Digital Commons Network^™

We Lift As We Climb: An Intervention Method Proving The Efficacy Of Mentorship In Higher Education, Dogan Copeland

Masters Projects

This project examines the lack of mentorship programs for first-generation Black students in higher education. It aims to develop a structured peer mentorship program tailored to their unique needs. Given the systemic barriers that first-generation Black students may face, this project explores how culturally relevant mentorship can improve academic success, retention, and professional development while fostering a sense of belonging. The research involves a literature review of existing mentorship programs, an analysis of student success markers (retention rates, academic performance, and professional development), and qualitative data from mentorship initiatives. In addition, the project assesses student experiences and satisfaction levels to …

2025 Undergraduate Research Competition Program, Coastal Carolina University

Undergraduate Research Symposium Programs

16th Annual Undergraduate Research Competition, April 15-16, 2025.

The 2025 CCU Undergraduate Research Symposium included 168 oral and poster presentations (51 oral presentations and 117 poster presentations) and an additional 20 team pitch presentations composed of 57 students who participated in the inaugural year of the Wall College’s Chant’s Tank Pitch Competition.

Presentations at the Undergraduate Research Symposium were judged by over 80 faculty and staff, and prizes are awarded in three categories: Best Oral Presentation, Best Poster Presentation, and Best Chant’s Tank Pitch Presentation. Here are the following award winners in their respective categories:

Best Oral Presentation:

• 1st Place: …

Challenges And Strategies For Caribbean Students Pursuing Education In The United States, Keyeria Mccormick

Masters Projects

Caribbean students who come to study in the United States face significant obstacles that shape their college experience. These students struggle with more than typical academic challenges; they deal with financial pressures, the complexities of adapting to a new culture, strict visa rules, and a lack of targeted support from their institutions. This project examines their experiences, drawing from research on how factors like emotional and cultural intelligence, mental health, peer relationships, and systemic inequalities affect their educational paths. Using Critical Race Theory and Social Identity Theory as foundations, this work shows how deep-rooted inequities in U.S. higher education make …

Campus Vibrancy Through The Lens Of Student Organizations Collaboration, Elijah A. Fosu

Masters Projects

Universities are increasingly aware that isolated student organizations hinder engagement, replicate efforts, and diminish campus life. At Grand Valley State University, over 400 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) vie for attention but often fail to collaborate, resulting in many students lacking cohesive and impactful co‑curricular experiences. Based on experiential learning theories such as Astin’s Student Involvement framework, Tinto’s theory of student departure, and the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, the RSO Collaborate and Create project aims to tackle this issue by offering a structured pathway for collaboration across organizations, simultaneously enhancing leadership skills and improving the campus environment. While the …

Reinventing Mathematics Learning: An Exploration Of Undergraduate Mathematics Learning Post-Pandemic, Morgan R. Balesano

Honors Scholar Theses

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in March 2020 nearly all secondary and undergraduate mathematics students were forced to adapt to new methods of learning and testing. As a result, the current experience for these mathematics students has changed vastly, as have the opinions and preferences of these students in terms of their learning. This study aims to identify instruction and testing resources and methods that students prefer and those that students find less beneficial in their current, post-pandemic educational experience. The past few years have seen a focus on the direct impacts of online learning during the pandemic, …

April 18, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

At-Risk Students' Perceptions Of Holistic Advising: A Phenomenological Study, Jonathan David Broyles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand at-risk students’ perceptions of success after having received holistic advising practices at public, four-year universities located in the Southeast United States. The theory that guided this study was Maslow’s Theory of Human Motivation, which emphasizes the importance of addressing students’ academic, social, personal, physiological, safety, and emotional needs to support their academic success better. The Central Research Question was: what are at-risk students’ perceptions of success after receiving holistic advising practices? The transcendental phenomenological approach allowed the researcher to explore the phenomenon with others who have experienced the same phenomenon through …

The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Teachers' Use Of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports And Social-Emotional Learning With Emotionally Disturbed And Behaviorally Challenged Students: A Phenomenological Study, Chandra Yvette Madden

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of elementary teachers' use of PBIS and SEL with students with emotional behavioral needs and to gain insight into what supports are needed for teachers in a school district in the southern United States. There is a need to examine elementary teachers' implementation of PBIS and SEL with students who have emotional and behavioral needs to understand what supports are needed. A positive academic environment for students and teachers is generally defined as such. The theory that guided this study was the social constructivist theory (Vygotsky,1978). …

