Education Commons^™

Capturing The Intersection Of Black-American, Muslim Males And Education: Exploring Their Attitudes, Perceptions, And Lived Experiences Within An Islamic Consciousness, Kirk A. Talib-Deen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation explored the lived realities of Black-American, Muslim males and their attitudes, perceptions, histories, and endurances toward higher learning in America. It attempted to join and contribute to the more significant, historical, and extant conversations and literature on Black-American males and education, as well as their successes and failures. This dissertation adds to the dearth of literature on the intersection of Black-American, Muslim males, and education, and using jazz as an epistemological way of navigating and organizing the content, the research works to uncover, locate, and define an Islamic consciousness. While negating racist histories concomitant with the American narrative …

Balanced Artistry: Integrating The Methods Of Michael Chekhov And Body Mapping For The Versatile Singing Actor, Olivia Yokers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This document explores the integration of movement-based techniques in vocal performance training by focusing on integrating Michael Chekhov’s acting method and Body Mapping. It examines how these methodologies enhance expressive freedom, technical efficiency, and injury prevention in singers. By providing a framework for performers to embody characters with greater authenticity, this document contextualizes exercises from both Body Mapping and Chekhov’s technique through an interdisciplinary approach that enhances student achievement of technical vocal and acting proficiency. Synthesizing principles from Body Mapping, such as inclusive awareness and the dynamic points of balance, with key elements of Michael Chekhov’s acting technique, including crossing …

Empowering Educators To Improve Social Emotional Behaviors Among K-8 Students: Quality Improvement Project, Paige Yael Bister

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Social and emotional learning (SEL) encompasses essential skills for effectively managing and expressing emotions. Studies have shown that SEL strengthens early education while supporting students' lifelong success by fostering positive behaviors within and beyond the classroom. In school settings, occupational therapists (OTs) aim to empower children to thrive as students and as social beings through targeted interventions and educational support for parents and teachers. In private school settings, limited access to occupational therapy services may impact teachers' ability to implement SEL strategies effectively.This capstone project addressed gaps in teachers' knowledge and confidence in applying the Zones of Regulation SEL curriculum …

New Teachers’ Mentoring Expectations And Experiences: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study, Preston Maurice Blakely

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how the expectations of new teachers, about their mentoring program and their mentoring experiences can be used to improve the structural design and procedures of mentoring programs to better support new teachers. Socio-historical and sociocultural theories were used to guide the study and purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit five participants who were in the first years of teaching. Based on a rich set of data sources which included a pre-interview and a post- interview, the findings revealed that despite the existence of mentoring programs in the participants’ …

Individual Differences Matter: Examining The Relationship Between Transfer Students’ Identity And Social Presence In Online Learning, Le Quanda L. Boldin-Cole

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigates the relationship between transfer students’ perceptions of identity and their social presence within online learning environments, addressing a gap in research on this underexplored population. Drawing on Erikson's (1968) psychosocial development theory and Marcia's (1966) identity status model, the study explores how identity formation influences both the perception and manifestation of social presence in the online learning environment. A sequential explanatory design (Creswell & Poth, 2025) was employed, combining quantitative data from a web-based survey on identity status and social presence perceptions, followed by content analysis of students' discussion posts to examine social presence indicators. The findings …

Musical Language And Communication: Students Connect Music Streams To Literacy, Mathematics, Science, And Movement, Kelly Collier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation discusses how music and literacy claim many of the same skills, ways music may be used as a motivational tool to help promote strategies for skill development, and how teachers working in teams have the innovation to generate strategic learning. By combining music symbolism with the literacy curriculum, one can create a set of elementary school lessons that integrate musical melody with the facets of literacy, mathematics, science, and movement to formulate beneficial opportunities for student engagement and learning. Students cultivate learning by using the elements of rhythmic literacy, such as identifying beat values in conjunction with their …

Bridging The Gap Between Vocal Performance Degrees And Opera Apprentice Programs: A Comparative Study Of Pedagogical Methods, Emily Marie Dirks

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While operatic apprentice programs seek singers with strong vocal potential, they rarely define the specific technical skills necessary for success. This study bridges the gap between vocal performance degrees and the opera industry by identifying the vocal techniques that may improve a singer’s likelihood of acceptance into an apprentice program. To achieve this, the research draws from two primary sources: pedagogical texts and interviews with industry experts who actively teach, coach, or perform alongside apprentice artists at elite opera houses. These experts include voice teachers Darrell Babidge and Jack LiVigni, vocal coaches Beatrice Benzi and John Parr, and internationally acclaimed …

