Digital Commons Network^™

Summer School As A Second Chance For Success For Children: Perceptions Of Stakeholders In A Middle Level Summer School Intervention Program- A Mixed-Methods Study, Sara M. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the American education system, there is a responsibility of the system to educate all children. Research reveals that there are conflicting ideas on how to address students who are not on track to successfully complete K-12 schooling. Oftentimes, retention policies are utilized in schools to address these students. However, there is a great amount of research that reveals that retention policies have negative effects on a student’s educational trajectory in K-12 schooling. Vulnerable subgroups of students, such as students in poverty and other diverse learners, are even more affected by these policies.

This study focused on the current research …

A Quantitative Study On Broadband Access Rates In K-12 Schools And Student Academic Achievement, Tonya Michelle Todd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As technology evolves, so do K-12 educational platforms and policies. However, research into broadband access’s influence on student academic achievement is limited and some are outdated. Without adequate knowledge on the topic, educational and policy leaders are at risk of misallocating educational technology funds. Given the substantial monetary investment involved in the implementation of this public education policy and the limited research on the influence of broadband access rates on student academic achievement, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether the SC Educational Technology Plan’s broadband expansion influenced student academic performance.

This quantitative study sought to determine whether …

From Lived Experience To Essential Understanding: A Phenomenological Study Of Instructional Coaches’ Lived Experiences, Lindsey Reynolds

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Instructional coaching is frequently positioned as a central strategy for improving teaching and learning. While existing research has examined the structural ambiguity and relational complexity of the role, less attention has been given to how instructional coaches experience the emotional demands embedded within their work. This interpretive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of three public school instructional coaches in a single district to better understand how emotional labor operates within instructional coaching. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and hermeneutic analysis, the study examined how participants described and made meaning of the emotional dimensions of their role.

Findings indicate that emotional …

Swept Into The Crisis: A Phenomenological Study Of Staff And Adaptive Leadership During The Pandemic, Alexandra Deremer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Beginning in the fall of 2020, the pandemic created unparalleled challenges as schools reopened following extended closures, requiring school communities, with staff at every level, to rapidly adapt to evolving protocols, expanded job responsibilities, and ongoing uncertainty. This phenomenological study explored how building staff, such as custodians and teachers, perceived the leadership behaviors exhibited by principals during the implementation of COVID-19 disinfecting mandates and changes to school operations. Using Heifetz et al.’s (2009) adaptive leadership framework as a foundation, the intent of this research was to address three specific research questions that centered on staff perceptions of administrators’ response plans …

Suburban Black Girl: Lived Experiences Of Black Girls And The Impact Of Safe Spaces Within Predominantly White Institutions, Kennedi A. Stevenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As Black and Biracial girls navigate the landscape of suburban Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), they encounter a unique convergence of institutional surveillance and interpersonal erasure. While existing literature often focuses on the “achievement gap” or urban school settings, this qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of Black girlhood within the sea of Whiteness that defines suburban education. Specifically, this research explores how a gendered sanctuary— BSU Salon Talk — serves as a site of resistance and a catalyst for wellbeing. Grounded in Black Feminist Thought Theory (BFTT) and Intersectionality, the study utilizes the theoretical frameworks of Patricia Hill Collins’ Domains …

Enhancing K-2 Teacher Effectiveness In Reading Instruction: An Improvement Inquiry Into The Roles Of Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, And Evidence-Based Practices, Kellie F. Dawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School districts across the United States have increasingly adopted structured literacy initiatives in response to growing concerns about early reading outcomes and policy mandates grounded in the science of reading. Despite substantial investments in professional development, less is known about how teachers experience implementation demands within authentic classroom contexts. This improvement study examined how evidence-based professional development influenced K–2 teachers’ self-efficacy, the barriers teachers encountered during structured literacy implementation, and the supports teachers perceived as most critical for sustained instructional change within Eagle Stone School District.

