Digital Commons Network^™

Changing Attitudes And Increasing Fruit And Vegetable Intake Of Elementary-Aged Children Through School Gardens, Hayley Rae Meriwether

Theses and Dissertations

Fruit and vegetable consumption is critical for children’s health, yet many fail to meet recommended intake levels. School gardens have the potential to increase consumption and improve attitudes toward fruits and vegetables. This study examined the impact of a school gardening program on children’s attitudes and consumption of fruits and vegetables using a pre- and post-test design. While most children reported enjoying gardening and trying new produce, no significant changes were observed in overall attitudes or consumption patterns after the intervention. However, increased consumption of apples and green beans was noted. The findings suggest that while school gardens can spark …

Applied Behavior Analysis: Perspectives Of Mississippi Students Before They Enter The Educational Behavioral Consulting Field, Lauren Ashley Besong

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes how prospective Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) professionals are enculturated through their educational pathways at one public university in Mississippi. I surveyed 24 current and prior students of the ABA program, as well as interviewed 1 prior and 10 current ABA students. Findings captured their perceptions of the field they are entering, through their experiences within the program. Results found that the ABA field appears to be split in a dual identity, existing in both educational and clinical spaces. Results showed that external perceptions of the institution viewed the ABA program as more clinical, while the students were …

On Topological Measures And Network Vulnerability Patterns: A Review And Comparative Analysis, Saviz Saei

Theses and Dissertations

Despite much hope for climate change to slow down or even reverse, younger generations face a future overshadowed by extreme events. The indisputable reality is that unless the United Nations establishes comprehensive and sustained climate justice policies, children today will experience five times more extreme events than those that took place a century ago. On Monday, July 3rd of 2023, an unprecedented peak in global temperatures was documented, marking the highest global temperature ever recorded, as the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction reported. These increasing temperatures indicate the ongoing and intensifying phenomenon of climate change, which amplifies the frequency …

An Open-Source, Student-Centric Approach To The Cyber Kill Chain, Justin Lane Wooten

Theses and Dissertations

The cybersecurity landscape demands professionals with practical skills and a deep understanding of attack methodologies. However, many institutions face significant challenges in providing comprehensive cybersecurity education due to the high costs associated with commercial tools and platforms. This thesis presents a student-centric, open-source curriculum for teaching the Cyber Kill Chain, designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application while addressing the financial constraints faced by many educational institutions. Our approach leverages freely available tools and hands-on exercises to cover each phase of the Cyber Kill Chain, emphasizing ethical considerations and collaborative learning. We detail the curriculum development …

Examining Special Education Programming Through The Lens Of Upper Elementary And High School General Education Teachers In Select Black Rural Schools In Mississippi - Do They Feel Prepared To Serve?, Natasha Michelle Porter

Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the perceptions of upper elementary and high school general education teachers towards special education programming and whether they felt prepared to meet the needs of students with Individualized Education Plans. The literature review provided a comprehensive synthesis of existing research on the topic researched, offering an in-depth exploration of key themes, trends, and findings in the relevant academic literature. It critically examined assorted studies, theories, and methodologies researchers employ, identifying gaps and areas of consensus. The purpose of this study was to build from the foundation set by existing bodies of related literature, to gain formal …

Serving Students With Specific Learning Disabilities: Identifying Prevalent Eligibility Practices In Mississippi, Phyllis Marie Yucatonis

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the determination eligibility practices for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) within Mississippi school districts, framed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA) and Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) guidelines. A survey of 139 educational professionals in Mississippi offered insights into the methods preferred for determining SLD eligibility and the decision-making factors at the district level. The study examined commonly used methods for determining SLD, the challenges faced during the process, the need for professional development, the impact of educator demographics on SLD determination eligibility and general satisfaction with the SLD eligibility determination process. It also explored …

Understanding The Correlation Between Socioeconomic Status And Student Achievement Amongst High School Students In Rural Mississippi, Aiesha L. Brooks-Hodges

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and student achievement among high school students in rural Mississippi. By using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative data from the Mississippi Department of Education’s Accountability Report Card with qualitative data from student surveys and teacher interviews, this paper explores how SES factors such as parental income and education affect academic outcomes in rural settings. The study highlights the significant disparities between low-SES and high-SES students in terms of standardized test scores, graduation rates, and access to educational resources. The findings suggest that addressing these disparities will require targeted interventions at …

Perceptions Of University Staff Member Organizational Belonging In Higher Education: A Quantitative Analysis, Amanda Mcknight Baine

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine organizational belonging among staff members working in higher education. While staff members are vital to the operations, maintenance and overall organizational function of higher education institutions, this group represents a seldom studied population. Given their essential role and the impact of the pandemic on work life perspectives, it is important to recognize the experiences of staff members and seek to understand current perceptions of organizational belonging with implications from retention to work quality. To measure organizational belonging, a modified survey developed by Blau et al. (2023) was used, looking at 4 scale …

