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Urban/Suburban Extension: Challenges & Solutions For Program Design, Delivery, And Evaluation, Sharmistha Basak, Anil Kumar Chaudhary

Journal of Extension

The Cooperative Extension System, historically focused on rural communities, faces a growing need to serve expanding urban and suburban populations. To address this, Extension professionals require a strong foundation in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs tailored to these new audiences. This Delphi study explored the challenges and solution-oriented strategies for program design, delivery, and evaluation within urban and suburban contexts. The findings reveal limitations in current Extension programming efforts targeted toward these populations. This research offers a broader set of recommendations for developing impactful Extension programs specifically tailored to the needs of urban and suburban audiences.

Extension Interest Assessment: An Evaluation Of Hispanics Residents Of Florida, John M. Diaz, Pablo Lamiño Jaramillo, Miguel A. Acevedo, Juan M. Campos Krauer, Elise S. Gornish, Alvaro Romero, Armando J. Ubeda, E. Hance Ellington

Journal of Extension

Our study examined the interests and preferences of Hispanic residents in Florida regarding extension services. We surveyed 481 adults, focusing on their interest in various topics, preferred information frequency, engagement modalities, and resource types. We found high interest in finance, health, food safety, and wildlife conservation, with a strong preference for online and hybrid resources. However, 66% were unaware of Cooperative Extension, highlighting potential for increased engagement. Our study emphasizes the need for expanded Spanish extension offerings and culturally tailored programs. Further research is recommended to generalize findings across states and better serve the Hispanic community nationwide.

Spartan Daily, November 19, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 37

Using Fermi Estimates Within Needs Assessments: An Extension Professional’S Guide, Emma Lonstrup, Carolyn D. Rider, Miranda R. Westfall

Journal of Extension

Needs assessments are an important activity for Extension professionals, as they identify community assets and guide decisions about programs and services. A common challenge is a lack of needs assessment data. The Fermi Estimate Framework can help Extension professionals overcome the challenge of missing data by producing reasonable estimates to answer questions of interest. Here we share detailed, step-by-step instructions for using the Fermi Estimate Framework, accompanied by a real-world Extension example.

Agricultural Extension Agents’ Current Usage Of Social Media In Extension Work And Challenges They Face, Howard M. Wallace Ii, K. S. U. Jayaratne, Wendy Warner, J. Dara Bloom, Julia Mckeown

Journal of Extension

The purpose of this descriptive survey research study was to determine Agricultural Extension Agents’ (AEA) current usage and challenges faced when using social media in their work. AEAs primarily utilized social media to distribute announcements about upcoming events and programs, market extension programs, and share information with clients. They did not use social media to communicate with extension advisory groups, evaluate extension educational program impacts, or conduct needs assessments. This study identifies the major challenges AEAs face such as lack of organizational support when they use social media and makes recommendations to face those challenges proactively.

Effect Of Microbial Inoculation On Phosphate And Nitrogen Uptake From Dry Soil By Two Grasses With Different Nutrient Acquisition Strategies, Reem Hamdan Alkaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Organic matter and other sources of plant nutritional elements typically enter the soil from its surface, resulting in topsoil having the highest microbial activity, concentration of nutritional elements, and rooting densities. In agricultural systems of the UAE, high ambient temperature triggers rapid evaporation and causes the topsoil to dry. Nutrient uptake from dry soil is very challenging for plants, and topsoil dryness can have a negative impact on plant performance.

Beneficial soil microorganisms mediate plant growth by inducing tolerance against abiotic stresses. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi extend a large network of hyphae that helps the plants to acquire water and …

Nutritional Status And Endomycorrhizal Root Colonization Of Various Fruit Tree Species Grown In The Open Field In Al Ain, Uae, Mariam Mohammed Alhebsi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Domestic cultivation of fruits can greatly contribute to food security and supply of residents with healthy but highly perishable products. However, in the area of Al Ain, the cultivation of dicotyledonous fruit trees at the commercial scale is relatively uncommon, due to risks associated with the impact of the harsh environmental conditions on plant performance. The present study aimed at investigating to which extent mineral nutrient deficiency is responsible for the poor performance of fruit trees during the warm summer season. A five year old fruit tree plantation at the UAEU Research Farm in Al Foah served as study site. …

A Qualitative Study Of College Student-Athletes Using The Job Demands-Resources Model: A Case For Understanding Student-Athletes As Employees, Michael Spooner, Asia Eaton, Anthony Weems, Tiffany Munro

