Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing Environmental Education In Northern Mississippi And Its Impact On Student Outcomes, Vishnu S. Gadepalli

Honors Theses

This thesis examines environmental education in public high schools in northern Mississippi, investigating how educators describe its presence, delivery, and institutional support in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harm. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with high school teachers across four northern Mississippi schools, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed through iterative thematic coding under Institutional Review Board approval. Five themes emerged: opportunistic curricular integration, time and standards as overriding structural constraints, passive institutional support, student receptivity tempered by limited awareness, and significant variation across school contexts with one magnet school as a clear outlier. The study concludes that environmental education in these …

Avian Influenza And The Approach To Designing An H5n1 Vaccine, Lauren N. Hickey

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The Avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N1 has been responsible for the culling and deaths of millions of birds since 2022 with concern for wildlife, livestock, and human infections occurring as well. With eggs flying off the shelves in grocery stores, even individuals not involved in the agricultural industry have seen the drastic effects of this disease first-hand. For chickens, this virus works quickly and overpowers the innate immune system before the adaptive immune system has time to properly respond. Therefore, a safe and effective vaccine could reduce the number of poultry deaths and prevent the continuous spread of the infection. …

Southern Adventist University Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027, Southern Adventist University

Catalog, Undergraduate

Southern Adventist University's undergraduate catalog for the academic year 2026-2027.

Improvements Upon Reprocessing Of Orthopedic Single-Use Instruments, Alyssa P. Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Internal Medline data for Hospital A, a level I academic trauma center, identified a quality gap due to improper segregation and underutilization of orthopedic single-use device reprocessing bins. The baseline reprocessing rate of 4% for orthopedic products results in missed sustainability opportunities, financial strain, and increased regulated waste. A proposed quality improvement intervention implemented updated communication strategies, visual management tools, and education modules to reinforce current reprocessing workflows and close knowledge gaps. Outcome measures include the percentage of SUDs collected for reprocessing, survey results on reprocessing awareness, and potential financial savings in Appendix I. Early data showed a 10% year-to-year …

Kinesiology Department Chairs’ Perceptions Of Their Training And Preparation, Kason O’Neil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Department chairs are responsible for leading academic departments in higher education.  These individuals regularly make important decisions regarding such things as managing faculty and academic programming, overseeing budgets, and supporting student needs. Despite these responsibilities, many people become department chairs without receiving formal leadership training. This study explored how kinesiology department chairs across the United States viewed their preparation for the role and the importance of leadership training. A total of 111 department chairs completed an online survey about their background, previous training, and the importance of training for different administrative responsibilities. The results showed that most chairs had little …

Evaluating The Impact Of Research Equipment Availability On Scientific Rigor, Reproducibility, And Innovation Across Stem Disciplines, Lyndi G. Hraban

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Research infrastructure plays a central role in shaping the quality and innovative capacity of scientific research. This study evaluates how the availability of research equipment influences scientific rigor, reproducibility, and innovation across STEM disciplines. Drawing on literature from science-to-science research, policy studies, and discipline-specific analyses, this project synthesizes existing scholarship to explore the relationship between access to infrastructure and key research outcomes. Findings across the literature indicate that access to advanced and well-maintained equipment can strengthen scientific rigor by enabling more precise measurements, improved experimental control, and the implementation of standardized research protocols. Shared and centralized facilities are also associated …

Contributions To Research On Preservice And Inservice Science Education And The Current Status Of Initial Science Teacher Education, David F. Treagust, Michelle De Kok

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

In this paper, firstly we review Australian university science educators’ contributions to the Australian Journal of Teacher Education. These publications demonstrate a wide range of interesting and targeted initiatives to enhance the teaching and learning science by preservice and inservice teachers.  Secondly, we examine the current situation of initial teacher education programs and development for future possibilities of science teacher education in Australia. This analysis shows that attention has concentrated disproportionately on entry standards and the theory-versus-practice tensions, while the conditions shaping retention, workload, and equitable subject-matter staffing remain substantially unaddressed.

