Digital Commons Network^™

A Closer Look At Quality: A Mixed Methods Study On International Teachers’ Perceptions Of Educational Technology-Focused Professional Development In South Carolina, Melissa Mcclary

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Educational technology (EdTech) is widely promoted as a means of improving instruction; however, limited research has examined how international teachers are supported through EdTech-focused professional development (PD) in South Carolina (SC) schools. Using a convergent mixed methods design, this study explored international teachers' perceptions of EdTech PD quality through the lens of Desimone's (2009) core features of effective PD and Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT). Quantitative data were collected from 81 respondents using the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Monitor Survey (Richter & Richter, 2024), complemented by 16 semi-structured interviews. Survey results indicated high overall ratings, with clarity and structure, practical relevance, and …

Playing With Fire: A Phenomenological Study Of Burnout Among Career And Technical Education Teachers And Factors That Fuel The Dilemma, Kaye C. Harris

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers who self-identified as having suffered from burnout. While burnout in education is a commonly researched topic, burnout related to CTE is underrepresented but relevant due to an increasing emphasis on the need for skills-based training. This study sought to understand the internal and external factors that contributed to teacher burnout and how shame, gaslighting, and toxic positivity influenced professional identity and emotional well-being. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to conduct 14 personal interviews and a follow-up focus group consisting of six participants. Findings indicated that …

Artificial Intelligence Adoption In The Workplace. An Exploration Of Augmentation, Oyinkansola O. Sodiya

Management Dissertations

As collaborative work with artificial intelligence (AI augmentation) gains interest, it is crucial to investigate factors that affect how employees perceive and use AI tools at work. Drawing on task-technology fit and technology adoption theories, this dissertation examines the ways in which task dimensions, organizational contexts, and individual differences affect the perceived usefulness of working with AI tools. This dissertation demonstrates that task-technology fit is fundamental. Employees in jobs with high information processing demands are likely to positively perceive the usefulness of AI augmentation relative to employees in jobs with high interpersonal demands. Employees with more proactive personalities perceive greater …

Influence Of Microbial Communities And Dilute Heavy Metals In Green Manure On Growth In Lactuca Sativa, Robert Lemay

Student Research Projects

This experiment investigated the effects of a green manure (Lemna minor, common duckweed) grown in varying levels of heavy metals and inoculated with local microbiomes on a crop (Lactuca sativa, volcana lettuce). The growth and health of the duckweeds were measured via root length and biomass, and the health of the lettuce crop was measured via head diameter and biomass.  Two levels of heavy metal concentrations were based on real-world stormwater runoff data to mimic an agricultural environment where accumulation of metals in local water bodies may be absorbed into green manure duckweeds. One microbial treatment and …

Social Protection To Foster Inclusive, Resilient Early Childhood Education In Kenya, Uganda, And Tanzania, Nyagwegwe Wango

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

In order to evaluate the efficacy of systems approaches in enhancing early childhood education (ECE), this study summarizes outcomes from the SESEA and F4L programs in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The study investigates how context-responsive ECE, social-emotional learning (SEL), and social protection (SP) interventions contribute to improvements in teaching practices, inclusion, and learner outcomes using mixed-methods data, including teacher surveys, classroom observations, and policy analysis. The findings show significant improvements in inclusive classroom practices, gender-sensitive pedagogy, and teacher confidence, especially when reflective peer learning and continuous mentoring are incorporated. Children’s academic performance and well-being have been linked to the integration …

Spatial Clustering And Determinants Of Dengue Incidence Among The Young Population Of Northern Thailand During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sopida Supotina, Kasama Pooseesod, Tassanee Silawan, Nattapong Puttanapong, Sayambhu Saita

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Dengue infection remains a significant public health concern in Thailand, particularly among young populations. The emergence of COVID-19 introduced additional complexity to disease surveillance and control efforts. This study aimed to determine the spatial clustering and determinants of dengue incidence among individuals under 25 years of age in Northern Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ecological analysis was conducted across 103 districts in eight northern provinces. District-level dengue incidence rates of individuals under 25 years of age for 2021 were calculated and analyzed using global Moran’s I and local indicators of spatial association (LISA) to detect spatial clustering. Bivariate LISA was …

Localized Ks Assessment For Bioretention In Thailand : Improving Swmm Accuracy, Chulalux Wanitchayapaisit, Damrongsak Rinchumphu, Prattakorn Sittisom, Thidarat Kridakorn Na Ayutthaya, Chana Sinsabvarodom, Oleg Gorbunov, Sitthikorn Sitthikankun

