Digital Commons Network^™

Good Food In The Neighborhood: Localizing Nutritious Food Access, Joseph Pool

Honors Program Theses

Given contemporary changes to federal budget priorities and recent challenges to federal food access funding, this research explores the potential benefits of entrusting state-level and municipal-level policymakers with food access policy. More specifically, this research suggests that “localizing” food access has the unique benefit of not just addressing the affordability of food, but the physical accessibility of it. As observed in the previous literature and expounded upon here, food provisioning requires consideration of nutrition, physical accessibility, and financial affordability. Programs that only address one of these priorities fail to adequately help people receive the food they need. Through policy analysis …

When In Doubt, Dream: A Media Ecology Approach To How Presidential Campaign Ads Structure The American Dream, Amit Sewnauth

Honors Program Theses

This thesis examines how presidential campaign advertisements construct and reshape the American Dream. Drawing on Jim Cullen’s understanding of the Dream as a flexible and evolving concept and media ecology scholarship, particularly Neil Postman’s writing on television and public discourse, the project analyzes selected campaign ads from 1964 to 2024 provided by The Living Room Candidate. Through close readings of these advertisements, this project finds that the American Dream is actively reconstructed by presidential campaigns as an ideal that must be protected, extended, or restored. The analysis pays attention to how television and visual media structure these messages through pacing, …

A Patient-Centered Approach To Physician-Assisted Death For Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder, Moc Lan Nguyen

Honors Program Theses

In medical ethics, the arguments for allowing physician-assisted death (PAD) access for physically and terminally ill patients are well-accepted. These arguments mainly stem from the rise of support for patient autonomy and recent criticisms of paternalism. While this notion in support of PAD is generally held in various medical disciplines, psychiatry remains staunchly couched in their conviction of paternalism. Compounded with the principle of suicide prevention, psychiatry is reluctant to accept PAD for its mentally ill patients as it goes against their profession’s role responsibilities. Furthermore, there is plenty of skepticism regarding mentally ill patients’ competency, which calls into question …

Enhancing Discharge Knowledge In Adolescent Behavioral Health Patients By Evaluating Nurses’ Use Of The Teach-Back Method, Mark Perpose

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a teach-back refresher course on nurses’ discharge education practices within an inpatient adolescent behavioral health setting. Nurses participated in refresher training and completed pre- and post-intervention surveys, while patient surveys assessed discharge understanding and readiness. Findings demonstrated positive patient satisfaction, understanding of discharge instructions, and confidence managing care at home. Ongoing workflow and communication barriers highlighted the need for continued staff development and reinforcement of teach-back to support consistent discharge education practices and improve transitional care outcomes.

Empowering Stroke Survivors Through Video Education On Post-Stroke Depression, Breanna Ho, Odavie Okonda

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication following stroke and is associated with poor rehabilitation, reduced quality of life, increased rehospitalization, and higher mortality. PSD remains underrecognized and undertreated due to limited emotional health education during discharge planning. Objective: This quality improvement project evaluated whether video-based education improved stroke survivors’ knowledge of PSD, coping strategies, and available healthcare resources before hospital discharge. Methods: A pre-experimental one-group pretest/posttest design was implemented on the inpatient stroke units of the region’s largest Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), where the highest level of complex stroke care is given. Adult stroke survivors preparing for discharge …

Evaluating Impacts Of Second Victimhood In The Emergency Department Using The Svest-R, Elliott Barronian

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

No abstract provided.

Left Ventricular Noncompactation: A Case Of Preserved Function In An Asymptomatic Adult, Daya Woodyard

Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects

This case study presents a 40-year-old female in for an annual echocardiogram. Diagnostic evaluation included a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), cardiac CT, MRI, and genetic testing. Echocardiographic findings demonstrated prominent trabeculation consistent with left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC). Cardiac function was otherwise normal with an ejection fraction of 55% and no hemodynamically significant valvular heart disease. Cardiac CT further supported the diagnosis by revealing prominent right-sided trabeculi. Despite these structural abnormalities, the patient remained fairly asymptomatic with management consisting of routine TTE every 6-12 months and a 14-day Holter patch to monitor for arrhythmias. This case demonstrates the importance of multimodality imaging …

Colorectal Liver Metastasis Case Study, Cherrisse Lacanilao

Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects

The liver is the most common site for metastatic spread of colorectal cancer and contributes significantly to cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Patients with colorectal cancer are likely to develop liver metastases within the first few years of diagnosis. This case study presents a 58-year-old female who underwent a liver ultrasound examination following a prior computed tomography finding of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The ultrasound further demonstrated the extensive spread of cancer throughout the liver using 2D grayscale and Doppler imaging. The patient rapidly progressed to a stage IV diagnosis within 1 week of presentation and began palliative chemotherapy …

