Higher Education Commons^™

Understanding Ai Usage On Campus: Perspectives Of Faculty, Staff, And Students At A Regional Comprehensive Institution, Sudarshana Bordoloi Dr., Brooke Burk

Essays in Education

The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped teaching, learning, research, and administrative work across higher education. To better understand how campus communities are engaging with AI, this study examines the perspectives and practices of faculty, staff, and students at a regional comprehensive university in Minnesota. Drawing on survey data from 143 respondents, the study explores patterns of AI usage, perceived benefits and challenges, and the training needs required for ethical and effective integration of AI tools. Findings indicate that students primarily use AI for tutoring, idea generation, and drafting written assignments; faculty rely on AI for research, …

Unlocking Students’ Creative Confidence Through Design Thinking Practices: A Parallel Mediation Of Collaboration And Diversity, And Creativity, Faisal Iddris, Agyapong, Emmanuel Mensah Kparl, Philip Opoku Mensah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the consensus in the literature that design thinking practices spark innovation, research has yet to examine the creative confidence outcomes of design thinking practices. Integrating the Resource-Based Theory and the Componential Theory of Creativity, we hypothesised a parallel mediation model in which design thinking practices are associated with creative confidence via collaboration and diversity, and creativity. Based on a sample of 419 tertiary students in a Ghanaian University, it was found that design thinking facilitates students’ creative confidence. Also, collaboration and diversity partially mediate the relationship between design thinking and creative confidence. The study also found support for the …

Improving Middle School Students’ Scores On Math Word Problems Through Reading Comprehension, Diane M. Burgess

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to address the poor performance of middle school students on math word problems attributed to the lack of reading comprehension skills. A review of standardized math assessments for middle school students confirmed that the greater proportion of questions is made up of word problems. Despite having strong mathematical skills, middle school students are likely to fail to find the correct solutions for math word problems. In the middle school classroom, the development of reading comprehension skills and mathematical abilities are tasks required of different teachers. Math teachers at a middle school in Florida did not …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Teachers Regarding How Their Students’ Attendance Rate Impacts Their Academic Achievement, John Logan Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic absenteeism has emerged as a critical educational concern nationwide, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. National data indicate that chronic absence rates increased from 15% in 2019 to 28% in 2022, and in the targeted rural South Carolina district, 25% of students were chronically absent in 2022–2023, rising to 28% in 2023–2024. Persistent absenteeism is associated with lower academic performance, widened achievement gaps, and diminished long-term educational and workforce outcomes, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority students.

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine teachers’ perceptions and experiences regarding how students’ attendance rates influence academic achievement in …

Beyond Compliance: Transformative Co-Design For Gender-Based Violence Prevention In Higher Education, Narelle Lemon, Christina Gray, Jason Goopy, Lisa Holmes, Bec Ball, Melissa Perry, Elisa Fear

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines how university staff and students experience transformative learning through voluntary participation in a gender-based violence (GBV) prevention programme that transcended compliance-oriented approaches. While universities increasingly rely on mandatory modules that fail to create sustainable change, this research investigates whether self-nominated participation and co-design pedagogy can foster genuine transformation and voice development among participants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. A qualitative multi-method design examined eight university students (aged 18–24) at an Australian university through pre-post focus groups, observational field notes, and artefact analysis. Participants voluntarily engaged in workshops co-designing peer-focused social media prevention messaging. Inductive thematic analysis identified patterns …

Academic Dishonesty In Higher Education, Nitza Davidovitch, Aleksandra Gerkerovaa, Ruth Dorota

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Academic dishonesty has become a pervasive issue among students, often driven by environmental and social pressures and facilitated by opportunities such as the use of digital devices (e.g., smartwatches) that enable misconduct. The aim of the current study was to examine the associations between academic dishonesty and variables including class attendance, self-efficacy, and the use of digital learning methods. It was hypothesized that academic dishonesty would increase with higher absenteeism, lower self-efficacy, and greater reliance on Zoom lectures and exams. This study was conducted at a single academic institution in Israel, based on an anonymous structured survey completed by 121 …

Directional Reflection: Realising Its 'Practical Potential' At The University Level, Simon P. Brownhill

Plymouth Interdisciplinary Education Open Journal

Reflection is ‘a foundational concept’ in higher education, yet its successful implementation often demands purposeful intervention and thoughtful scaffolding (Harvey et al., 2025, p.1). This Brief Communication explores the potential of Directional Reflection (Brownhill, 2025), a visual strategy that uses arrows to prompt students towards specific types of thinking. Recent dissemination activities of said strategy acknowledge the pressing need to balance the theory with the practice, identifying practical ways that Directional Reflection could be embraced by lecturers and students at the university level. Thus, this brief communication proposes an assortment of pedagogical ideas to nurture silent in-session communication, offer cohort …

2025 Consistent Senate Meeting Time, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Passed Motions

Winona State University (WSU) Student Senate passed a motion on December 3, 2025 to support a consistent Student Senate Meeting time, to ensure all elected Senators can attend meetings.

