Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Artificial Intelligence Literacy Among Middle School Students Using Tangible Objects, Sayantani Dutta

Theses and Dissertations

Given the rapid advancement of Computer Science (CS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), introducing these disciplines early and effectively in education is essential. Many middle school students, however, struggle to understand these subjects when taught with traditional, abstract, and screen-based methods, which often fail to engage students or build deep conceptual understanding. This study argues that tangible, hands-on learning tools and interactive activities make AI and CS concepts more accessible, concrete, and engaging for students. The findings show that, compared to traditional lectures, hands-on activities lead to substantially improved comprehension, retention, and enjoyment. While the sample size poses limitations, the evidence …

Using Quantum Annealing For Sampling And Pattern Generation In Generative Machine Learning And Catastrophic Forgetting Mitigation, Abdelmoula El Yazizi

Theses and Dissertations

The first goal of this dissertation was to understand the reasons for the absence in previous investigations of significant and consistent improvements in the trainability of Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM) when the Quantum Annealer (QA) was used for sampling from the RBM probability distribution. The second goal was to address the shortcomings of those previous investigations, explore possibilities of improving RBM training, and identify other machine learning applications that could benefit from sampling or from generating patterns by the QA. The first part of this dissertation focused on a Local-Valley (LV) centered approach to assessing the quality of sampling. QA-based …

Dem Simulations For Tractive Performance Of Rigid Wheel In Granular Media, Aidan Noah Dickerson

Theses and Dissertations

Accurately predicting vehicle mobility in granular media is essential for evaluating off-road mobility in agriculture, defense, and planetary exploration. Traditional empirical models often fail in capturing complex micromechanics of soil deformation, especially under dynamic conditions such as high slips and maneuvering. This study demonstrates the value of the discrete element method (DEM) in modeling wheel-soil interactions with higher fidelity. Using Altair EDEM and pre-calibrated GEMM materials, simulations were conducted for a range of forward (-5.9% to 54.8%) and side slip angles (3°, 6°, 12°) in dry sand. DEM enabled detailed analysis of sinkage, traction forces, and lateral loads, revealing trends …

Trauma-Informed Advisement: An Examination Of Advisors’ Trauma-Informed Competencies And Responses, Alexis Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Mental health issues are a problem among the college student population (Abrams, 2022; Andersen et al., 2021; Lipson et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2022), and trauma-informed care (TIC) strategies are being applied within higher education advising as a way to tackle student mental health problems (Bowie State University, 2025a; Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute & Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, 2025; Olson & Sterk, 2024; Williams, 2025). However, few studies have examined TIC in the context of academic advising, particularly in the context of higher education. This dissertation aims to address this gap using a …

Faculty Adoption Of The Canvas Learning Management System: An Application Of The Utaut2 Framework, Alyssa Hutcheson Mckinley

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine faculty adoption of the Canvas LMS at a public university through the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework. Survey data were collected from faculty across multiple colleges within the university and were used to explore the predictive power of the UTAUT2 constructs including hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit and behavioral intention. In addition to this, disciplinary differences along with discipline-specific needs were also considered in order to better understand adoption patterns. The results of this study indicated habit, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, and the …

Analysis Of Trends From Mass Concrete Case Studies, Bradford Songer

Theses and Dissertations

While conventional mass concrete is well understood, high strength and ultra high performance concrete present unique challenges when placed in large volumes. This thesis compiles and analyzes thermal data from mass high strength and ultra high performance concrete placements collected over the past eight years by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of military construction projects. The datasets span a wide range of material types and volumes. The analysis identifies trends in temperature development, temperature differentials, and the influence of mixture constituents on heat generation. This thesis contributes to the improved understanding of thermal behavior in mass concrete. …

Exploring The Impact Of Incorporating Artificial Intelligence Integrated Systems In The Workplace, Catherine Cruz Agosto Noda

