Digital Commons Network^™

Outcomes From In-Person Interdisciplinary Continuing Education For Autism And Online Delivery Of The Same Content, Rachel Ann Trayner

Theses and Dissertations

Because of the growing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there is an increased need for effective professional training models for autism treatment and education. Individuals with ASD receive care and therapy across multiple disciplines, so such training models should also be interdisciplinary in nature. In the medical field, pediatricians, nurses, psychiatrists, and many others work with individuals with ASD. In the education field, teachers, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, and others work with children with ASD. Some therapists work in both systems. Thus far, there has been little research done considering training delivery models (i.e., in-person and online training) …

Cross-Sector Social Partnerships: A Qualitative Research Study Of Partnership Governance, Lizbeth Landon

Theses and Dissertations

Globalization has had a tremendous impact on society. While creating opportunity for corporations to expand into new markets, globalization has also created significant negative repercussions to the environment, human rights, health, and education (Reece, 2001). In the past twenty-five years Cross-Sector Social Partnerships (CSSPs) have emerged as a possible solution to the negative impacts from globalization with mixed results (Nidumolu, Ellison, Whalen, & Billman, 2014) Although there are inherent challenges, the case for corporations and the public sector to continue to work together is compelling. By contributing their technical expertise and financial resources, companies can leverage the public sector’s experience, …

Hud Culture And How It Affects Employee Job Satisfaction, Nicole Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

Many federal agencies contend with systemic employee relation challenges due to an ingrained culture fostered by the absence of trust and job satisfaction. The organizational structure within federal agencies is complex and represents a bureaucratic corporate culture. There is limited research related culture within the federal government and the relationship between trust and employee job satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to conduct a secondary analysis that examines various aspects of organizational culture and the effects on employee job satisfaction. Federal agencies administer annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) in the effort to assess factors to influence change in …

Valuing Natural Space And Landscape Fragmentation In Richmond, Va, Lee Wyatt Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations

Hedonic pricing methods and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) were used to evaluate relationships between sale price of single family homes and landscape fragmentation and natural land cover. Spatial regression analyses found that sale prices increase as landscapes become less fragmented and the amount of natural land cover around a home increases. The projected growth in population and employment in the Richmond, Virginia region and subsequent increases in land development and landscape fragmentation presents a challenge to sustaining intact healthy ecosystems in the Richmond region. Spatial regression analyses helped illuminate how land cover patterns influence sale prices and landscape patterns that …

Indications Of Ancient Maya Soil Resource Management In Northern Belize, Austin Michael Ulmer

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to use soil chemical properties, particularly carbon isotopes to describe the agricultural landscape in the Blue Creek region on the Rio Bravo Escarpment in northwestern Belize. The primary question associated with this study focused on the comparative agricultural potential of the soils between the upland karst environment and the lowland coastal plains using the distribution and frequency of ancient Maya maize production. Soil physical features, such as clay concentrations throughout profiles in conjunction with soil chemical properties were used to aid in determining the level of ancient maize production. Isotopic evidence suggests that anciently, …

Transformative Learning Applied To The Development Of Community Capacity In A Local Grassroots Organization, Betty Sue Turner

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation assesses the impact of structural constraints to participation on residents of a rural, non-core county and members of a local grassroots organization in conjunction with the measurement of grassroots members for the presence of transformative learning. This study was motivated by three research questions: (1) To what extent may the presence of structural constraints to participation in community action activities be found in the adult residents of a rural, non-core county? (2) To what extent may the presence of structural constraints to participation in community action activities be found in members of a local grassroots organization? (3) How …

Community Journalism And Civic Engagement In Egypt: The Case Study Of Sahafet Welad El-Balad Project, Rasha Saad Tawfik

Theses and Dissertations

While Egypt enjoyed a heritage of local community press, genuine professional endeavors were nearly non-existent till recently. However, with Egypt undergoing a transitional phase, the emergence of community journalism became central to facilitate the shift into a more democratic state. Hence, this study explores the relation between community journalism and civic engagement in Egypt through examining a case study, El-Fayoumeya newspaper published as part of Sahafet Welad El-Balad media project. The study also discusses the state of community journalism in Egypt and the government's media policies related to the issue. This includes an assessment of the state of community journalism …

Guidelines For Sustainable Urban Zero Pollution Community (S.U.Z.C), Mianda Khaled Khattab

