Digital Commons Network^™

Hearing The Unheard: Creating A Brave Space To Analyze The Experiences Of Men Of Color In Student Service Roles And Their Mental Health Challenges Within Higher Education, Calvin Maurice Joyner

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the experiences of five men of color in student service roles dealing with mental health stressors, such as discrimination, workplace burnout, tokenism, and low morale. To highlight their experiences, a brave space was utilized as an intervention. The following questions were examined and answered within this qualitative, action research study: (1) What are the experiences of men of color with mental health challenges in student service roles? (2) How do mental health problems affect the personal and professional lives of men of color in student service roles? (3) How do the brave spaces impact the mental health …

Understanding Community College Students’ Thoughts And Motivations Regarding Tutoring In An Undergraduate Mathematics Course, Whitney Paige Cherekos

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examines community college students’ thoughts and motivations regarding tutoring, with the aim of identifying disparities in tutoring utilization and engagement at a community college in North Carolina. The purpose of the dissertation is to evaluate tutoring effectiveness and explore students’ perceptions of tutoring. The findings of this study led to proposed solutions to reduce or eliminate the barriers that today’s community college students encounter when needing academic support.

To evaluate tutoring effectiveness, I collected quantitative data from institution registration reports, transcripts, tutoring logs, and an anonymous student survey for students enrolled in multiple sections of a single …

In Their Own Words: How Standardization Shapes Student Learning Experiences, Jessica Cantley

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative action research study explores how students perceive and experience standardized and elective educational environments in a rural, Title I high school in the U.S. South. Through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with seven diverse participants, the study investigates student-defined learning objectives, motivation and engagement across different classes, and youth perceptions of valuable learning experiences. The research is grounded in constructivism, applying feminist theory and critical race theory as lenses to challenge power dynamics and promote equality in education.

Findings confirm the problem of practice that inspired the study by revealing a contrast between students’ experiences in standardized …

Getting Poked (Lovingly) With A Stick: A Study Of Parental Involvement During First-Year Students’ College Transitions, Mary Ellis Glymph

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, some higher education professionals have observed an increase in parental involvement in the lives of their students during their transition to college. While involved parents are sometimes referred to as “helicopter parents,” this new generation of parents often fits more into the label of “snowplow parents” or “lawnmower parents.” This sort of over-involvement impacts students’ personal and academic development far beyond high school graduation; during college, students can struggle to adjust to new levels of academic rigor, but they can also struggle with self-confidence and internal motivation due to their lack of experience with addressing their own …

Using Critical Literacy To Illuminate Multicultural Perspectives In A Second Grade Classroom, Amelia Marzieh Hecker

Theses and Dissertations

Teaching about equity and diversity can be a challenge for elementary school teachers due to many factors including lack of understanding, resistance from parents, and discomfort due to the current political climate. This action research aims to examine the experiences of the teacher and second grade students as they use cultural literacy to explore multicultural texts. This action research took place in an upper-middle class community in the suburban area of Long Island, near New York City, where most participants identified as white. The data for this research took place over a six-week period. Observations, transcripts, journaling, and artifacts were …

Enhancing Self-Efficacy In Ap Psychology Through Targeted Intervention Strategies, Felicia Jennifer Butler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-method action research case study was to measure the effects of an individualized intervention on academic self-efficacy and academic achievement in an Advanced Placement (AP) psychology class. The study focused on four students who received a failing grade on the first unit test and took place over an eight-week period. Quantitative data was collected in the form of assessment data (both formative and summative), survey questions modeled after the General Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (GASE), and assignment completion. Qualitative data was collected in the form of semi-structured interviews and open-ended reflection questions. The findings suggest that psychology …

Who Do I Want To Become?: Validating Identity As A Key Component Of A Teacher Leadership Framework, Denae Kizys

