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Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Connection, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Talisman:

• Alali, Cecilia & Ragan Harrington. Connection
• Hardesty, Emma. On a Roll – Dungeons & Dragons
• Muscutt, Carson. Grinding Through Life – Molotov Skateshop
• Cox, Kate. Stopwatch
• Harrington, Ragan. 1 Campus, 7 Strangers – Logan Hesse, Nicholas Basile, Spencer Winterbottom, Alliyah Jones, Alex Gehring, Annie McClurg, Rowan Finley
• Vickers, Abigail. Forged in Combat – Mixed Martial Arts
• Wood-Morris, Oli. Survivors to Neighbors – Bosnian Refugees
• Jordan, Shylin. Severed Roots
• Bivens, Emily. Behind the Screen – Social Media
• Dean, Clarissa. Shear Talent – Shake Rag Barbershop
• Sutton, Avery. For the Love of the Old – Thrift Shopping
• Phelps, Maggie. …

Thematic Geo-Inquiry In Seventh Grade Geography, Rebekah Driscoll Austing

Theses and Dissertations

With the growth of globalization, geography is an important subject for students of the 21^st Century to understand. Being adept in geography will aid our future generations to be able to use geographic skills to answer complex world issues. Unfortunately, geography has been a long-neglected subject of social studies; often considered boring and not worthwhile with teachers using teacher-centered curriculum methods and memorization. A teacher’s job is to provide appropriate experiences, materials, and context for students to construct and connect knowledge that is useful and beneficial to them. Through a constructivist lens, inquiry-based thematic units can be used by …

High School Teachers' Perspectives On The Components Of A Quality Online Structure For Remote Learning In Digital And Media Art Classes, James E. Marone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that there were inconsistencies in the research literature and a gap in practice regarding teachers' perspectives on the components of a quality online structure in a digital and media art class during the post-COVID-19 era. Despite evidence of the benefits of remote learning, there was a gap concerning implementation of improved quality online structures. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of digital and media art teachers on their needs for a quality online learning structure in the post-COVID-19 era. The conceptual framework was Davis’s technology acceptance model. …

Cultivating Cultural Competence To Inspire Social Responsibility In Middle School Students, Jamie Shapiro Blau

Theses and Dissertations

In World Language education, teachers pair linguistic and cultural instruction to prepare students to engage effectively with speakers of the target language. In my French classes, where most students enjoyed dominant racial and socioeconomic identities, I noticed limited cultural competency skills in students, as well as a lack of readiness to engage with diverse cultures. This was unsurprising, as pervasive White eurocentrism permeates American schools, covertly impacting students' social and curricular experiences. Specifically, curricula of World Language courses where the language of study originates in a country with colonial history, such as French, cloud and ignore the linguistic and cultural …

Creating Systems Of Professional Learning To Encourage Deep Thinking In Social Studies: A Qualitative Study, Elizabeth Poda King

Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes a problem that developed due to a lack of systems in place to provide professional learning for teachers in social studies. This problem was ignited when revised standards were adopted which shifted from heavy content focus to skills and content. Standards requiring both skills and content encourage student inquiry and promote deep thinking by students through the use of historical evidence. Therefore, the purpose of the improvement science plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles was to develop a system of job-embedded professional learning to assist teachers with teaching strategies that use historical evidence to promote deep thinking in social studies …

Gateways To Reading: Action Research With At-Risk Students At An Alternative School, David Sean Goff

Theses and Dissertations

There is no shortage of research on how low levels of literacy disproportionately affect students of color, but this research was interested in how three theoretical models may impact this trend. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the reading experiences and engagement levels of students in an alternative school English class, applying culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP), self-determination theory (SPD), and zone of proximal development (ZPD). CRP is a theoretical model that upholds students’ cultural identities, while pursuing academic success. ZPD is a theoretical model that suggests learning occurs when content is within students’ ability. SDT is …

Systems Check: A Qualitative Case Study Of Educators And Parent-Educators Supporting Adolescent Readers From An Ecological Systems Perspective, Kristi Nicole Grooms

Theses and Dissertations

In spite of decades of research and an abundance of well-intentioned intervention efforts, supporting adolescent readers, particularly at the middle level, remains a significant area of concern for educators in the United States. The struggles are present for educators working to help underperforming readers reach grade-level and keep advanced readers motivated and engaged. At home, parents and guardians experience similar challenges. Data on adolescent comprehension performance continues to be frustrating in terms of producing consistent positive results. This qualitative action research study investigated the ongoing challenge of supporting adolescent readers, specifically within the context of 7th grade, through a systems …

