Digital Commons Network^™

Addressing Poor Attendance: A Counseling Group Manual For Upper Elementary Students, Haley Wollschlager

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Children and adolescents chronically absent from school are impacted by a range of individual, community, and economic factors. In addition, children and adolescents dealing with chronic absenteeism are often diagnosed or dealing with a mental health illness such as anxiety or depression. Perhaps, chronic absenteeism is pervasive and the rates of mental health disorders in children and adolescents are concerning. Thus, mental health professionals should understand what the previous and current literature is saying. This literature review examines three evidence-based interventions suggested for schools to improve attendance. The treatment with the most evidence in relation to school counselors working with …

Phenomenological Study Of Disabled Student Experiences Related To Inclusive Learning Environments In Public Higher Education, Kristin Burgess

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Students with disabilities represent the largest and most diverse minority group in higher education, facing numerous barriers to accessing their learning environments. Historically, societal views have marginalized individuals with disabilities, perpetuating exclusion and discrimination. This study explores the experiences of disabled students in higher education, examining various models of disability, including the moral, charity, medical, social, and human rights models. These models influence how students experience their learning environments.

Higher education has traditionally been exclusive, primarily serving privileged groups. However, as societal narratives evolve, disciplines like disability studies have emerged, challenging these dominant narratives. The researcher, a community faculty member …

Analysis Of Self: April Marie Ketelhut, April Ketelhut

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Analysis of Self: April Marie Ketelhut

A Project Presented to

The Graduate Faculty of

Minnesota State University Moorhead

By

April Marie Ketelhut

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Degree of

Master of Science in

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

April 2025

Moorhead, Minnesota

Abstract

This self-analysis portfolio reflects on my story this far in my life and reflects on the different aspects and pieces of my development and experiences that have allowed me to grow into the person and individual I am today. In this paper, I reflected on my background information and the experiences that have shaped my …

Defining The School Counselor Role: A Training For Clarifying Responsibilities In Schools, Megan Jean Jorgenson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

School counselors have important roles in the school building. However, many administrators, parents, and even students do not fully understand what a school counselor does. This can lead to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intentions to leave the career (Blake, 2020; Lane, Bohner, Hinck, & Kircher, 2020). Not understanding what a school counselor needs results in a lack of resources for students, frustration, and role conflict (Hann-Morrison, 2011). Relationships also play a part in job duties and advocacy for school counselors. Better relationships often lead to more advocacy and collaboration, while poor relationships can lead to inappropriate duties and distrust (Blake, …

Alexithymia: A Review Of Existing Literature And A Prospective Route For Future Training, Jessica C. Friedman

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Alexithymia, a trans-diagnostic construct characterized by a disability to identify and articulate emotions, has received increasing attention within the medical and psychiatric communities due to its profound, negative impact on treatment outcomes. This paper provides insight into its complex and pervasive nature, its conceptualization and assessment, underlying neurobiological mechanisms and acquisition, extensive comorbidities, treatment implications, clinical manifestations, clinical considerations, and analysis of the existing body of research. While previous research assumed Alexithymia to be largely untreatable, recent publications have indicated its ability to be affected by emotional-awareness skill building and relationally based interventions, though no specific treatments for Alexithymia currently …

Understanding My Journey: A Self Analysis Of Personal And Professional Growth., Mindy L. Ost-Schullo

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This self-analysis describes my personal and professional growth through the lenses of Attachment Theory, Systems Theory, Person Centered Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. By reflecting on my experiences. My goal is to deepen self-awareness and enhance my effectiveness as a school counselor, The analysis connects these experiences to theoretical concepts to explore how they have shaped my empathy, resilience, and approach to counseling. Utilizing assessment tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and ACEs Questionnaire, I will evaluate how early life events have influenced my identity, copying strategies, and professional orientation. This reflection also includes how experiences like cognitive reframing have …

Lived Experiences Of Role Identity And Perceived Stress In Fargo-Moorhead Area School Counselors, Mary Jo Andersen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

School counselors are often assigned non-direct service duties, which leaves them feeling like they do not have enough time to devote to the mental health needs of their students. They get pulled in various directions by teachers, parents, students, and administration, and there is not enough time in the day to complete all their expectations. This conflict can lead to dissatisfaction, high stress, and ultimately, burnout, evidenced by the number of school counselors leaving the field and many schools unable to fill these positions. This phenomenological research explored the lived experience of school counselors in the Fargo-Moorhead area, how they …

