Communication Commons^™

The Transformational Relationship Evaluation Scale Iii (Tres Iii) Reflection Framework, Patti H. Clayton, Jasmina Camo-Biogradlija, Lori E. Kniffin, Mary F. Price, Haden M. Botkin, Robert G. Bringle

Leadership Faculty Publications

Bringing partners together for critical reflection on their partnerships is important in nurturing co-creative relationships and processes. Building on prior work (Bringle et al., 2009; Kniffin et al., 2020), the Transformational Relationship Evaluation Scale (TRES) III Reflection Framework is both an assessment tool and a reflective intervention for deepening partnerships. The Framework guides community and campus partners in reflecting collaboratively on their partnership so as to generate actionable learning that can improve partnership practice. The TRES III Reflection Framework encompasses the new TRES III scale as well as reflection prompts based on the research-grounded DEAL model for critical reflection (Ash …

Empowering Rural Voices Through Deliberative Mini-Publics, Elizabeth B. Hinchcliff

The Rural Educator

This conceptual paper explores the tension between valuing and listening to community voices, while also providing a space wherein rural advocates and community members can come together to address difficult issues prevalent within rural schooling, through deliberative mini-publics. A multiplicity of reasons supports deliberative mini-publics, but I explore three in particular, the first being that they provide a space wherein an intentionally diverse set of community voices and perspectives can be shared, listened to, and explored. Second, the goal of any democratically deliberative space is to explore multiple perspectives as part of the process to seek solutions that contribute to …

Nostalgia's Impact On The Perception Of The Past And Future, Sara Lazo

The Kean Review: Journal in Student Research

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects nostalgia may have on the perceptions of the past and future. Nostalgia has always been perceived as a positive psychological tool for hope and fulfillment, but is also viewed negatively for its distortions of the past. To observe its effects, a survey was sent via Microsoft Teams which included 7 statements where participants were asked to either agree or disagree using a number scale of 1-5, with1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree. Results yielded that nostalgia perceives the past more positively and the future negatively. Additionally, results …

Social Media Monitoring And The Admissions Process: A Study Of College Admissions Officers' Use Of Social Media In Undergraduate Application Review, Rachel Karpeles

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study explored the evolving role of social media in college admissions, focusing on the perceptions and practices of admissions professionals following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on Affirmative Action. The research, utilizing a descriptive design, employed a 31-question anonymous survey administered to a convenience sample of 532 admissions representatives. The findings directly contradict the public and media narrative by revealing a profound paradox: while social media monitoring is not a widespread professional practice, its impact on admissions outcomes for a notable portion of applicants is demonstrably significant.

The study found a majority of respondents believe evaluating applicants based …

A Word From The Writing Team (February 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Fighting The Black Snake: The Dapl And The Case For Indigenous Environmental Stewardship, Kenny Moll

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis analyzes the current scope of environmental injustice on Native lands in the U.S. Specifically it examines The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and its impacts on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota. Western colonialism and capitalism have dominated North American ecosystems since their forcible introduction hundreds of years ago, causing the commodification of natural resources and leading to injustices such as that of the “Black Snake.” However, the story of The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s resistance will be analyzed through the framework of Indigenous philosophy and environmental justice. Chapter 1 analyzes the implementation of the DAPL and …

Embodying Design Justice: A Peace Education Framework To Strengthen Relationships, Foster Trust And Build Community, Michelle Helman

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

BACKGROUND

Groups working toward creating peace and equity often focus on external innovation without addressing internal culture shifts necessary to navigate change and achieve their goals. Michelle’s doctoral research and practice address this challenge through a design research study and peace innovation project focused on organizational culture transformation through a design justice framework. Findings suggest that interweaving the framework with storytelling, arts, and embodiment practices are key to support people in navigating change processes to strengthen relationships, foster trust, and build community.