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on assessing the impact of incorporating systems integrated with in the workplace by assessing the constructs of usability, cognitive load, and trust. The constructs are assessed by generation and experience level to determine which factors are relevant in a workplace setting. A workplace scenario was simulated by asking participants to complete tasks where they assumed the role of a warehouse manager assigned with assessing two scheduling systems – one with artificial intelligence and one without artificial intelligence. The participants were presented with three tasks of increasing difficulty for each prototype. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used …

Bridging The Gap: Enhancing Novice Teacher Retention Through Logistical And Administrative Support, Denise Fleurette Harrel

Theses and Dissertations

This project examines the challenges novice teachers encounter and how structured support systems impact their job satisfaction, effectiveness, and retention. The review focuses on administrative and logistical support, highlighting gaps between teacher preparation and classroom realities that contribute to high attrition (Falk, 2017; Koca, 2016). Key challenges include insufficient time management training, inconsistent expectations, and limited district or school-level support (Fantilli & McDougall, 2009), all of which are intensified by the demands of navigating modern classroom technologies (Philipsen et al., 2019). The literature review centers on teacher perceptions to clarify what constitutes effective logistical and administrative support (Banerjee et al., …

A Mixed-Method Study Of African American Parents’ Involvement In Their Children’S Individualized Education Program Process, Dischedia Tamarisi Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of the study was to examine the unique experiences of African American parents regarding their parental involvement in their child’s Individualized Education Program process. In addition, the study aimed to investigate the perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding the experiences of the African American parents as they worked with the parents and their children during the IEP process. Epstein’s (1987, 2008) Model of Parental Involvement was used as a theoretical framework to underpin the study emphasizing six dimensions of parental involvement. The six dimensions of parental involvement include the following: parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making, …

Assessing Native Bee (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) Community Responses To Seasonal Wetland Management And Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis Invicta) In Mississippi, Haley Michelle Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal wetlands support the biological needs of diverse migratory and wintering waterbird species across the southern United States. Management of seasonally flooded impoundments often involves water management and soil and vegetation disturbances to promote early successional plant communities yielding abundant seeds for foraging birds. These wetlands are also occupied by native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) and red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; RIFA), yet how these insects respond to wetland manipulations remains understudied. I experimentally evaluated how native bee communities were influenced by various wetland management practices and reduction of RIFA populations within the wetlands. Overall, wetland manipulation techniques had no …

The Bioarchaeology Of Care In An Asylum Population: Studying Health-Related Caretaking In The Mississippi State Asylum, Hannah D. Willis

Theses and Dissertations

This study employed modified versions of the Bioarchaeology of Care (BoC) and the Index of Care (IoC) to assess signs of impairment, disability, and health-related caretaking within a sample of 15 individuals buried in the Asylum Hill Cemetery who were likely former patients at the Mississippi State Asylum (MSA). This aim is to explore perceptions of disability and health-related caretaking needs through a combination of skeletal evidence and historical documents. Twelve individuals likely experienced physical impairment and potentially disability through participation restrictions. Six individuals likely required health-related caretaking, and healing lesions suggest they may have received care while at the …

Inductively Heated Platinum Electrodes, Jayamini Madumali Mudugamuwa Hewage

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the fabrication and application of a 150 micrometer platinum microelectrode for induction heating, with a copper coil generating the electromagnetic field and the heating process controlled using pulse width modulation technique (PWM) to regulate the duty cycle of a high-frequency signal. Electrochemical characterization, including resonance frequency determination, peak-to-peak potential optimization, and scan rate variation, is conducted using a 5 mM [Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+ solution in 0.1 M KNO3 to calibrate current variations with changing duty cycles, while the temperature increase (delta T) is estimated using the Seebeck coefficient of [Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+. The study further explores the application of induction heating …

What Makes A Good Leader? Ms Lili: Mississippi Library Leadership Institute, Anita L. Winger

