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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. …

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 …

Rethinking Behavior - Fall 2026, Midwest Symposium For Leadership In Behavior Disorders

ReThinking Behavior Magazine

A magazine for professionals serving children and youth with behavioral needs.

Fall 2026, Volume 10, Issue 1

Learning Opportunities 2026/2027, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Course Catalogs

The graduation requirements of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are established by the IMSA Board of Trustees. Each semester, students must take a minimum of five academic courses (2.5 credits) for a letter grade (not Pass/Fail), not including Fine Arts or Wellness courses. Students may enroll in a maximum of eight academic opportunities each semester, including academic courses, Fine Arts and Wellness courses, and Experiential programs. The College and Academic Counselor approves enrollment for students in all courses and experiences.

Imsa 2026 Profile, Office Of College And Academic Counseling

IMSA Profile

The nationally-ranked Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students in its tuition-free residential Academy for grades 10-12. Students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum designed to develop them into problem solvers and critical thinkers. Notable IMSA students include YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen, PayPal Co-Creator Yu Pan, Yelp Co-Founder Russell Simmons, SparkNotes and OkCupid Co-Founder Sam Yagan, and Hearsay Social Founder Clara Shih.

Enhancing The Ability To Construct Scientific Explanations Among 7th-Grade Students Using A Diagram-Based Scientific Explanation Learning Model With Scaffolding Techniques, Kanchana Yongdee, Chaninan Pruekpramool

Journal of Education Studies

Previous instructional approaches have effectively developed the claim and evidence components of students’ ability to construct scientific explanations. However, the reasoning component remains unclear. This convergent parallel mixed-methods research aimed 1) to study seventh-grade students’ level of ability to construct scientific explanations during learning using the diagram-based scientific explanation learning model with scaffolding techniques, and 2) to study seventh-grade students’ level of ability to construct scientific explanations after learning. The target group consisted of 32 seventh-grade students from a school under the Office of Secondary Education Service Area in Kanchanaburi Province, selected through purposive sampling. Research instruments for collecting data …

Relationship Between Language, Culture, And Thinking Of The Kajang Community From The Perspective Of Anthropological Linguistics, Harlinah Sahib, Jumardin Muchtar, Herawati Abbas, Ferawaty Syam

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

In terms of anthropological linguistics, the study aims to explore the interaction of language, culture and cognitive tendencies in the community of Kajang. It particularly looks into the traditional oral expressions (kelong) of the community, including Kelong Basing Rikong, Lok-lok, and Ati-ati Raja, as their understandings of life, death, spirituality, and social values are expressed. A qualitative ethnolinguistic approach, informed by anthropological linguistics, was used in this study. Data collection methods included field observations, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders (Ammatoa), cultural practitioners and community elders, and a documentary analysis of oral texts, especially Kelong. …

“Whenever You Are Using Media, You Should Always Have A Purpose”: A Study Of Chinese Immigrant Mothers’ Media Practices, Xiaoning Gui, Daniel G. Krutka

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

This qualitative study explores how eleven Mandarin-speaking Chinese immigrant mothers of young children in a southwestern U.S. city navigate and mediate media in their households. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings show mothers balance media’s educational affordances with concerns about health and age-appropriate content, employing gatekeeping, time limits, and purposeful sharing. Mothers described children as learners, co-learners, and cultural connectors, sometimes reversing mediation by teaching mothers about U.S. media norms. Interpreted through a lens of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy while also drawing on Confucian concepts, results underscore the need for early childhood educators to honor immigrant families’ practices while fostering …

Visualizing Borneo Biodiversity And Dayak Cultural Heritage Through Contemporary Innovative Batik Motifs, Kristanti Kristanti

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Borneo combines exceptional biological diversity with cultural traditions that shape regional identity. This study aims to develop contemporary batik motifs based on selected biological references associated with Borneo and one Dayak cultural reference while documenting the visual transformation process as research knowledge. A practice-based research approach was employed through exploration, design development, realization, expert validation, and revision. The initial exploration included the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), black orchid (Coelogyne pandurata), ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), and pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.), while the Dayak …

Class(Room) Culture: New Conceptualization And A Model Of Culture-Aware Teaching, Ravit Heskiau

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

As higher education becomes increasingly personalized and students’ individual identities are increasingly considered, this article explores the concept of classroom culture as part of assessing, embracing, and shaping each class’s shared characteristics as a collective. I define classroom culture and explain why it is paramount for educators to understand the unique cultures of their classes and actively assess them, striking a balance between supporting classroom culture and shaping it. Following a critical literature review, I demonstrate the application of commonly used cultural frameworks from the organizational culture literature to higher education classes. Specifically, I expand on how they can help …

2026 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium, Elizabeth Outka, Lidia Radi

Faculty and Staff Research Symposium Programs

[Excerpt from the "Welcome"]

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the third Faculty & Staff Research Symposium!

