Digital Commons Network^™

Strategic Planning And Capacity Growth In Nonprofit Organizations, Rebecca Snapp

Graduate Research Papers

The following is a literature review of the relationship between strategic planning and capacity building in nonprofit organizations. The review specifically examines barriers to strategic planning and capacity building in the areas of environment, leadership, and funding, as well as elements of organizational readiness for strategic planning with the goal of supporting nonprofit organizations as they work to circumvent these barriers.

Communiqué: College Of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine, Volume 11, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts, And Sciences.

Communiqué: College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine

Contents:

EVERY ISSUE
Message from the Dean --- 4
Donor Feature --- 5
CHAS Briefs --- 36
Class Notes --- 38

FEATURES
Engineering Advances --- 6
Japan Water Quality Trip --- 10
Theatre Outreach --- 14
A Future in Physics --- 18
International Teaching --- 24

STORIES
SLP Community Partnership --- 22
Professional Readiness --- 28
Syndaver Lab --- 30
Art Teaching Sisters --- 32
Math Alum Now NBA Coach --- 34

2024-25 Uni Track & Field Record Book, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--Men's Indoor
--Women's Indoor
--Men's Outdoor
--Women's Outdoor
--Men's Indoor MVC History
--Men's Outdoor MVC History
--Men's Indoor All-MVC List
--Men's Outdoor All-MVC List
--Men's Indoor/Outdoor Honors
--Women's Indoor MVC History
--Women's Outdoor MVC History
--Women's Indoor/Outdoor All-MVC List
--Women's Indoor/Outdoor Honors

Empowering Young Learners From Diverse Economic Backgrounds, Tonya Wilson-Story

Graduate Research Papers

This paper explores the importance and benefits of empowering young learners from diverse economic backgrounds through goal setting, specifically focusing on students enrolled in an urban school serving a highly diverse population. Over time, students have changed neurologically and behaviorally—shaped in part by the influence of technology, which has affected how they process information and maintain attention. As a result, today’s students learn differently than in previous generations. Research shows that many young learners now enter school with only half the vocabulary of their middle-class peers (Wentzel, 2020), underscoring the urgent need for new instructional approaches that effectively engage and …

Modeling Inflation Expectations In Forward-Looking Interest Rate And Money Growth Rules, Zhengyang Chen, Victor J. Valcarcel

Faculty Publications

We propose a novel approach that directly embeds rational expectations (RE) into a low-dimensional structural vector autoregression (SVAR) without the need for any mapping to a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. Beginning from a fully specified “consensus” structural model, we establish an instrumental variable procedure internal to the SVAR to obtain RE-consistent structural responses to identified monetary policy shocks. Our RE-SVAR framework facilitates a comparison across two alternative monetary policy indicators that accommodate long horizons in the formation of inflation expectations in the policy rule. We construct clouds of responses of inflation and economic activity to monetary …

Mckensie Miller, Soprano In A Graduate Recital, 2025 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recitals given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

A Textbook Equity Student Advisory Board, Karlee Colby, Anne Marie H. Gruber

Faculty Publications

Engaging college students in advocacy related to open educational resources (OER) is an important way to raise awareness and encourage OER adoption on campuses in higher education. The student perspective is vital to encouraging instructors and administrators to be responsive to student needs, concerns, and preferences related to course materials access, and to consider affordability and usage rights. This case study describes the library-facilitated Textbook Equity Student Advisory Board at the University of Northern Iowa, a medium-sized regional comprehensive university. The board serves as a two-way communication outlet between textbook equity campus leaders and students, including student government. This article …

The Fifth (202-195 Bce) And The Sixth (170-168 Bce) Syrian Wars In The Dead Sea Scrolls: Implications For Understanding The Origin Of The Maccabean Revolt, Kenneth Atkinson

Faculty Publications

The rulers of the Seleucid and the Ptolemaic Empires fought six wars for control of the region known as Coele-Syria during the third and the second centuries BCE. These conflicts weakened both powers, allowing them to be conquered by the Roman Republic. For the Jews of Judea, the Fifth Syrian War witnessed increased conflicts in the country among its high priests regarding the nature of Hellenistic reforms and how to deal with the Seleucid Empire. These difficulties continued and led to the Maccabean Revolt at the conclusion of the Sixth Syrian War, which would eventually culminate in Judean independence from …

Graduate Portfolio, Cody Miller

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Sexual Assault On Mental Health In Adolescents, Nicole Trip

Graduate Research Papers

The current study focuses on the impacts of forced sexual activity on mental health among high school students. This study is a secondary data analysis, using the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), which is nationally representative data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 19,945 high school students with an average age of 15.89 years, and about half of the students were White and male. This study found that experiences of sexual assault are associated with increased depression and suicidal ideation. This study also found that female youth experienced a higher level …

Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Impact Of Social Support, Cultural Background, And Early Interventions, Alysha Haaland

Graduate Research Papers

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a critical public health issue that leaves enduring psychological, emotional, and social impacts on survivors. This paper examines the interrelated roles of social support, cultural background, and early interventions in promoting long-term resilience and recovery, with a particular focus on male and culturally diverse survivors. Grounded in Trauma and Resiliency Theory, this literature review highlights key protective factors—including emotional, informational, and instrumental support—while exploring how cultural norms, religious beliefs, and systemic stigma shape survivors’ coping strategies and access to care. The paper also evaluates the effectiveness of early interventions such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, …

An Examination Of Teacher Perceptions Of Student Retention In Choir When Transitioning Between 8th And 9th Grade, Megan Mccrary

Graduate Research Papers

This study was conducted over the course of 10 weeks through an online survey sent to public high school and middle school choral educators across Iowa and gathered data about choir student transitions into 9th grade for the 2024-2025 school year. 38 choir teachers across the state of Iowa participated in this study. Eligibility for participation required that the teachers had taught either 8th or 9th grade choir during the Spring 2024 semester or the Fall 2024 semester. Simple main effects analysis showed that neither students changing buildings nor students changing instructors had a statistically significant effect on student enrollment. …

Using Analysis Of Teaching And Assessment Practices To Revise Implementation Of A Force Unit In An 8th Grade Science Course, Caleb Christine

Graduate Research Papers

One thing I have noticed from my fellow teachers is a desire to improve how we teach and to engage our students in active learning. As a new teacher I have that same desire. Accomplishing my goal of being an effective teacher while also improving how the material is presented requires an approach that includes evaluating not only how the students are performing, but also how they are responding to my instruction.

I used self reflection journals to keep track of how I was presenting material in my classroom. I also collected information from completion of ungraded assignments and investigations. …

Nir Spectroscopy As A Tool For Identifying Additives In Foundry Green Sands, Maurice Kuubata

Graduate Research Papers

The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential of Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a rapid, non-destructive method for identifying key additives such as seacoal and red iron oxides in foundry green sand. Samples comprised of silica sand with bentonite (DC2), seacoal, and/or red iron oxide were prepared. NIR spectra were acquired using an Avantes spectrometer with an Avasphere attachment. To ensure robust results, high-repeatability data was obtained from twelve replicates of two control mixtures.

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the spectral data showed that the first principal component (PC1) explained 99.23 % of total variance for Seacoal …

Investigating Pronunciation Teaching Practices And Teachers’ Beliefs About Pronunciation Instruction In Efl/Esl Classrooms, Barry Moussa

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review aims to explore existing research on pronunciation teaching practices and teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms. To achieve this, I will first delve into teacher cognition research, intending to find current reported and actual practices surrounding pronunciation teaching. The importance of pronunciation instruction has been widely discussed and acknowledged by scholars in applied linguistics and teacher education programs. Various studies have identified pronunciation instruction as a key component for fostering effective oral communication skills in second language acquisition, specifically enhancing intelligibility (i.e., accuracy …

Motivations And Challenges For African International Students In Choosing On-Campus Housing And Transitioning Off-Campus, Francis Dugbartey

Graduate Research Papers

The findings of this qualitative phenomenological study explained the motives and challenges faced by African international students (n = 10) who initially chose to live on-campus and subsequently transitioned to off-campus accommodations. The research was conducted through semistructured interviews with African international students who were currently enrolled at a predominantly White institution in the Midwestern United States, discussing their experiences with housing, cultural adjustment, and financial constraints. Although the initial choices to stay on-campus stem from convenience and institutional support, various challenges pushed the students toward going off-campus. To begin with, the costliness of staying in an institution may be …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Healthcare Access, Kyla M. Frost

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and healthcare access, and ACEs and healthcare access among people of color. The current study is a secondary data analysis of the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A disproportionate stratified sample (DSS) design and a simple random sample design were used to collect data. The current study examined 48,865 participants who completed ACEs through telephone surveys. The results showed a statistically significant negative relationship between ACEs and healthcare access. The results also showed …

Police Interactions On Adverse Mental Health Outcomes Within Black Communities, Anessa Smith

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines the relationship between police interactions and psychological distress among Black adults, contributing to existing research on systemic racism and mental health disparities. Utilizing secondary data analysis, the 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this study focuses on the analysis of a nationally representative, address-based sample of non-institutionalized Black adults residing in California, with a sample size of 1,009. The study examines associations between the number of police stops over a three-year period and psychological distress by gender. Findings indicate that a higher frequency of police stops is significantly associated with increased psychological distress. However, no statistically significant …

Exploring Creative Processes In Elementary Art Education: Memory, Observation, And Imagination, Angela Steuer

Graduate Research Papers

This study explores the factors influencing idea generation and creativity in young students, focusing on 4th graders' engagement using comics as a motivational tool. It examines the roles of memory, observation, and imagination in shaping artistic choices, as well as the impact of teaching strategies, such as structured challenges and personal storytelling, in fostering creativity. This research offers insights into how tailored instructional practices and cognitive processes support the artistic development of elementary students, empowering them to generate original ideas and create meaningful artwork.

