Higher Education Commons^™

2025_Orientation_Scan47, Fcrh Honors Program

Exhibit '75 Years of the Honors Program

First-year Honors students at an orientation with Dr. Olena Nikolayenko, the program director, in August 2025.

Academic Freedom Under Attack: How Faculty And Students Can Protect Their Rights Situated In The Scholarly And Public Spheres, Emma Hansen

Honors Senior Capstones and Theses

This thesis project challenged me to apply my learning to the larger community and accomplish something that would make a lasting impact at Roger Williams University. When I was attempting to come up with my topic, I tussled with how my project could accomplish my main goal, to help people. With the current threats to academic freedom and institutional autonomy from the Trump Administration, I recognized that the faculty were expressing concern about the permanence of their jobs. The general feeling on campus and in the news was fear. So, I thought to myself, “How do I put these fears …

Rabble: A Companion To Pwa-Tem (2025)

Rabble, 2014-

Rabble is a companion chapbook publication to the magazine Pwatem. From the preface of most issues: "'Tell the rabble my name is Cabell."- James Branch Cabell to his editor, to help people learn how to pronounce his name. Cabell used the word derogatively but we are taking it back. These pages will showcase the writing and illustrations of our rabble-the ordinary students of VCU."

Emanata Presents: Obsession (2025)

Emanata, 2014-

Started by illustrator and comics artist Chris Kindred in 2014 with Weird, Vol. 1, Emanata is VCU’s first-ever comics anthology.

Encouraging Selection Of Effective Learning Strategies, Kaya Easley

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

College students have difficulty selecting effective learning strategies, often due to their perceptions of cost and value of these strategies. The goal of the present study was to examine ways to increase students’ perceptions of value to outweigh their perceptions of cost to help them select an effective learning strategy (generation). Students were randomly assigned to one of five conditions in an additive design: no treatment control, experience comparing generation to a less effective learning strategy, experience plus information about its application to one’s life, experience and application plus evidence of the effectiveness of generation, or experience, application, and evidence, …

Personalized Physics Learning Through Ai: Insights From Problem Generation, Chatbot Dialogues, And Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Atharva Dange

Physics Dissertations - Archive

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform science education, yet questions remain on how best to integrate these technologies into teaching and learning. This dissertation investigates the use of AI-driven tools in university physics courses through three complementary studies. In the first study, a generative language model (ChatGPT) was used to create novel physics homework problems aligned with course objectives. Analysis showed that, after expert vetting, AI-generated questions can foster higher-order problem-solving and reduce student reliance on solution memorization, though careful instructor oversight is required to ensure accuracy. The second study embedded an AI chatbot as a learning aid in …

2025-2026 Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook, Morehead State University. Nursing Department.

Nursing Department Publications Archive

2025-2026 Undergraduate Student Handbook of the Department of Nursing at Morehead State University.

Cultural Competence In Pre-Medical Education: Examining Preparedness For Cross-Cultural Care, Fiza N. Khan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As the U.S. population continues to grow more diverse, there is an urgent need for future healthcare providers to develop strong cultural competence. This study investigates undergraduate pre-medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and comfort levels toward caring for diverse patient populations, including immigrants, refugees, and individuals from varied cultural backgrounds. The goal was to assess how well students are prepared to provide culturally responsive care before entering medical school. Recognizing that the foundation for medical training begins at the undergraduate level, this study aims to identify specific gaps in readiness that may hinder equitable patient care in the future.

A modified …

How Latine College Students Experience, Maneuver, And Navigate Within The Colonizing Notion Of Smartness, Jasmine Jetton-Gonzales

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how Latine college students, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college, navigate and maneuver within the dominating colonizing notion of smartness in academia. Rooted in an Anglo-centric educational framework, the American education system often marginalizes Latine students by devaluing their cultural and linguistic knowledge while upholding Eurocentric standards of intelligence. Using a qualitative critical research approach, this study employs testimonios to examine the lived experiences of Latine college graduates in Illinois. Findings reveal that Latine students frequently encounter systemic barriers that challenge their academic identity, including racialized perceptions of intelligence, institutionalized deficit …

