Digital Commons Network^™

Space, Belonging, And Formation In The Intergenerational Church, Tara Lynn Wolf

Doctor of Ministry

This Doctoral Project addresses the following Need, Problem, or Opportunity (NPO): Redeemer Lutheran Church has limited intentionally cultivated spaces for informal, intergenerational connection, leading to reliance on programs to foster relationships, formation, and a sense of belonging. This condition challenges the congregation’s stated commitment to being intentionally intergenerational and affects relational continuity spanning generations.

Research conducted through stakeholder interviews, design workshops, surveys, and prototyping revealed that belonging and spiritual formation are formed not only by ministry programming but by the physical and social environments in which people gather repeatedly over time. Key insights indicated that churches often underestimate the influence …

The Sabbath Journey: An Invitation For Pastors And Spiritual Leaders To Find Rest In God, Cody Daniel Ragland

Doctor of Ministry

In the fast-paced ministry of today, non-denominational evangelical pastors in the United States often strive to serve their congregations while neglecting God’s gift of Sabbath rest. Though the Sabbath is deeply rooted in Scripture, it is often misunderstood, minimized, or neglected in the lives of pastors. My NPO seeks to address:

This doctoral project introduces The Sabbath Journey: An invitation for Pastors and Spiritual Leaders to find rest in God. It is a year-long cohort program designed for pastors and ministry leaders to cultivate deep personal relationships and accountability as they develop a weekly Sabbath practice. Through intentional community, …

The Vagabond Way: A Qualitative Study Of Intentional Non-Participation In Structured Society, Lorena E. Black

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study analyzes intentional vagabondage as both a philosophical position and a lived critique of structured society. Using qualitative fieldwork conducted at Fairlawn Family Church in Fort Pierce, Florida—including ten semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and grounded theory analysis—the study examines how individuals who voluntarily disengage from formal systems of housing, labor, and legality construct meaning, identity, and stability beyond institutional boundaries. The analysis identifies three central themes: rhythm, referring to the patterned routines that sustain mobility; reciprocity, which characterizes social exchange and support networks; and refusal, expressed as a deliberate rejection of societal expectations. While many participants describe their paths …

Laser Beam Shaping Using A Neural Network, Azeem A. Hakim

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Multiphoton lithography (MPL) is a method of laser-based 3D-printing for fabricating micron-scale structures point-by-point in a photopolymerizable medium. MPL’s high-resolution capabilities have made it a powerful method for the fabrication of many devices, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and tissue scaffolds.  The throughput of MPL processes can be increased by using spatially shaped laser beams that expose large areas or volumes simultaneously. A laser beam can be reshaped by passing it through a spatial light modulator (SLM) displaying a pre-designed phase mask. One type of laser beam profile used for this purpose is the Bessel beam, a type of structured …

Participatory Barriers And Single-Member Districts In Planning For Latino Demographics: A Spatial Analysis Of Osceola County, Florida, Amy Garcia Paniagua

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This mixed-methods case study on Osceola County, Florida examines how participatory barriers shape planning outcomes for Latino communities within single member district systems. Demographic transformation has shaped Osceola into one of three Hispanic/Latino majority counties. For Latinos, unique barriers to civic access exist, with the potential for exclusion in planning processes. The research bridges participatory planning theory with theories supporting single-member district electoral representation by evaluating whether district-level governance mitigates inequities where civic engagement is constrained. Methods integrate GIS-based spatial analysis with an institutional review of district-level actions to assess relationships between Hispanic civic accessibility and planning equity. Two composite …

Alexander Duals Of Symmetric Simplicial Complexes And Stanley-Reisner Ideals, Ayah Almousa, Kaitlin Bruegge, Martina Juhnke-Kubitzke, Uwe Nagel, Alexandra Pevzner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

Given an ascending chain (I_n)_n∈N of Sym-invariant squarefree monomial ideals, we study the corresponding chain of Alexander duals (I_n^∨)_n∈N. Using a novel combinatorial tool, which we call avoidance up to symmetry, we provide an explicit description of the minimal generating set up to symmetry in terms of the original generators. Combining this result with methods from discrete geometry, this enables us to show that the number of orbit generators of I_n^∨ is given by a polynomial in n for sufficiently large n. The same is true for …

Moral Distress Of The Professional Adn Gatekeeper During Early Covid-19: An Interpretivist Qualitative Study, Kimberly Triche