Investigation Of Thrombophilia As A Causative Factor In Acute Limb Ischemia: A Case Report On Antiphospholipid Syndrome And Protein C & S Deficiency, Leah Dorsey

Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) represents an abrupt decrease in arterial perfusion that endangers life and limb viability. This pathology is rarely seen in younger populations with no significant comorbidities such as peripheral arterial disease or diabetes. One uncommon cause of ALI includes hypercoagulable states from acquired or inherited thrombophilias such as antiphospholipid syndrome and Protein C & S deficiency. This report examines a case of Rutherford 2A acute limb ischemia in a 45-year-old male patient who presented with paresthesia and worsening pain in his right lower extremity. Due to the emergent nature of ALI, swift diagnosis and prompt revascularization to …

The Myth Of Capitalism, Marcus Mosquera

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

Capitalism is a contentious topic in contemporary political discourse. Understandings of capitalism vary dramatically, particularly in a polarized political climate. This thesis aims to shed light on the history of capitalism, detailing how it arose, what its fundamental features are, and on what grounds it is defended and criticized in the United States following World War II. Far from being objective, many understandings of capitalism are infused with emotional and dramatic framing devices that elevate these worldviews to the level of myth. This analysis will assess the ways that views on capitalism deploy the concept of myth and storytelling to …

Civic Grammar: Why Classical Architecture Endures In The American State, Jesse Walker

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

The dominant visual language of American federal buildings has been classical, surviving repeated ideological challenges, professional revolts, and political controversy. While this persistence has been widely observed, the mechanism behind it has not been clearly identified. This thesis isolates that mechanism. Drawing on architectural history, federal procurement policy, and primary sources from Jefferson's correspondence through the executive orders of 2020 and 2025, it argues that classicism endures not because its meaning has remained stable, but because federal architecture is governed by a persistent functional constraint: government buildings must be immediately legible to an ordinary citizen, without signage or prior knowledge, …

Und Doch: Das Idealbuch Revisited | A Preview Exhibition Of German Private Press Books To 1935, Beppy Owen

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

This master’s thesis project, the central topic of which is German private press books of the early 20th century, lays a foundation for an exhibition scheduled to be held at The Grolier Club of the City of New York in the spring of 2029. That exhibition, proposed to be titled Und Doch, Das Idealbuch Revisited: German Private Presses to 1935, will mark the centenary of another important exhibition of German private press books, one curated by the German private press printer Willy Wiegand and held at the Grolier Club in April,1929. The 2029 exhibition will include a researched catalog, the …

The Importance Of After-School Programs For Middle And High School Students, Chelsey Wright

Integrated Studies

After-school programs for middle and high school students have become an important part of today’s education system. They started as safe places for students after-school, but now they also help students succeed academically, develop social and emotional skills, involve families, and offer more learning opportunities. Programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) are among the largest federally funded after-school efforts in the U.S., focusing on underserved and high-poverty areas. This paper reviews national studies, peer-reviewed research, meta-analyses, dissertations, conference presentations, and insights from practitioners, including an interview with Hillary Bumpus, a program coordinator with ten years of …

From Teleprompter To Table Talk: How Authenticity Is Replacing Perceived Objectivity, Hannah Bullard

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This thesis will be titled “From Teleprompter to Table Talk: How Authenticity is Replacing Perceived Objectivity”. The paper will analyze why the American audience has increasingly begun to shift their trust from traditional media to personality driven sources, primarily podcasts, to receive their news. This paper will dive into the numbers showing an undeniable decline in legacy media viewers and an exponential growth in podcast viewership. Obtaining points of view from multiple sources on media analysis, this thesis will argue that podcasters and other alternative sources of news, create trust with your viewers through authenticity and transparency. Consequentially, it …

Advancing Nanotechnology For Hematological And Osteological Disorders, Chase K. Hamilton

Integrated Studies

When people think of medicine, they often picture stethoscopes, routine clinical checkups, surgeries, and standard prescriptions. One field that needs more acknowledgement is the technological side. As technology continues to evolve, healthcare advances alongside it, with nanotechnology emerging as a substantial area of innovation. This paper reflects the expanding role of nanotechnology in modern medicine, focusing on its potential applications in trauma and internal medicine care and in the treatment of blood and bone disorders as well as bone and blood related cancers. By working at an extremely small scale, nanotechnology allows for more precise and targeted treatment, reducing damage …

