Digital Commons Network^™

Mark & Gesture, William E. Pugh

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This paper explores the development of my painting and printmaking practice through the lens of process, artistic influence, and creative community. At the heart of my work is a dedication to mark-making in printmaking and painting as gesture and authorship and as a visual language shaped by process, scale, layering, and texture. My work is influenced by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Wayne Thiebaud, and Peter Max, as well as by my personal history with music. The paper reflects on how process, interdisciplinary influence, and artistic dialogue shape a practice rooted in both personal exploration and discovery.

The Influence Of Trustee Orientation On Endowment Performance, Seth Walker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between trustee orientation and endowment performance at higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United States. Trustees play a vital fiduciary role in managing institutional endowments, which have become increasingly essential due to declining public funding and rising operational costs. Despite trustees’ critical responsibilities, limited research exists on how orientation practices may influence their effectiveness in endowment oversight. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to develop an instrument to assess the scope and quality of trustee orientation processes and then to compare the results of that scale to ratings on the 2022 NACUBO-TIAA Study of …

Conference Program 2025, Georgia Southern University

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

2025 Program

Dna Methylation Variation In Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Adamanteus) On A Georgia Barrier Island, Megan Hoog

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus, EDB) is the largest rattlesnake in the world and is thought to be declining in many portions of its range. Genetic venom studies in the Southeast United States have shown evidence of fine-scale differences within two main geographic groups on Jekyll Island. My objective is to expand on this finding to determine if epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation, varies among different populations of EDB in similar environments, age classes, and sexes. I collected EDB blood samples through a partnership with the Jekyll Island Authority and screened 44 individuals for epigenetic variation from …

Proceedings Of The Sixteenth Annual Meeting Of The Georgia Association Of Mathematics Teacher Educators Front Matter

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

Contents of 16th Annual GAMTE Proceedings Front Matter:

• Officers of GAMTE
• Reviewers
• Copyright & Licensing Terms
• Purposes and Goals of GAMTE
• Conference Schedule
• Table of Contents

Supporting Special Education Teachers Pursuing Board Certification In Behavior Analysis With Quality Supervision, Kathleen M. Randolph, Larry Fisher

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

The principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education are more alike than different, yet special education teachers encounter difficulties finding fieldwork supervision to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s requirements. Special education teachers spend much of their time consulting with general education teachers to support and change student behavior, observing students in classrooms to identify target behaviors, collecting data to identify the underlying function of behavior to develop high-quality functional behavior assessments, and creating behavior intervention plans using evidence-based practices to promote socially significant behavior for students with challenging behaviors in the school setting. While most Board Certified Behavior …

The New Normal: Breaking Down Paradoxical Changes, Potentially Getting Rid Of Specific Viral Transmission Seasons, And Why You Should Care, Dorothy Seybold, Atin Adhikari

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Ranking Of Non-Destructive Testing Methods For Ductile Iron Castings For Industry 4.0, Michael W. Jones

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Non-destructive testing techniques provide a unique solution to provide quality assurance of parts rapidly and efficiently without altering the functional properties of the workpiece. The metal casting industry requires an elevated level of quality assurance, as castings are critical components to several industries. The wrong selection of non-destructive testing methods could increase production costs, quality costs, and potentially permit non-conforming castings to enter the market. The aim of this research is to develop a ranking model for non-destructive testing techniques for ductile iron castings within the context of the fourth industrial revolution. The ranking model analyzes the effectiveness of the …

Evaluating Impacts Of Footpaths On Resiliency Of Restored Dunes At Tybee Island, Georgia, Skyler J. Fox

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Sand dunes provide critical ecosystem services including storm protection by acting as natural barriers. However, these systems are threatened by human disturbance, particularly pedestrian traffic occurring at footpaths that damages dune vegetation. Vegetation is essential to dune growth and stability, as dune plants trap and bind sand. When trampled, dunes become more vulnerable to erosion and less effective at providing coastal protection. On Tybee Island, Georgia—a popular tourist destination—a vegetated dune was constructed in 2020 to enhance storm protection. This study assessed how footpaths impact dune resiliency and aimed to inform management strategies. I evaluated: (1) how characteristics of vegetation, …

Teaching Cuba In Georgia Today, Eric Kartchner

The Coastal Review

This essay details a college professor's approach to teaching a course on Cuban history and culture. The professor's pedagogical choices were influenced by Ada Ferrer's book, Cuba: An American History, and José Antonio Bowen's work on fostering independent thinking. The syllabus covered pre-Columbian Cuba, Spanish rule, the wars of independence, the Castro era, and significant cultural aspects like music and religion. The course emphasized multiple perspectives and encouraged student-led research, challenging preconceived notions about Cuba's complex relationship with the United States. The professor aimed to promote critical thinking and understanding through student-driven inquiry.

