Digital Commons Network^™

Machine Learning-Based Decision Support Models With Applications In Postsecondary Education, Marco Paolo Anglesio

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the deployment of machine learning methodologies in an industrial engineering framework for the development of advanced decision support systems in the context of enrollment management. Drawing on techniques from educational data mining, the research addresses three key phases in the lifecycle of traditional and non-traditional students. First, it analyzes student retention using predictive classification models designed to identify individuals at elevated risk of attrition. Second, it employs temporal convolutional networks for time series forecasting, estimating aggregate enrollment levels over highly variable, finite planning horizons on the basis of partially observed data and using an asymmetric loss function. …

Skills, Challenges, And Career Outcomes: A Quantitative Study Of Early-Career Experiences In Research Administration, Jennifer Juliet Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Research administration as a field lacks clearly defined entry pathways, with many professionals entering through indirect routes. These conditions contribute to variation in early-career experiences and may influence long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine how entry pathways and skills at entry relate to early-career challenges in research administration, and how those challenges are associated with career dissatisfaction.

This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Data were drawn from the U.S. subset of the Research Administration as a Profession (RAAAP-3) survey. Key variables included entry pathways, skills at entry, early-career challenges, and career dissatisfaction. Findings indicate that …

Exploring Servingness Through Pedagogy: A Critical Case Study Of An Hispanic Serving Institution, Yemin Sánchez

Theses and Dissertations

This critical ethnographic case study advances current understandings of what it means to teach at an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and how faculty enact servingness within an HSI enrolling high indices of Latin@/Hispanic students. Drawing on decolonial, culturally sustaining and liberatory pedagogical frameworks, this study interrogates how constructs such as Hispanic, Latin@/Latinx, or coloniality shape the pedagogical conditions under which faculty operate. Using pláticas with ten faculty members, this research study demonstrates servingness is not a technique or an institutional designation, instead, it is a fluid and deeply humanizing ecology with five mutually reinforcing dimensions: Servingness as Relational Praxis, Servingness …

Transforming Movement Assessment In Physical Therapy Through Subaquatic Data Collection, Kaitlyn Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the interest and perceived barriers to integrating subaquatic diagnostic technologies (SDTs) into hydrotherapy among licensed physical therapists. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted using a mixed-methods design, with 15 interviews included in the final analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square tests, while qualitative responses were coded thematically. Results indicated no statistically significant relationships between SDT interest and career stage or hydrotherapy access, though qualitative data highlighted concerns about cost, limited access, and usability. Despite mixed interest in adoption, participants identified several potential benefits of SDTs, including improved treatment tailoring, increased patient buy-in, and enhanced outcome monitoring. Functional …

Evaluating The Impact Of Reflex Math On Mathematics Achievement In Elementary Schools: A Quasi-Experimental Study In South Texas, Kasey Juarez

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study examined the impact of Reflex Math, a gamebased instructional program focused on building math fact automaticity, on the achievement of Grade 3-5 students in a South Texas public school district. The study compared a 2023 intervention group that used the program from August to December with a 2022 comparison group that did not. The intervention’s effectiveness varied by grade level, with Grade 3 students showing the most positive gains, no significant effect in Grade 4, and a slight negative difference in Grade 5. Results showed statistically significant, though modest, gains in mathematics achievement among students who …

Assessing The Impact Of Internal Flow Dynamics On Detection Region Concentrations Of Low-Cost Optical Particle Counters, Livingstone Quarshie

Theses and Dissertations

Particulate matter (PM) poses significant risks to human health and the environment, making accurate measurement essential for exposure assessment and regulatory decisions. While traditional reference methods provide reliable data, they are often bulky, expensive, and difficult to maintain. Optical Particle Counters (OPCs) offer a cost-effective alternative, commonly used in clean rooms, residential spaces, and personal exposure monitoring. These devices rely on light scattering to measure PM concentrations. However, low cost OPCs face challenges related to calibration and measurement accuracy, requiring careful performance evaluation. This study used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, CONVERGE Studio and ANSYS Fluent, to simulate a simplified …

