Digital Commons Network^™

Clinical And Community-Based Recovery Models: The Focus On How They Can Be Better Together, Alicia Wilder

Graduate Research Papers

Two of the main pathways for individuals to access recovery services are clinical and community-based. The clinical model focuses on medical stabilization and treatment, followed by community-based care that provides peer-driven support and sustainability through connection. The purpose is to examine how recovery models aim to support those in recovery and pinpoint the ways they can integrate medical and social systems to meet client needs. Comparing the two will allow us to understand how each model supports sustained recovery and overall well-being. The question that will be researched in this study is: How do acute clinical treatment and community- based …

Social Media Usage And Its Effects On Adolescent Mental Health, Kloey K. Thill

Graduate Research Papers

As social media increasingly becomes incorporated in many daily routines of adolescents, there is a growing concern about the psychological impacts associated with problematic social media use. This research study explores the relationship between social media habits and mental health outcomes among adolescents. The research found by conducting a comprehensive literature review indicates associations between problematic social media use and mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and poor sleep quality. Further research raises the question of whether there are different vulnerabilities and outcomes across different demographics of adolescents. Findings from this research study can be used when creating …

The Multidimensional Impacts Of Poverty On Adolescent Outcomes, Klarence Baker

Graduate Research Papers

Poverty is a pervasive, multidimensional phenomenon that extends beyond financial scarcity to encompass a lack of both tangible and intangible resources necessary for healthy development. This research article synthesizes current literature to explore the profound impacts of poverty on adolescents specifically examining how economic hardship influences long term outcomes in financial attainment, educational success, and physical and mental health. This study investigates how cooccurring risk factors can disrupt neural development and social trajectories. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the duration and severity of poverty exposure and its lasting effects extending into adulthood. This research examines three …

Mapping The Geography Of Economic Espionage In The United States (2000–2025): An Applied Counterintelligence And Spatial Analysis, David A. Turner

Graduate Research Papers

This Graduate Research Project examines whether economic espionage incidents within the United States exhibit structured geographic patterns aligned with innovation ecosystem density. Using a verified dataset of 135 publicly documented economic espionage and foreign-linked trade secret theft cases between 2000 and 2025, this study applies Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis to evaluate spatial concentration, sectoral prioritization, and foreign nexus distribution.

Kernel Density Estimation and state-level aggregation reveal disproportionate clustering within innovation-dense regions, including California, New York, and major Midwestern industrial corridors. Aerospace and defense technologies, energy technologies, and semiconductors and microelectronics collectively account for 55.6 percent of all documented cases. …

“En La Clase, Sí. En Estados Unidos, No.”: La Motivación, La Pertenencia Y El Intercambio De Recursos En Clases Para Adultos Aprendices De Inglés, Katie Hunter

Graduate Research Papers

En los Estados Unidos, los programas de educación para adultos pueden abrir la puerta a varias oportunidades para estudiantes con trasfondos académicos no tradicionales. Los programas como la educación básica para adultos, la equivalencia de escuela secundaria, la preparación profesional y técnica y, lo más importante para los propósitos de este estudio, la educación para adultos aprendices de inglés, promueven el progreso profesional y apoyan a los estudiantes a identificar y trabajar para alcanzar sus metas personales. Sin embargo, en este contexto educativo es de suma importancia reconocer el conocimiento arraigado en la experiencia vivida que los estudiantes traen al …

The Role Of Parent Involvement In Enhancing Pediatric Speech And Language Therapy, Katie Lynch

Honors Program Theses

As speech-language pathologists, we provide speech and language therapy for children in a variety of settings. It is crucial that we include a client’s family in therapy because family involvement has been shown to promote generalization of skills learned in therapy to a child’s typical environment. Despite this, various barriers exist for families as they aim to support their child’s speech and language goals. This literature review examines how speech-language pathologists can gain an understanding of these barriers and how they can promote family involvement in pediatric speech and language therapy.

