Digital Commons Network^™

From Seed To Vine Intergenerational Discipleship Model For San Antonio Heights Community Church, Alyssa Smedley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project addressed the lack of an intentional intergenerational discipleship model at San Antonio Heights Community Church through the development of the From Seed to Vine ministry initiative. The project focused on cultivating a sustainable disciple-making culture rooted in relational discipleship, spiritual formation, and intentional mentorship across generations. Four micro-projects were implemented to support this vision: the Ministry Development Plan (MDP), Blogging, Advertisement of Ministry Launch, and Podcasting.

Each micro-project contributed to building awareness, fostering relational connection, and creating practical pathways for participation in the Disciple-Maker Team Training (DMTT). The findings revealed that relational trust, intentional communication, and Spirit-led engagement …

Children With Cerebellar Malformations And Co-Occurring Autism: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Challenges Faced With The Dual Diagnosis Process, Service Acquisition, And Psychosocial Impacts, Ladeana W. Gambill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parents of children who have been diagnosed with cerebellar malformations, such as Dandy-Walker Malformation, often face confusion and frustration as they are given uncertain prognoses about their child’s future. The uncertainty is further compounded when there are concerns for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and testing is sought, with conflicting answers on whether their child has autism or not. Acquisition of autism-specialty services may be delayed if a diagnosis of autism is not received in a timely manner. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences and challenges faced by parents of children with cerebellar malformations …

From Hype To Habit? Attractional Youth Ministry Methods And Young Adult Church Involvement, Melanie L. Holbrook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of young adults ages 18–22 who previously participated in attractional youth ministry programs and to examine how those experiences relate to their current levels of church involvement. This study addressed a need among church and ministry leaders to better understand how attractional youth ministry approaches shape ongoing church involvement during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, a period often marked by declining church participation. By using a qualitative phenomenological design, this researcher collected data through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants recruited from churches along Colorado’s Front …

Strengthening The Mind: Evaluating Emotional Intelligence As A Tool To Combat Anxiety In Youth Soccer, John P. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Competitive anxiety is a significant challenge for adolescent soccer players, contributing to psychological distress and early sport withdrawal, and approximately 70% of youth athletes quit organized sport by age 14. Emotional intelligence, the capacity to recognize, understand, and regulate emotions, represents a promising and trainable intervention target, yet few studies have examined structured EI programs with youth soccer populations using rigorous experimental designs that include a parallel control group. This quantitative intervention study examined the effect of an emotional intelligence intervention on competitive anxiety among youth soccer players, including whether individual emotional profiles and gender moderated outcomes.

A randomized controlled …

Technology Acceptance And Chatgpt Use In The Workplace, Niya Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into organizations and workplaces increasing the need to better understand the influence this technology has on employees. Research investing psychological factors that influence employees' intended use and benefits of these technology tools will help to better understand strategies to support adaptation and effective use of these tools for employees. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships among technology self-efficacy (TSE), perceived usefulness (PU), decision-making confidence (DMC), occupational self-efficacy (OSE), and technology acceptance (TA) of ChatGPT among working adults across various occupational sectors. Mediating and predictive mechanisms that influence workers objectives to engage with ChatGPT …

Bridging The Holler: A Case Study Of One Rural Appalachian Music Educator’S Engagement With Grants And Organizations, Kayla Renee Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study examines how partnerships with music organizations can support a rural music educator in a West Virginia county. The teacher’s needs were identified through an initial survey, interviews, and follow-up conversations, revealing four primary challenges: limited access to instruments and materials, barriers to recruitment and retention, isolation and constraints associated with itinerant teaching, and a need for culturally relevant curricular resources. Based on these findings, the researcher connected the teacher with organizations whose missions aligned with these areas: the West Virginia Music Educators Association for professional development and project grants; Be Part of the Music for recruitment …