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, teaching has been a solitary profession within a hierarchy, where educators work in isolation and their roles are primarily focused on instruction. However, as education has evolved, especially post COVID-19, there is a shift towards a need for a more collaborative, ecosystem-based approach, where teachers are not only in their classrooms but acting as teacher leaders within this ecosystem. This research aims to understand the development of teacher-leader identities through the use of the proposed, Ecosystem of Teacher Leadership Framework, which uses elements of self-leadership, recognition, and the ecosystem. Through both qualitative and quantitative methods, a survey-like interview was …

Promoting The Mathematical Success Of High School Geometry Students Through Project-Based Learning, Amanda Shankle-Erdman

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study explores the impact of project-based learning (PBL) on the mathematical success of high school geometry students, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Students from low SES households often face challenges in acquiring foundational math skills, which in turn leads to low math-related self-efficacy and poor academic performance. The study aimed to determine whether implementing PBL enhances students' understanding of geometry, improves students’ math-related self-efficacy and anxiety, and changes students’ attitude toward math by creating real-world connections to their lived experiences. Using a convergent mixed-methods approach, the study collected both qualitative and quantitative data from high school …

Multi-Dimensional Strategies Impacting Beginning Readers’ Word Solving And Engagement, Brooke Clayton

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation studied the impact of reading instruction on beginner-level readers’ decoding skills and engagement among four first-grade students in Lexington, South Carolina. The following research question directed the study:

Will an instructional strategy foregrounded on direct, systematic phonics instruction in conjunction with multi-dimensional reading strategies improve beginner readers’ decoding skills and engagement?

The study is grounded in several theoretical frameworks, including Scarborough’s Reading Rope (Appendix A), the Simple View of Reading, the Active View of Reading (Appendix C), Onset-Rime phonics instruction, and Self-Determination Theory. Interventions included the LETRS Science of Reading Phonics Small Group Plan (Moats & Tolman, 2019) …

Effects Of Science Of Reading Pedagogy On Student Self-Efficacy In The Elementary Intervention Classroom, Emily Marie Robinette

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study investigated the effects Science of Reading pedagogy and curriculum have on students’ reading self-efficacy within the setting of the elementary intervention classroom. The theoretical framework, Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, guided the study’s research questions, review of literature, methodology, and data analysis. The conceptual framework of the Science of Reading theory and educational movement served as the primary source of design and implementation of the intervention. Students participated in pre-, mid-, and post intervention interviews which measured students’ perceptions about their reading self-efficacy throughout the intervention period. They also participated in weekly reading self-efficacy questionnaires, which provided …

Impact Of Simulation On Project Management Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Student Perceptions: An Action Research Study With Non-Traditional Undergraduate Students In A Project Management Capstone Course, Deborah Marindin

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of a project management simulation in enhancing non-traditional undergraduate students' project management knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceptions in a project management capstone course. The simulation tool, SimulTrain®, provided an authentic, real-world context to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Utilizing mixed-methods action research, the study comprehensively evaluated the simulation’s impact on students’ learning. The research was guided by three questions: (1) How does a simulation activity affect non-traditional students’ project management knowledge in a capstone course? (2) To what extent does the simulation impact their self-efficacy? (3) What are students’ perceptions of learning …

Hearing All The Colors: Stories Of Engagement From Teachers' Perspectives, Carolyn Allison

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study documented four high school English II End of Course teachers' stories about student engagement in the classroom. Students of color, in particular, have been maligned for underperformance on state-mandated tests. Instead of focusing on the despairing headlines and data, this study focused on how teachers follow the state standards and district curriculum guides to increase success. The teachers' authentic voices on student engagement shine through their stories. Student engagement is not a one-size-fits-all scenario which these teachers prove.

