Digital Commons Network^™

Using Randomization To Compare Ai And Expert-Generated Formative Assessment Questions In Medical Education, Akshat Kumar, Katie Stinson, Litao Wang, Elizabeth Nugent, Yongsu Lee, Mark Hormann, Latanya Jones Love, Toufeeq Ahmed Syed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: AI-generated content is being used across the education spectrum and is beneficial for creating complex multiple-choice questions, such as those used in medical education. However, evaluating AI-generated content is challenging, and existing testing and evaluation methods are falling short. This study uses randomization to compare medical students' performance on and subjective evaluation of AI versus expert-generated questions. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in student performance or subjective evaluation of AI vs expert-generated questions.

Methods: We designed a single-center, randomized study where medical student participants received either one AI- or expert-generated question per day over four weeks. …

Early Hands-On Surgical Exposure: Outcomes Of A Student-Led Surgical Externship Program For Preclinical Students, Meryem C. Guler, Elizabeth Spitz, Jennifer E. Geller, Talar Tatarian, Renee Tholey

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Early surgical exposure may potentially influence medical students' decision to pursue a surgical career. At our urban, academic medical school, senior medical students developed a Surgical Externship Program (SEP) to provide first-years with hands-on OR experience. This program is a structured 1- to 2-week immersive experience in which first-year students scrubbed into operations, participated in rounds, and engaged with surgical teams under resident and attending supervision. This study evaluates the SEP's impact on surgical interest, OR confidence, and clinical exposure.

Setting: Academic tertiary care hospital.

Participants: First-year medical students.

Design: First-year students participated in a 1- or 2-week SEP …

Best Practices For Supporting Occupational Therapy Students With Disabilities During Clinical Education: Results From A Three-Round Delphi Study, Courtney Gohean, Katie Mclaughlin, Aster Harrison

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Disabled occupational therapy students face systemic barriers in clinical education. Although legal mandates require reasonable accommodations, implementation is often inconsistent, and few standardized guidelines exist for fieldwork education. This study is aimed at establishing best practices for supporting occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students with disabilities during fieldwork.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 30 experts, including disabled occupational therapy students, disabled occupational therapy practitioners, academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs), fieldwork educators (FWEs), disability services staff, and researchers. In Round 1, participants answered open-ended questions about challenges, accommodations, and environmental supports. Responses …

Standardized Training Methodologies For Medical Laboratory Science Students And Their Importance For Student Success, Maria Simpson

Medical Laboratory Science Independent Study Projects

Clinical education is a critical component of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programs, serving as the primary bridge between academic instruction and professional practice. However, traditional clinical rotation training models often struggle to keep pace with rapid advancements in laboratory technology, expanding professional responsibilities, workforce shortages, and heightened patient safety expectations. The purpose of this capstone project is to examine the key factors driving the need to update training methodologies in MLS clinical rotations and to evaluate contemporary educational approaches that better prepare students for entry-level practice. This project addresses systemic challenges faced by clinical laboratories, such as staffing constraints, heavy …

Finding Balance: School-Based Yoga Interventions And Their Alignment Within Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support, Ursula Vogt

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

School-based interventions that support emotional regulation and student well-being are increasingly emphasized within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Yoga has emerged as a potential school-based practice; however, its outcomes, alignment with MTSS frameworks, and implementation characteristics remain unclear. This systematized review examined (a) psychological, emotional, and behavioral outcomes associated with school-based yoga interventions, (b) their alignment with Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports, and (c) implementation characteristics that support feasibility in school settings. A systematic search identified 21 U.S.-based studies, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that yoga interventions were associated with improvements in emotional regulation, stress and …

Application Of Assistive Technologies And Rendering Assistive Services To Students With Special Needs By Federal University Libraries: A Survey, Emmanuel Chidiadi Onwubiko

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The world as of today, is being said to be witnessing what one may tagged a technological revolution as never before and is transforming for the better, the future of global education in which case, every learner is considered. These newly created technological tools and plans did place librarians as information managers and digital literacy drivers in better position to come up with environments that are inclusive for all learners to achieve their desired goals. The study therefore is a survey on the application of assistive technologies and rendering assistive services to students with special needs by federal universities libraries …

The Gut Microbiome, The Gut-Brain Axis, And College Student Well-Being, Idi Mckay

University Honors Theses

This literature review examines how diet, stress, environmental exposure, and food accessibility may influence college students' mental health and academic performance through the gut microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Current microbiome research often focuses on early childhood development, clinical disease populations, or older adults, while overlooking college-age students who experience significant social, environmental, and biological transitions. College students frequently face food insecurity, irregular eating patterns, chronic stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, and reduced access to nutrient-dense foods, all of which may influence microbial diversity and overall gut health.