Effects Of A Snap-Ed Social Marketing Campaign On Behavior Change, Andrew Beall Cole

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: This research studied the use of a social marketing campaign to address chronic diseases in the U.S., such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases by assessing audience self-reported actions and evaluating message framing effects on participant intentions to change nutrition behavior and daily physical activity. Approach: Evaluate a social marketing campaign for effects on SNAP-Ed eligible clients and research message framing effects on audience’s intention to change health behaviors. Discussion: The HappyHealthy social marketing campaign launched in 2018 by Mississippi State University Extension. Outcome evaluation data (collected 2023) reported multiple correlations between core messages recalled and increased …

Mass Timber Utilization In Architecture: Carbon Sequestration, Building Materials And Construction Practices, Jacob Alan Gines

Theses and Dissertations

The built environment must innovate and adopt new materials and construction practices in order to meet current and forecasted environmental challenges, economic uncertainties and construction pressures. The specification of mass timber materials and building assemblies will play a major role in addressing these issues. The objectives of this research are fourfold: 1) Develop a deeper understanding among construction professionals of the role mass timber buildings can have in greatly reducing CO2 emissions through the use of renewable forest products and the storage of carbon in buildings; 2) Provide insights into the utilization of mass timber products for architectural application that …

The Digital Divide Among Urban University Students In The Post-Pandemic Era, J. B. Oleet

Theses and Dissertations

This survey study, N = 44 university students, from an urban campus, measured post-pandemic digital divide perceptions, focusing on motivational, physical, skills, and usage access to ICTs through the lens of van Dijk’s resources and appropriation theory. Statistical tests, including one-sample t-tests, correlation analyses, one-way and repeated measure ANOVAs, and independent sample t-tests, highlighted both the perceptions and relationships among different dimensions of digital divides. The findings showed that participants perceive their post-pandemic digital divide perceptions positively. Intrinsic Motivational Access (IMA) mean scores were particularly high, suggesting a strong internal drive among students to engage with ICTs, significantly surpassing extrinsic …

Accountability Matters: An In-Depth Analysis Of Institutional Faculty Support Programs And How They Impact Black Faculty., Lakan Lashona' Powell

Theses and Dissertations

The experiences of Black faculty at predominantly White institutions have a complex history and have caused one glaring issue: a lack of retention. Specific calls to action have led to changes; however, more should be done to ensure this underrepresented group is utilized in the most effective manner. While most scholars focus on Black faculty who do not stay; it is critical to explore those who do. The purpose of this research was to distinguish what influences IFSPs played in the faculty success and ultimate stay of Black faculty at two predominantly White institutions in the state of Mississippi. This …

"We Don't Say That, Margaret!" : Narratives Of White Women Admissions Officers And Their Exploration Of Whiteness And White Racial Identity, Kelsey Aline Walker

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry study examined the narratives and experiences of White women admissions officers at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and explored how they engaged with the development of their white racial identity throughout their professional careers. Using Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) and Helms’ (1990) white racial identity development model, the research questions were: What are White women admissions officers’ narratives of their experiences with whiteness at predominately white institutions? How do White women's admission officers make meaning of their racial identity? Data was collected from seven White women admissions officers through a demographic survey and two 45-60-minute interviews. The …

A Comparison Of Reading Fluency Interventions: Group Repeated Reading And Rapid Read, Michelle Renee Poynter

Theses and Dissertations

Reading fluency is a crucial skill to learn to be successful in school and in life. Research indicates that the most effective and widely used group interventions to increase children’s reading fluency such as repeated reading have been used with minimal to no modifications since their development. Although there are many reading fluency strategies and interventions to select from, few group reading fluency interventions have emerged in the literature with enough evidence to support their use. It is crucial to implement effective and efficient group reading fluency intervention to decrease the time the student spends instructionally behind peers as well …

The Impact Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Trainings And Study/Work Abroad Experiences On The Ability Of Staff And Faculty To Build Systems Of Support For International Students, Alina Fasirovna Nigmatullina

Theses and Dissertations

The issue of effective communication with the international students and their comfortable adaptation play an important role in developing the U.S. higher educational system in the field of competition of educational services. The international student population benefits from higher education just as much as higher education benefits from them. If universities are willing to recruit and retain more international students, they must be sensitive to the perceptions, needs, and concerns of prospective and enrolled international students. In order to sustain this, staff and faculty have to be exposed to certain trainings and experiences that will allow them to gain basic …

Exploring Strategies To Reduce Physician Turnover And Costs During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ne'kecha Pellam Brabham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospitals face the risk of adverse business outcomes due to physician turnover, which can lead to increased costs and poorer patient care. C-suite executives, in collaboration with human resources managers (HRMs), are struggling to develop strategies to reduce turnover and burnout, while also enhancing key factors like job satisfaction and employee engagement grounded in the job demands-resources theory. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies employed by HRMs in the healthcare industry to effectively reduce physician turnover and associated costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 13 HRMs in the health care industry in …

Msw Portfolio, Andrea E. Anderson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The portfolio narrative includes a brief introduction to my academic journey including field related work. The ten social work competencies are used as a guide while I reflect on the required appendices, theoretical frameworks and orientation to practice throughout the narrative.

