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2025 Spring - Commencement Program, Office Of The Registar, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Commencement Ceremonies and Programs

No abstract provided.

Fifty-Ninth Commencement (Undergraduate), Sacred Heart University

Commencement Programs

Program for undergraduate ceremonies, May 10, 2025.

Empowering Families: Enhancing Early Intervention Through Caregiver Coaching, Kylie G. Wersal

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The early years of life are critical for shaping developmental outcomes, especially for children with disabilities, developmental delays, or challenges. This 14-week capstone project aimed to strengthen caregiver coaching strategies within the early intervention (EI) setting using Minnesota’s Evidence-Based Quality Intervention Practices (EQIP) approach, the Primary Service Provider (PSP) model, and the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) model. Emphasis was placed on developing in-depth clinical skills, fostering transdisciplinary collaboration, and advocating for improved awareness of the EI referral process. Caregiver coaching promoted routine-based, family-centered strategies that supported both child development and enhanced caregivers’ confidence. Self-reflection and mentor observation indicated measurable …

Rays Of Resilience:Tbri® Nurture Group© Intervention For Improved Social-Emotional Development In Head Start, Madison Carlson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) face challenges that impact their developmental trajectory, family dynamics, and occupational engagement (CDC, 2021a). Rays of Resilience is a trauma-informed occupational therapy capstone project designed to enhance social-emotional skills in preschoolers at a rural Head Start program guided by the TBRI® framework and the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model. Using Nurture Group© small group intervention, collaboration with staff, and engagement with caregivers, this project targeted social-emotional development and relationship building in children with a higher risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Fifteen students participated in weekly lessons focused on self-regulation, identifying emotions, and communicating wants …

Knowledge, Skills, And Barriers To Palliative Care Referrals By Oncology Providers, Audra Meador, Bailey Waldron

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Palliative Care is an evidence based and integrative aspect of cancer care that has demonstrated improved quality of life and diminished symptomology, however, barriers to referrals exist. With the growing interest in and demand for specialized healthcare services, more research on integration and referral practices surrounding palliative care is necessary. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and barriers to referring cancer patients to outpatient palliative care at a teaching and research hospital. In one cancer center, 50 physicians, Advance Practice Providers, and nurse case managers responded to an electronic survey regarding interest and support for palliative care …

Multilevel Considerations For Youth Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Prognosis And Management: Examining The Relationship Between Health Care Factors And Familial Factors In Families Of Children And Adolescents With Adhd, Carey A. Wheelhouse

Theses & Dissertations

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting up to 10% of U.S. youth, and is associated with several negative social, health, and academic or occupational outcomes. Risk and prognostic factors for ADHD are multifactorial, and the management of youth ADHD is multimodal. Familial environments are one prognostic factor for ADHD, with family resilience being positively associated with youth ADHD prognosis. Researchers exploring multilevel interventions for the management of youth ADHD have proposed health care systems as a setting for interventions targeting family resilience, however little research examines the relationship between health care system factors and family factors in families …

Yoga Therapy For Psychological Safety In Healthcare Staff, Kristen Fabiszewski

Doctoral Projects

Establishing a culture of psychological safety is a necessary foundation for creating a High Reliability Organization. Healthcare professionals must practice emotional self-regulation to maintain equanimity and facilitate positive communications with their colleagues. This can be exceptionally challenging when increasing numbers of healthcare professionals are experiencing burnout. Using the framework of Polyvagal Theory, yoga practices have been demonstrated to support emotional self-regulation and reduce symptoms of burnout. The purpose of this project was to implement yoga therapy to increase the perception of psychological safety in healthcare staff. Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) staff invited to attend one 45minute yoga …

Tetradrachms, Shekels, And Denarii: Cross-Cultural Exchange In Money At The Edges Of Greece And Rome, Miles Thompson

Honors Theses

This thesis focuses on the coin collection of the University of Mississippi Museum. I cataloged ancient coins in its collection through consulting online databases and reference books, and designed an exhibition to display some of the notable examples. This exhibition was based around the theme of cross-cultural interaction between Greek and Roman cultures and other ones towards the edges. It had both a physical and virtual component, and was displayed in Bryant Hall, and the museum’s website. I provide greater historical depth and research on some of the coins I cataloged that illustrate these cross-cultural interactions well. This exhibition successfully …