Theses and Dissertations

The concept of sustainability has been introduced in the 1980s with the focus of environmental protection, where many developed and developing countries were and still are aiming to reach sustainability. Yet, with the increase of urbanization level, the tendency to meet the needs of the rising population is increasing without the focus of the environmental resources that are being abused in return. This leads to increasing the gap and the greed within the community between the rich people who can afford to abuse resources and the poor who can barely access their daily needs. This gap is concluded in an …

An Application Of Asset Based Community Development Approach: A Case Study From Rural Community In Egypt, Alyaa Farouk Hessin

Theses and Dissertations

Many communities in Egypt, specifically the rural areas, are unquestionably distressed places as a result of the major economic and political shifts that have occurred over the past few years. Strategies of community development are currently viewed as the radical remedy for poverty related problems. In Egypt, community development strategies are usually driven from traditional approaches including charity, needs and rights based approaches which focus on basic needs like shelters and food. These approaches have proved a deficiency as they ignore the structural causes of poverty and address symptoms only. In response to these shortages came an alternative capacity focused …

Perception Of Corporate Responsibility In The Textile Sector, Ola El-Sharnoubi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the potential of corporate responsibility (CR) in companies in the textile sector in Egypt and to explore the understanding of corporate responsibility amongst textile companies in Egypt, the perception of consumers and workers of CR and its benefits to the business, the employees, various stakeholders and the textile sector as a whole. This thesis researches the textile companies’ environmental, social and governance performance, sheds a light on the major challenges facing the industry and CR in the industry, as well as identifies potential opportunities for a sustainable sector development. The thesis discusses …

Comparing Three Methods For Estimating Ozone Depleting Substance Substitute Greenhouse Gases: Case Study Of The New York City Region, Wallace A. Murray Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method for estimating emissions from one source, Ozone Depleting Substances Substitutes (ODS substitutes) by comparing results for the New York City Metropolitan Statistical Area (NYC-MSA) with results from two other methodologies. The EPA’s method utilizes population data and GDP data to estimate and geographically allocate emissions, with little regard for the geographies of industrial activity. The two alternative methods use data for industrial employment and activity to provide results for comparison and perhaps a more accurate accounting and allocation of emissions throughout the NYC-MSA.

A Tale Of Two Somali Community-Based Organizations In Cairo: Between Assistance, Agency &Community Formations, Hannah Huser

Theses and Dissertations

Based on ethnographic field research in two Somali refugee- and migrant-initiated community-based organizations (CBOs) in Cairo, I look at their role in community formations, assistance to refugees and creating linkages to service providers to refugees. Moreover, I explore the CBOs as sites of individual agency and as expressions of collective action at the organizational level. CBOs have been explored from various conceptual angles, including networking, social capital, and integration. The manifestation of CBOs can be influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors, raising questions as to where CBOs can be located between genuine sites of identity construction and community-building and their …

Degree Attainment Of Students From A Land-Grant University Who Matriculated From The Mississippi Public Community College System, Susan Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate selected variables among community college transfer students with or without associate’s degrees and native students at a 4-year university to determine the impact of the articulation and transfer process on baccalaureate attainment. More specifically, the study examined the differences in demographic characteristics, academic preparation, and graduation rates among 15 community colleges and a rural land-grant university in the state of Mississippi. There were three groups reviewed: (a) community college transfer students with associate’s degrees and their graduation rate at a 4-year university, (b) community college transfer students without associate’s degrees (non-degrees) and …

Crossing Boundaries: Building A Model To Effectively Address Difference In Community Practice, Jason Sawyer

Theses and Dissertations

Community organizing has a rich tradition within the field of social work. Prevailing community practice models, approaches, and frameworks remain primarily based on practice wisdom, experience, and intuition. Difference, pervasive in various contemporary contexts of practice, largely mediates interactions at the community level. Although difference is addressed at various levels of the practice continuum and within the IFSW and NASW codes of ethics, few methodologically driven tools exist within the literature to guide practitioners. This grounded theory study initiates early development of a community practice model based on forging alliances across boundaries of difference. The Critical Difference Engagement model is …

Sense Of Community In A Blended Technology Integration Course: A Design-Based Research Study, John Buckley Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

This design-based research study explored whether Sense of Community was maintained while flexibility in the course was increased through an adoption of a unique blended learning model. Data collected in this study show a significant drop in the sense of connectedness score from a mean of 50.8 out of 66 to a mean of 39.68 in the first iteration. The score then began to gradually increase, reaching 50.65 in the third iteration. Results indicate that transitioning to a blended learning environment may be a suitable option to increase flexibility while maintaining a Sense of Community in a project-based course. Future …

