Digital Commons Network^™

Introduction To Panelists: Sex Trafficking Of Black Women And Girls, Stephany Powell

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Adultification Of Black Girls, Melanie Thompson

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Core Elements Of Policy Solutions, Audrey Morrissey

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Call To Action Against Sex Trafficking Of Black Women And Girls, Stephany Powell, Tracey Sylvester, Brenda Myers-Powell, Audrey Morrissey, Melanie Thompson

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Closing Remarks: Eyes Wide Shut, Sex Trafficking Of Women And Girls In The Black Community, Stephany Powell

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Consumer Insights About Wood Pellets And The Heating Industry, Marlana Krug, Camille Gagnon, Harrison Synder, Ashton Rounsley

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This study investigates consumer purchasing behaviors and decisions within the wood pellet and heating industry with a focus on Central Pennsylvania. Research examined the decisions behind heating sources, pellet retailers, and pellet vendors. These findings are focused on understanding the purchasing habits of consumers, preferred retailers, and other considerations that influence pellet choice. Gaining an understanding of these purchasing choices and heating options is essential for improving marketing strategies. The Customer Engagement Theory served as the theoretical framework for this research, while the survey used quantitative questions to conduct and gather data on household decision-making.  Overall, the findings highlight the …

Cotheorizing Healing With Undergraduate Queer And Trans Latina Survivors Of Power-Based Violence, Kimberly Correa

Dissertations

Current research on healing from power-based violence highlights the importance of integrating victim-survivors’ personal culture and identities into healing approaches, yet few studies actually focus on the culturally distinct healing processes of victim-survivors (O’Brien & Macy, 2016; Sinko et al., 2023). Grounded in Jotería theory (Alvarez, 2023) and Latina/Chicana feminist frameworks (Garcia, 1989), this qualitative study employs queer pláticas as both a methodology and method to center culturally rooted dialogue, reciprocity, and cariño as a political praxis. This study explores how six queer and trans Latina undergraduate victim-survivors conceptualize healing from power-based violence and how their identities, cultural values, and …

Copley Connects | Fall 2025/Spring 2026, University Of San Diego

Copley Connects Library Newsletter

Message From the Dean | 3
Writing in Visual Form: noé olivas’ Neon Art Installation | 4
San Diego’s French Connection | 6
Instagrammable Moments: A Librarian’s Reflections on San Diego and USD | 8
Copley Celebrates the 3rd Annual Filipino American History Month Event | 10
Banned Books Week | 10
Copley Library Hosts the Inaugural Student Success Symposium | 11
Veterans/Armistice Day: Veterans for Peace Visit Copley Library | 11
UDEM and USD Sign Sister Libraries MOU | 12
Cruising Through History: The Lowrider Stamp Unveiling | 13
Copley Reads | 14
Cultural Mosaic: Celebrating Asian American and …

Propaganda Ai: An Analysis Of Semantic Divergence In Large Language Models, Nay Myat Min, Long H. Pham, Yige Li, Jun Sun

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Large language models (LLMs) can exhibit concept-conditioned semantic divergence: common high-level cues (e.g., ideologies, public figures) elicit unusually uniform, stance-like responses that evade token-trigger audits. This behavior falls in a blind spot of current safety evaluations, yet carries major societal stakes, as such concept cues can steer content exposure at scale. We formalize this phenomenon and present RAVEN (Response Anomaly Vigilance), a black-box audit that flags cases where a model is simultaneously highly certain and atypical among peers by coupling semantic entropy over paraphrastic samples with cross-model disagreement. In a controlled LoRA fine-tuning study, we implant a concept-conditioned stance using …

Dissent By Design: Graphic Communication And The Continuity Of Resistance As A Civic Practice In The United States, Ryan "Rain" Milligan

Theses

Graphic communication has played a role in shaping civic life in the United States throughout much of its history, influencing how individuals recognize injustice, understand systems of power, and participate in collective action. Typically associated with moments of protest or political upheaval, printed materials such as pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, and posters have also functioned as everyday tools that structure public engagement. This project examines these materials through the framework of agitation, education, and organization, considering how graphic communication operates across different historical contexts to provoke recognition, make complex ideas accessible, and coordinate collective effort. Drawing from a range of historical …

