Digital Commons Network^™

Meeting Rhetorical And Relational Goals In Online Higher Education: Insights From A South African Case Study, Rentia Du Plessis, Diana Breshears, Luzelle Naudé Prof

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

This qualitative study examines the degree to which synchronous and asynchronous online learning platforms both supported and constrained the achievement of rhetorical and relational goals in a resource-constrained South African higher education context. As online teaching practices persist in the post-COVID era, understanding how to design pedagogically sound online environments is increasingly important, particularly in the Global South where cost, access, and connectivity pose significant constraints. Drawing on the Rhetorical and Relational Goals Theory (RRGT; Mottet et al., 2006) and Kaufmann et al.’s (2016) online learning climate dimensions, the study analyzes undergraduate students’ perceptions of Blackboard Collaborate, PowerPoint voice-overs, WhatsApp, …

The Co-Educators Framework: An Illustrative Account Of Shared Pedagogical Practice And Inclusive Teaching In A Large-Enrollment Communication Course, Divya S, Man Luo, Jisha Jacob, Shahla Shahnaz Dyuti, Victoria Michelle Main

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

Large-enrollment courses present structural challenges to inclusive and relational pedagogy, particularly when instructional labor is shared across teaching teams that include graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). This study examines inclusive teaching as a communicative and practical process enacted through co-education, the coordinated instructional work of faculty and GTAs. Using a diary-based reflexive design, four doctoral GTAs contributed teaching journals across one semester of an undergraduate Communication Theory course. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes: collaborative course design, communication as pedagogical infrastructure, equitable assessment, and reflexive care. The study offers the Co-Educators Framework as an illustrative account of how shared, communicative pedagogical …

Exploring Power In The Classroom Through The Lens Of Relational Power, Aubree A. Herman, Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter Phd

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

This study explores how French and Raven’s relational power model shapes student communication in higher education. Through a survey of 530 undergraduates, the research investigates how TA age and gender, and student gender, impact student perceptions of power. Results indicate that TA gender and age impact student perceptions of referent power, but not expert power; however, expert and referent power emerged as the strongest predictors of course satisfaction and intention to take future courses, while coercive power negatively predicted both outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of expertise and interpersonal interaction in the TA–student relationship and suggest that French and …

Experimental Investigation On Nanocellulose And Aluminium-Oxide Hybrid Nanofluid As A New Coolant For Radiator, D. Ramasamy, Sivaraos Sivaraos, K. Kadirgama

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

Improved efficiency leads to more compact design of the radiator. The research is conducted to prove that addition of Aluminium Oxide and nanocellulose originating from plant base with varying concentration provides a better thermal efficiency compared to usage of distilled water as radiator coolant. The objective of the research is to improve a new radiator coolant based on combination of aluminium oxide and nanocellulose with readily available coolants which is Ethylene Glycol and to investigate the erosion of nanocellulose coolant on automotive radiator. The scope of the research are the nanocellulose dispersed in base fluid which is from 60:40, (EG:W). …

Implementation Of 4-Ir In Scm Of Woven Apparel Industry – A Case Study In Bangladesh For Prosperity And Sustainability, Kaniz Farhana, Nazibah Nowreen Onadee, Farhana Mabia Mim, Fuzail Ahmed Khan Rajit, Md. Fahad Faruk Pavel, S.M. Farhana Iqbal, Abu Shadate Faisal Mahamude

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

The significance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4-IR) for supply chain management (SCM) in the woven clothing industry is emphasized by this survey study. The implementation of cutting-edge technologies that can improve these aspects, like IoT, RFID, blockchain, big data analysis, cybersecurity, and automation, is examined from the viewpoints of woven clothing manufacturers. This investigation seeks to determine Bangladesh's key technological barriers as well as the primary motivator for the weaving RMG's adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Here, a combination of methods, including fieldwork and data collection, has been performed for thorough analysis. The research outlines the current state of affairs …

Evaluation Of Graphene Cathode And Aluminum Ion Ev Battery Performance: A State-Of-The-Art Analysis For Future, Abu Shadate Faisal Mahamude, Kaniz Farhana

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

Lithium-ion batteries may eventually be replaced with rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) due to their high energy density, increased safety, and plentiful supply of raw materials. The development of appropriate cathode materials for AIBs is a major priority these days. As a result of their better quality, graphene-based cathodes have a great chance of success. Graphene is a relatively new and promising material with a unique set of chemical and physical characteristics. Graphene's high electron conductivity and large specific surface area make it seem like one of the best electron-conducting additions, but there are several other ways to increase the cathode …

