Digital Commons Network^™

From Paywalls To Practice: Accessing And Using Evidence For Community Impact, Jayme Walters, Becky Thoms, Kacy Lundstrom, Rachel Blume

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Leaders and practitioners have a responsibility to utilize reputable, up-to-date research to inform their work in communities. However, peer-reviewed literature is often hidden behind paywalls, with an average cost of $30-$50 per article. An increase in predatory publishing has also made it difficult for readers to decipher reliable articles from those that are of poor quality. Additionally, even when openly accessible to readers, peer-reviewed articles are generally written by academic researchers for other academic researchers, resulting in articles that are too dense both in length and readability. This workshop will equip participants with practical strategies for locating and identifying quality, …

Avatars Vs. Actors: Comparison Shows Little Difference In Role-Play Simulations For Psychology Students, Melinda Russell-Stamp, Jean R. Norman, Kennedy Parker

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Role-playing using avatars has been demonstrated as effective, but it has not been compared to role-playing with a live actor. In this study, undergraduate psychology students (N=93) conducted a clinical interview in a role-play with an avatar or live actor. Mixed methods included a survey and written reflection. The study found no differences in student interest-enjoyment, skills-knowledge, comfort level, or utility value in survey scales found to be reliable. High levels of active learning were found in qualitative data in both conditions, though it was significantly higher in the avatar group. High levels of benefits from group work also were …

Truest Potential Of Canvas: Self-Actualization And Art In The Criminal Justice Classroom, Rachel Johnnie Dimonda

Master’s Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Degrees In Action: Utilizing Public Relations Students' Expertise To Expand The Reach Of Oer, Taylor "Lainie" Allen, Shelley Wigley

UTA Libraries Staff Publications - Archive

Students' expertise plays a crucial role in promoting Open Educational Resources (OER). The “Degrees in Action: Utilizing Public Relations Students' Expertise to Expand the Reach of OER” poser presentation highlights a collaboration between a Public Relations (PR) Campaigns Course and OER and Digital Scholarship Department. PR students were empowered to apply their skills in developing and executing a public awareness campaign that highlighted the benefits and availability of OER on the University of Texas in Arlington campus.

Through strategic planning, creative messaging, event coordination, and student/faculty surveys, the PR students gained hands-on experience in communication and advocacy while addressing the …

Federal And State Governments Can Help Solve The Employment Problems Of People In Distressed Places To Spur Equitable Growth, Timothy J. Bartik

Upjohn Institute Policy Papers

Places in the United States differ greatly in their residents’ access to jobs, especially good jobs. Although the federal and state governments provide about $80 billion annually to create jobs through multiple programs, these job-creation initiatives are rarely targeted to economically distressed places, where the job-creation benefits for local residents are greatest. Moreover, many of these programs take the form of business tax incentives, which are less effective at job creation than customized services for businesses and workers. I argue that the prime-age employment rate of places should be used to target job-creation programs and review which such programs are …

Examining The Effects Of Mental Health And Parent–Youth Relationship On The Associations Between Childhood Violence Exposure And Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration, Laura A. Voith

Faculty Scholarship

Background/objectives: Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a serious public health concern affecting youth worldwide. Potential risk factors of ADV include child maltreatment (CM) and intimate partner violence exposure (eIPV), though existing research on ADV perpetration specifically is inconsistent. There is limited research on co-occurring eIPV and CM, despite co-occurrence in 30–60% of homes where there is one. This study aims to address these gaps by testing the impact of childhood violence exposure on ADV perpetration and assessing two potential, theory-informed mitigating factors—mental health and parent–youth relationship. Methods: This study utilizes moderated-mediation structural equation modeling with longitudinal data from a sample …

Strategies For Intimate Partner And Domestic Violence Survivorship, Kimberly Renee Best

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence victims suffer not only physical abuse but also emotional, psychological, and economic violence, leading to long-term trauma, poverty, and recovery barriers. At least 40% of victims of abuse and their children have experienced some form of violence. The lack of shelters, counseling, and legal support deepens the sense of hopelessness victims often feel. In this study, the gap in literature was addressed by exploring coping strategies of survivors of intimate partner and domestic violence in rural North Carolina. The social and economic effects of survivorship were explored in this study, especially the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, …

The Working Sovereign: Labour And Democratic Citizenship By Axel Honneth, Translated By Daniel Steuer, Polity Press, 2024, Sergio Gamonal C

Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal

IN THE WORKING SOVEREIGN: Labour and Democratic Citizenship, Axel Honneth reflects on the importance of labour in democratic life. Honneth rescues a lost tradition, and I believe this work will be very relevant to labour law.

