Digital Commons Network^™

The Status Of Women Leaders In Government – Utah Counties: A 2024 Update, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Organizations increasingly thrive when both men and women hold leadership roles and work together. This is true not only in Utah’s businesses, but also its government organizations, such as state legislatures, city councils, and state and local bureaucracies.¹

American democracy is based on the concept of representation.² Governments mirror this idea by encouraging agencies to employ a workforce that shares the demographic characteristics of the community it serves.³ In fact, the presence of a diverse public workforce “implies equal access to government positions promoting empowerment and connection with government in diverse communities, [and] can also signal the …

No. 05: Pandemic Precarity And Food Insecurity Among Zimbabwean Migrants In South Africa, Godfrey Tawodzera, Jonathan Crush

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This policy brief highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Zimbabwean migrants living in South Africa, with a particular focus on food insecurity and economic precarity. The pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities within the migrant community, many of whom rely on informal, low-wage labour sectors for their livelihoods. The survey conducted in 2021 among Zimbabwean migrants revealed widespread unemployment, drastic income reductions, and severe food insecurity, primarily driven by pandemic-related restrictions and the resultant economic contraction. Zimbabwean migrants, a significant proportion of whom work in South Africa’s informal economy, were disproportionately affected by the lockdowns and mobility restrictions. The …

The Rattler (Volume 113, Issue 1), St. Mary's University

The Rattler (Previous issues)

Founded in 1919, The Rattler is the student voice of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. The newspaper documents campus life, academic and social issues, student opinion, and local and national events as they relate to the University community. Content typically includes news articles, editorial commentary, arts and culture coverage, sports reporting, and advertisements.

Civil Leadership For Vibrant Communities: Building Bridges Through Deliberative Dialogue, Victoria Solomon, Jessica Beckendorf, David Kay

Journal of Extension

Polarization is increasingly impacting Extension’s work in communities. Extension has untapped potential to address division and lack of civility by building civic infrastructure and skills for constructive dialogue. We describe a pilot program that began as a one-off event and grew into a series organized by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension in partnership with Braver Angels, a national organization applying research-based skills to building bridges. We report on the series structure and content, its goals, and the impacts on participants. We suggest that Extension has the mission, capacity, opportunity, and responsibility to engage in skill-building for Public Issues Education.

Request Strategies Used In Instant Messaging In Whatsapp Groups (Wags): Portraying The Pragmatic Competence Of Efl Students, Nawras Rahim Abourahim, Nunung Suryati, Yazid Basthomi

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This study aims to investigate the request strategies used by students and their lecturers through Instant Messaging (IM) in WhatsApp groups (WAGs). This study used a qualitative research design to analyze the language used by students and their lecturers in WAGs. The data was collected through the analysis of WAGs conversations between students and their lecturers. Previous studies have extensively argued that students are less polite language users when sending texts to their lecturers, and the current study sought to examine the politeness strategies used by the students. The data analysis was carried out in the light the theory of …

The Roddey Mcmillan Record - September 5, 2024, Winthrop University

The RMR 2020-2029

The Roddey McMillan Record (RMR) is Winthrop’s monthly multicultural student publication. The RMR has been a significant voice of the minority population of the Winthrop comunity since its creation by Gail Harris in April 1986. It promotes awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities for the prosperity of the entire Winthrop community. The purpose of the RMR is to shine light on the many diverse cultures at Winthrop, focusing on issues, concerns and happenings of those who represent the multicultural community on campus. The Roddey McMillan Record is named after Dr. Cynthia Roddey and Atty, Sheila McMillan. Cynthia Roddey was …

Abstract Middle School Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs About Administrative Support And Online Teaching During The Covid-19, Alexandra Lee Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the spring of 2020, a South Georgia school implemented distance learning due to COVID-19, with little administrative support for the teachers for online instruction. This quick transition may have impacted teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs about teaching online. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore middle school teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs about online instruction and the impact administrative support may have had on these beliefs, while teaching remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was rooted in Bandura's self-efficacy theory and Venkatesh's Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The research questions investigated how administrative support and experience …

