Digital Commons Network^™

“You’Re Getting A Little Big For This”: Fat Characters In Disney Animated Films, Grace Brenner

Thinking Matters Symposium

How do Disney animated films depict fat characters?

Assisted Outpatient Treatment: A State-By-State Comparative Review, E. Lea Johnston, Autumn Klein

UF Law Faculty Publications

Assisted outpatient treatment, otherwise known as preventive outpatient commitment, is rapidly expanding across the United States, aiming to address mental health needs and reduce homelessness, hospital costs, and community violence. Since 2019, fifteen preventive outpatient commitment statutes have been passed or expanded. These statutes, which authorize courts to mandate community treatment for nondangerous individuals with mental illnesses, have evaded close scrutiny, rest on misconceptions, and raise significant constitutional concerns. An analysis of legislative debates, court opinions, and scholarship reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about the prevalence of these laws, which contributes to their speedy passage. Additionally, no analysis exists of these …

Labor And Environment Entwined: A Radical Green New Deal And Just Transition In Appalachia, Anne Marie Lofaso, Nicholas F. Stump

West Virginia Law Review

In this Article, Professor Lofaso and Professor Stump propose a genuinely transformative Green New Deal and Just Transition in Appalachia. The Article opens by tracing the long history of the Appalachian labor and environmental movements. Next, the Article interrogates the common contention that the Appalachian environmental and labor movements are opposed. While this contention has substantial truth, more complex forces have been at work in the region. Fossil fuel industry elites, for instance, have wielded exaggerated “jobs versus environment” rhetoric to maximize profits and quash emergent solidarities among local workers, residents, and activists. This Article contends that a key solution …

Think, Reflect, Refine: Shaping The Modern Lawyer, Camesha Little

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

Modern law students are entering the profession during an era when our society is fraught with many atrocities. These societal challenges come at a time when students are increasingly engaged in more social advocacy. Modern law students are also coming into legal training with skills and resources different from those of generations in the past. Additionally, almost daily, our newsfeeds are littered with headlines about the benefits, challenges, and fears of integrating generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) into our world. The legal system is not immune to this conversation. There have been discussions about how generative AI, such as ChatGPT, will …

Standard Of Proof In Child Welfare Cases, Guillermo Cintron

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

The lack of federal standards at the most crucial decision points of child welfare cases allows agencies across the country charged with ensuring the safety of children to abuse their authority by overregulating and policing Black and Brown families while interfering with their constitutional right to family integrity. Throughout this paper, I will share my experiences working in child welfare. Since 2001, I have worked with children and families in various roles involving the child welfare system. Over the course of my career, I have worked with children in foster care, providing therapeutic services as a case manager working with …

Meals That Matter: Funding Minnesota's Senior Nutrition Programs To Promote Wellbeing As We Age, Kelly Brancamp, Susan Panciera, Amanda Rieke, Abi Santiago

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Senior nutrition programs meet the essential needs of adults aged 60 and over, especially those who are low-income, live in rural areas, have limited English proficiency and are at risk of requiring higher levels of care without these services. In many greater Minnesota counties, over 25% of the population is aged 65 or older. Rural communities are aging more rapidly and face higher rates of food insecurity compared to urban and suburban areas.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Surgeon General issued a 2023 advisory report highlighting the critical issue of social isolation and loneliness. Senior nutrition programs …

Chronic School Absenteeism: A Symptom, Not A Sentence, Zahra Mohamed, Jessica Navarro, Kelsey Ogren, Eloise Reitzel, Katelyn Vonch

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Chronic school absenteeism has long been a persistent issue, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this challenge. Chronic absenteeism leads to poor academic outcomes and lower graduation rates, which limit future opportunities and potential. While many school districts have traditionally responded through child protection services (CPS) or juvenile court proceedings, these punitive strategies do not address the root causes of absenteeism or reduce barriers to school attendance. CPS resources are stretched thin, focused on more urgent child welfare issues, and should not be diverted to issues that can be better addressed through supportive, preventative strategies. Implementing proactive, supportive strategies rather …

Expand The Employ Program, Isabelle Berg, Emily Rohlik, Jesse Spencer, Samantha Tohal

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Each year, roughly 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons; 6,960 in Minnesota alone. After incarceration, employment is vital to successful reentry for justice-impacted individuals, yet many depart without the necessary education and skills. Consistent post-release employment is associated with decreased recidivism rates, regardless of the individual’s criminal record. This population deserves support in preparing for employment upon reentry.