Atomistic Insights Into The Interfacial Properties And Thermal Transport Of Mxene–Copper Nanocomposites: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Navid Aslfattahi, Maryam Sadat Kiai, K. Kadirgama, L. Samylingam, Chee Kuang Kok, Mohd A.F. Rosli, Thong Leng Lim

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

Understanding the interfacial heat transport mechanisms in Ti₃C₂T_x–copper nanocomposites is essential for developing advanced Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) for electronic and energy systems. This study provides atomistic insights into how MXene surface terminations (–O, –OH, –F), copper crystallographic orientations ((111), (100), (110)), and MXene layer thickness influence thermal conductivity and interfacial thermal resistance. O-terminated MXene exhibited the strongest interfacial adhesion (∼0.45 J/m²) and the highest thermal conductivity (∼68 W/m· K), while F-terminated MXene showed the weakest interfacial bonding and poorest heat transfer (∼45 W/m· K). Increasing the MXene thickness introduced additional phonon …

Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Cancer Care – A Narrative Review, Saphir Davies, Patricia Eyres, Matt Carey, Kevin Hambridge

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Aims: This narrative review explored nurses’ attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in cancer care. Design: The study design was a qualitative narrative review with meta-aggregation. Data sources: Published studies were identified via searching the following databases: Medline, CINAHL, Pubmed and AMED.Review methods: Four papers that met the inclusion criteria were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Tool. The qualitative data was extracted and meta-aggregated into three synthesised findings. Results: Four papers were included exploring nurses’ attitudes towards CAM in cancer contexts in four different countries. From these papers, 20 findings were extracted and formed into eight …

Adolescent Depressive Symptoms And Adult Functioning Within Major U.S. Racial Groups, Summer N. A. Millwood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression is the leading cause of disability among adults in the U.S and is associated with negative short- and long-term social, emotional, economic, and physical health outcomes. Notably, rates of depression among children and adolescents are rapidly increasing across the globe. Depression in youth disrupts crucial developmental processes that can adversely affect concurrent and longitudinal socioeconomic and health outcomes. Although extant research delineates the consequences of adolescent depression for adult functioning (e.g., lower educational attainment, fewer economic resources, worse physical health), studies that examine these associations within racially minoritized populations are scarce. This gap in the literature is especially striking …

Illuminating Instances Of Punitive Approaches To Care In Perinatal Settings In Canada, Amy L. Wright, Jen Rinaldi, Idil Abdillahi, Yann Zoldan, Julia Smith, Emilie Hudon, Lauren Munro

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Carceral perinatal care is the provision of coercive or punishing care by clinicians during the perinatal period (1). Whether intentional or driven by licensure/policy demands, clinicians have been implicated in the provision of punitive care for pregnant and parenting patients (1-4).

Purpose: The Do No Harm project aims to thoroughly understand carceral instances of clinical practices across the perinatal continuum of care to develop abolitionist solutions that are equitable, person-centred, and trauma-responsive. Abolitionist solutions reimagine prevention, intervention and healing ways of accountability that do not cause further harm (5).

Methods: Informed by the Reproductive Justice Framework (6) and Abolitionist Feminism …

From Seed Funding To Global Impact: Building A Successful Nurse-Led Research Program, Nicola Cornally, Mohamad M. Saab

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Large scale nurse-led research is infrequently observed when compared to other health disciplines. Advancing nurse-led research and improving uptake of evidence requires a shift in how the profession secures funding.[1] Nurse-led research faces barriers like limited opportunities, competing demands, low perceived value, and a paucity of role models/mentors. [2] With the increase in doctorly trained nurses, there is an urgent need to address such barriers.

Aim: To explore the mechanisms that build a successful nurse-led research program.

Methods: Case studies (CS) of how two nurse Chief Investigators navigated the path to leading major grants.

CS1: From a small post-doctoral …

The Development And Validation Of Gains-Id, A Guidebook For Adapting Intervention Sessions For Students With Intellectual Disability, Kayla Mccreadie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Targeted interventions can equip students with intellectual disabilities (ID) with essential academic skills that support positive post-secondary outcomes. However, the lack of interventions specifically designed for this population creates barriers to equitable education. Until more interventions are developed, educators may benefit from resources that help adapt evidence-based practices to meet the needs of students with IDD.