Growth And Sustainability Of Ash Tree Replacements In Twin Lakes, Iowa, Emma Larsen

Honors Program Theses

The significant loss of mature ash trees at Twin Lakes Bible Camp (TLBC) has motivated efforts to restore green spaces by planting replacement trees. In summer 2024, 32 trees representing eight unique species were planted, and their overall health and site suitability were evaluated to inform future replanting efforts in summer 2025. The five soil series present at TLBC (Canisteo, Clarion, Webster, Okoboki, and Nicollet) were evaluated by soil chemistry testing through x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. This study presents site-specific data of tree growth measurements, visual health assessments, and soil compatibility analyses to identify practical recommendations for improving restoration success. The …

Using Simulations And Machine Learning To Improve Routing Algorithms In Wireless Sensor Networks, Luke Abels

Honors Program Theses

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used in fields such as environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, disaster response, and other applications where low-power devices must communicate reliably over time. Because these networks operate under limited energy and communication constraints, routing and broadcast strategies strongly influence performance, scalability, and network lifetime. This thesis examines how simulation and machine learning can be used to study interference-aware broadcasting in WSNs. The project first evaluates the usefulness of existing network simulation tools, including ns-3, and then describes the development of a custom Python simulator designed for rapid experimentation with broadcast behavior, mobility, and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio …

University Of Northern Iowa Women's Tennis 2025-26 Record Book, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--- Team Records
--- Individual Records
--- Awards
--- Championship Results
--- Year-By-Year Results
--- Series History

A Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Multi-Tiered System Of Supports For Emergent Bilingual Students With And Without Disabilities, Ben Christensen

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Modernizing Rotc Training: Evaluating The Impact Of Digital Learning On Tactical Performance, Dominick Olhava

Honors Program Theses

Tactical proficiency is a critical component of ROTC officer development, yet current study practices–primarily physical manuals, PowerPoint briefings, and in person instruction–offer limited opportunities for individualized learning, repetition, and long term retention. While digital learning platforms are widely adopted across higher education, they remain underutilized within ROTC programs despite their potential to enhance accessibility, engagement, and performance.

To address this gap, ROTCELERATE (rotcelerate.com) was developed to serve as a comprehensive digital repository designed to centralize and modernize ROTC training materials. The platform consolidates doctrinal references, tactical methodologies, and written study resources, and supplements them with interactive animated visualizations that illustrate …

The Times They Are A-Changin’: How Bob Dylan’S Music Helped To Change An Era, Emily Newby

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

"The Queen's Grace Heartily Thanks You For The Quails:" Honor Lisle And The Role Of Gift-Giving In The Education And Preferment Of Her Children, Alexa Renee Gordon

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence In Advertising: An Experimental Evaluation Of Ai Video Generators, Josie Koenigs

Honors Program Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed the landscape of modern advertising, reshaping how agencies conceptualize, create, and deliver campaigns (Gujar and Panyam 51). Today, advertising agencies and standalone advertisers increasingly integrate AI tools to automate tasks, generate creative content, and analyze consumer behavior with precision. These technologies have introduced significant strengths, including enhanced creativity, efficiency, and time-saving capabilities, that allow marketers to produce highly targeted and engaging campaigns. However, the growing use of AI also raises questions about critical weaknesses, including issues of authenticity, bias, and ethical safety concerns in AI-generated content. Existing research has explored the general applications of …

Dementia Related Programs: A Case Study Of Spousal Care And Mental Health, Candace Hoisington

Honors Program Theses

This research paper explores the experiences of informal caregivers of people living with dementia. Focusing on topics such as mental health, caregiver education, and access to supportive resources within dementia related programs. The current literature highlights significant gaps in caregiver education and access to resources for spousal and older adult informal caregivers. A qualitative study was conducted by surveying informal caregivers from the Cedar Valley, Iowa area. Analysis of the survey results included use of Braun and Clarke’s (2020) six-step thematic analysis approach. Results found from four participants caused four major themes to emerge. The informal caregivers identified friends and …

