Digital Commons Network^™

​​Alumni Voices: Uk Graduates, Global Influence​, Alexander Towne, Sladana Krstic

Higher education research

The Alumni UK network offers a unique opportunity to understand the perceptions, behaviours and influence of international alumni of a UK education. This report interrogates the second round of the British Council’s Alumni Voices longitudinal study data conducted online between November 2024 and January 2025. In total there were 3,094 participants in the survey from 123 countries. 892 of these were the same respondents from Round 1 (this same survey being administered in 2023–2024). This report focuses on two key areas that highlight the benefits of international alumni to the UK: advocacy for the UK and UK education; and alumni …

Ps, David L. Groves

Visions in Leisure and Business

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Tvr-Set: Insights Into Self-Employment From Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Catherine Ipsen, Luke Santore

Employment

This report examines the impact of pilot training on the use of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Self-Employment Toolkit (TVR-SET), developed to support American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) programs. Of the 574 federally recognized Tribes in the U.S., 93 administer AIVRS programs aimed at improving employment outcomes for American Indians with disabilities. Self-employment is a vital pathway in reservation communities, promoting economic independence and cultural preservation. However, AIVRS programs face challenges in staff training and resources. The TVR-SET and its accompanying training address these gaps, enhancing counselors’ capacity to guide consumers in self-employment exploration and business development.

Detection Of Activity Cliffs Produced By Anti-Cancer Drugs And An Algorithm For Reliable Predictions In Affected Areas, Sarah Josephine Aurit

Department of Statistics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

An activity cliff (AC) occurs when drugs close in chemical space produce dissimilar biological results. We focus on developing an inferential procedure to detect the presence of ACs in a chemical landscape. If detected, we provide a distance-based procedure that can be used to identify regions of stability in the chemical landscape of interest and generate prediction with higher precision in those areas of stability. We conceptualize the chemical landscape as a spatial random field and use spatial models for prediction of efficacy for new drugs based on “distance” in chemical space. We argue that an AC manifests itself by …

Educational Attainment Patterns Among Mena Adults: A Comparative Study Of Native- And Foreign-Born Groups In The Us, Michael Okyere

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study examines educational attainment patterns among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) adults in the United States, focusing on how nativity status, residential patterns, and gender shape these outcomes. Drawing on segmented assimilation and spatial assimilation theories, I analyze data from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey using ordered logistic regression models. Results indicate that educational attainment varies by gender, with MENA women consistently achieving higher education levels than men across all nativity groups, though this advantage varies considerably in magnitude between native-born and foreign-born subgroups. Residence in ethnic enclaves demonstrates a strong negative association with educational attainment among foreign-born …

Thematic Analyses Of Session Data With Transgender And Gender Diverse Adults Obtained During A Clinical Trial, Brenna Rose Lash

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults in the United States experience high rates of discrimination and marginalization, contributing to adverse mental health outcomes. While clinical guidelines for gender affirming care have been developed, these guidelines often lack empirical grounding or specific, actionable strategies for clinicians. Although theoretical models such as the marginalization stress model and the psychological mediation framework offer useful foundations for case conceptualization, they do not fully capture the lived experiences or the resilience mechanisms of TGD individuals in therapeutic contexts. This project aims to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice through thematic analysis of therapy …

Intergenerational Family Dynamics Among Caregivers And Children’S Social-Emotional Development In China, Weiman Xu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The early years of a child’s life are pivotal for social-emotional development. While extensive research has explored the role of family settings in fostering children's social-emotional development (Bornstein, 2005), the impact of grandparental involvement, particularly the caregiving dynamics between generations, remains less well understood. This study aims to fill this gap by examining two critical aspects of intergenerational dynamics among caregivers (i.e. parent-grandparent coparenting and parent-grandparent relationship quality) and their associations with children’s social-emotional development (i.e. social skills and problem behaviors). Two specific aims were delineated: 1) examine the unique contribution of parent-grandparent coparenting, especially the power and authority domain …

The Tree That Would Not Fall: An Educator’S Autoethnographic Journey Of Healing Through Words, Raeanna Marie Carlson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

To say the world has changed since the 2020 COVID-19 shut down is to minimize the micro and macro social changes that infiltrated the school system. In the wake of it all, we find a landscape marred by a both rising teacher attrition and struggling student motivation. This autoethnographic dissertation explores the deeply personal experience tethered to a deeply problematic system that contributes to not only teacher burnout but what I came to know as teacher demoralization. Personal traumas of teachers profoundly impact their experience in the classroom, and as I examined my own near departure from the classroom, I …

