Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding How Social Media Influences Student Engagement Within The Classroom: Middle Grades Students' Perspectives., Anthony Dawyne Myrks-Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the concept of student engagement and participation through the lens of middle school students. Studies and research show that overall student engagement amongst middle school-aged students is the most unengaged period throughout students' K-12 educational journey. Today's students live in a completely different generation from their guardians and parents due to the technology component, including smartphones making the element of social media more accessible. Social media is a platform that helps people communicate through various applications, and middle school students engage and participate in various social media applications daily. Student engagement is a critical component within education …

Access To Health Care And Glycemic Control: The National Health And Nutrition Examinations Survey (Nhanes) 2005-2018., Mohamed M. Ali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background and Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition associated with numerous medical and financial sequences. In 2018, 34.1 million adults aged 18 years or older had diabetes in the U.S. Access to Care for diabetic Americans remains a public healthcare concern. This study aims to examine the relationship between access to healthcare and selected diabetes indicators. Methods: A quantitative, repeated cross-sectional study uses four of the National Health and Nutrition Examinations Survey's (NHANES) access measures (insurance, the number of times of annual healthcare visits, routine place for healthcare, and type of place) and four diabetes indicators (Hemoglobin A1C …

Nickel Electrocatalysts On Carbon Supports For The Hydrogen Evolution Reaction., Mohan Paudel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogen is an important energy storage alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy density. Currently, most hydrogen is produced through petroleum feedstocks, which produce large amounts of carbon dioxide. However, a more eco-friendly method is the electrocatalytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Efficient catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are typically platinum group metals, which are rare and expensive. There is growing interest in developing HER electrocatalysts with earth-abundant metals for water electrolysis. Nickel, which lies in the same group in the periodic table as Pt and has similar chemical properties, is explored extensively for …

Co-Emulation Of Robotics And Software-Defined Radio Based 5g Wireless Communications., Bhaskara Venkata Raju Garuda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The convergence of robotics and 5G wireless communication technologies has opened new avenues for real-time, dynamic robotic applications. This dissertation introduces a novel framework that integrates the Robot Operating System (ROS), Software-Defined Radios (SDRs), and 5G wireless networks to achieve seamless coemulation of robotic systems. The research emphasizes the unique features of 5G, such as ultra-low latency and high throughput, which enable critical applications like remote surgery, industrial automation, and autonomous vehicles. The methodology combines ROS for robotic control, SDRs for programmable communication channels, and 5G testbeds for high-speed, reliable data transmission. The experimental evaluation focuses on both position-based and …

General Sport Skills Performance Following The Combined Use Of Accentuated Eccentric Loading And Cluster Sets During A Strength-Endurance Training Phase, David Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of resistance training with accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) and cluster sets (CS) versus traditional resistance training (TRAD) on general sports skills and power performance in recreationally trained individuals. Seventeen subjects (11 males, 6 females; mean age 23.2 ± 4.1 years; body mass 81.3 ± 22.2 kg; height 172.1 ± 10.0 cm; relative 1 RM back squat 1.5 ± 0.3) were randomly assigned to AEL (n = 9) or TRAD (n = 8) groups. After an initial familiarization and baseline testing, both groups underwent a four-week strength-endurance training regimen. The AEL …

Graduation Rates Of Students With Disabilities At A Participating Southern University, Kelly Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental, correlational quantitative study was to compare the graduation rates of first-time, full-time students with disabilities to those of first-time, full-time students in the general population at the participating university. The sample used for analysis was full-time, first-time students entering between 2015 and 2020. Using archival data from the Disability Services database and the University's Banner system, four- and six-year graduation rates were compared. The original data set consisted of 22,070 students in the starting focus cohorts. After removing entering transfer students and students who enrolled in less than 15 credits for their entering semester, 8,337 …

Leading The Charge: A Case Study On The Leadership Behaviors Of Education Leaders At Title I Campuses In Texas Prisons, Ashley Mckelvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Each year, eligible schools across the nation receive Title I grant funds through the Elementary and Secondary Act. These funds, justified in pursuit of social justice and educational equity, serve to provide supplemental education services to neglected and delinquent students. While the majority of the awarded schools operate within the traditional school setting, a very small number of schools in the United States operate within the correctional setting. These schools receive Title I Part D Subpart 1 funds. Consequently, most of the guidance pertains to best practices within traditional public schools, which provides no provision on the appropriate use of …

