Digital Commons Network^™

Architectures Of Solidarity: The Worker Cooperative Movement In Chicago, Katherine Norquist

Tapestries: Interwoven voices of local and global identities

This article analyzes the worker cooperative landscape in Chicago, defining both the historical roots of the movement and the current barriers and supports faced by worker-owners. The paper takes two approaches. First, I compile existing research related to worker cooperatives, labor history, and the solidarity economy in order to trace the roots of Chicago's present-day worker cooperative landscape. Secondly, to more specifically delineate the supports and barriers currently encountered by worker co-ops, I conducted descriptive interviews with several members of Chicago-based cooperative incubation and worker rights organizations. Thematic analysis of their comments helped me to outline certain factors at play …

Controlling Knowledge And Critiquing Systems: The Florida Education System, Camille C. Samuel

Tapestries: Interwoven voices of local and global identities

This research paper analyzes the way white nationalism’s impact on the public education system particularly in the South [of the United States], specifically in Florida. The primary focus will involve the discussion pertaining to racial history and how it is taught. In order to effectively address this issue, we must compare the past to the present and how, unfortunately, history is repeating itself. The paper includes a deep dive into Florida’s state history as well as the personal experiences conducted through an interview of myself and my father, who was a student within the Florida public education system and has …

Contrasting Ideologies Of Schooling In The United States, Dalia Davidson

Tapestries: Interwoven voices of local and global identities

Schools can be a mirror of society and the drivers of social change (Durkheim 1951). The contrasting ideologies of reproducing and resisting social hierarchies shapes public schooling in the United States. Yet, teachers, administrators, and curriculum writers often take an ahistorical approach to solving inequalities in schools. For my paper, I used a historical analysis, literature review and my experience interning in public schools to contextualize the contrasting ideologies of schooling and the role they play in shaping current outcomes of public education. I argue that when students of color are struggling in school, teachers are conditioned to blame families …

Note From The Editors, Camille C. Samuel, Dalia Davidson, Gabe K, Isabella S. Benjamin-Quintana, Karla García, Katherine Norquist, Tara M. Weber

Tapestries: Interwoven voices of local and global identities

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Services And Processes: An Industrial And Systems Engineering Approach To Addressing Homelessness, Matthew Martin

School of Engineering: Student Scholarship

Being an Industrial and Systems Engineering Student with a foot in volunteer work, I have seen how ISYE can be used to optimize industry and systems that companies have in place, and figured its processes could also be applied to look into the systems being used to solve the homelessness crisis. In this paper, I plan to discuss the data and statistics behind homelessness, the solutions currently in place, how ISYE is currently being used and how it can be applied more efficiently, as well as explore how we as engineering students and as a society can use our education …

Vaccines On The Move And The War On Polio, Laura Muñoz-Blanc, Federico Fabio Frattini

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

The rising number of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) presents new challenges for vaccine distribution and the spread of diseases. How do forcibly displaced population inflows affect infectious diseases incidence in host communities? Can a policy intervention that vaccinates children during their migration mitigate the impacts? To answer these questions, we examine the Pakistani mass internal displacement from the conflict-affected Federally Administered Tribal Areas in 2008. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we compare new polio cases in districts near and far from the conflict zone before and after 2008. The spatial distribution of districts relative to the historical region of …

Leadership Lessons For Aspiring College Presidents: Essential Tools, Skills, And Strategies For Success, Quincy Martin Iii

Journal of Research on the College President

College and university presidents today face an increasingly complex set of challenges, demanding not only traditional leadership skills but also a nuanced understanding of the unique dynamics in higher education. With heightened financial pressures, technological advances, and evolving student expectations, college presidents must be equipped with the right tools, skills, and strategies to navigate their roles successfully. This article explores leadership lessons for aspiring college presidents, providing a comprehensive overview of the essential competencies required to lead effectively. Drawing from recent leadership theory, case studies, and trends in higher education, this article offers practical guidance for current and future higher …

