Digital Commons Network^™

Nurturing Beginnings, Madison K. Hanson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Early intervention for postpartum mothers and their infants plays a critical role in supporting long-term health outcomes for both members of the dyad. Maternal well-being is closely linked to a child’s development, and challenges such as stress, physical changes, and undiagnosed postpartum depression can disrupt bonding, parenting, and early skill development. Because the transition to motherhood is complex, consistent support and interventions are essential for both mom and baby. Strengthening public education and improving developmental screening practices can help ensure mothers and infants are receiving needed support early in life. Nurturing Beginnings worked to bridge the service gaps between healthcare …

Cultivating Independence: Planting Seeds Of Education For Occupational Therapy Practitioners And Students Working With Individuals In Agriculture, Michelle I. Arens

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Agricultural work is physically demanding and culturally significant, yet most occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and students receive little preparation for supporting farmers and ranchers, especially those with disabilities. This capstone partnered with the Nebraska AgrAbility Project to expand knowledge of agricultural occupations and increase awareness of OT’s role in promoting safety, independence, and participation with this population. Using the PEO and CMOP‑E models, the project integrated immersive learning, resource development, and community outreach through farm visits, educational materials, presentations, and data collection. Results showed substantial growth across all groups: students gained confidence in treating agricultural clients and understanding OT’s role …

Rewiring Recovery: Integrating Assistive Technology Into Occupational Therapy For Neurological Rehabilitation, Megan M. Cotton

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Although assistive technology (AT) is widely recognized as an effective intervention to improve functional outcomes and independence in individuals with neurological conditions, it remains underutilized in clinical practice due to barriers such as limited training, time constraints, and lack of accessible resources (Langan et al., 2018; Pearce et al., 2024; Sarsak et al., 2023). This doctoral capstone project examined the integration of AT into occupational therapy practice within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Guided by the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) and the Rehabilitative Frame of Reference, the project aimed to bridge the gap between evidence-based AT interventions …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Promoting Adaptive Gymnastics Among Autistic Girls, Ashley R. Aesoph

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This project focused on the underdiagnosis of girls on the autism spectrum and the benefit of adaptive sports participation in improving motor, sensory, and social skills for this population. Occupational therapy’s role in diagnosing and treating girls displaying symptoms of autism was explored through the completion of 25 autism diagnostic evaluations and screenings. The differences in the presentation of autism in girls and women was investigated through interviews with two clinical psychologists, a survey of 17 clinicians, interviews with the parents of two girls diagnosed with autism, and an interview with 1 woman on the autism spectrum. Through this, barriers …

From Exploitation To Healing: Mental Health And Resilience Among Native American Survivors Of Sex Trafficking, Katelin A. Stoebner

Honors Thesis

The mental health impacts of sex trafficking on Native American survivors and pathways to resilience are important to understanding healing. Native Americans are disproportionately affected by sex trafficking due to systemic inequities, historical trauma, and socioeconomic vulnerability. Using interviews with 47 Native survivors conducted as part of a larger Office on Violence Against Women project, this study analyzes the mental health challenges and recovery strategies identified by participants. Findings reveal that survivors commonly experience significant psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Among participants, PTSD emerged as the most frequently reported condition, followed by depression and anxiety, …

Confederate Women In The Field Of Nursing And Their Impact On Southern Women’S Roles In Society, Laura Leigh L. Prater

Theses

During the Civil War, Confederate women had the opportunity to go to work as nurses. The majority of these women had never been allowed to take on roles beyond the domestic sphere in antebellum society.  Despite most of these women having limited medical training, they developed an expertise in nursing, extraordinary organization skills and gained respect for their achievements.  Their achievements proved that women were able to do far more than many in the South believed prior to the war.  This paper will show how the demands of war opened doors of greater opportunity for women in the South for …

Reimagining The Urban Neighborhood Library: A Sanctuary For Restoring Human Connection In The Tenderloin, Ahmed Shaker

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Childhood in the United States, aged 3-14, today is increasingly defined by social disconnection and digital saturation. Environmental pressures, political instability, and especially the pervasive presence of screens and AI tools are displacing tactile, imaginative, and relational experiences that once nurtured connection and play (Erstad 2024; Costanza et al. 2023; Turkle). Families, too, feel this rupture: parents and children may sit side-by-side, yet remain socially worlds apart. Public libraries have historically served as civic anchors: equitable access points for knowledge, safe gathering spaces, and trusted social infrastructure supporting health equity and civic engagement (Mersand et al. 2019; Philbin et al. …

Care, Control, And The Racial Regulation Of Black Women’S Reproduction In American Medicine, Rheya K. Wilk