Grounded in Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and Dweck’s Mindset Theory, this qualitative study explored teachers’ …

Beyond Cough Drops And Band-Aids: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Certified School Nurses’ Professional Scope And Enacted Roles In Pk–12 Settings, Brandy Gershon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation explored the underutilization of certified school nurses (CSNs) in PK–12 educational settings across urban, suburban, and rural school districts in western Pennsylvania. Despite their advanced preparation and wide-ranging scope of practice, school nurses are often limited to providing episodic care, including first aid, medication administration, and treatment of minor injuries. This limited use reflects a significant misalignment with their professional scope of practice, which encompasses chronic disease management, health education, mental health support, care coordination, and leadership in public health. Guided by role theory (Biddle, 1986), this study examined how school nurses perceived and interpreted their professional …

Youth Worker Perspectives On The Measures Most Descriptive Of Student Progress In Philadelphia-Based Out-Of-School Time Programs, Jamillia Kamara Covington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For marginalized students, out-of-school time programs offer a host of academic and positive youth development benefits. However, perspectives from youth workers, front line staff who form trusted relationships with out-of-school time program participants and the Executive Directors that lead their organizations, are absent from the last three years of evaluation reports for the Pennsylvania Nita M. Lowry 21st Century Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. This missing perspective renders the observations, challenges and improvements youth workers may experience and desire invisible at a time when their labor is counted upon to supplement inequitable education opportunities due to systemic factors. This study …

"It Was Time To Go": A Case Study In Occupational Culture, Tiffany M. Kline Costa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abundant examples of negative community-police interactions demonstrate strained relations between marginalized community members and police across the United States. Likewise, nationwide data demonstrates discrepancies in how officers interact with People of Color versus White citizens. To gain insight into influences on officer behavior, this research shines a spotlight on the occupational culture of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) and the ways this specific occupational culture informs officer thoughts and behaviors. Via the analysis of the experiences of four former PBP officers, this research explores how culture impacts officer perspective, thoughts, and behaviors. Utilizing an interpretative phenomenological approach, data analysis …

Technology In Waldorf Education: Benefits, Challenges, And The Teacher's Role, Jennifer C. Larson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically considered a screen-free education, Waldorf pedagogy has gradually begun to integrate digital technology into the middle and upper grades over the last two decades. Research on the implications of extended screen time for children has driven this pedagogical decision alongside foundational commitments to relational practices, experiential learning, and imaginative artistry.

At the same time, recent years have marked an acceleration in digital expansion in education. COVID-19 normalized teaching and learning through remote learning platforms, and digital access is now an expected feature of daily life.  As Waldorf education seeks to offer holistic education in the context of this societal …

Factors And Attributes Contributing To The Longevity Of Special Educators: Over 15 Years Of Commitment, Susan Majestic-Frabell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the personal, professional, and institutional aspects that contribute to special education teachers' resilience, dedication, and professional identity in southwestern Pennsylvania. Ten participants used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how moral purpose, empathy, relational engagement, mentorship, professional competence, and continual learning help them stay committed throughout time. The findings show that teaching is regarded as a vocation based on advocacy, service, and optimism, rather than a mere employment. Systemic supports, such as access to school-based mental health specialists, inclusive decision-making frameworks, reasonable workloads, and equitable policies, have emerged as crucial for lowering emotional burden, increasing efficacy, and …

Becoming A "Still Point Of Grace": Identifying Obstacles Faced By Catholic Elementary School Teachers In Meeting The Needs Of Students With Generalized Anxiety In The Classroom, Kerry Smigielski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the midst of a mental health crisis in the United States, teachers in the Diocese of Cityville need to be equipped to serve elementary students who experience anxiety within an authentic Catholic context. The purpose of this study is to begin improvement research on classroom supports for students with generalized anxiety in the Diocese of Cityville elementary schools. Journey lines and a focus group discussion were conducted within a causal systems analysis to respond to the central research question: “What obstacles do Catholic elementary school teachers in the Diocese of Cityville face in meeting the needs of students with …