This thesis explores how modern campus environments and lifestyle factors may contribute …

Student Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence: A Freelisting Study, Gary Kaplan, Mslis, Ahip, Jessica G. Hamilton, Mls, Rebecca Miller, Mlis, Rosemary Frasso, Phd, Cph

Thomas Jefferson University Faculty Days

Background

Librarians typically provide guest lectures on topics in information literacy, connecting students to the scholarly literature. Hervieux & Wheatley’s Six Frames for AI Literacy emphasize the need to engage in AI discourse. As artificial intelligence changes the way students often interact with information, librarians must adjust their approach, whether changing the framing while retaining the traditional content, or changing the content. In the 2025-26 academic year, we experimented with various approaches. Here we describe a brief freelisting exercise we conducted before the lessons to surface students’ perceptions of artificial intelligence.

Disability Experiences Of University Students: An Interview Study, Cece Austin

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores the experiences of college/university students with disabilities within the educational system. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with students who identify as disabled or having disabilities in order to explore impacts of disability on their lives, with a focus on experiences navigating academic environments and accessing accommodations. Findings revealed two recurring themes: 1) the importance of both registered accommodations and accessibility efforts from faculty, and 2) difficulties with accommodations, internalized ableism, and disclosure. This research contributes to broader discussions on disability, inclusion, and educational equity by highlighting the lived experiences of students with disabilities …

The Latino Higher Education Landscape In Massachusetts, Fatema B. Ahad, Fabián Torres-Ardila, Elisa Castillo, Lorna Rivera, Joseph B. Berger

Gastón Institute Publications

This white paper provides a statistical overview of HSIs in Massachusetts within the state’s evolving demographics and postsecondary education context. It presents historical trends on student enrollment, student outcomes, and faculty and staff composition, highlighting the state of Latino students in the Commonwealth. The analysis offers descriptive data to inform policymakers, practitioners, and institutional leaders. It does not evaluate causal relationships or institutional effectiveness. The institutions included in this report were identified as HSIs and emerging HSIs through full-time equivalent (FTE) analysis for fall 2024 data. This is not an official or comprehensive list of schools eligible for, or that …

Exploring The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Dorothy Elaine Rolling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the role of self-efficacy for nursing students whose primary language was not English and who were enrolled in higher education in the northeastern area of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy. The major tenets of the self-efficacy theory aligned with the metaparadigm of nursing (person, health, environment, nursing) and with the study’s focus, which was to explore how English as a second language (ESL) nursing students could successfully complete the registered nursing program at an institution of higher learning. The central research question was: …

A Survey Of Health Professions Learners’ Attitudes Towards Social Media In Medical Education: A Substance Use Disorders Education Case Study, Gregory A. Jaffe, Sarah Lawson, William Leach, Mallika Kodavatiganti, Erin Avanzato, Katherine Fesperman, Heather Klusaritz

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Social media is a ubiquitous part of the modern world and plays a key role in the dissemination of information. While utilizing social media for educational purposes has been repeatedly demonstrated as feasible, it has been underutilized in medical education and remains a critical opportunity to integrate microlearning and stigma reduction curricula.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on social media usage, attitudes, and beliefs was sent to medical and nursing students at two large academic institutions within Philadelphia. Descriptive statistics are reported, and non-parametric tests were utilized for exploratory analyses.

RESULTS: Health learners were low consumers of social media, reporting …

2026 Spring Order Of Exercises Commencement: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2026 Order of Exercises booklet published for the commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, 2026.

During the Commencement event, a complete list of graduates was provided online. This program was not published during the Commencement event. This digital copy is maintained in the repository for archival purposes.

2026 Spring Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2026 commencement program. Commencement was on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, 2026.

During the Commencement event, a complete list of graduates was provided online. This program was not published during the Commencement event. This digital copy is maintained in the repository for archival purposes.

Attendance, Engagement, And Community Building: Supporting Unhoused 6th Grade Girls Through Leadership Program, Efren A. Duarte

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Unhoused youth experience higher rates of chronic absenteeism, heightened by lack of support and student engagement. The project objective was to improve school attendance in the participants and see a positive shift in student engagement. This took place at the Family Resource Center at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas, California. The participants involved in the program were 19 6th-grade girls, with 13 of those being youth facing some form of housing insecurity issue. The program consisted of 9 sessions teaching leadership skills as well as allowing students to work as a team and share their experiences with other unhoused students. The …

Improving Attendance: A Data Analysis On The Salinas City Elementary School District Initiative, Andy S. Yanes-Majano

