Digital Commons Network^™

Bringing Life To Our Mission And Vision: A Problem Of Practice, Jessica Preisig

All Dissertations

This study leveraged principles of improvement science and a mixed methods approach to evaluate the impact of an intentionally designed professional learning cohort for teachers. The intended aim of this study was to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy necessary to effectively utilize instructional technology to meaningfully engage all learners. As one part of a collaborative dissertation in practice, this study explored the broad impact of teachers’ participation in a cohort implementing the seven elements of effective professional development (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017) and framed around the ISTE Standards for Educators (Crompton, 2017). The companion study (Britton, forthcoming) …

Drawing On The Past: Understanding Japanese American Internment Through Camp Newspaper Comics, Rory Olsen

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

When studying the past, what artifacts are left behind for us to study? In understanding Japanese American internment in the United States during WWII, camp newspapers help give a look at the reality of camp life, which included the ongoing issues of a lack of supplies,, the generational divide between older and younger Japanese Americans, and even the racist leanings of some members of the camp. With a balance of humor and seriousness, as well as reality and the abstract, three artists - Roy Kawamoto, Harry Kuwada, and Michiko "Rosie" Arima - who were interred in Camp Jerome (located near …

Funded To Win? Super Pacs And Electoral Advantage In The Southeast, Kyle Winstead

Honors Theses

2010 saw the introduction of a new player on the field of electoral finance, the super PAC. This introduction came with much controversy due to the widespread fear that super PACs could undermine the election system by giving wealthy individuals or organizations an undue influence. The literature on super PACs influence on the electoral system is inconclusive, with different studies having mixed results, meaning more information needs to be gathered. In this paper, I attempt to learn more about super PACs influence, particularly on congressional elections, by examining the results of congressional elections across three states: Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. …

Reducing Suicide Ideation Through Healthcare Provider Training In The Use Of The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-Ssrs) In A Rural Community Mental Health Clinic, Lashunda R. Lewis

Doctoral Projects

This doctoral project aimed to address the inconsistent and inadequate assessment of suicide risk by healthcare professionals in a Rural Community Clinic. Staff members do not comprehensively understand the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and vary in how they screen patients before the intervention. When we looked at the baseline, we found that only 45% of charts contained suicide risk screening, and C-SSRS was used in only 5% of cases. Some of the main obstacles reported were not properly training staff and keeping patients from sharing their thoughts on this subject.

The main objective of the doctoral project was to test …

Parenting For Wellness: Positive Parenting Factors As Predictors Of College Student Physical Health, Mental Health, And Social Connectedness Through The Lens Of Self-Determination Theory, Mary E. Lamkin

Dissertations

Research suggests that the transition to college can impact college student well-being across the domains of physical health, mental health, and social connectedness (Frech, 2012; Pittman & Richmond, 2008; Xiao et al., 2017). As parents are more heavily connected to their college-aged students when compared to years before cell phones and social media, they likely continue to play a significant role in their child’s well-being, even while they are in college (Wartman & Savage, 2008). Therefore, the aim of this dissertation was to investigate positive parenting behaviors as predictors of wellness in college-aged participants using Self Determination Theory (Ryan & …

Coyote (Canis Latrans) And Non-Target Wildlife Responses To Livestock Guardian Dogs At Sheep Grazing Sites On The California Central Coast, Tricia T. Nguyen

Master's Theses

Livestock depredation is one of the oldest and most widespread forms of human-wildlife conflict. The coyote (Canis latrans), a midsized canid, represents a significant proportion of domestic sheep depredations in the United States, costing livestock producers an estimated 24.6 million dollars annually. Management strategies for coyote-sheep depredation vary widely in their effectiveness and in their level of public support. Identifying appropriate strategies for farms, ranches, and other sheep grazing sites remains a pressing need due to the potentially negative consequences for surrounding ecosystems and socioeconomic outcomes for sheep producers. The livestock guardian dog (LGD) is a nonlethal control …

