Digital Commons Network^™

Program Consistency And Outcomes Proof: An Outcomes Measure Framework For The Portrait Of A Northstar Graduate, Grace Mabiala-Maye

MBA Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

NorthStar Foundation commissioned this engagement to answer a single question. Does its existing measurement infrastructure capture the developmental outcomes described in the Portrait of a NorthStar Graduate, the five-tier framework of Basic Needs, Belonging, Hope, Agency, and Leadership that President Wayne D. Brown has formalized as the organizing definition of success? The finding is that NorthStar is significantly closer to outcomes measurement than it realized. A crosswalk analysis of sixty-five unique survey items across six existing instruments shows that items measuring Belonging, Hope, and Agency are already embedded in the spring surveys at every grade level and align with validated …

Liberty Centre Marketing & Branding Strategy: Client Consulting Report, Mirsada Demirovic, Jack Gottschalk, Danny Ventura

MBA Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Liberty Centre is a non-profit organization based in Norfolk, Nebraska, operating under the recognized Clubhouse model. The organization’s mission is to assist adults recovering from mental illness with opportunities to rebuild their lives through work and access to community resources.

This consulting engagement was undertaken as part of the MBA Capstone course under the direction of Professor Kristi Lynch. Our Team: Mirsada Demirovic, Jack Gottschalk, and Danny Ventura was tasked with developing a marketing and branding strategy to increase awareness of Liberty Centre’s services.

The primary deliverables include a refined brand positioning statement, a messaging framework, a digital growth strategy, …

Clue In The Roman Style House: A Twist On The Classic Board Game Featuring A Fusion Of Ancient And Modern Roman Influences, Madelyn Junk

Honors Projects

Throughout time, games have been used to convey how society functions. They hint at societal structure, behavioral patterns, and roles of community members. Specifically, board games are excellent ways to teach players about attention to detail and how to synthesize information.

This unique and functional honors project finds its strength as a detail-oriented game that stresses the importance of critical thinking and deduction as it further rewards those skills through play and friendly competition. It combines art history, education, and graphic design disciplines to result in a creative output alongside a research paper. Its final product is a playable game …

A Critical Analysis Of The Influence Of Ideology On Education Governance In An Urban, Midwestern School District, Carl Bryan

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study examines how ideology operates within local education governance through a critical theoretical lens. As state and national education policies, accountability mandates, and partisan political discourse increasingly shape local school governance, this research investigates how power relations, ideological influences, and equity concerns are embedded in school board decision-making processes and public discourse. Addressing a gap in existing scholarship on ideology in education governance, the study employs a qualitative case study of an urban public school district in the Midwestern United States. Data sources include individual interviews with school board members, critical discourse analysis of school board meetings, and analysis …

Pedagogy In Context: How Private School Teachers Make Meaning Of Equity-Focused Teaching Practices, Savannah Shana Scarborough

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This pedagogical ethnography examines how teachers in a private school context understand and enact Culturally Relevant Education (CRE). While CRE emphasizes cultural competence and critical consciousness, less is known about how it is interpreted within private school settings, where institutional culture and community expectations shape pedagogy. This study explores how teachers engage culturally relevant commitments and how institutional context influences those practices.

A qualitative ethnographic design was used to examine classroom practice in a South Carolina private school. Data was collected through observations, semi-structured interviews, and teacher reflections from four Upper School teachers selected through purposive sampling. Analysis combined deductive …

Self-Rated Mental Health As A Predictor Of Five-Year Incidence Of Heart Conditions, Cancer, And Dementia, In Post-Menopausal Women From Nshap Rounds 2 And 3, Annelie M. Persson

Gerontology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Population aging is accompanied by a rising incidence of chronic disease, highlighting the need to identify early indicators of disease risk to support prevention and delay onset. Mental health has gained attention as a potential predictor of health outcomes. Self-rated mental health (SRMH) has emerged as a validated measure capturing resilience, social support, and overall outlook. Few studies in older adults have examined the relationship between SRMH and incident chronic disease. Although mental health is associated with behavioral and psychosocial factors such as physical activity and happiness, these pathways have rarely been examined as mediators. Self-rated physical health (SRPH) is …

The Curtains Aren’T Just Blue: The Decline Of Media Literacy Within Pop-Culture, Kaia Divisconti

Honors Theses

This paper explores the relationship between the growing belief that media like film, television and advertisements “aren’t that deep” and the decline of English departments within education. This study explores how pillars of English departments, like analysis and rhetorical awareness, are pivotal for students to learn to understand the vast number of digital media that they are faced with every day. Through pop-culture moments of American Eagle “good genes” advertisement campaign, media trends like “red pill” content and stereotypical representation in film, this paper examines how this content is pushed onto students and how departments like English and humanities can …