The Impact Of Project Based Learning On Student Motivation, Ashlee Cournia

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between student motivation and project-based learning. It was believed that engaging students with a project related to factors cognizant of the real world would help to increase student motivation in all areas. In order to improve student motivation in the classroom, the author sought to find ways to increase student learning using a project-based learning approach. This study utilized the qualitative research method with a case study design. Participants were observed in their natural settings through the implementation of a Project Based Learning Unit. Research has shown that students’ motivation, …

Hyperfocused On Growth: An Act Group Manual For College Students With Adhd, Kathryn E. Erickson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Several studies highlight the challenges faced by students with ADHD in a college setting (Bodalski, Abu-Ramadan, et al., 2023; Bodalski, Flory, et al., 2023; DuPaul et al., 2009, Mak et al., 2022; Nelson et al., 2015; Swartz et al., 2005; Willoughby & Evans, 2019). With less structure and more demands than high school, students with ADHD often struggle with self-regulation, executive functioning, self-worth, and social relationships in college. This paper addresses these concerns by creating a group therapy program for college students with ADHD. Highlighting common treatments for ADHD, this group is based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to …

Path To Empowerment: A Trauma Group Of High School Students, Megan Cowden

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Knowledge of the implementation of trauma interventions within the school environment can be crucial for academic and lifelong success. The literature review portion will define trauma, examine the prevalence among high school students and explores the impact trauma can have on mental health, academic performance and their social-emotional well-being. It discusses the significant number of students entering high school with traumatic experiences and emphasizes the need for trauma-informed approaches that can be used in schools. The effectiveness of group versus individual therapy is compared, along with an analysis of school-based and social-emotional curriculum. Based on this information, there is a …

Restorative Practices In Action: A Hands-On Guide For K-12 Schools, Rosa Frazee

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Restorative justice is a practice well known in many criminal justice systems but most recently gained traction in school settings. Restorative approaches prioritize fostering positive relationships, accountability, and conflict resolution through communication and understanding. This project seeks to develop a complete implementation guide for restorative practices in school settings. This guide will focus on educator's role to foster community, reduce punitive disciplinary actions and promote equity. It will also explore the blending of restorative approaches and frameworks that are already in place such as MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems of Support) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). By providing educators …

A Strong Start: Crafting An Onboarding Experience For Early Childhood Special Education Teachers, Dael E. Babb

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

A Strong Start: Crafting an Onboarding Experience for Early Childhood Special Education Teachers

Dael Babb

Minnesota State University Moorhead

SPED 696: Capstone Project in Special Education

Dr. Keri DeSutter

May 16, 2025

Abstract

Special education teachers face challenges in their early careers, such as burnout, heavy workloads, and lack of support. Previous research shows that well-structured induction programs, including mentorship, professional development, and administrative support, are critical in improving teacher satisfaction and retention rates. Findings from previous research also suggest that teachers who receive strong mentorship and structured onboarding are more likely to stay in the profession long-term. With the …

Addressing Postpartum Depression: A Counseling Group For Women After Childbirth, Christine Bolton

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Postpartum depression is a global concern for women which can often go undiagnosed and untreated (Carlson et al., 2024). The consequences resulting from lack of treatment can be detrimental to both mother and child (Wall, 2021). Overcoming the symptoms of postpartum depression involves social support, coping strategies, education, and early intervention (Avrand et al., 2022; Dimcea et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2021). Current research will be discussed on the understanding of postpartum depression, risk factors, protective factors, the barriers to treatment that exist, current treatments that exist, and the effectiveness of treatment modalities. A group manual was developed that …

Radical Resilience: Empowering Mothers And Defeating Barriers Through Accessible Trauma Treatments, Kristen Dodds

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Maternal trauma refers to the emotional and psychological wounds experienced by mothers (Powers, 2022). This kind of trauma, particularly in mothers affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and domestic violence, has a profound impact not only on maternal mental health and physical well-being, but also on mothers’ role as primary caregivers. Trauma has the potential to negatively affect future generations, and as a result, there is an urgent need for effective, accessible trauma treatment options. However, systemic barriers such as financial limitations, challenges in acquiring childcare, isolation, limited information, and lack of time make traditional therapy approaches inaccessible to many survivors. …

A Search For Belonging And Reflection, Skyler Kaess

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This paper examines a deeper look into my life utilizing past background knowledge, interviews, and assessments. Through a reflected lens, I look first at my family history, which has helped shape parts of me. I then examine myself further using assessments such as the ACEs and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Further examination uses a ten-question questionnaire to ask my closest family and friends, highlighting my strengths, weaknesses, and fond memories. The data collected allowed me to form a deeper understanding of myself and form a professional understanding of my approaches as a school counselor which will allow myself to build …

Analyzing The Influence Of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women And Girls (Mmiwg) Cases And Their Impact On Society, Ivy J. Anderson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This research paper analyzes the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cases and how this issue is continuously impacting society. Through the process of thematic analysis, the social media platform Reddit was analyzed on how social media plays a role in spreading awareness on this topic.

