Digital Commons Network^™

From Standards To Practice: Examining Faculty Intentions Toward The Kctcs Online Quality Framework, Christopher Royse

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 Christopher Royse on March 31, 2025.

Exploring Student Success At Fresno State – What Is Working? What Did Not Work? And, What Is A Work In Progress?, Bernadette T. Muscat

eJournal of Public Affairs

Over the past decade, Fresno State has engaged in numerous efforts in support of Student Success. Some of these efforts are a result of systemwide initiatives (e.g., Graduation Initiative 2025 and Equity Priorities) while others are developed in response to grants received (e.g., SSEI, PALS, and APLES). We closely examine our extensive data on areas of concern to develop campus pilots with the hope of closing equity gaps and improving student outcomes. This presentation will explore these various efforts and provide an overview of what is working, what did not work, and what remains a work in progress.

Dei From The Perspective Of Racially And Sexually Minority Social Work Students, Ilse Ivonne Trejo, Miguel Gabino Lopez, Annette Clarke Jones, Octavio Ramirez

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This explanatory sequential mixed-method research study examined the experiences and perspectives of racially and sexually minority social work students enrolled at Fort Hays State University. By integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the study aimed to uncover the unique challenges these students face, such as feelings of belonging, microaggressions, and a lack of culturally competent mentorship. It also highlighted resilience strategies and institutional supports that contribute to their academic and personal success. The findings offer valuable insights for social work educators and administrators seeking to foster more inclusive and supportive environments for minority and sexual students in rural PWIs.

Empowering Special Education Teacher Candidates With Artificial Intelligence (Ai): A Chatbot For Transition Planning Interviews, Sohyun Yang, Jerrie Brooks

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project began with developing an AI-powered chatbot using Claude.ai to enhance learning experiences in a master-level special education teacher preparation course. Specifically, the chatbot will be utilized in the course SPED 860: Transition: Early Childhood to Adulthood in Special Education during Spring 2025. The course requires teacher candidates who are currently working as special education teachers to interview a parent and a professional (e.g., general education teacher, special education teacher, related service provider) to develop a transition plan for a student with a disability. By simulating these interviews, the chatbot will act as a proxy for the parent and …

Navigating Communication Challenges And Adaptive Strategies In Young Women With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Aspen Patrick, Addi Campbell, Mallory Tyler, Ran An

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study aims to understand the unique communication challenges in

various aspects of life for young women with Autism Spectrum

Disorder (ASD), such as education, career, friendships, romantic

relationships, and everyday activities. Additionally, this research seeks

to uncover the strategies these women use to navigate these challenges

and provide insights or recommendations for speech-language

pathologists (SLPs) based on their lived experiences.

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.

Stride And Succeed: A Pilot Study For Walking Meetings In The College Classroom, Derek Mesa, Jessica Phelan, Rachel Dolechek

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This pilot study explores the feasibility and enjoyment of incorporating walking meetings into college classrooms to reduce sedentary behavior and enhance learning. College students often experience prolonged periods of inactivity during lectures, which can hinder alertness and concentration. Walking has been linked to improved mental health, creativity, concentration, memory, and executive function. The study involved 31 students from Business Communication and Health and Human Performance courses, who participated in walking meetings facilitated by their instructors. Data were collected via a survey, which included demographic questions, enjoyment ratings, and feasibility assessments. Results indicated high levels of enjoyment and productivity during walking …

The Impact Of Anthropogenic Infrastructure On Avian Reproductive Success: A Study Of House Wrens In Proximity To Highways, Nana-Esi Irie Hanson, Medhavi Ambardar

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Road infrastructure has multifaceted effects on bird populations, influencing various aspects of their ecology and behaviour. I investigated the impact of road infrastructure, particularly highways, on the reproductive success of House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) in a rural area. I compared the reproductive success of House Wrens in sites close to a major highway (Sternberg Museum Nature Trail) with sites located farther away (along Big Creek) in Hays, KS. I hypothesized that House Wrens near highways would exhibit lower reproductive success. I recorded metrics of reproductive success, traffic volumes, and noise levels. House wrens at the Big Creek site had higher …

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.

Multipronged Practices To Diversify Faculty Ranks And The Academic Leadership Pipeline, Kenneth Sumner, Emily J. Isaacs, Junius Gonzales

eJournal of Public Affairs

This poster describes three programs that we implemented across the university to diversify faculty and leadership ranks at our university. One programs provides opportunities for faculty develop into senior leaders in academic affairs. A second program focuses on best practices to hire a diverse faculty workforce and has demonstrable impactful results. A third program helps nontraditional doctoral students develop strong credentials to move into academic positions other roles in academia.

