Digital Commons Network^™

Stepping Up, Keeping On Track, And Pulling Your Own Weight: Collaborative Arts-Based Service-Learning Metaphors, Marcy Meyer

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

In this study, the author explores metaphors related to students’ experiences conducting collaborative arts-based ethnographic research in a U.S. nonprofit organization. A metaphor analysis of 25 students’ essays revealed they were most likely to frame their experiences with arts-based service learning as a journey or a sports contest. The author examines the extent to which students’ metaphors legitimize or delegitimize arts-based service learning, as well as the degree of novelty that characterizes these metaphors. She explores the implications of her findings for teaching and promoting arts-based service learning in the academy.

Interprofessional Collaboration To Address Social Isolation And Facilitate Intergenerational Service Learning Within Graduate Education, Angela Lavery, Erin Knight, Stephanie Cole, Stacie Metz

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This article presents an interdisciplinary collaboration to address the needs of older adults at risk of social isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. An intergenerational service-learning program developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging was offered to several universities across the state of Pennsylvania. The authors share their experience and lessons learned from pairing older adults with graduate students studying in the fields of Gerontology, Public Health, and Social Work.

Ephemera Collection, 1925-2025, Document Services

University Archives Finding Aids

No abstract provided.

The Level Of Practice Of Public School Principals In Ajloun Governorate Regarding Community Participation, Marya Al-Rababa

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

The study aimed to identify the extent to which public school principals practice community participation in Ajloun Governorate. The study sample consisted of 99 male and female principals from public schools affiliated with the Education Directorate of Ajloun Governorate. They were selected using a simple random method, and the study employed a descriptive survey approach. The results indicated that the degree to which public school principals practice community participation in Ajloun Governorate, from the principals' perspective, was rated as high. Additionally, the study found no significant differences in the practice of community participation based on the principals' gender. In light …

Evidence Base And Development Of The Wellbeing Program Guide, Katherine L. Dix, Ee Liz Puah, Tamara Van Der Zant, Syeda Kashfee Ahmed, Shani Sniedze

Wellbeing

This report outlines the background and initial development stage of The Wellbeing Program Guide (wellbeingguide.acer.org), a comprehensive national resource aimed at supporting schools in selecting and implementing wellbeing programs that meet diverse contexts and student needs. Wellbeing is considered in its broadest sense, to include evidence-based mental health, alcohol and other drug, and suicide prevention programs, along with social and emotional learning. Developed collaboratively by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and Department of Health Tasmania, with advice from education and industry stakeholders, the Guide prioritised the needs of school communities in Tasmania, but also includes programs serving other …

Addressing Instructional Capacity For English Learners Through Professional Development, Emily Howell, Lindsey W. Rowe, Mihaela Gazioglu, Nicole Ferguson-Sams, Victoria Pennington

Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this study was addressing the goal of the intervention to increase instructional capacity in a high-need district for English Learners (ELs).

Design/methodology/approach – This design-based research examined a cohort of K–12 general education classroom teachers and the impact of professional development (PD). The intervention had three essential elements: provide teachers with evidence-based practices of EL instruction in PD, assess self-efficacy for both EL students and teachers, and develop resources for EL caregivers based upon evidence-based practice and teacher feedback. This study reports the results focusing on the following research question: How does the intervention impact …

2025-2026 Etsu General Academic Operating Budget (July), Budget And Financial Planning, East Tennessee State University

ETSU General Academic Operating Budgets and Analysis

No abstract provided.

Uni Impact: Faculty/Staff Scholarly Publications And Featured Awards Newsletter, V3i1, 2024, Rod Library. Research & Sponsored Programs. Uni Foundation. University Of Northern Iowa.

UNI Impact: Faculty/Staff Scholarly Publications and Featured Awards Newsletter

Highlights the scholarship, research, and other scholarly work produced by University of Northern Iowa faculty, students, and staff.

This issue covers the period of January - June 2024.

Lessons From A Life In Transition: An Autoethnography Of Regional Attitudes Toward Transgender Educators, Birdie Miller

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the lived experiences of a transgender educator navigating public school systems in Mississippi and Minnesota. The purpose of this research is to illuminate how systemic discrimination, lack of institutional support, and cultural attitudes toward gender identity affect both the personal and professional lives of transgender teachers. Using an autoethnographic approach, I analyzed weekly journal entries written over multiple school years across three distinct school settings. These reflections were thematically examined to identify patterns related to identity negotiation, resilience, workplace discrimination, and moments of resistance.

