Digital Commons Network^™

2026 Spring - Commencement Program, Office Of The Registar, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Commencement Ceremonies and Programs

No abstract provided.

Reframing Intimacy: An Occupation-Based Approach To Pelvic Floor & Sexual Health, Emma Stone

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Pelvic floor dysfunction is highly prevalent among women in the United States, and sexual health is often underaddressed in healthcare. This capstone project aimed to define the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in pelvic floor therapy and promote integration of sexual health into practice. Completed in an outpatient pelvic floor setting, the project included clinical skill development, program development, and advocacy. Interventions involved continuing education, creation of educational handouts, implementation of home exercise programs, and tracking outcomes using the PFDI-20. Additional initiatives included staff education and student training on OT’s role in pelvic health. All 12 tracked clients progressed toward …

Human-Like Or System-Like Trust? A Comparison Of Trust Measures For Intelligent Assistants, Denise Mcwilliams, Adriane B. Randolph

Proceedings of the Cognitive Innovation Conference (CognoCon)

Organizations increasingly deploy intelligent assistants to augment human tasks within virtual teams, reshaping how work is coordinated and performed. As intelligent assistants become embedded in everyday workflows, technology shifts from a passive tool to an active collaborator in team processes. Despite growing adoption, trust remains a critical factor influencing the use of intelligent assistants and may hinder organizations’ efforts to realize their full value. Prior research debates which trust construct is most appropriate for examining trust in artificial intelligence. Traditional perspectives emphasize cognitive and affective trust, developed for human-to-human relationships, which may not fully capture trust in human–computer contexts. Emerging …

Brett Young Inspires New Ole Miss Alumni To Chase Every Dream, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The Grove was blanketed by a sea of navy gowns and mortar boards during the University of Mississippi's 173rd Commencement exercises on Saturday (May 9).

Suburban Black Girl: Lived Experiences Of Black Girls And The Impact Of Safe Spaces Within Predominantly White Institutions, Kennedi A. Stevenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As Black and Biracial girls navigate the landscape of suburban Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), they encounter a unique convergence of institutional surveillance and interpersonal erasure. While existing literature often focuses on the “achievement gap” or urban school settings, this qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of Black girlhood within the sea of Whiteness that defines suburban education. Specifically, this research explores how a gendered sanctuary— BSU Salon Talk — serves as a site of resistance and a catalyst for wellbeing. Grounded in Black Feminist Thought Theory (BFTT) and Intersectionality, the study utilizes the theoretical frameworks of Patricia Hill Collins’ Domains …

Enhancing K-2 Teacher Effectiveness In Reading Instruction: An Improvement Inquiry Into The Roles Of Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, And Evidence-Based Practices, Kellie F. Dawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School districts across the United States have increasingly adopted structured literacy initiatives in response to growing concerns about early reading outcomes and policy mandates grounded in the science of reading. Despite substantial investments in professional development, less is known about how teachers experience implementation demands within authentic classroom contexts. This improvement study examined how evidence-based professional development influenced K–2 teachers’ self-efficacy, the barriers teachers encountered during structured literacy implementation, and the supports teachers perceived as most critical for sustained instructional change within Eagle Stone School District.

Grounded in Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and Dweck’s Mindset Theory, this qualitative study explored teachers’ …

Youth Worker Perspectives On The Measures Most Descriptive Of Student Progress In Philadelphia-Based Out-Of-School Time Programs, Jamillia Kamara Covington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For marginalized students, out-of-school time programs offer a host of academic and positive youth development benefits. However, perspectives from youth workers, front line staff who form trusted relationships with out-of-school time program participants and the Executive Directors that lead their organizations, are absent from the last three years of evaluation reports for the Pennsylvania Nita M. Lowry 21st Century Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. This missing perspective renders the observations, challenges and improvements youth workers may experience and desire invisible at a time when their labor is counted upon to supplement inequitable education opportunities due to systemic factors. This study …

"It Was Time To Go": A Case Study In Occupational Culture, Tiffany M. Kline Costa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abundant examples of negative community-police interactions demonstrate strained relations between marginalized community members and police across the United States. Likewise, nationwide data demonstrates discrepancies in how officers interact with People of Color versus White citizens. To gain insight into influences on officer behavior, this research shines a spotlight on the occupational culture of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) and the ways this specific occupational culture informs officer thoughts and behaviors. Via the analysis of the experiences of four former PBP officers, this research explores how culture impacts officer perspective, thoughts, and behaviors. Utilizing an interpretative phenomenological approach, data analysis …

