Digital Commons Network^™

Policing Course, Adrian Bordoni

Open Educational Resources

Policng course divided in 8 modules: includes readings, videos, interactive assignments, discussion boards Final ppaer and presentation to support topics

Propasafe-Hybrid: A Text-Based Hybrid Propaganda Detection Tool (Ila 2026 Presentation), Thomas Kimmeth, Avijit Roy, Vivek Sharma

Publications and Research

This presentation introduces Propasafe-Hybrid, a hybrid system for sentence-level propaganda detection that combines offline transformer-based classification with selective large language model (LLM) explainability. The system employs a two-stage pipeline in which a local BERT-based classifier evaluates all input text and filters non-propagandistic content, while only high-confidence candidates are forwarded to an LLM for rhetorical technique labeling and explanation. This design enables cost-aware, privacy-conscious, and scalable analysis by reducing unnecessary reliance on external models.

Propasafe-Hybrid identifies propagandistic techniques such as loaded language, obfuscation, and appeal to fear, and generates concise natural language rationales that make these techniques interpretable to users. By …

A Bridge Back To The Community, Anna Kemp, Summer Langva, Ulathi Mpofu

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The Dream Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota, supports adult men aged 18 and older who face challenges such as mental illness, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities. The center provides stable housing, three daily meals, clothing, and a range of support systems designed to promote rehabilitation and community reintegration. In addition to meeting basic needs, the Dream Center offers faith‑based programming that emphasizes restoration through Christian teachings, including the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. As part of our community service‑learning project, we conducted interviews with residents …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On The Development Of Reckless Behavior In Adulthood, Cheyenne Harvey

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Current literature suggests that there is a correlation between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and behaviors in adulthood (e.g., substance use, crime). Research also shows that childhood trauma can lead to increased risk-taking or reckless behavior later in life. A study by Assini-Meytin et al. (2021) found that having a higher number of ACEs is linked to more risky behaviors in adulthood. These risky behaviors are often ways to deal with emotional problems caused by early stress. Anda et al. (2006) points out that these experiences can cause lasting changes in brain development, especially in areas that handle impulse control. The …

Student Perceptions Of Anti-Racist Pedagogy: A Cross-Disciplinary Descriptive Study, Ashley Davis, Melisa Osborne, Hope Haslam Straughan, Maria Datel, Christina Michaud, Danielle Rousseau

SoTL Commons Conference

No abstract provided.

How Do The Interrogation Strategies Of Women Detectives Differ In Style And Efficacy From Their Male Counterparts?, Sarah M. Quinones

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

This research proposal seeks to examine recorded interrogation footage and in-depth interviews of professional interrogators to analyze how their interrogation styles and efficacies differ between men and women. There is an imminent need for a reformed, standardized, and research-backed interrogation system to improve the efficacy and discriminatory habits of the justice system. The proposed hypotheses include:

• Transformational interrogation styles yield more cooperative and informative responses than transactional interrogation styles. 

• Because women’s interrogation styles more often align with transformational leadership patterns, their interrogations exhibit higher efficacies.

These hypotheses were drawn following an extensive literature review of the current academic contributions, both …

Does Legal Cynicism Mediate The Relationship Between Parental Incarceration And Child Delinquency?, Elizabeth Rose Bishop, Theresa Moore

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Research has explored the extent of the prison boom from its origin in the 1970s to the present where the issue of high prison populations remains today. However, the inmates are suffering a multifaceted array of consequences to their actions. Directly they are serving a legal sentence but indirectly families that are left behind also suffer unforeseen aftermaths. Literature diving into the prison boom and wide array of implications of incarceration has only recently begun and, as it has increased over time, has begun to turn the lens to this vulnerable population that has been left behind. Families that are …

Missing The Mark: Uncovering Gaps In Young Adults Investment Knowledge, Sophia Mayo

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Food Insecurity And Racism, Grace Casey, Kerri Feuilly, Samantha Martel, Shamika Saint-Hilaire, Ella Smith

Academic Festival

Throughout the United States, food insecurity is a growing issue. Poor or disrupted eating can have severe consequences on mental and physical health. Food insecurity can lead to malnutrition, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. There are various factors that can increase the chances of experiencing food insecurity including socioeconomic status, education levels, household size, gender, race, ethnicity, and disability (Feeding America, n.d.). Certain races, ethnicities, and genders are more likely to experience food insecurity leading to questions about the impact of discrimination. Racism and racial discrimination are experienced throughout various institutions, organizations, and aspects of life …

Drug Treatment Courts: Choosing Between Rehabilitation And Recidivism, Grace Miller

Academic Festival

The presentation discusses the use of drug treatment courts to serve justice to those whose offenses are related to their struggle with illicit drug use. Drug treatment courts are described and its benefits are outlined. These courts are compared to treatment of drug offenders within the normal justice system, and the drawbacks of drug treatment courts are discussed. This informs the future of drug treatment courts int he United States.