175th Commencement, Spring

Commencement Programs

Commencement program (graduate and undergraduate exercises) for Spring 2025

A Framework For Establishing An Automated Traffic Violation Detection System In New Assiut City Using Ordinary Cctv Units, Mahmoud Owais, Ali Shehata, Abdou Shaband, Ghada S. Moussa

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Violating traffic rules in transport networks is a genuine concern for operators as it is one of the most important causes of fatal accidents. With the increasing number of residents in the new cities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the incompleteness of the transportation system in those cities, including traffic signs, light signals, and control points, the possibility of committing such violations increases. The study aims to propose the framework for establishing an intelligent monitoring system in the new city of Assiut consisting of high-resolution cameras optimally distributed on the traffic network points in the city. They will …

Digital Eye Strain In College Students: The Impact Of Academic Majors And Study Habits On Visual Health, Jennica L. Pitts

Honors Thesis

Digital eye strain (DES) has recently grown to become a significant concern among the college student community, particularly with the increased reliance on electronic and screen-based devices for academic and recreational purposes. This study aims to explore potential correlations between a university student's academic major, study habits, and screen-based behaviors, as well as any symptoms they may experience digital eye strain (as well as any other potential contributing factors) In total 81 college students chose to participate in an online survey (through Qualatrics) which assessed their academic majors, GPA, status in the honors program, screen usage, DES symptoms experienced, any …

A Case Study Of Ungrading On Student Learning In Higher Education, Brooke M. Creviston

Honors Thesis

This qualitative case study investigates the impact of ungrading in higher education at University A (pseudonym). The participants included seven students and three professors actively involved in ungraded courses. Positive outcomes are reported by both students and professors. Student participants felt that ungrading offered them more ownership in learning and less fear of making mistakes because they could apply feedback to improve their work rather than simply receiving numeric scores. The interviewed professors shared that ungrading allowed them to hold meaningful conversations with their students and helped them develop intrinsic motivation with academic material. Overall, in comparison to traditionally graded …

Influencer Or Fake, It Is All One In The Same On Tiktok, Martina Nicholson

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

How brands market their product has changed with the rise of social media. TikTok has become one of the largest platforms for brands to find consumer bases. This is because TikTok is a source of entertainment that has been able to co-opt marketing movements that introduce the aspect of brand and viewer relationship based on identity. When a viewer is able to establish an identity with the brand, they become an active consumer. Brands are able to do this through the influencers, which has become the new norm within marketing strategy. Influencers are people who are able to gain a …

Relationship Between Prodigiosin Production And Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis Metabolite Concentration, Nautica Ek Hagg

Honors Thesis

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a pathogenic fungus that has been causing extirpations of amphibian species across the globe. The microbiome on the skin of amphibians is known to be a key factor in infection dynamics. It has been established that one species of cutaneous bacteria, Serratia marcescens, and a secondary metabolite with antifungal properties it produces, prodigiosin, has shown a promising ability to decrease the growth of Bd. However, when Serratia marcescens is grown in the same media with added metabolites produced by Bd, there is an observed decrease in the production of the bacteria’s protective metabolite, prodigiosin. This experiment …

Wandering From The River: On- And Off-River Abundance Of Interior Least Terns Along The 59-Mile Reach Of The Missouri National Recreational River, Zoe D. Donelan

Honors Thesis

The Interior Least Tern, a summer nesting species native to the sandbars of the Missouri River, faces significant loss of foraging habitat and forage fish populations as a result of modern river regulation. Alternative foraging sites may be located several kilometers from tern nesting colonies at either on-river or off-river wetland sites. To understand how Least Terns use available foraging habitat, we conducted population surveys along the 59-mile reach of the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) in Southeastern South Dakota. We conducted land-based surveys at nine on-river public-access sites along the Missouri River and 12 off-river wetland sites within 30 …

The Complexities Of Hiring In A Remote Landscape: Examining The Role Of Remote Work Opportunities For Individuals With Criminal Records, Sivasubbarayan Srinivasan

Dissertations

This study examined how employer risk perceptions, beliefs in rehabilitation, and support for second-chance employment influence hiring decisions regarding individuals with criminal records, while also evaluating whether remote work moderates these relationships. Prior research has extensively explored employer attitudes toward ex-offenders in traditional, in-office environments; however, limited attention has been given to how remote work arrangements may alter perceived risk or hiring willingness. Given the expansion of remote and hybrid work models in the United States, understanding whether physical workplace separation reduces stigma or perceived liability is both theoretically and practically significant.

