Digital Commons Network^™

Teacher Perceptions Of Social Emotional Learning Supports In Freshman Academy, Nadia Saint-Louis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ninth grade year is the most important challenging year of high school. Many students struggle adjusting to the transition to high school. If supports are not in place, many ninth-grade students are at-risk of dropping out of school. The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the social emotional learning supports in Freshman Academy that assist in the transition to High School. A qualitative investigation was conducted to explore these social emotional supports. This study used a phenomenological methodology, enabling the researcher to gather information from a purposeful selection of educators directly identified by their Academy Principals.

This …

Students’ Meaning-Making Journeys Towards Self-Authorship Through Self-Designed Gap Year Experiences, Erin Garcia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological, qualitative study addressed student perceptions of their meaning-making process towards self-authorship in a self-designed gap year experience and was conducted in a public higher educational institution in the Southeast. Data was gathered through interviews from a purposeful sample of gap year program participants and program administrators. Emerging themes and categories were identified by coding and analyzing the interview data, such as continual reflection reinforces the value of individual meaning-making, self-expectations versus self-worth, the influence of societal expectations are minimized, and self-designed learning helps to solidify changes in self-authorship. The data showed a strong connection between multiple meaning-making contexts …

University Budget Models, Institutional Size, And Student Outcomes, James P. Batchelder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the non-experimental quantitative research study was to identify if there is a significant difference between the types of budget model an institution utilizes, institutional size, and student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. This study was to identify if there is significant difference between institutional size and the type budget model utilized.

Member institutions of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) were selected to participate in this study due to their similarities of mission and admissions policy. AASCU institutions share a common mission that focuses on access, innovation, regional support, and inclusion. AASCU institutions are …

Kids These Days: Corporate Social Responsibility And Generational Influence On Consumer Intention, Maya Mathis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Millennials are known for being a unique generation that places a high value on improving their community. They are also unlike any other generation because they are harder to market to since they are more aware of common marketing strategies used by companies today. Millennials want to improve the community and expect others to do the same. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a popular topic and has gained momentum in research over the years; understanding the relationship between CSR and millennials is important due to the generational shifts. Therefore, this study examines the importance of CSR to different generations and …

Pre-Entrance Factors And Student Success In An A.A.S. Nursing Program, Connie Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of pre-entrance factors and the success of students in an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree nursing program at a community college in East Tennessee. The criterion variable was success in the nursing program. Success was defined as academic success in all nursing courses and completion of the nursing program to graduation. The predictor variables of pre-entrance factors were gender, age, Health Education Systems, Incorporated (HESI) A2 scores, Pell Grant eligibility, pre-nursing GPA, and prior licensure. The data for this non-experimental secondary analysis were derived from the electronic database in …

Teacher Retention In Secure Residential Settings, Daniel Froemel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A phenomenological study was conducted to identify the factors associated with job retention among teachers in secure residential treatment centers in Tennessee. Central to this investigation was the exploration of how residential teachers perceive they are supported in their position, how teachers in residential settings perceive the culture of the facility, and what factors are associated with teacher retention in secure residential settings. Through a series of fifteen interviews, common themes emerged from the coding that provided insight into these questions.

Teachers who had worked in residential settings for more than five years seemed to have very strong internal belief …

Safety In The Educational Environment: Rural District Administrator Perceptions Of School Safety In Northeast Tennessee Public Schools, Richard A. True

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative research study was conducted to identify, describe, and understand the perceptions of administrators of public school districts in northeast Tennessee regarding school safety. Using a semi-structured interview process, the researcher identified emerging themes regarding the factors most associated with safe school districts, the factors most associated with unsafe school districts, the items identified as needed to improve safety, and the topics identified as future safety issues at the school and district level. Through such study, the researcher was able to develop an understanding regarding the overall safety of school districts in northeast Tennessee and the specific components that …

Environmental Cybernetics: Technology And The Perception Of Remediated Space, Lucas Gentry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Moby Dick, House of Leaves, and Ex Machina portray characters that rely on a form of technology to navigate their respective environments. As such, their settings are remediated spaces – spaces understood through their relationship with technology. The inhabitants of remediated spaces inherently resemble the cyborg as their perspectives fuse with machines in their understanding of space. Captain Ahab from Moby Dick must rely on his ivory leg and ship for mobility, often merging himself with the machine of the vessel. House of Leaves provides a space and family that exist exclusively within the confines of found footage, …