Refining The Student Admissions Process And Retention Methods In Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Beatrice Ransom Johnson

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The overarching goal of the study is to address the admission and retention problem in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This is after identifying a research gap on how these colleges can retain their significance in the current educational environment that has altered their functionality concept and approach (Smith, 2018). Initially, HBCUs were instituted to specifically meet the needs of Black students who lacked higher educational opportunities due to racist practices and systemic injustices that barred them from joining Predominantly White Institutions and other non-HBCUs (Jones & Williams, 2020). Hence, they were designed to accommodate the Black students' learning …

The Impact Of A National Crisis On Academic Research Productivity: Experiences Of Program And Department Heads In Israel, Emanuel Tamir

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The research examined the impact of a national crisis on the research output of academic program and department heads in Israel, investigating how these leaders functioned in the face of prolonged uncertainty and exploring whether their administrative role resulted in personal costs.

Methods: Data were drawn from interviews with 27 heads; then 133 heads answered a questionnaire.

Results: The findings revealed factors restricting research during the crisis: overload relating to students, overload relating to administration, family difficulties, and inaccessible research infrastructure. Some heads developed successful strategies to sustain their research during the crisis.

Conclusions and Implications: Critical insights into …

Exploring The Correlation Between Self-Esteem And Academic Success Among Special Needs Students In Kwara State, Nigeria, Florence Famolu

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Special education has shifted from a position of delivering professional services to students with disabilities to a system that seeks to encompass the broad concept of promoting quality education for students. This study examined the correlation between self-esteem and academic success among special needs students in Kwara State, Nigeria. the study adopted a descriptive survey research type. special needs students in the three local government areas in Ilorin, Ilorin South, East, and West Local Governments Area constituted the total population for this research. The researcher designed questionnaire was entitled: self-esteem as correlate of academic success among special needs students’ questionnaire” …

Breaking The Pipeline: Exploring Exclusionary Discipline, Restorative Justice, And The Attitudes And Beliefs Of Educators, Ericka J. Varnedoe

Honors College Theses

This study explores the connection between exclusionary disciplinary practices and the school-to-prison pipeline. It highlights how exclusionary discipline, including suspensions and expulsions, disproportionately affects marginalized groups such as students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ youth, further contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline. In contrast, restorative justice, a non-punitive approach, offers a promising alternative. Initially adopted from the criminal justice system, restorative justice has been integrated into school environments to foster positive school climates, improve experiences, and mitigate challenging behaviors. This research examines educators' attitudes toward both exclusionary and restorative practices, as well as their awareness and implementation of restorative …

New Tricks? Understanding The Role Of Education, Incarceration, And Reentry On The Older Correctional Population, Angela S. Murolo Phd, Lena Campagna Phd

Journal of Prison Education Research

Abstract

Education in prison provides an opportunity for personal growth and increased professional opportunities upon release. As older people leave prison and return to communities, the need for education serves multiple functions including successful reentry and healthy aging. The aim of this research was to explore the current literature relevant to older people during incarceration and upon release. The authors conducted a systematic literature review on 15 years of research between 2008- 2023 to understand how education in prison impacts older people while incarcerated and upon release. Articles published prior to 2008 were excluded from this study. Twenty-seven articles were …

L’Université Marocaine Et Le Défi De L’Intelligence Artificielle : Science Sans Conscience ?, Mourad Belfassi

Dirassat

Artificial intelligence (AI) encompasses several areas, such as university teaching. Our axiological reflection assesses ethics in the academic action of students.e.s. Based on the assumption that AI alters real intelligence and ruins human consciousness, we conducted a survey to see if students who exploit AI care about the ethical criterion in their practice. In order to provide answers, we have used a mixed methodological approach, quantitative and qualitative, linking questionnaires and semi-directive maintenance. We have found that ethics is overshadowing the preponderance of the search for information.

