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Sjsu Erfa Board Minutes, March 3, 2025, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

SJSU ERFA Minutes

SJSU ERFA Executive Board Minutes

March 3, 2025

Imsaloquium 2025 Event Booklet, Student Inquiry And Research (Sir)

IMSAloquium Event Booklets

Cover designed by Aimanohi Imoukhuede, IMSA student,

Welcome to IMSAloquium, our annual, school-wide celebration of learning! This booklet contains abstracts for over 225 outstanding projects conducted by IMSA students in the 2024-25 academic year. The topics range from biomedical research to artificial intelligence, from history to the social sciences, and from business to entrepreneurship

Interrelationships Of Maternal Characteristics In Hair Sheep, Rachel Bell, Alyssa Howard, Rickalyn Rayburn, Elena Verdecchia, Madison Werner, Flint Harrelson, Patricia Harrelson

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Since the spring of 2022, the MSU sheep flock has been an Innovation Flock for the Sheep GEMS project, led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The GEMS project is a multi-breed, national project evaluating longevity of ewes within flocks. Our part as a participant in the project involves collecting and sending raw data which is compiled into 1 very large data set. The research discussed here uses our preliminary data from the 2022 through 2025 lambing seasons collected from our Katahdin ewes (n = 57; 1-6 years of age). Collected data included fecal egg count (FEC), body condition scoring (BCS), …

Sammie Slusher: The Price Of Freedom, Bryce Fletcher, Dawson Helton, Ty Ledford, Adrian Mandzy

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This presentation was a public history project completed in the fall of 2024 for Junior Seminar (HST-380-502). This project was completed by Dawson Helton, Bryce Fletcher, and Ty Ledford. The project was a part of The Impact of World War II in Eastern Kentucky Collection. Our project, in particular, was titled Sammie Slusher: The Price of Freedom. The project consisted of a poster and a PowerPoint presentation covering the life and military service of Magoffin County native and Silver Star recipient Staff Sergeant Sammie Slusher. The university printed a physical poster, and digital copies of both the poster and PowerPoint …

Engaging The Community Wellcore Series: How A Belmont Honors Collective Tackled The Problem Of The Perceived Lack Of Engagement With Belmont Students Volunteering In The Local Nashville Community., Katelyn Anziano, Ella Buettner, Emerson Carrigan, Karolin Hanna, Lauren Watts

SPARK Symposium Presentations

As part of their Honors College requirement, students are required to take Project Planning and Execution classes during their junior year where students utilize “team-based, problem-solving learning strategies coupled with individual research and application”. This year, a group of five female Honor students formed a small group they coined the “Caring Catalyst Collective”. The group perceived a lack of engagement from Belmont students with volunteer opportunities in the Nashville community and beyond. To combat this issue, they sought for tangible ways to inspire a boost of engagement of Belmont students with local Nashville non-profits and organizations, in addition to helping …

Power Of Play, Roqaua H. Feron

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This presentation explores the Power of Play in speech therapy, focusing on how games and storytelling enhance language development. By incorporating familiar stories and pretend play, speech-language pathologists can spark greater engagement and expression in students. Drawing on research that highlights the cognitive and communicative benefits of play-based learning, this study is supported by observations of a middle school child working with a speech pathologist. The findings suggest that integrating playful, narrative-driven activities can significantly support language growth and confidence in young learners.

Experiences Of School Based Agricultural Educators At The Middle School Level, Kayla Gossett

Honors Theses

A middle school (MS) agricultural education program is the starting point for many students to explore agricultural industries and occupations associated with food, fiber and natural resources (National Council for Agricultural Education, 2002). “Middle school is an important time in the development of agricultural education students and plays an important role in increasing agricultural literacy in our society,” (Jones, Doss, and Rayfield, 2020). MS agricultural programs have been recognized since 1988 (Golden et al., 2014), yet there has been minimal research regarding these programs. This phenomenological study explored the experience(s) of School Based Agricultural Educators or SBAEs and examined how …

Supporting First-Generation College Students Experiencing Imposter Syndrome, Jaydenn R. Knepp

