Digital Commons Network^™

History Is Durable: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions Of The Degree And Career Relevance, Hala Al-Tinawi, Damali Curry, Tonya S. Hall, Sharrie A. Merritte

Doctor of Education Capstones

Declining undergraduate enrollments in history departments reflect a national trend that many institutions have struggled to reverse. This capstone project, conducted in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of History (VCUDOH), examines a specific and addressable dimension of that challenge: a communication gap in how the career value of a history degree is conveyed to students in introductory-level courses. Using improvement science principles and a mixed-methods case study design, the capstone team investigated how introductory history instructors communicate durable skills and career applicability, how students perceive the relevance of introductory history coursework to their career plans, and why students …

An Ecological Systems Perspective On Chronic Absenteeism: The Role Of Family Engagement In Virginia Secondary Education, Jenna Conlee, Joel W. Fravel, Bryan M. Hannun, Imani K. Hinson, Erika R. Napolitano

Doctor of Education Capstones

Chronic absenteeism has emerged as a significant challenge for schools across the United States, particularly following disruptions associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic. This capstone project examined how school leaders in Virginia understood and navigated the relationship between family engagement and chronic absenteeism. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the study addressed two research questions focused on identifying family engagement practices perceived as effective in improving attendance and examining the barriers schools encountered when engaging families to address chronic absenteeism. Data were collected through nine semistructured interviews with school leaders and observations of two high school attendance team meetings. Using …

Interrupting Inequity: A Systems Change Approach To Reducing Discipline Disproportionality, Jesse Raymond Ault, Jacqueline Theresa Barber, Tara Alexis Hodges, Brittnei Nicole Mckeithen-Barnes, Marleny Perdomo

Doctor of Education Capstones

Disproportionate discipline in public schools remains a persistent and complex challenge, particularly for Black and Hispanic students, male students, and students with disabilities. This capstone project examined patterns of racial discipline disproportionality within a large, suburban school division, referred to throughout the project as Polaris County Schools (PCS), to better understand the systemic conditions contributing to these disparities. Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in the Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) framework, the research team conducted document and literature analysis, school board observations, partner consultations, and a review of disaggregated discipline data. The team also engaged in external interviews with experts …

Understanding Student Non-Use Of Vcu's Cabell Library Through Ecological Systems Theory: A Mixed-Methods Study, Tracy D. Booker, Ethan L. Carter, Joshua C.J. Lockhart, Margaret E. Mcdearmon, Jessica S. Watson

Doctor of Education Capstones

This study examined undergraduate students’ non-use of physical spaces and services within Cabell Library at a large, urban public university. While academic libraries are widely associated with student success, patterns of engagement remain uneven, with a subset of students not utilizing these resources at all. This study sought to understand which students do not use the library and why, with particular attention to identifying systemic barriers and opportunities to improve equitable access and engagement. Grounded in Ecological Systems Theory and informed by improvement science, the study employed a mixed-methods research design to capture both patterns of behavior and lived experiences. …

Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Passenger Rail Performance And Ridership Study, Matthew S. Sturgis

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

This study evaluates how targeted infrastructure and operational improvements could improve speed, reliability, and, by extension, ridership on the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Corridor between Richmond Main Street Station and Washington Union Station. Although the corridor carries all 198 weekly Amtrak trains operating in Virginia over some portion, passenger rail remains materially less competitive than automobile travel on I-95 when compared under ideal travel conditions or by mode share. In 2024, the corridor carried 1,046,255 riders and held an estimated rail mode share of 2.4 percent relative to 42,598,057 vehicle trips on comparable I-95 segments. At the same time, average …

Rva Parkland Acquisition & Maintenance Strategy, Natalie E. Somerville

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Parks and green spaces offer myriad benefits to physical and mental well-being, environmental health, climate resilience, and community connection. Richmond, Virginia has added several new parks in recent years. However, there are still gaps between existing conditions and the City’s goal of having all residents live within a 10-minute walk of a quality park. The plan presents a land acquisition and maintenance strategy for future parkland expansion in the City of Richmond. Three questions guided the research: 1) which areas in Richmond are priority areas for creating new parks? 2) what processes should Richmond use to acquire land to expand …