Examining Our Practice: Engaging In A Faculty Learning Community To Enhance An Online Graduate Program, Regina Rahimi, Lina Soares, Hui Jin

Middle Grades & Secondary Education: Faculty Publications

This research report details a faculty learning community (FLC) developed by three faculty teaching in a graduate program in a mid-size southern university. The purpose of the research was to engage in the study of best practices for online graduate courses by engaging in collaborative discussions on common texts related to improving the teaching and learning experience. Specifically, the faculty engaged in common readings on “small teaching practices” and reflected on the knowledge gleaned and how it related to current online teaching practices (Darby & Lang, 2019; Lang, 2016). The study further explored how an FLC helped higher education instructors …

2025 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

SoTL Commons Conference

2025 Conference Program

Georgia Southern Magazine, Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern Magazine

• News and Events
• True Blue Spotlight
• Farewell to Freedom
• Eagles in Education
• Can't Put a Number on Wonder
• University News
• Research and Creativity
• Athletics
• Alumni and Friends
• Support
• In Memoriam

Comparing Social Media Platforms For Recruiting Special Education Teachers In A High-Need Area, Eric Landers, Caitlin Criss, Kathryn L. Haughney, Cynthia C. Massey, Stephanie Devine, Karin Fisher

Georgia Educational Researcher

New pathways are needed to recruit high-quality special education graduates to meet the urgent teacher shortage. As a result, the researchers were awarded a grant from the CEEDAR Technical Assistance Center at the University of Florida to conduct a pilot study on special education teacher recruitment. The pilot study examined the correlation of geofencing social media targeting with applications received for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in the Southeastern U.S. Three groups were targeted (a) likely to have a bachelor’s degree, (b) likely to be associated with a targeted postal code, or (c) teacher candidates with a …

Examining Our Practice: Engaging In A Faculty Learning Community To Enhance An Online Graduate Program, Regina Rahimi, Lina B. Soares, Hui Jin

Georgia Educational Researcher

This research report details a faculty learning community (FLC) developed by three faculty teaching in a graduate program in a mid-size southern university. The purpose of the research was to engage in the study of best practices for online graduate courses by engaging in collaborative discussions on common texts related to improving the teaching and learning experience. Specifically, the faculty engaged in common readings on “small teaching practices” and reflected on the knowledge gleaned and how it related to current online teaching practices (Darby & Lang, 2019; Lang, 2016). The study further explored how an FLC helped higher education instructors …

2024 Georgia Southern University Softball Media Guide, Georgia Southern University

Women's Softball Records

No abstract provided.

Navigating Challenges In Teacher Preparation: Case Studies In Practice And Innovation, Kathleen M. Randolph

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

No abstract provided.

A Tale Of Two Educators: An Observational Case Study, Victoria Vanuitert, Lauren Zepp, Jennifer Malone, Stacy Mcguire, Alexandra Newson, Gwendolyn K. Deger, Shannon Core

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

Increasing numbers of disabled and neurodivergent students are enrolling in postsecondary institutions, including teacher preparation programs. Although teacher educators strive to prepare their students to use strategies and provide support effectively in their future classrooms, many of these educators need tools to offer comparable services to disabled and neurodivergent preservice teachers. Specifically, disabled and neurodivergent preservice teachers have reported barriers to disclosing their disabilities and receiving access to needed accommodations. Instead, they report feeling scrutinized as to whether they are capable of being teachers due to their disability. These experiences seem to be especially pronounced during their teaching placement, and …

Applying The Lagrangian Variational Method To Atom Interferometry, Jeffrey W. Heward

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Atom interferometry in Bose-Einstein condensate systems has emerged as a promising technique for precision metrology. The dynamics of these systems are well-described by the Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE), but direct numerical solution of this equation is infeasible for realistic systems. We use the Lagrangian Variational Method (LVM) to approximate solutions of the GPE in 1D and 3D, and we compare the LVM results to the exact solutions. We also present 3D LVM results for a case where numerical solution of the GPE is infeasible.

Assessing The Impact Of Environmental Health Risk Communication On Cancer Screening Intentions Among Private Well Owners In Rural Communities, Victoria A. Clower

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death in Georgia, with rising incidence in rural counties where many residents rely on unregulated private wells. These wells may contain contaminants such as radon, lead, nitrate, and arsenic, all linked to increased cancer risk. Limited research has explored how environmental exposure awareness influences cancer prevention behaviors such as screening. Guided by the Champion Health Belief Model, this study examined psychosocial and environmental predictors of screening intent among private well owners. Methods: Well Aware was an 11-week quasi-experimental study among 60 private well owners in southeast Georgia. Participants who attended educational listening sessions …

Reflections On Crafting A Framework Companion Document For And By Science And Technology Librarians, Dawn Cannon-Rech, Allison B. Brungard, Rachel Hamelers, Rebecca Kuglitsch, Rebecca Renirie

University Libraries: Faculty Publications

Abstract unavailable.