Theses and Dissertations

What is leadership? The goal of this research is to develop leaders, but what does that mean? It is true that leadership is needed at every level in an organization, and a leader does not need to be at the administrative level of the organization but can lead from any role and any level in the organization. Everyone has their own style of leadership that needs to be developed. The research explored different styles and theories of leadership and focused on implementing a Character Strength-based framework of leadership. Through this research, identified topics will be presented to participants in the …

The Power Of Core Memories In Financial Education For Gen Alpha Children, Karen Richel

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Financial education plays a critical role in shaping lifelong financial behaviors and decision-making skills. To create a lasting impact, it is essential to establish core memories associated with money management from an early age. This article explores the significance of these foundational experiences and their role in financial education for Gen Alpha children.

A series of eight immersive financial education events was developed to meet state and national standards for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. These events employ play-based and object-based learning approaches, immersing students in engaging, age-appropriate activities that incorporate real-world scenarios. By creating a fun and memorable …

Enhancing Youth Learning Outcomes Of Travel Programs Through Storytelling, Gary Ellis, Parisa Paymard, Dottie Goebel, Darlene Locke, William F. Zanolini, Emily Catalan, Kelley Ranly

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

We conducted two studies to evaluate strategies that Extension educators may use to enrich youth travel program experiences. Study 1 evaluated the effects of telling stories about attractions before site visits on youth experiences and learning outcomes on site. Seventeen youth in a 4-H program designed to promote cultural understanding visited eight attractions in Costa Rica. The evening before visiting three sites, youth were told a fictional or cross-fictional story about the sites. The stories elicited imaginary travel to the site (narrative transportation). After visiting the sites, the youth reported the extent to which they felt like they were in …

Food Access And Food Insecurity Among Early Childhood Educators And Staff Prior To And During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Rahel Mathews, Leah Pylate, Will Davis, Elizabeth Thorne, Jamila Taylor, Shecoya White, Bennett Pope, Emma Bryant

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Emerging research indicates that 40% of early childhood education (ECE) workers experience food insecurity. The purpose of this study was to describe the food insecurity and food access of Head Start teachers and staff in Mississippi before the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand how COVID-19 affected food access. A mixed-methods design was employed using cross-sectional surveys, at two different time points, and three focus groups. Three Head Start centers from the Mississippi Coast participated. Approximately 52% of teacher and staff respondents experienced food insecurity before COVID-19; during the pandemic, their level of food insecurity worsened from low to very low …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Relationship Education For Latino Adolescents, Joshua J. Turner, Esra Şahin, Kay Bradford, Brian J. Higginbotham

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Adolescent romantic relationships are often characterized as exploratory and fleeting; however, they have lasting impacts on individual well-being and relationship quality during and beyond adolescence, shaping future relationship expectations and quality (Collins, 2003; Madsen & Collins, 2011). Adolescent relationship education is an important programmatic feature under the broader umbrella of family life education (Simpson et al., 2018). Previous evaluative studies document positive outcomes in educating adolescents on how to build and recognize healthy relationships (Bradford et al., 2023; Kerpelman et al., 2010); however, research remains limited in addressing potential benefits for adolescents from historically underrepresented groups. This study addresses this …

Referral Strategies For Recruitment And Engagement Of Community Adults Into Online Extension Health Programs, Cheryl L. Eschbach, Dawn A. Contreras, Holly B. Tiret

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This article shares details behind building organizational capacity to establish program referrals for statewide recruitment of community adults into Cooperative Extension’s online health programs. This study explores the role of intentional recruitment strategies (active and passive) to increase participant program enrollment into health education and shares examples from one state that has created a trained workforce that offers ongoing research- and evidence-based programs. After many years of trying paper, phone, and electronic medical record methods to increase program reach, Michigan State University Extension tried an electronic referral process via a QR code and web link, accompanied by program marketing, to …