Expériences Vécues Et Perceptions De Personnes Étudiantes Internationales Sur Les Mesures Et Les Services Offerts Par Les Universités Québécoises Pendant La Pandémie De Covid-19 = Experiences And Perceptions Of International Students Regarding Measures And Services Offered By Quebec Universities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Farrah Bérubé, Jessica Dubé, Jorge Frozzini, Daniel Côté

Études primaires

Cet article fait état d’une partie des résultats d’une recherche menée auprès de personnes étudiantes internationales (PÉI) qui fréquentaient des universités québécoises pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. La recherche portait sur les usages sociaux des technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) et sur la qualité de vie des PÉI en période de confinement. Les résultats présentés et discutés dans cet article se rapportent plus spécifiquement aux expériences et perceptions des PÉI sur les mesures et les services offerts par les universités en contexte de confinement. Afin de répondre à cet objectif, des entretiens semi-dirigés, menés auprès de 40 …

A Difference-In-Differences Investigation Of The Impact Of State-Mandated Campus Carry Laws In Texas On Violent Campus Crime Rates, Ryan Matthew Gibson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study is to examine the potential impact of state-mandated campus carry laws on sexual misconduct and other violent crime statistics at public, four-year institutions. The study focuses on the state-mandated campus carry law put into effect in Texas starting in 2016 to analyze whether or not it had an impact on campus crime rates. Findings of the study showed that reported campus crime increased at Texas institutions post-2016 at a larger rate than the states that explicitly ban campus carry. Due to a lack of data on the number of individuals carrying guns on campuses in …

Exploring Relationships Among Higher Education Accreditation Outcomes, Credit Ratings, And Subsequent Institutional Responses: A Quantitative Study, Joshua Allen Hertlein

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines the financial pressures facing colleges and universities, focusing on the impact of accreditation outcomes and bond credit ratings. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study posits that adverse accreditation outcomes and credit rating downgrades can be anticipated by observable, measurable attributes at higher education institutions. Additionally, it explores institutional responses following these adverse events.

Data was collected from IPEDS, FSA, DAPIP, BLS, and Moody’s Investors Service, covering the period from 2012 to 2022. Logistic regression models estimated the odds of negative accreditation outcomes and credit rating downgrades based on predictor variables such as enrollment levels, expenses, revenue, financial …

Using An Ecological And Cultural Lens To Examine The 1st Year Persistence And Science Identity Development Of At-Risk Biology Students Experiencing Multiple Equity-Minded High Impact Practices, Aura Fajardo Grandidge

Open Access Dissertations

In this study, I used an ecological and a cultural perspective to examine the first-year experiences of two cohorts of biology students exposed to multiple equity-minded High Impact Practices (HIPs) designed to promote their persistence and science identity development.

In chapter 1, I applied Graham et al.’s Persistence Framework (2013) and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1977) to investigate the bridges and barriers to persistence that biology students face while experiencing either an equity minded learning community, a first-year seminar, a course-based research experience, and/or an active learning introductory biology course. Using a mixed methods approach that focused on phenomenology, I …

Agility In Professional Associations: Using Improvement Science To Align Nirsa’S Communication Strategy With Member Needs, Stephanie L. Hart, Kimberly A. Bradley, Lisa M. Gwyn, Joanna A. Liebelt, Denise K. Miller

Doctor of Education Capstones

This intrinsic case study delved into how NIRSA, a leading Association for Campus Recreation, and its members could effectively engage with one another to best support the members' needs. Leveraging the principles of improvement science, we rigorously assessed the root causes of misalignments between NIRSA and its members. This process allowed us to develop a theory of change that supports organizational alignment and engagement and satisfies members' needs. We found that change concepts like agility to pivot, in addition to inclusive and responsive communication strategies, would support members in navigating the evolving landscape of the campus recreation industry and amplify …

Sealing The Deal: A Case Study Of A Private, Southeastern, Regional College’S Student Onboarding Practices, Alicia R. Gaston, Kristen Meyer, Tyler Ogden, Jennifer Perkinson, Casey Yocum Michaels

