Digital Commons Network^™

Risk And Public Judgments On Police Pursuits: A Nationally Representative Conjoint Experiment, Scott M. Mourtgos, Ian T. Adams, Kyle Mclean, Geoffrey P. Alpert

Faculty Publications

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Police vehicle pursuits emphasize a central tension between law enforcement imperatives and public safety. While modern policies emphasize balancing apprehension needs against risks of continuation, little is known about whether public intuitions mirror this framework. We address this gap using a nationally representative conjoint experiment (N = 3,334) that varied eleven contextual factors across randomized pursuit scenarios. Respondents rated perceived risk, indicated whether pursuits should be terminated, and made forced-choice tradeoffs. Across all outcomes, high-risk situational factors (e.g., high speeds, adverse weather, heavy traffic, urban settings, etc.) increased perceived danger and termination support, while more serious underlying offenses, particularly …

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The Long Run Effects Of A Teacher-Focused School Reform On Student Outcomes, Sarah R. Cohodes, Ozkan Eren, Orgul Ozturk

Faculty Publications

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This paper examines the effects of a teacher-focused school reform program — combining performance pay with teacher observation and feedback — implemented in high-need schools on students’ longer-run educational, criminal justice, and economic self-sufficiency outcomes. Using linked administrative data from a Southern state, we leverage the quasi-randomness of the timing of program adoption across schools to show that the school reform improved educational attainment and reduced both felony criminal activity before age 19 and dependence on government assistance in early adulthood (ages 18–22). We find little scope for student sorting or changes in the composition of teacher workforce to explain …

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2025 - 2026 Faculty Senate Annual Report, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

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The primary file includes the 2025 - 2026 Admissions Committee Report. Additional annual reports are attached.

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Navigating Racist Spaces Through Radical Self-Care: A Photovoice Exploration Of The Experiences Of Black Graduate Students, Laetitia Adelson, Cherese Fine, Dion Harry, Keneisha Harrington, Rebecca Lynn Morgan Ph.D., Tomiko Smalls, Jerad Green, Courtney Allen, Anuoluwapo Bankole, Robin Phelps-Ward

Faculty Publications

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This manuscript examines the impact of racist campus climates for Black graduate students at a predominantly white institution. Using a photovoice methodological design, this study illuminates students’ ability to thrive through radical self-care despite the many racist factors, incidents, and systems at the institution. The paper ends with recommendations for improving campus racial climate in graduate education.

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Deference To Prestige And Climate Policy, Ty’Teona Shannon, Jeffrey Sinn

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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This research addresses the problem of resistance and support for climate mitigation policies. Studies have shown that personal values influence political orientations. However, it needs to be clarified what values motivate individuals to resist climate policies. Using hierarchical regression, we show that Social Dominance Orientation is a significant predictor of climate policy support and that Deference to Prestige does not have a strong relationship with climate policy support. Our findings are significant because they provide additional evidence that ideology and values relate to support for climate mitigation policies.

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Navigating Belonging: Exploring Self & Community Through Research & Creative Expression, Natasha Hutson

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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No abstract provided.

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Understanding Addiction As A Disease: College Students’ Perspectives On Substance Use In The Covid-19 Era, Aditi Rudrashetty

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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This research explores the neurological basis of addiction as a disease and how the exacerbation of external factors has contributed to negative perceptions of addiction. Specifically, it examines the COVID-19 pandemic and contemporary college student experiences as contextual factors influencing attitudes toward substance use disorders. Negative perceptions contribute to stigma, reduce help-seeking behavior, and influence policy responses, hindering effective support and recovery for individuals with substance use disorders. By examining these perceptions, this study contributes to understanding how addiction is conceptualized and potentially addressed in public health and policy contexts. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted with college students to …

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Whole Genome Sequencing: Considering Regulations, Policies, And Procedures, Nyaw Lar Too

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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This research explores the opinions of young adults between the ages of 19 to 30 about the vulnerabilities of using DNA sequencing tests as a part of couples’ prenatal care to determine every possible mutation, variation, and cancers possible for future offspring. A survey-based experiment was used to gather information from a sample of 17 young adults within the aforementioned age group. The findings from the surveys are intended to assist scientists in acknowledging public opinion and aid in guiding their decisions on how to move forward with genome sequencing. Ultimately, the survey findings could give scientists an idea of …

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Joseph F. Rice School Of Law Faculty

South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business

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No abstract provided.

