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December 2025 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

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Book Review: O’Connor, P. (2024) A ‘Proper’ Woman? One Woman’S Story Of Success And Failure In Academia. Oxford, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, New York: Peter Lang., Lisa Moran

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

This short article presents a review of Professor Pat O’Connor’s recent book, A ‘Proper’ Woman? One Woman’s Story of Success and Failure in Academia (Oxford, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, New York: Peter Lang.

Geochemical Characterization For Underground Hydrogen Storage (Uhs) In North Dakota's Red River Formation, Friday Obuzor Ebere

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogen is advancing as a low-carbon energy carrier, necessitating storage to buffer supply-demand variability. Previous Underground Hydrogen Storage studies have not integrated experimental, geochemical, and numerical modeling approaches in a single investigation. This study integrates laboratory mineralogy, geochemical modeling and compositional simulation to assess underground hydrogen storage feasibility in North Dakota. Two settings were evaluated: depleted Red River carbonate reservoirs and an Inyan Kara sandstone aquifer. Thirty-seven core plugs underwent X-ray Diffraction/X-ray Fluorescence/Scanning Electron Microscopy characterization. Batch geochemical models (3,600 days) quantified hydrogen-rock-brine interactions. Field-scale simulations for Red River (~220 °F, ~3,000 psi) applied cyclic injection-withdrawal over 1,827 days (three …

Control Strategy, Multi-Objective Optimization, And Economic Viability For Utility-Scale Wind-Solar-Based Hybrid Power Plant, Shree Om Bade

Theses and Dissertations

Hybrid Power Plants (HPP) that combine wind power plants (WPP), solar power plants (SPP), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) have recently emerged to provide dispatchable renewable electricity, improve the stability of the power grid, maximize use of infrastructure assets, and minimize carbon releases. Nevertheless, regardless of their technical potential, the large-scale application of HPP still encounters many barriers, such as operational complexity, inadequate sizing, and financial viability. To mitigate these issues, this study incorporates three research questions. First, this study introduces a four-layer hierarchical control architecture for coordinating WPP, SPP, and BESS to ensure dispatchable power. Second, a multi-objective …

Caring For Caregivers: Fostering Empathetic Educational Practices Among Undergraduate Nursing Faculty, Karlee Hedrick

DNP Projects

BACKGROUND: Trauma is highly prevalent among nursing students, and unrecognized responses to that trauma can negatively impact learning, psychological safety, and academic performance (Doughty, 2020). Although trauma-informed care (TIC) principles are described in clinical settings, its use in undergraduate nursing programs remains limited. Faculty often lack formal TIC training, reducing their ability to support students with lived traumatic experiences. TIC education can improve awareness, responsiveness, and educator confidence (Bosse et al., 2021; Doughty, 2020; MacLochlainn et al., 2022). This project aimed to improve faculty knowledge and explore attitudinal shifts following a structured TIC educational intervention.

METHODS: Two Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles …

The Role Of Sex And Genetic Background In Early Life Stress Effects On Locus Coeruleus Physiology And Related Cognitive And Affective Behaviors, Savannah Grace Brannan

Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with many neurodevelopmental and affective disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with more exposures increasing negative risks. Sex and genetic background are biological variables involved in adverse psychiatric outcomes due to ACE exposure(s). Few preclinical studies have properly powered each sex to determine the interaction between sex and genetics on stress-impacting behavior, especially in early life. Females generally have an increased prevalence of stress-related psychopathologies beginning after adolescence, indicative of the adolescent time period as a female-specific sensitive period. To understand the underlying neuronal components responsible for …

Media Bias Explained: Its Impact On Political Opinions, Janae Joachim

Senior Honors Theses

Even though the media does not maliciously warp public opinion, it can distort the public understanding of reality. Journalists desire to educate the people but are powerless against their own bias. Complicating matters is that they recklessly seek to increase engagement, exacerbating political polarization and a negative view of government. Factual reporting is more important with the rise of social media as a news source because Gen-Z’s political opinions are informed by social applications. While media bias existed before social media, it now remains mostly unchecked. Political reporters must be cognizant of the impact they have on voters and subsequently …