Investing In Minnesota Families: Strengthening Support For Kinship Caregivers, Karla Fahey, Laura Gebur, Jadyn Nelson-Spies, Kenzie Schuch

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Kinship caregivers are falling through the cracks, lacking ongoing support and safety services for children and their caregivers. Kinship diversion caregivers and their children do not receive services and support that licensed foster caregivers might receive such as financial assistance, reunification efforts, and safety monitoring. Pursuing kinship in policy and practice needs to be a priority to keep families together, allowing children to feel a sense of belonging and identity, preserving cultures and traditions, and promoting equity among families. While efforts have been made in many states to increase support for kinship caregivers and reduce the barriers to licensing within …

No Free Labor: Pushing For The Eradication Of Unpaid Internships In Minnesota, Morgan Bruhn, Kaylee Cincoski, Jenna Host, Hollie Mclaughlin

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

The continued lack of paid internships exploits social work students and directly undermines the core values of the profession. To address this injustice, the NASW-MN Chapter’s 2025 legislative priorities call for the creation and funding of paid social work internships, ensuring education is not only affordable and accessible but also ethically grounded and free from exploitation. Equitable compensation is not optional, it is an ethical and economic imperative essential to building a more inclusive and just professional workforce. Minnesota House File 2914 provides a crucial pathway to achieve this goal through a targeted scholarship program.

Home Is Where The Heart Is: Expanding Affordable Housing Access, Amya Enna, Cari Mueske, Charles O'Sullivan, Paul Schreiber

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

This policy brief advocates for bold and transformative approaches to address the ongoing housing crisis in Minnesota. One of the most impactful solutions is the passage of the Minnesota Constitutional Amendment for Housing, which would enshrine the right to housing in our state constitution. This legal shift would serve as a foundation for equitable housing policies and sustainable funding for programs that meet the real needs of Minnesotans.

Elizabeth Gibson Drinko Honors Convocation, Honors College

Honors Convocation

The Elizabeth Gibson Drinko Honors Convocation Awards Program for Spring 2025, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia.

Unveiling The Nexus Between Digital Monitoring And Experiences Of Intimate Partner Violence In Romantic Relationships, Caley Hewitt, Fanny A. Ramirez, Anna Gjika

Faculty Publications

Using survey data from a sample of 378 women who live in the United States and self-identify as either Black or Latinx, this study explores predictors of women’s digital monitoring practices in intimate relationships in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). We use literature about surveillance, monitoring, and IPV to frame our study. Our results show three significant instances that influence the odds of monitoring a romantic partner: (1) past experiences with digital abuse, (2) past experiences with offline psychological abuse, and (3) age, with younger women having increased odds of engaging in digital monitoring compared to older women. …

Food For Thought: The Impact Of The Gut-Brain Axis On Mental Health, Emily S. Miiller

Honors Thesis

Research regarding the role of the human microbiome has grown over the years as professionals develop a better understanding of the gut-brain axis. New studies and expanding knowledge on the relationship between the nervous system and gut microbiome promote a deeper understanding of the impact of diet on mental health. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance between the gut and the brain. Incorporating nutritional modulators, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins, is crucial for supporting the gut-brain axis by influencing neurotransmitter production, managing inflammation, and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. On the other hand, …

Anti-Abortion Law Or Illegal Human Life Support Conscription?, Jennifer Ann Drobac

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

This Article introduces the idea that forced fetal life support in a state that bans abortion is unpaid state-conscripted human life support (“USCHLS”) by the hosts. It reviews how the Dobbs decision resulted in USCHLS, unpaid work, which violates the U.S. Constitution’s Thirteenth Amendment protection against “involuntary servitude.” Additionally, USCHLS constitutes a per se taking which violates the “Takings Clause” of the Fifth Amendment. This Article suggests sexual activity insurance might alleviate some of the problems with USCHLS, but not all of them.