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Submission Information

South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business

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No abstract provided.

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Protecting The Debtor Across The Atlantic: A Comparative Analysis Of The United States And European Union Regulatory Frameworks Against Debt Collection Abuse And Harassment, Terin Michelle Tyson

South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business

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Consumer debt is a long-standing global phenomenon, yet the regulation of debt collection practices remains fragmented across international borders. This lack of uniform standards leaves consumers vulnerable to debt collectors who exploit weak legal frameworks, resorting to abusive, harassing, and deceptive tactics to pressure repayment. Such practices not only undermine consumer trust in the financial services industry but also prove self-defeating; aggressive collection methods can destabilize a consumer’s financial footing and daily livelihood, ultimately impairing their capacity to repay.

This article provides a comparative evaluation of consumer protections against abusive and harassing debt collection practices in the United States and …

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Parenting Without Pay Or Equal Partnership: Improving The Fmla Through Comparative Analysis, Courtney Jean Clavel

South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business

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This article seeks to analyze ways to improve the Family and Medical Leave Act by comparing government-protected parental leave in the United States, Australia, Japan, and Norway. Section II will introduce the current fears around America’s birth rate, why women are important to the American workforce, why families often need two parents working, and, finally, how the Family Medical Leave Act has fallen short and a common suggestion for improvement.

Section II will analyze various countries’ national laws that govern parental leave. Each subsection will describe the country’s nationally protected parental leave policy. It will proceed as follows: the United …

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Perceived Use Of Web-Based Videoconferencing For Social Connectedness Among Older Adults Living In Long-Term Care: Qualitative Study, Anna Garnett, Halyna Yurkiv, Denise M. Connelly, Richard Booth, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Faan

Publications

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Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how restrictions on in-person interactions within long-term care homes (LTCHs) severely compromised social connectedness among older adults and their families. Post pandemic, despite policy changes supporting greater in-person family engagement, frequent outbreaks continue to disrupt face-to-face interactions, and factors such as geography, life circumstances, and health can constrain family members’ ability to make regular in-person visits. Research suggests that web-based videoconferencing technology (WVT) may be a practical solution to help older adults within LTCHs to maintain social connection in the absence of physical gathering. However, increased understanding of end user experience is lacking, and more …

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Developing A Best Practice Guideline For Clinical Practice In A Digital Health Environment: Systematic Reviews Based On The Grading Of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, And Evaluation Approach, Lauren Bailey, Lyndsay Howitt, Nafsin Nizum, Christine Buchanan, Maureen Charlebois, Jennifer Yoon, Rob Beleno, Michelle Beyn, Rebecca Bliss, Elizabeth Borycki, Margarita Cleghorne, Sandra Davidson, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Faan, Alexander Hamilton, Tsz Yee Ip, Margery Konan, Daile Moffat, Sanaz Riahi, Tiziana Rivera, Tammy Rooke, Vaishali Sengar, Steve Sottile, Meredith Whitehead, Vanessa Burkoski

Publications

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Background:

Digital health refers to the field of knowledge and practice associated with the development and use of digital technologies to improve clinical practice and health outcomes. Knowledge of digital health technology is becoming essential for all nurses and health providers.