Comparative Study Of Worship Practices In Alexandrian And Syriac Traditions, Chinsangmuan Guite

Senior Honors Theses

This study examines the comparative development of worship practices in the Alexandrian and Syriac Christian traditions during the period of the early church. It focuses on how each community integrated their own respective cultural elements while preserving a strong theological foundation, without compromising on the teachings of Christ. Drawing on liturgical texts, hymnography, theological writings, and historical analyses, the study explores the ways in which Alexandrian worship reflected Egyptian and Hellenistic linguistic, musical, and ritual traditions, while Syriac worship was shaped by Semitic poetic forms, Aramaic language, and regional symbolism. Despite these cultural differences, both traditions remained united in their …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And Benevolent Childhood Experiences (Bces) On The Physical And Mental Health Of African American Veterans, Lenorris Edward Hughes

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) on the physical and mental health of African American veterans. Although a large body of research has documented the long-term health consequences of early adversity, there remains limited empirical work focusing specifically on African American veterans and the potentially protective role of BCEs. This study addresses that gap by investigating whether ACEs and BCEs are predictive of physical health conditions, behavioral health patterns, and mental health outcomes in this population.The research utilized data from the 2021–2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), focusing on a …

Seasonal Performance Of Mrms Qpe In Urban Hydrologic Modeling Using Epa-Swmm, Randall Kirk Bagwell

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate rainfall estimation is essential for effective hydrologic modeling, particularly in urban environments where infrastructure must withstand extreme precipitation. This study evaluates the EPA Storm Water Management Model (EPA-SWMM) using MRMS RadarOnly Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) 1-hour Accumulation as the primary rainfall input for a watershed in Little Rock, Arkansas. The region was selected due to its urban character and the limited availability of radar-based hydrologic studies in Arkansas. 21 storms were analyzed from 2022-2025: 10 in Winter, 7 in Spring, and 4 in Summer. Storms were selected due to their effect on flow. The model was calibrated using February …

The Role Of C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 5 (Cxcr5) On Sex-Dependent Neurobehavioral Changes In The Sub Clinically Sensitized Individuals With Repeated Allergen Exposure, Dilini Vimarshani Ekanayake Ekanayake Mudiyanselage

Theses and Dissertations

Food allergen consumption has been suspected to influence mood and behavior in individuals who are sensitized but tolerant to the food. Using a mouse model of subclinical cow’s milk allergy (CMA), we previously showed that C57BL/6J mice sensitized to β-lactoglobulin (BLG, Bos d 5) exhibited elevated BLG-specific IgE levels even without observable allergic reactions, suggest developing immune responses towards the allergen. We also observed elevated cytokine and chemokine levels, astrogliosis and cortical demyelination along with behavioral changes such as anxiety-like and depression-like behavior after consuming a whey-containing diet for two weeks. Furthermore, we demonstrated the possible immune cell infiltration and …

Integrating Cognitive And Visual Scanning Strategies In Flight Instruction: Effects On Student Pilots’ Learning During Approach And Landing, Hyungwoo Jo

Theses and Dissertations

This interdisciplinary study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to advance innovation in aviation education by incorporating eye tracking technology with enhanced performance traceability through visual modeling and comparative feedback. Specifically, the study investigated student pilots’ scanning behavior, cognitive strategies, and proficiency development on a normal approach and landing task by modeling flight instructors’ cognitive behavior. The first research phase revealed statistically significant differences in scanning ratios between 10 flight instructors and 10 student pilots along with substantial performance variation. The result showed that student pilots exhibited excessive outside fixation, often failing to monitor or respond to energy management in …