The teachers' stories served as the data for this study. The data was viewed through the lens of …

Apathy Or Agency: Exploring Civic Engagement With Ap Psychology Students, Regina Dilley

Theses and Dissertations

Sensing my high school students’ apathy toward civic engagement, I used a community of inquiry framework to address this problem of practice. Through mixed-methods action research, I explored participants’ perspectives on community, civic engagement, and their involvement in both spheres. A community of inquiry framework was the foundation for my research questions, and as I collected data, I launched an intervention based upon my findings. Although the results of this study were not statistically significant and are not generalizable, I collected a wealth of survey, interview, and reflection data from 48 students across two classes. Analysis grounded in my observations …

A Neuro-Symbolic Ai Approach To Scene Understanding In Autonomous Systems, Ruwan Tharanga Wickramarachchige Don

Theses and Dissertations

Effectively understanding scenes requires a unified representation of scene data and background knowledge. A neuro-symbolic AI approach to scene understanding leverages such a unified representation to enable advanced expression, inference, and labeling of scenes, improving the perception of autonomous systems.

Scene understanding remains a central challenge in the machine perception of autonomous systems. It requires the integration of multiple sources of information, background knowledge, and heterogeneous sensor data to perceive, interpret, and reason about both physical and semantic aspects of dynamic environments. Current approaches to scene understanding primarily rely on computer vision and deep learning models that operate directly on …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On The Sport Industry: Trademark Challenges And Legal Issues For Sport Brands, Suji Kim

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and trademark law, focusing on the implications of AI-driven brand management in the sport industry. As AI technologies increasingly shape marketing strategies, particularly through fan engagement and content creation, they present new legal challenges, especially concerning trademark infringement, false endorsement, and the protection of athletes’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. The study analyzes key legal issues arising from AI’s role as both a tool and a potential legal actor in brand management, emphasizing the evolving definitions of “use in commerce” and the liability of sport organizations and third-party platforms.

Through …

Exploring Cultural Capital And Literacy Practices In Chinese Immigrant Families: A Critical Ethnographic Case Study, Yuechen Sun

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the cultural capital and literacy practices of Chinese immigrant families residing in a Southeastern U.S. city. Using an ethnographic case study approach, the research examines two groups of Chinese immigrant parents: those with higher educational backgrounds and those who are restaurant owners. The study investigates how parents’ educational and cultural backgrounds influence their perceptions of and commitments to their children’s education, as well as their home literacy practices. It also explores their understanding of the model minority stereotype and their views on educational equity in the U.S. The findings reveal that both groups of parents value education …

Exploring Technology Use And Loneliness Among African American Older Adults, Sarah Pace

Theses and Dissertations

Loneliness among African American older adults is a pressing public health concern, affecting more than one-quarter of this population and increasing the risk of premature death. This study explores the experiences of loneliness among African American older adults and examines the technologies they use, the purposes they serve, and their perceived role in mitigating loneliness. It also investigates barriers and facilitators to technology use for promoting social connection. Guided by the Social Support Theory and Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3), the study centers the perspectives of an underrepresented population.

Fifteen African American women aged 67–82 participated in semi-structured interviews between …

The Moderating Effects Of Religious Support And Family Support Between Racial Discrimination And Psychological Health Outcomes Among Black Adolescents, Tiera Cleveland

Theses and Dissertations

Racial discrimination is a common experience for Black adolescents. This study aimed to examine family support and religious support as a moderating variable between discrimination and mental health among Black adolescents. This study utilized data from an existing data set, the National Survey of American Life-Adolescent (NSAL-A). The NSAL-A included 1170 adolescents: 810 African American¹ and 360 Black Caribbean². The sample contained an equal amount of female (n = 608) and male (n = 562) Black adolescents³, who range in age from 13 to 17 years. Significant findings suggest that family support moderates the impact …

Impact Of Participation In Extracurricular Activities On Female Students’ Motivation, Noha Ibrahim

