Digital Commons Network^™

Western Reserve Independent Living Center: Leaders In Disability Advocacy For Eastern Ohio, Lillie Greiman, Luke Santore, Rayna Sage

Independent Living and Community Participation

Western Reserve Independent Living Center (WRILC) is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) that provides services that promote independence, advocacy, and leadership among the people with disabilities they serve. WRILC's approach is rooted in a deep commitment to empowering individuals through personalized support, peer connections, and skills development. RTC:Rural researchers explore WRILC's relationship-based community advocacy approach through the Rural Community Living Development project.

Queer In & Out Of Montana: Oral Histories Of The Lgbtq+ Exodus From Montana, Erin T. Heaton

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This project will summarize findings from six oral histories of LGBTQ+ people who lived in Montana, but have left or are leaving in the near future. This project will explore the questions: Why are queer and transgender people leaving Montana? What are common experiences for LGBTQ+ people living in Montana? The answer to these questions will be derived from the stories of the Narrators who provided their oral histories. The questions utilized in the oral histories covered topics of identity, “coming out,” living history, cultural observations, community experiences and perceptions, well-being, healthcare, laws, and reasons for leaving. Thematic Analysis was …

Establishing Metric Method’S To Identify Variation In Human Biological Sex Using The Upper And Lower Limb Bones Of Non-Population Specific Samples., Roland P. Sanchez

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sex estimation of human skeletal remains is a facet of the biological profile. The pelvis has been suggested as the best source to accurately predicting the biological sex, but not always available after the recovery of human remains. At times, only long bones of human skeletal remains are recovered for identification. It has been shown that metric measurements using long can accurately predict biological sex. The most common methods use discriminant functions to predict the likelihood an individual falls within a certain population. These studies rely on population specific collections of skeletal remains for increased accuracy. It’s advised to avoid …

Eros And The Sublime: Tools For Reaching Toward An Altered Ecological Consciousness, Aineka Carlson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis explores connections between the Kantian sublime and Anne Carson’s ideas regarding “eros.” Since Kant’s Critique of Judgement was published in 1790, the Kantian sublime has grown in popularity and been utilized by theorists and creative writers alike. While the Kantian sublime is often associated with nature in popular culture, there are certain egocentric and phallocentric elements of this mode of thinking that might inhibit a biocentric mindset. Through a character study of Oryx from Margaret Atwood’s novel Oryx and Crake, this thesis draws relations between the subjugation of women, nature, and the ways in which the popularized …

Poor Little Woman And Sybil Of The Rhine: Code Switching In Hildegard Of Bingen’S Writing, Bridgett Meskis

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Hildegard of Bingen (1098- 1179) was a twelfth century German Benedictine abbess, mystic, author, composer, and theologian. Despite the heavily patriarchal and restrictive culture of her day, Hildegard managed to gain autonomy and authority within her community. She benefited from a boom in popularity in the mid-1990s, which saw a broadening of research subjects, including focus on the gender dynamics at play in Hildegard’s life. This scholarship has died down significantly since. Given the breadth and depth of her work, Hildegard of Bingen’s work deserves to be revisited through more recent theoretical lenses that can provide significant insights into her …

Msw Portfolio, Hailey E. Owens

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Steven Asire

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This work encapsulates my progression both throughout my time in the MSW program as well as my practicum and professional experience working in the mental health field. The portfolio applies past work and describes my progression from a micro lense in practice to a more holistic approach, including mezzo and macro levels of focus and how these progressions will influence my future work.

Daughter Of A Lost Bird, Susan J. Schwidde

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Spiriling Transcendence - The Integration Of Ideas, Ideals & Social Work Practice, Peter J. Donaldson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Sunrise In The Heartland: The Ahmadiyya Movement And The Foundations Of African American Islam, Hazel Videon

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

During the early 1920s, an immigrant missionary from colonial India named Muhammad Sadiq established headquarters in Chicago for a branch of Islam called the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (AMI). The AMI became the first institutional expression of Islam in the United States to draw a significant number of American converts and was particularly popular among African Americans. Following the Second Great Migration, Black migrants to the urban Midwest sought new ways to express their identity, fulfill both spiritual and material needs, and resist racist violence. The AMI became attractive to them as an alternative to respectability politics and drew upon …

Social Connection And Disability: A Longitudinal Experimental Study Of Intervention Effectiveness And Moderators, Krys Standley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: Social disconnection is an epidemic-level problem that is exacerbated for people with disabilities. There is a pressing need for theory-based research to illuminate the factors that contribute to effective interventions for improving social connection in this population.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were 1) to test the hypothesis that the Peer Collective, a six-week, online, group-based intervention centered on social support topics, would result in increased levels of social connection among community-dwelling adults with any types of disabilities and 2) to examine potential moderating effects in this hypothesized relationship.