Factors And Attributes Contributing To The Longevity Of Special Educators: Over 15 Years Of Commitment, Susan Majestic-Frabell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the personal, professional, and institutional aspects that contribute to special education teachers' resilience, dedication, and professional identity in southwestern Pennsylvania. Ten participants used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how moral purpose, empathy, relational engagement, mentorship, professional competence, and continual learning help them stay committed throughout time. The findings show that teaching is regarded as a vocation based on advocacy, service, and optimism, rather than a mere employment. Systemic supports, such as access to school-based mental health specialists, inclusive decision-making frameworks, reasonable workloads, and equitable policies, have emerged as crucial for lowering emotional burden, increasing efficacy, and …

More Than A Rod: Reconceptualizing Medical Student Development Through The Lens Of Social Determinants Of Learning, Dejour Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Medical education traditionally follows a biomedical paradigm that emphasizes academic rigor but often overlooks non-academic factors that fundamentally influence student success. The aim of this study was to reconceptualize medical student development by shifting focus from traditional academic metrics to the systemic, non-academic factors that affect learning and well-being.

This study employs a systemic analysis of structural barriers, defined as institutional policies, practices, and environments that create and perpetuate inequity in medical education. This investigation was grounded in the Integrated Social-Ecological Framework for Learning (ISEF-L), a three-tiered conceptual framework developed for this study. The ISEF-L includes Social Determinants of Learning …

The Impact Of Social Demographics On The Awareness, Knowledge, And Experience Of Domestic Violence In Interpersonal Relationships Among College Students, Logan Friddle

Honors Theses

Domestic violence is a widespread social issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide and representing one of the most common forms of violence against women (Kaur & Garg, 2008, p. 73; Bent-Goodley, 2021). This study examined how social demographic factors such as gender, race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation influenced awareness, knowledge, and experiences of domestic violence in interpersonal relationships among college students. A survey was distributed to students at Coastal Carolina University using Qualtrics to collect data on awareness, attitudes, and personal experiences related to domestic violence. The study explored how social identity shaped exposure to domestic violence, recognition of …

Demi-Lune (Half-Moon): How Can An Educational Center, Enhance Climate Adaptive Agricultural Practices For Farmers In Say, Niger?, Mari Sadou

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Niger is currently facing a severe food crisis worsened by climate extremes, with 80% of its population depending on rain-fed agriculture. The country ranks 19th among those affected by climate change and is the second most vulnerable nation in the world in terms of climate adaptation. It is experiencing rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall that threaten health and food security, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and mothers. In 2022 alone, over 4.4 million people required humanitarian assistance due to crop failures caused by drought, with nearly half of the children suffering from stunting. To tackle these challenges, a …

Exploring The Neural Correlates Of Motor Learning, Brooklyn R. Thomas

Honors Thesis

The left anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG) is recognized as a fundamental cortical region involved in the mastery of skilled tool-use. Although various research studies have revealed that anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (atDCS) over the cortex has the potential to boost manual dexterity, the impact of stimulating the aSMG is less understood in relation to the learning process. Within this study, there was a chopstick-based marble task to discover if atDCS applied to the left aSMG was capable of facilitating the acquisition of a novel motor skill. Concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure the changes in neural synchrony within …

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In Rural Arkansas Elementary Schools, David B. Byers

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

Schools and educators are facing more behavioral issues than ever before from students. In rural schools, the disadvantage is even greater due to limited resources and funding. These behaviors start in elementary school and left unabated, progress. Effective methods to combat these behaviors are in great demand. This study suggests that PBIS methods are an effective tool for schools to utilize. Five teachers and a principal from five different rural elementary schools were interviewed to analyze their perceptions of PBIS usage in their schools. Transcripts were transcribed using Otter.ai and analyzed to identify deductive and inductive codes. These codes led …

A Phenomenological Examination Of Principal Leadership Practices In Arkansas High-Performing Middle And High Schools, Zondria R. Campbell

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the leadership practices of Arkansas secondary school principals in schools that received an “A” rating outlined by the state’s grading system for schools. Grounded in the instructional and distributed leadership theory, this study sought to explore principals’ lived experiences and the strategies that influenced high levels of student achievement.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight principals that met the criteria to participate in the study. Interviews were held virtually, and the discussions were recorded and transcribed for analysis. This approach allowed the researcher to identify patterns and key themes across participants through thematic coding.