Perceived Discrimination And Posttraumatic Stress In People Of Color: The Moderating Role Of Ethnic-Racial Identity And Psychological Flexibility, Jacinta O. Anyanwu

Dissertations and Theses

Perceived discrimination is highly prevalent among people of color (POC) and is strongly associated with elevated posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) severity, even after accounting for socioeconomic factors. Guided by the minority stress model, this study examined whether two resilience factors - ethnic racial identity and psychological flexibility moderated the association between everyday discrimination and PTSS in a trauma exposed adult sample of POC. Participants (N = 355) were recruited through Prolific, an online crowdsource platform, and completed self report measures assessing discrimination, PTSS severity, ethnic racial identity, and psychological flexibility. Everyday discrimination was a robust predictor of PTSS severity across …

Mixed-Methods Evaluation Of A Therapeutic Assessment Clinic Model For Children With Prenatal Alcohol And Substance Exposures, Lauren Perovsek

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Prenatal alcohol and/or substance exposure (PA/SE) affects an estimated 6% to 23% of the U.S. population and is associated with complex neurodevelopmental profiles impacting cognitive, adaptive, and behavioral domains. Children with PA/SE frequently experience co-occurring early adversity, face significant diagnostic complexity, and encounter challenging systems of care. This often leads to individuals with PA/SE and their caregivers navigating substantial barriers to care, including stigmatizing experiences and fragmented service systems. The Specialized Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Consultation Service (SNACS) clinic addresses these needs through an FASD-informed model that integrates therapeutic assessment techniques within a brief, multi-session evaluation process. While prior research has …

Determinants Of Digital Piracy: An Integrated Model, C. Christopher Lee, Peiyao Chen

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Digital piracy is a form of copyright infringement, and challenges persist in addressing it effectively. Accordingly, understanding why people engage in digital piracy is crucial. Although prior studies have examined digital piracy from multiple perspectives, existing studies on the explanatory factors of digital piracy remain fragmented. To address this research gap, this study develops an integrated model that incorporates key theoretical perspectives, neutralization theory, social learning theory, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), along with key determinants including gender, age, and the technology factor. Rather than conducting a meta-analysis of previous studies, this study adopts a survey-based approach to …

Too Warm To Win Big? Unpacking The Backer Dynamics Behind Female Crowdfunding Success Using A Warmth And Competence Perspective, Dan Liu

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

While crowdfunding is often heralded as a democratized funding avenue that empowers women with higher success rates, this study reveals a more nuanced picture of gender dynamics. The Stereotype Content Model suggests that women are often perceived as warmer but less competent. Using a large dataset from Kickstarter, we find that female-led projects can attract more backers, likely due to warmth-driven appeal, but receive smaller average contributions, potentially due to concerns about risk linked to lower perceived competence. However, the total funding raised by female-led campaigns is comparable to that of male-led ones, showing no clear advantage or disadvantage. This …

Online Community Dynamics: An Analysis Using Louvain During Major Sporting Events, Anushka Jaint, Yashodhan Karulkar, Kashish Jindal, Sri Sai Harshita Gadavarthi, Sanya Gulati

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

With the power of social media transforming the way people connect and interact with each other, the dynamics of community formation on platforms such as X during major events are of crucial importance. While social media is an increasingly key driver in determining interactions, little is known about the online influence forming and developing fan communities in high-stakes events. This study looks into the development of user communities for datasets drawn from Kaggle on two of the world’s largest sporting events: the FIFA World Cup 2022, or football, and the T20 World Cup 2022, or cricket, with the aim of …

Modern (Networked) Warfare: Its Concepts, Evolution, And Issues, Ramesh Subramanian

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

The on-going Russo-Ukraine war (February 2012-present), the recent India-Pakistan war (May 7-10, 2025), and the Israel-US attacks on Iran (June 13, 2025) have become interesting for a variety of reasons, and garnered a lot of attention in international defense publications and weapons manufacturers. To many defense analysts and defense industry professionals, these wars have become real-life testing platforms to examine and evaluate various present-day war technologies. They have opened up discussion on the future of war, the increasing use of inter-connected networks in warfare, and the increasing use of remote-operated drones in conducting surveillance and in offensive actions against …

