Education Commons^™

Lululemon Strategic Audit, Tessa Mozingo, Olivia Eno, Molly Mitchell, Connor Morrissey, James Eshleman

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This case study focuses on lululemon, a prominent athleisure apparel company. Our team conducted an audit of the company revolving around strategic business management principles. Our research used publicly available information that included the company’s website, SEC filings, news articles, lululemon’s annual reports, financial statements, IBIS industry reports, and online sources. The goal of this strategic audit is to develop an understanding of lululemon’s business activities and strategies, collect and analyze both internal and external data, and evaluate lululemon based on strategic management concepts.

In this strategic audit, we conduct internal, external, performance, and competitive analyses and an examination of …

Jp Morgan Chase Strategic Analysis, Carson Swartzbaugh

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

JP Morgan Chase is an American financial institution that touches all sides of the financial sector, including commercial banking, consumer banking, investment banking, and asset management, to name a few. JP Morgan Chase is the largest American Bank and a global leader in the financial industry. A PESTEL analysis of JP Morgan Chase and the financial sector of the United States will give an overall view of the industry while providing critical insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by JP Morgan Chase and its competitors. Additionally, Porter’s Five Forces will focus on the competitive environment in which JP Morgan …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of Stress Management Strategies Among Stem Students At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dylan Hiser

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

High-stakes exams often induce significant stress among STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students, impacting their academic performance and overall well-being. As the opportunity for careers in STEM grows rapidly, understanding the stressors that students face remains critical in mitigating the effects of this stress and ensuring the success of these students. The objective of this study is to determine how well STEM students respond to recommended interventions that mitigate exam stress and to identify trends in these students’ exam scores. To accomplish this, a set of surveys was sent to undergraduate STEM students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The …

A Strategic Audit Of Instacart, Taylor Durbin

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Instacart is an online grocery delivery and pick-up service that allows users to order groceries and other household items from local and large stores and retailers through its website or mobile app. Apoorva Mehta founded Instacart in 2012 with the intent to help people conveniently access the food they enjoy, and the service now reaches over 14,000 cities across the United States and Canada. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the company as its rise to becoming a prominent player in the online grocery delivery industry has skyrocketed demand for the service and presented numerous operational challenges for the …

Final Design Of Legion Hall Revitalization In Potter, Nebraska, Madison Brennfoerder

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This project was conducted to renovate and revitalize the Legion Hall community center in the Village of Potter located in western Nebraska north of the Interstate. The work completed for this project can be separated into five disciplines: Hydrologic & Hydraulic Design, Geotechnical Analysis, Structural Analysis, Environmental Analysis, and Transportation Design. Legion Hall is a historical building within The Village of Potter which was built in 1917. The Village of Potter has recently acquired the rights to the hall and is seeking to revitalize the historical community center to increase tourism in the village.

Target Strategic Audit, Ashley Mcrae

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Target is a prominent American retail chain known for its wide array of affordable yet stylish products. The company has built a strong reputation over several decades for its commitment to offering exclusive brands and unique shopping experiences to its diverse customer base. This strategic audit specifically focuses on the dynamic mass-market retail industry and analyzes Target’s ability to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in an evolving industry. This report will specifically focus on an overview of the company and its operations, analysis of the competitive advantage Target possesses, and an examination of the strategy Target utilizes. Tools, like Porter’s …

Eli Lilly And Company Strategic Audit, Isha Kishore

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Eli Lilly and Company (Eli Lilly) is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm's mission statement is to unite caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. Eli Lilly is guided by three core values: Integrity, Excellence, and Respect for People. This strategic analysis evaluates Eli Lilly's macroenvironment using the PESTEL analysis, its competitive landscape using Porter's Five Forces Framework, and the company's strategy, competitive advantage, and significant issues and opportunities for expansion.

Innovations In Publicly Funded Workforce Training Programs, Chris Ackley

School of Professional Studies

This paper explores the aspects of the current public workforce system and detail persistent challenges as well as promising practices in the field from both Rhode Island and other locations. The author will present a series of recommendations for state and local leaders in the field as well as affiliated training providers and nonprofit practitioners. These proposals are designed to strengthen the overall system and create more opportunity for upward mobility, especially among individuals who have historically not had equitable access to postsecondary educational attainment which provides access to economic advancement.

