Digital Commons Network^™

Preserving What Matters: A Multimodal Approach To Maintaining Fat-Free Mass During Anti-Obesity Medication Based Weight Loss, Sarah Gore

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Weight loss is often associated with reductions in fat-free mass (FFM), which can negatively impact metabolic rate, thermoregulation, bone density, functional capacity, and overall quality of life (Roth et al., 2022; Sedlmeier et al., 2021). This Evidence-Based Practice project aimed to reduce FFM loss in adults prescribed anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for weight management through a targeted, multimodal intervention. Twenty-two patients beginning AOM treatment at a family practice in northwest Indiana were invited to participate, with 19 consenting to enroll. Each participant received personalized guidance, including tailored calorie and protein intake goals to support a hypocaloric, high-protein diet, alongside evidence-based aerobic …

Leading Factors Positively Impacting Teacher Job Satisfaction, Abby M. Smith Ms.

Graduate Teacher Education

Abstract

This paper examined the issue of declining teacher job satisfaction and its role in the growing national teacher shortage. The purpose was to identify the leading factors that positively influenced teacher job satisfaction and to explore how these elements supported retention, enhanced school performance, and improved student learning. This literature review combined 15 peer-reviewed studies from the past 17 years that included diverse international contexts with participants who varied by age, experience, and culture. The sources employed qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and secondary data analyses to study intrinsic and extrinsic motivators on teacher satisfaction, burnout, and attrition. The findings indicated …

The Impact Of Best Practice Classroom Management Strategies On The Academic Achievement And Exclusionary Discipline Of Middle School-Aged Students, Anders B. Lundahl

Graduate Teacher Education

This literature review studied the existing research on effective behavior management strategies and their potential effects on student achievement as well as reducing suspensions and expulsions at the middle school level. Research determining the elements of what was considered “best-practice” classroom management as well as the impact of these strategies on both academic achievement and exclusionary discipline were all considered. The research included school demographics of all types, but more data from urban environments was available. Most of the studies were conducted within the United States, but some international studies were examined as well when relevant. While middle grade students …

Using Generative Ai To Enrich Instructional Videos With Embedded Quizzes, Efren De La Mora Velasco, Shaurya Agarwal

Teaching Online Pedagogical Repository

This entry describes a strategy to enhance student engagement in asynchronous online courses by embedding AI-generated quizzes into instructional videos. Using ChatGPT and video transcripts, the instructor created targeted multiple-choice questions that aligned with key video topics and improved interactivity. Results from the CGN5341 course showed increased video view duration, higher engagement, and positive student feedback on the usefulness of short, segmented videos with embedded quizzes.

Supporting Students And Educators Impacted By Early Trauma In Early Childhood Education, Lauren Rice

Graduate Teacher Education

Research has indicated that early childhood trauma continues to be an increasing concern for educators across the nation. In fact, “early childhood trauma is a mounting public health concern, as approximately twenty-five percent of children in the United States either witness or experience a traumatic event before the age of four years” (Razza, 2019, p. 82). As the number of students impacted by trauma has increased, there was a need for an increase in teacher resources and training to support educators in the classroom (Brunzell et al., 2016).

Supporting Higher Level Mental Skills In Early Childhood Education, Paul J. Johnaon

Graduate Teacher Education

The early childhood years established a critical developmental period during which foundational cognitive, social, and emotional skills were cultivated (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2011). Research highlighted the significant role of experiences during this stage of life in shaping children's readiness for school and long-term academic, social, and emotional outcomes (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2011). Among these foundational skills, executive function (EF) and self-regulation (SR) were recognized as essential for enabling goal-oriented behavior, emotional management, and problem-solving (Morgan et al., 2016). The increasing emphasis on academic rigor in early childhood education led to …

Translanguaging Pedagogy For Multilingual Learners, Natalie C. Van Der Wal

Graduate Teacher Education

With the rich diversity of cultures and languages present in bilingual education, translanguaging is instructional practice that allows for students to leverage their linguistic abilities to enrich their content and language learning. Through qualitative and quantitative research, translanguaging pedagogy is demonstrated as an effective instruction method for MLLs in dual-language bilingual education. Educators better served MLLs by examining language ideologies of bilingualism, establishing a strong foundation for critical consciousness, allowing for multilingual students to use their ‘funds of knowledge’ in their learning, and creating a critical translanguaging space in the classroom learners (Hamman-Ortiz, 2024; Lang & Garcia, 2024; Navarro Martell, …