How School Professionals Perceive They Can Engage Parents In Helping Children In Fifth Grade Cope Adaptively With Stress, Hector Alejandro Soto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

National education statistics indicate issues of aggressive behaviors in middle schools, such as bullying and disrespecting teachers. This suggests that fifth-grade students could benefit from parental intervention to manage stress and reduce such behaviors. However, there is limited information on effectively engaging parents in this process. The study involved a purposive sample of 20 school professionals from four schools in a large southwestern U.S. school district who were invited to address this gap. Nine professionals completed the online survey of six qualitative, open-ended questions regarding engaging parents in helping fifth graders cope with stress. The questions focused on establishing meaningful …

Enhancing Management Of Hospitalized Patients With Opioid Withdrawal, Christine Aliory

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

Opioid use disorder (OUD) impacts over 1.2 million people in the United States. This population suffers from multiple comorbidities which can result in the need for hospitalization. Managing opioid withdrawal in hospitalized patients is challenging. Assessment tools like the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) help healthcare providers determine appropriate interventions to alleviate withdrawal symptoms for these patients. This quality improvement project aimed to decrease the number of incidents of violent behaviors and/or patients leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA) during opioid withdrawal and enhance nurses’ ability to perform the COWS assessment. Organizational data from a 402-bed acute care hospital …

A Single Center Qualitative Study To Improve Coordination Of Follow-Up Care For Patients Diagnosed With Abusive Head Trauma, Ruairi Smith-Dewey, Elise Wright, Daniella Donofrio, Hannah Goebel, Sara Kilbride

Research Days

Background/Project Intent: Review of cases identified 16 possible follow-up needs. A single patient had a maximum of 12 potential needs. Needs not being addressed included written documentation for need of follow-up without subsequent referral placed/appointment scheduled or need not addressed at all. The goal of this project was to have all follow-up needs addressed for at least 50% of children diagnosed with AHT by January 2025.

Methods: All children admitted to CMH from January 2024-December 2024 and diagnosed with AHT by the Safety, Care & Nurturing (SCAN) team were included. Interventions were designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team to …

Body Maps As A Source Of Women’S Embodied Experiences: A Diary Study Into Visualising Personal Health Data, Danique Hofstee, Armağan Karahanoğlu, Karin Dijkstra, Geke Ludden

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

This paper explores the use of body maps as a visual methodology for capturing and representing women's embodied health experiences. Through a diary study involving 25 participants and 325 drawings, we identified two key themes: working with the body map template and telling stories by adding elements to the body map. Our findings highlight the potential of body maps to provide rich, nuanced representations of women's health data that transcend traditional numerical and text-based methods. A better understanding of experiences of health data can ultimately contribute to the development of more inclusive and empathetic health technologies. This research points out …

Enhancing Peer Coach Learning Outcomes: Integrating Alumni Insights For Future Development, Kari Adams

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

My research aimed to enhance learning outcomes for the coaches participating in a peer coaching internship program. The research question was: how can I work and engage peer coach alumni to better support the professional development of future peer coaches? I incorporated the perspectives of alumni coaches to identify key areas for improvement to support the professional development of future peer coaches. I conducted three cycles: alumni reflections, workshops, and a roundtable resume discussion. A theme that emerged from alumni peer coach reflections were to provide opportunities to engage with more psychology professionals and integrate career readiness into the internship …

Employee Salary Report [University Of Missouri - St. Louis] 2025, University Of Missouri-St. Louis

UMSL Salary Report

No abstract provided.

Connect 2 Cope: Stress And Coping Strategies Associated With University Honors Students, Anna R. Rodgers

Honors Theses

Coping and connecting are two things that college students don’t take a course in but are essential qualities they will need beyond their time in the university, in both work and life. This research sought to understand how students at Southern Illinois University, with special focus on Honors students, experience stress and view connection as a coping mechanism. It gives insights into sources of stress, including pressures that are external to university life and impact student mental health. The participants included SIUC Honors Students and SIU Non-Honors Students. I was also able to ask each group of students their perceptions …

The Echo: May 12, 2025, Taylor University

2024-2025 (Volume 112)

No abstract provided.

Professional Identity Development Of Black Women Counselor Education And Supervision Students In Predominantly White Institutions, Demetria Kathryn Burleson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black women in counselor education and supervision (CES) programs at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) face unique challenges that significantly influence their professional identity development (PID). Systemic barriers, such as microaggressions, racial stereotyping, and limited institutional support, remain pervasive and underexplored in literature. The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of PID among Black women enrolled in CES doctoral programs at CACREP-accredited PWIs. This qualitative study, guided by Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenology and informed by intersectionality and social cognitive career theory, aimed …

Southern Adventist University Commencement Program Spring 2025, Southern Adventist University

Commencement Programs

Program for Southern Adventist University Spring 2025 graduation. The commencement service took place on May 1, 2025 at 9 am and 1 pm in Iles Physical Education Center.