Dissertations of Practice

MORAL DISTRESS OF THE PROFESSIONAL ADN GATEKEEPER DURING EARLY COVID-19: AN INTERPRETIVIST QUALITATIVE STUDY

This interpretivist qualitative study examines the experiences of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) faculty at two-year institutions in Illinois navigating the “Regulatory Pincer,” the intersection of state-mandated lockdowns and rigid licensure requirements, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research illustrates how the sudden transition to online modality and the abrupt dismantling of the traditional “gatekeeper” model forced faculty to navigate high stress environments with negligible preparation. The findings reveal that the necessity of maintaining instructional continuity while stripped of tactile verification tools created a profound state of “moral …

“Don’T Let Your Disability Be Your Weakness, Let It Be Your Greatest Strength”: A Phenomenological Study Of Nursing Students Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Randa Melms

Dissertations of Practice

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of nursing students who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) as they navigated nursing education and the clinical learning environment. Using critical disability theory (CDT) as a guiding framework, the study explored how participants understood, negotiated, and redefined their identities within a profession historically shaped by hearing norms. Four essential themes emerged: reframing disability as expertise, navigating institutional supports and structural barriers, negotiating clinical spaces designed around hearing bodies, and drawing strength from relational networks. These findings can inform more inclusive practices among higher education professionals and clinical educators, helping reduce disparities …

Fiscal Illusion And Property Tax Porportionality, Cathy Lynn Johnson

Dissertations of Practice

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has become a widely utilized economic development tool, allowing municipalities to capture future increases in property tax revenue within designated redevelopment areas.

The study’s purpose was to examine how TIF districts in Illinois affect the proportional distribution of property tax burdens and the allocation of property tax revenues to public school districts. Guided by Resource Allocation Theory, Public Choice Theory, and Fiscal Illusion, the study investigated how the exclusion of incremental EAV alters tax rate calculations and redistributes tax responsibility among taxpayers both within and outside of TIF boundaries. A quantitative analytical framework was developed and …

Grades And Grading Practices And Their Associations To Student Motivation, Rob Tesmond Iii

Dissertations of Practice

This study’s purposes are to understand how students perceive grades and their impact on their motivation to learn, how students perceive different grading practices, and how students who typically experience academic success respond compared to how students who typically do not experience academic success respond. Utilizing qualitative research methods, two rounds of focus groups were conducted. The first round consisted of five focus group sessions made up of a total of nineteen students who typically experience high academic success, including an overwhelming representation of students who take honors and AP classes. The second round consisted of three focus group sessions …

Beyond Discipline: Creating Academic Structural Systems To Foster Success For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Richard Jasch

Dissertations of Practice

Students diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) face profound challenges in traditional educational environments, often exhibiting significant underdevelopment in critical social and emotional learning skills. To support this vulnerable population, many school districts rely on specialized programs, such as the “affective learning center” (ALC), designed to stabilize behavior and foster growth. This qualitative dissertation of practice examines the ALC within a mid-sized K–12 district in the Rocky Mountain region to define its core characteristics and evaluate educators' perceptions of its effectiveness. Furthermore, the study investigates the alignment or misalignment between stakeholder perceptions, daily classroom practices, and overarching district policies. …

One Nation, Bound By Drag: Tokyo’S Drag Culture As A Modern Subentity Of National Identity, Emmeline Schubert

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Throughout Japan’s history, performance has played a significant role in the construction and expression of gender and identity; drag culture in 21st-century Tokyo represents a contemporary subcultural form of this tradition. As drag publics become increasingly visible in urban Japan, it raises the question of how subcultures, competing identities, and social rebellions relate to dominant understandings of national identity. This paper explores the idea that Tokyo’s drag culture functions as a counterpublic of imagined communities that negotiate belonging through performance. While Japanese national identity is frequently defined as homogeneous and ethnocentric, an examination of gender expression in kabuki, onnagata, and …

Exploring The Gender Gap In Trump Supporters: Why “Real Women Vote For Trump”, Emma Kudelka

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper examines the types of women who support Donald Trump and explores the reasons behind their alignment with him, despite his seemingly contradictory policies toward women. It begins by analyzing the persistent and modest gender gap across the last three election cycles in which Trump was a candidate. The paper then outlines the demographic and attitudinal profile of female Trump supporters—predominantly white, non-college-educated women who often hold traditional views, including sexist or racist attitudes. These views are frequently rooted in their demographic backgrounds and upbringing, particularly the effects of gendered political socialization, which may shape their attitudes toward political …

Survey Measures On Perinatal Cannabis Use, Aaditya Balasubramaniyan, Jacquelyn Reiss, Amy Donley

Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS)

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Exercise, Heat Stress, And Cooling Strategies On Cognitive Function, Marie Vilcin, Ginhyuk Kwon, Hannah Rigdon, Neil Johannsen, Arend Van Gemmert

