Digital Commons Network^™

Building Capacity For Change At The Inter-Lakes School District: Modifying Professional Development To Support The Transformation To Competency-Based Education, Erica Pappalardo

Doctor of Education

Since 1998, the New Hampshire Department of Education has supported the integration of competency-based education (CBE), promoting a shift from traditional time-based models toward mastery-based, personalized learning. While important progress has been made through pilot programs and local innovations, full system-wide transformation remains incomplete. Many districts, including the Inter-Lakes School District (ILSD), continue to face challenges in dismantling entrenched structures and fully operationalizing CBE principles. One critical gap is the lack of a clearly defined, job-embedded professional development (PD) model that prepares educators to lead the shift to learner-centered, competency-based practices, a pathway to disrupt traditional systems. This study investigates …

When Play Fades And Screens Rise: Teachers' And Parents' Lived Experiences Of The Push-Down Of Academics In Kindergarten, Rachel L. Hunter

Doctor of Education

In the span of a single generation federal mandates have transformed kindergarten from a place of play into an academic pressure zone. This study is grounded in early childhood education, child development, and educational policy, with a focus on heightened academic expectations in kindergarten alongside the rising influence of digital technology in young children’s lives. It addresses two questions: (1) How has the reduction or elimination of play in kindergarten impacted children’s peer-to-peer engagement? and (2) What role, if any, does digital technology play in compounding this shift? This phenomenological study employs qualitative, transformative action-research methods to examine the lived …

Developing A Socioculturally-Informed Esl Curriculum For First-Grade Students In Public Schools, Russul R. Abtan

Doctor of Education

Most English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in US elementary schools do not accommodate developmental, linguistic, and cultural needs of young learners, which leads to insufficient language uptake and future academic-related issues. This study examines how an English as a Second Language (ESL) language arts curriculum for first grade can be developed within the framework of the sociocultural theory and developmentally appropriate practices. Research indicates a difference between existing ESL curricula the linguistic, cognitive and emotional needs of young learners. This project integrates key components of Krashen’s Input Hypothesis and Cummins’ BICS/CALP model by drawing on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory …

Beyond Hemostasis: A Narrative Review On The Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential Of Ankaferd Blood Stopper, Salima E. Tibi, Muhammad Hashir Nazir, Saleha Nazir, Bhumi Daishik Patel, Gayatri Misra, Tirath Patel, Fatima Nasir, Muhammad Farhan, Nana Sardarova, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Effective hemorrhage control is essential in managing trauma and surgical patients, with uncontrolled bleeding being a leading cause of mortality. Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a hemostatic agent historically used in Anatolia, has gained recognition for its ability to modulate red blood cell-fibrinogen interactions to form a stable protein network for rapid bleeding cessation.

Objective: This review explores the multifaceted applications of ABS, evaluating its efficacy, safety, and potential therapeutic roles across various medical fields, including hemostasis, wound healing, antimicrobial activity, and antineoplastic effects.

Methods: A comprehensive synthesis of clinical trials, case reports, and experimental studies was conducted to assess …

Increasing Teens' Knowledge On The Health-Related Effects Of Vaping, Anteja Gore

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Vaping in teens has become an increasing public health issue related to the growth in the number of teens who are using vapes. Many teens are not aware of the potential associated risk of using vapes, as they perceive them to be a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. The purpose of this project was to increase the middle school teens’ knowledge of the potential health risks associated with vaping through an educational awareness session. This project was implemented in the middle school setting, targeting students aged 12-14 years. The students who participated completed anonymous pre- and post- questionnaires that evaluated …

The Essentials Of Heart Failure Management, Emily W. Greene

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Heart failure remains a leading cause of hospitalization among older adult women, often due to delayed recognition of symptom exacerbation and limited knowledge of self-management strategies. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether a brief educational intervention could improve knowledge of heart failure management among older adult women at a community senior center. The DNP project leader conducted two educational sessions focusing on early recognition of heart failure symptoms, heart-healthy diet, and when to contact a healthcare provider. Participants completed a pre- and post-test survey containing four knowledge questions and one Likert-scale question on perceived knowledge …

Musical Measures: Nurse Education On Music-Based Interventions To Reduce Patient Restraints, Crystal D. Tucker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The use of physical restraints in acute psychiatric settings poses significant risks to patient safety, including physical injury and psychological distress. Evidence supports the need for alternative, non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce reliance on restraints. This Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on nurses’ knowledge and confidence in implementing music-based interventions, specifically binaural beats, to manage patient anxiety and agitation.