Values-Based Behavioral Frameworks As Contributors To Organizational Culture In Higher Education: A Literature Review, David J. Park Do

Posters

Colleges and universities almost universally publish statements of institutional values, yet a gap often persists between those stated values and the regularly observed behaviors. This review examines how that gap relates to culture in higher education institutions and specifically explores how translating values into observable behaviors contributes to organizational culture. This literature review used a structured, criteria-guided approach to source identification, selecting sources against three constructs: 1) institutional adoption of values-based behavioral frameworks, 2) organizational culture in higher-education settings, and 3) the perceptions through which organizational members perceive culture. The resulting corpus of 40 sources spans organizational culture scholarship, virtue …

Habitar Lo Vivo, Sara Sánchez-Herrera Cubero

Grado en Diseño de Interiores

The project proposes a Centre for Research into Cognitive Development based on the principles of biophilia, understood as the natural connection between humans and nature. Based on an analysis of the existing building, a rational, modular steel structural system has been developed which contrasts with the organic and sensory dimension of the biophilic design, creating a dialogue between the artificial and the natural. The building is completely hollowed out whilst retaining its structure and façade—as the skeleton and skin of the rationalist movement—and this modular steel structure is incorporated; thanks to its own strength, it can easily create spaces. The …

Escenarios Coreográficos, Sara Juárez Díaz

Grado en Diseño de Interiores

Although Espacios Coreográficos is conceived as a contemporary intervention, it establishes a conceptual dialogue with the principles that informed Rafael Bergamín’s original design. Beyond its physical language, the Casa del Marqués de Villora embodies a rationalist approach in which architecture becomes a tool for organising everyday life through clarity, order and carefully articulated relationships between spaces. Spanish Rationalism was not exclusively concerned with constructional efficiency or aesthetic reduction. It also sought to redefine domestic experience by proposing new ways of inhabiting space, where movement, light and functional organisation shaped daily routines. In this sense, architecture operated as an instrument capable …

The Impact Of Executives’ Social Networks And Digital Capabilities On Firm Performance In Dynamic Environments, Lijun Men

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

With the acceleration of digital transformation, improving firm performance in complex and dynamic market environments has become a central challenge for companies. This study examines the effects of executives’ social networks and firms’ digital capabilities on firm performance. Further, it investigates the moderating roles of digital capabilities and environmental dynamism in these relationships. Using panel data for Chinese listed firms from 2005 to 2024, we conduct empirical analyses with fixed-effects models. The results indicate that executives’ political, business, and academic networks all contribute positively to firm performance, underscoring the importance of executives’ social networks in resource acquisition, information flows, and …

A Case Of Median Raphe Cysts In 8-Year-Old Male, Christina Guo, Marshall Hall, Garrett Furth, Henry Lim, Olivia Gruver, Dustin Wilkes, Stephen E. Weis

North Texas GME Research Forum 2026

Background: The median raphe cyst is a rare, benign, congenital condition characterized by small, fluid-filled cysts that develop along the ventral midline of male external genitalia. These cysts are usually asymptomatic during infancy and childhood but tend to grow in size as the patient grows. These can become cosmetically concerning or symptomatic due to swelling, irritation, and discomfort. They may also present social and psychological stress to patients and families. We present a case of median raphe cysts in an 8-year-old male.