Enhancing Research Ethics And Interview Methodology For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ran An, Mallory Tyler, Aspen Patrick, Addi Campbell

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Recent autism research emphasizes the importance of ethical, inclusive, and participatory methodologies that center the voices and lived experiences of autistic individuals. However, traditional qualitative approaches often reflect neurotypical norms, limiting their sensitivity to diverse communication styles and marginalizing participants with high support needs. This methodological proposal outlines an inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming framework adopted in a qualitative study on individuals with autism spectrum disorder. This approach is based on person-centered ethics and participatory principles, and it integrates values from autism self-advocacy communities.

Crispr-Induced Mutagenesis Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Gene Apetala3, Hazel Frans, Tara Phelps-Durr

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project aims to create CRISPR-CAS9 mutations in the APETELA3 (AP3) gene of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. AP3 is a class B gene critical to the petal and stamen development of Arabidopsis flowers. AP3 is defined in a MADS domain, which binds directly to DNA and may be responsible for the expression of the CaRG-box genes. AP3 works in conjunction with PISTILLATA (PI), AGAMOUS (AG), APETALA1 (AP1), and SEPALLATA (SEP) genes to specify the development in the second and third whorls of the flower. While several alleles of AP3 already exist, these alleles are strong alleles that knockout gene …

The Efficacy Of Informal Mindfulness Practices Towards Enhancing Psychological Well-Being And Life Satisfaction Among College Students, Tianhui Xie, Carol Patrick

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Embarking in an era marked by innovation and progression, US college students frequently encounter psychological challenges related to intense academic pressure and socialization. Informal mindfulness practices have been suggested to be capable of reducing stress levels, state mindfulness, study engagement, and psychological well-being. While prior research has investigated the efficacy of informal contemplative practice in various daily settings, no study has specifically examined skincare as a potential form of informal contemplative practice. This study aims to measure the efficacy of integrating informal mindfulness practices with skincare practices to enhance psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and state mindfulness among US college students. …

Overcoming Challenges To Student Belonging At A Majority-Minority Hispanic Serving Institution: A Competing Demands Framework, Christopher Donoghue, Richard S. Reinschmidt, Lauren Chow, Junius Gonzales

eJournal of Public Affairs

Sense of belonging is a fundamental human need that can raise the chances of self-actualization and academic success in college. Latine and other historically underrepresented student groups may experience greater challenges in this area than White students due to a greater propensity for feelings of belonging uncertainty, perceptions of inequality or experiences with microaggressions, or greater struggles with food and housing insecurities, even when they outnumber White students on campus. In this study, we utilized a person-centered approach to explore the heterogeneity in belonging in a large sample of undergraduate students (N=2,003) between the ages of 18 and 25 at …

Developing Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning (Sotl) On A Regional Campus, Shawn Boyne, Rosemary Erickson Johnsen

eJournal of Public Affairs

How can academic affairs administrators foster robust Scholarship of Teaching and Learning practices on a regional baccalaureate campus? Fulfilling tenure-system faculty requirements for scholarly research at a teaching institution alongside 4-4 teaching loads is a challenge, but supporting faculty in SoTL engagement shows them how it draws on their expertise to yield meaningful benefits for themselves as teacher-scholars and for their students. To lay a solid foundation for a new programmatic emphasis on SoTL, academic leadership at the Crookston campus of the University of Minnesota harnessed system resources available through the Center for Educational Innovation to a supportive cohort model. …

The Science & Art Of Provostship During Faculty Retrenchment, Joshua Powers

eJournal of Public Affairs

The pandemic laid bare the financial challenges many regional state universities had been facing for some time. This article offers a case window into William Paterson University, a regional state University in New Jersey, that was able to navigate a difficult, but necessary reduction in the faculty size and come out the other side much stronger and on a positive trajectory. Central to this was a mix of science and art. Its components, and the ultimate outcome, are described in this article.

Using Data To Transform Student Success, Scott R. Furlong, Kristin Croyle

eJournal of Public Affairs

SUNY Oswego participated in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Student Success Equity Intensive (AASCU SSEI) project to deeply understand our students’ experience through multi-layered data collection and analysis, a strong leadership team to reflect on that data and propose initiatives, and a U.S. Department of Education grant to support those initiatives. This short paper describes that process, focusing primarily on the data collection components.

