Digital Commons Network^™

The Mosaic, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

Navigating The Generative Ai Wave: Ai Literacy Instruction In Academic Libraries Today, Lili Li, Kay G. Coates

University Libraries: Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Infant Birth Weight In Georgia: An Analysis Of The Prams 2016–2020 Study, Purbasha Biswas, Jing Kersey

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

The Georgia PRAMS 2016–2020 data were used to assess whether maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with infant birth weight among singleton live births while accounting for key sociodemographic factors. Birth weight recorded in 250-gram midpoints was converted to a continuous gram measure and analyzed with maternal smoking status, age group, education, and marital status. A complete-case strategy was used because missingness was < 10%, yielding an analytic sample of 3,175 observations. We fit an ordinary least squares multiple linear regression with categorical predictors represented by indicator variables. After adjustment, infants born to non-smoking mothers weighed, on average, 163.5 g more than infants born to mothers who smoked (SE=66.2; p = 0.0136). Infants of mothers who were not married weighed 150.4 g less than those of married mothers (SE=30.9; p < 0.001). The maternal age group was not statistically significant in the adjusted model. Education showed a non-monotone pattern, with one notable contrast indicating lower birth weight for 12 years of education compared with 0–8 years (mean=−190.3 g; SE=76.3; p = 0.0127), suggesting education may be acting as a proxy for heterogeneous social, behavioral, and healthcare pathways rather than a purely linear gradient. Model diagnostics indicated acceptable linear model assumptions and minimal multicollinearity (adjusted variance Inflation Factor (VIF) near 1), though the overall explained variance was modest (R² ≈ 0.02). These findings are consistent with fetal growth restriction linked to prenatal tobacco exposure and broader social disadvantage. From a public health perspective, even modest average shifts in birth weight can meaningfully affect the population burden of low birth weight. Results support reinforcing prenatal smoking-cessation interventions and pairing them with strategies that address upstream determinants (e.g., stress, support, and access to care). Future work should incorporate survey weights and additional clinical covariates (gestational age, parity, comorbidities, prenatal care) to strengthen causal and population-level inference.

Optimal Control Analysis Of Mob Dynamics Using Generation Z Youtube Channel Behavior, Tahidu Alhassan

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Digital media communication technologies have changed how people organize and act together. During the Generation Z event, social media platforms (e.g., X, YouTube, Facebook) played a major role in spreading information and mobilizing collective actions online and offline. In this work, we modified a mathematical dynamic model of the social media mob using an optimal control technique to adjust the rate of spread in response to social interactions. We examined the susceptible-quarantined-counter-infective-recovered (SQCIR) epidemiology model on a YouTube dataset covering Gen-Z data spread in Nepal from 8 to 13 September 2025. Using high-temporal-resolution real-world social media data will help to …

Assessment Of Airborne Cultural Fungi Indoors And Outdoors In A Rural Veterinary Clinic, Elena Ortez, Oluwatosin Jegede, Dorothy Seybold, Daeshjea Mcgee, Atin Adhikari, Ally Holmes

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Background and Objectives: Veterinary clinics can inadvertently release and propagate bacteria through several mechanisms, primarily due to contaminated surfaces, insufficient cleaning protocols, and, in some instances, direct transmission from infected animals or staff. Given that these clinics are high-traffic environments, they can serve as hotspots for clinic-acquired infections if rigorous hygiene practices are not upheld. This study evaluated airborne bacterial concentrations in different areas of a veterinary clinic compared to outdoor ambient air by calculating the indoor-to-outdoor ratios.

