Digital Commons Network^™

Human Social Services In Central Illinois: Making Sense Of State Divestment And The State Budget Impasse, Erik William Zdansky

Theses and Dissertations

The state of Illinois underwent an historic budget impasse that lasted 793 days from July 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017. By not signing the budget, the former Governor Bruce Rauner used a form of shock therapy at the state level to implement his reform agenda. The human social service sector was particularly hit hard. I wanted to investigate how an ecology of homeless service agencies in the central Illinois area strategized and prioritized their decision-making in response to an active crisis. During semi-structured interviews of agency executives and program managers, more was revealed about how they responded to state …

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Sixty-First Annual Commencement, May 2020, Illinois State University

Commencement Programs

Illinois State University
One Hundred and Sixty-First Annual Commencement
May 2020

International Marriages: Culture, Identity Formation, Social And Historical Context, Alec Bryan Schaer

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to examine how changes in sociopolitical and cultural landscapes affect the cultural and personal identities of individuals engaged in mixed heritage relationships. I examine relationships between Japanese women and American men to illustrate that the wider socio-political contexts of these individuals play key roles in how they view and portray themselves in relation to others; as Japanese, American, both, or neither.

This research is divided into two distinct periods, one before WWII and a second after WWII. For each of these periods, I examined the relevant socio-political and cultural circumstances which affected Japanese and …

An Analysis Of School Climate Surveys As A Measure Of Student Voice, Deanna L. Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

Student voice may seem like a new concept; however, it has a long history of being engrained in public schools in the United States. The trend towards incorporating and expanding student voice opportunities in high school is based on the tenets of democracy. Educators seek to provide an opportunity for students to practice democracy in their school environment. Students are commonly disregarded as viable stakeholders in their schools. The Illinois State Board of Education offers students in grades 4 through 12 the opportunity to provide input on their schools using the Illinois 5Essentials Survey.

This research sought the input from …

Performing Color: Participatory Photo And Community Based Research In A Modern U.S. Circus, Radiance Campbell

Sociology/Anthropology

This study asks “what is the experience of people of color in a modern U.S. circus?” and is primarily concerned with granting performers of color control over telling their own story. Given that the circus is a visual art, this study produces visual research that centers participants’ perspectives through photo voice, or participatory photo, which is a visual research methodology that uses participant-generated photos as data. Participants were given disposable cameras and encouraged to photograph their own worlds, identifying the assets and challenges of their circus community. Through qualitative photo-elicitation interviews and a focus group, together we created a space …

From Smoke Clouds To Vape Clouds: A Study Of Substance Use And Delinquency, Christian Maynard

Sociology/Anthropology

The 'vaping epidemic' has incurred at least 12 deaths and 805 injuries so far. Overall, research on vaping has been substantially limited, primarily in the context of vaping and delinquency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations between vaping and smoking and the various kinds of delinquent acts. Using secondary data from Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth conducted in 2017, with a sample size of 21,188 participants, we find that youth 'vapors' were associated with less delinquency than youth smokers(cigarettes); however, youth 'vapors' were associated with more delinquency than …

2020 Online University Research Symposium Program Book, The Graduate School

University Research Symposium Programs

Program book for the 2020 Online Research Symposium.

Digital Transformation And Higher Education: A Survey On The Digital Competencies ​Of Learners To Develop Higher Education Teaching, Susanne Kamsker, Ph.D., Gerlinde Janschitz, Sonja Monitzer

International Journal for Business Education

The aim of this paper is to clarify the effects of digital transformation on educational institutions and to outline the challenges that arise and need to be addressed in this context. Teaching and learning processes should be continuously developed due to changes in educational requirements as well as social and technological changes. Therefore, within this paper, these technological changes are described in the first step. In the next step, the challenges facing higher education institutions, as a result of digital transformation are discussed, and strategies for the further development of higher education, regarding digital transformation, are described. In this context, …

Evaluating The Influence Of Venue On Experiential, Project-Based Learning, Wayne Aho, Ed Wright, Jon Marvel

International Journal for Business Education

Experiential, project-based learning is widely endorsed as an effective pedagogy for enhancing the understanding of theory, increasing critical thinking skills, and preparing students for future roles as contributing employees. Likewise, the use of online classes at universities is becoming popular. A logical evolution of course venues would be the appearance of project-based, online courses. However, there is scant research on whether online, experiential learning is as effective as face-to-face courses. In this study, comparisons are made between online and face-to-face classes of a project-based, strategic management course at a regional university. No statistically significant differences were found in the course …

Stevenson Center Report For The School Street Food Pantry, Erik Carlson, Tessa Lance, Jose Molina, Tobi Oladejo, Jack White

Community Project Design and Management Reports - Sociology

No abstract provided.