The Impact Of Modern Police Equipment And Training On Reported Anxiety And Depression Of Police Officers, Matthew Roy Burford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study investigated the relationships among law enforcement officers’ access to modern equipment, their confidence in their training, and their reported levels of anxiety and depression. The study also tested whether confidence in training moderated the association between equipment and mental health outcomes. Mental health symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck et al., 1961) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck et al., 1988). Two researchers-developed instruments to assess officers’ perceived adequacy of their equipment and confidence in their training. Participants were recruited from law enforcement agencies across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and data were collected through …

The Effect Of Structured Prebriefing On Pre-Simulation Anxiety In Baccalaureate Nursing Students Participating In High-Fidelity Simulation: A Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Nonequivalent Pretest-Posttest Control Group Study, Laura D. Wade

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group study was to examine the effect of structured prebriefing on pre-simulation state anxiety among baccalaureate nursing students participating in high-fidelity simulation (HFS) at a private faith-based university in the South-Central United States (U.S.). Simulation is widely used in nursing education; however, nursing students frequently experience elevated anxiety prior to simulation that may negatively influence learning and performance. Despite recognition of prebriefing as best practice in simulation-based education, limited quantitative research has examined the effect of structured prebriefing on pre-simulation anxiety. A convenience sample of 73 baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in …

Bridging The Visibility Gap: Advancing Radio Frequency Identification Integration For Customer-Facing Supply Chain Transparency And Operational Efficiency, Henry Steven Groulx

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined a persistent challenge in operations management, the gap between the internal capabilities of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems and their limited external application in customer-facing and supply network contexts. Grounded in a constructivist-pragmatic perspective and guided by adaptive structuration theory, the research employed an exploratory qualitative multiple-case study design across six manufacturing and logistics organizations. Data were collected through 24 semi-structured interviews, organizational documents, and operational artifacts, which were triangulated to support robust analysis. Findings indicated that RFID systems effectively supported internal operations, including inventory accuracy, process control, and exception management. However, their value diminished when extended …

A.A. V. J.M.: The Virginia Court Of Appeals Excludes A Whole Class Of Prospective Adoptive Parents, Paul A. Dryer

Liberty University Law Review

A set of “bad facts” ultimately led to undesirable legal precedent and unintended consequences with respect to the “power to render” adoptions in Virginia. In 2019, Baby Doe was left orphaned in Afghanistan after her parents were killed as a result of military operations in the country. After Baby Doe was taken to the U.S. Bagram Air Force Base for treatment, Joshua Mast (J.M.)—a member of the Marine Corps Judge Advocate—attempted to obtain custody of Baby Doe out of fear for the adequacy of medical care if she were to remain in Afghanistan. J.M. and his wife petitioned the Fluvanna …

The Influence Of Gustav Holst's The Planets On The Music Of John Williams, Kara Lewis

Senior Honors Theses

Throughout his six-decade career in film music, John Williams has achieved incredible success. Yet, one of the most prominent criticisms of Williams’ work is that it borrows heavily from classical repertoire. It is common to read that Williams stole from composers such as Gustav Holst. This paper examines in what aspects and to what extent the music of Williams takes inspiration specifically from Holst’s The Planets. Overall style and specific excerpts will be compared to demonstrate that, while the two share some characteristics, there is not an overall sameness of style. It shall also be demonstrated that certain excerpts …

Called To Accuracy, Brick By Brick: Recordkeeping And Reporting Amid Cultural Pressures And Training Gaps, Amber L. Wilson, Sarah J. Boettger, Janet K. Brown, Kjell Fenn, Jessica E. Kuehne, David L. Ream

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This research investigates how faculty at Christian higher education interpret the impact of expected recordkeeping and reporting. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions and expectations of recordkeeping and reporting that impact job satisfaction. By examining recordkeeping and reporting and the influence of culture as key factors affecting job satisfaction in Christian higher education, insights were gathered through six faculty member interviews. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, journals, and discussion board posts. This transcendental phenomenological study sought to explore the lived experiences of six faculty members at a large private Christian university in the southeastern …