The Changing Focus Of Education: How Rowan University Professors View The Shift Toward Online Education, Genevieve Cross

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores Rowan University professors' attitudes toward online education and its increasing prevalence. The researcher used an online survey program by which participants' feedback was gathered. The survey was sent to 201 Rowan University professors, and the data was analyzed with the computer program, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to obtain calculations and percentages. The survey results are presented in both narrative and chart form. The researcher concluded that from the results of the study that Rowan University professors' have diverse opinions about online education, but also recognize the value in this asset to higher education. Specific …

Elucidating Perceived And Actual Cancer Risk In Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Differentially Impacted By Environmental Hazards To Inform Future Public Health Interventions, Lashanta J. Rice

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities, economically disadvantaged and medically underserved groups bear a disproportionate amount of the cancer burden. Myriad social and environmental factors attribute to these disparities including disparate exposures to environmental pollutants, which account for two percent of all cancer deaths nationally. There is empirical evidence demonstrating risk perceptions and cancer worry are shaped by race/ethnicity and social and environmental experiences. Cancer risk perceptions among Non-Whites, especially Blacks compared to Whites is lower for various reasons. Low perceived cancer risk may explain persistent cancer disparities, since protective health behaviors are higher among persons who perceive …

Serenbe, A Case Study In Agricultural Urbanism, Charles Alexander Gotherman

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the overwhelming role food plays in our everyday lives, the both new and old phenomenon of incorporating food systems into master planned communities has largely been overlooked. The in-progress community of Serenbe located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia is breaking this trend. The mixed use 1,000 acre community has already included many food and agriculture elements such as an organic farm, farmers’ market, grocery store, farm-to-table restaurants and edible landscaping - making it an exemplar case of an emerging planning strategy called Agricultural Urbanism. While many are heralding Serenbe for its strides as a community that incorporates agriculture into …

The "New" Charrette: Stakeholder Perceptions Of An Alternate Approach, Odie Joe Avery

Theses and Dissertations

Landscape architects, many of whom practice the design principles of the New Urbanism, have become increasingly involved with the participatory planning process. A key principle of New Urbanism, the participatory planning process is incorporated in an attempt to ensure that any new development - or alteration of an existing development - meets the needs of the community for which the design is created. This study examines data gathered from a web-based survey addressing the alternate, stakeholderess charrette approach. It was distributed to participants of charrettes facilitated by the Mississippi Main Street Association and is an attempt to understand the perceptions …

The Construction And Assumptions Made About Egyptian Women By Development Organizations, Christina Gagnier

Theses and Dissertations

Since the inception of international human rights, some activists have argued for a universal framework and this framework has encountered resistance. International feminism is a space where the concept of universal truth begins to unravel. Feminists from the First World, purporting to speak on behalf of all women, essentialized the international woman’s experience and set an agenda based on their First World experience. Third World women critiqued the systematic exclusion of their voices from the dominant feminist discourse. The international human rights agenda shares many goals with economic development. Economic development can be a vehicle through which universal human rights …

Mommy Blogs And Rhetoric: Reading Experiences That Shape Maternal Identities, Brighton Joan Capua

Theses and Dissertations

The transition to motherhood is difficult and jarring for many women. Not only does this transition demand life-altering changes to a woman's life, but especially in more recent times, this transition offers nothing but uncertainty. As the role and understanding of women continues to change, what motherhood means becomes increasingly difficult to define; additionally, the traditional narratives of stay-at-home mothers who are always happy to do housework and nurture their children no longer apply for many 21st-century women, leaving new mothers feeling uncertain about who they are and who they want to become. Since the turn of the century, mothers …

Conversation Of Values: A Community Perspective Of Sustainable Development Criteria Concerning Revitalization Efforts In Jackson, Mississippi, Kenneth Barry White

Theses and Dissertations

Jackson, Mississippi is currently undergoing a revitalization movement in an attempt to revive its blighted downtown core. While physical development is crucial to revival of the downtown landscape, the cultural landscape must also be considered. I hypothesized that developers, business owners, and residents working or living in and around downtown Jackson would report differing desires, positions, and values concerning four elements of sustainable development: cultural, economic, political, and environmental. Ultimately, the hypothesis was refuted according to the quantitative data analysis. However, there were different understandings within the qualitative data where the substance of this research project can be found. These …

Evaluating Social Sustainability In Plans For Inter-Cultural Cities, Diane Faye Gapas

