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A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of General Education And Special Education Teachers Within The Inclusion Classroom: Exploring The Factors And Barriers Of Success, Allison Parks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the inclusion experiences related to self-efficacy and barriers to inclusion for secondary general education teachers and special education teachers at a metro-area high school in Georgia. This study aimed to understand how do general education and special education describe their self-efficacy when teaching in an inclusive classroom? The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the confidence levels associated with teachers’ experiences. This qualitative study utilized convenience sampling in a large rural high school setting. Data was collected using one-on-one interviews, participant journaling, …

A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains, Aaron Jonathan Fabian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This immediate demand for spiritual and professional leadership can be overwhelming for a new battalion-level chaplain (Blackaby 2001; Howell 2003). They perform or provide religious service for Soldiers who have volunteered to serve their country. By going through the same military training in conjunction with their religious education and experience, chaplains are able to integrate with Soldiers where traditional clergy cannot. There is additional pressure to perform because chaplains, as commissioned officers, are evaluated immediately through an annual Officer Evaluation Report (OER hereafter, DA Form 67-9). With no time to acquire new skills, battalion-level chaplains are forced to rely on …

Engaging Church Teams To Support Youths Aging Out Of Care, John Alan Honeycutt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Emerging Adults (EAs) in out-of-home care (OHC) face significant challenges when aging out of the foster care system, including histories of traumatic experiences. Approximately 30,000 exit Child Protective Services (CPS) annually, with 4,000 becoming instantly homeless. This study used a facilitated grounded theory approach, engaging 14 participants representing two churches. The aim was to identify the topmost factors for gaining interest, commitment, and action from a Volunteer Church Team Volunteer Team to assist one EA in their transition to independent living (IL). Primarily, non-Hispanic White and Native American Indian participants aged 35–65 contributed insights during three hours of brainstorming and …

Exploring Teachers' Experiences Developing Adaptive Learning Systems With High-Stakes Testing Requirements: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Brian J. Le Fevre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which was utilized to relate to teachers’ beliefs about engaging in behaviors influenced by high-stakes testing. A transcendental methodology was used for the study design as the study aimed to explore teachers’ shared experiences while bracketing my previous experiences. The sample population consisted of second- to sixth-grade teachers who instructed subjects who were assessed by high-stakes testing in the Southeastern United States. Data was collected using interviews, focus groups, and journal prompt responses. Following data collection, the data was coded and analyzed to develop the essence of the shared experiences …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Christian Women With Having Absent Fathers: A Phenomenological Study Of Identity, Self-Esteem, And The Christian Faith, Catherine L. Newsome

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of 10 Black Christian women with absent fathers during childhood and adolescence. Using convenience sampling, these women were recruited through Facebook, TikTok, and email recruitment at Liberty University. The study’s criteria for participation were: (1) Black Christian women 18 years of age or older, (2) raised in a fatherless home during childhood and adolescence, and (3) raised with no stepfather in the home during childhood and adolescence. The study's findings revealed that the participants experienced a void due to the absence of a father figure, the lack of a father’s provision, and …

Pastoral Unity Community Engagement Of Shiprock Area Ministry Association In Shiprock, New Mexico, Rosalind Ann Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This praxis project examines the Shiprock Area Ministry Association (SAMA), a pastoral group which represents different religious denominations of faith in the community. SAMA is located on the Navajo Indian reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico and has struggled to return as a group amid the post COVID-19 pandemic. Since its founding as an organization, the group has gathered for support in unity, prayer, and engaged in activities in Shiprock. The return of SAMA members and new membership is to include pastor spouses, church workers, and ministers within a 15-mile radius. The Hershey and Blanchard (2001) Situational Leadership Self-Assessment will be …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Menopausal African American Women Have With Their Health Care Providers And Accessing Treatment For Menopausal Symptoms, Michelle Way-Houser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative case study delved into the underexplored area of menopausal research as it pertains to African American women. This study aimed to identify the existing gap in literature, through examining the factors contributing to the disparity, and proposed potential solutions. By conducting a thorough review of the available evidence, this study sheds light on the unique challenges faced by African American women during menopause and advocates for more inclusive and diverse research approaches in this field. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to symptom management, healthcare access, …

The Role Of Spirituality In Resilience Among Male And Female Education Staff And Role Differences, Cindi R. Bowling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working in the field of education can be challenging, even more so seems the challenge following a worldwide pandemic. Resilience is needed in any career, but education is one in which it is needed on a continuous basis. Spirituality may increase resilience in life. The idea that Jesus died and rose from the grave for a fallen world and through the Holy Spirit there is power to overcome is one that can help people press through hard times in life. This correlational study examined the relationship between spirituality and resilience in educational staff post-pandemic. To do this, The Daily Spiritual …

