Digital Commons Network^™

Factors And Attributes Contributing To The Longevity Of Special Educators: Over 15 Years Of Commitment, Susan Majestic-Frabell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the personal, professional, and institutional aspects that contribute to special education teachers' resilience, dedication, and professional identity in southwestern Pennsylvania. Ten participants used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how moral purpose, empathy, relational engagement, mentorship, professional competence, and continual learning help them stay committed throughout time. The findings show that teaching is regarded as a vocation based on advocacy, service, and optimism, rather than a mere employment. Systemic supports, such as access to school-based mental health specialists, inclusive decision-making frameworks, reasonable workloads, and equitable policies, have emerged as crucial for lowering emotional burden, increasing efficacy, and …

More Than A Rod: Reconceptualizing Medical Student Development Through The Lens Of Social Determinants Of Learning, Dejour Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Medical education traditionally follows a biomedical paradigm that emphasizes academic rigor but often overlooks non-academic factors that fundamentally influence student success. The aim of this study was to reconceptualize medical student development by shifting focus from traditional academic metrics to the systemic, non-academic factors that affect learning and well-being.

This study employs a systemic analysis of structural barriers, defined as institutional policies, practices, and environments that create and perpetuate inequity in medical education. This investigation was grounded in the Integrated Social-Ecological Framework for Learning (ISEF-L), a three-tiered conceptual framework developed for this study. The ISEF-L includes Social Determinants of Learning …

Teacher Orthographic Knowledge, Mary L. Leslie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

When reading is no longer taught as a separate subject, adolescent students with weak reading skills have limited opportunities to catch up to their peers and are unlikely to improve without targeted support (Wigfield et al., 2008). This descriptive case study intended to increase teacher knowledge by presenting a professional development intervention focused on orthographic knowledge using effective professional development components. This study was conducted with six teachers of adolescent students (4^th-8^th) from a private preparatory school. Analysis found that teachers increased their understanding of the role orthography plays in the reading process and increased their …

Hi Friend! Msw Portfolio Of Community Building And Advocacy, River Gerard Segar

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This MSW Portfolio emphasizes the importance of being rooted in community and demonstrates how to engage in community building in a way that helps center marginalized voices. This portfolio also highlights advocacy in the United States for transgender people and asserts the need for increased cultural competency in clinical practice with people in non-monogamous and/or kink relational structures.

Moving Forward, Sarah Blackford

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio demonstrates my learning and development through the MSW program at the University of Montana.

Rooted In Dignity And Hope: Clinical Practice, Advocacy, And Compassionate Care, Holly Ann Harris

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This MSW portfolio reflects my personal and professional journey toward becoming a social worker grounded in dignity, hope, and compassionate care. Inspired by early life experiences that shaped my understanding of the connection between dignity and hope, I entered the University of Montana’s MSW program with the goal of becoming a counselor supporting individuals and families experiencing grief, loss, and mental health challenges. Through coursework and the completion of my generalist and specialist practicums in hospice and the emergency department, along with ongoing critical self-reflection, my perspective has expanded to include a deeper understanding of systemic barriers, social justice, and …

Education, Evaluation, And Impact Of A Delegation Learning Session In The Care Pair Model, Tiffany M. Whitney

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

The persistent nurse shortage is forcing the health sector to think about the way care is provided, and teams collaborate. One model, the Care Pair Model (CPM), pairs registered nurses (RNs) with nursing assistants (NAs) to distribute responsibility and provide patient care in a timely manner and with the best quality. Even though the model encourages working together effectively, many nurses still find it difficult to delegate to uncertainty, lack of confidence, or communication barriers. Improving these abilities is essential for fostering trust, ensuring a smooth workflow, and providing for patient and provider needs.

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) …

Development Of Water-Soluble Nanofibrous Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Collectors For Bioaerosol Sampling And Environmental Surface Microbial Detection, Kevin Crown

Theses & Dissertations

Environmental surveillance for pathogenic microorganisms requires sampling technologies capable of efficiently collecting biological particles from air and surfaces for downstream detection.  Current environmental sampling materials, such as fibrous aerosol filters and surface sampling swabs, are designed to capture particles effectively but often retain a portion of the collected material during extraction.  Incomplete recovery reduces the sensitivity of microbiological and molecular detection, particularly in situations where microbiological concentrations are low, such as in environmental monitoring and clearance sampling following biological contamination events.  This dissertation describes the development and evaluation of water-soluble nanofibrous sampling materials designed to improve microbial recovery while maintaining …

