Digital Commons Network^™

Cultural Humility In The Workplace: A Causal-Comparative Study Of Foreign And Local Hire Employees In International Education, Natalie A. Ortiz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cultural humility is recognized as a framework for fostering respectful relationships in culturally diverse workplaces. However, limited research has examined cultural humility within international education in regard to workplace dynamics and power imbalances that may exist between foreign and local hire educators. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine differences in perceived cultural humility levels between foreign and local hire employees in PreK-12^th grade private international schools in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The study also examined whether years of international educational experience and the number of international educational assignments influenced perceived cultural humility levels. Data …

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure Report, Sacred Heart University

News, Magazines and Reports

"2026 Sacred Heart University Department of Public Safety Annual Campus Crime & Fire Report."

Wmu Board Of Trustee Board Meeting, Thursday, October 29, 2026, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes (September 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
• Air Race Classic Team (College of Aviation)
• Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Five-Year Capital Outlay Master Plan and Project Request
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Labor Agreement (IATSE)
• Asylum Lake Interlocal Agreement and Declaration of Conservation Restrictions

Consent Items

1. WMU Foundation Bylaws Revision
2. Authorization to Submit a Tax Registration to the People’s Republic of China …

Otterbein Towers Fall 2026, Otterbein University

Towers Magazine

Table of Contents:

• Around the 'Bein
• The Future is Now for These 2026 Graduates
• The Heart of Health and Sport Sciences
• Alumna Returns to Lead Belonging Efforts
• Otterbein and Church of the Master have been Partners with Purpose for 175 Years
• Otterbein READY Makes Career Readiness a Graduation Requirement
• Homecoming Weekend
• Philanthropy
• Alumni Matters
• Class Notes

Junior High School Students’ Understanding Of Pathogenic Microbes In The School Environment: A Cross-Grade Descriptive Study At Smp Alkhairaat 1 Palu, Feren Febrianti, I Nengah Kundera, Yulia Windarsih, Mohammad Jamhari, Mursito S. Bialangi, Abdul Ashari

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aimed to describe students’ understanding of pathogenic microbes and compare descriptive comprehension profiles across Grades VII, VIII, and IX at SMP Alkhairaat 1 Palu. A quantitative descriptive approach was employed involving 49 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using an essay test as the primary instrument, supported by semi-structured interviews and observations of the school environment. The essay test assessed three indicators: conceptual knowledge of pathogenic microbes, understanding of disease transmission mechanisms, and understanding of clean and healthy practices for preventing the transmission of pathogenic microbes. Test data were analyzed descriptively using mean percentage scores, while …

Learning To Learn With Ai: A Journey From Crisis To Community, Andrew S. Chen

Essays in Education

Generative AI, and the COVID-19 pandemic, transformed teaching between 2019 and 2026. This essay prioritizes trust-based "right relationships" over concerns of integrity or efficiency. It argues that AI’s primary impact is the reconfiguration of ties between educators, students, and knowledge. Ultimately, learning must remain relational and intrinsically meaningful to ensure humans remain active participants in an automated age.

No Mud, No Lotus: Ways To Metabolize Suffering, Heesoon Bai, Heather Williams, Renata Cueto De Souza, Mel Voulgaris, Charles Scott, Anna Rumjahn, Avraham Cohen, Zuzana Vasko Dr.

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This paper builds on the foundation of mainly Buddhist and existential contemplative philosophies a theoretical and practical framework for understanding and working with suffering as a transformational setting for human development and maturation. The authors propose that the first step in this path of transformation is radical acceptance of suffering as fundamental “truth” about human life, which could re-orient us from the usual mindset of avoidance, denial, dismissal, moralizing, or aggressive elimination of suffering. The next step in this reorientation is seeing suffering as containing valuable “nutrients” for human development and maturation, just as, analogically speaking, mud can grow lotus …

Hear My Voice As Who I Am: Theorizing The Essence Of Poetry In Holistic Global Citizenship Education, Shue-Kei Joanna Mok

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

Poetry as an imaginative language art has long been perceived as the core of humanity, the foundation of human advancement (Arnold,1880; Rorty, 2007). By composing, critiquing, and sharing/performing poems, not only does the process enrich and deepen one’s relationship to oneself, understanding and reflecting on the contextual, historical, cultural, social, and creative backgrounds of the poems and poets allows one to have greater connections with the broader environment across temporal, spatial, and social dimensions with human and non-human beings.