The first manuscript introduces GAINS-ID (Guide for Adapting INtervention Sessions for Intellectual Disabilities). Based on best practices and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the guide offers examples of adaptations to various intervention components—such as time, materials, environment, …

Asian American Men's Experiences Of Gendered Racism In Online Competitive Gaming, Calvin Weiting Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S., Asian Americans men make up a large portion of active players in online competitive video games. In these settings, harassment, racism, and hate speech are prevalent and often normalized. The purpose of this study was to explore Asian American men’s experiences of gendered racism in online competitive gaming spaces. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2022) and applying the Intersectionality Framework (Crenshaw, 1989; Collins, 2000), six Asian American men were interviewed about their experiences of gendered racism while playing online competitive games. Two Group Experiential Themes emerged from their accounts: 1) Gendered racism …

Msw Portfolio, Natalie Lynn Pitkin

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects my development as a social work professional throughout the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. My experiences in child welfare, family support, and inpatient behavioral health have shaped my understanding of social work as a profession that requires both meaningful relationships with individuals and a commitment to addressing the systems that influence their lives. Through academic learning, University of Montana's core competencies, field education, and professional experiences, I have strengthened my ability to apply an intersectional, trauma-informed, and empowerment-focused lens to practice.

Msw Final Portfolio, Teresa M. Asbury

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio: Development Of A Social Work Practitioner, Loren Fitzpatrick

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio details my experiences and professional journey throughout the University of Montana's Master of Social Work program. It provides significant reflection of core social work elements and competencies while highlighting an understanding of trauma informed care, development of theoretical orientation, and the importance of culturally responsive practice. Examples of competency are displayed through provided coursework assignments, group projects, and research papers.

The Question As Discipline: A Journey Toward Advanced Integrated Practice, Claire Boonmanop Webb

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

All Food Is Good Food – Steps To Becoming An Eating Disorder Therapist, Aurelia R. Nelson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Cosmetic Nationalism: Fashion And Feminine Performance In Trump-Aligned America, Nicola Rountree-Williams

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

This paper examines how fashion, beauty, and feminine presentation operate as political tools within Trump-aligned American culture. Drawing on historical examples from fascist Italy, Francoist Spain, and European aristocratic fashion, it argues that aesthetics have long been used to reinforce nationalism, gender hierarchy, and political authority. The paper analyzes contemporary trends such as “Republican makeup” and “Mar-a-Lago face,” arguing that these hyper-feminine and highly racialized beauty standards function as performances of loyalty, wealth, and traditional femininity within Trump-aligned politics. Through figures such as Kristi Noem, the paper demonstrates how women’s appearances can visually legitimize masculine authority while limiting women’s autonomy …

Exploring The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence Tools On Special Education Teachers’ Workload And Burnout In Colorado: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Rawa Suhail Abu Alsamah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, special education (SPED) teachers face complex workloads, high caseloads, and extensive documentation responsibilities, contributing significantly to burnout and retention issues. The recent integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational settings presents promising opportunities to alleviate teachers' instructional and administrative demands. To better understand the impact of AI on SPED teachers, this phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of licensed K–12 SPED teachers in Colorado who use AI tools in their professional practice. This study also examined how AI tools supported workload management, as well as their perceived impacts on burnout and intentions to remain in …

Cultural Humility, A Salve For Romantic Relationship Conflict, Lena Blum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conflict communication and having a relationship consisting of differing sociocultural backgrounds (DISC Couples) have been viewed as obstacles or at best hindrances of relationship satisfaction in earlier couples’ psychology literature. More recent literature makes an argument that it is not merely conflict communication or the differences of culture within a couple, but rather how couples navigate both conflict and differences that impact relationship satisfaction. The present work aims to investigate the role of cultural humility in the association between cultural conflict communication and relationship satisfaction, as well as its relationship with the frequency of cultural conflict communication among DISC couples. …

Pushing Forward: The Dialectical Experiences Of Apida Psychologists In Predominantly White Counseling Settings, Shaun A. Fossett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDAs) are the fastest growing racial group in the United States, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in the field of psychology and notably absent from research examining the professional experiences of racial and ethnic minority clinicians. Existing scholarship has documented the prevalence of racialized organizational structures, microaggressions, and the enduring “model minority” stereotype that both obscures and exacerbates APIDA challenges in professional environments. However, no known published studies have investigated the non–client-facing experiences of APIDA psychologists working in predominantly White counseling settings. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore how …

Unmaking Crane Hall: Institutional Change And The Politics Of Exhibit Closures At The Denver Museum Of Nature And Science, Abigail Genene Duff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the June 2023 closure of the North American Indian Cultures Hall (NAICH) at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) as a critical moment of institutional transformation. Through a case study approach grounded in archival research, interviews, surveys, and discourse analysis of social media posts and public commentary, this project investigates how exhibit closures reflect shifting dynamics of curatorial authority, Indigenous representation, and settler colonial structures. Guided by theoretical frameworks of settler colonial theory, desire-based research, institutional critique, and museum anthropology, this study explores how internal museum politics, community opinion, and public narratives reshape accountability and …

Msw Portfolio, Aspen Widdicombe

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio was written by an MSW student where they talk about their practicum experience and how this relates to the MSW Competencies.

