Higher Education Commons^™

Learning From Indigenous Knowledge And Research, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

The goal of this sabbatical research is to learn more about non-Western ways of knowing and learning (epistemologies) and to become a more effective culturally responsive teacher. I investigated how Indigenous Knowledge and research practices can enrich current definitions and practices of Information Literacy and integrate them into the research process. Information Literacy is part of a larger and more complex research process that involves connecting researchers’ questions and purpose with literature reviews and the resulting new knowledge.

I am continuing my research journey that started with my dissertation work on Culturally Relevant Information Literacy and Critical Information Literacy (CIL). …

Exploring Student Perceptions Of Faculty Messages: The Moderating Role Of Internationalized Status And Gender, Geoffrey Luurs, Ismail Karabas, Brittany Wood

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Email is a tool used often for developing rapport between students and teachers. A professor’s email mistakes may affect the attributions students make about the professor’s competence and professionalism. This study used an experimental, between-subjects design to analyze the impact of professors’ typographical mistakes during initial email interactions and the moderating role of instructor demographics in those perceptions. The final sample consisted of 426 participants (64.6% female, 75.8% Caucasian) across eight universities representing five regions of the United States. The results of this study showed instructor’s email mistakes do lead to negative perceptions. Furthermore, it showed a professor’s internationalized status …

Access To Augustana’S Ascension Chapel: Who Gets To Worship?, Jaycee C. Bythewood

Race, Ethnicity, & Religion

This poster seeks to educate readers about the challenges disabled students would face in attending a service in Augustana College’s Ascension Chapel and how inaccessible this actually is using maps crafted by the author with hand-gathered data.

Columnas: The Honors Program Newsletter At Bentley University, Alyssa Galin, Hayden Jennato, Isabella Ramirez, Micaela Corzo, Tiara Morales, Christos Chatziioannou

Honors Program

ADAPTING AND EMBRACING COLLEGE LIFE AT BENTLEY:

Page 2: The Best of Both Worlds by Amanda '25

Page 3: How Bentley Has Changed My Life by Yun Song '25

Page4: From the Andes to Boston by Gabriel E. Mendoza Hancco '28

Page 5: Navigating Imposter Syndrome: A First-Generation Ethiopian Student's Journey

TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT

Page 6: The TikTok Ban by Khussam Mohamed '28

Page 7: My Haphazard (Yet Steadily Improving) Relationship with AI as a Lifelong Writer by Sahil Raut '27

REDEFINING HAPPINESS

Page 8: Hack Your Happiness by Sadie Fitzpatrick '28

Page 9: Don't Wait by Sinead Keyes …

“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 …

Community Engagement Newsletter, April 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

Contents:

--- Community Engagement Celebration Day
--- Engaged Department Institute
--- Engaged Faculty Institute
--- RodCon
--- Earth Day 2025
--- Veridian Community Engagement Fellowship: Funds Available
--- Environmental Health Program Mini Grants
--- Koob Fund for Student Community Engagement

The Anatomy Of Toxic Leaders: Harris & Harken, Zainab Al

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project examines toxic leadership through two characters from the movie Horrible Bosses 2011 ): Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston) and Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey). Both characters display abusive leadership traits that harm their employees. Dr. Harris exploits her position of power to blackmail and groom her employee, Dale. Second, she takes advantage of the precarious position she s caught him in by blackmailing him to destroy the firing marriage he has lined up. Her record of toxic leadership includes bullying, corruption, and rampant misuse of power, contributing to a culture of fear and harassment Dave Harken, Nick s boss, …

Toward Ar Visualization Of The Fluid-Mosaic Model Of The Cell Membrane, Yoonwoo Lee, Allison Ost, Junghyuk Lee, Krisztina Z. Bencze

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Background: During the first semester of biochemistry experience, students focus on learning the structure and function of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Visualizing these structures and understanding interactions between molecules helps students better understand biological function. A variety 3D visualization tools are available, ex. PyMol, Chimera, Avogadro, Blender. Within the past decade, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications gained more popularity. VR with its immersive visual experience is more sought-after, but the higher cost and the need for headset creates limitations in the classroom. AR visualizations are cheaper and more accessible, several publications report successful implementation …