Masters Projects

This project explores the relationship between imposter syndrome and academic performance in first-generation college students (FGCS), proposing a peer mentorship program as an intervention. Grounded in Kolontari et al.’s (2023) sponsorship model and Stoller’s (2021) integration of Chickering’s (1969) and Sanford’s (1966) theories, the program focuses on mentor selection, training, structured activities, and ongoing support to build self-efficacy and a sense of belonging. A key component of this solution is the implementation of horizontal peer mentorship, which encourages reciprocal, collaborative relationships between mentors and mentees. FGCS mentors are trained to address imposter syndrome firsthand, with activities like self-affirmation exercises and …

The Importance Of Developing Social-Emotional Skills In Early Childhood, Jaren Whitney Phillips

Masters Projects

Abstract

This proposal explores the importance of developing social-emotional skills at a young age and the impact it can have on a child’s short-term and long-term success. Social-emotional skills can be developed in the classroom on a daily basis. Teachers can do this by providing a supportive, safe, and caring classroom environment that influences learning and providing opportunities for students to practice and apply their social emotional skills in different settings and situations (Zins et al., 2007; McClelland et al., 2017). Teachers need the proper training on how to effectively implement and embed social-emotional skills in the classroom in all …

Algebraic Topics For Future Middle School Teachers, Leonard Van Wyk

Department of Mathematics and Statistics - Faculty Scholarship

This text contains algebraic concepts relevant to the middle school mathematics curriculum. Topics include the basics of number theory, functions, linear systems, matrices, and polynomials.

What Are Considerations, Challenges, And Successes Of Urban Elementary School Leaders When Designing Academic Multi-Tiered System Of Supports Infrastructure?, Andrew Scoles

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative research answers the question, “What are considerations, challenges, and successes of urban elementary school leaders when designing academic Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) infrastructure?;” and the sub-question, “How does school leadership develop a consensus on academic MTSS practices?” This research gathered insight on the importance of the consensus process in customizing MTSS practices to a school’s unique needs and in avoiding the caveats of a one-size-fits-all approach. As a result, the key recommendation is schools need to reach a unified consensus on explicit MTSS practices for clarity and quality control to be most efficacious. This process was not …

Melanin Pedagogy: Black K-12 Public School Educators' Intention To Stay In Or Decision To Leave Teaching, Erin M. Mason

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The statistics related to the small number of Black teachers in U.S. K-12 public schools are alarming. Drawing on critical race theory, this qualitative phenomenological research study examined the lived experience of eight current and former Black teachers and their decisions to either stay in or leave the K-12 public school classroom. The findings of this study point to reasons why Black teachers have contemplated leaving the classroom or made the decision to remain. Out of the eight Black participants, three decided to terminate their career as a classroom teacher. Although experiences of barriers were shared, all of them concluded …

Empowering Rural Communities: Unlocking Potential Through The Online Rural Economic & Community Vitality Graduate Certificate, Daniela Mattos

Cornhusker Economics

In today’s evolving economic landscape, rural Nebraska stands at a crossroads. While communities face challenges like population decline, job loss, and infrastructure needs, they also have enormous potential for growth, innovation, and resilience. The key to unlocking this potential lies in skilled, passionate leaders ready to shape the future.

The Rural Economic & Community Vitality (RECV) Graduate Certificate offered 100% online by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics, provides a powerful platform to do just that. This 12-credit, no-prerequisite program is designed for individuals eager to create real, lasting impact in rural communities—whether you're already working in …

We Speak Life Into Their Language: Black Educators’ Approaches To Linguistic Justice In Urban Secondary Ela Classrooms, Lakeisha A. Davis

Dissertations

This study explores how Black educators navigate linguistic justice, deficit thinking, and stereotypes in urban secondary English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, it examines how teachers affirm Black Language (BL) while balancing the demands of White Mainstream English (WME) in academic spaces. Findings reveal that although educators employ culturally affirming strategies, they face challenges from restrictive language policies and standardized assessments. To counteract these barriers, they adopt negotiation practices that support students’ linguistic and cultural identities. From these findings, the study proposes Dynamic Linguistic Uplift (DLU)—a new theoretical framework that illustrates how Black educators sustain BL …

Enhancing Social Studies Instruction Through Professional Development: Strengthening Skills In Source Evaluation, Erin Golaboff