Black Girls In School: The Harmful Effects Of Dehumanization And Disciplinary Inequities, Annika Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

Black girls in the U.S. experience dehumanization through adultification and sexual objectification that impact disciplinary practices in the education system. Adultification stereotypes Black girls as more mature, less innocent, and less in need of protection, which results in harsher disciplinary actions and limited empathy from educators. At the same time, sexual objectification reinforces harmful perceptions of Black girls' sexuality and culpability in their sexual violence victimization. The “Jezebel” and “Angry Black Woman” stereotypes continue to influence how Black girls are perceived as either hypersexual or aggressive. These biases and stereotypes contribute to disproportionate disciplinary measures, particularly subjective infractions like “defiance” …

Gamification And Geography Education: A Survey And Typology Of Games, Ruth Ohaka

Graduate Research Papers

Gamification in education transforms traditional, non-gaming contexts (i.e., classrooms) by incorporating challenges and scenarios with their own rules, stories, and stakes. In geography education, teachers have sought ways to gamify the classroom, develop students’ spatial reasoning, and develop place-based capabilities for critical thinking and problem-solving, making complex geographical and environmental concepts more relatable and accessible to the students. Regardless of the documented achievements with gamification, such as more engagement, deeper understanding, and increased motivation, there remains a lack of a comprehensive typology of games used within geography education. This paper aims to develop a typology of games used in education …

The Effect Of The Number Of Xylophone Bars On Student Comfort Level With Improvisation, Beth Trulson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of reducing the number of bars available on a xylophone on the comfort level and perception of improvisation quality in elementary-aged students. Subjects were third and fourth graders with no formal instruction in improvisation, but have experienced Orff-inspired instruction that included improvisation. Students were asked to improvise on an Orff xylophone in one of four ways: (1) only the pitches F, G, and A on the xylophone while playing for eight measures, (2) all bars on the xylophone while playing for eight measures, (3) only the pitches F, G, and …

Using A Research-Based Approach To Develop An Updated Claim, Evidence, And Reasoning (Cer) Writing Rubric For A High School Science Department, Robin Ashley Thaisen

Graduate Research Papers

All students must be proficient in reading and writing, and science materials present an added layer to these skill areas. Both national and Minnesota state standards require students to show their understanding of science content through certain practices, including constructing evidence-based arguments. A common instructional approach is a claim - evidence - reasoning (CER) framework for writing scientific conclusions. While there are many sources of CER rubrics and guidelines, both commercial and non-commercial, there is a wide range of language or word choice and formatting, among other differences, and none have been tailored to the ninth grade level. By using …

Research Portfolio, Kezia Mariam Abraham

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Hireability Of Female Hispanic Applicants By Accent/Career Type And Participant First Language, Lauren R. Logue

Honors Program Theses

There has been an influx of Hispanic immigrants in the United States, and negative attitudes toward these individuals have been increasingly expressed in the current political climate. There is discrimination toward the Hispanic community, and this includes in the workplace. One factor that may impact discrimination is accents. This study examined perceptions of women with Hispanic accents in an organizational context. Most previous research in this area has examined the perceptions of male job candidates with other types of accents. 314 participants evaluated a female job candidate who either had a Hispanic accent, did not have an accent (but had …

The Relationship Between Backgrounds And The Perception Of Tones In Mandarin, Abigail Franks

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Relationship Between Health Behaviors And Civic Engagement, Faith Larsen

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Philosophy In Filmmaking: Animation Vs. Live Action, Veronica J. Larson

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

A Deep Dive Into The Alignment Of Classroom Management And A Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum, Aliya James

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

The Legacy Of Redlining: Examining Educational Inequalities In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Emily Brennom

Honors Program Theses

This study examines the lasting impact that redlining, a discriminatory housing practice from the 1930s, has on educational inequalities in the Cedar Rapids Community School District today. Using historical Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) maps, it analyzes how neighborhoods located within previously “high risk” (“D” or red zones) neighborhoods correlate with present day disparities in regards to racial composition, socioeconomic status, low-income, and high school graduation rates. The research further investigates how white flight and urban disinvestment intensified racial and economic inequalities in these areas. Limitations of HOLC maps as the only measure of redlining emphasize the need for policy …