Student Handbook 2025-2026, Saint Mary's College Of California

Student Handbook

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Community-Based Approaches To Promote Uptake Of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine For Intermittent Preventive Treatment Of Malaria In Pregnancy: Endline Findings From Kisumu And Migori Counties, Kenya—Evidence Brief, Zoe Nakuya, Dennis Matanda

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Creative Writing Is (Process, Inquiry, Conversation) Hard: Bringing Information Literacy To The Blank Page, Ashley Roach-Freiman, Paige Chant

University Libraries Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Dean's Research Newsletter, August 2025, Neil W. Schluger

SOM Dean's Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Simulating The Blood Transfusion System In Kenya: Modelling Methods And Exploratory Analyses, Yiqi Tian, Bo Zeng, Jana Macleod, Gatwiri Murithi, Cindy Makanga, Hillary Barmasai, Linda Barnes, Rahul Bidanda, Tecla Chelagat, Carolyne Njoki

Anaesthesiology, East Africa

The process of collecting blood from donors and making it available for transfusion requires a complex series of operations involving multiple actors and different resources at each step. Ensuring hospitals receive adequate and safe blood for transfusion is a common challenge across low- and middle-income countries, but is rarely addressed from a system level. This paper presents the first use of discrete event simulation to study the blood system in Kenya and to explore the effect of variations and perturbations at different steps of the system on meeting blood demand at patient level. A process map of the Kenyan blood …

Mathematics Achievement: The Impact Of Cooperative Learning Strategies On Math Anxiety And Self-Efficacy Among Adult Basic Education Students, Lacey H. Rogers

All Dissertations

Many adult basic education (ABE) students struggle to pass the mathematics portion of the GED, limiting their access to educational and employment opportunities. This Dissertation in Practice addressed the problem of low math achievement at the New Beginnings Adult Learning Center by implementing cooperative learning strategies aimed at reducing math anxiety, increasing self-efficacy, and promoting student engagement.

Grounded in the principles of improvement science, the eight-week intervention introduced daily Think-Pair-Share routines during math instruction. The goal was to create a more supportive classroom environment where students felt encouraged to participate and build confidence in their math skills. Data were collected …

Data-Driven Stochastic Programming For Disaster Housing Logistics Planning, Sheng-Yin Chen

All Dissertations

This dissertation develops an integrated modeling and solution framework for direct temporary disaster housing logistics under demand uncertainty. The proposed framework addresses the problem from short-term, long-term, and computational perspectives. First, a two-stage chance-constrained stochastic programming (TSCC) model is developed for short-term housing logistic planning, with demand scenarios generated via a data-driven spatial regression model that captures the relationship between housing demand, hazard exposure, and socioeconomic factors. A case study based on Hurricane Ian demonstrates that the TSCC model outperforms deterministic and traditional scenario-based models in both solution quality and robustness. Second, to address long-term housing logistics planning, a multi-horizon …

Three Essays On Mental Health Courts, Taylor E. Le Moal

All Dissertations

Mental illness in the criminal justice system is a major issue, with 2 in 5 incarcerated people in the US having a serious mental illness (Criminalization of People with Mental Illness, n.d.). Prisons have turned into “de facto” mental health facilities when these facilities are not equipped to do so. This means once individuals are released from incarceration, they are often ill-equipped to return to regular life and may get caught up in the cycle of recidivism (Slate, 2017). One method that policymakers have used to solve this problem is mental health courts (MHCs), which are pre-trial diversion …

Understanding The Experiences Of White Female Elementary School Teachers Who Promote Racial Equity And Justice In White Schools, Meredith Valentine

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In this qualitative study, I conducted semi-structured interviews of six white, female elementary school teachers to better understand how and why they enacted principles of racial equity to challenge the status quo of whiteness with their predominantly white middle-class students and school community. Teachers felt they lacked a formal, structured education to feel confident in their teaching of racial and social justice concepts. Teachers used other forms of social justice teaching that they were more experientially familiar with, such as gender equity, language diversity, and (dis)ability, as a catalyst to discuss topics of racial justice. Each educator navigated their classroom …

