Digital Commons Network^™

Book Review: Race And Resistance In Boston: A Contested Sports History, Eddie G. Walker Ii

Global Sport Business Journal

This review examines Cvornyek and Stark’s edited collection on race, resistance, and sport in Boston, highlighting how the essays collectively reflect Hartmann’s contested terrain theory. Through historical and contemporary examples—from Bill Russell’s activism to the cultural role of sports like cricket—the book demonstrates how sport functions as both a site of racial conflict and a tool for resistance and community-building. The collection offers a nuanced case study of Boston’s complex relationship with race, sport, and social progress.

Preventable Tragedy: A Negligence Case Study In University Recreation Programs, John J. Miller, Jeffrey F. Levine, Jason W. Lee

Global Sport Business Journal

This case study examines the lightning strike that killed a player during a university intramural softball game, emphasizing the importance of understanding legal responsibilities in sport and recreation settings. The incident occurred after visible lightning was observed yet play continued due to the absence of a formal severe-weather policy and uncertainty among student officials and administrators. Although industry standards for lightning safety were widely available, the lack of clear institutional guidance contributed to delayed decision-making and confusion at a critical moment.

This case study is important to students because it demonstrates how legal concepts discussed in class can have real, …

Portland Public Schools ' Board Meeting Attendance And Awareness, Matan Schoenfeld

Thinking Matters Symposium

Portland Public Schools District Board meetings are the primary

touchpoint for parents, students, and staff to engage with their educational

leadership. They provide transparent communication about current and

upcoming initiatives within the district, and allow for attendees to voice questions,

concerns, and opinions. The political culture cultivated by these meetings is on

with heavy emphasis on dialogue and citizen participation. Yet there is one large

problem: many members of the PPS district community are unable (due to lack of

awareness or other practical obstacles) to attend the meetings. I believe the PPS

district would better function as an extension of …

Some Promises Are Worth More Than Others: How “Free Community College” Programs Impact Postsecondary Participation, Destinations, And Degree Completion, David Monaghan, Elizabeth Hawke

Journal of Student Financial Aid

“Free college” programs are widespread in American higher education.  They are discussed as addressing college access, affordability, inequality, and skills shortages.  Many are last-dollar tuition guarantees restricted to use at single community colleges.  Using student-level data spanning the transition to college, we investigate how two similar local community college tuition guarantees in Pennsylvania affected college-going outcomes.  We estimate that the Morgan Success Scholarship has large impacts on any college enrollment, community college attendance and associate degree attainment, but also diverts students from four-year colleges and reduces bachelor’s attainment. Meanwhile, we find scant evidence that the Community College of Philadelphia’s 50 …

Féminicide: Institutional Silence On The Screams Of Murdered Women In France, M. Afif Alfadin Syarif, Airin Miranda

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Rising awareness of women's homicide in France has challenged the government to provide an adequate legal response, as feminist groups began advocating and expressing the discourse on women's homicide since 2014 through the term féminicide. The nature of this crime remains contentious in legal discourse, particularly given the significant rise in féminicide cases in 2019. This study, therefore, aims to examine the phenomenon of féminicide in France, exploring both the discourse surrounding it and the legal responses from the government. Drawing on 46 cases recorded in 2023 by the feminist collective #NousToutes, and with particular attention to relevant legal …

Edukasi Pelestarian Situs Arkeologi Kupang Melalui Kunjungan Situs Partisipatif Berbasis Masyarakat, Saswal Ukba

Bhakti: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat

This community service program aims to introduce and provide education on the preservation of archaeological sites in Kupang City through community-based participatory site visits. Kupang City possesses archaeological remains spanning the prehistoric, colonial, and Japanese occupation periods; however, the extent of scholarly research and preservation efforts remains limited. The program was implemented through field observations, the delivery of historical materials, and interactive discussions conducted at several sites, including Goa Monyet, Fort Concordia, Goa Jepang Liliba, and Bukit Cinta Site. Direct community involvement facilitated a contextual understanding of the significance of cultural heritage and fostered collective awareness regarding its conservation. The …

