Digital Commons Network^™

Toward Understanding Multi-Agent Decision Making In Complex Societies, Jonathan Skaggs

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates Multi Agent Decision Making (MADM) within Complex Societies (CS), systems of interdependent agents whose collective behaviors emerge from local interactions. Such emergent dynamics are nonlinear and difficult to predict, posing significant challenges towards understanding how individual decisions scale to societal outcomes. Existing approaches often fall short of capturing the combined attributes of CS, including asymmetry, decentralization, and adaptivity. To address this gap, we introduce new models and analyses of agent strategies that explain how cooperation and stability can arise in CS. Structured around three interrelated projects, this dissertation enhances our comprehension of MADM in CS. The research …

Finding Black Joy: Understanding How Black Students Are Seen, Affirmed, And Nourished In Expanded Learning Opportunities., Jamila Mosley

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how Black students experience Black joy within expanded learning opportunity (ELO) programs and how those programs are structured to nurture that joy. It is guided by the central research question: How do Black students describe the ways in which an expanded learning opportunity program fosters their joy through experiences of being seen, affirmed, and nourished? Using an instrumental case study design at two secondary schools, the study draws on semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations of students participating in robotics, debate, Sister Circle, cheer, basketball, and creative writing. Data were analyzed through multiple cycles of coding, first …

Culture-Dependent Characterization Of Microbial Succession And Persistence In The Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat (Ilmah), Haley Olivia Boles

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines culture-dependent microbial monitoring in a closed lunar/Martian analog habitat, focusing on viable community dynamics relevant to long-duration missions. A standardized sampling and cultivation pipeline was implemented in ILMAH to track microbial succession and persistence under realistic operational conditions. Surface samples were collected across eight habitat zones at five mission timepoints (Days 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) during a 21-day crewed mission. Samples were concentrated post-collection and plated on chromogenic film media to quantify total aerobic bacteria (AC-R), fungi (YM-R), E. coli (EC), and S. aureus (SA). Plates were imaged and enumerated digitally; representative colonies were isolated and …

The Lived Experiences Of School Counselors, Job Burnout, And The Blurred Lines Of The Profession, Cecilia Angelica Gomez

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences of school counselors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on job burnout, role ambiguity, and the blurred lines of the profession. Through semi-structured interviews with practicing school counselors, the study identifies common themes including role overload, manifestations of burnout, coping and resilience strategies, and the impact of administrative support. Findings highlight the systemic factors contributing to counselor stress and the importance of self-care, peer collaboration, and role clarity for counselor well-being and student outcomes.

Resistance Through Policy: Documenting Lgbtq+ Advocacy In Public Education, Rhys Mitchell Fryar

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines how educational policies related to LGBTQ+ students are constructed, interpreted, and implemented across federal, state, and district-levels. It asks whether institutional intent reflects authentic commitment to equity or functions as symbolic compliance in politically contested environments. Using Portland Public Schools (PPS) as a case study, the analysis situates the district within Oregon’s affirming policy landscape and the Trump administration’s restrictive federal mandates. PPS has adopted policies, such as Administrative Directive 4.30.061 AD (2023b) and the Gender Identity Support Guide (2023a), to support queer and gender-expansive students; however, it faces a federal investigation (U.S. Department of Education, 2025b, …

Identity Formation Through The Lived Experiences Of Immigrant Muslim High School Students, Badera Muhanna

Theses and Dissertations

The growing number of Muslim students enrolled in U.S. public schools necessitates a more comprehensive understanding of their unique experiences within their educational environments. This phenomenological qualitative study investigated Muslim students' perceptions of their lived experiences in a high school in the Northern Great Plains of the United States. Six Muslim students in their junior and senior years were selected to participate in semi-structured interviews. Through the lens of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study aimed to deepen understanding of how Muslim students develop their sense of identity and the factors that contribute to this development. The findings revealed that …