The …

A Peer Support Model For Nursing Faculty: Stay And Thrive, Ngoc N. Hua

Doctoral Projects

Projections show a major nursing shortage over the next decade. Although many state and local efforts aim to expand the workforce, there is often less visibility into the nurse educators responsible for the healthcare pipeline. Moving clinicians into teaching roles presents unique challenges. Specifically, clinical skills do not easily transfer to classroom management,​ which can be jarring for new faculty. This "reality shock" frequently results in faculty turnover​ due to a lack of support during this important transition.​ This project looked at nursing faculty perceptions of a structured peer mentorship​ program at a Northern California community college. The intervention was …

Msw Portfolio, Sara J. Murphy

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio presents a comprehensive reflection of my development throughout the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Montana. It highlights the integration of knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive and affective processes across ten core social work competencies. Through critical self-reflection, I examine my positionality, biases, and professional identity while emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and accountability in social work practice. Overall, this portfolio reflects my commitment to providing equitable, client-centered care while advocating for systemic change that supports individuals, families, and communities.

The Impact Of Proactive Preventive Practices And Targeted Behavioral Interventions In Early Childhood Education, Amy B. Kimball

Graduate Teacher Education

Increasing challenges with classroom dysregulation and the negative long-term effects of exclusionary discipline created a critical need for proactive, evidence-based alternatives. This paper addressed this gap by examining how proactive preventive practices and targeted behavioral interventions affected social-emotional learning and well-being in early childhood. To achieve this, a synthesis of twenty peer-reviewed sources was conducted, including longitudinal studies and randomized controlled trials that evaluated the Pyramid Model and the Second Step curriculum. Findings revealed that universal Tier 1 supports established a necessary foundation for all learners, while targeted interventions served as essential cognitive bridges for students with persistent challenges. Furthermore, …

The Role Of Trauma-Informed Play In Supporting Resilience And Emotional Regulation In Early Childhood, Angela C. Burnett

Graduate Teacher Education

This Capstone Paper examined the impact of trauma-informed, play-based learning on resilience and emotional regulation in preschool and kindergarten-aged children. The purpose of the literature review was to explore how play, when grounded in developmentally appropriate, brain-based, and relational practices, supported emotional regulation and adaptive coping in young children who had experienced adversity. A review of 16 scholarly, peer-reviewed studies from multiple countries, including the United States, China, Canada, Germany, Zambia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, was conducted, incorporating qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research, as well as case studies, quasi-experimental interventions, and correlational analyses. Evidence from the literature indicated that play …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise And Observation On Procedural Learning: Considerations Of Biological Sex, Madeline R. Gossett

Honors Theses

As memories are formed or learning progresses, neurons within the brain establish a strong connection in what is referred to as a “neural engram.” This neural engram can be strengthened or weakened by certain physiological factors. Dopamine, for example, is released during physical exercise or when positive reinforcement is incorporated (Greenwood, 2019). This is a neurotransmitter that leads to a stronger connection between neurons, which in turn leads to a stronger memory formed in the brain. These physiological relationships that contribute to cognition are still being discovered, so research in this area is ongoing (Guskjolen and Cembrowski, 2023).

Memory is …

Issues Of Justice Since Batson V. Kentucky: The Ethical Implications Of Peremptory Strikes In Jury Selection, Andrew M. Nichols

Honors Theses

The usage of peremptory strikes in jury selection have led to several issues over the course of American history. Since their inception in English Common Law, their ethically questionable use has led the United States Supreme Court to rule on them repeatedly, most notable in 1986’s decision Batson v. Kentucky. This case allowed attorneys to challenge the opposing counsel if they suspected that jurors may have been removed from the venire due to their race and reinstate them if such discrimination was present. This thesis argues that this decision has not corrected the ethical issues that I identify, namely …

Re-Evaluating The Safety Of Erythritol: A Critical Review Of Emerging Evidence, Kaitlyn B. Kirchner

