Digital Commons Network^™

Racialized Internationalization And College Sport: Amplifying Black Ncaa Division I International College Athlete Voices Through Critical Podcasting, Timothy Ford Bryson

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

College sports in the United States have become a key site for internationalization in higher education, with international college athletes (ICAs) comprising 13% of Division I athletes (NCAA, 2023). While ICAs pursue degrees, compete at elite levels, and navigate F-1 visa requirements, their experiences remain underexamined in international education scholarship. This omission is especially stark for Black ICAs, whose stories are often collapsed into either generalized international student scholarship or studies of Black U.S. athletes.

This dissertation addresses this gap by examining the experiences of Black NCAA Division I ICAs through the lens of Migration Infrastructure Theory and Black Diasporic …

Ecological Support For Stem International Doctoral Student Success, Emily A. Crider

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

International doctoral students enrich U.S. institutions but often encounter challenges that affect belonging and academic success. This qualitative study examined the social, cultural, and institutional challenges faced by international STEM doctoral students and the role of faculty advisor relationships in their adaptation. Guided by ecological systems theory, interviews with eight participants revealed five major challenges: language barriers, cultural differences, building social networks, financial challenges, and navigating institutional processes. Positive faculty mentorship was critical, with effective advisors demonstrating empathy, adaptability, responsiveness, guidance, and trust while supporting professional development, funding, and networking. Microsystem and mesosystem interactions were most influential. Findings emphasize the …

"An Open Mind And A Critical Stance": A Content Analysis Of Information Literacy Integration Into A Course About Poverty And Discrimination, Ashley Shealy, C. Rebecca Oldham, Clay Oldham, Tara L. Griffith

Communications in Information Literacy

The ACRL Framework argues that infusing curriculum with information literacy concepts can improve students’ attitudes and abilities to navigate complex information landscapes. This paper describes how a librarian and a faculty member integrated an information literacy curriculum into an undergraduate upper-division course about poverty and discrimination. Curriculum efficacy was assessed through directed content analysis of student responses to open-ended questions about engaging with news and social media, forming opinions, and having conversations about controversial topics. Responses were analyzed using a coding scheme based on course objectives derived from Framework dispositions and knowledge practices. Results indicated that exposing students to an …

Information Literacy Tutorials For High Enrollment Courses: An Iterative Design-Based Approach, Kimberly Casey, Rebekah Heleen

Communications in Information Literacy

The purpose of this paper is to provide academic librarians practical guidance on how to provide information literacy support to high enrollment, general education courses. It includes a detailed description and analysis of our approach and findings throughout the project, as well as reflections and lessons learned. The project team developed asynchronous information literacy tutorials for first-year students at the University of Arkansas, utilizing a flipped classroom approach, to address challenges in delivering personalized instruction to high-enrollment courses. Collaborating with program directors, the team created online tutorials embedded with feedback surveys, which collected nearly 2,000 student responses. We also surveyed …

Assessment Of Information Literacy Instruction In Reference: Applying Vanscoy’S Conceptual And Procedural Framework In Practice, Vanessa Arce

Communications in Information Literacy

The instructional aspect of reference work has long been acknowledged, especially in academic libraries. The current RUSA guidelines include helping users develop information literacy as a goal of reference. In this context, investigating the presence and nature of information literacy instruction can be used to assess the quality of reference services. This study applied Amy VanScoy’s conceptual/procedural framework for point-of-need instruction to a sample of chat reference transcripts at Lehman College, City University of New York. One of the assessment’s goals was to determine the prevalence of instruction and type of knowledge addressed in reference interactions. Another goal was to …

Campus Community Vibes: How Queer Asian American Students Navigate Their Higher Education Experiences, Nathan Nguyễn

Dissertations

Misconceptions and stereotypes about Asian American college students include the belief that they are innately academically successful and that if Asian American students struggle, their challenges do not compare to their Black/African American, Hispanic/Latine, or Native American/Indigenous counterparts (Museus & Buenavista, 2016). Contemporaneous to this, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) college students experience interrogation, exploration, and various levels of support regarding their sexuality and/or gender identity. At this intersection, queer Asian American students must navigate campus settings that can enhance or diminish their agency for different facets of their identities (Crenshaw, 1991; Iftikar & Museus, 2018; Ray, 2019). …

