Digital Commons Network^™

Parental Participation In A Christian Homeschool Co-Opertaive In A State In The Southeastern Us: A Single-Case Study, Emily E. Fowler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, single-case study was to explore parental participation in a Christian homeschool co-operative in a state in the Southeastern US, identified by the pseudonym Hope Homeschool Co-op. Christopher Watkin’s biblical critical theory guided this research, emphasizing how the Bible’s unfolding story centers around a relational God. This study examined the importance of having a Christian community to parents participating in Hope Homeschool Co-op. Using a single-case study approach, data were collected from 14 homeschooling mothers who had enrolled their families in Hope Homeschool Co-op during the 2024-25 academic school year. The Central Research Question asked, “What …

The Relationship Between Morality, Perceptions Of Self And Others, And Purpose In Life: A Moderation Analysis, Ashley Burgess Leininger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Morality is an understudied construct in psychological research, despite its fundamental role in shaping human behavior and self-perception. This quantitative study examined whether purpose in life moderated the relationship between morality and perceptions of the self and others. Two hypotheses were tested, H1: There will be a relationship between morality and perception of self and others; H2: Purpose in life will moderate the relationship between morality and perception of self and others. Ninety-one individuals recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk completed the Purpose in Life scale (PIL), Moral Foundation Questionnaire (MFQ30), Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Collective Self-Esteem Scale …

Evaluating Inclusion Rates Of Oral-Systemic Health Connection Coursework In Dental And Medical Professional Programs' Admissions Requirements, Wendy Marie Carry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Oral systemic health connections (OSHC) are bidirectional, life-threatening, and a significant public health concern. Studies have identified over 200 OSHCs; however, the prevalence of foundational OSHC education in dental and medical professional programs remains unknown. This quantitative descriptive comparative pilot study aimed to explore the prevalence of predictor variables, dental and medical professional programs in the United States, and the criterion variable, including an OSHC admissions requirement for the 2025 academic year. The point-in-time count methodology served as the theoretical framework guiding this study and the development of the PiT-PARCI instrument. The proposed testing was replaced with alternative testing based …

The Role Of Standard Business And Biblical Principles In The Strategic Human Resource Management Practices Of Contemporary Protestant Churches, Brandon Marshall Mccutchen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) practices have consistently evolved in the for-profit business sector to support business profitability. Nonprofit organizations have also adopted strategic HRM practices. Despite their status as tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, contemporary Protestant churches have not been included in the current literature discussing the use of strategic HRM practices in nonprofit organizations. Adoption of an HRM strategy varies across the spectrum of nondenominational Christian churches, and churches that are affiliated with a denomination. This qualitative study assesses the leadership perspective of five local churches to determine how standard business practices and biblical principles combine to create a formal …

Minutes From August 29 2025, University Senate

University Senate Minutes

Minutes from August 29 2025 University Senate Meeting

A Remedy For A Distressing Situation: Discrimination Against Children With Disabilities In Public Education, Joshua P. Sarsfield

San Diego Law Review

This Comment will focus on answering [the] question: are emotional distress damages available under the ADA? First, Part II of this Comment reviews the history of statutes addressing students with disabilities and explore the unavailable remedies when schools fail to uphold their responsibilities under the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the ADA. Next, Part III argues that emotional distress damages are available under the ADA, based on the statute’s historical origin. Then, Part IV proposes several different solutions for emotional distress damages and suggest a framework for circumstances in which a claimant may …

Autopsy Of A Doctrine: Loper Bright’S Implications On Inevitable Artificial Intelligence Regulation And Congressional Considerations For An Organic Statute, Jack T. Edmond

San Diego Law Review

Because AI is sufficiently unique from other regulated technologies, Congress should ensure that a federal agency regulating AI retains authority to interpret and effectuate its organic statute by incorporating Chevron-like deference into the statute, thus insulating the agency from judicial challenge. Part II of this Case Note introduces fundamental background on the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Chevron doctrine, both of which are necessary to contextualize Loper Bright and the present argument. Part III reviews Loper Bright’s majority, dissenting, and concurring opinions, and describes how experts predict the decision will fundamentally change agency statutory interpretation and operations. …

Trying Typicality—Plaintiff Cherry-Picking And Trial Distortion In Ramirez V. Transunion Llc And Beyond, Daniel Esses

San Diego Law Review

This Article supplements scholarly commentary on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021 decision in TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez by examining some critical issues that the underlying litigation in the lower courts raised but that the Supreme Court did not address in its review. Although scholars have analyzed and critiqued the Supreme Court’s Ramirez decision, the litigation as a whole has been neglected. The Ramirez trial and the Ninth Circuit opinions that preceded Supreme Court review are fertile vehicles for reflecting on important issues that arise when class actions are tried to a jury.

