Digital Commons Network^™

Apolipoprotein Ε2 Potential Protection Against Long Term Consequence Of Traumatic Brain Injury: Thesis Proposal, Rebecca Mesidort, Kimberly D. Rowland

Student Publications and Presentations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the highest causes of death in the United States to date, while also posing long-term neurological effects. Research has shown that the APOE ε2 gene is a protective gene against some neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s (Shinohara, M., 2020). This study will investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of Apolipoprotein ε2 (APOE2) as a genetic approach to a possible resilience to TBI, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Utilizing transgenic flies, expressing APOE ε2 with another fly with the UAS-CNS line, allows for a progeny line with APOE ε2 in their …

Big Five Personality Traits And Emotional Eating In Young Adults, Madisyn Mae Andrade, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Emotional eating (EE) refers to consuming food in response to emotionally provoking triggers rather than physical hunger (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Often acting as a learned coping mechanism, EE is associated with emotions like anxiety, depression, anger, or stress. This behavior can lead to overeating or undereating depending on the individual's emotional response and coping style, posing risks for obesity, eating disorders, and nutritional imbalances (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Psychological factors affect susceptibility to EE, with research indicating that personality traits interact with biological, environmental, and social influences to heighten vulnerability to disordered eating behaviors (Brown et al., 2020). This …

How Does Caffeine Affect Your Learning?, Kiana Rhee-Osorio, Carlton Parke, Khalique Ahmed, Alexis Galindez

Student Publications and Presentations

In the Organic Chemistry I laboratory, caffeine was extracted from tea using dichloromethane. This experiment sparked an interest in exploring the effects of caffeine consumption on the learning process. Caffeine, a widely consumed psychoactive substance found in various consumer products and medications, exerts significant physiological effects on the central nervous system (Khalique Ahmed & Ahmad, 2023). While it is often perceived to enhance cognitive performance, its primary action is the temporary alleviation of caffeine withdrawal symptoms (Kalumuck, 2019; Thau and Sharma, 2020),creating a misleading sense of improved function. Due to its structural similarity to adenosine and its high hydrophobicity and …

Perceptions Of Employability With Ai Skills, Brandy Whitford, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making AI proficiency a key factor in hiring and career advancement. By late 2023, 75% of knowledge workers integrated AI into their workflows, with 92% reporting increased productivity and creativity (Kimbrough, 2024). Employers are adapting—66% prefer candidates with AI expertise, and 77% consider AI skills essential for career growth (Microsoft & LinkedIn, 2024). However, hiring biases related to AI-skilled applicants remain underexplored, particularly concerning gender disparities in employability perceptions. This study examines how AI-related skills influence perceived employability and whether these perceptions vary based on applicant gender. Specifically, it explores whether AI-skilled female applicants receive higher …

Student Perceptions On Career Decision Making Skills In Relation To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emily G. Oliver

Honors College Theses

The Covid-19 pandemic had major ramifications on all areas of the professional world as well. As mandatory quarantines and shutdowns were implemented, the negative effects were widespread and everyone was impacted. People from all different career fields faced unforeseen circumstances that caused anxiety about their income and workplace stability. With all of these changes in the world, students who were in high school and first years of college still had to make a decision about their future and what they wanted to do for an occupation one day. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on …

Student Senate Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for April 14, 2025.

Supporting Elementary Educators Through A Nervous System Regulation And Social-Emotional Learning Skills Workshop Intervention: An Musc Capstone Project, Lily Morgan

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Teachers have a great influence on developing children’s emotional intelligence, regulatory capacity, and occupational engagement. These professionals also happen to report some of the highest rates of stress, mental health challenges (Agyapong, B. et al, 2022), and burnout (Xie, M., et al, 2022). Providing teachers with education and support on nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning skills, and related topics can improve their ability to manage job stress, enhance modeling and interactions with students, and improve their quality of life. This project aimed to enhance knowledge, provide access to resources, and serve to support elementary educators at an inner-city school in …

Social Media Use And Exercise Effects On Self-Esteem, Brandy Whitford, Patrick J. Cooper

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Ai Skills In Resumes, Brandy Whitford, Patrick J. Cooper

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Students For Sustainable Fashion & The Impact Of Fast Fashion, Anne M. York