The project was conducted on a medical observation and behavioral health holding unit and utilized a pre- and post-intervention design. Registered nurses participated in educational sessions on music-based interventions and were …

Increasing Awareness Of Obesity And Its Associated Risks In Adults, Esther E. Bayode

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obesity is a significant and growing public health concern in a metropolitan area of North Carolina, reflecting statewide and national trends. With 36% of adults in North Carolina classified as obese, the condition contributes to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This project targeted adults aged 18 and older within a local faith-based community, where preliminary findings showed a strong association between elevated body mass and increased chronic disease burden. To address this issue, a two-session educational intervention was implemented in partnership with a religious organization to increase knowledge about obesity, its causes, associated risks, …

Improving Timeliness Of Extubation Post-Cabg: An Educational Intervention Utilizing A Nurse-Driven Checklist, Christy Scott

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Timely extubation following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is associated with improved patient outcomes. In a rural six-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) in North Carolina, extubation times were previously reported at approximately 15 hours. A lack of a standardized nurse-driven process and inconsistent familiarity with extubation readiness criteria contributed to variation in practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to implement and evaluate an educational intervention using a nurse-driven extubation checklist to improve nurses' knowledge, confidence, communication, and role clarity related to post-CABG extubation readiness in the CVICU.

Methods: The staff education …

Diabetes Education In Buncombe County, Deonna Nicole Blount

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The growing number of Americans living with diabetes has reached an all-time high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2026), there are 40.1 million people diagnosed with or underdiagnosed with diabetes. Evidence has shown that with education tailored to the patient's lifestyle, changes can be made and healthier lifestyles exhibited. Understanding the why of the patients can assist in changes that are feasible and can be implemented for the now and the future. Several studies outlined by Alonso-Carril et al. (2024), Lander et al. (2022), and Hodges et al. (2019) showed that education was implemented and …

Spreading Awareness To Adults About Cardiovascular Disease And Improving Healthy Lifestyle Habits, Madison L. Eldridge

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: The intention of this Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence-based project was to evaluate if providing education to the target community would increase awareness and knowledge of cardiovascular disease and healthy lifestyle habits. The goal was to increase educational knowledge and promote awareness of cardiovascular disease and healthy lifestyle habits.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a critical health issue that prevails across the state of North Carolina, while continuing to remain one of the leading causes of death across the south-center Piedmont area of North Carolina. Several studies have proven that increasing knowledge on cardiovascular risks, promoting healthy exercise, and …

Improving Overall Morale Of Nurses By Implementing A Serenity Room, Ruth B. Clarke-Johnson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing, while a highly respected profession grounded in research and scientific practice, continues to face persistent challenges related to staff retention and morale. Key contributors include burnout related to high workloads, challenging staffing ratios, lack of supportive leadership, and an aging workforce. Together, these factors hinder healthcare organizations’ ability to sustain a stable and experienced staff. The implementation of a serenity or relaxation room is supported by growing evidence highlighting its positive effects on nurse morale and stress reduction. A review by Mileski et al. (2022) found wellness spaces significantly reduced burnout, emotional exhaustion, and stress while improving resilience, job …

Critical Success Factors For An Effective Security Risk Management Program: An Exploratory Case Study, Jason A. Williams, Humayun Zafar, Saurabh Gupta

Faculty Articles

This paper evaluates the perceived effectiveness of the security risk management (SRM) programs at a Fortune 500 firm. Layers of management and staff participated in the study. Perceived effectiveness of their SRM programs was based on nine critical success factors (CSFs). Interviews confirmed six initial CSFs (Executive Management Support, Organizational Maturity, Open Communication, Risk Management Stakeholders, Team Member Empowerment, and Holistic View of an Organization) that were extracted from the literature. They were confirmed and synthesized with three additional CSFs (Security Maintenance, Corporate Security Strategy, and Human Resource Development). Implications for SRM are discussed.

