Digital Commons Network^™

Social Emotional Learning (Sel) For Secondary English Language Learners (Ells), Summer E. Wallace

Honors Projects

This literature review and unit plan seeks to understand what Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is and provide resources to educators on its importance in the classroom. The literature review provides an overview of peer-reviewed sources from various educational journals, as well as online publications. It also contains interviews with two educators currently in the field. This project examines the benefits of SEL within the classroom and beyond, and proposes steps and considerations for implementing SEL into the classroom. It also includes specific provisions for SEL instruction to secondary English Language Learners (ELLs). Additionally, it discusses specific strategies to implement in …

Gimmick Leadership, George Padilla

Faculty Publications

In the 1960’s, “Gypsy,” a musical movie classic premiered about a domineering mother who sought self-glorification by pushing her young daughter into stripping. The young daughter, Gypsy, learned the trick of the trade from veteran strippers in a song—“You Gotta Have A Gimmick.”

While education has always been filled with fads and slogans, today, educational leaders loudly proclaim, “College Ready”/”College Started”/”College Complete”/Career Ready.” For many educational leaders, these are gimmick slogans because academic achievement remains low and many students are arriving at college academically unprepared—but, now, possibly with hollow college credits and at greater risk of failing. Our nation …

The Unacknowledged Challenge Of Moral Distress For Nurse Academics, Adam Burston, Glenna Mae Guiriba, Meena Gupta, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The pluralistic nature of healthcare presents nurses with situations challenging their moral values which nurses must navigate. Challenges to moral values can result in the experience of moral distress, a problem that is common within the clinical nursing context. Moral distress is a known and well-researched phenomenon within nursing and has long contributed to detrimental effects such as frustration, anger, anxiety, decreased job satisfaction, burnout and ultimately attrition. However, despite extensive research in clinical environments, minimal research exists detailing this concept within the context of nursing academics and educators. Nurses can experience moral distress if they are in or exposed …

Distributed Leadership For Mission Integration, Mark J. Laboe D.Min.

Vincentian Studies

As Catholic and Vincentian institutions navigate increasing religious pluralism, declining numbers of vowed religious, and changing expectations about leadership, new models of mission leadership are needed. This article proposes distributed leadership for mission as a framework for sustaining Catholic and Vincentian identity in higher education. Drawing from the history of Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and the Vincentian Family, as well as contemporary scholarship on leadership and organizational effectiveness, it argues that mission is best carried forward through intentional networks of leaders who share responsibility for cultivating institutional culture and advancing a common purpose. The article explores the theoretical …

Decreasing Barriers To Learning: Understanding Cognitive Load In The Modern Classroom, Rory Cantwell

Virginia English Journal

This article applies Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) to investigate current classroom uses of technology and how these may support or hinder student learning. First, the article explores the current understanding and application of CLT. Then, focusing on cell phone and laptop computer use, it examines how current evidence surrounding the most prevalent educational technologies may suggest strategies for classroom technology use. The article concludes by offering implications for current practitioners, including a decision tree educators can use to determine situational classroom technology usage.

The Importance Of A Gay Or Lesbian Community When Job Seeking – Psychological And Demographic Factors, Mark X. James, Zhimin Hu

Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics

In this study, sexual orientation disclosure, impression management, neuroticism, education, and age are statistically significant predictors of the importance of a gay and lesbian community when seeking a job in a new city. Internal locus of control was not a statistically significant predictor of the importance of a gay and lesbian community when seeking a job in a new city. This research potentially offers insights into other minority or stigmatized groups, suggesting that when those individuals are seeking jobs in a new city, a supportive community may be an important decision factor. From a human resource perspective, diversity and a …

Fostering Meaningful Relationships In Middle School Music Ensembles And The Impact On Student Retention, Michael Andrew Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although participation in music ensembles varies from school to school in the United States, many directors struggle to retain, let alone grow, the number of members that comprise their performance ensembles. This is often the result of scheduling, time constraints, financial obligations, and understanding the needs of student engagement. The purpose of this qualitative, ethnological study is to explore the impact of fostering meaningful relationships in middle school music ensembles and what role those relationships play in the retention of students. This study also investigates how students and teachers determine the meaningfulness of their relationships, the importance of those relationships …

Re-Education On Chlorhexidine (Chg) Bathing Protocol Affects Patient Chg Bathing Compliance And Surgical Site Infection (Ssi) Rates, Mary Samantha Ross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Surgical site infections (SSI) are considered a hospital-acquired infection, leading to increased hospital length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, increased cost, morbidity, mortality rates, and poor postoperative outcomes. The literature review demonstrated the benefits of preoperative Chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing, but called for standardized protocols, improved education, and patient compliance. Research and clinical experience supported the need for improved patient compliance with CHG bathing. Consistent SSI rates even after protocol changes called for re-education of nursing staff in addition to addressing patient compliance issues. Therefore, providing re-education on the updated protocol, which addresses patient compliance issues, can lead to a reduction …