Comparing Two Variations Of The High Probability Instructional Sequence In Increasing Acceptance Of Novel Foods Among Children With Food Selectivity, Angelica Ibarra Donahue

Theses & Dissertations

Escape extinction is a well-established intervention for pediatric feeding disorders (LaRue et al., 2011); however, it has been associated with undesirable side effects, including emotional responding and extinction-induced aggression (Engler et al., 2023). An antecedent-based intervention that may be less intrusive and has some evidence of increasing consumption of novel foods is the high-probability (high-p) instructional sequence. This intervention consists of presenting a child with a sequence of high-p demands that the child is highly likely to comply with, followed by the presentation of a low-probability (low-p) demand. The present study replicated and extended Trejo and Fryling (2018) by comparing …

Replication And Extension Of Kras-Associated Gene Expression Signatures In Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Cox Proportional Hazards Analysis Of Mutation Status, Gene Expression, Multi-Gene Mutation Count, And Ras De Novo Signature, Camryn Berry

Theses & Dissertations

This study evaluates the robustness and reproducibility of a previously published analysis of lung adenocarcinoma gene expression data (Schabath et al.), which examined KRAS-associated biology in relation to co-occurring STK11 and TP53 mutations. The original study used Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis and gene expression signatures to assess associations between driver mutations, tumor suppressor mutations, and patient outcomes. The aim of this work is to replicate these analyses and evaluate consistency across independent datasets (Wilkerson and Selamat), with extension using Cox proportional hazards (PH) models. Two hypotheses are evaluated: (1) that the number of mutated genes increases the hazard of death, …

Standardized Elearning Debriefing Module Effects On Undergraduate Nursing Student Resilience And Coping: A Feasibility Study, Kelsey D. Miller

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Undergraduate nursing students experience stressful clinical situations that may influence learning, emotional well-being, and practice readiness. Structured debriefing provides an avenue for reflective processing; however, variations in debriefing practices can reduce effectiveness. This program evaluation examined the effect of a faculty-developed, standardized eLearning debriefing module on resiliency and coping among BSN students.

Method: A quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test/post-test design was implemented with junior and senior students during clinical rotations. Faculty completed the module and facilitated standardized debriefings. Student resilience and coping were measured using the Connor‑Davidson Resilience Scale and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale.

Results: Twenty-one students completed baseline surveys, …

Observing Spatiotemporal Dynamics Of Human Behavior Under A Fixed-Time Schedule, Calvin Kocienda

Thesis Projects

Historically, behavior analysts have measured behavior through single discrete responses, likely due to the technology available in the late 20th century. This meant that spatiotemporal behavior, or movement over time, was often left understudied. León et al. (2021) used computer vision software to successfully measure spatiotemporal behavior in rats using various measurements such as distance traveled and maximum velocity. The current study aims to closely emulate León et al., 2021’s study with human subjects to see whether human spatiotemporal behavior can be measured. Two children were placed in a room and offered a preferred edible on a fixed-time 30-s (FT …

Thriving Beyond Cancer: Occupational Therapy In Oncology Care, Claire Vanderbeek

Capstones: Occupational Therapy

Background: Cancer treatments often result in side effects that impair mental, sensory, motor, and body system functions. The purpose of this capstone was to advocate for the use of occupational therapy (OT) for the cancer population by gaining advanced knowledge and experience at two sites: a local YMCA cancer survivorship program and an outpatient rehabilitation clinic.

Method: At the outpatient rehabilitation clinic, an intervention and patient log were created and used to influence the creation of education materials for patients and providers. During the cancer survivorship program, psychosocial factors, strength, flexibility, balance, aerobic function, and program sustainability were evaluated. A …

Damarcus Tyrell Wimbush

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

Measuring The Effect Of Mindfulness On Frustration And Creativity In Preschoolers, Jillian A. Badeaux

Honors Theses

Emotional regulation in early childhood is very important for later social development and overall psychological functioning, but research on the impact of mindfulness in this younger age group remains limited. This study examined whether a brief mindfulness intervention could improve emotion regulation (frustration) and creative problem solving in preschoolers. Fifty children ages 4 to 5 from preschools in the Mississippi Delta region were randomly assigned to a mindfulness or a control condition. Children in the mindfulness group received a brief intervention emphasizing deep breathing, present moment attention, and nonjudgemental awareness. All participants completed a Locked Box Task (Goldsmith, 1995) to …

A Compilation Of Accounting Case Studies, George R. Vandyke

Honors Theses

This thesis has been composed throughout the process of taking the Honors Accounting 420 class. This class spans two semesters and helps students understand certain aspects of financial accounting and related areas. These cases range from what may be involved in an audit to examining a company and how certain new laws may affect its business operations.