Honors Thesis

Black women in the United States continue to experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, negative reproductive healthcare experiences, and documented disparities in medical treatment. From slavery through the twenty-first century, American medicine has repeatedly positioned Black women’s reproduction as a site of regulation, rather than care, making medical mistrust among Black women a rational response to a long history of institutional conflict embedded in American medicine. Drawing on medical history and bioethical analysis, this thesis traces reproductive abuse across distinct, yet connected, eras. Beginning with antebellum gynecological experimentation on enslaved women, it demonstrates how racialized assumptions about pain and …

Seeing Through Walls: Applications And Ethical Implications Of Wi-Fi-Based Human Pose Estimation, Landon D. Johnson

Honors Thesis

Wi-Fi-based sensing has emerged as a promising passive monitoring method, exploiting Channel State Information from commodity wireless hardware to infer human presence, motion, and physiological signals without cameras or wearable devices. This thesis presents a structured technical survey and critical evaluation of Wi-Fi-based human pose estimation, examining the signal processing foundations, machine learning architectures, and evaluation practices that define the current state of the field. The survey traces the field's development from coarse activity recognition to fine-grained skeletal inference, critically evaluating architectural trade-offs and identifying evaluation limitations that complicate assessment of real-world readiness. Healthcare and security applications are examined as …

How Screen Time Affects Language Development In Children Ages Three To Five Years, Alyssa R. Sherman

Honors Thesis

Screen time has become an increasingly prominent part of early childhood, particularly following shifts in daily routines after the COVID-19 pandemic. This literature review examines how screen time affects language development in children ages three to five, a critical developmental period for expressive and receptive language skills. The review synthesizes current research on the use of passive and interactive screens and their associations with language acquisition, cognitive development, social communication, and physical health outcomes. Across studies, a consistent pattern emerges: excessive screen time is strongly associated with delayed language milestones, reduced social communication skills, poorer sleep quality, and increased physical …

"This Poor Man Cried": Moving The West Metro Church Of Christ From Transactional To Incarnational Benevolence Among The Homeless Community In Hiram, Georgia, Richard E. Gray

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Education, Evaluation, And Impact Of A Delegation Learning Session In The Care Pair Model, Tiffany M. Whitney

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

The persistent nurse shortage is forcing the health sector to think about the way care is provided, and teams collaborate. One model, the Care Pair Model (CPM), pairs registered nurses (RNs) with nursing assistants (NAs) to distribute responsibility and provide patient care in a timely manner and with the best quality. Even though the model encourages working together effectively, many nurses still find it difficult to delegate to uncertainty, lack of confidence, or communication barriers. Improving these abilities is essential for fostering trust, ensuring a smooth workflow, and providing for patient and provider needs.

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) …

Reframing Intimacy: An Occupation-Based Approach To Pelvic Floor & Sexual Health, Emma Stone

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Pelvic floor dysfunction is highly prevalent among women in the United States, and sexual health is often underaddressed in healthcare. This capstone project aimed to define the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in pelvic floor therapy and promote integration of sexual health into practice. Completed in an outpatient pelvic floor setting, the project included clinical skill development, program development, and advocacy. Interventions involved continuing education, creation of educational handouts, implementation of home exercise programs, and tracking outcomes using the PFDI-20. Additional initiatives included staff education and student training on OT’s role in pelvic health. All 12 tracked clients progressed toward …

The Impact Of Diverse Literature On Empathy, Paige Hosley

Graduate Teacher Education

This Capstone Paper examined the role of diverse literature in supporting the development of students’ empathy across educational contexts. While literature had traditionally been used to build reading skills, its function in fostering social-emotional learning (SEL) had become increasingly significant in diverse classrooms. A review of 15 quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies spanned primary through university settings across the world, including the United States, Kazakhstan, India, Canada, Israel, and Korea. These studies provided consistent findings across varied cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic populations, although some may have not been as reliable due to the complex nature of empathy. The research demonstrated …

Suburban Black Girl: Lived Experiences Of Black Girls And The Impact Of Safe Spaces Within Predominantly White Institutions, Kennedi A. Stevenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As Black and Biracial girls navigate the landscape of suburban Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), they encounter a unique convergence of institutional surveillance and interpersonal erasure. While existing literature often focuses on the “achievement gap” or urban school settings, this qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of Black girlhood within the sea of Whiteness that defines suburban education. Specifically, this research explores how a gendered sanctuary— BSU Salon Talk — serves as a site of resistance and a catalyst for wellbeing. Grounded in Black Feminist Thought Theory (BFTT) and Intersectionality, the study utilizes the theoretical frameworks of Patricia Hill Collins’ Domains …

Enhancing K-2 Teacher Effectiveness In Reading Instruction: An Improvement Inquiry Into The Roles Of Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, And Evidence-Based Practices, Kellie F. Dawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School districts across the United States have increasingly adopted structured literacy initiatives in response to growing concerns about early reading outcomes and policy mandates grounded in the science of reading. Despite substantial investments in professional development, less is known about how teachers experience implementation demands within authentic classroom contexts. This improvement study examined how evidence-based professional development influenced K–2 teachers’ self-efficacy, the barriers teachers encountered during structured literacy implementation, and the supports teachers perceived as most critical for sustained instructional change within Eagle Stone School District.