Les Humanités Numériques : Une Révolution Des Pratiques Dans L'Éducation, L'Art, L'Histoire, Les Langues Et La Sociologie, Yasmina Reghai

Dirassat

Digital humanities, an emerging field of research, combines digital tools and traditional methods to explore various domains such as education, art, history, languages, and sociology. In education, they promote personalized and interactive approaches, while in art, they enable new forms of expression and creation. For history, they offer new perspectives on the past, and in linguistics, they improve understanding and dissemination of languages. In sociology, they introduce new methods for studying societies. More than just a technological evolution, digital humanities challenge the epistemological foundations of disciplines and act as a lever for social transformation. They mark a decisive turning point …

Deconstructing The Cradle Of Literature: An Application Of Pierre Bourdieu’S “Field” Theory To The Studies Of Literary Subjectivity And Local Creative Writing, Gabriel F. Y. Tsang

Journal of Creative Writing Studies

Different from Northrop Frye, who intends to terminate literary discussions by stressing archetypical analysis, Pierre Bourdieu attracts many interdisciplinary attempts upon his scientific methodology. Although he rarely centralizes the internal value of literature, as he did in an exceptional commentary on Guillaume’s poetry by adopting conventional judgments (descriptive, rhetoric, narrative, and stylistic), his sociological delineation of the objective and habitual mechanism of the literary field and the possibility of change oriented by personal dispositions strikingly reveals a new integrative way to understand the dynamic process of literary formation. Adding Merleau-Ponty phenomenology of perception and perspective of communicative externalization to Bourdieu’s …

The Impact Of Institutional Features On Student Retention Rates Using Regression And Random Forest Modeling, Grayson Tvrdik

Honors Projects

Student retention is a focus for higher education institutions aiming to improve student outcomes and institutional success. While previous research has often relied on qualitative assessments of college related factors, this project applies quantitative techniques at a national scale. Random forest and beta regression models were used to predict retention rates for public colleges based on institutional characteristics such as financial variables, enrollment patterns, and demographic metrics. The random forest models demonstrated higher accuracy than the beta regression models, leading us to find that financial variables and student integration factors are significant predictors of retention. Beta regression models, though less …

Using Gamification To Teach Cybersecurity In A Social Science Course: An Experience Paper, Roderick Graham, Medina Williams

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Meta-reviews of gamification suggest that gamifying course instruction can positively impact learners' behaviors and attitudes, leading to improved learning outcomes. However, there is a lack of literature relaying concrete experiences with developing and deploying gamified content. This experience paper contributes to filling that gap by describing the deployment of gamified instruction to students enrolled in a mid-level university social science course. These experiences are organized around four more or less chronological questions the project team needed to answer: (1) why gamify – or what is the rationale for undertaking such an endeavor, (2) what content should be gamified, (3) what …

The Implementation Of Higher Education In The Prison System In Mississippi: The Challenges And Benefits, Elizabeth F. Ratliff

Honors Theses

Growing support for higher education in prison has sparked much conversation regarding the challenges and benefits of the programs and their implementation. In Mississippi, this has become an increasingly prevalent issue as the incarcerated population continues to grow and programs continue to be limited in accessibility. Mississippi’s incarcerated population deserves the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through higher education to better themselves individually and better their communities upon release. However, Mississippi faces unique challenges in its prison system, preventing the benefits of these programs from showing. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the challenges and …

Enhancing Skin Cancer Literacy Amongst Young Adults: A Digital Design, Katherine Stoll

Honors Projects

The skin plays a vital role in protection, regulation, and homeostasis of the human body. Skin cancer, despite being mostly preventable, is one of the most common cancers. Young adults, ages 18 to 25, are vulnerable targets due to risky behaviors and misinformation regarding skin cancer. This project was designed by using digital media and website design to enhance skin cancer health literacy among young adults. Using a systematic literature review and research methods, an interactive website was designed to improve skin cancer health literacy and eliminate common misconceptions. The topics addressed throughout the website were the biological factors of …

Toledo Private High Schools: An Analysis Of Marketing Strategies, Tegan Ruttencutter

Honors Projects

Having a better understanding of private education is vital in a country where research on private schools outside of school choice literature is limited. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the marketing strategies employed by Toledo private high schools, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the local education market and its broader implications. This study will delve into the websites of three prominent Toledo private high schools: one Catholic, one Christian/Religious, and one secular school. To better understand these websites and schools, marketing and education-related literature regarding marketing strategies and private education is reviewed. Additionally, to better understand …

Theorizing The Body In The Asl Interpreting Field: Promising Dimensions For Further Research, Taylor L. Woodall-Greene, Lucy E. Bailey

Journal of Interpretation

This paper theorizes body politics in the American Sign Language Interpreting profession. The field is facing problems with burnout and attrition. We focus on the interpreting body and present four themes, including the embodied demands, the limited available scholarship over “the body” in ASL, the fluctuating meaning of the interpreter’s bodily labor, and the educational implications of our analysis. We argue that attention to body politics matters, and more research is needed on the intersections between the body and the ASL interpreting profession. Continuing the research into these theoretical dimensions and interpreters’ self-care given the embodied demands of the profession, …