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

This research conceptualizes the NCAA Division I student-athlete position as similar to a position of employment utilizing the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model developed by Bakker & Demerouti (2017) from the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. We utilize qualitative methods to conduct an exploratory study that assesses the characteristics of student-athletes through analysis of perceived role demands, role resources, and personal resources using a sample of using a sample of 30 student-athletes (15 men, 15 women) at mostly large Division I universities across the U.S. Data were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis and revealed the various demands that student-athletes faced, as well as …

Implementation Of A Montessori-Based Dementia Program To Improve Healthcare Delivery In A Ltc/Snf, Erica N. Judka

Biennial Convention (CONV)

A 60-bed long-term care facility face challenges in dementia care. Staff report decreased confidence in managing behaviors (WeCare Connect, n.d.), which impacts person-centered care (Dookhy & Daly, 2021). Low engagement affects residents’ quality of life. This project aims to improve dementia care and increase resident and staff satisfaction.

The Montessori-Based Dementia Care Program (MBDP) engages residents in meaningful activities by utilizing long-term memories (Montessori Method, 2020) to reduce behaviors and improve care quality (Erkes et al., 2021). This project aims to reduce incidents by 20%, increase engagement by 25%, and improve staff satisfaction by 15% by December 2025. …

Fred Koster, Fred Koster, Glyn Wilson-Charles

Oral Histories of Farming along the Middle Rio Grande

No abstract provided.

Staff Education Workshop Focusing On Enhancing Nurse Knowledge And Adherence To The Time (Tissue, Infection/Inflammation, Moisture, Edge) Framework To Improve The Quality Of Wound Assessment And Care, Ijeoma G. Onyejiji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff educational project focused on implementing training on the tissue, infection/inflammation, moisture, edge (TIME) framework to address gaps in nurses’ knowledge and improve adherence to the TIME framework during wound assessment. Current evidence shows inconsistent use of standardized wound assessment among nurses, which can lead to inappropriate treatment, delayed wound healing, increased infection risk, and higher healthcare utilization. This project’s question sought to assess whether implementing a staff education workshop focusing on the TIME framework would enhance nurse knowledge and adherence to the TIME framework. Six nurses participated in the training. Pre/post questionnaires were used to evaluate knowledge before …

Food Insecurity, Educational Attainment, And Type 2 Diabetes In African Americans In Rural Southern Us, Dana Elaine Lowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Rural African Americans experience a higher prevalence of Type 2 diabetes compared to their White counterparts, yet little research has explored the roles of food insecurity and educational attainment in this disparity. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine whether food insecurity and educational attainment were associated with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among African Americans aged 18 to 65 years in rural Southern United States, using the World Health Organization’s social determinants of health framework. Data from the 2019-2022 IPUMS National Health Interview Survey (N=793) were analyzed both descriptively and using multiple logistic regression …

Predicting School Readiness In Head Start Children: The Role Of The Home Literacy Environment, Executive Function, And Cumulative Risk Factors, Danielle Davis-Newman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Children from low-income families often begin school behind their more affluent peers, showing delays in cognitive, social-emotional, and academic skills. This study examined how variations in the home literacy environment (HLE) and executive function (EF) contributed to school readiness gaps among children facing multiple risk factors. The purpose was to understand whether the HLE supported children’s EF skills, how cumulative family risk shaped these associations, and whether EF was a pathway linking the HLE to school readiness outcomes. Data were drawn from the 2019 Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES 2019), using a nationally representative sample of 1,482 …

Examining The Longitudinal Association Of Weight-Adjusted Waist Index With Risk Of Arthritis, All-Cause Mortality, And Covid-19 Pandemic Related Effect On Wwi: Evidence From Health And Retirement Study, Edmore Madondo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), calculated as waist circumference (cm)/√weight (kg) is positively associated with arthritis and all-cause mortality. However, its longitudinal association with arthritis and all-cause mortality among older population, where excess abdominal fat plays a key role in disease development and death, remains underexplored. Thus, the aim of this dissertation was to investigate the longitudinal association between WWI and the risk of arthritis and mortality among U.S aging population. We analyzed data from 3,765 participants aged 51+ in the Health and Retirement Study (2006–2022). Group-based trajectory modeling was used to create WWI trajectories. The relationship between WWI trajectories …

Assessing Culinary Education With A Gardening Component In Children Ages 7-13, Cassy Tigner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Abstract Background Culinary education with a gardening component teaches individuals how to cook and grow their own food. The findings of this study are intended to assess the effectiveness of culinary education in children on healthy eating patterns and lifestyle changes. Objective The research aims to determine how effective Camp Chef, a culinary education camp with a gardening component, is at changing the lifestyle habits of children aged 7-13. Study Design Children in Shelby County, Tennessee completed one week of Camp Chef. Their healthy lifestyle habits were surveyed before and after camp. Participants There were 48 children, ages 7-13, that …