Reported Bias Incidents In Northwest Indiana: An Examination Of Newspaper Accounts, Sophia C. Brown, James Old

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This exploratory study investigates bias-motivated incidents in and around the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, over the past 30 years. The study aims to examine patterns and trends in such incidents, defined broadly as "bias-motivated incidents" rather than the more narrowly defined "hate crimes." While hate crimes, according to the FBI, involve criminal offenses motivated by bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin, bias-motivated incidents encompass any behavior expressing hostility toward individuals or property based on these characteristics, regardless of whether they rise to the level of criminal activity. The research analyzes reports of these incidents as documented …

The Masters Program: A Model For Teaching Adolescents Soft Skills For Career Readiness, Jewrell Rivers

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This workshop will introduce conference participants to the MASTERS Program, a model for teaching adolescents soft skills for career readiness. Participants will engage in small group discussions, simulation activities and interactive exercises to fulfill learning objectives. Participants will be provided with guidance on how to implement the MASTERS Program at their school for preparing students for success in the workplace.

Interviews With Professionals In The Psychology Field, Beatrice Brinkley, John Roop

CSU Tower Day

•Undergraduate students experience difficulties understanding their options after graduation •Options include academia, research, or applied skill practices •Prior projects have studied other majors and their opportunities •This study explores three applied practices in psychology •All professionals are different in their perspectives •Little overlap between answers •Results up to student interpretation

Spring 2025 Oer Seminar, Pamela Thielman, Katherine Tsan

Open Educational Resources

This slide presentation was created by Pamela Thielman and Katherine Tsan for the Baruch College Center for Teaching and Learning.

Selected U.S. Government Statistical Agencies And Their Data, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Provides introductory and detailed overview of U.S. Government agencies statistics. Includes examples of how an individual U.S. law authorizes government agencies to compile statistics for particular congressional committees and the general public. Statistics cover topics such as demography, defense, foreign assistance, economic growth, criminal justice, energy, Social Security, and Medicare.

Revisiting The "Old Ways": Re-Incorporating Oral Examinations Into Upper Division Courses, Stephen Vangeem

Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference

While some courses embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and even incorporate it into classwork and assignments, this presenter took the sudden prevalence of AI as an opportunity to pivot away from the traditional final term paper and revisit the European tradition of oral examinations as an end-of-semester Capstone. This presentation will outline one approach to gauging cumulative comprehension in the social sciences through oral examination

Immigration And Naturalization Internship With Catholic Charities, Lizbeth Zamora-Torrijos

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation will describe the journey interns go through with the Immigrant Survivors Project Specialists. Over the course of the 2023 Fall Semester my work entailed of assisting with advocacy on behalf of victims of domestic violence, violent crimes, and sexual assault. Including writing and/or translating victims' personal statements for declarations of character, or qualifying crimes, which are crucial in the immigration process. Interns were required to investigate, interview, and research applicants as well, and this work could entail; taking fingerprints for FBI background checks; writing executive case summaries; reviewing and summarizing medical, court, and police records, helping maintain database …

“Evidence Synthesis” Reviews And Library Support Models: Lessons Learned And Next Steps, Corinne Bishop, Jason D. Phillips, Andrew Todd

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Outcomes: Participants will learn about academic library models used to support systematic reviews for course assignments or potential scholarly publications. Timelines and resources about planning reviews will also be shared.

Proposal: Join us in a discussion of the “what, when, and why” of planning various types of evidence synthesis reviews (scoping, systematic, umbrella, etc.). We will share what we have learned during the past year as we have received training, assisted faculty and students with reviews, and next steps toward establishing a formal Evidence Synthesis Reviews service from UCF Libraries.

Artificial Intelligence: Unveiling Potential, Navigating Challenges, Kavivarma Kandasamy

Student Academic Conference

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed from science fiction to a tangible reality, permeating various aspects of our lives. This report delves into the current state of AI, exploring its foundational concepts, technical advancements, and diverse applications. By analyzing academic literature, industry reports, and real-world case studies, the report sheds light on AI's potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare, scientific research, and entertainment. However, the report also acknowledges the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with advanced AI. By examining areas like safety concerns and responsible development practices, the report aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of AI's impact on …

Smart Decarceration In The U.S And Our Communities, Brooke Freeland, Andrea Dehler, Jessica Rojas, Ethan Thompson, Emily Seaberg

Student Academic Conference

The rate of incarceration in the United States is one of the highest in the world and frequently affects members of vulnerable populations. The ineffectiveness of incarceration can be displayed by the following statement, “Prisoners often carry additional deficits of drug and alcohol addictions, mental and physical illnesses, and lack of work preparation or experience” (n.d.). In response, The Grand Challenges for Social Work poses smart decarceration as one solution to address high rates of incarceration. Our findings reveal the effects of decarceration policies on incarcerated persons and the community, as well as the effects of how resources are allocated. …

U.S. Government Agency Podcasts, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Presents podcasts from U.S. Government agencies which can be discovered through the U.S. Government Publishing Office's Catalog of Government Publications. Agencies whose podcasts are presented include the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Peace Corps, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Government Accountability Office (GAO), National Park Service, Department of Justice, Federal Reserve System, and U.S. Naval War College.