Understanding The Dynamics Of Formal Mentoring In Professional Identity Development Of Early Career Extension Professionals: A Phenomenological Approach, Anuradha Choudhary

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Formal mentoring plays a crucial role in shaping the professional identity of early-career extension professionals; however, limited research has explored how these dynamics affect professional identity development within formal mentorship structures. This study uses a transcendental phenomenological approach to understand how mentees and mentors perceive the impact of formal mentoring on professional identity development within the Nebraska Extension system. Using criteria-based random sampling and snowball sampling, the study engaged 10 mentees and 10 mentors, employing semi-structured interviews, focus groups utilizing ripple effect mapping, and document analysis of mentoring agreements, program guidelines, and mentoring checklists. Following Moustakas' (1994) transcendental phenomenology framework, …

Between Two Worlds: A Case Study Of Third Culture Identity And Reentry For Unl International Students, John S. Tessalee

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and international students share many commonalities, such as their globalized nature, adaptability, and the adoption of cultural components from their host country versus their home country. However, they contain enough differences to be considered separate groups. Traditionally, people need to be immersed in a culture different from their parents’ culture between the ages of 0 and 18 to be considered a TCK, whereas international students are typically between 18 and 24 years old by the time they attend universities overseas. The cultural absorption of TCKs in their formative years is usually greater than that of international …

Volume 11 Issue 11 (Aug 1912)

The Soul Winner

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Descriptive Study Of Urban Professional High School Counselors' Work Culture, Burnout, And Mental Well-Being, Alexandria L. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study examined urban, public U.S. high school counselors’ perceptions of job-related stress, autonomy, and administrative support within urban school environments. Seven current high school counselors working in urban public schools were recruited through convenience sampling in educator forums on Facebook, followed by snowball sampling to expand the participant pool. Counselors participated in semistructured interviews conducted via Zoom or asynchronous online focus groups hosted on Padlet, depending on the participant’s preference. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis process, supported by Dedoose software for coding and data management. The analysis revealed four major themes: …

The Impact Of Gender, Training Year, Medical Specialty And The Covid-19 Pandemic On Resident Wellness, Sara Beachy, Jessica Luzier, Chantel Weisenmuller, Kathleen Bors, Mary Ann Maurer, Amna Anees, Tiffany Lasky, Lisa Calderwood

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Data are limited as to which factors most strongly impact medical trainees' well-being, and few studies have assessed trainee's wellness at multiple time points during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, much research has not taken an intersectional approach to understanding the ways in which different facets of a resident's identity impact their wellness. Thus, more person-centred, probability-driven statistical approaches that can produce distinct heterogenous groups of individuals are warranted to understand the way in which different identities are associated with resident wellness scores.

METHODS: A latent profile analysis was conducted using institutional data from resident surveys administered from 2019 to …

Invisible Algorithms, Visible Outcomes: Roles Of Emotional Labor And Work Gamification In Gigs, Yali Zhang, Liaoliao Li, Xiaoyu Ma, Jun Sun, Yifei Dong, Zhaojun Yang

Information Systems Faculty Publications

As algorithm governance becomes increasingly crucial in gig economy ecosystems, understanding the behavioral impact of algorithmic transparency remains a key research gap. Using the stimulus-organism-response framework and uncertainty management theory, this study examines how platform algorithmic transparency affects gig workers’ in-role and extra-role service behaviors, with emotional labor acting as a mediator and work gamification as a moderator. Analyzing survey data from 325 ride-hailing drivers using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal that greater algorithmic transparency enhances both in-role and extra-role behaviors. Emotional labor mediates this relationship: deep acting strengthens both behaviors, while surface acting primarily …

Studies In Number Theory: Reciprocity Laws And Fundamental Domains, C. Xavier Parent

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis consists of two sections. The first section is an introductory survey of number theory discussing the reciprocity laws with a focus on accessibility. Number Theory has always been a fundamental area of mathematical study, with Gauss calling it “the queen of mathematics”. The reciprocity laws are a classical set of results from number theory which have driven number theory for quite a long time. Unfortunately, these results, while important, have always been very inaccessible to undergraduate students, making it hard to start studying the field. This survey attempts to help bridge that gap, giving a resource for novices …

An Evaluation Of Interactive Computerized Training To Teach Preservice Speech Language Pathologists To Implement Brief Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement Preference Assessments, Mattie L. Mecham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Positive reinforcement is often used when teaching new skills. When working with individuals with developmental disabilities, it can be difficult to determine reinforcing items. Preference assessments can be used to identify items that may function as reinforcers. A multiple stimulus without replacement preference assessment (MSWO) produces a ranking of preferred items and can be conducted quickly. Researchers have utilized interactive computerized training (ICT) to teach behavior analytic skills and procedures. The present investigation aimed to extend previous MSWO training and ICT research by developing and evaluating the effects of an MSWO ICT implemented with speech language pathology graduate students. The …

