Digital Commons Network^™

Military Recruiting Crisis: A Qualitative Study On The Motivation Of Generation Z, Ruth D. Kane

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This qualitative study investigates the declining motivation of Generation Z to join the U.S. military, using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a framework. Despite significant investments in recruitment, enlistment rates continue to decline, revealing a gap between military structures and the psychological needs of potential recruits. SDT provides a useful perspective by emphasizing the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in motivating and promoting well-being. Through in-depth interviews with eight Gen Z individuals eligible for service, this study explores how social, cultural, and institutional factors influence perceptions of military service and career decisions. Results indicate that motivation to enlist increases when …

As I Remember Your Tears: A Biblically Grounded, Integrated Ecosystemic Model For Mentoring Ministers In Distress, John R. Dingle

PhD in Organizational Leadership

This study addressed a gap in the literature concerning how mentoring supports ministers who are experiencing distress and turnover intention. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop a biblically grounded model for mentoring ministers in distress. This qualitative study employed a two-phase design consisting of a sociorhetorical analysis of 2 Timothy and a phenomenological study of four Assemblies of God ministers who experienced turnover intention but remained in ministry because of a mentor’s intervention. The biblical text was analyzed using the sociorhetorical textures of inner texture, intertexture, and sacred texture. The phenomenological data were analyzed using open, values, and …

An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention To Enhance Nurses' Knowledge Of Metabolic Syndrome In Residential Care Facilities, Marie Tanyi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The project addresses a critical gap in nursing education by implementing a structured, evidencebased educational intervention led by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to improve nurses’ knowledge of metabolic syndrome in residential care facilities. The purpose was to determine whether this intervention could significantly enhance nurses’ understanding and management of metabolic syndrome, a complex cluster of disorders present in adult populations. Nine nurses participated in targeted educational sessions focusing on definition, diagnosis, complications, and evidence-based prevention and management strategies. Each participant completed the Metabolic Syndrome Knowledge Scale (MSKS) questionnaire before and after the intervention to assess changes in knowledge. …

Butterflies & You: Considerations Of Human Relationships With The Natural World (Paper), Madison Colby

2026 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents & Media

Science communication only accounts for approximately 2% of the entire scientific output of 2017-2022 (Parejo-Cuéllar et. al, 2024). It is an under-researched and under-valued field, especially in an age that has devalued science as a whole. The delicate art of explaining complicated ideas to people who are unfamiliar with scientific jargon is vital to humans’ understanding of the world. Butterflies & You is a documentary film exploring the relationship between humans and the many different butterfly species that call Illinois home. Video-based science communication is important to research and practice because of its impact on environmental advocacy and the growing …

The Discovery Map Retreat, Kimberly Kay Bland

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Title of Project: The Discovery Map Retreat

Defense Date: 3-1-2026

Candidate Name: Kimberly Kay Bland

Personal Email Address: [email protected]

First Advisor: Dr. Jolene Erlacher

Second Advisor: Dr. Debra Dean

DSL Final Project Abstract

Project Type: 2-Day Retreat

Project Overview: The capstone project focused on designing, developing, and facilitating a 2-day retreat for high-achieving women aged 38-55 experiencing burnout, exhaustion, or a sense of being stuck. The retreat is structured around reflection, the power of questions, and self-awareness, supporting authentic self-discovery in talents, passions, and values.  Through coaching, reflective exercises, group dialogue, and experiential learning, participants will engage in a process …

The Power Of Asking: A Feasibility Assessment Of Incentive Social Worker-Led Screening For Sexual Violence Against Children In Humanitarian Settings In Ethiopia, Yadeta Dessie, Abir Nur, Dagim Habteyesus, Bonnie Wandera, Gloria Seruwagi, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Francis Obare, Et Al.

Humanitarian Task Force

Sexual violence against children (SVAC) is an acknowledged concern in humanitarian contexts. In response to recent findings on the prevalence of SVAC in refugee camps in Ethiopia, coupled with low levels of disclosure and service-seeking by child/adolescent survivors, the Baobab Research Programme Consortium collaborated with humanitarian stakeholders in Ethiopia to establish mechanisms for promoting sexual violence disclosure and service uptake among young survivors in refugee settings.