The information gathered for this was through group work and collaboration to achieve the common goal of completing each case. The cases varied from week to week, as well as the people with whom you would be working. This led to many different …

Manufacturing Of A Wooden Tortilla Press: Idea To Production, Glenn H. Walker

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to document the design, development, and manufacturing of a wooden tortilla press completed as a capstone project through the Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME). The project follows a structured product development process that began with problem definition and concept development, progressed through design, prototyping, and jig fabrication, and culminated in a full production run on the CME shop floor. A multidisciplinary team, including engineers, a marketer, and an accountant, collaborated throughout the project to support both technical development and manufacturing execution. Project planning and scheduling were established early and maintained throughout the project to …

Design And Production Of A Carbon Fiber Longboard, Vince Fichtel

Honors Theses

This thesis contains an overview of the design, prototyping, and manufacturing of a carbon fiber long board. The purpose of this capstone was to create a viable product for the real-world market and then determine how to manufacture it at scale with sustainable financial practices. In order to accomplish this task, engineering, accounting, and manufacturing challenges had to be overcome throughout all stages. The production process involved the carbon fiber layup, baking, water jet cutting, and assembly of the carbon fiber longboard. In order to optimize this process, continuous improvement and lean manufacturing problem solving techniques were applied. After a …

Nuclear Weapons And Conflict Escalation: Impacts On Fatalities And The India-China Case, Tyden J. Kortman

Honors Theses

The study of nuclear weapons and their impact on conflict have existed as long as nuclear weapons themselves. Nonetheless, many questions remain on whether nuclear weapons serve primarily as a deterrent to conflict or as an avenue towards the deadliest form of warfare in human history. We use both statistical analysis against a large conflict dataset and a case study of India-China conflicts from 1955-1979 to contribute to the ongoing literature on this question. We hypothesize that nuclear weapons lower the rate of conflict and dispute escalation. After statistical testing and case study analysis, we found that there was no …

"First, Do No Harm": Ethical Failures And Preventive Solutions In The United States Pharmaceutical System - A Narrative Review, Rebekah R. Bailey

Honors Theses

The United States pharmaceutical system is highly advanced but faces growing ethical concerns related to drug development and marketing, overprescription, and high drug costs. This thesis examines how pharmaceutical marketing, regulatory practices, and prescribing behaviors may conflict with the ethical principle of “first, do no harm.”

Using a narrative review of interdisciplinary literature in public health, medical ethics, and applied ethics, this thesis analyzes patterns in drug development, marketing strategies, and regulatory oversight. The findings suggest that ethical issues are systemic, driven by commercial incentives, inconsistent regulatory standards, and an increasing reliance on pharmaceutical solutions. These factors contribute to overmedicalization, …

Of Corporations And Compliance: Accountancy Case Studies And An Exploration Of Future-Oriented Action In Corporate Accounting, Nathan K. Woo

Honors Theses

This thesis compiles several case studies completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson during the 2024–2025 academic year for the fulfillment of requirements imposed by Accountancy 420: Independent Study. The first semester (Fall 2024) involved four research cases. The first case involved analysis of AMC Entertainment’s annual report (10-K) for the purpose of identifying pertinent financial statement information and creating risk-mitigation strategies. The second case pertained to the January 2024 Corporate Transparency Act and its effect on reporting companies. The third case centered around analysis of the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and public accounting. Finally, …

Design And Development Of A Manufacturing Process For A Raised Planter Box, Weslyn Mcmurrin, Larson Looney, Haneef Adebisi, Rachel Hipskind, Carolyn Hale

Honors Theses

This report presents the design and manufacturing process of a raised garden bed box with an integrated irrigation system. The goal of this project was to replicate a manufacturing environment in the creation of a durable, ergonomic, and cost-effective product. The project began in Spring 2025 with initial market and financial research to determine design requirements and materials for prototype development and continued through the end of the Fall 2025 semester with a small-scale production run and team presentation. Following our market and financial research, multiple design concepts were evaluated and refined through the use of computer-aided design and prototype …

Periodontal Disease In A Classic Maya Population From Ambergris Caye, Belize: A Cej-Ac Analysis, Avery R. Mcneil