The Symposium offers us the chance to come together as a community and learn about the inspiring work happening across our campus. Faculty and staff continue to push the boundaries of research, to design and maintain new learning and gathering spaces, to craft remarkable art and performances, and to develop innovative programs that enrich our collective experience. The event is meant to spark curiosity, build connections, inspire partnerships, and open new pathways for exploration. . . .

This symposium is your creation — it thrives …

Experiences Of Mozambican Women Before, During, And After Divorce: A Phenomenology, Emídio Mário Dimande

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to understand the transitional experiences of women in Mozambique from marital conflict through post-divorce life. It was guided by Schlossberg's Transition Theory (STT). The theory supported exploration of the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of women’s lived experiences of divorce and patterns surfaced that deepened understanding of their realities. Using an interpretive phenomenological design, data were collected from 15 women, aged 19 and older, residing in Mozambique, who had experienced marriage and divorce, through a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using the Moustakas’ phenomenological approach, including horizonalization and clustering verified …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring How Leaders At Acsi-Accredited Christian Schools In North And South Carolina Implement And Integrate A Biblical Worldview, Terry A. Richards Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how leaders at ACSI-accredited Christian schools in North and South Carolina experienced integrating a biblical worldview. The study examined the strategies leaders considered effective, the challenges they encountered, and the approaches they used to foster collaboration among school leaders, faculty, and families. Using in-depth interviews to explore and illuminate the experiences of nine Christian school leaders, this study analyzed participants’ accounts to identify recurring themes. The findings indicated that participants understood biblical worldview integration as an intentional, schoolwide process rather than isolated religious tasks assigned to key activities, Bible classes, or chapel services. Participants also …

The Exploration Of Nutrition And Mental Health Among Retired Female Sergeant Majors, Renee Michelle Mcmillan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigated the nutrition and mental health of seven retired female United States Army Command Sergeant Majors (CSM) and four retired United States Army Sergeant Majors (SGMs). Transcendental phenomenology was used in this study along with George Engel’s Biopsychosocial Theory (BPST). The study examined how dietary food choices converged with cognitive behavior, body image, restrictive eating, and the stress accompanied with transitioning from military to civilian life. Four themes and 11 subthemes emerged from this study. The findings indicated an integration with nutritional interventions, mental health services, family-focus education, and faith-based programs. These findings may help retired female …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Men Who Voluntarily Remain Childless, Sylvia Joan Muglia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe men’s experiences choosing to remain childless in Southeast (Detroit) Michigan. The theory guiding this study was Blackstone’s Theoretical Framework on Voluntary Childlessness. Rich, descriptive data were collected using a short demographic questionnaire and twelve semi-structured interviews that answered three research questions guiding this study: (1) How do men in Southeast (Detroit) Michigan describe experiences choosing to remain childless? (2) How do men in Southeast (Detroit) Michigan recount any impact from adverse childhood experiences which contribute to their decision to remain childless? (3) How do men in Southeast (Detroit) Michigan explain the …

Enhancing Cognitive And Emotional Development In An Inclusive High School Setting: A Study Of Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Roxanne Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students with intellectual disabilities often experience cognitive deficits that limit the development of social cognition and critical thinking skills. Challenges in executive functioning, including reduced metacognitive awareness, emotional regulation, and self-regulation, further hinder their ability to plan, monitor, and adapt their thinking and behavior, creating barriers to success in inclusive educational settings. This mixed-methods pilot study examined the effects of the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) program on the cognitive development of five high school students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in an inclusive Christian high school over one semester. Using a sequential explanatory design, quantitative data were collected via the MINDCAP …

The Predictability Gap: A Correlation Study Of Supporting Pillars And Repertoire Success In Abrsm Practical And Performance Grades Piano Examinations, Arthur Chit-Ho Ng

