Digital Commons Network^™

Rural Policing In Northern Wisconsin: Will Small-Town Police Officers Stay At Their Current Agency Until Retirement Based On Age And Community Size, Thomas J. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the plans of small-town northern Wisconsin police officers to remain at their current agency until retirement, based on age and community size. The hypothesis was that older officers who had been with an agency for a longer period would stay until retirement, while younger officers would be more likely to leave. Younger officers tend to have less buy-in to the community and possibly fewer ties to a specific community. Officers who are older or have been with an agency for a long time have a greater investment in the agency and the community. The study results showed …

Ai-Driven Sustainable Textile Waste Utilization In New York State: Part I, Kyshia Anderson, Alyssa Dana Adomaitis

Publications and Research

While technology and awareness are advancing, a significant lack persists in how New York State utilizes innovative reports and enveloping contexts to envision solutions for textile waste, particularly evident in the context of interdisciplinary collaboration among fashion, technology, and construction design, a challenge that remains even with New York State's historical efforts in textile waste utilization (Tonjes, Manzur, Wang, Firmansyah, Rahman, Walker, Lee, Thomas, Johnston, Ly, Medina, Shi, Srivastava, Tucker, Maung, Thyberg, & Hewitt, 2024). Despite a more than nine hundred (900) percent increase in textile waste between 1960 and 2018, from 1,760,000 tons to 17,030,000 tons, current alternatives like …

Segregation Reorganized: White Isolation Dynamics In An Evolving Urban School Choice District, Maggie Wood

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

School choice policies are often promoted as more equitable alternatives to neighborhood-based school assignments in districts where residential segregation has long produced unequal access to educational opportunity. Although research links these policies to increased segregation, less is known about how their effects evolve as choice systems become more institutionalized and accessible. Have reforms aimed at improving participation made school choice more equitable over time by reducing White isolation? Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics and NHGIS census, this study examines racial isolation in Denver Public Schools (DPS) from 1995 to 2019—a district that transformed its choice system …

Many Elementary Students Lack Opportunities To Develop Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving And Other Essential 21st-Century Skills., Raeanne Sika

Masters Projects

Abstract

Many elementary students have limited opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills essential for 21st-century learning. Traditional teacher-centered approaches often prioritize memorization over inquiry, leaving young learners underprepared for complex, authentic tasks. Project-based learning (PBL) offers a research-supported alternative, yet teachers often face barriers such as limited preparation, time, and resources.

This project provides a practical solution through a comprehensive professional development (PD) program and PBL implementation toolkit designed for early elementary educators. Grounded in constructivist and social learning theories, the project includes a multi-session PD series, planning templates, instructional supports, and a complete first-grade PBL unit …

Effective Strategies Hawaiian Food Truck Owners Use To Sustain Their Businesses, Eric J. Harring

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Food trucks are popular choices for consumers seeking diverse cuisines and unique dining experiences, but running a successful food truck business presents significant challenges, including fluctuating customer preferences, regulatory hurdles, and intense competition. Addressing these obstacles is crucial for food truck owners to ensure the long-term viability of their enterprises. Grounded in contingency theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore the strategies employed by food truck owners to overcome these challenges and foster sustainable growth. The participants were six business owners of Hawaiian food trucks who sustained their businesses for at least three years. …

Hsp90 Buffers Deleterious Genetic Variations In Brca1, Brant Gracia, Xing-Han Zhang, Patricia Montes, Tin Chanh Pham, Min Huang, Junjie Chen, Georgios Ioannis Karras

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Protein-folding chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) buffers genetic variation in diverse organisms, but the clinical significance of HSP90 buffering in human disease remains unclear. Here, we show that HSP90 buffers mutations in the BRCT domain of BRCA1. HSP90-buffered BRCA1 mutations result in protein variants that retain interactions with partner proteins and strongly rely on HSP90 for protein stability and function in cell survival. Moreover, HSP90-buffered BRCA1 variants confer poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor resistance in cancer cells. Low-level HSP90 inhibition overcomes this resistance, revealing a cryptic and mutant-specific HSP90-contingent synthetic lethality. Furthermore, by stabilizing metastable variants across the entirety …