Noncommercial Radio: What Wkms Gets Right, Autumn S. Crawford

Integrated Studies

Noncommercial radio is an uncommon form of media in modern times. Free access to news and music is rare when commercials, advertising, and paywalls on news sites have become overwhelmingly normal. Public and noncommercial media offers free access to news and entertainment, but has struggled with funding issues and awareness in recent years. WKMS, a station in western Kentucky, is a National Public Radio (NPR)-affiliated noncommercial station that serves a broad, tri-state region. In January 2026, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting ceased operations due to political-based funding cuts, leaving many NPR-affiliate stations with major budget losses. Given the funding cuts, …

Understanding Child Development Through Social And Environmental Systems, Collin E. Curling

Integrated Studies

For this 50-page research paper, this study focuses on “The Role of Family Structure in Childhood Development.” The categories examined in this research include: Two-parent households, Single-parent households, Blended/Stepfamilies, Multigenerational households, and Foster and adoptive families. This research seeks to demonstrate the impact of different family structures impact and influence the developmental states of children. Using perspectives from education, economics, psychology, sociology, and public policy, this study argues that the structure of families alone does not determine the development of the child. Instead, factors such as family stability, access to resources, quality of relationships, and cultural context play a huge …

The Role Of Dental Hygienists In Preventive Care, Chloe Robinson

Integrated Studies

Preventive care is a critical component of overall health, yet oral health is often overlooked within the broader healthcare system. Dental hygienists play a vital role in addressing this gap by providing preventive services, patient education, early disease detection, and advocacy for long-term oral and systemic health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of dental hygienists in preventive care and to explore how their responsibilities extend beyond traditional clinical tasks to include education, public health initiatives, and interprofessional collaboration. Through a review of current literature, this paper highlights the impact dental hygienists have on improving patient …

Public Libraries: Communities Need Them To Survive, Genesis Wilson

Integrated Studies

Public libraries continue to play a highly impactful and transformative role in community life, even as digital technologies reshape how individuals access information, participate in civic life, and access social support. The literature consistently shows that public libraries function not only as information centers but also as inclusive community anchors that advance digital equity, civic engagement, lifelong learning, and social well-being. Drawing on research from respected scholars such as Akst, Alemanne et al., Lewis, Elmborg, and Schencker, this literature review integrates key themes related to public libraries as community builders, technology and broadband leaders, and essential social support systems for …

The Benefits And Challenges Of Digital Technology In Smes, Amanda Rux

Integrated Studies

Small organizations play a vital role in global economic stability. While their continued growth is essential, the majority fail within the first few years of operation. These organizations face multiple challenges that are difficult to overcome but can be mitigated by digitalizing their processes. The digitalization process also comes with its own set of challenges, and many of these organizations' attempts to digitalize fail. This paper will describe the types of technology these organizations may use to achieve their digitalization goals, the challenges and benefits that come with these technologies, and how organizational culture can affect their digitalization efforts. The …

From Professional Learning To Classroom Impact: Continuous Professional Development And Student Learning Outcomes, Nyagwegwe Wango, Jane Rarieya

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Purpose: This study examines how Teacher Continuous Professional Development (TCPD) initiatives implemented through the Strengthening Education Systems in East Africa (SESEA) and Foundation for Learning (F4L) projects influence teaching practices and foundational learning outcomes in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Methodology: The study employed a mixed-methods research design using longitudinal data from classroom observations, teacher questionnaires, student assessments, and key informant interviews. Data were collected from trained teachers, teacher educators, school leaders, and learners across selected project regions to evaluate changes in instructional practices and learning outcomes.

Findings: The findings indicate that TCPD significantly improved teachers’ adoption of child-centered, play-based, …

Improving Flood Risk Mapping By Incorporating Local-Scale Calibration Data Derived From Stakeholder Input, Jennifer M. Holifield, Wei Wu, Patrick D. Biber, Margo Posten, Dennis Mcgrury, Stephen C. Deal, Alexandria Hancock

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Globally, flooding is the most frequent and costly natural hazards, disproportionately affecting populations based on environmental, social, and economic factors. Understanding the spatial variability of flood risk as well as the respective flood drivers is essential for informing cost-effective mitigation strategies and enhancing community resilience. Here we mapped flood risk that combines flood hazards and vulnerability in an under-resourced coastal community prone to compound flooding. Our approach integrates stakeholder engagement with GIS-based analysis using open-access datasets.

We first developed an initial flood hazard map using an equal-weight combination of factors commonly associated with flood occurrence/prevention, including upslope area, impervious surface …

Robert Shea '91-Rusty Spears '81, Robert Shea, Rusty Spears

Alumni Oral History Project

No abstract provided.

