Digital Commons Network^™

Humanizing Online Learning Through Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Preserving Cultural Identity And Human Connection In Digital Spaces, Michael Mills

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The rapid shift to online and hybrid learning environments has highlighted the need for culturally responsive pedagogical approaches in digital spaces. While much research has explored culturally responsive teaching in traditional classrooms, less attention has been paid to how these principles can be effectively translated to online learning environments. This article examines how culturally responsive pedagogy can be meaningfully integrated into online learning spaces through intentional course design, assessment practices, and community building. Drawing from existing literature on culturally responsive teaching, online learning, and digital equity, this paper provides a framework for educators to create more inclusive and culturally sustaining …

Enhancing Deep Learning And Workload Management In Online Education: The Power Of Scaffolded Weekly Assessments, Maryam Mohammad Zadeh, Rebecca Ferrari

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This study investigates the use of scaffolded weekly assessments with individual feedback in promoting deep learning and managing workload among engineering students in online education. The research focuses on how these assessment strategies shape students’ learning approaches and workload distribution. The study involved the implementation of weekly assessments aligned with intended learning outcomes, complemented by personalized feedback. Data collection comprised student surveys and qualitative feedback to assess the impact on learning approaches and workload management. The qualitative results show that 91.9% of the students adopted deep learning, where only 8.1% engaging in surface learning. Students reported that this approach not …

Engaging Asl-English Interpreting Undergraduates In Research: A Model For Student Engagement And Faculty Productivity, Kimberly J. Hale, Valerie Freeman

Journal of Interpretation

Engaging undergraduate ASL-English interpreting students in research yields multiple benefits beyond enhancing faculty scholarly productivity. In this innovative practices article, we first summarize scholarly literature showing that including undergraduates in research experiences supports development of career-readiness skills while simultaneously building the pipeline of future faculty. We then discuss the benefits of undergraduate research experiences and argue that research activities can be integrated throughout an interpreter education program curriculum. Using a detailed description of a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) and course-embedded project examples, we demonstrate how structured research experiences can be integrated into programs without creating additional burden for faculty …

Dei Initiatives At Colleges And Universities Help Protect Religious Freedom, Mary J. Lomax-Ghirarduzzi

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Publications

At the University of the Pacific and other colleges, DEI offices help provide religious student groups with access to space and resources while ensuring that their existence is welcomed, not grudgingly tolerated.

University Lecturers' Narratives On Teaching Esl Online: An Ethnomethodological Study, Marlon D. Sipe, Jean A. Saludadez

The Qualitative Report

The shift to remote teaching during the pandemic has influenced the way the lecturers teach English as a Second Language (ESL) at Asian universities. Studied through the lens of ethnomethodology which focuses on understanding what the lecturers do in the face of pandemic, this investigation was conducted to answer the following research questions: (1) What are the ESL teaching practices of the University lecturers during the pandemic? (2) How do these practices accomplish ESL learning among students? In this study, the teaching practices of the participants constitute the meaning that explains how learning takes place. Three lecturers from three Asian …

Multimedia-Based Interventions To Improve Science Learning Outcomes For Deaf Students At Wangsel Institute For The Deaf., Cheten Tshering Mr., Tshering Wangchuk

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Efforts have been made to ensure inclusive learning opportunities for all students, including those from diverse backgrounds. One key strategy to enhance children’s learning and academic performance involves the thoughtful selection and application of instructional tools tailored to meet learners' specific needs. This study examines the impact of multimedia-based instruction on science achievement among deaf students at Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Bhutan. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research compared pretest and post-test results between a control group and an experimental group. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (t-test) and ANCOVA. The findings indicated a statistically significant differences (p = …

College Students' Barriers To Mental Health Support Services: A Practitioner's Perspective, Rebecca C. Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to accessing mental health support for college students from the perspective of college faculty counselors. In 2022, research indicated that over 60% of college students met the criteria for one or more mental health conditions (Lipson et al., 2022), though data published in the same year revealed that practitioners employed at colleges and universities are only supporting an average of 12.2% of the student population (Bruns et al., 2023). While college counseling centers have reported increasing usage rates, there remains a gap in the number of students utilizing services versus those …

January 16, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

20260113: Physical Education And Wellness, 1970-1997, College Of Education And Professional Development

Guides to University Archives

These items include materials from the College of Education and Professional Development at Marshall University from 1970-1997. Items were received in the 1980s and were processed in 2026 and include notable materials from two separate areas... the first one is a WMUL & closed circuit television services, and the second set of materials in this collection is a newsletter titled Well/Fit News that ranges from 1993-1997. Please download the finding aid for a full list of contents.