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Hot environments has proven to impact performance outcomes negatively when engaged in intense physical activity due to altered cognitive function. Despite extensive research on how rehydration or hypohydration strategies in hot environments ameliorates physical and/or cognitive performance, this study focuses on cooling strategies using a newly developed device called Tigeraire, Zephyr. This device aims to reduce the sensation of heat stress and improve cognitive function during standardized exercise in a hot environment.
Participants were randomly assigned to two separate interventional trials, one with the fan and one without. Participants completed the trials in an environmental chamber set at 30 degrees …

Setting Up & Resetting The Escape Room, Mary Rubin, Devika Ramsingh, Nardia Cumberbatch

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This supplemental document supports a publication titled Gamifying the Library: Theoretical Foundations, Pedagogical Principles, and Practical Applications by providing a practical implementation guide for a library-based escape room. Designed for librarians and educators seeking to replicate or adapt the activity, the document details the materials required, the initial room setup, and the step-by-step process for resetting the space between sessions.

The materials list includes all physical components necessary to facilitate gameplay. The setup section outlines how to arrange the room, sequence puzzles, and prepare instructional elements to ensure a smooth and engaging participant experience. The reset procedures offer a clear, …

Using Ai To Analyze Survey Data, Sara Martucci

Open Educational Resources

This assignment in Methodology in Sociology/Criminology engages students in the full research process by guiding them through variable selection, data analysis, interpretation, and critical reflection on AI-assisted decision-making. Using a class-generated survey dataset (or an existing dataset), students develop a research question, identify independent and dependent variables, and formulate a hypothesis. They then compare their selections with those suggested by an AI tool, analyzing differences in reasoning and variable choice. Through SPSS, students generate frequency tables, charts, and scatterplots to examine relationships between variables, including potential intervening factors. The assignment culminates in a group presentation and reflective analysis on the …

Transgender Women In Sports: A Test Case For State Legislative Protections, Payal Doctor

City University of New York Law Review

For decades, transgender people have been fighting for the right to participate in sports leagues consistent with their gender identity. Much of this fight has played out on the federal stage, but recently both the federal government and federal courts have become hostile to transgender rights broadly, and transgender rights in sports in particular. This Comment examines an alternate but increasingly promising avenue for the vindication of transgender rights in sports: state law. Using a New York lawsuit brought by a women’s roller derby team, Long Island Roller Rebels v. County of Nassau, as a case study, this Comment …

Riding The Line: A Cost To Value Analysis Of Roller Coasters And The Factors Which Contribute To Their Worth, Clayton Englert

Integrated Studies

When an amusement park is in consideration for a new roller coaster, it can represent a significant financial, cultural and operational decision that must be made. This decision requires a careful balance between the cost and perceived value of the attraction, referred to as the cost to value ratio within the paper. This project aims to examine the multifaceted considerations that influence roller coaster development, highlighting research that shows successful attractions emerging from the understanding of historical precedent, cultural context, design innovation, choice of manufacturer, theming, operations, accessibility, and long term maintenance costs.

The project develops the argument by first …

Judging Art: Copyright, Creativity, And The Meaning Of Art In The Eyes Of The Law, Scott J. Sholder

Marquette Intellectual Property & Innovation Law Review

This Article examines how copyright law defines creativity and authorship in an era of rapidly evolving artistic expression, with particular emphasis on generative artificial intelligence. Tracing the development of U.S. copyright law from its constitutional foundations through modern case law, the author explores the legal standards governing originality, fixation, human authorship, and the idea-expression dichotomy. The Article analyzes how these principles have been applied to both traditional and emerging forms of art, including conceptual, performance, appropriation, digital, and AI-generated works. It also examines recent guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office and evolving judicial decisions addressing the copyrightability of AI-assisted and …

Why We Stayed, Why We Left: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Hispanic/Latino Child Welfare Professionals’ Experiences Of Organizational And Safety Culture, Cynthia Franco

Theses and Dissertations

This hermeneutic phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of Hispanic/Latino child welfare professionals who were formerly employed at a large urban public child welfare agency. Despite the growing representation of Hispanic/Latino children and families in child welfare systems and the strong vocational commitment of Hispanic/Latino professionals, this group remains underrepresented in the workforce and experiences notable patterns of early attrition. Grounded in safety science and psychological safety frameworks, this study explores how organizational culture, leadership practices, and identity-related dynamics shape professional meaning-making, well-being, and decisions to remain in or leave the field.

Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and …

Feasibility Study Of A Screening Decision Tool For Allocating Adults Into Food Is Medicine Programs As An Effective Approach To Target Clinical And Dietary Outcomes Among Rural And Urban Adults, Alison Gustafson, Carolyn Lauckner, Joshua L. Bush, Emily Dimond, Carolina Morales Serrano, Christa Mayfield, Elizabeth T. Anderson Steeves

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Objective: Evaluate feasibility (primary), clinical, and cost outcomes (secondary) associated with the use of a screening decision tool for allocating rural and urban adults with hypertension into in a food is medicine (FIM) program.