Understanding Change Following Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Phenomenological Study, Melina K. Bricker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The field of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is growing and broadening, with significant implications for treatment-resistant behavioral health disorders for which traditional therapies have limited impact. Determining the efficacy of such treatments with populations seeking relief from trauma-related chronic behaviors must include an understanding of trauma’s complex impact on regulatory functioning, the perceptual and functional changes experienced as a result of PAT, and implications for future research in addressing trauma-related treatment resistance. To understand the phenomenon of change, questions of motivation, experience, and outcomes in this treatment type must be understood. In this qualitative phenomenological study, 10 patients at a ketamine-assisted …

The Implementation Process Of The Norway Model In U.S. Prisons: A Qualitative Study, Kaitlin M. Armstrong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounding theory method will be to develop the best correctional practices for implementing the Norway Model of prison reform in U.S. prisons. The data gathered from participating facilities in the U.S. that have already attempted this method of reform will help identify the best strategic planning methods for future facilities to use. The theory guiding this study is based on the grounding theory method, developed by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, and will allow for the conceptualization of the data collected to be used in predicting the best future methods of implementation, specifically for correctional …

A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack, Edmond J. Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study aims to ascertain the degree of preparedness for reducing and preventing extreme violence and the countermeasures that are in place (or lack thereof) at houses of worship. All places of worship in this study are considered soft targets and not “holy ground” as traditionally referenced. The terms “places of worship” and “church” will be used interchangeably in this study. A place of refuge for both the physical and spiritual is now considered vulnerable as the congregants are focused on worship rather than protection from an attack. Violence against places of worship will be described at this …

Relationship Between Mental Health Education And Nurse Preparedness, Deborah C. O'Dell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study was to see if there was a relationship between the type of Mental Health education undergraduate nurses received or the number of Mental Health clinical days they experienced and how prepared they were to care for Mental Health Consumers (MHCs) when they first were employed. This information had never before been studied, so had the potential to change nursing curriculum and provide better care for MHCs. An anonymous survey using the Behavioral Health Care Competency’s questions was used and an invitation to participate was placed on various nursing discussion forums and social media sites. Participants (n = …

Dunning-Kruger And The Reforming Mind: A Causal-Comparative Study Determining The Role That Confidence When Learning Mathematics Plays In Sixth-Grade Students' Mathematics Performance, Rita Renata Davison-Yragui

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental causal-comparative study was to determine the relationship between sixth-grade students’ confidence level (high, middle, or low) when learning mathematics and their mathematical performance. This study adds to the current body of knowledge on student learning and contributes to a better understanding of the impact of confidence on student performance in mathematics. The sample comprised 132 sixth-grade public school math students in western Washington who completed the i-Ready diagnostic to determine their mathematical performance. The confidence when learning mathematics portion of the Attitudes to Technology in Mathematics Learning Questionnaire was used to measure student confidence …

Lightning Bolt Of Liberty: The Legacy Of James Otis And His Role As A Pre-Revolutionist, Gerald D. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research conducted for this project has examined the life of James Otis and his role in the development of revolutionary thinking and as a revolutionary leader in Boston from 1761 to 1769. Due to Otis burning all his personal and professional papers on several different occasions, this project relies heavily on primary source material authored by Otis’s political supporters and political rivals, such as John Adams, Thomas Hutchinson, and Francis Bernard, and the multitude of essays found in the Boston Gazette and Boston-Evening Post. Through these primary sources and many others, the researcher and his audience can travel back …

Navigating Two Worlds: Lakota Intellectuals Adaptation To Americanization And Beyond, Allison Leigh Legaspi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Lakota people, part of the larger Sioux Nation, are indigenous to the Great Plains of North America. Their history is marked by centuries of cultural heritage, resilience, and profound challenges brought about by European contact and American expansion. The process of Americanization, which began with European colonization and continued through various stages of United States history, profoundly impacted the Lakota way of life. This dissertation explores and explains the complex journey of Lakota adaptation to Americanization, examining key historical intellectual figures, events, cultural transformations, social dynamics, and the ongoing efforts to preserve Lakota identity and traditions. How did these …

