Digital Commons Network^™

¡Más Fuertes Y Resilientes! Strengthening Latino Occupational Resilience Through Career-Focused Support Services At Texas Hispanic Serving Institutions, Claudia Cochran-Miller

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Latinos face many threats to their occupational resilience. Occupational displacement is looming due to technological advances that threaten jobs where Latinos are overrepresented such as in manufacturing, retail, construction, agriculture, and food services. As technological advances, labor practices, and other factors disproportionately affect the Latino population, more will be seeking better employment opportunities and will turn to higher education. Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) are in position to significantly impact Latino occupational resilience. This correlational study examines the various career-focused support services offered by HSIs and how they relate to post-graduation outcomes for Latino graduates. Career-focused support services include alignment-driven career …

Career Readiness Competencies Among First-Generation Undecided Students And Their Parents In The United States, Nicole M. Kotlan, Evan W. Faidley

Journal of Global Education and Research

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between first-generation status and the value of career readiness competencies of first-generation undecided students (n = 106) and their parents (n = 178), explored through social cognitive career theory and Bourdieu’s theory of habitus and social and cultural capital. A non-experimental design using a non-random sample revealed, through an independent t-test, statistically significant differences in global/intercultural competency among students based on their first-generation status. The results of a multiple linear regression analysis suggest that parents’ values are associated with students’ values and professionalism/work ethic; however, no relationship was …

Investigating The Impacts Of Facial Gestures On Global Participants’ Perception Of The Speaker, Perception Of The Message, Emotional Responses, And Engagement During Video Conferencing, Hanan Mohammed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Facial expressions play a crucial role in shaping communication and emotional understanding during virtual interactions. This study investigated how facial expressions influence participants’ perceptions of the speaker, perceptions of the message, emotional responses, and engagement during video conferencing across diverse cultural contexts. A hybrid experimental design was implemented using self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data and examine cause-and-effect relationships. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three facial-expression conditions Positive (smiling and joyful), Negative (angry or nervous), or Neutral (expressionless) and viewed speakers representing three ethnic backgrounds: White American, Black American, and Middle Eastern. Using a seven-point semantic differential scale, …

Employers’ Perceptions Of Workplace Readiness Skills, Tabitha S. Young, Natalie K. Ferand

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Employability skills are continually changing, and the workforce provides the transparency needed for the success of business employment. Workplace readiness skills and human capital theory form the backbone for organizational success and sustainability. This study examined employers’ perceptions of workplace readiness skills at the expected proficiency level of an entry-level employee, the average level of skill for an entry-level employee, and the level of importance of the skill to their industry. The Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills have impacted employers and prepared students for the workplace. The results indicated that the workplace readiness skills mentioned in the literature align with the …

Exploring Human Centered Design Thinking To Develop Career And Technical Education (Cte) Programs For Incarcerated Individuals: Development And Pilot Of A Faculty Survey Instrument At A Utah Technical College, Taija Jackson, Michael Pate

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) institutions are confronted with growing demands to improve efficiency while boosting student outcomes and achieving performance metrics for funding. As enrollment competition grows and funding sources change, technical colleges are looking to develop new programs and identify untapped student populations such as incarcerated individuals. Instructors of postsecondary CTE technical programs often bring industry experience but typically lack formal teaching training unlike their secondary CTE instructors which may create variable teaching success and impacts both teacher confidence and student achievement, especially for at-risk populations such as incarcerated individuals. This research explores faculty perspectives on human-centered …

Preparing Confident Elementary Mathematics Teachers: Addressing Anxiety, Building Fluency, And Strengthening Practice., Amber Diamond Pendleton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation, presented in three articles, examines how elementary preservice teachers (PSTs) experience and develop as mathematics learners and future educators when methods coursework deliberately integrates mathematical reasoning with affective supports. Collectively, the studies investigate how research-informed instructional design may help address mathematics anxiety (MA), mathematics teaching anxiety (MTA), procedural fluency, and instructional practice. The first article, written for practitioners and elementary mathematics teachers, illustrates how well-established instructional routines, such as number talks and student work analysis, can be facilitated to support procedural fluency in multiplication. Using classroom vignettes, this article highlights instructional moves that make structure visible, promote strategy …