Stress And Trauma-Related Concerns Among Law Enforcement, James Hughes

Master of Arts in Human Services

Law enforcement personnel work in environments with routine exposure to high stress and trauma which can lead to increased risk for mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to learn about the prevalence and effects of PTSD and related mental health issues among law enforcement (LE) officers and how psychological issues are managed within the LE system. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design strategy was used that involved collecting quantitative data first and then explaining the results with in-depth follow-up qualitative data. In the first quantitative phase of the study, data was …

Early Host Defense Against Virus Infections, Søren R. Paludan, Thomas Pradeu, Andreas Pichlmair, K. Brad Wray, Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen, David Olagnier, Trine H. Mogensen

Presidential Fellows Articles and Research

Early host defense eliminates many viruses before infections are established while clearing others so they remain subclinical or cause only mild disease. The field of immunology has been shaped by broad concepts, including the pattern recognition theory that currently dominates innate immunology. Focusing on early host responses to virus infections, we analyze the literature to build a working hypothesis for the principles that govern the early line of cellular antiviral defense. Aiming to ultimately arrive at a criteria-based theory with strong explanatory power, we propose that both controlling infection and limiting inflammation are key drivers for the early cellular antiviral …

Editor's Comments, Michael T. Miller

Journal of Research on the College President

Welcome to Volume 8 of the Journal of Research on the College President. In this volume, you will find three exceptional studies that help provide an even stronger understanding of what has been described as one of the hardest jobs in not only in higher education, but in the country. These three articles were accepted through our peer review process, and this year we had 11 submissions, resulting in a 27% acceptance rate.

Black Like Me: Black College Student Perceptions Of Racially Similar College Presidents, David V. Tolliver Iii, Michael T. Miller, Jennifer M. Miles

Journal of Research on the College President

There is a strong interest in higher education to enroll a diverse student body, including groups from historically underrepresented populations. This is particularly true within the Black American community, where Black women have increased their presence in higher education yet Black men continue to account for only a small fraction of all college enrollment. To help increase the enrollment of Black men, some institutions have explored and put into place mentoring programs and have looked to symbolically demonstrate that higher education is a welcoming place by spotlighting college presidents who share similar demographic characteristics. The current study was designed to …

The Politics Of 9/11 Memory At Ground Zero And Shanksville: How Two National Memorials Were Debated, Negotiated, And Created, Emily Mundt

History Student Work

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, four United Airlines flights took off on the East Coast bound for California. Each plane carried passengers, crew, and...undetected hijackers. With four hijacked planes, two crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the other crashed into a rural field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. September 11th, 2001, has become known as 9/11 — the day many of us would never forget. Those old enough to remember seeing the loss of buildings and bodies unfold live on television on that day created individual memories of 9/11. But …

California's Bracero Program: Racializing And Legalizing Mexican Transportation, Samuel S. Cao

Center for the Arts and Humanities: Student Fellows Program

This paper re-examines California’s Bracero Program (1942–1964) through the critical lens of transportation, arguing that it served not merely as a logistical necessity but as a crucial site of systemic exploitation and racialized harm. While scholarships often focused on other aspects of labor abuse, this piece centers on transportation-related injuries, culminating in the tragic 1963 Chualar accident, as a potent manifestation of racial capitalism and state neglect. Oftentimes, privatized transportation infrastructure contributed to both the physical vulnerability and symbolic dehumanization of Mexican laborers, as a direct result of agribusiness’s pursuit of profit. By reframing mobility as a key mechanism of …

James Pepper V. Attorney General Pennsylvania

2024 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

2024 Fall Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Fall 2024 commencement program. Commencement was on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Associate Professor And Radio Host "Dr. J" Celebrates 20-Year Spin On Ud's Airwaves, Elisabeth Watson

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Art Jipson's show focuses on local musicians and artists, particularly those from the Dayton area and the University campus.