Dynamic Social Impact Theory And The Consolidation And Dispersal Of Clusters In Squid Game: The Challenge, Adrienne Darrah, Robert J. Darrah

Iowa Journal of Communication

This study utilizes a dynamic social impact theory (DSIT) framework to analyze human influence on the popular Netflix television series Squid Game: The Challenge. A British reality competition, Squid Game: The Challenge is comprised of ten-episodes and features 456 contestants vying for $4.56 million. As contestants self-organize into social alliances, their shared attitudes, beliefs, and values transform the physical space into a dynamic social space. The creation of clusters through these alliances, the correlation between contestant attitudes and behaviors, and the consolidation of contestant attitudes and behaviors reflective of alliance needs is reinforced by the physical proximity of contestants, the …

Understanding Dementia Challenges In Rural Ghana: A Systematic Review, Diana Maame Agyeiwaa Agyei, Sesi Sedegah, Abena Abokoma Asemanyi, Theresa Ayertey, Wendy Yeboah

Iowa Journal of Communication

Dementia poses an escalating public health challenge in Ghana due to an expanding aging population, yet rural awareness remains critically low. Guided by Mohan Dutta’s Culture-Centered Approach (CCA), this PRISMA-compliant qualitative systematic review synthesized ten peer-reviewed articles to examine cultural perceptions and lived experiences surrounding dementia in rural Ghana. The findings highlight that cognitive decline is widely misattributed to witchcraft or normalized as standard aging. Witchcraft misconceptions subject individuals—especially older women—to severe stigmatization, social exclusion, physical abuse, and banishment to "witch camps". Meanwhile, normalizing symptoms as ordinary aging delays critical medical care and shifts family decision-making away from patients. Furthermore, …

Editors Forum: A Call For Collaboration Among Professionals: Opening Dialogues About Our Professional Organizations, Joshua E. Young

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

State Communication Associations As Local Advocacy Hubs: Reimagining Digital Presence In Service To Educators, Students, And Professionals, Russell D. Jones

Iowa Journal of Communication

This essay examines how the public-facing presence of state communication associations, particularly their websites and social media accounts, shapes whether communication instructors and professionals perceive these organizations as relevant to their work. Drawing on a focused review of several state association websites and social media profiles, along with scholarship on professional associations, contingent faculty, K–12 professional learning, and nonprofit digital strategy, the essay identifies recurring patterns: visually dated sites, sparse or inward-facing information, and limited attention to K–12 teachers, contingent faculty, students, and practitioners. Rather than treating these features as evidence of apathy, the analysis situates them within the structural …

Building Value And Maintaining Engagement In State-Level Professional Associations, Steve A. Stuglin, Paul R. Raptis

Iowa Journal of Communication

Engagement with international, national, regional, and state professional associations provides invaluable experiences for scholars at any level, and many scholars maintain several memberships throughout their careers. Each level of association offers different things to members, though, and not every association should be trying to fill the same role or to meet every need. Those interested in the future for a state association should identify what role that association fills, what it can provide, and for which audiences. State associations are best positioned to offer a high-value and low-barrier means of engagement, targeting students and junior professionals for membership and participation. …

Close Enough To Know, Organized Enough To Respond: State Associations As First-Response Advocacy Networks, Jordan Atkinson

Iowa Journal of Communication

This essay argues that state communication associations are uniquely positioned to serve as first-response advocacy networks for the communication discipline. In a higher education climate shaped by declining public trust, program cuts, academic freedom concerns, enrollment pressures, and contingent labor, state associations can provide local forms of connection, support, and advocacy that complement the work of regional and national associations. Drawing attention to their proximity, relationships, and responsiveness, this essay considers how these associations can help members recognize emerging threats, share resources, coordinate responses, and communicate the public value of communication education. It also argues that effective advocacy requires more …