A Survey Of Pre-Service And In-Service Teachers On Training And Knowledge Of State Anti-Bullying Laws And Policies Related To Students With Disabilities, Molly Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bullying is a serious problem on its own but emerging research suggests that bullying may present differently in students with disabilities and affect them more severely than previously thought. The purpose of this study was to explore the multi-layered issue of bullying involving students with disabilities, examine the programs and legislation developed around this issue, and determine the training and knowledge teachers and teacher candidates have regarding the problem. An exploratory survey was completed by 105 teachers and teacher candidates in northeast Tennessee. Descriptive statistics and T-tests revealed that in-service teachers were more knowledgeable in identification of bullying and the …

“Fetch M’Dear”: Healers, Midwives, Witches, And Conjuring Women In Select Ya And Toni Morrison Novels, Diane Mallett-Birkitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accusations and persecution of witchcraft have been embedded in global culture for centuries. For as long as these persecutions have occurred, women have found themselves accused most frequently. Older women with herbal knowledge were often called on to assist with childbirth or termination of pregnancies and this “secret knowledge” often led them to be suspected of supernatural abilities, often of a satanic nature. Intrigued by these wise women who appeared to have mysterious powers and a penchant for arousing the ire of men in the legal, medical, and religious communities, I began to notice their frequent appearance in novels. Does …

Assessing Nurse Practitioners' Knowledge And Clinical Practice With Regard To The Oral-Systemic Link, Angela Haynes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) comprise a significant portion of the U.S. primary care workforce and play an essential role in patients' health awareness, prevention strategies, disease management, and in providing appropriate provider referrals. Nurse Practitioners receive education on the oral-systemic connection, yet there have been limited studies on the clinical practice of NPs assessing the oral cavity to evaluate the condition of the teeth and the oral tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore the nurse practitioners’ knowledge and practice habits of assessing the oral cavity for diseases or abnormalities in the mouth that can, in turn, affect overall …

Navigating The Athletic Terrain For Transgender Athletes: Identity, Policy, And The Future, Lia M. Bevins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transgender athletes face scrutiny because they do not fit within the traditional and constructed bounds of male and female. The objective of this study was to discover how to provide advocacy to this marginalized population amidst discriminating policies and transphobic environments. The research included a survey of high school coaches from thirty schools throughout Tennessee along with interviews with five transgender athletes from across the United States. All five athletes reported that leaders were the most impactful allies in their lives and can be the main sources of advocacy for transgender athletes. Survey findings showed that not every coach throughout …

A Qualitative Analysis Of End-Of-Life Healthcare In Tennessee: Politics, Principles, And Perceptions, Erin Mauck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The unprecedented growth of the aging population in Tennessee is a significant demographic trend that highlights the necessity for healthcare policy that tackles end-of-life issues. This study examined the perceived quality of end-of-life healthcare in Tennessee, areas that are in need of improvement, policies that have the potential to influence improvements, and the role of politics in end-of-life healthcare policy. It also assessed the support for end-of-life healthcare policy that would advance quality of care and expand end-of-life choices for Tennesseans, while evaluating the policy-making process that legislators employ.

For this study, data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with …

Policing Farm Crime: An Exploratory Study Of Agricultural Crime Units, Brianna Lynn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the practices, perceptions, and operations of agricultural crime units. To date, there has been little research conducted on policing agricultural crimes and no known research on units specializing in investigating them. The study utilizes data gathered from qualitative interviews with agricultural crime investigators across several states to fill this gap in the literature. The results allow for an examination of the fundamental practices of agricultural units, their perceptions and their experiences. In addition, they point to several implications for both policy and practice that may serve to guide our efforts to combat …

The Lived Experience Of Obesity, Spirituality, And Health Behaviors In African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is one of the fastest-growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2014). Novak and Brownell (2012) identified that “obesity rates are consistently rising higher each year than in previous years” (p. 2345). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the …

