Digital Commons Network^™

United In Preparing The Prepared: Insights From The 2024 State Of The Special Education Profession Survey For Higher Education, Jennifer J. Lesh, Mary Lynn Boscardin, Julie Bost

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

Dr. Jennifer Lesh, associate professor in the College of Education and 2020 past president of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), joined 2019 former president Mary Lynn Boscardin and current president Julie Bost. Together, they presented their findings from the 2024 State of the Special Education Profession Survey at the CEC Teacher Education Division conference. Their session, "United in Preparing the Prepared," highlighted urgent challenges and opportunities in higher education teacher preparation programs for special education professionals.

Lesh, also a co-chair of the survey design team, shared responses from 238 higher education faculty nationwide. Key findings revealed concerns in educator …

The Game Of Chance, Alieth Caceres

First-Gen Voices: Creative and Critical Narratives on the First-Generation College Experience

Through my first semester at college, I was faced with the capability of not coming back due to being from a low-income family. Being a first-gen, I didn’t have anyone to guide me and I went from place to place begging for something to hold on to. My biggest goal for my family and I is to graduate from college and it is unfair that this opportunity will come short only because of financial problems. In some moments I felt all was lost, some telling me that I couldn’t and should just give up. All the connections I had reached …

Breaking Barriers First-Gen Experiences, Fiorella Salazar, Alondra Hernandez, Alieth Caceres, Aolanni Jimenez-Gonzalez, Alberto Martinez, Karol Martinez, Jesus Arias, Julian Melendez Miranda, Gabby Flores, Isabell Lachinpour, Jefferson Ramos, Annette Gomez, Zahir Pineda, Alejandra Rodriguez, Carla Bueno

First-Gen Voices: Creative and Critical Narratives on the First-Generation College Experience

In Breaking Barriers: First-Gen Experiences, first-gen students showcased their stories through poems, art, research, and personal reflections. Every story reflects resilience and creativity as they navigate their educational and personal journeys with a first-gen identity. These are stories that we can connect to and learn from to further build bridges for future generations in The First to Go Program!

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Literacies Of Resistance: How Florida Teachers Story Policy Navigation And Response, Katharine E. Hull

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Teachers are inundated with education legislation and the policy texts and discourses that surround them. Over nine months beginning in March 2024, I collaborated with three Florida P-12 teachers to explore their literacy practices and stories as they engaged with policy in a state that has recently passed an astounding amount of education legislation. This study explored how (1) teachers story the current policy context and their roles within it; (2) teachers use literacy practices to understand and respond to P/policies that impact their labor/working lives; and (3) teachers’ literate identities, agency, and collectivity intersect and shape one another. Guided …

Systematic Review Of Elementary Cybersecurity Education: Curriculum, Pedagogy, And Barriers, Na Liu, Siyu Long, Florence Martin

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Abstract -As children increasingly engage with digital platforms, the need for effective cybersecurity education has become urgent. This systematic review synthesizes 81 studies published between 2017 and 2024 to examine global curricula research focus and topics, pedagogical approaches and assessment methods, and key challenges in elementary cybersecurity education. The findings reveal six major thematic categories: student awareness, parental mediation, teacher engagement, curriculum design, community and policy support, and pedagogical innovation. Among instructional strategies, game-based learning and narrative storytelling emerge as the most frequently explored. Despite this growth, major gaps remain in curriculum consistency, teacher preparation, assessment rigor, and stakeholder coordination. …

Exploring Di College Coaches’ Perceptions Of Holistic Coaching And The Factors Impacting Their Ability To Succeed In The Current College Sports Landscape, Deborah V. Hogan Phd

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

In the highly competitive Division I (DI) college sports system, coaches are expected to produce winning programs while developing their college athletes holistically. Recent changes in NCAA policies complicate the coach-athlete relationship, hindering coaches' ability to serve as effective holistic leaders. This study uses grounded theory to understand how DI coaches in high-profile sports perceive their roles as holistic leaders and manage external challenges to provide holistic college athlete experiences. Semi-structured interviews with 12 football and women’s basketball coaches revealed five main themes: 1) coaches are educators, 2) strategies for holistic coaching, 3) supporting Black college athletes, 4) college sports …

On The Cover, Rebecca Craig

Intersections

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Intersections

No abstract provided.

