Digital Commons Network^™

Measuring Perceived Stress Levels And Physiological Variables In Undergraduate College Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Sarah J. Milner

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This study aimed to analyze changes in perceived stress and physiological variables in undergraduate students over one semester. A quasi-experimental study was conducted using non-random convenience sampling with 30 undergraduate students enrolled in an Introduction to Stress Management class at a small, regional institution in the upper Midwest in the fall of 2022.

Data collection included the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (i.e., PSS-10) and stress physiological variables (e.g., heart rate, breathing pattern, respiration rate). Participants were surveyed three times using pre-, mid-, and post-treatment assessments but ultimately, participants’ pre- and post-treatment surveys were compared. Both descriptive statistics and …

Nurture Asia-Ready Singaporeans To Tap Growing Opportunities In The Region [Interview With The Straits Times], Sandra Davie, Piyush Gupta

Oral History Collection

In an interview with The Straits Times, as chairman of Singapore Management University, DBS Bank chief executive Piyush Gupta said the university should aim to become the “quintessential Asian university”, emulating DBS, which he had turned into the “quintessential Asian bank” since he took over the helm in 2009.

Reimagining Career Services' Role In International Students' Higher-Education-To-U.S.-Work Transition, Evan W. Faidley

New York Journal of Student Affairs

International students’ job search experience encompasses cultural and learning experiences from home and host country living. The higher education-to-work transition of international students to meet their career goal in working in the United States requires attention of both international students and higher education administrators. This literature review explores the intersection of the international student experience, their career development, and the advising/support received by career services professionals. A clearer understanding of international students through a six-dimension binary cultural lens (Hofstede, 2011) affords professionals the knowledge and work with students’ existing understanding of home and host cultural norms and job seeking.

The Heart Of Higher Education: Rediscovering Meditation From The Margins Of Learning To A Liberatory Pedagogy In The Post-Pandemic University, Jinting Wu, Yuejia Wang, Yu Wu, Qi Zhang

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

On May 14^th, 2022, a racially motivated mass shooting occurred in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Western New York. The trauma brought fresh anguish to a fraught social landscape already shaken by COVID-19 and resurgent racism. This paper explores the formation of a campus meditation group that emerged in light of the shooting tragedy and prolonged pandemic suffering, and its members’ journeys of healing, self-discovery, and transformation. While scholars have critiqued the neoliberal higher education for producing self-enterprising individuals motivated by economic rationality, this paper offers our humble attempt to re-center meditation as a liberatory pedagogy in fostering …

Jeff Bernstein, Oral History Interview, 2025, Kat Hacanyan

Oral Histories

Jeff Bernstein is a professor of political science and Director of the Faculty Development Center at EMU. Bernstein, alongside colleagues like Decky Alexander and Pam Landau, is another one of the Center for Jewish Studies' earliest supporters. He started teaching classes at EMU while working on a graduate degree from U of M and was later hired as a full time faculty member. Up until its move off campus, Bernstein served as a board member for Hillel, alongside CJS Founding Director Marty Shichtman. He was appointed director of the Faculty Development Center in 2021 and continues to serve on the …

Balancing Minds And Missions: Mental Health, Wellness, And Accountability Leadership In Higher Education, Asher M. Pimpleton-Gray

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Now, more than ever, mental health and wellness have become more dominant and pronounced threads within the fabric of our daily landscape. These terms have been emerging more often in conversations within nearly every industry, ranging from entertainment and sports to politics and law enforcement. Higher education is no different. With increased rates of difficulties regarding mental health and wellness it is even more important that colleges and universities create institutional structures and resources that can aid students, faculty and staff in tending to their mental and emotional wellbeing. In this chapter, implications for higher education leaders are explored and …

Exploring The Leadership Identity Development Of Emerging Leaders Who Have Answered The Call To Academic Administration Within U.S. Higher Education, J. "Clay" Hurdle, Nicole Lamee Perez Stedman, Matthew Sowcik, Sebastian Galindo, R. Elaine Turner

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Leadership identity (also known as leader identity) has been established as a sub-identity of general self-concept. A greater degree of leadership identity could have implications for leadership self-efficacy. Research on leadership identity development in the last 20 years has mostly been quantitative with limited qualitative efforts. Exploring the leadership identity development of academic leaders remains mostly absent from the literature. Using the Leadership Identity Development Model, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted with cohort members of two national academic leadership development programs, the Food Systems Leadership Institute and LEAD21. Interviews explored participants’ leadership identity development during their careers leading up …

Factors Associated With Student Engagement In Online Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review, Yam B. Limbu, Christopher Mckinley

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

While extant literature reveals various factors associated with student engagement in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings are inconsistent. A systematic review of the factors influencing student engagement in online learning during the pandemic will provide state-of-the-art knowledge of existing literature and offer future research directions. This study systematically reviews factors driving college student engagement in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Performed in accordance with the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, a systematic search of four databases identified 50 eligible studies. The most prevalent factors associated with student engagement were student-related factors …

Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education Accreditation: Advancing Quality, Accessibility, And Special Education Inclusion, Jacques D. Singleton

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education accreditation by enhancing quality assurance, accessibility, and inclusion. Traditional accreditation relies on manual evaluation, but AI- driven tools improve efficiency through realtime data analysis, predictive insights, and automation. This chapter explores AI’s role in adaptive learning, automated accessibility tools, and predictive analytics for student success, with a focus on supporting students with disabilities and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. Ethical concerns, including bias, privacy, and transparency, are addressed to ensure AI complements human judgment. Through case studies and policy recommendations, this chapter provides a roadmap for institutions and accrediting bodies to integrate AI …

Gc Minutes Feb 20, 2025, Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Lowell Hardin: Mentor Extraordinaire, Larry L. Murdock, Thomas W. Hertel, Gebisa Ejeta

Purdue University Press Books

Lowell Stewart Hardin (1917–2015), an Indiana farm boy who became an enormously influential international agriculturalist, made the world a better place for the poor and the hungry on this earth. For seventeen years he led the Ford Foundation’s agricultural development efforts, contributing to the Green Revolution. He helped to found and guide international agriculture research centers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He inspired others to get involved and opened doors for them. He taught by example, gave others credit, and always stepped back, avoiding the limelight himself. In this volume, twenty-two people who knew him well share stories of …

Tales Of A Contemplative Academic: Lessons Learned From Integrating Meditation In The College Classroom, Steve Haberlin

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

In this autoethnographical reflective essay, the author recounts his struggles and micro-victories with integrating brief meditation with undergraduates at a private college. The reflection offers three major insights for other faculty considering sharing meditation in higher education.

Lived Experiences Of Preparedness Of Dual Credit Students For The State Of Texas Assessments Of Academic Readiness Exams: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Susan Fields Speights

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of academic preparedness to pass the state-mandated standardized test requirements to receive higher educational level course credit for students previously enrolled in dual enrollment courses at higher educational institutions on a Texas High School Campus. The theories that guided this study was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Rumelhart and Norman’s modes of learning. Maslow’s theory and Rumelhart and Norman’s theory guided the research study and questions when examining the shared experiences of dual credit students taking state assessments. The central research question in this study was: What are the …

An Exploration Of Self-Efficacy Of Online Dissertation Chair-Only Faculty During The Mentoring Process: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Heather L. Strafaccia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the self-efficacious experiences in the dissertation mentoring process for online dissertation chair-only faculty at higher education institutions in the United States. The theory guiding this study was self-efficacy theory. The central research question of this study was: What are the self-efficacious experiences of online dissertation chair-only faculty at higher education institutions in the United States? The examination of the self-efficacious experiences of 11 online dissertation chair-only faculty was explored utilizing a qualitative transcendental phenomenological design. Participating individuals must have held an online dissertation chair-only role in a higher education institution …

Navigating Artificial Intelligence Governance: Insights From South African Higher Education It Decision-Makers, John Mangundu

The African Journal of Information Systems

Academics and students alike can benefit from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. AI governance lowers AI risks while ensuring that anticipated AI use objectives are achieved. However, research on AI governance has been lacking, especially in higher education in emerging economies such as South Africa. In light of this serious research gap, the current study presents the findings of a qualitative exploratory investigation of the maturity and preparedness of AI governance in South African higher education institutions. Informed by a combination of the TOE framework, the traditional IT governance model and the adapted IT governance maturity assessment …

Beyond A Chapter: Libraries As Key Characters In Smu’S Sustainability Saga, Shameem Nilofar Maideen

Research Collection Library

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of The Druze Education Reform In Israel And Druze Students’ Achievements In Higher Education, Aml Amer, Nitza Davidovitch

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Introduction: 2024 State Of The Field Report, Rosalind Latiner Raby

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

A Systematic Review Of Research On The Experiences Of Rural Black Men Attending Four-Year Institutions Within The Us Since 2002, Jarvis Marlow-Mccowin

The Rural Educator

This systematic literature review focuses on the experiences of rural Black men attending four-year colleges and universities within the US. The review addresses three research questions: How is rurality defined within the literature reviewed? What characteristics (e.g., identity dimensions) are included within the literature? What does the available research say about the experiences of rural Black students, mainly rural Black men, specific to factors explored and identified to foster success? These research questions were answered by reviewing literature published in academic journals from 2002–2023. Findings from the data collection, extraction, and analysis process are relevant to how rurality is discussed …

Culture Shock: Exploring The Truths & Benefits Of Remote Work In Higher Education, Teresa M. Stephens, Kristen Poston, Sarah Miller, Catherine O. Durham, Amy Williams