Unpacking The Role Of Virtual Exchange In Promoting Student Well-Being, Mona Pearl, Kelly Tzoumis, Allison E. Hill, Spencer D. Sutherland

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Educational institutions and workplaces are grappling with the task of promoting the well-being of their students and employees. From 2021 to 2023, students from Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the US participated in virtual exchange collaborations in the form of global virtual teams (GVTs) and were assessed pre (n=201) and post (n=251) their GVTs experience. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess changes in learner well-being from participation in GVTs. Based on the impact to student perceived well-being from the GVT experience, we found important results that can be useful for both employers and academic institutions …

2025 Dean's Advisory Board: Constitution Update, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Passed Motions

Winona State University (WSU) Student Senate passed a motion on November 18, 2025 to update the collaborative relationship with the Dean's Advisory Board Commission (DAB).

2025 Winona City Bus Service, Student Senate - Winona State University

Student Senate Passed Motions

This document is a Winona State University Student Senate (WSUSS) official motion passed in 2025. In the motion, the WSUSS recommends that Winona State University reenter negotiations for the reinstatement of its contract with the City of Winona to ensure that students have reliable and accessible transportation.

Student Senate Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for November 5, 2025.

Understanding Michigan’S Reconnect Program Applicants, Alexander W. Bartik, Brad J. Hershbein, Brian Jacob, Kevin M. Stange, Bryan A. Stuart, Zhonghan Xie

Reports

No abstract provided.

Exploring Student Success In A Clinical Neuroscience Course: A Pilot Study On Early Identification And Academic Advising In Physical Therapy Training, Bindu Balakrishnan, James Mathews, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg, Mohan Ganesan

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: This study explored the impact of early identification and student academic advising on performance in the clinical neuroscience course using a mixed-method design. The researchers hypothesized that early identification of students experiencing academic difficulties, followed by comprehensive advising, would improve performance.

Methods: Twenty Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from the third trimester of the program participated in this mixed-methods study. Early identification was achieved through a quiz in the first week or early second week of the course, with students scoring below 70% offered voluntary enrollment. Nine students were assigned to the control group, while 11 received …

Occupational Balance Of Occupational Therapy Students Before And After Occupational Disruption Caused By Covid-19, Juan Pablo Saa, Georgia King, Kylee Lockwood, Tamara Tse

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions have caused occupational disruption, yet little is known about their relationship with occupational balance, student satisfaction, and stress. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the occupational balance of occupational therapy students in the state of Victoria, Australia, and its association with measures of life satisfaction and distress.

Method: Participants completed the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-11) twice (once rating their occupational balance before COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and again during the time these restrictions were in place); the Global Life Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Depression, Anxiety and …

2025 Oerc Reserve Funding, Student Senate - Winona State University

Student Senate Passed Motions

This document is a Winona State University Student Senate (WSUSS) official motion passed on October 15, 2025. The WSUSS motion allocates between $15,360 and $30,184, dependent on which company the university decides to contract with, from the Student Life Reserve Fund (FY26) to support the Outdoor Education and Recreation Center (OERC) Bouldering Pad Replacement project.

Men In Higher Education In Nevada, 1993-2023, Mia Tschan, Kristian Thymianos, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Higher Education

This fact sheet compares enrollment, graduation, and earnings data for men and women that enrolled in the seven institutions of higher learning in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) between 1993 and 2023. This fact sheet further focuses on how male enrollment and graduation shares have changed with time. The data are derived from the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM) report, “Men in higher education: A national data tool,” which includes data for all fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This fact sheet focuses on institution-level data for seven public NSHE institutions: the University of …

Feeling At Home In The Basic Communication Course: A Qualitative Case Study Of Faculty And Student Perceptions Of A Connected Classroom Climate At One Midwestern University, Cynthia Grobmeier

Basic Communication Course Annual

The concept of a connected classroom climate considers that peer-to-peer interaction, not just instructor-student interaction, contributes to a sense of community in the classroom that can impact student outcomes. This qualitative case study considers both student and instructor perceptions of what contributes to that sense of connection in the classroom at a mid-size, four-year, Hispanic-serving university. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and member checks with students and instructors who engaged in the first-year basic communication course during the Spring 2022 semester. Four themes emerged in this study: a) the communication classroom is uniquely positioned to create a sense of …

A Preliminary Survey Of Slp Students’ Language Sample Analysis Experiences, Rebecca Bawayan, Michelle H. Lenhart, Alexa Van Doren

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: Although practicing school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) report that most of their training in language sample analysis (LSA) comes during their educational program, SLP students’ experiences with LSA in their training program have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to gather information on the LSA use, methods, and contexts in addition to perceived knowledge and skills of speech-language pathology undergraduate and graduate students.

