Digital Commons Network^™

Uni Schedule Of Classes: Policies And Procedures, Spring 2025, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Schedule of Classes

A listing and schedule of the courses being taught as well as policies and procedures concerning attending classes at the University of Northern Iowa.

Pillars Of Purpose: Postsecondary Career And Technical Education Faculty Viewpoints On Retention, Garry Brandon Hensley

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The retention of postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) faculty in community colleges is critical for maintaining a skilled workforce to meet evolving labor market demands. This study employs Q methodology to explore the subjective viewpoints of community college CTE faculty regarding factors influencing their job satisfaction and retention. Grounded in Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of Motivation and Job Embeddedness Theory, the research integrates the concept of Employee Experience Management (EEM) to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding faculty retention. Data collected from Q sorts and follow-up focus group interviews reveal six distinct factors representing diverse faculty perspectives on job satisfaction, …

The Impact Of Success Coaching On Psychological Well-Being And Sense Of Belonging In First-Year College Students, Lashay Y. Mcqueen

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

As higher education institutions seek to assist students with the first-year transition, coaching is one intervention shown to increase academic performance and retention rates (Capstick et al., 2019). Along with academics, fostering student success from a holistic perspective is imperative (Bentrim & Henning, 2022). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of participation in success coaching on the psychological well-being and sense of belonging for first-year college students. The study also investigated the impact of success coaching on first-generation students. Existing data were used to compare participation in success coaching to overall psychological well-being and sense of …

Identifying Contributing Factors Of Black American Females’ Long-Term Persistence In Stem Education: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Chandra T. Oaks-Garcia

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain insights into contributing factors that have shaped the experiences of eight Black American females who pursued STEM education as they persisted from the secondary education setting to their collegiate setting in a STEM major. This qualitative phenomenological study collected data through in-depth semi-structured interviews with Black American female juniors and seniors studying at four different four-year institutions, all pursuing degrees in STEM-related fields. Demographic surveys and memo writing were incorporated to enhance the data analysis. To explore the lived experiences of Black American females in STEM education and identify factors that contributed …

19th Annual Research In The Capitol [Program], March 31, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. University Honors Program. Iowa State University. Honors Program. University Of Iowa. Honors Program.

Research in the Capitol Programs

Program of research presentations given at the Capitol by students from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

Predicting Battery Efficiency: A Theoretical Approach, Haiti Schafers

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The Kansas ElectroRally Races continuously demand faster electric vehicles (EV). When designing a vehicle one of the most important components is the battery. This study was designed to find the following; What is the optimal throttle percentage to run a 36V 20Ah (768Wh) LiFePO4 Rechargeable Battery Pack[1].

The optimal throttle percentage was found with methods detailed in a different section. Based on the performance of the older cars this study choose to focus on 50% and 70%, while obtaining other relevant data to further that inference.

Measuring Cosmic Rays With Muon Detectors (Quarknet), Aiden Burton, Jack W. Maseberg

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

We report measurement of atmospheric muon particles originating from cosmic rays. Using four QuarkNet project scintillators in an unstacked geometry, we are counting muons in coincidence with each other. We are currently refurbishing a second detector apparatus and will soon be capable of measuring coincidence events for larger shower surface areas using a total of eight scintillators.

Experimenting With Machine Learning Using Diabetes Datasets, Wyatt Mcdonnell, Hongbiao Zeng

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The purpose of this research is to understand how to implement machine learning in a practical scenario. There were two diabetes datasets[5][6] used for testing the machine learning models. These datasets contain information relevant to a person’s health, as well as whether that subject had diabetes. I used a total of four models, and three of those models were manually programmed. The model which was not manually programmed was used for comparison with a similar model. This research directly compares and shows the factors which affect the efficiency of each machine learning model.

Optimizing Transcription Efficiency Through Mutations In The T7 Rna Polymerase, Claire N. Novak

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The production of RNA is vital for many commercial and research purposes, with one of the more notable reasons being vaccine production. The RNA polymerase, derived from T7 bacteriophage, is commonly used for RNA production due to its ability to produce full-length RNA transcripts. However, researchers have faced limitations in optimizing this polymerase. For example, the polymerase generates heterogeneous RNA products that require additional purification steps during RNA production. Here, we selected three amino acid point substitutions based on a recent publication from Moderna that showed increased RNA purity compared to the wild type T7 RNA polymerase sequence. We created …

Bridging The Gap: Stress And Support Systems For Underrepresented Students Pursuing Graduate Education, Carlos A. Tavira-Villegas