Into The Unknown: Ai Adoption And Job Satisfaction Of Christian Faculty, Hailey A. Manicone, Roger B. Bingham, Ireremena E. Felixotuorimuo, Linnaya M. Graf, Rachel A. Joseph, Erica Danielle Moore, Joshua E. Wilson

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The purpose of this study was to capture the lived experiences of faculty members at Christian higher education institutions regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on faculty job satisfaction. The study addressed two primary research questions: (1) What are the perceptions of Christian higher education faculty regarding expectations related to their use of AI in teaching? (2) How do these perceptions influence their job satisfaction? A transcendental phenomenological approach was used to gather data from six participants from a faith-based institution in the southeastern United States through individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts. Analysis followed Moustakas’ (1994) four-step …

Beyond Lecturing: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) And Academic Integrity On Faculty Job Satisfaction In Christian Higher Education, Jacob T. Byrd, Heather J. Conner, Charlene S. Geisler, Jonathan A. Giles, Mark D. Granger, Sheila Ruyack, Andrew H. Volk

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The evolving state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses significant challenges for faculty in higher education when dealing with academic integrity issues related to student use of AI for course assignments. Students’ utilization of AI contributes to a variety of factors related to faculty perceptions of expectations for AI use in the classroom and how they should approach issues pertaining to academic integrity. While research exists relating to job satisfaction of higher education faculty and expectations regarding technology and AI use in the classroom, research is also limited regarding the effects of AI and academic integrity on the perceptions of expectations …

Beyond Teaching: The Ripple Effect Of Mentoring And Advising On Job Satisfaction, Brad Burgess, Justin Bamba, Laura Beiler, Patricia Meulemans, Cathy Roberts, Alicia Slate

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Abstract

This study explored the lived experiences of faculty members in a Christian higher education (CHE) institution located in the southeastern region of the United States. Mentoring and advising were defined within the research as they pertain to CHE. Herzberg et al.’s (1959) two-factor model was the theoretical framework of this qualitative phenomenological study. The study examined how perceptions of mentoring and advising related to job satisfaction. Six participants completed interviews, asynchronous written discussions, and individual journal entries. Using Moustakas’ (1994) transcendental phenomenological approach, five themes were revealed: Student Impact, Relationship Development, Life Experience Mentorship, Christian Identity, and Fulfillment. Christian …

Can You Hear Me Now? The Impact Of Communication With Students On Faculty Job Satisfaction In Christian Higher Education: A Qualitative Research Study, Bruce K. Bell, Virginia W. Cashion, Kimberly S. Cashman, Alexander Lagos Choquecahua, Collin M. Lyons, Robert J. Doan

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The goal of Christian higher education is to effectively integrate faith and learning to equip students to make an impact for Christ in the world. Consequently, faculty at faith-based institutions face challenges when attempting to navigate the ever-changing academic landscape while simultaneously satisfying students’ expectations. This study seeks to explore faculty-student communication and how this affects faculty job satisfaction within Christian higher education. The methodological approach to address this gap included a phenomenological design, which involved interviewing six faculty members from a large Christian university located in the Southeastern United States. These interviews produced useful lived experiences, and the purposeful …

Beyond Lecturing: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Impact Of Lesson Planning On Faculty Job Satisfaction In Christian Higher Education, Andrea Lynn Smith, Randy Baker, David M. Hahn, Cheryl B. Hemric, Karen Haaland Hubbard, Annik A. Miller, Brenda L. Widger

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Job satisfaction for higher education faculty is influenced by many factors, with lesson planning serving as a contributing factor. This phenomenological study sought to explore and understand the lived experiences of faculty members regarding the impact of lesson planning on job satisfaction in a Christian higher education institution. Using phenomenological methods, the researchers conducted in-person interviews, administered discussion board focus groups, and gathered reflective journal entries from a sample size of six participants at a large, faith-based university located in the southeastern United States. During the data analysis, five themes emerged: Faith Integration and Spiritual Purpose, Autonomy and Creative Freedom, …

