Digital Commons Network^™

The Effectiveness Of A Race-Based Stress Reduction Intervention On Improving Stress-Related Symptoms And Inflammation In African American Women At Risk For Cardiometabolic Disease: Protocol For Recruitment And Intervention For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Karen L. Saban, Cara Joyce, Alexandria Nyembwe, Linda Janusek, Dina Tell, Paula De La Pena, Darnell Motley, Lamise Shawahin, Laura Prescott, Stephanie Potts-Thompson, Jacquelyn Y. Taylor

Biostatistics Collaborative Core: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background: In recent years, the prevalence of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) in African American women has risen; the risk also increases with age, in comparison to men. Evidence demonstrates that stressful life events, including experiences of racism and perceived discrimination, contribute substantially to inflammatory diseases, such as CMD. Despite this evidence, few evidence-based interventions are available to assist individuals from minoritized communities in coping with the chronic stress related to their racial or ethnic identity.

Objective: Our proposed randomized controlled trial will test a novel, race-based intervention tailored to African American women, called Resilience, Stress, and Ethnicity (RiSE).

Methods: In this …

Ole Miss Junior Named Truman Scholar, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Yasmine Ware walked into Chancellor Glenn Boyce's office thinking she would speak with a prospective donor. Instead, she walked out as the University of Mississippi's 20th Harry S. Truman Scholar.

Kenyon Collegiate - April 18, 2025

Kenyon Collegiate

No abstract provided.

Minutes (4-18-2025), Associated Students, Incorporated

Associated Students, Incorporated records

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Factors Impacting Child Welfare Professional Burnout: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Jeffrey L. Nitz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Child welfare professionals (CWPs) have challenging and stressful jobs that routinely expose them to the traumatic narratives of children and other individuals. As a result of this, and when added to the reality that CWPs have a significantly higher average of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) compared to the general population, the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout and high turnover rates is substantial. This non-experimental quantitative survey study of 212 direct service CWPs from both public and private agencies sought to examine the relationship of ACE scores to burnout, and whether secondary traumatic stress plays a mediating role in …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Exploring The Perception Of Self-Efficacy Amongst Colorado High School English Teachers Incorporating Classroom Technology Use, Barbara Miguelgorry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of self-efficacy of high school English teachers in Colorado as they experienced a phenomenon of rapidly increased use of classroom technology. High school English teachers’ perceptions were generally defined as how effective they felt in their teaching practices and pedagogical approaches as they incorporated increased use of classroom technology, including their perceptions of the use of classroom technology’s influence on their confidence and self-esteem in the classroom. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy (1977). The central research question for this study was: How has …

Factors Associated With Clinician Confidence With Gender Identity Issues In Children, Elizabeth D. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored mental health clinicians’ experience and self-confidence in their ability to identify and treat children with gender dysphoria. Gender issues are highly prevalent in the United States with an estimated 1.9 million individuals (about twice the population of South Dakota) considering themselves in the LGBT community. The American Psychological Association estimated that there were currently 106,500 licensed psychologists in the United States in a 2014 census. The United States Census population clock has the number of citizens to nearly 335 million people. Meaning that for every psychologist there are 3,146 potential clients. This is an overwhelming ratio of …

Assessing The Elements Of Worship From The Experience Of Seventh-Day Adventist Believers Participating In Local Multi-Generational Churches Located On The Campus Of An Educational Institution, Daniel Biaggi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation assesses the elements of worship from the experience of Seventh-day Adventist believers participating in local multi-generational churches located on the campus of an educational institution. The research aims to understand which elements of corporate worship are meaningful and practiced by participants of diverse ages and what makes these elements significant in their opinion. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to examine how church participants prioritize different elements of worship and whether these preferences vary by age group and campus context. This survey also sought to identify specific worship elements that might be perceived …

Perinatal Mental Health Literacy Of Healthcare Providers: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Using An Ecological Systems Theory, Ashley N. Barksdale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the perinatal mental health literacy of healthcare providers in the United States. Guided by ecological systems theory, the study employed the Mental Health and Well-Being Ecological Model and the Perinatal Mental Health Theory of Change to examine factors influencing perinatal mental health stigma and healthcare utilization. The central research question was, “What was the experience of healthcare providers who provided medical care for mothers with perinatal mental health illnesses?” Three guiding questions were developed to investigate systemic, relational, and educational factors shaping providers' knowledge and practices. Using exploratory-descriptive qualitative methods, ten participants across the United States …