Teacher Education In Western Australia, 1967 To 1987, Tom O’Donoghue

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The concern in this paper is with developments in education in Australia, including in teacher education, and especially in Western Australia, for the period 1967-1987. First, the general education background nationally is outlined. Secondly, developments in teacher education nationally are presented. An exposition on developments in teacher education in Western Australia is then provided. This includes the provision of separate accounts of the changes that took place in the field at the precursors to Edith Cowan University, at The University of Western Australia, at what eventually became Curtin University, at Murdoch University, and in the State’s vocational education sector.

Affective Governmentality And Feeling The Cycle Of Crisis: Why Teacher Education Reform In 21st-Century Australia Has No End, Brad Gobby, Barry Down

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This article uses affect theory to critically examine the discourses underlying initial teacher education (ITE) reform in 21^st century Australia. We argue that contemporary ITE reform has persisted in the face of a quarter-century of scholarly critique not because that critique is wrong, but because reform operates through an affective governmentality, a regime in which the conduct of conduct is accomplished through the organisation of affect as well as the application of knowledge and technique. In this domain of reform, the public shaming of teachers and teacher educators, and the promise of evidence-based “rigour” compose a recurring cycle of …

The Story Of Indigenous Teacher Education In Western Australia, Mindy Oxenburgh, Rhonda Oliver, Helen Cd Mccarthy

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Since colonisation, the history of Indigenous education and related teacher education in Western Australia (WA) has been fraught. It has involved a mixture of inherent prejudice, blatant racism, ignorance, valiant attempts to redress the balance, optimism, and fluctuating success. There remains a need for more Indigenous and especially local teachers who understand their students’ cultural and linguistic needs and who can best serve as the link between addressing these needs, their community’s desires and the reality of the students' schooling. The employment of non-Indigenous and non-local teachers is problematic at several levels and, as a result, over the past 50 …

Exploring Empathy Dimensions In Elementary School Children: The Role Of Gender, School Context And Closeness To Caregivers, Tri Sutanti, Arif Budi Prasetya, Dian Ari Widyastuti, Agus Ria Kumara, Nurul Hidayati Rofiah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Empathy is an important social-emotional competency for child development, but studies examining its variation by gender, school context, and proximity to caregivers remain limited. This study explores differences in empathy among elementary school students based on gender, school context, and proximity to caregivers. This quantitative study employed a descriptive-comparative design involving 263 elementary school students from rural and urban schools. Empathy was measured using a multidimensional scale covering cognitive and affective dimensions. Descriptive statistics and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined the main effects of gender, school context, and proximity to caregivers, as well as their interactions. Students in rural …

Understanding Burnout And Well-Being Among Early-Career Community College Faculty: A Qualitative Study, Christopher Rennick Morris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study will be to understand the lived experiences of burnout and well-being for early-career, full-time community college faculty in relation to unit-level leadership practices at selected community colleges in the United States. The research follows the job demands–resources (JD–R) theory, which explains how specific aspects of work contribute to burnout and engagement. The combination of work demands, including heavy workload and time constraints, and emotional work requirements, leads to employee exhaustion when organizations fail to provide sufficient support. Job resources, which include autonomy, constructive feedback, collegial support, and organizational justice, create conditions that boost …

Rooted In Place: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On Rural Local Special Education Retention, Katherine Dewett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experiences of rural, local special education teachers who continue to teach in their rural hometown communities in the United States. The problem was that rural and small-town communities continue to lose almost 30% of special education teachers each year to turnover. Despite identifying challenges and strategies to increase the number of special education teachers, vacancies remain critically high across most rural communities in the United States. This study was guided by place attachment theory, which explores an individual’s relationship with places and how people tend to anchor themselves in …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Foster Care Youths’ Classroom Behaviors, And Academic Performances While Attending School In A Residential Setting., Latavis Porter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and dysfunctions of the household, are linked to trauma and long-term health consequences. The descriptive study aims to contribute to the current body of literature by investigating the frequency and types of ACEs encountered by foster youth, their academic performance, and classroom behavior while in a residential setting. The ACEs experienced by the foster care youth before residential placement will also be examined. The mean, median, and mode of ACE scores are calculated to gain insights into the central tendency of traumatic childhood events. The research employs …