This paper first frames the core concepts and values of global citizenship from a Confucius perspective to emphasize the significance of …

Contemplative Pedagogy, Mindfulness And Reflection In Teacher Education, Karen O. Ragoonaden Dr., Leslie Shayer

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This study explores the intersections of contemplative pedagogy, mindfulness practices and reflection in education. Contemplative pedagogy and mindfulness practices were introduced to three cohorts in teacher education, in graduate education, and in professional development education. This pedagogy and the practices provided a time, a place and a community to engage in personal and professional reflections about teaching and learning. The themes identified in this study demonstrated that engaging in contemplative pedagogy in a nine-week mindfulness course provided increased opportunities to reflect on self-awareness, on wellbeing and on the professional practice of education. The qualitative results of this study indicate that …

Exploring Digital Media Literacy And Its Impact On Pedagogical Innovation And Creativity, Suparno Suparno, Tuty Sariwulan, Bagus Shandy Narmaditya, Ari Saptono, Saparuddin Muchtar, Muhammad Ridlo, Dingot Hamonangan Ismail

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

Enhancing teachers’ innovative work behavior is prominent in promoting educational quality. This exploratory study aims to understand the linkage between digital media literacy, creativity, and innovative work behavior among teachers in Indonesia. The data were obtained from teachers using an online self-administered survey. In addition, the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS software. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive and significant influence between digital media literacy and teachers’ innovative work behavior. Indeed, creativity can also be a predictor of innovative work behavior among teachers in Indonesia. This study also notes the connection …

Exploring The Contextual Relationships Between Match Day Load And Recovery Biomarkers In Professional Soccer Players, Carina Hanson-Evans, Ryland Morgans, Rafael Oliveira, Jule Scholten, Roi Gil, Ben Ryan, Jon Oliver, Piotr Żmijewski, Michael G. Hughes

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study examined the relationship between match-day (MD) load and contextual factors on recovery biomarkers in professional soccer players across the 2024/2025 competitive season. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six male professional soccer players provided blood samples following 38 competitive matches. High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), Free-Oxygen Radicals Test (FORT), Free-Oxygen Radicals Defence Test (FORD) and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) were analyzed. Physical MD load was measured via a Global Positioning System (GPS). Results: Differences in High-Load vs Low-Load matches did not significantly influence post-match levels of hs-CRP, FORD, FORT or OSI. Increased high-intensity running and elevated inflammation, with non-significant moderate-to-large effects …

Memorandum From President Norton To The Athletic Committee, Director Of Athletics, The Coaches, And The Director Of The Band, 1949, E. B. Norton/President C.B. Smith, Troy State Teachers College

Correspondence

A memorandum from President Norton on the excellent record and good behavior of the new football team and marching band members, 1949.

Correspondence between Troy State Teachers College president, C.B. Smith, and President Norton, 1949.

Generative Artificial Intelligence, Academic Integrity And Authentic Assessment Within An Irish University, Louise Nagle, Brigid Crowley, Laura Rafferty, Susan Horgan, Colin O'Brien

Publications

Academics need both an overarching policy on Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) use in teaching and learning, yet agency in its application across various disciplines. Clarity on the use of the technology for both students and staff is therefore a challenge and characterised by uncertainty given how its application is still unfamiliar. This research examines the organisational context in which Gen AI is being embraced and was conducted by the digital teaching support functions within an Irish university. Students and staff were surveyed (n=1,746) on various aspects of digital use within their education and workplace, including Gen AI. …