Fibonacci Product Cordial Labeling Of Generalized Triangular Snake And Other Graphs, Anthony S. Arial, Soumya Bhoumik

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

A Fibonacci Product Cordial labeling is an assignment of Fibonacci numbers to the vertices of a graph in a way that determines edge labels based on the product of vertex labels, modulo 2. The labeling is valid if the number of edges labeled 0 and 1 differ by at most 1. If a graph allows such a labeling, it is called a Fibonacci Cordial graph. We explore various snake graphs and Helm graphs that can have this type of labeling.

Coding An Assignment Calculator Exclusively With Chatgpt, Andy Tincknell, Heather P. Vandyne, Lisa K. Bell

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Large Language Models like ChatGPT are influencing higher education and society in broader ways, including the coding and programming of applications and websites (Silva et al., 2024). This poster will profile how Forsyth Library, with no coders on staff, used ChatGPT to program an Assignment Calculator LibGuide without human coding. It details the process, challenges, and outcomes while highlighting AI’s potential to enhance resources for academic success and considers its efficacy and ethical implications.

Electrons Behaving Wave-Like (The Ramsauer Townsend Effect), Cesar Lionel Saavedra

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Using Ramsauer-Townsend Effect, we explored the wave aspect of electrons, we observed constructive interference of electron wave scattering from Xe atoms.

Doppler Free Laser Spectroscopy, Luis F. Ayala

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Using Doppler Free laser spectroscopy we observed ground state and excited state Hyperfine structure of Rb atoms Isotopes 85 and 87.

Toxic Leadership In Media: The Brash Bully And The Egocentric Pretender, Ayanna L. Journey

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project features a comparative analysis of two characters who demonstrate toxic leadership in unique ways. Sue Sylvester is the cheerleading coach from the show Glee. She is cruel, dominating, and paranoid. Ava Coleman is an elementary school principal on the show Abbott Elementary. Ava is incompetent, self-absorbed, and exhibits various inappropriate behaviors. In efforts to analyze their behaviors that contrast with those of an ideal leader, I view the characters through a scope of influence, power, identity, and follower relations, based on modern leadership concepts from “The New Psychology of Leadership” (Haslam et al., 2020). Sue’s style …

Sibling Rivals Fighting For The Same Thing, Amber D. Otten, Michael Pepper

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project ties concepts and dynamics of toxic leadership and how they can be effective and impact relationships through analyzing the behaviors, roles, and actions of Beth and Jamie Dutton. Beth and Jamie Dutton portray toxic leadership through their behaviors, actions, and their relationships with each other and others. Beth Dutton is an authoritative figure whose loyalty runs deep for her family and their ranch; she is assertive, brash, demanding, and her high intelligence and background are impactful for leading effectively to ensure her loved ones and the ranch are protected. Jamie Dutton, on the other hand, embodies a more …

Bridging Theory And Practice: Experiential Learning In Measurement And Evaluation, Emily Washburn, Brooke Befort, Haley Bertrand

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Experiential learning provides students with valuable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. In HHP 340: Measurement and Evaluation at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), students engaged in hands-on application by designing and implementing an athletic combine. The combine featured a comprehensive battery of tests, including the 20-yard dash, vertical jump, wall sit test, medicine ball throw, 3-minute plank test, 5-10-5 pro agility drill, L agility drill, and standing broad jump.

A vital component of this initiative was a community partnership with advanced weight training students from Hays High School and Thomas More Prep-Marian High School. These high school …

Are The Vibrational Modes Of Molecules Quantized, Aniol Majoral Obradors

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

In electron scattering from N2 molecules we observe quantized vibrational levels of N2-. These vibrational levels are well suited for energy calibration when electron transmission of unknown molecules is performed.

