Digital Commons Network^™

We Built This: Redesigning Higher Education From The Ground Up While They Try To Burn It Down, Shawntay King, Juanita E. Marquez, Keisha Rembert, Jolene Taylor, Thera Tilmon

SPACE: Student Perspectives About Civic Engagement

Our text, We Built This: Redesigning Higher Education from the Ground Up While They Try to Burn It Down, examines how recent federal policy shifts, particularly the 2025 Dear Colleague letter and the Project 2025 educational platform, function as deliberate acts of deconstruction. These measures threaten to dismantle equity infrastructures in higher education while intensifying the erasure of Black women’s labor, leadership and legacy in the academy. Through Critical Policy Analysis and Black feminist thought, we argue that these policies operate simultaneously as blueprint and wrecking ball, systematically unraveling decades of progress and constraining the very communities that have sustained …

Commencement [Program], December 20, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

Contents:

University Organization --- 2
Ceremony Symbols & Traditions --- 3
University Honors Program --- 4
Graduation with Honors --- 4
Legacy Graduates --- 4
Order of Events --- 5
College of Education --- 6
College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences --- 12
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences --- 19
David W. Wilson College of Business --- 26
Division of Online Education & Individual Studies --- 31
UNI Alma Mater --- 34

December 19, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Child Care For Student Parents: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Policy And Politics In Nys, Elizabeth M. Starks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This policy analysis dissertation explores the complex and multifaceted challenges that exist within New York State’s early childhood care and education (ECCE) system by critically examining the amendment of one NYS social services law. Guided by Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis, this study examines two research questions (under one overarching question):

1. What language and arguments are effective in making change in Early Childhood policy in NYS?
   1. What is the policy discourse surrounding the amendment of subdivision 1 of section 410-w social services law in NYS?
   2. What is the political discourse surrounding the amendment of subdivision 1 of section 410-w social services …

Limiting A Liberal Education: Exploring Technology Access And Equity Through Universal Design And Critical Disability Studies, Marisa R. Carlson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative improvement study investigates how classroom technology policies impact equity, access, and alignment with liberal arts values at a small Catholic liberal arts college. The study arose from concerns regarding academic accommodations, where students needed to formally request access to digital tools that were widely available. The focus is on inconsistent and sometimes restrictive technology policies that create barriers for students relying on these resources.

Interpreted through the conceptual frameworks of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Critical Disability Studies (CDS), this study was guided by the following research questions:

1. What expectations do students have regarding access to technology …

2025 December 19 - 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.

Exploring The Medicinal Properties Of Indigenous Plants Within An Enabling Program: Bridging The Gap Between School, Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Knowledge And Science, Sharon L. Gough, Julie Sartori, Angela Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In 2021, less than half of Australian universities considered Indigenous perspectives in curriculum development, with only 15% ensuring Indigenous content in all courses. Literature acknowledges that a strengths-based approach to the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and perspectives, enhances representation and decolonises curriculum. In 2020, Noongar elder Vivienne Hansen, and John Horsfall created Noongar Bush Medicine, detailing the medicinal use of Indigenous plants. Yeshi, Turpin, Jamtsho, and Wangchuk noted that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities use native plants for health purposes. However, there is limited data on the therapeutic efficacy of these plants. In 2024, …

A Teacher, Medical Advisor, And Comedian Walk Into A Bar: Table For One, Everything Ai Can Do, Lorelai M. Kline

Student Scholar Symposium

As Generative AI continues to rise in popularity, AI chatbots have emerged as a promising solution for addressing students’ real-world needs. This presentation investigates the development process behind a series of specialized, personality-driven AI assistants—created via the Boodlebox platform—and examines how these chatbots enhance educational experiences and practical applications. The research uses progressive design methodologies, including persona development, natural language processing optimization, and user-centric testing protocols. Examples of personal bots include a historical assistant that interprets contemporary social scenarios through an 18th- to 19th-century perspective and a Spanish-speaking chatbot that leverages playful sarcasm to foster deeper engagement. Preliminary findings show …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Staff Council Meeting, December 2025, Marshall University Staff Council

Staff Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Preparing Students For College And Careers: Recommendations For Scaling College And Career Pathways In Southwestern Illinois, Laura Monteagudo

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

Education Systems Center (EdSystems) at Northern Illinois University provided strategic counsel and support to Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) for a 12-month period to develop comprehensive college and career pathways. Our support included the development of a unified, regionwide college and career pathway system aligned with Illinois’ College and Career Pathway Endorsement framework, Perkins V, and the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides.

Instead of each district building pathways independently, this regional approach brings together high schools, community college faculty, and local employers to create shared structures that reflect real workforce needs and rural access challenges.