From Campus To Community: The Role Of Higher Education In Strengthening Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems In Appalachia, Anne M. Montgomery

Dissertations

This study addresses a gap in understanding how small, rural liberal arts higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Appalachian College Association Entrepreneurial Alliance (ACAEA) support regional entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), and how, if at all, those strategies vary across Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) county economic classifications. Using a qualitative multi-case design, the study examined 10 ACAEA institutions and drew on semi-structured interviews, site observations, institutional documents (including strategic plans), and ARC county-level economic data. The analysis produced five cross-case themes describing how these institutions support entrepreneurship: (a) strategic leadership and institutional culture, (b) experiential and embedded entrepreneurial education, (c) community-driven partnerships …

Well-Being Of University Students In Singapore, Tina Li Yi Ng, Andree Hartanto, William Tov

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Singapore provides an insightful case study for university student well-being due to its national culture of competitiveness. Amid a meritocratic society that valorizes academic success as the path to securing one’s future (Ho et al., 1998), educational attainment is central to Singaporean university students’ well-being (Inter-University Network, 2022). In response to Singapore’s increasing incidence of mental health challenges among young adults (Ministry of Health Singapore, 2022), the government and higher education institutes have sought to destigmatize mental health and improve accessibility to related resources. In this chapter, we review the literature on the well-being of Singaporean university students. We situate …

Effects Of Garden Exposure On Physician Assistant Students, Richard Gilbert Jr., Anne Schempp, Daniel Martin

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

Introduction: Stress and burnout within the physician assistant student population has been an evolving topic in physician assistant education. Greenspaces have been utilized for the reduction of stress and improvement of overall well-being.

Methods: Using a mixed methods survey methodology, participating physician assistant students were evaluated on their perceived stress levels both pre and post-exposure to a garden area. Both quantitative and thematic qualitative data was synthesized to evaluate the garden’s effect on the physician assistant student stress levels.

Results: A linear mixed effects model revealed that participants significantly improved stress outcomes from pre-test to post-test (ꞵ = 3.83, CI95% …

Invisible Students, Visible Consequences: Leadership Under Fte Funding, Derek Bryant

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

The full-time equivalent (FTE) funding model used by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) serves as a structural constraint that misaligns financial incentives with the missions of the 23 member institutions within it. This qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study, through interviews with system- and college-level leaders, found that this model underserves part-time, adult, and workforce students while simultaneously contributing to a resource instability that prioritizes enrollment over student success. The study concludes that any reform must require a redesigned funding model that first makes institutions whole, with a stable operational baseline of funding, by incorporating broader enrollment measures that better align …

Maximum Agency: Educator Engagement In The Ai Era, W Alex Foxworthy

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

The dominant narrative about AI in education emphasizes anxiety: jobs lost, skills devalued, futures foreclosed. But survey data reveals a more complex picture. Students and faculty who engage with AI tools see greater possibility and feel less threatened than those who avoid them. Engagement correlates with optimism. This essay argues that community college educators are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap and can play a key role in moving students from anxiety to agency by modeling engaged adaptation themselves. Yet faculty consistently report that lack of institutional support, not resistance, is the primary barrier to integration. Drawing on recent surveys …

From Access To Success: Addressing Barriers For Students With Disabilities In Higher Education, Melissa Wood

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

Over the past several decades, enrollment of students with disabilities in higher education has steadily increased. However, disparities in retention and degree completion persist. Although federal laws such as the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act guarantee equal access, many students continue to encounter barriers that affect their academic experience. These challenges are often more pronounced in community colleges, which serve diverse populations and often operate with limited resources. This paper examines two key barriers and highlights best practices that institutions can implement to improve accessibility, strengthen support systems, and promote persistence and success for students with disabilities.