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Urbanization in Thailand has significantly reduced natural infiltration surfaces, intensified stormwater runoff, and increased the demand for effective urban drainage solutions. Bioretention systems, guided by water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) principles, offer a promising approach for enhancing infiltration and mitigating urban flooding. However, the effectiveness of bioretention depends critically on the accurate estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), a key input parameter in hydrological models such as the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Despite international guidelines, local Ks values for tropical soils and vegetation remain scarce, limiting model reliability. This study aims to determine its suitability as a filter media layer …

A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Caregiver Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Related To Interoception And Feeding Responses Among Children With Adhd, Paige Mehlberg

Health and Nutritional Sciences Graduate Students Plan B Capstone Projects

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that impacts attention, impulse control, and self-regulation, which may also influence eating behaviors and nutrition status. Children with ADHD are more likely to experience feeding challenges, including selective eating, inconsistent appetite, emotional eating, and difficulty recognizing hunger and fullness cues. These challenges may be partially explained by deficits in interoception, or the ability to perceive internal body signals. Caregivers play a key role in shaping feeding behaviors. However, limited research has examined caregiver knowledge and practices related to interoception in this population. 
Objective: To examine caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and practices related …

Effectiveness Of A Six-Week Nutrition And Cooking Education Program On Nutrition Knowledge And Cooking Skills In Unhoused Families, Lucy Mehlhaff

Health and Nutritional Sciences Graduate Students Plan B Capstone Projects

Objective: establish a nutrition and cooking education program at a transitional housing facility in Sioux Falls, SD and evaluate its effect on both nutrition knowledge and cooking skills in participants.
Methods: Using the nutrition education curriculum “Families Eating Smart and Moving More” (FESMM), we conducted a 6-week nutrition and cooking education program at the transitional housing facility, Bishop Dudley Center for Families (BDCFF), in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Participants attended didactic sessions led by a master’s student in nutrition and dietetics that encouraged healthy and cost-effective eating, as well as took part in hands on cooking lessons with assistance from …

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Related To Interoception And Feeding Behaviors In Children With Adhd: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Hayleigh Young

Health and Nutritional Sciences Graduate Students Plan B Capstone Projects

Objective: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience challenges related to interoceptive awareness, which can impact feeding behaviors and overall nutrition. Parents play a critical role in supporting the development of these skills, however limited research has examined parental knowledge and practices related to interoception and child feeding behaviors. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to interoception and child feeding behaviors in children with ADHD to help inform the development of parent-focused educational resources.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed based on a targeted review of literature examining ADHD, interoception, and …

How Social Media And Cyberbullying Correlate To Eating Disorders In Adolescents, Nicoli A. Panelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Social media is very prevalent in today’s society, particularly in adolescents. This time period is crucial for this age group in terms of developing a sense of purpose and identity. Although social media may keep many of our children entertained, they also can create negative impacts on them and ultimately hinder their overall development both mentally and physically through negative body image and unrealistic self-expectations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the correlation between social media use and the rise of eating disorders in adolescents. Doing so would allow us to find ways to lower the …

Health Disparities In Cardiovascular Care: The Impact Of Diabetes Education And Post-Discharge Interventions For African American Adults At Risk For And After Myocardial Infarction, Trinity L. Billingsley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting African American adults at higher rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Diabetes as a comorbidity is one of the risk factors of experiencing a myocardial infarction, remaining one of the leading causes of death among individuals with diabetes. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of structured diabetes education tailored to African American adults who are at risk for and after a myocardial infarction. Additionally assessing the complications of a myocardial infarction, the outcomes associated with structured education will be compared to the outcomes of …

Human Milk Feeding And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Maya C. Kern

Nursing | Senior Theses

One of the leading causes of morbidity and death for preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns is still necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Existing literature consistently shows that the bioactive, anti-inflammatory, and microbiome-supporting components of human breast milk, including donor human milk, significantly lower the incidence of NEC. However, a lot of infants are forced to rely on formula and nutrient fortifiers because they cannot obtain maternal or donor milk. A critical gap persists regarding whether human milk derived fortifiers offer greater NEC protection than bovine derived fortifiers in infants who must receive formula. This thesis examines three interconnected themes; …

Black Americans' Interactions With Law Enforcement: The Black Church's Response, Shalanda Ehiozee

Doctor of Ministry

This research interrogates the disproportionate frequency of lethal law enforcement encounters involving Black Americans, contextualizing these fatalities within the systemic racial hierarchies foundational to the United States. By tracing the historical evolution of policing from antebellum slave patrols to contemporary practice, this study contends that modern law enforcement serves as a sophisticated mechanism of racial and social control.

