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Advancing trauma-informed pedagogy in social work education : a multi-study exploration of theory, practice, and outcomes.
No full textThe widespread prevalence of trauma requires that social work students are competently prepared to address its complex impact on individuals, families and communities (Boel-Studt et al., 2021; Courtois & Gold, 2009). Social work education programs have increasingly integrated trauma content into curricula while educators have advocated teaching such content by using a trauma-informed pedagogical approach to reduce the risk of re-traumatization and foster resilience (Carello & Butler, 2014; Copeland et al., 2021; Hitchcock et al., 2021; Sanders, 2021). Educators have provided recommendations and anecdotes of how to best apply trauma-informed practices (Carello & Butler, 2014; Hitchcock et al., 2021; Marquart & Baez, 2021; Sherwood et al., 2021). However, a gap exists in the literature regarding the theoretical underpinnings, students’ perspectives, and student outcomes of such an approach. This three-article dissertation addresses these gaps in the literature. The first article establishes the theoretical foundations by exploring the classic adult learning theory of andragogy and using it as a framework for applying trauma-informed practices. The second article presents findings from a qualitative phenomenological study that explores student and educator perspectives on teaching and learning about trauma, highlighting themes connected to the key principles of a trauma-informed approach and identifying best practices. Finally, building on these insights, the third article, a quasi-experimental study, assesses the impact of purposefully designed trauma-informed teaching modules on educators' trauma-informed practices (TIP) and students' well-being. Educators who completed the modules rated their TIP higher than those who did not. Burnout (BT) scores increased overall throughout the semester, with a greater increase in the control compared to the experimental group; secondary traumatic stress (STS) scores increased in the control but not the experimental group, and compassion satisfaction (CS) scores remained similar for both groups. Collectively, the findings from each article provide a more in-depth understanding of trauma-informed pedagogy and offer practical guidelines to educators and students preparing future social work professionals to competently serve trauma-affected populations
The unseen sacrifices : a qualitative single case study exploring the career transitions of U.S. Air Force military spouses.
No full textThe military lifestyle presents considerable challenges for U.S. Air Force spouses. Frequent relocations, a hallmark of military life, often disrupt career paths and limit professional opportunities. Relocations can be problematic for a spouse’s career trajectory, even when employed in federal civil service. Military families often leave their social and family networks during relocations. Families manage time apart during deployment and temporary assignments, adapt to new environments, navigate the family’s needs, and face financial pressures. These challenges may contribute to military spouses making another sacrifice—their careers.
The purpose of the study was to explore how U.S. Air Force spouses employed in federal civil service experience career transitions resulting from their spouse’s mandatory permanent change of station through the lens of Schlossberg’s (1984) four coping factors: situation, self, support, and strategy. This qualitative single case study, bounded by a shared phenomenon of career experiences in federal civil service, delved into the experiences of six U.S. Air Force spouses. I selected participants based on the criterion of current or prior federal civil service employment while married to an active-duty U.S. Air Force member. Data collection included an open-ended questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. I analyzed the data using Creswell and Poth’s (2018) data analysis spiral and developed themes aligned to the coping factors.
The findings offer valuable insights for military spouses, Air Force leadership, policymakers, and support organizations. The results underscored the importance of understanding the career advancement for U.S. Air Force spouses employed in federal civil service. First, the participants perceived their situations during transitions as a complex interplay of previous experiences, timing, and role changes, collectively shaping their ability to navigate the challenges or opportunities presented by frequent relocations. Secondly, participants navigated their career transitions by drawing upon personal resources of resilience and commitment, and an optimistic outlook to adapt to new environments, overcome challenges, and maintain a positive sense of self. Third, participants discussed support systems, encompassing community and institutional networks as well as personal and professional relationships. Last, participants perceived that proactive problem-solving, adaptable mindset, and self-care practices contributed to coping strategies to navigate the challenges of relocations effectively
From theory to practice : a multiple case study exploring conditions and practices for high-quality, sustainable arts education in two Utah elementary schools.
No full textInequitable access to quality arts education remains a persistent challenge within the United States public education system. Although national and state policies identify the arts as a critical component of a well-rounded education, students across the country experience inconsistent access to arts learning. While data on the availability of arts programs, particularly at the elementary level, are limited, even less is known about the quality of these offerings. This gap in understanding hinders efforts to implement and sustain high-quality arts education, ultimately denying students their civil right to a comprehensive and enriching educational experience.
Addressing this problem, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore community members’ perceptions of local-level practices and conditions that contribute to high-quality arts education programs in two Utah elementary school communities. Grounded in Seidel et al.’s (2009) qualities of quality framework this study collected data from two Utah elementary schools using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with an administrator, two classroom teachers, a visual arts educator, and a performing arts educator at each site. Data analysis employed both within-case and cross-case approaches to highlight unique and shared conditions and practices participants identified as essential for sustaining quality arts education.
