Digital Commons Network^™

The Physiology Of The Work: Chronic Stress, Allostatic Load, And Faculty Wellness In Counselor Education, Ajayla S. Evins

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counselor educators embody multifaceted professional roles across teaching, supervision, research, leadership, and service, exerting a profound influence on the formation of counselors and the ongoing development of the profession (CACREP, 2024; Calley & Hawley, 2008). While wellness is recognized as a core professional value in counseling (ACA, 2014), research has focused almost exclusively on emotional and psychological dimensions, leaving the physiological consequences of chronic stress largely underexplored (Bovee, 2024; Faheem et al., 2025; Lewis et al., 2022). In neighboring fields, such as public health and medicine, chronic stress has been linked to dysregulation in cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, immune inflammatory, and metabolic …

Learning In Motion: How Small Groups Can Promote Self-Regulated Learning In Physical Therapy Students, Sara Mclaren

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a critical skill for success in rigorous graduate health professions programs, where students must independently manage complex academic demands. Despite its importance, limited research has examined SRL processes among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the didactic phase of training. Guided by Zimmerman’s cyclical model of self-regulated learning, this study examined SRL behaviors among second-year DPT students and explored how small group learning contexts may influence engagement in SRL processes and academic performance.

This mixed-methods study included 39 DPT students enrolled in a physical therapy program at a public university in the southeastern United States. …

Eagle-Winged Worms: Seeing Contingent Faculty Through Currere, Nicholas Hayes

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This currere explores my experiences as part-time contingent faculty working at multiple institutions (a so-called freeway flyer). Covering the years from 2005-2015, the regressive mode draws from my experiences teaching writing composition and literature at a community college, arts college, and three religious universities. A central impetus for this exploration is a desire to understand the ways I was socialized by these institutions and how that socialization shaped my understanding of my identity within and through my status as contingent faculty. Higher education (especially first-year writing programs) has become dependent on contingent faculty. The increased reliance on part-time contingent faculty …

Always On, Never Off: A Phenomenological Study Of Entry-Level Residence Directors In Coextensive Environments, Brent Ploughe

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This qualitative phenomenological study examined how entry-level live-in residence directors make meaning of their professional roles while living within institutionally structured environments that merge domestic space with ongoing job responsibility. Although existing scholarship on housing and residence life addresses burnout, boundary management, emotional labor, and attrition, dominant work–life balance frameworks presume that work and home exist as separable domains subject to individual regulation. Such assumptions remain insufficient for professionals whose residences are embedded within the institutional architecture they oversee. Guided by Borderlands Theory (Anzaldúa, 1987), this study reconceptualized the live-in residence director role as a structurally produced borderland in which …

Redefining Retention: Analyzing The Experiences Of Black Men In Higher Education Through The Lens Of Race, Masculinity, And Strength-Based Approaches, Roderick Waters

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Black male students have continued to face systemic challenges in higher education, particularly at historically White institutions (HWIs), where they experience lower retention and graduation rates compared to their peers. Although enrollment numbers have increased, institutional barriers, racialized campus environments, and deficit-based narratives have continued to contribute to disparities in academic success. Much of the existing research has focused on the challenges Black male students encounter rather than the strategies, relationships, and institutional conditions that support their persistence. This study sought to shift that focus by exploring the lived experiences of Black men who persisted at an HWI through an …

Experiential Learning In Marketing Education: Student Reflections In A Client Based Project, Samit Chakravorti

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This paper explores student experience with a client based project in an upper division marketing class and its impact on development of work readiness skills, learning and satisfaction with the course. The client was a local small business food cooperative. Student reflection papers submitted at the end of the project were content analyzed based on preset categories to understand the impact of the project on the outcome variables. Analysis shows that for most students the project was interesting, relevant but challenging, increased their satisfaction and enjoyment of the course, and positively impacted learning of profession specific and foundational work ready …

Emotional Intelligence Of Early College High School Juniors, Donna M. Besant

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 Donna M. Besant on March 31, 2026.

Beyond The Pipeline: First-Generation College Students’ Community Cultural Wealth And Stem Degree Pathways, Douglas Havard, Zahra Gholami, Jue Wu, Danette Y. Martinez, A. J. Balatico, Lara Perez-Felkner

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines how first-generation college students (FGCS) and continuing-generation college students navigate STEM pathways by modeling four sequential milestones in the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09): high school graduation, college enrollment, STEM major selection, and STEM degree completion. Guided by Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework, we use survey-weighted sequential logistic regression to estimate stage-specific associations between academic preparation, psychosocial resources, and institutional context, conditional on prior attainment. Results reveal distinct generational patterns of STEM progression. For FGCS, rigorous high school mathematics preparation exerts a powerful influence on high school completion, while later-developing math self-efficacy and science identity …

The Value Of Establishing Connections Between Clinical And Research Settings For The Next Generation Of Neuropsychologists And Neuropsychology Consumers, Pamela May-Weeks

