Digital Commons Network^™

Undergraduate Students' Perceptions Of Sense Of Belonging And Engagement Opportunities In The Campus Community, Shelby Jo Akers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental, correlational, quantitative study examined the relationship between undergraduate students’ perceptions of sense of belonging and their participation in university programming and engagement opportunities at a medium-sized public institution in the Southeastern United States. Guided by the Integrative Framework for Belonging (Allen et al., 2021), the study explored how specific student factors including academic major, campus residency status, class standing, primary mode of instruction, and employment status intersect with engagement to shape students’ sense of belonging. Engagement opportunities that were measured included dimensions of campus facility use and participation in clubs and organizations. Questions related to perceptions of the …

Perceptions Of Practitioners: An Examination Of Practices For Retention And Support Of Special Education Teachers, Megan L. O'Dell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains a critical challenge in public education, particularly among special education teachers who face unique legal, instructional, and emotional demands. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of current and former K–5 special education teachers to better understand the practices and resources that influence their decision to remain in or leave the profession. The central research question investigated how leadership, professional learning, and working conditions shape teacher sustainability in special education roles. Twelve participants, including six currently employed special education teachers and six who had exited the profession, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed five major themes: …

"That Was Something I Had To Get Used To”: Communication Challenges Of African Graduate Teaching Assistants, Mohammed Hafiz Nabila

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the communication challenges and adaptive strategies of African Graduate Teaching Assistants (AGTAs) in U.S. higher education, focusing on East Tennessee State University. The study aimed to understand how AGTAs navigate linguistic, cultural, and institutional barriers in their teaching roles. Using semi-structured interviews with seven participants, data were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify key patterns and meanings. Findings revealed challenges related to accents, cultural adjustment, and limited institutional preparation. Faculty mentorship played a vital role in shaping AGTAs’ confidence, interpretation of challenges, and professional growth. However, lack of support often led to isolation and self-doubt. The …

Mountain Communities During A Time Of War: A Case Study Of The Hutsul Region In The Carpathian Mountains Of Ukraine, Pavlo Rybaruk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the ethno-ecological technologies employed by the Hutsul people within the highland agrarian economy of the Carpathian Mountains. Over centuries, the Hutsuls have developed ethno-ecological technologies that maintain ecological integrity while supporting community livelihoods.

The study addresses three primary research questions: What are the most important ethno-ecological technologies of the Hutsul highland economy? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be applied to economic, agricultural, and tourism development in the Hutsul region? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be combined with contemporary approaches to encourage sustainable development in the region?

The research explores the devastating impact of the Russian …

The Him Profession And Roles: Understanding Our Path, To Plan For The Future, Salma Arabi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The health information management (HIM) profession has a history spanning more than a century, with the first peak body established in Australia more than 75 years ago (Health Information Management Association of Australia [HIMAA], 2024a). While the role title of the health information manager has changed over time, its primary function has remained the same—tooversee the governance of health data and information. This chapter presents the history of the HIM profession and professional bodies, including their involvement in informing policy and systems in Australia and other countries, and international organisations. Next, the chapter draws on literature examining the roles of …

Key Factors And Experiences That Influence The Career Trajectory Of Black Women In Charter School Senior Leadership, Oscia A. Miles

Education Doctoral

This interpretive phenomenological analysis examined the career trajectories of four Black women in senior leadership roles within charter schools in the Northeastern Region of the United States. It explored how personal, professional, and cultural factors shaped their leadership experiences. Findings revealed that the participants faced systemic and cultural barriers impacting both access to leadership and their ability to sustain those roles. They navigated intersecting challenges of race, gender, and institutional expectations while balancing personal and community commitments. This study underscores the need for equity-centered strategies to address structural barriers and foster inclusive leadership pathways. Three recommendations emerged: targeted mentorship, equity-driven …

Exploring The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction And Servant Leadership In Community Corrections: A Probation Officer’S Perspective, Shamira B. Gambrell

Education Doctoral

Probation officers work in demanding environments marked by high caseloads, role conflict, and organizational pressures that can negatively affect job satisfaction and workforce stability. Leadership practices at the frontline supervisory level play a critical role in shaping these experiences, yet limited empirical research has examined servant leadership within community corrections. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between probation officers’ perceptions of servant leadership demonstrated by their direct supervisors and their level of job satisfaction.