Stabilized Cargo Relay Aircraft For Precision Payload Yielding, Dato A. Tabidze, Michael Conely, Ben Courtney

Senior Design Project For Engineers

As military missions become more complicated, warfighters need more capable drones to use across diverse scenarios. The same also applies to civilian applications, like infrastructure inspection, package delivery, and disaster response. Current multirotor drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), provide simplicity, affordability, and ease of operation; however, their primary limitation is their low payload-to-weight ratio, which typically falls at 1:1 or less. The DARPA Lift Challenge aims to shatter the heavy lift bottleneck, seeking novel drone designs that can carry payloads more than four times their weight, which would revolutionize the way we use drones across all sectors. …

Perspective On Speech Therapy, Aac Devices, And Community Support: A Case Study Of A Caregiver Of An Adult With Down Syndrome, Ella Harris

Honors College Theses

For someone with a disability such as Down syndrome (DS), they often present with deficits in speech and language. These individuals typically require a caregiver for their physical, mental, and social needs, and their caregiver also often serves as their primary communication partner. This study explored caregiver perspectives on how they facilitate communication including their experiences with speech therapy services, augmentative and alternative communication, and community communication supports. A caregiver of an adult with DS participated in a structured interview to discuss their experiences as a caregiver for an individual with complex communication needs. The data from the interview was …

Quantitative Assessment Of Cybersecurity Risk Variability Across Transportation Modes, Paulo Carreon

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Transportation systems are increasingly dependent on digital technologies, networked communications, and cyber-physical integration, making cybersecurity an important issue for operational continuity, resilience, and safety. Although cybersecurity risks in transportation are widely recognized, much of the existing research remains mode-specific and lacks a standardized quantitative framework for comparing risk across transportation systems. This study develops a quantitative, incident-based approach for assessing cybersecurity risk variability across four major transportation modes: Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Road. The study is based on a manually constructed dataset of 189 publicly reported transportation cybersecurity incidents collected from 2000 to 2025. Each incident was coded into structured …

From Stranger To Self: The Role Of Familiarity In Modulating The N170 And N250 Erp Components, Tabish Gul

Dissertations

This study investigated how varying levels of face familiarity modulate the N170 and N250 event-related potential (ERP) components, two neural markers of face perception and recognition. While the N250 is widely considered familiarity-sensitive, the N170 has traditionally been linked to the structural encoding stage of face perception. However, recent research suggests that face familiarity may also influence N170 amplitude and latency. While most previous studies have compared up to three familiarity levels, the present study examined five levels of familiarity: own face, friend’s face, famous face, experimentally familiar face, and unfamiliar face. Twenty-six participants viewed face images while completing a …

Program Development And Implementation Of A Sensory-Based Self Regulation Curriculum For Adults With Down Syndrome At Gigi’S Playhouse, Grace Blair

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with Gigi’s Playhouse Nashville, a non-profit organization offering free programming and services to individuals of all ages with Down syndrome and their families. The goal of this project was to develop and implement an educational curriculum for adult education programs focused on daily life skills, money management, physical health, self confidence, and a variety of other topics. A secondary focus of this project was to support sensory regulation in individuals with Down syndrome to promote overall health and participation. The results were physical and digital materials to be used for future adult …

Brachial Macroparasite Loads In Estuarine Young-Of-Year Striped Mullet (Mugil Cephalus), Triston Rice

Honors Theses

Climate change is a growing threat to marine habitats globally. One ecological impact that warming water temperatures poses is the increased metabolic rate of many parasite species. Their promoted reproductive and feeding rates could pose a threat to the stability of many host populations. Parasites of the gills, or brachial parasites, are especially concerning to fish populations globally. As parasitism is not limited to a specific taxon and comprises a large diversity of ecomorphs and behaviors, geographically distinct areas may be differentially affected by the changing prevalence of parasites. This study aimed to survey current brachial parasite abundance and prevalence …

From Identification To Implementation: Anti-Gentrification Strategies In Planning The Omaha Beltline Trail, Curtis Dedman

Public Administration Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Urban green infrastructure projects provide significant environmental and public health benefits but can also contribute to gentrification and displacement. This study examines how anti-gentrification strategies were identified, incorporated, and implemented in the planning of the Omaha Beltline Trail, a multi-phase redevelopment project in North Omaha. Given its ongoing development, the project offers a unique opportunity to analyze equitable planning in real time rather than retrospectively.