Clusters Of Student Perceptions Of Ai-Assisted Grading: Implications For Fair And Transparent Assessment Practice In Higher Education, Roberto Bello

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly embedded in assessment and feedback systems, understanding how students perceive these technologies is vital for maintaining trust and fairness in higher education. This study investigates how students experience AI-assisted grading through an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that incorporates fairness, transparency, and trust as pedagogically relevant constructs. Survey data from undergraduate marketing students (N = 142) were analyzed using cluster analysis, revealing three distinct perception profiles: Enthusiasts, Pragmatists, and Skeptics. These clusters differ significantly in their willingness to rely on AI feedback, perceived fairness of algorithmic grading, and expectations of …

Green Marketing And Culture: Understanding Hispanic Consumers’ Sustainable Purchase Intentions, Santiago Reyes, Sindy Chapa

AMTP Proceedings 2026

As sustainability becomes a central force in shaping consumer expectations, businesses increasingly rely on green marketing strategies to communicate environmental responsibility and influence purchasing behavior (Polonsky, 1994; Kuria, 2024). This study examines how environmental concern, attitudes toward cause-related marketing (CRM), and cultural values influence purchase intentions, and compares Hispanic and non-Hispanic consumers.

What It Means To Be Latino: Exploring Identity Among U.S.-Born Gen Z Youth, Santiago Reyes, Alessandra Noli Peschiera, Melany Sarcevic, Tatiana Garcia, Leen Tlanepantla

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This study explores how U.S.-born Hispanics and Latinos define their identity within a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse demographic group. As the Hispanic population expands, traditional labels such as Hispanic and Latino often fall short of capturing the community’s cultural, linguistic, and generational complexity. With most growth now coming from U.S.-born generations, identity is shaped by a blend of American influences and heritage traditions, making it more fluid and context-dependent. Guided by Social Identity Theory and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, this research uses focus groups with Gen Z participants to examine how they describe themselves, what characteristics they associate with being …

A Market Of Care Skills: Profiting From Professional Education And Practice, Yasmin Y. Ortiga

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Who profits from the commodification of care and how does such accumulation occur? Focusing on the case of the nursing care market, this paper shows how professional schools and local hospitals within source nations like the Philippines profit from nurses seeking the credentials to qualify for jobs overseas. While existing studies show how nursing skills are exploited and undervalued, this paper argues that it is the process of skilling itself that allows for the accumulation of profit, regardless of whether nurses leave their origin countries to work abroad. This study reveals how global care economies are tightly linked to local …

Sequencing Dengue Control Policy In Singapore: An Evolutionary Perspective For Policy Design, Ishani Mukherjee, Panchali Guha

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

About half the global population is now at risk of contracting dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe morbidity and fatalities. Effective dengue control depends on controlling the mosquito vector, but finding the right mix of vector control policies has proved challenging. Using a content analysis of 208 Hansard records from parliamentary proceedings in Singapore, where dengue outbreaks have significantly increased in both frequency and magnitude since the early 1990s, we trace the processual evolution of Singapore’s anti-dengue policy mix from 1960 to 2023 and conclude that the evolution of dengue control policies is consistent with a customized …

A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Community College Presidential Job Announcements And The American Association Of Community Colleges Competencies For Community College Leaders, Leslie M. Boon

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Women are overrepresented as students and employees of community college, yet they are underrepresented in presidential leadership roles. Prior research has examined the career trajectories and experiences of women aspiring to community college presidencies; however, less research has examined how discourse shapes expectations of leadership. Because community colleges have been described as gendered, the language used to describe leadership competencies may reinforce gendered assumptions about effective leadership. The purpose of this study was to examine the discourse of community college presidential job announcements and the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Competencies for Community College Leaders (4th edition) to examine …

The Leadership Lens: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Sensemaking Experiences Of School Leaders Implementing Virginia's New Standards Of Accreditation And Accountability, Paul M. Wilson Jr.