Eliciting Information About Teacher Applicants Using Open-Ended Questions, Joseph Aguilar-Bohorquez, Dan Goldhaber, Cyrus Grout, Elton Mykerezi, Prayash Pathak, Aaron Sojourner

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Employers commonly use open-ended questions in hiring, but usually responses aren’t recorded, and knowledge about the usefulness of such responses is limited. This study investigates properties of written responses to open-ended questions collected over many years via an application tracking platform that school districts use to hire teachers. We develop a scalable process to discover topics within the corpus of responses to each question and then to classify each response with respect to the topics while preserving interpretability and transparency. It adapts a traditional qualitative topic modeling approach, Inductive Thematic Analysis, to best combine the strengths of researcher judgment and …

Use Of Simulation In Interprofessional Education In U.S. Physical Therapist Programs: A Multiple Case Study, Sarah Ross

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional education (IPE) is a cornerstone of healthcare professional education, facilitating professions learning about and with each other. Simulation-based learning (SBL) is teaching and learning modality that is frequently used to incorporate IPE into curricula. Current research shows that physical therapist (PT) education programs are increasingly using SBL for IPE purposes. However, there is little research outlining how programs are using simulation.

Method: The data in this study were pulled from a larger qualitative study looking at how US PT programs use simulation because of the heavy emphasis on IPE. Three programs were selected from a pool of volunteers …

The Perceived Benefit Of A Degree Requirement In Emergency Medical Services Education And Success, Joseph H. Wood

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: This study sought to assess how graduates of Wallace Community College's paramedic program impacted their readiness for the NREMT Paramedic examination and entering the workforce, specifically comparing those who completed an associate degree to those who completed the certificate program. Methods: This qualitative study analyzed the perspectives of graduates from the paramedic program using a phenomenological approach. Using a purposive sampling technique, nine graduates were chosen for one-on-one interviews, and six were selected for a focus group. Results: Analysis of participant responses revealed three main themes: the perceived value of a degree, student preparedness for the NREMT exam and …

Can A Critical Reflection-Based Intervention Effectively Teach Intersectional Awareness Of Gendered Racism? An Empirical Study With College Students, Jayantika Chakraborty, Alena G. Esposito

Psychology

Intersectional awareness of gendered racism refers to the understanding of how intersecting systems of power and inequality shape the distinct and unequal forms of discrimination experienced by women of color across social contexts. This form of awareness recognizes that racism and sexism operate jointly, producing qualitatively different experiences that vary across race, gender expression, and social location. Developing such awareness is foundational to advancing equity and has been linked to outcomes such as student activism and engagement with social justice efforts. However, empirical research examining whether and how intersectional awareness can be cultivated through educational interventions remains limited. Responding to …

Supporting English Language Learners: Evaluating Bilingual Education Policies In Boston Area High Schools, Valentina A. Tolentino

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This study examines how the evolution of bilingual education policies and instruction has affected non-English speaking and bilingual high school students. Especially in Boston/Lynn Public School, bilingual and non-English speaking students are rapidly growing in population, yet questions still remain whether the existing educational policies adequately support their academic and emotional well -being. Using a demographic survey and interviews, I connected with high school graduates  ranging from 18 year olds to 22 years olds and asked questions to assess their language support, classroom experience, emotional well-being, and academic engagement. Analysis of the data demonstrates the influence that their bilingual education …

The Cross-Section Of Empirical Evidence And Personal Experience: A Deeper Look At School Resource Officers Through The Lens Of Demarcus A. Jenkins' Research On The Public Opinion Of Their Potential Removal From Public Schools, Quin Armstrong

University Honors Theses

Following the 2020 Black Lives Matter and Anti-Police movements, there were many discussions across the nation about possible changes to law enforcement operations. Among these discussions included specific discussions about what to do about law enforcement officers stationed in schools. These law enforcement officers are known as school resource officers, or SROs.

The focus of this thesis is specifically on Portland, Oregon's Portland Public School (PPS) district's decision to sever ties with the Portland Police Bureau, and what may have contributed to that ultimate decision. This is accomplished through an analysis of a research paper written by fellow Criminal Justice …

The Difficulty In Defining The Construct Of Perseverance, Davon W. Ferrara, Linda W. Jones

Papers

Perseverance is a character virtue necessary for flourishing in the STEM disciplines; however, there are competing definitions of perseverance in scientific literature, which makes measuring the trait and researching its impact difficult. This work provides a review of the definitions of construct found within the literature and compares it to conflated terms such as grit, persistence, resilience, and self-efficacy that have related, but distinct meanings. Finally, we summarize the role of perseverance in STEM and what factors may influence its formation.

