Digital Commons Network^™

Editors' Introduction, Rachel Dick, Rachel Robbins-Whited

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

No abstract provided.

From Student To Teacher: Lgbtq+ Pre-Service Teachers’ Physical Education Experiences, Alexandra L. Stoddart, Niya St. Amant

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

The first phase of an explanatory sequential design explored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) pre-service teachers’ retrospective experiences from primary and secondary school (K-12) physical education, as well as their physical education experiences in one post-secondary institution. Ahmed’s (2006; 2010) interpretation of orientation was invoked as a conceptual consideration. Quantitative results from the cross-sectional online survey indicated that K-12 physical education remains an unsafe and uncomfortable learning space for many LGBTQ+ students for a myriad of reasons. Conventional qualitative content analysis generated four categories about K-12 class pedagogy and structure, gender and sexuality, change rooms, and the …

Comprehending Students' Experiences With A Language Learning Resource Center: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of College Life And Belonging, Paulina Dzieza

Dissertations

This study explores the impact of Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC) services on college students' overall college experience and their sense of belonging on campus. In the constantly evolving world of higher education, higher education institutions work to provide welcoming spaces where students can flourish academically and socially. In higher education, where there is a growing focus on student support services, the LLRC is essential for promoting academic achievement, cross-cultural interaction, and social integration for foreign language learners. This qualitative study, guided by a combined theoretical framework of Community of Practice and Ethics of Care, aims to advance knowledge of …

Educational Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Doctor Of Health Sciences Programs, G. Zipp, Christina B. Gunther, Douglas Kuperman, Jill Moore, Lori Rainchuso

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has gained increased attention in higher education with the identification of several strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats regarding its utility. The aim of this study was to ascertain how doctoral programs in health sciences utilize AI as academicians and instructors.

Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to all Association of Doctoral Programs in Health Science (ADPHS) members on the mailing list (n=51), with n=19 (37.3%) voluntarily responding.

Results: The findings revealed both enthusiasm and caution regarding the use of AI in doctoral health sciences education, reflecting similar broader trends identified in the literature. Despite institutional …

What Perceptions Do Esl- Endorsed Teachers In A Midwest-Urban School District Hold Regarding The Achievement Gap Between Their Ells And Non-Ell Students?, Hannah Jeanne Walling

Masters Projects

In today's diverse and interconnected society, the educational landscape is marked by a significant influx of students who are English language learners (ELLs). These students, while enriching the cultural tapestry of classrooms, face unique challenges in acquiring academic skills and achieving success in their educational journey. This thesis aims to delve into the achievement gap that exists between English language learners and their non-English language learner counterparts and what perceptions their teachers have on them, with a particular focus on the United States educational system. By examining the factors contributing to this disparity, exploring effective instructional strategies, and proposing targeted …

Comparative Data Science Education Policy And Management: United States And Europe, Torbet Mcneil

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study examines what “good” curricula and administration for undergraduate data science are by surveying and interviewing U.S. and European data science educators and administrators. Many U.S. and European higher education institutions have embraced data science education with a kind of inertial sensibility, i.e., it is inevitable that data science education needs to be offered to students. Information and data affect so many areas of knowledge that higher education administrators feel they must assure students are “ready” for the world they are inheriting. Academic capitalism and isomorphism theories help elucidate social and market forces influencing higher education decision-making. Topics to …

Decolonizing Links Between International Scholarships And Peace Insights From A Critical Realist Study In Palestine, Anas N. Almassri

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

In this article, I summarize my doctoral research of the potential contribution of international graduate scholarships to peace in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT). The research challenges predominant explanations of scholarships' contribution to peace on account of advancing human and global capitals and facilitating Western-style liberal-democratic socialization. Within a critical realist paradigm, interview and documentary data from 32 Palestinian scholarship alumni were analyzed in a three-stage process. First, the descriptive findings show that the participants perceive significant gains from scholarships in their academic, career, and multidimensional identity development. Second, the inferential findings demonstrate that these gains represent increased effective ability …

Trans* Student Experiences In Higher Education, Megan Chaffee, Deborah King

New York Journal of Student Affairs

This paper reviews literature on trans* students' experiences in higher education, examining their obstacles and institutional approaches to inclusion. The study investigates challenges regarding chosen names and pronouns, access to facilities, extracurricular involvement, and the impact of increasing anti-trans* legislation. Despite growing visibility, trans* students continue to report harassment, discrimination, and a decreased sense of belonging. The paper explores current Title IX interpretations and recommends that higher education administrators develop inclusive policies, enhance professional development, and create supportive campus environments that foster trans* students' academic success and overall well-being.