A Comparision Of Teachers' Ratings Of Published Versus Ai-Generated Descriptions Of Evidence Based Practices In Education., Lora T. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The persistent gap between educational research and classroom practice continues to limit teachers’ use of evidence-based practices (EBPs), despite strong empirical support and federal mandates encouraging their implementation. A key barrier to closing this research-to-practice gap is the limited accessibility, usability, and perceived relevance of traditional research dissemination formats. With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of summarizing and restructuring complex information, this study examined whether AI-generated practitioner-oriented descriptions of an EBP would be rated differently from a published practitioner article on the same practice. Using an experimental cross-sectional survey design, 70 in-service teachers were randomly assigned …

Understanding Social And Cognitive Influences In Medical Students' Learning Processes For Step 1: An Interpretivist Case Study., Ashley Elaine Triplett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative interpretivist case study explores, at a singular institution, medical students’ perspectives on the social and cognitive factors influencing the learning process as students prepare for the Step 1 examination. While prior research regarding medical students Step 1 preparation have focused primarily on wellness, stress, and career outcomes, limited studies have examined medical students' lived experiences to navigate what occurs during the learning process while they prepare for this critical exam. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, this dissertation draws on fourteen student interviews, seven that passed Step 1 on their first attempt, and seven that failed. Findings reveal …

Behavioral Manifestations Of Childhood Abandonment: African-American Men's Reflections And Strategies To Support Teenage Boys In K-12 Education, Jarmel Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the behavioral manifestations of childhood abandonment as reflected in the lived experiences of African-American men and to identify strategies that may support African-American boys in K–12 educational settings. Although there has been limited documentation regarding the direct connection between childhood abandonment and behavioral challenges in school environments, this study seeks to address that gap by capturing the reflections of African-American men who experienced abandonment during their formative years. These reflections provide insight into how abandonment may shape behavior in educational spaces and what types of interventions or supports might have made a …

Educator Perceptions Of Mindfulness Education In Rural Elementary Schools In Tennessee, Mary C. Shepherd-Mcgown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine educator perceptions of mindfulness instruction and the alignment of school policies in rural elementary schools in Tennessee. Despite growing interest in mindfulness in education, few studies have investigated how these practices are experienced and implemented within under-resourced, rural contexts.

Guided by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT) and framed conceptually by the Whole-School Mindfulness (WSM) model, the study explored how social, organizational, and policy factors influence the adoption of mindfulness practices. SLT provided a theoretical lens for understanding how educator behaviors are shaped through observation, modeling, and reinforcement, while the WSM framework …

The Development Of Teacher-Student Relationships In The Elementary School Setting And Their Influence On The Whole Child, Jana H. Kline

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship students have with teachers can influence their social development, behavior, and academic performance. Some teachers naturally build positive relationships with students while others may not realize the importance or know how to build them unless specific strategies are given. The purpose of this phenomenological, qualitative research study was to examine teacher perceptions of the development of relationships with students in the elementary school setting and their influence on the whole child.

To address this purpose, data collection strategies included individual interviews with elementary school teachers. Analysis of data involved transcribing interviews and line-by-line coding. Themes regarding teacher-student relationships …

Perceptions Of Practitioners: An Examination Of Practices For Retention And Support Of Special Education Teachers, Megan L. O'Dell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains a critical challenge in public education, particularly among special education teachers who face unique legal, instructional, and emotional demands. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of current and former K–5 special education teachers to better understand the practices and resources that influence their decision to remain in or leave the profession. The central research question investigated how leadership, professional learning, and working conditions shape teacher sustainability in special education roles. Twelve participants, including six currently employed special education teachers and six who had exited the profession, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed five major themes: …

"That Was Something I Had To Get Used To”: Communication Challenges Of African Graduate Teaching Assistants, Mohammed Hafiz Nabila