Effects Of Elevation, Fire Age, Burn Severity, And Pre-Fire Vegetation On Post-Fire Sagebrush Songbird Communities, William D. Harrod

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Sagebrush Biome of western North America has been threatened by a combination of interconnected threats. In the Great and Columbian Basins, a large portion of sagebrush loss has been due to an increase in higher-severity wildfires, caused by invasive annual grasses. As sagebrush declines, numerous wildlife species that rely on the biome have experienced similar trends. Sagebrush-adapted songbirds such as sage thrasher, Brewer's sparrow, and sagebrush sparrow as well as steppe-songbirds, have all experienced population declines. Currently, limited information exists as to how fire severity or recovery affect these songbirds or what resource managers can do to improve their …

Conceptions Of Climate Change Skepticism: A Phenomenographic Investigation On Perspectives From Climate Scientists And Climate Activists, Candace L. Penrod

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study addresses how climate change denial is understood by climate scientists and climate activists. This research also investigates what communication strategies addressing climate change denial are used by climate scientists and climate activists. Phenomenography was selected as a methodology to address the qualitative and quantitative aspects of this inquiry. Pre-recorded data from interviews with six climate scientists and six climate activists living in the Intermountain West were used as the data source. Interview transcripts were read, marked, and coded to identify how climate scientists and climate activists understood climate change denial. Five conceptions of climate change skepticism were identified …

Enabling Sustainability Transitions For Great Salt Lake: Framing Of Public Opinion, Boundary Work, And Policy, Anna Mcentire

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation explores how people think about, talk about, and take action to save Great Salt Lake, which reached historic low levels in 2021. Using surveys, public records, and legislative documents primarily from 2022 to 2024, the research examines public opinions, collaborative efforts, and policy changes related to the lake. The first chapter looks at what people value about the lake and what actions they want to see taken. It finds that people are very concerned and want significant efforts to stop the lake's decline. The second chapter investigates how different groups work together publicly to negotiate new understandings, create …

Linking Variation In Mule Deer Nutritional Condition And Age To Population Performance In A Temperate Environment, Kent R. Hersey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The amount of body fat animals have as they enter and exit winter can have major impacts on how well they survive and reproduce. Mule deer are widely distributed herbivores whose survival and reproduction are strongly tied to weather patterns and the quality of vegetation they consume, which in turn impacts nutritional condition. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the factors (animal specific, climatic, or habitat) influencing mule deer body fat during both summer and winter in Utah and examine how nutritional condition influences survival. We found December body fat was most affected by December lactation …

Evaluating The Effects Of Two Key Temporal Intervals During Pavlovian Training On Conditioned Reinforcement, Gabrielle M. Sutton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Reinforcers are anything that increases or maintains the frequency of a behavior that precedes their occurrence. Reinforcers can be separated into two types, primary and secondary. Primary reinforcers are biologically relevant stimuli like food, water, or drugs that can influence behavior without any prior training. Secondary reinforcers are those that impact behavior through their trained relationship with a primary reinforcer, like money and tokens. For this reason, they are also known as conditioned reinforcers. Conditioned reinforcers are used in therapies and training designed to increase desirable behaviors, but they are also involved in the development and maintenance of maladaptive behaviors …

Framing Conflict: How Social Media Influences Voter Opinions, May Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Social media has changed the way we learn about global events. With just a few clicks, people can see powerful images of war and humanitarian crises from around the world. But how do these images, and the way they are presented, affect how people think about political candidates? This study looks at how different kinds of social media content influence voter opinions. Using a survey experiment designed to mimic real Instagram posts, participants were shown content related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Some posts included only text. Others added data through charts and statistics. A third group saw emotional images of …

Using Disposition-Based Tools To Identify Highly Effective Teachers For School Hiring, Matthew W. Dias

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

A principal can impact student learning by hiring great teachers, but identifying great teachers is difficult. The goal of this study was to determine whether using a survey of teacher dispositions would be a useful tool to find effective teachers, in other words, teachers who help students grow academically at high rates. The study included a survey of teachers and a review of their students' academic performance on a reading assessment to see whether there was a correlation between self-reported surveys and student results.