Rooted In Rural: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On Rural Homegrown Special Education Retention, Katherine Dewett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experiences of rural, local special education teachers who continue to teach in their rural hometown communities in the United States. The problem was that rural and small-town communities continue to lose almost 30% of special education teachers each year to turnover. Despite identifying challenges and strategies to increase the number of special education teachers, vacancies remain critically high across most rural communities in the United States. This study was guided by place attachment theory, which explores an individual’s relationship with places and how people tend to anchor themselves in …

A Causal-Comparative Quantitative Study Of The Efficacy Of Adaptive-Responsive Versus Traditional-Responsive Application Practice On Student Performance In Higher Education General Chemistry I Courses, Jennifer E. Felts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine the efficacy of adaptive-responsive versus traditional-responsive homework in the mastery and application of General Chemistry I concepts. This study was important to determine if the repetition and foundational concept acquisition necessary for success in the fundamental course was better achieved with Assessment & Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) adaptive-responsive homework or traditional-responsive reformulating textbook questions. The sample was composed of 132 higher education General Chemistry I students at Lunar Community College (pseudonym). Data were collected using the American Chemical Society (ACS) General Chemistry First Term (GC1) exam, with ten questions …

A Phenomenological Study Of College Students’ Experiences With Foreign Language Acquisition And Multilingualism In Developing Soft Skills For Employability, Naomi Elimelech

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of the dynamic interplay between multilingualism and soft skill development among college students from a higher education institution in Washington, D.C. This study was guided by Larsen-Freeman's Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST), which explains how a foreign language develops over time and adapts to changing environments. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of foreign language learners in higher education regarding the development of soft skills for employability? This study employed a transcendental-phenomenological design to explore college students' lived experiences of the interplay between …

Fall 2026 Full Issue, Undergraduate Research

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

No abstract provided.

Contemplative Pause: Practice As Pedagogy In A Liberal Arts Classroom, Sienna R. Craig, Sid Babla, Abbey Savin

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This article discusses the integration of contemplative pedagogies – including but not limited to yoga nidra – into two case study courses at an elite private liberal arts institution. We begin by describing the structure, context, and nature of this experiment in contemplative pedagogy, considering this experiment in the context of what we call the “liberal arts promise” at a moment of heightened mental health crises across institutions of higher education and increasing public skepticism about the value(s) of higher education. The article takes as a starting point the idea that building forms of contemplative pause into the fabric of …

Accessible Outreach As Experiential Learning: A Transformative Gateway For Neurodivergent Stem Scholars, Christin B. Monroe, Rebecca W. Matte

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This paper positions science outreach as a structured and accessible form of experiential learning for neurodivergent STEM scholars. Grounded in Beard and Wilson’s (2018) learning waves framework, we argue that outreach offers predictable experiential phases, guided reflection, and supportive mentoring that collectively foster identity development and career readiness. Drawing on the AIE: STEMPLOS program, we illustrate how tiered mentoring, intentionally designed outreach activities, and reflective tools such as the Birkman® assessment help scholars articulate strengths, understand communication and work‑style preferences, and navigate real‑world professional contexts. Program outcomes demonstrate increased confidence, improved communication skills, and strengthened STEM identity among participants. By …

Undergraduate Students Experience In A University Service-Learning Program For Youth With Disabilities, Nicole Fiscella, Courtney Jost, Jennifer Beamer, Tze-Hsuan Wang, Jennifer Taylor, Willie Chun Wai Leung

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

University-based service-learning is one avenue that allows students to combine content learned in the classroom with meaningful hands-on experience. The purpose of this program evaluation was to describe the experiences of undergraduate students participating in a university-based adapted PA program for children with disabilities. The study involved 90 undergraduate students from two universities who participated in a university-based adapted PA program. Data were collected via a survey administered to students, which asked about their experiences in the program. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe the experiences of students participating in the programs. Results indicated a positive response among undergraduate students …

