Digital Commons Network^™

Educational Program To Prevent Long-Term Complications For Individuals With Diabetes, Emily M. Ware

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project aimed to create an educational program to improve quality of life for individuals with diabetes by enhancing daily self-management and occupational engagement to prevent long-term complications. The literature states that although diabetes complications are common, they are also highly preventable through self-management strategies. Because diabetes self-management is deeply embedded into daily routines, occupational therapy practitioners can play a unique role in supporting individuals in this process. Prior to participation in the educational program, participants completed a screening tool assessing their diabetes management routines and confidence in the context of daily activities. An occupational therapy-informed, six-week educational …

Educating Caregivers To Increase Participation In Sensory Integration Interventions, Hannah G. Williams

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This capstone project aims to educate caregivers on the foundational three sensory systems and sensory integration (SI) interventions to enhance children’s participation in daily occupations. Research consistently highlights the vital role caregivers play in supporting their child’s sensory regulation and overall well-being. However, existing literature offers limited investigation into the relationship between SI dysfunction and caregiver education. Sensory integration enables the organization of sensory input to facilitate meaningful interaction with the environment; however, caregiver participation in applying SI-based interventions remains underrepresented in research and practice. To address these issues, this project utilizes an approach called knowledge translation through the creation …

Program Development For Previously Incarcerated Individuals Transitioning Back Into Society, Shiean Raychel Walters

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This project supports individuals re-entering society after prison, dealing with substance abuse, or court commitments. Through real-life activities such as paying rent, working, cooking, and community service, it helps participants build independence, manage routines, and prevent relapse or recidivism. The program offers occupational therapy-based interventions to address key life skills like time and money management, job acquisition, self-care, and emotional regulation. It also aids in addiction recovery, ensuring individuals can adapt to new roles and routines that may initially feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. A key component is an occupational therapy assessment that evaluates participants’ readiness to transition to independent living, …

Education And Advocacy For Implementation Of Biofeedback Therapy In Pediatrics With Anxiety And Migraine Headaches, Mckenly Roberts

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This capstone project explores the implementation of biofeedback therapy in occupational therapy for treating pediatric migraines and anxiety. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, examining peer-reviewed articles from 2000–2024, which revealed biofeedback therapy’s efficacy in addressing stress-related symptoms across age groups. The study focuses on adolescents’ academic and extracurricular occupations, where stress significantly impacts mental and physical health. The project aims to establish a biofeedback therapy program at the Abilene Christian University Psychology Clinic, addressing gaps in current literature and practice guidelines. Utilizing the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, the research highlights biofeedback’s potential to improve functional performance and participation for children …

Program Development And Education For Skill Regression In School-Based Occupational Therapy, Darby R. Roach

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

ABSTRACT

Skill regression happens within students when they experience extended breaks from school-based occupational therapy services. This can significantly impact student progress, along with barriers such as communication between professionals and inadequate resource knowledge or availability. My doctoral capstone project investigates these barriers through a comprehensive literature review and data collection at Wall Elementary School (WES), a part of Small Schools Co-op (SSC). During the project, I examined deidentified progress reports from 19 students in Pre-K through 5th grade across the 2024-2025 school year. I created and utilized a four-category coding system to track goal progress as follows: regression, no …

Oncology Rehabilitation In Occupational Therapy, Callie D. Freeman

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project examined the need for occupational therapy (OT) services among individuals diagnosed with cancer and cancer survivors. Evidence indicates that cancer-related fatigue, decreased participation, and diminished quality of life are common challenges following different types of cancer treatment. Occupational therapy addresses these issues through occupation-based interventions, fatigue management education, energy conservation strategies, and activities that promote strength, stability, and social participation. Nevertheless, a gap persists in the utilization of OT services within oncology treatment care. Over a 14-week period, this project implemented group-based interventions to enhance the quality of life and engagement among cancer survivors affiliated with …

Program Development And Administration Of Experiential Learning Practices In Ot Education, Elizabeth Ann Marie Beeman