Studying Abroad And Intercultural Outcomes: Differences Experienced Between International Exchange Students And U.S. Study Abroad Students, Patricia V. Lin-Steadman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A major focus of many U.S. higher-education institutions is to increase internationalization of their campus through, in part, the promotion of study abroad experiences among domestic students and to recruit and retain international students to their institution. This study explored the effects of certain factors on various domains of the Global Engagement Measurement Scale (GEMS) – Cultural Engagement, Ambiguity Tolerance, Knowledge of Host Site, and Diversity Openness – among U.S. students who have studied abroad and international exchange students who have studied in the U.S. There was a particular focus, on determining whether U.S. study abroad students, compared to international …

Collectivism, Individualism, And Interprofessional Education: A Comparison Of Faculty Across Five Academic Health Sciences Colleges, S. Alicia Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collaborative practice among interprofessional groups of health care providers is essential to the provision of safe and effective medical care. However, health professions training programs have not traditionally prepared students for interprofessional practice. One challenge in transforming health professions education programs has been a limited number of faculty prepared to teach students in an interprofessional learning environment. Thus, faculty development programs aimed at preparing faculty to provide interprofessional learning experiences across disciplines are increasingly important. Unfortunately, best practice in training faculty for interprofessional education programs is not well-defined.

Interprofessional education faculty development programs should aim to train faculty to model …

2020-November-30-Foster Inspiring Black Scientists, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 30, 2020) – East Tennessee State University biologist Dr. Cerrone Foster was recently listed among “100 more inspiring Black scientists in America” by the science blog CrossTalk.

CrossTalk is the official blog of Cell Press, which publishes biomedical and physical science research and reviews. The blog “is fueled by a hunger for all things related to science, research, and publishing and is a home for scientists and science enthusiasts,” according to the CrossTalk website (https://crosstalk.cell.com/about).

Foster, an assistant professor in the ETSU Department of Biological Sciences, says it means a lot to her to be …

2020-November-30-Going Places, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Nicole Aldana is an academic advisor in the College of Business and Technology after holding a like position at Georgia Southern University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and Spanish from Georgia Southern.

Becky Birdwell is a temporary executive aide in the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies after serving as a contract administrator. She holds a B.S. degree in elementary education from ETSU.

Tracy Dixon is a career specialist with the Center for Community Outreach and Applied Research. Before coming to ETSU, she was an operations manager at Leon Ella Enterprises. She holds a B.A. degree in …

2020-November-30-Thank You Quillen Meac Retirees, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Quillen College of Medicine and Medical Education Assistance Corporation (MEAC) would like to thank all of the employees who retired in 2020. When added together, their careers at Quillen and MEAC represent more than 1,000 years of service.
We appreciate your service and wish you well as you begin the next chapter.

January

Alice J. Terrell
Information Research Tech, Surgery

February

Mary Lou Hawk
Coordinator, Division of Lab Animal Resources

March

Lorena Alice McKinley Burton
Coordinator, Academic Affairs

Jerry Lee Keplinger
Coordinator, Biomedical Sciences

Stuart Leicht
Professor, Internal Medicine

Marcia Ray
Medical Records Clerk, Internal Medicine

Wanda Young
Coordinator, Psychiatry …

Effects Of Noise Exposure On The Vestibular System: A Systematic Review, Courtney Elaine Stewart, Avril Genene Holt, Richard A. Altschuler, Anthony Thomas Cacace, Courtney D. Hall, Owen D. Murnane, W. Michael King, Faith W. Akin

ETSU Faculty Works

Despite our understanding of the impact of noise-induced damage to the auditory system, much less is known about the impact of noise exposure on the vestibular system. In this article, we review the anatomical, physiological, and functional evidence for noise-induced damage to peripheral and central vestibular structures. Morphological studies in several animal models have demonstrated cellular damage throughout the peripheral vestibular system and particularly in the otolith organs; however, there is a paucity of data on the effect of noise exposure on human vestibular end organs. Physiological studies have corroborated morphological studies by demonstrating disruption across vestibular pathways with otolith-mediated …

2020-November-23-Alabama Snake, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 23, 2020) – “Serpent Handling and Religious Expression,” a discussion between Drs. Thomas Burton and Ron Roach of East Tennessee State University, will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.

