Digital Commons Network^™

2023-December-06-Holiday Sales Are Tough To Resist. Etsu Asks Why.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Retailers – especially this time of year – excel at causing problems.

“By this,” said Dr. Kelly Price-Rhea, “I mean they present the consumer with a problem the consumer didn’t know they had.”

Price-Rhea, an associate professor and director of the online Digital Marketing Program at East Tennessee State University, has spent her professional career researching consumer behavior, the ethics of digital marketing and more.

And with the shopping season upon us, it is useful to understand why so many of the holiday sales you encounter are so difficult to resist.

“Retailers know how to pique our interest,” said Price-Rhea, …

2023-December-06-International Student Success At Etsu.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Over 400 international students call East Tennessee State University home. For over 100 years, students from around the world have moved to the region to attend ETSU. Recently, ETSU took a new step forward in supporting these students through the creation of the new International Enrollment and Services Office. The launch of this office demonstrates ETSU’s investment and support for international students on-campus and helping students from around the world reach their educational and career goals. Previously, these efforts were spread out across multiple offices on campus. Now, they have been consolidated to provide increased levels of support to …

2023-December-06-Etsu Students Dazzle In Research Competition.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Dravet Syndrome is a rare but deeply serious form of epilepsy that begins in a child’s first year of life.

Those who suffer from it are at an especially high risk of developing a complication of epilepsy disorders known as SUDEP, short for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.

An East Tennessee State University graduate student is part of the important research aimed at better understanding this devastating illness.

For her efforts, Jessa Leigh Aldridge won first place in ETSU’s Fall 2023 3MT® Competition, an effort that helps graduate students hone their academic, presentation and communication skills.

The gist: Students must …

2023-December-06-A Campus Committed To The Community, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

ETSU is committed to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities to make a real-world impact.

Earlier this week, East Tennessee State University achieved a significant milestone. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to reaffirm our university’s accreditation with no findings or recommendations. This action signifies that one of the most stringent accrediting bodies in the nation not only gave ETSU its continued endorsement but did so without listing a single concern or recommendation for improvement. In short, it was a glowing review.  

ETSU must undergo the reaffirmation process every ten years to ensure that …

2023-December-06-Campus Conversations Health And Wellness, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

In this episode of campus conversations, President Noland speaks with Dr. Alison Davis and Halie Darby about the importance of managing our health and well-being and the resources ETSU offers to help us do so.

2023-December-05-Emeritus Etsu Professor Authors Textbook On Hematology.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Whether at home or abroad, East Tennessee State University’s commitment to advancing understanding in complex areas of medical research is embodied by its faculty.

And when it comes to the field of hematology, Dr. Koyamangalath Krishnan is doing exactly that. Earlier this year, Krishnan, a professor emeritus with East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine, recently authored a textbook on hematology for the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), in Chandigarh, India. It serves as a dedication to the founding hematology faculty at PGIMER.

Krishnan, an alum of PGIMER, served as the editor-in-chief of the multi-author publication …

Office Of Equity And Inclusion Newsletter - December 2023, Office Of Equity And Inclusion, East Tennessee State University

Office of Equity and Inclusion Newsletters

No abstract provided.

2023-December-04-2023 Annual Etsu Holiday Lighting Ceremony, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

The 2023 holiday lights will be turned on Monday, Nov. 13 in a special ceremony in Alumni Plaza in front of Burgin Dossett Hall.

East Tennessee State University illuminiated the campus at the annual holiday lights ceremony on Monday, Nov. 13, at 5:45 p.m. at ETSU’s Alumni Plaza.

Festivities included live music by the ETSU Jazz Ensemble, a movie, free hot cocoa, cookies and more.