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the communication challenges and adaptive strategies of African Graduate Teaching Assistants (AGTAs) in U.S. higher education, focusing on East Tennessee State University. The study aimed to understand how AGTAs navigate linguistic, cultural, and institutional barriers in their teaching roles. Using semi-structured interviews with seven participants, data were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify key patterns and meanings. Findings revealed challenges related to accents, cultural adjustment, and limited institutional preparation. Faculty mentorship played a vital role in shaping AGTAs’ confidence, interpretation of challenges, and professional growth. However, lack of support often led to isolation and self-doubt. The …

Mountain Communities During A Time Of War: A Case Study Of The Hutsul Region In The Carpathian Mountains Of Ukraine, Pavlo Rybaruk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the ethno-ecological technologies employed by the Hutsul people within the highland agrarian economy of the Carpathian Mountains. Over centuries, the Hutsuls have developed ethno-ecological technologies that maintain ecological integrity while supporting community livelihoods.

The study addresses three primary research questions: What are the most important ethno-ecological technologies of the Hutsul highland economy? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be applied to economic, agricultural, and tourism development in the Hutsul region? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be combined with contemporary approaches to encourage sustainable development in the region?

The research explores the devastating impact of the Russian …

Perceptions Of Choral Teachers On The Characteristics Of A Secondary Choral Program, Nathan Dale Rhea

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of choral teachers on the characteristics of a successful secondary choral program. The study focused on the main characteristics of excellence, success, and sustainability. The literature showed that there was a significant amount of research on the music curriculum, standards, and various assessment strategies but minimal research on perceptions on the characteristics of excellence, success, and sustainability of a choral music program at the secondary level.

Data collection strategies included individual interviews of eight participants who were choral music educators. The analysis of data occurred through the lens of the …

Exploring The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction And Servant Leadership In Community Corrections: A Probation Officer’S Perspective, Shamira B. Gambrell

Education Doctoral

Probation officers work in demanding environments marked by high caseloads, role conflict, and organizational pressures that can negatively affect job satisfaction and workforce stability. Leadership practices at the frontline supervisory level play a critical role in shaping these experiences, yet limited empirical research has examined servant leadership within community corrections. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between probation officers’ perceptions of servant leadership demonstrated by their direct supervisors and their level of job satisfaction.

Data were collected from probation officers affiliated with departments connected to the American Probation and Parole Association using an anonymous …

The Need For Mentorship For Black Women Ascending To C-Suite Position In Nonprofit Human Service Organizations: A Qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Nkem Norris

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of five Black women who ascended to C-suite positions within nonprofit human service organizations. This study sought to understand how these women navigated systemic barriers, developed leadership identities, and leveraged or lacked mentorship opportunities throughout their professional journeys. Drawing on intersectionality theory, the research examines how race and gender intersect leadership trajectories, access to mentorship, and systemic barriers. The research highlights the critical importance of culturally responsive mentorship, inclusive organizational practices, and intentional leadership development strategies. This study offers actionable insights for nonprofit leaders and …

Using Behavioral Skills Training To Teach School Staff To Implement Functional Communication Training, Megan Johnston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This project looked at how to train school staff in effective strategies for supporting students with disabilities who engage in challenging behaviors like hitting, self-injury, or crying. We taught three school staff members to use a behavioral intervention called Functional Communication Training (FCT), which helps students learn more appropriate ways to communicate their needs, while also ensuring they do not gain access to reinforcement for challenging behaviors. Staff were trained using Behavioral Skills Training (BST), a step-by-step approach that includes instructions, modeling, practice, and feedback. After the training, the school staff were able to use these strategies correctly, and the …

Toward Personalizing Quantum Computing Education: An Evolutionary Llm-Powered Approach, Iizalaarab Elhaimeur