Optimalisasi Teknologi Digital Dalam Promosi Warisan Budaya Menggunakan Wix, Nurul Afni Sya'adah, Yayuk Yusdiawati

Bhakti: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat

Cultural heritage in tangible and intangible forms preserves important values for society and therefore must be preserved. However, its non-renewable nature poses a threat of extinction, which will result in the loss of cultural identity. This situation can be resolved through the use of digital technology in the process of promoting cultural heritage so that it can be accessed by the public. This community service is carried out as an effort to promote cultural heritage through digital platforms. The participants of the activity are students of the Archaeology Program at the Universitas Jambi, class of 2025. The activity was carried …

Merajut “Kampung Harapan”: Pendekatan Budaya Dan Partisipatoris Dalam Resolusi Konflik Laten Di Kawasan Transmigrasi Teluk Wondama, Papua Barat, Iflah Hayati Nurrahmi, Diva Vermanda, Muhammad Ilham Fasya, Mohammad Gama Subarkah, Iman Fachruliansyah

Bhakti: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat

The Werianggi-Werabur Transmigration Area in Teluk Wondama, West Papua, faces challenges of social integration in the form of latent conflict between Indigenous Papuans (OAP) and transmigrants. This tension is manifested in residential segregation and recurring disputes regarding crop damage caused by livestock ("cattle vs. garden"). This community engagement activity aims to initiate culture-based conflict resolution through the "Damai Kita, Sejahtera Kita" Participatory Workshop. We used Participatory Action Research (PAR) as method. The pre-implementation phase utilized Social Network Analysis (SNA) to map key actors, as mediators, followed by social intervention through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) using Problem Tree and Conceptual Model …

Who Leaves Home? Parenting Style And Personality As Predictors Of College Students’ Intent To Study Abroad, Katelyn Sutton

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

This study examines how parenting styles and personality factors influence college students’ intentions to study abroad. Using the Five-Factor Model and Baumrind’s parenting framework, it explores how authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting relate to personality and students’ likelihood of pursuing international education, addressing a gap in research on early developmental influences. A sample of 156 undergraduate students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University completed measures of personality (NEO-FFI), parenting style (Parental Authority Questionnaire), and study-abroad intention. Participants were divided into two groups: those who intend to study abroad and those who do not, allowing for direct …

Psychedelic Research In The Modern Day: Good Or Bad?, Shane Miller

Mechanical Engineering Student Research

This work is about the usage/safety of psychedelic substances, and I explain whether they are good or bad in terms of other drugs, such as alcohol.

Gender Dynamics In Upward Influence: Career Outcomes And Organizational Implications, Carrie Berg Ed.D.

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This study explores gender-based differences in the perceptions and outcomes of upward influence strategies within nonprofit organizations. Using qualitative thematic analysis grounded in Social Role Theory and Impression Management Theory, this research draws from structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 37 professionals across diverse nonprofit sectors. Findings reveal that men’s influence efforts are more frequently perceived as credible and authoritative, while similar strategies used by women are often subjected to increased scrutiny and bias. Key themes include gendered influence styles, differential recognition and credibility, mental and emotional labor, organizational gatekeeping, leadership receptivity, and informal networks. The study contributes to understanding …

What Makes Leaders In Human Services Effective? A Pilot Study Linking Systems Thinking, Perspective-Taking, And Leadership Success, Ryan Witterschein

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Leadership effectiveness is a persistent challenge in human services nonprofits, where organizations serving individuals with disabilities and complex needs have grown dramatically but lack validated tools for assessing the cognitive competencies that distinguish effective leaders. This quantitative pilot study introduces the ABA Leadership Assessment Tool version 2.0 (ABLA 2.0), a 48-item instrument integrating transformational and transactional leadership frameworks with three constructs from Relational Frame Theory—perspective-taking, temporal reasoning, and systems thinking. Eight Board Certified Behavior Analysts in organizational leadership roles completed the assessment, yielding 100% completion and strong preliminary reliability across all subscales (α = .71–.94). Leaders who demonstrated stronger cognitive …

