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2024-2025 Program And Abstracts Celebration Of Student Scholarship, Morehead State University. Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The 2024-2025 Program and Abstracts for the Celebration of Student Scholarship at Morehead State University held on April 16, 2025. A Showcase of Student Research, Scholarship, Creative Work, and Performance Arts.

Does Childhood Exposure To Substance Use Correlate To Adult Substance Use?, Hannah Jones, Monica Himes

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Children who have grown up around parents or caregivers who use substances face hardships, attachment issues, trauma, and genetics that may cause future use of substances. Twenty-five to seventy-five percent of substance abusers have experienced trauma or abuse (Carmona, 2022). Many studies showed the awareness of parental substance abuse and how it affects their children. The focus of this study is to bring awareness to how substance abuse affects children. It may lead to future substance use or mental health concerns.

Religion/Spirituality And Substance Use, Jaiden Mckenzie, Monica Himes

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this study was to see if there is a significant correlation between a person’s religion or spirituality and their use of substances. In this study, substances can be considered alcohol, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, acid, tobacco/ nicotine, and any other unprescribed substance. • The Research Question for this study was: Does religion/ spirituality affect the use of substances? • The Hypothesis for this study was: Someone who is religiously or spiritually affiliated is less likely to use substances than someone who isn’t religiously or spiritually affiliated

First Generation College Students: Challenges And Rewards, Tabitha Houston, Jennifer Mcwhorter, Lynn Geurin

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

First-generation college students are defined as those whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree or higher. • There is a 73% higher dropout rate among first generation college students compared to their peers from legacy families (Davis, 2024). • Key factors impacting first-generation students include self-image, academic performance, and financial security (Flynn & Macleod, 2015). • Lack of sufficient support can lead to serious mental health problems for first-generation students (Johnson & Riley, 2021). • Academic programs specifically designed for first generation students have been shown to increase retention and graduation rates (Katrevich & Arguete, 2017). • A study …

Systemic Strain: Evaluating The Effects Of The Opioid Crisis On Social Service And Treatment Agencies In Appalachian Kentucky, Alma Selina Moreno, Monica Himes

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The opioid epidemic has caused profound and lasting damage to communities all around America, with rural areas like Appalachian Kentucky experiencing disproportionate harm. Due to a lack of resources and transportation options, as well as workforce shortages and pervasive stigma related to substance use disorder, social service and treatment networks in these regions are overwhelmed (Hansen & Netherland, 2016; Keyes et al., 2014). This study examines the longer-term impacts of the opioid epidemic on social service and treatment agencies in Appalachian Kentucky. Data were collected via an online survey (n=73) of social service providers in the region. The study's findings …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Emotional Well-Being And Addiction, Joshua Croucher, James Allen Pauley-Baker, Lynn Geurin

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction, such as domestic violence, parental addiction, and mental health issues (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). ▪ Most adults (60%) have experienced at least one ACE per lifetime in the United States. ▪ Rates in Kentucky are high with 64% of the population having a history of multiple ACEs (Kentucky Department for Public Health, 2016). ▪ Research links ACEs to increased risks of mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety) and substance use disorders in adulthood (Kobrinsky & Siedlecki, 2023; Lu et al., 2007; He et al., 2022).

The Connection Between Poverty, Social Empathy, And Experiential Learning, Juniper Taulbee, Rebecca Davison

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

In the original research of Dr. Davison, she explored the question of how experiential learning influences the social empathy levels and educational practice of public-school educators. While the research showed an increase in social empathy, it also showed interesting trends that were not accounted for in the original hypothesis, such as a decrease in social empathy scoring for male participants and differences in scoring based on lived experience with poverty. Our purpose now is to analyze these differences in empathy scoring and theorize what it may imply about life circumstances, empathy, and the limits of learning.

A Survey-Based Quantification Of Imposter Phenomenon In Occupational Therapy, Dina Prisco, Siobhan Walsh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Imposter phenomenon is a professional issue that negatively affects health professionals’ performance and well-being. This study examined imposter phenomenon’s prevalence in occupational therapy (OT). Researchers hypothesized that imposter phenomenon is prevalent in OT, more so in underrepresented groups. The rate of imposter phenomenon throughout OT was quantified and rates between demographic groups compared.