Forage Legume Community Dynamics In Response To Stand Management, Nicholas Warren

Doctoral Dissertations

A primary challenge for perennial forage production systems is maintaining crop productivity and forage quality over time. Including legume species in these systems is an opportunity to reduce external inputs, to extend the seasonal productivity of a pasture, and to balance the nutritional characteristics of grass species. However, legume persistence in mixed stands is frequently poor. Identifying harvest practices, legume species, or species mixtures that improve legume persistence would help to maximize the ecosystem services of forages. I conducted a four-year field experiment (2019 to 2022) in southeastern New Hampshire to evaluate the productivity and persistence of four perennial legumes …

A Period And Cohort Analysis Of Sustained Fertility Decline In The United States, Tyrus Parker

Doctoral Dissertations

Fertility rates in the United States have declined by 21 percent since the most recent peak in 2007. Despite more childbearing-aged women in the United States, this fertility rate decline has resulted in fewer births. Tracking these shifts is not a purely demographic exercise. Rather, a declining number of births has wide-ranging effects on society, including school closures, loss of labor and delivery centers, and eventually labor force implications as the number of workers shrinks. To examine the causes of modern fertility decline, this dissertation contains three interrelated analyses. I first examine population-wide fertility trends using data from the Center …

Dokdo/Takeshima And Maritime Delimitation Between The Republic Of Korea And Japan: A Comment On Icj Dispute Resolution, Katherine Angell

Celebrating WCL Student Authors

The Republic of Korea (Korea) should agree to submit the issue of sovereignty over Dokdo/Takeshima and the issue of maritime delimitation in the East Sea/Sea of Japan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) because the ICJ is likely to decide that Dokdo/Takeshima is Korean territory and the tensions in the East Sea/Sea of Japan can be resolved to allow further cooperation between the two nations. The ICJ is the primary avenue for peacefully resolving territorial and maritime delimitation disputes between nations, and the ICJ has developed a substantial body of case law analyzing these issues. The ICJ considers various …

Unified Attack Modeling And Mitigation Framework For Multiple Physical Attacks In Sensor Networks For Advanced Manufacturing, Mohammad Mezanur Rahman Monjur

Doctoral Dissertations

The advanced manufacturing industry (AMI) faces unique challenges in security assurance. Security threats in AMI can originate from both software and hardware. Over the past decade, software security has been addressed extensively, but hardware security has not received enough attention. This work focuses on the security vulnerabilities of typical electronic devices deployed to AMI. Three attack models are proposed to characterize sensing nodes, local processing edge devices, and wired/wireless communication interfaces. Moreover, practical security attacks on hardware are demonstrated to inspire the development of feasible countermeasures against common physical attacks. To explore effective attack mitigation methods, we examine two attack …

The Development Of A Convenient And Consistent Methodology For Flight Proficiency To Certify Multi-Rotor Uas Pilots For State Departments Of Transportation, Colin H. Dees, Joseph M. Burgett

The Professional Constructor

To fly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly referred to as a “drone,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to pass a knowledge test. There is no requirement at the state or federal level for drone operators to demonstrate the ability to operate a UAS. The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) has created an exam for public and private entities to assess basic UAS flight proficiency. It is the only nationally recognized flight proficiency protocol. NIST does not provide a scoring recommendation and leaves it to the user to determine the minimum criteria to pass. There is …

Launching Love Online: How Soft-, Hard-, And No-Launch Practices Shape Perceptions Of Commitment And Relationship Security, Aleana Goetz

Master’s Theses

Social media has introduced new ways couples signal relationship status, ranging from a “hard launch” (a clear couple post) to a “soft launch” (subtle cues such as hands or hints) to a “no launch” (no posting at all). Although these posting choices may seem minor, they may shape how committed and secure a relationship feels. Guided by the Investment Model (Rusbult, 1980) and interdependence theory (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978), the present study examines whether relationship visibility on Instagram relates to perceived partner commitment and relationship security.

A total of 176 participants (36 male, 118 female, 22 did not report) viewed …

The Spaces Of Queer Childhood, Haley Beardsley

Master’s Theses

This thesis examines how Victorian and early twentieth-century British literature imagines queer childhood as a spatial condition that generates alternative temporalities, rather than as a stable identity. Focusing on The Well of Loneliness (1928), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871), and Peter Pan (1904) and Peter and Wendy (1911), this project argues that queer childhood emerges within literary environments that actively produce misalignment with normative developmental logics of innocence, growth, and reproductive futurity. Drawing on the work of Lee Edelman, Kathryn Bond Stockton, Jack Halberstam, Sara Ahmed, Elizabeth Freeman, and Guy Debord, this study contends that …