Power And Influence: A Media Analysis Of Toxic Leadership In Michael Scott & Jordan Belfort, Lily M. Garrison, Aidan Hammond

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

For our SACAD presentation, we were given the task of looking at and analyzing two toxic leaders from various types of media, this could be from books, movies, television shows, or video games. The purpose of this was to look at the various traits these people have that make them classified as toxic leaders. For our examples, we chose to analyze Jordan Belfort, specifically from the movie, “The Wolf of Wall Street”(M. Scorsese, 2013). As well as Michael Scott from “The Office”(A. Greene, 2005). The theme that connects these two is as simple as being business people, they are each …

Gender-Responsive Treatment For Girls And Women Within The Criminal Justice System, Kylie R. Huelsmann

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

There is a need for improved gender-responsive approaches for women and girls in the criminal justice system, especially for women of color and transgender individuals. Traditional programs built around men often neglect the unique challenges faced by these populations, such as substance use disorders, mental health conditions, trauma histories, and acting as caregivers. Women, in particular, experience higher rates of recidivism and barriers to successful reintegration. Trauma-informed and evidence-based programs that address mental health, addiction, and family support, ultimately lead to more effective rehabilitation and reduce recidivism for women and girls after adjudication.

Incrimination Of Carlton Lewis, Kaia L. Fox

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

On February 7, 1990, Cheryl Coleman was found dead in her apartment, sexually assaulted and beaten to death with a 2x4 piece of wood. Carlton Lewis became one the of few suspects in the case. Despite providing a statement that he was at his home at the time of the murder and the word of his wife, a suspect named William McKee was interviewed and said he saw Lewis go to a house on the corner of the street with Coleman. After McKee was interviewed, Lewis, who was illiterate at the time, was forced into a false confession by being …

25 Years For A Crime He Didn’T Commit: Anthony Wright, Caleb D. Purvis

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Anthony Wright was found guilty of the rape and murder of an elderly woman in 1991 in Philadelphia. He was then convicted in 1993 (Kaur, 2020). Anthony Wright spent the next 25 years in prison before becoming the 344th person to be exonerated by DNA in the US (Innocence Project, 2025). Upon the re-examination of the evidence found at the crime scene, a new suspect was identified, but had already passed away, preventing any criminal charges from being filed against them. Anthony Wright also filed a civil lawsuit on January 17, 2017, after his exoneration (Wright v. Philadelphia, 2017).

Investigating Consumer Preferences For Laptop Computers Using Choice-Based Conjoint (Cbc) Analysis, Xiaoyi Yan

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study employs a choice-based joint (CBC) analysis to investigate college students' preferences for laptop computers. Data was collected from 49 students at a university in the Midwestern part of the United States. The authors focused on five attributes: brand, price, screen size, performance, and battery life. The results show that branding, especially Apple, is the most critical factor, indicating strong brand loyalty or perceived quality. Performance and battery life followed as most important and can be affected by high usage. Conversely, the impact of screen size is minimal, suggesting that students are prioritizing portability and functionality over larger displays. …

Creating A Story Stroll, Maryssa L. Schlaefli

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The Larned Story Stroll is an interactive outdoor literacy initiative designed to promote reading and physical activity among children and families. Located along the perimeter trail of Larned City Pond in Larned, KS, the Story Stroll features a series of podiums displaying pages from children's books. Each podium also presents questions to encourage meaningful discussions between children and their guardians as they walk the trail. Funded by the Neighborhood Youth Grant from Golden Belt Coop, the project aims to foster a love for reading, provide a safe space for youth engagement, and strengthen community ties. Stories featured in the Stroll …

Study Of Asf1a Protein’S Biological Significance In Arabidopsis Thaliana Via Phenotypic Manifestations Of Crispr/Cas Induced A. Thaliana Asf1a Mutagenesis, Yue Fan, Tara Phelps-Durr

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

ANTI-SILENCING FUNCTION 1A (ASF1a) is a multifunctional protein involved in pivotal cellular processes. In plants, ASF1a interacts with HIRA to participate in KNOX genes silencing. To further characterize how ASF1a regulates gene expression, a CRISPR CAS 9 vector was created and ready to be transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana to induce mutations in the 3’ region of the A. thaliana ASF1a gene that corresponds to the ASF histone chaperone protein domain. We hypothesized that phyllotactic alterations will take place as a result of the mutations.