Methods: Airborne culturable bacterial samples were collected using a Biostage Impactor across eight internal zones including waiting areas, treatment rooms, and wards …

A Balaam-Modified Approach To Largo-Like Parkinson’S Trials: Efficient Estimation Of Rasagiline Effects Under Motor Fluctuations, Purbasha Biswas, Jing X. Kersey, Karl E. Peace

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

The LARGO trial established rasagiline (1 mg/day) as an effective adjunct to levodopa in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations, demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in daily “off-time” (poor or absent motor function) and improvements in Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)/Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) endpoints compared with placebo. Building on this evidence base, we propose a design strategy that re-uses LARGO-like assumptions while improving statistical efficiency for future PD evaluations of rasagiline versus placebo. Methodologically, we leverage key results emphasizing the Balaam 4-sequence, 2-period design (AA, AB, BA, BB). Under the standard crossover model with direct and carryover effects, …

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 …

The Role Of Mentorship In Reducing Burnout In New Nurses And Nursing Students, Omari Andry

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Burnout among new nurses and nursing students is a consistent issue affecting the healthcare system by adding to early career turnover, emotional exhaustion, and decreased quality of patient care. Structured mentorship programs have emerged as a promising intervention to alleviate burnout by giving emotional support, professional development, and coping strategies. This proposal explores the role of mentorship in reducing burnout symptoms, improving job satisfaction, and promoting emotional resilience among new nurses and nursing students alike. Based on existing scholarly articles, the project will investigate how structured versus informal mentorship affects burnout rates, the qualities of effective mentors, and the outcomes …

Exploring The Changes In First-Year Students’ Self-Regulated Learning From High School To College, Nancy E. Rodriguez, Anna C. Brady

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

During the first semester of college, students experience drastic changes in their independence, and learning strategies. This transitional period from high school to the first semester of college requires researchers to understand students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) processes during their first year. It is important to understand the connection between students’ experiences, learning strategies, and persistence in college. Knowledge on this connection can support funding for institutional resources like first-year seminar classes. These classes can improve students’ commitment for graduating on time, and academic achievement. For this reason, the proposed project aims to investigate students’ engagement in SRL by answering the …

Honoring Survivors’ Wholeness: Recommendations For University Offices Of Wellness, Maeve Jillian King

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Rates of child abuse are nationally significant, especially after considering how much violence goes unreported. Many college students have experienced sexual violence prior to arriving on campus, where incidents of sexual victimization are prominent. With this in mind, how can university offices of wellness support survivors wherever they are in their journey of survivorship? Previous research rarely considers both realities of victimization, but displays large concerns surrounding survivor’s mental health and educational obtainment. Additionally peer and social support play significant roles in survivor outcomes. This interdisciplinary literature review examines current university practices, mental health realities, and impacts of culture on …

Predicting Diabetes Using Logistic Regression: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The Pima Indians Diabetes Dataset, Caroline Andrew, Ibrahim Aliu

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Introduction: Globally, Diabetes affects an estimated 589 million adults and caused approximately 3.4 million deaths equivalent to one death every six seconds, with type 2 diabetes accounting for most cases. The Pima Indians of Arizona have one of the highest documented prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes globally, making their population central to diabetes research. Although the Pima Diabetes Dataset has been widely used in predictive and machine-learning studies, few investigations have applied rigorous multivariable epidemiologic methods to quantify the independent contributions of key demographic and metabolic risk factors. This study aimed to characterize diabetes risk factors and quantify independent …

A Cross-Cultural Analysis Of Medieval And Early Modern Iberian Dress, Kennedy Pemberton

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

The 15th and 16th centuries represent some of the most historically significant years for the Spanish Kingdom. The Spanish Inquisition, consequent subjugation of the moors, and discovery and conquest of the Americas each display a unique strength and objective of the Spaniards within the late 1400s and early 1500s. As these events altered the world, so too did they alter forms of dress. The integration of Muslims into Spanish society opened the door for Moorish influence in certain elements of Spanish dress, especially regarding decorative elements like embroidery. The conquering of foreign lands provided a wealth of gold, gems, and …

2026 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Conference Program

Prevention Vs. Treatment On The Global Stage: How National Priorities In Public Health And Healthcare Shape International Power And Health Outcomes, Sophie I. Antell

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

National approaches to health are shaped by political priorities, institutional structures, and global positioning. This project examines how countries balance investments in public health (population-level prevention) versus healthcare (individual-level treatment), and how these choices influence both domestic health outcomes and international power. Using Taiwan and the United States as comparative case studies, the research explores how differing health system models reflect broader political identities, shape global health credibility, and affect participation in international health governance.