Advanced Specificity And Sensitivity Studies Relative To A Research Use Only Transcription-Mediated Amplification-Based Assay For Treponema Pallidum Rna Detection, Trinity Krueger, Grace Kadonsky, Elizabeth Thelen, Amanda Zapp, Josephine Moore, Ahmet Muslu, Allan Pillay, Irene A. Stafford, Erik Munson

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Preliminary experimentation has suggested that a research-use-only real-time transcription-mediated amplification assay for Treponema pallidum (RUO T. pallidum TMA) yields instances of T. pallidum nucleic acid detection that coincide with non-treponemal serology in men who have sex with men (MSM) at increased risk for sexually transmitted infection. To further characterize the specificity of RUO T. pallidum TMA testing, 3,586 rectal swab specimens reported as “not detected” by the assay generated a mean endpoint FAM fluorescence of 637.5 units. Introduction of Treponema denticola, Treponema phagedenis, and Treponema refringens nucleic acid into matrices generated mean endpoint FAM fluorescence ranging from 620.7 …

How Developers Use Type-System Related Programming Language Features, Samuel W. Flint

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Optional type annotations are a popular feature of programming languages that allow developers to omit explicit type information in code while, in some cases, retaining many of the benefits of static typing, such as in-code documentation, improved detection of type errors, or enforcement of code properties. However, how developers use and understand optional type annotations is not clear. The focus of this dissertation is to understand the use and comprehension of optional type annotations.

Optional type annotations are examined through four lenses: first, by examining the evolution of usage in a statically typed programming language (Kotlin, the default language for …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Cerebral Microhemorrhages And Superficial Siderosis In Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults: Analysis From The Chariot-Pro Substudy, Sujin Kang, Dimitra Kafetsouli, Jamie Ford, Janice Wong, Luc Bracoud, Joyce Suhy, Parthenia Giannakopoulou, Chinedu Momoh, Tom Russ, Craig Ritchie

Brain and Mind Institute

Introduction: Cerebral microhemorrhages (CMHs) and superficial siderosis (SS) are relatively common side effects of anti-amyloid immunotherapies, termed amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA-H). They are also observed in treatment-naïve older adults. This study explored relationships with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1414 cognitively unimpaired, treatment-naïve individuals aged 60 to 85 years from the Cognitive Health in Ageing Register: Investigational, Observational and Trial Studies in Dementia Research (CHARIOT): Prospective Readiness cOhort (PRO) SubStudy. Relationships between CMHs/SS and cardiovascular risk factors, amyloid beta (Aβ) load, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, educational attainment, and white matter hyperintensities were …

Stand-Up Guys: Using Stand-Up Comedy Conventions To Reimagine Film Narratives, Dugald Graydon

Postgraduate

This project focuses on interdisciplinary genre blending, and how embedding oneself into a particular cultural perspective can serve to create more authentic film narratives. Research into established film genre and stand-up comedy conventions provided a starting point from which to explore how insights from the Brisbane stand-up comedy scene could be utilised to inform the creation of a dramatic screenplay.

27th Annual Open Government Summit: Your Guide To The Access To Public Records Act & Open Meetings Act (Powerpoint Slides) 08-01-2025, Attorney General State Of Rhode Island

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

27th Annual Open Government Summit: Your Guide To The Access To Public Records Act & Open Meetings Act 08-01-2025, Attorney General State Of Rhode Island

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

Changemakers : Camille Capraro : Juris Doctorate : Working For The Ocean State's Future 08-2025, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Elements Of Creative Writing, Second Edition, Grant Tracey, Rachel Morgan, Jeremy Schraffenberger

Faculty Book Gallery

This free and open access textbook introduces new writers to some basic elements of the craft of creative writing. The authors—Rachel Morgan, Jeremy Schraffenberger, and Grant Tracey—are editors of the North American Review (NAR), the oldest and one of the most well-regarded literary magazines in the United States.

