Digital Commons Network^™

Living In Paradise? Cameroonian Women In The American Diaspora, Joseph Takougang

Journal of African Policy Studies

For decades after independence, African migration was a phenomenon that could be attributed to a patriarchal culture that encouraged male domination. Later, that traditional mindset was reinforced by a colonial system that often marginalized the role of women in many African societies. Indeed, because young men were more likely to be educated than their female counterparts under the colonial system, they were advantaged after independence to attend institutions of higher learning abroad when it became necessary to train young Africans to occupy important government and other decision-making positions in the newly independent states. Recently, however, women have become important players, …

2025 Spring Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2025 commencement program. Commencement was on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

God Who Crafts: An Appalachian Theology Of Making And Community, Gwendolen Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Appalachia has been the subject of much speculation and often disparagement since it first became distinct as a part of the United States in approximately the 1860s, but it is more than just its reputation. This dissertation discusses the history and modern myth of Appalachia, and then it considers Appalachia on its own terms through what the people who live there have said about it and about their own lives.

This work focuses on the continued prominence of craft and its place in the spiritual lives of mountain people as it examines interviews that I conducted with mountain crafters. I …

Tanner Msw Portfolio, Shannon Tanner

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This is the narrative section of the MSW Portfolio for Shannon Tanner.

For The Marginalized: A Purposeful Path To Social Work, Sarah Christina Stenseth Mathias

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

In For the Marginalized: A Purposeful Path to Social Work, I reflect on the journey that led me from education into social work, grounded in a commitment to advocacy, ethical practice, and systemic change. Using my experiences in a therapeutic day-treatment school setting, I integrated trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches with evidence-based practice to support marginalized students navigating mental health challenges, systemic barriers, and educational inequities. My portfolio highlights growth across the Five Elements of Advanced Integrated Practice, focusing on self-reflection, social justice advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, research-informed practice, and leadership. Throughout this journey, I remained anchored in the belief that …

Final Portfolio, Terence G. Shelly

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This narrative provides a comprehensive reflection on my academic and professional development throughout the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Montana. Framed by the Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) model and the Just Practice Framework, the paper explores the integration of theory, personal values, and experiential learning across the ten core social work competencies. Drawing from practicum experiences with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), the Montana Safe Schools Center (MSSC), and private practice at Meadowlark, I demonstrate growth in critical self-reflection, clinical skill development, advocacy, and systems-based theory. Special emphasis is placed on the application of trauma-informed …

Steps To The Peak, Lisa Hansen

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Reflective paper on my experience obtaining a Master of Social Work degree. The paper outlines the ten core competencies of social work and examples of how I learned them in my studies and gain practical experience in my practicum.

"Do Not Be Daunted": Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Marit Olson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio outlines my growth and development in meeting the competencies of social work and advanced integrated practice.

Intentional Action, Impactful Risk-Taking, Jill Lombardi

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio: My Journey Of Understanding Social Work Through Mind, Body, Emotion, & Spirit, Olivia Kern

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Who Do You Want To Become?, Taylor Greene

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Katharine Ann Turpen

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio paper showcases my development as a Master of Social Work student, highlighting personal and professional growth across the CSWE competencies and the four dimensions of practice: Knowledge, Skills, Values, and Cognitive & Affective Processes. The portfolio reflects my evolving identity as a social worker and outlines my ongoing commitment to ethical, reflective, and client-centered practice.

Master’S In Social Work: Professional Portfolio, Josephine Star Lange

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Holistic Competence In Social Work: A Professional Portfolio, Hannah Zuraff

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

An overview of social work competencies and a portfolio relating to work in the clinical, domestic violence, family services, and humanitarian aid spaces.

Experiences Of Social Workers Assisting Victims Of Domestic Violence Who Own Pets, Kimberly Elizabeth Bolesta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Victims of domestic violence often face significant barriers when attempting to leave abusive relationships, one of which is the presence of pets. Victims form strong bonds with their pets, and if left behind with abusers, pets may be harmed or killed. When victims flee relationships, they may go to shelters. Domestic violence shelters are often unable to accommodate victims who bring pets. Victims may experience trauma and stress when turned away from shelters. Social workers may be unable to assist victims and their pets due to lack of resources. This study involved using Hobfoll’s theory of conservation of resources as …

Scientific And Technical Expertise After Loper Bright, Sapna Kumar

Duke Law Journal

Courts once trusted federal agencies for their expertise in administering complex statutory schemes, particularly regarding science and technology. Unlike judges, agency officials can narrowly focus on a specific area of law and have access to experts to inform their decision making. In Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, the Supreme Court created a presumption that, absent language to the contrary, Congress intends for agencies to interpret statutory ambiguities. Chevron allowed agencies to utilize their varied forms of expertise while ensuring oversight from generalist judges. This court–agency partnership abruptly ended, however, in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. The Court …

Access To The Archives Of The Great Plains Black History Museum, Lori Schwartz, Jessica Oosting

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Presentation about the Great Plains Black History Museum's archival collections being processed by Criss Library's Archives and Special Collections under a grant. Covered a brief history of the museum, the Archival community partnerships, background of the project, challenges for processing a large collection for access, and highlights from the collection.