Lecturer-To-Lecturer Learning Model For Artificial Intelligence Adoption In African Universities: Opportunities And Challenges, Vincent C. Asogwa

Journal of Research Initiatives

Although artificial intelligence (AI) can transform teaching, research, and administrative processes, many African universities, including those in Eswatini and Nigeria, face challenges in implementing AI effectively because of inadequate infrastructure, lecturer skill gaps, and financial constraints. This study examines the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting the Lecturer-to-Lecturer Learning Model for AI in African universities. Grounded in social constructivism, the model emphasizes knowledge sharing through social interactions, which is particularly relevant in contexts where external resources are limited. The study employs content analysis of secondary data sources, including academic literature, institutional reports, and case studies on AI adoption in higher …

Does Gender Spell Success? Exploring Female Students' Perspectives Of Faculty At A Higher Educational Institution, Chitora Jackson, Terrence Hicks, Jill Channing, Arnold Nyarambi

Journal of Research Initiatives

Numerous studies have pointed to connections and positive interactions with faculty that result in positive outcomes for students (Beckowski & Gebauer, 2018; Jones, 2020; Trolian et al., 2021). However, despite this knowledge, there are still some areas related to this topic that remain under-researched. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female students at a higher educational institution and to understand how those experiences shape their perspectives of female and male faculty. Additionally, this study sought to discover how faculty gender influences their interactions with students and the similarities and differences between …

Removing Barringer: University Renaming Governance, Campus Racial Climate, And The Limits Of Symbolic Reform, Charletta H. Barringer-Brown, Daniel N. Brown

Journal of Research Initiatives

University renaming is often seen as either a necessary moral correction or a less significant symbolic reform. This article examines renaming as a matter of higher education governance. It analyzes the removal of Paul Brandon Barringer’s name from honorific spaces at the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech through a qualitative documentary comparative case study. A contextual policy scan of the University of Richmond, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Oregon State University situates the two primary cases within a wider field of naming-governance design. Guided by critical toponymy, institutional theory, policy-decoupling scholarship, organizational-routines theory, and campus-racial-climate …

Oral History As A Tool For First-Year Student Success, Justin Willis, Saul Araujo

Journal of Research Initiatives

First-year college students often face significant challenges as they transition into higher education, particularly when balancing academic responsibilities with employment. Many students work out of financial necessity, which can increase stress, limit campus engagement, and negatively affect academic performance and well-being. This qualitative case study explores how oral history methods can support first-year college students as they adjust to the demands of balancing education and work. Guided by Tinto’s Model of Student Retention and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, the study examines how firsthand narratives from individuals who have navigated similar challenges can foster reflection, resilience, and practical skill development. The …

Grit, Mindset, And Academic Outcomes Among Nontraditional Online College Students, David W. Franklin, Heidi L. Andrade, Jason Bryer, Angela M. Lui

Journal of Research Initiatives

Grit and mindset have gained prominence in educational discourse; however, empirical evidence suggests they predict student success only minimally. Existing research on grit and mindset has several gaps, including insufficient focus on retention, online learners, and nontraditional student populations. The present study examines the relationships between grit, mindset, and academic outcomes among two samples of nontraditional students enrolled in online colleges. Utilizing survey data from the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills (DAACS) project, the study analyzes responses from 9,276 predominantly nontraditional undergraduate students at two online institutions in the United States. Findings reveal that although grit, its two …

Cambodian American Literature, Thatiana So

Asian and Asian American Studies Program Student Scholarship

Independent Study Project

This course examines Cambodian American literature through memoirs, novels, poetry, and graphic narratives that explore the lasting effects of the Khmer Rouge genocide, forced migration, refugee resettlement, and cultural adaptation in the United States. Through works by Bunkong Tuon, Anthony Veasna So, Vichet Chum, Putsata Reang, Loung Ung, Maya Cheav, and Tian Veasna, students investigate themes of memory, trauma, resilience, family obligation, identity formation, language, queerness, and belonging. Throughout the semester, students consider how storytelling preserves cultural memory and connects personal narratives to larger historical experiences. By engaging with Cambodian American voices across multiple genres, students gain …