The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the Belmont Formation Collaborative and the Formation Scholars Cohort for Character Research and …

The Difficulty In Defining The Construct Of Perseverance, Davon W. Ferrara, Linda Jones

Posters

Perseverance is a character virtue necessary for flourishing in the STEM disciplines; however, there are competing definitions of perseverance in scientific literature, which makes measuring the trait and researching its impact difficult. This work provides a review of the definitions of construct found within the literature and compares it to conflated terms such as grit, persistence, resilience, and self-efficacy that have related, but distinct meanings. Finally, we summarize the role of perseverance in STEM and what factors may influence its formation.

The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the Belmont Formation Collaborative and the Formation Scholars Cohort for Character Research and …

Editors’ Introduction, Kathleen R. Kesson Dr., Susan H. Edgerton, Jing Lin

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This is the introduction to the Special Issue

Stem Afterschool Enrichment Programs On Post-Secondary Minority Students In Southern California And Their Educational And Professional Pathway: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Lavar Jamaall Watkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of ethnically and racially minority students who participated in STEM afterschool enrichment programs at middle schools in Southern California. Guided by social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this phenomenological study addressed how participation in STEM supplemental programming served as a predictive motivator that encouraged ethnically and racially minority students to pursue careers in STEM professions. SCCT provided the theoretical framework for understanding how self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and contextual influences shaped students’ perceptions, motivations, and career decision-making related to STEM. The central research question guiding this inquiry was: What …

School Counselor Morale: A Phenomenological Study On School Counselor Morale In The Post-Pandemic Era, Courtney J. Spradlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the patterns of school counselors morale for K-12 public school counselors in Metro Atlanta. The theory guiding this study is phenomenological theory founded by Edmund Hesserl as it explains the philosophy behind lived experiences of people. These lived experiences can include: day to day experiences, trauma, life-changing events. Specifically, for this study this theory supports studying the lived experiences of school counselors in their day to day roles. The following questions are addressed in this study: How has school counseling changed since the pandemic? What is the current level of job …

The Perceptions Of Leadership Styles On Educator Job Satisfaction Leading To Retention In Rural Title I Elementary Schools: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Savannah Spotz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the administration leadership style on job satisfaction retention for elementary educators at rural Title I elementary institutions in Delaware. The problem was that elementary teachers have limited job satisfaction retention influenced by administrator leadership style. This study was guided by Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory. The study applied a purposive sampling technique to recruit 10 elementary educators of any race, gender, and ethnicity who have worked for two or more years at a rural Title I institution in a Northern state. Individual semi-structured interviews were used to gather data, along with long-answer …

Introduction, Max T. Engel, Matt Hoven

Journal of Catholic Education

Sports are a big deal in Catholic schools. But their educational, communal, and even spiritual elements within participating school communities are often underestimated in the research. This introduction firstly offers a concise survey of the theoretical foundation for Catholic endorsement of sports. It then provides a framework for understanding the major authors in the field and the key issues that scholars confront in the area. It concludes by outlining the articles presented in this special issue and invites readers to consider engaging with this expanding community of scholars and practitioners. Overall, this introduction explains the purpose and rationale for this …

Improving Advanced Care Planning Conversations And Documentation Through App Education And Standardized Epic Workflow: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Michelle N. Rutter, Emily Goldstein

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background & Significance: Advance care planning (ACP) is essential for ensuring (GOC), particularly in acute care settings, defined in this paper as inpatient hospital environments, including critical and intensive care units (ICU), where a patient’s decision-making capacity could become impaired. ICU patients are often critically ill and may lose the ability to make health care decisions. Family uncertainty regarding patient preferences frequently exacerbates psychological distress regarding GOC. Restricted access to ACP may result in non-concordant medical care, as well as elevated healthcare expenditures driven by the underutilization or inappropriate allocation of critical resources. Despite the recognized importance of ACP and …

Building Engaged Readers: Fostering Students Engagement And Motivation, Breanna R. Gierak

Masters Projects

Student engagement and motivation are essential components of literacy development and academic achievement in elementary classrooms. However, research indicates that many elementary students are becoming disengaged due to a variety of factors, including increased technology use, decreased motivation, limited family involvement, and fewer opportunities for meaningful interactions around literacy. This masters project is grounded in research that examines the importance of fostering engagement and motivation in elementary literacy and synthesizes current research on the instructional practices that promote positive reading experiences. The literature highlights the influence of supportive classroom environments, teacher-student relationships, collaborative learning, purposeful technology integration, and storing family-school …