Separating Access Legitimacy From Utilization Analytics: A Two-Layer Evaluation Model For Philanthropy And Development, Stephanie Zabriskie

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article introduces a two-layer evaluation model for philanthropic and development decision-making in access-based interventions. The first layer treats Access as Outcome (AAO) as a recognized outcome when essential goods, services or resources are delivered through a viable delivery pathway, without requiring post-access utilization or compliance to validate legitimacy. The second layer evaluates post-access variation through System Coherence Conditions (SCC), defined as internal alignment across governance and decision-making, distribution and logistics, social accountability and norms, and scarcity management and continuity, which explain differences in utilization, continuity, and downstream effects as signals of system coherence rather than as retroactive worthiness thresholds. …

Utilizing Supervised Practice In School Settings As An Opportunity To Increase Student Awareness Of Food Waste Reduction Strategies, Maria Givler

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) play a vital role in facilitating nutritional health across a wide range of settings, from clinical care to community-based environments. As the profession continues to evolve, dietetics training programs are emphasizing experiential learning opportunities that address real-world public health challenges (Wegener, 2018). One such challenge is food waste, an issue with significant nutritional, environmental, and economic implications (Seberini, 2020). Within school food service systems, where millions of meals are served daily (Toossi et al.,2024), reducing waste while maintaining student satisfaction presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This article will discuss four ways supervised practice rotations …

When Social Fundraising Is Active But Hard To Measure: Nonprofit Lessons From Social Media Roi Research, Dr. Blair W. Loveland

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article examines a nonprofit measurement problem that appears when social media is used to support fundraising but the organization cannot clearly connect that activity to a measurable financial result. The article draws on a non-experimental quantitative survey of 106 participants in roles tied to marketing, sales, or revenue reporting. The findings showed that social media use was common, but visibility into spending, formal ROI tracking, and end-to-end attribution was often weak. Seventy percent of respondents who answered the spend question did not know their organization's annual social media spend, 59 percent of respondents who answered the ROI question said …

Enhancing Transparency And Accountability In Federally Funded Nonprofits: A Convergent Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence Analytics And Blockchain Technology, David A. Oduro, Vida Adeti

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology address persistent challenges in federal nonprofit grant management. Through systematic analysis of government pilot programs and nonprofit technology adoption patterns, we develop an integrated implementation framework. Treasury Department and National Science Foundation blockchain prototypes demonstrate 40% reductions in administrative burden, with report generation decreasing from 40 staff-hours to seconds. Nonprofit AI adoption reached 92% by 2026, though significant disparities exist between large organizations (58% using AI for data analytics) and small nonprofits (19%). Drawing on interviews with federal agencies and grant recipients, this research identifies technical capacity constraints, regulatory complexity, …

Rethinking Ngo Sustainability: A Framework For Developing Support Structures Beyond Traditional Donations And Grants, Angie Holzer, Jackson Cooper

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This thought paper examines the growing instability of traditional funding streams in the global nonprofit sector and argues for a fundamental shift in how sustainability is conceptualized. Moving beyond a narrow focus on financial capital, the paper introduces a practical framework of five interconnected resource types—financial, material, human, knowledge, and network resources—supported by a sixth foundational element, relational capital, or trust. Drawing on examples and applied models, the authors demonstrate how nonprofits can strengthen resilience and long-term impact by intentionally leveraging diverse and often underutilized forms of support. The paper also highlights the evolving role of board members, emphasizing the …