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Experiential learning opportunities enhance occupational therapy students’ clinical skills, confidence, and professional preparation through hands-on practice. This capstone project focused on program development and administration at Abilene Christian University’s occupational therapy department. Initially centered on establishing a student-run campus clinic, the project pivoted during week one when needs assessment revealed the clinic concept no longer aligned with departmental and university strategic goals. The revised focus incorporated experiential learning theory and interprofessional education. Over 14 weeks, I conducted nine faculty interviews and four student focus groups. Findings indicated unanimous support for mandatory, scheduled experiential learning opportunities while identifying common implementation barriers, …

Education Of Trauma-Informed Care In The School System: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Jada F. Muller

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This capstone experience focused on providing education to faculty and staff of elementary-aged children. This includes education about signs of trauma, techniques to use for the classroom, and how occupational therapy can contribute to trauma-informed interventions in the school system. More research is needed to show the implications of trauma informed practice and the role of occupational therapy within the school system. To address this gap, this doctoral project was designed to fulfill the need for trauma-informed education and add to the body of knowledge. This project took place at Denison Independent School District, where I created deliverables addressing different …

A Socio-Technical Analysis Of Market Reactions On Meme Coins: Trump’S Presidential Effect, Ping Fan Ke, Yi Meng Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Meme coins are a unique type of cryptocurrency whose value is shaped by internet culture and viral trends. This study introduces a socio-technical research model to examine key factors influencing meme coin dynamics and applies it to analyze market reactions to Donald Trump’s 2024 U.S. presidential election victory and inauguration, focusing on the $TRUMP meme coin and other politics-related meme coins, known as PolitiFi. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyze publicly available news, social media activity, and marketplace data to investigate the interaction between social engagement and technical infrastructure. Econometric analysis shows that Trump-related events triggered short-term price surges, increased …

Registration Is A Powerful Rotation-Invariance Learner For 3d Anomaly Detection, Yuyang Yu, Zhengwei Chen, Xuemiao Xu, Lei Zhang, Haoxin Yang, Yongwei Nie, Shengfeng He

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

3D anomaly detection in point-cloud data is critical for industrial quality control, aiming to identify structural defects with high reliability. However, current memory bank-based methods often suffer from inconsistent feature transformations and limited discriminative capacity, particularly in capturing local geometric details and achieving rotation invariance. These limitations become more pronounced when registration fails, leading to unreliable detection results. We argue that point-cloud registration plays an essential role not only in aligning geometric structures but also in guiding feature extraction toward rotation-invariant and locally discriminative representations. To this end, we propose a registration-induced, rotation-invariant feature extraction framework that integrates the objectives …

Safe-Sora: Safe Text-To-Video Generation Via Graphical Watermarking, Zihan Su, Xuerui Qiu, Hongbin Xu, Tangyu Jiang, Jun-Hao Zhuang, Chun Yuan, Ming Li, Shengfeng He, Fei Yu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The explosive growth of generative video models has amplified the demand for reliable copyright preservation of AI-generated content. Despite its popularity in image synthesis, invisible generative watermarking remains largely underexplored in video generation. To address this gap, we propose Safe-Sora, the first framework to embed graphical watermarks directly into the video generation process. Motivated by the observation that watermarking performance is closely tied to the visual similarity between the watermark and cover content, we introduce a hierarchical coarse-to-fine adaptive matching mechanism. Specifically, the watermark image is divided into patches, each assigned to the most visually similar video frame, and further …

Fall 2025 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Newsletter

No abstract provided.

December 2025 Title Changes & Checking In, Willa Tavernier

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Face Synthesis Methods And Their Influence On Human Perception, Maha Habib Almaimani

All Dissertations

Synthetic faces (e.g., computer-generated characters) have been increasingly utilized across various fields, including entertainment, healthcare, and education. Perceptual studies are often conducted to understand how synthetic faces are perceived by humans, aiming to enhance both quality and user experience in these domains. Over the years, numerous methods have been developed to create synthetic faces, ranging from traditional techniques such as image composites, Active Appearance Models, and 3D Morphable Models to more recent machine-learning-based frameworks like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs).

