Digital Commons Network^™

Editorial: Critical Incident Planning In Community Engagement, Catherine Stemmans Paterson

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Dispositions Of Higher Education Faculty Toward K-12 Community Outreach, Brett L. Bruyere, Marcos Roybal, Rebecca Thomas

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study assessed the preparedness and willingness of faculty at a land-grant university to conduct outreach to youth about science. Using a mixed-methods design, faculty were aware of some components of effective youth outreach, but fail to acknowledge the importance of other critical pieces such as linking outreach to educational standards. This study has implications for higher education administrators, particularly those who perceive our universities as a resource for addressing the low science achievement in the United States.

A User-Friendly Guide To Intergenerational Service Learning, Denise C. Lewis, Desiree M. Seponski

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This article describes and provides a timeline for establishing an intergenerational service learning (ISL) program, the Friendly Visitors Program (FVP). The nationally recognized FVP has grown to about 100 students visiting approximately 200 elders each semester in more than 10 different facilities ranging from an adult day center to a small, rural assisted living facility. This article provides a timeline, textbooks, forms, and journal questions so that other scholars can replicate the FVP with ease.

Safer Spaces: Creating A Supportive Rehabilitation Environment For Gay, Transgender And Questioning Youth, Corey W. Johnson, Edward A. Delgado-Romero

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This manuscript describes Safer Spaces, a semester-long outreach program between faculty, students and the Augusta Youth Detention Center Campus (AYDC). The purpose of the project was two-fold: (a) to meet an expressed need of a state agency and (b) to create a unique opportunity for university outreach and service learning. Safer Spaces centered on assessing and meeting the needs of staff and adjudicated youth with resources about gay and transgender identity development in a predominantly African American facility with a group of interdisciplinary service-learning students in Counseling-Psychology, Recreation and Leisure Studies, and Women’s Studies.

Champions For Outreach And Advocacy For Campus And Community Health: A College-Based Peer Health Coach Program, Vanessa Duren-Winfield, Kimya Nance, Elijah O. Onsomu, Peggy Valentine, Michael Mckenzie, Arthur Roberts

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Few studies have investigated the role Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) students can play in addressing chronic diseases among themselves, their peers, and local community. An overview of a peer health promotion education strategy is provided. Ten students completed an eight-week health disparities curriculum while providing health information and screening to 1,525 campus and community residents. A description of the program and recommendations are provided. Findings support the need for peer student health educators in HBCUs as a model to improve campus and community health outcomes.

Releases Of Liability For Service-Learning Programs: Effective, Innocuous, Or A Waste Of Time?, Franklyn P. Salimbene

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This paper examines the enforceability of releases of liability relating to college and university students engaged in service-learning. It reviews cases where universities were sued for injuries incurred by students and where signed releases were offered in defense. It then examines key guidelines that courts apply in determining whether such releases are adequate. The paper concludes by offering service-learning educators a number of practical suggestions for drafting and utilizing releases with students engaged in service-learning.

Community-Based Learning And Social Capital: Exploring Student Attitudes And Perceptions Of Connectedness To Campus And Diverse Communities, August John Hoffman

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Community service activities, civic engagement, and volunteer services have been identified as key elements in improving how individuals relate and communicate with each other in society. Social capital also has been described as a highly useful form of social networking that empowers community members to collectively use each other as potential resources. The current study explored how participants from non-traditional backgrounds (i.e., ethnicity, culture, and age) completed a variety of interethnic community service activities. We hypothesized that increased exposure with members of diverse ethnic groups through community service activities would show reductions in ethnocentric attitudes and also show increases in …

Issues With Implementing Service Learning Into An Agricultural Sciences Equine Program, Aleta C. Overby, Erin Tucker, Aaron Lusby

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

In the spring of 2007 service learning classes were implemented in an equine science program after being funded for animal evacuation and recovery grants. This program was met with great student enthusiasm and participation; however, the authors raise questions about some of the obstacles they have found while implementing this program. The three major areas of concern include the optimum class size for service learning, transportation, and the depth of responses to student reflective pieces.

How Students Learn In A Service-Learning Course: A Quasi-Experimental Field Study Of Generative Learning, Valerie I. Sessa, Dana K. Natale, Manuel London, Courtney A. Hopkins

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Sessa and London’s (2005, 2006) continuous learning model was used to generate hypotheses suggesting that service-learning courses trigger student engagement in generative learning processes moderated by the students’ prior experience and that engagement in generative learning behaviors impact learning outcomes. 127 students in eight courses participated in a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design with a pre-test and two post-tests. Results partially support hypotheses. Implications for theory development, future research, and service learning pedagogy are discussed.