Investigating The Efficacy Of An Online Multigenerational Awareness Course For Occupational Therapy Students – A Pilot Study, Susan Blair, Barbara M. Doucet, Jerilyn Callen, Kirsten Davin, Shelby Hutchinson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In today’s multigenerational society, particularly in health care settings, thriving can be challenging because of generational differences. Occupational therapy educational programs (OTEPs) prepare students for work environments where three to four different generations may be present. This study examines the effectiveness of an online multigenerational awareness (MGA) course. The secondary objectives include increasing students’ knowledge of enhanced multigenerational collaboration and communication strategies in preparation for future clinical practice. A pilot group of eight participants from various university departments reviewed the course content and completed preenrollment and postenrollment surveys, providing feedback regarding the applicability and perceived usefulness of the multigenerational awareness …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Staff Council Meeting, January 2026, Marshall University Staff Council

Staff Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Aligning Higher Education Preparation Programs With Workforce Needs: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Jeffrey M. Warren

Perspectives In Learning

While institutes of higher education are highly dynamic, academic programs and faculty within them often operate in an isolated, independent manner. As a result, the training they deliver can lack the interdisciplinary perspectives students need to navigate a diverse and evolving workforce successfully. This editorial explores the importance of interdisciplinary training and discusses the challenges college students who lack exposure to collaborative, integrative learning face as they transition to their respective professions. Finally, faculty are encouraged to consider strategies to enhance training in preparation programs and best position their graduates for success in interdisciplinary contexts.

The Role Music Plays In Facilitating Transformation And Self-Actualization In Israeli Music Students Impacted By Trauma, Adina Feldman

Educational Studies Dissertations

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the role music plays in facilitating transformation and self-actualization among Israeli undergraduate and alumni music students who have experienced trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder. Guided by social constructivist and humanistic-existential frameworks, this research employs a narrative methodology to examine how music operates as a medium for meaning-making, resilience, and growth in non-clinical contexts. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and the analysis of musical compositions and artifacts from two singer-songwriters who transformed personal adversity into creative expression. The findings reveal that although trauma leaves lasting psychological and emotional effects, engagement with music enables …

A Hermeneutic Exploration Of Professional Place-Based Belonging Experienced By Faculty In Covid-19 Informed Undergraduate Formal Learning Places, Jennifer Ryley Welsh

Educational Studies Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the rhythms of higher education and redefined the ways faculty experienced connection, identity, and purpose within formal learning places. This study examined professional belonging by exploring the question: What was the lived experience of belonging for teaching faculty in a COVID-informed undergraduate formal learning place? The aim was to investigate how belonging was constructed, challenged, and reimagined during a period of collective disruption. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology and framed as a scholarly imram – a journey of wandering and insight drawn from Irish mythology – the research engaged nine faculty participants through semi-structured interviews. Data …

Volume 34, Number 3, Winter 2025/26, Office Of Communications, Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, 2018-present

VOLUME 34 | NUMBER 3 | Winter 2025/2026

ON OUR COVER:

Elliot Notrica '26 is developing micro-organisms that create new food products from food waste like cocoa husks and leftover bread dough.

18 Found Families. Celebrate one of the best-attended IWU Homecoming Weekends with stories of alumni friendships across the decades.

22 The Future of Food. Elliott Notrica '26 is the founder and CEO of Symbio Bioculinary where he is creating the future of food with cutting-edge genetic engineering.

26 Hope in Crisis. EmPath units, invented by Scott Zeller '82, are revolutionizing emergency care around the world.

Transformative Experiences In A Community College Theatre Program: A Study Of Students' Growth Through A Pedagogy Of Caring, Karen J. Oster

Educational Studies Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This research examined the transformative impact of participation in a community college

theatre program on students’ sense of belonging, confidence, and personal growth. Using a

multiple case study design informed by portraiture methodology, the study focused on five

students who took part in a semester-long production of The Rocky Horror Show. Data were

collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, the researcher’s reflective journaling,

and a pre- and post-semester self-esteem survey to investigate how theatre engagement shaped

students’ social and personal experiences. The program fostered a pedagogy of care emphasizing

mentorship, individualized attention, and the cultivation of a supportive …

January 2026 Graduate Council Minutes, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2026 January 15 - From My Notepads Newsletter, Office Of The President, East Tennessee State University, Brian Noland

From My Notepads: A Newsletter from President Brian Noland

No abstract provided.