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Chronic absenteeism is a significant challenge for the Salinas City Elementary School District (SCESD). The SCESD has a high rate of chronic absenteeism on Mondays and Fridays especially surrounding a holiday or three day weekend. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Missing school at a young age can lead to poor academic outcomes while increasing dropout risk. To combat this, the SCESD created an Initiative called Power Day. Power Day is an effort where schools offer incentives to encourage students to arrive on time …

Addressing College Students Stress Through Coping Strategies, Daisy Valdez Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

College students often experience stress due to time management, responsibilities, and finances. This stress can negatively impact them by leading to mental health issues and affecting their academic performance. This capstone focuses on creating a plan in which students are able to handle stressful situations and have greater awareness of stress. The workshop taught students about common stress factors, the impact they have on students, how to manage negative thoughts, and coping strategies. Participants completed activities such as creating their own stress bubbles, a negative and helpful thought worksheet, and a Kahoot quiz on coping skills. Results showed that students …

Jenna Shoultz-Thao Honors Portfolio, Jenna Shoultz-Thao

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Jenna Shoultz-Thao's honors capstone portfolio captured in May 2026.

Euphemia Deemi Honors Portfolio, Euphemia Deemi

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Euphemia Deemi's honors capstone portfolio captured in May 2026.

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In Unhoused Elementary Youth Through Leadership Training, Jocelyn Ornelas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Outreach groups and after-school programs have been shown to contribute positive reinforcement and guidance to students who suffer from chronic absenteeism. The Salinas City Elementary School District Family Resource Center at Sherwood Elementary School provides resources to homeless and foster families. Several facilitators began conducting an outreach group with the sixth-grade unhoused population. Sessions were focused on spreading leadership knowledge surrounding the transition from elementary school to middle school. Expected outcomes included increased student leadership knowledge and overall attendance through observations, data collection, and feedback. At the conclusion of the program, 68% of the participants experienced an increase in their …

The Biased Divide: Perceptions And Challenges Of Esports Within Universities, Alexzandra O'Neal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how institutional framing and student motivations influence the development and perception of collegiate Esports programs within higher education. The research explores how Esports is positioned as either a legitimate academic and competitive pursuit or a low-priority extracurricular activity, and how these perceptions impact program growth and student experience. This non-traditional thesis is presented as a documentary film utilizing a qualitative, semi-structured interview methodology. Data were collected through interviews with students, faculty, and program leaders, focusing on a comparative analysis between University of Oklahoma and University of Arkansas. Findings indicate that institutional support and framing play a significant …

The First Cut Is The Deepest: Understanding Learner Trauma In The Emergency Medicine Clerkship, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Leela Raj, Karen E. Watkins, Xiao C. Zhang, Andres Fernandez, Md, Victoria J. Marsick

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: As third-year medical students transition into high-stakes, high-stress clinical environments like the emergency department (ED), they may experience significant personal trauma. However, little is known about how this trauma is experienced early in their training - specifically during the transition from preclinical to clinical learning environments. This study addresses that gap by exploring third-year medical students' experiences of trauma during the emergency medicine (EM) clerkship through the lens of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and identifies workplace factors and intersectional demographics influencing these experiences.

METHODS: This qualitative study used the critical incident technique to explore emotionally-significant events encountered by third-year medical …

Enhancing Students’ Self-Disclosure Through Assertive Training: Evidence From A Group Counseling Intervention, Abu Yazid Abu Bakar, Khairul Bariyyah, Santy Andrianie, Setyorini Setyorini, Restu Dwi Ariyanto, Laily Tiarani Soejanto, Dzata Inasah Bil Humaydah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Self disclosure is a critical component of students’ social and emotional development; however, many students experience difficulties in expressing their thoughts and feelings openly, which may hinder interpersonal relationships and psychological well-being. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of group counseling using assertive training techniques in enhancing students’ self-disclosure. A quantitative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test design was employed. The participants consisted of five junior high school students identified as having low self-disclosure levels through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a self-disclosure scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-test, effect size (Cohen’s d), Wilcoxon signed-rank …

Student Senate Meeting Minutes April 15, 2026, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for April 15, 2026.