Symptom Presentations And Effective Mental Health Interventions For Those Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review, Abraham Sloves

Theses and Dissertations

Homelessness is a present and concerning issue without a clear solution due partly to barriers in public policy, as well as challenges in homelessness research. Research seems to indicate that barriers to effective research on homelessness include inconsistent and incomplete data on homelessness prevalence, a lack of consistency in defining homelessness, and lack of generalizable research (Hossain et al., 2020). This is especially true when it comes to the intersection between homelessness and mental illness. While research has been done on interventions for unhoused individuals (Morton et al., 2020; Ponka et al., 2020), studies often fail to address the complex …

Practices Of North Dakota Vocal Music Educators With Exemplary Implementations Of Culturally Responsive Education, Allyse L. Dunnigan

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the culturally responsive practices of exemplary vocal music educators in North Dakota, with a focus on understanding how they implement culturally responsive education in their classrooms. As student populations become increasingly diverse, educators remain predominantly White, leading to cultural disconnects that can hinder student engagement and academic success. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological research design framed by culturally responsive music education, this study captures the lived experiences of five vocal music educators identified for their exemplary use of culturally responsive practices. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, analyzed to identify practices, challenges, and impacts on students. Findings reveal that …

Experienscape And The Interior Environment: A Case Study At A Bar With Entertainment, Paige J. Hendrickson

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to understand what aspects of the interior environment at a bar with bowling affect customers’ willingness to return and word-of-mouth sharing. The dimensions of the experiencescape model were used to guide the research, focusing on sensory, functional, social, and hospitality culture. A mixed qualitative methods approach was used, combining observations, focus group interviews, and moment maps to investigate customer comfort, satisfaction, excitement, memorability, and the difference in one’s perception of their experience based on ethnicity. It was found that the unique atmosphere, price, staff, and diversity were the main reasons customers returned or shared …

Evaluation Of Socioeconomic Disparities From Coal Mining And Sustainable Remediation Of Acid Mine Drainage Using Waste Carpet Tiles: A Geospatial And Life Cycle Assessment Approach, Lauren Bram

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the application of repurposed carpet tiles as a solution to address acid mine drainage (AMD), a common issue associated with historical coal mining that was found to affect certain demographic groups disproportionately. The efficiencies and environmental trade-offs of using downcycled carpet tiles were researched as a neutralization agent in remediation systems. Data was generated using life cycle assessment (LCA) and geospatial modeling. The socioeconomic effects of coal mining in the greater Pittsburgh area were analyzed by integrating home sale data, abandoned mine lands (inventory sites), and census demographics into the geospatial model and determined that homes in …

Institute Of Enslavement: Enslaved Lives At South Carolina College, Jill Found

Theses and Dissertations

“Institute of Enslavement: Enslaved Lives at South Carolina College” argues that enslaved people used the structure of the school, their own knowledge, and connections to other individuals and institutions to negotiate the terms of their enslavement. It examines how enslaved people on campus influenced their daily lives to the best of their abilities, in ways that were similar and different to other forms of enslavement. “Institute of Enslavement” considers how the unique structure of enslavement on a college campus, with multiple potential masters creating inconsistent authority for the school officials over enslaved people, created opportunities as well as moments of …

Voices From The Marginalized: The Experiences Black Employees Have On Search Committees And The Role Of Institutional Racism, Jacqueline Drummer

Theses and Dissertations

The history of Black people across the globe is marred by structural racism created by colonialism. Structural racism is deeply embedded in the American culture and academia is not excluded from this phenomenon. The research demonstrates that the problem of racism is not only prevalent in four-year academic institutions but also exists in two-year colleges. Our academic institutions are a microcosm of the broader society whereby we bring our worldviews, biases, and beliefs with us into the workplace. When these views are negative towards marginalized groups, actions can be adverse and impact the experiences of these demographics. My qualitative single …

