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Debating Member-Checks Of Exceptional Human Experiences, James Houran, Everton De Oliveira Maraldi, Beth M. Houran

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This integrative essay reflects on member-checking and engaged research approaches in the study of exceptional human experiences (EHEs)—subjective accounts that often challenge conventional views of consciousness and physical reality. Member-checking, or inviting research participants to review data or interpretations, can improve credibility by aligning research with their lived experience. While benefits include transparency and insight, risks include confirmatory bias, emotional distress, power asymmetries, and logistical complexity. The evolving nature of EHEs further complicates participant validation. We therefore advocate a six-level "fit-for-purpose" system to balance rigor with ethical care and responsiveness. We also explore digital, asynchronous, and AI-assisted strategies to enhance …

Integral And Transpersonal Education, Heidi Fraser Hageman

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

N/A

Teaching In The Transpersonal Paradigm, Christopher M. Bache

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article explores the transpersonal dynamics of teaching by presenting two core themes of The Living Classroom: 1) the synchronicities and energetic resonances that radiated invisibly around me as my spiritual practice deepened over time and 2) the “learning fields” that surround well-taught courses—fields of collective consciousness that can trigger new insights and powerful transformations in our students.

Transpersonal Education: A Glimmer Of Light To Compulsory Education?, Scott Buckler, Harriett Moore

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Arguably transpersonal education is still in its infancy in relation to defining the area and from this, implementing into practice. While broad themes exist, such themes tend to apply to graduate or postgraduate education. The purpose of this article is to revisit definitions of transpersonal education in relation to compulsory schooling (elementary school through to the end of secondary school). From this, a series of principles and practices have been identified and presented to educators and students for validation purposes. Although a range of transpersonal practices are discussed, the implementation of a martial art inspired ‘Mindful Movement Program’ is introduced …

Teaching For Transpersonal Learning, Paul F. Cunningham

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article addresses the “why,” “what,” and “how” of teaching for transpersonal learning. Why transpersonal education is relevant for addressing modern social problems and the global ecological crisis, what it is like to teach for transpersonal learning, and how transpersonal learning becomes transformative are discussed. Three promising options in technology and consciousness studies for transpersonal learning—transpersonal media, multistate studies, and entheogenic education—are described and the challenges of introducing transpersonal education into academic settings and assessing educational (student) learning outcomes are reviewed. The relevance of Mezirow’s Transformation Theory to transpersonal educational psychology, with special attention to ecological perspective transformation, is then …

Analysis Of Phytochemicals In Watercress Leaves Using Chromatographic, Spectroscopic And In-Vitro Approaches, Bidisha Roy Sengupta

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Biofilm-Based Biomonitoring Of Treated Wastewater Using Bacillus Thuringiensis: Toward Sustainable Water Reuse, Bidisha Roy Sengupta, Kefa K. Onchoke, Olabisi O. Ogunlewe, Robert Friedfeld

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Covid-19 Lockdowns And Social Isolation On Adolescence, Madeleine J. Bakken

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents around the world were impacted by social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Students experienced sudden school closures and isolation from classmates resulting in increased screen time, the erosion of social skills, lower academic motivation, and a period of unstructured and unfamiliar learning (Hong et al., 2022; Kannan & Veazie, 2023; Leventhal & Morishta, 2024; Menzies et al., 2024; Warford, 2019). Current research is working to measure the impact and severity of these factors. Early findings suggest that students are academically and emotionally behind where their predecessors were pre-COVID (Menzies et al. 2023; NWEA Connection, 2024). Educators and mental …

Collision Avoidance And Vegetation As Drivers Of Collective Motion In Australian Plague Locusts, Nathan S. Hasegawa

HMC Senior Theses

The Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) is an agricultural and ecological pest that causes tens of millions of dollars in crop damage each year. In this thesis, we develop mathematical models of hopper bands, dense formations of juvenile locusts that move across a vegetated field and destroy plants in their path. We develop agent-based and PDE models of hopper bands moving through vegetation to examine how recently discovered behavior where locusts slow down to avoid collisions with other locusts may influence the shape, speed, and destructiveness of hopper bands. We find that collision avoidance may cause locusts to …