Bridging Academia And Industry: Enhancing Workforce Readiness Through Experiential Learning, Sharon Obasi, Beth Hinga

eJournal of Public Affairs

In today's rapidly evolving job market, it is imperative for educational institutions to prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce. This project highlights the integration of experiential learning opportunities into the curriculum through partnerships with industry organizations. By bridging academia and industry, students gain practical skills, industry insights, and professional networks essential for thriving in their careers.

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 …

The Effects Of Interpretation On Children Of Immigrants, Crystal Carrillo

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Translation focuses on converting written text from one language to another with accuracy and cultural nuance, while interpretation involves real-time verbal communication, requiring quick comprehension and delivery, often in high-pressure settings like conferences or medical appointments. This essay also explores the experiences of bilingual children who have interpreted for family members in healthcare settings. It investigates the emotional and psychological burden that arises from this role, particularly when individuals are required to interpret complex medical information, traumatic histories, or sensitive diagnoses. The findings reveal that informal family interpreters often face significant stress, social pressure, and potential emotional harm, impacting their …

The Overthrow Of Mohammad Mosaddegh: U.S. Motivations And Long-Term Consequences, Elizabeth Herbin

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

No abstract provided.

Understanding How Family Dynamics Affect Mental Health Communication In Inside Out: A Content Analysis, Kataryna Morton

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This study examines the impact of open communication between family members on mental health and a child’s sense of belonging in the film Inside Out. Previous research has shown the impact of media on children’s socialization, which can influence stigma and make it less likely for vulnerable communication to occur. It is crucial for children to learn to communicate their emotions, and the media can play a key role in shaping these beliefs. Inside Out provides a positive example of mental health communication, which is specifically explored through Riley’s communication with her parents throughout the film. Using a content analysis, …

The Role Of Fear Of Deportation And Perceived Discrimination On Mental Health Outcomes And Service Utilization Among Hispanic Immigrant Nebraskan Women, Karen Rodriguez

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The 2024 US elections stirred up the anti-immigration movement in the US, thus exacerbating the culture of fear around immigration among immigrant communities. Hispanic immigrant women in the US are an underserved and marginalized group that experiences health challenges associated with immigration. These challenges may be linked with fear of deportation and perceived discrimination. This project examined the role of fear of deportation and perceived discrimination on the service utilization and mental health outcomes of Hispanic immigrant Nebraskan women. The sample consists of a convenience sample of 111 Nebraskan immigrant Latinx women. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including frequency …

Uab Libraries Q1 2025 Employee Updates, Uab Libraries

UAB Libraries News

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Selected Demographic And Academic Factors On The Persistence To Degree Completion Of Military Veterans At A Research University In The South, Damon L. Ploger

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A large number of veterans leave the military each year, hoping to reacclimate successfully to civilian society while utilizing the knowledge and skills they acquired in the military to assist in their pursuit of gainful employment. Many wish to enhance this process by earning a college degree. Unfortunately, various barriers and other random personal hurdles can impede the progress of the now-veteran student toward degree completion. The lack of knowledge about these barriers and the factors that support a veteran student’s persistence to complete a college degree has created the need for this investigation. The primary purpose of this study …

Robotics In Early Childhood Stem Education (Rec-Stemed): The Impact On Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes And Intentions Toward Computational Thinking, Lucus Vasconcelos Ph.D., Ismahan Arslan-Ari, Bridget Miller, Renato Gonzalez-Tapia

Faculty Publications

There is a large disconnect between the increasing need for computer science education in K-12 schools and the preservice teacher training provided. Consequently, preservice teachers may graduate feeling unprepared to infuse computer science concepts such as computational thinking (CT) into their teaching. To address this, we created Robotics in Early Childhood STEM Education (REC-STEMEd), a module that infuses computational thinking, robotics, and science content into an early childhood teacher education methods course. This study investigated changes in early childhood preservice teachers’ (n = 39) attitudes toward learning to teach CT and their intentions to teach CT. Findings revealed a statistically …

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 …

Empowering The Future: The Role Of Women Landowner Networks In Succession Planning, Charlotte Brockman, Andrea Basche Dr., Brooke Mcwherter Dr.

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Women non-operating landowners play a critical yet often overlooked role in agricultural land management and decision-making. This study examines the intersection of emotional, economic, and social factors influencing their land tenure decisions, particularly in the context of succession planning and tenant relationships. Through qualitative analysis, findings reveal that women landowners navigate unique challenges, including limited access to tailored resources, legal and financial barriers, and gendered dynamics in agricultural advising. Participants expressed strong emotional attachments to their land, influencing their stewardship goals and interest in conservation practices. Additionally, the study highlights the need for increased support structures, such as legal guidance, …

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.