The State Of Special Education In Virginia, Caroline R. Aramini

School of Professional Studies

This capstone research paper discusses the current state of special education in Virginia. Some of the problems faced by the state include a checkered history of noncompliance with federal mandates, cultural hindrances related to special educator attrition and retention, and resource constraints. A history of special education and disability in education in America is provided to better contextualize solutions found in the research. Recommendations are proposed to address deficiencies, including increased economic compensation for special educators and transformation of the school culture through different strategies. These suggestions are designed to improve the current issues and address the problematic patterns displayed …

Iraqi Education Past And Present: The Role Of Policymakers And Their Ideological Background, Hadi T. Pir

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The history of Iraqi education unmistakably illustrates how policymakers have consistently operated within the same worldview since 1920. Despite apparent differences among Iraqis in terms of race, religion, sect, geography, and social and tribal norms, a shared worldview has emerged, which I term the Traditional Iraqi Paradigm (TIP). This shared worldview comprises a set of interconnected postulates. The divergence among Iraqi groups lies not in the postulates themselves but in how they translate these postulates into actions and behaviors. These translations have become historical, institutional, and psychological aspects of reality contributing to the political, social, and educational differences, conflicts, and …

Improving Visual Inspection Skills In Special Education Teachers, George G. Toman

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The Conservative Dual Criteria (CDC) method is known to improve decision-making accuracy in users when interpreting graphed data. The effectiveness of this method with in-service special education teachers, however, has not been investigated. The present study examined the effects of a virtual training package designed to improve the data-based decision-making skills of in-service special education teachers. Specifically, the virtual training consisted of a training video on the CDC method, access to a decision-making guide, and a brief training assessment. Five in-service special education teachers received training in the CDC method via the online learning management system, Canvas. A multiple baseline …

Preparing The Next Generation Of Music Teachers: Illuminating Motivations Of Nebraska Preservice Teacher Mentors, Emily Marie Chapman

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This mixed methods study examined factors influencing practicing educators' decisions to mentor preservice teachers in Nebraska. Guided by Expectancy-Value-Cost Theory, the study utilized a sequential explanatory design, integrating a quantitative survey design and qualitative phenomenological interview. Findings indicated that educators' belief in their mentoring ability or Expectancy-Ability Belief (EAB) significantly predicted their willingness to mentor, with PK-12 music educators exhibiting higher EAB scores than elementary or high school music educators. Qualitative insights highlighted reciprocal benefits of mentoring, such as skill development and professional growth. The impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on mentoring experiences varied among participants. Recommendations included …

Supporting The Creative Side Of Creative Coding: Helping Students Wield Code In The Pursuit Of Their Own Dreams, Gretchen K. Larsen

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Creative coding has become more common in art and new media schools, however research describing how teachers navigate the unique challenges of teaching code as a creative medium is limited. This paper presents the details of a creative coding course designed to support the ‘creative’ side of creative coding. As a result of this research, I present a framework for supporting the ‘creative’ side of creative coding, which connects to arts-based education theories, modified for the creative code context. This paper asks—what helps students use creative coding as an artistic medium in the pursuit of their own questions and meaning? …

Navigating Mental Health During Covid-19: Considerations Of Childhood Adversity, Pandemic Stress, And Loneliness, Linnea Rose Swanson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of this dissertation study was twofold. First, to determine if the addition of bullying victimization to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire (Felitti et al., 1998) would result in a stronger measure of childhood adversity; second to examine the interaction between ACEs, pandemic stress, loneliness, and internalizing symptoms in a sample of young adults living in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. ACEs are linked to negative outcomes in adulthood including mental health problems, stress, and loneliness. During the pandemic, increased levels of stress and loneliness were associated with higher rates of internalizing disorders among young adults. …

More Than A Monolith: Three Essays On The Diverse Journey Of Immigrant Students And Their Postsecondary Outcomes, Rian Rinaldi Djita

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For many years, the United States (U.S.) has been the country with the largest number of immigrants. As a result, policy about immigrant students’ success becomes crucial since it carries not only ethical implications but also economic and societal implications. While there have been other alternatives for students’ success, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), undeniably, college is still seen as a common pathway to success (e.g., Choi, 2015; Heckman et al., 2018; Turner, 2004). Unfortunately, there are several gaps in the literature on immigrant students’ success and postsecondary outcomes. First, while there is an increasing number of immigrants …