Exploring How Stigma Contributes To Food Insecurity Among The University Of Nebraska At Omaha Campus, Fernando Lopez

Public Administration Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, around 40% of students were reported to be food insecure. In an attempt to reduce food insecurity among the campus, the Maverick Food Pantry located on Dodge campus, provides food to all UNO students. The study aims to determine how potential factors including: internalized stigma, anticipated stigma, and informational awareness may influence pantry usage for students at UNO. The study also aims to determine the relationship between informational awareness and stigma. Using a Likert-scale survey and comparative analysis, data was obtained to determine if stigma had any effect on students’ ability to access …

Understanding Factors Of Student Belonging At The University Of Nebraska Omaha: An Analysis Of Student Experiences, Environmental Factors, And Relational Dynamics, Marielena Moreno

Public Administration Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

This research project looks at the factors influencing students’ sense of belonging at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). The researcher looked at belonging as a critical motivator of academic success, retention, and overall well-being. As a university with many commuter, transfer, and international students, UNO faces unique challenges in building a united campus community. Although the university invests in support services, the key motivators of connection for its diverse student population remain unclear.

Using a quantitative design, the study employed a three-domain framework of student experience, environmental factors, and relational factors, grounded in previously recognized theories of belonging and involvement. …

Forging Trust In Conflict: The Role Of Threat Assessment Team Dynamics In Countering Targeted Violence And Terrorism, Cynthia J. Kennedy

Psychology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Threat assessment teams charged with preventing targeted violence and terrorism make consequential decisions under conditions of ambiguity, time pressure, and incomplete information, yet little empirical research has examined how team processes relate to effectiveness in this setting. This mixed-methods study investigated cognitive trust and task conflict in relation to perceived team effectiveness among threat assessment professionals (N = 63) and examined how team members manage disagreement and build consensus in practice. Participants completed survey measures of these constructs and responded to open-ended questions. Quantitative analyses used hierarchical regression and path analyses; qualitative responses were analyzed using codebook thematic analysis. Higher …

Patient Reported Outcome Measure Use In Heart Transplant Care, Nichole Côté

Doctoral Projects

Despite growing evidence supporting Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in chronic disease management, no consistent application exists within the international heart transplant community. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project implemented the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12) as a PROM within the a large volume heart transplant clinic, evaluating workflow feasibility, the association between Overall Summary Scores (OSS) and visit length, and clinician perceptions of PROM use. The KCCQ-12 was administered via a mobile health application with automated distribution. Workflow integration was assessed by calculating the percentage of scheduled visits with completed PROM documentation. Visit length was measured using electronic medical record …

Danger! Ai Art Directors Ahead: An Analysis Of Text-To-Image And Text-To-Video Ai Integrations In Production Design For Film And Television, Katherine Gaylord, Charles Howard, Richard Rohrer

Honors Thesis

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom in the last decade has sparked exponential excitement, especially in white collar industries, for the possibilities of cost-cutting and streamlining tasks across industries. However, creative industries which were historically driven by human artistry report majority fear regarding copyright/fair-use, legal protections, and job security.

Production Designs and Art Departments in particular question how, or even if, their talent and creativity will fit into an AI powered entertainment industry. Since the inception of filmmaking, Art Departments have brought fantastical visions to life through set design, props, art, costumes, and beyond. Yet, in the age of AI, Text-to-Image …

Criminalizing Resistance: The Black Panther Party And State Terror In The U.S., Tyler Messinger

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the rise, suppression, and eventual collapse of the Black Panther Party (BPP) between 1966 and 1972, arguing that the organization was dismantled not primarily due to internal failures, financial issues, or criminal activity, but through a sustained campaign of state repression led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Using a document-based historical case study approach, the paper draws extensively on declassified FBI memoranda, COINTELPRO records, congressional testimony from the Church Committee, contemporary newspaper coverage, and the Black Panther Party’s own publications. Placing the BPP within the broader trajectory of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, …

Commitment Problems In Political Situations Involving Multiple Strategic Actors And How Actors Try To Overcome Commitment Problems, Mohamud Ajama

Political Science Theses, Dissertations and Student Creative Activity

Commitment problems explain why multiple parties cannot agree on issues of concern due to a lack of trust, even when cooperation would benefit all parties involved. These problems take place when actors cannot make credible commitments about future behavior because of mistrust, uncertainty, or the absence of neutral enforcement mechanics, leading to delays, lack of cooperation, and sometimes conflict or war. Scholars have approached commitment problems from multiple angles. Fearon (1995) identifies them as empirically observable mechanisms that prevent states from reaching peace agreements. Powell (2006) extends this framework, arguing that commitment problems are due to the inability to bind …

From Vision To Venture: Strategies Of Ethiopian Diaspora Entrepreneurs In Ethiopia’S Emerging Economy, Solomon Seyoum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of Ai-Based Method Feedback For Clinical Psychology Skill Development With An Emphasis On Deliberate Practice, Beckham G. Mccord