Back Matter - Call For Submissions

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

General Music Methods’ Effect On Sel Development: A Review Of Literature, Tessa M. Hansen

Graduate Research Papers

In an increasingly digital world, the demand for social-emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom has become a priority for holistic student development. While music education is often cited as a tool for emotional growth, there is a lack of synthesized research examining how specific, established music pedagogies facilitate these competencies. This literature review investigates the intersection of five foundational music methods–Orff-Schulwerk, Kodály, Suzuki, Dalcroze, and Gordon’s Music Learning Theory (MLT) – and their impact on the five core SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Findings indicate that the Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály methods provide robust frameworks …

Front Matter - Table Of Contents - Preface

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Iowa Journal Of Communication, Volume 58, Number 1, Fall 2026 [Download Entire Issue]

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Welcome From The Editor, Joshua E. Young

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Is Kamala Brat? Counteracting Persuasion Resistance With Authenticity On Tiktok, Shannon Pappas, Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch, Bailey Quigley

Iowa Journal of Communication

TikTok is the social media app most frequented by Gen Z, yet political candidates have struggled to connect with this audience. However, Kamala Harris’ 2024 U.S. presidential campaign has changed how political candidates interact with potential voters. Through unconventional memes and viral moments, she has connected to Gen Z like no other candidate before her. Based on Persuasion Knowledge Model, an online, between-subjects quasi-experimental survey exposed Gen Z participants (N = 370) to three KamalaHQ TikTok videos employing a combination of TikTok (e.g., trending music, humor) and political campaign strategies (e.g., campaign ad). Results show that video exposure reduced message …

Effects Of Diversity Mixed Messages In Organizational Hiring Websites On Perceived Person-Organization Fit And Application Intention For Entry-Level Applicants, Clementina Edema, Edikan Nkanta, Alexis Noeela Quick, Linda Kabaaula, Alina Niftulaeva, Caleb T. Carr

Iowa Journal of Communication

Organizations frequently incorporate explicit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements and photographs of current employees into their online presence, in part to signal to potential job applicants their ability to ‘fit in’ to the organization, its culture, and its extant members. This two-factor (match between organizational DEI statement and racioethnic diversity of members depicted) experiment (N = 105) tested the effect of diversity mixed messages on applicant perceptions of person-organization fit, accounting for the moderating effects of individuals’ demographics (i.e., race/gender and political lean). Results revealed the consistency of DEI statements and the depictions of current organizational members did not …

His Cues, Her Cues: Teaching Presence, Gender, And Relational Impressions In Online Learning, Kyle R. Vareberg, Ryan Goke, Ian Berry, Maranda Goke, Stephanie Kelly

Iowa Journal of Communication

Online courses are increasingly common and taken more frequently by students, yet students' perceptions of them may portray instructors as invisible and uninvolved. Drawing on social information processing theory, we argue that cues intended to signal course design are also interpreted relationally. Teaching presence, the work instructors do to be “present” in the online environment, is not merely instructional structure: it is relational communication embedded in course design. This study explored whether teaching presence and students' perceptions of immediacy and credibility are related, and whether those relationships differ by student gender. Using a cross-sectional survey, we divided our sample into …

I Saw This On Tiktok: Examining The Nature Of Memorable Health-Related Messages On Tiktok, Andrea L. Meluch, Rhiannon Kallis

Iowa Journal of Communication

This qualitative study examines the foci and characteristics of health-related TikTok videos users find memorable. Specifically, this analysis applies the theory of memorable messages to understand what types of health-related messages on social media are memorable to users and the impact of these messages on health-related behaviors. Participants included college students who use TikTok and recalled a memorable health-related TikTok video. Participants identified (a) exercise and fitness, (b) nutrition and diet, and (c) mental health as the most common memorable health-related topics in TikTok videos. Study findings also indicated that participants often have a strong emotional reaction to memorable content …