Objective:

This study aims to present the results of the systematic reviews that were used to inform the recommendations in a best practice guideline (BPG) following the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Reviews focused on digital health education for nurses and health providers, peer champion models, and the use of predictive analytics in digital health …

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Benefits And Harms Of Copyright Restrictions And Conditions On Burnout And Other Psychometric Assessment Scales, Robert G. Badgett, Sudha Xirasagar, Hayrettin Okut

Publications

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INTRODUCTION: Copyright conditions can hinder the scientific and usage impact of essential assessment tools in healthcare, organizational psychology, and other fields. The stories of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) are well-documented. Despite decades-old recommendations to blend copyright restrictions of intellectual property when used for commercial purposes with permissive but distinct copyright terms for non-commercial and scholarly use, few authors of assessment tools do so.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether restrictive copyrights limit the long-term scientific impact of copyright holders (often medical schools/faculty), by inhibiting downstream use, research, and improvement of measurement tools by other researchers. …

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Academic Unit Guide To Internships For Academic Credit, Lara Lomicka Anderson, Karen Edwards

Reports

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This guide establishes university-wide best practices for internships completed for academic credit (ACAF 2.03(H)). It is intended to support faculty, internship directors, and academic units in designing and supervising internships that are academically rigorous, safe for students, and compliant with accreditation and institutional policies. At the University of South Carolina, some academic units require internship credit as part of the degree, while many others offer internship courses that allow students to gain professional experience, apply their academic learning, and develop valuable professional networks. For internships that are not completed for academic credit, (e.g., Carolina Internship Program, J-1 …

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Guidebook For Artificial Intelligence Integration Into The University Environment, Mark J. Uline, Tarek Shazly, Grace Cosby

Reports

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a peripheral or speculative technology in the university setting, it is rather a rapidly evolving transformational force that will reshape research, teaching, and administrative operations. Recent systematic reviews conclude that generative AI tools are already being widely used by students and instructors and can positively affect learning outcomes and academic performance when thoughtfully integrated into instruction (Hon, 2025; Qian, 2025).

At the same time, case studies warn that unmanaged or poorly governed AI use can undermine academic integrity, exacerbate inequities, and create new institutional risks (Mangundu, 2025; Şen et al., 2026). AI adoption brings unparalleled …

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Factors Influencing Senior Practicum Readiness For Nursing Practice: A Descriptive Correlational Study, Beth Nease Phd, Dnp, Rn, Ne-Bc, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Stephanie Armstrong Phd, Msn, Rn, Kesheng Wang Phd, Ma, Bs, Kathy Casey, Kong Chen

Faculty Publications

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Background:

This study investigated the influence of belongingness, self-efficacy, and clinical learning support on readiness for nursing practice and explored the role of demographic factors and nursing program differences.

Method:

A quantitative, descriptive approach was used to explore undergraduate prelicensure senior nursing students' perceptions across the United States.

Results:

Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression demonstrated students in traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs reported significantly higher scores across all domains compared with those in associate degree programs (p < .01). Similarly, students in programs with ≤400 clinical hours and those assigned only one preceptor scored significantly higher on all measures (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively). Regression analysis indicated self-efficacy and learning support explained 47.9% of the variance in practice readiness (p < .05).

Conclusion:

These findings share how clinical experiences shape students' readiness for nursing practice. Recommendations …

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Cisheterosexism In Lgbtqia+ Health Resource Guides, Vanessa Kitzie, Olivia Reed, Amirezza Kalantari

Faculty Publications

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Cisheterosexism in LGBTQIA+ Health Resource Guides Vanessa Kitzie, Amirezza Kalantari, Olivia Reed University of South Carolina, School of Information Science [email protected] Limited healthcare resources lead many LGBTQIA+ people to peer networks, often accessed via search engines to find community-created health resource websites [1–3]. Academic library guides benefit privileged LGBTQIA+ identities [4], but little is known about community guides, which may reinforce cisheterosexist narratives, causing stigma and stress [5, 6]. This study addresses this gap by scraping Google results for LGBTQIA+ health resources across US states, examining how cisheterosexism shapes health topics, geography, and representation of LGBTQIA+ populations. We hypothesize that …

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Governing By Fragments: Soviet Ruins And The Architecture Of Unaccountability In Kazakhstan, Robert A. Kopack, Magdalena E. Stawkoski