Method: This study used an exploratory, survey-based research design. Survey sections included informed consent, demographics, and the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). The CIPS measured rates of imposterism. Analyses of variances and independent group t-tests were performed to identify significant differences between groups. Inclusion criteria …

Transforming Futures Through Speculative Ypar: The Garage Story, Allison Joann Lester, Eden Kadosh, Atlas Suarez, Abigail Rubinstein

Occasional Paper Series

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions for young people across the U.S., exacerbating feelings of isolation and disconnection. In response, the [Youth] Think Tank—a paid Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) internship—was launched in [city name]. Teens from diverse backgrounds came together to address the issues they and their peers were facing. This article chronicles the journey of the [Youth] Think Tank through each phase of its YPAR project, following the design process step-by-step as the group developed The [Hub]: a youth-designed space that fosters connection, safety, and belonging within the community. Starting from the program's inception, we trace how the teens …

Social Imagining In “Youth Taking Action:” Documenting Immigrating And Settling Through A Hybrid Youth Participatory Action Research Project, Natacha Monestel Mora, Julia Iriarte, Jennifer A. Vadeboncoeur, Sediqa Temori, Mathias Abraha

Occasional Paper Series

This paper is a memoir of our experiences with Youth Taking Action (YTA), a YPAR program that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. YTA, a collaborative effort organized by a non-profit based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, provided a space for 6 newcomer youths and 4 immigrant adults to engage in active dialogue. Through these conversations, we explored stories of immigration and settlement, identified barriers that limit opportunities for young newcomers and discussed possible actions to address these issues. The youth also learned documentary filmmaking techniques, which helped them collect data and generate more dialogue. This process revealed that linguistic …

Supporting Elementary Educators Through A Nervous System Regulation And Social-Emotional Learning Skills Workshop Intervention: An Musc Capstone Project, Lily Morgan

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Teachers have a great influence on developing children’s emotional intelligence, regulatory capacity, and occupational engagement. These professionals also happen to report some of the highest rates of stress, mental health challenges (Agyapong, B. et al, 2022), and burnout (Xie, M., et al, 2022). Providing teachers with education and support on nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning skills, and related topics can improve their ability to manage job stress, enhance modeling and interactions with students, and improve their quality of life. This project aimed to enhance knowledge, provide access to resources, and serve to support elementary educators at an inner-city school in …

Climat Scolaire : Concept, Enjeux Et Déclinaisons., Abdellatif Elloghaoui

Dirassat

Establishing a school climate that is conducive to learning and favorable to the achievement and well-being of all is the major challenge that Moroccan schools are trying to take up, even though many structural, cultural, pedagogical and institutional biases persist.

Ensuring the well-being of everyone within the school organization is a collegial approach requiring the involvement of all educational stakeholders in a positive synergy that allows students to learn together in better conditions and to prepare them to live in society with respect for others and tolerance for differences.

The school as a space of socialization works towards the emergence …

Harnessing Faith For Relational Harmony: A Black Christian Couple’S Journey Through Relational Spiritual Knowing, Kevin L. Jones, Victoria L. Jones

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

This scholarship centers on the experiences of Black married Christian couples, exploring how spirituality profoundly enriches and transforms their relationships. Building on Martin Buber's philosophy of the “I-Thou” relationship, which emphasizes genuine spiritual engagement, the research highlights how this Black married couple draw on their faith to navigate marital challenges. For Black married Christian couples, spirituality often forms the foundation of their relationships, guiding them through life’s complexities. This work seeks to move beyond traditional teachings, embracing a more expansive view of spirituality that honors the rich, multifaceted nature of Black Christian marriages. Through the Relational Spiritual Knowing framework, this …

Faith In The Therapy Room: A Qualitative Study Of Canadian Immigrant Clients' Untold Stories, Sandra Dixon, Juliane Bell

