Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing College And Career Readiness Of Hmong Adolescents Through Group Work In High School, Xeev Vang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Hmong adolescents face many challenges during high school, particularly college and career readiness. School counselors are trained professionals who can help. This transcendental phenomenology study explored the lived experiences of six Hmong adolescents and how they make sense of college and career lessons in a group work format over six weeks. Data was collected through participant journals and interviews. Each participant interview was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Moustakas (1994) phenomenology method of data analysis. Five domains, sixteen themes, and three subthemes emerged. Family members are crucial influencers in college and career decision-making. Barriers include language, financial, family, culture, and …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Utilization Of Student Voice By Midwest Urban Secondary Schools Within School Improvement Plan Strategies, Jessica Peifer Busse

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This phenomenological study aims to understand and establish the influence of student voice, particularly from marginalized students, in the school improvement process to yield positive student experiences for urban, comprehensive ninth- through twelfth-grade high schools in the United States Midwest. The focus of this study will be to compare the experiences of White students and students of color within the school system, compare the experiences of students when student voice is utilized as a school improvement plan strategy, and identify the correlation between the student voice strategy and school leadership viewpoints. The study of student voice will begin with a …

A Critical Phenomenological Study Of White Educators Who Engage In Antiracism, Maria-Renée D. Grigsby

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Racism is reflected in political, economic, and educational institutions throughout the United States. These institutionalized systems were successfully designed to have a chilling effect on any progress toward antiracist change. It impacts the achievement level of K-12 students of color in the public school system who make up the majority population in public schools nationwide. Yet, their teachers remain largely white. This is especially important in Minnesota, which ranks fiftieth in the country for graduation rates of Black and Latinx students. The method used for this study is critical phenomenology which is important when looking at the influences of race, …

Virtual Classes In The U.S. University: Exploring Zoom Fatigue Experience Based On English Competency And Course Engagement Among International Students, Esther Son

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Online video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, are widely used for virtual classes. Zoom platforms bring flexibility and convenience, but also contribute to fatigue which is called “Zoom fatigue”. The purpose of the study is to investigate Zoom fatigue among international students at the U.S. university, and its links to Zoom-mediated communication in the field of education. The study investigates 152 international students to examine how English competency affects Zoom fatigue, and how course engagement affects Zoom fatigue in virtual classes at the U.S. university. The results show that English competency and course engagement have a negative relationship with Zoom …

Prompting And Protecting Radical Environmental Justice Activism, Ava Corey-Gruenes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

As environmental crises are systemic, intersectional, and extreme, this thesis frames corresponding action as a necessary and appropriate response. Using semi-structured interviews with people who identified as having engaged in radical environmental justice (EJ) activism, this study explores the following two research questions: the types of environmental actions and attitudes these activists report engaging in, and the types of factors and experiences they report as inhibiting and encouraging those actions and attitudes. This information might help unearth actions and policies that can help prompt, sustain, and protect engagement in radical EJ activism, which is here defined as activism that addresses …

Facilitating Posttraumatic Growth Among Service Members And Veterans Through A Book Study Group Intervention, Susan Craig

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is defined as “positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the struggle with traumatic or highly challenging life experiences” (Tedeschi et al., 2018, p. 3). Trauma affects 60% to 80% of the population (Boals, 2018). This is especially true for service members and veterans (SM/V) due to the inherent danger that comes with the job. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its many comorbidities can plague the SM/V population. Treatment options are well-established but not always effective. Bibliotherapy can present a non-threatening way to introduce alternative perspectives, such as PTG, to navigating trauma. The aim of this …

Guided Self Placement As A Stand-Alone Assessment, Judy Endres

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Two-year colleges provide access and opportunity for students with various academic backgrounds to pursue a post-secondary education. While two-year colleges take pride in admitting any student with a high school diploma or equivalent, in recent years colleges have been under scrutiny for low completion and graduation rates. Particular attention focuses on students who are required to enroll in non-credit developmental courses for academic preparation in math and English prior to college level courses. To respond to concerns, colleges are redesigning developmental courses to increase student success. Another area of focus is the process for determining, or assessing, a student’s preparedness …

Examining Latinx Principals' And Assistant Principals' "Desafios" In K-12 Education In The Upper Midwest, Melisa Rivera

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Despite the increasing number of Latinx students in Upper Midwest schools, Latinx school leaders remain underrepresented. This quantitative study explored the experiences of Latinx principals and assistant principals in K-12 schools across the region, focusing on community perception, stress, coping, and resilience. Data were collected from twenty-three principals and assistant principals, including fourteen women and nine men. The Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) showed a mean score of 13.52 (SD = 4.87). The Brief COPE Inventory (BCI) revealed a high mean score for problem-focused coping, indicating effective coping strategies. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) indicated higher stress levels (mean …