Consortium, University, And Program Impact On Regional Economy And Community, Sean Creighton, Robert J. Sweeney, Katherine Cauley

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Community engagement in higher education has become increasingly widespread. As a consequence, universities find themselves learning how to integrate community engagement on their own, from each other, and, hopefully, from their community partners. This article discusses three distinct cases–a consortium, university, and program–and their impacts on a regional economy and community. In addition to illustrating intentional macro to micro community engagement practices, the article notes key findings from regional institutional collaborations. Further, the article recommends benchmarks for evaluating the quality and effective practice of community engagement.

Service-Learning Pathologies And Prognoses, Roy Schwartzman

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This essay diagnoses and suggests treatments for several pathologies that afflict service-learning. Structural challenges include geographic isolation and optimization of institutional administration. Student challenges include reinforcing stereotypes, deficiencies in practical skills, elitism regarding suitable service, underdeveloped empathy, and excessive focus on time spent in service. Community partner challenges include appropriately defining student labor and systematically under-reporting negative experiences. The prognosis explores how service-learning projects could instigate student engagement with the systemic nature of social injustice.

Serve At Your Own Risk?: Service-Learning In The Promotion And Tenure Process, Jacquelyn B. Frank, Mark Malaby, Laura Raidonis Bates, Marcie Coulter-Kern, Sheron Fraser-Burgess, J. R. Jamison, Linda Stalker Prokopy, Nathan A. Schaumleffel

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Pre-tenure faculty integrating service-learning into their professional roles are often uncertain about its position in the faculty reward system. This study gathered data from administrators at five institutions of higher education in Indiana to learn if and how service-learning is credited toward tenure and promotion at their institutions. The results point to the need for junior faculty members and administrators to be cautious when implementing and evaluating service-learning initiatives.

Improved Process For The Preparation Of 5-[(4-Bromo-2-Chlorophenyl)Amino]-4-Fluoro-6- [(2-Hydroxyethoxy)Carbamoyl]-1-Methyl-1h-Benzimidazol-3-Ium Or A Salt Thereof, Msn Laboratories Private Limited, R&D Center; Srinivasan Thirumalai Rajan, Ghojala Venkat Reddy, Uppalanchi Srinivas, Manda Ananth Reddy, Revu Satyanarayana, Nomula Sathaiah, Rayavarapu Srinuvasa Rao

Defensive Publications Series

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of 5-[(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl)amino]-4-fluoro-6-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)carbamoyl]-1-methyl-1H benzimidazol-3-ium or a salt thereof, which is referred to as Selumetinib and represented by the following structural formulae,

Formula-1

Memory-Optimized Model For Simulating Yang-Based Devices Using Netconf And Gnmi Interfaces, Anonymous

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure provides a memory-optimized model for simulating network elements (NEs) that expose YANG-based management interfaces such as Netconf and gNMI. Traditional simulators that run full device software in virtual machines or load YANG schemas consume multiple gigabytes of memory per device and cannot scale to the tens of thousands of devices needed to validate Network Management Solutions (NMS). Snapshot simulators reduce overhead but create disk I/O bottlenecks and lack flexibility.

The disclosed model represents device data using lightweight YangNode objects, which store all values as strings and avoid schema metadata entirely. This design reduces memory usage by ~99%, eliminates …

Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Project As Community-Engaged Scholarship, Young-Me Lee, Susan Poslusny, Sara Anderson, Howard Rosing

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This article describes the results of a 6 month integrated community service and service learning project aimed at the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in a largely immigrant Latino and African-American community area. A total of 64 participants were screened and six positive cases were identified. Results indicated that the adolescents studied lacked proper knowledge regarding safe sex and healthy behaviors, and most refused treatment despite providing anonymous education, screening and treatment services.

Engaged Citizenship: Public Discourse As A Foundational Communication Course, Leila Brammer, Sarah Wolter

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Public speaking is historically situated at the intersection of public discourse and community engagement, although meeting both tenets can be a challenge. In response, the Communication Studies department at a liberal arts college replaced its traditional Public Speaking course with Public Discourse, a course shaped by an extensive civic engagement project. Analysis of student, project, community, and departmental outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of this new course in preparing students for lives as engaged citizens.

Community Partner Perceptions About Community Engagement Experiences For Nursing Students, Judith E. Wattman, Marjorie A. Schaffer, Maureen J. Juarez, Leanne L. Rogstad, Timothy Bredow, Sara E. Traylor

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study explored community agency staff perceptions about community engagement learning experiences for nursing students. Focus groups with staff from eleven health-related community organizations revealed seven themes that will contribute to effective curriculum development and implementation for community engagement: (a) agency expectations for students, (b) orientation, (c) schedule of student experiences, (d) invested student participation, (e) student match with agencies, (f) projects envisioned, and (g) effective interactions with the population. Practice implications for developing community engagement learning experiences are suggested.