Case Presentation: An 8-year-old male without a prior medical history who presented to dermatology for penile lesions. He …

The Effects Of Attending Prediabetes Prevention Workshops On Improving Students' Awareness, Knowledge, And Interest, Madelene Hamann

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

Objective:This DNP project evaluated the effectiveness of a five-week educational intervention on adolescents’ knowledge of prediabetes, awareness, and intentions to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors. Method and Intervention:Youth aged 13 to 18 years participated in five 40-minute school-based workshops. Outcomes were measured using the Adolescent Diabetes Awareness Test (ADAT), Health Belief Model (HBM), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workshop evaluation. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine clinical relevance. Results:The intervention had a large, clinically relevant effect on prediabetes knowledge and awareness measured by the ADAT (Hedges’ g = 1.10) …

Empowering Dietary Change: A Culturally Competent Nutrition Intervention For Hispanic Patients At The Agape Clinic, Ariana N. Smith

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanic adults and may be more difficult to manage among uninsured and underserved populations experiencing barriers to healthcare, nutrition education, and culturally appropriate resources. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate a brief, culturally tailored nutrition education intervention for Hispanic adults with elevated A1C receiving care at The Agape Clinic in Dallas, Texas. A quantitative, quasi-experimental, within-subject design was used. The intervention provided bilingual, low-literacy education focused on A1C, portion control, added sugars, and culturally familiar foods. Thirty-eight participants enrolled in the project, and 11 …

Utilizing Youth Mental Health First Aid: A Community-Based Prevention Strategy To Increase Teh Confidence Levels Of Seventh-Day Adventist Adults In Assisting Youth With Mental Health Distress, Sarah Hillebert

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

Objective: Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an initiative from the National Council for Mental Wellness that trains adults in identifying and responding to adolescents exhibiting mental health distress. This DNP project evaluated the effectiveness of YMHFA in increasing the mental health literacy and confidence scores of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) adults. Method: quality improvement, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used. Participants were SDA adults aged 22 to 74 who work with youth in school, church, or camp settings (n=19; Mean age = 48.5 years, SD = 10.5). The quantitative MHFA 2.1 measured mental health literacy and confidence to intervene, …

Implementing A Mental Health Workshop To Mitigate Burnout And Improve Job Satisfaction Among Psychiatric Technicians: A Mixed-Methods Case Study, John P. Smith

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

Burnout among psychiatric technicians contributes to emotional exhaustion, decreased job satisfaction, workforce instability, and reduced quality of patient care. Despite increasing recognition of healthcare worker well-being as a priority, limited evidence exists regarding interventions specifically designed for psychiatric technicians. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to implement and evaluate a structured mental health workshop designed to reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction among psychiatric technicians employed in inpatient, outpatient, and group home mental health settings. A mixed-methods case study utilizing a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was conducted with a convenience sample of 41 participants. Quantitative data …

The Impact Of A Social Wellness Intervention On The Perception Of Social Support Among Working Adults, Jannysse Gray

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

Objective: Social isolation and loneliness have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. For working adults, these experiences may impact work attendance, performance, satisfaction, and retention, leading to burnout, fatigue, grief, and disengagement. Barriers to developing and nurturing healthy relationships, such as competing work and family responsibilities, or a lack of resources or energy, can contribute to this problem; therefore, this group was chosen for the intervention. This project aimed to raise awareness of the importance of social connections and to analyze whether an online educational intervention was associated with improved perceptions of social support among working adults. Methods: …

Junior Public Health Service Officer Mentor Program: Developing New Leaders In The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps For Workforce Retention, Felecia Annetta Bailey

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Junior Public Health Service Officer Mentor Program: Developing New Leaders in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps for Workforce Retention

Mentorship is a critical tool for preparing junior personnel for senior roles, professional development and retention within organizations; however, formal mentorship is often lacking or insufficiently tailored to the needs of diverse workforces, particularly in organizations comprising uniformed service members and civilian employees. This project was designed to provide targeted mentorship for Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps junior officers and to modify an existing mentoring program that primarily served civilian personnel.

The project aimed to modify the …

Addressing Social Determinants Of Health To Reduce Missed Appointments In Primary Care Setting., Omolara Goyea

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Background: Missed appointments impose a significant financial burden on the U.S. healthcaresystem, costing over $150 billion annually, with individual physicians losing an average of $200 per unused time slot (Gier, 2017). Unmet Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), such as transportation barriers, negatively impact primary care services and contribute to missed appointments (Brown et al., 2020; Fiori et al). The missed appointment rate in the United States ranges from 12% to 50% of scheduled appointments (Boone et al., 2023). Objective: This quality improvement project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a telehealth protocol specifically tailored for patients who identified transportation as …

The Effect Of Verbal De-Escalation Simulation Training Using Artificial Intelligence On Nurse Leader’S Self-Efficacy, Mary Vitullo

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Per year, rates of verbal workplace violence (V-WPV) are estimated to occur in 38.8 per 100 nurses, which is decreasing leader retention (NIOSH, 2020, Chang, Hsu, & Ouyang, 2022). Increasing the confidence of nurses in handling V-WPV through simulated training programs increases their intent to stay (Ming et al., 2019).

