Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Partisan Indifference And Contradictory Ideas In Split-Ticket Voting Across Offices, Venushi K. Haththalla

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Split-ticket voting has traditionally been examined through the lenses of institutional incentives, strategic preferences for divided government, and candidate-centered evaluations. This study investigates the role of partisan indifference and contradictory political ideas in shaping split-ticket voting across offices in contemporary U.S. elections. Building on scholarship that distinguishes strong partisan attachment from weak, ambivalent, or indifferent orientations, the analysis argues that voters who lack meaningful affective ties to either major party are less constrained by partisan loyalty and therefore more likely to divide their electoral support between Democratic and Republican candidates. Using individual-level survey data from the American National Election Studies …

Hiawatha Hall Internship Presentation, Preston V. Brand

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Hiawatha Hall Internship Presentation

2026 Urs Abstract Booket, Undergraduate Research Center, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Complete Schedule of Events for the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The Role Of Group Guidance With Psychodrama In Promoting Self-Adjustment: Does It Really Work For Adolescents?, Hanifa Salsa Bila, Dian Ari Widyastuti, Sri Tutur Martaningsih, Agungbudiprabowo Agungbudiprabowo, Taquddin Abd Mukti

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group guidance using psychodrama techniques in improving self-adjustment among students. The study employed a quantitative approach with an experimental research design, specifically a pretest–posttest control group design. The participants consisted of ten students, divided into an experimental group of five students and a control group of five students. The experimental group received group guidance with psychodrama techniques, while the control group received treatment as usual. The research participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-adjustment scale, which had been analyzed for validity and reliability using …

The Enhancement Of Learning Inspiration By Strategic Life Planning Using After Model Assembly With Goodness Based Learning For The Lower Secondary Students In Buriram’S Private School, Adisorn Bansong

Journal of Education Studies

This pre-experimental research aimed to compare the students’ learning Inspiration before, and after using AFTER model assembly with Goodness Based Learning (GBL) on the Strategic Life Planning lesson plans to enhance student’s learning inspiration, A one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted on 40 lower secondary students using a lesson plan with IOC = 0.80-1.00, high-level quality was implemented 1 period a week for 15 weeks. The Learning Inspiration Scales with IOC = 0.90-1.00 and Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient = .86 were utilized as instruments for data collection. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test were used for data analysis. The findings were as …

College Students, Immigration, And The News: Navigating What Is Reliable News, Alexis Pineda-Bautista

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

People treat mainstream media as a trustworthy source, but mainstream media has recently come into question. Mainstream media’s ability to quickly deliver accurate information has been called into doubt and there has been an increase in partisan reporting (Bennett and Livingston, 2018 as cited in Besalú and Pont-Sorribes, 2021; Besalú and Pont-Sorribes 2021). This research aims to demonstrate how the public views the mainstream media’s ability to deliver reliable information, why some participants are turning towards social media as a news source, and how people use their personal experience to verify the validity of media claims.

In semi-structured interviews, 13 …

Understanding Hospital-Based Nurses’ Perspectives On Workplace Well-Being, Frankie B. Hale, Holly B. Fontenot

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: Uncover nurses’ perspectives related to factors associated with well-being and garner opinions for interventions in the workplace.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted nurses and has led to a potential crisis in staffing. Poorer mental health and well-being stemming from personal and organizational issues have driven nurses to leave the profession. In a recent survey of nurses in Hawaii, individual factors such as working 36 hours or more per week, reports of burnout, having primary caregiving responsibilities outside of work, and lower self-reported physical health, along with organizational factors like the experience of workplace violence, all contributed to an …

Impact Of Stress On Novice Nurses During The Transition To Practice: A Literature Review, Ilona L. Ilyayev

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: The transition from being a student to a registered nurse is a challenging and stressful period for novice nurses. Stress is a universal human response to difficult situations, and it is important to recognize early on, as failure to do so can negatively impact nurses' well-being and decrease their long term ability to effectively function.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review was to examine the impact of stress on novice nurses during the transition to practice.