Strength In Numbers: Six Nursing Faculty Embark On A Shared Journey To Doctorate Success, Melissa P. Arthur, Leigh Moore

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

Pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a demanding and transformative experience, one that can be both daunting and profoundly rewarding. This article chronicles the journey of six dedicated nursing faculty and administrators from Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) who undertook this challenge together, turning an academic endeavor into a shared mission of growth, resilience, and collaboration. Originating from a spontaneous suggestion, this collective pursuit of doctoral education evolved into a powerful example of professional solidarity.

As seasoned educators and leaders, the group had previously collaborated on pivotal institutional milestones such as ACEN accreditation, Board of Nursing improvement initiatives, …

Ai-Based Simulated Patient Encounters For Clinical Reasoning: A Needs Assessment, Alex Sorrick, David Liebovitz, Sarah Vick, Andrew S. Parsons, Brian W. Locke, Jonathan Herskovitz, Cory Rohlfsen

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers an opportunity to enhance formative assessment of clinical reasoning skills. Traditionally, these skills have been assessed through workplace-based assessment or simulated patient encounters, both of which are limited by variability in case exposure, faculty resources, scheduling logistics, and cost. AI-based simulated patient encounters provide a scalable solution for convenient, low-stakes practice. At the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), we piloted an AI-based simulated patient case and conducted a needs assessment to explore current practices and user experiences.

Methods. From June to August 2025, participants trialed an AI-based simulated patient case and received feedback on …

Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare: Ethical Frameworks, Challenges, And Global Approaches To Responsible Implementation: A Perspective, Vikas Vaibhav, Arwinder Singh, Yashpal S, Raviprakash Meshram, Varun Chandran A, Kshitiza Sharma

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Major advancements in domains like diagnosis and personalised treatment will be seen because of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. But this shift additionally presents significant ethical concerns that need to be carefully considered at every stage of AI's research, use, and impact on society in medical settings.

This review summarises the findings of multiple systematic and scoping reviews, as well as studies of specific AI applications published between 2013 and 2025. Additionally, it examines ethical norms from different countries and international organisations objectively. Consistent ethical challenges identified include the "black box" problem (lack of transparency and …

Knowledge And Perception Of Patients Regarding A Postpartum Standardized Hypertensive Disorder Educational Program, Arin Everett, Niranjana Balu, Santiago Ortiz Barragan, Marly Azzi, Sanela Potchileev, Courtney Bisson, Ariel Mueller, Lea Runesha, Sajid Shahul, Sarosh Rana

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a major contributor to rising maternal mortality in the United States. The postpartum period represents a critical window to provide education aimed at reducing the risks of complications. This study evaluates the patients’ understanding of HDP and their retention of key education concepts during the first six weeks postpartum after participation in a structured quality improvement program.

Methods. Prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with HDP were enrolled in the remote blood pressure monitoring program (RPM) and delivered between June 2023 and January 2024. Baseline surveys were administered prior to discharge and repeated …

A Literature Review Of Burnout And Associated Tools In Residency Programs, Foluso Obisanya, Fatima Mncube-Barnes, Kudiratu A. Proctor, Charles A. Mcdaniel, Donna M. Alexander, Tyrece D. Hunter

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Burnout poses considerable challenges in workplaces, particularly for resident physicians. This intricate phenomenon stems from a myriad of factors that include, but are not limited to, staff shortages, excessive workloads, specific job responsibilities, work environments, and individual psychological factors. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education encourages institutions to incorporate wellness as a fundamental component of residency training programs.

Methods. The aim of this review was to investigate burnout among resident physicians via a comprehensive literature review to elucidate this significant issue and identify potential preventative intervention strategies. We analyzed the issue of burnout across various residency specialties, providing …

Leveraging Social Media Recruitment In Health Science Education: A Scoping Review, Crystalyn Richard, Natalie Nguyen, Luong Thien Nguyen, Alison Hansen

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Background: Equitable recruitment practices are essential to the diversification of health science educational applicant pools. This scoping review aimed to understand the existing literature supporting the use and implementation of SM (SM) for recruitment in various health science educational programs. Methods: A comprehensive search utilizing the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework was used to collect and analyze existing articles. Keyword selection followed by an iterative process for article inclusion using Covidence application for article analysis and inclusion/exclusion. A thematic analysis method was employed to synthesize findings from the studies that met our inclusion criteria. Results: The initial keyword …

