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Private School Principals’ Leadership Roles In Times Of Change Within The Dominican Republic, Benedicta Calderon

Dissertations

As in many other countries around the globe, the Dominican Republic (DR) has recently implemented important educational changes. The curriculum changed from a content-based to a competence-based approach, and grade configurations changed from four-year to three-year cycles, moving seventh and eighth grades out of elementary and into high school. These changes impacted public and private school structures, with implications on principals’ leadership role. While there is much previous research on principals as instructional leaders implementing significant change; prior to this study, no research was found that looked at private school principals in such roles within a developing country like the …

Volume 44, Number 4, December 2024 Olac Newsletter, Laura Kane Mcelfresh, Michael Herrick, Alex Whelan, Tanesa King, Nerissa Lindsey, Lisa Romano, Janelle Zetty, Morris Levy, Jan Mayo, Bobby Bothmann, Tomeka L. Jackson, Thumy Webb, Nurhak Tuncer, Katherine Manifold, Michelle Cronquist, Amanda Mack, Michelle E. Colquitt, Carla Davis Cunningham, Meghan Croll, Chelsea Gizzi, Christine Baker, Ann Kardos, Ellen Wright, Beth Fogler, Amy Pennington, Tina Marie Maes

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized December 2024 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.

Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Dance In The Academic Schedule: The Effects On Stress Among High School Students, Amanda Polanowski

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the minds of dance students about the stress they experienced as a result of their academic schedules and extracurriculars. The following research questions informed this study:

Q1 Does incorporating dance into the academic schedule lower stress in high school students?

Q2 In what mental state are students before and after taking dance class?

Q3 Does dance provide mental health benefits for high school students?

Student stress was evaluated before the study using a questionnaire as well as before and after each dance class through surveys. Eighteen students participated in a …

I Belong Here: How Culturally Responsive Learning Builds Community And Acceptance In The Dance Classroom Of A Public School System, Britteny Dorothy Hyslip

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gauge the impact of culturally responsive educational practices on a public school dance class through evaluations of students taking part in the class. This study aimed to see how a dance course written with culturally responsive learning practices positively impacts public school students from a behavioral and social-emotional aspect. Two essential questions were used in this thesis study.

Q1 Why is the diversity of dance important in a diverse school district?

Q2 How can the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education scale for culturally responsive learning be reframed for performing arts education …

Exploring Audience Perceptions Of Elementary School Dance Curriculum: Utilizing Informance To Investigate Beliefs Regarding The Presentation Of Student Learning In Dance, Michaela Summers

Master's Theses

The goal of this thesis was to gain insight into the perceptions and expectations of audiences in relation to elementary school dance education curriculum and its representation through showcases or displays, particularly within the context of viewing an informance. The researcher developed three research questions to guide the study:

Q1 What are audience perceptions of elementary school dance education pedagogy and curriculum?

Q2 What methods do audiences expect to be implemented in an elementary school dance performance?

Q3 Can utilizing informances affect audience perceptions of elementary school dance education, thus changing their expectations for dance performance methods?

Thirty-eight audience members …

Psychological Impacts Of Competitive Dance: Understanding Mental Health And Team Dynamics Among Young Dancers, Gloria E. Brunner

Master's Theses

The purpose of the research was to investigate deeply into the psychological aspects of competitive dance and its influence on the mental well-being of young dancers. Competitive dance has grown significantly in popularity, fueled by reality television shows and social media platforms, creating a high-pressure environment for participants. This research investigated the unique stressors faced by young dancers including performance anxiety, body image concerns, and burnout, while also identifying coping strategies and the positive personal development fostered through dance.

To uncover more information about the positive and negative effects of competition dance, the researcher focused the study on the following …

They Can't Know I Wanna Kiss Robots: Stigma And Audience Segregation In Fanfiction, Micah Arrow Callin

Master's Theses

Fanfiction writers have long faced public stigma, which emerged with the rise of fandom and, according to recent claims, may be lessening as fandom identities gain wider acceptance. However, the practice of fanfiction writers intentionally segregating their audiences remains a deeply embedded aspect of fandom culture, with limited understanding of its underlying motivations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the audience segregation employed by online fanfiction authors in order to understand why they choose to segregate their audiences, and specifically to determine the influence of social stigma on these choices, answering these main questions: Is there segregation between …

Exploring The Impact Of Dance Arts Integration On General Education Teaching Practices: Insights Into Classroom Environment, Planning, Instruction, And Assessment, Sara Kessler-Kennon

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of dance arts integration facilitation on teaching practices by emphasizing classroom environment, planning, instruction, and assessment. The researcher created the following four essential questions to guide the study:

Q1 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration alter classroom environment, student behavior, student engagement, and inclusivity of students with various abilities and diverse backgrounds?