A Case Study Of California Postsecondary Faculty Collaboration On Rubric Development To Foster Student Learning, Emmanuel Kwadwo Frimpong

Dissertations

Although perceived as the ‘gold standard’ strategy for conquering complex problems, collaboration can be ignored by intellectuals who prefer to work independently. This oversight may occur even in the face of challenging problems such as assessment of scholarships, institutional effectiveness, strategizing, and even the crafting of effective rubrics for assessing student learning. The scholarly literature clearly reveals that real difficulties often refuse to respond to routine assignments or common bureaucratic patterns. Additionally, 21st century conflicts may require creative solutions involving interdependence, joining of forces and brains, or vision sharing. Effective assessment of student learning within higher education may reflect just …

The Influence Of Black African American Fathers’ Parenting Styles On Young Adult Children’S Attachment Styles: The Roles Of Gender And Fathers’ Residence, Robert Baptiste Thompson

Dissertations

Parenting

Black African American (BAA) fathers in the United States are frequently mischaracterized as absent or uninvolved, reinforcing deficit-based narratives rooted in historical and systemic racism. Such portrayals obscure the meaningful and sustained roles many BAA fathers play in their families and fail to account for the cultural, structural, and contextual conditions that shape paternal involvement and parenting practices. Although a growing body of research has documented the importance of father involvement for child development, comparatively limited empirical attention has been given to how BAA fathers’ parenting styles influence their children’s attachment—particularly as a function of fathers’ co-residency histories. This …

Associating Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Intelligence, And Inclusive Leadership: A Correlational Study Of Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors And Church Leaders In Canada, Damson Anim Oppong

Dissertations

Problem

In an increasingly polarized world, church leaders are expected to foster inclusion, belonging, and unity within diverse congregations. Inclusive leadership (IL), supported by emotional intelligence (EQ) and cultural intelligence (CQ), may offer a relational leadership posture well-suited to this challenge. Growing evidence suggests that relational qualities such as EQ and CQ help leaders develop inclusive communities, foster belonging, and bridge differences (Thomas & Inkson, 2017; Wise, 2022). Emotional and cultural intelligence are studied increasingly in organizational settings, but little is known about how they affect inclusive leadership in faith-based institutions, such as among pastors and church leaders in the …

Beyond The Brotherhood: Exploring Communal Leadership In Masculinity Contest Cultures, Scott A. Metzler

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of formal and informal leaders who exercise communal leadership, characterized by collaboration, inclusion, and relational focus, within the masculinity contest cultures of law enforcement and the fire service, where strength, competition, and hierarchical leadership often rule the day. Through in-depth qualitative interviews with 19 participants across the United States, this research investigates how and why leaders choose to challenge organizational norms, how they perceive the effects of their decisions on themselves and others, and how they navigate the tensions and contradictions between communal leadership and hypermasculine cultural expectations. The findings reveal that leaders …

Diagnosing The Discourse: How The Academy Of Breastfeeding Medicine Constructs And Constrains Treatment Of Tethered Oral Tissues, Mary E. Miller

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

While breastfeeding is recognized as fundamental to global public health, oral restrictions that can affect infant latch, milk transfer, and feeding efficiency warrant further examination within policy frameworks. This dissertation proposes an expanded conceptualization of tethered oral tissues (TOTs) that encompasses not only anatomical frenal restrictions but also fascial tensions, neuromuscular limitations, and other conditions restricting orofacial function that may be congenital or acquired. The purpose of this study was to critically examine how this clinical guidance document shapes understandings and responses to TOTs. Using Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the Problem Represented to Be?” approach, a critical discourse analysis of the …