Black Joy And The Mother Connection: An Evaluative Case Study Of A Graduate Book Club, Shandria Hill, Meredith A. Rausch, Megan Buning, Janny Liu, Tyler Gray

Journal of Graduate Education Research

This article reviews an evaluative case study of implementation of a six-session virtual book club on connection, attachment, and Black joy in women who identify as Black and African American. Participants included six women and one group leader, all but one of whom were currently enrolled in a higher education setting. Members read selected chapters from two books--What my mother and I don’t talk about: Fifteen writers break the silence (Filgate, 2019), and You are your best thing: Vulnerability, shame resilience, and the Black experience (Burke & Brown, 2021). We present the qualitative summary of the potential impact of …

Research To Praxis: Transdisciplinary Skill Development In Graduate Education, Demikia Taylor, Tiffany Drape, Amy Pruden, Todd Schenk, Leigh-Anne Krometis

Journal of Graduate Education Research

This study examines how graduate students' perceptions of transdisciplinary team science evolve as they progress through a graduate training program at a university. Students participated in a series of workshops that built on and reinforced various aspects of training in transdisciplinary team science, including Team Science, Science Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, and International Case Studies in Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring. Students also took accompanying coursework towards a certificate and worked together in collaborative teams in advancing an array of transdisciplinary research projects focused on various dimensions of antibiotic resistance. A qualitative case study approach was taken, systematically examining participants’ reflections following each …

Extending The Global Impact Of Dnp Education: Integrating Scholarly Dissemination And International Practice Projects, Cynthia Plonien, Pricilla Muisyo, Deborah Behan, Kristine Cope, Cathy Brown

Nursing Faculty Publications & Presentations

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program at the University of Texas at Arlington initiated a global outreach effort in 2024 through two complementary strategies: expansion of a digital repository to support dissemination of DNP scholarly work and implementation of pilot DNP projects in Kenya. Together, these initiatives represent an integrated model for global engagement that combines knowledge dissemination with application of practice-based scholarship. The repository has facilitated international access to DNP projects, demonstrating significant global reach across multiple countries. Concurrently, a pilot project in Kenya was established through a strategic in-country professional partnership, enabling culturally relevant and sustainable implementation …

Urban Removal: The Long-Term Impacts Of The Displacement Of Denver’S Auraria Neighborhood, Sophia Krout, Reginald A. Byron

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

In the early 1970s, the Auraria Center for Higher Education was developed, displacing a well-established Denver Latino neighborhood, which encompassed a 38-block district at the time, including 155 families, 49 single individuals, and 237 businesses, and clearing the way for the establishment of the Metropolitan State University of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver, and Denver Community College. The implementation of remedial measures for the displacement has fallen short of meeting the needs of displaced residents. The residents were promised affordable education through a program named the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship, which has similarly stated intentions of improving the educational attainment …

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Changes In Student Executive Function Skills And Challenging Behaviors Post-Covid-19, Sofia Cicero, Raquel Plotka

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted children’s lives in a multitude of ways, including their educational and social lives. Many children had to switch to online learning platforms or follow social distancing rules. There is a lack of research exploring the lasting impact that the isolation period has left on young children, specifically those in early childhood (3-7 years old). The purpose of this study was to explore whether teachers witnessed changes in student executive function skills and challenging behaviors after the pandemic. In addition, play-based learning has been shown to improve executive function and behavioral outcomes. This study also attempted …

Breaking Silos In Educator Learning: A Public-Private Partnership Model, Jesslyn R. Hollar, Chelsea Feusner, Carrie Kracl, Megan Adkins, Shannon C. Mulhearn

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

Early childhood literacy development is a key predictor of long-term academic success, yet many early childhood educators and particularly those in rural education settings lack access to high-quality, evidence-based professional learning. Increasing policy mandates related to the science of reading have intensified the need for coordinated systems between policy, research, and instructional practice. This qualitative program evaluation examines Project RISE (Reading Instructional Strategies for Educators), a statewide professional learning initiative developed through a public–private partnership among a regional university, a state department of education, and an educational industry partner. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, Wenger’s Communities of Practice, and …