A Focus On Student Education: Determining Student Attitudes Towards Transparent Autograding And Developing Artificially Intelligent Tools To Help Students Succeed, Andra Rice

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis is composed of two parts both relating to helping students succeed. First, the focus is on determining how we can help students feel more comfortable using an AI tool that can provide them immediate feedback. Second, machine learning algorithms are explored in relation to tracking student tasks to encourage healthy study habits.

The development of effective autograders is key for scaling assessment and feedback. While AI based autograding systems for open-ended response questions have been found to be beneficial for providing immediate feedback, autograders are not always liked, understood, or trusted by students. Our research tested the effect …

Impacts Of 4r Nitrogen Management And Water Optimization On Soil Health, Kamaldeep Kamaldeep

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Farmers in Utah and Idaho are facing growing challenges due to high fertilizer costs, limited irrigation water, and pressure to improve long-term soil health. To better understand current practices and grower attitudes, a survey was conducted in 2020 targeting 5,000 producers of small grains, corn, and potatoes. Although the response rate was low, 146 growers representing over 25,000 hectares of cropland participated. Survey results showed that most growers are open to improving nitrogen and irrigation practices and care about their soil health, even if not all are fully using 4R or precision agriculture methods.

This thesis includes two field studies …

Optimization And Utilization Of Microbial Electrolysis Cells In Waste To Product Applications, Hayden Harrison

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As the world searches for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, turning waste into fuel is an increasingly attractive strategy. This research focuses on microbial electrolysis cells, a new technology that uses bacteria and a small amount of electricity to convert organic waste—like food scraps or wastewater—into useful gases such as hydrogen and methane. These gases can be used as energy sources to reduce dependency on more traditional fuels.

This thesis tackles two key challenges that limit the real-world use of microbial electrolysis systems. First, it introduces a simpler and more effective method to stop hydrogen losses in single-chamber cells. …

A Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention For Emotion Regulationand Aggression In Justice-Involved Adolescents: Preliminary Outcomes From A Non-Randomized Trial In Short-Term Juvenile Detention, Cassidy L. Tennity

Dissertations

Justice-involved youth are at risk for a variety of psychosocial difficulties, including anger, aggression, and emotion regulation challenges. Short-term juvenile detention settings offer a unique opportunity to provide psychological interventions to youth before they are returned to the community or sentenced to long-term placements. However, implementation barriers within these settings often hinder the delivery of evidence-based care. This study developed and tested a brief, two-session anger management intervention for adolescents detained in a short-term juvenile detention center in the Southeastern United States, drawing on evidence-based practices from prior work with justice-involved youth. The present study examined implementation outcomes (i.e., feasibility, …

Enhanced Point Cloud Generation From A Novel 360° Underwater Lidar, Olagoke E. Daramola

Dissertations

This dissertation presents novel algorithms to improve the mapping capabilities of a 360-degree underwater Pulsed Laser Line Scanner LiDAR (PLLS-360°). Due to its 360° field-of-view (FOV), the PLLS-360° is a compact full-waveform omnidirectional imager suitable for seafloor mapping, underwater asset inspection, object detection, ice-sheet mapping, and construction progress monitoring. The proposed methodology includes an improved waveform fitting technique for saturated waveform recovery, detection array response correction, radiometric corrections, and fusion of LiDAR and sonar bathymetric datasets. The first part of this dissertation assesses the LiDAR’s performance and describes how the data for this unique 360° FOV architecture is processed. The …

Supporting Personal, Familial, Academic, And Community Assets In Latino Youth Through Connectedness, Lindley Mcdavid, Heather Vondielingen, Casey D. Mull

ELRC Presentations

During adolescence, many families begin preparing for their child’s transition to adulthood by focusing on their academic success. Families from Latino backgrounds who live in rural counties often lack the resources and have limited access to community supports to help their child successfully navigate this developmental period. Community-based organizations can support Latino families by building their students’ academic skills and awareness in a learning environment designed to foster belongingness at school, at home and in their community. To understand how programs strive to build these assets, eleven program leaders from an academic success program, who were primarily female (n = …

Building Elementary Student Science Skills And Interest: A Reciprocal Engagement Partnership, Lindley Mcdavid, Sandra F. San Miguel

ELRC Presentations

Scholar-practitioner partnerships grounded in community engagement principles focus on mutually beneficial relationships that meet critical community needs while integrating learning, discovery and service. Our research aims to identify how and the degree that a physical activity-based science learning program contributes to students’ science learning and interest while aiming to support the overall wellbeing of a community elementary school that serves families from under resourced (98% free/reduced lunch) and diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (48% non-white). Partner school teachers and staff members were invited to participate in an interview where they answered questions about their perspectives and experiences with the program …