Cabinet-Level School Administrators Intragroup And Intergroup Identity And Positive Leader-Member Exchange Dynamics: A Single Case Study, Larry R. Berger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the challenges faced by the cabinet-level administration of a South Texas K-12 public school district in navigating intragroup and intergroup identity dynamics, impacting leader-member exchange, follower obligation, organizational behavior, and citizenship. Poor integration led to silo mentalities due to a lack of communication skills and social identity awareness among leadership. The study explored the influence of leaders’ attitudes and behaviors on intergroup and intragroup identities by examining how positive leader-member exchange practices affected collective organizational behaviors. Employing the framework of social identity theory, this study contributed to understanding specific leadership domains and the effective motivation …

Health Of Indigenous Orphans And Carers In Perú: A Mixed Methods Case Study Of Hogar De Niñas Virgen De Fatima, Lee Fergusson, Javier Ortiz Cabrejos, Anna Bonshek, Aparna Datey

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a devastating blow to the social fabric of Perú, with the highest orphans per death (OPD) ratio of any country in Latin America. Therefore, 260,000 orphans now require care because of 216,000 parent, custodial grandparent, and caregiver deaths between 2020 and 2022. The purpose of this research is to examine whether the practice of Transcendental Meditation, an established technique for improving the mental and physical health of children, can reasonably be expected to alleviate the symptoms of trauma associated with this surge in orphanhood.

Adolescent indigenous female orphans and their carers at Hogar de Niñas Virgen …

"It's Relationship Building": A Case Study On The Institutional Work Of Postsecondary Disability Services Directors., Taylor L. Pratt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nearly 21% of undergraduate students reported having some type of disability according to the most recent data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) for the 2019-2020 academic year. Changes in federal legislation have increased college access for disabled individuals over time; however, college students with disabilities persist at lower rates compared to their peers without disabilities. At the same time, little is known about the work of postsecondary disability services (DS), which are the primary support services for students with disabilities on college campuses. I addressed this gap in the literature by conducting a qualitative, single case study …

Providing Safe Spaces: An Examination Of Trio Sss Students’ Personal And Academic Self-Efficacy During Covid-19., Matthew Mcclendon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study aimed to examine the impact of the TRIO SSS Program in increasing the academic preparedness, graduation rates, and personal development of first-generation college students. Specifically, the study examined how TRIO SSS affected students’ self-efficacy through academic performance and personal development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical lens for this study was the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) in which Lent et al. (1994) presented the SCCT as a particularly appropriate framework for those in the early stages of exploring and preparing for careers. A case study methodology, specifically an intrinsic case study, was utilized to investigate the …

Lived Experiences, Migration Journey, Religiosity, And Spirituality Depicted In Drawings By Latino Children And Youth Crossing The U.S. Mexican Border: A Qualitative Study., Doroty Magalhaes Sato

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Widespread violence forces thousands of Central American children to endure a hazardous journey toward the U.S. Border seeking refuge. In the Latino community, faith serves as a social movement of resistance against oppression, playing a vital role in migration. There is a paucity of research documenting this experience and children's overall journey. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the lived experience of crossing international borders, religiosity, and spirituality depicted in Latino children's drawings used as coping methods to endure the journey toward the U.S. southern border. This investigation employed Art-based approaches to give voices to children's experiences by analyzing 63 …

Professional Development For Culturally Responsive Teaching: Examining The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Implementation In Teaching Practice, Chrystal Mckeever

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study sought to investigate the link between professional development and the implementation of professional learning to improve student performance. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, this study explored whether the professional development of culturally responsive teaching influenced classroom implementation. Second, this study examined the relationships between teachers’ implementation of culturally responsive strategies, teacher self-efficacy, and student performance. This approach (which contextualized academic knowledge and skills within a real-world setting) has been shown to lead to more meaningful experiences and increased interest in academic content (Gay, 2010; Ladson-Billings, 1995). The overarching questions that led this …

Examining The Relationship Between Mobile Phone Utilization On Self-Directed Online Professional Development Among Early Childhood Practitioners: A Preregistered Study, Jennifer Bowman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines Arkansas early childhood practitioners' propensity for self-directed learning when using mobile phones to participate in self-paced online professional development. Further, the activity system model provides context for understanding practitioners' willingness to use technology, like smartphones, to adopt new information when interacting in online learning formats. The problem is that although we must offer professional development to ensure we have competent early childhood practitioners statewide, we are uncertain whether those practitioners have the propensity to use mobile phones to direct their online learning. The purpose of this cross-sectional regression study is to examine the relationship between early childhood …