To date, no U.S. federal or state government offers the G.I. bill, a state equivalent, or service …

Shifting Educators' Perspectives & Instructional Practices From Misconception To Authentic Action For Equity, Alyssa Scherkenbach (Paulson)

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of equity-based professional development (PD) on educators’ perceptions of equity and instructional practices over time. Utilizing a concurrent triangulation design, there was a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to conduct the study. The use of survey data, qualitative reflections, and exit ticket responses collected throughout the school year, reveal a significant evolution in educators’ understanding of equity. Many educators initially viewed equity in terms of fairness and equality, but through sustained PD throughout the school year, their perspectives shifted toward a deeper recognition of the need for individualized student support and culturally responsive teaching. …

Emeriti News Spring 2025, Emeriti Council

Emeriti News

No abstract provided.

A Nurse Educational Intervention To Improve Postpartum Depression Screening Of Women In A Postpartum Hospital Unit, Sahar Jensen Rn, Bsn, C-Efm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is common in mothers, and early detection is essential for better outcomes. Barriers in screening success can reduce PPD detection, for which nurse education interventions have been shown to be effective at overcoming.

Gap in Care: In a Magnet-designated hospital’s Postpartum Unit, a lower-than-expected PPD positive screening rate was observed, signaling potential barriers in screening success.

Aims: This quality improvement project aimed to: (1) increase PPD screening rates by 5% without decreasing overall screening; (2) improve nursing knowledge by 10%; (3) enhance nursing confidence in PPD care to >90%; and (4) increase patient education to >90% …

Bridging The Gap: Enhancing Primary Palliative Care Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Among Home Health Interprofessional Staff: A Doctor Of Nursing Practice Quality Improvement Project, Morgan L. Ryan Msn, Chpn, Agpcnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Palliative care is vital for improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, yet many interprofessional home health providers lack adequate training. Addressing this educational gap is essential for delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to patients with chronic and life-limiting conditions.

Objectives: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a structured primary palliative care training tailored to the needs of interprofessional home health providers. The objectives were to: (1) enhance knowledge of palliative care principles, (2) reinforce each team member’s role in primary palliative care delivery, (3) improve self-efficacy and perceived competence, …

Considering The Child’S Wishes—But How? Allowing Children To Speak In Their Custody Matters, Joshua Hanson

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

In the United States, states universally may consider the child’s wishes when determining their custody placement. While their decision or preference is not binding for the judge, it allows the child meaningful participation in decisions that directly affect them. There are many ways courts can ensure a child’s voice is heard: through an interview with the judge, professional evaluations, child advocates, and even child-inclusive mediation. Yet state laws give judges broad discretion when determining how to weigh the child’s wishes.

This discretion will inevitably leave some children behind without having their voices heard. Allowing children meaningful participation in their custody …

The Impact Of Discretion On Human Service Workers Supporting The Health Of Unaccompanied Minors In Foster Care, Diana M. Clark

Senior Theses

Unaccompanied children (UCs) are a vulnerable population that enters government custody and accesses healthcare via the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)'s system of care. While prior research has focused on generating policy recommendations to improve healthcare services available to UCs both in ORR custody and following release from custody, this thesis will instead expand upon the experiences of staff members working at ORR-contracted agencies. These workers make decisions that have short- and long-term implications on the health and wellbeing of UCs. Drawing from 65 in-depth interviews with human service workers in ORR-contracted voluntary agencies, this thesis uses street-level bureaucracy framework …

"Health Gatekeepers": The Influence Of Women On Health Practices In Rural, Central Appalachia, Reese Lycan

Senior Theses

Women have historically assumed leadership roles in familial and community health promotion, intervention, and facilitation. While the role of women in family health is globally understood and the historical importance of female leadership has been documented, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding the role of women as “health gatekeepers”. Furthermore, when considering the Appalachian region, there are limited studies regarding women’s place in leadership as far as health is concerned. Therefore, this study employs a hermeneutic phenomenological framework to explore the lived experiences of women in relation to their family and community’s health in rural, Central Appalachia- a region …

Panorama Spring 2025, Southern Adventist University

Panorama Parent Newsletter

This printed issue of Panorama includes information on Southern students winning nine communication awards, Q&A with Joseph Hyde, leadership tips, and the ivory comb on display,

Columns Spring 2025, Southern Adventist University

Alumni Newsletter

Features articles on gamification to increase learning and classroom engagement, summer camp connections, and embracing service.