Honors Theses

Dental remains provide a durable and information-rich record of biological, dietary, and health-related processes in past populations. This study examines periodontal disease, dental wear, and morphometric variation in a Classic period Maya population from coastal Belize (ca. A.D. 700-900) using cementoenamel junction-alveolar crest (CEJ-AC) distance as one measure of periodontal health. Dental remains were assessed using standardized bioarchaeological methods, including tooth identification, crown measurements, and periodontal scoring based on mean CEJ-AC distances recorded at preserved surfaces. The results indicate widespread mild to moderate periodontal disease across the sample, with posterior teeth exhibiting greater alveolar bone loss than anterior dentition. These …

Accy 420 Financial Reporting Casework And Class Takeaways, Davis C. Brewer

Honors Theses

In my practicum class during my junior year at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Dickinson assigned eight case studies over the course of our Accountancy 420 course. These case studies involved several different topics, many regarding financial reporting. This included a wide range of topics such as the Corporate Transparency Act, ESG regulations, asset theory, and most importantly the new Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) regulations. Throughout the year guest speakers would come to class and discuss working in the accounting industry, as well as answer any questions that we might have. During this time, we learned how to analyze …

Manufacturing Process Of A Wooden Tortilla Press: Idea To Production, Colleen Nolan, Ben Bird, Olivia Marque, Emma Palmer, Hayden Walker

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to document the design, development, and manufacturing of a wooden tortilla press completed as a capstone project through the Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME). The project follows a structured product development process that began with problem definition and concept development, progressed through design, prototyping, and jig fabrication, and culminated in a full production run on the CME shop floor. A multidisciplinary team, including engineers, a marketer, and an accountant, collaborated throughout the project to support both technical development and manufacturing execution. Project planning and scheduling were established early and maintained throughout the project to …

Accounting In A Changing Landscape: A Collection Of Case Studies, Rachel K. Rowe

Honors Theses

This thesis comprises six independent yet interconnected case studies that reflect on a range of modern accounting and regulatory topics. These cases were written under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson during two semesters of the Professional Research and Development Thesis Program at the University of Mississippi. The purpose of this class is to provide students with the opportunity to research cases that have real-world applications in the field of accounting.

The first case explores Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, emphasizing the increased importance of reporting for them and the growing role of accountants in sustainability assurance. The second …

Accounting Practicum, Vincent A. Vavra

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of eight case studies and assignments completed over two semesters in Accountancy 420 under the guidance of Dr, Dickinson. These assignments were completed both collectively as part of a group and individually. These assignments and case studies explored a wide variety of topics related to accounting both directly, including research into the financial statements of multiple companies and audit methods, to more indirect effects such as examining the lives of political figures and economists. These assignments involved in-depth research into various topics in order to better understand how these topics may connect in real-world accounting and business …

The Design And Manufacturing Process Of The Concealed Shelf, Joshua Harvel

Honors Theses

The Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME) at the University of Mississippi challenges students to manufacture a product and put forth a balanced manufacturing line in a senior capstone project. The chosen product was a concealed shelf, or a shelf with a hidden compartment. The team aimed to design a product, formulate a project plan, analyze the market, conduct financial analysis, develop a prototype, establish a manufacturing process, and demonstrate that process in two production runs. The team used tools such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), market surveys, jig creation, and line balancing to accomplish these tasks. After two …

The Effects Of Bank Consolidation On Small Business Lending In Mississippi, Matthew R. Johnson

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the effects of bank consolidation on small business lending at the county level in Mississippi. Throughout the last few decades, there have been many mergers and acquisitions within the U.S. banking industry. These mergers and acquisitions have caused concerns over access to credit by small businesses, especially in rural and under-served markets. To analyze these issues, this study constructs a county-year panel database that combines bank merger data provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with small business lending data from the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) disclosures. Using a difference-in-differences framework, this paper analyzes how exposure …

Teaching Sex Education In Mississippi: A Qualitative Study Of School Practices And Perspectives, Kathryn E. Wildman

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the implementation of sex education policy in Mississippi, a state with persistently high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Although House Bill 999 (2011) mandates sex education in public schools, limited research has explored how this policy is enacted in practice. Drawing on qualitative interviews with high school educators, school nurses, and representatives from community-based organizations, this study investigates how sex education is delivered, how educators are prepared, and how social and institutional factors shape classroom instruction.

The findings identify four central themes: substantial variation in implementation across school districts, inconsistent and often insufficient teacher …