Expanding Regenerative Agriculture Practices In East Texas, Treasure Hance

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Regenerative agriculture has increasingly been referenced since 2015 for its ability to provide healthy food with less environmental and social impacts. Its basic premise/ideology is to follow a process whereby soil, biotic, and human communities are not just maintained but prepared to return to a better state. Soil health is a primary concern. Actions include no-till planting, composting to create more organic soil, less use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, along with better employment, animal care, and ecological outcomes/practices. Regenerative versions of other professions, such as regenerative medicine (e.g. gene/stem cell therapy) and regenerative architecture (design for surplus energy, restored …

Developing An Effective Integrated Marketing Communication Game Plan For Today’S Consumers: Examining Marketing Methods That Work And How To Make The Proper Strategy Adjustments To Remain Relevant In The Future, Michele M. Wisnesck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As a seasoned marketing professional, I’ve seen marketing trends and gimmicks come and go, but more critically, I’ve seen consumers shift their behavior in significant ways. The guiding research question for this project asks: With the constantly evolving marketing and consumer landscape and regular use of AI agents like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, how can marketing and communication professionals remain relevant? In short, the answer to this question is that integrated marketing communication (IMC) practitioners must adapt to ongoing consumer behavior changes brought on by technology advancements while leveraging a combination of traditional persuasive techniques, a variety of modern marketing …

Speak It Into Existence: Mind Body And Soul In The African American Prophetic Tradition, William Burgess

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project offers the term “Speak It into Existence” as a rhetorical practice inherent in the African American Prophetic Tradition. Moreover “Speak It into Existence” highlights the synergetic and systematic characteristics of the African American Prophetic Tradition which speaks to the entirety of the individual mind, body and soul. Rooted inside the field of prophetic rhetoric, the African American Prophetic Tradition affirms the social, political and sacred realities of prophetic rhetoric. The rhetorical theology of the African American Prophetic Tradition rhetorically transfers the social, political, and sacred realities of prophetic rhetoric into its own systematic foci of liberation, transformation …

The African American Pulpit And The Reconstruction Of Narrative Ground In The Black Community, Nathaniel Cox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how the African American pulpit serves as a living wellspring for rebuilding stories, memory, and identity, a task made urgent by centuries of erasure, from the trauma of the Middle Passage to the ongoing reverberations of that violence. My central claim is that African American preaching, when viewed through the insight-rich frameworks of Gadamer, Burke, and Frankl, becomes not just a form of speech, but a lifeline. It helps reclaim "narrative ground": the deep roots of meaning, belonging, and shared purpose that nourish a wounded people and allow genuine flourishing.

The journey unfolds across six movements. Chapter …

“The Right Of Black Folk To Love And Enjoy”: Black Romanticism, Pleasure, And Poetics, 1900-1920, John D. Hadlock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores poetry written at the turn of the twentieth century in order to closely examine what I call the “Black Romantic” impulse of the Harlem and New Negro Renaissances. I argue that Black American poets turned to a Romantic notion of the poet as cultural representative and of poetry as a radical celebration of beauty that disavowed and disputed social ills, namely racist ideologies in America, while simultaneously demanding the right of Black pleasure-taking. However, I also contend that Black American poets of various backgrounds and identities used different poetic, rhetorical, and artistic strategies to elevate the status …

The Battle Of Tupelo Hospital Cemetery National Register Nomination, Madeline K. Weems

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

On July 14, 1864, the Battle of Tupelo, or the Battle of Harrisburg as it is also known, occurred within fifteen miles of the community of Palmetto in northeast Mississippi. As the battle ensued, wounded and dying soldiers were transported to different sites in and around Tupelo, including the home of Dr. William Henry and Jane Calhoun in Palmetto that served as the main hospital. The bodies of some of those soldiers still remain on the former Calhoun Plantation, including the grave of D. D. Drake. This public history capstone thesis evaluates this Civil War era cemetery’s history and integrity, …

Pedagogy In Context: How Private School Teachers Make Meaning Of Equity-Focused Teaching Practices, Savannah Shana Scarborough

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This pedagogical ethnography examines how teachers in a private school context understand and enact Culturally Relevant Education (CRE). While CRE emphasizes cultural competence and critical consciousness, less is known about how it is interpreted within private school settings, where institutional culture and community expectations shape pedagogy. This study explores how teachers engage culturally relevant commitments and how institutional context influences those practices.