Q2 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration impact the general educators' planning time, process, style, and understanding? Does the general educator feel as though they can effectively incorporate movement-based arts integration without collaborating with a dance educator? …

Analyzing The Influence Of Faculty Diversity On Dance Education In Texas High Schools: A Case Study Of Representation In Dance Programs, Aransas Lazo

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between cultural diversity among high school dance instructors and its subsequent impact on students' experiences in high school dance education. The researcher used two types of instrumentation to collect the data: semi-structured interview questions and an online survey. The semi-structured interview questions were researcher-developed and open-ended, allowing the eight participants to provide detailed responses regarding their experiences as a dance instructor, cultural diversity, Texas Education Association (TEA) standards, and the requirements for their dance program. The survey questions asked Yes/No/Unsure questions that involved such questions related to faculty diversity, cultural …

Body Positivity Via Costuming Performances In Grades Nine Through Twelve Dance, Kacey Valentine O'Keeffe

Master's Theses

This thesis explored the impact of body image and self-esteem on high school dancers and the pivotal role of dance educators in fostering a positive environment during concert preparations. The purpose of this research study was to determine if there was a correlation between promotion of health and wellness from dance educators and body positivity among high school dancers. The following research questions were addressed in this study:

Q1 What positively contributes to a dancers’ self-esteem and body image?

Q2 What is an effective solution for costume fitting methods to be used by dance educators while keeping their dancers’ safety …

Empowering Educators: Examining Social-Emotional Learning Professional Development In Advancing Knowledge And Skills, Jessica Ann Ryan

Theses & Dissertations

This cross-sectional quantitative survey methodology study examined teachers’ knowledge and skills of social-emotional learning after participating in professional development. CASEL’s (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) theoretical framework of the five core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making (2024) guided the research. The literature review analyzed studies conducted related to social-emotional learning (SEL) and professional development. It focused on the themes of SEL policy and legislation, teachers’ perception of SEL, the impact of SEL on students, methodology, potential barriers to SEL, professional development, teaching experience, and gaps in the research that pertain to teachers’ …

A Proposed Instrument To Determine Mobility Eligibility Criteria And Levels For Mechanically Ventilated Patients In The Intensive Care Unit, Keira Gabrielle Miller

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Immobility is a problem among mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. Early mobility has been shown to benefit mechanically ventilated patient outcomes by minimizing hospital stays and costs, decreasing the risk of infection, and improving muscle strength to lead to a better quality of life. No inclusive checklists exist to evaluate patients progressing to varying levels of mobility based on specific criteria such as hemodynamics, neurological function, and disease acuity. This gap was identified after a current and comprehensive literature review on early mobilization among mechanically ventilated patients. The purpose of this project was to combine a comprehensive …

A Spirituality Of Open Eyes: The Vincentian Charism And Reform Of The Church, Tomaž Mavrič

Vincentian Studies

The superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, Tomaž Mavrič, introduces this special issue of Vincentian Heritage. Referencing the teachings of Pope Francis, Mavrič explains how service to the poor is essential to the Vincentian charism and to the reform of the Catholic Church as a whole. He outlines the strategies that the Church will employ to increase inclusion for the marginalized. These involve recognizing the central role of the laity (especially the marginalized laity) and reforming power structures, including those of the Church, to encourage their participation.

Extreme Poverty, Social Justice, And Human Rights: Rawls, Sen, And Wresinski, Quentin Wodon

Vincentian Studies

This paper explores the thought on extreme poverty and social justice of Father Joseph Wresinski (1917–1988), a Catholic priest who devoted his life to working with the very poor. To situate Wresinski within debates on social justice, comparisons are made with John Rawls and Armataya Sen. The focus is on the identification of the least advantaged and of who is responsible for implementing social justice. For Rawls, the least advantaged can be defined through their endowment of primary goods, and social justice is to be implemented through a society’s core institutions. For Sen, the aim is to expand capabilities, with …

Ways Of Knowing: Laywomen In Early Vincentian Practices Of Reform, Alison Forrestal

Vincentian Studies

Alison Forrestal examines the role of laywomen of various social classes in early Vincentian service. Although the concept of a lay vocation had not been formulated in the seventeenth century, the service that laywomen, whether married or single, provided to society rendered their state valuable and holy in its own right. This was an important facet of the Catholic Reformation. Early Vincentian efforts were innovative for the time, allowing women to organize and perform the administrative work for their own service. Women also gave religious instruction to the poor, which was unusual, and their own spirituality and devotional activities were …