Exploring The Persistence Experiences Of Ells In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study, Robert J. Platt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the persistence experiences of undergraduate English Language Learners at a four-year Christian institution in New Jersey. Twelve participants were recruited from various schools within the college. The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s (1975) student integration model specifically examining this idea within the context of academic and social integration. The central research question of this study was, “What are the persistence experiences of English Language Learners at a private four-year institution in New Jersey?” To achieve this, semi-structured interview questions, journaling prompts, and focus groups were used, and data were …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Exploring The Social Identity Experiences Of Male Teachers Of Color In The Male Scholarship Program, Tamisha Marcena Sales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the social identity experiences for male teachers of color at the Male Scholarship Program at North Valley University. The theory guiding this study was Tajfel and Turner’s social identity theory, which explained the social cognitive process individuals use to consider joining or exiting a group. Using the social identity theory, this study attempted to answer the central research question: What are the social identity experiences of male teachers of color participating in the Male Scholarship Program? This transcendental phenomenology study used purposeful sampling to recruit participants and collected data through individual …

Nursing Faculty Perspectives On Students With Learning Disabilities: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Marlies Aanensen Hébert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to record the lived experiences of nursing faculty perspectives of students with learning disabilities in all learning environments. The theories that provide the framework for the study are John Dewey’s theory of education and Malcolm Knowles’ theory of adult learning. Both theories establish a foundation for understanding the challenges faced by adult learners with learning disabilities and how to offer effective support. The research question is: What are the lived experiences of nurse educators working with students with learning disabilities in all learning environments? The study employed a snowball sampling method to …

36. Protest 2025. Protest At Applied Engineering Building 1 [Article], University Of Northern Iowa

LGBTQIA+ Archive Class Projects

Citation: Klinkhammer, B. (2025, April 9). Students make their voice heard at Applied Engineering building opening. Northern Iowan, 2.

This article is a description of a recent protest at the new Applied Engineering Building. Well over 100 UNI students, Cedar Falls High School students, and the Cedar Valley came together to protest Kim Reynolds appearance for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Kim Reynolds failed to appear to give a speech and to help cut the ribbon. I think that in itself is so powerful, to know that she didn't show up because people showed up to protest against someone so …

Staff Council Minutes, Georgia Southern University

Staff Council Meeting Minutes & Agendas

No abstract provided.

Staff Council Agenda, Georgia Southern University

Staff Council Meeting Minutes & Agendas

No abstract provided.

The Effectiveness Of Turn Teams In Reducing The Incidence Of Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries, Abigaile Blackburn

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

It is commonly known in healthcare that pressure injuries (PIs) result in higher morbidity and mortality rates for the adult population. PIs include a range of intact, open, and deep tissue injuries related to prolonged immobility. To reduce the incidence of PIs, it is highly recommended to turn patients, usually alternating among the left side, the back, and the right side. Additionally, it is standard across most hospitals to enforce mandatory turning schedules, which is at least every two hours. The objective of the project is to investigate the effectiveness of using turn teams in hospitals and nursing homes. The …

Improving Fall Risk Precautions: A Safer Approach To Protect Patients, Dylan Fraley

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this project is to highlight current fall risk precaution flaws at facility XYZ and implement new changes that would increase patient safety. As a nurse, safety comes first for both patients and staff, with new guidelines and interventions we can decrease the number of preventable falls in the hospital setting. We would implement changes that have showed positive outcomes in evidenced based practice and prioritizes patient comfort and safety. These new precautions would be patient centered as their safety needs would be better met. Teamwork and collaboration are also essential as many of the interventions in this …

The Potential Impact Of Overusing Isolation Precautions, Laci Johnson

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

While Isolation Precautions (IP) help prevent infections, excessive use can harm patients' mental and physical health. Research shows that prolonged IP increases anxiety, depression, and social isolation, leading to worsened outcomes and longer hospital stays. Overuse may also create stigma and communication barriers, reducing care quality. This poster highlights the need for a balanced approach to IP to protect both patient well-being and infection control.

Benefits Of Interdisciplinary Rounding For Better Patient Outcomes, Brooklyn Phipps

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Interdisciplinary rounding in healthcare teams can significantly improve communication and patient care. Miscommunication often arises when multiple physicians and healthcare professionals are involved in a patient's care, leading to fragmented or delayed treatment. By adopting interdisciplinary rounding, healthcare teams can share expertise and knowledge, ensuring that all members are aligned on the patient's plan of care. This approach directly supports the QSEN competencies, including Teamwork and Collaboration, which fosters effective communication and mutual respect among team members, and Patient-Centered Care, which ensures the patient is a central part of the decision-making process. Furthermore, it enhances Safety by minimizing the risk …

Improving Patient Safety Through Bedside Shift Report, Madison Caudill

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This project addresses the issue of nurses at Hospital A not participating in bedside shift report, often conducting report in hallways or at the nurses' station. This practice can compromise patient safety, communication, and continuity of care. The guiding objective is to implement bedside shift reporting to enhance patient safety, improve communication, and foster a more patient-centered approach. • Interaction of the six QSEN principles: • Patient-centered: Including patient in their care by including them in the report process. • Teamwork: Encouraging collaboration between outgoing and incoming nurses. Enables patients to take an active role in their own care. • …