Teaching Leadership In The Context Of Crisis: Connecting Organizational Leadership And Crisis Competencies In A Faculty Leadership Education Program, Caitlin Lunzmann, Nicole Lamee Perez Stedman, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This research focused on enhancing leadership instruction in colleges of agriculture. A multi-institutional research team initiated a program to teach agricultural and natural resource faculty how to create leadership-oriented case studies for undergraduates. Forty faculty members participated in an online training academy centered on Bolman and Deal’s Organizational Frames and case study writing. Following the academy, these faculty members participated in field experiences in the southeastern U.S. to gather data on natural disasters, which they used to write case studies about leadership in agriculture. Though the program focused on organizational leadership, it also discussed leadership in the context of natural …

Exploring The Educational Needs Of Family Caregivers For Patients With Dementia, Karen L. Franck, Janet Fox, Ann A. Berry, Kristen Johnson, Jessica Taylor, Matt Devereaux

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Family members who care for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia often face significant stressors and challenges that impact their quality of life. As part of a project to develop Extension educational materials and resources specifically for family caregivers, we conducted an online needs assessment survey with 196 adults in the U.S. Participants identified doctors, the internet, and caregiver support groups as top sources of information about dementia. They were interested in strategies to help them manage stress, address patient behavioral issues, and access locally available resources. Furthermore, they were interested in attending educational programs with other caregivers. These findings …

Let’S Talk Mental Health: An Assessment Of Oregon Agricultural Stakeholders Discussing Mental Health, Whitney Stone, Lauren Chase, Taylor Foerster

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Working in agriculture presents some unique mental health stressors, including financial difficulties, climate variability, and isolation. Currently, Extension offers mental health literacy programming addressing mental health and suicide in agricultural communities; however, some of the programming is underattended, and resources are underutilized. We sought to find out how communicating about mental health resources was perceived by agricultural stakeholders who work closely with farmers and ranchers, including agribusiness employees, leaders in the community, and pre-service agriculture teachers. Through this mixed-method study using focus groups and a survey, we wanted to find out the perceptions of mental health resources to help inform …

The Effects Of The Cooking For One Curriculum On Nutrition, Food Safety, Food Resource Management, And Physical Activity Behaviors: A Pilot Study, Tyler B. Becker Dr., Ronald L. Gibbs Jr, Becky Henne, Erika Garner

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The number of single adult households has increased over the previous decades, and few health education interventions address these unique living situations, which come with various economic challenges. The Cooking for One curriculum is a cooking-based intervention designed to improve nutrition, food safety, food resource management, and physical activity (PA) behaviors among single adults. This curriculum includes six lessons, each with an educational and hands-on cooking component. Participants included 1,546 adults recruited through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education programs in the state of Michigan. Each of the participants underwent the six-lesson Cooking for One curriculum. Prior to and following the intervention, …

Foundational Phases For Community Development: A Model For Enhancing Cooperative Extension’S Role Within The Community, George Grant, Kristina Hains

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The Cooperative Extension System (CES) plays a vital role in community education and development across the United States. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the historical and present-day significance of the CES as a catalyst for community development practice, while overlaying a community development model applicable to CES. A literature review is provided on the historical origins, organizational structure, and leadership responsibilities of agents and specialists relevant to community development research and practice. The researchers suggest a novel conceptual model, the Foundational Phases for Community Development, to assist agents and specialists across all areas of programming for engaging …

Bridging The Communication Gap In Natural Disaster Information: An Exploratory Study Of Extension Service Websites, Emmanuel Chisom Okolo, Rafael Landaverde, Laxmi Prasanna Kandi, Kim E. Dooley, Sarah Mccord, Kelsi Opat, Abdul Saboor Rahmany

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Natural disasters are expected to become more frequent and severe, increasing the need for effective disaster management. Governments are emphasizing community awareness and local self-reliance, with the Cooperative Extension Services (CES) playing a vital role in distributing science-based knowledge and supporting preparedness efforts. This qualitative content analysis (QCA), guided by Framing Theory, examined how CES disseminated weather-related disaster preparedness and response information from 2003 to 2023 on Extension Service websites. We explored: (1) the frequency of information on natural disaster preparedness and response published on Extension Service websites, (2) dissemination methods, and (3) the quality of disaster preparedness and response …