Tension And Grace: Perceptions Of Assessment And Grading Among Christian Higher Education Faculty And Impact On Job Satisfaction, Jerry L. Pitts, Nary Kitson, Lori Roach, Ashley Tharpe, Sherri Ann Walker, Daniel P. Yerrington

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This research investigated Christian higher education faculty members perceived job satisfaction regarding assessment and grading. Six participants completed semi-structured interviews, discussion boards, and journal entries with specific questions related to assessment and grading. A phenomenological methodology using rich textual data generated four themes: pedagogical support, job satisfaction, time management, and emotional investment. Results indicated that faculty believed that assessment and grading were an integral part of their job. Job satisfaction was most prevalent when student growth was apparent in assessment and when students appreciated instructor feedback. The study offered five recommendations: 1) clarified assessment and grading expectations for Christian higher …

Beyond Teaching: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Impact Of Active Learning On Faculty Job Satisfaction In Christian Higher Education, Alisha Castaneda, Grace Michele Baker, Marsha Baker, Hanna Byrd, Kahlib Fischer, Folashade O. Odedina

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Abstract

This research aims to examine the lived experiences of university professors at a Christian university regarding active learning (AL) and job satisfaction. Using Herzberg’s two-factor theory as a guiding framework, the researchers employed a qualitative transcendental phenomenological study to gauge the perceptions of six faculty members who teach using residential or online delivery formats. Data were collected through individual interviews, reflection journals, and discussion groups. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify initial codes and emerging themes, giving voice to the participants' firsthand knowledge and perspectives. The research noted four dominant themes regarding AL and professor job satisfaction: positive student …

Editorial: Faculty Flourishing: Job Satisfaction, Calling, And The Strength Of Academic Community, Shawn Bielicki, Alexandra Barnett

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Editorial: Faculty Flourishing: Job Satisfaction, Calling, and the Strength of Academic Community

About This Journal - Issue 2, Shawn Bielicki

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

About this Journal - Issue 2

Bridging Covenant And Efficiency: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Faith-Based Environmental Nonprofits Under New Public Management Reform, Jacob Berry

Journal of Law and Government

This paper explores covenantal environmental administration as a significant framework for contemporary public governance within faith-based environmental nonprofits (FENs). As New Public Management (NPM) reforms increasingly shape nonprofit administration through efficiency and performance metrics, covenantal governance emerges as an alternative rooted in mutual obligation, ethical leadership, and spiritual stewardship, concepts deeply embedded in Judeo-Christian traditions exemplified by loving fulfillment. Contrary to perceptions of incompatibility between ethical-spiritual values and data-driven accountability, this study argues that integrating covenantalism with New Public Management practices can enhance organizational performance, stakeholder trust, and ecological outcomes. Employing theoretical analysis and empirical tools (notably the Covenantal Empowerment …

Introducing The Covenantal-Noncentralization Index (Cni) For Assessing Localism, Social Capital, Community Challenges And Community Health, Kahlib Fischer, Edwin Christmann, Melissa Stewart, Todd Robatin, Zachary Federico, John Kebles, Lucy Lambert, Alex Mishra

Journal of Law and Government

Numerous indices measuring social capital and community challenges at the local level exist, but none attempt to offer a measure of community health as an independent variable in comparison to community challenges as a dependent variable. Therefore, we propose the Covenantal-Noncentralization Index (CNI) in an effort to provide a more nuanced understanding of social capital at the local level as well as to differentiate between an independent variable index consisting of family stability, religious adherence, non-profit activity, and charitable giving and dependent variables representing various community challenges: violent crime, childhood poverty, STD rate, high school diploma completion, GDP, and unemployment. …

Defending The West By Reclaiming The Past, Steven Alan Samson

Journal of Law and Government

The Western world was originally shaped by the fine arts and philosophy of Greece, the architecture and law of Rome, and the faith, morality, and prophetic traditions of Judaism and Christianity. As the West loses the religious bond that generated its culture, careful attention should be given to reclaiming and rebuilding this moral and spiritual infrastructure.