The study collected survey data from 605 hiring …

University Of Minnesota Morris 2025 Commencement, Communications And Marketing

UMM Commencement

The University of Minnesota Morris's sixty-second commencement, Saturday, May 10, 2025, 1:30 PM.

Enhancing Nurse Confidence In Labor Pain Management And Respectful Maternity Care Through Implementation Of The Coping With Labor Algorithm, Diane Johnson, Amy Murlowski

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: The objective of this project was to implement the Coping with Labor Algorithm in the labor and delivery setting and study its impact on nurse self-efficacy and on birthing persons’ experiences.

Design: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-design was used for this project.

Setting: The project was conducted in a maternity unit with six labor beds located in the Midwest.

Methods: This project was conducted over twelve weeks. Twenty-five registered nurses were provided in-person education, access to educational materials, and training on how to use the Coping with Labor Algorithm. A pre-test was administered before the unit implementation of the …

Reducing Stigma Towards Alcohol Use Disorder (Aud): A Parasocial Contact Approach, Prah Haider

Honors Thesis

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of control over alcohol intake, compulsive alcohol use and a negative emotional state when not drinking, which can follow a chronic, relapsing course (Carvalho et al., 2019). AUD ranks among the most prevalent mental disorders globally. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.8 million adults ages 18 and older (11.2% in this age group) had AUD in 2021 (NIH, 2024). My proposal seeks to create a novel approach to addressing stigma through creating the illusion of a relationship between a television viewer and a mediated on-screen persona. …

An Extension Of A Break-To-Choice Intervention With Isolated Contingency Tests For Children With Multiply Maintained Challenging Behavior, Mckenna E. Herbek

Theses & Dissertations

Research on functional communication training has shown it to be a highly effective treatment for socially maintained challenging behavior. Challenging behavior multiply maintained by social variables is often addressed with isolated treatments for each function. While this approach has been shown to be efficacious, it may be more time-consuming and less efficient. A more efficient option may be to synthesize the isolated treatments. One such approach, break-to-choice, utilizes a chained schedule of reinforcement that allows the individual to request a break, followed by the selection (choice) of a functional reinforcer to consume. Although this procedure has been shown to be …

Behavior Analysts’ Training And Practices Regarding Cultural Diversity: A Replication And Extension, Tania M. Valdez-Nuguid

Theses & Dissertations

Culturally responsive care, which involves adapting assessment and treatment methods to reflect the culture of individuals served (Sue & Torino, 2005), is crucial for client success, especially for minoritized and marginalized groups. This study replicated and extended Beaulieu et al. (2019) by surveying behavior analysts on their training, perceived competence, and practices in culturally responsive care. We extended Beaulieu et al. (2019) by including open-ended questions regarding culturally responsive practices and barriers faced in delivering culturally responsive care and offering the survey in Spanish. Participants reported feeling skilled and comfortable providing culturally responsive care, with increased training across various modalities. …

The Art Of Dreaming: A Surrealist Approach To Dream Analysis, Shelby Wright

Honors Thesis

Over the past two years, I created a series of paintings to explore the meaning of my nightmares. This study analyzes the themes and symbols in these dreams through the psychological frameworks of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Freud’s causal approach focuses on repressed desires, while Jung’s method relies on mythological symbols and archetypes in the collective unconscious. Drawing on the ideas of André Breton and the Surrealist movement, I examine how art can bridge dreams and waking life. By painting my dreams, I aim to better understand my unconscious and invite viewers to question their perception of reality. This …

A Literature Review: Understanding Gestalt Language Processing In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jordynn L. Urwiler

Honors Thesis

Gestalt language processing (GLP) is not a new idea in the field of speech-language pathology. However, the topic has recently become more popular among practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and the neurodiversity movement may be partially responsible. Advocates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shifted away from using behavioral approaches that try to “fix” autistic1 cognition and communication patterns. Although Analytical Language Processing (ALP) is the typical path for language development, it is now understood that GLP may be a valid form of language acquisition used by both neurotypical and neurodivergent people. The purpose of this literature review is to provide …

Strategic Planning: An Analysis Of Its Place And Purpose In Public Service, Scott J. Tice