Posture - A Framework With Measures And Mediating Effects In Support Of A Structural Model For Attitude In Identity Formation, Christopher Kyle Prather

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation develops a framework and new, valid, abbreviated instruments for researching engineering identity formation as an evolving relational and attitudinal development process rather than a fixed outcome. The framework centers on “posture”, a mediating effect analogous to physical posture in human factors engineering. The investigation was unique, and developed evidence for a structural model using an interdisciplinary, systems-oriented approach. Methodologically, a clinical measure of internal emotional states from the Marriage and Family Therapy literature was administered alongside existing scales for perseverance, perceived workload, and psychological ownership. This study used the broad coverage of the clinical instrument to search for …

Beyond The Benefit: A Multi-Modal Narrative Study Of Black Women's Experiences With Employer-Sponsored Tuition Assistance, Britany Patricia Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of Black women engaging with employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs, focusing on how social, structural, and identity-based factors shape their educational and professional trajectories. While these benefits are often framed as neutral tools for career advancement, this study examines them through the intersecting lenses of race, gender, and labor, revealing deeper dynamics of access, value, and belonging. Guided by a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this study employed a multi-modal data collection design involving video diaries, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. Three participants, all Black women between the ages of 30 and 40, shared their …

Exhibiting Rural Consciousness: A Study Of State And Local Level Governance In Rural Higher Education, Steven J. Skadron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Evolving economies in Craig and Salida, CO, spurred community interest in joining Colorado Mountain College’s taxing district and bringing the college to their communities. When they sought to join, Craig had a local college embedded in its community that was governed by a state-level board; in contrast, Salida had no local college of its own. The two communities’ pursuit of a locally governed college raised a question about governing boards and whether one type of governing board might serve rural communities better. Using a framework of rural consciousness, this nonexperimental, cross-sectional, quantitative study employed data gathered from a survey instrument …

Examining Whiteness: A Narrative Inquiry Into Racial Identity Among White Women In Study Abroad Programs, Audrey Moreno Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to better understand race in contexts both domestically and abroad through the perspectives and experiences of white women who studied abroad outside of Europe and the Anglosphere. The investigation explored on how these experiences shaped white women’s understanding of racial identity upon returning to their home institutions. The research question which was addressed was: How do white women experience study abroad programming? Research highlights a critical gap in existing literature on this topic. While white women are centered in the study, it is contextualized considering how People of Color experience the world. …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

The Residual Impact Of Slavery On How Enslaved Black Females Defined And Made Meaning Of Sexual Violence: A Content Analysis, Suzanne R. Bates

Dissertations

Thompson-Miller & Picca (2016) and Feimster (2023) argued that enslaved African American women, and even free African Americans after the Civil War were victims of non-consensual sexual activity and rape. The NISVS report revealed that before the age of 18 years old, 35.5% of African American women experienced contact sexual violence, 29.5% experienced non-contact unwanted sexual encounters, and 20.7% experienced rape (Basile et al., 2022). Researchers of slave scholarship have made the case for the importance of including discourse on slavery and enslaved Black females’ experiences when discussing present day sexual violence among Black women in the US today (Balfour, …

Homelessness Among School-Aged Children In The Mountain West, 2022-2023, Mohit Pande, Sean Curry, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet presents data on homelessness among school-aged children in the Mountain West during the 2022-2023 school year. The data are sourced from the “Child and Youth Homelessness in the United States: Data Profiles” dashboard produced by SchoolHouse Connection and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. State-level data profiles include information about child and youth homelessness at the national, state, county, school district, and congressional district levels. This fact sheet focuses on homelessness among school-aged children within the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

Public School Funding In The Mountain West, 2020-2021, Sean Curry, Mohit Pande, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet examines the state of public school funding across the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are sourced from the Education Law Center’s 2023 Making the Grade report, which provides data for all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The original report provides grades for school funding, enrollment data, and funding data based on the 2020-2021 school year.