Exploratory Study Of Relationships Between Law Students' Well-Being, Academic Success, And Perceptions Of Passing The Bar Exam And Admission, Pamela Shea

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the experiences of law students that impact their perception of being prepared for the Bar Exam and Bar admission. Analyzing the stressors law students face during law school reveals the essential need to incorporate the eight dimensions of well-being into curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities for students to flourish as they prepare for post-graduation success. Using the data from the 2021 Survey of Law Student Well-Being, which surveyed 5,865 law students from thirty-nine ABA-accredited law schools, a three-factor model was created to group students’ concerns into academic and health concerns, social and environmental concerns, and well-being behavioral …

False Memory Susceptibility In Association With Attachment Theory: Effects On Memory Conformity, Rachel Catherine Miller

Theses and Dissertations

False memory research has been an evident topic in various fields of psychological study. Research in this area has important implications in forensic contexts and clinical settings as false memories can result in an array of harmful consequences. To explain individual differences in susceptibility to endorsing false memories of the rare medical procedure known as the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), the current study extended the findings of Herndon and colleagues (2014). It also examined predictor variables from attachment theory (such as attachment anxiety and avoidance), depressive symptomatology, compliance levels (e.g., use of confederates), and the impact of guided imagery (i.e., a …

The Role Of Attitude Ambivalence In Extending The Theory Of Planned Behavior: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Factors Predicting Influenza Vaccine Uptake Intentions Among Active-Duty Military Parents For Themselves And Their Children, Walter Eugene Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a mixed-methods study examining how U.S. military parents form intentions to vaccinate themselves and their children against influenza. The study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the construct of ambivalence tounderstand how attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control influence vaccination decisions within the unique institutional and cultural environment of military life. Quantitative data were collected from 341 military parents through an online survey distributed across more than 50 military-affiliated Facebook groups. Regression models tested TPB constructs, flu knowledge, and social media use as predictors of vaccination intention and ambivalence. Results showed that flu shot …

Examining The Utility Of Haptic Feedback To Improve Pilot Situational Awareness & Performance: A Psychophysiological Approach, Jessica Van Bree

Theses and Dissertations

Pilot situational awareness (SA) has been deemed to be a critical component of flight efficacy, efficiency, and overall mission success. Studies have shown that several incidents and accidents have been the result of level-one SA errors, meaning that members of the flight crew have failed to accurately perceive the elements in their environments. As such, several strategies have been investigated to improve pilot SA. One potential avenue of research is the addition of haptics in to the flight deck. In some studies, the implementation of haptics have shown to improve piloting tasks, pilot safety, and aircraft control. The current study …

Optimizing Virtual Reality User Experience With Balanced Integration Of Quality Attributes, Ananth Ramaseri

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a real-time adaptive framework for mitigating cybersickness and enhancing user experience in virtual reality (VR) environments by dynamically adjusting key visual rendering parameters in response to users’ head movements. Conventional VR systems typically rely on fixed or manually configured settings that do not account for individual motion patterns or varying susceptibility to discomfort, leading to suboptimal usability and degraded immersion. In response, this work integrates software architecture tactics with data-driven machine learning models to proactively manage cybersickness while preserving rendering performance.

The proposed system employs a client–server architecture based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern. We conducted a …

Training Aba Service Providers To Use Phonemic Transcription: A Comparison Of Two Alphabets, Kristin Marie Albert

Theses and Dissertations

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) service providers regularly develop speech and shape articulation when working with minimally vocal children with autism. However, these providers usually have not received training in related subject areas as part of their certification coursework. This results in a gap between their scopes of competence and practice. The present study aimed to lessen this gap by training ABA service providers to take phonemic transcription. The author, in consultation with a speech-language pathologist, developed and implemented a computer-based programmed instruction training package. Studies 1 and 2 employed a concurrent multiple-probe design with an embedded adapted alternating treatments design …

Voices Of Resistance: Multilingual Identity Formation Through Translanguaging In Dual Language Bilingual Education, Fernando W. Milmo

