Digital Commons Network^™

Does Gender Spell Success? Exploring Female Student Perspectives Of Faculty At A Higher Educational Institution, Chitora Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female students at a higher educational institution and to understand how those experiences shape their perspectives of female and male faculty. Additionally, this study sought to discover how faculty gender influences their interactions with students and the similarities and differences between interactions and the potential for student success as they define it.

The overall goal was to better understand how female students experience faculty interactions and help to promote more positive outcomes for students through the supportive efforts of those who teach them. Data were …

College Readiness In Mathematics Related To Student Academic And Belonging Mindsets, Tabitha Sherrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My quantitative study investigated the differences and correlations between students’ academic (growth vs. fixed) mindsets and belonging mindsets when enrolled in a college-level mathematics course or enrolled in both the college-level mathematics and learning support mathematics courses. The study was conducted at a Tennessee community college in the Fall 2021 semester. Sixty-two students completed the paper survey, which consisted of 17 items that measured academic (growth vs. fixed) and belonging mindsets and included demographic items (age and gender) and ACT mathematics scores. I conducted independent t-tests to find any significant differences between academic (growth vs. fixed) mindset scores and belonging …

Student Mental Health And Student Engagement In Higher Education: Identifying The Mechanisms, Sailesh Maharjan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Students’ mental health is critical for their personal and educational engagement, particularly among First Generation College Students (FGCSs). There is a growing need in higher education to openly discuss mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding available resources and campus culture in influencing student well-being. Adopting a salutogenic perspective, this study highlights the necessity of viewing student mental health as an ongoing process rather than a one-time task. In this context, the study examines the relationship between student mental health and overall engagement in higher education, specifically focusing on the roles of a sense of belonging, psychological flexibility, and …

The Role Of Mindset In The Academic Resilience Of Non-Residential Health Profession Students: A Phenomenological Study, Julie Lynn Branagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of academic resilience of non-residential healthcare students in rural regions of the Northeast United States. The theoretical framework guiding this study was Carol Dweck's theory on growth mindset, as it exposed the relationship of personal perspective on academic resiliency. This study attempted to answer the central research question: What are the lived experiences of academic resilience among non-residential health profession students? An extensive review of the literature revealed the compounding aspects of resilience research with specific attention to health profession students. Data collection methods included a letter-writing …

Equity Vs. Excellence: Dichotomy Or Duo?, Nadjia I. Logans

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

In this thesis, I investigate recent changes in mathematics education and how these developments connect to the principles of equity and excellence. I place a special focus on “active learning” methods. My methodology primarily consisted of interviews with educators, along with analyzing literature from math education researchers. I first define and explain the motivations behind active learning instruction methods. Next, I explore not only how instructors define equity and excellence but how educators perceive the role of the two principles within education. Finally, I challenge the pervasive media portrayal of equity and excellence as being mutually exclusive. Instead, I find …

Culture And Context: How Frames Of Teaching And Of Learning Mathematics Form And Change For Graduate Student Instructors, Johan Benedict Arroyo Cristobal

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

Why do instructors teach the way that they do? This question is key in understanding how and why asset-based or deficit-based practices are enacted in the classroom. In consequence, this question also gives insight into how the environment where students learn is shaped. Mathematics education research, in particular, has been concerned with how instructors respond to students’ contributions in the classroom and how these ways of responding can (dis)empower students.

One way to answer this question is to understand how instructors frame their own teaching and their students’ learning. Frames are mental constructs which help individuals filter details, interpret information, …

Countering Deficit Narratives Through A Blackcrit Lens By Examining Case Studies Of Black College Mathematics Students’ Classroom Experiences, Akhenaton Wilbourn

All Dissertations

This dissertation examines the lived experiences of 11 Black college mathematics students at their predominantly white institution (PWI) through the lens of Black Critical Theory (BlackCrit) to counter deficit narratives about the racial achievement gap (RAG) in mathematics education courses. Deficit narratives often attribute disparities between Black and white students’ mathematical performance to assumed deficiencies in Black students’ abilities rather than systemic inequities, historical marginalization, and ongoing anti-Blackness in educational settings (Cobb & Russell, 2015; Kress, 2021). Using multiple case studies, this study explores how anti-Blackness manifests in mathematics classrooms, how students navigate tensions between multiculturalism, neoliberal educational policies, and …

2025 May, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for May of 2025.

Impact Of Parental Involvement On Elementary School Student Development In Pursuit Of Higher Education, Valeria Guapo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this senior capstone is to examine the relationship between parental involvement and elementary school students' academic trajectories, with a focus on their pursuit of higher education. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and through the use of literature reviews, interviews, and surveys with college students, teachers, and parents, the results revealed that parental involvement is a big part of students' educational performance and mental well-being in many aspects. This research investigates how parental involvement in elementary education influences students' academic achievement, motivation, and aspirations for higher education. The findings highlight the significance of parental involvement in …

Effects Of Domestic Violence On Third-Grade Students' Academic And Behavioral Performance, Leah N. Gordone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to investigate the relationship between witnessing domestic violence and third-grade students' academic performance and behavioral conduct, with a focus on gender differences. Additionally, the study explored the connection between exposure to domestic violence and English Language Arts achievement. The research involved 280 third-grade students and parents at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in southwestern Georgia. Participants were part of social-emotional learning programs. Data collection included parent observation surveys, end-of-grade test scores (using the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade assessment), and a child survey (the Violence Exposure Scale for Children – Revised). The …

Revolutionizing Higher Ed: Ai’S Impact On Faculty And Pedagogy, George Antoniou, David G. Wolf, Ellen Ramsey, Matteo Peroni, Saidi Porta, Philip L. Fazio, Kristen Migliano

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Bearcat Advantage: Year One Evaluation Report, Michelle Miller-Adams, Kevin Hollenbeck, Bridget Timmeney, Kyle Huisman

Reports

No abstract provided.