Taiwan's strong public health infrastructure, effective disease surveillance, and active medical diplomacy have contributed to its reputation as a capable global health actor, despite its …

Short Time, Lasting Impact: Teaching Pediatric End-Of-Life Care In One Day, Mckenzie Taliaferro

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Background: Pediatric nurses working in specialities that experience end-of-life, death, and post-mortem care, often feel unprepared for the emotional toll and lack adequate support systems (Camera et al., 2024). Nurses report feeling under prepared due to a lack of hands-on opportunities before graduation (Richoux, et al., 2022).  Pediatric death is a traumatic experience for families and nurses. Previous studies have shown that hands-on education increases nurses' confidence in caring for patients at the end of their lives (Cole & Foito, 2019; Noyes et al., 2023).

Method: A one-day, hands-on workshop on pediatric end-of-life was created and offered to nursing students …

Navigating Through Covid: How Has Covid Impacted College Student Adjustment?, E'Lena E.H Johnson

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

College adjustment is the way incoming and continuing college students cope with the demands of college life, including academic, mental, socioemotional, and developmental components. The purpose of this research project is to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on college students' ability to adjust to college living across three distinct phases: pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic. A cross-sectional sample of 1,515 participants from Georgia Southern University completed the Wooster-Wickline College Adjustment Test (WOWCAT; Wickline et al., 2009) between 2019-2024, which was administered online via Qualtrics, a secure web-based survey platform. Although the WOWCAT has been successfully …

2026 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Conference Program

Toni Annette Haynes

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

Joseph Lee Blige, Jr.

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

The George-Anne Inkwell Edition, Georgia Southern University

The Inkwell

No abstract provided.

Messages From The Provost, Georgia Southern University

Messages from the Provost

• Message from the Provost
• Where Care Meets Impact
• Where Students Lead
• Where Innovation Takes Flight

Centering Joy And Connection: Returning To Instruction After Hurricane Helene, Megan Keiser

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

This descriptive essay focuses on one teacher educator's response to a disrupted academic semester after a natural disaster that threatened to erode a service-learning designated interdisciplinary methods course for middle grades educators. This essay shares the process of pivoting to retain critical elements of the course. Reinforcing the use of resilience-informed pedagogy and modeling use of advisories, the instructor focused on developing a cohesive classroom community. Other aspects of the course revamp include offering differentiated service-learning opportunities. Centering teacher candidates’ joy and modeling best practices for middle level educators, the instructor describes project-based learning, a multidisciplinary literacy experience with a …

Midweek Memo, Georgia Southern University

Midweek Memo

• Applaud 
• Remember 
• Share 
• Experience 
• Around the Nest

Bringing Worlds Together: How Social Studies Teachers Make Content Meaningful, Harley A. Payne

Honors College Theses

Secondary educators in social studies classes face the challenge of maintaining the attention of dozens of students during instruction, often on content that seems irrelevant or unimportant. Educators must find ways to emphasize that the content their students are disinterested in is useful and crucial for their development into adults. Research suggests that bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world improves classroom engagement (Cooper, 2014; Tagliaferro, 2012). Students who are engaged and exert more effort in class derive academic benefits, such as placement in advanced pathways and increased test scores (Carbonaro, 2005). Civics education and the inclusion …

Customer-Centricity In The Financial Services Sector: A Preliminary Look, Rhea Ingram, Katie H. Whetstone

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Financial institutions are under scrutiny as they work to rebuild consumer trust following the financial crisis. One effective approach for these organizations is to adopt a customer-centric strategy. Research indicates that businesses with a strong focus on customer-centricity tend to earn, on average, 60% higher profits than their competitors (Deloitte, 2017). While genuinely customer-centric companies are relatively rare, many organizations are in the process of transforming into a customer-centric model. This paper offers a preliminary examination of the rhetoric used by financial institutions, suggesting some progress in their customer-centric approach.