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this discussion is to highlight the value of networks and connections across institutions for students, early researchers, and clinicians to support their careers in neuropsychology and the neurosciences. Participants and Methods: Since 2020, two independent institutions, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC; academic medical center) and the Institute for Human Neuroscience (IHN) at Boys Town National Research Hospital (research facility), in Nebraska have partnered to support UNMC graduate students' (pursuing PhD and MD/PhD in various disciplines) master's and doctoral level work. More specifically, a clinical neuropsychologist from UNMC collaborated with researchers at IHN to support student-led …

Stress In Medical Laboratory Science (Mls) Students: Sources, Patterns, And Implications, Marnie Imhoff

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Students in accelerated, year-long Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programs experience different stressors that can affect their well-being and ability to persist in the program. This study aimed to identify the main sources of stress among MLS students and to examine how stress levels vary by demographic factors. MLS students in a university program completed a stress survey each semester from May 2022 to May 2024. The survey asked about demographics and included questions about stress in academic, professional, and personal areas. The results showed that the main stressors were lack of free time, the program's pace, and worries about falling …

The Value Of Establishing Connections Between Clinical And Research Settings For The Next Generation Of Neuropsychologists And Neuropsychology Consumers, Pamela May-Weeks

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Poster presented at the 2026 Spotlight on Scholarship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.

What Is Alive? Students’ Conceptions Of The Traits That Unite Living Organisms, Jeremy L. Hsu, Meredith A. Dorner, Kate Hill

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Biology is the study of life, but students often hold misconceptions about what it means to be alive, with children often associating life with movement. These misconceptions can lead to biases in what students think is alive, with younger children often not thinking of plants as living given their lack of discernable movement. Despite this past work, there have been no prior studies that we are aware of that have examined how students in introductory biology conceptualize what it means to be alive. Here, we draw upon a fortuitous dataset collected from an in-class activity done on the first day …

The Criminalization Of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (Dmst) Survivors, Mackenzie Zimmerman

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) defines sex trafficking as the “recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.” When the trafficking involves resident minors within the United States, the act is referred to as domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). However, because DMST enmeshment often involves elements of criminal activity, a minor may be implicated as a recruiter in friend-type trafficking, and a third-party trafficker is not required to constitute sex trafficking involving minors, the designation of “survivor” or “criminal” remains complicated in many cases. Due to these blurred lines between …

Improving Pre-Nursing Retention Through Structured Readiness Modules: Development Of The Pre-Nursing Information Hub, Amber M. Carter

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 Amber M. Carter on March 30, 2026.

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Proactive Coping: Impacts On College Adjustment And Risky Behavior, Saige A. Imm, Jisook Park, Will Stutterheim

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Numerous studies have examined the enduring impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on individuals’ capacity to manage stress and effectively navigate challenges in the rigors of the university environment. Exposure to negative life events has shown to interfere with individuals’ psychological maturation, heightening an inclination to engage in risky behaviors, especially during pivotal developmental transitions like the start of college. Thus, investigating the impact of ACEs on college students is crucial as it could impair their societal well-being and increase mental health concerns and maladaptive behaviors in college (Schafer, 2021; King et al., 2024). The current research examines the role …

Seen, Unseen, And Navigating Between: The Lived Experiences Of Black First-Generation Graduate Students In Higher Education And Student Affairs Master’S Level Programs, Danielle E. Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Black first-generation graduate students remain underrepresented in higher education programs and often navigate academic environments shaped by racialized expectations and limited access to institutional resources. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was to explore the lived experiences of Black first-generation graduate students and recent graduates enrolled in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) master’s programs at predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Guided by two research questions and grounded in Lin’s Social Capital Theory (2001, 2010), this study examined how participants described their graduate school experiences and the challenges and barriers they encountered while navigating predominantly White academic environments. Ten …

From Classroom To Click: Transitioning A Face-To-Face Nursing Course To An Online Learning Envrionement, Hanna Demel

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Transitioning face-to-face courses to an online learning environment presents both opportunities and challenges for both the students and the course instructors. This project focuses on the systematic redesign of a traditional face-to-face Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) course into an engaging, student-centered focused online format. This project was done under the guidance of evidence-based instructional design. The course was restructured to promote active learning, flexibility, and accessibility while continuing the academic rigor. Emphasis was placed on fostering cognitive, social, and teaching presence to enhance the students’ engagement and learning outcomes. There were several strategies to support diverse learners and promote retention …

Fit Check: Making Health Assessments Work For You, Brooklynn Raacke, Ryssa Schlaefli, Caleb Ashley, Makenzie Premer, Brooke Mann, Jessica Phelan

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

When given multiple tools to assess health, people tend to choose the one that is most familiar, fastest, or easiest to interpret. Relying solely on weight can overshadow other important indicators of health, such as body composition, cardiovascular function, and muscular development. Understanding this preference, even when other tools are available, matters for both educators and fitness professionals. This study used naturalistic observation to assess gym-goers' usage of health and anthropometric assessment tools. Results indicated that while gym-goers initially showed interest in less commonly used assessment tools, they overwhelmingly used the scale. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Implementing A Student Standardized Patient Elective To Improve Communication And Confidence In Undergraduate Nursing Simulation, Katie J. Mcqueen