Developing Art Resources To Reduce Stress And Increase Well-Being For Healthcare Professionals, Elisabeth Ruth Baird

Theses - ALL

This study explored how art-based wellness resources can support healthcare professionals who provide direct patient care in hospital settings. A focus group of these providers shared their experiences with stress and burnout, identifying key challenges and needs. Based on their feedback, a Mini Wellness Manual was developed with practical, research-based art activities designed to help reduce stress and promote well-being. In a second focus group, participants reviewed the manual and provided feedback on its usefulness and accessibility. Findings showed that self-care interventions often place the burden on individuals rather than addressing the larger systemic issues that contribute to burnout, highlighting …

Becoming A Counselor: Applying Critical Phenomenology To Uncover Narratives From Black Women Counselors About Wounds And Healing, Linzy Sunshine Andre

Dissertations - ALL

The purpose of this Critical Phenomenological dissertation study was to explore the lived experiences of becoming a counselor for Black women with self-identified personal histories with woundedness and engagement in processes of healing. In doing so, the experiences of becoming a counselor were explored for 11 Black women counselors at various points in their professional counselor identity development journey (e.g., counselors-in-training, practicing counselors, pre- and post-doctoral counselor educators). Data collection followed Seidman’s critical-in-depth interviewing model and the three main areas of Critical Phenomenological inquiry – The Life History, Experiences in Details, and Reflection on Meaning. Three individual semi-structured interviews were …

The Impacts Of Social Context For Women In Cybersecurity Degree Programs, James Joseph Enwright

Dissertations - ALL

The cybersecurity workforce has a major problem in that it is comprised of only approximately 25% women. This shortage of women is a contributing factor to the growing field’s considerable overall lack of qualified candidates and has also resulted in a critical gender diversity deficiency. Our adversaries tend to come from more various backgrounds. As such, it is essential that those of us in the cybersecurity field embrace diverse perspectives so we can defend and protect our organizations more effectively. This study was influenced by the researcher’s area of practice, Cybersecurity Education, and the desire to help broaden women’s participation …

In Favor Of The Mother-Artist: The Case For Self-Actualization In Motherhood, Lottie Elizabeth Caiella

Theses - ALL

This thesis paper discusses the symbiotic relationship between the roles of mothering and being an artist and makes the case for why art made by mothers can have a lasting impact on both society as well as within the family dynamics of the artists’ lives. The obstacles that stand in the way of mothers pursuing art, or even pursuing becoming her full self, are many. This paper reimagines what the role of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs might look like from the lens of a caretaker, and how it can be an overall triumph for society from a wider perspective. This …

Is There A Relationship Between Social Support And Employment Quality?, Jenny Tran

Science Symposium

In this research study, an examination is conducted on data taken from Add Health surveys to see if there is a relationship between social support and career satisfaction. Various graphs and tests were utilized to better understand how these factors might relate to one another. The goal is to see if there are any meaningful patterns that show how social life impacts people's careers.

Spring Commencement, 2025, Marshall University

Marshall University Commencement

Program for the Commencement of Marshall University, Saturday, May 10, 2025 held at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington, West Virginia.

2025 Spring - Commencement Program, Office Of The Registar, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Commencement Ceremonies and Programs

No abstract provided.

Fifty-Ninth Commencement (Undergraduate), Sacred Heart University

Commencement Programs

Program for undergraduate ceremonies, May 10, 2025.

Church And State Relationships Explored In Mississippi's Foster Care System, Olivia Gray

Honors Theses

Historically, the entities of church and state were never meant to be wholly separate. Yet, varying ideas as to what this relationship should be evolved over centuries to become the notion of a separation of church and state that Americans cling to today. Despite common misconceptions regarding this ideal, Mississippi’s foster care system maintains strong and beneficial relationships with local churches throughout the state to better impact and meet the needs of foster children in local communities.

This research seeks to explore the relationship between the church and the state utilizing the example of Mississippi’s foster care system. The findings …

Coordinating Connections: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Relational Coordination And Interprofessional Team Development With Health Professions Students And Survivors Of Stroke, Teresa Marie Cochran

Theses & Dissertations

The need for effective healthcare teams is widely recognized, yet strategies for team education and evaluation remain areas of ongoing investigation. This study presents a longitudinal, interprofessional tele-team learning initiative designed to enhance health professions students’ collaborative skills through Salas’ “Big Five” of Teamwork and Gittell’s Relational Coordination Theory. Additionally, the project aimed to mitigate social isolation among stroke survivors by forming nine interprofessional tele-teams composed of students from medical nutrition therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology. Over six virtual meetings, these teams engaged with stroke survivors, assisting them in progressing toward self-selected goals.

Using an explanatory …

Msw Portfolio, Nannie R. Stewart

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Nannie Stewart, a student in the University of Montana's online MSW program, presents her portfolio and provides a narrative about several key topics from her coursework and practicum experiences. She highlights her theoretical orientation, emphasizing the humanistic and strength-based approaches when working with diverse clients, including young adults, adolescents, and the elderly. Nannie further covers her experiences addressing social, racial, and economic justice, and learned experiences from indigenous cultures. Nannie also discusses her engagement in simulated practice, which allowed her to develop skills in micro, mezzo, and macro-level interventions, such as creating a domestic violence support group and advocating for …

Msw Portfolio, Aubrey Henderson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Comprehensive Collection of work that reflects my academic, professional, and personal growth throughout the Master of Social Work Program. It highlights my development across core Social Work competencies, advocacy, family reservation, and trauma-informed care in Indigenous communities. Each section showcases key assignments, reflections, and professional experiences demonstrating my ability.