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored how students navigated their evolving multicultural and multilingual identities in a setting with varying emphases on English and Spanish in the context of a fourth-grade dual language classroom where the teacher employed translanguaging pedagogy. This study is grounded in a theoretical framework that integrates decolonial, raciolinguistic, and translanguaging perspectives. The study examined students' perceptions of linguistic hierarchies and the ways they utilized their full linguistic repertoires to negotiate meaning, identity, and a sense of belonging. This study included pláticas as a culturally grounded narrative method, classroom observations, and interviews, and used a qualitative case study …

Factors Influencing Teacher Professional Autonomy And Career Satisfaction: The Effects Of Unrealistic Professional Expectations Surrounding Student-Centered And Technology Implementation Tropes, Karla Gabriela Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

The research problem is to investigate to what extent unrealistic professional expectations stemming from a predominant emphasis on the tropes of student-centeredness and technology integration impact teachers’ experiences of professional autonomy and career satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to find out what factors impact teacher autonomy and career satisfaction while also considering how teachers can be effectively supported to improve these areas. Utilizing a narrative inquiry approach, this qualitative study will be held in the Rio Grande Valley and will analyze interviews of both current teachers and teachers who have recently left the profession. Therefore, this study will …

A Qualitative Case Study: Exploring Distributed Leadership In Instructional Leadership Teams, Martha Reyna Perez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the role of distributed leadership within Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) at the elementary level, using Beckhard’s (1972) GRPI framework— Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal Relationships—as a lens. Conducted as a qualitative case study at Rio Vista Elementary in Lone Star Independent School District, the research examined how ILTs functioned in the context of post-pandemic education, focusing on collaboration between administrators and teacher leaders. Guided by Spillane’s (2006) distributed leadership theory, the study addressed three questions: the lived experiences of ILT members, shifts in teacher leadership and organizational conditions, and perceived impacts on student outcomes. Findings showed that …

A Qualitative Case Study: Exploring Distributed Leadership In Instructional Leadership Teams, Martha Reyna Perez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the role of distributed leadership within Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) at the elementary level, using Beckhard’s (1972) GRPI framework— Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal Relationships—as a lens. Conducted as a qualitative case study at Rio Vista Elementary in Lone Star Independent School District, the research examined how ILTs functioned in the context of post-pandemic education, focusing on collaboration between administrators and teacher leaders. Guided by Spillane’s (2006) distributed leadership theory, the study addressed three questions: the lived experiences of ILT members, shifts in teacher leadership and organizational conditions, and perceived impacts on student outcomes. Findings showed that …

Hispanic Academic Leadership In The Health And Human Services, Gabriela Elizabeth Rangel

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there are 63.7 million Hispanics (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), making them the largest racial or ethnic minority in the country. National data from 2019 indicates that only 6% of tenured faculty in the U.S. were Hispanic, highlighting a significant underrepresentation of leaders in academia (NCES, 2024). This study employed a phenomenological approach with purposeful sampling, utilizing semi-structured interviews with ten participants who had leadership experience in academia within Health and Human Services (H&HS). The interviews served to explore various aspects, such as what were their aspirations to become leaders, their perceptions of the characteristics and qualities …

Educators’ Perceptions Of Mental Health Services For Middle School Students In A South Texas District, Norma Araceli Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to examine teachers' and administrators' perceptions of school-based mental health services in one school district in South Texas. Within-case sampling was utilized to select the participants. The study examines educators' perceptions of the availability and effectiveness of mental health services for middle school students. Middle school is a period of intense social development, during which students strive to navigate peer relationships. Middle school children, aged 12-14, also undergo emotional development as they manage intense emotions, develop self-awareness, and learn to cope with stressors related to school, friends, and self-identity. Studies found that …

The Lived Experiences Of School Counselors, Job Burnout, And The Blurred Lines Of The Profession, Cecilia Angelica Gomez

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences of school counselors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on job burnout, role ambiguity, and the blurred lines of the profession. Through semi-structured interviews with practicing school counselors, the study identifies common themes including role overload, manifestations of burnout, coping and resilience strategies, and the impact of administrative support. Findings highlight the systemic factors contributing to counselor stress and the importance of self-care, peer collaboration, and role clarity for counselor well-being and student outcomes.