The Article argues that Ramirez illustrates a problem …

Critical Volunteer Stewardship: A New Model Of Volunteer Management For Churches, Kelly Lynne Reed Shaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In an effort to advance the kingdom without breaking the bank, today’s churches rely heavily upon volunteers to staff and operate a multitude of ministries. With biblical beginnings reaching well into the Old Testament, volunteerism and the call to serve remain an essential part of being Christian. Drawn from a unique blend of emergency management and human resource tactics, Critical Volunteer Stewardship (CVS) is a proposed model of volunteer administration that quickly identifies, assigns, and retains volunteer capital while building authentic interpersonal relationships. This researcher has implemented her CVS model at Captivate Community Church to mitigate the organization’s current inability …

Exploring Educators’ Perception Of The Influence Of Social And Emotional Learning Interventions On High School Mathematics: A Case Study, Imaga Eke Idika

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-case study was to understand educators' perceptions of the influence of social-emotional learning interventions on students' engagement in high school mathematics in the Alpha School District in the United States. The guiding theory used was Albert Bandura's social learning theory. This theory plays a crucial role in highlighting teachers' classroom activities that elicit observable behavioral changes in learners, which are critical to instruction, learning, and performance. The central research question was: What is educator perception of social-emotional learning interventions in high school mathematics? I conducted the study in four high schools that fully implemented SEL intervention …

Notifying The Public In Crisis Situations, Deborah Jean Link

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The messages that are provided to the public when there is an imminent or ongoing crisis are of extreme value to individuals, primarily to have information by which to base decisions upon. The sense of urgency during imminent or ongoing crisis is the factor that differentiates the need for information about the crisis from the need for information for other types of events. There is messaging during other, less critical types of incidents, but often there is little to no messaging to the public at a time when it is most needed and sought after, during a crisis. Erik J. …

Enhancing Collaborative Care: A Training Manual For Improving Veterans Affairs Mental Health Chaplaincy, Eddie L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) launched a study to investigate the integration of chaplains in mental health care. This research expands on that study by focusing on the critical need for enhanced collaboration between chaplaincy and mental health services at local VA facilities. While existing literature affirms the integral role of chaplains in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals, significant gaps in awareness and effective collaboration practices were identified at the Marion, IL VA Health Care System (VHCS). This study aimed to assess and address the specific training …

Examining Credit Loss Faced By Military-Connected Students: A Causal Comparison Based On High School Mobility And Resilience Factors, Jamie Alicia Cannon Klink

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative study investigated the number of academic credits lost among military-connected high school students based on their geographic mobility: those who moved zero, one, or more than one time during their high school years, when controlling for the students’ resilience, as measured by the Current Experience Scale. Understanding the impact of geographic mobility on the resilience and academic credits of military-connected high school students is critical, as it exemplifies the unique challenges and obstacles this student population faces. A one-way analysis of covariance was used to test the hypothesis, but assumptions were violated and transformations were unsuccessful. Ultimately, …

Comparing The Effects Of Numerical Versus Syllable-Based Pedagogy On Kindergarten Academics, Tocorey C. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of numerically based and syllable-based pedagogical approaches on kindergarten students in a school located in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida. The Kodály Method, a well-established and effective music education strategy, offers numerous classroom benefits. Teachers can utilize both numerically based and syllable-based approaches within the Kodály framework. However, additional data are required to ascertain whether these approaches can enhance academic performance among kindergarten students. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of syllable-based music training on kindergarten reading scores and numerical-based music training on kindergarten math scores. The initial …