Methods: An analysis of peer-reviewed literature from 2021 to 2025 was conducted using databases such as PubMed and CINAHL. The research studies …

Analyzing 24-Hour Diet Recalls To Assess Dietary Changes Among Children Who Complete Oral Food Challenges (Ofcs), Hannah Plank, Wan Shen, Heesoon Lee

Honors Projects

Pediatric food allergies are a growing public health concern in America due to their potential association with long-term nutritional impacts and reduced quality of life in those affected. Oral food challenges (OFCs) are considered the gold standard for clinical food allergy diagnosis, but few studies have examined if passing or failing an OFC affects overall diet quality in infants. This clinical observational study examined differences in diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), among 39 children aged 0–6 years who participated in OFCs at ProMedica Allergy and Immunology Clinic in Perrysburg, Ohio. Parents and caregivers reported daily dietary …

Constitutional Theory At A Catholic University, J. Joel Alicea

Catholic University Law Review

I argue that the study of constitutional theory is ideally suited to benefit from the intellectual climate of a Catholic university. To make that argument, I address three questions. First, in what ways does constitutional theory benefit from the intellectual disposition of a Catholic university? Second, what might be the potential drawbacks or risks involved in studying constitutional theory at a Catholic university? And finally, how can one gain the benefits of being a constitutional theorist at a Catholic university while avoiding any potential risks that attend that setting?

Pektus, Aisha Naz Khan, Aleksei Macatuno, Sylvia Thorton, Maribel Ramirez

Pacific Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit (PIES)

Pectus excavatum, often referred to as "sunken chest," is a structural deformity of the anterior chest wall where the sternum and rib cage grow inward, creating a visible depression. This condition typically becomes more pronounced during adolescent growth spurts and can range from a mild aesthetic concern to a significant physiological impairment. In severe cases, the inward displacement of the breastbone can compress the heart and lungs, leading to decreased cardiovascular efficiency, shortness of breath, and chest pain during physical exertion. Beyond the physical symptoms, the noticeable indentation often results in profound self-consciousness and psychological distress for patients, highlighting a …

Recognizing Metaphorical References To Sexual Assault Resistance And Represented Rape Myths In Coraline (2009), Braden Slater

Theses and Dissertations

Is there any value in children’s horror literature and film? Literary theorists have shown that children’s horror is uniquely positioned to be not only captivating and accessible, but also educational and hopeful for some young audience members. Like most fictional monsters, those presented in children’s horror can be read as metaphors for the fears and experiences people face in real life. Scholars have argued that engaging with this type of frightening media may help people confront challenging ideas and feelings from a place of safety. Building on this theoretical foundation, I perform a close reading of the 2009 film Coraline, …

Frozen Identity: How Rigid Conceptions Of Sexuality Endanger Lesbian Asylum Claims, Mariajose De La Hoz

Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy

Bias, stereotypes, and antiquated conceptions of sexual orientation erect systemic barriers for lesbian women seeking asylum in the United States. Decision-makers with a limited understanding of LGBTQI+ identities impose expectations that reinforce stereotypes while discrediting applicants’ lived experiences. This results in adverse credibility determinations that distort evidentiary burdens and deny relief to applicants with legitimate claims. This Note examines how fixed conceptions of identity endanger the asylum process for lesbian women fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation. Proposed solutions include statutory reforms, updated training for asylum officers, and a shift toward evaluating claims through the applicant’s lived experiences rather …

Stories We Become (April 23, 25, 2026), Lindenwood University

Student Dance Programs & Brochures

Event program for Stories We Become (April 23, 25, 2026), Lindenwood University.