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East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Readiness For Integrated Behavioral Health Services Among Primary Care Providers In East Tennessee, Baylee Rose

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Individuals in rural areas tend to face unique barriers to accessing mental health care. One possible solution to make mental health services more accessible could be to integrate behavioral healthcare providers into primary care practices. However, the successful integration of behavioral health services into rural primary care is likely reliant on the knowledge, attitudes, and readiness of the primary care practice to initiate the process of integration. The current study aims to describe knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to adopt integrated behavioral health services among primary care providers in rural South-Central Appalachia and to examine how providers’ knowledge and attitudes …

Food As A Literary Device In The Hunger Games: World Building, Characterization, And Plot Momentum, Linzee Mitchell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food relates to the experience of life, survival, and memory. It impacts us every day, whether we have plenty of it or not. It influences our memories and connects us to one another, while structuring details of our identities and cultures. As a creative writer and English major, I recognize that food influences a story to accentuate literary concepts and unveil them, such as a character’s compassion or the poison that a villain uses to unfold the plot. The best example of food as an impactful device within a story is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. From the first …

Irs Modernization – Preparing Clients, Shelby Follis, Michelle S. Freeman

ETSU Faculty Works

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) procedures seem to be outdated due to a lack of technology. On a good day, one can call the IRS and only wait on hold for an hour or two before speaking to an agent who may request a form be faxed. A tax professional may have spent half their workday by the time the situation is resolved or a plan of action has been established. It is no secret the IRS has had many setbacks the past 10 years including budget cuts, employment drops and workload increases. The budget declined by 17% from 2010 to …

2023-December-01-Why I Teach- Dr. Sharon Bigger, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

This episode features Dr. Sharon Bigger, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing. Dr. Bigger is a career hospice nurse and former medical interpreter who uses the lessons she has learned with her patients and her research to inspire our undergraduate and graduate students in the classroom and in their research endeavors. 

2023-December-01-The Borchuck Plaza Fountain, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Explore the rich history of ETSU's Borchuck Plaza. Learn more about the inspiring story of the trailblazing African American students, including Mr. George Nichols, who integrated the university and whose names are inscribed on the plaza wall -- and about plans for a new fountain to be dedicated in honor of their enduring legacy at ETSU. Mr. Nichols was also one of the first Black members of ETSU's storied ROTC program. 

2023-December-01-Why I Teach- Dr. Joshua Reid, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

In this episode, Dr. Josh Reid, Associate Professor of English, talks about how he engages his students with classical and early modern literature. He also shares his favorite books of the year.

Art And Interdisciplinary Opportunities For Literacy Instruction: A Qualitative Study To Examine Educator Perceptions In The Rural Setting, Courtney Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine educator perceptions of teaching art and implementing literacy and interdisciplinary strategies in rural northeast Tennessee school districts. This study explored interdisciplinary connections and opportunities to expand access to literacy acquisition in the art room. Participants included twelve educators who served as art instructors, literacy specialists, and district supervisors in rural public-school systems in Tennessee's First Congressional District. Data were collected through virtual interviews using a semi-structured format. To qualify for the study participants held positions as elementary or secondary art teachers, literacy specialists, or district supervisors in rural northeast Tennessee …

Perceptions Of Educators On Motivational Strategies Influencing Middle School Students In Mathematics Courses, Amy Rigsby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined educators' perceptions of motivational strategies influencing and motivating middle school students to comprehend and perform in mathematics courses. This study used interview data from 15 participants with 2 to 30 years of teaching experience. Educators may utilize this information in multiple settings within the classroom to influence and motivate students in mathematics courses.

Data collection strategies included one-on-one semi-structured middle school educator interviews. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) categorization of data under the five organizational factors, (b) building the explanation in narrative form, and (c) re-examination of the data. The analysis of the …

Synthesis Of Bacterial Glycerophospholipids For Biomembrane Model Studies: A Means To Advanced Biofuels, Felix Adulley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, sustainable biofuels are being pursued, especially advanced biofuels like 1-butanol that have higher energy content and greater compatibility with existing infrastructure than ethanol. A persistent challenge is the yield-limiting toxicity of biofuels and process solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, to the microbes that ferment biomass into biofuel. The cell membrane is a focal point of toxicity, and understanding how it interacts with fuels and solvents is key to improving yield. Phospholipid bilayers are the core of biomembranes, and model biomembranes of defined composition provide the ideal platform for biophysical studies. To this end, glycerophospholipids characteristic …