Data were collected from probation officers affiliated with departments connected to the American Probation and Parole Association using an anonymous …

Built For Participation: A Set Of Measures For Evaluating Community Living For People Of All Abilities As Supported By The Built Environment, Christopher A. Wilson Ii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As the world enters a new era of urban living, it is important to develop cities that allow residents of all ages and abilities to fully participate in society. Integration of people with disabilities into daily community living involves looking beyond site- or product-specific features to community- and city-wide systems. Some tools have been developed to begin evaluating cities’ levels of inclusive social participation and to provide recommendations for city planning professionals. However, the tools that have been developed often are too complex for practical use or rely on data that varies in obtainability. Therefore, the purpose of this series …

Decoding The Dynamics Of Ceo Sociopolitical Activism And Stakeholders’ Response, Nayyer Naseem, Yuqi Wang, Faraz Moin

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

Business leaders today function as powerful symbolic figures whose sociopolitical stances can transform consumer loyalty, investor confidence, and organizational stability. This study decodes how stakeholders interpret executive actions and respond through behaviors such as boycotts, divestment, or heightened advocacy, highlighting both short and long-term consequences. Drawing on signaling, stakeholder, social identity, social influence, intrinsic motivation, and reputational risk theoretical frameworks, this study develops a four-stage interpretive model that links leadership behavior to stakeholder perceptions, reactions, and market outcomes within varying contextual and environmental conditions. Through a case-based analysis, it illustrates how CEO stance, media framing, and ideological alignment shape these …

Educating For Impact: A Prosocial Marketing Approach To Foster Altruism Among Young Consumers, Bela Florenthal

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

This study explores how a prosocial marketing intervention in a dual-enrollment course fosters altruistic values and emotional development among young consumers while deepening their understanding of cause-related and social marketing. Grounded in holistic and experiential learning, the project required students to engage in weekly acts of kindness, reflect on their experiences, and share their actions on social media to amplify impact. Thematic analysis of qualitative data collected over two academic years revealed personal growth driven by intrinsic motivation (e.g., belonging, self-esteem) and positive emotions (e.g., joy, pride). Students demonstrated greater social awareness and practical application of marketing principles through volunteering, …

The Role Of Participative Leadership In Enhancing Strategic Foresight, Ali Mawat Al-Sudani, Hadeel Kadhm Saeed, Iftikhar Abdhussein Kataa

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Research diagnoses the role of Participative leadership in enhancing strategic foresight in the General Directorate of Education in the First Rusafa. To explain the influential relationships between the research variables and achieve the main objective of the research, a hypothetical model was developed in light of which a set of hypotheses were formulated. To test them, the researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to complete the research by using the questionnaire as a main tool for collecting data and information, which was distributed to the research sample, which included several managers (department manager and division officials) in the General Directorate …

Obstetric And Neonatal Nurses' Experiences Of Caring For Immigrant Women From Culturally Diverse Backgrounds After Perinatal Death, Meredith Dickey

Student Dissertations

The ability of healthcare providers to meet the needs of immigrants from culturally diverse backgrounds has become increasingly essential as the United States faces the global migration crisis. Culturally diverse immigrant women, especially from areas of the world experiencing conflict, typically lack prenatal care and access to healthcare before coming to the United States, contributing to stillbirths and miscarriages among this population. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore obstetric and neonatal nurses’ experiences of caring for immigrant mothers from culturally diverse backgrounds after perinatal death. Knowledge gained from this study will contribute to a new understanding …

Love Affair With Thin Air: Mortality, Mastery, And The Consumerism Of Mountaineering, Kenneth Bates, Justine Rapp Farrell, Steven W. Kopp, Christopher Newman