Transformational Leadership’S Impact On Employee Perceptions Of Interactional Justice In Crucial Workplace Conversations, Dana M. Mobley, Irina Toteva

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This study examined a transformational leadership style’s effect on interactional justice in crucial conversations between managers and employees, using perceived leader communication quality as a mediator and followership style as a moderator. Data was collected from an internet survey taken by 251 participants across the United States, and quantitative analysis was performed. Results indicated that perceived leader communication quality mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and interactional justice during crucial conversations. While followership style was not found to moderate this relationship, it was found to be negatively significant with interactional justice, indicating that more exemplary followers perceive slightly less interactional …

Defining Cultural Credibility: Perceptions Of Authenticity, Representation, And Appropriation In Brand Campaigns, Santiago Reyes, Alessandra Noli, Ashley Johns, Hannah Trandle, Leticia Falcao

AMTP Proceedings 2026

As brands navigate increasingly diverse consumer markets, cultural authenticity has become essential for building trust and relevance. Yet marketing scholarship lacks a clear framework for understanding cultural credibility as distinct from traditional notions of source or brand credibility. This study addresses that gap by examining how consumers conceptualize and evaluate cultural credibility in brand campaigns and collaborations. Drawing on theories of authenticity, cultural identity, and persuasion, the research positions cultural credibility as a socially constructed judgment shaped by perceived authenticity, shared values, and relational alignment. Using semi‑structured interviews and focus groups with multicultural consumers, the study employs thematic analysis to …

Determinants Of E-Waste Recycling Intentions Among Us And Uk Consumers, Catherine A. Roster

AMTP Proceedings 2026

The amount of e-waste generated globally is rising faster than e-waste recycling rates and represents a danger to the environment and humans. The objective of this study was to investigate determinants of e-waste recycling intentions among a representative sample of 1,050 adult consumers from the US and the UK. Cross-national differences were also examined. A model integrating factors drawn from the theory of planned behavior and value-belief-norm theory was tested using PLS-SEM. Findings showed that values, awareness of consequences, ecological self-identity, and ascription of responsibility influenced personal norms toward e-waste recycling, and that personal norms partially mediated relationships between these …

Institution-Based Trust And Covid-19 Compliance Across Countries, Liz Wang

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Trust is central to public health compliance, yet most social marketing models still focus on individual-level drivers such as attitudes and norms. This study examines institution-based trust (IBT) as a moderator of citizens’ intentions to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines within a TRA model, using online survey data from US, UK, Australia, and Taiwan collected during the pandemic. Results show that IBT moderates both the attitude–intention (ATT–BI) and subjective norm–intention (SN–BI) relationships and suggest that high- and low-IBT contexts activate different mechanisms—legitimacy-based versus self-protective routes—to compliance. The paper outlines research and managerial implications for social marketing theory and practice.Institution-Based …

Selling The Self: Personal Branding And Impression Management On Linkedin, Matthew A. Gilbert

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Drawing on Erving Goffman's self-presentation theory, this study examines how professionals construct personal brands on LinkedIn through strategic identity performance. Using qualitative content analysis, the research analyzes 250 publicly available posts from 50 professionals across five occupational categories. The analysis employs deductive coding guided by Goffman's concepts of front-stage performance and impression management, examining visual elements, linguistic strategies, content themes, and engagement tactics. Data is analyzed using NVivo software. This study contributes to marketing theory by conceptualizing personal branding as both a communication practice and economic behavior, illuminating how professionals balance authenticity, visibility, and strategic positioning on career-focused platforms where …