Cyberbullying And Mental Health Issues Among University Students, Brandi N. Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

According to the CDC (2024), bullying can lead to social and emotional distress, self-harm, and death. Bullying can also increase the risk for depression, anxiety, and poor academic achievement. The increased use of social media and the rise in cyberbullying (CB) and related mental health concerns among emerging adults is highly disconcerting, especially given their propensity for mental health problems. The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of young university students’ perceptions about CB victimization and whether CB affects their mental health. A cross-sectional research design was used to conduct the study. In this study the number …

A Study Of Preferred Modality Of Education And Perceptions Of Academic Success Of Post 9/11 Student Veterans, Jason R. Wakefield

Theses and Dissertations

Veterans are pursuing higher education at increasing rates due to the benefits available upon separation or retirement from military service. Many choose online programs for flexibility, while others prefer traditional, in-person instruction. Regardless of modality, student veterans often face significant challenges completing their degrees. “When student veterans first enter college, they must transition to the overwhelming, independent, and fast-paced lifestyle of a college student” (Semer & Harmening, 2015). While online learning may contribute to these difficulties, other factors also hinder success.

Colleges and universities continue to explore why student veterans struggle to complete their programs, yet underlying issues may distort …

Navigating Cultural And Professional Identities: A Study Of Hispanic Women's Experiences In Aerospace Internship Programs, Jennifer Becerra

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study investigated how Hispanic women navigated cultural identity and professional development during National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) internship programs, examining the role of culturally responsive mentoring in supporting retention. The research question was, How do Hispanic women in aerospace-internship programs navigate the intersection of cultural identity and professional development as they transition from academic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs to aerospace careers, and what role does culturally responsive mentoring play in supporting their retention?

Using Anzaldúa’s nepantla concept, Duncan-Andrade’s critical-hope theory, and Ladson-Billings’ culturally relevant pedagogy as theoretical frameworks, in this study, I employed semistructured …

Cyberbullying Victimization And Suicide Behavior: The Roles Of Social Anxiety And Body-Related Comparison Among Young Latina Adults, Monica Elena Ochoa

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide behavior rates have increased over the years in the United States among Latinas and adolescents/young adults. Previous research has identified relationships between various body-related concerns, (e.g., body dissatisfaction, appearance comparison, and body shame) cyberbullying, social anxiety, and suicidal ideation, yet minimal research has examined the relationship of these factors and how they interrelate to explain suicide risk in Latina young adults. This study investigated whether body dissatisfaction, appearance comparison, and body shame had indirect effects on suicide behaviors through the interaction of cyberbullying victimization in 194 Latina college students. The results of this study found that cyberbullying victimization mediated …

Design And Evaluation Of Gamified Kahoot Modules For Improving Engagement And Conceptual Understanding Of Introductory Physics Students, Yaritza Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of gamified learning modules in enhancing the engagement and conceptual understanding of introductory physics students. The first phase of this study focused on the design and development of gamified learning modules for selected topics in introductory physics. The modules were developed by integrating principles of Backward Design, following an escape-room theme with interactive scenarios, and incorporating classic game elements (e.g., points and leaderboards).

The second phase examined the effectiveness of the gamified Kahoot modules using a pretest-posttest control-group design. Sixty-eight (68) students were equally randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups. The experimental group …

Érase Una Vez En Tiempos Modernos… Colección De Relatos Reimaginados, Jose Rolando Rivera Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Esta tesis examina la reimaginación narrativa de cuentos de hadas en diálogo con leyendas urbanas, situados en países hispanohablantes y en contextos históricos específicos, como una metodología crítica capaz de transformar paradigmas culturales, visibilizar voces marginales y cuestionar estructuras hegemónicas. Desde un enfoque interdisciplinario que integra estudios culturales, psicología narrativa y teoría decolonial, se propone entender las historias como sistemas vivos que modelan identidades y configuran memorias colectivas.