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, there is an increasing interest and awareness on sustainability and sustainable development. Sustainability is comprised of the three E’s: environment, economy and equity. Of these three, the equity or the social sustainability component is often overlooked. As cities become more global and demographically diverse due to immigration, diversity’s impact to the city should be addressed through policies and plans. The content analysis and evaluation of city plans, policies and urban design examines their response to accommodating and including inter-cultural diversity using identified indicators of social sustainability and equity. This study finds that the length of time a city has …

Public Participation In Transportation Planning: How Does The Level Of Engagement And Deliberation Affect Transportation Decisions In Virginia's Mpos?, Unwanna Dabney

Theses and Dissertations

Federal, state and local laws entitle the public to have an active role in the transportation decision making process. However, it remains difficult to engage the public in the long range planning process. The laws requiring public involvement are intentionally vague and don’t prescribe specific approaches, so there is little consistency in public participation approaches and many state, regional, and local transportation agencies choose to do only what is necessary to meet minimum requirements (PBS&J, 2009). The purpose of this study is to examine public participation in transportation planning with specific focus on how the characteristics of public participation, the …

The Function Of A Middle Woodland Site In The Central Illinois Valley: A Ceramic Study Of Ogden-Fettie, Montana L. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Ogden-Fettie is a Middle Woodland Havana-Hopewell mound group in the Central Illinois Valley. Fv196 is the midden area near the largest mound. The function of Fv196 was in question, because it does not conform to the settlement and function models that have been applied to other sites. The ceramic collection from Fv196 was typed and categorized into categories based on perceived function, either habitation or ceremonial. The majority of the pottery belonged to the Havana series, which is traditionally considered habitation pottery; however, many of the Havana sherds were decorated indicating a ceremonial function. The highly decorated pots showed the …

New Site Administrators' Perceptions Of Their Role In School Community Partnerships, Denise Calvert-Bertrand

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to investigate new site administrators' perceptions of the term community involvement, of their role to engage the local community members as partners in their school, their preparation and support to work with their communities, and their challenges on-the-job with community engagement. This study also examined new site administrators' perceptions and needs to better understand what tools are necessary to help them create thriving community partnerships. Thirty new site administrators across 4 counties of Southern California participated in a semi-structured 45-minute interview. All were employed less than 4 years and represented the gender, age and ethnic diversity …

The Role Of A Facilitated Online Workspace Component Of A Community Of Practice: Knowledge Building And Value Creation For Nasa, Bradford Thomas Davey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of an online workspace component of a community in the work of a community of practice. Much has been studied revealing the importance of communities of practice to organizations, project success, and knowledge management and some of these same successes hold true for virtual communities of practice. Study participants were 75 Education and Public Outreach community members of NASA's Science Mission Directorate Earth Forum. In this mixed methods study, online workspace metrics were used to track participation and a survey completed by 21 members was used to quantify participation. For …

For Their Mutual Benefit: Public Support And Private Development Of Historic Buildings In Columbia, South Carolina, Angi Fuller Wildt

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on successful rehabilitations of historic buildings in Columbia, South Carolina. All were undertaken between 1976 and 2013 by private developers in conjunction with public support. The cases presented are located in four downtown districts known as the Vista, the Main Street Corridor, the Granby and Olympia Mill Villages, and Innovista. The rehabilitations differed due to variables unique to their locations in each of these areas as well as conditions in the years that they took place. Public support included financial incentives and guidelines offered by federal, state, regional, and local governments and professional guidance provided by the …

Tanzania Higher Education-Fifty Years After Independence, Godfrey Magoti Mnubi

Theses and Dissertations

As Tanzania celebrates fifty years of independence at the crossroads of globalization, the country has experienced a changing landscape and a major transformation in higher learning education with spectacular expansion in student enrollment rates. This requires its higher education institutions, particularly universities, to function effectively as a source of knowledge and to serve as an important partner in sustainable development by promoting effective teaching, research and service in Tanzania.

To understand the pace of globalization and the multitude of social challenges that have faced Tanzania higher education since 1961, how the policies and practices of higher education have evolved over …

Civil Society Engagement And Education For Sustainable Development (Esd) In Egypt: A Case Study Of El-Warraq Area, Heba Shaheen

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the level of civil society engagement in an initiative implemented in an area in Egypt called El-Warraq. The main objective of the initiative was to promote ESD through a summer educational and recreational program using hands-on activities that bring key sustainable development concepts to school students. The main objective of this research was to examine a framework for implementing ESD in schools in Egypt. The target population in this study was EL-Warraq community. The sample used for investigation was one of the public schools chosen for the EduCamp II pilot implementation, El-Saddat School. This research was based …