Creative Practice As A Form Of Stress Coping: Psychological And Physiological Mechanisms, Clare Foster

Psychology Honors Papers

The primary purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between perceived stress, cortisol levels, and a creative flow state. A creative flow state is a state in which a person is so engrossed in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; time is irrelevant and seems to pass quickly and the activity holds all attention without distraction or interruption. The primary hypothesis in this study was that regular engagement with flow inducing activities counteracts an increased level of stress as the school semester progresses. Eight participants were recruited and given a preliminary survey where they were …

Adolescence In A Minor: A Preliminary Investigation Into The Centrality Of Music-Related Self-Defining Memories In Narrative Identity Development, Katharine Caviness

Psychology Honors Papers

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are critical periods for identity development, during which music often serves as a powerful tool for emotional expression, social connection, and autobiographical meaning-making. This study investigates the role of music-related self-defining memories (SDMs) in shaping and reflecting narrative identity and explores whether these processes differ between individuals with varying levels of musical engagement. Twenty undergraduate students (10 music majors, 10 non-music majors) from a liberal arts college participated in semi-structured interviews about a music-related SDM from adolescence. Participants completed the Centrality of Event Scale (CES) and Likert ratings of memory valence and importance. Thematic analysis revealed …

Who Do Children Believe? Exploring Testimonial Injustice Toward Characters With Disabilities, Naomi Glunz-Kennedy

Psychology Honors Projects

Young children develop stereotypes and attitudes about others early in life, yet little research has examined how they evaluate knowledge-related exchanges involving individuals with disabilities—a process that may indicate early forms of testimonial injustice. This study investigated whether children (ages 5 – 7) are more likely to believe speakers with or without sensory and physical disabilities, whether the type of statement made by a speaker influences children’s belief preferences, and whether children anticipate epistemic bias from non-disabled listeners. A predominately White sample of sixty-four children viewed videos featuring two characters—one disabled and one non-disabled—making statements, and were asked to select …

At The Bottom Of The Barrel: Rum’S Influence On Those Who Made It, Camryn Counsil

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

This paper examines the British Empire’s increasing rum production across their colonies in the West Indies during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Governmental officials, advertisers, and other influential citizens sought to establish rum as the beverage of choice among British society because of its economic, political, and social sensibilities. This growing enthusiasm established negative consequences, affecting the standards of living and social dynamics within communities of enslaved laborers on Caribbean plantations.

Examining The Probiotic Potential Of Pseudoalteromonas Rubra Situated In The Scholarly And Public Spheres, Sam Ruemmler

Honors Senior Capstones and Theses

Climate change is affecting our oceans negatively in many ways, such as rising temperatures and increased disease outbreaks. While there are many diseases that are affecting marine organisms, bacteria of the genus Vibrio are present globally and are known to favor warmer waters, which means increasing temperatures will cause an uptick in infections. One species, V. coralliilyticus, has been identified as a pathogen responsible for coral disease and death as well as mortality in rainbow trout, brine shrimp, and Pacific oyster larvae. A possible solution to the rising prevalence of disease is the use of probiotics. One such probiotic candidate …

The Effects Of Polyethylene And Polypropylene Microplastics On Daphnia Dentifera, Scott Eaves, Molly Fredericks, Carla Caceres

MICRO-CCS student projects

Research Question: What are the effects of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on the size, swim speed, and clonal growth rate of Daphnia dentifera?

Chenoweth Prevails: The Connection Between Social Standards And The Marimba’S Development In The Western Art Music Tradition, Jackson Hall

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Among percussionists, the names of many marimbists come to mind before that of Vida Chenoweth (1928-2018), the pioneer of the modern marimba recital. Chenoweth began her first recital tour in the early 1950s at a time when the marimba did not yet have a dedicated solo repertoire, and women were largely excluded from performing on orchestral instruments. This thesis explores the musical and social contexts in which Chenoweth performed and worked, with particular attention to her recital history, critical reviews, and, through works written specifically for her performance, her technical abilities. She not only sparked the evolution of marimba technique …