The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium's Consensus-Based Framework For Assigning Allele Function., Bailey M. Tibben, Andrea Gaedigk, Li Gong, Katrin Sangkuhl, Michelle Whirl-Carrillo, Mary V. Relling, Roseann S. Donnelly, Teri E. Klein, Kelly E. Caudle

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) is dedicated to integrating pharmacogenetic testing into clinical practice by developing and disseminating peer-reviewed, evidence-based gene-drug clinical practice guidelines. A critical component of this effort is the assignment of clinical function to pharmacogene alleles, which informs the translation of genetic test results into actionable prescribing decisions. This technology review outlines the standardized procedures and framework used by CPIC to assign allele clinical functional status through the work of Pharmacogene Curation Expert Panels (PCEPs). These panels, comprising multidisciplinary experts, systematically review and evaluate evidence to assign functional status to pharmacogenetic haplotypes. The process includes rigorous …

Introduction To The Special Issue, “Forgiveness Education Around The World: Considerations, Benefits, And Approaches”, Suzanne Freedman

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Opening Brief For Plaintiff-Appellant Jacob Julick, Aryssa Harris, Cameron Tong, Madeline H. Meth

Faculty Scholarship

For ten days in the middle of winter, officers at the Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) confined Jacob Julick in freezing cells, dressed only in paper boxers, and without access to hygiene products, a shower, cleaning products, bedding, or shoes. The reason? Mistaken retribution in response to a recent assault on an officer in which Julick was not involved.

When Julick reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, Defendant Officer Jason Denny mocked him, telling him to “kill [him]self and do them the favor.” Shortly after, Julick was moved from his first solitary cell to a strip cage where he was handcuffed, shackled, and …

Not Feeling The Skin I Am In: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study On The Importance Of Belonging For Black Undergraduate Females At Pwis, Sheila Marie Hudson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to discover the importance of finding and establishing belonging for Black, female undergraduates at PWIs. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s theory on humanistic needs, as it explains the relationship between belonging as a human need for motivation and how PWIs can encourage these students to find their place on the campus to be motivated and retained. The central research question for this study is: What are the lived experiences of Black females who attend PWIs in establishing a sense of belonging on the campus? The methodology for this study will …

A Quantitative Study Exploring The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Fibromyalgia Symptoms And The Moderating Role Of Attachment To God, Darlene M. Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Fibromyalgia, also known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is a condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain throughout the body, insomnia, tenderness and inflammation at specific pressure points on the body. This research aimed to explore the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and FMS symptom severity. In addition, this study examined if attachment to God is a moderator of the relationship between ACEs and FMS symptoms, and if adults with four or more ACEs have higher levels of FMS symptoms than those with three or fewer ACEs. The sample consists of 99 (n = 99) participants diagnosed with FMS recruited online. …

Changing How Foster Care Begins: A Qualitative Study To Assess The Success Of One Specific Nonprofit, Madeline Ewoldt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most foster parents feel they do not receive adequate emotional support, funding, and preparation for their foster children in their care, which can lead to turnover, placement disruptions, and additional unnecessary caregiver changes for foster children. Attachment Theory explains children need consistent, warm, and loving caregiver relationships for healthy emotional, cognitive, and social development (Bowlby, 2018). For children in foster care, these relationships are already disrupted, therefore intervention for foster parent resiliency must be analyzed. The Bible calls Christians to care for the orphans, which leaves a large responsibility on Christians to care for those in foster care. There is …

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 …

A Predictive Correlational Study Of The Relationship Between Faculty Leadership Styles And Teacher Communication Orientation In Jamaica’S Higher Education System, Zandy Uriel Elliott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the extent to which faculty leadership styles, gender, and years of experience predict teacher communication orientation, specifically assertiveness (TCO-A) and responsiveness (TCO-R), among higher educational institutions in Jamaica. Grounded in communication theory and leadership frameworks, the study explored how faculty leadership express themselves and respond to others. Data were collected from 216 faculty members using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Sociocommunicative Orientation Scale (SCO). Descriptive analyses indicated that participants’ mean responsiveness scores were slightly higher than assertiveness scores across all years-of-experience categories, with many displaying traits consistent with an “Amiable” to “Expressive” communication profile …