This study found that authentic arts integration supported strong student outcomes and served as a key local practice in sustaining high-quality arts education. Participants also identified collaboration and intentional curriculum development served as key pedagogical practices for sustaining high-quality arts education. Additionally, a formalized school vision, through a shared understanding and ongoing communication, served as a key social factor in sustaining high-quality arts educational practices. Finally, findings indicated that support from principals to ensure access to materials and an arts-rich environment served as a key local practice for sustaining high-quality arts education. This study offers valuable insights into how local school communities sustain quality arts learning to ensure student access. The findings inform the work of local school leaders, state policy leaders, university preparation programs, and researchers as they continue efforts to uphold students’ civil right to a high-quality arts education
Plugged in but disconnected in the age of AI : a qualitative case study exploring the causality orientations of Gen Alpha students at a public high school in North Texas.
No full textGeneration Alpha, comprising individuals born between 2010 and 2024, represents the first generation to grow up entirely immersed in digital technology and artificial intelligence. Despite assumptions about their digital nativity, little research has explored how these students actually experience and describe educational technology based on their underlying motivational orientations. The purpose of this study was to explore how Generation Alpha students at a public high school in North Texas describe their causality orientations in educational experiences with AI and emerging technologies.
In this qualitative single case with embedded units of analysis, I employed semi-structured interviews and focus groups with six participants enrolled in Early College High School and Career and Technical Education programs. Data collection occurred between February and March 2025, and analysis followed Creswell and Poth’s (2018) iterative spiral approach using both deductive coding aligned with causality orientations theory and inductive coding to allow for emergent themes. Trustworthiness was established through methodological triangulation, peer debriefing, and thick description.
Four key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) supportive but conditional nature of technology, where students valued digital tools but emphasized the necessity of thoughtful integration and human-mediated instruction; (2) technology saturation leading to disengagement, as pervasive screen-based instruction created boredom and reduced interactive learning opportunities; (3) screen-mediated fatigue and passivity, with students describing feelings of disconnection when required to complete most work on screens; and (4) threatened competence and diminished agency, where overreliance on AI tools combined with inconsistent instructional support eroded students’ academic confidence and sense of personal control over learning. Findings revealed that all participants demonstrated aspects of each causality orientation depending on context, challenging assumptions about fixed motivational orientations and prevailing narratives about Generation Alpha’s automatic acceptance of educational technology. The study contributes to self-determination theory literature by demonstrating how different technology implementations can either support or undermine students’ psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, with implications for administrators, educational technology developer, and higher education leaders
Using paleosol proxies to reconstruct environmental conditions and constrain the drivers of climate change across the K-Pg boundary, Tornillo Basin, Texas.
No full textThe Tornillo Basin is a Laramide-aged foreland basin located in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Within the basin is the Dawson Creek section which contains abundant overbank mudrock and channel sandstones that are preserved in the Aguja, Javelina, and Black Peaks Formations. These formations span from the Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene and preserve two cycles of fluvial accretion separated by large hiatuses. The Dawson Creek section also records two global warming events, the Mid- and Late Maastrichtian Warming Event (MME and LMWE, respectively), as well as the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary marked by the Chicxulub impact. Because of the global warming events, biotic and greenhouse gas perturbations ensued. This dissertation examines the cooccurrence of sedimentation patterns, sea level change, and climate change caused by separated tectonic events.
The first study reconstructs Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) using Stinchcomb et al. (2016)’s bulk paleosol weathering transfer function as well as the elemental chemistry from pedogenic carbonate nodules. Results indicate the MME can be split into two parts, MME1 and MME2. During the MME1 precipitation was elevated and then rapidly decreased during MME2. By the LMWE, the MAP decreased, and the basin became relatively drier. Following the K-Pg boundary, MAP was high and stabilized.
The second study uses paleosol mineral assemblages as a proxy to reconstruct weathering intensity and validate MAP reported by the bulk paleosol weathering transfer function. We found that climate sensitive minerals such as calcite, orthoclase, plagioclase, smectite, and kaolinite were useful as an additional proxy to the weathering transfer functions. The changes in the reported MAP were validated by changes in mineral abundances.
The last study examines the heterogeneity of uranium (U) within a pedogenic carbonate nodule using synchrotron-based techniques. Results reveal that the U within this study sorbed to the soil organic matter which immobilized the U and made it possible for the U to be reduced. For the first time, we identify U(IV), U(V), and U(VI) in pedogenic calcite.