Barriers In Receiving A Diagnosis Of Sanfilippo Syndrome: Perceptions From Healthcare Providers And Caregivers, Cassidy Lena

Theses and Dissertations

Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III) is a rare, degenerative condition characterized by symptoms impacting neurological functioning, behavior, and quality of life. Diagnosis is often not made until three to six years of age, but comprehensive and effective symptom management have been reported to optimize patient longevity. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to diagnosis and the corresponding impact on patients. This study surveyed healthcare providers and caregivers of individuals with Sanfilippo syndrome. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to assess provider knowledge and comfortability in managing Sanfilippo syndrome. Additionally, it explored caregiver perspectives on healthcare system navigation, …

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Gendered Happiness: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Oecd Countries, Anusha Khan

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper explores how socioeconomic factors influence life satisfaction across OECD countries and how these effects vary by gender. Using a cross-sectional dataset, the study runs three separate regressions, total, men’s, and women’s happiness to test whether factors like health, education, safety, and support networks impact life satisfaction differently for men and women. A Random Forest model is also used to validate the robustness of selected predictors. Findings show that health and support matter universally, but men’s well-being is more closely tied to educational attainment, while women’s happiness is more sensitive to feelings of safety.

Best Practices For Integrating Technology Into The Classroom For Kindergarten Through Second Grade Multilingual Learners, Shawna Nielson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: “How can educators better integrate technology into in-person instruction for K-2nd grade multilingual learners?” This paper and project was inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting transition to distance learning and its effect on multilingual learners (MLs). This document looks at the ways in which MLs have dealt with systemic barriers to learning, and effective pedagogical practices to combat those barriers. It then explores how educators can effectively use digital learning resources to enhance in-person learning. A website was created to present these findings for any stakeholder to gather information …

Robin Axelrod, Oral History Interview, 2025, Kat Hacanyan

Oral Histories

Robin Axelrod is CEO of Axelrod Coaching and Consulting and a member of the Center for Jewish Studies advisory board. A licensed social worker and established leader in the Metro-Detroit area, she became part of CJS after first hearing about it while working at the University of Michigan. Axelrod's time with U of M has provided her with a unique insight to the experiences of Jewish college students, which she is able to bring forth into her work in the advisory board here. In this interview, she talks about the things that helped shape her Jewish identity, being one of …

The Mediating Effects Of Disability Impact, Job Satisfaction, And Social Support In The Relationship Between Core Self-Evaluations And Life Satisfaction In Employed People With Disabilities, Rachel Friefeld Kesselmayer, Alexandra M. Kriofske Mainella, Susan Miller Smedema, Paola Cátala Villanueva

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a mediation model of the relationship of core self-evaluations (CSEs) and life satisfaction in employed individuals with disabilities. This was a quantitative descriptive design using Hayes’s (2012) PROCESS macro for SPSS and multiple regression analysis. Two-hundred fifty-nine employed individuals with disabilities were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed an online survey. Job satisfaction and social support were found to partially mediate the relationship between CSE and life satisfaction. The direct effect of CSE on life satisfaction remained significant after controlling for the effects of the mediators. Functional disability was not a …

Ceremonia De Graduación - 2025, Governors State University

Commencement Documents and Videos

17 de mayo de 2025
10:00 h

Estudiante ponente: Sra. Catherine Miles

Facultad de Educación y Desarrollo Humano
Facultad de Salud y Servicios Humanos

17 de mayo de 2025
16:00 h

Estudiante ponente: Sra. Kaylie Dahms

Facultad de Administración de Empresas
Facultad de Artes y Ciencias