ABOUT

The workshop offers an applied learning experience for participants to explore the concepts of design and innovation …

Promote, Partner & Mentor: Research At Liberty University, Mark Hamilton

Faculty Publications and Presentations

How can you be involved with faculty and student research at Liberty University? Promote your own research through LU Faculty SHARE (the faculty research platform). Partner with Liberty University Journals, encouraging student submissions. Mentor students in the research process.

Objectives

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Promote your own Research through LU Faculty SHARE 
• Use LU Faculty SHARE to list your own articles, posters, and presentations.

• Partner with Liberty University Journals 
• Serve as an advisor, or editor of an existing journal.
• Create a new journal by completing an interest form and application for a new …

Social Support In The College Classroom And The Impact Supportive Communication Has On Student Academic Success And Quality Of Life, Rachael Tiede

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

College students often encounter academic and personal challenges that lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. These challenges can feel burdensome, making it difficult for them to determine the best course of action for the issues they face. They frequently experience difficulties in managing the demands of college. Given these challenges, a potential solution for their anxiety and stress is social support through supportive communication from friends, instructors, and others at the college or university. Guided by social support theory and social penetration theory and employing a quantitative methodology, the research examined the impact of supportive communication on college …

“We Are Hope Despite The Times”, Melissa Whatley, Santiago Castiello Gutierrez

Critical Internationalization Studies Review

No abstract provided.

“I’M A Figure-Outer!”: Connecting Through Self-Narratives Of Competence In A Community Of Literacy-Learners, Mckenzie Weddle-Coats

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation applies qualitative methods through intrinsic case study design to explore how one emerging literacy learner’s self-narrative of literacy competence manifested in a literacy-learning community. Drawing on multiple data collection and analysis methods, this dissertation investigates how a school-aged child with a history of literacy struggles used her self-narrative statements to position her identity within a 6-week summer literacy project. Findings revealed that the participant used self-narrative statements strategically to carry out different connecting mechanisms for the purposes of demonstrating competence or saving face in literacy contexts, ultimately demonstrating her prioritization of connection. The child’s orientation towards connection is …

Global Insight 2026, Masey Smith, Chance Carden, Hayley Pounds

Books

Global Insight 2026 is the annual publication of the International Institute at Mississippi State University, documenting the university’s global engagement across education, research, service, and institutional partnerships. This issue highlights Mississippi State University’s international impact through faculty‑led study abroad programs, international research and development initiatives, global fellowships, and comprehensive international student support services. Featured content includes narrative case studies of student and faculty experiences abroad, data‑driven insights into study abroad participation and international enrollment trends, and in‑depth examinations of international research collaborations spanning Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The magazine also showcases the work of the English Language Institute …

Serendipitous Mentorship, Jessy Ohl

Speaker & Gavel

Dr. Jessy Ohl, University of Alabama, reflects on working with and mentoring students in the undergraduate research process.

Cultivating Change: The Role Of Mentorship In Student-Led Undergraduate Research, Sarah Steimel

Speaker & Gavel

Dr. Sarah Steimel, Weber State University, reflects on working with and mentoring two students in the undergraduate research process.

Navigating Privacy Boundaries: Communication Privacy Management And Faculty, Ashlee Ellinwood, Chloee Robison, Sarah Steimel

Speaker & Gavel

College students experience high levels of stress that impact their academic performance and persistence in higher education. While faculty support has been shown to enhance student success, little is known about the privacy management rules students use when deciding whether to disclose personal stressors to their instructors. This study uses Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory to examine how undergraduate students develop and apply privacy rules regarding stress-related disclosures to faculty. Four key factors emerged through qualitative interviews and focus groups with 40 students: cultural norms, motivation, contextual influences, and risk-benefit assessments. Findings underscore the importance of faculty-student communication in student …

Mentorship, Yes We Can, Andrea Carlile

Speaker & Gavel

Dr. Andrea Carlile, South Dakota State University, reflects on working with and mentoring students in the undergraduate research process.