Full Issue, Volume 13, Number 3, Donna J. Peterson Dr., Scott Cummings, Elizabeth Gregory North

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Outcomes Of A Pediatric-Focused Obesity Randomized Control Trial In Rural Communities, Brittany D. Lancaster, E. Goldenberg, A. S. Trofimoff, Y. Dai, B. Forseth, R. S. Romine, K. Fleming, Ann M. Davis

Publications

Objective: This study explores the impact of iAmHealthy, a rurally focused pediatric obesity intervention, on mental health outcomes and examines how baseline mental health affects body mass index (BMI) outcomes for child–parent dyads in rural communities. Method: Eighteen schools were randomly assigned to iAmHealthy or the Newsletter Control group. iAmHealthy consists of health coaching and group sessions via televideo. Child and parent height and weight, child depression, child quality of life, and parent distress were assessed at baseline, posttreatment (8 months), and follow-up (20 months) from October 2017 to December 2021. Multilevel modeling assessed treatment effects on mental health and …

Implementation And Assessment Of The Openbci Platform As An Accessible Brain- Computer Interface, Jewell Norris

Honors Theses

OpenBCI is a low-cost, open-source platform for alternative brain-computer interface (BCI) software and hardware. This thesis evaluates OpenBCI’s electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) capabilities by constructing and testing a 16-channel EEG system using the Ultracortex Mark IV headset and Cyton + Daisy biosensing board. The viability of the system was assessed through real-time BCI control and comparison to a clinical-grade EEG system. Real-time BCI control of an online falling-block game was tested via the use of eye blinks EMG (channels Fp1/Fp2) and head-tilt accelerometer inputs. The BCI game demonstrated reliable control despite minor latency and artifact sensitivity. For clinical comparison, …

Souvenir Plate Of Jackson, Mississippi, Carl J. V.

Mississippi Capitol Region

This souvenir plate, designed by Dr. Carl Raymond von Seutter, bears green toned etchings of seven landmarks located in Jackson, Mississippi. Images of the Governors' Mansion, the Seutter Building, the Old Capital, a buildings at Millsaps College, a Confederate monument, and the Jackson, Mississippi post office line the outter edges of the plate while an etching of the New Capitol building is featured in the center. The back of the plate identifies the plate has having been made by the Rowland and Marsellus, Co. in Staffordshire, England and designed and imported by Carl J. V. Seutter, Wholesale and Retail Jeweler, …

Rural School Redesign: Enacting Care And Mutuality Through Responsive Professional Development, Catharine Biddle

The Rural Educator

One of the challenges that rural schools face is a lack of school change models developed from a rural standpoint that position schools and their organizational improvement as a critical component of rural community development policy. This case study of the Rural Aspirations Project draws on an evaluation of their decade of work with 18 small and rural schools in Maine to provide curriculum support and responsive professional development. Positioning their work as a revelatory case, this article explores the organization’s embodiment of a central component of care theory—mutuality—and the ways in which this principle enabled ecologies of care between …

Designing Research With Care: A Critical Race Nepantlera Methodological Approach To Rural Latinx College Access, Mayra Puente, Lupita Romo-González, Marlene López Torres, Melissa Romero

The Rural Educator

Research has widely documented the lack of educational resources and opportunities available to rural communities. Cognizant of the structural and spatial barriers facing rural communities, this study intentionally employed a critical race nepantlera methodology (CRNM) to mitigate the adverse effects of living in geographically isolated, systemically underinvested rural areas. Rather than perpetuating a false notion of objectivity in research, the research team actively supported rural Latinx students in accessing higher education through a CRNM research design, which prioritizes the well-being of research collaborators over the study. In enacting a CRNM approach, the research team demonstrated care while increasing students’ access …