Thermodynamic Evaluation Of The Thermal Methane Pyrolysis Process, Chinaecherem S. Okwuonu

Theses and Dissertations

Natural gas flaring is a persistent challenge which undermines global sustainability and decarbonization efforts as it leads to the waste of valuable energy resources alongside the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the environment. Even when natural gas is utilized through commonly adopted pathways, significant emission of carbon dioxide tends to be realized. Methane pyrolysis offers a promising route in which methane can be decomposed into solid carbon and hydrogen gas with no direct CO2 emissions. However, despite extensive studies of the methane pyrolysis process, a fundamental thermodynamic rationale of the process behavior remains insufficiently explored. This study 1) develops …

Microbial Communities And Host Plants Of Megachilidae In The Greater Grand Forks Area (Ggfa), Sara Margit Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Although Megachilidae are important pollinators in the United States, there is still much to learn about the health and functionality of these bees. Megachilids are threatened by competition from non-native pollinators and other environmental factors. The species distribution and composition of the gut microbiome in megachilid bees are not well known for the Greater Grand Forks Area (GGFA). My research seeks to answer the questions: what megachilid species are in the GGFA, where are they, and what symbionts are in their gut microbiomes? I collected and identified solitary bee specimens from North Dakota and Minnesota, dissected their gut contents, and …

Supporting Career Navigation With An Online Occupational Information-Sharing Platform, Jay W. Rojewski, Janette R. Hill, Eunice Kim, Sejung Kwon, Linda Mccauley, Ikseon Choi

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Rapid changes to the nature of work and the workplace have shifted responsibility for career success from organizations to individual workers. Successful navigation of one’s career requires a proactive perspective where individuals anticipate training needs and make decisions for achieving both short- and long-term career goals. Relevant and accurate occupational information is an essential component of career success; yet few sources of reliable and targeted information exist for adult workers. This article provides a conceptual overview of an online system (eMPACT) that provides personalized occupational information for selected health care professionals. The contributions and benefits of key stakeholders—employees, trainers, employers—in …

Employers’ Perceptions Of Workplace Readiness Skills, Tabitha S. Young, Natalie K. Ferand

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Employability skills are continually changing, and the workforce provides the transparency needed for the success of business employment. Workplace readiness skills and human capital theory form the backbone for organizational success and sustainability. This study examined employers’ perceptions of workplace readiness skills at the expected proficiency level of an entry-level employee, the average level of skill for an entry-level employee, and the level of importance of the skill to their industry. The Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills have impacted employers and prepared students for the workplace. The results indicated that the workplace readiness skills mentioned in the literature align with the …

Reported Value Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices Of Virginia Agricultural Education Teachers, Natalie K. Ferand, Kendrick Spencer, Bradley Bowen

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

To address the increasing diversity in schools and the monolithic culture of teachers, researchers have called for pedagogies that reflect the diverse and pluralistic identities of students. While core academic areas have long adopted culturally relevant pedagogy, school-based agricultural education (SBAE) has lagged behind. This study aimed to determine the views of agricultural education teachers in Virginia on culturally responsive pedagogy dispositions and identify areas of professional development need. Teachers valued the differences among students and the communities in which their schools are located. However, results revealed a need for professional development in using the local community as a resource …

Exploring Human Centered Design Thinking To Develop Career And Technical Education (Cte) Programs For Incarcerated Individuals: Development And Pilot Of A Faculty Survey Instrument At A Utah Technical College, Taija Jackson, Michael Pate

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) institutions are confronted with growing demands to improve efficiency while boosting student outcomes and achieving performance metrics for funding. As enrollment competition grows and funding sources change, technical colleges are looking to develop new programs and identify untapped student populations such as incarcerated individuals. Instructors of postsecondary CTE technical programs often bring industry experience but typically lack formal teaching training unlike their secondary CTE instructors which may create variable teaching success and impacts both teacher confidence and student achievement, especially for at-risk populations such as incarcerated individuals. This research explores faculty perspectives on human-centered …