Honors Theses

This thesis report took a project-based approach, making a change on campus through Students for Sustainable Fashion (SFSF), a club I founded here at the University of Mississippi. My thesis intends to document the establishment process and record the growth of SFSF throughout its last three semesters. SFSF emerged due to a significant challenge identified through casual class conversations, observational thinking, and campus engagement. However, university students are provided with abundant information about fast fashion's detrimental effects, and many feel unable to act due to social pressures, financial constraints, and the influence of fast-paced consumer culture. While students often desire …

Student Senate Meeting Minutes April 7, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for April 7, 2025.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis: Employment And Its Impact On Physical Activity, Academic Performance, And Quality Of Life Among Bellarmine University Students, Orlando Exposito Nuñez

Undergraduate Theses

Introduction: Half of undergraduate students are employed, meaning they must balance work with academics, physical activity (PA), and personal responsibilities. This study examines the potential negative impact of employment on PA, academic performance, and quality of life (QOL) among college students. Methods: The cross-sectional survey comprised 125 Bellarmine University students (Age 21.07 ± 3.40; 52% female, 48% male). Measures included the RAND SF-36 for QOL, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and a custom academic and employment questionnaire. Racial and ethnic demographics included White (75.2%), Black or African American (11.2%), Hispanic or Latino (15.2%), Asian (4.8%), Multiracial (4.8%), …

Church As Community: Religiosity And Queer Identity Among Emerging Adults In Adventist Higher Education, Chris N. Ngugi

Honors Theses

How do LGBTQ+ or “queer”-identifying emerging adults attending Seventh-day Adventist Christian institutions of higher education in the United States relate to their religiosity or relationship with religion? Within certain religious contexts (Avishai, 2020; Chiongbian et al., 2023; Lockett et al., 2023), including within the Seventh-day Adventist church (Pew Research Center, 2014), an individual’s LGBTQ+ identity may seem incongruent with commonly held stigmas, norms, doctrines, and beliefs maintained by religious group members and officials. LGBTQ+ identity and religiosity in such contexts are often described through “conflict” and “beyond conflict” theories, principally Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Identity Integration Theory (Rêgo-Moreira et al., …

“Like A Fish Being Judged By My Ability To Fly”: Barriers To Accessibility In Postgraduate Study, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This research paper explores the unique accessibility challenges faced by disabled postgraduate students and what can be done to address them. Testimonies and formal studies alike show how disabled graduate students have to deal with stigmatizing attitudes from their instructors (especially if they hold intersectional marginalized identities) on top of systemic barriers such as strict deadlines, unsustainably heavy workloads, inaccessible travel requirements, and disability services that are not suited to undergraduate needs. These problems are especially prominent in medical school where demands on time and energy are especially rigorous. To address these issues, disability service programs must be reformed to …

Chronic School Absenteeism: A Symptom, Not A Sentence, Zahra Mohamed, Jessica Navarro, Kelsey Ogren, Eloise Reitzel, Katelyn Vonch

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Chronic school absenteeism has long been a persistent issue, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this challenge. Chronic absenteeism leads to poor academic outcomes and lower graduation rates, which limit future opportunities and potential. While many school districts have traditionally responded through child protection services (CPS) or juvenile court proceedings, these punitive strategies do not address the root causes of absenteeism or reduce barriers to school attendance. CPS resources are stretched thin, focused on more urgent child welfare issues, and should not be diverted to issues that can be better addressed through supportive, preventative strategies. Implementing proactive, supportive strategies rather …

Nourish Gw: Associations Between Food Insecurity And Self-Perceived Physical And Mental Health Among Gw Students, Lily Amorosino, Mackenzie Konyar, Aditi Venkateswaran, Sean Watley, Grace Jordan, Kaleigh Stegman, Andrew Sonn, Jennifer Sacheck, Gabby Headrick

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Student Described Importance Of Nurse Educator Caring Actions In Various Class Settings, Jessica Leiberg

Dissertations (1934 -)

Caring pedagogy is a well-known and proven nurse educator instructional approach resulting in improved student attrition, enhanced attitude towards the students’ nursing program, and a caring approach extending into professional practice. Despite much research and development of nurse educator caring actions, the possible effect of different class settings on the student perception of these nurse educator caring actions is unknown. The purpose of this study aimed to identify how students’ rate and rank order the importance of nurse educator caring actions within the different class settings. A descriptive quantitative design was conducted to explore student perceptions of the importance of …

Right To Education And Access To Schooling: Understanding The Role Of Students’ Transportation Challenges In Selected Junior Secondary Schools In Ilorin, Nigeria, Usman Bolaji Abdulkadir, Egbinola Temitope Anuoluwa

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Student Senate Meeting Minutes March 17, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for March 17, 2025

Student Senate Meeting Minutes March 3, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for March 3, 2025.