“As Though You Could Never Sink”: Gender Euphoria Through Aquatic Embodiment In The Sun Also Rises, Devan Edwards

Honors Theses

Recent scholarship in disability studies and queer theory (2007-2024) reveals that Jake Barnes's war wound in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises functions as something more complex than tragic loss. This paper argues that Jake's swimming and fishing scenes constitute moments of gender euphoria, a term borrowed from contemporary transgender studies, enabled specifically by aquatic embodiment. In these scenes, water functions as the physical and symbolic medium through which Jake's war-wounded body transcends the performative demands of 1920s heteronormative masculinity. Building on Michael Anesko's provocative reading of Jake as "accidentally transgendered" (Literature and Medicine, 2015) and Martina Kübler's argument that impotence …

The Boys From Syracuse, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, George Abbott

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University's performance of The Boys from Syracuse with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and the book by George Abbott.

Performed April 23-26, 2026 in the Mitchell Theatre at Taylor University.

The Boys from Syracuse by Rodgers and Hart is based on the play The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, likely written in the late 16th century. As is common for many Shakespearean plays, he adapted an older story, Plautus' Menaechmi, into his classic farce about two sets of twins, separated by a tragic sea accident, who find each other after many …

Spectator 2026-04-23, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Modulating Acute Stress Reactivity: Behavioral Interventions And Caffeine-Linked Stress Physiology In College Students, Kaitlyn Smith

Honors Theses

College students frequently rely on caffeine to manage academic demands, yet its physiological and psychological effects on acute stress remain poorly understood. Although caffeine is known to increase cardiovascular arousal and self‑reported anxiety, little research has compared different caffeine sources within the same individuals or examined whether brief behavioral interventions can buffer these effects. Self‑affirmation, a short writing exercise centered on personal values, has been shown to reduce stress reactivity, but its interaction with caffeine‑induced arousal has not been tested. This within‑subjects study examines how coffee, energy drinks, and a no‑caffeine control influence acute cardiovascular and self‑reported stress responses, and …

Honors Voice Recital

Bailey School of Music Concert Programs

Honors Voice Recital

Professional Commitment As A Mediator Between Proqol, Resilience And Turnover Among Filipino Nurses, Ejay H. Ignacio

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The current global nursing shortage is a significant issue with substantial implications for nursing practice. Increased nurse turnover will yield five percent of the total annual hospital operating costs, estimated to be around 5 trillion dollars annually, due to the cost of hiring and training new nursing staff. In the United States, Filipino immigrant nurses play an integral part in the healthcare systems to patch the critical staffing gaps. The changing landscape of healthcare system delivery in the US, threatens Filipino nurses to stay at their current jobs. This study aimed to explore the mediating effects of professional commitment in …

Institutional Timidity: Reading Len Rubinowitz Toward A Structural Theory Of Civil Rights Enforcement, Sheldon Bernard Lyke

Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy

This Article first documents institutional timidity in fair housing enforcement through Rubinowitz’s empirical account of HUD and then extends the analysis to higher education admissions. It shows that universities defending affirmative action uniformly adopted the diversity rationale while declining to argue that race-conscious admissions correct for bias embedded in their own criteria. These choices did not merely weaken outcomes; they also helped produce the doctrinal frameworks that later constrained them. In identifying institutional timidity as a mechanism of doctrinal production, this Article extends Rubinowitz’s insights across domains and into constitutional law. It concludes by proposing strategies that shift civil rights …

Restrain, Seclude, Repeat: Seeking Solutions To End The Troubled Teen Industry’S Cycle Of Harm, Elizabeth James

Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy

Although there is a consensus that children receiving mental health treatment in youth residential programs should only be restrained and secluded in emergency situations, youth residential program staff routinely restrain and seclude children in non-emergency situations, causing significant physical and psychological harm to the child and, on occasion, leading to the child’s death. Current federal and state laws do not adequately regulate this practice, nor correct a business model that wrongly prioritizes profits over a child’s well-being, but private action through 42 U.S.C. § 1983 may provide a powerful remedy to victims of the troubled teen industry and the necessary …

Rationale Behind Subtitle Usage In Non-Deaf Individuals Across Various Platforms, Jenna E. Kasselman