Navigating Financial Futures: A Case Study Of A Targeted Financial Literacy Program For African American College Students, Michael L. James

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation presents a qualitative analysis of a targeted financial literacy program designed for African American college students. The dissertation examined how African American college students describe and make meaning of their participation in a targeted financial literacy program, particularly in relation to the program’s structure, content, and delivery. Despite growing interest in financial literacy education, interventions that acknowledge the persistent wealth gap and systemic financial inequities faced by African Americans remain underexplored. Employing a case study research method within a program understanding framework, this study investigated a program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Findings reveal that the …

Music And Language Arts Integration And Its Impact On Reading Comprehension: A Social Action Research Study, Felisha L. Coady

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This action research study examines the interconnectedness of music and language arts, specifically focusing on reading comprehension. In this study, a program called Music Connections was developed and used as a pilot to improve reading comprehension skills in primary education. The targeted population of the Music Connections program was 30 third-grade students in an inner-city school in Ohio. After six weeks of reteaching concepts through the Music Connections program, students were given a second interim with these concepts to show results and mastery. Data from this study showed that students who participated in the Music Connections program (Group A) grew …

Counselors' Lived Experiences Of Moral Injury: A Social Ecological Perspective, Lisa M. Belknap

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores the lived experiences of counselors who encountered moral injury when sociopolitical, institutional, and organizational conditions constrained their ability to practice in alignment with their personal morals, professional values, and the counseling profession’s code of ethics. Participants (N = 15) included licensed counselors who self-identified as having experienced moral injury in response to directives from legitimate authorities that conflicted with professional ethics, social justice commitments, or client welfare. Grounded in social ecological systems theory, this phenomenological study employed a confidential, cross-sectional online survey. Reflexive thematic analysis identified seven themes: (a) Profit Over People, (b) Structural Forces Contributing to …

Exploring Relational Leadership And Psychological Safety During Ai Integration In The Workplace, Solmaz Kaynama

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores employee psychological safety, or its lack, during artificial intelligence (AI) integration in the workplace through a relational leadership lens. The population included employees of for-profit business corporations currently integrating or adopting AI technologies (N = 14). Participants completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Results showed eight themes: relational leadership creates a psychologically safe workplace climate; unsupportive and dysfunctional leadership erodes trust and psychological safety; psychological safety determines whether employees speak up openly or hold back; employees’ experience daily work through workplace culture, pace, and remote or hybrid conditions; AI may delivers immediate productivity benefits while introducing new psychological and …

Feeling Seen By Being Heard: A Constructivist Critical Incident Study Of The Listening Experiences Of Ciswomen Of Color For The Development Of An Inclusive Listening Praxis For Leaders, Christina Zhong-Wen Chang

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines how listening shapes inclusive workplaces by exploring the listening experiences of 23 professional cisgender women of color working in predominantly white institutional spaces. Although listening is a fundamental part of communication, it is frequently undervalued and overlooked in leadership literature. Using the constructivist critical incident technique (CCIT) methodology, the research analyzed 88 significant moments when participants felt distinctly heard or unheard by leaders. Findings reveal that listening operated as a relational practice signaling respect, affirmation of voice, and anchoring leadership in accountability, while enabling leaders to engage perspectives beyond their own. Four listening types emerged: Listening Withheld, …

Emotionally Healthy Black Men: Guidelines For Supporting Mental Health Treatment For Black Men In Ohio, Eira Nichell Yates

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the barriers that prevent Black men in Ohio from seeking treatment for depression and other mental health conditions and explores strategies to improve engagement and outcomes. Although depression is the most prevalent mental health disorder in the United States, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated among Black men, contributing to persistent mental health disparities. The limited body of research addressing help-seeking behaviors within this population necessitated the use of a Delphi methodology to obtain expert consensus on key challenges and promising practices. A panel of subject-matter experts in mental health, social services, and culturally responsive care participated in …