Impact Of Bilingual Education On Educational Equity Among Diverse Learners, Dalia Serrata

Graduate Teacher Education

What if the key to closing educational equity gaps is embracing, not eliminating, students' linguistic diversity? According to the Minnesota Department of Education (2024), being bilingual significantly impacts one's executive functioning, better problem-solving, increased cultural competency, increased access to employment opportunities, and global exploration. Linguistic diversity in education presents challenges and opportunities in fostering equitable learning environments. This study explores the impact of bilingual education on educational equity among linguistically diverse students, examining academic performance, cognitive development, and long-term educational opportunities. Through a review of existing literature, case studies, and policy analysis, this research assesses the effectiveness of bilingual education …

Clinical Guidelines For The Perioperative Management Of Patients With Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery, Owen Diehl

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular disorder that causes left ventricular (LV) outflow obstruction. The prevalence of AS may increase with the aging population and the widespread availability of diagnostic capabilities like echocardiography. With the increasing patient population diagnosed with AS, the chance of encountering these patients during noncardiac surgery (NCS) increases. Performance of anesthesia is challenging in patients with AS due to the pathophysiological consequences of AS and the hemodynamic changes associated with anesthesia. The patient with AS presenting for NCS is at an increased risk of perioperative major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). This project aimed to determine …

Stories Of The Silenced And Mixed Media In Fiction: Disrupting Tradition For The Enhancement Of Reader Experience, Rylanne Burdette

English Creative Writing Theses

In almost all crimes, there is a victim, a perpetrator, and someone trying to uncover the truth. These tropes are often highlighted in fiction – told in thrillers, mysteries, or true-crime books that include intense themes, suspenseful moments, and plot twists. Stories of the Silenced is a collection of short stories told from the perspective of three characters in an exploration of cycles of violence and silence. Each character – a detective, victim, and serial killer – responds to and engages with the world differently, and their individual lives are shared. Each story emphasizes the idea of mixed media to …

Strategies For Multilingual Student Success In The Classroom, Irene Hvidhyld

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper analyzed current research on the effective instructional strategies used for multilingual learners to be successful in the mainstream classroom. Each year in the United States, there is a growing number of multilingual students in the mainstream classroom (Cunningham & Crawford, 2016). Students whom with the lack of knowledge of impactful strategies are not reaching their full potential and can be looked at as students with greater needs, such as a learning disability (Naiditch, 2021). This paper explored the inherent need for educators to be provided with the appropriate tools and knowledge to make education more accessible for multilingual …

Impact Of Implementing An Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Protocol In The Primary Care Setting, Teri A. Koch

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women globally. Current screening methods by clinicians include cytology sampling, high-risk human papillomavirus sampling, or co-testing with both methods. These tests may detect cell changes before they become cancerous, yet the uptake of these methods has decreased in recent years (Aginga, 2022; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2023; Popalis et al., 2022; Sung et al., 2021). The primary purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if the implementation of an updated cervical screening protocol improved the linkage of abnormal results to appropriate clinical follow-up …

Effectively Preparing Preservice Mainstream Teachers For Teaching Multilingual Learners, Gail R. Olson

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper investigated research-based curricular components for increasing the preparedness of preservice mainstream teachers (PSMTs) to teach multilingual learners (MLs). An increase in MLs in classrooms across the United States and changes in models for delivering English language development services have resulted in the growing need for general education teachers to be proficient in meeting the unique language needs of MLs while also delivering content-area instruction. PSMTs have been historically unprepared to adequately teach MLs within general education or content-area classes (Christison, 2023; Deng & Hayden, 2021; Lavery et al., 2019; Mahalingappa et al., 2018; Prasad & Heidt, 2023). To …