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 …

Worship Harmony: Addressing Fragmented Practices Through Sacramental, Evangelical, And Charismatic Engagement At Beach Church, James Brockway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry thesis project addresses worship fragmentation at Beach Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic elements have historically functioned independently, leading to theological imbalance and diminished congregational unity. The purpose of the project was to develop and implement a framework for unified worship that reflects the Trinitarian nature of God by integrating Word, Sacrament, and Spirit in a cohesive, theologically grounded, and experientially rich liturgy. The study employed an action research methodology involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, and worship observations to assess congregational perceptions before and after the intervention. The resulting framework demonstrated measurable …

From Protest To Harmony: The Global Language Of Change, Valerie Brooke Missick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative historical study investigates how music functions as a unifying force within global social and political movements, transcending cultural, linguistic, and national boundaries to foster collective identity and sustain long-term activism. Drawing on Social Identity Theory, Cultural Diffusion Theory, and Framing Theory, the research analyzes archival documents, historical records, media sources, and case studies from movements such as the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the Anti-Vietnam War Movement, anti-apartheid struggles, Black Lives Matter, the Arab Spring, and contemporary climate justice activism. Findings reveal that music operates as both an emotional catalyst and a strategic communication tool, shaping narratives, strengthening solidarity, …

Myths And Memories: The New South & Lost Cause In Georgia, Stephen Bliss Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The defeat of the Confederacy led way to the development of two related but distinctly separate ideological movements, the New South and the Lost Cause. However, in the course of Civil War historiography, the two have been conflated with one another, with the Lost Cause winning out as the solely accredited ideological product of the vanquished Confederacy. The modern Neo-Reconstruction school of thought discredits the New South as a distinct sociopolitical movement, and frequently associates its cultural products to the Lost Cause. This dissertation examines the cultural and political evolution of each movement, with a focus upon their primary cultural …

The Effects Of Escape Room Simulations On Stress Levels Of Sophomore Baccalaureate Nursing Students: An Experimental Study, Bethany L. Mcfann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative experimental pretest -posttest design using an experimental and control group was to determine if gaming escape room simulation will decrease BSN nursing students' stress in high fidelity simulation (HFS). The sample size of 64 students had 32 students randomly assigned to each group, the control and the experimental group. The first-year sophomore Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) students at a state university were randomly assigned to either traditional or escape room simulation scenarios. Stress levels of each group were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tool before and after the simulations with statistical …

Ace Scores And Ipv Perpetration Among Domestic Violence Treatment Court Participants In New Mexico, Laura S. Daniels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative archival study examined the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) among participants in a specialized Domestic Violence Treatment Court (DVTC) in New Mexico. Between January 2019 and December 2024, 69 individuals volunteered for the DVTC, with 49 graduating successfully, reflecting a graduation rate of approximately 78%. The study’s purpose was to determine whether a sample of offenders (N=22) reported higher levels of ACEs compared to the U.S. general population. ACEs were measured using a 10-item questionnaire, and data were compared to national benchmarks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A …

Exploring The Experience Of East African Immigrants With Accents In Michigan Mental Health Counseling, Ermias Kebede Tessema

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of East African immigrants with accented English in Michigan mental health counseling context. The purpose was to understand how accented speech shaped communication, emotional safety, and therapeutic connection between clients and counselors. Grounded in B.F. Skinner’s theory of language learning, along with the language transfer and critical period hypothesis frameworks, the study employed semi-structured interviews with ten East African immigrant adults who had received mental health counseling in Michigan. Data analysis produced five overarching themes: (1) Accent as a Communication Barrier, (2) Counselor’s Cultural Competence, (3) Emotional Experience of Counseling with an …

Faith Versus Safety: Exploring How Black Churches Navigate Through Intersections Of Faith, Culture, Safety, And Social Work When Dealing With Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Wanda Rw Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quality improvement study was to understand the cultural and structural barriers that hinder “Blessings and Grace Church,” a Black faith-based institution, from effectively addressing intimate partner violence (IPV). The study identified context-specific strategies to improve survivor support, enhance safety measures, and strengthen resource accessibility within the church. The goal was to inform culturally responsive and theologically sensitive improvements tailored to the needs of this specific faith-based community. The setting for the study was an urban Black church in southern Texas. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory was the theoretical framework guiding this study. According to this theory, a …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The Relationship Between Diet, Anxiety, And Depression And The Moderating Effect Of Cbt, Deborah J. Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques including cognitive restructuring and positive affirmations affect the relationship between dietary patterns and depression and anxiety symptoms. Research has established that CBT and diet affect depression and anxiety independently, but less research examines their collective impact. The study included 154 adult participants who filled out the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 alongside a Dietary Habits Checklist and a CBT Engagement Checklist during the previous two weeks. The results from multiple linear regressions showed no statistically significant moderation effects of CBT engagement on the relationship between diet and depression …