In this report, …

Taking Back The Trades: Southwestern Illinois Work-Based Learning Inventory Report, Alexia Santiago

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

In 2025, Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University (EdSystems) partnered with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), regional school districts, and industry partners to build a strong and comprehensive system of work-based learning opportunities for K-12 students that is aligned with Illinois statutes and frameworks. In this report, EdSystems identifies the existing regional events and activities that promote high-quality work-based learning for college and career pathways in the health sciences and manufacturing sectors.

2025-12-18 University Graduate Committee Emergency Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate., University Graduate Committee.

Faculty Senate Records

Emergency meeting minutes from the University Graduate Committee from December 18, 2024.

Directional Reflection: Realising Its 'Practical Potential' At The University Level, Simon P. Brownhill

Plymouth Interdisciplinary Education Open Journal

Reflection is ‘a foundational concept’ in higher education, yet its successful implementation often demands purposeful intervention and thoughtful scaffolding (Harvey et al., 2025, p.1). This Brief Communication explores the potential of Directional Reflection (Brownhill, 2025), a visual strategy that uses arrows to prompt students towards specific types of thinking. Recent dissemination activities of said strategy acknowledge the pressing need to balance the theory with the practice, identifying practical ways that Directional Reflection could be embraced by lecturers and students at the university level. Thus, this brief communication proposes an assortment of pedagogical ideas to nurture silent in-session communication, offer cohort …

Student Voices On Trauma And Resilience: A Critical Phenomenological Study Of Gun Violence And College Student Experiences, Lucia Helena Garcia

Dissertations

This study posits that gun violence in the United States is a public health crisis and that colleges and universities must actively collaborate to develop and implement solutions to address and prevent this crisis, which affects communities and students. Gun violence can and does lead to disruptions in educational access, travel and safety, as well as have longstanding impacts on mental health. While extensive research exists that is focused on the impact of community and gun violence exposure on K-12 students, the impact of community violence and gun violence exposure on emerging adults in university settings is limited and remains …

2025-12-17 Course Proposal / Course Suspension / Deletion Forms, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate., University Graduate Committee.

Faculty Senate Records

Course proposal, suspension, and deletion forms approved on December 17, 2025 by the University Graduate Committee.

2025-12-17 University Graduate Committee Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate., University Graduate Committee.

Faculty Senate Records

Meeting minutes from the University Graduate Committee from December 17, 2025.

Plan Your Way To Tenure And/Or Promotion, Wendy Doucette, Jill Cirasella

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

In this editorial, we share our best advice for preparing the dossier necessary for professional advancement. While our advice is unavoidably shaped by the specifics of our experiences and universities, we believe most of it is broadly applicable to academic librarians in general. We cluster our advice into three categories: framework and planning, building your portfolio, and ongoing recordkeeping. We hope this “from the ground up” presentation will help those new to academic librarianship, though it’s never too late for more experienced librarians to (re)consider their own approaches.

A Content Analysis Of Spanish Language Curriculum In Texas, Sarah Moore, Jessica Sanchez, Sarah Herrera

Journal of Global Awareness

The shortage of Spanish-speaking social workers is significant in the United States, especially in border states such as Texas. Experts are calling for Spanish language training in social work education. However, it is unclear whether social work programs are incorporating Spanish into their curriculum at a pace needed to keep up with demand. Using conceptual content analysis, this article examines the frequency of Spanish language courses relevant to social work education across Texas.

Global Pathways: Suwon, South Korea, Amanda D. Ledger

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes the Global Pathways: Suwon program, a semester-long study abroad initiative developed in partnership between Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Kyonggi University (KGU) in Suwon, South Korea. The program responds to current limitations in study abroad, particularly the prevalence of short-term tourism-oriented experiences and curricula that prioritizes Western perspectives. A needs assessment consisting of student interviews, surveys, and professional consultation demonstrated strong interest in programs that combine language learning, cultural immersion, and career development. Findings also highlighted the importance of financial accessibility, reciprocal host partnerships, and ongoing advising support. Drawing on Freire’s critical pedagogy and Vygotsky’s sociocultural …

Exploring Perceptions Of Generative Ai On Study Abroad Programming, Justin T. Sleppy

Capstone Collection

This study examines the perceptions and experiences of international education professionals regarding the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. While AI offers new opportunities for enhancing learning, existing research highlights both potential benefits and ethical, environmental, and pedagogical concerns. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores how study abroad staff in the Claremont Consortium engage with and assess the implications of AI within international contexts. Guided by critical frameworks from Paulo Freire, the research situates AI within broader discussions of power, labor, and knowledge production. Findings indicate that sampled staff predominantly use AI for low-stakes tasks or …

2025 December 16 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Motivations And Challenges Of First-Generation College Students From Rural Areas To Pursue A Master’S Degree, Bridget Weber

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

First-generation college students from rural backgrounds remain underrepresented in graduate education, and limited research has examined the factors influencing their pursuit and persistence in master’s degree programs. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the motivations, challenges, and support systems experienced by rural first-generation college students pursuing a master’s degree. Five participants who identified as first-generation college students from rural communities participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, visual educational timelines, and reflective journals. Data analysis involved open coding, analytic memoing, and thematic analysis to identify patterns across data sources.