Overall, this dissertation demonstrates how paleosols can be used to reconstruct ancient global warming events as well as understand long-term biogeochemical cycling of soils
Where do we go from here? : mental health in the world of elite sport.
No full textCollegiate and Elite athletes experience unique stressors that are not fully understood by non-athletes, and seeking mental health support can feel stigmatizing for these athletes. Extant research concerning the prevalence of mental health needs of competitive athletes is inconsistent, with some studies suggesting higher prevalence than the general population, and others finding participation in sport reduces risks of mental illness. Such disparate findings yield inconsistent answers for understanding and preventing mental health struggles among athletes. This three-article dissertation as an integrated whole seeks to better understand the needs and experiences of elite athletes, as well as identify potential avenues for the prevention of mental health concerns and the improvement of athletic performance. The first conceptual article examines the current literature describing the mental health needs of Olympic and collegiate level elite athletes, exploring the potential benefit of cognitive-behavioral treatment skills training to prevent mental illness among elite athletes, while also enhancing performance. The second article utilizes an online cross-sectional survey of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes (N=129) to identify the prevalence of mental health symptoms, variables associated with these symptoms, and barriers to treatment. The third article is a phenomenological study of Olympic athletes (N=20) to better understand the phenomena of post-Olympic blues (POB) and examining experiences before, during and after the Olympics. Together, these studies will elucidate elite athlete mental health needs, prevention and treatment needs
The cost of the climb : a qualitative multiple case study exploring intersectionality and Black women's journeys to executive leadership.
No full textBlack women in executive leadership roles face intersecting challenges related to race and gender. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have expanded in recent years, Black women remain considerably underrepresented at senior levels, and their leadership experiences are often misunderstood or overlooked. Much of the existing literature treats race and gender as separate categories, failing to account for how their intersections shape both access to leadership and the strategies required to remain in those roles. The purpose of this study was to explore how Black women in executive leadership positions describe the relationship between their intersecting identities and their career progression experiences, including systemic barriers, opportunities, and advancement strategies. This project contributes to ongoing conversations about equity in leadership by centering the lived experiences of Black women at the executive level.
I used a qualitative multiple-case study design to examine the leadership experiences of five Black women in executive roles across diverse industries. The participants represented fields such as educational consulting, nonprofit, food and beverage manufacturing, and management consulting. I conducted semi-structured interviews and facilitated guided photo-elicitation activities to collect data. I analyzed the data through both within-case and cross-case approaches. Intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989; Hill Collins & Bilge, 2016) provided the analytic lens for examining how intersecting power systems, such as race, gender, and authority, shaped career progression, leadership identity, and organizational navigation.
I developed six cross-case themes aligned with the components of intersectionality outlined by Hill Collins and Bilge (2016): relationality, social inequality, intersecting power relationships, social justice, social context, and complexity. The findings reveal that participants navigated inequitable systems, maintained their influence, and created pathways for others to lead. They offer practical implications for organizational leaders, equity officers, and human resources professionals, emphasizing the need for culturally responsive leadership pipelines, visible equity commitments, and accountability measures that center intersectional experiences. This study amplifies the voices and strategies of Black women executives, highlighting how they sustain leadership within inequitable systems
Betrayal and courage : faith community responses to domestic violence.
No full textFaith communities must understand the consequences of domestic violence (DV). This includes the prevention, intervention, policy, and practices that vitally impact the safety and protection of congregants who experience abuse in their homes. With the statistics of DV in churched families being comparable to the general population, churches cannot ignore this pressing matter. Victims of DV often first reach out to informal support networks – including faith communities. Yet, clergy are often unaware of how to best respond to disclosures of DV. A database managed by the Center for Institutional Courage (2025) shows a growing recognition of how organizations and institutions engage in harming individuals, but it has limited data on the topic of DV. This is particularly true in relation to communities of faith, including churches, congregations, denominational bodies, and religious support groups. Institutional betrayal (IB) involves the harms committed by institutions against the individuals who depend on those institutions. Faith communities engage in IB by not speaking of or preaching about abusive behaviors, by not validating experiences of DV, by responding without empathy, by not utilizing networks of helping professionals, and by not incorporating trauma-informed practices. Alternatively, institutional courage (IC) is evident in a supportive, proactive, transparent institutional culture that makes it easy to report harm and protects those who have been abused. Faith communities demonstrate IC by believing and validating disclosures of DV, by providing for tangible needs, through referrals to professional or DV-trained community partners, and by demonstrating the continued value of those affected by abuse. Survivor posttraumatic growth can be enhanced when faith communities engage in IC. Promoting healing in survivors of DV also impacts their children, making this a topic of intergenerational importance. Advocacy through research is one way to continue to make a difference for victims and survivors. Disseminating research findings, as outlined in this dissertation, can create tools for implementing change. By strengthening faith community responses to DV, we can seek to improve practices and policies that minimize IB and increase IC. The positive impact this will have on congregational practices and responses will most certainly impact the future of the church
Functional and structural insights into single-strand DNA binding proteins and antibiotic resistance targets by native mass spectrometry.