La reimaginación se plantea como una forma de intervenir estratégicamente en los relatos heredados mediante operaciones como la deconstrucción, la excavación psicológica y la reubicación cultural. El estudio aborda, además, subgéneros del …

An Evaluation Of Noncontingent Reinforcement And Additional Treatment Components In The Treatment Of Stereotypic Behavior, Stephanie Nicole Brand

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with autism often engage in stereotypic behavior that competes with learning and social skills. Behavior analytic treatment may be implemented to reduce stereotypy. Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is one treatment that is often effective to reduce stereotypy. However, literature suggests that the use of NCR is contraindicated in some circumstances, as it may compete with the acquisition of new skills or may increase subsequent persistence of stereotypy. This research was designed to expand our knowledge of potential limitations of NCR when combined with other treatments. Study one examined persistence of stereotypy following treatment with NCR with and without response blocking. …

Conflict Management: Values-Based Training Effects On Shifts In Strategy Preference Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals, Candace Renae Fay

Theses and Dissertations

Problem-solving refers to a behavior evoked by a problem in which the behaver manipulates, supplements, and consequently, generates discriminative stimuli (SD) that they subsequently respond to (Donahoe & Palmer, 2004; Skinner, 1957, 1968). The use of problem-solving when faced with interpersonal conflict reflects pro-social behavior patterns, while providing a learning opportunity for identifying relevant variables and contingencies, and possible reductions of extended conflict or escalation in anti-social behavior patterns. Patterns of preference can be identified following multiple opportunities, given an array of options, resulting in consistency of choice responses (Martin, 2006). When less prosocial (avoiding, yielding), or antisocial (forcing) conflict …

Integrating Cognitive And Visual Scanning Strategies In Flight Instruction: Effects On Student Pilots’ Learning During Approach And Landing, Hyungwoo Jo

Theses and Dissertations

This interdisciplinary study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to advance innovation in aviation education by incorporating eye tracking technology with enhanced performance traceability through visual modeling and comparative feedback. Specifically, the study investigated student pilots’ scanning behavior, cognitive strategies, and proficiency development on a normal approach and landing task by modeling flight instructors’ cognitive behavior. The first research phase revealed statistically significant differences in scanning ratios between 10 flight instructors and 10 student pilots along with substantial performance variation. The result showed that student pilots exhibited excessive outside fixation, often failing to monitor or respond to energy management in …

The Relationship Between Perceived Transactional Distance, Cultural Values, And Online Instruction Among Higher Education Students: A Quantitative Analysis, Judith Kay Guetzow

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative survey research study examines potential correlations and influences on the learning of students enrolled in online classes at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The study specifically investigates whether transactional distance (TD) as conceptualized in Michael G. Moore’s Transactional Distance Theory (TDT), and cultural values such as power distance (PD), uncertainty avoidance (UA), and collectivism (CO) as defined in Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory, are associated with, and impact the learning experiences of online students. The analysis primarily centers on students’ perceived transactional distance and their self-reported cultural orientations.

Investigating The Impacts Of Facial Gestures On Global Participants’ Perception Of The Speaker, Perception Of The Message, Emotional Responses, And Engagement During Video Conferencing, Hanan Mohammed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Facial expressions play a crucial role in shaping communication and emotional understanding during virtual interactions. This study investigated how facial expressions influence participants’ perceptions of the speaker, perceptions of the message, emotional responses, and engagement during video conferencing across diverse cultural contexts. A hybrid experimental design was implemented using self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data and examine cause-and-effect relationships. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three facial-expression conditions Positive (smiling and joyful), Negative (angry or nervous), or Neutral (expressionless) and viewed speakers representing three ethnic backgrounds: White American, Black American, and Middle Eastern. Using a seven-point semantic differential scale, …