no verified causes are pinned to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), individuals construct their own beliefs based on their own context. Some studies aimed at unfolding these beliefs globally, yet a gap remained in examining this in the United Arab Emirates context. This study investigated Emirati parents' causal conceptions of NDDs across health, genetic, environmental, and religious domains between parents of children with disabilities and parents of typically developing children. This study implemented an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design, as the data was collected in two subsequent phases where the qualitative phase's exploratory findings informed the creation of the quantitative …

Evaluative Trialing: A Grounded Theory Of Preservice Speech-Language Pathologists’ Learning Processes With Speech-Generating Devices, Elizabeth M. Leatherman, Stacy Gasvoda, Jane R. Wegner, Nancy C. Brady

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Although preservice SLPs are required to receive training in AAC as part of their preparation, there is limited understanding of what teaching and learning methods are effective in developing preservice SLPs’ competence in this area, including their competence with AAC systems. This study explored how preservice SLPs engage in hands-on learning experiences with a speech-generating device (SGD). Fifteen undergraduate students majoring in speech-language-hearing completed a brief online introductory module on AAC and then engaged in a think-aloud task with an SGD. Qualitative analysis was used to develop grounded theory that explained students’ hands-on learning process. The emerging theory revealed a …

From Stories To Speech: Cultivating Cultural Competence And Linguistic Awareness In Future Slps, Alexis Lawton

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This manuscript reports on a pilot study examining how storytelling and linguistic diversity may cultivate cultural competence in graduate students in speech-language pathology (SLP). Through engagement with traditional folk tales, students explored the cultural significance of narratives and the linguistic features that shape them. The assignment emphasized adapting stories for diverse audiences while highlighting culturally relevant vocabulary, dialectal variations, and the complexities of language use. Facilitated discussions following student presentations prompted reflections on how these elements influence communication and understanding. Preliminary findings suggest that narrative exploration can foster both cultural and linguistic awareness, equipping students with emerging skills to provide …

Benefits And Barriers: Csd Faculty Attitudes Toward Student Accommodations, Erika Squires, Lori A. Pakulski, Celeste Domsch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: Academic accommodations in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) have been explored via university websites and surveys of clinical educators, but little is known about CSD faculty attitudes toward accommodations in higher education. This study explored the types of accommodations faculty report and the benefits and barriers they encounter in doing so.

Method: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study design was used to survey CSD faculty and instructors about the types of accommodations used by CSD students and the benefits and barriers associated with accommodations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ responses. Qualitative analyses were used to identify themes on benefits …

Ethically Integrating Ai In Occupational Therapy Education: Enhancing Learning And Practice For The Future, Amy Sadek, Sabrina Gowette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around since the 1950s and is gaining traction in higher education and among health care professions. In this era of technology, it is imperative we equip both educators and students to have tech centric skills to support learning, improve efficiency, and enhance skills. Faculty and students alike need to be able to understand the ethics behind using digital information, such as that from AI tools and sources. As educators and students become more reliant on technology, and specifically AI, it is imperative not to lose the human connection in education. Educators are an integral part …

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy And Career Duration In Former Professional American Football Players: A Literature Review, Malik I. Watson, Chase Forbes, Bhavik Singh, Etop Udoh, Kévin Borgella, Jonathan Mosley, Erik Zarandy

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Background:

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head trauma and has been increasingly identified in former contact sport athletes, particularly American football players. Although the relationship between repetitive head impacts and CTE has been well documented, the role of career duration as a measurable exposure variable remains an important area of investigation. Understanding this relationship may provide clinically useful insight for primary care physicians responsible for longitudinal monitoring of individuals with extensive athletic exposure.

Methods:

This literature review examined published studies evaluating the relationship between football career duration, cumulative head impact exposure, and neuropathologic …

A Holistic Assessment Of Osteopathic Medical Student Well-Being And Self-Perceived Levels Of Happiness, Stress, And Satisfaction With Life, Brittany A. Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the well-being of medical students and identify the primary factors influencing their well-being. In this manuscript-style dissertation, the empirical article assesses the well-being of medical students through the dimensions of wellness and investigates the significance of differences between each dimension and self-perceived levels of happiness, stress, and satisfaction with life. The practitioner article provides recommendations to practitioners to further support the well-being of osteopathic medical students. The sample for this study was medical students at an osteopathic medical school in the Philadelphia region. Data was collected using seven validated survey instruments: …

Building Connections For Care: A Practical Guide For Novice Nursing Professional Development Practitioners, Debra Hunt

Student Dissertations

Building Connections for Care is a practical textbook designed to support novice Nursing Professional Development Practitioners (NPDPs) as they transition from expert bedside clinicians to educational leaders within complex healthcare systems. Grounded in the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) practice model, the book integrates ethical foundations, communication strategies, leadership frameworks, and inquiry methods to build confidence and competence in the NPDP role. Chapters trace a developmental pathway from role transition and Benner’s novice-to-expert model through ethics and just culture, incivility and workplace culture, and communication skills including feedback, SMART goals, SBAR, and professional digital conduct. Subsequent chapters expand NPDP …

Spectrum, Volume 56, Issue 9, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Lil Yachty and Loud Luxury Spring Into Campus -- DHS Shutdown Impacts Travel -- SHU Dance Program Welcoming Auditions -- CLLAs for Pioneers That Make a Difference -- Furry Friends Make the Purr-fect Companion -- Fighting for the Post Season

2026 Celebration Posters Map, Morehead State University. Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.

2026 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Genai In Visual Communications And Management, Savannah Davidson, Siriporn Peters

2026 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Improving Communication Between Hospital Staff: A Quality Improvement Project, Timothy Emerson, Bailey Ledford, Gracie Meade, Hadley Mellenkamp, Grace Nourse, Zander Osborne, Savannah Tackett, Suzi White

2026 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Comparitive Analysis Of Ai-Generated And Human-Created Advertisements In Marketing Communications, James Mann, Bradlee Stethen, Vivek Madupu

2026 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

2026 Celebration Of Student Scholarship Program And Abstracts, Morehead State University. Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.

2026 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.