Knowledge Of Breast Cancer Risk Factors And Willingness To Undergo Screening Among Female Faculty, Staff, And Graduate Students Of Illinois State University, Esther Oshaji

Theses and Dissertations

Breast Cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Early detection is key to combating the disease. Despite the U.S. having one of the highest BC rates globally, there is limited research on awareness of BC risk factors and willingness to undergo screening among university students, faculty, and staff. Drawing on the constructs of the Health Belief Model, this study assesses the knowledge and predictors of BC screening behaviors among female graduate students, faculty, and staff at a U.S. Midwestern University. This group is particularly important as BC risks increase with age. Understanding their perceptions of …

An Examination Of Types Of Trauma, Resiliency Factors, And Strengths-Based Approaches To Treatment Among Undocumented Mexican Immigrants, Rosa Marín

Theses and Dissertations

Undocumented immigration into the United States can be coupled with significant contextual sociopolitical challenges, particularly for Mexican-origin populations which represent the largest immigrant group in the U.S. Research examining the day-to-day nuances unique to this hard-to-reach population is limited and even more so for strengths-based treatment interventions. This systematic review sought to investigate the following questions: (1) What types of trauma do undocumented Mexican immigrants experience after immigrating to the U.S.? (2) What are resiliency factors among undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S.? (3) What are strengths-based approaches to working with undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S.? This integrative review …

A Systematic Review Of Preferred Practices To Reintegrate Male Opiate Addicts Into Family Relations While In An Evidence-Based Recovery Program, Arkaya Williams-Abbott

Theses and Dissertations

Active addiction strains family relationships. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to determine preferred practices to help reintegrate male opiate addicts into family relations while in an evidence-based recovery program. Twenty-three articles of various methodologies were reviewed. Findings indicated three themes: stigma and men with opioid disorder, how men seek help, and family relationships and role in substance abuse treatment. Findings showed evidence-based programming should ensure training for treatment providers on men’s socialization and how it affects their approach to treatment and lack of willingness to seek help. Effective communication and de-stigmatized language is another …

Compromised Health: Examining Growth And Health In A Late Antique Roman Infant And Child Cemetery, Sierra Malis

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the relationship between growth, growth disruption, and skeletal indicators stress amongst juveniles (n=60) interred at the Late Antique infant and child cemetery at Poggio Gramignano (PG) (ca. 5th century CE), associated with a rural agricultural community. Growth disruption – evidenced by decreased long bone length compared to dental age – and stress experience – evidenced by skeletal stress indicators – were compared to those within juveniles from two urban Roman-era cemeteries (n=66), Villa Rustica (VR) (0-400 CE) and Tragurium City Necropolis (TCN) (400-700 CE). Results indicate that the PG juveniles had significantly smaller femoral lengths-for-age than VR …

Investigating The Feasibility Of Creating A Disease Registry In Egypt: A Case Study Of Dementia, Shimaa Adel Heikal

Theses and Dissertations

The increased interest in evidence-based medicine led to the emergence of disease registries worldwide to help tackle the impact of chronic diseases by providing accurate data on several aspects of the disease care process. Age-associated diseases, particularly dementia, are growing worldwide with several implications and increased economic burden, especially in lower-income countries. In Egypt, there is a lack of accurate dementia prevalence and statistics data which hinders the establishment of appropriate disease management and care strategies. A national dementia registry would provide a massive valuable source of patient data that will significantly advance the disease management strategies and quality of …

On The Importance Of True Peer Norms In The Assessment Of English Learners: A Validation Study Of The Ortiz Picture Vocabulary Acquisition Test, Jane Yan Ting Wong

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional efforts in aiding English learners (ELs) to achieve better test performance such as modifications to the testing process or the use of native language or nonverbal tests are problematic and disregard the unique language developmental experiences of ELs (Ortiz & Wong, 2022). The Ortiz Picture Vocabulary Acquisition Test (Ortiz PVAT; Ortiz, 2018), an assessment of English receptive vocabulary, incorporates ELs’ proportion of lifetime exposure to English (LEE) in test norms to allow for true peer comparison, thus ensuring test fairness in measurement and score interpretation. The current study aimed to add to the existing validity evidence for the test …