Marketing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mountaineering is arguably one of the most dangerous recreational challenges an individual may ever choose to undertake, yet millions of people annually venture above 8000 feet to challenge themselves in pursuit of personal goals, ideals, and support of individual values. But, why are consumers motivated to participate in such demanding and hazardous pursuits? This paper evaluates the psychological complexities surrounding adventure tourism as an act of consumerism, uncovering the pursuit of values, ideals, and identity transformation that is guided by one's own mortality salience. The present study seeks to examine consumer satisfaction beyond the simple pleasures of adventure and adrenaline …

Is Political Information Over Facebook Credible? A Look At The 2020 Presidential Election, Kristina Harrison, Shawn Thelen, Boonghee Yoo, John B. Ford

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

Much controversy still exists surrounding the events before, during, and after the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Some of this is attributable to voters’ uncertainty, driven by conflicting messages transmitted over social media, about the credibility of information surrounding the candidates and election results. Examining data collected shortly before the 2020 election, this study investigates how consumers perceive political information presented on Facebook. Drawing from Source Credibility Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), the research tests a model that includes medium dependency, medium interactivity, information quality, information presentation, personal expertise, and power perception. Data from 407 participants were analyzed using …

The Role Of Apparel In College Student Athletic Affiliation, Robin Hardin, Michelle L. Childs

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

Athletics is often considered the virtual front porch of a university, as it is often the most recognizable aspect of a college or university. This study examines how college students use apparel to affiliate with their university’s athletic brand. Results revealed three key factors influencing athletic-related merchandise preference: fashionable appeal, uniqueness, and official merchandise. Further analysis found that merchandise featuring official logos, colors, and recognizable branding elements significantly enhances consumers’ ability to associate with the university’s athletics brand. Gender differences emerged in preferences for fashionable items, with men showing greater interest. These findings provide valuable insights for marketers and university …

Involvement Of Students With Extensive Support Needs In Pbis: Middle School Educator And Administrator Perspectives, Virginia L. Walker, Megan E. Carpenter, Sheldon Loman

Journal of Case Learning & Exceptional Learners

School-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is a widely adopted multi-tiered system of behavioral supports designed to promote a safe, predictable, and inclusive school environment for all students. Despite the positive outcomes associated with PBIS, students with extensive support needs (ESN) may have limited access to and involvement in all aspects of PBIS. In this article, we describe the perspectives of three staff members––an administrator, general education teacher, and special education teacher––who participated in interviews about the involvement of students with ESN in PBIS. These staff members provided insightful information about how students with ESN were involved in PBIS …

Research To Practice Gap: Impact Of Principal Perceptions & Communication On Change Initiatives, Jennifer Sagendorf

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences, perceptions, and practices of school principals related to evidence-based change initiatives and the continued divide between the findings of educational researchers and the use of these findings by school practitioners. Since the prevalent dichotomy of theory and practice is detrimental to school improvement efforts, it is important to examine the underlying values and beliefs that contribute to perpetuating this divide. For this qualitative phenomenological study, semi-structured interviews with seven elementary school principals provided first-hand accounts of the principals' lived experiences. Through an iterative process of coding, clustering, and cross-case analysis, …

The Future Is Now: Empowering Society Through Ai Literacy, Jason S. Wrench, Sanae Elmoudden

Milne Open Textbooks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it is the reality of the present. From the algorithms shaping our social media feeds to the generative tools transforming our workplaces, AI has permeated every aspect of modern life. The Future is Now moves beyond the hype to provide a comprehensive roadmap for understanding, navigating, and shaping this technological revolution.

Demystifying the Machine

This textbook serves as a user-friendly guide to the “black box” of AI. It breaks down complex technical concepts—from machine learning and neural networks to large language models—making them accessible to students across all disciplines. By establishing a …

Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach To Relationships 2nd Edition, Jason S. Wrench, Narissra M. Punyanunt-Carter, Katherine S, Thweatt

Milne Open Textbooks

Interpersonal communication is the way we connect with others. Whether engaging with a spouse, a coworker, a close friend, or a stranger, our daily lives are defined by the messages we send and receive. Interpersonal Communication guides students through the complex landscape of human interaction, helping them navigate relationships in the twenty-first century.