The Fellowship Of Christ's Sufferings: Toward A Practical Philosophy Of Worship For Missions In The Latin American Church, Moriah Hope Joseph

Senior Honors Theses

Within Latin America, evil and suffering are ever-present realities that cannot be concealed, and the Hispanic society is aching for relief. Liberation Theology and the prosperity gospel – and their accompanying worship practices – have been offered as tools to help alleviate the experience of suffering. But these theological perspectives and practices have accomplished little in edifying the Church by way of truth. Thus, the call for the modern missionary is to instead preach worship that is a response to the incarnate Christ in suffering. The missionary must advocate for worship practices that provide space for biblical lament, reveal a …

Global Youth Development: Challenges And Remedies, Raymond Chimezie

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Young people have enormous potential for growth and innovation, but not all have access to resources and opportunities to explore, achieve their dreams, and contribute immensely to society. Absence or limited opportunities and resources pose great challenges to young people’s aspirations. Through a review of literature and study of some countries young people globally face challenges, though at varying degrees like unemployment, limited access to healthcare, social services, and education; lack of professional support, skills acquisition and retraining, and political exclusion; judicial inequity, loneliness, and poor parenting. There still exist policies, structures, or regulations that encourage racial and ethnic or …

Out Of Scotland, America Arose, Angela Winters

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Within the annals of history, the American Revolution and the subsequent Founding Era could rival any other historical time frame for the amount of academic analysis that has been conferred upon the people, the documents, and the overall trends that led up to the world-changing establishment of the United States of America. However, one area that has had comparatively little focus given to it is the contribution of Scottish political writings from centuries of unrest and continual attempts to maintain their sovereign rights as a free people. Often overlooked due to the celebrity-like status of French and English Enlightenment writers, …

Revival Song: The Significance Of Hymns In The First Great Awakening, Kaeley E. Whitacre

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper highlights the transition in church music during the First Great Awakening in Colonial America. It argues that hymns and new psalmody had a mutually beneficial relationship in the Awakening, as they aided one another in emphasizing personal salvation experiences. Prior to the Awakening, English-speaking churches in Colonial America sung almost exclusively literal translations of Psalms in a more formalized call-and-response format. While current scholarship on the First Great Awakening broadly analyzes the primary tensions and debates within New England churches regarding changes in music, it does not provide a comprehensive overview of the introduction of hymns in Colonial …

America's Founding Theology, Michael Payne

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Building off of Mark David Hall's thesis that America had a Christian founding, this paper seeks to explore the theology of this Christian founding. While acknowledging that Enlightenment and English Common Law also influenced American founding thought, the paper seeks to look specifically at America's theological outlook. It concludes that American founding theology was overwhelmingly Reformed but with some key influences from the Baptist, Quaker, and even Catholic traditions. These influences can be found in the writings of the founders as well as in America's founding documents such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The point of the …

Shepherds In The Great War: The Evolution Of The U.S. Army Chaplaincy And The Service Of Malcolm Taylor In World War I, Sydney Gilbert

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

From its beginnings in 1775, the U.S. military chaplaincy has been a vital but often overlooked component of the American military experience. Though the specific duties, expectations, and regulations for U.S. chaplains have evolved over time, the heart of the chaplaincy is rooted in sacrificial service, a ministry of presence, spiritual leadership, and moral guidance. The American entrance into the Great War in 1917 marked a period of exponential growth for the military chaplaincy as it faced unprecedented demand and growing professionalization. To meet the needs of the modern era warfare, a major shift occurred within the chaplaincy as it …