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of extracurricular activities (ECAs) on academic motivation among female high school students at a semi-governmental international school in the UAE. It addressed three research questions: (1) the effect of ECA participation on academic motivation, (2) students’ perceptions of how these activities influence their motivation, and (3) teachers’ perspectives on their impact. I conducted this action research in a school of 4,500 K-12 students predominantly local and from high-income backgrounds with an international teaching staff. Participants included grade 11 and 12 female students (ages 16–18) enrolled in one of four clubs (Reading, International, Sports, and Art) …

Characteristics Of Individuals Who Desired A Mentor But Did Not Have One: A Nationally Representative Study, Kenzie Delposen

Theses and Dissertations

Youth are experiencing increased mental health challenges due to the parallel increase in loneliness and social isolation. Mentorship has emerged as a potential solution to reduce social isolation and provide support, guidance, and encouragement to young people. The context of the mentoring relationship positively impacts adolescent lives by promoting a safe, stable, nurturing relationship (SSNR) to reinforce the intrinsic motivation to connect with others. However, many young people lack these relationships despite indicating that there were times when they wanted one (Garringer & Banning, 2023). Access to mentorship is influenced by factors such as racial or ethnic background, socioeconomic status …

Transgressive Desire And Women’S Liberation In The British Strike Bildungsroman, Carl Clinton Sweat

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the intersection of gender and class identity in British proletarian Bildungsromane set during the General Strike of 1926 and the Miners’ Strike of 1984/5, referred to collectively as “Strike Bildungsromane.” These prolonged industrial conflicts temporarily disrupted the gender division of labor that had hitherto been a defining aspect of pit village life. This development encouraged proletarian writers of the interwar and post-war periods to consider coalfield women as political agents, capable of subverting their preordained roles within the private sphere. These moments of subtle subversion are critical to the General Strike novels explored in this study, …

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Child-Centered Play Therapy Facilitated Through A Virtual Playroom On Disruptive Behaviors: A Single-Case Research Design, Keeland Kelley Lodato

Theses and Dissertations

This multi-manuscript dissertation comprises two interconnected articles that collectively explore facilitating Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) through telemental health (TMH) using a virtual playroom. Chapter Three includes a qualitative manuscript using thematic analysis to understand the experiences of eight counseling students who participated in a training where they learned how to create and utilize a virtual playroom, followed by a virtual play session with elementary-aged children. The results from this study provided six emergent themes and subthemes. Chapter Four includes a quantitative manuscript using a single-case research design. More specifically, this study used a reversal design to investigate the impact of …

The Dialogic Self: Persius Satires 4 And Oikeiosis In Stoic Philosophy, William Michael Dodd

Theses and Dissertations

Though acknowledging that Persius alludes to Horace so frequently that he creates a dialogue with his elder, many commentators fail to see that Persius would challenge his predecessor. Especially evident in Satire 4, Persius' challenge to Horace stems from the younger poet's Stoicism, which philosophy he sees Horace as lampooning throughout the elder poet's Satires. Persius not only defends his Stoicism in Satires 4 but also engages with perceived weaknesses in the Epicureanism he finds in Horace. For instance, instead of the Epicurean version of natural law Persius finds in Horace, which conceives of human ties as contractual, the younger …

Investigating The Impact Of Cross-Loadings On Model Fit And Mediation Inferences In The Latent Mediator Model, Qiulin Lu

Theses and Dissertations

Cross-loadings are a common phenomenon in psychological research. Extant studies have focused primarily on measurement models, like confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and have shown that omitted cross-loadings can bias the inter-factor correlation. These results suggest that omitted cross-loadings might likewise bias structural paths in other structural equation models (SEMs), but this area remains under-investigated. Such an effect could impact the evaluation of third variable effects, like mediation, when estimated in a SEM framework.

