Digital Commons Network^™

Barriers To Higher Education In Mississippi Prisons: A Systematic Literature Review And Policy Analysis, Ashley Elizabeth Weathers

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education in prison reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes, yet Mississippi’s prison education programs remain underdeveloped due to financial constraints, policy challenges, and systemic barriers. While national research on prison education is expanding, Mississippi-specific policy evaluations remain limited. This capstone employs a desk-based research methodology, integrating a systematic literature review and policy analysis to examine these challenges. The study synthesizes recent research on the impact of prison education, funding limitations, and policy frameworks, addressing a critical gap in state-specific policy evaluation. The policy analysis evaluates Mississippi’s correctional education policies and funding mechanisms, using Southwest Mississippi Community College’s (SMCC) Prison …

2023u_Approved_Bu26_Pm_Bs-Management-Curricular-Updates, Undergraduate Curriculum Council

All Approved Curriculum

No abstract provided.

2023u_Approved_Bu17_Reconfiguration_Ba-Organizational-Leadership-1-Rev1, Undergraduate Curriculum Council

All Approved Curriculum

No abstract provided.

2023g_Approved_Ecs01_Pm_Deactivation_Of_Mem_Program, Graduate Council

All Approved Curriculum

No abstract provided.

2023g_Approved_Ecs02_Pm_Deactivation_Of_Mse, Graduate Council

All Approved Curriculum

No abstract provided.

Matrescence: An Emerging Concept For Birth Worker Practice, Kelsey B. Green

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

The maternal mental health (MMH) crisis, affecting up to 25% of birthing individuals, is exacerbated by significant gaps in perinatal support. While birth workers are uniquely positioned to provide care, they often lack specialized training beyond basic screening checklists to address the complex transition to motherhood, defined as matrescence. This clinical innovation proposal outlines a matrescence-informed educational curriculum, guided by the Comprehensive Model of Mental Health during the Perinatal Period. The intervention is designed to build tangible, implementable skills, training birth workers to: (1) operationalize matrescence as a psychoeducational tool to normalize distress; (2) use clinical differentiation to distinguish the …

Evaluating Fall Prevention Outcomes: Fall Rates, Staff Fall Knowledge, And Perceptions On Safety Culture, Priscilla Greco

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: The practice problem addressed in this project was the elevated fall rates on a 46-bed medical–surgical unit with a reported sentinel fall event, prompting the need to evaluate the current fall prevention program.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: In nursing staff on a medical–surgical unit (P), how does the implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention program evaluation using AHRQ tools (I), compared with no formal program evaluation (C), influence staff knowledge, perceptions of safety culture, and fall rates (O) over 8-weeks (T)?

Evidence: Evidence supporting this project emphasized that structured staff education, strong communication, …

Assessing Readiness For Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Implemenatation In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Stacy Lynn Brunquist

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an emerging diagnostic tool in neonatal care, yet widespread use in NICUs remains limited by provider training, confidence and organizational readiness. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to evaluate whether a brief POCUS educational intervention improved NICU provider readiness for adoption. Using a pre/post design, NICU providers at a regional tertiary NICU in Alaska completed the POCUS Readiness and Adoption Survey (PRAS) immediately before and after a structured 45-minute POCUS orientation presentation. The PRAS measured six domains: knowledge, attitudes, change efficacy, organizational support, intent to adopt, and perceived barriers. Twelve providers completed both surveys. …

Helping Students Build Artificial Intelligence Literacy Skills By Applying Leadership Theories To Their Career Development, Anthony Edwards

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

In this article, the author describes an assignment where master’s level higher education leadership students use AI to determine how leadership theories and concepts can help them in their careers and evaluate the response.

Critical Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Screening In Caribbean-American Women Of African Ancestry, Corvette V. Yacoob, Indra Hershorin, Michele Upvall, Ronica Subramoney

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. Globally, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 14 seconds, underscoring the urgent need for early detection through screening to reduce mortality rates. Black women experience higher mortality rates than other ethnic groups, emphasizing the importance of early detection and screening in improving clinical outcomes.