A Study Of The Ceramics At The Ebert Canebrake Site (1mc25), Andrew Patterson

Master's Theses

The Ebert Canebrake site is a small multi-component village in Macon County, Alabama. The primary focus of this thesis is to explain the presence of two distinct ceramic traditions on-site during the Mississippi period (AD 1000-1450). Local Shine II ceramics are typified by sand tempering and are related to the Lamar culture of eastern Georgia and western Alabama. Big Eddy phase ceramics are typified by shell tempering and Moundville-like designs from the Black Warrior River Valley in western Alabama. The temporal and spatial relationship of these materials on site is examined through an artifact analysis based upon stratified samples recovered …

Fight At The Museum: An Ethnographic Study Investigating Staff And Volunteers At Wwii Museums And Memorials, Miranda Noland

Master's Theses

Museums are places where events of the past can be explained, appreciated, and understood. While efforts are often taken to provide a neutral position in the presentation of complicated and emotional historical events, there may exist external pressure to present a more overtly nationalist narrative to please a particular audience or group of funders (Fujitani 1997). This creates a conflict of interest with respect to fair, accurate, and/or honest representation (White 1997b) for museum staff to navigate.

The goal of this thesis is to investigate stories that museums are permitted to tell within the context of Japanese and American narratives …

Are Prediction Models Moving Closer To Clinical Application In The Diagnosis Of Type Of Diabetes In Youth?, Fida Bacha

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Relative Uptake Of Tomato Carotenoids By In Vitro Intestinal And Prostate Cancer Cells, Nancy E Moran, Brianna Alexander, Shivi Garg, Nathan Marchant, Noor A Hason

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Consumption of tomatoes and tomato carotenoids is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Prostate tissue accumulates tomato carotenoids, including lycopene, β-carotene, and phytoene. Phytoene accumulation is relatively greater in the prostate than that of lycopene, but the metabolic determinants of tissue carotenoid profiles are poorly understood.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in stability, cellular uptake, and clearance of phytoene compared with lycopene or β-carotene by prostate and intestinal cells may explain differences in observed tissue carotenoid profiles.

Methods: Gene and protein expression for carotenoid metabolism in prostate cell lines were analyzed …

Effect Of Running Cadence On Tibial Acceleration: Implications For Runners Experiencing Stress Injuries, Victoria Hilfiker

Honors Theses

I. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of cadence modification on tibial acceleration (TA) in the interest of exploring potential methods to reduce the incidence of stress-related running injuries. II. Methods Eleven injury-free distance runners were recruited to run at 6 different cadences with acoustic pacing. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) containing an onboard triaxial accelerometer was mounted on the right medial distal tibia to record acceleration at each of these paces. A repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to determine differences in tibial acceleration over varying cadences. Effect sizes (╖2 and Cohen’s d) were examined to …

Exploring The Relationship Between Nutrition-Related Attitudes And Use Of Scrappy’S Cupboard Among College Students At The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, Emma Rosenberger

Honors Theses

Introduction This thesis examines the relationship between nutrition-related attitudes and the use of Scrappy’s Cupboard, a campus food pantry, among undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). This study aims to determine how students’ attitudes toward nutrition influence their likelihood of utilizing campus food resources, highlighting differences between users and non-users of Scrappy’s Cupboard. A correlation between nutrition-related attitudes and the use of Scrappy's Cupboard was expected, with pantry users reporting more positive attitudes towards nutrition compared to non-users. Methods A survey was administered to UTC students to assess their nutrition-related attitudes, food pantry usage, …

A Web Application For Comparing Llm And Knowledge Graph Performance On Cybersecurity Queries, Major Schwartz

Honors Theses

The evolution of cybersecurity has led to a spike in digital threats, both in frequency and complexity, necessitating advanced, intelligent solutions to protect sensitive information. Traditional defense mechanisms are increasingly inadequate, pushing cybersecurity professionals to seek innovative approaches for threat detection, response, and data analysis. This thesis investigates the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Knowledge Graphs into cybersecurity workflows to address these challenges. Specifically, it explores the development of a web application that enables real-time, interactive use of state-of-the-art LLMs, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and similar models, for improved threat response and workflow efficiency. Built with a React …

The Disconnect Between Spanish-Speaking Communities And Law Enforcement And The Detrimental Effect It Has On Both, Belma Kurpejovic

Honors Theses

The increase of Latino communities in mid-sized and smaller cities, along with the impact of language competency and lack of programs for law enforcement, has been sufficiently explored, yet issues persist. This study examines the disconnect between Spanish-speaking communities and law enforcement, which has created significant distrust and communication issues. Examining these communities is important because there is still a need to mend these relationships. This study explores the effects of this divide and how to help fix it. Information obtained from law enforcement officers at the Chattanooga Police Department, highlights key issues, including the lack of community-based policing, cultural …