Identity Development In Adolescent Females Through Mentorship, Kelly L. Jones

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The goal of this project is to examine how identity is developed in adolescent females and how mentorship can play a role in this phase of life with the aim to achieve positive outcomes with the participation in a mentorship program. There are many different factors that play into how one’s identity is developed but the aim of this project integrates a variety of areas that research has found to be crucial. Additionally, approaching female adolescent identity development through a multicultural lens is imperative for those in the counseling field. Therefore, the need for this type of program created with …

Early Introduction To Hearing Assistive Technology: A Curriculum For Young Children And Families, Laura M Watkins

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Preparing students at an early age to self-advocate regarding their hearing assistive technology needs is critical for academic success. However, there is currently a limited curriculum that provides early interventionists with the resources to teach young children and their families about Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT). This project aims to address the gap by creating a curriculum specifically focused on HAT. The curriculum was created by translating the existing school-age standards from the Minnesota Compensatory Skills Checklist and adapting them to address the developmental needs of young children and their families. This curriculum is designed to introduce preschool children and their …

Using Sound Partners Curriculum With Two Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mathias E. Weinmann

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Students with autism spectrum disorder face several challenges in modern education. A tremendous challenge for students with autism is being a proficient reader. This is especially true for students with autism in Level IV educational facilities. This study examined the effectiveness of Sound Partners, a systematic phonics intervention, with two students with autism in a Level IV setting. The two students demonstrated significant deficits in foundational reading skills despite being in fourth and seventh grades. Sound Partners was based on evidence-based research that students need to master foundational skills regardless of their age. Without mastery of the fundamental reading skills …

Natural Resource Enterprises - Income Diversification And Conservation Practices Implemented On Private Lands In The United States, Daryl Jones

Journal of Extension

Wildlife-related recreation is popular with Americans spending over $150 billion dollars annually. I have conducted educational workshops (>100 events) to train U.S. landowners in natural resource enterprises development offering recreational hunting, angling, and nature tourism excursions along with conservation management practices to enhance wildlife habitats on their lands. To measure impacts, I conducted a comprehensive mail survey study with participants since 2010. Findings revealed that landowners who initiated these enterprises earned annual incomes and implemented conservation practices on properties. More training for landowners is recommended to increase income diversification and conservation of wildlife habitats and stewardship on private lands.

Strategies To Overcome The Unique Challenges Faced In Conducting Focus Groups In Extension, Vikram Koundinya, Amulya Rao, Cristina Chiarella, Deepa Srivastava, Mary Holz-Clause, Teresa Spaeth, Eleanor Haworth, Kit Alviz, Lajoy Spears, Rebecca Witinok-Huber, Natalia Pinzón, Yulia Lamoureaux

Journal of Extension

Focus groups are commonly used in extension. Extension professionals can encounter unique challenges when conducting focus groups. Extension literature is replete with best practices for conducting focus groups, but there is a lack of systematically documented practical challenges and strategies for overcoming them. We share the challenges we have faced over the past 13 years while conducting focus groups with different participant groups in extension globally and strategies that can be used to overcome or navigate these challenges. The ideas presented in this paper can provide valuable assistance to extension professionals who utilize focus groups for research and evaluation purposes.

Kid Eats App: Supporting Parents And Children Cooking Together, Amy S. Muise, Gabrielle A. Longo, Pamela N. Martinez, Umekia R. Taylor, Linda E. Torv, Barbara A. Chamberlin

Journal of Extension

Kid Eats is a free app for iPad encouraging children and parents to cook together at home using fruits and vegetables. A preliminary study with parents and children showed children enjoyed using the app and that it provided useful information to support children’s involvement in the kitchen, including guidance around safety concerns. Every family in the study voluntarily completed at least one of the recipes with their child at least once following the in-person activity. Parents reported that their children actively asked to cook the recipes from the app and felt the app helped increase their time spent cooking with …

Effect Of Endodontic Access Preparation On The Retention Of Zirconia Crowns With Temporary Or Permanent Access Hole Restorations: An In Vitro Study, J. Nick Sanders, Amir H. Nejat, Peter Dupree, Edwin Kee, Madeleine E. Raymond, Fred Mcmullen

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

Objectives: To evaluate the effect endodontic access preparation had on the retention of anterior zirconia crowns after restoring the access hole with temporary versus permanent restorative materials. Methods: 30 anterior zirconia crowns were milled from 5Y-TZP zirconia and bonded to a 3D printed die with resin cement. Crowns were randomly divided into three groups including negative control (NC, n = 10) with no endodontic access preparation; positive control (PC, N = 10) received endodontic access preparation and was restored with a temporary restorative material (Cavit); composite restoration (CR, N = 10) received an endodontic access preparation and then the access …