Purpose: This qualitative constructivist grounded theory study explored key factors influencing breast cancer screening practices among Caribbean-American women of African ancestry, that aided in the development of …

Healthcare Leaders’ Effective Strategies For Shaping Organizational Culture, Samuel H. Zoker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some leaders in healthcare organizations lack effective leadership strategies and practices to influence and shape organizational culture, leading to inconsistent cultural values and behaviors that undermine organizational effectiveness and employee engagement. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies healthcare leaders use to shape organizational culture and strengthen employee engagement. Using purposive sampling, seven healthcare leaders with three or more years of experience were recruited from a medical institution. Data were collected through semistructured interviews using a protocol refined with the IPR method. Using reflective thematic analysis, five themes emerged: (a) employee-engagement …

The Influence Of Servant Leadership On Team Adaptability During Organizational Change, Mark Lloyd L. Leyva

M.S. in Leadership

Organizational change, an inevitable element of modern workplaces, often introduces stress, uncertainty, and the need for resilience among employees. This study investigates the impact of servant leadership on team adaptability during such transitions. Servant leadership, characterized by empathy, empowerment, trust-building, and support, presents a human-centered alternative to traditional, authority-driven leadership models that prioritize compliance. This research explores how servant leadership behaviors foster resilience, engagement, and adaptability within teams experiencing organizational change. A mixed-methods approach will be utilized, combining quantitative surveys to measure employee adaptability and engagement with qualitative interviews to delve into perceptions of servant leadership behaviors. Existing literature suggests …

Improving Patient Outcomes Through Implementation Of The Kdoqi Guidelines For Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Placement, Gabriela Echagaray

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance adherence to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines for placement of tunneled dialysis catheters (TDCs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The project addressed inconsistent application of best practices related to TDC placement, improved documentation, improved communication using TigerConnect, a reduction in inappropriate catheter placements, and maintenance of a zero hospital-acquired tunneled dialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate. Notably, some patients continued to be admitted with pre-existing community-acquired tunneled catheter-related infections, underscoring the effectiveness of the hospital’s internal infection prevention strategies while highlighting the need for enhanced collaboration with outpatient …

Transforming Shrm; Applying The Kotter Method To Niu Shrm, Hunter J. Egelhoff

Honors Capstones

This capstone project examines how Northern Illinois University’s Society for Human Resource Management transformed its organizational structure and programming to better prepare students for today’s competitive job market. With workforce demands shifting toward practical experience, employer expectations have exceeded what traditional classroom education alone provides, creating a growing gap between student readiness and career requirements. To address this disconnect, NIU SHRM applied Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model to restructure leadership roles, integrate experience-based learning, and enhance student engagement through workshops, partnerships, and leadership development opportunities. This change initiative resulted in increased visibility, participation, and measurable short-term successes that now serve as …

State Of Technology Usage In Smaller Public Accounting Firms In 2025, Arun Kumararaj, Candice Hux

Honors Capstones

Prior research gives significant attention to technology usage of large public accounting firms, particularly the Big 4. However, limited evidence exists on the smaller public accounting firms, which constitute a majority of the public accounting field. In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight highly experienced professionals of smaller accounting firms. Findings reveal that firm size does not necessarily predict technological sophistication. Rather, individual leadership, including a single partner, emerges as a critical driver towards technological advancement. AI was primarily used for administrative tasks and, as of yet, the return on investment has been unclear. Despite this, all interviewees …

Effective Strategies To Attract And Retain Qualified Hospitality Staff In The Post-Pandemic Caribbean, Rajan Bhattarai

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee attraction and retention remain critical constraints for Caribbean luxury-wellness resorts in the post-pandemic era. Hospitality and tourism leaders are concerned because persistent vacancy, churn, and extended time-to-competence impair service quality and performance of their organizations. Grounded in the Baldrige Excellence Framework and social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the effective strategies employed by tourism leaders to attract and retain qualified staff within a Caribbean hospitality organization. Data were collected from five Caribbean leaders (HR director, department manager, and supervisors) using semistructured interviews and analyzing organizational documents. Thematic analysis was used to …

Breaking The Five-Year Barrier: Essential Tactics For Long-Term Small Business Sustainability And Growth, Tanesha L. Ford Dr., Carol-Anne Faint Ph.D, Rocky J. Dwyer Dr.

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

This study explores the sustainability and growth of small businesses beyond the critical 5-year mark, a pivotal milestone often associated with survival challenges. Active business owners within the United States often shut down their operations due to reduced revenues and operational challenges, including the multifaceted factors influencing long-term success. The study places a particular emphasis on effective training strategies by examining the intersection of sustainability and training to identify actionable insights for owners of small business to enhance their resilience and longevity in today’s dynamic economic landscape.