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological study exposes the complex cognitive and organizational processes school leaders navigate as they translate high-stakes state mandates into localized action. By examining the implementation of Virginia’s revised Standards of Accreditation and Accountability (SOA), this study challenges the prevailing managerial paradigm that views policy implementation as a linear, mechanical execution of directives. Instead, grounded in sensemaking theory and SDT, this research conceptualizes implementation as a situated and interpretive act shaped by leaders’ prior experiences, beliefs, and psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data were collected through semi structured interviews with 12 school and …

Social Capital As An Intervening Explanatory Mechanism Linking Socioeconomic Status And Deliberative Decision-Making In Citizen Advisory Boards In California Municipalities, Christopher Gerry

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

Citizen advisory boards (CABs) are widely used in local government as institutional mechanisms for participatory governance and public input. While these bodies are intended to promote inclusive and deliberative decision-making, persistent socioeconomic inequalities raise concerns about whether CABs mitigate or reproduce disparities in participation and influence. This dissertation examines how socioeconomic status (SES) shapes deliberative decision-making within CABs and whether this relationship operates indirectly through board-level social capital.

Integrating perspectives from participatory governance, deliberative democracy, and social capital theory, the study conceptualizes deliberative decision-making as a collective, board-level process shaped by relational and institutional dynamics rather than individual attributes alone. …

Bioengineering The Future Of The Human Species: H+’S Ideological Iterations Of Trans-/Posthumanity As Exemplified By Futurist Literary Texts = (Bio)Technological Solutions For (And/Or) Reification Of Systemic Inequities?, Marjorie E. Bomhower

English Theses & Dissertations

While humanity has, throughout our species’ history, endeavored to dream and create astonishing, and ever-evolving, (bio)technologies with the utopian ideals of bettering our day-to day lives and achieving greater longevity, our endeavors have (thus far) not only produced remarkable, beneficial advances in longevity and quality of life, but have also yielded devastating and dire outcomes; often at the cost and victimization of marginalized communities. This dissertation focuses on select (bio)technologies – particularly, those promoted by H+ (the most current and popular technoutopianist non-profit, “educational,” organization) – with an investigation of current and nascent (bio)technological evolutions, futurist literary texts, and critical/digital …

Back Yard Lingo: Language As Cultural Identity In American Circus, Aíne Norris

English Theses & Dissertations

This project is an exploration of the deeply insider language of American circus and identifies meaningful patterns and connections between language, identity, and community. Drawing upon the theoretical lenses of cultural studies and community of practice, the study offers a thorough examination of how circus people use insider language for business, performance, and community purposes that enhance belonging, share knowledge, gatekeep, and protect their group identity.

The research employs a mixed-methods, scaffolded design that integrates both qualitative and quantitative data approaches, examining the cultural importance of circus language as written and spoken by the insider community. The design begins with …

Surviving The Hood: An Autoethnography On Violence, Trauma, And Agency, Deonte Tanner

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The epidemic of gun violence is no secret in the United States. Many empirical studies have focused on gun violence, trauma, and race, and have even offered solutions to the phenomenon. However, limited research has called forward the voice of those most impacted (Black boys) and the counters they believe are feasible to their own experience. This work was grounded in critical race theory (CRT). At the same time, it attempted to supplement CRT with careful reflection on what helped me avoid the very kinds of historical and structural exclusions facing Black boys in the hood that CRT helps reveal. …

The Unspoken Struggles And Unseen Strength: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of Single Motherhood In Higher Education, Alexis Summer Gunartt

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Despite the social, economic, and generational benefits of degree attainment, single mothers remain underrepresented in higher education. This autoethnographic research explores the lived experiences of single mothers as they navigate higher education. Guided by feminist theory and critical perspectives on higher education, this study examines how power, gendered expectations, and institutional structures shape single mothers’ academic experiences and persistence. As a single mother myself, I draw from personal narrative along with narrative interviews from other single mothers engaged in higher education, this study examines how financial strain, childcare challenges, institutional inflexibility, and cultural norms shape educational persistence. Using autoethnography as …

Beyond The Script: A Qualitative Study Exploring Drama Teachers’ Experiences Using Improvisation In Chicago Public Schools, Nicole Theresa Minardi