Honors Theses

Training competent psychotherapists requires substantial time, supervision, and performance-based feedback. However, traditional methods of providing feedback are resource-intensive and difficult to sustain outside of university and research settings. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have created new opportunities to automate aspects of psychotherapy fidelity assessment and provide trainees with more frequent feedback. The present study examines the implementation of Lyssn, an AI-based psychotherapy platform that provides clinical feedback to therapists, in a graduate-level course on Evidence-Based Services. Multiple years of course data were reviewed to evaluate therapist competence, therapist behaviors, and student engagement with AI-generated feedback. Particular emphasis was placed …

From Amateur To Influencer: The Nil Era Takes Over, Olivia J. Matulich

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the change of amateur athletics with the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. For many years, the NCAA followed an amateurism model that prevented student-athletes from earning money, even though their efforts generated major profits through media contracts, sponsorships, and branding. The arrival of NIL in 2021 marked a major shift, allowing athletes the chance to earn money from their personal brand, which redefined the role they play within the collegiate athletic system.

This study looks at NIL from several angles, including its legal background, financial impact, and cultural significance. By reviewing key legal cases …

Story Processing Eliminates Collaborative Inhibition, Brady Keller

Honors Theses

This present experiment investigated the encoding effect when creating or processing stories and pleasantness conditions for participants in both nominal and collaborative groups (dyads). A brief literature review explored the background on research done highlighting collaborative inhibition and story processing is included. Amongst nominal groups there was no significant difference between story processing and pleasantness conditions. However, participants in storytelling remembered more words than the participants in pleasantness conditions in collaborative groups. Furthermore, story processing dyads had no identifiable collaborative inhibition, rather supporting evidence to a robust collaborative facilitation. Potential reasons for this unique result are related to everyone’s expertise …

Exploring Real-World Accounting Problems Through Case Studies, Molly Clark

Honors Theses

This thesis is made up of six different accounting case studies completed both individually and collaboratively over two semesters in Accy 420 under the guidance of Dr. Dickinson. These case studies required in-depth research on the topics and reflection on how accounting concepts apply to real-world business situations. In the fall semester, a variety of case studies were assigned to help broaden understanding of relevant accounting topics such as regulatory issues and financial reporting. In the spring semester, students were placed into groups to do research on the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and evaluate its potential impact on an …

Bridging Theory And Application: Case Studies In Financial Reporting, Regulation, And Ethics, Keili Cm Ikemori

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the intersection of financial reporting, regulation, and ethics through a series of applied case studies designed to bridge theoretical accounting concepts with real world application. The case studies focus on how accounting principles are implemented in corporate environments, how regulatory frameworks influence business operations, and how ethical considerations shape financial decision making. During the fall semester of Accy 420, we were tasked with case studies that increased our knowledge in financial statement literacy, accounting concepts, relevant accounting regulations, and ethics. During the spring semester of Accy 420, we used the knowledge gained from the prior semester in …

Examining The Rural Workforce: Comparing Admissions Strategies And Training Pathways In U.S. Medical And Dental Education, Charolyn A. Harris

Honors Theses

Access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities remains a significant challenge in the United States, particularly in dental care, where workforce shortages are more pronounced. This study examines how medical and dental education programs develop rural healthcare providers, focusing on admissions strategies and training pathways. Using a structured scoping review and secondary data analysis, this research compares how each field incorporates known predictors of rural practice, such as rural background and training experiences, into workforce pipeline development. Findings indicate that while both medical and dental education recognize rural background as a strong predictor of rural practice, medical education more …

A Solution For Safe Pivot Transfers In A Population With Limited Mobility, Elizabeth A. Mitchell, Sean R. Giamportone

Honors Theses

Sit-to-stand pivot transfers are one of the most frequently performed movements for

individuals with limited mobility. This movement is very often performed in long-term care

facilities and clinics. Despite the commonality, this transfer poses a significant risk of injury to

both the patient and caregiver; falls, musculoskeletal injuries, and the reduction of independence

can result from issues associated with these transfers. Existing assistive devices, Hoyer lifts and

sliding boards, present limitations with cost, size, storage, and usability; thus, caregivers rely on

the hands-on manual transfer that increases the risk of injury. The goal of our team was to

address these …

The Practice Book: An Interactive Website For Figure Skating Training Plan Development, Lydia J. Popple

Honors Theses

Figure skating training relies on structured practice plans developed by coaches to guide athlete progression. However, many coaches and skaters continue to use paper-based or fragmented digital systems, limiting organization, accessibility, and visibility into athlete progress. This project introduces The Practice Book, a web-based application designed to digitize and centralize the creation, assignment, and tracking of figure skating practice plans.

The system is implemented using a three-tier architecture with a PHP-based application layer, a MySQL (MariaDB) relational database, and a user interface built with HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. The database models standardized figure skating elements defined by the United …