To examine this phenomenon, the research employs a qualitative, multidimensional methodology that synthesizes Comparative Caste Analysis, case study examination, and a Christological framework. This inquiry is further bolstered by a longitudinal analysis of African American ecclesiological activism, culminating in a theological reflection …

Re-Imagining Church As A Spiritual Family, Abraham Acosta-Newball

Doctor of Ministry

The contemporary Christian church faces a crisis of belonging; many members are opting out for non-theologically related reasons or differences. The claim for this exodus is a lack of genuine community that serves as an extended spiritual family. Modern churches function as event-centered gatherings, and less like a multigenerational community, reflecting instead a culture of individualism and spiritual consumerism. The purpose of this project is to explore strategies for churches to assume a more biblical role of a spiritual family. Particularly focusing on practical ways for building stronger community within multigenerational and multiethnic Worship settings. The project culminates in three …

An Investigation On Downwind Impacts Of The Keweenaw Peninsula On Lake-Effect Snow Events, Thomas M. Pavell

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Lake-effect snow (LES) produces copious amounts of snow across the Great Lakes region. While mechanisms and impacts are well-understood, they remain difficult to observe and study over Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan due to a large gap in radar coverage and sparse in-situ measurements. The goal of this project aimed to characterize variables present across Lake Superior and counties on and downstream of the Keweenaw Peninsula that contribute to the formation and evolution of lake-effect snowbands. Nine different lake-effect snow events were analyzed in this project, identifying structures and features resulting from upstream passage over the Keweenaw …

Coming Out, Eliot T. Tracz

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

High Expectations? Minnesota’S Cannabis Social Equity Statute Falters, Claire Cavanagh

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

The Law’S Failure To Protect Our Drinking Water From Pfas, Emily Levine

Indiana Law Journal

How did per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the forever chemicals known to harm human health and appear in most Americans’ blood, spread so widely in drinking water? Why didn’t someone with the power and knowledge to stop this crisis step in sooner? Simply imposing limits on PFAS levels in public water systems is the bare minimum to protect American drinking water—a necessary step but only the starting point of a long path toward creating a regulatory framework that can withstand the whims of changing presidential administrations and political influences.

     It is too easy for the EPA Administrator, either out of …

Shifting Structural Power: The Tech Energy Transition, Amy L. Stein

Indiana Law Journal

For the first time in over a decade, flat and stagnant electricity demand is expected to skyrocket. This increased demand is driven in large part by data centers that support artificial intelligence, crypto mining, and cloud computing. This is straining the electric grid, its stakeholders, and legal constructs in significant ways. Legal energy scholarship has spent the last fifteen years focused on the challenges of managing an electric grid transitioning to clean energy, in a world where privately owned electric utilities maintain powerful monopolies across the country. But there are no accounts of how the balance of power in this …

Interrogating The Facts Of The Case, Anna Roberts

Indiana Law Journal

Buried within many criminal judicial opinions is the origin of their “facts”—the interrogation room. Criminal law pedagogy should expose this origin. If we treat the alleged product of interrogation as “what happened,” as criminal cases (and professors) sometimes do, we obscure the ways in which interrogators are trained to incriminate and to co-create confessions. We also risk obscuring subsequent layers of reporting by police, prosecutors, or judges.

Recent scholarly literature urges criminal law professors to teach differently, warning that we distort, sanitize, and bolster the carceral state when we erase governmental agents and bypass procedure. Treating the “facts of the …

Misinformation And The Jury, Gustavo Ribeiro

Indiana Law Journal

This Article bridges critical gaps between the growing body of social science research on misinformation and the persistent challenges jurors face in evaluating potentially unreliable evidence in courtrooms. Misinformation—a pervasive issue undermining decision-making in democratic societies—mirrors the difficulties jurors encounter in distinguishing truth from falsehood amid compelling but unreliable evidence. The consequences of such challenges are dire: wrongful convictions, racial disparities, and the erosion of public trust in the legal system.