Urban-Rural Differences In Lifespan Variation In The United States, Benjamin H. Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Since the mid-1980s, mortality rate improvements in urban areas have outpaced those in rural areas, leading to substantial urban-rural disparities in mortality. Research on urban-rural mortality disparities has focused exclusively on differences in mortality between urban and rural areas and has not examined differences in the amount of inequality in the length of life within these areas. Lifespan variation is an important dimension of health inequality that complements traditional metrics of mortality (i.e., mortality rates and life expectancy) by indicating the amount of inequality of lifespans within a population. This dissertation provides several contributions to our understanding of urban-rural differences …

Politics Of Belonging: Identity, Integration, And Spatial Practices Of Algerian Immigrants And Their Descendants In Paris, France, Elizabeth Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Using a geographic framework, this dissertation explores how Algerian immigrants and their descendants perform identity and negotiate belonging in French society. Bringing together critical theorizations of race, identity, space, and place, this work investigates what it means to be a racialized minority in a postcolonial context and to learn and experience the boundaries of ‘Frenchness.’ It is based on the narratives of Algerian immigrants who have migrated to Paris, France, and their French-born children. The empirical evidence of the case studies highlights the myriad ways in which Algerian immigrants and their descendants encounter and structure their interactions with French society, …

Rural Mental Health Therapist’S Attitudes Toward Evidence Based Practice And Readiness For Change, Marc S. Dutch

Theses and Dissertations

Rural Mental Health Therapists (RHMTs) face unique obsticles such as having to cover vast distances and isolation. Additionally, RHMTs also struggle with access to continuing education, training, supervision and other resources. Consequently, long tenured RHMTs tend to be at a disadvantage to acquiring and maintaining their ability to practice from an Evidence- Based Practice (EBP) approach in their clinical treatment. This study aims to better understand what Behavior Change factors effect RHMTs attitudes toward practicing from an EBP approach, as well as individual characteristics. Participants were 81 RHMTs practicing in a mental health capacity in the USA. Results indicated that …

Spatial Vulnerability Analysis And Thematic Mapping Of Urban Floods: A Case Study Of 100-Year Floodplain Areas Of Birmingham, Alabama, Mohammad Khalid Hossain

Theses and Dissertations

The social and economic impact of urban flooding is becoming more severe in the United States over time. Urban areas are mostly vulnerable to flash floods because of the impervious surface, which increases the surface runoff. More than 80 percent of people live in urban areas in the United States, and they are at higher risk of urban flooding. Although many urban areas have a higher risk of urban flooding, there is still a significant knowledge gap of understanding between the minority's and nonminority's vulnerability to urban floods. Therefore, using Birmingham, Alabama, as a study area, this research designs a …

More Than A Student Worker Job: Transferrable Skills Matter In Career Readiness, T Jason Townsend

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation study investigated if students, both native and transfer to the institution, showed growth in the Team URec transferrable skills model through competency trainings preparing students for career readiness. The study utilized a convenience sampling method, while assessment measures were quantitative. A statistical analysis was performed through a paired samples t-test to measure differences in students’ pre-evaluation and post-evaluation results within the Team URec model. Additionally, a MANOVA analysis examined the differences between native and transfer students’ pre-evaluation and post-evaluation scores. Lastly, a MANOVA examined the difference in student post-evaluation scores and supervisor post-evaluation scores. The participants were 78 …

Application Of Classification In Machine Learning: An Analysis Of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Systems Safety, Christopher John Helmer Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Highway-rail grade crossing accidents are the second leading cause of fatalities within the railway transportation industry. Highway-rail grade crossing fatality statistics have failed to improve over the last decade, and in some years have increased. Because of these trends, research has found that considerable Federal funding initiatives exist to support and develop contemporary risk reduction methodologies involving machine learning and artificial intelligence. In accord with these initiatives, this thesis investigates the highway-rail grade crossing safety problem using machine learning to implement an ensemble decision tree-based classification application. The resulting classifier has been validated to achieve a less than three percent …

