Digital Commons Network^™

A Reading Curriculum Teaching “Text-To-Self" Connections Using Literature With Diverse Characters At The Early Elementary Level, Elise N. Buzza

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This research project’s focus was to answer the question of how can texts featuring realistic diverse characters be used to teach “text-to-self” connections at the kindergarten level? With a rapid increase of diverse demographics in the classroom, students’ accessibility to diverse literature becomes crucial. While the need for diverse literature is heightened, students and teachers instead are met with curriculum that’s focus remains on animal characters. Researchers argue that with a lack of diverse visibility in literature, this presents a significant issue pertaining to a reader’s engagement. Thus, “text-to-self” connections become vital. This is when readers use their experience to …

The Multilingual Book Club Model: Engaging Multilingual Learners In Bilingual (Spanish-English) Graphic Novel Book Clubs To Acquire Language And Vocabulary, Maureen L. Flanagan

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This project explores the importance of using translanguaging to support multilingual learners in predominantly English speaking classrooms. The main intent is to provide an engaging curriculum that provides culturally responsive material for multilingual students whose home language is Spanish. The project explores seminal research in second language acquisition and the importance of vocabulary instruction. It also acknowledges the importance of the Book Club Model

Voice Interaction With Conversational Ai Could Facilitate Thoughtful Reflection And Substantive Revision In Writing, Jiho Kim, Philippe Laban, Xiang 'Anthony' Chen, Kenneth C. Arnold

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Writing well requires not only expressing ideas but also refining them through revision, a process facilitated by reflection. Prior research suggests that feedback delivered through dialogues, such as those in writing center tutoring sessions, can help writers reflect more thoughtfully on their work compared to static feedback. Recent advancements in multi-modal large language models (LLMs) now offer new possibilities for supporting interactive and expressive voice-based reflection in writing. In particular, we propose that LLM-generated static feedback can be repurposed as conversation starters, allowing writers to seek clarification, request examples, and ask follow-up questions, thereby fostering deeper reflection on their writing. …

Aquí Y Ahora A Dance Tribute To Gustavo Cerati And The Expression Of Hispanic Immigrant Identity In New York City, Karina Terán

Theses and Dissertations

This Thesis explores how dance serves as a language of cultural identity among Hispanic immigrants in New York City. Through a multidisciplinary performance and research, it reflects lived experiences, blending movement and music to celebrate legacy, resilience, and community, while honoring the influence of Argentine rock icon Gustavo Cerati.

Finite Disappointment, Infinite Hope: Enacting Cultural Humility, Institutional Accountability, And Sustainable Resistance, R. Danielle Scott

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Higher education faces unprecedented political and organizational shifts, including bans on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These challenges create barriers for educators committed to equity and justice. Grounded in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “Finite Disappointment, Infinite Hope,” this article explores cultural humility—particularly institutional accountability—as a key strategy for navigating this evolving landscape. Cultural humility fosters critical self-reflection, redressing power imbalances and lifelong learning, offering a sustainable approach to social justice advocacy. This article outlines strategies for bolstering institutional accountability. The author introduces Five Care Practices—Recalling Core Values, Remembering, Resting, Reading and Intellectualism, and Radical Self-Care—as essential tools …

Mentorship As Experienced By Black Woman In Stem At Predominantly White Institutions, Chelsei Lasha Arnold

Honors Theses

Black female college students have experienced a marginalized history in STEM higher education. Although students associated with this identity are enrolling and earning college degrees at historic rates, there is a gap in the resources available, especially at predominantly white institutions (PWIs), for these students once they reach collegiate level. The goal of this study is to examine the role of mentorship in the lived experiences of Black women STEM students at PWIs. I used interpretive phenomenological analysis on transcribed interviews to examine psychological patterns, and then I carefully analyzed the phenomenon of being mentored. Through the analysis, I sought …

Differentiated Instruction For Students With Special Needs: “How Can We Better Equip Students, School Systems, And Society For Differentiated Instruction For Students With Special Needs In Career And Technical Educational Environments?”, Mikala A. Highsmith

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a vital role in preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce by providing essential knowledge, technical skills, and industry-recognized certifications. As the number of students with disabilities, including neurodivergent learners, continues to rise, CTE programs face increasing pressure to adopt innovative, inclusive educational practices. Integrating creative teaching strategies and leveraging technology are now critical tools in addressing diverse learning needs that promote effective classroom management and enhance student engagement. Moreover, CTE programs emphasize the development of professional competencies, workforce protocols, and transferable skills that strengthen students’ employability across industries. This paper examines …

Creating A Sense Of Home: Hispanic Students At Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Eva Cordero

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) provide critical access to higher education for Hispanic students, yet their designation is based on enrollment rather than active support for student success. The purpose of the study was to describe and explore the sense of belonging for Hispanic students at a select Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a high percentage of Hispanic students. Using photo voice, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the study identifies five key themes: (1) agency in belonging, (2) club participation, (3) fostering a sense of value, (4) institution and institutional agents, and (5) scholarship and funding. Findings underscore the need for HSIs …