This study employed a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation study design (involving a combination of service statistics, group interviews, and fieldnotes) for evaluating the feasibility of the aforementioned intervention, which specifically entailed sexual violence screening (of …

The Age Of Hr Delivering Stakeholder Value Through Strategic Organizational Capability: Talent, Leadership, And Culture, Anthony Nyberg, Rebecca R. Kehoe, Dave Ulrich, Patrick M. Wright

Research Briefs

A landmark collection of 62 chapters from the world’s foremost thinkers in HR strategy, talent management, and organizational leadership—written at the inflection point where AI, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving stakeholder expectations are reshaping the future of work and the humans at its center.

Expressive And Acquisitive Norms Of Property In The Municipal And Private Contexts: Guerrilla Gardening And Property Reform, Anna Benham

Michigan Journal of Environmental & Administrative Law

There exists a type of expressive property outlaw—the guerrilla gardener. Guerrilla gardening is the practice of gardening without the legal right to do so. The practice of guerrilla gardening can sometimes take on rooted permanence, and as a result, progressively higher stakes. Guerrilla gardeners can operate over years, planting plots of greenery in areas where their hard work can be removed, quite literally, overnight. Many guerrilla gardeners operate with the implicit consent of their neighbors—consent that can be revoked at any time. However, when one bends away from the light insurrections of nonoffensive trespass and examines the other end of …

Teacher Engagement In Outdoor Play: Impacts On Children’S Behavioral Regulation, Mariah Duszynski

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this inquiry-based research was to better understand how teacher engagement during outdoor play shapes children's behavioral regulation and overall playground experience. The problem was that teachers have their own views and beliefs about how they should interact with children on the playground, which may differ from those of their colleagues, leading to different behavioral outcomes in children. This study examined how teacher engagement during outdoor play influences children's behavior and how children perceive and experience outdoor play when teachers are more actively engaged. One early childhood center in rural Iowa was observed throughout this study, with four …

Strategies And Techniques In Early Childhood Education, Abigail Strutzenberg

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

As early childhood education shifts toward high-stakes accountability, the traditional "bridge year" of age four is increasingly dominated by "drill-and-kill" academic instruction. This project investigates the growing tension between rigorous academic standards and developmentally appropriate practices. The study explores how the implementation of intentional, play-based strategies—specifically guided play and multisensory scaffolding—can meet mandatory benchmarks for phonemic awareness and self-regulation without compromising a child’s social-emotional well-being. Ultimately, the research seeks to identify how educators can reclaim their pedagogical autonomy by balancing state mandates with the intrinsic needs of the developing child. The central thesis argues that when academic content is embedded …

Effects Of Psychological Distance On Mental Abstraction: A Registered Report Of Four Tests Of Construal-Level Theory, Sofia Calderon, Erik Mac Giolla, Karl Ask, Susanne Jana Adler, Adam W. Stivers

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Construal-level theory (CLT) proposes that psychological distance influences the level of abstraction at which something is mentally construed: Things perceived as less probable (likelihood) or further away from the here (spatial distance), now (temporal distance), or self (social distance) are thought about more abstractly. In this international multilab study, we tested four basic hypotheses derived from core assumptions of CLT and explore potential moderators and boundary conditions of the effects. Participants (N = 11,775) from 27 countries and regions were randomly assigned to one of four experimental protocols focused on different types of psychological distance (temporal, spatial, social, or likelihood), …

2024-2025 Ecei Annual Report, Cynthia Dicarlo

Early Childhood Education Institute Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Bound By Brotherhood: Social Networks Predict Job Satisfaction And Trust Among Frefighters, Ashley Frost

Posters - 2026

The primary purpose of this study was to better understand the correlation between the social support networks among firefighters, also known as “brotherhood”, and their job satisfaction. The secondary goal was to explore potential indicators of what traditions entailed within the fire department and their significance in fostering brotherhood. Former research has articulated the bonds within the fire service and how team comradery and job satisfaction influence brotherhood, however; limited research has investigated how traditions within the fire service influence brotherhood. It was expected that brotherhood would have a positive correlation with job satisfaction (H1), that there would be a …

The Relationship Between Environmental Cues And Emotional Responses, Isbella Cantrell, Ashley Frost, Mark Sanchez

Posters - 2026

The purpose of this study was to better understand if the environment influenced an individual’s emotions by observing horror and non-horror video games and coding the frequency of observed reactions. Former research illustrates that emotional arousal during video games may activate defensive behaviors similar to real-life threats. Three different YouTube streamers were observed playing one horror and two non-horror video games. All three streamers played the same three games. It was expected that all three players would have more frequent reactions to horror games as opposed to non-horror games (H1), that anger reactions would occur more frequently than sympathetic reactions …

The Role Of Leadership Style In Team And Individual Performance In Collegiate Athletics, Luke Mulkey

Posters - 2026

• Measuring the effectiveness of leadership is important because strong leaders can bring significant contributions to both organizations and individuals

• Previous studies have said that intrinsic motivation of the individual plays a larger role than the leadership style of a coach

• Studies also show that leadership style has an influence on team success and cohesion

• This study aimed to determine the extent to which transformational leadership played a role in team success, measured in win percentage

• This study went further into the individual perception of their coach’s impact on the athlete’s performance compared to the extent …

Research Showcase Program, St. Mary's University

Program - 2026

No abstract provided.