Undergraduates Are The Future, Todd T. Holm

Speaker & Gavel

Editor of Speaker & Gavel, Todd Holm's message about the special issue (Volume 61, Issue 2) of Speaker & Gavel.

Pengujian High Fidelity Prototipe Media Pembelajaran Interaktif Bahasa Inggris Dengan Gamifikasi Menggunakan User Experience Questionare, Adhitya Prastyadi, Meizano Muhammad Ardhi, Daniel Rinaldi, Margaretha Karolina Sagala

Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Terapan

Abstract

Testing a Hi-Fi Prototype of Interactive English Learning Media with Gamification Using UEQ

This study aims to test and evaluate the User Experience (UX) quality of a High-Fidelity prototype for interactive English learning media integrating gamification elements. The research is motivated by the low English proficiency and motivation among Indonesian students, and the potential of digital media and gamification to enhance learning engagement. Inspired by the success of the Duolingo application, this prototype was designed to create an enjoyable and effective learning experience. A quantitative research methodology was employed, involving high school students as participants selected via purposive sampling. …

The State Of Interprofessional Practice Between Behavior Analysts And Speech-Language Pathologists, Sara Snyder, Heartley Huber, Danika Pfeiffer, Dannette Murray

Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Publications

Interprofessional practice (IPP) is necessary to ensure assessment and interventions are designed and implemented both efficiently and effectively. We sought to investigate how Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) engage in IPP. Both professionals may provide evaluations and interventions related to communication in schools and community-based healthcare systems. We disseminated a survey to BCBAs and SLPs to elicit information about their collaboration with each other. Topics included: (a) frequency of collaboration and communication with the other professional; (b) confidence engaging in IPP; (c) interprofessional training experiences; (d) barriers and facilitators to collaboration with the other profession; and …

Advising With Heart: How Institutional Selectivity And Size Shape Emotional Labor In Higher Education Academic Advising, Dallas W. Maddox

Theses and Dissertations

Academic advising serves as a vital bridge between students and their educational experiences and success, yet the emotional complexities of this meaningful work remain underexplored. This mixed-methods study examined how institutional selectivity and size influence emotional labor awareness and application among academic advisors, addressing a critical gap in understanding the human dimensions of advising relationships. The research explored whether advisors at smaller, selective institutions demonstrate enhanced emotional labor competencies compared to colleagues at larger, more inclusive institutions. Eleven dedicated academic advisors participated in this study, representing experienced professionals with 5-17 years of advising experience across four institutional categories defined by …

Talking Black: The Construction Of Blackness In Film, D'Andre M. Person

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Media, such as film, plays a pivotal role in representing marginalized groups to general audiences. The portrayal of Black people in advertisements, novels, art, and film has perpetuated harmful stereotypes which associate Black men and women with negative traits that justify their marginalization, such as the "Coon" stereotype that frames Black men as lazy or the "Mammy" stereotype that positions Black women as subservient. Stereotypes in film are produced through images, but language plays a vital role in constructing general audiences' understanding of Black people as well. Through a rhetorical analysis of seven films released between 2016 and 2026, I …

Legal Professional Identity Development: An Exploration Of The Social And Emotional Processes By Which Law Students Transition From Novices To Professionals, David Hall Abney Ii

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

This dissertation seeks to heed the call for expansion of instructional communication research (ICR) beyond the undergraduate classroom and undergraduate learning objectives by exploring older learners and higher-order affective learning objectives. Legal professional identity development (LPID) is a discipline-specific type of higher-order affective learning that is conceptualized as a continuous nonlinear process that begins in law school and extends throughout a lawyer’s career, involving the internalization of the legal profession’s core values and norms and their integration with an evolving identity. Using a pragmatic ICR approach and a mixed-methods design, Phase 1 employed individual interviews and focus groups to investigate …

Lessons On Generative Artificial Intelligence From The American Association Of Dental Editors And Journalists (Aadej), Christopher J. Smiley