Despite the growing adoption of synthetic face generation and the variety of algorithms available for their creation, …

Gender And Consensus On The Courts, Kaleigh A. Ruiz

Michigan Journal of Gender & Law

During group deliberation, women tend to be the harbingers of compromise, vying for consensus on even the most contentious topics. However, women cannot succeed in this endeavor if gender bias prevents their voices from being heard. In federal courts, collaboration is essential to reaching the simple majority needed to resolve a case. While the courts already function under norms of collegiality during deliberations, the practice of writing a separate opinion to acknowledge disagreement with a majority opinion remains relatively common. In this Article, I test two competing theories as to the effects of women judges on consensus. On one hand, …

Program Development And Evaluation & Clinical Skills Of A Comprehensive Screening Tool For The Pediatric Population, Keegan S. Lepkowski

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This capstone project focused on occupational therapy screening tools for the pediatric population within the areas of specialization of program development and evaluation and clinical skills. The literature revealed that there is a lack of recognition of the intent, knowledge, and access to screening and how it fits within the overall evaluation process. To address this gap, this capstone project aimed to create a positively perceived comprehensive screening tool for occupational therapy clinicians to utilize for the early identification of developmental delays within preschool-aged children. This capstone project also aimed to organize a screening program in coordination with local schools/daycare …

Leadership Development Programs For Elected Officials: Measuring The Impact Of Extension On County Leadership Capacity, Nathan Palardy, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Although Extension-led leadership development programs for elected officials are widespread, few evaluations assess their effectiveness. This study uses 2 years of survey data to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate several programs for Florida county commissioners, focusing on reaction, knowledge transfer, and behavior change. Results indicate high satisfaction with the program content and quality and substantial improvement in leadership competencies. Commissioners reported frequent application of the skills taught and cited networking opportunities as a key benefit. Findings suggest that Extension-led programs can strengthen local governments by enhancing the leadership capabilities of elected officials and offering insights to guide the design of similar …

The Power Of Core Memories In Financial Education For Gen Alpha Children, Karen Richel

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Financial education plays a critical role in shaping lifelong financial behaviors and decision-making skills. To create a lasting impact, it is essential to establish core memories associated with money management from an early age. This article explores the significance of these foundational experiences and their role in financial education for Gen Alpha children.

A series of eight immersive financial education events was developed to meet state and national standards for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. These events employ play-based and object-based learning approaches, immersing students in engaging, age-appropriate activities that incorporate real-world scenarios. By creating a fun and memorable …

Enhancing Youth Learning Outcomes Of Travel Programs Through Storytelling, Gary Ellis, Parisa Paymard, Dottie Goebel, Darlene Locke, William F. Zanolini, Emily Catalan, Kelley Ranly

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

We conducted two studies to evaluate strategies that Extension educators may use to enrich youth travel program experiences. Study 1 evaluated the effects of telling stories about attractions before site visits on youth experiences and learning outcomes on site. Seventeen youth in a 4-H program designed to promote cultural understanding visited eight attractions in Costa Rica. The evening before visiting three sites, youth were told a fictional or cross-fictional story about the sites. The stories elicited imaginary travel to the site (narrative transportation). After visiting the sites, the youth reported the extent to which they felt like they were in …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Relationship Education For Latino Adolescents, Joshua J. Turner, Esra Şahin, Kay Bradford, Brian J. Higginbotham

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Adolescent romantic relationships are often characterized as exploratory and fleeting; however, they have lasting impacts on individual well-being and relationship quality during and beyond adolescence, shaping future relationship expectations and quality (Collins, 2003; Madsen & Collins, 2011). Adolescent relationship education is an important programmatic feature under the broader umbrella of family life education (Simpson et al., 2018). Previous evaluative studies document positive outcomes in educating adolescents on how to build and recognize healthy relationships (Bradford et al., 2023; Kerpelman et al., 2010); however, research remains limited in addressing potential benefits for adolescents from historically underrepresented groups. This study addresses this …

Referral Strategies For Recruitment And Engagement Of Community Adults Into Online Extension Health Programs, Cheryl L. Eschbach, Dawn A. Contreras, Holly B. Tiret