Qualitatively Different Feedback Effects In Recurrent Models Of Spoken Word Recognition, Isabella M. Fernandez, James S. Magnuson

Honors Scholar Theses

We explored the possibility that different loci of feedback in Elman networks (which have a limited memory 'context' based on previous hidden unit states) and Jordan networks (where context is based on previous output states) produce qualitatively different behaviors. These different kinds of context could theoretically yield qualitatively different outcomes, although we expected outcomes to be similar. We trained Elman networks and Jordan networks to activate the current word based on a sequence of phonemes. With a moderately sized lexicon (1000 words), training outcomes were highly similar, with high accuracy and patterns of activation and competition over time that resemble …

First Annual Advances In Business Education Conference 2025 Proceedings, Kelsey Metz, Joshua Ray

Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference Proceedings

Conference Overview: The First Annual Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference was held on May 16, 2025, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Hosted by the LMU School of Business, the ABE Conference was established to promote teaching excellence through innovation and collaboration in business education. With a focus on fostering meaningful dialogue among educators, researchers, and students, the conference welcomed participants from across disciplines and institutions. The event was structured around three key tracks:

Pedagogy & Teaching Excellence: Showcasing innovative teaching methods and strategies for enhancing student learning and engagement.

Business Research: Presenting research focused on advancing knowledge …

Reason And All My Senses: Surveying The Post Enlightenment Frame Of Reason Through Contemporary Philosophy, Cognitive Psychology, And Cognitive Linguistics, Joshua T. Lowe Rev. Dr.

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

This dissertation argues that Christian theology and practice are aided and enriched by a more complete understanding of reason by surveying recent studies and views in theology, philosophy, cognitive psychology, and cognitive linguistics. Since the Enlightenment, Christian theology has assumed widely the Enlightenment model of human reason as ideally acontextual, that is, free from constraints of contexts, and therefore universal, that is, applicable in all contexts. Recent developments from a variety of perspectives challenge this model of rationality. Some challenge the acontextualism of the Enlightenment understanding by showing how it arose from and depends on a context, and that context …

Pierce V. Society Of Sisters At 100: Reflections On Parental Rights In Transition, Charles J. Russo

University of Dayton Law Review

No abstract provided.

California Kelp Forests: An Analysis Of Macrocystis Pyrifera And Nereocystis Luetkeana Restoration After Decades Of Decline, Gabrielle K. Farrer

Master's Projects and Capstones

California’s kelp forests are some of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. Centuries of anthropogenic degradation via habitat destruction and climate change have culminated in decreased kelp forest habitat at an accelerated rate since at least the 1850s (Scarborough et al. 2022; Rogers-Bennett & Catton, 2019; Kumagai et al. 2024; Smith et al. 2023). This study synthesizes major threats, past and present, to California’s kelp forests, including the overharvesting of multiple species, pollution from coastal development, and climate change impacts. I also examine current management practices regarding kelp forests such as the use of marine protected areas …

A Roadmap For Greywater Reuse At The University Of San Francisco Hilltop Campus: A Financial, Regulatory, And Technical Feasibility Study, Apama'bo Anand Oszkar

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Water scarcity is increasing in California, so we need strategies to reduce potable water demand. Decentralized greywater systems offer promising solutions to this problem. This study provides a roadmap for successfully implementing greywater reuse at the University of San Francisco (USF) by addressing financial, technical, and regulatory considerations. By deploying a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative expert interviews and quantitative water usage analysis, policy review, cost analysis, and case studies, this study established USF’s annual recycled water demand as 8 million gallons, with two primary uses: irrigation, which accounts for 67% of the demand, and toilet-urinal flushing, which represents …

Pedaling Toward Justice: Exploring The Role Of Community Advocacy In Shaping Bicycle Policy In Oakland., Claire Farrell Lowe

Master's Projects and Capstones

The way people move through a city fundamentally shapes their access to jobs, essential services, and economic and social opportunities. While Oakland’s bicycle infrastructure has improved over the past decade, vehicle-centric planning has historically sidelined cycling, creating mobility inequities. This thesis examines the role of community advocacy in advancing equitable bicycle planning and prioritizing cycling infrastructure as a core element of urban development. This thesis project follows the question: what role do advocacy groups play in addressing the gaps between the Oakland Bicycle Plan and its implementation? Through policy analysis, community engagement, and interviews with key informants from Bike East …