Disability Competencies In A Cacrep Graduate Program: A Grounded Theory And Case Study, Debbye Lopez-Ramos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is growing evidence supporting multicultural competencies as a key component of the CACREP standards and ethical responsibilities for faculty counselor educators and supervisors (FCESs). However, literature supporting multicultural competencies has significant gaps as it relates to the conceptualization and practice of disability competencies in CACREP counselor education. Furthermore, the lack of disability competencies and the stigma surrounding disabilities has led to frustration, academic remediation, and the withdrawal of students with disabilities. Despite the CACREP standards, FCESs have failed to infuse disability competencies when working with students with disabilities. This qualitative research used grounded theory and case study to examine …

The Lingering Wound: Examining The Interplay Of Cultural Mistrust, Help-Seeking Attitudes, And Race-Based Counseling Preferences Among Black Americans, Jean-Robert Langlois

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the relationship between cultural mistrust, help-seeking attitudes, and race-based counseling preferences among Black Americans. Prior research has suggested that there is a notable underutilization of mental health services within the African American community. There is a lack of studies that integrate both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the reasons behind this underutilization. Participants were recruited through a convenient sampling method and a total of 74 individuals aged 18 and older agreed to take part in the study. The Client Preference Scale (CPS), the Cultural Mistrust Inventory (CMI), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychology Help Scale-Short …

Determining The Mental Health Climate Of The Ministers Of Christian Churches In Metro Vancouver After The Reopening Of The Churches Since Covid-19 Closure, Lap Cho Chan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The burnout of ministers is real. Ministers are human, just like everyone else in the world. Too many people (such as church officials and leaders) underestimate the adverse effects of burned-out ministers in their churches. The pandemic had a huge impact on all the churches in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Ministers experienced exceptionally high stress and anxiety after the reopening of churches after the COVID-19 closure. Thus, the purpose of this DMIN action research project is to use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to research, qualify, and quantify the mental health climate of ministers in Metro Vancouver. …

Strengthening Community Engagement And Addressing Enrollment Decline In A Title I Rural School Through Theater Arts And Parental Involvement, Jason Porter

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) examines the impact of integrating theater arts into the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum at Sierra Union School to increase parental involvement, increase student attendance, and improve student behavior. Using a convergent parallel mixed method design within an Improvement Science framework, the study uses both quantitative survey data (attendance tracking, discipline records, parent/guardian volunteer hours, staff and parent likert surveys) and qualitative observations (semi-structured interviews, observation notes and reflective memos, NIC feedback) for determining the effectiveness of integrating theater arts in developing a stronger school-community connection. Survey results indicate that the majority of …

Progesterone Signaling In Oviductal Epithelial Cells Modulates The Immune Response To Support Preimplantation Embryonic Development, Ryan M Marquardt, Feyza Nur Arguc, Peter F Lais, San-Pin Wu, Sarayut Winuthayanon, Haval Shirwan, Esma S Yolcu, Mark I Hunter, James K Pru, John P Lydon, Francesco J Demayo, Wipawee Winuthayanon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

More than 60% of pregnancy losses occur during the first trimester, highlighting the need to understand the role of the oviduct in early pregnancy. In this study, we conditionally ablated the classical progesterone receptor (Pgr) in oviductal epithelial cells, called the Pgrd/d mouse model. We found that 40% of embryos collected from Pgrd/d females were nonviable or developmentally delayed, indicating that epithelial PGR expression is crucial for embryonic development. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed up-regulation of proinflammatory genes, including interleukin-22 (IL-22), in the epithelial cells of Pgrd/d females. Pharmacological inhibition of inflammation using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs …

Mammonc-Db, An Integrative Breast Cancer Data Analysis Platform For Target Discovery, Sadeep Shrestha, Ritu Aneja, Rajesh Singh, Celina G Kleer, Sidharth Kumar, Zhaohui S Qin, Harikrishna Nakshatri, Upender Manne, Chad J Creighton, Sooryanarayana Varambally