Building A Third Space In The Age Of Ai : A Conversation With Dr. Walter Earl Fluker, Elizabeth Kubek

Intersections

No abstract provided.

What Is Required Of You?: Higher Education Leadership In A Moral Key, Paul Pribbenow

Intersections

No abstract provided.

A Holistic Approach: Strategies For Students With Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment, Nabiha Mujahid

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study explored how Louisiana’s expanded definition of visual impairment has influenced professional practices in identifying and supporting students with Cortical or Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). CVI, a brain-based visual condition, remains understudied, leaving educators with limited evidence-based guidance. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, this study examined the experiences, challenges, and strategies of professionals across eight key roles: Assistive Technology (AT) Specialists, Occupational Therapists (OTs), Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists, paraprofessionals, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), special education teachers, special education administrators, and Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and artifacts to capture interdisciplinary perspectives. Thematic …

Understanding Ai Literacy: Implications For Practice​, Devon Olson, Janet Anderson, Sara Westall

Librarian Publications

Presentation from the 2025 Mountain Plains Library Association Tri-Conference, held in Grand Forks, ND. This presentation provides an overview of basic AI concepts and frameworks for AI literacy, discussing the impact of different patron and learner demographics on learner needs, competencies, and instructional strategies.

Assessing Digital Citizenship Among Students And Technology Competency Of Teachers, Mary Anthony C. Sieras

Ateneo Institute for The Science and Art of Learning and Teaching

Digital citizenship and technology competency are vital for effective teaching and learning in today’s technology-driven educational environment (Ribble, 2011). Despite widespread technology use, challenges persist regarding students’ responsible and ethical use of digital tools, highlighting the need for improved digital citizenship education (Ribble & Bailey, 2004). Teachers’ proficiency in integrating technology is key to fostering students’ positive digital practices (Department of Education, 2017). This study aimed to assess the digital citizenship levels of junior high school students and the technology competence of their teachers. Grounded in Mike Ribble’s nine elements of digital citizenship and the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers’ …

Provost's Scholarly Dissemination Report: October 2025, Une Office Of The Provost, Sonya Durney

UNE Provost's Reports

Scholarly dissemination report of UNE-authored publications during the period of May through October, 2025. Prepared for the Academic, Student, and Research Affairs Committee Report November 2025.

Provost’S Media Report May 1 – Oct. 9, 2025, Une Office Of The Provost

UNE Provost's Reports

Report of UNE media appearances during the period of May 1, 2025 through October 9, 2025. Prepared for the Academic, Student, and Research Affairs Committee Report November 2025.

Community Engagement And Advocacy In Distributed Leadership: Pathways To Social Justice Leadership Praxis In South U.S. Schools, Atefeh Ataran, Jacquelyn Williams, Brandi Hinnant-Crawford

Publications

This study explores the relationship between distributed leadership and social justice leadership behaviors among K–12 school leaders in the South U.S. Survey responses from 179 principals and assistant principals showed a significant positive correlation. Leaders who engage in distributed leadership, particularly through community engagement and advocacy, tend to demonstrate social justice leadership practices. The findings emphasize the importance of collaborative leadership in creating inclusive schools and preparing future leaders to use distributed leadership strategies.

Smu To Build Open Legal Database With Support From Ministry Of Law, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

The Singapore Management University (SMU) will be developing Singapore’s first open empirical legal database with support from the Ministry of Law (MinLaw). Housed at SMU’s Centre for Digital Law, the three-year project will compile and release machine-readable datasets containing key statistical information about Singapore court decisions, statutes, legal scholarship and court structures. Named Singapore Open Legal Informatics Database (SOLID), the database will be freely accessible to researchers worldwide through a public website and Application Programming Interface (API), positioning Singapore alongside leading jurisdictions around the world that have invested in building up their legal data infrastructure.