Are There Neurological Impacts Of Exposure To A Burned Wildfire Site As It Recovers?, Rubye Strickland

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Wildfires are increasing with climate change, making the human health implications of exposure to burned soils an essential area of research. Metals associated with fire-impacted soils can be inhaled or accidentally ingested by surrounding communities, causing health risks. Several studies have evaluated the health impact of wildfires, but few have done so from a neurological perspective. This study explores metal changes in burned soils over time as a site naturally recovers from wildfire and how these changes may impact human neurological health. Soil samples were collected from the burned area 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the fire. …

Infant Mortality Data: Missing Pieces To Prevention In Lesotho, Jacinda Croissant

Master's Projects and Capstones

Lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) like Lesotho lack complete and quality infant mortality data. Without infant mortality data, it can be challenging to develop public health education, programming, and policies to address preventative infant deaths in specific populations (Rao et al., 2004). A literature review identified strategies to improve infant mortality data in LMICs. Through a community engagement model and digital storytelling, community members can gain awareness, begin an ongoing conversation about local public health issues, and participate in an improved data collection system. Infant mortality is often used as an indicator of health for a population; improved infant mortality data can …

Improving Health Equity: Integrating Mental Health Services Into Mobile Health Clinics For Unhoused And Low-Income Populations In The United States, Tiffany Lynn Wong

Master's Projects and Capstones

Mental health disparities among homeless and low-income populations in the United States highlight significant challenges in access and quality of care. This literature review explores the integration of mental health services into Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs) as a promising recommendation to address these disparities. I used various search engines, extracting 10 articles published from 2013 to 2023 focused on the U.S. MHCs show its effectiveness in improving healthcare access and quality of care, covering different services like mammography, reproductive health, COVID-19 testing, and diabetes care. Building on these successful models, this paper proposes extending MHCs to include mental health screenings, …

Reducing Heart Failure Readmissions Through Standardized Daily 1:1 Education, Neil R. Carlos

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: In 2023, a Northern California hospital's Cardiac Procedure Unit (CPU) admitted 100 heart failure patients, with 24 readmissions primarily due to inadequate self-management education. These admissions cost over $8.4 million, highlighting the urgent need for better patient education to reduce readmissions and healthcare expenses.

Context: A quality improvement initiative was launched in the CPU that handles pre- and post-cardiac care, including for heart failure patients. The unit's focus on urgent care and other priorities resulted in insufficient patient education regarding heart failure.

Intervention: From January to June 2024, the initiative implemented daily personalized teach-back education sessions on self-management. These …

Beat The Clock: Improving First Case On-Time Starts (Fcots) In The Ambulatory Surgery Unit (Asu), Myrna M. Bernardo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem: A local Bay Area hospital Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU) strives to maintain the first case on-time starts (FCOTS) at 90%. Optimal FCOTS compliance enhances operating room (OR) efficiency, resource utilization, and patient outcomes. Data from January 2022 to December 2023 shows that ASU’s FCOTS remains at a monthly average rate of 67%. This project focuses on closing the 23% gap by achieving 73% FCOTS compliance in the first quarter to progressively achieve the unit 90% goal or higher.

Context: The five ASU ORs handle a daily volume of 25-35 cases. An interdisciplinary team conducted a root cause analysis …

Maternal Health Care In Rural South Africa: Risk Factors Impacting The High Maternal Mortality Rate, Ngozi Okemiri

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines the barriers that inhibit woman from accessing comprehensive maternal health care services in rural areas of South Africa.

Methods: I used multiple databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) to extract literature that explored the factors pertaining to maternal health service delivery and utilization, disparities, and perspectives. I identified 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria and utilized a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods approach.

Key Findings: A thematic analysis determined that inequities in maternal health care services, inconsistent leadership and resources in district hospitals and low maternal health literacy among women in rural areas played a …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Allostatic Load On Premature Birth Rates: A Literature Review, Roxane J. Scherek

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper examines the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), allostatic load, and the likelihood of women giving birth prematurely in the United States and Canada. I searched multiple databases exploring this association, identifying nineteen articles published between 2004 and 2024. The literature highlights that racism and discrimination are a cause of chronic stress, and that this stress, and implicit bias, are both implicated in preterm birth. While ACEs scores have been found to be associated with preterm birth, the results for allostatic load are mixed. The results suggest that more attention should be paid to mitigating the stress associated …

A Home Is A Human Right: Homelessness In Sacramento, Alexa Renée Colvin

Master's Projects and Capstones

Homelessness is a public health crisis in California and needs to be addressed. Homelessness directly impacts health outcomes through increased barriers of care and unmet needs. It affects people in all walks of life, but the risk of experiencing homelessness increases within marginalized communities. The solution to end homelessness is not straightforward, and requires collaboration across federal, state, and local organizations. A literature review was conducted to understand what the homelessness crisis looks like broadly in California, and more specifically in Sacramento, and create informed recommendations. This literature found that implementing a structured and collaborative housing first approach is a …