A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Gender And Generational Differences In Emotional Intelligence Of Leaders Within Asset Management Firms, Vanessa Gower

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to address the challenge some leaders face in managing their emotional intelligence across gender and generational differences. Emotional intelligence is a predictor of effective leadership; therefore, differences in emotional intelligence may result in poor leadership behavior. This study employed a fixed, quantitative, and causal-comparative research design to measure the differences in emotional intelligence among leaders of asset management firms based on gender male and female) and generational groups Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial). Emotional intelligence was measured using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS). Leaders of asset management firms within the financial services industry …

Exploring Gen Z Adults From Military Families: Perspectives On Work Ethics And Values, Sonia Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research explored the work ethics and values of Generation Z (Gen Z) adults who grew up in military-connected households. The purpose was to identify strategies that enhance organizational recruitment, retention, and engagement. Qualitative research methods, such as interviews and thematic analysis, were used to achieve this objective. Insights into how Gen Z adults from military households perceive their work ethic, prioritize their values in the workplace, and how organizations can integrate those values were gained. Findings revealed that discipline, dependability, excellence, responsibility, integrity, respect, and adaptability defined their work ethic, reflecting values shaped by their upbringing. Participants also expressed …

Internal Coherence Factors Of Instructional Leadership Teams And Their Impact On Student Academic Growth: A Quantitative Predictive Correlational Study, Jennifer E. Clark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study is to examine the relationship that the Internal Coherence Framework factors of leadership, teacher collaboration, and collective teacher efficacy have on student academic growth measured through teacher VAM scores. This study has significance, in that, it demonstrates how Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) based on the Internal Coherence Framework, through intentional focus on strengthening pedagogy and collective teacher efficacy, impact student achievement at the secondary school level. Junior high and high school teachers who receive VAM scores from thirteen junior high schools and eight suburban high schools in southeast Louisiana responded to the …

Leading With Joy And Purpose, Sonika Masih Dr., Krsiti Oeding Dr.

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

In academia, success is often defined by achievements such as publications, tenure, and promotions. However, a performance-driven culture overshadows joy and purpose, leading to burnout and disengagement. Recent studies reveal that over 64% of faculty report high levels of burnout, with even higher rates among women and minority professors (Vyletel et al., 2023). This paper, Leading with Joy and Purpose, explores how fostering an emotional culture of joy enhances educator well-being, retention, and institutional success. Drawing on research by Dixon (2022), Whitsed et al. (2022, 2024), and Aboramadan et al. (2023), how psychological safety, recognition, autonomy, and meaningful connection to …

A Systematic Literature Review: Big Data Maturity Model In The Telecommunication Industry, Fatmir Desku, Adrian Besimi

International Journal of Business and Technology

This paper presents a systematic literature review focused on Big Data Maturity Model, with a specific emphasis on its application within the telecommunications sector. It addresses two primary research questions: the models currently available for assessing Big Data Maturity and the models predominantly used within the telecommunications industry. The review reveals that several models, such as Gartner's Data Maturity Model (GDMM), IBM's Big Data & Analytics Maturity Model, The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI's) Big Data Maturity Model, the Data Management Maturity (DMM) Model, and the Big Data Maturity Model (BDMM), are widely recognized. However, no single model has been predominantly …

The Interplay Of Stress, Health, And Well-Being Among Health Providers In Primary Health Service, Anita Sadikaj, Rinor Berisha

International Journal of Business and Technology

Stress, health, and well-being are intrinsically connected in a complex interplay that has captured the attention of researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals seeking to lead healthier lives. The delivery of healthcare services in Primary Health Services relies heavily on the dedication and resilience of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and support staff. These professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system, ensuring that essential medical care is provided to individuals and communities. However, the demanding nature of their work, which often involves long hours, heavy workloads, and complex patient interactions, places them at risk of experiencing high levels of stress. …

Enhancing Sepsis Prevention In Long-Term Care Facilities: Development Of An Infection Prevention Sepsis Toolkit, Emmalyn A. Tuhin

Student Scholarly Projects

Objectives: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to create, validate, and refine an Evidence-Based Sepsis Prevention Toolkit to enhanced early sepsis recognition and interprofessional coordination of care within long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Background: Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality and preventable transfer to the hospital for the elderly residents within the LTCFs. A significant practice gap persists because sepsis in this population often presents atypically, resulting in delayed or inaccurate diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: This project was guided by the following PICOT question: For healthcare professionals caring for patients aged 65 years and older …