Teachers' Readiness And Suggestions For Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Inclusive Classrooms In Saudi Arabia, Abdulmalik Mohammed Alkhunini

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study aimed to identify the level of readiness among teachers who teach students with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive education programs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to examine how prior training, specialty (general vs. special education), and teaching experience influence this readiness. A descriptive survey design was used validated for reliability, was administered to 144 teachers (84 general education, 60 special education). Results indicated a high level of readiness among participants overall. Inferential analysis showed that readiness varied significantly with training and job type: special education teachers and those with prior training reported higher readiness levels, whereas teaching experience …

The Use Of Gadgets And Learning Motivation Among Grade Xi Students In Biology Learning At Sma Negeri 5 Palu, Yulia Citra, Mohammad Jamhari, Masrianih Masrianih, Lestari M.P Alibasyah, Mursito S. Bialangi, Yulia Windarsih

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aims to describe the profile of gadget use and learning motivation among Grade XI students in biology learning at SMA Negeri 5 Palu and to explore students’ and teachers’ experiences of gadgets as learning support tools and potential sources of digital distraction. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, supported by descriptive questionnaire profiling. A total of 74 students completed a 50-item questionnaire on gadget use and learning motivation, while 10 students and two biology teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. Questionnaire data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while interview data were analyzed thematically. The descriptive findings showed that …

Readiness Of Biology Teachers In West Palu District In Implementing The Deep Learning Approach In The Merdeka Curriculum, Mutia Mutia, Gamar Shamdas, Hayyatun Mawaddah, Rafiqa Rafiqa, Raya Agni, Musdalifah Nurdin

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aimed to examine the readiness of biology teachers in West Palu District to implement the deep learning approach within the Merdeka Curriculum and to identify factors associated with their readiness. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, with data collected through questionnaires and interviews. The study involved all six biology teachers who were actively teaching at senior high schools in West Palu District. Teacher readiness was examined across cognitive, mental, and physical dimensions. The results indicated that the teachers were generally ready to very ready to implement the deep learning approach. Cognitive readiness was particularly high, with 60% of …

Preliminary Evidence Of Systems Thinking Skills In Gamelan-Based Ethnoscience Booklet-Integrated Collaborative Problem Solving, Ayu Nuryani Aprilia, Suciati Suciati

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Students’ systems thinking skills (STS) can be difficult to develop when science learning provides limited opportunities to connect relationships among system components with contextual phenomena. Integrating local wisdom into learning materials, such as a gamelan-based ethnoscience booklet, may provide a meaningful context for developing these skills. This study aimed to compare students’ STS performance, adjusted for pretest scores, between a class receiving Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) instruction integrated with a gamelan-based ethnoscience booklet and a class receiving CPS instruction alone. This quantitative study employed a pretest–posttest control group design with class-level random allocation of treatment and involved 56 Grade VIII …

“Playing Mental Gymnastics”: Exploring Black Women College Athletes' Mental Health Experiences At Historically White Division I Universities, Ezinne D. Ofoegbu

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Between 2002 and 2022, over 125 college athletes died by suicide, and Division I athletes represented 45% of these deaths. In 2023, Black women college athletes at Division I universities identified racism as a mental health stressor at a higher rate than their non-Black peers. The intersectional nature of social identities and athlete status may create gendered and racialized stressors that are uniquely experienced by Black women athletes. Given the underrepresentation of Black students (i.e., athletes and nonathletes), coaches, faculty, and staff at historically white institutions (HWIs), Black women athletes are likely navigating campus relationships and environments that are shaped …

Reducing Food Waste Through Education And Community Collaboration, Myeesha Lance, Sharneece Gary

EFNEP

This Land-Grant Press publication explores strategies to reduce food waste through education, innovation, and community engagement. It highlights consumer behaviors, date label confusion, and planning practices that drive waste, while offering practical solutions like meal planning, grocery management, and clearer food labeling. Key takeaways include the importance of behavior change, policy collaboration, and Extension-led outreach. Target audiences include educators, policymakers, community leaders, and households seeking to improve sustainability and food security