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Embedded within the United States educational system lies a history that is marked by centuries of exclusion, where students of color were denied the right to an equal education. Despite this legacy of injustice, a story of resilience and bravery also exists, as countless individuals fought for the right to access and succeed in an equal education. This literature review examines the historical exclusion of Mexican American, Asian, and Black students in the United States. Important legal cases will be explored to trace the progression of educational equity in America. Several theories will be reviewed, including social identity theory, ecological …

Coastal Erosion In Ireland, Brian Nguyen, Jeanne Sumrall

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Ireland's approach to managing its coastlines focuses more on a short-term solution method rather than long-term, eco-friendly solutions. Their coastal defenses are created upon an immediate need without clear policies and sufficient research. As a result, beach ecosystems are frequently damaged, and the erosion is only reduced to a certain extent. To reduce erosion and protect both the environment and Irish culture, this study suggests that Ireland should implement national policies focused on regularly monitoring coastal erosion, researching nature-based solutions, and implementing them to address the problem. Moving forward, it’s important for research to focus on understanding the overall impact …

Examining Changes In Teacher Dispositions Post-Covid, Tamala L. Martin

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Tamala L. Martin on March 28, 2025.

Relationship Between Dual Credit Type And College Enrollment, Jessica Kern

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University By Jessica Kern on March 28, 2025.

British Conduct Is A Major Reason Of Ireland Resist, Churong Wei, Jeanne Sumrall

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

For centuries, Ireland was under Britain's rule, the struggle for Irish people’s independence, driven by a deep desire of self governance, economic justice, and cultural identity , has never stopped.

During the years of Britain domination, Irish people faced political repression, economic exploitation, and religious discrimination, specifically against its Catholic majority. These can be symbolled by The Great Famine (1845–1852) and British neglect further fueled resentment.

In 19th and 20th centuries, nationalism raised in Ireland, along with symbolic events like Easter Rising(1916) and the Irish War of Independence(1919–1921). These event solidified the demand of freedom and independence among Irish people. …

An In-Depth Analysis Of The Bellarmine University Student Athlete Experience, Mattingly E. Spalding

Undergraduate Theses

The goal of this thesis is to improve the student athlete experience at Bellarmine University through direct feedback from our current student athletes. By defining what parts of the student athlete experience they value most, Bellarmine can reflect on the support currently provided in these areas. Additionally, if it is concluded through the response that high valued areas are not being satisfied, Bellarmine can work to improve the support in these areas. Or, if there is abundant support in a low-valued area, Bellarmine could think to shift resources into a more needed concentration. Through the design sample, data was accumulated …

Defining A Management Structure For University Space Analog Research Programs, Scott Van Hoy, Kristen Miller

Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments

To learn how humans can safely and effectively live on the surface of the moon or Mars, missions are conducted on Earth that simulate operations on the surface of other planetary bodies. These missions, called space analog missions, require substantial mission planning and organizational management to ensure safe and effective research and operations. The American Public University System’s Analog Research Group developed and tested management structures and philosophies that enable scalable, replicable, and safe analog missions. This fully online research endeavor’s management and internal organization offers a model that academic institutions and private industry can implement to contribute to space …

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 11, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

How Do Collective Agreements Stack Up? Implications For Academic Freedom, Tim Ribaric, Rahul Kumar

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

Abstract Academic freedom, a cornerstone of higher education, is formally codified within the enforceable language of collective agreements (CAs) between universities and faculty unions in Canada. While the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) provides an exemplar framework for academic freedom clauses, institutional interpretations and implementations vary significantly. This study comprehensively analyzed CAs from 44 Canadian universities using computational text analysis methods, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF). The analysis revealed that approximately 27% of institutions closely align with the CAUT exemplar, while 57% incorporate additional limiting factors that qualify the exercise of academic freedom. …

Faculty Views About Their Covid-19 Layoffs From A Public University In The Us Midwest, Susan E. Ramlo

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

In July 2020, a public university in the US Midwest announced it would lay off 96 bargaining unit faculty based on a force majeure clause in the union contract. Most of the faculty held tenure and some were distinguished professors. The layoffs occurred with no faculty input and immediately following a major university reorganization. This study uses Q methodology [Q] to examine the Perceived Organizational Support [POS] of these laid off unionized faculty within an agency theory framework. Q allows us to reveal and describe the divergent views of the laid off faculty based upon analyses of their sorts of …

Juggling Coursework, Student Teaching, And Personal Lives: Bgsu Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences And Pre-Conceptions On Teacher Burnout, Iris Faria

Honors Projects

Teacher burnout is a hot topic in today's media, as teachers' responsibilities expand and retention rates in the education field falter. While this is a desperate issue, the specific topic of this study is pre-service teachers' experiences of and ideas about the three dimensions of burnout. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these dimensions are: "feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy." Participants involved in this study completed a survey involving seven multiple-choice questions aligned with the dimensions of burnout …

Cooperating Teacher Mentoring Guidebook, Alicia N. Day

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Alicia N. Day on March 25, 2025.