A Mindful Perspective

What distinguishes this textbook is its integration of mindfulness into the study of communication. Moving beyond simple skills training, the text encourages students to engage in mindful awareness and mindful practice. By learning to be fully present, open, and non-judgmental, students develop the …

Spectrum Of Headache Disorders In Pakistan: A Multicenter Study, Amina Javed, Shafaq Saleem, Safia Awan, Saba Zaidi, Manzoor Lakhair, Fahad Saleem, Waleed Shahzad, Ahmed Wali

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and Objective:

Headache disorders represent some of the most prevalent neurological conditions worldwide. While community-based

studies provide general prevalence, data on their diagnostic spectrum in specialized clinical settings in Pakistan remain

limited. The objective of this multicenter study was to evaluate the demographic distribution and spectrum of headache

disorders among patients presenting to neurological services across Pakistan.

Methods:

This cross-sectional observational study was carried out at 39 neurology centers across Pakistan, from August 2017

to December 2019. Diagnosis was made using International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition

(ICHD-3). Demographic details, and headache subtypes were compared across gender and …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Relapse Rates And Medication Compliance In Bipolar I And Bipolar Ii Disorders: A Comparative Study, Nasir Mehmood, Qudsia Tariq

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective:

Bipolar disorder is a chronic, serious mental health condition characterized by mood episodes, and medication non-compliance is a significant predictor of relapse. The objective of this study was to investigate the relapse rates and medication compliance in patients with bipolar I and II disorders.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study was conducted at Karwan-e-Hayat Institute for Mental Health Care, Karachi, Pakistan. Medical records of 377 patients diagnosed with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder between July 2019 and June 2022 were retrieved from the Hospital Management System (HMS). Diagnosis was confirmed using DSM-IV criteria. Medication compliance was assessed …

Improving Intimate Partner Violence Screening In Telehealth Mental Health Settings, Marina Oliynyk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive yet frequently underrecognized public health concern, particularly within telehealth psychiatric care, where nonverbal cues may be absent. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve the identification and response to IPV by implementing a standardized, evidence-based screening protocol in a private telepsychiatry practice. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, the validated E-HITS screening tool was introduced, along with structured trauma-informed care training, to six psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Six PMHNPs completed pre/post-confidence surveys (5-point Likert) and tracked screening activity across 100 telehealth encounters (98 of 100 visit were eligible). Over a three-month …

Threshold Sites Of Encounter: Dialogic (Place) Making To Enable Cross-Cultural Community Development—Lessons From Tuti Island, Khartoum, Sudan, Ioana Popovici, Robert Brown

School of Art, Design and Architecture

This text explores a possibility for extending our thinking on enacting dialogical placemaking and its potential to contribute to cross-cultural exchange through co-joining making and place as threshold sites of encounter. Advancing our knowledge and practice of dialogical placemaking and cross-cultural interaction is significant owing to the increasing presence of cultural differences, and with it economic, environmental, and social disparities, in an ever-increasingly globalized world. To advance this intention, this text will, through qualitative research, critically reflect upon the experience of a postgraduate Design Studio project based around the regeneration of an urban community situated in Khartoum, Sudan. Preliminary conclusions …

Should The Army Be Involved In Divorce? Re-Examining The Pre-Divorce Defaults For Spousal Support, Artem M. Joukov, Thomas Godfrey

MC Law Review

Army Regulation 608-99 assigns a large portion of a Soldier’s paycheck to the spouse upon marital separation. The assignment occurs without a hearing, discovery, or consideration of critical evidence which might moderate the amount of support. The obligation rests on the Soldier to obtain a court order or spousal agreement to reduce the financial burden. The adversarial nature of modern divorces renders these requirements unrealistic. Amending the regulation would ease the burden of the Soldier, which is desirable in light of the ongoing recruitment crisis and the need to attract recruits and retain those already in the service.