Academic Freedom In Interpreter Education: Teaching Communication Access In A Culture Of Censorship, Dawn M. Wessling, Mark A. Halley, Brendan Stern

Journal of Interpretation

Abstract

The primary function of signed language interpreters and translators is to foster inclusion and equity by ensuring effective communication access for deaf individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds in public spaces. The effectiveness of interpreter education depends on the freedom of expression, thought, and behavior. This paper explores the impacts of illiberal legislation on American Sign Language/English interpreter education in Florida. Specifically, we describe how the illiberal attacks on academic freedom that preclude Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and curricula, such as Florida’s SB266/HB999 (2023) and SB2525/HB7 (2022), present unprecedented challenges for interpreter and translator educators. In conclusion, we …

Honors Research Day [Program] April 26, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa

Honors Research Day Programs

No abstract provided.

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, April 25, 2025, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Increasing Parental Involvement Of Low Socioeconomic Status Families, To Help Increase Student Reading Achievement, Jean M. Routley Robinson

Masters Projects

There is a gap in reading achievement for children from low socioeconomic status families despite efforts to the contrary. A major factor contributing to achievement in reading is parental involvement. This involvement is important for all children, but is especially important when it comes to raising the reading abilities of children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. A focus on Pierre Bourdieu and his theories around social and cultural capital shape the framework for understanding why a lack of involvement can exist, as well as what can be done to increase it. Four main themes emerged to improve participation. They are: shifting …

From Student-Athlete To Working Professional: Career Readiness For College Athletes, Elizabeth M. Gibbs

Masters Projects

College student-athletes face unique challenges in preparing for life and work after graduation. With a significant amount of time dedicated to their athletic career, many student-athletes have limited opportunities to explore potential careers, participate in internships, or get involved in activities or work on or off campus. The number of student-athletes has continued to increase, and it is important for student-athletes to utilize career resources available to them. Research has shown that student-athletes struggle with career readiness and lack of confidence in transitioning out of their athletic career. It is important to adequately prepare them for the workforce, as very …

Empowering Undecided Students: Fostering Self-Authorship Through Academic Advising Practices, Erin E. Westberg

Masters Projects

More students are entering college undecided about their major, yet many academic advisors are not equipped with the proper tools to holistically support this population. Undecided students often experience self-doubt, external pressures, and difficulty identifying a major that aligns with their personal interests and goals. Without holistic support, this may delay their time to graduation or cause them to choose a path that doesn’t feel right for them. The purpose of this project is to provide academic advisors with a framework to better support undecided students through the use of self-authorship. This approach encourages students to reflect on their values, …

Reimagining Faculty Retention And Governance In Regional Public Universities, Cabdulcasiis Maxamed Ciise

Masters Projects

This project addresses the faculty retention crisis in regional public universities (RPUs) by examining how neoliberal governance, characterized by performance metrics, market-driven funding, and corporate leadership, has restructured academic work and eroded shared governance. The purpose was to explore faculty burnout, disengagement, and leadership gaps, and to develop resources that support more ethical and collaborative institutional cultures. Using Labor Process Theory, Critical Social Theory, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior as guiding frameworks, this literature-based project analyzed the structural and ideological conditions driving faculty attrition and institutional instability. Research included an extensive review of peer-reviewed literature on neoliberalism in higher education, faculty …

A Pedagogy Of Howling: Testimonies Of Pedagogies For Peace At The University For Peace, Stephanie Marie Knox Steiner, Abigail Rose Ciccarone, Cecile Adrian, Dhvani Rajen Thakkar, Luiza Duarte, Sarah Jampol

Feminist Pedagogy

In this critical commentary, we (five masters’ students and one faculty member) share testimonies of what has felt essential in our experience of pedagogies for peace at the University for Peace (UPEACE). Co-creating this article in a collective voice[1] is a living example of the heart of our pedagogical praxis of disrupting separation and expressing interconnectedness through collaboration. We practice as we write, together.

Conversations Before The Conversation: Readying Dissidence Through Norm-Setting, Ashley N. Watson

Feminist Pedagogy

How can educators speak truth to power in ways that decenter whiteness while supporting student learning across different levels of awareness? What does the right balance of challenge and support look like in today’s unpredictable college environment? These questions are drawn from my experience as a Black predoctoral fellow teaching “Intercultural Dialogue” at a traditionally white public liberal arts university in rural Minnesota. This paper—both a reflection and recommendations for practice—outlines my approach to co-constructing and scaffolding a conducive learning environment rooted in emancipatory pedagogy.