2026-01-15 Guidelines For Portfolio Managers, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Guidelines for Portfolio Managers presented to the Faculty Senate on January 15, 2026.

2026-01-15 Faculty Feedback To Fep Results, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty feedback to FEP results, submitted to the Faculty Senate on January 15, 2026.

2026-01-15 Next Steps For Fep Checklist, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

The next steps for the FEP Checklist submitted to the Faculty Senate on January 15, 2026.

2026-01-15 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from January 15, 2026.

2026-01-15 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from January 15, 2026.

20260115: Executive Assistant To The President, 1987-1996, President's Office

Guides to University Archives

These items include materials from the Office of the President at Marshall University from 1987-1996. Items were received in 1996 or thereabouts and include information from the President's Executive Assistant. Items contain Economic Adjustment Programs, MU's CRP Annual Reports, a proposal for Flexible Manufacturing Center for MURC, and Coal Road (survey of southern WV mining and tourism potential). Lots of economic development materials otherwise. This is not an exhaustive list, but the attached inventory will give a broad overview of what is contained in each of the boxes.

Shedding The Chrysalis: Black Women Leading In Higher Education, Olga M. Welch, Carolyn R. Hodges

Navigating Careers in Higher Education Series

Shedding the Chrysalis: Black Women Leading in Higher Education features the voices of six experienced and emerging Black females in a variety of academic leadership roles. This book provides a Black feminist perspective, highlighting the need to address racial realism within higher education administration. These personal testimonies focus on a variety of levels in the academic hierarchy to emphasize the continuum across the lived experiences of these women, some of whom have served in multiple upper-level administrative roles. The contributors’ positions range from postdoctoral research fellows to positions reporting to central administration at predominantly white institutions. Shedding the Chrysalis underscores …

January 14, 2026 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Blazer Weekly (student newsletter)

No abstract provided.

A Quantitative Analysis Examining The Impact Of Recreation Sports On The Overall Wellness Of Undergraduate Students At The University Of Louisiana At Lafayette, Kathryn "K-Lynn" Mckey

Doctoral Dissertations

The overarching question guiding this research study was, how does the use of university recreational sports facilities and resources impact reported wellness across the eight dimensions of wellness among undergraduate students? This study answered this question by examining literature, reviewing specific dimensions of wellness, and evaluating ways to determine if physical activity affects overall wellness for undergraduate students. According to the literature, approximately half of undergraduate students do not meet the daily recommendation for physical activity. Research suggests healthier students have greater retention rates, higher grade point averages (GPA), and demonstrate better mental health. To better support students’ needs, universities …

Social Support In The College Classroom And The Impact Supportive Communication Has On Student Academic Success And Quality Of Life, Rachael Tiede

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

College students often encounter academic and personal challenges that lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. These challenges can feel burdensome, making it difficult for them to determine the best course of action for the issues they face. They frequently experience difficulties in managing the demands of college. Given these challenges, a potential solution for their anxiety and stress is social support through supportive communication from friends, instructors, and others at the college or university. Guided by social support theory and social penetration theory and employing a quantitative methodology, the research examined the impact of supportive communication on college …

Promote, Partner & Mentor: Research At Liberty University, Mark Hamilton

Faculty Publications and Presentations

How can you be involved with faculty and student research at Liberty University? Promote your own research through LU Faculty SHARE (the faculty research platform). Partner with Liberty University Journals, encouraging student submissions. Mentor students in the research process.

Objectives

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Promote your own Research through LU Faculty SHARE 
• Use LU Faculty SHARE to list your own articles, posters, and presentations.

• Partner with Liberty University Journals 
• Serve as an advisor, or editor of an existing journal.
• Create a new journal by completing an interest form and application for a new …

20260114: Curriculum And Instruction, College Of Education, 1971-1976, College Of Education And Professional Development

Guides to University Archives

These items include materials from the College of Education and Professional Development at Marshall University from 1971-1976. Items were received in 1980s or 1990s and were not accessioned until 2026. Items include the Department of Curriculum and Instructions forms, faculty publications, student teaching pamphlets, methods for student teaching, and a list of each of the department's respective courses by course number at the time (e.g. CI 101 - CI 652). Please download the finding aid for a full list of contents.