Advanced Literacies In The 21st Century: Examining A Narrative-Based Video Game As A Stealth Assessment For Comprehension, Joseph Paul Fiorentini

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In our technology-rich 21st Century, the need for valid, reliable, and fair literacy assessments remains pertinent to the field of education. This study defines literacy as advanced literacy where comprehension is considered a holistic product of applying acquired knowledge, skills, or abilities (KSA) to contextualized situations. Conventional assessment methods have traditionally parceled out the construct into its component parts (i.e., vocabulary, phonics, fluency, etc.) as a means of understanding the meaning making process from a traditional literacy perspective. Stealth assessments utilize the Evidence-Centered Design (ECD) framework as a robust method for assessing complex constructs holistically within technology rich environments. Adapting …

Enhancing Therapeutic Use Of Self: The Value Of Unfolding Case Studies In Occupational Therapy Education, Janel Marie Gozum

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: This capstone project evaluated the effectiveness of using unfolding case studies (UCS) as a supplemental instructional method to enhance occupational therapy (OT) students’ self-efficacy (SE) in applying therapeutic use of self (TUOS), a core competency in OT education.Methods: Four workshop modules were delivered to and completed by OT students (n=3) enrolled in the occupational therapy doctorate program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The sessions included instructional content, guided discussions, unfolding case study activities, and a TUOS competency. The Self-Efficacy for Therapeutic Use of Self (SETUS) Questionnaire was administered at four points throughout to monitor perceived self-efficacy over …

A Novel Game-Based Assessment Of Risk-Taking Propensity: Development And Psychometric Evidence, Danielle L. Head

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Risk-taking propensity is defined and measured in different ways across the literature, resulting in assessment issues related to construct validity (Bran & Vaidis, 2020). Multimethod assessment approaches can bolster construct validity by capturing more facets of risk-taking propensity (Meyer et al., 2001). Risk-taking propensity is assessed through self-report questionnaires (Zhang et al., 2019), which exhibit good test-retest reliability (Frey et al., 2017) and predictive validity (Beauchamp et al., 2017), and behavioral tasks (Aklin et al., 2005), which are less psychometrically sound, lacking convergent validity and test-retest reliability (Frey et al., 2017). Guided by evidence-centered design principles (Mislevy, 2013), a novel …

Accelerating Initial Cardiac Arrest Response In Medical-Surgical Nurses Through Virtual Reality Training, Carissa A. Hernandez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Through their limited exposure, non-critical care nurses may feel unprepared to respond when faced with a sudden emergency such as cardiac arrest. This Quality Improvement (QI) project employed virtual reality (VR) technology to improve nurse confidence, adherence to the American Heart Association (AHA) basic life support (BLS) algorithm, and documentation accuracy among medical-surgical nurses in a Veterans Affairs hospital in Nevada. The project addressed their ability to react promptly and effectively during these high-stakes emergencies. Methods: Following a scoping literature review from the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, and PubMed databases, this Evidence Based …

The Role-Space Of Italian Sign Language Educational Interpreters: An Ethnographic Case Study Of Interpreters At The Istituto Comprensivo Di Cossato, Martin A. Crudo

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This dissertation explores the role-space of educational interpreters at IC Cossato, an Italian public school known for its Bilingualism Project promoting LIS-Italian bilingualism and biliteracy (Rivisto, 2016; Teruggi, 2003). Role-space theory (Lee, 2023; Llewellyn-Jones & Lee, 2013, 2014) conceptualizes interpreters’ roles as dynamic and co-constructed with interlocutors along three axes: Presentation of Self, Interaction Management, and Participant Alignment. Through ethnographic interviews (Spradley, 2016), observations and field notes (Emerson et al. 2011; Glesne, 2016), and policy artifacts (Hornberger & Johnson, 2011), I investigate how three interpreters in IC Cossato’s elementary school perceive and enact their roles, often diverging from their …

Policy Analysis Of Assessments To Award Seals Of Biliteracy In Spanish In The United States, Lisa J. Harmon-Martínez

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

The Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) honors high school graduates demonstrating proficiency in two or more languages, yet its policies often perpetuate inequities. Focusing on New Mexico and Spanish language assessments, I explored how the SoBL's recognition of bilingualism intersects with biases against Spanish speakers. While the SoBL aims to celebrate bilingualism, disparities arise from state-to-state variations in assessment requirements, particularly affecting Spanish-speaking students and those receiving English Language Development services. Many states rely on standardized exams that inadequately capture students’ linguistic abilities, exacerbating inequalities. Using an Open Systems policy framework and Translanguaging theory, which values students’ full linguistic repertoires, I …