Evaluating The Thermal Properties And Compatibility Of High-Density Polyethylene Micro/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Composites For Advanced Material Applications, Mohammed S. Al Owiemri, Moosa S.M. Al Kharusi, Farooq Al Jahwari

The Journal of Engineering Research

This study investigates the thermal behaviour and compatibility of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with micro- and nano-scale hydroxyapatite (HA) particles, aiming to optimise their application in biomedical environments. Comprehensive thermal analyses were conducted using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate the influence of HA fillers on thermal stability and crystallisation behaviour. TGA results revealed that HDPE/micro-HA composites exhibit enhanced thermal stability, with decomposition initiating at approximately 300 °C and concluding near 450 °C. Micro-HA demonstrated superior performance in delaying degradation compared to nano-HA, attributed to its larger particle size and chain mobility restriction. DSC analyses …

Effective Maintenance Management Framework Through A Health Index: A Case Study In The Oil And Gas Industry, Khalid Al Fahdi, Hakan Gultekin, Emad Summad

The Journal of Engineering Research

The oil and gas sector is transforming rapidly, driven by global energy demand and the need to address climate change. Effective maintenance management is critical for ensuring asset reliability and operational safety in this sector, where predictive and proactive strategies replace traditional reactive maintenance practices. This paper introduces a comprehensive health maintenance management framework designed to enhance oil and gas industry maintenance practices. The proposed framework includes six essential stages: asset registration, maintenance strategy selection, capability promotion, maintenance implementation, reporting, and continuous improvement. A key innovation of the framework is using a Health Index (HI), which provides a quantitative and …

Recycling And Utilization Of Fiberglass–Resin Powder From Waste Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Gfrp) For The Production Of Sustainable Phenolic Molding Products (Spmp), Hussein Antar Hussain Murad Bakhsh Al Balushi, Pradeep Kumar Krishnan, Mohamed Siddiq Mohamed Al-Balushi, B. M. Sangeetha, Thiyagu M, Megavannan Murugaiyan Mani

The Journal of Engineering Research

This study investigates the mechanical properties and sustainability implications of phenolic moulding compounds (PMCs) formulated with varying compositions of waste glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) powder and additives. By utilising waste GFRP from the composite pipe industry in Oman, the research aims to develop environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional Bakelite materials. The mechanical performance of these sustainable PMCs was assessed through compressive strength and hardness evaluations, revealing promising results that highlight the potential for improved material properties when incorporating treated GFRP powder. The findings suggest that these sustainable phenolic moulding products can be effectively utilised in various industries, including automotive, …

Design And Fabrication Of Vacuum-Assisted Compression Mould For Thermoplastic Polymers With Experimental Validation, Said A. Al Mufarraji, Farooq Al Jahwari, Mahmoud Al-Kindi, Tasneem Pervez, Imad Murtadha Ali

The Journal of Engineering Research

The manufacturing of thermoplastic materials, particularly polypropylene, is crucial for various industrial applications due to their lightweight, versatile, and durable properties. Compression moulding is a favored method for producing high-strength components; however, traditional open mould systems often result in defects such as air bubbles and voids, which weaken the mechanical integrity of the final product. This research introduces an advanced vacuum-assisted closed mould system designed to enhance the compressive strength and overall mechanical performance of polypropylene specimens. By applying vacuum, entrapped air is effectively removed, ensuring uniform material flow and reducing defects. Experimental results show a substantial improvement in mechanical …

Cultivating Commitment Within Educational Ecosystems: Improving Teacher Satisfaction Through Autonomy And Expertise, Jane Mcintosh Cooper, Leslie Gauna, John Decman, Sheila Baker

School Leadership Review

This study explores the experiences of Texas educators’ job satisfaction, focusing on their ability to enact curriculum and pedagogy within their school ecosystems. Reporting of partial qualitative results of a larger mixed-methods survey of teachers in Texas, the research examines how administrative and contextual stances impact teachers’ professional and personal goals. Findings reveal that dismissive attitudes toward teachers’ content expertise and micromanagement by evaluation-focused leadership lead to dissatisfaction and potential attrition. Conversely, growth-oriented leadership that values autonomy and respects teachers’ practical knowledge enhances job satisfaction and commitment. The study, grounded in self-determination theory, highlights the critical role of intrinsic motivators—such …

Effects Of Different Loads Used In Post-Activation Potentiation Exercises On Sprint And Vertical Jump Performance Of Young Amateur Soccer Players, Emre Karaday, Yusuf Köklü, Erhan Işıkdemir, Bilal Utku Alemdaroğlu, Özlem Köklü