Grounded in Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and Dweck’s Mindset Theory, this qualitative study explored teachers’ …

Beyond Cough Drops And Band-Aids: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Certified School Nurses’ Professional Scope And Enacted Roles In Pk–12 Settings, Brandy Gershon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation explored the underutilization of certified school nurses (CSNs) in PK–12 educational settings across urban, suburban, and rural school districts in western Pennsylvania. Despite their advanced preparation and wide-ranging scope of practice, school nurses are often limited to providing episodic care, including first aid, medication administration, and treatment of minor injuries. This limited use reflects a significant misalignment with their professional scope of practice, which encompasses chronic disease management, health education, mental health support, care coordination, and leadership in public health. Guided by role theory (Biddle, 1986), this study examined how school nurses perceived and interpreted their professional …

Youth Worker Perspectives On The Measures Most Descriptive Of Student Progress In Philadelphia-Based Out-Of-School Time Programs, Jamillia Kamara Covington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For marginalized students, out-of-school time programs offer a host of academic and positive youth development benefits. However, perspectives from youth workers, front line staff who form trusted relationships with out-of-school time program participants and the Executive Directors that lead their organizations, are absent from the last three years of evaluation reports for the Pennsylvania Nita M. Lowry 21st Century Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. This missing perspective renders the observations, challenges and improvements youth workers may experience and desire invisible at a time when their labor is counted upon to supplement inequitable education opportunities due to systemic factors. This study …

"It Was Time To Go": A Case Study In Occupational Culture, Tiffany M. Kline Costa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abundant examples of negative community-police interactions demonstrate strained relations between marginalized community members and police across the United States. Likewise, nationwide data demonstrates discrepancies in how officers interact with People of Color versus White citizens. To gain insight into influences on officer behavior, this research shines a spotlight on the occupational culture of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) and the ways this specific occupational culture informs officer thoughts and behaviors. Via the analysis of the experiences of four former PBP officers, this research explores how culture impacts officer perspective, thoughts, and behaviors. Utilizing an interpretative phenomenological approach, data analysis …

Technology In Waldorf Education: Benefits, Challenges, And The Teacher's Role, Jennifer C. Larson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically considered a screen-free education, Waldorf pedagogy has gradually begun to integrate digital technology into the middle and upper grades over the last two decades. Research on the implications of extended screen time for children has driven this pedagogical decision alongside foundational commitments to relational practices, experiential learning, and imaginative artistry.

At the same time, recent years have marked an acceleration in digital expansion in education. COVID-19 normalized teaching and learning through remote learning platforms, and digital access is now an expected feature of daily life.  As Waldorf education seeks to offer holistic education in the context of this societal …

Factors And Attributes Contributing To The Longevity Of Special Educators: Over 15 Years Of Commitment, Susan Majestic-Frabell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the personal, professional, and institutional aspects that contribute to special education teachers' resilience, dedication, and professional identity in southwestern Pennsylvania. Ten participants used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how moral purpose, empathy, relational engagement, mentorship, professional competence, and continual learning help them stay committed throughout time. The findings show that teaching is regarded as a vocation based on advocacy, service, and optimism, rather than a mere employment. Systemic supports, such as access to school-based mental health specialists, inclusive decision-making frameworks, reasonable workloads, and equitable policies, have emerged as crucial for lowering emotional burden, increasing efficacy, and …

Becoming A "Still Point Of Grace": Identifying Obstacles Faced By Catholic Elementary School Teachers In Meeting The Needs Of Students With Generalized Anxiety In The Classroom, Kerry Smigielski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the midst of a mental health crisis in the United States, teachers in the Diocese of Cityville need to be equipped to serve elementary students who experience anxiety within an authentic Catholic context. The purpose of this study is to begin improvement research on classroom supports for students with generalized anxiety in the Diocese of Cityville elementary schools. Journey lines and a focus group discussion were conducted within a causal systems analysis to respond to the central research question: “What obstacles do Catholic elementary school teachers in the Diocese of Cityville face in meeting the needs of students with …

More Than A Rod: Reconceptualizing Medical Student Development Through The Lens Of Social Determinants Of Learning, Dejour Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Medical education traditionally follows a biomedical paradigm that emphasizes academic rigor but often overlooks non-academic factors that fundamentally influence student success. The aim of this study was to reconceptualize medical student development by shifting focus from traditional academic metrics to the systemic, non-academic factors that affect learning and well-being.