Beyond The Tremor: Building Interdisciplinary Confidence In Parkinson's Disease Management Through Structured Education, Roya Oreo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Objective: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is commonly seen in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Gaps in knowledge among clinical staff regarding PD-specific care have resulted in negative outcomes such as delayed medication administration, unmet activities of daily living (ADL) needs, restricted mobility, and dissatisfaction with care from residents and family members. At a 55-bed SNF in Northern California, clinical staff self-reported 60% confidence in their ability to care for and manage residents with PD. This reflects a need for structured, evidence-based education, specific to Parkinson’s Disease. Aim: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to increase the …

The Educational Experiences Of College Students Who Were Formerly Involved In The Juvenile Justice System, Nicole-Jasmin T. Clark

Doctoral Dissertations

In the United States, juvenile offending, reentry, and recidivism continue to be serious concerns for public and institutional policy making. Due to historical and current policies of both the education and juvenile justice system, youth of color (YOC) and youth with disabilities and diagnosed with mental health disorders have been overly disciplined by schools and disproportionately adjudicated by the juvenile justice system. In their annual Statistical Briefing Book, The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has consistently reported YOC, particularly Black youth, are arrested, adjudicated, and detained at much higher rates when compared to their white peers. Research …

Nourish And Flourish: Building Confidence In Healthy Food Selection Among Older Adults In An Independent Living Facility, Emily Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

The nutrition education program aims to increase confidence in selecting and maintaining healthier food choices and dietary habits for chronic conditions through weekly workshops. This quality improvement project was conducted in an independent senior living facility in Richmond, CA serving the elderly population ages 65 and up. To address the concern of low confidence levels and management of dietary patterns and chronic health conditions pertaining to nutrition, a comprehensive nutrition education program was developed with pre- and post-intervention assessment surveys to compare baseline confidence levels. The weekly workshops for this nutrition education program aims to increase confidence levels of the …

Dis/Ability Critical Race Theory In The Early Childhood Education Classroom, Milo Knickerbocker

Masters Projects

Data shows that many Black and Disabled students are underserved in their current learning environments. This project provides a theoretical introduction to Dis/ability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit), as well as guidance on how to incorporate the theory into the early childhood education setting. This is done in attempt to provide a more equitable and inclusionary learning environment.  This project incorporates a data-driven professional development program surrounding DisCrit and incorporation of anti-racist and anti-ableist inclusionary teaching methods, for the betterment of all students.

Integrating Oncology Into Entry-Level Physical Therapist Curricula, Shana Harrington, Christopher M. Wilson, Morgan Zaranec, Lori Boright

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Print issue available for $25.

Background: Cancer and its treatments commonly result in adverse effects that impair function, well-being, and quality of life, necessitating access to skilled physical therapists (PTs). Although oncology is an essential component of physical therapist practice, entry-level education in cancer rehabilitation has historically been limited. In 2025, the Essential Competencies for Physical Therapy Entry-Level Education in Oncology were developed through a mixed-methods, modified Delphi process, establishing 19 competencies across six domains and defining minimum expectations for new graduates. To support translation of these competencies into academic curricula, a practical implementation resource was needed.

Purpose: To …

Supporting Mental Health Through Occupation: Education For Women Living With And Beyond Breast Cancer, Rebekah Nicole Trammell, Lakeisa Boykin, Rebekah Jarrar

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, and these women experience high rates of anxiety, depression, and disruption to daily routines and meaningful occupations. Evidence shows that education on self-management strategies, mindfulness-based interventions, and targeted occupational therapy interventions can support the mental health of women experiencing breast cancer. Furthermore, remaining engaged in meaningful occupations is essential to improving overall well-being and quality of life. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and deliver accessible, evidence-based education in digital and print formats that specifically target identifying mental health challenges, self-management strategies, and …

Human-Centered Design Of Extended Reality For Learning Adoption, Effectiveness, And Collaborative Training Performance, Bhargav Upadhyay

All Dissertations

Extended reality (XR) technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can be used for technical training to help students learn and practice complex tasks in a safe digital environment. Despite known benefits evidence is required to explore the effectiveness of these technologies to support student learning outcomes. Furthermore, technical training programs need evidence about when these tools improve learning, what are the barriers to adoption of these technologies, and how training should be designed by leveraging these technologies. This dissertation examined how XR technologies can support higher education and workforce training, specifically focusing on barriers and facilitators to …