Method: Undergraduate and graduate students studying speech-language pathology responded to an invitation to complete an online survey related to LSA knowledge and experiences.

Results: Results indicated that most students gain experience with LSA …

The Power A Generation Holds: A Study On Students Generating Change In American Social Movements, Caroline E. Koziol

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Social activism ebbs and flows throughout American history. In the contemporary period, high visual coverage of activism has contributed to frustrations over the apparent decrease in change despite perceptions of increased participation. Young activists in the classroom ask questions to learn from their predecessors. This paper focuses on answering, “How can students create sustained change through social activism?” The present work recenters activism in the role of students and higher education institutions, noting their potential for creating change through a formula for future activists to engage with. The proposed formula targets methods and theories to bolster success towards the cause …

Educational Reforms In West Africa: Push And Pull Factors Analysis Of Student Mobility In Ghana, Nigeria, And The Ivory Coast, Aya Kouao

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

The interconnectivity of global capitals has led to the increasing movements of people across borders for political, social, and economic reasons. However, there has been an increased interest in countries located in the West. This paper focuses on the context of student mobility in West Africa, especially in the countries of the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria for a better understanding of students’ attitudes toward pursuing their higher education in Western countries. Drawing from the push and pull theory, the purpose of this study is to explore the drivers of migration intentions among West African students while looking at the …

Enhancing Critical Thinking Through Interactive Learning Approaches For First-Year University Students, Nana Yaw B. Agyeman, Venessa Vela Aphane Ms

Journal of Research Initiatives

The use of interactive learning methods is considered crucial in equipping university students with critical skills. This could successfully deal with, and address issues encountered in real-world contexts. It has been noted that most first-year university students often face challenges adjusting to university life due to their background. The research methodology utilized in this study was qualitative, as it was deemed appropriate for the research objectives. A case study design was employed to investigate the issue comprehensively. A purposive sample of eight participants was selected. Thematic analysis was employed as the method of data analysis. The study's findings suggest that …

Law School News: Remembering Bruce I. Kogan (Nov 1944-Aug 2025) : Founding Faculty, Beloved Teacher, And Lifelong Champion Of Rwu Law 08-28-2025, Helga Melgar

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Helping Bipoc, Women, And First-Generation Students Maximize The Value Of Unpaid Internships, Ted Thornhill, Nicole Torres, Christina Van Wingerden

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Internships and practicums are a required component of nearly all degree programs in human services and its subfields—and most are unpaid. These unpaid positions often have a disproportionate impact for BIPOC and first-generation students, especially women—many of whom are economically disadvantaged and must work to support themselves and sometimes their families. Increased student activism, non-profit campaigns, and journalistic accounts show student frustration over their unpaid labor. Despite the righteousness of these students’ cause, the reality is that the implementation of an equitable, robust, and sustainable nationwide system of paid internships, in the near-term, is politically impracticable. Given that most human …

The Earliest University Of Nebraska Graduate Degrees, 1886-1909, Mark A. Griep

Mark A. Griep Publications

This list of the earliest graduate degrees awarded by the University of Nebraska (NU) in Lincoln was assembled to learn about the university’s research activity that preceded its admission to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) in 1909.

Being Intelligent With Artificial Intelligence, Jennifer Vermeer

The Voice

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Dordt's Mentorship Program, David Schenk

The Voice

No abstract provided.

“Like A Fish Being Judged By My Ability To Fly”: Barriers To Accessibility In Postgraduate Study, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This research paper explores the unique accessibility challenges faced by disabled postgraduate students and what can be done to address them. Testimonies and formal studies alike show how disabled graduate students have to deal with stigmatizing attitudes from their instructors (especially if they hold intersectional marginalized identities) on top of systemic barriers such as strict deadlines, unsustainably heavy workloads, inaccessible travel requirements, and disability services that are not suited to undergraduate needs. These problems are especially prominent in medical school where demands on time and energy are especially rigorous. To address these issues, disability service programs must be reformed to …

Roshit Niraula Honors Portfolio, Roshit Niraula

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Roshit Niraula's Honors Portfolio captured in May 2025.

Cultivating Advanced Education For Christian Faculty In Higher Education Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Gary D. Hyrne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of cultivating advanced education for Christian faculty at higher education institutions in the United States. The central research question guiding this study asked: What are the experiences of Christian faculty cultivating advanced education in higher education institutions? The Christian faculty participants' research was guided by data on their lived experiences at private Christian institutions, state universities, or other secular institutions of higher education. Secular relates to the worldly or temporal, not overtly or specifically religious. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guided the study. The research design followed the recommendations of …