Hosted by the ETSU Archives of Appalachia, the discussion will center on Burton’s research into the religious rituals and practices of southern Appalachia, particularly of “signs following” Holiness Pentecostal churches. A portion of Burton’s research is featured in the upcoming documentary, “Alabama Snake,” which will premiere on HBO on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Some segments of the HBO interview with Burton were filmed on …

2020-November-20-College Of Nursing Student Selected For Rural Health Fellows Program, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 20, 2020)  – Courtney Vance Burgin, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) student at East Tennessee State University’s College of Nursing, is one of only 16 people in the country selected for the National Rural Health Association’s 2021 Rural Health Fellows program.

After a competitive review process, 16 fellows were selected to participate in this yearlong, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

“As the only representative from the state of Tennessee, I am very excited to be working with people from rural areas across America,” said …

2020-November-20-Community Health Centers Welcome New Members Of Leadership Team, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Dr. Andrea Erb and Dr. Nicole Mancini

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 20, 2020)  – East Tennessee State University’s Community Health Centers, managed by the College of Nursing, welcomed Dr. Andrea Erb and Dr. Nicole M. Mancini to the leadership team this fall.

Erb was appointed pharmacy director and began her new role on Sept. 1. Under the guidance of the executive director of the Community Health Centers, Erb is responsible for the pharmacy operations at the ETSU Charitable Pharmacy. Her role includes patient care as well as administrative tasks of the pharmacy.

“Our pharmacy team serves patients of the Community Health …

2020-November-19-Quillen College Of Medicine Students Planning Fun Runwalk Fundraiser, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 19, 2020)  – The Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine is hosting a virtual 5K fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 28, to benefit the Willow Unit at Woodridge Hospital.

“For the past 10 years, OSR has hosted a chili cook-off fundraiser event for the Willow Unit at Woodridge,” said first-year medical student and OSR representative Monika Jain. “Due to COVID-19, this year we planned a virtual event that promotes good health and still allows us to continue this tradition.”

Registration for the virtual 5K is $5 per person, and registration …

2020-November-18-New Traditional Music Minors, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 18, 2020) – Two new minors and new coursework are now available in the Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Studies program in East Tennessee State University’s Department of Appalachian Studies.

In addition to majoring in bluegrass, old-time and country music, students can now minor in old-time music and in Scottish and Irish music.

New minors in old-time, Scottish and Irish music

New classes in these genres offer unique, hands-on experiences for students to learn the music of their choice while immersing themselves in the culture that surrounds the music. Classes are now offered in fieldwork, archives and …

2020-November-18-Virtual Womens Entrepreneurship Day Summit, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 18, 2020) – The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at East Tennessee State University and the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) will hold a Virtual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Summit on Thursday, Nov. 19, featuring keynote speaker Tammy Hawes, an ETSU alumna and founder and CEO of Virsys12, an awarding-winning Salesforce Gold Consulting Partner. 

The virtual summit is free to attend and the Zoom webinar begins at 11 a.m. The purpose of the Virtual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Summit is to help women entrepreneurs discover resources and tools to make better business decisions and …

2020 November 17 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

2020-November-17-Town Hall Virtual Resilience, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 17, 2020) – “Cameras On versus Cameras Off: Virtual Resilience in the Appalachian Highlands” is the focus of the inaugural Town Hall sponsored by the ETSU Ballad Health Strong BRAIN Institute (SBI).

The SBI facilitates the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices that prevent, reduce and mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and health disparities. It also strives to inform the citizens and workforce of the Appalachian Highlands region on the importance of being resilience-informed.

This free public discussion will be held Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Those wishing …

2020-November-16-Etsu Student Organizations Sponsoring Ppe Collection Drive, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 16, 2020)  – Several student organizations at East Tennessee State University are sponsoring a collection drive for personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene products now through Friday, Nov. 20.

Students are collecting hand sanitizer, masks, face shield, gloves, and other PPE/hygiene products in donation bins on campus. The bins are located on the first floor of Sherrod Library and the D.P. Culp Student Center in the Starbucks common area and near the elevators on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The donations will benefit Hermitage Health and Rehabilitation Center.

“We are hosting this event to try and give …