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different loads used in post-activation potentiation (PAP) exercises on the vertical jump and sprint performance of young amateur soccer players. Materials and methods: Twelve young amateur soccer players (age: 16.3 ± 1.2 years; height: 172.6 ± 3.88 cm; body weight: 63.2 ± 6.7 kg; training experience: 2.3 ± 1.4 years) participated voluntarily. The half squat exercise was performed in unloaded conditions and at three different intensities (L1:80%, L2: 90%, and L3: 100% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]), and its effects on players' countermovement jump (CMJ) and 30 m sprint …

Burdened And Fatigued: The Hidden Costs Of Supporting Undocumented Students In Postsecondary Contexts, Blanca Elizabeth Vega

Department of Educational Leadership Scholarship and Creative Works

Sociopolitical and institutional barriers significantly influence the mental health and overall well-being of undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students in US higher education. Concurrently, higher education and student affairs (HESA) professionals who serve these students face their own psychological and professional challenges as they navigate restrictive policies and bureaucratic uncertainty. This brief research report extends the Immigration Battle Fatigue (IBF) framework by integrating principles from administrative burden theory to examine the interconnected experiences of undocumented students and the professionals who support them. Drawing on qualitative data from a Spencer Foundation–funded study of HESA professionals’ work with undocumented …

A History Of Native People In Nebraska, Part I, Gabriel Bruguier

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

The following isn’t a comprehensive history; the aim is to highlight important events and the ideas of those whose actions brought forth the history of the region and eventually the state of Nebraska. Using an analogy from the book The Nebraska State Constitution, we can think of how the state developed as a sort of fence, a way of separating what is “mine” and “yours”, who is “us” and “them,” and who the “insiders” and “outsiders” are.9 In examining the period leading up to the formation of Nebraska Territory, it is instructive to point to how outside forces desired and …

Native Americans, Part Ii, Kevin Abourezk

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s – aimed at abolishing legalized racial segregation and discrimination across the United States – found expression in Nebraska in many ways. From college protests to marches in Lincoln, the movement found a home within the youth and counterculture communities of Lincoln and Omaha. But less known is the way the movement impacted Native American populations, especially those in remote Nebraska communities. “Just as young Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans across the nation were learning the lessons of the black experience of the 1960s and expressing their identity as they sought to …

Performance Of A Two-Body Wave Energy Converter With An Annular Heave Plate, Raj Tamakuwala, Muhammad Usman, Nathan Tom, Hassan Masoud

Michigan Tech Publications

We theoretically examine the performance of a two-body wave energy converter (WEC) featuring a floating sphere and a submerged annular heave plate, connected by a power take-off (PTO) system. Utilising linear wave theory, we derive the system's frequency-domain response to regular plane waves and analyse the impact of varying disk porosity on power generation. Our results suggest that annular disks can enhance power extraction efficiency in various cases compared with solid heave plates. Additionally, permeable plates can broaden operational conditions by reducing oscillation amplitudes and decreasing the mechanical strain on the PTO system without substantially compromising the power conversion efficiency. …

K-6 Teacher Perspectives Regarding Pre-Covid-19 Digital Competencies Professional Development And Teaching During The Pandemic, Melissa Kay King

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the impact of pre-pandemic digital competencies training on K-6 teachers’ preparedness for the rapid shift to remote and hybrid teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sudden transition to online education, teachers, particularly those with limited technological experience, faced challenges in adapting to new digital environments. The purpose of this study was to explore how pre-pandemic training influenced teachers’ ability to effectively teach in these novel settings and identify the strategies they employed to overcome obstacles. The study was guided by sensemaking theory, which posits that individuals interpret new experiences based on their prior knowledge and existing …

Applied Linear Regression Techniques To Biomedical Research And Detecting Change-Points To Enhance Model Flexibility By Improving Interpretability And Applicability, Hoang Vu

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines change-point detection in statistical models through the framework of two-way truncated linear regression with threshold effects. Our work is based on Two-Way Truncated Linear Regression Models with Extremely Thresholding Penalization (TWT-LR with ETP) by Teng and Zhang (2022) which is an innovative approach extends traditional linear regression by incorporating potential change-points in both intercept and slope parameters, effectively handling multiple change-points through a specialized penalization technique that shrinks small coefficients to zero. This methodology demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in identifying significant change-points while maintaining computational efficiency. We propose a framework that models both upper and lower thresholds in …

One Is The Loneliest Number: The Impact Of Social Isolation On Blaberus Discoidalis, Jaden Jackson

Student Theses and Dissertations

Isolation in humans and its consequences has been documented by researchers as early as the 1700s (McNeil et al., 1984). More recently, interest in the impact of social isolation has been renewed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the studies covering social isolation and the COVID-19 pandemic rely on self-report measures obtained through questionaries or interviews. Studying social isolation experimentally is difficult due to risk factors associated with isolating one from conspecifics. This is particularly true when studying humans. Animal models of social isolation are important as they allow for implementation of necessary controls needed to establish …