Trauma And Dynamic Needs: Examining The Role Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On Changes In Youth Needs While In Residential Placement, Ashley Lockwood

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for youth in residential facilities is greater than youth in the general population and those in other justice settings. Despite recent advancements in the literature on ACEs and treatment for justice-involved youth, an expansion of this inquiry continues to be warranted. The Risk, Needs, and Responsivity framework has not conceptualized the influence of trauma across youth sex and race/ethnicity in rehabilitation efforts. Therefore, the current study has two primary objectives: (1) to explore the presence of ACEs in the lives of youth in residential facilities, and (2) examine the association between ACEs and …

Breaking Cultural And Financial Barriers In Olympic Sports, Maureen A. Weston, Professor Of Law

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

Nelson Mandela has said that “[s]port has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does . . . . It is more powerful than governments in breaking down barriers.” Sports can have tremendous value, not only to the individual participants in promoting physical and mental health, skills, and teamwork, but also to society in fostering community, civic pride, and a sense of belonging, even among the fans. Sports have significant economic, political and cultural impacts at the local, national, and international spheres. …

Humor As An Instructional Communication Tool: Revisiting Humor And Exploring The New Punchline In Human-Machine Communication, Melissa M. Looney

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research examined the role of humor in instructional communication, focusing on human-to-human and human-machine communication (HMC). As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in learning environments, it is critical to understand how elements such as humor influence user perceptions and, consequently, affective learning outcomes. Previous arguments about humor in educational settings, particularly those centered on traditional student-teacher interactions, have been arguably derelict. Therefore, this research revisited earlier assertions about humor, extending the inquiry to include online communication and AI-driven chatbots in learning management systems. Specifically, the study explored how humor and the type of agent (human or AI chatbot) …

Effectively Communicating Uncertainty In Tropical Cyclone Intensity Forecasts, Robert W. Eicher

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This body of research investigated methods for effectively communicating the inherent, technical uncertainty in tropical cyclone intensity forecasts through three separate studies. The first investigation uses Hurricane Laura as a case study. Laura rapidly intensified before making landfall in Cameron, Louisiana, catching some residents off guard. The study demonstrates how publics could be more effectively alerted to future hurricane worst-case scenarios using best practices recommended by the risk communication literature. The second study is an experiment that examines the effectiveness of adding numerical probability information to hurricane forecasts. Prior research suggests that using numeric probability information along with words and …

Effects Of Language Differences On Healthcare Barriers Experienced By Arab Americans, Abigail Yazdiya

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study analyzes the effects of language differences on healthcare services for Arab Americans. The research specifically investigates the subpopulation of ESL (English Second Language)/bilingual Arab Americans, in order to learn about the effect of a lack of interpretation services and therefore the use of family translators on healthcare treatment. There has been a lack of research on this growing population in the United States. Language barriers can hinder the already difficult process of healthcare. These barriers, combined with other barriers, such as cultural factors, can negatively affect healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study uses surveys to reach people in …

Fatal Overdoses And Harm Reduction In Hotels And Motels In Central Florida, Alexandria R. Mcclarty

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This exploratory research assesses the relationship between unintentional fatal overdoses and hospitality environments, with a special focus on the Central Florida region, due to its high annual tourism rates. Multiple methodologies are used to determine the frequency of unintentional fatal overdoses across five calendar years in hotels and motels, analyze statistical significance between location of death and other demographic factors, geographically depict locations of overdoses, and analyze the role that hospitality staff plays in preventing or responding to fatal overdoses on their properties.

Upon analyzing overdose data from the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office Medical Examiner, it was found that …

Exploring Hypervigilance Among Trans+ People Navigating Cisgendered Healthcare, Emma M. Tukdarian

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This thesis uses the limited research on LGBTQ+ specific hypervigilance and queer battle fatigue to explore the prevalence of hypervigilance and fatigue in trans+ medical experiences, even when emotions aren't centered in their narratives, while also using participants' narratives and minority stress theory to suggest changes to the American medical system. Data was taken from a previous study of in-depth interviews on healthcare experiences of 60 trans+ young adults ages 18-24. Analysis of the data was done in NVivo using line-by-line coding for mentions of emotional responses linked to hypervigilance within interview transcripts. Results show that 67% of participants shared …

A Social Portal To Online Higher Education: How Students With Disabilities Experience Online Courses, Marisa Lucca

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Although people with disabilities have made significant strides toward educational equity, they continue to face struggles in college that perpetuate their dismal college outcomes. Current research focuses on struggles endured in the on-campus setting and provides little insight into online course experiences. Toward addressing the knowledge gap, the study opened a social portal to online higher education, leveraging disability as an experiential lens to understand online course challenges and the potential for universal design for learning practices to reduce obstacles to academic success. We considered online course experiences concerning impairment effects and disablism within a social relational disability studies perspective. …

