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Educational Policies Committee Minutes December 4, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes - November 6, 2025
• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Program Proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee
• Center for Civic Excellence
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:25 pm

National Study Reports Progress On Law Schools’ Central Role In Safeguarding Housing And Community Stability, New York Law School

NYLS Community News

No abstract provided.

Developing A Waste-To-Energy Assessment Framework Integrating Engineering And Policy Dimensions Using A Triple Bottom Line Approach, Izech Brian O. Edwin, King Harold A. Recto

Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering Faculty Publications

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in swiftly urbanizing Philippine cities has emerged as a critical concern in both energy and governance. Dependence on landfills is approaching critical thresholds as disposal sites near saturation, transportation costs escalate, and host communities increasingly resist garbage transfers. In response, this study proposes a comprehensive Waste-to-Energy (WtE) assessment framework that integrates engineering evaluation with policy and stakeholder analysis to support sustainable decision- making.

Using Baguio City as a case study, the framework applies a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach to evaluate three waste management scenarios: (1) current landfill-dominated practices, (2) engineered landfill with …

Montana Kaimin, December 4, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Lay-Led Crisis Intervention Strategies In The Adult 3 Ministry Of First Baptist Dallas, Jeffrey Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN action research project focused on the care, counsel, and advocacy lay leaders can provide to church members who experience a crisis. Due to the growing member-to-minister ratio at First Baptist Dallas, lay leaders can supplement the work of the ministers by providing frontline support. The problem is that most lay leaders within the church have limited training in crisis management outside their own life experiences. If lay leaders are equipped in biblical crisis management and intervention responses, then they will be able to provide guidance to church members in crisis. The qualitative research for this project was completed …

Use Of The Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric To Self-Identify Gaps In Clinical Judgment Competencies, Bev A. Wilgenbusch, Victoria Jurevic, Britt Cole Archibald, Alexis Zehler, Caitlin Jeanmougin, Katy Gilb

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Providing safe patient care requires strong clinical judgement skills (American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 2021); however, developing and assessing clinical judgement in undergraduate students has been difficult (Dickison et al., 2019). The Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR) has been found to be valid and reliable in assessing clinical judgment development over time (Adamson et al., 2012), but at present has not been adapted as a self-evaluation tool. The LCJR was originally intended to define clinical judgment with consistent terms and monitor student performance over time (Lasater & Nielsen, 2024).

Method: With the permission of Dr. Kathie Lasater, …

Utilizing Technology To Systematically Evaluate Curriculum And Connect Nursing Competencies, Roxanne Buterakos, Barbara Kupferschmid, Hiba Wehbe-Alamah, Denise Cooper, Jeffrey Drake

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Problem: Achieving excellence in higher education requires a rigorous and continuous evaluation process.¹ The program evaluation process should evolve and adapt to reflect the school’s culture.2 This ongoing process enhances data collection and identifies gaps in the teaching process, curriculum and practice potential for enrolled students.² Graduate Faculty at a Midwest public University implemented a comprehensive approach to evaluation of all courses in the curriculum on a continual basis. They worked with Information Technology (IT) staff to computerize the components of the ongoing program evaluation. This process could be adapted to meet the needs of any program.

Process: …

Capacity Building For Mental Health Of Older Persons: A Participatory Action Research, Theresa Aragones Guino-O, Zorinna Macahis Luague, Uenavil Anne Empaces Junio, Evalyn Elardo Abalos

Biennial Convention (CONV)

There is a projected increase in the older population worldwide by 2050. This creates disconcerting implications in Philippine society, where a trend of elderly persons living alone and with minimal resources to meet their health maintenance and treatment needs is observed. These important concerns relate to mental health and need to be addressed through research-based interventions that are effective and sustainable. The aim of the study was to assess, implement, and evaluate socially and culturally acceptable interventions for the mental health of older persons together with the participants residing in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Participatory action research was chosen …

Adult From Heart To Sole: Screening And Early Identification Of Congenital Heart Disease, Tami L. Jakubowski, Simranjot Mann, Emma Cartnick, Sarah Curtis, Carole Kenner, Marina Boykova

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: This pilot study explores a non-invasive, low cost screening method for identification of congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: A survey was distributed via social media platforms(Facebook, LinkedIn, webpages). Study participants were asked if they have a CHD diagnosis, other health problems, and whether they have a specific crease on either or both feet. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at The College of New Jersey and the Medical Advisory Board Research Committee of the Adult Congenital Heart Association.