The Discoveries Of Key Elements Behind A Central Texas Title 1 Public School District’S Academic And Relational Success Amid Learning Loss In State Trends: A Qualitative Single Case Study, Hannah Deborah-Johns Fountain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative single case study is to discover the key elements behind a central Texas Title 1 Public School District’s academic and relational success amid learning loss experienced in other similar Texas public school districts during the COVID pandemic. From the years prior to the pandemic to three years post, Sunflower Independent School District (SISD) has remained steadfast in demonstrating superb state ratings via STAAR and TELPAS assessments. It has also received continuous spotlight district recognition through Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) – a social emotional learning (SEL)/character enriching program. Texas Public Education throughout the years has looked …

The Complexities Of Impoliteness In Digital Workspaces: A Politeness Theory Analysis Of Gen Z Workplace Communication, Russell D. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how Generation Z’s on TikTok influences their communication patterns in professional and social contexts, with specific attention to the role of politeness and impoliteness. Addressing a gap in communication scholarship, digital-native practices reshape established theories of interaction and affect workplace expectations were examined. Using a phenomenological design, data was collected from 30 semi-structured interviews and 300 open-ended survey responses to capture a broad and deep account of Gen Z communication. Thematic analysis and triangulation revealed three dominant patterns: (a) the redefinition of professionalism through informal and brief exchanges, (b) the habitual …

The Lived Experiences Of Mothers Of Children With Down Syndrome Using Teleot Services: A Phenomenological Study, Tumini Umukoro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In response to the COVID-19 lockdown in the United States, therapy services for children with developmental delays transitioned to telehealth services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS) who received occupational therapy services through telehealth (teleOT) using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Bronfenbrenner's ecological system theory was the framework used to address the research questions: RQ1: What are the lived experiences of mothers of children with DS regarding teleOT services? RQ2: How do mothers of children with DS perceive the benefits and challenges of telehealth OT services? …

Teacher Support For Special Education Students Struggling With Basic Reading In The Inclusive Setting: A Qualitative Case Study, Dylan O. Cramer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to discover how teachers support special education elementary students identified with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the inclusion setting who struggle with basic reading at Champion Heights Elementary School. At this stage in research, the academic impact of inclusion for special education students who struggle with basic reading will generally be defined as determining the academic benefits and weaknesses of elementary students being educated inside the general education classroom. The theory guiding this study is Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The social cognitive theory relates to this topic because students learn through observed …

Kenyon Collegian - December 4, 2025

The Kenyon Collegian

No abstract provided.

The Error Of Replacement Theology, Its Significance For Christians Today, And Its Theological Implications For Participants In The Vintage Truth Bible Study, Jeffery Bruce Kinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The nation of Israel regularly makes geopolitical and cultural headlines, and antisemitism continues to increase on a global scale. This carries profound theological and practical implications regarding Israel’s relationship and relevance to the Church. This DMin action research project was designed and implemented to evaluate the impact of replacement theology on approximately thirty participants in the Vintage Truth Bible Study. Through a sustained, eight-week study examining the tenets of replacement theology, along with Scripture’s teaching on God’s relationship with and covenants to Israel, and prophecies regarding that nation’s future, the doctrine was addressed. The research combined thorough biblical exposition, three …

How Rural Public Middle School Teachers Describe The Influence Of Artificial Intelligence Integration On Their Workload Management: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Courtnee R. Morris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the work processes of public middle school teachers in rural areas of Northwest Ohio regarding the integration of Artificial Intelligence into their professional practice. Work processes were defined as teachers’ perceptions, interactions, and reflections on how AI influenced their workload, instructional practices, and job satisfaction. The Job Demands-Resources model provided the theoretical framework, offering a lens to examine how AI tools functioned as both resources and demands in the teaching environment. This framework helped illuminate the interaction between technology use and educator well-being in rural educational settings. The central research question …