An Empirical Examination Of Student Dropout In A Diverse Campus Environment, Zahid Iqbal, Shekar Shetty

Southwestern Business Administration Journal

Abstract

This study expands on the existing literature by examining dropout behavior of minority college students. Specifically, the study compares determinants of retention for large ethnic student groups in the College of Business of an ethnically-diverse college campus. The dynamics of retention and progression are not known for college campuses with large representations of ethnic students. Our empirical findings show that college GPA explains student dropout for all ethnic groups. We find evidence of a positive association between dropout and male students for African-American and White ethnicities. Additionally, dropout has a positive association with online classes for African-Americans and Hispanics …

Psychosocial Challenges As Predictors Of Transactional Sex Among Undergraduates In Ondo State, Nigeria, Ifeoluwa Blessing Michael, Oyedotun Dolapo Ilori, Patrick O. Akerele

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The study investigated the psychosocial challenges predictive towards engaging in transactional sex among undergraduates within Ondo State, with the moderating role of demographic variables weighed heavily. Employing a descriptive survey design, data were gathered from 404 undergraduates by means of a validated questionnaire (reliability = 0.86) randomly sampled from two public and two private universities. Amongst the findings from descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were that peer pressure, financial instability, family dysfunction, and emotional health challenges had significant correlations with involvement in transactional sex while jointly explaining 46.6% of the variance. Financial instability was the strongest predictor, followed by …

Underlying Causes Linking Foster Care And The Criminal Justice System, Marcia D. Wheeler

Master of Arts in Human Services

This research expands on the ongoing statewide crisis within the foster care system that needs to be properly addressed to benefit future and current foster youth. Research has found a connection between foster care and prison, often referred as the “foster-care-to-prison-pipeline.” This study aimed to explore the impact of trauma experienced by current and former foster youth through a life course lens looking at crucial areas of development using a mixed methodology supported by theoretical theories that explored the connection between foster care and the criminal justice system. The results showed that current and former foster youth face many adversities …

Precarious Privilege: Exploring The Intersection Of White Teacher Habitus And Social Justice In International Schools, Kevin L. Workman

Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the underresearched phenomenon of White teacher allyship within an emergent diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) movement in international schools. Gaining momentum in 2020 as a digital, postcolonial counterstory, the movement exposed structural inequities and racism across the international school ecosystem. Applying an antiracist reading of Bourdieu’s (1977) theory of practice, the study analyzes how White teachers (n = 8) from diverse international contexts understand, experience, and assess their participation in DEIJ activities. Thematic analysis of interview data corroborated the digital voices, explicitly identifying White supremacy as a key force shaping the field’s doxa. The study …

Archival Articulations Of Belonging: Resistance, Reimagination, And Resilience In School And In Incarceration, Caroline Hastings

Dissertations

Belonging is a universal desire, providing purpose and comfort, that supports our ability to survive and triumph through difficulty. A lack of belonging can impact one’s likelihood of becoming incarcerated. In turn, incarceration stigmatizes individuals and disrupts connections with family, friends, and community members. This study of individual’s experiences of belonging analyzed reflective written accounts created during incarceration. This phenomenological qualitative examination of belonging for formerly and currently incarcerated individuals, disproportionately people of color and individuals with disabilities, sought to deepen our understanding of belonging as a force in their lives. In the United States, high rates of incarceration impact …

The Label Of Low Effort: Exploring Teachers’ Effort-Related Language, Meritocratic Beliefs, And Attribution-Based Responsibility Assignments, Kelly A. Larson

Doctorate in Education

Educators play an integral role in the academic success and future educational trajectory of their students. Yet, in an unjust, hyper-individualistic education system grounded in a meritocratic myth, even the most well-intentioned teachers have a tendency to explain students’ underperformance through a self-protective, deficit-based attribution process that puts the onus of academic achievement almost entirely on students and their families. This recursive cycle is especially damaging for students who do not exhibit effort in normalized, Eurocentric ways. This study examines how teachers’ attributions and responsibility assignments for students’ perceived low-effort behavior are shaped by inequitable meritocratic beliefs and reinforced through …