Results: All study participants(n= 53) were over the age of 18 years, 69.6% were female (n=37), …

Turkey’S Recent E-Commerce Amendments: A Critical Comparison With The Eu Digital Markets Act, Kaan Kocabas, Jurgita Malinauskaite

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

Recent regulatory reforms in Turkey aim to address the competitive risks posed by dominant digital platforms, particularly concerning data exploitation, self-preferencing, and discriminatory conduct. Rather than introducing a standalone competition law instrument, Turkey amended its Law on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce to embed competition-related obligations, raising questions about the consistency and coherence of enforcement. This article analyses the legal and institutional implications of these amendments, critically comparing Turkey’s approach with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). It argues that while the Turkish amendments reflect global regulatory trends, the lack of a dedicated competition framework risks creating enforcement conflicts …

Historical Review: More Than Two Decades Understanding The Genetic Architecture Of Hemostasis And Thrombosis, Maria Sabater-Lleal, Florian Thibord, Paul S De Vries, Jennifer Huffman, Alisa S Wolberg, Charles J Lowenstein, Alanna C Morrison, Andrew D Johnson, Nicholas L Smith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

From the beginning of the millennium and the development of genome-wide analyses, the technical advances and remarkable increase in research sample sizes have led to an escalating number of discoveries revealing genetic determinants of levels of the main factors regulating hemostasis and thrombosis and demonstrating a clear polygenic complex regulation of most coagulation factors. These discoveries have been useful to understand the biology underlying hemostasis regulation and to understand risk of associated thrombotic disease, such as venous thromboembolism, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. In this historical review, we outline the main discoveries in genetic studies of coagulation factors (fibrinogen …

Through The Eyes Of Time, Shaneece Prince, Steven Indelicato

Publications and Research

Frames have been a staple throughout history, however in recent times, a trend of having multiple pairs of glasses opposed to one, life lasting pair, has emerged. As a result, frames have piled up in landfills contributing to the polluting of our environment. Through the analysis of previously recorded studies and statistics, conclusions of the eyewear industry's growing impact on society and the planet were formed.

Millions of frames are in constant circulation, studies show that up to 31% of spectacle wearers out of a group of 375, disposed of their eyewear in the trash. The lifespan of popular eyewear …

Place: Dwelling Within The Built And Natural Environments, Christine Gratia

Publications and Research

This study argues that “place” is not simply physical, it is actualized by the relationship between human beings and the environments they inhabit. This research will spotlight various philosophical theories that pertain to where humans do human activities, the ever evolving containers of socialization and how the external environment informs self-concept. This research narrows in on Edward Relph’s phenomenology of “place” and Martin Heidegger's concept of dwelling. Both concepts are defined as foundational structures of human existence which create an interdependent relationship between humans and the places we inhabit. From that relationship stems a responsibility of caretaking. Through a conceptual …

Strategies Leaders Use To Reduce Voluntary Attrition Among Employees With Access To Wellness Programs, Cara Murray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Voluntary employee attrition presents ongoing challenges for organizational leaders, particularly among employees whose workplace needs and preferences are unmet. The problem is that many leaders lack effective strategies to mitigate voluntary attrition, which negatively impacts productivity, morale, and overall organizational performance. Grounded in the job demands–resources model and wellness climate theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore strategies leaders used to reduce voluntary employee attrition among employees who have access to workplace wellness programs. The participants were six organizational leaders from mid-sized and public-sector organizations who successfully mitigated voluntary attrition. Data were collected through semistructured …

The Effects Of Perceived Stress On First Responders' Job Performance While Moderating For Self-Efficacy, Diane Craig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stress in the workplace results in substantial economic losses for U.S. organizations. The effects of perceived stress on reducing the job performance of first responders continue to be a concern for administrators in emergency response management. Grounded in self-efficacy theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the moderating effects of self efficacy on the relationship between perceived stress and job performance among U.S. first responders. The sample comprised 78 men and 65 women (N = 143) from professional response agencies in the United States. They completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Endicott Work Productivity Scale, and the …

Substance Use Disorders, Trauma, And Women: A Phenomenological Study, Crystal E. H. Stephenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Substance use disorders (SUDs) do not discriminate who or how they impact individuals, families, or communities. Women impacted by SUDs face challenges such as lack of transportation, minimal family support, some of the women were triggered by co-ed groups, and childcare needs are just a few categories that prevent them from adhering to and engaging in treatment. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of eight women with substance use disorders and trauma. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured guide that covered areas of their lives impacted by substance use disorders and trauma. Data was analyzed using methods …