Autism Mclean: Housing For Adults With Asd, Grayson Bourke, Mike Brown, Genesis Marie Buendia, Zach Fabos, Melissa Quimby, Kendra Shaw

Community Project Design and Management Reports - Sociology

In January 2020, six graduate students from the Stevenson Center at Illinois State University were assigned to conduct social research for Autism McLean, a local, volunteer organization that aims to promote the general welfare of children and adults with autism and to provide support for their families. The objective was to conduct an applied research project that met Autism McLean's needs while providing an applied education to service minded students. The focus of the research was specifically on the housing assets and programs available in McLean County and whether those assets match the needs of people with autism.

Cultural Differences Or Political Differences? Flipping Over The Hofstede's 6-D Model Of Culture In Terms Of Conservatism And Political Views, Han Jung

Psychology

Hofstede’s 6-D model of culture is one of the most widespread taxonomies regarding the cultural differences across the countries, but it has also faced many fierce antagonists. Most criticisms of the Hofstede model include identification of nations and cultures, superficial and narrow theoretical backgrounds, and suggestions of rival hypotheses. Especially, there is some evidence that suggests that the allegedly cultural differences may actually stem from political backgrounds or people’s traits related to their political circumstances; Therefore, I expect that most of Hofstede’s dimensions are associated with political traits of people and most national differences in Hofstede’s dimensions will disappear if …

Redbird Impact, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Spring 2020), Center For Community Engagement And Service Learning

Redbird Impact

No abstract provided.

The Media’S Response To Vaping: Catch-Up For A Failed Response?, Christian Maynard

Honors Theses

Media coverage on vaping has become more negative and more prolific due to the recent ‘vaping epidemic’ that has incurred over 2,000 hospitalization. Research on vaping has been limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations between vape use increase and media publication increase and the specific focus of the articles. Using secondary data from Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth conducted in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and data generated through qualitative coding of The New York Times articles on vaping between 2016 and 2018, we find that media publications …

Department Of Politics And Government News And Views, Spring 2020, Department Of Politics And Government

Department of Politics and Government News and Views

Newsletter of the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University

The Relationship Between Sense Of Community And Job Satisfaction Among Employees In Campus Recreation Center, Mina Woo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Sense of Community (SOC) and job satisfaction of employees in Campus Recreation Center (CRC), and the impact of demographic information, including gender, job position, and job tenure, on the extent of their SOC and job satisfaction. This study utilized quantitative method and developed a questionnaire with two scales: Spector’s (1985) Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), and Sense of Community Index 2 (SCI-2) created by Chavis, Lee, and Acosta (2008). The results indicate positive correlation between SOC and job satisfaction among the employees in CRCs. On the other hand, the results …

Examining Career And Technical Education Practitioner Preparation And Professional Development Needs, Shane Wilson Lange

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study was used to investigate Illinois automotive educator professional development needs and to identify the demographic landscape of Illinois secondary and post-secondary automotive teachers. The study should bring a greater understanding of what automotive teachers feel they need to learn in order to continue as successful educators. A modified Borich (1980) needs assessment model was used to identify the perceived importance and ability levels for 32 professional competencies. Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores (MWDS) were calculated using the importance and ability scores in order to report the professional development need. The administered survey was also utilized to examine their …

The Polite Abuser: Using Politeness Theory To Examine Emotional Abuse, Cimmiaron Alvarez

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last few decades more and more cultural attention has been paid to intimate partner violence, especially emotional abuse. Follingstad, Rutledge, Berg, Hause, and Polek (1990) established that emotional abuse fell into six distinct categories, however, little attention had been paid to how abusers can utilize polite communication to hurt their partner. Equally, Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory (1987) had never been applied to problematic communication (Austin, 1990). This study aimed to understand how polite communication can be used as a form of emotional abuse. In-depth, semi structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants who self-identified as having been …

Perceptions Of Outreach, Theory, And Practice At Centers For Teaching And Learning, Samantha Dunn

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) and how they are perceived by the instructors and employees who work in higher education. CTLs focus on accessing and assessing faculty and staff while creating programs and research which offers insight into the faculty, instructional, and organizational needs of an institution. The needs that CTLs focus on include the professional, educational, instructional, and, sometimes, personal development of employees. Yet, the theories and practices which drive the research of educational development—specifically CTLs—are fragmented due to the interdisciplinary nature, vast scope, and practical-focus of directors and researchers.