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract

Simulation plays an important role in preparing undergraduate nursing students for clinical practice by fostering communication skills and building confidence. Currently, simulation experiences often depend on faculty and staff to play the roles of patients or family members. Research shows that nursing students can be effectively trained to serve as standardized patients, creating opportunities for peer-supported learning and improving simulation experiences. This evidence-based practice proposal recommends the implementation of a 1-credit-hour Student Standardized Patient (SSP) elective in the undergraduate nursing curriculum for senior level nursing students. The elective would provide structured training in role portrayal, safety practices, and case …

Rooted In Purpose, Driven To Lead, Payne Center For Leadership Development, Gonzaga University

Payne Center Publications

Explore the program for the second annual Payne Center for Leadership Development Student Leadership Conference. This conference took place on March 28th, 2026, at Gonzaga University. Students presented on a variety of leadership topics and Morgan Marie, The Storytelling Coach gave a keynote address.

See the conference home for more information and select recordings of events from the day.

“Always Having To Dampen And Dilute My Essence In Order To Fit”: Intersectional Experiences Of Queer Scholars Of Color In Stem And Stem Education, Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, Lisette Torres-Gerald, Maria Ong

The Qualitative Report

This article examines the intersectional experiences of queer scholars of color in STEM and STEM education. Using arts-informed research methods, we conducted and analyzed five interviews and a focus group transcript that focused on the support and hurdles that five participants encountered and the strategies they utilized to navigate their work in STEM and STEM education. We identified that, against the backdrop of prevailing heteronormativity and normative whiteness in STEM, participants compartmentalized their STEM and social identities, felt compelled to negotiate the risks of coming out, and assumed the double burden and invisible work of students who were queer and/or …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, March 27, 2026, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 8, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Call For Manuscripts, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities is a peer-reviewed, open access, multi-disciplinary online journal with an international focus. We publish articles that reflect the best of research and practice related to inclusive science education, including works submitted by science and special education researchers, teacher educators, and teachers. Interesting topics have included innovative curricular ideas, instructional adaptations, research-based modifications, best practices, and management strategies in science education. JSESD adopts the philosophical perspective that all students can achieve in science, and that science benefits from the full participation of all students.

Transformational Leadership In Higher Education, Dr. Jewel Hale, Jr., Kristi Apostel

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

A crisis can highlight the critical need for resilient leadership within higher educational settings. Educational leaders encounter extraordinary difficulties, ranging from different learning options to prioritizing the well-being of both staff and students, necessitating flexible and innovative methods. By exploring how school leaders apply transformational techniques in actual educational environments, this article addresses the impact of the four I’s of transformational leadership, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, on building educator resiliency, sustaining school effectiveness, and promoting student achievement in higher education.

Silent Detonations: Redirecting Focus, Preserving Identity, And Leading Under The Weight Of Microaggressions, Ray Lavan

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

African American educational leaders consistently navigate racial microaggressions that challenge their focus, identity, and well-being. This study explores how these leaders deploy attention to manage the emotional weight of microaggressions in K-12 public school settings. Using Gross’s emotion regulation theory and Sue’s taxonomy of racial microaggressions, this qualitative phenomenological study examines how attentional deployment serves as both a shield and constraint. Data from the African American leaders reveal that silence, background processing, selective focus, and redirection to professional goals are common strategies to sustain composure. These strategies protect leaders in the moment but create emotional strain, identity conflict, and cumulative …

Fierce Leadership-Perspectives Of Black Women Educational Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Janice Taylor, Dianne Reed

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

The authors of this transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of Black women based on their perceptions, values, and beliefs about the complexities of leadership and the kind of leadership required to succeed in their respective roles, as educational leaders. This study was framed by the adaptive leadership theory. Adaptive leadership recognizes the need for leaders to stay flexible and resilient in fast-paced environments (Nelson & Squires, 2017). The three Black women leaders in this study were fierce adaptive leaders. The information acquired from this study is significant and highlights how Black women educational leaders developed the …

Being-Their-Ship: A Presence-Based Model Of Human-Centered Leadership, Ricky J. Martinez

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Being-Their-Ship describes a presence-based approach to leadership grounded in lived experience rather than positional status. Developed over years of service in rural education, the framework highlights leadership as a relational practice grounded in steadiness, quiet support, and a willingness to take responsibility for others. Drawing from autoethnography and narrative inquiry, the framework articulates four interconnected dimensions: Caring-Ship, Loving-Ship, Load-Ship, and Being-There-Ship, that define leadership not through authority but through consistent action and cultural trust. Each dimension reflects how leadership emerges when individuals become a stabilizing presence, absorb burdens that others would otherwise carry, and remain committed to a community through …

Research Literacy And Research Production Skills As Core Competencies In Leaders, Kk O'Byrne

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

No abstract provided.

Do Transformational Leadership Behaviors Support A Successful Grant-Seeking Culture, Melissa Sesco Vermillion

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 Melissa Sesco Vermillion on March 25, 2026.