News From Uab Libraries, 05 2025, Uab Libraries

UAB Libraries News

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Study Of Using Transformative Pedagogy To Teach Towards Social Justice In Face-To-Face And Online Classrooms, Alison Berk

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

As colleges simultaneously vie for students during a recent enrollment dip and try to accommodate the overall historically high national rate of college enrollment, (National Student Clearing House, 2022), and as most Americans experience identity-based tension (Horowitz, et al., 2019), it is essential that colleges and instructors ask themselves how they can create accessible, meaningful and authentic opportunities for individuals to critically examine their communities and the systems in which they live. Developing this kind of critical consciousness provides both ideological and practical positive outcomes for students and institutions alike (Carter, 2008; Diemer et al., 2014; El-Amin, et al., 2017; …

Finished!: How Newcomer Students Leveraged Family, Culture And Community To Complete A University Degree, Brenda Eliana Bocanegra

Theses and Dissertations

The transition from high school to college represents a pivotal time in the life of a student. For Latino/a students, this transition may be met with unique challenges shaped by their cultural, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. This research aims to delve into the multifaceted experiences of newcomer Latino/a students as they navigate the transition from, high school to university, to educators, exploring the factors that influence their paths, the barriers they encounter, and the support systems that helped facilitate their success.

This research used Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth as the framework to examine the factors that influenced and impacted …

The Global Classroom: A Phenomenological Study Of International Student Experiences In A Reimagined Intercultural Communication Course, Crystal Bock Thiessen

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation examines the experiences of multilingual international student participants who took part in a semester-long intercultural communication course that was purposefully designed and implemented with half enrollment each of domestic and international students at a Midwestern American university. Despite university efforts towards internationalization, they often fall short of the meaningful engagement needed truly promote intercultural and mutual understanding. International and domestic students share classroom and other spaces on campus, yet they remain overwhelmingly disconnected from one another. Using phenomenology and Baker’s (2011) model of Intercultural Awareness, this study analyzed the international students’ experience in this course to learn more …

Language, Equity, And Power: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Student Conduct Policies At Unl, Mandi Laib

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis of student conduct policies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1977 to 2003 to examine how language reflects and reinforces institutional power structures. Utilizing Critical Race Theory and Queer Theory, this research investigates how conduct policies have historically marginalized Students of Color, LGBTQ+ students, and those facing economic hardship. Through a deductive coding process, themes such as institutional control, surveillance, and punitive framing were identified across four decades of student handbooks. While there are moments where student rights and restorative justice are acknowledged, these are often overshadowed by dominant discourse that prioritizes compliance …

Dove: An Interdisciplinary Framework For College Composition Instructors, Audrey Hansen

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

In this thesis, I merged personal narrative and interdisciplinary knowledge to develop a composition pedagogy framework for my fellow college composition instructors by applying an understanding of the psychological theory of attachment styles to our understanding of diversity and behavior in the classroom. I presented a personal narrative describing how I discovered a connection between attachment theory, behavior psychology, and college composition classrooms. The framework developed guides instructors step-by-step how to apply interdisciplinary psychology knowledge to the field of composition. The goal is for the theory to create more accepting and encouraging classroom environments through DOVE. D: detaching from negative …

The Uneven Disruptions Covid-19 Caused To Scholars’ Publication: A Preregistered Study, Marco De Prosperis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This proposed, preregistered study investigates the uneven impacts of COVID-19 on scholarly productivity among University of Arkansas faculty, focusing on how demographic and professional factors—such as gender, ethnicity, academic rank, tenure status, field of study, and the presence of children—may have moderated productivity during the pandemic. Utilizing a non-experimental, cross-sectional design, this research will collect data from 160 full-time faculty members through an online survey. Grounded in Role Theory, the study will examine role conflict and enrichment as faculty navigated shifting responsibilities in research, teaching, and caregiving during remote work. This study is particularly relevant as many assistant professors who …

Nebraska's Preparedness For A Growing Diverse Aging Population: A Survey Of Area Agencies On Aging, Vince Barger

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper aims to examine the current efforts of Nebraska’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to serve a growing diverse population of older adults (United States Census Bureau, 2023). This project is comprised of a survey created to gauge the thoughts and opinions of Nebraska AAA employees supplemented by a comprehensive literature review. The findings of the literature review indicate the need for an understanding of the importance of diversity and how it affects individual life experiences. The survey revealed that the AAAs are already making changes to reflect the population shift that is currently happening, such as specific programs …

Women Composers’ Music Contributions Equal To Those Of Male Counterparts During The Romantic Era, Chelsea J. Abels