Once Upon Online: Conversations With Professional Storytellers About Adapting From In-Person To Virtual Storytelling Performance, Leticia Pizzino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how professional storytellers negotiated a new storytelling stage—the videoconference platform—as they pivoted their careers during mandated shutdowns due to COVID-19. An examination of the literature reveals extremely limited research involving either professional storytellers or live virtual storytelling. After interviewing five professional storytellers, I analyzed their stories through narrative inquiry. Analysis revealed that the storytellers negotiated the limitations and affordances of Zoom and adapted their storytelling to successfully connect with their audiences. Through crafting a narrative of their stories, I was able to represent their emotions, unique experiences, and abilities to adapt to the online environment. Their stories …

Strategic Blended Learning: 9-12 Teacher Perceptions Of Digital Engagement Post Covid-19, Brandon D. Weaver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined teacher perceptions on the relationship between technology, student academic behaviors, and performance in blended 9^th-12^th grade settings through pre-COVID-19 Pandemic and post-COVID-19 Pandemic learning experiences. This replicate study explored the relationship between teacher perceptions of student motivation and student autonomy and their relation to technology implementation in face-to-face instruction and blended learning environments. Particularly, this study analyzed how student motivation and student autonomy were affected by blended learning technologies and teaching strategies introduced after the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Data were examined to investigate teacher perceptions on the relationship between technology, student …

Intestinal Microbiome, Fecal Fermentation Profile, And Health Indices In Hiv Infected Men Versus Non-Infected Controls, Mary Andreae, Mary C. Andreae Mrs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many HIV-positive (HIV+) males on Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) experience metabolic abnormalities, including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and lipodystrophy. The intestinal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFA), participate in bidirectional communication with their host. Dysbiosis in HIV+ males on HAART demonstrate a Prevotella-rich enterotype shaped by multiple factors including, medications, adiposity, diet, intestinal permeability, and lifestyle; our objective was to investigate these factors. 19 HIV+ and 21 HIV- males were enrolled. BMI and hip-to-waist ratio (H:W) were obtained, and FibroScan for liver health. Intestinal permeability markers Claudin-21, flagellin, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) in …

School Nurses And The Sexual Health And Education Of Public-School Students In Tennessee, Amy Wake

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tennesseans have been experiencing increasing rates of sexually transmitted diseases since the year 2000. Those rates are highest among those 15- to 24-year-olds. At the same time, Tennessee policy requires the teaching of abstinence as the primary form of sexual health education and emphasized the use of abstinence-only curriculum. The school nurse represents an available resource in the Tennessee public schools. The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore, describe, and interpret the perceptions and experiences of public-school nurses from rural, suburban, and urban areas of Tennessee related to the sexual health and sexual health education of students. School …

What Discrimination? Christian Microaggression Rhetoric Against Nontheists, Nicole Dolfi Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theories of microaggressions have been used in the last decade as a framework for studying subtle forms of discrimination against racial minorities and other marginalized groups. However, there is a dearth of research on the scope and types of microaggressions nontheists face. This qualitative study examines microaggressions against nontheists by interviewing 16 religious Christians on their experiences and opinions of the discrimination Christians and nontheists face. The narratives were analyzed for thematic patterns between the rhetoric used and the type of microaggressions employed. The study revealed nine categories of microaggressions. The findings also showed how experiences of discrimination, political viewpoint, …

Community College Students' Perceptions Of Sense Of Community And Instructor Presence In The Online Classroom, Marla Cartwright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental, comparative, quantitative study was to determine if there were significant differences between the perceptions of male and female community college students about the importance of sense of community (SoC) in online classes and sense of instructor presence (IP) at eight southern, public, community colleges using survey data. It was the intent of the study to determine if there were significant relationships of students’ perceptions of the presence of sense of community in online classes among factors of age, race, grade point average, cumulative credit hours, credential type, major area of study, and number of previous …

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Alternatives To Suspension In Virginia Urban Public Schools, Hayley Poland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of the use of alternatives to suspension of high school administrators in Virginia urban public schools. The phenomenological research design allowed better understanding of the participant’s view and perception of their use of alternatives to suspension. While there is research focusing on the use of alternatives to suspension, there has been little research in Virginia urban public schools on the perceptions of administrators on the use of alternatives to suspension. The framework this research study utilized to focus the data analysis was Social Learning Theory.