This study addresses this gap by examining the effects of cross-loadings in single, latent mediator model in a simulation study. The performances of conventional SEM and Bayesian …

A Study Of Ci3t Implementation: Middle School Ela Teachers' Perceptions Of Tier 1 Academic Practices On Student Performance, Martha Kathryn Jenkinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods action research study was to understand teachers’ perceptions of Ci3T tier 1 academic practices following the first year of implementation. Tier 1 instruction, delivered primarily by classroom teachers, is meant to meet the needs of a majority of students. Understanding teachers’ perceptions of program implementation, as well as reviewing student data to seek impacts of Ci3T on student learning, are important considerations when deciding how to improve the system. This study focused on the experiences and perceptions of English Language Arts teachers and Special Education teachers who work in ELA classes.

Data were gathered …

Latinx Parent Acculturation And Acculturative Stress: Impact On Family Functioning And Youth Well-Being, Julie Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

Research has demonstrated that acculturation and acculturative stress can influence family dynamics and Latinx youth well-being. Guided by the Family Stress Model, the current study aimed to assess a latent measurement model of acculturation and examine the relationship between acculturation and acculturative stress and how acculturative stress is related to family processes and youth adjustment. Data included 898 youth and 630 parents from the SOL Youth study. Structural equation modeling was used to assess a latent two-factor measurement model of acculturation and its relation to parental acculturative stress as well as how parental acculturative stress is related to family functioning …

A Mixed Methods Study Exploring The Lived Experience Of Shared Trauma In Psychiatric Nurses During Covid-19, April Lynne Hutto

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Psychiatric nurses (PNs) had a unique lived experience of shared trauma (ST) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These nurses experienced the same traumatic event, COVID-19, with associated trauma symptoms as their patients. This mixed methods study aims to triangulate data on ST in PNs using a quantitative and qualitative study. Methods: PN (N=24) completed a semi-structured interview during the summer and fall of 2024. A quantitative study PN (N=552) in spring 2023, using the Shared Trauma and Professional Posttraumatic Growth (STPPG) inventory, was completed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SAS 9.4. A thematic analysis of the interviews was completed …

A Mixed Methods Examination Of Interdisciplinary Strategies For Addressing Trauma And Chronic Pain In Group Therapy, Kara Marceil Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain and trauma are distinct yet interconnected public health concerns, each significantly affecting physical, psychological, and social well-being. The comorbidity of these conditions highlights a critical need for integrated treatment approaches. This dissertation explores interdisciplinary strategies that merge group counseling and physical therapy to address trauma symptomology and chronic pain within a group therapy setting. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, somatic therapy principles, and the gate control theory of pain, this multi-manuscript dissertation employs a mixed methods design to examine counselor experiences, intervention feasibility, and participant outcomes.

The Impact Of Social Emotional Learning (Sel) Lessons On Students’ Mental Health Surrounding Standardized Testing, Margaret Denning

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative action research examined the emotional impacts of standardized testing on 4th and 5th graders and the effects of targeted social-emotional learning lessons in a Title 1 school. Pre- and post-intervention data were gathered through surveys (Children’s Test Anxiety Scale) and focus group interviews. By employing thematic and narrative analysis, findings revealed significant initial cognitive anxiety, physical symptoms, and difficulties in self-regulation. Following the SEL intervention, the data indicated that students exhibited improved emotional resilience, reduced anxiety symptoms, and enhanced coping skills. Although the SEL interventions enhanced overall emotional well-being, anxiety was not fully eliminated. This study highlights the …

Developing Mathematical Thinking And Reasoning For Students With Disabilities Through Professional Learning Communities, Dawn Pilotti

Theses and Dissertations

Professional learning communities (PLCs) are designed to improve learning outcomes for all students through educator collaboration. Guided by systems theory and supported by social cognitive, social practice and change theories, this longitudinal participatory action research study explored the development of an interdepartmental PLC, and its impact on mathematics teachers’ practices and students’ performance. Additionally, this study explored the relationship between participation in the PLC and participants’ collective efficacy. The study was conducted at a school for students with learning disabilities. The PLC included Grade 5 and Grade 6 mathematics teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, a mathematics specialist, reading …