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Breast cancer (BCa), a leading malignancy among women, is characterized by morphological and molecular heterogeneity. While early-stage, hormone receptor, and HER2-positive BCa are treatable, triple-negative BCa and metastatic BCa remains largely untreatable. Advances in sequencing and proteomic technologies have improved our understanding of the molecular alterations that occur during BCa initiation and progression and enabled identification of subclass-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Despite the availability of abundant omics data in public repositories, user-friendly tools for multi-omics data analysis and integration are scarce. To address this, we developed a comprehensive BCa data analysis platform called MammOnc-DB ( http://resource.path.uab.edu/MammOnc-Home.html ), comprising data …

Studies Evaluating Practices For Water Conservation: In-Situ Sensors For Determining Soil Field Capacity And Water Application Savings From Rebate-Driven Residential Landscape Transformations, Madison E. Martini

Theses and Dissertations

Water conservation is a critical issue that requires solutions to address growing water scarcity. In both agricultural and urban settings, targeting conservation efforts is essential for lasting progress as well as protection of communities and ecosystems. This research focuses on identifying practical means to reduce water use by studying separate conservation strategies in urban and agricultural contexts. Given their interdependence, addressing water use in both sectors is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. Agricultural water conservation relies on efficient irrigation practices, which depend on accurately determining soil field capacity (FC)--the amount of water soil can retain after excess …

Targeting Mtor In Myeloid Cells Prevents Infection-Associated Inflammation, Yohana C. Toner, Jazz Munitz, Geoffrey Prevot, Judit Morla-Folch, William Wang, Yuri Van Elsas, Bram Priem, Jeroen Deckers, Tom Anbergen, Thijs J. Beldman, Eliane E.S. Brechbühl, Muhammed D. Aksu, Athanasios Ziogas, Sebastian A. Sarlea, Mumin Ozturk, Zhenhua Zhang, Wenchao Li, Yang Li, Alexander Maier, Jessica C. Fernandes, Glenn A.O. Cremers, Bas Van Genabeek, Joost H.C.M. Kreijtz, Esther Lutgens, Niels P. Riksen, Henk M. Janssen, Serge H.M. Söntjens, Freek J.M. Hoeben

Physiology Faculty Publications

Infections, cancer, and trauma can cause life-threatening hyperinflammation. In the present study, using single-cell RNA sequencing of circulating immune cells, we found that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a critical role in myeloid cell regulation in COVID-19 patients. Previously, we developed an mTOR-inhibiting nanobiologic (mTORi-nanobiologic) that efficiently targets myeloid cells and their progenitors in the bone marrow. In vitro, we demonstrated that mTORi-nanobiologics potently inhibit infection-associated inflammation in human primary immune cells. Next, we investigated the in vivo effect of mTORi-nanobiologics in mouse models of hyperinflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Using ¹⁸F-FDG uptake and flow …

Ledger Lines And Lines Of Flight: Borges, Deleuze, And Music, Kaitlyn Thiriot Morin

Theses and Dissertations

This paper discusses the purpose of musical inclusions within several of Jorge Luis Borges’s short stories through Deleuzian lines of flight. The common consideration of music in Borges’s works focuses primarily on his usage of the tango and milonga due to Borges’s own personal interests. This paper argues that Borges utilizes not only the tango but also other styles of music as a pathway of transcendence, temporarily allowing characters to surpass the limitations of mortality. The paper will first analyze Deleuze and Guattari’s formula on escaping organization, and the relationship between the rhizome, lines of flight, deterritorialization, and the body …

Raising Awareness Of Visual Impairments And The Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (Naveg), Molli Wilkins

OTD Capstone Projects

Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST) is a nonprofit organization providing early intervention services to children with visual impairments and their families. Through a partnership with BEST, this doctoral capstone project aimed to raise awareness of visual impairments and promote the use of the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG). The NAVEG is a validated, non-invasive screening tool designed to identify neurological risk for Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) in infants. The project aimed to educate healthcare providers and establish partnerships with Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), to ultimately increase early referrals to ophthalmology and early intervention services. A secondary focus of …

Promoting Safe Caregiving For Parents With Cognitive And Intellectual Challenges At Nurses For Newborns, Jaimie Thomison

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee. Nurses for Newborns is a nonprofit organization that provides critical healthcare services to infants, new mothers, and expecting mothers who experience a wide range of medical, economic, environmental, and social risks. Registered nurses serve families using an evidence-informed, home visiting model. The aim of this project was to increase support for new mothers who have cognitive or intellectual challenges by providing resources and training staff on how to best serve these clients. The resources included customizable visual schedules, a safe sleep checklist, sensory modifications for …