Racialization’S Influence On African American Male University Attrition: Is It Culture Shock Or Is There More To The Story, Joseph M. Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the influence of racialization on the attrition rates of African American male students in predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The study examines whether these students experience cultural shock or face more profound systemic challenges. The research explores how African American men navigate and perceive their college environments by employing Critical Race Theory and DuBois' double consciousness. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews, demographic surveys, and document analysis to view these students' experiences comprehensively. The study focuses on four religiously affiliated universities, highlighting the intersection of race, identity, and institutional culture and revealing patterns of isolation, …

Assessing The Role Of Psychological Self-Sufficiency And Organizational Factors In Achieving Economic Self-Sufficiency Among Low-Income Populations, Alanna Jeeyoung Shin

Dissertations

Low-income populations in the United States face complex challenges amid persistent high levels of poverty, income inequality, and child poverty (OECD, 2023; OECD, 2024; Smeeding & Thévenot, 2016; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023b). Influenced by neoclassical economic theory and human capital theory, work-first initiatives like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) focus on fostering individual change by enhancing employable skills (Kim, 2010). These programs predominantly emphasize personal responsibility as a strategy for reducing poverty. However, multilayered barriers remain that hinder the achievement of economic self-sufficiency (Hong et al., 2014). To challenge the prevailing approach focusing on the individual level, …

Structural And Functional Correlates Of The Sleep-Suicidal Ideation Association, Jolynn Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Each year, about 800,000 individuals die by suicide globally, affecting millions more. Mitigating suicide risks by targeting modifiable factors such as the sleep disturbances of insomnia and nightmares, which are prevalent and linked to suicidality is important. This study investigated the structural and functional brain differences related to sleep disturbances and suicidality, with the anterior cingulate (caudal and rostral), insula, middle frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, thalamus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex as seed regions. Participants had no history of suicidal ideation (NSI; n=43) or suicidal ideation within the past two weeks (SI; n=25). Measures for analyses included the Insomnia Severity Index …

Racial Attitudes And Perceptions Of Government Response During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications For Public Health Strategies., Man Hung, Jeremy D. Franklin, William A. Smith, Carlos J. Crespo, Evelyn U. Ezikwelu, Jerry Bounsanga, Martin S. Lipsky

Institute on Aging Publications

This study explored whether opinions about the government's role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic vary based on demographic characteristics and racial beliefs. We hypothesized that opinions about the United States (U.S.) government's response to COVID-19 would differ based on an individual's characteristics such as age, race, and racial beliefs.

Identifying The Challenges That Hinder Research Productivity In Academia: Evidence From Somaliland And The Way Forward., Khalid Jama

Theses and Dissertations

In any nation, research is the primary force behind innovation and progress. It contributes to the Economic growth, global competence, and social progress. Research productivity is highly valued in the scientific community. Scientific community research is regarded as the key factor determining academic recognition, financial support, and academic recognition. Nonetheless, the output of research faces difficulties in many sub-Saharan African nations. This study aims to understand what limits the research publication in Somaliland. The study adopt a mixed methods approach to understand and analyze the main reason behind the research and publication limitations in Somaliland’s higher education. Individuals from various …

Kenyon Collegian - September 5, 2024

The Kenyon Collegian

No abstract provided.

Re-Fashioning The Field: On Gender And Computer Science, Jessica Nash

Discussions

No abstract provided.