A two-pronged training program allowed nurse leaders to learn de-escalation techniques and then apply that knowledge in a life-like simulated environment. The education included a pre-work module on V-WPV de-escalation and a simulated scenario using an artificial intelligence conversational agent.

The aims of the project were: to develop a model, …

Brilliance In The Margins: An Exploration Of The Lived Experience Of Black Women Faculty In Stem, Mykella C. Mitchell

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

This qualitative research study explores the lives of Black women STEM faculty at Ivy and Ivy+ institutions. The existing literature reveals a distinct gap in research as it pertains to this demographic, due to the limited number of Black women who hold faculty positions and the limited research that centers their voices. This study intentionally centered the voices of Black women scholars using portraiture, which helped to avoid the creation of deficit‑based stories. Furthermore, this research was guided by the conceptual frameworks of whiteness as smartness and meritocracy. Portraits were created from the lives of six tenured and tenure‑track Black …

Examining The Flow State In College Football, Nicholas R. Reynolds Jr., Selen Razon

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

The flow state, first defined by Csikszentmihalyi (1990) as a state of total absorption in an activity characterized by effortless control, heightened focus, and peak functioning, has been well-documented in sport but has received limited attention in the context of college football. This study examined the flow state experiences of varsity football players at West Chester University, including their awareness of the concept, the frequency and subjective nature of their experiences, the strategies they use to reach this state, and their perceptions of its relationship to team success. A researcher-developed survey was administered to team members during the offseason, yielding …

Legislating Equity: A Qualitative Policy Analysis Of Healthcare Access And Health Literacy In Medically Underserved Communities In New Jersey, Korlu Y. Howard

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Access to healthcare has always been a major policy challenge in the United States and contributes to ongoing disparities. Reform efforts have focused on expanding insurance coverage, yet less attention has been focused on whether the healthcare system is navigable. This study examines three New Jersey statutes using Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework and the Health Equity Framework. The purpose of this examination is to better understand how statutory language shapes healthcare access. The findings show that access is primarily structured through coverage requirements, procedural protections, and established legal rights. At the same time, these systems often involve added complexity, requiring …

Arts Enriched Head Start Preschool And School Readiness: Are Benefits Accentuated For Children Facing Greater Economic Hardship?, Isabella Capera

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Children growing up in impoverished and low-income households face opportunity gaps that limit their school readiness (Blair & Raver, 2015). Head Start preschool, which serves families facing economic hardship, has been demonstrated to reduce these gaps and enhance school readiness. Further, multiple studies have suggested that arts enriched Head Start may offer particular benefits (e.g., Brown et al., 2010, 2018; Lobo & Winsler, 2008). Yet research to date is limited and has not examined whether the benefits of arts enriched preschool may be uniquely helpful for children facing the greatest economic risk. The present study examines growth in school readiness …

Looking Beyond Minimalist Pedagogies: Rhetorical Listening As A Framework For Ethical Collaboration And Student Empowerment In The Writing Center, Abby M. Samella

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Since its establishment, the Writing Center has strived to solidify its institutional presence as a space of student-centered pedagogy, minimalist directive approaches, and collaborative learning. However, students frequently perceive Writing Centers as the polar opposite of collaboration, frequently seeking out this support for a transactional, ‘remedial’ fix to their writing product. As Writing Centers grapple with this tension that threatens their process-driven pedagogies, scholars recognize a gap in Literature regarding collaborative approaches that empower the student through the implementation of rhetorical listening. Using the foundational framework of Rhetorical Listening as a strategy to reassert the collaborative identity of the Center …