The findings reveal the emotional toll of teaching in environments where safety and …

From Classrooms To Jail Cells: Reimagining Accountability In Public Education, Lennin Cruz Rojas

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Exclusionary discipline practices in the United States continue to funnel vulnerable students into the criminal justice system, reinforcing the school-to-prison pipeline. This capstone explores the methods and punishments students receive by asking: How do zero tolerance policies and exclusionary discipline practices in schools contribute to and play a role in the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly students of color? Through a mix methodology combining literature research, participant interviews, and narrative podcasting, the work examines how restorative frameworks can foster accountability, empathy, and community healing. The podcast weaves personal stories with data to shed light on the cost of zero tolerance discipline. The …

Developing A Curriculum Audit Tool For Justice, Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In Occupational Therapy Education, Whitney M. Cranna, Sarah Mckinnon

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: The OT profession is calling for intentional pedagogy that builds future practitioners’ capacity for embodying justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI) values; however, the interpretation and application of this mission remain subjective and nebulous. Developing a theory-driven audit tool may help standardize and clarify JEDI pedagogy needs to enhance OT preparation and practice.

Objective: Using a culturally responsive, justice-based theoretical lens, this paper describes the development of a JEDI Curriculum Audit Tool for a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) program.

Design: Quantitative systematic evaluation of curricular alignment with JEDI principles, including a 3-prong retroactive self-evaluation approach.

Setting: Curriculum …

Chronic Illness Education 2025: Building Healthy Habits: Preventative Strategies For Childhood Obesity, Alissa Ward, Cameron Craig, Chloe Sutlick, Gabrielle Henry, Isabelle Adams, Jerimiah Gumma, Omer Abdullah, Sami Zaidi

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2025: Resources To Improve Diabetes Mellitus In Adult Males, Abdul Naser Zamzami, David Echeverri, Isabella Costa, Musaed Al Rashidi, Pooja Menon, Xiaohan Zhan, Zain Abdun-Noor

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

I Belong Here And Am Thriving: Understanding Full-Time Graduate Student Well-Being And Belonging In An Msw Program, Lana Hart Elkins

Theses and Dissertations

Graduate-level social work students face high levels of stress that can impact their academic success and well-being. According to a national college health assessment, fulltime Master of Social Work (MSW) students at a southeastern university report significantly more academic, career-related, and financial stress than peers in other graduate programs. This study addressed the need to better understand full-time MSW student experiences and identify ways the program can mitigate stress, promote wellbeing, and foster a sense of belonging. Using a two-phase qualitative action research design, the study first analyzed responses to 12 open-ended questions from four student feedback surveys. These findings …

The Relative Contribution Of Psychological Capital In Predicting Compassionate Communication Skills Among A Sample Of Psychological Counselors, Mai Hassan Omar Atiya, Hosni Mohamed Awad

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

This study aims to uncover the relative contribution of psychological capital in predicting compassionate communication skills among a sample of psychological counselors. It examines the levels of psychological capital and compassionate communication, explores the relationship between them, and employs a descriptive methodology. To achieve its objectives, two developed scales were applied: the Psychological Capital Scale and the Compassionate Communication Skill Scale. The sample consisted of 217 psychological counselors (male and female) from northern governorates in the West Bank and southern regions in Gaza, selected via snowball sampling. The results revealed that psychological capital among counselors was 81.2%, indicating a high …

Transforming Care: An Academic And Community Symposium On Transgender Care And Experience, Alison Sutton-Ryan, Kimberly Van Vulpen

Transforming Communities

Background: Transgender experience is often excluded from education and training. An emphasis has been often placed on sexual identities instead of gender differences rendering transgender care invisible in the healthcare system (Gahagan & Colpitts 2017). Lack of education and training has created significant barriers to accessible gender-affirming care, contributing to disproportionately high levels of discrimination for transgender individuals seeking medical services (Redcay et al., 2021). Purpose: The Interprofessional Education Symposium on Transgender Care and Experience was an innovative initiative developed by the newly formed Transgender Interprofessional Care Team (TICT) at a medium-sized suburban university. This collaborative team, comprising key …

Fostering An Inclusive Environment For New Students Through The South Pacific Division Community Support System At The Adventist International Institute Of Advanced Studies: An Appreciative Inquiry, Anasa Tabua