No full textNative protein mass spectrometry (nMS) has matured into a quantitative tool for probing ligand binding, quaternary structure, thermostability, and assembly pathways of biological systems in solution-like conditions. However, when systems extend beyond small-molecule binding, particularly for protein-protein and protein-DNA assemblies, differences in quaternary structure-dependent response factors (RFs) can bias quantitative measurements. Herein, we develop and validate a nMS framework that leverages RF-aware calibration to recover biologically meaningful equilibria from complex mixtures with overlapping signal populations. We implement local-maxima detection, Gaussian-assisted signal integration, and internal-standard-anchored RF calibration to convert peak heights/areas into composition-resolved binding isotherms. Thermodynamic modeling is then applied to extract stoichiometries, microscopic binding constants, and cooperativity parameters.
This approach is first benchmarked on a canonical small-molecule system to demonstrate conditions under which RFs are effectively invariant, yielding small molecule Kd values consistent with orthogonal biochemical assays. The workflow was then extended to examine dynamic replisome-associated proteins, single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs), where traditional bulk-phase ensemble methods fail to resolve coexisting populations of oligomers. The utility of nMS in mapping length dependent single-strand DNA (ssDNA) oligomer distributions and quantify cooperative interactions directly from mass spectra was demonstrated using SSBs, Saccharolobus solfataricus SSB (SsoSSB) and bacteriophage T7 gp2.5, as case studies. To account for reduced RFs observed with higher molecular weight oligomers, experimental controls were applied to correct the relative signal intensities, thereby enabling accurate quantification of the bound-state population distribution. Finally, homo-oligomeric protein interfaces were examined to show how nMS can inform on the dynamics of protein-protein interactions.
Furthermore, practical RF calibration strategies are provided that restore quantitative accuracy to ensure extraction of biologically meaningful thermodynamic data. Collectively, these results (i) define when conventional peak-proportion-to-population assumptions hold, (ii) specify when and how to correct for RF heterogeneity, and (iii) demonstrate that calibrated nMS can deconvolute signal interference in heterogenous mixtures to yield robust thermodynamic parameters for protein-protein interactions. Beyond delivering new mechanistic insights into antibiotic resistance mechanisms and SSB-ssDNA interactions, this work provides an end-to-end analysis pipeline for quantitative nMS of multi-component biomolecular systems, enabling confident comparison to biochemical/biophysical benchmarks and facilitating broader
application of nMS to dynamic regulatory assemblies
A new era : understanding why donor motives matter in the new age of intercollegiate athletics.
No full textAs the college athletics landscape continues to undergo revolutionary changes leaving an indelible mark on the industry, revenue generation in the form of philanthropic contributions from athletics donors remains a top priority for athletic departments. As a result, intercollegiate athletics development officers need to gain a deeper understanding into the motives of athletics donors. This holistic single case study explored how six donors at an NCAA Division I Institution describe their motives to give in relation to Ko et al.’s (2014) model of athletic donor motivation. Further, my study explored donor perspectives on name, image, and likeness (NIL) and whether it shifts their motives to give in relation to Ko et al.’s (2014) model of athletic donor motivation. Ko et al.’s (2014) model defines eight dimensions that describe giving towards intercollegiate athletics, serving as the catalyst towards exploring donor motives and donor perspectives on NIL.
Using qualitative inquiry strategies, this study analyzed the experiences and beliefs of athletics donors at an NCAA Division I institution. I used a purposive criterion-based sampling strategy to identify the six participants. Through individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group, I collected relevant information related to the participants’ experiences as athletics donors. I then conducted thematic analysis to identify themes and interpret the findings.
The findings from my study reveal that the participants, who all happened to be alumni, were highly motivated by philanthropically supporting their alma mater and making a transformative impact on athletics. The participants all expressed a belief that student-athletes should receive compensation but were uncertain about certain components of NIL. The findings also revealed that the participants viewed philanthropic contributions as a way to demonstrate their commitment and their affiliation to the university. Lastly, the participants believed they should have the ability to dictate how and where the institution utilizes their philanthropic gift. Implications of this study include suggestions for intercollegiate athletics development officers, athletic departments, and athletics donors. I suggest that all three constituents work together to form viable and effective philanthropic solutions in this new era of college athletics