Design: Participants were allocated to receive either medically tailored meals or grocery prescription (Rx), based on a user-centered designed screening decision tool. Medically tailored meals (MTM) provided 5 meals per week for 12 weeks. The grocery Rx program provided $100 each month for 3 months to purchase food consistent with guidelines for hypertension. Feasibility outcomes included engagement, dose, and program acceptability. Semi-structured interviews were completed with …

Human Capital And Development, Philippe Aghion, Ingvild Almås, Costas Meghir

Discussion Papers

Human capital is central to efforts to promote growth, convergence, and the elimination of poverty. Drawing on the seminal macroeconomic frameworks by Nelson-Phelps, Lucas and subsequent developments, alongside macro and microeconomic evidence, we examine the role of human capital in driving innovation and growth. We highlight how different types of human capital, characterized by education level, matter in different stages of development. Despite documented increases in years of schooling, the world’s poorest regions still see stagnating outcomes in learning and education quality, potentially creating poverty traps where investments in neither physical nor human capital materialize. We discuss obstacles to human …

Tuck Everlasting (1976) By Natalie Babbitt, Gareth B. Matthews

Middle Grades Books

In Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt tells the story of ten-year-old Winnie Foster, who is about to drink from a spring in her family's wood, but is suddenly kidnapped by the Tuck family. They explain that they all drank from that spring 87 years ago and stopped aging. "If you'd had a drink of it today, you’d stay a little girl forever.” Some philosophical thought experiments help us decide if a certain attitude we have towards something is appropriate. Most of us lament our own mortality and fear death. But would an endless life be worth living?

Numerical Modeling Of Wavy Electrohydrodynamic Flow To Promote Particle Collision, Hayden Selig

CURE Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Performance And Maintainability In Unreal Engine 5 Xr Applications Through Optimization Techniques And Refactoring, Santos Rodriguez-Hughes, Terron Taylor

CURE Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Behavioral And Psychological Financial Hardship Among Caregivers Of Pediatric Cancer Patients, Josiane Kabayundo, Cheng Zheng, Edward S. Peters, Don W. Coulter, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Financial hardship encompasses material, behavioral, and psychological domains; however, most research among caregivers of pediatric cancer patients has focused on material hardship. This study examined factors associated with behavioral and psychological financial hardship among caregivers of pediatric cancer patients in Nebraska.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of caregivers of children diagnosed within the past 5 years and treated at two pediatric oncology specialty clinics. Behavioral hardship was defined as delaying medical or mental healthcare due to cost, while psychological hardship was measured by worry about ability to pay medical bills. Descriptive statistics and poisson regression with robust variance …

Artemisia Gentileschi's Last Susanna, Shelby A. Morgan

Anthós

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1645), a celebrated 17th century Baroque painter, depicted the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders six times in her long career of approximately 44 years (1610-1654). The first five were all painted and arranged vertically with Susanna's nude body exposed. Whereas her last Susanna (1652) and consequently her final known painting was painted horizontally with fabric covering, yet skimming Susanna’s nude body underneath. My research question is: Why at such a late stage in her career did Artemisia decide to reconfigure the composition of Susanna and the Elders and transform the representation of Susanna’s body through this …

Chatbot Therapy - Help Or Hindrance, Kadi Rae Smith

Anthós

Introduction

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) chatbots are complex computer programs designed to mimic human conversations using programming that incorporates large language models (LLM) and natural language models (NLM) to simulate human interactions that are being rapidly integrated into everyday life across an increasing amount of online platforms. This article explores the applications and efficacy of chatbots for mental healthcare, from self-directed chatbot interactions to clinician-supervised implementation of chatbot-based therapeutic tools, weighing the benefits and limitations of this ever-expanding technology.

Methodology/Taxonomy

A literature review was conducted primarily using Web of Science, accessed through Portland State University, and Google Scholar, with specifications …

Three Essays On Disparities And Outcomes Among Patients With Diabetes, Aiemere O. Oikeh

Theses and Dissertations--Health Services Research (HSR)

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that patients with diabetes adopt 7 preventive care measures to improve their health outcomes. The recommendations are to check their blood glucose levels daily, undergo biennial hemoglobin A1c tests, undergo dilated eye exams once every 2 years, engage in regular physical activity, check their feet daily, have annual feet examinations performed by a clinician, and receive diabetes self-management education services (DSMES). Marital status has been found to be associated with positive health outcomes; thus, it is ideal to evaluate if there is an association between marital status and diabetes preventive care. The ADA also …