Doctor of Education Capstones

Each year, higher education institutions offer support to new, incoming students through an onboarding process that requires dedication and collaboration across multiple departments. Offering streamlined guidance and clear communication throughout the onboarding process is essential to ensure incoming students understand action steps without becoming overwhelmed with new terminology, processes, and environments. This explanatory case study is set to understand the current communication practices and technology use across onboarding departments at Brightside College – also referred to as Brightside or BC (pseudonym). The research team aimed to understand Brightside's onboarding staff's perspective of current processes and practices. With emphasis on the …

Moving Goalposts: Unknowables, And Anxiety In Tenure And Promotion, Mark Diacopoulos, Ruth Monnier

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

In this study, two tenure-track colleagues (Mark and Ruth) examined their process of seeking tenure and promotion. They sought to answer the following question: To what extent do the unknowables in the tenure and promotion process lead to unnecessary anxiety?

The Munster Statement Om Principerna För Forskningsetik Och Forskningsintegritet (Swedish), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM är en allians av tio lärosäten från tio europeiska länder. Europauniversitetet strävar efter att göra det möjligt för varje medlem i nätverket att erbjuda högkvalitativa studie- och kvalifikationsprogram med digitala komponenter som delas inom INGENIUM Alliance.

Vid universitet och högskolor läggs allt större vikt vid att främja god forskningssed inom alla aspekter av forskning1,2, inräknat allt från grundforskning till tillämpad forskning och kommersialisering. Forskningsetik (FE) och forskningsintegritet (FI) stödjer forskningsverksamhet och excellens och anses utgöra en viktig grund för att forskare ska kunna lita på varandra och på forskningsresultaten3 samt stärka allmänhetens förtroende för vetenskap och vetenskapliga resultat4. Men …

Declarația Munster Referitor La Principiile Eticii Cercetării Și Integrității Cercetării (Romanian), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM este o alianță de zece instituții de învățământ superior din zece țări europene. Această universitate europeană urmărește să permită fiecărui membru al rețelei să ofere programe de studiu și calificare de înaltă calitate, cu componente digitale care sunt partajate în cadrul Alianței INGENIUM.

În instituțiile de învățământ superior se pune un accent din ce în ce mai mare pe promovarea bunelor practici de cercetare în toate aspectele cercetării1,2, de la cercetarea fundamentală la cercetarea aplicată la comercializare. Etica cercetării (EC) și integritatea cercetării (IC) stau la baza activității și excelenței în cercetare și sunt considerate o componentă critică a …

The Munster Statement On The Principles Of Research Ethics And Research Integrity (English), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM is an alliance of ten institutions of higher education from ten European countries. This European University seeks to enable each member of the network to offer high-quality study and qualification programmes with digital components that are shared within the INGENIUM Alliance.

In Higher Education Institutions there is a growing emphasis on promoting good research practices in all aspects of research1,2, including everything from fundamental research to applied research to commercialisation. Research ethics (RE) and research integrity (RI) underpin research activity and excellence and are considered a critical component of the basis for researchers to trust each other as well …

La Déclaration De Münster Sur Les Principes D'Éthique Et D'Intégrité De La Recherche (French), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM est une alliance de dix établissements d'enseignement supérieur de dix pays européens. Cette université européenne vise à permettre à chaque membre du réseau de proposer des programmes d'études et de qualification de haute qualité avec des composantes numériques partagées au sein de l'Alliance INGENIUM.

Dans les établissements d'enseignement supérieur, l'accent est de plus en plus mis sur la promotion de bonnes pratiques de recherche dans tous les aspects de la recherche12, y compris la recherche fondamentale, la recherche appliquée et la commercialisation. L'éthique de la recherche (ER) et l'intégrité de la recherche (IR) soutiennent l'activité et l'excellence de la …

Munster Statement Zu Den Grundsätzen Der Forschungsethik Und Forschungsintegrität (German), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM ist ein Zusammenschluss von zehn Hochschulen aus zehn europäischen Ländern. Ziel dieser Europäischen Universität ist es, jedem Mitglied des Netzwerks ein qualitativ hochwertiges Studien- und Qualifizierungsangebot mit digitalen Komponenten anzubieten, die in der INGENIUM Alliance geteilt werden.