Data collection strategies included …

Papa Was A Missing Stone: An Exploration Into The Lived Experiences Of Father-Absent African American Women, Jamila Jordan Moody

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of adult father-absent African American women to extrapolate from their stories the meaning they attached to the experience and to hear in their own words how they perceived the absence of their father shaped their lives and affected them socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and educationally. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom audio-conferencing with adult African American women who ranged in age from 20-62 years of age living in various parts of the U.S. The findings of this study revealed that father-daughter relationship bonds held a special meaning to each participant as most …

Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake In The Hispanic And Latinx Communities Of Northeast Tennessee, Gabriela Abrego

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses the underlying issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Hispanic and Latinx communities in the Northeast region of Tennessee. A qualitative, phenomenological research approach was used to conduct interviews and data from the interviews was used to inform a survey instrument. The interview guide in the qualitative phase of the study was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) developed by Rosenstock (Rosenstock, 1974). A quantitative approach was then used by piloting the survey instrument in the study population. Common themes found through the interviews were: previous negative experience with COVID-19 vaccination, previous negative experience as a result …

Educators’ Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Instructional Practices In One Northeast Tennessee School District, Alecia Burleson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions of classroom-level educators regarding the application of trauma-informed instructional practices. This was achieved by evaluating educators' understanding of the influence of trauma on students, their level of familiarity with trauma-informed instructional practices, and their assessments of the effectiveness of these practices. Trauma refers to an individual's response to a single traumatic incident, a succession of traumatic events, or extended exposure to a traumatic event (SAMHSA, 2014). As awareness of the prevalence of childhood trauma has increased, it is acknowledged as a serious public health issue (Lang et al., …

The Experiences Of Students During Covid-19 School Disruptions, Brandi Bullock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of educators with respect to student experiences between March 2020 and February 2021 related to academics, social-emotional health, and safety and security. Data collection strategies included one-on-one interviews with 12 educators in one East Tennessee school district. To qualify for the study, participants had to have taught during COVID-19 schooling disruptions and have taught either 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade in the 2022-23 school year. Data analysis was based on Systems Theory (Laszlo & Krippner, 1998) and Change Theory (Fullan, 2020). The results revealed 5 key themes that …

Assessing Virtual Versus In-Person Experiential Learning And Medical High-Fidelity Simulation In Medical Student Pediatric Clerkship Training, Andrew Mitchell Berry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Simulation and experiential training have been incorporated into medical school training for decades. The utilization of medical simulations has become an invaluable tool in healthcare education and training. However, circumstances such as limited resources, geographical constraints, or global health crises may hinder the feasibility of conducting in-person medical simulations. In these scenarios, virtual medical simulations emerge as a compelling alternative. While there are many ways to accomplish experiential-based learning, many faculty and students feel Socratic learning styles provide the best learning experience.

As medical students had just finished a predominantly virtual preclinical year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the research …

Enhanced Content-Based Fake News Detection Methods With Context-Labeled News Sources, Duncan Arnfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work examined the relative effectiveness of multilayer perceptron, random forest, and multinomial naïve Bayes classifiers, trained using bag of words and term frequency-inverse dense frequency transformations of documents in the Fake News Corpus and Fake and Real News Dataset. The goal of this work was to help meet the formidable challenges posed by proliferation of fake news to society, including the erosion of public trust, disruption of social harmony, and endangerment of lives. This training included the use of context-categorized fake news in an effort to enhance the tools’ effectiveness. It was found that term frequency-inverse dense frequency provided …