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the structural predictability trajectories within the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) graded piano framework. Utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the project analyzed a longitudinal dataset (N = 449) to investigate variance in student achievement and the emergence of developmental plateaus, conceptually identified as the “Reading Wall.” Quantitative modeling revealed distinct structural divergences within the syllabus architecture: the traditional Practical Grades maintained a stable correlational signal between technical components and outcomes (r = .826 at Grade 7), whereas the digital Performance Grades yielded a non-significant association (p = .355). Furthermore, Grade 5 Music …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Exploration Of Educational Support Model Accessibility And Parent-Perceived Connections To High School Outcomes For Students With Adhd In Georgia, Whitney Rae Bowden Kling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of parents of students diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who attended public schools in Georgia, a southeastern state of the United States of America (USA), with a particular focus on how parents perceived the influence of access to, or denial of, Section 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) on their children's high school outcomes. The study was informed by the theoretical principles of behaviorism and Bronfenbrenner's bioecological process-person-context-time (PPCT) model to examine how access to individualized educational supports within the school microsystem influenced educational outcomes …

Differentiated Instruction For Gifted Students In A North Carolina Title I School System: A Case Study, Kristal Land

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the differentiation of instructional methods used for cluster-grouped gifted students in third through eighth-grade regular education classes at TCSS, a Title I school in North Carolina. For the research, differentiation for cluster-grouped gifted students was defined as students who have been identified as gifted and are grouped together, typically in clusters of three to more than 10 students in a regular education setting. In this environment, teachers differentiate instruction to meet the advanced learning needs of their students. The theory guiding this study is Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. Multiple intelligences …

A Quantitative, Causal-Comparative Study Of Black And White First-Year, First-Generation Students’ Adaptation To College, Shaunell Carter Mcgee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine to what extent adaptation to college differs between Black and White first-year first-generation college students. The significance of this study lies in addressing limited literature examining the differences between Black and White first-year, first-generation students’ adaptation to college and offering insights that could be used as a basis to inform strategies for ensuring successful transition to and retention of these students in higher education. The sample included 149 participants aged 18-25 enrolled in an undergraduate four-year degree program at University A, located in South Georgia in the United States. …

Mandated Reporting Experiences And Professional Quality Of Life Among Missouri K-12 Mandated Reporters, Kristina L. Gregory

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Child maltreatment is associated with significant developmental, psychological, and behavioral consequences for children. Educators often serve as frontline identifiers of suspected abuse and neglect and are legally required to report concerns to the state’s child welfare agency. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study was to examine relationships among mandated reporting exposure, perceived reporting ambiguity, trust in Missouri’s Children’s Division, and professional quality of life among Missouri K–12 school-based mandated reporters. Professional quality of life was measured through compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. This study brings these factors together to better understand how educators’ reporting experiences and …

Fostering Meaningful Relationships In Middle School Music Ensembles And The Impact On Student Retention, Michael Andrew Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although participation in music ensembles varies from school to school in the United States, many directors struggle to retain, let alone grow, the number of members that comprise their performance ensembles. This is often the result of scheduling, time constraints, financial obligations, and understanding the needs of student engagement. The purpose of this qualitative, ethnological study is to explore the impact of fostering meaningful relationships in middle school music ensembles and what role those relationships play in the retention of students. This study also investigates how students and teachers determine the meaningfulness of their relationships, the importance of those relationships …

Response To Reviewers — Emancipations Symposium On Profit And Power, Ronen Palan

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

No abstract provided.

The Current - Volume 37 Issue 02, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Cv: Martha Wilkins (Elementary Education), Martha Wilkins

Education Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Click, Listen, Reflect: Implementing Discord In Critical Listening Courses, Kenny Shania Lestari R, Metaria Metaria, Siti Nurhalimah

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Critical listening requires learners not only to comprehend spoken information but also to interpret and evaluate its meaning. Digital learning environments may support these processes by providing opportunities for repeated access to spoken input, interaction, and collaborative discussion. This study explored how Discord was implemented in a Critical Listening course and how students perceived and experienced its use in supporting their critical listening learning. The study employed a qualitative descriptive design involving 20 students from the International Class Program at Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University of Malang. Data were collected through classroom observation checklists, field notes, and focus group …

Differential Equation Modeling For Sustainable Resource Management: A Steady-State Optimal Harvesting Approach, Iordanka N. Panayotova, Aleksei Talonov

CODEE Journal

Mathematical models based on differential equations provide a powerful framework for connecting real-world data to informed decision-making. In this work, we present a student-accessible project that uses an optimal-control framework to study the sustainable management of biological resources.

Motivated by fisheries management, we examine a predator--prey system in which harvesting decisions must balance ecological and economic considerations. The model is formulated as an optimal control problem that seeks to maximize the total discounted net revenue from harvesting. Rather than solving for the complete time-dependent harvesting trajectory, we restrict the analysis to positive controlled coexistence equilibria and characterize an interior stationary …