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 …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, April 25, 2025, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Real-World Applications: Strategies To Inspire Students To Learn Calculus And Differential Equations Through Modeling, Aleksei Talonov

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Key elements of strategy to inspire students include:

• Pre-Class Preparation;
• Historical Context (Starting each lecture with a brief historical overview to provide relevance and context to the material);
• Interactive Real-Life Problem Solving (Discussing the main concepts of the lecture and collaboratively solving challenging problems);
• Proof Techniques (Demonstrating mathematical methods used to prove key statements from the current lesson);
• Real-Time Feedback.

There's A Method To This Physics Madness, Hanna J. Ross

Physics and Astronomy Presentations

Physics tends to be seen by the general public as scary and unattainable, especially for students who are non-STEM majors. However, at Ursinus College (as well as many other institutions) the professors employ the use of specific problem-solving strategy instruction to mitigate these fears and further general problem solving skills. This study reviews previous experiments evaluating the merit of this strategy and analyzes its results as it relates to Physics on Screen, a physics class at Ursinus geared specifically towards non-majors.

2025 Otterbein University Honors Convocation Program, Otterbein University

Honors Convocation

No abstract provided.

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: …

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, …

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 …

Climbs: Revisiting Big Bone Lick To Develop A Late Quarternary Climate Record For Kentucky, Margaret Alden, Jennifer O'Keefe, Tori Reid, Hannah Sprinkle, Avery Wasinger

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

CLIMBS P2 (Climate Learning, Prediction, and Building Response Systems Project 2: Paleo-perspectives) focuses on improving our understanding of historical flooding and landslide events in Kentucky using paired Holocene paleoclimate and sedimentary records. To date, few published paleoclimate records exist (Liu et al., 2013; Nunez Otano et al., in prep.). As an initial step in meeting the aims of P2, the OPaL lab at Morehead State University is focusing on completion of an in-progress latest Pleistocene - early Holocene palynology-based paleoclimate record derived from sediments in legacy Andrews/KGS cores from Big Bone Lick in Northern Kentucky. This region is the birthplace …

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.

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.

Makerspace Revitalization, Nicklaus Adams, Selena Bailey, Eliana Clifford, Robert Vanderpool

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

A Makerspace is a collaborative environment where students can access tools and technology to explore, experiment, and engage in hands-on learning. These spaces provide equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics workstations, and fabrication tools, allowing students to bring abstract concepts to life through physical projects. Makerspaces are becoming increasingly common in universities, as they help students develop valuable technical and creative problem-solving skills across disciplines. This project investigates the educational impact of university-based Makerspaces and how they contribute to student innovation, collaboration, and engagement. By examining well-established spaces such as Georgia Tech’s Invention Studio and MIT’s Maker Workshop, …

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 …

Impacts Of Business Management Literacy On A Small Business In A Developing Third World Country, Lisa Abrampah, Amberlee Bailey, Prince Boateng, Jordan Richmond, Dylan Williams

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This project investigates the importance of cultural empathy, practical business strategies, and effective leadership in the context of global business development. By integrating these elements, the project aims to address the unique challenges faced by a small business in Bauchi State, Nigeria, offering targeted support in areas like marketing and financial management. Students involved in the project engaged in monthly, culturally informed interactions with the business owner, adapting their strategies in real-time based on ongoing feedback and research into effective business management in similar contexts. The research highlights a small welding business in Bauchi State, Nigeria, a region that faces …

Conducting Effective Literature Searches And Writing Strong Abstracts, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

This invited presentation for students at Poland's War Studies University communicates ideas on how Ph.D. students at this institution can enhance their research quality. Specific content includes formulating your research question, determining research aims and methodology, reviewing a research question checklist, understanding the meaning of search terms you propose to utilize, devising effective search strategies, consulting multiple varieties of information resources from multiple countries, finding gaps in literature, being able to distinguish between nuances in literature and data, writing succinct abstracts, and enhancing the clarity of your prose.

The National Cybersecurity Teaching Coalition: Expanding Cybersecurity Education Opportunities, Paul Wagner, Melissa Dark, Robert Honomichl, Filipo Sharevski, Sandra Leiterman

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing prevalence of cybersecurity threats and the shortage of qualified professionals necessitate innovative solutions for cybersecurity education at all levels. Despite the expansion of post-secondary cybersecurity programs, employer dissatisfaction with graduates and a lack of standardized introductory curricula highlights the need for structured secondary education pathways. The National Cybersecurity Teaching Coalition (NCTC) and its National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA) address this gap by equipping high school educators with the necessary knowledge and credentials to teach cybersecurity effectively. NCTA offers an 18-credit cybersecurity graduate certificate program to ensure teachers are competent and confident to develop and teach cybersecurity curriculum with …