Understanding The Behavioral Health Of Children In Child Protective Services: Prevalence, Community Context, And System Involvement Using Administrative Data, Tzu-Hsin Huang

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the behavioral health of children involved in the U.S. child welfare system through a three-paper approach. Amid rising concerns over youth mental health, suicide rates, and ADHD diagnoses, this study explores how these issues manifest among children reported for maltreatment – a population at elevated risk and often underserved. Paper 1 estimates the prevalence of behavioral health problems using national administrative datasets (NCANDS and AFCARS), providing insight into trends over time and disparities by age, race/ethnicity, sex, geographic context (urban vs. rural), and system involvement (CPS investigation vs. foster care). Paper 2 leverages county-level data to examine …

Enhancing Diversion Success Through Financial Capability And Asset Building: A Framework And Proposed Intervention, Lissa Johnson, Margaret S. Sherraden, Carrie Pettus, Jude Miller, Jin Huang

Center for Social Development Research

Mass incarceration policies in the United States have generated the highest incarceration rate in the world, yet many incarcerated individuals have committed nonviolent offenses or been confined because they could not pay fines or fees. Diversion offers an opportunity for justice-involved individuals to avoid conviction and collateral consequences while maximizing public safety, reducing case processing, decreasing overpopulation in prisons, and lowering costs. However, diversion programs do not adequately address financial instability and insecurity that often contribute to criminal behavior. This paper reviews evidence on adult diversion programs and proposes an intervention approach responding to socioeconomic factors contributing to criminal behavior.

Institutional Betrayal And Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors: A Retrospective Examination Of Lgbtq School Experiences, Mavis L. Gallo, Mark A. Hammond, Stephanie Luther, Geovanna Rodriguez, James Sinclair, Rhonda N.T. Nese, Marielena R. Mcwhirter Boisen, Skylar Steffes, James R. Muruthi, John R. Seeley

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Extant literature has established an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) youth when compared to their non-LGBTQ peers. Not yet studied is the impact of institutional betrayal on STB among LGBTQ youth. Institutional betrayals refers to misconduct carried out by an institution upon individuals reliant on the institution. Using retrospective data from 229 LGBTQ adults, we examined: (a) whether institutional betrayal was associated with STB among LGBTQ individuals in grades 5 through 12, (b) whether the association between institutional betrayal and STB was significant after controlling for the covariates, and …

Bankruptcy Courts In Transition Toward Debtor Rehabilitation, Conrad K. Cyr

Maine Law Review

This article attempts primarily to cope with the so-called debtor relief provisions of the Bankruptcy Act rather than with its ordinary or straight bankruptcy provisions. The different emphasis upon liquidation in ordinary bankruptcy and rehabilitation in debtor relief proceedings justifies their separate treatment. It must be cautioned, however, that not only the philosophy but many of the administrative and procedural precepts of chapters I-VII of the Bankruptcy Act are incorporated, either by word or implication, into the debtor relief chapters. Moreover, most types of cases filed under the Bankruptcy Act are administered by the same personnel in the same court …

Faculty Highlights: Dr. Scherrayn Phillip-Garcia Assistant Professor, Social Work, Office Of The Provost

Faculty Highlights

Celebrating Dr. Scherrayn Phillip- Garcia: NCATS Training Program - Cohort 2 Program Stipend Award Recipient

Evaluating The Factors That Lead To A Lack Of Gender Diversity Among Senior Level Executives In The Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Joyce A. Wallace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite progress in workplace equality, women face barriers to advancement in the FBI. This underrepresentation raises concerns about organizational performance and decision-making. The purpose of the study was to explore the obstacles to promoting women to senior leadership positions within the FBI by focusing on gender roles, social expectations, and organizational culture. The qualitative phenomenological approach used interviews with female law enforcement officers in conjunction with feminist theory. The study findings identified biases in selection processes, discriminatory hiring practices, non-inclusive workplace culture, and limited professional development opportunities as barriers to promotion. Cognitive and cultural biases that hindered progress were stereotypes …

Use Of Mindfulness To Promote The Spiritual And Religious Competencies Of Master’S Level Counseling Students., Luisa Nayhouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-and-a-half hour training session for master's students in counselor education. The training focused on using mindfulness to enhance spiritual and religious counseling competencies. Utilizing a pre-and post-test design, the quantitative study employed mindfulness to train master's students with the aim of building and fostering spiritual and religious competencies in counseling. Historically, there has been a lack of research on the benefits of such specific mindfulness training related to this subject matter.

The study targeted master's level counselor students, with potential applicability to related fields such as psychology and social work. This …

2025 Undergraduate And Graduate Commencement, Lindenwood University

Commencement Programs

2025 Lindenwood University Commencement program.

The Impact Of Digital Storytelling In Nonprofit Marketing: Increasing Donor Engagement, Haley Cote

Honors Theses

Digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool in nonprofit marketing, reshaping how organizations engage donors, communicate their mission, and drive action. This thesis explores the impact of digital storytelling in nonprofit marketing, analyzing how nonprofit organizations leverage various digital platforms – websites, email marketing, social media—and frame their messages to enhance donor engagement. Using framing theory as a foundation, the research examines how the way nonprofit messages are structured influences donor perception and behavior. Through a literature review, case study analysis of Charity: Water, and survey data, thstudy evaluates key storytelling techniques such as positioning the donor as the …

Challenges Us Study Abroad Students Face When Acculturating To A Foreign Food Environment, Sydney C. Davis

Honors Theses

Studying abroad presents a unique opportunity for college students to immerse themselves in new cultures, including experiencing different food environments and dietary customs. However, adapting to a foreign food culture can pose various challenges that impact students’ overall health, eating behaviors, and study abroad experiences. The purpose of this study to develop a survey instrument designed to investigate the extent to which U.S. study abroad students embrace, accept, and face challenges with different aspects of Italian food culture, using the Social Ecological Model (SEM) as a guiding framework. Initial survey items were developed with information obtained from focus group discussions …

Appendices A & B: Supporting Faculty Parents In Professional Development: Case Studies, Recommendations, And A Call For Inclusive Approaches, Anne Marie Gruber, Lindsay Doukopoulos

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Learning To Practice With Intention: An Msw Portfolio, Melisa E. Mclean, Melisa E. Mclean

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.