Bayesian Analysis Of Binary Diagnostic Tests And Panel Count Data, Chunling Wang

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation mainly explores several challenging topics that arise in diagnostic tests and panel count data in the Bayesian framework. Binary diagnostic tests, particularly multiple diagnostic tests with repeated measures and diagnostic procedures with a large number of raters, are studied. For panel count data, most traditional methods only handle panel count data for a single type of recurrent event. In this dissertation, we primarily focus on the case with multiple types of recurrent events.

In Chapter 1, an introduction to the binary diagnostic tests data and panel count data is presented and related literature works are briefly reviewed. To …

Predicting Pilot Success Using Machine Learning, Aaron C. Giddings

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force has a pilot shortage. Unfortunately, training an Air Force pilot requires significant time and resources. Thus, diligence and expediency are critical in selecting those pilot candidates with a strong possibility of success. This research applies multivariate and statistical machine learning techniques to pilot candidates pre-qualification test data and undergraduate pilot training results to determine whether there are selected pre-qualification tests or specific training evaluations that do a \best" job of screening for successful pilot training candidates and distinguished graduates. Flight experience, both during training and otherwise, indicates pilot training completion and performance.

Women In (Em)Power: A Qualitative Study Of Orthodox Women Principals, Yael Wakslak Rosenberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Orthodox Jewish women who occupy the role of school principal in Orthodox Jewish schools. What distinguishes these individuals is that they are accomplished females who, in addition to overcoming the common challenges of women in leadership positions, as Orthodox Jews, their environments, both the ones they were raised in and the ones they currently work in, create a distinct expectation of gender roles, cultural identity and leadership characteristics. Additionally, this study explores how the shaping of their gender, cultural and leadership identities continue to manifest themselves and impact the …

Self-Actualized Leadership: Exploring The Intersection Of Inclusive Leadership And Workplace Spirituality At A Faith-Based Institution Of Higher Education, Kerri Cissna

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s leaders are facing complex business problems that require a moral compass and more than one person to solve. Bill Gates extols that organizations must innovate or die (Lee, 2013) and it is becoming widely accepted that diversity and inclusion are key factors in cultivating the innovative workplace (Kurschner & Schmidt, 2017). Although religion has been relegated to the margins of organizational leadership studies, a new era of globalization has ushered in opportunities for spirituality to become a conduit for self-actualization and inclusive leadership. Therefore, inclusive leadership and workplace spirituality are needed to address some of these pressing matters.

This …

The Wound Of The Malinches [Las Heridas De Las Malinches], Leticia Margarita Lowry-Garcilazo

Theses and Dissertations

Since the foundation of Mexico, the Mexican culture has leaned towards chauvinism becoming a cruel and coward spectator of the violence perpetrated against women. As a survivor of violence, I was overwhelmed and tired of being blamed and told that I deserved what my abuser did to me and needed to get over it. I was told that as a woman I needed to suffer in silence – just as La Llorona. Because, as women, we are las Chingadas, we are Eve, we are Las Malinches.

As a statement to fight against my impotence, I created The Wound of The …

Examining Non-Targeted Effects Of The Connect Through Play Project: Implications For Addressing Mental Health Of Underserved Middle School Youth, Jessica Dandan

Theses and Dissertations

Early adolescence is a developmental phase accompanied by several changes occurring in various biopsychosocial domains, associated with an increased vulnerability to mental and physical health problems. Youth of minority status and/or low socio- economic status have been shown to be more susceptible, as they are more likely to incur greater exposure to stressors accordingly. Coincidently, as psychological problems emerge such as internalizing disorders, physical activity engagement declines; those trends seem to persist into adulthood and have been associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Evidence points to the direct impact of physical activity, as well as, social variables such as social …