Elite Esports Players And Their Physical Health: A Systematic Review Of Injuries, Musculoskeletal Pain, And Fitness-Related Factors, Michal Steffl, Daniel Opelik, Vladimir Hlinka, Grzegorz Mikrut, Petra Hospodkova

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The rapid rise of competitive esports has sparked concerns over the physical health of elite players. Prolonged sedentary behaviour, repetitive movements, and poor ergonomic practices may predispose these athletes to injuries, musculoskeletal pain, and unfavourable body composition. Materials and methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted by searching Pub-Med, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science for cross-sectional studies on physical activity (PA), body composition, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal health in elite esports players. Data from 22 peer-reviewed studies involving 5,035 participants aged 16 to 35 were synthesized. Results: Findings consistently show that esports players engage in lower …

Beyond Electromyography: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Ai Enabled Wearables For Neuromuscular Assessment In Sports Medicine And Rehabilitation, Dariusz T. Skalski, Michał Spieszny, Łukasz Jaworski, Marcin Żak, Artur Terbalyan, Marlena Stawiarska, Wirginia Likus, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Conventional laboratory based EMG systems constrain neuromuscular assessment to controlled environments, limiting ecological validity in sport and rehabilitation. While AI enabled wearable sensor systems, including surface EMG (sEMG), high density EMG (HD-EMG), inertial measurement units (IMUs), and multimodal configurations, have expanded ambulatory monitoring capabilities, no prior meta-analysis has quantitatively synthesized their agreement with laboratory grade comparators or examined the moderating roles of sensor class and task domain. Objective: To determine the overall agreement between AI enabled wearable neuromuscular systems and laboratory benchmarks; to examine sensor class and task domain as moderators of measurement fidelity; to evaluate multimodal gain over …

Servingness In Solidarity: How Filipina/X/O American Student Organizations Cultivate Belonging, Clarissa Mae Lico Calimbas

Dissertations

Filipina/x/o American college students represent one of the largest Asian ethnic subgroups in the United States, yet their educational experiences remain underexamined within institutional research and higher education scholarship. Aggregated under the broader Asian American category, Filipina/x/o American students are rendered invisible by data practices that obscure the distinct colonial histories, socioeconomic realities, and identity negotiations. This qualitative study examined how Filipina/x/o American students at Pacific State University (PSU) describe their involvement in Filipina/x/o American Student Organizations (FASOs) and how that involvement shapes their sense of belonging, cultural identity development, and academic persistence. Guided by a critical race phenomenological framework …

Education System Improvement Tool, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

School and system improvement

The Education System Improvement Tool (ESIT) identifies the practices most critical to highly effective education systems. It is recognised that across the world, education systems operate in diverse contexts with varying governance arrangements. Therefore, the ESIT should be interpreted in context, recognising that effective system practices are shaped by the characteristics, priorities and circumstances of each education system and the communities it serves. Informed by international research findings and the lived experiences of education system leaders, the ESIT supports stakeholders across education systems to review, reflect on and strengthen strategies and practices that contribute to system-wide improvement and improved outcomes …

The Cognitive Construction Of Sustainable Environmental Awareness Through Green Language Pedagogy In Second Language Acquisition, Meral Yavuz Kartal, Osman Yılmaz Kartal

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

The escalating global ecological crisis highlights the need for new approaches to sustainability education, while the cognitive role of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) remains underexplored. This study employs a critical literature review with a systematic search and qualitative thematic synthesis to develop a proposed Green Language Pedagogy (GLP) model. The review followed a four-stage screening protocol (identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion) and analyzed 50 theoretical and empirical sources published between 2014 and 2025. This analysis of the selected literature reveals a stark disparity: an estimated 85% of the reviewed environmental education research focuses on factual knowledge transfer, whereas only 15% …