We’ve selected nearly all of our readings and examples from writing that has appeared in our pages over the years. This 2nd edition includes several new topics and some new pieces from the NAR. Because we had a hand in publishing these pieces originally, our perspective as editors permeates this book. As …

Exploring The Impact Of Inclusion Initiatives On The Retention And Engagement Of People Of Color In Nonprofit Organizations: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Kesha Carter

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the impact of inclusion initiatives on the retention and engagement of people of color (POC) in nonprofit organizations. Grounded in Ray’s (2019) theory of racialized organizations, this study examined how organizational structures and practices influence inclusive workplace cultures for POC employees. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies have gained traction, many nonprofit organizations struggle to move beyond performative efforts and address the systemic inequities that shape POC experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 full-time POC employees working in nonprofit organizations across New York State to capture their lived …

An Examination Of How Black Church Leaders Support The Long-Term Impact Of Trauma In The Black Community: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Loretha J. Mccullough

Education Doctoral

The prevalence of mental illness due to untreated childhood trauma continues to be a concern, particularly for Black people. The consequence of obtaining formal treatment is perceived to be discriminatory and stigmatizing in the Black culture. Instead, the preferred method of treatment is religious coping. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine how Black clergy leaders support the long-term impact of trauma in the Black community. The primary source of data collection was semi-structured interviews. These interviews captured the essence of how Black clergy leaders described their preparedness to effectively advise, and counsel congregants on mental health …

Madam President: Navigating The Journey Of Black Women To Executive Leadership In Higher Education, Tressi Daymon

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to examine the leadership trajectories of Black women in senior executive roles in higher education, with a focus on the barriers and supports that have shaped their careers. Semi-structured interviews gathered perspectives on their lived experiences, capturing both the challenges they faced and the strategies used in their journeys. These strategies included networking, skill-building, advocacy, and resilience, reflecting how these women navigated and overcame the unique leadership challenges they faced. Black feminist theory and intersectionality provided the theoretical framework to explore how race and gender biases uniquely affected their leadership journeys. Data …

The Need For Succession Planning In The Non-Profit Sector Through The Lens Of The Black Church: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Lydia E. Hylton

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the critical need for succession planning within the non-profit sector, focusing on the Black Church as a case study. Through in-depth interviews with church leaders, this research uncovered the challenges and best practices in leadership transitions. The study provided insights into how effective succession planning can ensure organizational sustainability, preserve cultural heritage, and maintain community trust. By understanding the lived experiences of Black church leaders, this research aims to offer practical recommendations that can be applied across the non-profit sector, promoting resilience and continuity in leadership.

Examining Employers’ Perspectives Relating To Early College High School Programs And Employability Skills, Kathleen Mcguigan

Education Doctoral

This phenomenological qualitative research study examined employer perspectives on the employability skills of graduates from Early College High School (ECHS) programs. The study investigated the program components that enhance the preparation of employability skills and the systems that support graduate transition to the workforce. Using semi-structured interviews with employer partners and an iterative coding process, three key themes emerged across the data. The key themes highlight the importance of factors relating to workplace readiness, including internships and experiential learning, behavioral and soft skills, and structured transition systems, as critical components in preparing ECHS graduates for employment.

The findings indicate that …

Comparative Analysis Of E-Government Adoption And Implementation In Selected Countries In Africa, The Americas, Europe, Asia, And Oceania., Anthony O. Emukah

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Immersion And Agency In Ai-Assisted Live Murder Mystery Games, Seraphina C. Courtney

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the impact of AI-assisted narrative generation on player immersion and agency in a live-action roleplaying (LARP) experience. A live-action murder mystery game was designed and run in two formats: a static version with GPT-4 generated characters, dialogue, and stage directions, and a dynamic version where players created their own characters and improvised freely, guided by AI-generated narrative beats, a story element that moves the plot forward [21], that provided a narrative scaffolding for the players. The dynamic version employed a distributed computer vision system that tracks the movement of key items in the play-space so their relevance …