Findings revealed three primary …

December 16, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

A Phenomenological Study On The Connection Between Perceived Funding And Hbcu Athletic Staff Self-Efficacy, Ashley Nachez Keys

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perceived influence of funding on self-efficacy towards technology use after professional development for HBCU professional athletic staff at Vartell University in North Carolina. The central research question explored how HBCU professional athletic staff perceive the influence funding has on their self-efficacy towards technology use after professional development. Thirteen professional staff members who collaborate with athletics at Vartell University participated in the study. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy, as it provides insight into how HBCU professional athletic staff perceive funding influencing their self-efficacy towards technology use after professional development opportunities. …

Utilization And Preparedness Of Physical Therapists For Management Of Migraines In Georgia, Heath B. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative survey experiment was to examine the referral to and utilization of physical therapists in Georgia for assisting with the management of migraine patients, explore the preparedness of Georgia physical therapists to provide evidence-based interventions for migraine patients, and compare the differences between the utilization and preparedness of rural physical therapists and urban physical therapists within the state. The theories guiding this study were the behavioral and biopsychosocial models. The behavioral model demonstrated that individuals' behaviors affect their access to care and perceived need for medical interventions. Due to the demographics of Georgia, characterized by a …

The Lived Experience Of Students With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities And Smartphones For Higher Learning, Eric F. Sandstrom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of college students with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) using smartphones for online learning during historic levels of both enrollment of students with NDDs and smartphone use in education. The guiding framework is Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory, which explains how learning occurs in a social context that includes interpersonal, behavioral, and environmental factors. This study asks: What are the lived experiences of students with NDDs in college using smartphones for online learning? The study seeks to understand how smartphones influence students’ perceptions of disability accommodations, internal locus of control, …

Leading From Within: Integrating Ignatian Pedagogy Into A Theoretical Framework For Leadership Preparedness, Vivian A. Amu

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

In Jesuit higher education institutions, enduring principles and values invite educators and students from all backgrounds to consider integrating the essence of Ignatian pedagogy into their own practices as well as develop leaders who are prepared to confront, transform, inspire, and participate in leadership globally. It requires both institutional investment and student involvement in the learning process. Using the Ignatian pedagogical model, constructivism theory of learning, Dewey’s theory of experience, and past literature on leadership preparedness, this article presents a dynamic self-exploration for leadership preparedness (SELP) framework. It is a theoretical framework rooted in self-discovery through reflection and growth. The …

Living The Humanities: Ghosts, Literature, & Social Justice, Emily A. Phillips

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

How do we bridge the perceived divide between the study of humanities in our Jesuit universities and the real-world problems that surround our campuses? Jacques Derrida’s “hauntology" offers us a compelling way to move between the classroom and life, to guide our students through the Universal Apostolic Preferences of “To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice” and “To accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.” This article offers a framework for combining literary analysis, historical inquiry, and creative writing in an …

Teaching Stem Courses Using Ignatian Pedagogy, Gintaras K. Duda

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Despite the impact of the Jesuit educational endeavor on the rise of science, the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP), the signature Jesuit Pedagogy, is not frequently used to teach courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and very little literature exists documenting any such attempts. In this paper, I describe a framework for how to apply the IPP to STEM courses using active-engagement strategies and assessment tools from disciplinary-based educational research (DBER). I provide three examples of how I have implemented the IPP in physics courses at various levels in the curriculum at a Jesuit University complete with assessment results …

The Relative And Absolute Social Capital Of Jesuit Universities: Are There Differences?, Mark S. Rzepczynski, John Kalil

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

We test whether Jesuit universities, a specific college subset, are unique from public, private, and other religiously affiliated institutions of higher learning using social capital data for network cohesiveness, economic connectedness, and civic engagement from the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas. Social capital dispersion is also measured across the set of AJCU Jesuit universities. Jesuit colleges show greater and more distinct social capital across selected college classifications and characteristics; however, there is limited social capital uniformity across the set of 27 U.S. Jesuit universities.