Digital Commons Network^™

Aswc Meeting Minutes 2025-09-22, Devin Tovar

ASWC Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Special Education Teacher Attrition, Gender Roles And Human Motivation, Kristen Yurczak

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined the lived experiences of special education teachers working within United States public schools, focusing on factors contributing to special education teacher attrition, such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, and gender dynamics. Fifteen certified special education teachers with at least two years of experience participated in semi-structured interviews conducted during the summer of 2024. This study is framed in theories of human motivation and gender roles, which informed the research questions and the analysis. The study’s findings indicated that intrinsic motivators—including a sense of purpose and the opportunity to positively impact students' lives were …

Examining The Influence Of Schools’ Federal Designation Of “Continuous Support And Improvement” On Teachers’ Workplace Stress And Self-Efficacy, Kimberly Michelle Seybolt

Student Theses and Dissertations

Workplace stress among teachers, accompanied by diminished self-efficacy, particularly in virtual environments, may lead to higher teacher turnover and hinder school improvement efforts. This qualitative, phenomenological study examined teachers’ lived experiences at a virtual charter school federally designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement school to understand whether this designation influenced workplace stress and, in turn, whether that stress affected teacher self-efficacy in the areas of classroom management, instructional strategies, and student engagement. More specifically, the study explored how federal designation influenced teachers’ workplace stress and whether this stress influenced teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs. The conceptual premises of Bandura’s Social Cognitive …

Examining The Influences Of Principals' Authentic Leadership Practices On Positive Classroom Learning Climate, Students’ Social And Emotional Learning, And Student Behavior, Craig Wesley Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

For many years, students’ well-being has been affected by hostile classroom learning climates, the lack of social-emotional learning, and disruptive student behavior. This study was guided by the Authentic Leadership Theory and Social-Emotional Learning. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the impact of principals' authentic leadership practices on the classroom learning climate, social-emotional learning, and student behavior. A quantitative study using ANOVA and hierarchical aggression test was conducted through a questionnaire, which 108 participants completed in a small rural school district in Southeast Missouri. Data showed no relationship between teachers’ years of experience and student behavior. Data …

9.22.2025 Agenda, Associated Students Of Whittier College

ASWC Agendas

No abstract provided.

Court Reinstates Vermont Christian School Following Suspension Over Trans Athlete, Arthur S. Leonard

Other Publications

No abstract provided.

Um Researchers Warn Of Problem Gambling Risk Among College Students, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The stats scrolling at the bottom of televised football games, mandated athlete injury reporting and fantasy sports drafts are not just extra information or fodder for water cooler discussions. They are for gambling.

Is Confidential Supervisory Information Material To Investors? Evaluating The Conflict Between Banking And Securities Law, Peter Conti-Brown, Patrick M. Corrigan, Jeffery Y. Zhang

Law & Economics Working Papers

A central goal of modern US securities law is the transparency of corporate information through mandatory public disclosures. This goal is in tension with a central goal of banking law, namely, the practice of preserving opacity of the information exchanged between banks and bank supervisors to ensure the safety and soundness of individual banks and the entire banking system. That informational opacity in banking known as "confidential supervisory information" (CSI) applies equally to all banks, whether or not they sell securities subject to public disclosure requirements. The disclosure of CSI is prohibited by law and practice, with dire consequences for …

Quality Improvement Project Supporting The Novice Nurse Educator Through Onboarding Orientation Practices, Samantha Fouts

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

There is a growing concern about a nursing faculty shortage. Many reasons exist, but one primary reason is a lack of support. Literature supports the argument that there is a lack of support for novice nursing faculty during their transition from expert clinician to novice educator. Literature also supports the need for formalized mentor programs, but gaps exist in determining successful models. This quality improvement project aimed to measure the impact on novice nursing faculty skill acquisition in a revised mentor program. The previous mentor program was outdated and lacked consistency. The program was updated using Benner’s novice-to-expert theory and …

Quality Improvement Project Enhancing Nursing Faculty Competency In Dimensional Analysis: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kimberly Mcdonald

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Medication dosage calculation errors remain a persistent concern in nursing education and practice, often tied to inconsistent teaching methods that leave students unsure and underprepared. Dimensional analysis (DA) has been shown to improve accuracy and confidence in solving dosage problems, yet many faculty have not received structured training in this method. To address that gap, a quality improvement (QI) project introduced a six-week DA training program for nursing faculty in a pre-licensure program. The initiative was guided by the Roy Adaptation Model and Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, with change supported through Kotter’s 8-Step Model and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. Using a quasi-experimental, …

Roots Of Justice: A History Of Race And Racism In Nebraska, Kevin Abourezk, M. Dewayne Mays, Paul Olson, Gabriel Bruguier, Preston Love Jr., Adam Fletcher Sasse, Heather Fryer, J.S. Onésimo (Ness) Sándoval, Sharon Ishii-Jordan, Emira Ibrahimpašić, Julia Reilly