This study employs a systemic analysis of structural barriers, defined as institutional policies, practices, and environments that create and perpetuate inequity in medical education. This investigation was grounded in the Integrated Social-Ecological Framework for Learning (ISEF-L), a three-tiered conceptual framework developed for this study. The ISEF-L includes Social Determinants of Learning …

The Impact Of Social Demographics On The Awareness, Knowledge, And Experience Of Domestic Violence In Interpersonal Relationships Among College Students, Logan Friddle

Honors Theses

Domestic violence is a widespread social issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide and representing one of the most common forms of violence against women (Kaur & Garg, 2008, p. 73; Bent-Goodley, 2021). This study examined how social demographic factors such as gender, race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation influenced awareness, knowledge, and experiences of domestic violence in interpersonal relationships among college students. A survey was distributed to students at Coastal Carolina University using Qualtrics to collect data on awareness, attitudes, and personal experiences related to domestic violence. The study explored how social identity shaped exposure to domestic violence, recognition of …

More Than Mealtimes: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Pediatric Feeding For Children With Developmental Disabilities, Anika J. Peters

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Feeding is a foundational occupation essential for growth, development, and family participation. However, children with developmental disabilities often experience significant feeding challenges that impact nutrition and participation in mealtime routines. This capstone project examines the role of occupational therapy in pediatric feeding assessment and intervention within an outpatient setting. Using a descriptive mixed-methods approach, outcomes were evaluated for pediatric clients (N=18) and occupational therapists (N=15) through goal attainment tracking, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), clinician needs assessment data, and resource feedback. Results demonstrated improvements in food acceptance, texture tolerance, oral-motor skills, and engagement in mealtime participation. COPM scores reflected …

Destruction As Devotion: Warfare As Worship And Liturgy In Joshua 1–8, Ethan James Highfill

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

This paper explores the nature of divine and human violence in the Book of Joshua and its relation to ritual and liturgy. I argue in this paper that the violence that readers encounter in the Book of Joshua makes more sense as a subcategory or product of ritual. I point out that the emphasis on violence in Joshua is misplaced if the elements of ritual and worship, which are prevalent throughout the work are not given proper attention. I contend that the חֵרֶם commands in Deuteronomy and Joshua serve the specific functions of removing Canaanite identity from the land of …

The Reception History Of Isaiah's “New Heavens And New Earth”: Isaiah 65:17–25 In Jewish And Early Christian Thought, Preston S. Nichols

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

The study examines Isaiah’s vision of “a new heavens and a new earth” (Isa 65:17). Isaiah’s vision is often understood as either wholly symbolic or purely futuristic; however, this study contends that the vision is both historically inaugurated in the post-exilic community and eschatologically consummated in the renewal of creation. Through textual analysis of the biblical text, it demonstrates that the restoration taking place in Jerusalem functions as the initial realization of YHWH’s broader cosmic purposes.

This study further traces the reception of Isaiah 65:17–25 in early Jewish and Christian literature, including 1 Enoch 91:16; Jubilees 1:29; Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum …

Demi-Lune (Half-Moon): How Can An Educational Center, Enhance Climate Adaptive Agricultural Practices For Farmers In Say, Niger?, Mari Sadou

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Niger is currently facing a severe food crisis worsened by climate extremes, with 80% of its population depending on rain-fed agriculture. The country ranks 19th among those affected by climate change and is the second most vulnerable nation in the world in terms of climate adaptation. It is experiencing rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall that threaten health and food security, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and mothers. In 2022 alone, over 4.4 million people required humanitarian assistance due to crop failures caused by drought, with nearly half of the children suffering from stunting. To tackle these challenges, a …

Increasing Photocatalytic Activity Of Tio₂ Nanocrystals With Cobalt Dopants And Nio Heterojunctions, Lara A. Haack

Honors Thesis

Carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage has increased dramatically in recent decades, and the need for renewable energy has grown with it. Photocatalytic processes on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocrystals may be used for solar energy driven production of fuel/oxidizer pairs. Many different methods have been developed to increase the effectiveness of TiO₂ in photocatalysis, including dye sensitization, quantum dot sensitization, doping with metals and non-metals, and the surface attachment of cocatalyst materials. Impurity dopants are not susceptible to photo-bleaching or degradation and judicious selection of cocatalyst materials can lead to robust all-inorganic heteronanocrystal photocatalysts: whereas, the use of molecular dye …

Exploring The Neural Correlates Of Motor Learning, Brooklyn R. Thomas

Honors Thesis

The left anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG) is recognized as a fundamental cortical region involved in the mastery of skilled tool-use. Although various research studies have revealed that anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (atDCS) over the cortex has the potential to boost manual dexterity, the impact of stimulating the aSMG is less understood in relation to the learning process. Within this study, there was a chopstick-based marble task to discover if atDCS applied to the left aSMG was capable of facilitating the acquisition of a novel motor skill. Concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure the changes in neural synchrony within …