Foster Youth Experiencing Homelessness In Texas: An Analysis Of Risk And Protective Factors That Impact Housing Stability, Monique Willoughby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While research on youth homelessness continues to grow, not much is known about the differences that exist between states. To address specific concerns effectively, a more nuanced and granular approach to assessment is needed. Specifically, Texas youth who are transitioning from foster and other systems of care into young adulthood and more independent living will need tailored support to adequately address their needs. This study is a step in that direction. Through identification of risks factors that predict homelessness for these youth, social workers, counselors, case managers, and other human services providers and advocates can better assess, plan, and intervene …

We’Re Not In Texas Anymore: Archaeological Investigations In Historic Dallas, Colorado, Tristan Newberry-Cushman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work is the product of an archaeological investigation of the former townsite of Dallas, Colorado. Archival research, drone photography, shovel test pits (STPs), and a test excavation unit were employed to learn more about how the people of Dallas lived, and how they interacted with national systems. Probabilistic and purposive sampling were used to collect data, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis were performed. The goal of this research was to determine which theoretical model best explains how Dallas was connected to national cultural and economic systems.

Investigating The Role Of Tetherin Protein In Multivesicular Bodies Fusions In Lung Cancer Cells, Md. Rakib Miah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cells rely on the secretion of exosomes to communicate with one another and this process is potentially mediated by a protein called tetherin, which anchors exosomes to the cell surface to limit their spread. Tetherin protein has attracted a lot of attention because of its capacity to hinder the propagation of viruses by attaching virions to the surface of host cells. Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFNα) increases the production of tetherin, although it is not known how this affects tetherin localization and exosome-mediated communication. This thesis looks at how the expression of tetherin, which IFNα boosts, affects the dynamics of intercellular …

Understanding The Barriers Of General Education Teachers Implementing Inclusive Practices, Sonya Garrette Woodfork

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The inclusion of students with disabilities has become more prevalent in general education classrooms advocating for children to be educated in the least restrictive environment. This participatory action research aimed to investigate the effects of general education teachers’ lack of sufficient preservice training and attitudes on learning outcomes for children with special needs placed in inclusive learning environments. The participatory action research took place on one elementary and one early childhood campus. Data collection methods took place via triangulation using data from interviews, journals, and surveys. There are many barriers to successfully implementing inclusion in general education classrooms. This study …

Bridging Gaps. The Role Of School Leaders In Implementing The Mckinney-Vento Act For Homeless Student Success, Brian Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry explores the role of school leaders in implementing the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKVA) within a public school district in West Texas. The study addresses the challenges school leaders face in supporting homeless students and the strategies they employ to ensure academic success and socio-emotional well-being. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Bertalanffy’s general systems theory, the research examines how school leaders' personal understandings and professional experiences influence MKVA provisions' implementation. The study employs semistructured interviews and reflective journals to gather participant data, followed by a member-checking process to enhance the accuracy and credibility of …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Entrepreneur Women’S Personal Development And Its Effect On Their Self-Identity, Mayrion Ann Washington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Black entrepreneur women’s personal development and its effect on their self-identity. The study specifically aimed to explore personal development, entrepreneurship, and self-identity as they related to and affected Black entrepreneur women, in the United States, and their experiences with oppression, challenges, barriers, intersectionality, and systemic subordination. Historically, Black entrepreneur women have experienced systematic oppression and faced increased challenges that have and continue to negatively affect their entrepreneurial progress and their self-identity. Preliminary findings from the literature found that when Black entrepreneurial women engage in personal development, the results are reflected in …

A Qualitative Study Of The Career Experiences Of Asian And Asian American Female Administrators In U.S. Higher Education, Yunru Shen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of Asian and Asian American women administrators’ career paths in U.S. higher education. The research fills a gap in the literature regarding the careers of Asian and Asian American women administrators. The recruitment process was completed between May 13 and July 9, 2024. Recruitment emails were sent to 25 potentially qualified participants, including a network of 17 people made up of mentors, professors, and colleagues, as well as eight professional associations and LinkedIn. The participants were six Asian and Asian American biologically female administrators at U.S. colleges and universities. These participants currently hold …

Implementing Bedside Shift Report In The Home Health Care Pediatric Setting, Ruth Elena Ramos-Ardila

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developing and maintaining good communication is central in nursing because the goal is to achieve the best outcomes for the patient. In the past, written handover reports have been the standard way nurses communicate with each other, especially in the hospital and in home-based practice. Despite this rationale, this approach has considerable weaknesses: its high risk of mistakes and misunderstanding could negatively influence patient outcomes. In light of these concerns, this project examines the role of bedside shift reports in pediatric home care and the patient readmission rate. This project employed a quantitative, cross-sectional research approach involving 32 pediatric home …