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Professional Development As Your Responsibility: A Mixed Method Reflection, Jody Amy

Undergraduate Research Conference

This study examines the impact of professional development on enhancing social studies instruction through two professional development sessions: "Making Time for Elementary Social Studies" by lnquirED and "Teaching Global Issues in a Controversial Election Year" by the Council of Foreign Relations via edWeb. Using both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, the research assesses the applicability and effectiveness of these sessions in fostering inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and effective classroom discussions. Findings highlight the value of structured pacing guides, inquiry-driven strategies, and non-partisan resources in supporting educators' professional learning and improving social studies pedagogy. This endeavor was a beneficial practice for …

Learning Theories Within Classrooms, Katie Friedrichsen

Undergraduate Research Conference

Questions •What learning theories are most beneficial to teacher candidates? • Are learning theories being utilized in classrooms? •Should theories be taught in college classes?

Automatic Weather Observing System, Amielia Beam

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Building Compassion And Connection: A Case Study Of Humane Education Through Middle Level Book Club Experiences, Kennedy Barnhouse

Undergraduate Research Conference

This case study explores the impact of a humane education-focused book club on middle level students' understanding of humane education principles and solutionary thinking. The study found that participation in the book club increased students' understanding of humane education and boosted their confidence in addressing societal challenges, suggesting that book clubs can effectively foster empathy, ethical reasoning, and social responsibility in middle level students.

Jmer Volume 13 Full Issue, Senior Editor

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

No abstract provided.

Awareness And Attitude Towards Climate Change Of Cycle 2 And Cycle 3 Students In Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, Hana Abdelrahim Hamdan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Understanding and addressing climate change is a critical area of knowledge that students must grasp and integrate into their educational journey. This study investigates climate change awareness and attitudes among Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 students in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The main purposes of this thesis are to identify the student’s overall level of awareness of climate change, examine their attitudes toward climate change, identify the relationship between students’ awareness and attitudes toward climate change, and assess the impact of student's educational level and gender on their awareness of climate change. The present study uses a mixed methods …

What's Hot And What's Not In Teacher Education: Preservice Teachers' Perspectives On Topics In Education Perceived As Important And Urgent In 2025, Elizabeth Y. Dale

Student Academic Conference

This study explores the perspectives of preservice teacher candidates on the topics in education they perceive as the most important and urgent in preparing for their first year of teaching. Utilizing quantitative methodology, the study aims to identify and prioritize educational topics preservice teacher candidates believe are critical to their professional development. Participants are asked to rate the topics based on two criteria: urgency and importance. Each topic is rated on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicated unfamiliarity with the topic, 1 indicated low urgency or importance, and five indicates high urgency or importance. The findings will …

Development Of A Scale To Evaluate Key Attributes Of Academic Advisors Essential To Physical Therapy Students, Robin M. Baker, Jamie L. Greco

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Acknowledging the crucial role of academic advising in enhancing student success, professionalism, and personal growth, this paper advocates for a shift from traditional reactive methods to proactive, personalized advising strategies that have been shown to improve retention and satisfaction rates in higher education. Our study highlights the development of a comprehensive scale through rigorous validity assessments to measure key attributes of academic advisors essential to physical therapy students (PTS). This scale, refined through extensive feedback from faculty and PTS over two development phases, consists of 18 items on a 4-point Likert scale, which together map the complex landscape of effective …

Expanded Cross-Sectional Testing Of Psychometric Properties Of The Kiersma Chen Empathy Scale In Health Professions Students, David B. Gillette, Todd E. Davenport, Tracey Delnero, Deepti Vyas, Jeannene Ward-Lonergan, Rupa Balachandran