Evaluating Campus Safety: Insights From Cal Poly Students, Demaree E. Lewis

Communication Studies

Campus safety is a major concern for students and faculty, especially in light of a few recent incidents at Cal Poly. This study explores students’ overall perceptions of safety, thoughts on Cal Poly’s method of communicating with students about crises, and the selection process of Resident Advisors (RA) on campus. Using a mixed methods approach, a survey collected responses from 125 students at Cal Poly, analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Analysis showed significant gender differences, with women reporting lower feelings of safety, satisfaction of Cal Poly crisis communication efforts, and overall lower trust in RA’s and Cal Poly’s vetting …

The Wellness Connection March 2025, Roger Williams University School Of Law Office Of Student Life

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Student Senate Meeting Minutes February 24, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for February 24, 2025.

Nature-Based Education As A Learning Tool: Unleashing The Power Of Nature-Based Education In Egyptian Primary Schools. "The Effects Of Outdoor Learning And Open-Air Classrooms On Primary School Students In Egypt.", Nermeen Bekhiet

Theses and Dissertations

When learning modalities are tailored to each student's preferences and needs, academic success follows. This effect is contingent upon both individual and surrounding factors. Many schools in Egypt and the Middle East do not concentrate on how exposure to nature and nature-based learning can affect how the learner perceives his or her learning area. Most schools in Egypt have no exposure to nature to allow students to explore the world in their way; there is no room for diverse students to excel. Therefore, this exploratory research aims to reestablish a connection between private primary school students and the natural world …

Pulmonopoly: A Game-Based Approach To Teach And Reinforce Basic Concepts Of Pulmonary Medicine To Medical Students, Michael Dong, James Uricheck, Urvashi Vaid

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonopoly is an innovative active-learning medical board game addressses core pulmonary concepts in an engaging, competitive style. The strength of Pulmonopoly lies in its ability to combine ease of setup and play with comprehensive content coverage that comprises a significant proportion of national board examinations, offering a gamification experience that can be readily applied in different settings and modified for learner levels.

METHODS: We created an instructional game, Pulmonopoly, based on pulmonary content delivered to preclinical medical students and required for national board examinations. We invited first-year medical students to participate in 60-minute small-group sessions. Content addressed pulmonary subject …

Recess Gives Students A Chance To Act Freely: So Why Are Utah Kids Missing Out?, Rebecca E. Elwood

Research on Capitol Hill

Recess is a regularly scheduled period in the school day for unstructured physical activity, play, and socialization and is recommended for all students, K-12.  

Recess benefits students' physical and social health, behavior, emotional state, and academic achievement.

Sense Of Belonging Among Nontraditional Undergraduate Students, Julie Ann Sánchez Golden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study, viewed through a constructivist lens, was conducted with 16 nontraditional undergraduate students, comprising equal numbers from a two-year and a four-year higher education institution. The study delved into their perceptions of belonging, while exploring the commonalities and disparities of their experiences between the two types of institutions. Through semi-structured interviews, these participants shared their lived experiences to answer three research questions: 1) How do nontraditional undergraduate students at two-year and four-year higher education institutions describe their sense of belonging? 2) What influences their sense of belonging at these institutions, and 3) How does sense of belonging among …

Student Senate Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for February 10, 2025.

Student Senate Meeting Minutes February 3, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for February 3, 2025.

Addressing Systemic Abuse In Women’S Soccer: A Comprehensive Analysis And Call For Reform, Emma Steinweiss, Arantza Espinosa Valencia, Sherry Andre

Student Publications and Presentations

This poster presentation examines the systemic abuse in women’s soccer, a crisis that persists despite growing awareness. Through an analysis of the Sally Q. Yates Report (2022) and multiple case studies, we assess patterns of misconduct, failures of governing bodies, and the institutional responses that have enabled abuse. Notable cases include Jennifer Hermoso’s non-consensual kiss by Luis Rubiales (AP News, 2024) and sexual misconduct allegations against Bruce Mwape (McElroy, 2024). The careers of Rory Dames and Paul Riley exemplify how abusive coaches were repeatedly protected despite years of documented complaints (U.S. Soccer Federation, 2022). Additionally, the abusive coaching tactics of …