A Phenomenology Study Of African American Male’S Perception Of Black Church Leadership, Eric Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Previous research has identified a gender disparity exists within the context of the Black Church. More specifically, the gender disparity focuses on the fact that there are more women than men in the context of the Black Church. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes that African American males have about Black Church leadership. In addition to this, to also identify if there is a congruence between the perceptions that Black males have about Black Church leadership and their level of engagement or non-engagement. The theory guiding this study is hermeneutic phenomenology, also known …

A Critical Comparative Analysis Of The Ecclesiologies Of Carl F. H. Henry And James H. Cone Through The Lens Of Social Consciousness: Towards A Liberative Ecclesiology, Phyllis D. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The doctrine of the Church has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Since its inception, scholars have debated the doctrine of the Church, challenged its boundaries, and questioned its role in society. As contemporary society evolves, the Church encounters multifaceted challenges, compelling it to adapt while maintaining its spiritual mission. To address this concern, this study analyzes the ecclesiologies of Carl F. H. Henry and James H. Cone through the lens of social consciousness. A critical comparative analysis provides the most dynamic framework for examining these perspectives. By exploring probable theological points of convergence and divergence, this study …

A Phenomenological Study: The Self-Efficacious Experiences Of Mid-Level Black Female Administrators At Public Colleges And Universities In Virginia, Alexis Bacote Archer Alarcón

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the self-efficacious experiences for mid-level Black female administrators at public colleges and universities in Virginia. Self-efficacious experiences were generally defined as a person’s belief in their ability to perform well in their role as a leader. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy served as the theoretical framework for answering the study's central question: What are the self-efficacious experiences of mid-level Black female administrators at public colleges and universities in Virginia? A transcendental phenomenological design using three core processes, epoche ́, transcendental-phenomenological reduction, …

Determining The Internal And External Barriers That Small Antique Retail Business Owners In East Texas Face, Which Influence Their Decisions To Underutilize Or Not Adopt Social Media As A Promotional Tool, Mitchell Edward Korolewicz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The specific problem addressed in this study was that some small antique retail business owners in East Texas are potentially underutilizing or not adopting social media as a promotional tool, resulting in possible decreased competitiveness. The purpose of this flexible design, single case study was to determine the internal and external barriers that small antique retail business owners in East Texas face, which influence their decisions to underutilize or not adopt social media as a promotional tool. Rogers’s (1962) diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and its innovation decision process (IDP) model provided the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were …

Examining Social Determinants Of Health And The Impact On Hiv Outcomes In Black People In The United States, Triscia G. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black people are disproportionately affected by HIV as evidenced by poor clinical outcomes and mortality. Clinical outcomes may be potentiated by patient factors, compounded by social determinants of health. This cross-sectional study sought to examine the impact of social determinants of health on AIDS mortality in the United States. Deidentified HIV data from the CDC NCHHSTP Atlas Plus repository and CDC WONDER population data were utilized to examine the association of race, sex, transmission category and geography on AIDS mortality in 43 states during 2018 to 2022. AIDS mortality was further examined through the lens of HIV stigma and housing …

Being Intentionally Intergenerational At Empowerment Unlimited Church, Barbara Lynne Muse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Intergenerational interaction is foundational to the ongoing vitality and long-term sustainability of the church community. Theological perspectives underscore the importance of families and individuals from diverse age groups engaging in mutual sharing, learning, and caring. Such intentional interactions foster intergenerational relationships that not only strengthen the sense of community but also address the spiritual needs of all members, regardless of age. This action research project seeks to help the EUC church become more intergenerational, creating opportunities for members to experience meaningful spiritual growth while forming lasting bonds across generations. Instead of centering church life around a single generation, churches must …

Healthcare Disparities Related To Income In South Carolina, Rebekka Byrd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Low-income individuals and families in South Carolina face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, despite the presence of public health programs like Medicaid. Many fall into the healthcare coverage gap, earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance. This study explored the consequences of the healthcare coverage gap by examining the relationships between income, healthcare access, and the ability to afford healthcare services among 500 adults aged 19–64 who participated in the National Health Interview Survey between 2018 and 2023. Utilizing a retrospective quantitative analysis of secondary data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) …