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) recently released "Guidance for Authors, Editors and Publishers on the Use of Generative AI". Developed by an 11-member stakeholder panel, this guidance paper serves a dual purpose: It provides practical strategies for mitigating the risks that generative artificial intelligence (GAI) poses to professional writing and explains how GAI creates these risks. Understanding both the underlying vulnerabilities of GAI and how to address them is critical for users at all levels, from authors and reviewers to editors, publishers, and general users, to maintain the validity and reliability of their written work. This …

The Impact Of Leadership Skills On Pbl Group Dynamics, Jaime W. Burke Hicks

Education Theses and Dissertations

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice examined the role of intentional leadership instruction in addressing persistent challenges in Project-Based Learning (PBL) group dynamics within a middle school setting. The Problem of Practice centered on students’ inconsistent demonstration of leadership behaviors, including communication and accountability, which limited the effectiveness of group work despite prior exposure to PBL structures. This study was conducted at a university-affiliated public charter school in East Texas, where PBL serves as a core instructional model.

Guided by an Improvement Science framework and structured through a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, this study employed a mixed-methods embedded design to evaluate …

From Deference To Dialogue: How International Gtas From High Power Distance Cultures Adapt To U.S. Classroom Dynamics, Deborah Akua Afi Appiah

Theses and Dissertations

International graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) from high power distance cultures play a significant role in undergraduate education at U.S. universities, yet they face challenges that go well beyond language proficiency. Coming from educational backgrounds where teacher authority is unquestioned and hierarchical, these GTAs must navigate American classrooms that operate on fundamentally different assumptions, where authority is earned rather than assumed, informality is the norm, and students expect to question, negotiate, and be personally known by their instructors. The present study examined how eighteen (18) international GTAs from seven (7) high power distance countries perceived and adapted to these differences while …

Enhancing International School Implementation Capacity: Supporting Contextualized Learning At An International Baccalaureate School In China, Christopher J. Hayden Iv

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

International schools allocate substantial resources to implement progressive curricular innovations; however, the advantages offered by these developments are contingent on their effective execution within classroom settings. This mixed methods action research (MMAR) study examined the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Global Context (GC) Strategy in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at an international school in China and asked how the school might strengthen its capacity to enact this and similar innovations. Following a sequential MMAR design, a reconnaissance phase combined a whole-staff survey (n=87) with qualitative interviews to diagnose the individual, organizational, and contextual factors shaping implementation. Analyses identified …

Leadership Perceptions In Mid-Major Ncaa Athletics: Exploring Women's Teams Head Coaches' Experiences With Athletic Department Senior Staff, Sydnie A. Steele

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Leadership practices within NCAA Division I athletic departments can shape the professional climate, well-being, and stability of the coaching staff. Yet, limited research has explored how senior administrators influence the experiences of coaches who lead women’s teams at mid-major institutions. This phenomenological inquiry study explored how head coaches interpret their interactions with senior athletic department staff and how these relational dynamics inform perceptions of support.

Twelve Division I head coaches participated in semi-structured Zoom interviews about their experiences at former institutions. The interview protocol integrated the LMX-7 framework with open-ended questions to capture the significance of the head coaches’ lived …

A Word From The Writing Team (January 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Children's Peer Selection In Stem: The Influence Of Gender, Ethnicity, And Disability, Meagan Girard, Kim P. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The present study examined how children’s peer selection in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) may be influenced by gender, ethnicity, and physical disability. Sixty-four children (ages 6-12) from elementary schools in Southwestern Ontario completed three tasks: a simulated peer selection task, an attribution of ability task, and a stereotype belief questionnaire. In the peer selection task, participants were repeatedly asked to select one peer from a set of AI-generated photographs showing children who differed by gender (male, female), ethnicity (White, Black, East Asian), and physical disability status (able-bodied user vs. nondisabled). The Peer Selection Task was based on the …

2026 Document For Faculty And Staff Scholarship Spring Soirée, Kara Schleck, Diana Symons

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

No abstract provided.