Disciplinary Literacy In Preschool Classrooms, Mckenna Beam

Graduate Teacher Education

The research questioned the potential impact disciplinary literacy may have on academic growth in early childhood classrooms and considered how preschool teachers can implement developmentally appropriate practices focusing on disciplinary literacy to support academic readiness skills. Schools emphasize a need for early intervention in the math and literacy domains to combat the academic achievement gap, but Chapin (2006) recognized a need for early intervention in the science and social studies domains as well. With this knowledge in mind, specific developmentally appropriate methods for integrating science, social studies, music, and art instruction in preschool classrooms were highlighted. Systemic methods of implementing …

The Role Of Parental Involvement In Student Academic Achievement In Lutheran Schools, Andrew Strickland

Graduate Teacher Education

Parental involvement in academic achievement and faith formation are often studied, yet they are still necessary topics to understand the methods and means to involve parents. Shifts in social dynamics have led to a decline in parental involvement in schools, including declines in involvement in Lutheran schools. This research focused on examining the impact of parent involvement on academic achievement and explored the connection between parent involvement and faith formation in Lutheran schools. Parents' and educators' perceptions of involvement formed the first aspect of the review. Studies on school and parental perceptions examined differing views in preschool and adolescence. Research …

Lindenwood University Spring Fashion Show And Market (May 3, 2025), Lindenwood University

Fashion Show Event Programs & Related Items

Program for the Lindenwood University Spring Fashion Show and Market (May 3, 2025).

Validating A Reading Comprehension Assessment For College Students: Preliminary Findings, Sarah E. Carlson, Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Terrill Taylor, Heather Ness-Maddox, Amanda Dahl, Mark L. Davison, Ben Seipel

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to validate a novel reading comprehension assessment for college students named MOCCA-College. A random sample of college students (N = 63, average age of 22.5) were recruited from various education programs (e.g., first-year courses, TRIO, SONA) and completed MOCCA-College Online and were later recruited to complete face-to-face think-aloud and recall tasks, as well as standardized assessments such as the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT) and the Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE-2). Based on the think-aloud findings, correct answers on MOCCA-College were associated with meaningful connections to background knowledge. Incorrect answers were associated with …

Assessing Implications Through General Strain Theory: Comparative Analysis Of Crime Rates In Flint And Pontiac Michigan, Jennifer Harrison

Honors Projects

Flint, Michigan suffered a city water change from the Great Lake’s Lake Huron water pipeline to an old system using the Flint River as the main source of water (Reuben, et al., 2022). The change took place in an effort to make budget cuts (Denchak, 2024). The switch occurred before checking the safety of the pipes, which were severely corroded (Reuben, et al., 2022). Lead poisoning and Legionnaires disease spread through the Flint community and the water was visibly not safe for use (Reuben, et al., 2022). The people of Flint experienced stress that they could not control. They feared …

Composition Honors Recital And Lecture, Hannah Simmers

Honors Projects

This project demonstrates compositional techniques and development. It provides a view on the writing process of musical compositions and an analysis on the different components of the pieces. The project included public speaking, where I spoke about each piece and different aspects of the pieces to listen for. A large portion of my role before the recital consisted of organizing musicians, creating a program, and writing my essay.

Shepherds Of Loss: Religion And Grief In The Shenandoah Valley, Ewan Benjamin

Honors Projects

This study explores the relationship between faith leaders and religious communities with the human experience of grief, death, and loss. Inspired by the researcher's own experience, this paper argues that the United States has a generally uncomfortable relationship with death and hypothesizes that religious traditions can serve to assist with grief in a positive way. After interviewing six religious leaders in the Shenandoah Valley, two themes arose: the mystery of death and the concept of "making space" for the grieving, dying, and dead. In the paper's conclusion, the faith leaders make known their own concerns with death in the United …

Revolutions In July: A Decade Of Unrest 1958-1968, Eric Wilbur

Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap: A Structured Curriculum For Occupational Therapy Students On Level Ii Fieldwork In Acute Care, Caroline Cameron, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Students achieve entry-level competence through didactic education and fieldwork (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education [ACOTE], 2023). However, transitioning from student to practitioner can be challenging (Mason et al., 2020). Research has identified challenging areas globally across fieldwork settings environment (Knecht-Sabres et al., 2013; Mason et al., 2020) and specifically in the acute care. These challenges indicate a compelling need to cultivate lacking skills and close the gap between students' didactic curriculum and clinical placement in acute care, where supervisors have the highest expectations for students (Kemp & Crabtree, 2018).