The Honors Beacon, Issue 24, 2025-2026, Honors Program At Minnesota State University, Mankato

Honors Beacon

2025-2026 newsletter of the Honors Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Development Of The Veteran & Military Learning Scholars Program (Su-Vmlsp): An Immersive, Experiential Learning Community For Veteran & Military-Connected Students, Emily Rabinowitz, Dezarie Moskal, Ken Marfilius, Dessa Bergen-Cico, Stephen A. Maisto, Joseph W. Ditre

Voices of Service Symposium

Introduction: The Syracuse University Veteran & Military Learning Scholars Program (SU-VMLSP) is an immersive, cohort-based initiative designed to expand access to veteran and military studies through experiential learning, structured mentorship, and community engagement. A collaborative effort of the Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation and the IVMF Veteran & Military Behavioral Health Collaborative, SU-VMLSP supports and engages student veterans, military-connected students, and students with academic or professional interests in veteran and military populations. Methods: The program is structured around three core pillars: interactive seminars, immersive research engagement, and community-centered cohort development. Scholars participate in discussion-based seminars focused on veteran …

Satori 2026, Lupema Celis Castillo, Amity Collins, Lydia Domaille, Grace Emiliusen, Alysen Endres, Holly Foss, Jenifer Frick, Benjamin Hagen, Linda Hang, Ely Herrick, Axel Hillis, Eva Hodnick, Sarah Huderle, Dylan Jackson, Kira Kainz, Sayeeda Khan, Greta Kirsch, Reianna Larson, Jacinda Lundeen, Kendra Mcclure, Marissa Mcclure, Linda Moua, Kaylee Nickisch, Ella Page, Kari Plumley, Caleb Reed, Reagan Roesler, Sarah Schmick, Mandie Schmidt, Elizabeth Schneider, Lucy Severson, Gracia Sonderup, Emily Sowers, Celia Stern, Shelby Svien, Liz Tischler, Jackie Velishek, Allen Wedekind

Satori Literary Magazine

The Satori is a student literary publication that expresses the artistic spirit of the students of Winona State University. Student poetry, prose, and graphic art are published in the Satori every spring since 1970.

The Satori 2026 editors and creators are:

Design and Technical Editors: Elena Armstrong, Jenifer Frick, Eva Hodnick, Sarah Huderle, Linda Moua

Prose Editors: Shaela Eriksen, Linda Hang, Camden McDonald, Callie Sahlstrom

Poetry Editors: Lydia Domaille, Dylan Jackson, Reagan Roesler, Allen Wedekind

Art Editors: Kendra McClure, Jade McElmury, Charlie Lund

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Liberty Kohn

WINONA PRIZE WINNERS 2026

• Allen Wedekind (Nonfiction) -  Pleasant Transgender Man
• Mandie …

Irotas 2026 Version 1, English Department-Winona State University

Irotas

Irotas is an annual student journal of the arts created and published by Winona State University students. Irotas is a sibling journal to the Satori Student Literary Magazine. This is the Irotas created in 2026. there are three versions of the 2026 Irotas.

Editors:  Elena Armstrong, Lydia Domaille, Shaela Eriksen, Jenifer Frick, Linda Hang, Eva Hodnick, Sarah Huderle, Dylan Jackson, Charlie Lund, Kendra McClure, Camden McDonald, Jade McElmury, Linda Moua, Reagan Roesler, Callie Sahlstrom, Allen Wedekind

McClure, Grace Emiliusen, Benjamin Hagen, Brandon Tellers, Jacinda Lundeen, Lupema Celis Castillo, Kylee Binning, Caleb Reed, Anastasia Piltingsrud,  Koda Mueller, Caleb Reed, Gracia Sonderup, …

Irotas 2026 Version 2, English Department- Winona State University

Irotas

Irotas is an annual student journal of the arts created and published by Winona State University students. Irotas is a sibling journal to the Satori Student Literary Magazine. This is the Irotas created in 2026. there are three versions of the 2026 Irotas. This is a 2026 issue version 2.

Authors: Marissa McClure, Alysen Endres, Mandie Schmidt, Holly Foss, Allen Wedekind, Sarah Schmidt, Calista Escobar, Linda Moua, Jacinda Lundeen, Caleb Reed, Ella Page, Kendra McClure, Cora Waterman, Benjamin Hagen, Amity Collins, Mazin Abdel-Magid, Libby Crum, Elizabeth Tischler, Elly Herrick, Kat Beekman, Lupema Celis Castillo, Linda Hang, William Mahowald, Lydia Domale, …

Irotas 2026 Version 3, English Department-Winona State University

Irotas

Irotas is an annual student journal of the arts created and published by Winona State University students. Irotas is a sibling journal to the Satori Student Literary Magazine. This is the Irotas created in 2026. there are three versions of the 2026 Irotas. This is version 3.

Editors: Allen Wedekind, Callie Sahlstrom, Camden McDonald, Charlie Lund, Dylan Jackson, Elena Armstrong, Eva Hodnick, Jade McElmury, Jenifer Frick, Kendra McClure, Linda Hang, Linda Moua, Lydia Domaille, Reagan Roesler, Sarah Huderle, and Shaela Eriksen

Authors: Sarah Huderle, Kylee Binning, Lupema Celis Castillo, Kira Kainz, Elizabeth Tischler, Calista Escobar, Caleb Reed, William Mahowald, Linda …