Towards Resilient Data Governance: An Industry Study On Practitioner Perspectives On The Current State Of Data Governance, Anthony Mazzarella Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Experts agree that data governance is crucial for managing data as an asset, yet in practice, it remains inconsistently defined, unevenly implemented, and poorly understood. Earlier industry studies offered valuable descriptive benchmarks of governance adoption and professional roles, but provided limited theoretical insight and little empirical evidence explaining how governance functions within organizations. Building on this foundation, the current research offers a more substantial and analytically rigorous contribution by transforming descriptive observations into empirical explanations. Through a collaborative academic–industry partnership, the study utilizes a global survey of 565 respondents (348 valid cases) to analyze governance structures, motivations, challenges, and the …

Strategies For Improving Supported Employment Services For Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Janelle Latoya Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a growing need for supported employment services and improved programming among people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). The research question for this study was; what are human service staff and administrators’ experiences and perceptions of what is working well in supported employment programs, and how to improve the services offered to adults with I/DD in a northeastern county? The tenets of Kurt Lewin’s change model form the theoretical framework for the study, to serve as a foundation for effective change. A force field analysis approach was used to gather narrative written data from open ended questionnaire responses to grasp …

Facilitating Timely Initiation Of Hiv Care Through An Interdisciplinary, Algorithm-Guided Approach, Courtney Harris

DNP Projects

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) within twenty-four hours of an HIV diagnosis is safe, shortens time to viral suppression, improves retention in care, and contributes to reduced HIV transmission at the community level (Bacon et al., 2021). Despite this evidence, patients across the United States do not universally receive timely HIV care (Bertolino et al., 2023). Barriers to early ART initiation include lack of staff buy-in, logistical challenges, and socioeconomic factors affecting patients (Doshi et al., 2023).

LOCAL PROBLEM: A small HIV care clinic in the southern United States observed a similar discrepancy, noting inconsistent timely initiation of …

Designing Relational Employment: Supporting Employee Well-Being Through Onboarding Innovation In Emerging Smes, Michele Melazzini, Mon-Shiuan Lee, Gianluca Carella

IASDR Conference Series

This paper investigates how design practices can advance employee engagement and well-being toward relational employment during onboarding in new and emerging SMEs characterized by uncertainty and limited resources. Employing a research-through-design approach, the study integrates preliminary research activities with semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders (employees/HR/therapist) and a phase of Participatory Action Research to identify critical leverage points for redesigning the onboarding experience. Findings emphasize the importance of authentic human connection, psychological safety in the workplace, and peer-led learning cultures. The proposed COMPANION-SHIP Pilot Program proposes how design could addresses these systemic issues through multi-stakeholder collaboration, embedding sustainable relationship-building practices within …

Perceptemo: Exploring How Generative Ai Affects Emotional Data Sensemaking On Human Perception For Academic Procrastination, Zitian Zhang, Yi-Ching (Janet) Huang

IASDR Conference Series

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) demonstrates potential for supporting data processing and interpretation, limited research investigates how to support individuals in emotional sensemaking in the context of procrastination behaviors. This work introduces Percept Emo, a platform that uses generative AI models (image-to-image and image-to-video) to support people to make sense of and experience their emotional data. It transforms users' sketches of emotions related to procrastination into new visual representations. In a within-subjects experiment, we investigate how AI supports emotional data sensemaking and its influence on perceptions of procrastination by comparing three conditions: no AI, image-to-image, and image-to-video. Results showed that the …

Design Thinking Beyond The Hype: Organisational Barriers And Implementation Challenges, Gianluca Carella, Cabirio Cautela, Michele Melazzini, Francesco Zurlo

IASDR Conference Series

Despite the growing popularity of Design Thinking (DT) as a catalyst for organisational innovation, agility, and user-centred transformation, its actual adoption often remains superficial, fragmented, or symbolic. This study presents a systematic literature review of 64 peer-reviewed publications, aiming to identify, categorise, and interpret the key barriers to DT implementation in organisational contexts. Findings reveal that resistance to DT is rooted not merely in technical or procedural limitations, but in deeper organisational structures, cultures, and mental models. Through thematic synthesis, four recurring macro-barriers are identified: (1) uncertainty induced by change, (2) leadership-related constraints, (3) incompatibility of approaches and languages, and …