Objectives: This project aimed to develop an educational program …

Doctor Of Medicine Commencement: May 3, 2025, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Doctor of Medicine Commencement program from May 3, 2025.

Empowering Occupational Therapists: Integrating 3d Printing Into Rehabilitation For Spinal Cord Injury Patients, Juliana Sullivan, Ms, Otr/L, Cbis

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) encounter significant challenges in performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Adaptive equipment (AE) is widely recognized as essential for enhancing ADL participation, which in turn improves quality of life, autonomy, and long-term functional outcomes (Sturm et al., 2021). However, access to AE is hindered by barriers such as lack of personalization, lesion level, financial limitations, and limited rehabilitation access (Hertig-Godeschalk et al., 2017). 3D printing to create custom AE can increase patient satisfaction, adherence, and participation (Schwartz et al., 2019). Occupational therapists (OTs) working in inpatient rehabilitation focus on maximizing patient independence before …

To Trade Or Not To Trade, Joseph Mizrahi

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review (CICLR) Blog

A free trade policy is one in which there is minimal or no government influence on the import and export of goods and services. Free trade agreements are deals entered into between multiple nations to reduce impediments and barriers on imports and exports between them. Under these agreements commerce in goods and services can occur with reduced or no tariffs, quotas, or other inhibitions. The concept of free trade which these agreements is the opposite of trade protectionism, under which countries work to protect their interests with tariffs.

This post was originally published on the Cardozo International & Comparative Law …

Ceasefires, Proportionality, And International Law Of Armed Conflicts: The Legal Implications Of Israel’S Ground Invasion After Signing A Ceasefire With Palestine, Emma Lee

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review (CICLR) Blog

Israel signed a ceasefire with Palestine on January 17, 2025, after 15 months of war following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. During the initial attack, Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and seized 251 Israeli hostages. A key part of the ceasefire involved the return of these hostages.

This post was originally published on the Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review on May 03, 2025. The original post can be accessed via the Archived Link button above.

The Future Of International Ecosystem-Based Conservation, Gwyneth Zinan Chen

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review (CICLR) Blog

One does not have to search on the internet to conclude that our home, Earth, had greatly changed since its birth approximately 4.6 billion years ago. Perhaps, what is the most obvious is how our Earth went from being blue, green, and brown landscapes to a world of concrete jungles. Inevitably, there will be biodiversity and habitat loss. Biodiversity loss, as defined by United Nations office for Disaster Risk Reduction “refers to the reduction of any aspect of biological diversity (i.e.., diversity at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels) in a particular area through death (including extinction), destruction or manual …

Public And Private Police And Their Impact On Crime: Evidence From American Universities, Cruz K. Marquis

Honors Capstones

This study quantitatively assesses the effect of fully deputized private police (FDPP) on nine measures of crime on 770 American university campuses over thirteen years. Building on the analysis of FDPP found in Stringham (2015), this study offers a public choice analysis of the incentives resulting from private ownership, positing that officers serving in such systems face systemically different incentives than their public counterparts, leading to a more vigilant and consumer-focused security posture. This increases the likelihood that criminals will be apprehended, which thereby reduces the expected utility of criminality, leading to fewer such instances. By building a unique dataset …

Integrating Background Music Into Instructional Videos To Support Learner Engagement And Motivation, Efren De La Mora Velasco

Teaching Online Pedagogical Repository

This strategy explores how integrating background music (BM) into instructional videos enhances learner engagement and motivation by aligning musical elements with multimedia learning principles. The implementation involved designing seven videos with expert narration, purposeful music composition, and sound effects to guide attention and support pacing without causing cognitive overload. Results showed increased learner attentiveness and motivation, with positive outcomes across all dimensions of Keller’s ARCS model. Practical recommendations for integrating music into online courses are included.

Jtc 25: Writing Her Own Path, Harrison Holley

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.