Black Studies Faculty Books and Monographs

There is much to understand about the history of Nebraska and how the past shapes the present. This book attempts to bring into clearer focus the triumphs and trials of five broad groups whose lives have often been overlooked when the state’s history is told. The authors know some of this history of racism firsthand: Most of them have lived as people of color in Nebraska. They’ve experienced “the good, the bad and the ugly” that makes up our state story. We encourage educators, scholars and family historians to continue to dig, to document and to tell these stories. And …

Applied Linear Regression Techniques To Biomedical Research And Detecting Change-Points To Enhance Model Flexibility By Improving Interpretability And Applicability, Hoang Vu

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines change-point detection in statistical models through the framework of two-way truncated linear regression with threshold effects. Our work is based on Two-Way Truncated Linear Regression Models with Extremely Thresholding Penalization (TWT-LR with ETP) by Teng and Zhang (2022) which is an innovative approach extends traditional linear regression by incorporating potential change-points in both intercept and slope parameters, effectively handling multiple change-points through a specialized penalization technique that shrinks small coefficients to zero. This methodology demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in identifying significant change-points while maintaining computational efficiency. We propose a framework that models both upper and lower thresholds in …

Education Pandemonium: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Middle School Teacher-Parents’ During The Covid Crisis, Harold Wayne Stanfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of middle school teacher-parents (MST-Parents) during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban school district in southeastern Mississippi. The research investigated how educators balance professional responsibilities with familial obligations during a public health emergency. Semi-structured interviews with eight participants identified role ambiguity, deficits in institutional support, and resource limitations as significant stressors. To balance their dual role demands, participants depended significantly on the assistance of colleagues. Numerous findings aligned with the study's theoretical framework; however, a notable limitation in participant feedback, particularly about instructional and technical support from their children's schools, necessitated additional …

How Does R.I.S.E. Arkansas Address The Reading Needs Of Students In The Delta Region Of Arkansas Public Schools?, Kristy Brasfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) Arkansas on reading achievement in grades 3–10 across Arkansas public schools from 2015 to 2023, with particular attention to high-poverty districts in the Delta Region. Using ACT Aspire Summative Assessment data, the study employed independent samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to analyze trends in student performance, subgroup disparities, and district-level variation. Results indicated incremental statewide gains in reading, with the most significant improvements occurring in early grades. However, schools with 70% or higher National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation showed …

Investigation Of Micronized Rubber Powder As An Alternative To Polymer Modifiers In Asphalt Pavement, Md Torikul Islam

Student Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have increasingly focused on polymer additives to enhance asphalt pavement performance. Crumb rubber (CR), derived from waste vehicle tires, has emerged as a potential modifier. This study investigates Micronized Rubber Powder (MRP), smaller than 75 μm, as an alternative to polymer modifiers. A PG 64-22 binder was modified with 5%, 10%, and 15% MRP (by weight), and the properties were compared with those of an SBS-modified PG 70-22 binder. Physical, mechanical, and chemical properties were assessed. The results indicated that MRP significantly increased viscosity and required higher processing temperatures. MRP-modified binders demonstrated improved rutting resistance, creep recovery, high-temperature performance, …

Machine Learning For Genetic Expression, Jennifer M. Fowler

Student Theses and Dissertations

The publication of the human genome in 1994 launched a computational biology revolution. Despite subsequent advances in sequencing and computing technology, the research community lacks robust and reproducible tools for interpreting differential expression of genes. Modern high-throughput genome sequencing and high-density arrays allow unprecedented computational analysis of genetic profiles. These developments combined with the rise artificial intelligence and machine learning powered by unprecedented amounts of data present new opportunities in bioinformatics. A novel gene ranking method, AUCg, is presented and applied to genetic expression data from patients with multiple myeloma. The AUCg method is compared to popular Bioconductor tools, and …

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Diversity And Water Quality As Indicators Of Wetland Health In Natural And Constructed Wetlands Of Northeast Arkansas, Helena Grace Wheeler

Student Theses and Dissertations

Exposure to different abiotic factors drives a shift in macroinvertebrate communities. In wetland systems, soil is the primary driver of the aquatic system. Analyzing community dynamics in association with soil composition, water physiochemical properties, wetland size and age is valuable in determining wetland health. Little research has been done to examine the direct relationship between wetland soil parameters and macroinvertebrate communities. Macroinvertebrate diversity, community composition, and soil and water composition data were analyzed from natural wetlands, Agricultural Conservation Easement - Wetland Reserve Easement Program (ACEP-WRE) wetlands, and agricultural wetlands within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Sample collection occurred from February to …

Fighting For Fairness Where It's Needed Most 09-22-2025, Jane Govednik

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

[Excerpt From] High Reliability Organizations (3rd Ed.), Cynthia Oster

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

Patient safety and quality of care are critical concerns of healthcare consumers, payers, providers, organizations, health systems, and governments. Evidence shows that high reliability methods enable the most efficient, safe, and effective care; however, these methods are not the standard in all healthcare systems.