Perspectives On Firearm Storage Conversations: Summary Of Health Care Provider Interviews And Parent Focus Group, Rachel M. Gallo Mph

Publications

This report summarizes perspectives from Maine parents who own firearms and health care providers on safe firearm storage and related conversations in health care settings. Through interviews and a parent focus group, the project explored how firearms are stored, what influences storage decisions, and how families and providers feel about discussing firearm safety. Parents emphasized the importance of responsible ownership, education, and individualized storage solutions, while identifying cost as a key barrier to safer storage options. Many health care providers expressed interest in addressing firearm safety but cited limited time, lack of training, and concerns about patient trust as challenges. …

The Future Of Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion (Edi) In Education Keep, Reform, Or Dismantle?, Ardavan Eizadirad, Gerald Walton

Education Faculty Publications

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, also known as EDI, is one of several acronyms that refer to policies and practices of organizations, such as K to 12 school boards and post-secondary institutions, to promote inclusive and equitable environments. While EDI has become a ubiquitous discourse in educational administration, its impact extends into classroom pedagogies, hiring practices, curriculum development, and institutional culture. In this article, we critically examine the extent to which EDI committees and initiatives fulfil their promise of fostering inclusive environments to support equity-denied groups. We address the following research questions: (1) How have EDI frameworks evolved in education? (2) …

Unl Emeriti And Retirees Association Newsletter, November 2025

UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association: Newsletters and Other Materials

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Emeriti and Retirees Association Newsletter, November 2025

Message from the ERA President Pam Edwards

Welcome to new members

Give to the ERA scholarship fund

Wake up to well-being

Book review, The Intentional Life

Medicare open enrollment

Announcements and notices

Upcoming programming

Programming recap

Connecting through recipes

Memory moments

Smart Learning In An Ai-Driven World, Joseph Rene Corbeil, Maria Elena Corbeil

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

SMART learning is an approach that combines sustainability, motivation, adaptability, results-oriented practices, and technology enablement. AI-driven SMART learning prioritizes flexibility, cost-efficiency, and knowledge retention, equipping teachers and students with the tools to adapt to an ever-evolving world. By envisioning AI's role in fostering SMART learning attributes, we pave the way for a future where technology and education intertwine to empower learners and redefine teaching practices.

Towards Goal-Oriented Intelligent Tutoring Systems In Online Education, Yang Deng, Zifeng Ren, An Zhang, Tat-Seng Chua

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Interactive Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) enhance the learning experience in online education byfostering effective learning through interactive problem-solving. However, many current ITS models do notfully incorporate proactive engagement strategies that optimize educational resources through thoughtfulplanning and assessment. In this work, we propose a novel and practical task of Goal-oriented IntelligentTutoring Systems (GITS), designed to help students achieve proficiency in specific concepts through a tailoredsequence of exercises and evaluations. We introduce a novel graph-based reinforcement learning framework,named Planning-Assessment-Interaction (PAI), to tackle the challenges of goal-oriented policy learningwithin GITS. This framework utilizes cognitive structure information to refine state representation andguide the selection …

A Comparative Study Of Adult Education In China And Japan Under The Background Of Degree Law, Yuchen Chang

SOC 605 Comparative Social Policy Research Project - Student Works

This paper is a comparative study of adult education policies in China and Japan under the background of the academic status Law passed by the 14th People's Congress of China. This paper compares the development history of adult education policies in the two countries from the perspective of historical institutionalism. This paper analyzes and compares the development paths and current policies of adult education in China and Japan, thereby summarizing the similarities and differences between the two. It is concluded that China is in a critical period of transformation in adult education. Both China and Japan have complete adult higher …

Proceedings Of The Global Conference On Business And Economics, Bhuvan Unhelkar, Valentina Della Corte, Cihan Cobanoglu, Mehmet Erdem

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

This is the third volume of the Global Conference on Business and Economics Proceedings Series. This volume also includes papers presented at the Global Conference on Technology & AI in Hospitality and Tourism.

The Lead, Mid-Fall 2025, Lindenwood University

The Lead

The Lead is an electronic newsletter produced by the Lindenwood College of Education & Human Services.

2025 November, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for November of 2025.

Fall 2025 Census Enrollment Indicators Campus Report Tables 1-3, Systems Intelligence And Data Analytics, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

Understanding Behavioral Engagement In Project-Based Learning: Key Influencing Factors, Maria Coney G. Pallones

English Faculty Publications

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is widely acknowledged for fostering student engagement; however, limited research explores how its specific design features influence behavioral engagement, defined as students’ active participation, persistence, and effort, particularly in early education settings. This study investigates what key factors, as perceived by teachers, influence students' behavioral engagement during PBL, and how these factors support motivation through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Semi-structured interviews were purposively conducted with elementary teachers experienced in implementing PBL, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three key design features emerged as critical to sustaining behavioral engagement: voice, choice, and ownership, which …

Light & Faith: November 2025, Taylor University

Light & Faith

No abstract provided.