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Scripted and standardized curricula remain prevalent in American classrooms. Relying on an authoritarian view of education, in which the teacher imparts knowledge to students, scripted curricula can delegitimize the teaching profession, stifle dialogue, and limit student engagement. Conversely, decentering the teacher can create space for more collaborative and engaged learning. This basic interpretive qualitative study explored how Chicago Public Schools drama teachers described their experiences incorporating improvisation into their instruction. Grounded in critical pedagogy and a social constructivist epistemology, this study examined how drama teachers currently use improvisation in their classrooms, as well as the benefits and challenges they encounter …

The Perceptions Of Early Adolescents: Academic Stressors Within Under-Resourced Schools, Problem Solving, And Important Adults, Aliyah White

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Early adolescence is marked by increasing academic demands and the growing need for effective coping strategies. The present study examined early adolescents’ perceptions of academic stressors, use of primary control coping mechanisms, and identification of important related and unrelated adults within their lives. Participants included 96 youth ages 10-14 recruited from Chicago Public Schools in under-resourced South Side communities. Results indicated that youth reported substantial exposure to academic stressors, including teachers yelling, difficulties understanding coursework, and pressure to perform well academically. Findings revealed a significant decrease in the use of primary control coping strategies over time, despite increasing academic stress. …

Mapping The Landscape Of Occupational Health Psychology Research On Immigrant Workers: A Systematic Review, Himali Bhandari

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Research on immigrant populations covers a wide range of topics including immigrationpatterns, demographics, working conditions, and occupational health. Nevertheless, studies specifically on immigrant workers within occupational health psychology (OHP) are scattered. To address this inconsistency, this systematic review analyzed OHP research focusing on immigrant workers, highlighting key immigrant characteristics and the psychological theories and frameworks used to explain why and how immigrant workers face high occupational health and safety risks. Peer-reviewed empirical articles were retrieved from APA PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles, and Academic Search Complete using a predefined set of search terms. Qualitative analysis of the included studies (N = 44), …

Transactional Platforms Under Goal Duality: Managing Tensions With Coordination Strategies, Nikolina Koporcic, Vesna Damnjanovic, Johan Frishammar, Vinit Parida

AMTP Proceedings 2026

While traditional transaction platforms like Airbnb emphasize economic value creation, some emerging platforms increasingly strive to pursue both economic and social goals. Balancing these dual goals creates tensions, especially in resource-constrained contexts, requiring innovative coordination strategies. Drawing on collective action theory and platform literature, we investigate how four start-up platforms pursuing dual goals manage these tensions. Using case study data from 64 interviews and extensive secondary sources, we identify six core tensions related to mission, user inclusion, scalability, operational control, community engagement, and stakeholder communication. We demonstrate how three key coordination strategies—framing, convening, and multivocality—help alleviate these tensions. Our study …

The Digital Radical: Online Extremism, Propagation, And Terror By Design's Strategic Implications For Homeland Security, Hunter Lacroix, Shevach Berkovits

Journal of Strategic Security

The 'lone wolf' figure has long been central to counterterrorism analysis, representing the trajectory from non-participant to self-directed actor aligned with extremist causes. Traditional frameworks emphasizing in-person networks or online exposure, however, fail to capture the transformation of radicalization in the algorithmic age. The Arab Spring demonstrated the mobilizing power of digital platforms, yet movements like ISIS later weaponized these networks to provide ideology, belonging, and identity to dislocated populations. This article introduces the concept of the Digital Radical—an individual who transitions from passive consumer to active propagator of extremist narratives, sustaining and expanding radical ecosystems in a symbiotic …

Doctor, Teacher, Terrorist: The Life And Legacy Of Al-Qaeda Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. By Sajjan M. Gohel. Oxford University Press, 2023., Naveen Khan

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Third Generation Gangs And Transnational Cartels. Edited By John P. Sullivan And Robert Bunker. Xlibris, 2025., Nathan P. Jones

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Redbird Scholar, Vol. 11, No. 2 (Spring 2026), Illinois State University, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Graduate Studies

Redbird Scholar

No abstract provided.