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This article shares details behind building organizational capacity to establish program referrals for statewide recruitment of community adults into Cooperative Extension’s online health programs. This study explores the role of intentional recruitment strategies (active and passive) to increase participant program enrollment into health education and shares examples from one state that has created a trained workforce that offers ongoing research- and evidence-based programs. After many years of trying paper, phone, and electronic medical record methods to increase program reach, Michigan State University Extension tried an electronic referral process via a QR code and web link, accompanied by program marketing, to …

Teaching Leadership In The Context Of Crisis: Connecting Organizational Leadership And Crisis Competencies In A Faculty Leadership Education Program, Caitlin Lunzmann, Nicole Lamee Perez Stedman, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This research focused on enhancing leadership instruction in colleges of agriculture. A multi-institutional research team initiated a program to teach agricultural and natural resource faculty how to create leadership-oriented case studies for undergraduates. Forty faculty members participated in an online training academy centered on Bolman and Deal’s Organizational Frames and case study writing. Following the academy, these faculty members participated in field experiences in the southeastern U.S. to gather data on natural disasters, which they used to write case studies about leadership in agriculture. Though the program focused on organizational leadership, it also discussed leadership in the context of natural …

Exploring The Educational Needs Of Family Caregivers For Patients With Dementia, Karen L. Franck, Janet Fox, Ann A. Berry, Kristen Johnson, Jessica Taylor, Matt Devereaux

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Family members who care for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia often face significant stressors and challenges that impact their quality of life. As part of a project to develop Extension educational materials and resources specifically for family caregivers, we conducted an online needs assessment survey with 196 adults in the U.S. Participants identified doctors, the internet, and caregiver support groups as top sources of information about dementia. They were interested in strategies to help them manage stress, address patient behavioral issues, and access locally available resources. Furthermore, they were interested in attending educational programs with other caregivers. These findings …

The Wisdom-Ing Of Academia: A Servant-Leadership Perspective, Kathleen Patterson, Jeffrey Brauch, Don Finn, David Wallace, Jeffrey Anderson, Dorothy Hargett

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This article looks at the wisdom-ing of academia as more faculty members choose to delay retirement, continue working in varied ways, and are vibrant to the academy. Robert K. Greenleaf (1998), who is best noted as the Father of Servant Leadership, called aging the ultimate test of spirit. The authors represent Regent University’s Faculty Senate and look at this wisdom-ing, or graying, of faculty members through a Servant Leadership lens, a Biblical perspective, and then cognitive considerations, to provide insight into higher-education at large. We, the Regent University Faculty Senate, then share insights we learned from anecdotal casual conversations with …

Reviving Civil Discourse: A Leadership Imperative In The Age Of Polarization, Katie Herritage

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This paper examines the current erosion of civil discourse as a pressing leadership challenge in an era defined by polarization and distrust. Civil discourse, the respectful and constructive exchange of ideas, underpins democratic societies yet is increasingly undermined by hostile rhetoric and deepening societal divides. Drawing on servant-leadership and relational leadership theory, this study explores how leaders can counteract this decline by fostering trust, empathy, and open dialogue. The discussion is grounded in the philosophical contributions of bell hooks, Friedrich Nietzsche, Viktor Frankl, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., whose ideas illuminate pathways for revitalizing civil discourse through compassion, …

Dei And The Servant-Leader, Carmen Dela Cruz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

After the June 2023 Supreme Court decision eliminating race as a consideration in college admissions, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education became a target. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, some states began closing or renaming their DEI offices even before President Trump’s reelection. Since President Trump began his second term, his administration has made dismantling DEI initiatives a top priority. So, now is a crucial time to continue the work of civil rights and social justice in the United States. It is essential that we have leaders that are willing to carry out DEI …

Chapter 2 Slides: Preparing For Your Internship, Practicum, And Capstone, Lisa Dunkley

Internship, Practicum, and Capstone: A Guide for Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Chapter 4 Slides: Core Competencies In Rehabilitative Health Sciences, Lisa Dunkley

Internship, Practicum, and Capstone: A Guide for Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Chapter 8 Slides: Self-Care, Stress, And Safety In Rehabilitation Professions, Lisa Dunkley

Internship, Practicum, and Capstone: A Guide for Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Wofford Today Winter 2025, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Wofford Today

No abstract provided.