Entreprenurial Community Improvement Programempowering Students Through Experiential Learning For Community Impact, Kaylee Pionk, Olivia Robinson, Luke Seelye, Jachin Wilbur, India Young, Rachel Rogers

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

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

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

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

End Of Life Decision Making: The Right To Die On Their Own Terms, Alexandra Stacy

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

For the capstone project I was asked to identify a “problem” that I observed at my clinical site this semester. One problem at my clinical site has stuck out to me significantly. Patients on the unit I have been assigned are often close to death and unable to make their own decisions and despite any legal paperwork that may be in place their power of attorney or state mandated power of attorney often go against the patients last wishes. While this does not sit well with me, and many others, this is a large legal and ethical issue that would …

Utilizing Telehealth For Post-Stroke In-Hospital Monitoring And Evaluation, Chelsea Green

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This post-stroke telehealth capstone project intends to discover and implement a telehealth program designed to enhance the care and outcomes of post-stroke patients being treated at Hospital A. After a stroke, patients often face challenges in recovery. Care providers are often stretched thin and have difficulty completing post-stroke monitoring requirements such as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Level of Consciousness (LOC), Glascow Coma Scale (GCS), and other assessments needed by these acutely ill patients at specific intervals. This project seeks to leverage telehealth technology to provide remote monitoring, identification of deficits, and beginning in hospital rehabilitation, ensuring that …

Leadership Initiatives: International Public Health Internship, Jayden Bradley, Alana Campbell, Paisley Cooke, Aime Ensenat-Pena, Mindy Highley, Jacob Holbrook, Roger Love, Keira Patton

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Craft Coalition Team 20694 Ftc Robotics, Noah Day, Lucas Howard, Nate Italiano, Olivia Robinson, Ryan Triplett, Rachel Rogers

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Context and Purpose: The Craft Coalition FIRST Technical Challenge (FTC) Robotics Team is an integral part of a STEM+ initiative aimed at fostering engagement in STEM fields through hands-on learning. Located in Eastern Kentucky, a region facing significant gaps in STEM educational opportunities, this program aims to improve students' access to high-demand jobs and facilitate regional economic advancement. Mission & Goals: The team is dedicated to designing, building, and programming a robot to compete in the annual FTC challenge. This experience helps students develop critical technical skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving capacities while also working to establish sustainable robotics teams …

Pediatric End-Of-Life Care: Communication Quality Project, Kailey Johnson

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

My chosen Capstone project topic is pediatric end of life care as a quality problem in health care. As I have researched, there was a study conducted about advanced cancer pediatric patients. It stated, “A study of children with advanced cancer revealed that 48% had pain, 46% fatigue, and 37% irritability. In addition, many bereaved (and nonbereaved) parents experience psychological distress, poor health behaviors, work impairment and financial hardship.” (Johnston, 2017) I chose this topic because of the hospice population I have begun to work with and my passion for pediatric healthcare. As you may know, the word hospice is …

The Importance Of Handling And Preserving A Museum Collection, Morgan Krantz, Tammy Stone, Lisa Mesa-Gaido

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

At the Kentucky Folk Art Center (KFAC), we consistently assisted visitors providing information about the permanent collection and rotating exhibitions, and assisted with: incoming exhibitions (floorplans, installation, paperwork such as loan agreements & condition reports, and packing work); receptions and events; selecting & curating pieces from the collection database for rotating permanent collection exhibitions; paperwork to loan out permanent collection pieces to other museums/organizations; researching pieces donated to the collection; cataloguing the collection; and managing the gift shop. KFAC is an important historical and inspirational asset to not just Morehead. Many guests who stop by travel on I-64, visiting from …

How The Lack Of Shift Breaks Effects Nurses And Their Patients, Keana Meriweather

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Nurses work 12 hour shifts in the hospital. Nurses should have 1 unpaid 30 minute meal break and 2 paid 15 minute breaks. On some days, on the unit I have my practicum in Hospital A, nurses are able to have their 15 minute breaks. Other days they may not get a chance for one or both breaks. Most of the time the nurses eat their lunches in a hurry at the nurse’s station. I researched the causes and effects related to the lack of nurses taking breaks on shift. With the research I planned to find a better way …

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

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

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

Facing The Silence: Addressing Nurse Abuse In Emergency Departments, Jodi Perkins

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Nurse abuse in emergency departments (EDs) is an escalating concern that jeopardizes both the safety of healthcare professionals and the quality of patient care. The unique and high-pressure environment of the ED, characterized by unpredictable patient volumes, long wait times, and the presence of individuals in crisis, creates a fertile ground for aggressive behavior. Studies have shown that nurses are frequently subjected to various forms of abuse, including verbal harassment, physical assaults, and psychological intimidation, all of which can lead to significant emotional and professional repercussions. • Recent research indicates that a staggering percentage of ED nurses experience workplace violence, …