Comparing Children’S Engagement In Storybook Reading With And Without Access To Aac With A Literacy Supportive Feature, Brooke Zimmerman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This thesis evaluates the effects of comparing children’s engagement in storybook reading with and without access to high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with a literacy supportive feature. Literacy skills are a fundamental cornerstone for engagement in the lives of young children. Among these skills, the ability to decode words, or phonetically sound them out, plays a pivotal role in the acquisition of literacy. Proficiency in literacy also broadens the communication capabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods. However, existing AAC technologies currently fall short in adequately strengthening literacy development, particularly …

Cooperating Teacher Mentorship Behaviors And Job Satisfaction As Predictors Of Agricultural Education Interns’ Intent To Teach, Sarah Frances James

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Almost a quarter of agricultural education graduates do not teach SBAE upon graduating (Foster et al., 2024), however, this attrition has not been widely studied and reasons for this decision have not been identified. To increase the number of qualified teachers entering the classroom, the reasons for this attrition must be identified and addressed by universities. This study was conducted to investigate possible relationships between cooperating teacher mentorship behaviors, job satisfaction, and intent to teach in spring 2024 agricultural education interns. A survey, which combined the student teacher view part of Nesbitt and Barry’s (2023) cooperating teacher best practices instrument …

Working Alongside People With Disabilities: Their Impact And Value, Alice A. Jensen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

U.S. policies such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and the Americans with Disabilities Act support the inclusion of adults with disabilities in all areas of employment. Through WIOA, the federal government required public entities to provide training and help job seekers with disabilities access high-quality, competitive, integrated employment in the labor market. Nevertheless, two-thirds of unemployed PWDs report wanting employment but cannot find a job. Negative perceptions held by employers and hiring managers and their views that PWDs lack abilities create barriers to employment. In contrast, research has also shown that coworkers can greatly influence successful …

Perceptions Of Families, Students, And Teachers On Iep Engagement For Families And Students Of Color During Junior High And Senior High School Iep Conferences, Amillia K. Oswalt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of families and students of color and their teachers during junior high and high school IEP meetings. This study, informed by DisCrit, explored the similarities and differences of families, students, and teachers during IEP meetings as well as the use of research-based practices designed to increase family engagement for culturally diverse families. Participants completed surveys and participated in interviews about their experiences. The student’s most current IEP was also reviewed to determine the ways in which teachers document family and student engagement within the IEP document. The major themes identified were that research-based practices …

In-Service Needs Of Selected Arkansas Agriculture Teachers Related To Precision Agriculture Systems, Henry Ofosu Akwah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Precision Agriculture (PA) entails the use of computer technology, including software and hardware, together with good agronomic practices to effectively utilize resources available to growers. PA may enhance profitability, sustainability, resilience, and efficiency when implemented successfully. The aim of this study was to identify, assess, and describe the PA in-service needs of selected high school agriculture teachers in Arkansas. Forty-four teachers participated in the study, recruited through convenience sampling during the annual Arkansas agriculture in-service workshop held at Camp Couchdale in July 2023. A survey instrument was developed, and all forty-four participants provided complete responses. The survey included twenty-nine PA …

The Use Of A Token Economy To Decrease Problem Behaviors And Increase Task Completion For A Pre-Schooler With Autism, Dyana Schneider, Robbie Hanson

Theses

The execution of a token economy has been shown to be effective to decrease problem behaviors and increase task completion, communication, and other skills for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (Matson & Boisjoli, 2009). Although previous research has shown token economies to be effective, there remains criticisms regarding existing research, such as low experimental rigor, among others (Maggin et al., 2011). Additionally, although token economies embed evidence-based behavior-analytic strategies (Wong et al., 2015) there appears to be a disconnect between basic and applied research and implementation of token economies in a clinical context (e.g., relying on fixed …

Beyond The Bedroom Door: Investigating Representations Of Sex In Young Adult Literature, Amelia Gutche

English Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines representations of sex in young adult (YA) fiction, focusing on negative patterns, empowerment, and healthy relationships. Through analysis of seven YA novels and existing scholarship, three research questions are addressed: the evolution of sexual representations in the twenty-first century, patterns characterizing teenage sexual situations, and distinctions between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Findings reveal a shift toward more inclusive and empowering depictions, yet lingering conservative values and silences persist. YA literature often portrays sex as a source of fear and obsession, limiting adolescent power and perpetuating unrealistic ideals. Healthy relationships are characterized by support systems, mutual respect, and …

The Administrator, May 2024, Illinois State University College Student Personnel Administration

The Administrator

Newsletter of the Illinois State University College Student Personnel Administration