In den Hochschuleinrichtungen wird zunehmend Wert auf die Förderung guter Forschungspraktiken in allen Bereichen der Forschung gelegt1, 2 von der Grundlagenforschung über die angewandte Forschung bis hin zur Kommerzialisierung. Forschungsethik (RE) und Forschungsintegrität (RI) bilden die Grundlage für Forschungstätigkeit und -exzellenz und gelten als wesentliche Voraussetzung für das Vertrauen der Forschenden untereinander sowie in die Forschungsergebnisse3 und stärken das Vertrauen der Öffentlichkeit …

Η Δήλωση Munster Για Τις Αρχές Δεοντολογίας Της Έρευνας Και Ακεραιότητας Της Έρευνας (Greek), Ingenium

Dissemination

Το INGENIUM είναι μια συμμαχία δέκα ιδρυμάτων τριτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης που εκτείνονται σε ισάριθμες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες. Αυτό το Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστήμιο επιδιώκει να καταστήσει ικανό κάθε μέλος του δικτύου να προσφέρει υψηλής ποιότητας προγράμματα σπουδών και κατάρτισης με ψηφιακές συνιστώσες που είναι κοινά στο πλαίσιο της συμμαχίας INGENIUM.

Στην τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση σημειώνεται αυξανόμενη έμφαση στην προώθηση ορθών ερευνητικών πρακτικών σε όλες τις πτυχές της έρευνας1,2, συμπεριλαμβανομένων όλων των τομέων από τη βασική έως την εφαρμοσμένη έρευνα και την εμπορική εκμετάλλευσή της. Η δεοντολογία της έρευνας (ΔτΕ) και η ακεραιότητα της έρευνας (ΑτΕ) στηρίζουν την ερευνητική δραστηριότητα και την αριστεία και θεωρούνται κρίσιμες …

Munsterin Julkilausuma Tutkimusetiikan Ja Hyvän Tieteellisen Käytännön Periaatteista (Finnish), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM on kymmenen Eurooppalaisen korkeakoulun verkosto, joka antaa verkoston jäsenille mahdollisuuden tarjota korkealaatuista koulutusta, hyödyntäen INGENIUM-allianssin yhteisiä digitaalisia opintokokonaisuuksia.

Korkeakouluissa painotetaan yhä enemmän hyvien tutkimuskäytäntöjen edistämistä kaikilla tutkimuksen osa-alueilla1,2 perustutkimuksesta soveltavaan tutkimukseen ja kaupallistamiseen. Tutkimusetiikka ja hyvä tieteelinen käytäntö tukevat tutkimustoimintaa ja huippuosaamista, ja niitä pidetään tärkeänä osana tutkimuksen perustaa, jonka avulla tutkijat luottavat toisiinsa ja tutkimusansioihin 3ja vahvistavat yleisön luottamusta tieteeseen ja tieteellisiin tuloksiin4. Koska ohjeita on kuitenkin lukuisia, on välttämätöntä laatia lausunto, joka mahdollistaa johdonmukaisen lähestymistavan tutkimusetiikkaan ja hyvään tieteelliseen käytäntöön koko INGENIUMissa.

Koska tutkimusetiikka ja hyvä tieteellinen käytäntö ovat merkityksellisiä kaikkien tieteenalojen tutkimuksessa, on erityisen tärkeää, että …

Изявлението От Мюнстер Относно Принципите На Научноизследователската Етика И Почтеността На Научните Изследвания (Bulgarian), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM е алианс на десет висши учебни заведения от десет европейски държави. Този европейски университет се стреми да даде възможност на всеки член на мрежата да предлага висококачествени програми за обучение и квалификация с цифрови компоненти, които се споделят в рамките на INGENIUM Alliance.