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Quantum computing education faces significant challenges due to its complexity and the limitations of current tools. This thesis introduces a novel Intelligent Teaching Assistant for quantum computing education and details its evolutionary design process. The system combines a knowledge-graph-augmented architecture with two specialized LLM agents: a Teaching Agent for dynamic interaction and a Lesson Planning Agent for lesson generation. The system is designed to adapt to individual student needs, with interactions meticulously tracked and stored in a knowledge graph. This graph represents student actions, learning resources, and their relationships, aiming to enable reasoning about effective learning pathways. We describe the …

Grounded & Connected: Enhancing Mental Health Literacy And Resilience Among Transfer College Students, Alyson Morgan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college transfer students experience poor mental health, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation. Recent findings show that transfer students face unique stressors related to adjusting to a new campus environment and often struggle to access support services (Center on Transition Innovations, 2023). Although many students recognize the signs of deteriorating mental health in themselves, they may not know how to seek help or use healthy coping strategies. To address this need, I created an 80-minute workshop for transfer students at Modesto Junior College to address the lack of awareness of mental health struggles, the different stressors of …

Influence Of Rec-Connect On Youth Physical Activity: A Multi-Year Look At Behavior Change, Cailyn A. Van Camp, Bree Bode, Jocelyn Hayward, Lauryn Lin, Nicole Jess, Marci Scott

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Background: Physical activity (PA) engagement in youth is associated with numerous health benefits. However, youth PA behaviors are influenced by a complex set of factors including school and community environments and broader societal influences. Rec-Connect^TM is a community-based intervention that aims to impact PA behavior in youth. Purpose: To assess changes in youth PA behavior across multiple years of Rec-Connect^TM implementation. Methods: SNAP-eligible youth [aged 8 to 17 (n=261, matched)] who participated in Rec-Connect^TM completed a pre and post survey to assess PA knowledge and behavior change. Educators completed implementation fidelity logs. Descriptives were conducted to examine …

Graduate Physical Therapy Students Perceived Benefit Of Prior Anatomy Experiences Following Their First Semester Graduate Physical Therapy Anatomy Course, Austin Alexander

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Human anatomy stands as a cornerstone prerequisite for admission into graduate-level Physical Therapy Programs. As such, prior anatomy experiences need to prepare students for success in graduate-level coursework. However, studies have demonstrated that undergraduate anatomy courses vary in their ability to predict success in graduate Physical Therapy anatomy coursework. This research aimed to utilize students' perceptions of their undergraduate anatomy experiences to predict grades in graduate-level Physical Therapy anatomy coursework. The multinomial logistic regression in this study revealed that the absence of perceived preparedness was a significant predictor of membership in the C graduate anatomy grade group. Students who did …

Advocacy At The Front Door, Tenisha S. Hill

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project examines how integrating social work practices into the jail intake process can strengthen support for clients represented by the Public Defender’s Office. The project focuses on understanding the challenges clients face at the earliest point of contact often marked by trauma, instability, and limited access to services and how a social-work-informed approach can improve outcomes. Through direct observation, interviews with staff, and review of intake procedures, the project identifies key gaps in assessment, communication, and referrals. Findings highlight the need for more holistic intake practices that address clients’ social, mental health, and resource needs alongside their legal …

Fostering Social-Emotional Development And Understanding In A Preschool Environment, Kaya Jensen

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Teaching young children about friendship is crucial for fostering healthy development, building self-esteem, and helping them navigate their world. Friendship aligns with social-emotional development and children’s abilities to create and maintain peer connections. Early friendships are significant for children’s moral development, increasing attention to fairness, sympathy, and helpfulness (Dunn et al., 2000). Children who do not learn how to build friendships risk isolation and miss out on valuable life lessons, such as cooperation, empathy, self-esteem, and social skills that reduce stress and promote well-being. In order to address the issue, I delivered two lessons about friendship to preschool children at …