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

Immigration to Canada brings cultural diversity, but also stressors and challenges that impact mental well-being. Spirituality recognizes the profound significance of relational knowing, manifesting in external appreciation for meaningful experiences with others that provide purpose. Despite the importance of faith in many immigrants' lives, mental health professionals often overlook spiritual and religious convictions. This descriptive qualitative study addressed this gap by conducting semi-structured interviews with 10 immigrant clients of faith in a diverse Canadian province. Purposive and snowball sampling were used for participant recruitment. NVivo 12 software facilitated efficient data management and analysis, and Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phase framework …

Decolonizing Relational Spiritual Knowing In The Context Of Human Connections, Diana Wandix-White, Vicki Mokuria

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

Decolonizing spiritual engagement in human connections involves reimagining how we challenge relational epistemology, overcome relational dissonance, and discover relational value. By transcending individual religious frameworks, we access a deeper, collective spirituality that bridges divides. Relational spiritual knowing taps into the core of our humanity, fostering connections even to those with whom we seem to disagree at every turn and with whom we share no obvious bond. This editorial serves to introduce relational spiritual knowing as a tool to dismantle barriers that cause isolation and inequity, discrimination and disconnection, and misconceptions and misunderstandings in relationships. The articles in this special issue …

A Phenomenological Study: The Burnout Of Public School Teachers In Massachusetts, Maureen E. Ryan

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This study explored the lived experiences of Massachusetts public school pre-K–12 teachers to understand the multifaceted nature of burnout, including how it is experienced, interpreted, and navigated by teachers in their daily lives. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Massachusetts public school pre-K–12 teachers experiencing emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment in the classroom. A review of literature examined burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment, and classroom impacts. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of eight participants self-identifying with burnout. Semistructured Zoom interviews were conducted, drawing upon Maslach’s …

37. Protest 2025. Protest At Applied Engineering Building 2 [Photograph]

LGBTQIA+ Archive Class Projects

Citation: Villatoro, J. (2025, April 9). Students protest during Applied Engineering Building ribbon cutting, Gov. Reynolds is a no-show. Northern Iowan, 1.

Description: Front page of "The Northern Iowan" paper titled "Students protest during Applied Engineering building ribbon cutting, Gov. Reynolds is no-show".

Access To Special Education Support For Rural Areas, Annamarie Mallory, Zayne Smith, Sam Rohrssen

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Across the globe, students need more individualized education. 750 of the 1.1 million learners in compulsory schools in Sweden attend state-run special schools, and 14,400 attend compulsory schools for learners with intellectual disabilities. Special education, on top of many other issues, is a significant reason for rural schools’ struggling to provide quality education for their students who have learning disabilities. Special Education in the United States and Sweden is often overlooked. In the United States, the number of unqualified teachers in rural areas equals 35%, with 11.4% being special educators. This paper will discuss the most appropriate interventions that provide …

Inspire Student Research & Engagement Conference [Program] April 7-8, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa

INSPIRE Student Research & Engagement Conference Programs

A program for the INSPIRE conference where undergraduate and graduate students present their research, internship, volunteer and study abroad experiences, club activities and creative performances.

Examining The Nexus Of Communication, Leadership, And Employee Satisfaction In Community Colleges: A Mixed-Methods Exploration, Sudhir J. Kamath

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Employee turnover and attrition are not something that organizations look forward to. This is particularly significant at community colleges, where staff retention is important for stability and student success. While employees leave for a variety of reasons, dissatisfaction is one of the main reasons employees look for other jobs. This research seeks to answer the central question: How do different leadership styles and communication practices impact employee satisfaction levels at rural two-year community colleges? A mixed methods case study was conducted using survey and semi-structured interviews at four rural Midwestern colleges.

The Promethean Promise: Understanding And Responding To The Educational Aspirations Of Black People In The Us, Seventy Years After Brown, Joaquín M.S. Noguera, Pedro A. Noguera

School of Education Faculty Works

In this paper, we use Prometheus and his perpetual punishment to draw attention to the historic role Black people have played in U.S. education and contemplate the state of education for Black people 70 years after the Brown decision. We note the parallels between the period of reconstruction to the current period and use a case study of a school in Oakland, California to draw attention to a community-based response to the unfulfilled promise of the historic Brown decision. Our hope is that the case study can be used to undertake similar initiatives.