Honors Theses

Subtitles have a long history with the medium of audiovisual communication. Options for viewing media with added text have only increased with technology, and in the age of the internet, more accessible material is available than ever before. While numerous studies have been conducted on the beneficial effects of subtitles for both the deaf and the hearing, little academic publication has been done on the rates of subtitle usage, reasons for usage, and how that usage differs based on what media is being viewed. The current study examines subtitle usage, frequency of subtitle usage, and reasoning for that usage divided …

Second April 2026 Graduate Council Minutes, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

An Ot Educational Program For Individuals With Upper And Lower Limb Amputations, Laurie R. Spinks Mrs, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

An OT approach to reducing prosthetic abandonment with an accessible guide to promote self sufficiency and community connections for individuals with amputations.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest & Newly Diagnosed Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy In A High School Athlete, Jacob Rolfes, Brent Holtgrewe, Mike Tzianos

2026 Student Academic Showcase

A high school soccer player experienced sudden cardiac arrest during competition and required immediate CPR and AED use. Following resuscitation, physicians ruled out commotio cordis and identified findings consistent with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, supported by a prolonged T-wave on EKG while all other laboratory and catheterization results were normal. The athlete later received an ICD and pacemaker, prompting significant physical, emotional, and lifestyle adjustments. This capstone project examines the emergency response, the role of trained medical personnel at sporting events, and the implications of early cardiac screening for adolescent athletes. Through consented family interviews, structured questionnaires, and case-based data collection, the …

The Weight Of Marijuana: Marijuana As A Gateway To Binge Eating, Hailey Proctor

2026 Student Academic Showcase

As many societies move toward the legalization of marijuana the other underlying side effects and symptoms of this drug must be analyzed so that users may be fully informed about the effects of their drug usage. Therefore, this exploratory project looks to evaluate the relationship between the use of marijuana as a recreational drug and binge eating. Throughout the project three main topics have been explored including the adverse outcomes of binge eating and over eating, how cannabis use can play a role in binge eating, and if binge eating can be a contributing factor in initiating the use of …

The Impact Of Prior Abusive Dating Experiences And Gender On Romance Scam Victimization And Monetary Loss, Trevor Rowe

Department of Psychology

Online romance scams are a rapidly expanding cybercrime that affects millions of people each year, financially and emotionally. This study examines an underexplored question: Will individuals with a greater number of abusive partners be more vulnerable to romance scam victimizations and lose more money? Adult dating app users (N = 518) completed an online survey. After controlling for being approached for relationships, those with a greater number of past abusive partners were more likely to be victims and lost more money. In addition, men reported a higher frequency of romance scam victimizations and more money loss.

The Necessity Of Adaptive Sports: Addressing Financial Barriers To Participation In Children With Spinal Cord Injuries, Megan G. Wells

Student Capstone Papers

 Children with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) experience numerous barriers to participation in adaptive sports despite the well-established physical, psychosocial, and developmental benefits of physical activity. Financial constraints, limited awareness of funding opportunities, and the complexity of grant application processes often prevent families from accessing adaptive sports programs and specialized equipment. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop a comprehensive financial guidebook for families of children with SCIs to address financial barriers to adaptive sports participation, promote physical activity, and improve overall quality of life. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, this doctoral capstone project addressed financial accessibility …

Limits To Human Reason, Violette Geerling

2026 Student Academic Showcase

Human reasoning operates on a continuum that integrates rational analysis with intuitive and emotionally driven thought. While rationality is often idealized as logical and evidence-based, irrational thinking is not merely a flaw; it often plays a functional or adaptive role. Drawing on work by Galotti (2008), Michalik-Jeżowska (2019), and others, this paper explores how reasoning interacts with unconscious processes in everyday decision-making, sports performance, and social behavior. Findings indicate that irrational cognitive tendencies, though often maladaptive, can, under certain conditions, enhance resilience, focus, and social cohesion. The integration of rational and irrational elements within human cognition illustrates the complexity and …