M.S. in Leadership

This project identifies what strategic planning is, the benefits of planning, how to develop a strategic plan, what to include in the plan, and how to implement a strategic plan. The subject of this project was chosen to learn how to develop a strategic plan for an organization. The Hudson Fire Department has never had a strategic plan, and the Department believed they would benefit from having one. Many organizations hire consultants to develop their plans. The Department does not have money in the budget for this, and the Department believes they can develop a plan on their own. This …

From Fables To Facts: Discovering The World Through Stories And Science, Lucille Helen Vanek

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

From Fables to Facts: Discovering the World Through Stories and Science examines the integration of narrative storytelling and hands-on scientific exploration as a means of cultivating environmental literacy, ethical reflection, and sustained engagement with the natural world. Grounded in environmental philosophy, aesthetics, and ethics, the project draws on theoretical insights from Holmes Rolston III, Marcia Muelder Eaton, Allen Carlson, Arnold Berleant, and C. Thi Nguyen to develop a multidimensional model of education that unites imagination, cognition, and participatory experience. Implemented in diverse Montana community settings—including libraries, early learning centers, science museums, and faith-based organizations—the program paired fables, parables, and literary …

Multi-Modal Mri For The Pre-Clinical Evaluation Of Hiv-Linked Changes In The Central Nervous System, Gabriel Gauthier

Theses & Dissertations

Though the inception of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has fundamentally changed the life expectancy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, accessibility and outcomes vary enormously along demographic lines. Even for people living with HIV (PLWH) with perfect access and adherence to anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), modern treatment plans are fundamentally unable to secure complete viral remission for patients. The cause of this perpetual infection is the persistence of viral reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS), hidden beyond the reach of modern ARVs, leaving patients to deal with lifelong medication side-effects and risks of developing HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorders (HAND). Despite improving outcomes …

A Comparison Of Resurgence Following Dra And Dro, Alysa Georgopoulos

Theses & Dissertations

Resurgence, a form of behavioral relapse, occurs when a previously reduced target behavior reemerges after an alternative source of reinforcement is discontinued. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) are commonly used strategies to reduce undesired behaviors. Although both are effective, unanticipated periods of extinction (e.g., service lapses or staff turnover) may lead to resurgence of the original target behavior. Romano and St. Peter (2017) found that behavior reduced via DRO was more prone to resurgence than behavior reduced via DRA. However, their study used a different number of response options between conditions (one …

Investigating The Effects Of Transcription Factor Binding And Genetic Variants In The Striatum Of Post-Mortem Cohorts With Opioid Use Disorder, Rajashree Chakraborty

Theses & Dissertations

The opioid crisis has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) affecting millions of lives across the globe. Studying OUD is not merely an academic pursuit but a critical necessity in addressing this multifaceted epidemic. The urgency of this research is underscored by the staggering prevalence of OUD, with an estimated 3.7% of U.S. adults requiring treatment in 2022 alone. Despite the availability of effective medications for OUD, a significant treatment gap persists, with only a quarter of those in need receiving these life-saving interventions. The far-reaching consequences of …

Changing The Face Of Power: Understanding Black Female Clinical Supervisors Through The Superwoman Schema, Shanelle V. Clay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014), the counseling profession’s core values include honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach to both direct services and supervision. Despite the acknowledgement of multiculturalism in clinical supervision, there is minimal research on the impact of supervisors’ intersectionality on supervision dynamics. This qualitative research study will examine the experience of Black female clinical supervisors and the impact the Superwoman Schema has on their role in supervision. This phenomenological research is grounded in the Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework and Black Feminist Thought. A total of five superordinate themes and 14 subordinate themes …

Doctoral Supervisors Perceived Counseling Self-Efficacy After Being Trained On Using Supervision For Vicarious Grief Through The Discrimination Model, Sara Keegan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the intended study was to investigate whether training doctoral students on how to handle vicarious grief experiences through the Discrimination Model would impact doctoral supervisors’ counseling self-efficacy when providing supervision on vicarious grief. This was determined by collecting and comparing pre- and post-test scores from 48 doctoral students, from CACREP-accredited Counseling Education and Supervision programs, on a researcher-revised version of the Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale that specifically addresses supervision for vicarious grief (CSES-SVG). Participants were recruited by using convenience sampling through invitation from the researcher via counseling-related listservs (e.g., CESNET, Duquesne’s Canvas/e-mail), or via program directors or site …