Enhancing Emotional Regulation Skills In Kindergarteners, Erica C. Ayers

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Kindergarten-aged children often have trouble regulating their emotions because emotional regulation is a complex process to comprehend and manage. The development of emotional regulation is crucial in this developmental stage because it sets the child up for academic, career, and social success in life (Schlesier et al., 2019). Failing to learn successful regulation can have negative effects on mental well-being and social behaviors. Therefore, it is essential to teach kindergarteners emotional regulation. For this purpose, I developed two workshops that promoted self-awareness, cognitive reappraisal, and versatility among kindergarteners (4 to 5 years old) at Brookside Christian Little Learners in San …

Bridging The Digital Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy In Florida's Ged® Education Program, Nicole Howard-Rice

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This dissertation addressed the critical need for mandated digital literacy courses in Florida's General Educational Development (GED®) programs. As digital skills become increasingly essential for success in education, employment, and daily life, GED® recipients often face significant disadvantages due to a lack of digital proficiency. The findings revealed positive results between digital literacy and employability, emphasizing the transformative potential of integrating digital skills training into GED® curricula. The research highlighted the barriers to acquiring digital skills faced by adult learners, including limited access to technology, varying skill levels, and insufficient instructional support. This study advocated for curriculum updates that align …

Impact Of Structured Internal Medicine Pharmacotherapy Education In Improving Pharmacist Readiness In Transitioning To An Academic Medical Center, Jude Pierre, Erika Dittmar, Heidi Clarke, Radhan B. Gopalani, Stephanie Palma

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Baptist Hospital of Miami (BHM) is transitioning to an academic medical center by starting medical residency training in July 2025. As healthcare systems expand, pharmacists must ensure safe medication dispensing and provide real-time clinical decision support. To support this transition, a structured internal medicine pharmacotherapy curriculum was developed to refresh clinical knowledge and enhance confidence among experienced clinical pharmacists.

Methods: A single-site, Institutional Review Board-exempt, quality improvement project was conducted at BHM. Inclusion criteria included Clinical Pharmacists 2s (primarily decentralized pharmacists with ≥ 1 year of pharmacy experience at BHM) who completed a structured pharmacotherapy curriculum from January 2025 …

Exploring 2d Geometric Shape Classification Using Ai-Driven Feature Tables In Mathematics, Yasemin Gunpinar, Woonhee Sung

Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explored the effectiveness of an AI-integrated instructional task designed to enhance preservice teachers' understanding of the features and hierarchical relationships of 2D geometric shapes. Originally developed and tested in online K-12 professional development settings, this intervention was adapted for in-person preservice teacher education context in this study. Data were collected from 17 preservice teachers through demographic surveys, pre- and posttests using the Van Hiele geometry framework, hierarchical diagram tasks, feature table creation during the intervention, and postintervention reflections. Findings indicated a statistically significant improvement in the accuracy and complexity of postintervention hierarchical diagrams, along with a descriptively higher …

Investigating Programming Behaviors To Understand Student Engagement And Experience In Introductory Programming Courses, Marcus Eugene Gubanyi

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Introductory programming courses are foundational to developing students’ problem-solving abilities and shaping their persistence in computing pathways. Engagement with programming tasks plays a central role in student learning and experience. Many research measures, including self-reports and code submissions, offer only a limited view of student engagement with programming tasks. This dissertation leverages programming process data, consisting of keystrokes and compilation events, to capture the programming process as it unfolds and to investigate observable programming behaviors. Guided by educational theories, three studies examine how students’ programming behaviors vary across instructional and assessment contexts, how they relate to motivational profiles, and how …

Impacts Of Biology Modeling Pedagogy On Student Cogitive And Non-Cognitive Elements Of Learning., Jessie K. Newhouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation employed a quasi-experimental design used to investigate the use of a modeling pedagogy in high school biology. Modeling is a key element of the Science and Engineering Practices of the Next Generation Science Standards. While research of Model Based Pedagogy (MBP) in physics and chemistry is well established, the influence on biology instruction remains less understood. This research examined how MBP affected both cognitive and non-cognitive components of student learning compared to traditional biology instruction. Existing data collected by Dr. Kathy Malone in collaboration with Ohio State University (2016) were analyzed to study the effectiveness of the MBP. …