Health Screenings In College Health Centers: Variations In Practice, Melissa A. Sutherland, M. Katherine Hutchinson, Bing Si, Yu Ding, Erica Liebermann, Somatra L. Connolly, Hans Saint-Eloi Cadely, Jacqueline F. Hayes, Susan D. Mueller

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the routine screening of female students in college health centers for six priority health-related behaviors and experiences (tobacco use, alcohol use, eating disorders [EDs], obesity, anxiety and depression, intimate partner violence/sexual violence [IPV/SV]), and to identify variations in practice. Participants: A nationally representative sample of 1,221 healthcare providers (HCPs), including nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants, from 471 U.S. college health centers. Methods: HCPs completed surveys (on-line or paper) and reported on routine screening of female college students. Results: HCPs reported consistently high rates (75–85%) of screening for tobacco use, alcohol …

Beyond The Classroom: An Internship Model That Builds Age-Friendliness & Career Readiness, Kristin Souza, Skye N. Leedahl, Emma Pascuzzi, Alexandra Morelli

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Since 2015, the University of Rhode Island (URI) Engaging Generations Cyber-Seniors Program has provided over 500 students from 19 different majors with the opportunity to mentor older adults through internships and service learning courses. Due to the pandemic, interest in the program significantly increased from the community and from students in need of opportunities to work with individuals. As a result, a robust internship program was developed that focused on building age and digital inclusivity across campus and throughout the state. The program integrates a three-pronged approach where students complete field hours, enhance the Career Readiness Competencies employers seek in …

Evaluation Of Dietary Fiber Technologies In Sow Diets, Garrin Shipman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Various technologies and alternative ingredients are being developed to increase the nutrient value of fibrous feedstuffs, improve animal performance, and promote sustainable swine production. Fiber-degrading enzymes have been extensively studied in growing pigs, with few studies focused on gestating sows. When considering gestating sows have greater energy digestibility of fibrous feedstuffs than grower pigs, the efficacy of fiber-degrading enzymes needs to be determined for implementation in commercial sow diets. As fiber inclusion in gestation diets benefits sow performance, corn dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) are a candidate fiber source for gestation alternative energy ingredient. Functional fibers, such as yeast …

Effects Of Storage Regimes On Chemistry, Functional Properties, And Vitamin Profile Of Different Varieties Of Chickpea, Shirin Kazemzadeh Pournaki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chickpea (cicer arietinum) samples from five distinct varieties (crown, royal, orion, sierra, and frontier) were subjected to varying storage conditions to investigate the impact of temperature and relative humidity (rh) on their chemical, functional, physical properties, and vitamin b profile. over 360 days, samples were stored at two temperatures (21°c and 40°c) and three rh levels (40%, 55%, 65%), with collections made every 90 days. initial observations focused on key chemical properties including moisture, protein, fat, and total starch content. subsequently, protein and starch fractions were isolated for further analysis, employing techniques such as sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (sds-page) …

Removal Of Phosphorous, Copper And Zinc From Stormwater Using Powdered Activated Carbon (Pac) Based Water Treatment Residuals, Foysol Mahmud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) based water treatment residual (WTR) in eliminating phosphorus (P), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) from stormwater. The characteristics of the PAC WTR were analyzed, and a series of batch and column tests were conducted to determine its capacity to remove P, Cu, and Zn from stormwater and synthetic solutions. The PAC WTR conformed to the Langmuir isotherm model, demonstrating P adsorption capacities of 3.51 mg/g at pH 5. Regarding Cu and Zn removal, the PAC WTR also adhered to the Langmuir isotherm model, showing …

Estimating South Dakota’S Capacity To Meet K-12 School Meal Fruit And Vegetable Requirements With State-Grown Produce, Bridgette Bienias

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Quantify South Dakota (SD)’s capacity to procure locally-sourced fruit and vegetables (FVs) for K-12 school meals.
Methods: Secondary analysis of 2017 SD agricultural census and school meal data. Yields were converted to edible cups of FVs using school meal guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Student enrollment and meal redemptions were used to estimate the number of FV cups needed.
Results: Estimated SD FV production met minimum total K-12 cup requirements, except for total fruit (66%) and dark green vegetables (80%). Legumes supplied 77% of the total cups of vegetables produced in 2017, whereas dark green vegetables …

Integrating Early Season Clover Cover Crops As A Living Mulch In Broccoli And Transitional Organic Winter Squash Production In Eastern South Dakota, Alexis Rose Barnes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Managing weeds, improving soil health, and reducing the use of plastic mulch continue to be priorities for South Dakota vegetable farmers. Farmers have expressed an interest in integrating cover crops into their farm systems. Clover cover crops used as a living mulch within and along cash crop rows may aid in weed suppression, nitrogen fixation, and prevent soil erosion. However, prior research has shown challenges of incorporating living mulch due to yield decreases. Research conducted in 2022 and 2023 in eastern South Dakota investigated the effects of four clover and four in-row soil management treatments on broccoli and organic winter …