Scaling For Success: Expanding The Empire State Teacher Residency Program, Sharon Sullivan-Rubin, Charity Dacey, Nicole Aveni

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities involved in scaling the Empire State Teacher Residency Program (ESTRP), a partnership between Touro University and New York City Public Schools, operating within the US PREP coalition. As ESTRP expands from an inaugural cohort of 12 to potentially over 600 residents, the study examines how program quality, fidelity, and equity can be maintained during rapid growth. Drawing on Senge’s organizational learning theory and Fullan’s framework for educational change, the research highlights the importance of systems thinking, shared vision, and feedback loops in supporting sustainable expansion. The study details how collaborative professional learning communities, …

Dnp Repository: Using Technology To Help Nurse Leaders Make A Global Impact, Cynthia Plonien, Cathy Brown, Vanessa Garrett

Nursing Faculty Publications & Presentations

DNP Repository: Using Technology to Help Nurse Leaders Make a Global Impact

Background

Prior to the repository implementation, UTA DNP scholarly projects were not tracked by the university. Publications estimates suggest 5–10 projects annually, based on Google Scholar.

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement project is to enhance scholarly dissemination and engagement by leveraging the UTA DNP Scholarly Project Repository, aligning with AACN Essentials, AONL Competencies, and CCNE Standards to support evidence-based practice and leadership development.

PICO Question

In DNP programs (P), how does implementing an open-access scholarly repository (I) compared to traditional limited publication practices (C) affect scholarly …

Emotional Intelligence In Physician Assistant Education: Associations With Success, Burnout And Engagement, Mickey Lebowitz, William H. Holmes

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Abstract

Background Burnout is prevalent among health care professionals and increasingly recognized among health professions students. Emotional intelligence (EQ) has been associated with reduced burnout among clinicians and learners, but data specific to physician assistant (PA) students remain limited. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of two overlapping cohorts of PA students from the entering classes of 2021-2023. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Inventory (SEI®). Burnout was assessed at the end of the first year using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey for Students and at the end of the second year using the Maslach Burnout …

Layers Of Representation: A Multidimensional Book Analysis, Mariah Pfundheller, Nikki Logan, Amy E. Lein, Sydney Bueno

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This study evaluates how educators interpret the Multidimensional Framework for Inclusive Literature (MDFIL), a tool for evaluating and selecting multicultural literature for their classrooms. Participants self-identified as current, former/retired, or student teachers, or as undergraduates pursuing a teaching license at the time of the survey. Incorporating multicultural literature into educational settings has a positive impact on children's development. Multicultural literature fosters feelings of acceptance, cultural awareness, and empathy among students. By exposing children to diverse cultural perspectives, multicultural literature not only enhances their understanding of their own identities but also cultivates a greater appreciation of others' experiences. The benefits of …

Extending Sbar To Sbar-A: A Practice-Based Framework For Dnp Clinical Scholarship, Cynthia Plonien

Nursing Faculty Publications & Presentations

The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) framework is widely used to structure communication in healthcare settings. However, its traditional use emphasizes information exchange rather than practice change. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education requires translation of evidence into action through measurable practice change and leadership engagement. This manuscript introduces SBAR-A, an adaptation of the SBAR framework that adds an “Action” component requiring application of evidence-based interventions. SBAR-A integrates planning, leadership, and the application of knowledge to practice. This framework provides a structured approach for bridging communication and practice change within DNP clinical scholarship.

Construction Project Administration: Course Portfolio, Andre Messner

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio presents a structured framework for the design and implementation of a construction project administration course within a Construction Management program. Emphasis is placed on aligning student learning objectives, instructional strategies, and assessment methods with current industry expectations and professional standards. The course is intentionally designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application by incorporating real-world scenarios, collaborative learning environments, and experiential activities that mirror industry practices.

In addition to outlining the course structure, this paper examines the pedagogical foundations that support student-centered learning, including constructivism, scaffolding, and project-based learning. These approaches are used to foster …