Manipulation And Power: A Comparative Analysis Of Toxic Leadership In Mean Girls And The Hunger Games, Madeline G. Schlyer, Kerstin R. Brown

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project employs a qualitative media analysis to compare two toxic leaders, Regina George from Mean Girls (2004) and President Snow from The Hunger Games series. Both characters exhibit manipulative leadership tactics to maintain control in different social contexts. Regina, the dominant queen bee of her high school, leads The Plastics through emotional manipulation and fear tactics. She employs a transactional leadership style, offering social rewards for compliance and punishing lack of agreement with exclusion. Her leadership is rooted in a need for validation, using her followers to reinforce her own status. In contrast, President Snow rules through violence and …

A Year In Review: Updates & Opportunities From The Generative Ai Task Force, Magdalene Moy

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This poster presents the work for 2024-2025 of the Generative AI Task Force at Fort Hays State University, a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to enhancing AI literacy and engagement across campus and the broader community. Our mission is grounded in three foundational pillars: education and outreach, policy development, and research and future careers. Over the past year, we have launched community workshops, AI literacy initiatives, and interdisciplinary research projects to foster responsible and informed use of generative AI tools.

This poster also highlights our efforts to identify both the opportunities and challenges of generative AI within academic contexts. A major outcome …

Projection Mapping Augmented Reality Golf Simulator, Honesty Beaton, Jonathan T. Hunnacutt, Juan D. Guzman-Duran

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Our Augmented Reality (AR) Golf Simulator combines projection mapping, computer vision, motion tracking, and game development to create an interactive mini golf experience played entirely on the floor. Using a series of short-throw projectors, we display a virtual mini-golf course on a flat surface. A player uses a real putter to "hit" a virtual ball, which responds in real time thanks to our custom tracking and physics system. This project allows players to experience mini-golf in a digital environment while still using real-world actions. By developing a physics-based motion tracking system, we make the gameplay feel natural and intuitive. This …

Corrupted Kings And Heroes: Toxic Leadership Of Scar And Homelander, Brandon Mckenna

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project uses a qualitative media analysis to look at toxic leadership through a comparative study of two characters: Scar, villainous usurper from “The Lion King,” and Homelander, publicly revered leader of superheroes and private psychopath from “The Boys.” These characters, despite their distinct contexts, exhibit toxic leadership styles. Drawing upon Haslam et al.’s (2020) "The New Psychology of Leadership," this analysis examines the context of their rule, their manipulation of identity, and their impact on followers. Scar’s thirst for power by any means necessary demonstrates a leader who manipulates others for personal gain. Meanwhile, Homelander’s narcissism and greed for …

Fcrh Honors Program: 2024-25 Year In Review, Fcrh Honors Program

FCRH Honors Program Newsletters and Reports

No abstract provided.

Digitizing Pre-1978 Dissertations At Binghamton University Libraries, Erin Rushton, Caitlin Holton, Jamey Mcdermott

Library Scholarship

In 2023, Binghamton University Libraries initiated a project to digitize its pre-1978 dissertations and make them available in its institutional repository. This Communication on Practice provides an overview of the key decisions made before embarking on the project, the workflow, and the challenges encountered. We drew upon the experiences and lessons learned from other institutions to guide our process, and hope this paper will serve as a resource for those considering similar projects at their institutions.

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #67 April 2025

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President's message, Deb VanOverbeke

Student awards: Outstanding Junior Lara Arnold, Outstanding Senior Emily Eilers, Graduate Award Caitlin Ross

Dues and membership information

Faculty awards: Research Award Samodha Fernando, Teaching Award Gary Sullivan, Extension Awards Jenny Nixon and Bijesh Maharjan, Award of Merit Mike Boehm

Gamma Sigma Delta committees 2025

Foundation fund information

New members inducted

In memoriam: Dorothy "Dotti" Mott Callahan (May 4, 1942-August 12, 2023); Frank Michael Zoz (November 5, 1936-December 9, 2023); Duane Calvin Acker (March 13, 1931-December 13, 2024); John C. Owens (1944-2024); Duane A. Olson (July 17, 1935-January 5, 2025); Roger W. Mandingo (April 21, 1939-January …