Efficacy And Safety Of Glibenclamide Compared With Insulin In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Alifia Fauziyyah Haifa, Khairunnisa Qomariyanti, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Rani Sauriasari

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications compared with non-diabetic pregnancies. Pharmacological treatments, such as glibenclamide, are expected to provide optimal glycemic control and reduce these risks. However, concerns regarding its safety persist and some regulatory agencies have not approved glibenclamide for GDM treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the most recent evidence on the efficacy and safety of glibenclamide compared with insulin in the management of GDM, with a focus on maternal and neonatal outcomes based on the most recent RCT. The objective is …

Association Of Obesity Severity With Cardiometabolic And Renal Disease Burden In The United States, Florina Corpodean, Michael Kachmar, Shengping Yang, Steven B. Heymsfield, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, Philip R. Schauer, Michael W. Cook, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective This study examined the association between obesity severity and cardiometabolic and renal disease, using BMI as a surrogate for obesity severity. Methods This is a cross-sectional study using data from the United States Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2023. Survey-weighted logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) for the diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary artery disease among increasing BMI categories. Results Higher BMI was associated with increased odds of all conditions. For BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2, odds were notably elevated for diabetes (OR 8.32; 95% CI: 7.78–8.91), hypertension (OR 6.07; 95% CI: …

Nursing Students As Advocates: Addressing Social Determinants Of Health Through Service-Learning, Rebekah Mullins

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Advocacy is at the heart of nursing practice, and advocating for the social determinants of health (SDOH) is crucial when providing care to patients from vulnerable populations. Service-learning is a strategy that can be used to teach students advocacy skills. Chapter 2 of this dissertation portfolio presents a concept analysis that explores the definition of advocacy using the Walker and Avant method (2019). The concept analysis informed the development of the case study presented in Chapter 3 and the research study presented in Chapter 4. The portfolio includes original, qualitative research that was guided by the interpretive descriptive method. The …

"It's Really The Support System That Makes It" Expanding Infant-Toddler Child Care Options In New York, Voices From The Field, Mark K. Nagasawa

Straus Institute for Thriving Children & Families

This report discusses findings from a small, exploratory study of early childhood educators' experiences working to expand access to high quality child care for infants and toddlers. Because of who participated in the study, it takes a particular focus on the federally-funded Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program. The study's contribution lies in surfacing fine-grained policy issues that complicate expansion efforts from the perspectives of professionals who live within a fragmented early care and education (ECE) system every day. This "non-system" (1) makes it difficult to provide continuity of care to children and their families; (2) lacks appropriate space(s) to …

Interprofessional Team Training: In-Person Or Online, Does The Learning Environment Matter?, William E. Somerall Jr., Allison Shorten, Peter E. Bosworth, Shelly E. Camp, David T. House, Brett E. Shorten, Penni Watts, Tera L. Webb

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Interprofessional education (IPE) prepares students from different health professions to work collaboratively within interprofessional care teams. Based on a post-event survey, this presentation compares student experience and satisfaction with an in-person experience with an online experience.

In the decade before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 4000 graduate and undergraduate students from an urban medical educational institution including nursing, medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, social work, nutrition, pharmacy, occupational therapy, laboratory science, public health, and physician assistants participated in a half-day in-person Interprofessional Team Training (IPTT) event. Following the presentation of a simulated patient in a large auditorium, 15-18 groups of 20-25 …

Spartan Daily, November 18, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 36

Role Of Endoscopy In The Diagnosis And Management Of Esophageal Cancer, Jennifer Ma, Sharon Pan, Rachel Mortan, Faisal Shaukat Ali, Nirav Thosani, Vaibhav Wadhwa

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Esophageal cancer cases are predicted to reach 957,000 by 2040. Prior mortality rates average 6.5% in men and 2.2% in women, with a poor 5-year prognosis of 20%. A deficiency in screening guidelines, an incomplete understanding of pathophysiology, and limited treatment options contributed to this poor prognosis. Now, as technology and knowledge evolve, endoscopy serves a primary role in improving morbidity and mortality around esophageal cancer, in which early detection and treatment play a profound role. Advances in diagnostic modalities, including higher frequency ultrasound, acquisition of larger specimens, and nodal characterization, all improve esophageal cancer diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. …

Vitamin D Deficiency And Cardiovascular Health Disparities In High-Melanin Populations: A Scoping Review, Jalen K. Luter, Silver R. Kaylor, Michael S. Boyer