A qualitative ethnographic design was used to examine classroom practice in a South Carolina private school. Data was collected through observations, semi-structured interviews, and teacher reflections from four Upper School teachers selected through purposive sampling. Analysis combined deductive …

The Ethical Imperative Of Public Health Institutions To Protect The Reproductive Autonomy Of Vulnerable Populations, Kennethea Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation establishes the ethical responsibility of public health institutions to safeguard reproductive autonomy, especially among vulnerable populations. While reproductive decision-making is traditionally framed within individual clinical encounters, this work contends that reproductive autonomy is fundamentally a matter of public health ethics. Socioecological determinants, including social, legal, environmental, and structural factors, often constrain individuals’ ability to make meaningful reproductive choices, leading to preventable harm.

Reproductive autonomy is defined as the capacity to make informed decisions about whether and when to conceive, as well as how to parent. The dissertation critiques the sufficiency of clinical ethics frameworks, such as informed consent …

Unc-45b As A Potential Chaperone For The Transcription Factor, Gata-4, Kaylah Owings

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The cardiac myosin–specific chaperone UNC-45B has been shown to physically interact with the cardiac myosin transcription factor GATA-4. Specifically, this interaction occurs within the chaperoning region of UNC-45B, known as the UCS domain. However, the precise nature of this interaction has not yet been fully elucidated. The present study was conducted to confirm earlier findings and to evaluate whether UNC-45B functions as a chaperone for GATA-4 using bioinformatic approaches. Analysis of the interaction using AlphaFold 3 modeling verified not only that binding occurs at the UCS (chaperoning) domain of UNC-45B, but also that the interaction is associated with an increase …

Phenomenological Philosophy Of Psychedelics: Psychedelic Experience In The Modes Of Saturation And Flesh, Michael V. Kramer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work seeks to develop the nascent sub-field of the phenomenological philosophy of psychedelics. Beginning with a general overview of key aspects pertinent to psychedelic studies, the focus then turns to a general disciplinary discussion of current approaches within the philosophy of psychedelics, as well as psychedelic philosophy—a distinction which is technically deployed. Special consideration is given to the specific approach known as the “natural philosophy of psychedelics,” which is taken as the philosophical foil to the preferred approach of phenomenological philosophy. A survey of the extant literature regarding the implementation of phenomenology within psychedelic discourse is then provided …

Estimating Body Size And Biogeography In The Genus Alligator, Madelyn M. Turala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Several studies have examined correlations between total body length (TL) and skeletal measurements in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), with some measurements serving as stronger predictors of TL than others. Femur length (FL) has been found to be tightly correlated with TL in A. mississippiensis, and this relationship has been used to estimate body size of extinct crocodilians. This thesis demonstrates that the humerus, radius, ulna, and tibia are also strongly correlated with TL and useful for body size estimation in A. mississippiensis, and thus, can be applied to related extinct crocodilians. Additionally, species distribution modeling …

Does Self-Compassion Buffer Against The Potential Effects Of Perfectionism And Psychopathology On Non-Suicidal Self-Injury?, Natasha Bourgoin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

University students with increased rates of reported perfectionism, anxiety, and depression, are vulnerable to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, not all students with psychological distress engage in NSSI, suggesting protective factors may help to mitigate this risk. The present study examined the relation between perfectionism and NSSI, via the mediating effects of anxiety and depression, and the moderating role of self-compassion. Participants were 338 university students (67% female; 87% White) who completed several self-report measures. Students with greater perfectionism reported higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and, in turn, more NSSI engagement. Self-compassion and several self-compassionate domains attenuated connections between …