An Exploration Of Holistic Admissions Protocol In Graduate School: Implications For Access And Equity, Kelly Doherty

Dissertations and Theses

Historically, graduate admissions policies at higher education institutions have heavily relied on standardized testing, which limits access to graduate and professional degrees for underrepresented demographic and gender groups. Recently, movements toward holistic graduate admissions processes and strengths-based evaluations of applicants have shown promise in equitably recruiting and admitting candidates. However, the field currently lacks common best practices and strategies for enhancing equity in the evaluation of applicant credentials. Furthermore, recent federal challenges to campus diversity and inclusion efforts have complicated these initiatives. To address these issues, this qualitative comparative case study examined five university graduate schools that are implementing holistic …

Navigating The Moral Landscape: Courage, Cowardice, And The Educator's Call To Action, Scott H. Sorvaag

Essays in Education

Contemporary educators face an increasingly complex and challenging landscape. This essay explores the vital role of courage and the influence of cowardice in shaping educators' moral leadership and professional practice. By integrating insights from human development reports, leadership theory, and educational philosophy, this essay argues that understanding the internal continuum between courage and cowardice is crucial for educators seeking to create transformative learning environments. The essay provides actionable strategies for fostering courage in daily practice and nurturing partnerships between schools, parents, and communities.

Variation In Blood Culture Testing And Outcomes In Children Hospitalized With Three Common Infections., Smit Shah, Jessica L. Markham, Jennifer Goldman, Matt Hall, Jillian Cotter, Samantha A. House, Matthew J. Molloy, Michelle Polich, Michael J. Steiner, John R. Stephens, Michael J. Tchou, Ronald J. Teufel Ii, Irma Ugalde, Andrew Yu

Research Days

Background: Prior studies of blood culture (BC) testing in uncomplicated community acquired pneumonia (CAP), skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and urinary tract infections (UTI) have demonstrated low utility of routine testing given similar rates of pathogen versus contaminant detection and little effect on clinical management. Understanding patterns and outcomes of BC testing can identify opportunities to curb unnecessary testing.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: 1) Evaluate BC testing trends over time for children hospitalized for CAP, SSTI, and UTI; and 2) describe differences in clinical outcomes between hospital groups with low, moderate, or high testing rates. …

Association Between Neighborhood Opportunity And Youth Mental Health Emergency Department Visits, Shelby Chesbro Md, Henry T. Puls, Adrienne G. Deporre, Molly Krager, Laura Plencner, Shayla Sullivant, Matthew Hall Phd

Research Days

Background: Youth mental health emergency department visits are increasing and are a burden on the health care system. Prevalence of mental health disorders may be influenced by the neighborhood youths live in.

Objectives/Goal: Determine differences in rates of youth mental health ED visits across zip code levels of neighborhood opportunity.

Methods/Design: We performed a cross-sectional study using the Hospital Industry Data Institute dataset identifying ED visits with a primary mental health diagnosis in Kansas and Missouri for youths aged 5-19 years in 2022-2023. Mental health ED visits were then categorized at the zip code level by neighborhood opportunity using the …

Reducing Vancomycin Use In The Cicu, Karoline Krzywda, Ali Taber, Lauren Johnson

Research Days

Background/Aim Statement: In the CICU empiric vancomycin is frequently prescribed. This practice occurs without broad knowledge of the actual rates of methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant staph epidermidis (MRSE) infections. Given the potential for harmful side effects of vancomycin as well as concern for growing antibiotic resistance, we sought to better characterize local unit prescribing practices and MRSA/MRSE infection rates to guide our QI project with an aim of reducing vancomycin use in the CICU.

Methods (include PDSA cycles): Patient data from January 2021 to January 2023 was analyzed. The number of monthly days spent on vancomycin …

A Risk Score To Predict Recurrent High Intensity Inpatient Resource Utilization For Children With Medical Complexity., Charles Maloy, Matthew Hall, Jessica L. Bettenhausen, Yui-Yee Chan, Leah Jones, Kathryn Kyler, Laura Plencner Md, Jessica Markham, Jacqueline M. Walker, Smit Shah, Sîan Best, Jonathan Ermer, Shelby Chesbro, Maria Newmaster, Henry T. Puls

Research Days

Background: Children with medical complexity (CMC) use a greater amount of inpatient resources and stand to benefit from unique care models and coordination. However, hospital resources can be limited, and a better understanding of which CMC are high resource users could improve hospital and staff planning.

Objectives/Goal: To develop a risk score predictive of recurrent high intensity inpatient utilization among CMC.