Narratives From Law Enforcement Officers Who Leave Policing, Hector Rene Matascastillo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Beginning in May 2020, a national exodus of law enforcement officers (LEOs) from the profession occurred. There has been speculation about the causes, including social unrest and trauma, while some claim that there has always been this level of attrition. The purpose of this study was to capture the narratives of LEOs regarding what motivated them to leave the profession after May 2020 and before achieving their retirement goals. The theoretical lens of general strain theory guided this study, as it posits that people under great strain resort to options that they would not usually consider, such as leaving the …

Kesenian Baruno Pati: Proses Penciptaan, Bentuk, Dan Representasi Kolektif, Fahri Reza Muhammad

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Amidst conservation challenges and a crisis in the regeneration of local arts in Pati, Barongan Baruno emerges as a new artistic creation from Pasinaon Studio in Kertomulyo Village. This research aims to uncover its creation process, form, and the embodiment of local values as a collective representation of the Kertomulyo community. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, the study finds that Barongan Baruno is a product of conscious and participatory collective creation. Symbolically, it reflects the community's agrarian-maritime identity and Javanese-Islamic acculturation. As a collective representation, this art form serves as a medium for embodying local wisdom, such as the importance of …

Catalyzing Learner-Centered Ecosystems In Pennsylvania For A Future Of Human Thriving, Danielle S. Shylit

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

School-centric education has failed to produce equitable outcomes for Pennsylvania's learners. Declining student engagement, widening opportunity gaps, and the demoralization of educators and leaders escalate an urgent need to shift systems, mindsets, and praxis from a school-centric to a learner-centric paradigm. This action research dissertation elevates what is learned at individual, group, and system levels through disciplined inquiry with aligned district public education leaders in Pennsylvania willing to co-create learner-centered ecosystems with community stakeholders for a future of human thriving. Grounded in Education Reimagined's definition of Learner-Centered Ecosystems, and the theoretical frameworks of Bryk et al.'s Networked Improvement Communities and …

Food Insecurity On College Campus, Erika Islao, Izzy Green, Rachel Stone, Ariana Messer

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Food Insecurity can affect certain groups more than others. At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University we've observed it in international students, student-athletes, and those without transportation. Although CSBSJU offers several dining options, it can still be difficult for students to access meals due to limited availability during breaks, limited dining hours for student-athletes, and transportation barriers. This paper examines how food insecurity and nutrition insecurity impact students’ overall well-being while also exploring how these challenges appear within the CSBSJU community. Research shows that students experiencing food insecurity often report higher stress levels, and lower academic engagement. …

The Hollywood Rap And Trap Culture Industry And Its Portrayal Of Crime, Youth Socialization, And Anti-Social Behavioral Norms, Ishika Sen

Honors Theses

This thesis synthesizes and reflects on media effects and hip-hop studies to examine how the Hollywood rap/trap industry participates in the influence of normalization of crime and anti-social behaviors, substance use, and the sexualization of women among youth (ages 13–21). I integrate analytic evidence on media violence with lyric/content analyses of rap and critiques of the criminal justice system in hip-hop. Specific subtopics from my outline include: theoretical frameworks (media-violence, social learning, cultivation, cultural criminology); corporate marketing and social-media amplification; youth vulnerability; and three patterned domains which include substance abuse, gun violence, and the sexualization of women, often leading to …

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 20 - April 30, 2026

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 20 - April 30, 2026. 32 pages.

Nonprofit Leaders’ Perceived Top Struggles: A Qualitative Study With Descriptive Quantification Of Capacity, Funding, And Operational Barriers, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Nonprofit organizations are widely understood to operate under conditions of persistent constraint, yet less is known about how nonprofit leaders themselves perceive and prioritize their struggles. This study presents findings from a qualitative analysis with descriptive quantification of open-ended responses from 77 nonprofit leaders who were asked to identify their biggest challenges. Using thematic coding, frequency counts, and order-based sequencing analysis, the study distinguishes between perceived struggles, immediate needs, and capacity-focused structural blockers. While funding and financial sustainability were the most frequently cited perceived struggles, capacity-related challenges—including board governance, staffing and volunteers, compliance burden, operational systems, and leadership bandwidth—emerged as …