Advancing Health Promotion In Older Adults Through An Education Technology Program, Cinthya Chavez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Older adults often need a foundational understanding of technological use and how it may be utilized to enhance health promotion. Facility A needs to have a technology program to help residents learn and build upon technology use skills. Research suggests that a continuous technological program with continual support for participants can result in increased long-term use of technology which ultimately helps older adults live more independently with a higher quality of life. To address the problem at Facility A, a technology educational program with a focus on health promotion will be implemented to increase technology use and resident engagement. …

Improve Health Promotion In Older Adults Through An Educational Technology Program, Jennifer Velasquez Cayanan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Engagement in educational workshops is important for older adults as it provides spaces to connect, learn, and continue independent living. Aim This quality improvement project aimed to increase resident engagement by 10%, raising it from 4.4% to 4.8%, during a 5-week period from October 16, 2024 to November 13, 2024. Methods A 5P Microsystem Assessment, in partnership with key stakeholders, recognized small numbers of resident engagement in educational-related programs produced by the staff. Master of Nursing (MSN) students conducted a survey to assess needs in the community, upon reviewing the survey, there was an educational interest and thus the …

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Becoming Baby-Friendly Designated, Joann Chu Zheng

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Global breastfeeding rates remain low despite numerous breastfeeding benefits, which poses significant challenges and contributes to adverse infant health outcomes. In response, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was established to advocate, defend, and uphold breastfeeding encouraging healthy infant development from birth through early childhood. Context Hospital A is in the East Bay with a perinatal unit seeking BFHI certification. A microsystem assessment identified the need to ensure that postpartum nurses deliver accurate and consistent BFHI-aligned education to meet designation requirements. Intervention A standardized patient checklist conforming to baby-appropriate education guidelines was developed to improve the quality and thoroughness of …

Improving Anesthesia Technician Workflow: Implementation Of A Standardized Checklist And Formal Handoff Communication Tool To Enhance Management Of The Pediatric Portable Anesthesia Lockers Recommendation, Megan Shayna Sosnick Msel, Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The surgical department of a well-known Bay Area medical center faces substantial challenges in supply management. These challenges include inconsistent stocking, disorganized storage, and an inefficient ordering process. These logistical issues impact patient care negatively, increase supply costs, and weaken team morale and communication. U.S. hospitals spend $83 billion annually on medical supplies, with $25.4 billion wasted on preventable material expenses (Balkhi et al., 2022). Aim and Methods: This quality improvement project aims to train 80% of anesthesia technicians in proper stocking procedures for portable pediatric anesthesia lockers within three months. Interventions include the implementation of a standardized …

Healing Words: The Power Of Patient-Centered Communication In Bedside Reports, Sin Yee Lai

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective In the healthcare setting, using language that is not patient-centered can result in lower patient satisfaction, increased miscommunication, and heightened anxiety for patients. Hospital A currently lacks education on the use of patient-centered language within the peripartum mesosystem, despite being required to conduct bedside reports. Hospital A is an urban tertiary hospital in San Francisco, whose peripartum mesosystem is divided into two levels with a total of 35 beds. Aim The project aimed to increase patient satisfaction by implementing patient-centered language during bedside reports for peripartum nurses from 70% to 80% during labor and delivery (L&D) to postpartum (PP) …

Implementation Of A Food Security Program To Reduce Hypertension At A Primary Care Clinic, Maribel Ballesteros

Master's Projects and Capstones

The food security program aims to reduce hypertension and food insecurity by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Although food insecurity is a growing public health issue, the food security program experienced significantly low enrollment compared to projected values. The quality improvement project was conducted in an adult medicine department in a primary care clinic in San Francisco serving the Latinx community. To address the issue of low program enrollment, a comprehensive educational food security program flyer was developed containing program information, including frequently asked questions. The flyer aimed to increase program enrollments by increasing program education. Fifty flyers …