Methods/Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children <18 years old with ≥3 complex chronic conditions (CCC) discharged from one of 48 children’s hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System during 2021 and 2022. To reflect CMC typically cared for by a general medical service, children with cardiac procedures, dialysis, oncology, or transplant CCCs, and index hospitalization mortality were excluded. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors present on the index hospitalization associated with ≥5 hospitalizations or ≥3 hospitalizations with one lasting ≥25 days within any 365-day period (high inpatient utilization) in 2021-2023. We developed risk scoring system using model coefficients and defined the optimal risk score cutoff to maximize sensitivity and specificity. We then applied the risk score cutoff to children discharged to determine (a) ratio of predicted:actual CMC with recurrent high resource use and (b) the total predicted daily volume on 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile days for each hospital.

Results: Of 44,432 included children, 9,596 (21.6%) had high inpatient utilization (Table). Children under 1 year of age had the highest odds of high inpatient utilization (OR 2.26 [95% CI: …

Failure To Launch: Pediatric Colorectal Surgery Center Utilization By Patients Over 18 Years Of Age, Vatche Melkonian, Andres Gonzalez Salazar, Cory Nonnemacher, Seth Saylors, Margaret Martin-Mclain, Iris Lim-Beutel, Rebecca Rentea

Research Days

Background: As patients with childhood colorectal diseases transition into adulthood, many continue to seek care at pediatric colorectal centers rather than transitioning to adult hospital systems. This preference often stems from a sense of comfort and familiarity with their pediatric care teams. Additionally, patients often perceive inadequacies in adult healthcare systems in managing their specific conditions. As these numbers of patients continue to grow, pediatric colorectal centers may face increasing demands on their resources, potentially diverting attention away from pediatric patients.

Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of our pediatric colorectal center by patients aged …

Patterns And Growth Of A Dedicated Pediatric Coagulation Consult Service In A Freestanding Children's Hospital, Nicole Demarco, Shannon Carpenter, Brian Lee

Research Days

Background: Hospital-acquired thrombosis remains a significant concern in pediatric care, contributing to morbidity and extended hospital stays. At Children’s Mercy, a dedicated inpatient coagulation consultation service has existed for many years. Efforts have been made to implement prophylactic measures aimed at reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired thrombosis. With the recent COVID pandemic we saw an influx in prophylactic anticoagulation due to recommended guidelines.

Objectives: To characterize the impact increased efforts in thromboprophylaxis during and after the COVID-19 pandemic on care delivery and the development of thrombosis among pediatric hospitalized patients.

Methods: This retrospective review included all pediatric inpatients with a …

Multi-Omic Analysis Of Kmt2a-Rearranged Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Reveals Novel Pathways Of Interest, Trenton Edwards, Irina Pushel, Thomas Gremminger, Lisa Lansdon, Byunggil Yoo, Michaella Rekowski, Michael Washburn, Midhat Farooqi

Research Days

Objectives/Goals

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the second most common leukemia among pediatric populations. Approximately 15% of pediatric AML cases have KMT2A gene rearrangements (KMT2A-r), which carry a worse prognosis. Our goal is to better characterize the biologic landscape of KMT2A-r pediatric AML. We hypothesize that a multi-omic approach will reveal mechanisms underlying the aggressive nature of KMT2A-r AML.

Methods/Study Population

This study makes use of deidentified peripheral blood and/or bone marrow samples banked in the Children’s Mercy Tumor Bank Biorepository. For this study, we used samples at diagnosis and remission from four KMT2A-r pediatric AML …

No Suspicion For Nocarh: A Cautionary Tale Of Anchoring Bias, Nicole Demarco, Shannon Haines, Julia Allyson Hays, Bonnie Sullivan, Michael Price, Kimberly A. Horii

Research Days

Neonatal onset of cytopenia autoinflammation rash and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome (NOCARH), a subset of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by uncontrolled immune response. It presents a diagnostic challenge in neonates due to the overlap of clinical features with other conditions, particularly congenital infections.

Nrp And Pals In Icu Code Events At A Quaternary Care Pediatric Hospital: A ‘Compressed’ Analysis, Deepa Kumar, Mitch Kinkor, Stephen Pfeiffer, Allison Taber, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell Phd, Jessica Brunkhorst, Danielle Reed

Research Days

This is a retrospective observational study comparing code events in children less than 18 months of age who were resuscitated in the NICU, PICU, and CICU using neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) and pediatric advance life support (PALS).