Investigating Drivers In Phytoplankton Between Lentic And Lotic Ecosystems Within Twelvepole Creek Watershed, Devin Lee Farmer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) threaten aquatic ecosystems, local economies, and water quality. While extensively studied in lakes (lentic systems), their impact on flowing waters (lotic systems) remains underexplored. This study examined algal drivers in both ecosystems within the same watershed, focusing on Beech Fork Lake (lentic) and Twelve Pole Creek (lotic). Key environmental factors, including pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels, were measured using in situ sensors and laboratory analysis. Water samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, and algal biomass for comparison to environmental conditions. Phytoplankton was preserved for identification in future research. By comparing these environments, this study …

The Role Of Masculine And Feminine Gender Enactment In Hospitality Leadership, Michelle Russen, Mary Dawson, Tiffany Legendre

Marketing Faculty Publications

Purpose: The stereotypical assumptions of what it means to be hegemonically masculine and to be a leader are aligned in current society, potentially creating role incongruity for anyone who does not fit into this definition. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether masculine and feminine leadership traits of men and women hospitality managers affect employees’ intention to trust leaders and organizational attractiveness.

Design/Methods/Approach: Explanatory mixed methods were employed. First, two experiments (study 1 = woman manager, n = 137; study 2 = man manager, n = 117) were conducted with current hospitality employees to test the interaction of …

The Worst Collateral Consequence: Rethinking The Best Interests Standard In The Context Of Racism, Classism, And Mass Incarceration, Abigail Hean

Children's Legal Rights Journal

The United States incarcerates more people than any other country. In recent years, mandatory minimums, probation revocation, and other laws have led to increased periods of incarceration, even for low-level offenses. When a parent becomes incarcerated, their children are often left in the hands of the state, and a countdown to the termination of parental rights begins. Even if the parent has never been accused of child abuse or neglect, parental rights can be terminated on the grounds that the parent is unable to care for their children while incarcerated. Increasingly, states have placed more emphasis on permanent placement for …

Investigating The Influence Of Factors On The Flight Training Performance Of Ab-Initio Pilots, Ismail Gevrek, Mebrure Itir Gevrek

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2025

Fatigue is a critical issue in aviation, particularly for ab-initio pilots undergoingmilitary flight training. This study investigates the impact of mental fatigue,training scheduling, environmental stressors, and biological needs on theperformance of 104 military ab-initio pilots. Using a comprehensive survey andadvanced statistical analyses, significant negative correlations were identifiedbetween performance and mental fatigue (r=−0.65, p<0.01) training scheduling(r=−0.60, p<0.01), environmental stressors (r=−0.52, p<0.01), and biologicalneeds (r=−0.48, p<0.05). The findings highlight the detrimental effects ofcumulative fatigue and stress on ab-initio pilot performance. Practicalimplications include the need for optimized training schedules, improved cockpitenvironments, and interventions targeting mental and physical resilience. Thisstudy underscores the importance of proactive fatigue management strategies toenhance safety and efficiency in military flight training.

Graduate Catalog, 2025-2026, Valparaiso University

Graduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Catalog, 2025-2026, Valparaiso University

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Invasive Species Council, 2025-2027 Adaptive Management Plan

Nebraska Invasive Species Program

Nebraska Invasive Species Council, 2025-2027 Adaptive Management Plan

Simulator-Based, Machine Learning-Modelled, Psychophysiological Measurement-Augmented Pilot Screening In The Republic Of Singapore Air Force, Nicklaus Zhi Ming Koh, Lim Wei Cong Joshua, Aaron Lim Wei Qiang, De Roza Christopher Mark, Ang Cher Wee, Tey Lian Kheng Frederick

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2025

The project uses a simulator-based screening approach aimed at screening forpilot potential in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). Against thebackdrop of a shrinking talent pool and lean resources, the simulator-based pilotscreening (SBPS) aims to leverage simulators, data science and other emergingtechnology to enhance effectiveness and optimize efficiency for pilot screening inthe RSAF. SBPS uses simulator-based screeners to assess candidates over tendays, through four standardized simulated training/mission sorties. Primaryassessments include standardized task performance and behavior-basedobservations by RSAF Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) and AviationPsychologists (AvPsychs), as well as objective mission and task performanceparameters measured by the simulator. Psychophysiological measures (PPMs),eye …