Method: A longitudinal intervention study design with random assignment …

On Creating Bog Bodies: The Effects Of Ph Value On Dna Decomposition In A Bog Environment, Gabrielle B. Giangreco

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Bog bodies have been a consistent area of interest in both archaeology and biological anthropology, due to their high rates of physical preservation. While there are many physical analyses that have been done on these remains, DNA analysis is lacking. Most studies focus on changes to the remains themselves or attempt to determine why they were placed in a bog. This study aims to examine the effects of pH level on the breakdown of DNA on remains placed inside a bog along with any larger differences in the preservation of the remains. The results of this study seem to point …

Theory Of Planned Behavior And Suicide Screening In Family Medicine, Jennifer Villa

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

General medical healthcare settings, particularly primary care and family medicine practices, serve as critical access points for addressing mental health concerns. This is especially true in rural communities, where specialized behavioral health services are often limited or unavailable. Given the elevated suicide risk in these settings and the shortage of mental health professionals, primary care providers are well-positioned to identify patients at risk through suicide screening. However, research shows that many established providers do not routinely screen for suicide, representing a missed opportunity for prevention, and little is known about resident attitudes towards suicide screening and prevention. Guided by the …

Evaluating The Accuracy Of Stature Estimation From Tibial Radiographs Using Known And Newly Developed Regression Formulas, Atlantis Kae Baron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study assesses the accuracy of stature estimation from tibial radiographs using digital measurements as an alternative to traditional osteometric tools. Stature estimation is crucial in forensic anthropology for identifying individuals, especially cases involving skeletal remains. Traditional methods rely on physical measurements and established regression formulas, such as those by Trotter & Gleser (1958).

This research analyzed tibial radiographs from the Forensic Anthropology Skeletal Trauma (FAST) database with ImageJ software to measure tibial lengths digitally. The sample included 59 tibiae, with measurements compared against three regression formulas; Trotter & Gleser (1958), Simon et al. (2023), and a new regression formula …

Testing The Hefner (2009) Ancestry/Population Affinity Estimation Method On Japanese Bioarchaeological Populations And Observing Changes In Trait Frequency Distribution Over Time, Tristan Charnock Hershberger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Population affinity is the most controversial aspect of the biological profile to assess for forensic anthropologists due to an array of factors, both historical and in application. This has led to many calls for the abandonment of this type of estimation, however, many have challenged this by arguing for the category’s importance in the death investigation process. While the abandonment of population affinity estimation is unlikely, that does not mean that current approaches to population assessment should not be reassessed. This study attempts to reevaluate the category by applying an evolutionary lens to population affinity assessment. This project applied a …

Comparative Bioinformatic Methodologies In Paleogenetic Pathogen Identification In The Casas Grandes, Victoria Lynne Giovannangelo

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The application of metagenomic tools to further elucidate ancient DNA (aDNA) holds promise in paleopathology, particularly for inferring disease patterns in ancient populations, especially in those that are understudied. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the efficacy of taxonomic pipelines--Kraken 2, HOPS/MALT, and HAYSTAC--in detecting pathogens within highly degraded aDNA samples extracted from 22 Medio Period Paquimé individuals from the Casas Grandes archaeological site in Northwest Mexico. The taxonomic results from the pipelines are compared with contamination detection program mapDamage, although concerns arose about the latter program’s ability to work with prokaryotes. Additionally, the findings are compared against prior …

There's Still Time To, Lily Kip

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

There's Still Time To is a body of work composed of 51 photo-derived oil paintings. Each piece illustrates a relational situation which resists straightforward interpretation and generates infinite narrative possibilities. My source images come from my adolescent engagements with smartphone photography and social media, but the painted results are not focused on "photography" as a subject. Instead, I paint the photo to re-tread old memories and old relationships. The ambiguity of each figurative situation reflects the lived experience of relating to others and also serves as an invitation to the viewer who must base any assumptions about the painting on …

Understanding The Factors That Influence University Environment: Gender Differences In Perceptions Of Female And Male Stem Graduate Students., Rachel Robinson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Despite increasing female representation in higher education, women remain underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. This thesis investigates gendered perceptions of university environment among STEM graduate students, focusing on the role of faculty-student interaction as a form of social capital. The survey was developed and administered with Qualtrics Online Survey Software by members of the Social Science Research Group of the Pacific Northwest Circles of Success: Mentoring Opportunities in STEM. All graduate students in the participating universities pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in a National Science Foundation STEM recognized program were eligible to complete the survey. Using …

Jurisprudence Of Problem-Solving Courts: A Study Of Structure, Success, And Sociological Theory, Lauren M. Boos

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In response to the failures of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, Problem-Solving Courts (PSCs) have emerged as alternatives to traditional prosecution. These courts employ therapeutic-informed and rehabilitative practices aimed at addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. While widely regarded as more effective than traditional courts, PSCs have developed largely without a formal theoretical foundation. This is notable given their alignment with Sociological Jurisprudence (SJ) and Therapeutic Jurisprudence (TJ), which view the legal system as a vehicle for promoting individual and community well-being.