Navigating The Ai Frontier: Challenges And Opportunities For Academic Libraries, Zachary Newell Phd, Christine I. Dulac Jd, Mlis, Jill Piekut Roy, Anna Faherty, Benjamin Barton, Alex Elliott

USM Faculty Teaching Symposium

Academic libraries stand at a pivotal juncture, grappling with the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence. Our presentation will address the practical, ethical, and social implications caused by the integration of AI into the work of academic libraries. Ethical considerations are paramount. Algorithmic bias threatens equitable access, while privacy and data security demand robust safeguards. The rise of AI-generated content necessitates a reevaluation of academic integrity and copyright law. Practical challenges include data quality and system integration. AI implementation requires substantial investment and specialized expertise, necessitating staff upskilling and training. Socially, building user trust through transparent communication is crucial. Libraries must …

Being In Community With Children And Engaging Their Full Range Of Civic Capabilities. A Response To "Learning To Talk And Listen In Elementary Social Studies: Exploring A Third-Grade Teacher’S Decision To Use Classroom Talk For Community Building", Katherina A. Payne

Democracy & Education

Early childhood social studies should open opportunities for children to make sense of their social world; the civic question of how we live together is central to the social world. Elementary classrooms are uniquely positioned to support democratic civic education given the amount of time children and adults spend together, the emphasis placed on cultivating a positive classroom community, and children’s capabilities to cultivate relationships full of care and concern for people from outside their close familial relations. In response to Lo’s (2025) examination of a third-grade teacher’s use of discussion to engage in contentious topics while cultivating a sense …

The Roles Of Productivity, Emotions, And Identities In Classroom Discourse. A Response To "Productive Discussion Across Political Differences: Understanding Students’ Experiences With Comfort And Discomfort Within Structured Discussions Of Public Policy Issues", Anne-Lise Halvorsen, Thomas (Tomás) Aviles

Democracy & Education

“Productive Classroom Discussion across Political Differences: Understanding Students’ Experiences of Comfort and Discomfort within Structured Discussion Strategies” offers a fresh perspective on high school classroom discussions by centering the role of emotions–in particular comfort and discomfort–and their relationship to students’ identities. In this response, we describe how this perspective on emotions and identities is vital and humanizing. We then build on the study’s considerations of emotions and identities in discussion, particularly for students from marginalized backgrounds, and offer additional perspectives about the purpose, format, and framing of these kinds of discussions.

Toward Discussion Facilitation That Enacts Collective Care. A Response To “Teaching Dobbs Where Divisive Concepts And Abortion Are Restricted”, Jenni Conrad

Democracy & Education

For both teacher candidates and teacher educators, facilitating discussions of contested issues in hyper-polarized climates remains a heavy lift. This response to “Teaching Dobbs…” celebrates the successes apparent in Geller’s team’s work and identifies key features that supported it. While cautioning readers against adopting avatar rehearsals elsewhere, I distill four themes of planning and enactment that show clear promise for broad transference in teacher education. Drawing from research exploring the interfaces of justice-oriented, practice-based, and democratic social studies scholarship, I offer pedagogical and logistical considerations for other teacher educators and researchers engaged in this ambitious and necessary work to sustain …

Learning To Talk And Listen In Elementary Social Studies: Exploring A Third-Grade Teacher’S Decision To Use Classroom Talk For Community Building, Jane C. Lo

Democracy & Education

With mounting polarization in the political arena and media sources, trust of one’s neighbors and of teachers are facing increasing strain in the United States. Furthermore, teachers continue to struggle with how to teach high-quality, nuanced, social studies, especially in the elementary setting, where time and resources for social studies has been depleting for decades (e.g., Fitchett et al., 2014; Heafner, 2018). Within this context, this study presents a case of a third-grade teacher who chooses to use discursive talk as a way to support high-quality social studies and to build community in her classroom. Findings suggest that classroom talk …

Productive Discussion Across Political Differences: Understanding Students’ Experiences With Comfort And Discomfort Within Structured Discussions Of Public Policy Issues, Gregory E. Mcavoy, Paula Mcavoy, Rachel Waltz, Emily Grace

Democracy & Education

This study investigates the effectiveness of two pedagogical strategies—deliberation and debate—in fostering productive political discussions among high school students, with a focus on overcoming affective polarization. Paying attention to students’ comfort, engagement, and willingness to participate, this study employs a mixed-method approach using data from surveys, observations, and interviews with students participating in a civic immersion program in Washington, DC. Using deliberative theory and the concept of “productive classroom discussion across political differences,” the research explores the extent to how students perceive each strategy as productive, as well as their experiences of comfort and productive and unproductive discomfort. Additional attention …