The Impacts Of Urban And Rural Education Inequality On Individual Career Development : The Case Of Guangdong Province, Shuang Chen

Lingnan Theses (Doctoral degree)

The study focused on the disparity in educational opportunities between urban and rural areas. This has been one of the most debated topics in China, especially when related to Guangdong Province. This dissertation explored how disparities in urban-rural educational outcomes influence individual career attainment and income levels and discusses the broader socio-economic implications of such disparities. This study positioned its analysis within the structural-functionalist framework and underlined how inequities in educational resources affect career outcomes. This focuses on a household registration policy called the hukou system, which has played a crucial role in determining education's access to resources and career …

A Comparative Study Of Fgcs And Non-Fgcs In Mainland China : An Analysis Based On The G University, Meihan Tao

Lingnan Theses (Doctoral degree)

While Western scholarship on First-Generation College Students (FGCS) is well-established, research on FGCS in mainland China remains underdeveloped, despite the group’s substantial size and critical role in social mobility. This study examines the disparities between FGCS and Non-First-Generation College Students (Non-FGCS) in cultural capital accumulation, university major selection, academic adaptation, and career planning. Grounded in cultural capital theory and social cognitive career theory (SCCT), the study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative in-depth interviews and quantitative surveys to explore how familial cultural capital influences educational and career trajectories. The research focuses on students from G University in southwest China. Quantitative …

U.S News & World Report 2025 Graduate Program Rankings, Unlv & Unr, Dre Boyd-Weatherly, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Higher Education

This fact sheet presents 2025 graduate program rankings for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and for the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) based on the data published in spring 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. The graduate program categories reported include business, education, engineering, fine arts, law, medicine and health care, sciences and mathematics, and social sciences and humanities.

Innocence Stolen, Echo K. Yerke

Master of Arts in Human Services

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a negative societal problem. It isn’t an easy problem to solve; there is a lot of secrecy involved. The literature review will look at early interventions and prevention. The paper tries to show how it would benefit society if there were more money dedicated to programs to prevent childhood sexual abuse. The paper shows the negative outcomes that happen to the victims and possibly their future generations. The paper will look at the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and suicide. It also looks at the mental health struggles that victims go through. It also …

Use Of Ict In South African Schools And The Plight Of Marginalized Learners During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Chinegbonkpa Hope Nwakanma, Maryam Chinasa Adewunmi

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Given that information and communication technology is still a luxury for poor students, especially in developing countries like South Africa. It is crucial to examine the extent of the inequalities and social marginalisation learners face due to lack of access to ICT, as well as the impact on their learning. This study, therefore, explores the use of ICT in public schools by synthesising existing literature on its effect on the teaching and learning of socially and economically marginalised learners. Using the qualitative research approach involving document analysis and literature review, this study reveals that lack of resources, skills and the …

2025-2026 Ursinus College Course Catalogue, Office Of The Registrar

Ursinus College Catalogues, 1869-Present

A digital copy of the 2025-2026 Ursinus College Catalog. It contains details of the curriculum, departmental requirements and courses of instruction as well as the Open Questions core requirements, experiential learning and the Common Intellectual Experience (CIE). Academic policies, special opportunities and scholarships, off-campus programs and graduation requirements are also outlined.

Addressing Psychosocial Barriers To Participation In People Experiencing Homelessness: An Occupational Therapy Workshop, Preston E. Bender

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project addressed the critical gap in occupational therapy education and practice regarding the psychosocial needs of people experiencing homelessness. Despite the occupational therapy profession’s emphasis on holistic, person-centered care, many occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students report feeling a lack of self-efficacy and preparedness to navigate the complex psychological, social, and systemic barriers that hinder occupational participation among this population. This capstone project aimed to address the perceived unpreparedness among clinicians through the creation of an 8-hour interactive educational workshop. The workshop is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation and informed by the Bridging the Transition …