The Center For Courageous Kids Universally Designed Pre-Recorded Dance Program, Amanda L. Parsley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was created to serve the children, families, and volunteers at The Center of Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY. The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) is an accessible medical camp that provides children with serious illnesses the opportunity to attend camp at no cost. This allows the campers to have fun, create community and escape their everyday challenges. The camp hosts weekend retreats for families throughout the school year and offers population-specific week-long independent camps during the summer. Due to the structure of the camp, it relies heavily on volunteers to operate. With that in mind, this …

Minutes, Faculty Affairs Committee Meeting, Friday, April 18, 2025, Faculty Affairs Committee

Faculty Affairs Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Titan Supporter, Serial Entrepreneur Marc Talluto '94 To Speak At May 4 Commencement, Jeffery Woodard

Press Releases 2020-2029

No abstract provided.

Academic Entitlement Is Associated With Lower Self-Efficacy And More Course Withdrawals, Alessia Zedde, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Academic entitlement is characterized by students' belief that they deserve favorable treatment in academic settings, often without regard to their effort or engagement. This entitlement often manifests in two ways: Externalizing Responsibility (ER), where students deflect accountability for their academic success onto others, and Entitled Expectations (EE), where students expect special accommodations from instructors. This study explores two psychological constructs, ER and EE, and the association with college students' academic outcomes. A sample of 251 college students completed the academic entitlement scale (AES), which included 15-items examining ER (10-items) and EE (five-items). Three academic outcomes were measured: (1) course failures …

Are You Ready For Commencement? Here’S What You Need To Know, Staff Report

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is ready to celebrate more than 5,500 graduates at its 172nd Commencement ceremonies from May 7 to 10.

Navigating Gender And Equity In Education: Challenges, Personal Experiences, And Pathways For Change, Chloe Ballow

Honors Projects

This project examines how gender stereotypes influence the educational experiences of high school girls, focusing on the combined effects of gender, race, and socio-economic status. Using sources from feminist theory, educational research, and real-world examples, this study explores how societal expectations shape girls’ behavior in the classroom, their academic self-image, and their future goals. Special attention is given to African American girls and students from low-income backgrounds, who often face additional challenges due to both racial and gender biases.

The research draws on a mix of scholarly articles, reports from organizations like UNESCO and the OECD, and insights from a …

Intervention Strategies To Overcome Hpv Vaccine Hesitancy Among Hispanic Immigrants In The Usa: A Video-Based Ap-Proach, Jamie Jensen

ScholarsArchive Data

These data come from a nationwide survey administered by Qualtrics testing a video intervention to help Hispanic Immigrants overcome barriers to HPV vaccination.

Quality Improvement Project New And Novice Nurse Faculty: Orientation Bootcamp, Megan Titus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The ongoing shortage of nurse educators across the United States has led to a critical need among nursing programs, particularly in rural areas. A quality improvement project was developed in response to literature regarding the need for new and novice nurse educator orientation programs and limited structured onboarding at the implementation site. The quality improvement project implemented an orientation boot camp for new and novice nurse educators. Guided by Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory (Benner, 2023) and Lippitt’s Phases of Change Theory (Barrow, 2022), the project aimed to enhance faculty preparedness through educational support related to seventeen key nursing education …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Incorporation Of Nature Into Multilevel Social Work Practice, Tessa Palmer

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Humans have an innate connection to nature, often referred to as biophilia. Besides providing the basic necessities for life, interacting with nature has been connected to lower rates of depression and hypertension, improved hospital outcomes, reduced stress, better cognition, and many other benefits. Conversely, increased urbanization is being linked to more chronic medical conditions than in the past due to social inequalities, lifestyle factors, and environmental degradation. People of color and lower socioeconomic status are being disconnected from nature through environmental racism that leads to higher exposure to toxins and pollutants, less access to clean drinking water, and lack of …

“Mommy And Me”: A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of African American Parents In Their Child’S Teletherapy Session, Cleveland E. Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of African American parents involved in their child’s teletherapy session. The study seeks to describe how these experiences occurred in the context of transitional change as these parents and children transitioned from in person therapy to telehealth due to COVID-19 or other major life circumstance. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg’s transitional theory which highlights how change impacts the lives of people through unique individual experiences. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews that were administered to 10 participants. From these interviews four themes were created. These themes …