Means Of Evangelization In The Catholic Church Through Music, Patrice Metcalf

Masters Theses

There are numerous resources for Catholic churches today to encourage a congregation’s full involvement in musical participation, but there is little guidance or information on how these practices help with evangelization. The evangelization process is essential to the healthy growth of the church on Earth and for the salvation of believers. Musical resources give an eclectic variety of music, all of which is methodically written by its composers. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many church choirs have struggled to return, with some churches abandoning the use of large choirs and opting for a single soloist to lead the congregation. This leads …

Re: July 2025 Berkeley Pit Migratory Waterfowl Protection Monthly Report, Mark Thompson, Loren Burmeister

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Examining Home Confinement Of Offenders In The Mississippi Delta, Malcolm Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recidivism was identified as a persistent problem in the criminal justice system. Accordingly, prison overcrowding was also an identified problem in the prison system. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of home confinement for offenders in the Mississippi Delta. This research used rehabilitation theory to conduct a qualitative analysis of home confinement in the Mississippi Delta, as well as identify any unique challenges to the program presented by rural conditions. A purposive sampling technique was used to solicit participation, and a total of 12 participants were included in the study. The participants were interviewed using a …

Mandatory Minimum State Compensation Statutes For Exonerees Of Wrongful Incarceration, Ellen Rochelle Mabry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Receiving fair and equitable compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration post-release continues to be problematic, inconsistent, and inadequate. This qualitative study addresses the gap in knowledge by exploring the unsatisfactory and varying compensation statutes across states that adversely affect and compound the experiences of exonerees through systemic injustices. The conceptual frameworks for this study are Weible & Sabatier’s guide to the advocacy coalition framework and Jenkins-Smith, et.al, using cultural theory to specify belief systems, coalitions, and sources of change. Research questions focus on how exonerees describe their experiences with unfair and unequal state compensation laws for victims of wrongful imprisonment, …

Understanding The Ontological Argument Through Love: The Paradox Between Faith And Reason, Bill Goodson

Masters Theses

This thesis argues that while the ontological argument as presented by Saint Anselm of Canterbury offers a formal logical explanation for the existence of God, love is presented as the bridge that enables the skeptic and the believer to engage the argument from a relational and experiential perspective in joining faith and reason through God’s divine love. The paradox found therein is that love, being kind, generous, and caring, initially appears to be too soft for the hard truth and sheer facts of reason. The calling of the theologian is to expose the good news of his faith, and his …

Improving Equity For African American Female Educators: An Applied Study, Lakeisha D. Vaughan-Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of equitability in the workplace for African American female educators in Athens-Clarke County School District schools and to design a solution to address the problem. The central research question is, “How can the problem of inequity for African American female educators, as identified by the Induction Teacher Survey and CCRPI data, be solved in the Athens-Clarke County School District?” A multimethod design was used consisting of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected from participants via semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and survey. To gain discernment on equity, data was …

Insufficient Leadership Training For Ministers At Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church That Enables Them To Serve The Congregation In The Absence Of The Senior Pastor, Shirley J. Gamble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to create an operation and coaching module on every aspect of church ministry to train ministers. This project aims to establish a process following Ephesians 4:11-12, which states, “And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (King James Version). The Christian leadership training for ministers at MSMBC will enable them to serve the congregation in the absence of the senior pastor. The desired …

Effective Strategies For Succession In Family-Owned Businesses, Laumatafiafia Rosetter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many family-owned businesses face significant difficulties when they hand leadership responsibilities from established leaders to the next generation. Without deliberate succession plans that follow a clear framework, family-owned business leaders experience uncertainty, threatening family wealth. The intergenerational sustainability of family-owned enterprises is crucial for the health of local economies, community development, and organizational resilience. Grounded in the sustainable family business theory, this project explored succession strategies employed by leaders of family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hawaii to ensure the continuity of their businesses for future generations. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and document analyses involving six leaders …

Defining Moral Injury: A Delphi Study For A Comprehensive And Consensus-Based Definition, Darius J. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study utilized a modified Delphi method to develop a consensus definition of Moral Injury across theological, clinical, and experiential domains. Recognizing the term's interdisciplinary ambiguity, the research engaged chaplains, clinicians, ethicists, and professionals from healthcare, military, and psychological contexts to discern shared language and conceptual frameworks. The Delphi process consisted of three iterative rounds, progressing from open-ended questions to structured Likert-scale responses and definition validation. While consensus (80% agreement) was not achieved, a majority (61.5%) of panelists affirmed a pneuma-oriented definition that positions Moral Injury as a wound to the spirit resulting from a violation of deeply held ethical …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Spiritual Mindfulness Practices In Coping With Divorce Loss In Christian Women, Gale Louise Nicolai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aims to understand the role of spiritual mindfulness practices in counseling individuals who have experienced divorce. The theory guiding this study is the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, which recognizes the interconnectivity and mutual influence of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. This data will be descriptive, using open-ended interview questions. Data analysis will be thematic. The study participants are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce. The independent variable is spiritual mindfulness practices. The dependent variables are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce.