A Phenomenological Look At Licensed Professionals' Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of Parental Alienation In The Family Court System, Jacqueline Ziebart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parental alienation (PA) frequently emerges in high-conflict child custody disputes and is commonly understood as one parent encouraging a child to unjustifiably reject the other parent. The behaviors associated with PA encompass a complex form of family violence, incorporating elements of both intimate partner violence and child psychological abuse. As a polarizing and multifaceted social issue, PA necessitates further dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals. This qualitative research study explored licensed professionals’ perceptions and lived experiences of PA in the family court system. The research aimed to investigate the meaning professionals attributed to PA across individual, family, and institutional levels. …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring Teacher-Student Relationships For Students With Moderate To Severe Disabilities, Karen N. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental, phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of general education and self-contained classroom teachers building relationships with students who have moderate to severe disabilities in rural Maryland. Teachers were selected from elementary school settings in the rural part of Maryland’s eastern shore. The theory that guided this study was Bowlby’s attachment theory. Vygotsky focused on language development and how it affects social interactions between others while Bowlby’s theory explored a child’s attachment to close adults. This study explored teacher-student relationships as it relates to elementary-age students on Maryland’s eastern shore. The methodology for this …

Fostering Educator Well-Being To Manage Job-Related Teacher Stress, Jennifer L. Ringelheim

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The job-related expectations for effective classroom instruction expanded beyond teaching academics after the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased job-related teacher stress (Weisling, 2023). Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the researcher of this Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) identified a problem of practice as the demands of teaching post-COVID-19 on teacher well-being. In Phase 1 of this ISDiP, the researcher conducted end-user consultations, reviewed existing data, completed a root cause analysis, and reviewed scholarly literature to develop a working theory of improvement to manage teacher stress with self-care and regulation strategies. Phase 2 of this ISDiP aimed to understand to what …

The Grizzly, May 1, 2025, Kate Horan, Erin Ewing, Renee Washart, Claudia Tracy, Nathaniel Nerone, Sidney Belleroche, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

The Grizzly Takes On CoSA! • Senior Alumni Award Honorees • A Goodbye • And a Hello! • Repair Cafe • Hillel: A Home for Many • Ursinus College 2024-25 Crossword • Sports Stars Shine at URSPYS • Ursinus Softball Battles Through Ups and Downs

Epistemic Dysfunction In American Politics: The Impact Of Misinformation On Knowledge Acquisition., Megan Crowley

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Political misinformation has become an increasingly prominent topic of discussion among scholars across disciplines, particularly in the wake of the 2020 American presidential election. Despite growing scholarly interest in this phenomenon, however, contemporary research has yet to examine misinformation alongside traditional epistemological theory. This thesis aims to remedy this gap by synthesizing classical epistemology, journalism and media research, and political science to investigate the impact of misinformation on political knowledge acquisition. To accomplish this goal, the analysis will focus on the justification condition, conceptualized according to both internalist and externalist perspectives. The internalism section will cast misinformation as a form …

Antiproliferative Effects Of Salvia On Breast Cancers., Allison C. Portaro

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in female adults, with 2.3 million new cases worldwide in 2020. Plants have been used in traditional medicine and are a potential source of pharmaceuticals. One example is the large Lamiaceae (mint) family. The Salvia genus, commonly known as the sages, is the largest genus in Lamiaceae with almost 900 known species. Salvia lyrata (lyre-leaved sage) has a history of Native American medicinal use to treat cancers and other ailments resulting in this plant being referred to as ‘cancer weed.’ Extracts were produced from the leaves of S. lyrata, S. lyrata …

The Effects Of Prenatal Cigarette Smoke Exposure On Developmental Milestones, Megan Jacobs

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

In Kentucky, a reported 12.7% of mothers smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Nicotine readily crosses the placental and blood-brain barriers, with fetal blood concentrations reaching 15% higher than maternal levels. By stimulating and desensitizing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the autonomic nervous system, nicotine disrupts uteroplacental blood flow, potentially altering fetal growth and development.

To investigate the effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) on developmental milestones, C57Bl6 mice were exposed to either cigarette smoke (CSE, n = 30) or filtered room air (Sham, n = 20) for 3 hours daily from two days before mating until the day before birth. Offspring …

The Publics Of Hannah Arendt And Jürgen Habermas, Andrew Heggie

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Hannah Arendt’s and Jürgen Habermas’s accounts of the public are notable and important cornerstones in contemporary western political philosophy. This thesis will offer characterizations of Arendt’s account of the public realm in The Human Condition, and Habermas’s account of the public sphere in The Structural Transformation of The Public Realm, comparing and contrasting these accounts to each other in order to highlight the uniqueness of each account; as well the possible contemporary political relevance of these accounts.