Racial Disparities In Domestic Violence: Analyzing The Intersection Of Race And Gender, Nia Grace Sharp

Honors Theses

This research explores the intersection of race, gender, and the litigation of domestic violence cases in Memphis, Tennessee. This is explored through qualitative research that combines a theoretical framework with structured interviews of criminal defense attorneys. Utilizing a sample of 5 attorneys with recent exposure to domestic violence cases, this study aims to reveal whether or not intimate partner violence is litigated differently across racial lines. This is done through analysis of the treatment of victims depending on race, sentencing rates, and perceptions of credibility within the justice system. The methodology involves five key steps: conducting a literature review to …

Parental Guidance Necessary: A Qualitative Study On The Impacts Of Parenting Styles, Mackenzie Longmire

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the long-term effects of parenting styles and attachment experiences on adult psychological well-being, relational competence, academic aspirations, and self-concept. Through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with three participants from the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, the study investigates how family dynamics—framed by Baumrind’s parenting models and Bowlby’s attachment theory—shape developmental trajectories across the lifespan. Findings indicate that authoritative parenting fosters resilience, empathy, and secure attachments, while authoritarian and avoidant parenting styles often lead to relational hesitancy and diminished self-worth. Emphasizing the value of responsive, balanced parenting, this study underscores its role in promoting emotional security and adaptive coping, with …

Disney's Postfeminist Follies: Disney’S Postfeminist Portrayal Of Women In The Age Of Fourth Wave Of Feminism, Morgan Crafton

Honors Theses

In 2022, Disney CEO Bob Chepak spoke out against the "Don't Say Gay" bill signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis’ supporters derisively labeled Disney as “woke." However, the company does not warrant the label. Though Fourth Wave feminism has broadened Disney’s idea of a woman, the entertainment company largely operates with a postfeminist lens that prevents its heroines from being feminist representations of women. Audiences see this in "Frozen," (2013), "Moana" (2016), "Encanto" (2021), and "Turning Red" (2022). Disney’s postfeminist rhetoric allows it to portray supposedly progressive women without challenging societal notions of misogyny. Thus, Disney’s criticisms for “wokeness” …

Young Adults’ Perceptions Of Adverse Childhood Experiences As Context And Causes Of Mental Health Conditions: Observations From The United States, Kathryn Sabella, Ian A. Lane, Murron O'Neill, Natalie Tincknell

Faculty Publications (Peer-Reviewed)

Background

Objective

Participants and setting

Methods …

Spatial-Textural Study Of Siliciclastics In A Navajo Sandstone Carbonate Lens, Christopher L. Rupe

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Flat-lying carbonate deposits in the Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone have long been interpreted as interdune lacustrine deposits. This dissertation critically assesses such inference through the study of an exceptionally well-preserved carbonate deposit in the Trough Canyon area, northwest of Moab, Utah. Thickness measurements along multiple cross-sectional exposures were used to construct an isopach map, approximating the original size and lenticular geometry of the deposit. Dip directions were recorded from foreset strata in cross-bed sets stratigraphically overlying the deposit to infer the approximately coeval direction of siliciclastic transport across the carbonate basin. These data sets yielded a contextual framework for studying …

Identification Of Lncrnas Involved In The Host Response To Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection, Mahgol Behnia

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an enveloped positive-sense RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the Togaviridea family, that causes encephalitis in humans and equids. Currently no FDA-approved vaccine or treatment is available for human use, emphasizing the importance of studying host-VEEV interaction. lncRNAs are regulatory RNAs involved in modulation of antiviral pathways during viral infections. Here we report differential lncRNAs expression in primary mouse astrocytes and neurons during non-pathogenic (TC-83) but not pathogenic (TrD) VEEV infection. We further demonstrated that suppression of four lncRNAs increased TC-83 replication, with lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (Snhg15) increasing TC-83 …

Ai Or Student Writing? Analyzing The Situational And Linguistic Characteristics Of Undergraduate Student Writing And Ai-Generated Assignments, Larissa Goulart, Marine Laísa Matte, Alanna Mendoza, Lee Alvarado, Ingrid Veloso

Department of Linguistics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Since the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT, universities have faced the issue of whether there is still a place for written assignments in higher education. ChatGPT's capacity to mimic various written forms raises questions about the necessity of traditional assessments. Given this background, this study explores to what extent AI-generated assignments can replicate the situational and linguistic features of student-authored assignments. Using a corpus of undergraduate assignments from an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context, we compare student responses with ChatGPT's outputs. Employing a register approach, we analyze the situational and linguistic characteristics of texts across three different registers—essays, critiques, …