Online Experiential Learning In Career And Technical Education, Matthew Bornak

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This scoping review investigates the integration of OEL into Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, articles were identified through ERIC and Google Scholar and managed in Zotero. MAXQDA was used for coding, revealing thematic clusters related to modalities (synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid), technologies (LMS, AR/VR, simulation tools), and learner characteristics (nontraditional students, CTE-specific learning styles). The review highlights the conceptual anchors of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, Carver et al.’s Experiential E-Learning Model, and Baasanjav’s online experiential design. Findings reveal that while OEL in CTE remains underexplored, it offers potential to increase accessibility, inclusivity, …

An Investigation Of The Characteristics And Uses Of School Farms In California Ffa’S Superior Region, Emily R. Fuller, Jessica M. Toombs

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This study investigates the characteristics and uses of school farms within Northern California, focusing on their role in school-based agricultural education (SBAE). The research aims to determine the structural and operational attributes of these facilities and to identify their primary uses as experiential learning tools. Utilizing a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 74 agricultural educators. Findings reveal that school farms, averaging 21.27 acres, are predominantly managed by agriculture teachers and are primarily used for housing market animals, supporting Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. The study highlights the need for diversified school farm facilities to enhance experiential learning across …

Structural Challenges In Tvet-Industry Collaboration: A Social Justice Lens, Nthako M. Dorothy, Shuti Steph Khumalo

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is critical and indispensable in ensuring that the socio-economic inequalities and challenges facing not only South Africa, but also Africa, are reduced. This can be achieved by providing access to skills development, particularly for previously and historically marginalized sections of society, such as the youth. The main aim of this examination was to explore TVET collaboration with industry in promoting social justice. Social justice is deployed as a theoretical lens since social justice and education are characterized by a symbiotic relationship. In its investigation, we employed the qualitative case study approach, which involved …

Implementing A Nurse Navigator Role In An Outpatient Procedural Setting To Improve Patient Satisfaction Scores: A Quality Improvement Project, Lashanti King

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Much focus has been placed on patient experience since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010 due to its regulatory, financial, and business growth implications. Patient satisfaction is crucial to maintaining and growing a customer base and fulfilling the target growth established in institutional strategic plans. This project aimed to determine whether implementing a nurse navigator role to perform rounds in the preoperative and waiting areas for two months would increase patient-reported satisfaction scores regarding being informed about delays and the likelihood of recommending the facility. Due to its subjective nature, it is challenging to consistently maintain …

Best Practices For Local Law Enforcement In Counterterrorism: Enhancing Interagency Communication & Developing Modern Information Sharing Systems, Michael G. Fitterman

Master's Theses

Local law enforcement agencies play a critical and increasingly central role in the United States’ domestic counterterrorism architecture. While federal agencies possess sophisticated intelligence capabilities, local officers are often the first to encounter early indicators of radicalization, pre-operational planning, and suspicious behavior. Despite this frontline role, communication between local, state, and federal agencies remains fragmented, inconsistent, and sometimes informal. These gaps weaken national situational awareness and limit the ability of agencies to identify emerging threats.

This thesis examines the structural, technological and cultural challenges hat impede effective information sharing among law enforcement agencies. It outlines best practices that local departments …

Evaluating Watershed Characteristics And Land Use Patterns To Optimize Bioswale Performance In New Haven, Connecticut, Shruthika Deva

Master's Theses

Bioswales are a major component of New Haven’s green infrastructure network, designed to intercept roadway runoff and promote infiltration. Their hydrologic performance, however, varies widely due to differences in watershed loading, surrounding land use, vegetation condition, and sediment accumulation at inlets. Understanding these sources of variability is essential for improving maintenance strategies and guiding future bioswale placement. This study evaluates the hydrologic behavior of 281 roadside bioswales using field-measured infiltration rates, GIS-based watershed delineation, parcel-level land-use classification, vegetation assessments, and inlet-outlet comparisons. Contributing drainage areas were delineated from a 2-ft LiDAR derived Digital Elevation Model, land-use context was assigned using …