Ua19/16/2 Ahletics Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases regarding general activities of the WKU Athletics Department for spring 2025.

Ua35/3 Provost's Message, Wku Provost

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Provost's Messages issued to faculty & staff via email. Topics include awards, budget cuts, grants, Transdisciplinary Opportunity Program and administrative decisions.

2025 Commencement Program - Spring, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Commencement Programs

2025 Spring Commencement program for Morehead State University.

How Do Children Learn How To Learn? Promoting Early Development At Home Through Play: A Scoping Review, Annika J. Larson

Senior Theses

Early childhood is a critical time in human development, during which children are discovering and practicing countless skills, from basic motor and language skills to problem-solving, self-regulation, memory, and other foundational abilities like literacy and math skills. From infancy through childhood, play is thought to be the primary condition under which most early skills are developed and perfected. During this time, young children are especially vulnerable to adversity and negative environmental influences due to their brains’ high plasticity; adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact an individual well beyond early childhood, specifically in early skills deficits. Play is known to be a …

Policy Analysis Of Hb0030: Empowering English Language Learners, Maria K. De La Cruz Salinas, Ann Katherine Welling

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The 1974 Supreme Court case Lau v. Nichols ruled that schools are required to provide English Language Learning services, as failing to do so deprives English-learning students of a meaningful opportunity to participate in education and denies them access to an equitable education (Lau v. Nichols). Not providing English Language Learning support is in opposition to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1974. In addition, the Every Student Succeeds Act requires all students with no exceptions to participate in school accountability assessments, which in Tennessee is the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment …

Strategies For Reducing Violent Behavior In The Classroom, Barbara Lynne Jacobson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Violence in classrooms remains a significant concern in schools across all grade levels globally. Existing research highlights the detrimental effects of such behavior on both students and educators, contributing to elevated teacher stress and increased attrition rates (Ferguson, 2024). Students exposed to violence may exhibit school avoidance, decreased academic performance, and psychological challenges (Ferguson, 2024). This school improvement project seeks to identify effective, evidence-based strategies teachers can use to reduce violent behaviors, thereby fostering a more positive classroom environment. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review, an in-depth study was conducted in a public kindergarten classroom in rural Iowa. Findings from …

Carnegie Foundation For The Advancement Of Teaching: Elective Classification For Community Engagement 2026 Re-Classification, Andrew Sexton

Morehead State College Histories

A report published by the Morehead State University Carnegie Committee that applied for reclassification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for the campus' community engagement program in 2025.

Patricia A. Tomson Center For Violence Prevention Spring 2025 Newsletter, University Of Northern Iowa. Patricia A. Tomson Center For Violence Prevention.

Patricia A. Tomson Center for Violence Prevention Newsletter

Contents:

--- Central College Train the Trainers
--- Spring 2025 MVP Train the Trainers
--- MVP Student Leadership Summit
--- Dan Marburger MVP Advocacy Award Ceremony
--- Iowa High School Athletic Association's Conference Connections
--- Oelwein Hearts Diversity Night
--- UNI College of Education's 2025 Social and Emotional Learning Conference
--- Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Conference
--- SAAM Panel Event
--- Tomson Scholars

Csbs Kudos, Spring 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Kudos

Contents:

--- Faculty Accolades
--- CSBS Awards
--- Promotions
--- Retirements: Robert Dise; Carolyn Hildebrandt
--- Scott Peters talks civics education on "Iowa Press"
--- Kelli Snyder receives Iowa Athletic Trainers' Society Educator of the Year Award
--- Nancy Kertz named to 2025 Great Iowa Nurses
--- Bill Henninger receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar award for spring 2025
--- A legacy of leadership
--- UNI Center for Civic Education hosts naturalization ceremony
--- PATCVP hosts inaugural Dan Marburger MVP Advocacy Awards
--- UNI public health students earn top honors at national competition
--- UNI expands access to offer Master’s in History …