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Though women composers were downplayed and overlooked, they were no less talented than their male counterparts, providing meaningful compositions and contributions to Romantic Era music. This thesis studies three women who made meaningful contributions during the Romantic period. Their names are Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, and Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn. Four aspects about them will be studied: The life and childhood of each woman, the trials and discrimination they faced, the problems they solved, and how their works compare to male composers. These three women were prodigy musicians and skilled composers. They demonstrated a great affinity for music from an early …

Global Brand, Local Market: A Strategic Analysis Of Netflix’S Adaptation Challenges In India, Carolina Barraza

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Netflix is a leading subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform known for its premium content and global reach. As it expands into new international markets, one of its most complex challenges is scaling in India, a market defined by intense price competition, regional diversity, and evolving regulatory frameworks, but without losing its global brand identity. This case study provides a strategic analysis of Netflix’s position in the Indian market, using external and internal assessment tools to evaluate the company’s opportunities, risks, and long-term viability. The analysis draws on publicly available data, including industry reports, financial disclosures, and academic research.

A comprehensive PESTEL …

Am I Woke Enough To Serve In Healthcare: A Secondary Analysis Of Pre-Health Students’ Personal And Professional Growth By Engaging In Cultural Competency Assessments, Harolynn Williams

All Dissertations

Healthcare providers must be equipped to serve an increasingly diverse population, yet cultural competence remains underemphasized in undergraduate pre-health education. This study explored how embedded cultural competency training influences undergraduate pre-health students’ perceptions of personal and professional growth. Using a qualitative descriptive design, the research incorporated intercultural assessments, the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), along with qualitative reflections from students enrolled in three versions of a cultural competence course: a year-long course, a semester-long course, and a short-term study abroad immersion six-week course. Findings revealed that students demonstrated measurable growth in cultural awareness, knowledge, communication, …

High Ability, Hidden Gaps: Building Quantitative Reasoning Amongst Singapore’S Mathematically Literate, Rebecca M. Nichols

Numeracy

In Singapore, where primary and secondary students routinely top standardized worldwide mathematics examinations, a paradox emerges: when reaching university, many struggle to apply their skills critically in real-world contexts. This commentary examines the challenges and strategies involved in teaching quantitative reasoning (QR) to mathematically literate students in a top-ranking Singaporean university. While these students arrive well-trained in computation and procedural problem-solving, they often lack confidence and flexibility in ambiguous, data-driven decision-making. This article argues that fostering QR education is crucial not only for Singapore but for education globally, as QR skills underpin evidence-based reasoning within and across disciplines. Such an …

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

Journal of Interpretation

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

Supporting Effective Online Teaching And Learning, Serena Scalzi

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Literature identifies numerous related concepts that support effective online education. These concepts include identity, mental models, social presence, motivation, social learning, self-regulated learning, communities of practice, cognitive load, and Universal Design for Learning. After a review of the literature, action research was conducted among participants from across the field of Online Education, including instructors, instructional designers, and embedded instructional technologists. This research collected and analyzed data regarding the practical application of these theoretical concepts, as well as the techniques, tools, and resources to support this application. The result of this action research project was a set of proven best practices …

A Comparison Of The Relationship Between Campus Writing Centers And Developmental Writing Programs At Two- And Four-Year Institutions, Kiley Truex

English Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Throughout the history of American composition instruction in higher education, the question of how best to support students who struggle with or come into college unprepared for academic writing has been a debated one. Two of the most commonplace models for additional student writing support are basic writing courses and writing centers, and institutions often have both. Furthermore, there is also a distinction between writing education at the four-year college level and writing education at the two-year college level, and this distinction comes into particularly sharp focus when it comes to examining both basic writing pedagogies and well as the …

College Sojourners' Reentry Experiences After Studying Abroad, Samantha Rose Maiolo

Honors Scholar Theses

When people think of studying abroad, they often think the experience ends when a study abroad participant returns home, but the reentry experience back home can be just as significant as the experience in the host country. In this study, I explored the following questions: (1) What emotional, social, and academic transitions do students experience when returning home from studying abroad? and (2) In what ways do the experiences students have abroad change their perspective of their life in the home culture? We interviewed 10 and surveyed 3 recent study abroad returnees from a large state university in New England. …

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 …

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 …

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.

A Survey-Based Quantification Of Imposter Phenomenon In Occupational Therapy, Dina Prisco, Siobhan Walsh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Imposter phenomenon is a professional issue that negatively affects health professionals’ performance and well-being. This study examined imposter phenomenon’s prevalence in occupational therapy (OT). Researchers hypothesized that imposter phenomenon is prevalent in OT, more so in underrepresented groups. The rate of imposter phenomenon throughout OT was quantified and rates between demographic groups compared.

Method: This study used an exploratory, survey-based research design. Survey sections included informed consent, demographics, and the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). The CIPS measured rates of imposterism. Analyses of variances and independent group t-tests were performed to identify significant differences between groups. Inclusion criteria …

2025 Soars Conference Program, Unf Office Of Undergraduate Research

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Program for the 2025 Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)