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Female Charter School Leaders' Socialized Traits On Career Trajectory And Student Success, Michelle Berry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of female charter school leaders in California charter schools. The theory guiding this study was Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory, as it emphasizes the complexity of an individual’s experience due to overlapping biases faced by those in disadvantaged groups. The central research question explored how gender disparities in leadership roles and the influence of societally conditioned feminine character traits impacted female charter school leaders. Participants for this study were 11 females who have served as leaders in California charter schools within the last eight years. The data collection process …

The Christian Church’S Inclusion Of Children With Autism Who Experience Parental Incarceration: A Phenomenological Examination Of Christian Ministry Leaders’ Experiences, Julia Frances Vasquez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States has the highest incarceration rate worldwide. Parental incarceration increases children’s susceptibility to adverse childhood experiences and often results in the transmission of criminal behavior. Research on children of incarcerated parents and separate findings on the experiences of children with autism reveal that these children endure bitter societal stigma, even within the church. Stigma toward disability erects barriers to much-needed spiritual support. There is a gap in the literature concerning Christian outreach and spiritual community support for children with autism who experience parental incarceration. Understanding effective ministry support for these dually marginalized children and the barriers preventing access …

Evaluating Mental Health Providers’ Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Stigma Among Teenagers Aged 13 To 19 Years With Mental Illness, Fredrica Murray-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Limited knowledge and poor attitudes among mental health providers contribute to stigma towards individuals with mental illness, adversely affecting treatment experience and outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving mental health providers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stigma-based practices. The clinical question stated: Among mental health providers, does an educational intervention, compared to standard practice, improve knowledge and attitudes of stigma and promote evidence-based care delivery to teenagers aged 13 to 19 with mental illness within six weeks? The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) was used as a framework for implementing this study. The quasi-experimental …

Onboarding And Sense Of Belonging: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Natalia Volkonsky

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Extensive research has examined the link between onboarding and employees’ sense of belonging, yet no known studies have explored whether the type of onboarding—delivered in-person, remotely, or through virtual platforms—affects this relationship. This quantitative, correlational study investigated how onboarding quality relates to employees’ sense of belonging, whether purpose in life mediates this relationship, and whether onboarding type moderates it. A sample of full-time employees (N = 112), onboarded within the past 12 months, completed validated measures assessing onboarding quality, purpose in life, and sense of belonging. Results showed a significant positive correlation between onboarding quality and sense of belonging. Purpose …

Tough Decisions: Balancing Statutory Authority With Moral Obligation In The Federal Law Enforcement Community, Carl J. Lepard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Following the 2022 tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where an armed assailant killed 21 people and injured 17 others, the U.S. Department of Justice released a critical incident review of the law enforcement response. Absent in the Justice Department’s response was an analysis of the lack of statutory law enforcement authority for the 150 federal law enforcement officers who responded to the school that day. This qualitative phenomenological study aims to examine federal law enforcement officers’ understanding of their statutory authority to exercise police powers. It sought to understand the decision-making process of federal law enforcement officers …

The Impact Of Cello Training On Spatial Orientation Abilities In Adult Learners, Circe Diaz Gamero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic discourse lacks exploration of the effects that musical training during adulthood has on spatial orientation abilities through their connection between cognitive science and music education. This study seeks to address this knowledge gap through research that evaluates cello training effects on spatial orientation abilities in adult learners. The rising interest in non-medicine-based methods for brain function improvement and recovery establishes the urgent need to research possible cognitive advantages that occur when adults participate in music education. This research study adopted a convergent mixed-methods approach that studied adults with minimal musical background in an eight-week structured cello training program, aiming …