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Empathy is important in providing healthcare and should be formed and evaluated during healthcare education. The purpose of these studies was to assess reliability and validity of a no-cost empathy scale and its cognitive and affective subscales in health professions students. Method: For reliability, students in six programs received two administrations of the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale (KCES). A blind researcher analyzed data, using Cronbach’s α to assess homogeneity for total and subscale scores, and Pearson correlation to assess association between subscales and total scores. Two-way intraclass correlation coefficients with random effects were used to determine total and subscale …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Firefighter Knowledge Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Prevention, Scott Richardson, Andrew Haight, Kassandra Sanchez, Madison Jepperson, Kelsey Houston, Lauren Schembs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Organized firefighting began in ancient Rome in 300BC, with the first fire engines in the 17^th century. Modern firefighters face extreme personal risk, responding to emergency situations and providing life-saving public support. Cardiovascular disease events account for 45% of on-duty fatalities among firefighters. Cardiovascular health in firefighters is not only important for immediate job performance but also for long-term health. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an educational intervention to influence firefighter knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention. Method: A literature review determined that cardiovascular health was the leading knowledge deficit among firefighters …

Exploring Clinical Instructors' Views On Effective Role Modeling In Physical Therapy Education: Insights From A Qualitative Study Through The Lens Of Social Cognitive Theory, Brittney M. Gunterstockman, Kellee Harper-Hanigan, Andrew Bartlett, Ian Rheault, Karen Menard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Acting as a role model is an essential competency and requirement for physical therapy clinical instructors. The social cognitive theory may explain how physical therapy students learn from clinical instructors during clinical education experiences. This theory suggests that individuals learn through observation of models who are competent, credible, enthusiastic, and similar to the observer. This study aimed to explore clinical instructors’ perceptions of effective role modeling. Methods: This phenomenological qualitative study used one-on-one virtual semi-structured interviews with clinical instructors (n=7) to explore effective role modeling in physical therapy clinical education. Inductive coding was used to develop codes and themes …

An Exploration Of Student Experiences And Perceptions Of A Physiotherapy Student-Led Clinic, Donna Wynne, Elizabeth Hancock Professor, Emma Stage, Kay Cooper Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Student-Led Clinics (SLCs) offer a structured, real-life learning environment for healthcare students, where they provide services under supervision. SLCs can facilitate increased confidence with clinical reasoning, improve skill development and enhance leadership skills. Existing research has generally captured students' experiences at the end of their SLC participation, lacking a longitudinal perspective and therefore, little is known about how students’ perceptions develop over time. This study aimed to explore physiotherapy students' experiences in a neurological rehabilitation SLC, with a focus on participants’ perceptions captured after attending specific SLC sessions and over the course of multiple SLC sessions. Methods: Using interpretative …

Interprofessional Wellness Groups: A Model For Success, Rachel Pittmann, Lesley Smith, Kathryn Sabo

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose Interprofessional learning activities foster critical-thinking and shared decision-making while promoting person-centered and team-based care. These activities promote the development of interprofessional collaboration competencies that prepare health profession students to effectively deliver care. This article describes the Interprofessional Wellness Group (IWG) model, an academically robust, sustainable, and versatile model that successfully addresses the competencies required for interprofessional collaboration in today’s demanding healthcare environment. Method The IWG model is designed using adult learning theories, is student-led, and aims to provide disease-specific wellness education to community-based participants. Results Quantitative and qualitative data from both students and participants was overwhelmingly positive: students reported …

Canadian Adolescent And Young Athletes Knowledge Of Pain-Relieving Medications, Jackie Vandertuin, Dalya Abdulla, Stephanie Lowther

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Adolescent knowledge of pain-relieving medications (PRM) and opioids is scant, particularly from a Canadian perspective. Research indicates that athletes will often resort to PRM and opioids to manage their pain, but it is unknown whether athletes are fully informed as to its use and misuse including adverse events that may occur. The purpose of this study is to understand what elite level male athletes know about use, contraindications, and recommendations of pain-relieving medications; particularly opioids to manage their pain. Methods: Using a qualitative, grounded theory approach, we interviewed male athletes to understand their level of knowledge regarding pain-relieving medications, …

Purposeful Integration Of Artificial Intelligence In Evidence-Based Practice Course For Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students, Qing Zhang, Mary Jane Rapport

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly relevant in education and research, offering opportunities for personalized learning, real-time feedback, and research support. In healthcare education, AI has been shown to enhance comprehension of complex concepts and support decision-making. The integration of AI into Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curricula is widely supported by therapists and identified as a strategic priority for advancing the profession. However, limited research has been published on how AI can be effectively integrated into DPT education or what the potential outcomes are of using AI. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of AI integration on students’ …