Spectrum, Volume 57, Issue 7, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Conflict Continues in Iran -- From Power Plant to Partnership -- NBCU @ SHU -- Take Two: “Glee” Returns -- NFL Fan(tasy) Favorites

Bilingualism In The Rio Grande Valley: Documentary Interview With Dr. Nelson Mata, Aidan Mata

Bilingualism in Higher Ed Summit

Dr. Nelson Mata is a physician who has conducted his practice of internal medicine for 32 years in the Rio Grande Valley. Originally living in Dominican Republic where he studied medicine, he went to fulfill his residency program in New York. This multicultural background has enabled him to speak both English and Spanish. As such, he began his practice here in the Rio Grande Valley where doctors who could speak Spanish were needed. He saw it as an opportunity to lend aid to the local Hispanic community with his bilingual communication skills. Through connecting with each patient by understanding, forming …

November 2026 Faculty Senate Packet, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Packets

No abstract provided.

Therapeutic Harmony: Combining Music Therapy And Psychedelic Treatments In Psychiatric Care, Dominikus David Biondi Situmorang, Nadiya Kurniati, Gita Arisara, Listya Istiningtyas, Rose Mini Agoes Salim

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Focusing on the synergistic efficacy of music therapy and psychedelic treatment in improving patient recovery, this paper addresses their possible integration in the treatment of psychiatric diseases. The authors give background in the introduction on the need of looking for alternative therapies for psychiatric disorders, presenting music therapy to enhance emotional and cognitive well-being in patients and psychedelic treatment as a hopeful approach for treating conditions untreatable with conventional techniques. An integrative narrative review, choosing studies that address the use of music therapy, psychedelic treatment, and a combination of the two, constitutes the approach taken in this paper. The findings …

A Correlational Study Of Work Stress And Marital Stability Among Married Female Police Personnel In Kwara State, Nigeria, Haruna Ibrahim

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study investigated the relationship between job stress and marital stability among married female police personnel in Kwara State, Nigeria. A Descriptive Research Design of correlational type was adopted. The sample size (Target Population) of the study comprised all the 112 married female police personnel in Kwara State, Nigeria. Based on the relatively small sample size, population census (Total enumeration) was adopted for this study, where all the married female police personnel were sampled. The Operational Police Stress Questionnaire and Dyadic Adjustment Scale were used for data collection. Findings revealed a significant correlation between the independent variables and the dependent …

Codee Expects That Every Mathematician Will Do Their Odes: From The Battle Of Trafalgar To Calculus (Or Nelson To Newton), Steven Miller

CODEE Journal

Using the historical Battle of Trafalgar as a case study, we introduce students to mathematical modeling to describe and explore real-world systems. Starting with the question—how do force sizes and combat effectiveness determine which side wins?—we show how to use a blend of mathematics and computational tools to investigate the answer. Beginning by defining a simple differential equation model for combat dynamics, we analyze its behavior using differential equations and accessible algebraic techniques. We show how computational methods and simulations can support systematic, visual exploration and suggest conjectures that mathematical analysis can then establish. This material could serve as the …

November 2026 Library & Learning Newsletter, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Library & Learning Dean's Office Communication Team

Library & Learning Newsletters

PDF version of the November 2026 (Volume 5, Issue 3) Library & Learning Newsletter.

Mission Seemingly Impossible: Student Satisfaction With Time For Self-Directed Learning, Sara Bradley, Robyn Bockrath, Mara Johnson, Celia Laird O'Brien

Journal of Accreditation and Quality Improvement in Medical Education

Background. Medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) are often required to demonstrate improvement on accreditation elements in a relatively short amount of time. In October 2021, the LCME cited our institution as Unsatisfactory for the self-directed learning (SDL) element after 21.3% of second-year medical (M2) students reported dissatisfaction with unscheduled time for SDL. The LCME required us to demonstrate improvement in a status update due December 2022. In this paper, we describe a rapid continuous quality improvement (CQI) approach that successfully increased student satisfaction and achieved full compliance within 1 year.

Methods. We employed a …

Uab Libraries News, 11 2026, Uab Libraries

UAB Libraries News

No abstract provided.