A Research Proposal: Gender Differences In The Experience And Impact Of Fear Of Missing Out (Fomo), Valeria Garcia, Yesenia De Leon

Posters - 2026

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is the anxiety individuals feel when they believe others are having rewarding experiences without them, a feeling that has increased with the rise of social media. Constant exposure to others' curated lives can lead to social comparison, increased social media use, and negative outcomes such as decreased academic focus and poorer mental health. Research suggests that FoMO may be experienced differently across genders due to differences in social expectations and online behaviors. For example, women may be more likely to engage in social comparison and seek validation, while men may use social media for different …

Financial Literacy And Fraud Vulnerability In Digital Finance: Evidence From The 2024 Nfcs, Mercedes Palacios Diaz

Posters - 2026

Digital finance has expanded rapidly through fintech platforms and cryptocurrency markets, increasing access to financial services while also exposing individuals to higher levels of financial fraud. Most research treats fraud vulnerability as a single outcome, without distinguishing between financial loss and the ability to recognize scams. This study examines how financial literacy shapes fraud vulnerability through its effects on fraud victimization and scam awareness, highlighting its dual role in reducing financial losses and improving scam recognition. Fraud vulnerability is therefore analyzed across two distinct dimensions: realized financial loss and scam awareness.

Who Still Goes To The Mall? Genz Vs. Millennials, Layla Dickerson

Posters - 2026

• Shopping malls are declining in popularity, especially among younger consumers

• Online shopping and changing preferences are reshaping retail habits

• Malls were once key social and shopping spaces

• Generational differences influence how people use malls today

• This study compares Gen Z and Millennials’ mall visitation behavior to understand the decline

The Power Of A Label: Examining Name Brand Purchase Behavior, Kaley Garcia

Posters - 2026

• Consumers are constantly comparing name brands and generic products.

• Brand names are often associated with quality, trust, and status.

• However, not all products are viewed the same when it comes to brand importance.

• Some people care more about price and function, especially for everyday items.

• This study looks at whether brand name actually influences buying decisions.

• It also explores if brand matters more for certain types of products.

Research Proposal: What Did We Lose When We Stayed Home? Digital Culture And The Erosion Of Social Interaction, Anzio Hall

Posters - 2026

Third spaces serve as casual social environments such as libraries and movie theaters acting as "anchors" for community and social connection. (Melissa et.,al 2024). Nonetheless with the rise of streaming services and personalized experiences, these spaces are increasingly disappearing from everyday life (Fowler, 2026; Van De Vijer, 2017). For Gen Z, a generation that had grown up with technology at their fingertips, raising questions about how they interacting with other and experience relationships (Fisu et al, 2024). This study aims to explore: How does Gen Z describe the experience of third spaces as they connect with others?

Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?, Javier Obiltas, Phillip Clayton

Posters - 2026

Play is defined as voluntary behavior that differs from functional behaviors and typically occurs in low-stress environments. In cetaceans, object play has been linked to development, motor skill practice, and social learning. Play behavior is an important factor of development in belugas, because belugas are social animals that live and interact within groups, the composition of these groups or "groupings" might influence their play behaviors. Understanding how said groupings may affect the play rates may help researchers better understand the development of behavior and social dynamics of the beluga groupings. The purpose of this study was to see whether grouping …

A Wealth Of Well-Being, Jake Grove

Furman Magazine

Jose Morales-Martinez '18 gives back to a community that has shown him so much.

Extending The Fuzzy-Trace Theory Informed Model Of Guilty Plea Decision Making: Accounting For Factual Guilt And Innocence, Rebecca K. Helm, Tina M. Zottoli

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective: Understanding how sentence differentials influence plea decision making is vital to identifying when plea offers might lead to convictions that conflict with normative goals (e.g., avoiding wrongful conviction). We clarify previous findings by introducing and testing predictions of a Fuzzy-Trace Theory informed model relating plea discount to plea acceptance in mock guilty defendants and extend the work to mock innocent defendants.