Transgender Education In School Nursing To Decrease Stigma And Promote Self-Efficacy, Brandy Shannon-Loyola

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project evaluated whether transgender education provided to school nurses and healthcare technicians decreased stigma and promoted self-efficacy. Concerns that transgender individuals have voiced were that they felt healthcare professionals could not effectively care for transgender patients, which may be due to personal or religious beliefs or lack of knowledge concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. Participants included credentialed school nurses and healthcare technicians in secondary education settings. The method consisted of a presurvey, education in the form of a handout, followed by a postsurvey to determine if education was successful. The Wilcoxon …

The Use Of Peracetic Acid And The Advanced Oxidation Process In Water Purification., Spencer Shipman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Next Round Brewing project was a project that sought to use treated wastewater to make potable drinking water using peracetic acid (PAA) and the advanced oxidation process and break the stigma around reclaimed water. In experiments, PAA was an efficient biocide which reduced the level of pathogens to within EPA standards. When PAA was coupled with the advanced oxidation process all organic matter was also reduced to within acceptable levels, and no biocide was left over in the final product, meaning PAA properly dissociated into harmless byproducts. A series of experiments are presented that vary concentrations of PAA, effluent …

Unlocking Academic Success: Exploring The Interplay Of Relational Capacity In Educational Leadership And Student Achievement, Veronica Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the factors that influenced secondary teachers’ perceptions relational capacity between teachers and students and their influence on student achievement within educational settings. The study was grounded in the recognition that relational capacity plays a pivotal role in fostering supportive teacher-student relationships, which were essential for enhancing academic outcomes and overall student well-being. The research problem addressed the need to understand how enhancing relational capacity in education could positively influence student achievement by creating an environment where students felt valued, understood, and motivated to excel academically. Using a qualitative approach, this research employed semistructured interviews as the primary …

Principals' Perspectives Of The Impact Of Faculty Engagement, Self-Efficacy, And Resiliency On First-Year African American College Student Retention, Hattie Marie Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This study examined principals’ perceptions of the impact of faculty engagement, student resiliency, and student self-efficacy on the retention of first-year urban and rural African American college students. The aim of the study was to determine why students from this demographic leave their higher education institutions after the first year. In the United States, about 30% of students, regardless of race or ethnicity, drop out of college after the first year. Further, given 6 years, about 50% of students drop out before obtaining a degree. Researchers have identified African American students as having a high college dropout rate. This …

Perceptions Of Low-Income Parents On Kindergarten Readiness: A Qualitative Study, Farrah Woodberry Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a significant amount of research documenting the importance of school readiness and its implication for life-long consequences (Jarrett & Coba-Rodriguez, 2017, 2018; Kang et al., 2017; Malsch et al., 2011). Parents play a critical role in supporting the acquisition of all skills needed to prepare children for school readiness. Readiness refers to being prepared with the necessary skills to access learning (Saracho, 2023). The purpose of this study is to explore the practices and perceptions of low-income parents on kindergarten readiness skills in the Hollywood School District (HSD) as measured by the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Students in …

The Recruitment And Retention Of Professional Volunteers To Mentor Dental Students, Sandra Gibson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The recruitment and retention of volunteers in society is a critical endeavor for many nonprofit organizations that look to serve our communities. For many organizations, it is a way to keep costs down and to supplement the physical resources necessary to keep the organization afloat. This study centered on recruiting and retaining professional dental volunteers to mentor dental students at the Social Wellness Services (SWS: pseudonym) organization in Upstate, NY. The general problem addressed in this study was that many nonprofits need help acquiring highly specialized volunteers, which requires a unique amalgamation of education, skill/experience, selfless attitude, resolve, and available …

The Perceptions Of Teachers’ Beliefs And Attitudes On Technology Integration: A Suburban Middle School Case Study In The South-Central United States, Trina Lashell Valdez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schools have been increasingly challenged with preparing students via technology based on changing standards for students achieving academic success. However, technology integration has barriers, often including teachers’ beliefs and attitudes associated with integrating technology in their classrooms. Therefore, in this qualitative case study, I attempted to understand better the perceptions of teachers, administrators, and professional support staff at Model Middle School about teachers’ beliefs and attitudes regarding technology integration and how to use this knowledge to inform teacher professional development. Data collection consisted of semistructured interviews of teachers, administrators, and professional support staff at Model Middle School via the Zoom …

A Delphi Study Defining Catholic Identity In American Diocesan Catholic Higher Education, Katherine E. Grooms