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

In “Culture Shock,” Gallup’s 2023 publication, the authors explore the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on work and life, urging a reevaluation of leadership strategies, especially for remote work. They highlight a significant shift, with many U.S. employees hesitant to return to traditional offices, favoring new remote work environments that integrate work and life. This shift is also evident in higher education, where faculty see benefits in productivity and well-being, despite some pressure to revert to old norms. Clifton and Harter (2023) argue that the focus should be on how organizations build and maintain relationships in this evolving landscape. Their thesis emphasizes …

What's Their Story? To Help Save The Humanities, Let's Listen To English Majors, Kevin T. Caffrey

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Amid declining enrollment in humanities programs throughout the United States, the English major has been hit the hardest. This article gives voice to current English majors about why they choose to enroll in a program that often receives criticism pertaining to its value and worth. This study provides a literature review of the history of higher education in the United States, an examination of the humanities backlash that has evolved over the past half-century, and an exploration of the value of a degree in English. In addition, it provides survey results from a small group of English majors currently enrolled …

Navigating The Academic Terrain: Examining The Challenges And Success Factors Of Student Veterans In Higher Education Institutions, Katherine Reyes, Corey Idleburg

Education Division Scholarship

This study investigates the academic experiences of student veterans, addressing specific challenges they face in higher education. Using Schlossberg’s adult transition theory, it explores the effects of invisible barriers, enrollment trends, and institutional factors on veteran student success, leveraging the VA’s GI Bill Comparison tool to examine public versus private school support. Findings underscore the need for targeted resources, faculty training, and institutional awareness to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances veteran students' academic success and sense of belonging.

“That’S Where I Learned To Be A Good Mommy” Understanding How Adults Learn In A Home Visitation, Community-Based Partnership, Kelli R. Kerbawy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In higher education, a growing interest exists in fostering partnerships between institutions and community-based programs to enhance the lives of individuals. These initiatives have encompassed a variety of programs, including life skills development and civic engagement opportunities facilitated by academic experts. Despite the plethora of educational prospects surrounding health, community engagement, and civic improvement, assessing the efficacy of adult learning in community settings remains challenging. Previous research has indicated inadequacies of conventional prenatal education programs in addressing the complex needs of expecting mothers.

This study centered on the adult learning experiences in the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) program, …

Science Identity Development Among Minoritized Students In Professional Stem Student Organizations: A Basic Qualitative Study, Michaela Friedrichova Holtz

Dissertations of Practice

Despite national efforts to broaden participation in STEM, underrepresented minoritized (URM) students continue to face systemic barriers to persistence and degree completion. While many intervention programs focus on academic preparedness, less is known about the role of co-curricular experiences—specifically professional STEM student organizations—in shaping science identity, a key predictor of persistence and success. This qualitative study explored how involvement in race- and gender-based STEM student organizations at a public research university in the Midwest influenced URM students’ science identity development, persistence in STEM majors, and career aspirations. Using the science identity framework developed in 2007 by Carlone and Johnson, semi-structured …

Nsu Outreach, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Digital: Communiversity

No abstract provided.

Nsu Communiversity Outreach, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Digital: Communiversity

No abstract provided.

Singapore Management University Report To Stakeholders 2024/25, Singapore Management University

Report to Stakeholders

Titled “SMU at 25: Celebrating Innovation and Impact”, this year’s report marks the University’s 25th anniversary alongside Singapore’s 60th year of independence. It showcases SMU’s progress in education, research, innovation and societal engagement, and how the University continues to shape meaningful impact in Singapore and across Asia.

Exploring Stress Management Spaces Using Sensory Engagement On College Campuses: A Scoping Review, Karen R. Puckett

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: College students experience high levels of stress, with associated negative outcomes such as poor mental and physical health. In response, colleges and universities have explored the use of stress management spaces designed to address and promote improved mental health and wellbeing, but evidence regarding the most effective design and impact of these spaces is limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to conduct a scoping review of the available literature related to stress management in higher education settings. The research questions are: What are the characteristics and design features of these spaces, and how do stress management spaces …

Private Religious Schools And Disability Discrimination, Kevin Timpe

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

In the lead-up to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), religious institutions and organizations lobbied to be exempt. Because they were successful in securing an exemption to most of the ADA’s requirements, religious private schools maintain the legal right to refuse admission to disabled students or to fail to give them various legal protections. After considering the arguments given in its favor, the paper critiques this exemption on moral grounds. It then suggests that these considerations should lead to a reexamination of the legal right such schools have to discriminate against disabled individuals, especially in those cases …

A Critical Narrative Inquiry Into The Experiences Of Latino Male Graduate International Students Attending A Pwi, Cesar Miguel Castellon Gort

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This qualitative study examines how Latino male international graduate students navigate identity, belonging, and exclusion within U.S. higher education. Although international enrollment has increased, the experiences of this student population remain largely invisible in research and institutional practice. Guided by Intersectionality and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), this study investigates how intersecting dimensions of race, language, age, gender, and immigration status shape these students’ academic and social experiences. Using a critical narrative methodology, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and identity web exercises with four participants. Employing story chaining to link individual narratives, four central themes emerged: 1) Racialized and …