Sociocultural Influences On Disordered Eating In Arab, Middle Eastern, And North African American Women: A Population Gap Research Study Examining The Roles Of Acculturative Stress And Family, Peer, And Media Pressures, Maria Kalantzis, Peiyi Wang, Katherine Meschino, Amanda Raffoul, Reza N. Sahlan, Abby Braden

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African (A-MENA) Americans are historically excluded from body image and eating disorder research; more specifically, no study to date examined sociocultural risk factors for disordered eating in this population. The current study is a secondary analysis (Kalantzis et al., Eating Behaviors, 53, 101868, 2024) from a mixed-methods study, which found, through qualitative feedback on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, bicultural identity and family appearance pressures may be relevant when examining general eating, shape, and weight concerns in this population. From a non-clinical sample of A-MENA American women (N = 244), pressures from …

Under What Condition Does Additive Unconscious Priming Only Occur?, Shen Tu, Jieyu Lv, Jerwen Jou, Lin Tian, Chengzhen Liu, Lei Song, Simin Wan

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

In the research on unconscious information processing using the masking priming method, there are still controversies regarding whether participants truly unconsciously processed the presented stimuli. The reasons for the controversies mainly stem from the intensity of the masking and the consistency of criterion adopted among different researchers. Two recent studies found that two sources of unconscious stimuli could produce an additive priming effect on the response to the target. This conclusion provides some insights into addressing the aforementioned issues. Based on the results of the additive priming effect, the present study explored the possibility of enhancing the unconscious priming effect …

A Qualitative Examination Of Peer Navigation For Smoking Cessation In People With Hiv, Garrett S. Stang, Bianca Camacho, Megan Pinkston, Karen Tashima, Christopher W. Kahler, Patricia A. Cioe

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: People with HIV (PWH) are disproportionately affected by cigarette use, with a 40-60% prevalence rate. They achieve relatively low cessation rates following traditional interventions and often confront compounded challenges related to social factors. HIV care services have integrated Peer Navigators (PNs) into clinical care for many years, but not in the context of smoking cessation. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of PWH on a novel smoking cessation intervention that integrated PNs as part of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Methods: This qualitative examination was conducted among PWH who smoke cigarettes and who participated in …

Developing American Indian/Alaska Native Children As Leaders In The Climate Movement, Joseph Burns, Alessandra Angelino, Danielle Heims-Waldron, Allison Empey, Jason Deen

Journal of Youth Development

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) voices are critical in the climate movement, as numerous social drivers have rendered these communities particularly vulnerable to the consequences of environmental change. In recent years, specific events, including the Dakota Access Pipeline, have galvanized AI/AN youth, who have been increasingly involved as leaders in the climate movement both in the United States and internationally. This yields a significant opportunity to promote leadership development for Indigenous youth, both through local, national, and international organizing and through curricular development to spark interests in environmental science. This review aims to discuss the role of AI/AN youth leadership in …

Esteban Salinas: Reworking Mono-Epistemological Thought In The Borderlands Through Local Leadership And Legacy, Jose M. Escobedo, Juan Salinas Jr., Griselda Salinas

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

This article examines an ethnographic case study of Esteban Salinas, a local teacher beloved by communities across the mid-Rio Grande Valley. By reconstructing his story and critically examining his legacy, we can achieve a better understanding of the monocultural narratives imposed on the borderlands in his time and seek to challenge them through the examples and legacies of individuals like Esteban Salinas. We also seek to further add contextualization over the Western colonial institutions implemented in the 20th century in the borderlands through which we are still confined, and which require reevaluation and rework and how aspects of his legacy …

Singapore's Pre-Service Teacher Training System: A Comparative Study For Improving Saudi Arabia's Teacher Preparation Programs, Mohammed Awad Alasmrai

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study sought to explore opportunities for leveraging Singapore's distinguished pre-service teacher education model and assessing its applicability within the Saudi context. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the research compared teacher preparation systems in both countries, drawing on official documents, educational literature, and insights from 82 educational experts. The findings highlighted the excellence of Singapore's model, which is built on an effective tripartite partnership between the National Institute of Education, the Ministry of Education, and schools. This system features competitive admission standards and comprehensive training programs that integrate cognitive, skill-based, and behavioral dimensions. In contrast, Saudi Arabia's system involves multiple supervisory …