Willa And Nicole: An Observational Case On Preparing Future Special Educators To Adapt To And Thrive In Diverse Communities, Tiara S. Brown, Benjamin Riden

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

As teacher educators prepare preservice teachers for careers in a wide range of geographic and political contexts, they face the challenge of equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in diverse classrooms across the United States. Future special educators may be entering school systems that are influenced by varying political climates and policies, ranging from more progressive regions to those with more conservative approaches to education. This observation-based case examines two preservice teachers from diverse backgrounds and explores their perceptions on pressing educational issues and feelings about their preparation program. It also discusses how teacher preparation programs …

Bridging Theory And Practice: The Power Of A Mathematics Clinic In Teacher Preparation, Kelly A. Clark, Chrystal O. Dean, Josie Barnes, Hadley Seifert, Lauren Young

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the National Council on Teaching Mathematics (NCTM) released a joint statement on the importance of preparing special education teachers to teach mathematics (NCTM & CEC, 2024). They provided implications for institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, one of which included requiring special education majors to take a minimum of one mathematics course with mathematics content directed specifically to PK-12 mathematics and include field-based learning opportunities within that course. Powell (2015) indicated that effective preparation in mathematics related to special education should include multiple facets, including planned field experiences. Planned field experiences …

Partnering With Comprehensive Transition Programs To Increase Preservice Teacher Internship Opportunities, Kelly B. Kearney, Brianna J. Miller, Kaley Adams

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

This case study examines collaborative partnerships between comprehensive transition programs and special education departments. It highlights the value of preservice teacher internship placements, which offer critical opportunities for interns to observe experienced educators demonstrate essential skills for student success. Through these placements, preservice teachers gain exposure to innovative teaching methods and adaptive technologies commonly used in comprehensive transition programs, broadening their toolkits for supporting students of all ages with of varying exceptionalities. By cultivating partnerships between comprehensive transition programs and special education departments, preservice teachers gain access to strong role models, enhancing professional growth and preparing them for successful careers. …

Rise Above: Supporting Teacher Candidates With Autism Through Specialized Coaching, Allison N. Oliver

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

This case study examines the impact of specialized coaching support for preservice special education teachers with autism during their senior year of their teacher preparation program with specific focus on practicum and student teaching placements. The study involved two undergraduate students, ages 21 and 20, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, who were in their final year of a special education licensure program at a university in a rural area in the Midsouth region of the United States. Both participants had disclosed their disability status and requested accommodations through university services. The coaching process evolved through four distinct phases over two …

2025 Georgia Southern University Women's Soccer Media Guide, Georgia Southern University

Women's Soccer Records

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Glass Ceiling: Career Advancement Strategies For Mid-Level Women In Student Affairs, Jalonda N. Thompson

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature on the push and pull factors that influence women’s choices to either opt in or opt out of career advancement in student affairs (Coetzee & Moosa, 2020; Harman & Sealy, 2017). Women, specifically Black women, are underrepresented in Senior Student Affairs Officer (SSAO) positions in higher education (American Council of Education, 2024). As the demographics of the United States (US) change, student affairs is at a critical point to foster an inclusive learning environment that reflects the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the US (Lopez, 2006). …

2024-2025 Georgia Southern University Women's Rifle Statistics, Georgia Southern University

Women's Rifle Records

No abstract provided.

Perceived Credibility Of Allegations Of Sexual Assault Across Victim Race And Mental Health History, Liyah C. Morgan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Previous research examined the effect of victim gender and rape myth acceptance (RMA) on perceptions of victim credibility; however, little attention has been given to the impact of victim race and mental health history, and even fewer studies have explored the intersection of these two identities. The primary purpose of the current study was to identify factors affecting understanding of perceived credibility of victims of sexual assault, specifically in terms of victim race and mental health history. The study also examined the role of RMA on perceptions of credibility and explored participant attitudes related to color-blind racial attitudes and mental …

Impact Of Costume And Rape Myths On Perceptions Of The Need For Consent In Interactions With Cosplayers, Kiana Monique Perez-Jimenez

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research on fandom communities is relatively understudied. Specifically, perceptions surrounding consent, rape myth acceptance, and other factors such as gatekeeping attitudes and experiences with discrimination are understudied and undertheorized (Hale, 2014). Historically, sexual harassment has been a pervasive issue in spaces like video gaming communities, especially toward women (Barak, 2005). It is important to further investigate these behaviors in different areas, such as conventions (i.e., cons), because, like in video gaming communities, sexual harassment has been an ongoing issue in con spaces (Zarin, 2017). The current study addressed how cosplayers' dress impacts key aspects of sexual harassment, including perceptions of …