Във висшите учебни заведения се поставя все по-голям акцент върху насърчаването на добри изследователски практики във всички аспекти на научните изследвания1, 2включително всичко - от фундаментални изследвания до приложни изследвания и комерсиализация. Изследователската етика (RE) и интегритет на научните изследвания (RI) са в основата на научноизследователската дейност и високите постижения и се считат за критичен компонент, …

Dichiarazione Di Munster Sui Principi Etici E Sull‘ Integrità Della Ricercar (Italian), Ingenium

Dissemination

INGENIUM è un'alleanza di dieci istituti di istruzione superiore di dieci paesi europei. Questa università europea cerca di facilitare ciascun membro della rete nell‘ offrire programmi di studio e titoli di alta qualità con componenti digitali che sono condivisi all'interno dell'Alleanza INGENIUM.

Negli istituti di istruzione superiore vi è una crescente enfasi sulla promozione di buone pratiche in tutti gli aspetti della ricerca12, da quella di base a quella applicata finanche alla commercializzazione. L'etica della ricerca (RE) e l'integrità della ricerca (RI) sono alla base dell'attività e dell'eccellenza della ricerca stessa e sono considerate una componente fondamentale della base affinché …

Mapping Learning In Higher Education: The Embedding Content Across Academic Programmes Toolkit, John Pierce, Mary Beades, Andrew Shields

Publications

The growing diversification of teaching roles in higher education and the siloed nature of semesterised programmes can inhibit quality teaching and learning. This paper introduces the Embedding Content Across Academic Programmes Toolkit (ECAAPT), a practical model for mapping and tracking embedded content across modules, semesters, and years within higher education programmes that can ease the administrative burden of curricular mapping and change on academics teaching in the sector. Originally developed with a focus on tracking student academic literacies, this model has also been adapted and shown value in mapping and tracking other content, such as graduate attributes, feedback, assessment strategies, …

Stars: Enhancing Student Leadership, Caroline Budwell, Braden Goddard, Tamer Nadeem, Saleema Karim, Joseph Turner

GEHLI - 2026 VCUL Team Project Publications

The VCU Division of Student Affairs aims to enhance training for leaders of student organizations, addressing variability in their success. By analyzing data from RamsConnect, surveying advisors, and reviewing best practices from peer institutions, we will identify areas for improvement. Our final deliverable will include a comprehensive analysis and tailored recommendations to strengthen leadership within student organizations, ensuring students benefit from opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and engagement, ultimately supporting their success and retention at VCU.

Ram-Amazing Care: Making Mental Health A Priority, Together, Matthew Pawlowicz, Chelsea Gary, Sara Barton, Matthew Majid

GEHLI - 2026 VCUL Team Project Publications

Maintaining student mental health is a significant and growing challenge for universities. Difficulties with mental health decrease students’ overall well-being and can contribute to students performing poorly in classes, entering academic probation, and failing to complete their degree on time, or at all, among other negative consequences for the university community generally. To help meet the need for mental health care, VCU partnered with TimelyCare in 2020 to provide a variety of online mental health care resources. The partnership has enrolled more than 3,000 student users, though that is less than 15% of the student population. And so, our project …

From Silos To Synergy: Advancing Health Research Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Gretchen Neigh, Jackie Daniel, Maria Garcia Bonilla, Robert Perera, Gustavo Mendonca

GEHLI - 2026 VCUL Team Project Publications

This project will identify strategies to increase cross-disciplinary collaboration of doctoral trainees in the health sciences. The team will examine models of cross-disciplinary connection through interviews and surveys with program directors, trainees, and mentors in the graduate programs on the MCV campus of VCU. The deliverable will be recommendations for programming opportunities aimed at advancing health research through interprofessional collaboration, positioning the doctoral programs to empower their trainees to move from silos to synergy.

Orienting New Researchers Across Multiple Pathways: Bridging Research Resource Gaps For New Faculty At Vcu, Maecy Richmond, Sarah Lines, Travis Oakes, Yali Pang

GEHLI - 2026 VCUL Team Project Publications

New faculty researchers at VCU, who possess diverse research interests or requirements, often find it challenging to navigate the VCU environment in search of research resources necessary to initiate their work. The majority of available research resources highlighted on central VCU pages primarily cater to biomedical research, inadvertently marginalizing those in less prominent fields. Resources in other departments, such as fine arts and education, are limited and often restricted to the departmental or school level. This raises the essential query: "How and where should I begin my research?" The project employs a faculty and staff survey aimed at assessing the …