Nurses—who are on the front line of providing safe and effective care—are ideally situated to drive high reliability. High Reliability Organizations: A Healthcare Handbook for Patient Safety & Quality, Third Edition, equips nurses and healthcare professionals with the tools necessary to establish an error detection and prevention system. In this new edition, authors Cynthia A. Oster …

The Free Press Vol. 57, Issue 3, 09-22-2025, Julz Levesque, Caraline Squires

Free Press, The

Seeking Solitude and Silence--Mid=Semester Success--Gorham Sells to Amazon--Are Movie Theaters Dying?--PMA Expansion--Games & Activities

The Echo: September 22, 2025, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

Book Review: China’S Quest For Military Supremacy, Zenel Garcia

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Joel Wuthnow and Phillip C. Saunders

Reviewed by Zenel Garcia, associate professor of security studies, Department of National Security and Strategy, US Army War College

Joel Wuthnow's and Phillip Saunders’s China’s Quest for Military Supremacy is a sharp, deeply researched examination of the People’s Liberation Army’s transformation into a modern force with regional ambitions and global implications. The book reveals how China’s military advances are tempered by internal structural weaknesses, political constraints, and a deliberate focus on deterring US intervention—especially over Taiwan. Balanced and insightful, it’s essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the shifting dynamics of power in …

Book Review: America’S Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze And National Security From Roosevelt To Reagan, James Graham Wilson

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: James Graham Wilson

Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, US Army War College class of 2010

In America’s Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan written by James Graham Wilson and reviewed by Rev. Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, readers follow the life of Paul Nitze. As a businessman and government official, Nitze lived a life of service, holding positions as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, and Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department. He also helped craft America’s Cold War policy. “Nitze’s life is more than …

Quantum General Relativity, James Glimm

Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

We construct a quantum general relativity model of spin 2 Yang-Mills fields, complete at the level of theoretical physics with complete mathematics not included. The construction includes a cosmological model. Existing Type Ia supernova data analysis used for this cosmology shows zero cosmological constant and zero dark energy.

Designing For Shalom: Deepening Faith Integration In Engineering And Technology, Fred Haan

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Presented on 9/22/2025 at the event, Integration of Faith and Learning in the Disciplines at the University Pelita Harapan in Jakarta, Indonesia

Case Managers As A Compass: A Strategy For Influencing First-Generation College Student Success, James Riley

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of case managers who use case management as a strategy for improving first-generation student retention at higher education institutions in the United States. Case managers are college or university staff members who provide non-clinical one-on-one student support, including interventions, advocacy, referrals and follow-up services for students who are experiencing significant difficulties. Guided by Tinto’s Theory of Student Departure (1975) and Pascarella’s Model for Assessing Student Change (1980), this study involved interviews with 11 case managers from institutions across the United States and a subsequent review of 24 …

The Impacts Of The Lack Of Access To Information And Communication Technologies (Ict) On African American Students, Alisha Shanta Williams

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to examine the relationship between the lack of access to information and communication technologies and the grade point averages among African American students in Arkansas Rural Delta schools. The problem addressed in this qualitative phenomenological study is limited access to technology among African American students in the Rural Arkansas Delta and its influence on grade point averages and overall academic success. This research strived to explore and portray the experiences of students facing extenuating circumstances and barriers with technological resources and the effect on their achievement. The methodology used is qualitative, and …

One Is The Loneliest Number: The Impact Of Social Isolation On Blaberus Discoidalis, Jaden Jackson

Student Theses and Dissertations

Isolation in humans and its consequences has been documented by researchers as early as the 1700s (McNeil et al., 1984). More recently, interest in the impact of social isolation has been renewed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the studies covering social isolation and the COVID-19 pandemic rely on self-report measures obtained through questionaries or interviews. Studying social isolation experimentally is difficult due to risk factors associated with isolating one from conspecifics. This is particularly true when studying humans. Animal models of social isolation are important as they allow for implementation of necessary controls needed to establish …

Comparing Standards-Based Grading And Traditional Grading Practices: The Influence Of Two Grading Practices On State-Standardized Test Scores And High School Grades, Brooke Daugherty

Student Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based and traditional grading practices were compared in this research by the analysis of state-standardized test scores and classroom grades. The problem described in this quantitative comparative study is that state-standardized test scores do not always match a student’s knowledge. Students, teachers, and parents are affected because learning must be communicated to all parties. The purpose of this study is to compare state-standardized test scores through traditional and standards-based grading practices in elementary and high school mathematics. Using the four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the grading experience was examined. Approximately 700 students’ state-standardized test scores and 350 classroom …

Overcoming Traumatic Barriers To Maximize The Potential Of College Students Facing Mental Health Challenges, Ashley Blanche

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore gaps in knowledge and support for young adults with trauma, with the goal of improving their mental health and academic success. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate how past trauma contributed to mental health challenges that affected the academic success of disadvantaged undergraduate students aged 18–25 in Mississippi. The problem to be addressed in this study was the lack of mental health consciousness in the college community as it related to past trauma in disadvantaged college students aged 18-25. This study’s theoretical framework was based on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, linking adverse …