Msw Portfolio, Elizabeth Helen Brenneman J.D.

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Where I’M Meant To Be: Reflections From My Msw Experience, Brittany Nicole Mathena

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Nichole Nuehring

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Fundamentals Of Advocacy, Tiffany Borland

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A portfolio on a compilation and a celebration of my work throughout my MSW program.

Msw Portfolio, Daisy Marie Sells Alexander

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

MSW Portfolio

Falling Victim To The Beauty Algorithm, Niti Majethia

Capstones

As life on the internet becomes the new normal, the impact of social media becomes more pervasive and relentless. This story delves into how platforms like Instagram and TikTok can amplify the societal pressures on women to live up to an impossible beauty standard. Various experts weigh in on how this pressure affects women of all ages — from little girls to grown-up, established influencers. This timely narrative underscores the steep cost of society’s obsession with beauty as a measure of value and whether there is an escape to it at all.

On Food And Restaurants, Liya Cui

Capstones

This portfolio contains a collection of stories about New York City restaurants and broader food culture, including reported features, a profile and criticism. Food is literally inescapable; even if you believe you don’t care about what you eat, every bite is a choice. This subject deserves critical thought and exploration as it influences our lives in myriad ways and reveals cultural trends that can tell us so much about who we are right now.

https://medium.com/@LiyaC/capstone-portfolio-on-food-and-restaurants-bc4c18c7f2a9

Maleta De Sueños: Cargando Los Retos De Un Artista Internacional En Nueva York, Max Martinez Villalobos

Capstones

"Suitcase of Dreams: Next Stop New York!" was a cabaret concert that was performed at the Green Room 42 in New York City on December 6, the day after the U.S. elections. This piece explores what's it like to be an international performer in New York, and the requirements some of these artists need to satisfy in order to keep performing.

https://medium.com/@mrmaxmv/maleta-de-sue%C3%B1os-cargando-los-retos-de-un-artista-internacional-en-nueva-york-e242ef54876b

Is Sexyy Red Minstrelsy, Or Are We Overreacting?, Malik Brizan-Reed

Capstones

This criticism piece explores the controversial female rapper Sexyy Red. It challenges negative perspectives about her persona, primarily based on respectability politics. It highlights Sexyy Red's ability to capitalize on a moment and business savviness. The article has themes of racial double standards and classism. Sexyy Red is more than the "ghetto Black girl," aesthetic. She's a mother and entrepreneur who is authentic to herself.

Always Tracy, Meron Tebeje

Capstones

After defending herself against her abusive husband, Tracy McCarter navigates the complexities of survival, systemic injustice, and the fight for her freedom.

Effects Of Mastery Criterion On Response Maintenance, Sydney Mcfall

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized as having at least two deficits in areas of functioning such as impaired language development, impaired social development, and the presence of excessive or stereotyped repetitive behaviors or interests (Granpeesheh et. al., 2009). Early and intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is an evidence-based practice for remediating deficits in individuals with ASD (Love et. al., 2008). One important component of intensive intervention is defining the mastery criterion, or the point at which a skill has been learned to a sufficient level that allows for maintenance. Mastery criterion is necessary to progress intervention targets on a rapid …

Interleaving Practice: A Better Approach To Band Rehearsal Structure, Matthew Reimer

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to identify the merits of a band rehearsal structure that incorporates elements of an interleaving schedule, whereby multiple items of a similar nature are rehearsed in a mixed fashion rather than in a blocked format where one task is completed before moving on to the next. The project looks at the current state of research related to interleaving in the study of the arts, potential obstacles, motivational strategies to increase student receptiveness, and specific examples of how to implement the research in an intermediate band rehearsal. Included are resources and strategies for pitch and …

Determinants Of Pediatric Tuberculosis In Dki Jakarta During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Chandrayani Simanjorang, Rana Zahra Raniyah Wangsawinangun, Ulya Qoulan Karima, Fajaria Nurcandra

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric tuberculosis (TB), which can pose a public health burden if not properly treated. This study aims to find out the risk factors for pediatric TB. The design of this study was cross-sectional, using TB surveillance data extracted from maintenance cards of individuals who underwent TB screening in 2020–2022 at health facilities in DKI Jakarta. The independent variables in this study are age, gender, contact history, BCG immunization, and nutritional status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with childhood TB after bivariate analysis using chi-square to determine …