Sober Curious: A Treatment Manual For A Semi-Structured Interpersonal Process Group Targeting Substance Misuse In Emerging Adults, Annalise G. Floody

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This paper presents Sober Curious, an original treatment manual for an eight-session, semi-structured interpersonal process group for emerging adults ages 18–25 with mild-to-moderate substance misuse concerns. This group is designed for university counseling centers and outpatient treatment settings, particularly for individuals who experience substance-related distress, impairment, risk, or ambivalence but may not identify with abstinence-based recovery or formal diagnostic substance use disorder (SUD) language. The manual is grounded in epidemiological data, established substance use treatment guidelines, meta-analytic findings on group psychotherapy and substance use interventions, and the developmental theory of emerging adulthood. Key intervention elements include motivational interviewing (MI) to …

Trauma Processing And Sleep Inconsistencies In Firefighters: A Proposed Program To Bridge Gaps And Set Heroes Up For Success, Megan Griffin

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This doctoral paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature supporting the need for an integrated training program addressing sleep disruption, trauma exposure and processing, and substance use as a self-medication strategy among firefighter populations. Drawing on empirical research, the paper examines the prevalence and interaction of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral injury, sleep disturbances, and substance use within this occupational group. The introduction provides operational definitions of PTSD and moral injury and synthesizes existing research on trauma exposure, sleep impairment, and substance use functions among firefighters. The literature review also highlights evidence-based, exposure informed interventions to facilitate adaptive trauma …

Promoting Developmentally Informed Justice: A Developmental Assessment Referral Framework For Juvenile Transfer Decisions, Carly F. Colman

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The transfer of youth between juvenile courts and adult courts is one of the most consequential decisions made in the American legal system, as it will influence the youth’s legal outcomes, developmental trajectories, and long-term well-being. Advances in adolescent brain science show that there are many factors associated with youthful offending, including developmental immaturity, susceptibility to external influences, and ongoing neurobiological development—all of which are related to age, rather than being fixed criminal traits. Despite this growing body of evidence, legal decision-making in juvenile transfer and sentencing does not consistently incorporate individualized developmental data. This paper examines the important role …

Clinical Considerations For Black Student Athlete Development, Jahnia Margarita Green

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Black student athletes exemplify the complexity of navigating intersecting identities at pivotal points in their development. They are also more likely to make premature commitments to their athletic identity and in turn suffer from psychological distress during times of transition (Beamon, 2012). The focus on Black collegiate athletes is informed by persistent mental health challenges associated with higher levels of competition or transitions (e.g., injury or retirement) within collegiate athletics (Brewer & Petitpas, 2017; Menke & Germany, 2019). This paper aims to develop culturally informed clinical considerations through the analysis of the Black student athlete experience and structural aspects of …

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Trauma In Adolescents: A Doctoral-Level Clinical Psychology Course, Jasmine M. Cervantes

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Adolescent trauma is a significant mental health concern that can profoundly disrupt emotional, cognitive, social, and developmental functioning. Although evidence-based interventions for adolescent trauma are well established, doctoral-level psychology training programs may provide limited instruction focused specifically on the unique developmental, cultural, and clinical considerations required when treating traumatized adolescents. This paper presents the development of a ten-week doctoral-level elective course designed to address this gap in clinical training. The curriculum provides foundational knowledge regarding the prevalence, developmental impact, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescent trauma, with an emphasis on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Students …

Act And Posttraumatic Growth In Military Veterans: Growth Through Flexibility After Adversity, Andrew J. Moller

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Military veterans are disproportionately exposed to potentially traumatic events across service eras. While much of the clinical and research literature has focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptom reduction, a growing body of work highlights the possibility of posttraumatic growth (PTG) following adversity. PTG refers to positive psychological changes that may emerge through engagement with traumatic experiences, including enhanced appreciation for life, renewed purpose, personal strength, deepened relationships, and reintegration into community roles. Importantly, PTG does not imply the absence of distress but may coexist alongside ongoing trauma-related symptoms. Understanding processes that facilitate growth alongside suffering may support more …