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This study uses Appreciative Inquiry to explore how the South Pacific Division (SPD) community support systems at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), grounded in Social Capital Theory, foster inclusivity for new students. It examines existing systems, identifies strengths, and explores enhancement strategies. The findings offer implications for other AIIAS communities and Adventist institutions seeking to enhance support systems and foster inclusive environments.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session Thursday June 26, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda
Approval of the Minutes (April 17, 2025 and April 23, 2025)
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
Western Michigan University Employee Graduates
Montgomery Essential Needs Program Presentation
Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Academic Tenure and Promotion
• Student Housing and Meal Rates 2025/26
• Fall 2025 Differential Tuition Rates
• Fall 2025 Tuition and Required Fee Rates
• General Fund Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget
• President Emeritus Status for Edward Montgomery

Consent Items …

Exploration Of Adventure-Based Counseling And Its Impact On The Self-Concept Of At-Risk Youth, Kendall Kern, Mary Bess Pannel, Todd Davis, Thales Barbosa

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Background: Integrating experiential therapy techniques with physical activity and nature improves aspects of self-concept: social connectedness, resilience, and healthy coping skills in the short-term for at-risk, underperforming youth (Kraft & Cornelius-White, 2020). Kraft and Cornelius-White (2020) found that wilderness therapy counselors that taught communication skills and prioritized “group cohesion in group therapy” led to positive “changes to self-concept” (p. 350-351). Purpose: The researchers hypothesize that community-based adventure therapy will have a positive impact on the self-concept in at-risk, rural youth. Methodology/Approach: The researchers utilized a quasi-experimental model to assess the impact of adventure therapy on rural at-risk youth (N~6) after …

The Impact Of Latino Faculty On Latino Students, Sarai Aleida Noriega

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This study examined the relationship between Latino faculty representation and the academic experiences, sense of belonging, and personal and professional success of Latino students. I used a qualitative case study research method where data was collected through semi structured interviews with self-identified Latino students enrolled in Rowan University Higher Education Administration Program. Participants were prompted to reflect on their collegiate experiences and inspect the role of Latino faculty representation on their educational journey, and the challenges of maneuvering predominantly White academic spaces. The findings revealed that the presence of Latino faculty had a direct impact on students’ feelings of …

2025-06-20 Agenda Book, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

Agenda booklet for the Board of Regents meeting of June 20, 2025, which includes the minutes of the meeting held on March 28, 2025.

درجة تطبيق مديري المدارس الحكومية في مديرية التربية والتعليم للواء قصبة مأدبا لمعايير الجودة, Samar Ali Jamal Ghunaimat

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى معرفة درجة تطبيق مديري المدارس الحكومية لمعايير الجودة في مديرية التربية والتعلم للواء قصبة مأدبا (الأردن) من وجهة نظر المعلمين، وذلك تبعاً لمتغير النوع الاجتماعي وسنوات الخبرة والمؤهل العلمي، ولغايات تحقيق أهداف الدراسة تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، وتم تطوير استبانة مكونة من (24) فقرة موزعة على أربعة معايير (القيادة، التخطيط الاستراتيجي، الموارد البشرية، المنهاج)، وطبقت الدراسة على عينة تم اختيارها بالطريقة العشوائية حجمها (350) معلما ومعلمة في المدارس الحكومية لمديرية التربية والعليم للواء قصبة مأدبا، وتوصلت الدراسة إلى ان درجة ممارسة مديري المدارس لمعايير الجودة من وجهة نظر المعلمين متوسطة، وجاء معيار التخطيط الاستراتيجي بالمرتبة …

Feminist Participatory Action Research And Service-Learning In The New Feminist Frontier, Megan A. Fletcher

Feminist Pedagogy

This critical commentary explores the tensions of embodying feminist pedagogy as both researcher and teacher. Drawing on the success of Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) in redesigning women's shelter intake procedures, I argue for integrating service-learning into the classroom. However, the effectiveness of both PAR and service-learning hinges on a strong foundation in feminist methodologies that prioritize equity, justice, and community care (Bowdon, Pigg, & Mansfield, 2014; Johnson & Flynn, 2021; Vergés Bosch, Freude, & Camps Calvet, 2021). Acknowledging past critiques of these approaches when lacking a feminist lens (Langhout & Gordon, 2021), I call for researchers and teachers to …

The Phoenix Takes Flight: The Importance Of Trauma-Informed Positive Education, Kathleen Turner Ledgerwood

Feminist Pedagogy

Since the pandemic, trauma has touched almost everyone. Pervasive illness, death, and isolation affected us in ways we have not paused to process. Many students were young and particularly affected by the pandemic. The rise in mental health concerns has made it more imperative to address mental health within our pedagogy. This article will outline strategies for helping to manage mental health within our pedagogy in order to better help everyone using an approach that aligns with trauma-informed and positive psychology pedagogical practices. Our future is one of compassionate, caring, trauma-informed work that bolsters the well-being of our students.