Cultivating Advanced Education For Christian Faculty In Higher Education Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Gary D. Hyrne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of cultivating advanced education for Christian faculty at higher education institutions in the United States. The central research question guiding this study asked: What are the experiences of Christian faculty cultivating advanced education in higher education institutions? The Christian faculty participants' research was guided by data on their lived experiences at private Christian institutions, state universities, or other secular institutions of higher education. Secular relates to the worldly or temporal, not overtly or specifically religious. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guided the study. The research design followed the recommendations of …

Teaching Disciplinary Ways Of Knowing Using Stem In Afnr, Elizabeth E. Ogar, Neil A. Knobloch, Hui-Hui Wang

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

This study explores the integration of STEM in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) education through a course designed to teach disciplinary ways of knowing such as scientific inquiry, engineering design, mathematical modeling, and agroecosystem thinking. The course prepares upper-level undergraduate and graduate students to design and implement STEM-integrated mini-units in both formal and nonformal settings. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and real-world applications, the course encourages critical thinking and problem-solving in addressing global challenges like food security and sustainability. The outcomes include enhanced pedagogical skills, real-world STEM application, and increased student engagement, preparing learners for careers in STEM-related fields.

Artificial Intelligence And Communication Technologies In Academia: Faculty Perceptions And The Adoption Of Generative Ai, Aya Shata, Kendall Hartley

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Faculty Research

Artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering in an era of potential transformation in various fields, especially in educational communication technologies, with tools like ChatGPT and other generative AI (GenAI) applications. This rapid proliferation and adoption of GenAI tools have sparked significant interest and concern among college professors, who are dealing with evolving dynamics in digital communication within the class-room. Yet, the effect and implications of GenAI in education remain understudied. Therefore, this study employs the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as theoretical frameworks to explore higher education faculty’s perceptions, attitudes, usage, and motivations, as the underlying …

Academic And Non-Academic Barriers Impacting Student Success And Retention In Corequisite English, Stephanie Tolliver Hyman

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Stephanie Tolliver Hyman on March 13, 2025.

March 2025 Graduate Council Minutes, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 10, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Ai-Powered Education: Innovative Teaching Strategies To Elevate Student Learning, Karen J. Magruder, Ann M.L. Cavallo, Andrew M. Clark

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

AI-Powered Education is a practical teaching resource crafted by educators, for educators, focusing on the integration of AI to enhance student learning. The book provides a collection of practical, step-by-step activities from a variety of disciplines in higher education. Each activity integrates AI tools and technologies into the classroom in innovative ways, with detailed guidance for instructors to seamlessly adopt these ideas.

Uncovering Dimensions Of Learning Management System Event Logs: Insights From Exploratory Factor Analysis, Psychometric Network Analysis, And Consensus Hierarchical Clustering, Surina He, Okan Bulut, Ying Cui, Tarid Wongvorachan

Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 教育测量与评估双语期刊

Log data extracted from learning management systems (LMS) have become an increasingly valuable resource for understanding students’ learning behaviors. These data are unobtrusive, cost-effective, and offer fine-grained insights. However, their complexity and large volume present substantial challenges in identifying interpretable underlying dimensions across different event types. To address this challenge, this study applied exploratory factor analysis, psychometric network analysis, and consensus hierarchical clustering to analyze 122,167 log entries from 25 event types collected in a large undergraduate course (n = 527 students). Four distinct clusters of student activities were identified in the event logs: submission, quiz-taking, discussion, and background-viewing. …

Relationship Between Perceived Employability And Employability Skills And Attributes Among Business Graduates, Wise Mainga, Marlo B. Murphy-Braynen, Daniel Thompson, Bernadette Robins

International Journal for Business Education

Research has identified the importance of perceived employability in enhancing new graduates’ job search and finding initial employment. Students with high perceived employability are likely to have high self-confidence and perseverance in their job search, which may lead to early initial employment post-graduation. Perceived employability affects how new graduating students approach competitive and congested labour markets and is seen as one of the most important predictors of a new graduate getting and retaining a job. However, few studies have examined the relationship between perceived employability and disaggregated employability skills and attributes. This study examines the above relationship, arguing that not …