Volume 52-2 Complete Issue, Steven M. Schnell

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 52-2 Complete Issue

Increasing Public Participation In Municipal Solid Waste Reduction, Elizabeth J. O’Connell

The Geographical Bulletin

Municipal solid waste (MSW) presents environmental, social, and economic problems. Enlisting the public in reducing MSW has proven to be difficult in a variety of cultures and economies. Although the waste diversion practice of recycling is well-known, other waste minimization behaviors remain unknown and unpracticed by the majority of the population. There is room for improvement in waste minimization and waste diversion participation. This paper examines research into what motivates and what hinders participation in waste diversion and minimization practices by drawing out the common factors found in a wide spectrum of studies. Fear of the actual and perceived dangers …

Adaptive Strategies For Phd Candidates To A Changing Academic Environment: Diversification And Time Management, Kirby Calvert

The Geographical Bulletin

The confluence of an increasing emphasis on ‘deliverables,’ rising numbers of PhD candidates, and waning employment opportunities presents significant challenges for prospective and incumbent PhD candidates. I identify two coping strategies for adapting to this changing environment: 1) diversify the set of theoretical leanings and methods to which you are exposed during your PhD experience to alleviate some of the concerns around employment opportunities by making your knowledge and skill-set marketable beyond the walls of academia; and 2) streamline your teaching, learning, and research duties to minimize the impact of these formal academic duties on your personal life and completion …

Maintaining Sanity In Graduate School: A Brief Commentary On The Significance Of Informal Networks, Amanda Fickey, Erin Pullen

The Geographical Bulletin

Graduate students often feel pressure to succeed not only as students and instructors, but also as published authors, engaged service-oriented community members, and researchers. As the scarcity of tenure-track positions and the general downturn of the economy become increasingly disconcerting, we often feel it necessary to sacrifice personal relationships and friendships to focus on making ourselves more competitive as we prepare to enter the job market. In this reflective essay, we consider the ways that we have discovered to navigate these day-to-day struggles, focusing primarily on the significance of informal networks. Although the authors have formed their own informal network …

Family And Social Networks Considered In An Examination Of Exurban Migration Motivations, Brian Edward Johnson, Benjamin Schultz

The Geographical Bulletin

Exurbia is growing in population and land use mainly due to internal migration from urban and suburban areas . Existing literature has identified urban decay, housing affordability, and natural amenities as key reasons why Americans move to exurbia . The literature, however, largely overlooks the potential influence of family and social networks . Drawing from previous studies in non-exurban contexts, this paper asks: are family and social networks attracting migrants to exurbia? The authors conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 34 exurbanites in northern Indiana and northwest Illinois, allowing residents to describe their migration decisions without forcing participant responses into predefined …

Defending Against Extermination: A Comparative Approach To Self-Defense In The Case Of Mass Atrocity, Christopher Davey

The Microdynamics of Mass Atrocity Working Paper Series

This paper is a comparative study of three contemporary cases of self-defense in the context of mass atrocity. I define self-defense as violence deployed by armed groups as non-state or quasi-state actors to preserve life and social group integrity. This definition acknowledges power relations as complex and violence as multidirectional. Actors include informal defenders, civilians, military actors each overlapping with varying interests. I pose the research question: what is legitimate self-defense in the context of mass atrocity, and how is it presented in the public sphere, regionally and internationally for the purpose of political support or sympathy? In doing so …

Embodiment, Plasticity, And The Re/Production Of Gender, Sex, And Race In Human Biology, Meredith Wilson

Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

This paper historically situates human biology research by engaging with feminist science and technology scholars to show how a key mechanism of embodiment, plasticity, is used to re/produce sex and gender binaries in anthropological research and beyond. I begin by defining embodiment and demonstrating its reliance on plasticity. Next, I discuss plasticity and review how and why it has been taken up in human biology research. After, I engage with the works of feminist, trans, and queer scholars who have examined the connection between embodiment, plasticity, and the creation of Western binarized sex and gender. Further, I present how the …

No. 04: Canadian Support For Women In The Informal Food Sector In The Global South, Heba Hamzeh, Laeba Khan, Adwoa Konadu-Yiadom

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the vulnerabilities faced by women in the informal food sector in the Global South, deepening existing gender inequalities and economic inequities. Women informal food vendors play a critical role in ensuring food security in urban areas, yet their contributions are often undervalued and unsupported by formal policy frameworks. This policy brief presents two case studies from Mexico City and Maputo, Mozambique, highlighting the challenges women face in this sector, including lack of legal security, financial instability, and limited access to social protection. In response to these challenges, there is a pressing need for targeted interventions …