Honors Thesis

Erythritol, a commonly used non-nutritive sweetener, has gained popularity as a sugar alternative due to its low caloric value and minimal effect on blood glucose levels; however, emerging research has raised questions about its overall safety. This literature review critically evaluates current peer-reviewed evidence on the effects of erythritol on the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. Findings indicate that erythritol is generally well tolerated in the gastrointestinal tract, with fewer adverse effects than other sugar alcohols due to its rapid absorption and limited fermentation, although symptoms may be dose-dependent and influenced by co-ingestion with other carbohydrates. In contrast, evidence related to …

Multi-Focal Ultrasound Neuromodulation To The Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex Disrupts Behavioural And Neural Pain Processing, Sophie Clarke, Samuel Mugglestone, Mathilde Lojkiewiez, Joshua Marquez, Nadège Bault, Elsa Fouragnan, Sam Hughes

School of Psychology

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a promising non-invasive neuromodulation technique for pain-related deep brain regions. This study aimed to investigate neural mechanisms underlying TUS effects on pain processing using neuroimaging. Thirty-two healthy participants underwent two double-blind, randomised sessions (active or sham). A tonic cold stimulus was applied during multifocal TUS applied to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). While no significant main effect on pain intensity was observed, active TUS showed a significantly greater reduction in pain ratings between 28- and 55-minutes post-stimulation, suggesting a delayed analgesic effect. …

Comparing Two Variations Of The High Probability Instructional Sequence In Increasing Acceptance Of Novel Foods Among Children With Food Selectivity, Angelica Ibarra Donahue

Theses & Dissertations

Escape extinction is a well-established intervention for pediatric feeding disorders (LaRue et al., 2011); however, it has been associated with undesirable side effects, including emotional responding and extinction-induced aggression (Engler et al., 2023). An antecedent-based intervention that may be less intrusive and has some evidence of increasing consumption of novel foods is the high-probability (high-p) instructional sequence. This intervention consists of presenting a child with a sequence of high-p demands that the child is highly likely to comply with, followed by the presentation of a low-probability (low-p) demand. The present study replicated and extended Trejo and Fryling (2018) by comparing …

2026 Spring Commencement, Harding University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Harding University Commencement on May 9.

Commencement Speakers:
9a.m.: Dr. Steve and Dottie Frye
noon: Paul Chapman
3p.m.: LaDonna Johnston

At The Helm In The Storm: Compassionate Leadership For Library Instruction Programs, Clinton Baugess, Mallory Jallas

Works by Oberlin College Libraries Staff

Academic libraries are navigating turbulent waters-shifting priorities, resource constraints, and evolving curricula for instructional programs. In this environment, leadership approaches matter more than ever. This session explores compassionate leadership as a framework for guiding information literacy programs through change, emphasizing empathy, communication, recognition, and support as core principles. The presenters explored how this theory applies to librarians in both formal and informal leadership roles. Join us to chart a course toward leadership that balances advocacy, adaptability, and care-essential qualities for navigating the evolving seas of teaching and learning in higher education. Session presented as part of the 2026 LOEX Conference …

Msw Professional Portfolio, Sierra Trivaye Singer

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Ellen Mittlestadt

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio describes how I have developed strengths, skills, values, and cognitive and affective processes through the ten competencies of the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. Through attending classes, engaging with professors and my cohort, and continuing to strengthen all I've learned in my practicum, I feel confident that these skills and strengths have grown tremendously, and I'll continue to grow through my practice. The following portfolio describes progress over the past years.

Teacher Orthographic Knowledge, Mary L. Leslie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

When reading is no longer taught as a separate subject, adolescent students with weak reading skills have limited opportunities to catch up to their peers and are unlikely to improve without targeted support (Wigfield et al., 2008). This descriptive case study intended to increase teacher knowledge by presenting a professional development intervention focused on orthographic knowledge using effective professional development components. This study was conducted with six teachers of adolescent students (4^th-8^th) from a private preparatory school. Analysis found that teachers increased their understanding of the role orthography plays in the reading process and increased their …

Resilience In Recreation: Stories Of A Changing Climate, Casey L. Auberle

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly prevalent, the outdoor activities that bond us to our local communities and environments are under threat. In Missoula, MT, drought, rising temperatures, and wildfire smoke change what it means to fish, ski, run, and recreate in our town. In a series of Q&A style podcasts, environmental philosophy graduate student Casey Auberle creates a platform to share stories of a changing climate through the lens of local recreators and climate activists. Capturing these voices invites us to consider our relationship with nature on both an individual and communal scale, to find unity in …