Investigation In The Association Of Opioid Administration And Access To A Primary Care Provider In Patients Who Frequently Use The Emergency Department In A Rural And Urban Hospital In Arkansas, Cheyenne Star Lowrey-Lagrone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The overuse of emergency department (ED) services presents challenges for hospitals and communities as valuable resources are funneled repeatedly into the same patients. Frequent ED users account for a significant portion of used resources, and efforts have been made to address this public health concern. This paper sought to identify associations between opioid administration and access to a PCP in one rural and one urban hospital in Arkansas. Through an investigation of 200 medical records of ED users identified as frequent users of one rural (n=100) and one urban (n=100) hospital between 2018 and 2023, the researcher identified associations between …

The Impact Of Education And Awareness In Influencing Lifestyle Behaviors That Prevent And Treat Sarcopenia In Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Research Study, Alan Lynn Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study assessed the current level of knowledge and awareness among people aged 50 and older about sarcopenia, as well as their willingness to adopt lifestyle changes that could prevent or reverse the condition as they age. The study aimed to determine whether a lack of awareness and knowledge is linked to current lifestyle behaviors that contribute to or protect against the development of the disease. The population included men and women 50 and older, living independently in the community with no prior diagnosis of sarcopenia. The study used a custom-designed questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. A total of …

Perspectives Of School Based Mental Health Workers Supporting Intellectual Disabilities & Mental Health Disorders, Anna R. Cleeland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to investigate the current training of school based mental health (SBMH) professionals working with individuals with dual diagnosed individuals with Intellectual/Developmental disabilities and mental health disorders. A triangulated data approach of survey, focus group and journal reflection was completed providing opportunities for the SBMH professionals to describe their professional training to work with the population and expound on their experiences providing services in the K12 school setting. Results from all three data points indicated a large deficit in training options available specifically for professionals working with those who have an IDD/MH diagnosis. Results also outlined three themes/10 …

The Unashamed Plan: Expository Methods For Reconciling Unchurched Young Adults At The Friendship Baptist Church Of West End, James Daniel Spencer Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Young adults are absent from the pews of churches within the urban African American community. Churches within the community face dissolution because a generation no longer seeks to solve its problems by connecting with the household of faith due to shame-based alienation. There is a need to reconcile young adults into the citadel of invincible grace, God’s church, to fulfill the Great Commission and ensure a generation is not lost. Therefore, this action research project teaches church members through expository preaching and teaching The Unashamed Plan to educate them to reach youth for Christ. The Unashamed Plan is a theological …

Past Gang Membership, Posttraumatic Experiences, And Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress, Robert K. Johns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress, or PITS, is an area of study that needs more scholarly attention. The lack of research about this mental health leads to an ineffectiveness of traditional interventions, as they fail to address the needs of people with former criminal affiliations, causing them to experience negative psychological, physical, and social health outcomes. As such this study seeks to explore, via a hermeneutic phenomenological research design- a qualitative approach that will allow this researcher to understand the lived experiences and explore PITS in the lives of past gang members and the manifestation of PITS as a prevalent and underdiagnosed …

Overcoming Fragmented Implementation: Leadership Insights Toward A Standardized Framework For Generative Ai Adoption In Enterprises, Chelle M. Meadows

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This convergent-parallel mixed-methods study examined how the absence of a standardized framework for integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) affected leadership alignment, organizational consistency, and ethical governance within enterprises. Grounded in the pragmatic research paradigm, the study combined quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate factors that shaped AI framework effectiveness and to identify insights that could guide future framework development. Quantitative data were collected from 137 full-time professionals representing executive, technology, employee, and regulatory roles across industries. Using validated constructs derived from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST), statistical analyses including ANOVA, chi-square, and regression were conducted …

Determining The Efficacy Of A Digital Small-Group Formatted Spiritual Care Program In Increasing Ministry Volunteer Resiliency And Retention At Groundwire, Andrew J. Ondo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project examined the efficacy of biblically informed, trauma-aware, peer-to-peer spiritual care systems within the solely digital ministry context of Groundwire. The study addressed the growing need for effective pastoral care in digitally mediated environments, where formation and fragmentation occur simultaneously and traditional leadership structures are often absent. The purpose was to design, implement, and evaluate a protocol that could cultivate the core concepts of resilience, intentionality, and wisdom among participants, reinforcing both practical resilience and retention. An action-oriented, primarily qualitative methodology was utilized. The final sample population consisted of eleven Groundwire participants engaged in peer-to-peer care on Discord, with …