Global Strategies For Addressing Communication Disorders In Justice-Involved Youth, Sophia Martinez, Anne Marie Perrotti, Brooke Baker, Allison Chappell

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Throughout all stages of processing, most juveniles who encounter the justice system demonstrate cognitive-communicative difficulties (CCDs). Empirical evidence reveals that 19-22% of female and 28-38% of male youth offenders, culminating in approximately 50-60% of youth offenders, demonstrate language disorders that require intervention, but most have never received services (Snow et al., 2014; Winstanley et al., 2021). Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are communication experts certified to assess and treat CCDs. While nations abroad recognize the value of SLP involvement in all stages of processing for justice-involved youth (JIY), America lags in utilizing SLPs to improve JIY outcomes and lower youth's risk of …

Liberty And Justice For Some: Comparing Dwi Convictions By Ethnicity, Gretel Busse, Daniel Wilkerson

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

This study observes potential disadvantages faced by minorities in the criminal justice system. Using data from DWI cases, we compare outcomes for Hispanic and white criminal defendants. Controlling for BrAC and criminal history, we find that Hispanics are more likely than whites to be convicted and incarcerated, and less likely to use a private attorney.

Mentoring Matters! Designing Mentoring Programs For Misbehaving Black Boys, Tina D. Nelson-Jackson

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Statistics indicate that Black males who continue to experience progressive disciplinary action in school eventually suffer academic failure, which inevitably leads to the school-to-prison pipeline. However, research proves that mentoring programs that are specifically designed for misbehaving Black males can be a viable option for improving behaviors, decreasing disciplinary occurrences, improving grades, and thereby increasing their chances of academic success in the classroom setting.

Helping Children Of Trauma Feel And Experience A Sense Of Hope In Their Lives, Jamie Like

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Audience would include any school staff, counselors, social workers, parents and community members. Many children who experience complex trauma struggle emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. In this session, participants will earn to never underestimate the impact they can make on the life of a child, that damage from childhood trauma can be mitigated and that relationships, relationships, relationships are the key to everything!

Encouraging A Safe Space For Jewish Students At Ucf, Alexandra Messina

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

October 7, 2023, was a horrifying day for Israel and the larger Jewish community. Since that day, American Jewish students have faced antisemitism and isolation on campuses around the country. Having a safe space for Jewish students to feel comfortable at school is more important now than ever before. The Hillel, Chabad, and Yehudi organizations at UCF do a great job of providing this space. I partnered with the Hillel to be an active, helpful part of the community that I enjoy being a part of so much. The majority of my time was spent working with freshmen, which was …

Yoga And Wellness-Based Interventions With Marginalized Populations, Marisa Moore

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

In the realm of mental health, the intersection of addiction, trauma, and various behaviors represents a complex and multifaceted landscape that requires specialized understanding and treatment approaches. Upward Inertia is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the mental, physical, and social-emotional health and wellbeing of marginalized populations through the use of therapeutic yoga and mind-body based interventions. Ongoing programming is currently offered at five Idaho prisons, both men's and women's facilities, ranging from minimum to maximum security. This capstone project explores the possibility of expansion to other marginalized populations including pediatrics. After investigation, there are stakeholders that are …

Transitions To Nibrs And The Benefits Nibrs Provides To The User Community, Drema Fouch

Open Access Week

Presented by Agent Drema Fouch (Management and Program Analyst, National Incident-Based Reporting System Coordinator, FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program)

Join us as we hear from an FBI specialist on open-source crime reporting, including the transition to a new reporting system and its impact to the user community.

Intro To Restorative Practices, Rob Bishop

Professional Development Day

Register here: https://mtu.libcal.com/event/11376067

In restorative practices, harmed parties have the opportunity to tell those responsible how they have been affected. Those responsible can gain empathy and understanding — not only for those directly affected, but for family, friends, co-workers and others. Then, the responsible parties have a chance to make amends and shed the "offender" label, hopefully breaking the cycle of violence, misbehavior and/or disruption.

Immigration And Naturalization At Catholic Charities, Abigail Alvarez

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

I am an intern for the Immigration and Naturalization Program at Catholic Charities. This program provides assistance to immigrants who are currently seeking legal assistance in their immigration process. As an intern, I have been assisting victims of domestic violence and assault by writing and translating their personal statements. These statements are crucial to their application because they determine whether the applicant obtains legal status or not. I am also in charge of reviewing cases and making sure that prior documentation (police reports and applications) reflects the new documentation. I work alongside very skilled lawyers, who have kindly guided me …