This Article is the first piece of legal scholarship to provide a comprehensive discussion of current research on the psychological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to misinformation—such as the illusory truth …

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University of the District of Columbia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Rooted In Family Unity: Advocating For U.S. Citizen Children As Qualifying Relatives, Kevin J. Henriquez

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

This paper advocates for expanding the scope of unlawful presence waivers under § 212(a)(9)(B)(v) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) to include U.S. citizen offspring as “qualifying relatives.” Under current law, the waiver only recognizes hardship to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident spouses or parents, excluding offsprings entirely despite their central role in family life. This exclusion undermines decades of immigration policy prioritizing family unity and creates devastating consequences for mixed-status families, particularly where U.S. citizens, minors, or adults depend on undocumented parents for financial, emotional, or medical support. This paper traces the statutory and legislative history of …

Silos, Gaps, And Bridges: A Call To Action For Law Schools To Facilitate Collaboration Across The Curriculum At The Dawn Of The Nextgen Bar, Elizabeth Usman, Andrea Gemignani

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

Now is a time for action. With the advent of the NextGen bar exam and the recent changes to the ABA accreditation standards for law schools, which both focus on valuing practical legal skills, law schools have a unique opportunity. By coordinating practical and doctrinal content across the curriculum, law schools can ensure that all graduates are proficient in fundamental lawyering skills and prepared for both the bar exam and practice success. ...

Part I of this article examines the foundations of American legal education from apprenticeships to the emergence of the case study method. It then explores the calls …

Criminalizing The Platform: Fosta-Sesta, Internet Governance, And The Erosion Of Online Speech, Fenny Gandhi

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

For decades, sex work operated in the shadows—negotiated in alleyways, mediated by third parties, and shaped by constant risk. Today, much of it happens online, where a screen can mean the difference between autonomy and danger. But, when the law pushes an industry underground, it does not eliminate it; rather, it reshapes how it operates, often in ways that increase vulnerability and reduce accountability. Sex work is the exchange of specific sexual services for money. The experiences of people who engage in sex work are diverse and influenced by social structures and economic realities. The internet provides consensual sex workers …

Navigating Racist Spaces Through Radical Self-Care: A Photovoice Exploration Of The Experiences Of Black Graduate Students, Laetitia Adelson, Cherese Fine, Dion Harry, Keneisha Harrington, Rebecca Lynn Morgan Ph.D., Tomiko Smalls, Jerad Green, Courtney Allen, Anuoluwapo Bankole, Robin Phelps-Ward

Faculty Publications

This manuscript examines the impact of racist campus climates for Black graduate students at a predominantly white institution. Using a photovoice methodological design, this study illuminates students’ ability to thrive through radical self-care despite the many racist factors, incidents, and systems at the institution. The paper ends with recommendations for improving campus racial climate in graduate education.

'Power To Tread On Serpents': Trinity Broadcasting Network And The Theological Underpinnings Of Christian Nationalism, Moriah Coons

Seattle Pacific Seminary Theses

While many scholars have discussed the rise of conservatism and Christian nationalism among prominent American evangelicals since the 1970s, few have seriously discussed the theology which has held up these shifts, especially that which comes from Charismatic influences. This thesis contends that many conservative Christians today, and Pentecostals in particular, cannot be understood according to their political and sociological contexts alone, but require a serious analysis of the theological convictions which drive public engagement. In order to demonstrate the historical justification for this claim, this paper will examine Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)’s dissemination of Pentecostal theology between 1973 and 1988, …

Beyond Hipaa: The Ftc’S Expanding Role In Digital Health Privacy Enforcement, Sandhya Srinivasa

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

Consumer digital health platforms have become an increasingly prominent feature of modern health care, collecting and storing sensitive health information directly from users. Yet most of these applications operate outside the scope of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), creating a significant regulatory gap in the protection of personal health data. This case note examines how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped into that gap by leveraging Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR) to police privacy and data security practices among non-HIPAA-covered digital health platforms. Focusing on three landmark enforcement …

Navigating Language, Faith, And Identity: A Case Study Of Language Policies In Indian Transnational Families In Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Alasmari, Rashad Ahmed, Amna Shamim, Nief Aied Al-Gamdi

Research, Publications & Creative Work

This study investigates the family language policies (FLPs) of two North Indian Muslim families residing in Saudi Arabia, focusing on how they navigate multilingualism to balance cultural heritage, religious practices, and sociolinguistic adaptation. Using Spolsky’s FLP framework and a qualitative case study approach, the research examines the dynamic roles of Urdu, Arabic, and English in these households. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mothers and children to explore language ideologies, practices, and management strategies. The findings reveal that Urdu serves as a cornerstone of cultural identity, while Arabic is pivotal for religious education and social integration. English plays a supplementary role …