Utilizing Soil Sensors To Assess Soil Health And Investigating Cover Crops Impact On Methane Emission, Shailesh Pandit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soil health is influenced by climate change, cultural practices, topography, crop rotations, cover crops, soil parent materials, and soil biota. Interactions between these factors can improve or reduce soil health. This thesis investigates two topics, using soil sensors to provide a rapid assessment of soil health, and the impact of cover crops on soil biological activity and greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter 1 explores the use of two types of sensors to measure apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and provides examples on the use of these sensors. Even though both sensors measure ECa using different processes, they provide useful information about temporal …

Abelson (Abl) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Reduce Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus (Prrsv) Replication In Vitro, Jenna Parliament

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus from the Arteriviridae family. PRRSV causes respiratory illness and reproductive failure in infected pigs. Outbreaks occurring in the United States and worldwide cause significant economic losses annually. Abelson (Abl) tyrosine kinase is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays a central role in regulating many cellular processes such as actin reorganization, cell proliferation and differentiation by transducing extracellular and intracellular signals. Abl inhibitors have been shown to restrict the entry of membrane fusion of enveloped viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome …

Evaluation Of Nutrient Removal From Modified Woodchips And Organic Matter Leached From Tree Leaves After Simulated Wildfire Thermal Alteration, Zengyue Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) from stormwater runoff, carrying a variety of contaminants, presents substantial challenges to water treatment processes and public health. Among the primary pollutants, phosphate and nitrate significantly contribute to the degradation of water quality, resulting in issues such as eutrophication and methemoglobinemia. Tree leaves, which are a major source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forested watersheds and serve as a key fuel for wildfires, further exacerbate these challenges. Post-wildfire, the altered DOC is mobilized by precipitation, leading to stormwater runoff that impacts natural water bodies and complicates treatment processes, particularly through the formation of hazardous disinfection …

Reimagining Hunting Through Women's Decision Space, H. Nash Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 14.4 million people hunt in the United States, yet only 3.1 million (22%) of these hunters are women. To enhance women’s participation, many state natural resource agencies aim to reduce barriers and create pathways for women to hunt. Previously, researchers surveyed women to understand and describe barriers to their full participation in hunting. However, this methodology often just quantifies the different barriers without describing the interconnectedness and how the complexity of barriers can impact women’s participation in hunting. This thesis instead took an inductive research approach with the goal of better understanding women’s perspectives when faced with complex barriers. …

Increasing Soy Products Inclusion In Swine Diets To Improve Growth Performance, Health, And Pork Quality, Ashir Foreman Atoo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite its excellent nutritional profile, soybean meal (SBM) is limited in nursery pig diets due to its anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), which young pigs tolerate poorly. In the first study, strategies to mitigate these effects included supplementation with enzymes, alone or with acidifiers. A total of 240 weaned pigs (5.9 ± 0.8 kg average body weight [BW]) were assigned in randomized complete block design to five dietary treatments: low, medium, or high SBM diets, high SBM with multienzyme, and high SBM with multienzyme plus acidifier. Diets were fed in three phases: phase 1 (0–1 weeks), phase 2 (1–3 weeks), and phase …

Translocations Of North American Bison Across Large Climatic Gradients: Impacts On Thermoregulation, Body Size, And Helmintic Infection, Hayden Wolfe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Every year, one-eighth of all North American bison (Bison bison) are translocated, often across large climatic gradients. Over the last 16 years bison have been translocated from Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota to establish six herds across the United States central grasslands in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kansas. Influence of climatic gradients on herd-level thermoregulation, body size, and helmintic infection were evaluated. Overall, 1174 thermal images and 1050 fecal samples were collected between 2021 and 2023. Physiological heat flux was used to measure thermoregulation, asymptotic body mass (ABM) was used for body size, and helminth genera abundance …

Degradation Of Total Organic Halogen In Drinking Water Distribution Systems With Iron And Iron Corrosion Products, Rachel Zook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The presence of halogenated disinfection by products, also known as total organic halogen (TOX), found in treated water samples are toxic in nature and can negatively impact the public health. The TOX compounds may undergo reduction reactions in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) with iron materials that include zero valent iron, and iron corrosion products of goethite and magnetite in corroded sections of pipe. The objective of this research was to investigate the degradation kinetics of total organic chlorine (TOCl), total organic bromine (TOBr), and total organic iodine (TOI) in water with iron and corrosion products. Batch experiments were completed …