Faculty Publications

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This article examines two case studies in Kazakhstan with research into how Soviet institutional legacies underwrite extractive economies that render toxic costs invisible in post-Soviet setting. Through ethnographic work in Stepnogorsk (uranium processing) and the Semipalatinsk Test Site (nuclear weapons testing), we extend Gabrielle Hecht’s residual governance framework to demonstrate how inherited bureaucratic compartmentalization now serves market rather than state interests. We introduce the concept of functional nonreform to describe how distributed actors maintain Soviet-era boundaries that prevent accountability: Agencies monitor but don’t enforce, health authorities lack jurisdiction over contaminated sites, and environmental agencies measure radiation but cannot restrict land …

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Co-Developing Strategies For Leprosy Management In Malaysia: A Transdisciplinary Research Approach Involving Individuals Affected By Leprosy And Other Stakeholders, Norana Abdul Rahman, Vaikunthan Rajaratnam, Ruth Mh Peters, Marjolein Bm Zweekhorst, Pamela Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Karen Morgan, Mohamed Rusli Abdullah

Publications

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Despite Malaysia's low leprosy prevalence, new cases continue to emerge in rural and Indigenous communities. National strategies often prioritise elimination and surveillance, while overlooking the needs and challenges of individuals affected by leprosy and those managing their care. This study employed a transdisciplinary research approach, guided by the Dialogue Model, to co-develop context-specific strategies to improve the lives of those affected through participatory engagement with both groups. Conducted across three high-burden states in Peninsular Malaysia, the research involved a desk review and stakeholder mapping, followed by 40 in-depth interviews with affected individuals and other stakeholders. These were complemented by a …

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Nurses' Implicit Bias Toward Older Adults: A Mid-Range Nursing Theory, Jennifer T. May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Hanne Dolan, Jessica G. Rainbow

Publications

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This article describes the development of the Nurses' Implicit Bias Toward Older Adults Mid-Range Nursing Theory, which explains how biased care arises and affects older adults. Drawing from Pepper's contextual-development worldview, Parse's Humanbecoming Paradigm, and an emancipatory perspective, the theory integrates implicit social cognition to explain how nurses' backgrounds and unconscious processes influence clinical practice. Key "mitigation points" are identified for targeted interventions to address bias. This framework provides a foundation for future research on implicit bias in nursing, with implications for equitable health care delivery and improved older adult patient outcomes, supporting the advancement of nursing science and professional …

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Teach-Back Techniques In Telehealth: A Review And Insights For Future Directions, Faith A. Albertson, Waka Alnakhi, Shanikque Barksdale, Shannon Stark Taylor, Shaniece Criss, Daniela B. Friedman Ph.D., Karen A. Kemper, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Wanda Thompson, Phyllis Macgilvray, Nabil Natafgi

Publications

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Background and objectives: The rapid expansion of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges in patient-provider communication due to the absence of in-person interactions and visual cues. Teach-back, a method where patients repeat information to confirm understanding, is a promising tool for improving communication in virtual care. This review evaluates the effectiveness of teach-back techniques in telehealth settings.

Methods: A search of four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed) was conducted, yielding 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The article inclusion/exclusion criteria consisted of the following: (1) telehealth services topic; (2) direction provision related to teach-back; and (3) …

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Metal Exposures And Their Interactions With The Dietary Inflammatory Index On Inflammatory Biomarkers In Mexican Adolescents, Yanelli Rodríguez-Carmona, Ana Baylin, Peter X.K. Song, Edward Ruiz-Narvaez, Cindy W. Leung, James Hébert Scd, Nitin Shivappa Mbbs, Mph, Ph.D., Michael David Wirth Msph, Phd, Face, Aljandra Cantoral, John D. Meeker, Niladri Basu, Martha María Tellez-Rojo, Karen E. Peterson, Sung Kyun Park

Faculty Publications

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Background:

Heavy metals, like lead, arsenic, and cadmium, are linked to increased inflammation even in early life; however, anti-inflammatory diets may offset these effects.