September 4, 2024 General Faculty Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Interviewing The Interviewers: How Qualitative Professors Assess Interviews In Their Classes, Meredith C. Massey, Leia K. Cain

The Qualitative Report

When reviewing the literature relating to what instructors of qualitative research courses are teaching in their courses, we found a gap regarding qualitative faculty's motivations behind what they teach and whether they use teaching tools such as rubrics in their assessment practices. We utilized general qualitative methods to explore and describe how instructors of qualitative methodology courses conceptualize and design interview-based assessments. By conducting structured interviews with five faculty members, we embraced interpretivist descriptive traditions and sought to obtain thick, rich descriptions of each participant’s perspectives and experiences. After coding interview transcripts, we created themes to represent participant beliefs that …

September 4, 2024, Faculty, Illinois Wesleyan University

2024-2025

No abstract provided.

Caring For Adolescent Learners In The Virtual Classroom: Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Stephanie Welch, Jeasik Cho

The Qualitative Report

In the recent past, fully online instruction has been most prominent at the higher education level, though online K-12 schools have lately gained some traction. However, the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated new potential for rapid expansion of online K-12 education. As these settings continue to develop, the unique social emotional needs of adolescent learners must be considered, and the need for a robustly developed online pedagogy of care is pressing. An unexpected and untapped resource for developing a framework for an online pedagogy of care can be found in examining the practices of traditionally face-to-face teachers who were unexpectedly thrust into …

Memories Of The Past: Engagement With Colonial Narratives In Modern-Day Spain, Amelia Wang

Undergraduate Project Award

Abstract: Over the past fifteen years, the way colonialism is remembered and taught has come under fire. In Spain, dominant political forces strike against one another on what the “correct” history of colonization looks like. Of particular concern is how the stories of colonialism have been remembered and taught and what these stories might look like moving forward. This paper examines the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire and the long-term impacts of the colonial period and then discusses how the colonial period is remembered in Spain and the impact of collective memory on national identity. It does so …

“You’Re Going To Serve People From All Different Backgrounds”: Csd Students’ Perceptions Of An Introductory Online Social Justice Program, Emma K. Williams, Monica L. Bellon-Harn, Lekeitha R. Morris

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Constructs of social justice has become an increasingly prevalent area of interest in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). In fact, competencies related to social justice are required program content per the Council of Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. This study’s purpose was to describe and evaluate an online, introductory course designed to address such concepts. Students’ perceptions of (a) the concept of social justice, (b) program content, and (c) program usability were examined. Undergraduate students from two universities completed the program, and a sample of students provided data about their perceptions during pre-program and post-program …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Implementing A Hands-On Diabetes Course Curriculum In Community Settings, April Litchford, Jenna Dyckman, Carrie Durward

Transforming Communities

Diabetes remains a significant health concern in the United States, with millions affected and at risk. Despite the known benefits of diabetes education programs, barriers such as accessibility and engagement persist. To address these challenges, Utah State University Extension developed the Diabetes Cook Along (DCA) program and conducted a study to determine the feasibility of implementing these classes in community settings. The DCA curriculum is based on national standards and emphasizes changes in dietary and lifestyle components critical for diabetes management. Data collection included pre- and post-surveys, along with qualitative feedback. Overall participation in the classes and satisfaction of participants …

Educational Neglect In Utah: How The State Allows Children To Fall Through The Cracks, Celeste D. Barker

Transforming Communities

Chronic absenteeism due to educational neglect is a prevalent social need in the state of Utah. Thousands of children in Utah are falling through the cracks of the system that is designed for their success and it is imperative that Utah’s State Legislature examines this dilemma more closely. It is recommended that the legislature examine real cases of educational neglect and realize how current decision making and policy framework is impacting the future success of Utah’s children. Modifications include extending the scope of intervention to secondary school-aged children, creating standardized attendance infraction letters for every school district in Utah, reevaluating …