Exploring Mechanisms Underlying Time-On-Task Effects In Decision-Making Tasks, Jarean Carson, Preston Menke, Joshua Wong, Afra Moharrami Nasirabadi, Scott Watamaniuk, Ion Juvina, Tehran Davis, William Aue, Emma Macneil

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2025

Sustained vigilance and complex decision-making are necessary skills for operatorsof both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. Cognitive fatigue due to time ontask may reduce cognitive resources, producing performance decrements. Weperformed a secondary analysis of a data set from 68 participants who performedthree tasks related to target verification (TV), complex decisions, and imagerecognition (IR) in three consecutive days. Both TV and IR tasks were vigilancetasks, separated by the complex decision task, and both showed an expectedperformance decrement (decreasing hit rate) consistent with fatigue. Surprisingly,both also showed performance improvements (decreasing response time andincreasing correct rejections) inconsistent with fatigue. We propose that anincreasing …

Shadows Of Discrimination: Impacts Of Ambient Discrimination On Queer People In The United States, Kayla A. Dufour

Psychology | Senior Theses

People identifying as LGBTQIA2S+ in the United States experience victimization, direct discrimination, and violence at a rate of 2 to 4 times higher than their heterosexual counterparts (Bender & Lauritsen, 2021), leading to higher levels of psychological pain and suicidal ideation, with up to 50% of LGBTQIA2S+ people having suicidal thoughts in their lifetimes. Those who experience ambient discrimination, such as witnessing or being made aware of discriminatory behavior of someone other than oneself in your group, have higher levels of psychological pain, PTSD, and substance use (Peterson et al., 2019). The goal of the present study is to gain …

Exploring Gender Disappointment: Social Stigma, Underlying Shame, And Grieving An Idealized Family… “Oh Well, As Long As It’S A Healthy Baby!”, Melanie Scaccio

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Gender disappointment (GD) refers to the sadness parents feel when the sex of their child differs from their preference (Groenewald, 2016). While GD is a globally recognized phenomenon, research in the United States remains limited despite anecdotal evidence on social media and restrictive gender norms (Heise et al., 2019). This qualitative study explored the subjective experiences of GD in American mothers. Twelve biologically female participants, aged 18 and older, who experienced GD were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews conducted via video conferencing, averaging 40 minutes, were analyzed using grounded theory methodology (Auerbach & Silverstein, 2003). A member …

Nebline, January/February 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

2024 Extension Highlights

4-H Engaged 34,177 Youth

Nebraska Extension’s Strategic Direction

Reflflection, Growth and Whole-Person Wellness for 2025. Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the Month: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, Emily Gratopp

Extension’s 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Begins Soon

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

ProHort Lawn and Landscape Update

2025 Pesticide Applicator Trainings

Crop Production Clinics

Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women

At Ag Literacy Festival, Students Learn How Agriculture Impacts Their Daily Lives

Managing Hard Water, Becky Schuerman

Don’t Let Fungus Gnats Bug You and Your Plants, Kait Chapman

2025 Lincoln …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring Servant Leadership Characteristics For Developing High-Performing Teams As Perceived By Public School District Early Childhood Leaders, Reggi'e Faye Webster

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe how exemplary public school district early childhood leaders apply four key characteristics of servant leadership (listening, stewardship, building community, and commitment to people’s growth), as defined by Spears (2010), to develop high-performing to support early learning programs.

Methodology: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was selected to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of how they use four servant leadership characteristics to develop and sustain high-performing teams within early childhood programs on public school elementary and secondary school campuses. Participants were purposefully chosen based on specific criteria and recommendations from an …

A Delphi Study On Strategic Behaviors From The Adaptive Leadership Framework Used By Successful Cxos For Business Agility In A Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, And Ambiguity Environment, Sevak Markarian

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify the strategic leadership behaviors, as outlined in Heifetz et al.’s (2009) adaptive leadership framework, that CXOs use to develop agile and adaptive organizations that succeed in volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) change environments. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the effectiveness of these behaviors and determine specific actions that CXOs recommend for implementing them successfully.

Methodology: This mixed-method Delphi study collected data from 20 technology executives through surveys and interviews, using purposive, convenience, and expert sampling. In Round 1, participants identified strategic adaptive leadership behaviors from Heifetz et al.’s …