Enhancing Assessment Tools For Foster Youth: A Phenomenological Approach To Preparing For Independent Living, Karen M. Armstead

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract

Foster youth transitioning to independent living often face challenges that extend beyond technical life skills. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 10 former foster youth (ages 18–21) regarding readiness for independent living and the adequacy of preparation they received. Semi-structured interviews were guided by an 18-question instrument reflecting real-world transition domains commonly addressed by nonprofit independent living programs. Thematic analysis yielded three primary themes: (1) lack of preparation, (2) emotional strain and abandonment, and (3) life skills training. Findings indicate that readiness is multidimensional and shaped by practical preparation, emotional readiness, and relational support. For nonprofit …

Framing Digital Donation: Innovation And Audience Engagement In Short Video Fundraising On Douyin, Qiuyi Chen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Short video platforms are increasingly adopted by nonprofit organizations as tools for charitable communication and fundraising. However, limited research has examined how donation appeals are structured and interpreted within these environments. Existing studies focus on emotional appeal, influencer involvement, and algorithmic visibility, yet donation is often treated as a behavioral outcome rather than as a communicative process.

This study conceptualizes charitable donation as a social situation that must be framed and recognized by audiences in short video contexts. Drawing on Goffman’s frame analysis and employing the Visual–Verbal Video Analysis (VVVA) method, the study analyzes 32 publicly available videos from a …

Comment Sections As Counterpublics; Negotiating Public Discourse In Indonesia’S Digital Media Sphere, Leon Woltermann

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

This article examines the potential of YouTube comment sections as spaces of commoning in Indonesia’s digital media sphere. Drawing on the concept of counterpublics – that is, parallel discursive arenas where marginalized groups circulate counter discourses and voice their interests – it explores how users negotiate access to the digital public sphere and oppose dominant narratives. The article employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods into the analysis of the data, to investigate both the structural features (based on comment metadata) and the discursive content of comments. I argue that the comment sections’ dynamic, non-binding structure facilitates open …

Toward An Integrative Anthropological Ecology; Pluralism, Power, And Socioecological Futures, Komang Ariyanto

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

No abstract provided.

Monastic Botanical Gardens: Medicinal Plants, Cultural Heritage, And Tourist Routes, Polyxeni G. Moira Dr, Dimitrios Mylonopoulos

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

in the natural environment. The natural environment, of which humans are an integral part, served as the first laboratory for the production of medicines. Medicinal botany can be traced back to ancient Greece, continued through ancient Rome, was closely linked to Islamic tradition, and persisted through the rise of Christianity in monasteries, enduring to the present day. Monastic botanical gardens serve as living proof of the relationship between humans, nature, healing, and spirituality. These gardens, which for centuries cultivated plants for medicinal, nutritional, and functional uses, can now be leveraged to promote tourism, cultural heritage, and environmental awareness.

This study …

Inaccessibility And Performative Inclusivity: Higher-Weight Francophone And Newcomer Adults' Experiences In A Canadian Atlantic Province, Andrea E. Bombak, Norma Chinho, Kathleen O'Keefe, Sumaiya Akhter, Lisa Thomson, Courtney Burk, Lee Turner

Patient Experience Journal

Weight stigma research is needed in diverse populations. Two populations that may experience compromised healthcare in New Brunswick, Canada's only officially bilingual province (English/French), are Francophone New Brunswickers and newcomers to Canada. As such, this study explores the experiences of higher-weight (Body Mass Index ≥ 30) adults (≥ 18 years of age) who also identify as primarily Francophone or as having moved to Canada ≤ 5 years ago in and out of healthcare contexts. Participants were interviewed according to a semi-structured interview guide face-to-face, by telephone, or video-call two times, at 2-to-3-month intervals. Interviews included questions about experiences and effects …