A Qualitative Study On Recruiting And Retaining Black, Veteran, In-Service Teachers In Rural Tennessee K-12 Public Schools, Paul Andrew Mcmillan

Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, interpretive study was to explore the perceptions of Black, veteran, in-service teachers regarding recruitment and retention strategies in rural Tennessee K-12 public schools. This study addressed significant racial disparities in the Tennessee education system, where the percentage of Black teachers was notably lower than the percentage of Black students, particularly in rural schools. Data were collected from 20 Black, veteran, in-service teachers using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to examine the factors influencing their decisions to seek employment and remain in rural districts. Analysis of the data identified three key themes related to Research Question 1 …

How Graphene’S Berry Dipole Is Determined By Its Atomic Registry With A Substrate, Hannah K. Isbell

Physics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Since graphene’s discovery in 2004, it has been established as one of the most important materials in recent condensed matter history. Understanding its properties and potential uses has been the subject of intense scientific research around the world. Graphene’s unique physical properties allow it to serve a wide variety of purposes, from its everyday role in the formation of graphite in pencils to its more cutting-edge scientific functions in electronics and energy storage. Gaining a better understanding of graphene’s rich quantum landscape through geometric and topological phenomena, like Berry curvature and Berry dipole, could have significant implications for both theoretical …

A Mixed-Method Examination Of Social Media Influencers’ Source Characteristics In Sponsored Health Campaign Messaging: An Application Of Psychological Reactance Theory, Lauren Pick

Communication (PhD) Dissertations

Social media influencers (SMIs/influencers) are frequently used for marketing and public relations purposes (i.e., influencer marketing), but can be leveraged to avoid resistance to health campaign messages. Guided by psychological reactance theory (PRT), the purpose of this dissertation was to (a) uncover micro-influencer characteristics that mitigate reactance toward sponsored social media posts, (b) investigate whether influencers induce less reactance than non- influencers when disseminating sponsored health content, and (c) experimentally test whether influencer source characteristics mitigate reactance to sponsored health messaging. In Study One, focus groups with Gen Z Instagram users (N = 12) identified SMI use of controlling, “one …

Implications Of Biourbanism On Sustainable Business Strategy, Samuel Walsh

Graduate Theses - Engineering Management

Recently developed for urban planners to view cities through the lens of ecosystems and other complex natural systems, the Biourbanism model is a set of metrics to numerically assess the resilience and sustainability of urban systems. This model focuses on ten factors of urban sustainability, which include categories such as energy, infrastructure, and technology, and is intended to help cities achieve more holistic measures of their ability to realize resilience and sustainability goals. The premise of this Integrated Project is that businesses can also be viewed as complex natural systems. Hence, this project examines case studies to show how implementing …

Isolating The Causes Instead Of The Student: Building Belonging And Connectedness Among And With Students, Cheryl Ann Faga

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Embedded at the heart of the educational system is the teacher-student relationship. This qualitative Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) examines the impact of the teacher-student relationship on students’ sense of belonging in the classroom and the broader school culture and climate in an urban interdistrict high school magnet program. At the 2022 Association of Middle School Leadership, Houston Kraft, developer of Character Strong, explained that "If we know connection and belonging is a human need, we have to build systems and skills that support the acquisition of and development of connection before students ever feel safe to learn" (Simpson, …

Enhancing The University Of Arkansas' Operations Through Data Science, Aura L. Pinto-Avelar

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

As universities navigate financial constraints and resource allocation challenges, data driven financial analysis has become increasingly important. Universities employ various methods to assess financial efficiency, predict future expenditures, and optimize student credit hour distribution. However, the approaches to financial analysis vary widely, with some institutions leveraging advanced predictive modeling and business intelligence tools, while others rely on traditional budgeting techniques and manual forecasting.

This thesis examines how the University of Arkansas' (“Uark”) financial analysis methods compare to those of other institutions and alternative data-driven approaches. Using four years of financial and student credit hour data, this study evaluates cost trends …

Lucky Charms: Leveraging Consumer Data Analysis For Strategic Decision-Making At General Mills, Katherine Page Thomas

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This undergraduate thesis examines the application of data analytics in sales strategy and consumer insights from the perspective of a summer internship at General Mills. It gives an overview of the company’s background, industry position, and intern’s role within the sales organization. It outlines the personal learning objectives established before the internship and how they evolved through practical experience.

A central focus of the summer internship was the analysis of consumer demographics within the cereal category to enhance sales performance and optimize retail execution. Using the Data Science Analytics Process as a framework, this thesis details the problem statements, methodologies, …