Hypotheses: We expected plea rates in guilty defendants to increase with increases in plea discount but to change more steeply when a change in plea discount created a categorically distinct change in sentence (vs. a less meaningful reduction). …

From Prediction To Prevention: How The Va Uses Analytics To Reduce Chronic Disease And Mental Health Risk, Leelakrishna Angadala

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Predictive analytics has become an essential component of preventive care strategies within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which serves a medically and psychosocially complex population at elevated risk for chronic disease and mental health conditions. This research examines how the VHA has leveraged predictive analytics to improve early identification, prevention, and targeted intervention for chronic illnesses and mental health disorders. Specifically, it explores established initiatives such as the Care Assessment Needs (CAN) score for identifying veterans at high risk of hospitalization or mortality, the Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for Veterans (REACH VET) program for suicide risk prediction and prevention, …

The Role Of Hip Internal Rotation And Ground Reaction Forces On Lower Back Pain In Amateur Golfers, Katrina Arndt

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal injury amongst golfers; the high velocity and repetitive motion of the golf swing on the lumbar spine leads to substantial compressive and torsional forces, making LBP primarily and overuse injury. An additional risk factor for LBP is limited lead hip internal rotation (LHIR), which forces the lumbar spine to compensate through excessive rotation. The golf swing also relies heavily on the efficient transfer of energy generated from the ground through the lower body, a process quantified by ground reaction forces (GRFs). While existing research has separately examined LBP and GRFs, there …

Functional Annotation Of Gordonia Phage Minor Tail Proteins Using Alphafold And Structural Homology Searches, Harani Athwale, Mitchell Thenor

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. The basic phage structure consists of a DNA or RNA genome encased in a capsid protein shell. Some may also have a tail, important for attachment and genome delivery into the bacterial host. Recently, the structure of mycobacteriophage Bxb1 was characterized and determined to have 10 minor tail proteins, each assigned a unique function. The genomes of Gordonia rubripertincta phages Fribs8, Genamy16, Alyssamiracle, and NovaSharks were annotated, depicting several minor tai proteins. However, the specific functions were not determined. Therefore, the goal of this research was to assign a specific function to the minor …

Reproductive Experience Mitigates Cognitive Aging In A Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Esperanza Barrios, Chana Vogel, Tej Chaudhari, Anna Roy, Shruthi Senthil, Greeshma Thomas

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that lacks effective treatment. Despite women having approximately twice the risk for developing AD, few studies have investigated sex-specific factors contributing to disease vulnerability. Among women, motherhood appears to be protective, although results are mixed, and this relationship could be explained by a third variable (e.g., genes) influencing both disease risk and fertility or fecundity. During an experiment directly tested the effects of motherhood by manipulating access to male breeders and examining neurodegeneration and cognitive aging in control (B6129) and transgenic mice used to model AD (3xTg-AD mice), we also compared reproductive …

Modeling The Extracellular Matrix-Like Retinal Protein Pikachurin And Its Binding To Α-Dystroglycan And Gpcr (Gpr179), Mohit Belur, Khushi Raval, Riya Chelagiri, Rani Mehta

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Pikachurin is an extracellular matrix scaffold protein that links photoreceptor and ON-bipolar cell synapses by bridging the presynaptic dystroglycan complex and the postsynaptic receptor GPR179, ensuring precise synaptic alignment required for vision. Although its role in dystroglycanopathy associated visual phenotypes is well recognized, there is no published structural model showing how pikachurin engages α-dystroglycan or how this may influence GPCR linked synaptic signaling. This study computationally modeled full length Pikachurin using the complete nucleic acid sequence and available Protein Data Bank structures, integrating Jmol, AlphaFold, and literature-based analysis to predict domain organization, Ca²⁺-binding motifs, and glycan interaction sites …

Effects Of Invasive Water Hyacinth On Boldness And Habitat Preference In Mosquitofish, Nicolas Borca, Chancellor Rockwell Marks

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) are small freshwater fish that play an important role in aquatic food webs. Their behavior, especially boldness and risk-taking, can change depending on the type of habitat they occupy. In this study, we investigated how mosquitofish respond behaviorally to the presence of the floating invasive plant water hyacinth by comparing their boldness, preference for cover, and predation rates between water hyacinth and its native competitor, pennywort. Fish boldness was measured using a two-factor latency experiment. Fish were collected from freshwater locations in South Florida that either had the invasive plant or were free of …