The Southampton Plot: The Case For Innocence (1415), Haley Buckles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the "Southampton Plot" of 1415, a famous conspiracy to overthrow King Henry V of England. While history often portrays the plotters as simple traitors against the government, this study reexamines original records to show a more complex story. By looking closely at how the English government handled the trials, the research reveals that the English Crown may have exaggerated the threat to strengthen the King’s political power before he invaded France. This study shows that what we call "treason" was often shaped by the government’s need to control its public image and hold on to power. Ultimately, …

Federated Learning And Blockchain-Enabled Framework For Secure And Intelligent Healthcare Systems, Jerina Eda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare delivery, particularly in chronic disease management and patient monitoring. However, significant challenges remain in ensuring data privacy, system security, and reliable real-time monitoring while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into secure, decentralized, and intelligent healthcare systems through three interconnected research contributions addressing these critical challenges.

First, we conduct a comprehensive survey of AI applications across major healthcare domains including Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease, and cancer. Through systematic review of over 150 studies published between 2017 and 2024, we examine how machine learning techniques are applied to diverse medical …

Reforging Sales: The Rise Of The Sales Bricoleur In Dynamic Ecosystems, Donovan Gordon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bricolage refers to the ability of individual actors to intuitively and creatively integrate and orchestrate resources within a firm's ecosystem to provide solutions and co-create value in constrained environments. Recently introduced to the sales literature, bricolage is a dynamic capability that enables salespeople to adapt, reallocate, innovate, and navigate their ecosystem with constrained resources to drive performance (Epler et al., 2024; Epler & Leach, 2021). Despite roots in management and entrepreneurial research, bricolage remains underexplored within the sales literature. The purpose of this research is to advance the sales literature by integrating Service-Dominant Logic (SDL), Resource-Based View (RBV), Knowledge-Based View …

The New Wild West: A Case Study Analysis Of The Communication Methods Surrounding Ai Infrastructure In West Texas, Thomas Sorensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the past several years, artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm. It has enabled numerous innovations across all sectors, and its usage continues to grow daily. This increase in demand for AI products has led to the development of AI data centers nationwide. Fueled by competition between the public and private sectors, many projects are underway. This study focuses on one such project in West Texas: the Stargate Data Center. This project is being constructed near Abilene, Texas, and has had an instrumental impact on the daily lives of its citizens. This research project seeks to answer the …

Social Reading And #Booktok: Exploring Emotion, Community, And Book Promotion On Tiktok, Courtney B. Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how BookTok, a subcommunity centered on reading, functions as a social and emotional domain that shapes contemporary reading culture. Discourse analysis of the most popular videos within the BookTok subspace revealed commonalities in how creators expressed their emotions through text, language, and audio. Patterns of emotional devastation were also present in the discourse, pointing to affective-discursive practices circulating the community. Moreover, a content analysis of the books being promoted across highly engaged BookTok videos uncovered significant themes of romance and an appreciation for modern fiction novels.

Findings suggest that reading functions as a social experience that is …

Empowering Women Journalists’ Preparedness: An Evaluation Of Hostile Environment First Aid Training (Hefat) And Its Implementation In Academic Journalism Programs, Vanessa Charlot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice examines the potential integration of gender-sensitive Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) into journalism education to enhance the preparedness of women journalists for high-risk reporting contexts. Manuscript I investigates existing gaps in curricula, highlighting the distinct physical, psychological, and ethical risks encountered by women in hostile environments. Manuscript II outlines a framework for qualitatively evaluating an adapted HEFAT program, considering how identity-informed and trauma-sensitive approaches might strengthen student safety, resilience, and ethical decision-making. Manuscript III explores leadership strategies for implementing inclusive, trauma-informed HEFAT curricula, emphasizing reflexive practice and self-authorship as mechanisms for fostering transformative, equity-driven …