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past 60 years, there have been general comments and outcry that Catholic higher education schools simply are not Catholic enough anymore. The concern about the lack of identity started with the decline in ordained leadership and mounting pressures to compete with secular institutions. To measure if Catholic identity has declined, a working definition of Catholic identity is needed. This study employed the Delphi methodology to define Catholic identity among a subset of Catholic higher education institutions—diocesan-sponsored schools. The primary research question was how the identified schools defined Catholic identity, with subquestions that included who was responsible for the …

Portraits Of Hispanic/Latino Principals’ Leadership Development In Elementary Schools In Texas: A Narrative Study, Lily Dominguez-Carrero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the factors influencing the leadership development of Hispanic/Latino principals in elementary public schools in Texas. As the Hispanic/Latino population of students rises, understanding the underrepresented Hispanic/Latino principals’ experiences from adolescence to middle adulthood is critical to unveiling factors that influence their leadership identity development. Using a life story narrative approach to examine leadership development across the lifespan, the study provided themes regarding the pivotal environmental, contextual, personal, and intrapersonal factors influencing the principals’ leadership development. The thematic analysis of the life stories uncovered three prominent themes associated with the most influential factors in leadership development: …

Outbidding With Ontology: Routine, Rebel Justice, And The Competition For Legitimacy, Patrick A. Schmidt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Civil wars upset the everyday routines and relationships of ordinary people. Though recent research into civil wars has significantly increased the degree of study into non-conflict activities of rebel groups, particularly in rebel governance, rebel groups have not yet been seen as ontological security providers, capable of developing and reinstating some form of normalcy for civilian populations. This thesis seeks to promote this view of rebel groups, theorizing that rebel justice systems serve as a distinct space for insurgents to routinize interactions with civilians and signal their desire and ability to serve as capable providers of ontological security. Further, I …

The Lumbee Tribe And Mmiwg2s: How A Crisis Hides Behind Unreported Data, Daniel Oxendine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) crisis has existed since European settlers first came to the continent and has the potential to affect all Indigenous communities in the United States (Schilling 2018). Despite what federal data shows, I argue that the MMIWG2S crisis affects the Lumbee Tribe based on conversations on MMIWG2S that are coming from the Lumbee community. The primary objective of this thesis research project has been to conduct exploratory research through a case study to understand how the MMIWG2S crisis affects the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. I use the critical lenses of …

(Dis)Invested Bodies: The Neoliberal Crafting Of Disability, T. Wesley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a unifying text, my dissertation explores the relationship between cultural production and the neoliberal crafting of humanity, the term I use to describe how social dimensions—including the construction of the textual and material body—become reorganized and governed through market relations. While many disability scholars and activists frame the ADA’s failures through social misunderstandings of disability, few have seriously attended to the limits of the ADA as a neoliberal fusing of economic governance and classical liberal individualism.

Tracing convergences between the ADA and earlier US disability legislation to socioeconomic and political reforms enacted …

Unraveling The Role Of Hid-1: Insights Into Sgii Regulation, Breanna L. Sellers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The regulated secretory pathway is important for the secretion of hormones and neuropeptides from large dense core vesicles (LDCVs). Dysregulation of the biogenesis of LDCVs can result in metabolic and neurological diseases. Recent studies have suggested that the peripheral membrane protein HID-1 plays a role in the sorting and storage of granins which contribute to LDCV biogenesis. To further understand how HID-1 influences the regulation of granins, we investigated potential HID-1 interactors. We determined that while HID-1 is likely functioning in the same pathway as USP25, a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB), the cause of reduced cellular SgII levels is likely not …

Colorado's Multilingual Learners And The Read Act: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Brooke K. Sassi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis, focusing on the discursive construction of the Act and its impact on educational opportunities for multilingual learners. The study explores the role of power and knowledge in shaping the READ Act and addresses the ideological tensions and power imbalances that arise from a policy primarily designed for monolingual, English-speaking students. Drawing on personal experiences and extensive research, this analysis highlights the shortcomings of a phonics-heavy approach mandated by the READ Act, particularly for multilingual learners who require a more …

A Force To Be Reckoned With: Testimonios From Latina/E Senior Leaders Across Psychology Contexts, Sandra Bertram Grant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Latinas currently make up 76% of overall Latino/a/e participation in psychology (American Psychological Association, 2022); however, the numbers of Latinas in top echelon leadership positions are low (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021, 2022). Notedly, the information on the current state of Latine representation in the field of psychology is even more limited. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the testimonios of eight Latina/es regarding their professional development, decision making process, pursuit, and persistence in leadership positions, particularly within the field of psychology. This study is guided by Testimonio (Huber, 2009) as the methodological approach and analysis, …