The Effects Of Meditation On Compassion And Cultural Humility In Mental Health Professionals, Jamie Kostek

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a brief, secular, Buddhist-inspired meditation program on self-compassion, compassion for others, and cultural humility on mental health professionals. Using a single-group pretest-posttest design, licensed clinicians (N = 13) participated in a five-week Anytime Anywhere Meditation (Tergar International, 2024) program. Results indicated statistically significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and cultural humility. Additionally, strong positive correlations were found between mindfulness and self-compassion, and between self-compassion and compassion for others. Findings suggest that brief, secular meditation programs rooted in traditional Buddhist practices may support both clinician well-being and culturally responsive practice.

A Qualitative Exploration Of Counselor Traits And Wellness Practices, Emily Velidow

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study is a qualitative thematic analysis of counselor wellness practices as well as how selfidentified personal traits are part of how a counselor practices and prioritizes wellness. Theoretical underpinnings of the study integrate trait activation theory (Tett & Burnett, 2003), Martin Seligman’s wellbeing theory (Seligman, 2011), and Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1977). Participants included nineteen licensed counselors (N=19). Analyzed responses lead to four main themes, each with two to four subthemes. Resulting themes included (1) intentional caseload and workday structure, (2) deliberately emphasizing physical wellness, (3) setting boundaries attending to mental and emotional energy, and (4) the …

The Conservation Value Of Silvicultural Systems For Breeding And Post-Fledging Bird Communities In Northeastern North America, Christopher Andrew Liazos

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Forest bird community decline in the eastern United States is partly due to the lack of early-and-late-successional forests stemming from historic land use. Silviculture can create underrepresented forest age classes and structures to support avian communities during the breeding and post-fledging periods. In southwestern New Hampshire, we conducted a case study evaluating avian conservation value indices across silvicultural systems. Our goal was to observe how avian conservation value indexes and abundance differed between recently managed and unmanaged stands. We surveyed 215 breeding and 118 post-fledging points across 22 sites using point counts and vegetation surveys. Conservation values in the breeding …

Navigating Family, Culture, And Well-Being: A Qualitative Study Of First-Generation Adult Children Of Middle Eastern Immigrants In The United States, Ramona Amely

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of first-generation adult children of Middle Eastern immigrant parents/caregivers living in the United States. This was a phenomenological study with reflexive thematic analysis. Participants (N=10) were interviewed via Zoom, and transcripts were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). The results included four themes: (1) Migration Contact and Cultural Formation, (2) Bicultural Identity Development, (3) Family System Adaptation, and (4) Emotional Socialization and Psychological Impact. This study highlights how first-generation adult children of Middle Eastern immigrants navigate complex, interwoven processes of bicultural identity development, family adaptation, and emotional socialization shaped …

The Lived Experience Of Survivors Of Narcissistic Abuse, Jessica Williams

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of narcissistic abuse survivors through a grounded theory approach to generate a model that can assist people in recognizing patterns and traits of narcissistically abusive relationships. Guided by relational-cultural theory, this study further seeks to examine the ways narcissistic abuse damages relational connections and to highlight elements of healthy, growth-fostering relationships. The population of focus included self-selected narcissistic abuse survivors who are adults over the age of 18 (N = 8). The results indicated three themes, each with additional subthemes, which include: (a) early behavior – performative displays and …

Beyond The Diagnosis: A Qualitative Exploration Of Men Living With Hiv, David R. Romanelli

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of men (18+ years old) living with HIV to better understand how they navigate identity, mental health, relationships, and healthcare systems after diagnosis. The method included a qualitative thematic analysis with 10 participants. Eight themes emerged from the data: (1) reactions, reflections, and meaning-making after diagnosis; (2) managing medication, treatment, and co-occurring conditions; (3) stigma, disclosure, and negotiation of identity; (4) substance use, housing instability, and socioeconomic stressors; (5) navigating the changing HIV landscape; (6) experiences with family and intimate relationships; (7) implications for mental health counseling; and (8) the role of community …