A Decade Of Knowledge Without Borders: Open Access And Global Reach Of School Social Work Research, Leticia Villarreal Sosa

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Journal for School Social Work (IJSSW), this article provides a reflection on a decade the last decade of breaking barriers and building bridges across practitioners, researchers, communities, and continents and looks forward to our responsibility for the future. This article discusses the benefits and challenges related to Open Access publishing, and addresses how Open Access is a public good—ensuring that practitioners, researchers, students, and policymakers can engage the best evidence regardless of geography, resources, or institutional affiliation. The impact of IJSSW is reviewed, including a summary of accomplishments, most downloaded …

Exploring The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction And Servant Leadership In Community Corrections: A Probation Officer’S Perspective, Shamira B. Gambrell

Education Doctoral

Probation officers work in demanding environments marked by high caseloads, role conflict, and organizational pressures that can negatively affect job satisfaction and workforce stability. Leadership practices at the frontline supervisory level play a critical role in shaping these experiences, yet limited empirical research has examined servant leadership within community corrections. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between probation officers’ perceptions of servant leadership demonstrated by their direct supervisors and their level of job satisfaction.

Data were collected from probation officers affiliated with departments connected to the American Probation and Parole Association using an anonymous …

An Exploration Of The Implementation Of Social-Emotional Lessons In The Secondary Music Ensemble Classroom, Neva Rowland

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) impacts student relationships with themselves, others, and the world around them. The researcher sought to determine the presence, level of awareness, and implementation of social and emotional lessons within the context of music education in 3A or smaller high school bands in Kansas.

An electronic survey questionnaire was emailed in October 2025 to 208 music educators, inviting them to participate. The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) provided the list of band directors at a 3A or smaller high schools. Thirteen participants responded in detail about their observations and opinions regarding SEL in their band ensemble …

Extraction Of Cellulose From Paper Towels For Sustainable Bio-Based Polyurethane Adhesives, Yashkumar J. Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The increasing consumption of paper towels generates significant waste, necessitating sustainable recycling solutions. This study investigates the extraction of cellulose from waste paper towels and its application in bio-based polyurethane (PU) adhesives. The extraction process includes alkali treatment, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis to obtain recycled cellulose (rCL). The extracted cellulose is then used in PU synthesis alongside castor oil polyol (COP) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), with performance compared to industrial cellulose-based PU. The obtained rCL and synthesized PU adhesives have been characterized with FT-IR spectra for structural confirmation. In addition, the synthesized PU adhesives demonstrated improved mechanical and thermal …

Reflection On Experiences With Primary Care Providers To Improve Patient-Centered Care, Deanna Jan Emory, Thomas Kippenbrock

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality emphasized the assessment of the patients’ experiences along with other factors such as effectiveness and safety of care when demonstrating health care quality. To accurately gauge the patient’s experience, health care institutions must ask patients whether events in a healthcare setting occurred and how frequently they are with providers and the credentials of those providers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate Medicaid recipients’ experiences with their respective primary care providers using responses from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) database.

Methods: The study was …

Parents’ Awareness Of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Qualitative Study Utilizing The Health Belief Model, Aaron Lapuz Alejandro, Mieghan Bruce, Cheryl Leo

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Objective: This study aimed to determine local factors that promote or prevent parents’ responsible use of antibiotics for their children in Perth, Western Australia.

Methods: The Health Belief Model was used to guide this study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, with 26 participants. Participants were recruited purposively through a parent group organisation. The Framework Method was utilised to analyse the data.

Results: Participants agreed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health problem. However, participants admitted that they lacked awareness of AMR, inhibiting their ability to assess the risks of developing AMR infections among their children. …