This study builds upon previous …

Small-Town Living: Do Illinois Universities Understand The Rural College Student?, Erik Andrew Dalmasso

Theses and Dissertations

Rural students are confronted with unique challenges when considering postsecondary choices. According to McShane and Smarick (2018), scholarship on this overarching issue is limited, as it is “often shunted to specialized journals that have not been able to integrate findings into the broader education policy conversation” (p. 1). Rural students, and to a broader extent, rural education have little voice in the postsecondary pathways that have been created within higher education (Goldman, 2019). Recruitment of rural students, financial aid policy, remediation/developmental programming, state and federal postsecondary legislation have largely treated rural students in tandem with their urban and suburban peers, …

Illinois State University Founding Celebration Program, February 20, 2020, Illinois State University

Founding Celebration Programs

Program for annual event celebrating the founding of Illinois State Normal University on February 18, 1857.

Senate Meeting, February 19, 2020, Academic Senate, Illinois State University

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Battlefield Of The Academy: The Resilience And Resistance Of Black Women Faculty, Jacqueline Hester

Theses and Dissertations

This research study explored the resilience of 8 Black women faculty teaching at historically white institutions (HWIs). Crenshaw's (1991) intersectionality, Ladson-Billings and Tate, (1995) critical race theory, and resilience theory are the three theoretical frameworks used in this study to examine the experience of Black women faculty in HWIs. The purpose of this study was to address these experiences to advance the conceptual understanding of resilience as a form of resistance. The research methodology selected involved a qualitative study that used narrative inquiry as a platform for Black women faculty to share their personal narratives and examined the strategies that …

University Assessment Services, National Survey Of Student Engagement: College Of Business, Seniors; 2020, Illinois State University

Student Success

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) College of Business Report. Administered by University Assessment Services, Illinois State University, to Seniors. 2020.

University Assessment Services, National Survey Of Student Engagement: Mennonite College Of Nursing, First-Year; 2020, Illinois State University

Student Success

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Mennonite College of Nursing report. Administered by University Assessment Services, Illinois State University, to First-Year students. 2020.

Negotiating Informal And Formal Supportive Services Among Older Adults: An Analysis Of A Caring Culture At Hope Meadows, Derek Ruszkowski

Student Research – Stevenson Center

This case study examines discourses of living and volunteering at an intentional and intergenerational neighborhood in Rantoul, IL managed by a non-profit called Hope Meadows. This is accomplished through participant and non-participant observations and nine resident interviews. The research contributes to literature on community-level efforts serving to strengthen supportive relationships among neighbors by examining a population that is engaged in providing services to their fellow community residents and the non-profit organization in exchange for below-market rent. Additionally, the outcome contributes to literature on aging-in-place, sustaining volunteer programs dependent on committed residents, and challenges of an increasingly disproportionate aging population. Due …

Gender Diversity, Women’S Leadership, And Consensus In State Supreme Courts, Meghan E. Leonard, Joseph V. Ross

Faculty Publications – Politics and Government

In this article, we argue that the leadership of women as chief justice or the majority opinion author, as well as an increased presence of women on the panel, should increase the likelihood of unanimous decisions and the size of majority coalitions in state supreme courts. Using an original dataset of cases in three policy areas from all state supreme courts from 1990-2015, we uncover some surprising results. In some issue areas, majority coalitions are larger when a woman serves as the majority opinion author, though we see smaller coalitions when more women are on the court and a man …

The Little Art Colony And Us Modernism: Carmel, Provincetown, Taos By Geneva Gano, Whitney Hoth

Jeffers Studies

No abstract provided.

University Assessment Services, National Survey Of Student Engagement: College Of Arts And Sciences, Math And Natural Sciences, First-Year; 2020, Illinois State University

Student Success

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) College of Arts and Sciences, Math and Natural Sciences, Report. Administered by University Assessment Services, Illinois State University, to First-Year students. 2020.

Forecast, 2020, Illinois State University, College Of Applied Science And Technology

foreCAST

Magazine of the Illinois State University College of Applied Science and Technology