Expanding A Standardized Reading Program Utilizing Research-Based Literacy Practices, Culturally Responsive Teaching, And Teacher Decision Making, Jacalyn Marie Gizara

Theses and Dissertations

The reading achievement disparities between diverse learners and their advantaged peers has been at the forefront of education for decades (Hammond, 2015; Kelley et al., 2015; Ladson-Billings, 2006; Paschall et al., 2017; Pitre, 2014). Educational policies have attempted to close the achievement gap and address the inequitable practices school systems place on our youth (Paschall et al, 2017; Pitre, 2014). However, teachers can lead in the profession and create positive change for students’ school experiences and learning outcomes. The purpose of this action research study was to enhance the prepackaged reading program with thematic units, culturally responsive teaching, and research-based …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Study Interpreting The Lived Experience Of K-12 Teachers: The Role Of Technology Integration In Shaping Academic Performance, Kathy S. Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to interpret the lived experience of K-12 teachers and the role of technology integration in shaping academic performance. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner's theory, which described how important the environments surrounding the individual were in affecting development. The central research question guiding this study was, "How do K-12 teachers interpret their lived experiences with technology integration and its role in shaping academic performance?" Participants in the study included K-12 teachers from the southeastern United States with at least three years of experience integrating technology. The participants were selected using purposive …

Diversity Matters In Public Education: A Phenomenological Study, Monique A. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of diverse public-school educators who are overlooked for promotion and educational advancement opportunities within public school systems in the State of Texas. The theories guiding this study were Marilyn Brewer's optimal distinctiveness theory, which advocates how every individual needs to belong and feel uniquely accepted, and James House's social support theory, which purports the importance of groupthink--a concept that leans toward togetherness. The central research question, What are the lived experiences of diverse, public-school educators who are overlooked for promotion and educational advancement opportunities within public school …

العزلة الاجتماعية وعلاقتها بالأفكار اللاعقلانية لدى طلبة المدارس, Feras Qurit'e Al-Jobour, Ali Abdullah Al-Hourani

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدفت الدّراسة إلى الكشف عن مستوى كل من العزلة الاجتماعية والأفكار اللاعقلانية، والعلاقة بينهما لدى طلبة المدارس. اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي الارتباطي، وتكوّنت عيّنة الدّراسة من (831) طالباً وطالبة (476 طالباً و 355 طالبة)، تم اختيارهم بالطّريقة المُتيسرة في الفصل الدراسي الثاني للعام الدراسي (2023/2022)م. ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة؛ جرى استخدام مقياس العزلة الاجتماعية ومقياس الأفكار اللاعقلانية اللذين أعدا لغايات هذه الدراسة، بعد التحقق من صدقهما وثباتهما. أظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن مستوى كل من العزلة الاجتماعية والأفكار اللاعقلانية جاء متوسطاً، وأن هناك علاقة ارتباطية موجبة دالة إحصائياً بينهما. كما أظهرت النتائج أيضاً عدم وجود فروق دالة إحصائياً في مستوى كل …

Cultivating Resilience In The Anthropocene: Evaluating A Gssw Ecological Justice Curriculum, Windy Selig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice evaluated the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) Ecological Justice Pathway to examine how resilience is conceptualized and cultivated within the curriculum. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm and guided by an ecological justice framework, this evaluation explored the pedagogical and curricular strategies designed to prepare social work students for the emotional, ethical, and professional demands of practicing in the Anthropocene—a time marked by ecological degradation, climate crisis, and compounding social inequities.

Through qualitative methods, including faculty interviews and curriculum document analysis, the evaluation identified both explicit and implicit components that foster student resilience. …

Teacher Perspectives On The Impact Of School-Based Mental Health Services On Academic Performance, Attendance, And Behavior, Carol Ingram

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative instrumental case study explores teacher perspectives on the impact of school-based mental health services on student academic performance, attendance, and behavior in a northern Mississippi school district. Understanding their influence on key student outcomes is crucial given the increasing integration of school-based mental health services in educational settings. Framed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) five core competencies, this study examines how school-based mental health services support these competencies through teachers' insights. Data were collected using criterion sampling, focusing on eight high school teachers through focus groups, individual interviews, and a review of the …