Despite being celebrated as therapeutic innovations, PSCs often embody these principles unevenly. Using …

The Inevitability Of Adaptability - Comparative Contributions To Understanding Originalism, Anna C. Conley

Faculty Law Review Articles

What can comparative law teach us about originalism as a constitutional interpretation method? After synthesizing existing comparative analyses, this article seeks to redefine comparative law’s role in understanding originalism. When defining originalism strictly to require adherence to fixed original meaning, originalism is not used by courts anywhere in the world. Instead, courts use history purposively to understand the intent behind constitutional text as one of many methods of interpretation. Comparative works suggest historical constitutional interpretation has a complex relationship with rights, politics and culture.

Comparative law can provide not only descriptive understandings of originalism but also interrogate its mandate that …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Madison L. Good

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio highlights my growth and development as a social work student which I am hopeful and committed to continuing as I transition into a new social work professional. The five elements of advanced integrated practice will be presented followed by the competency that relates to each element. Within each competency, I will explore the dimensions of practice that include how I expanded my knowledge, skills, and values while forming and demonstrating cognitive and affective processes throughout my time in the program.

Msw Portfolio, Daisy Marie Sells Alexander

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

MSW Portfolio

Portfolio Project Social Work 599, Christopher S. Plummer

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Abstract This portfolio reflects the culmination of my journey to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) and demonstrates my mastery of the 10 core competencies outlined by the University of Montana School of Social Work. Through the lens of the five elements of advanced integrated practice, this work illustrates the transformation I underwent as I developed the skills, knowledge, and values essential to ethical and effective social work practice. Each section of this portfolio provides evidence of my growth in applying critical self-reflection, integrating historical and cultural contexts, bridging direct practice with community intervention, engaging in evidence-based practices, and …

Msw Portfolio, Nichole Nuehring

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

America At A Glance: Rural Transit Funding Through The Covid-19 Pandemic, Andrew Myers, Luke Santore

Independent Living and Community Participation

While all people need transportation to meet their basic needs, rural people with disabilities face barriers due to lack of public transportation and not driving. Federal transit funds to improve public transportation doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most went to metropolitan and micropolitan counties, with many rural counties receiving no transit funds from 2018-2022. This factsheet explores and illustrates these differences in transit funds received in urban and rural counties.

Gwayak Ateg Onaakonigewi Dibenjigewin: Decolonizing Jurisdiction In Anishinaabe Tribal Courts, Kekek Jason Stark

Faculty Law Review Articles

It is generally understood as a matter of federal Indian law that determinations of tribal law should properly be interpreted by tribal courts. This is because tribal courts do not always adhere to the same legal philosophy as their settler colonial counterparts. Many tribal courts subscribe to traditional law, which is an “essential source” of tribal jurisprudence. Anishinaabe communities have maintained a rich body of traditional tribal law since time immemorial. However, these customary law principles are only recently being included in modern day Anishinaabe tribal court determinations. This article builds upon the Anishinaabe law principles articulated in recent opinions …

Montana Kaimin, November 7, 2024, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Elevating Rural Disability Data For Policy Impact, Rtc: Rural

Independent Living and Community Participation

In late 2023, the Research & Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) and the Urban Institute partnered to better understand issues related to using and accessing rural disability data. First, we hosted two listening sessions to explore challenges and opportunities to improve the relevance, access, and accuracy of rural disability data. One listening session focused on perspectives from data users and rural community stakeholders. The other focused on perspectives from data producers including multiple federal agencies that collect and disseminate national, state, and local data. These discussions culminated in a rural data summit, Elevating Rural Disability Data for …

Building An Inclusive Disability Community In Rural Idaho: Stories From The Magic Valley, Lillie Greiman, Genna M. Mashinchi, E. Petersen, R. Roberts, Rayna Sage, Luke Santore

Independent Living and Community Participation

The Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) has served Southern Idaho for over 20 years. Headquartered in Boise, LINC has branch offices in both Twin Falls and Caldwell. LINC staff provide a wide range of services for rural consumers across the approximately 30,000 square miles of their service area. The Twin Falls office serves eight counties, a region locally known as the “Magic Valley.”

This report highlights both the work of staff at LINC’s Twin Falls office and the outcomes of a community-based research project that LINC participated in with the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities at the University of Montana.

Rural Communication Strategies: Disability And The Role Of Public Libraries, Jeff Gutierrez, University Of Montana Rural Institute For Inclusive Communities

Independent Living and Community Participation

Communication in rural areas can often feel like a mystery to outsiders. Local identity and informal networks tend to thrive, but if you are not from these areas, it can be difficult to stay in the loop. Even rural people with disabilities, who have lived in these communities their entire lives, still struggle to participate. How do they find out what is going on and stay connected with local resources and services? This research report explores the role of libraries in rural communication strategies for people with disabilities.