Doctoral Projects

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality and disproportionately affect individuals with darker skin tones, partly due to vitamin D deficiency (Sabzmakan et al., 2014). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project uses a scoping review methodology to examine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular outcomes, with an emphasis on high-melanin populations. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Framework, the review synthesizes existing evidence, identifies gaps in representation and biomarker use, and highlights social and biological contributors to disparity. Databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched, and studies were screened using standardized inclusion criteria: …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda November 17, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes October 20, 2025
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report - November 6, 2025
• 3:40 Report
• Honors Program Annual Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• Faculty Evaluation Committee
• 4:05 Old Business
• 4:10 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Over Reliance On Antidepressant Medication In Long-Term Care Facilities: Rethinking Mental Health Approaches, Kaylene Elder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition among older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities and is often managed primarily through antidepressant medications. While these medications can be effective, their overuse in elderly populations increases the risk of falls, sedation, cognitive decline, and adverse drug interactions. This project addresses the need for safer, evidence-based alternatives by promoting non-pharmacological interventions that support holistic well-being. The proposed approach integrates gratitude journaling, vitamin D testing to identify deficiencies, and vitamin D supplementation for residents experiencing mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Implementation is led by nursing staff and supported by the interdisciplinary care team, …

From Nicu To Neighborhood: Supporting Premature Patients Beyond The Hospital, Bob Underwood, Jermine Harriet Romald

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, we chat with neonatologist Harriet Romald, MD, FAAP, to explore the critical role pediatricians play in the long-term care of premature infants. From NICU discharge to developmental milestones, we discuss how pediatricians and neonatologists collaborate to ensure continuity of care, monitor common health challenges and navigate social determinants that impact outcomes. Whether you're new to caring for former NICU patients or looking to deepen your understanding, this conversation offers practical insights and the latest updates in neonatal follow-up care.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

I Have An Idea, Now What? Guiding Nurses To Transform Ideas Into Impact Through Ebp Fellowships, Kaci Rainey

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: A large academic health system identified a critical need for an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Fellowship to enhance nurses’ ability to integrate research into clinical practice. This initiative empowers nurses to drive and sustain EBP changes, improve patient outcomes, and advance nursing practice.

Relevance/Significance: EBP Fellowships empower nurses to overcome barriers to EBP knowledge, implementation, and evaluation. Tackling these challenges requires a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy from healthcare organizations. Nurse leaders have embraced EBP Fellowships to boost EBP capacity in a meaningful and impactful way. Fellowships are an innovative, forward-thinking approach to the development of mentors and clinical nurses, fostering a …

Quality Improvement Project: Creation Of An Ebp Healthy Lifestyle Program: An Evidence-Based Development Program, Devanee Ray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing education is the foundation of healthcare itself. However, several things influence nursing students’ academic success. A lack of overall health habits is a significant contributor. Generally, this lack is due to a lack of education. The goal of this quality improvement Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) project was to develop an educational program that addresses the identified knowledge gaps. The aim was to develop the program to promote student success and pilot-test the program to determine its impact among masters-level nursing faculty. Using Lewin’s Change Theory and Orem’s theory of self-care, the educational program was piloted over a seven-week …

Volume-Based Feeding Protocol In Metropolitan Medical Icu, Abraham J. Wang

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Optimal nutritional support is a fundamental aspect of the recovery process for critically ill patients (Compher et al., 2022). It plays a crucial role in mitigating the catabolic effects of severe illness and trauma (Bharal et al., 2019). In the intensive care unit (ICU), enteral feeding (EF) is the preferred nutrition delivery method (Holyk et al., 2020). However, traditional EF protocols such as Rate-Based Feeding (RBF) fail to meet patients’ nutritional requirements. RBF protocol provides only 60% of the prescribed daily caloric intake (Wang et al., 2023). An evaluation of our Medical ICU (MICU) has revealed that the EF was …

The Edmonton Obesity Staging System For Pediatrics (Eoss-P) In Mexican Children And Adolescents Living With Obesity: Beyond Bmi Obesity Classes, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Roberto Carlos Rodríguez Quintero, Arturo Ruíz-Arroyo, Edith Prado Díaz, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga, Ana María Hernández López, Zendy Fuentes Corona

School of Medicine Publications

Background/Objectives: The Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) was developed to stage the obesity in adult populations. Subsequently, this staging system was designed for pediatric populations (EOSS-P). This study aimed to describe obesity severity using EOSS-P and correlate it with BMI classes in Mexican children and adolescents living with obesity. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis carried out with data from school-age children and adolescents living with obesity who were referred to the Pediatric Obesity Clinic at the Child Welfare Unit at the General Hospital of Mexico “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”. Obesity was staged using the EOSS-P. To evaluate the association between …