Methods:

We evaluated associations between heavy metals and inflammatory biomarkers, and potential effect modification by diet in 399 adolescents aged 10 to 18 at baseline who attended two study visits 2 years apart (773 observations). At baseline, blood lead, urinary arsenic, and cadmium concentrations were measured, and the Children’s Dietary Inflammatory Index (C-DII) was calculated. Fasting serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured for both visits. Generalized …

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A Multi-Case Study Exploring Ncaa Division I Athletic Departments’ Mental Health Culture, Kim Tolentino, Dana K. Voelker, Brent Oja, Sofia España Pérez, Sam Zizzi

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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Mental health and psychological well-being continue to be significant areas of concern for collegiate student-athletes. Researchers have identified the perceived barriers preventing student-athletes from using mental health services which include lack of knowledge, limited access, and perceived negative stigma (e.g., Harris & Maher, 2023; Yoon & Petrie, 2023). Organizational culture, loosely defined as a group’s accumulated shared learning (Schein & Schein, 2017), plays an important role in guiding the behaviors of its members. Developing a positive athletic department culture around mental health can, in turn, be beneficial to increasing student-athletes’ help-seeking behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore …

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Picturing Disparities: Unveiling Gendered Racism In Athletic Leadership Through Photo Elicitation, Eddie Comeaux, Ajhanai C.I. Keaton, Briana A. Savage, Dresden June Frazier, Sara Grummert

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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This study explored National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic administrators’ views regarding the professional accomplishments of women athletic directors by race/ethnicity. More than 2,000 full-time athletic administrators (e.g., athletic directors, academic advisors/counselors for athletes, and coaches) responded to a photograph of and vignette about either a Black or white woman athletic director. The study found that although some athletic administrators were supportive of women athletic directors regardless of race, some showed signs of race evasiveness and stark differences in their perceptions of deservingness consistent with racial bias. These findings have implications for campus leaders and other higher education …

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College Athlete Mental Health: Identifying Sources Of Support In Collegiate Athletics, Levone Lee, Lauren Beasley, Kaylee A. Palomino, Patricia M. Kelshaw, Joycelyn Kennedy, Deborah Chanan, Elinah Russell, Tarkington J. Newman

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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Despite having access to resources and services, college athletes continue to encounter negative mental health experiences and outcomes. Prior research has begun to identify key sources of social support within collegiate athletics, including teammates and athletic trainers. However, there is limited understanding of with whom college athletes feel most comfortable discussing their mental health. The current study aims to identify preferred sources of social support when athletes wish to discuss their mental health and, in turn, examine differences in preference among unique college athlete populations. In total, 247 college athletes participated in the study, representing eight universities within an NCAA …

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Examining Diversity Messaging Practices Of Division I Athletic College Sports Communicators, David Cassilo

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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In recent years, college athletic communication departments have been tasked with more messaging related to race and diversity. This research used semi-structured interviews to understand the message creation practices of Division I athletic communication departments when generating diversity and social justice messaging. The research was examined within the context of the theory of racialized organizations. Interviews were conducted with 11 athletic communication staff members at Division I universities. Five themes were constructed related to diversity and social justice messaging of athletic communication departments at Division I universities. These are (a) a White world, (b) need to represent collegiate athletes, (c) …

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Wheels Up: Mobilizing Ideas And Partnership Through The Richland Library Bike Maintenance Clinic, Phillip Windsor

South Carolina Libraries

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Using the Bike Maintenance Clinic at the Richland Library as both example and object lesson, I hope to offer practical strategies to help other professionals identify key community partnerships, gauge community interest, and consider program scalability for similar programming in their libraries.

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Design For Everyone: Teaching Canva In The Public Library, Phillip Windsor

South Carolina Libraries

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Canva is a free, user-friendly tool for an array of design products, from slideshows to social media to print marketing. At Richland Library, we have seen success developing this as a new program offering and have grown it from an introductory class to various design workshops in response to community desire. In this paper, we will look at the origins of this program, trace its growth and development in response to patron needs, and possible applications for others seeking to develop similar program offerings in their own library settings.

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