Texas Digital Library
University of Houston-Clear Lake: UHCL Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
4292 research outputs found
Sort by
Examining the Influence of Texas Community College Baccalaureate Programs Are Having on Hispanic Student College Success
Full text linkThe purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the influence community college baccalaureate (CCB) programs have on the college enrollment and success of Hispanic students. Higher education has been long regarded as the best and most secure way to achieve upward economic mobility. Vuolo et al. (2016) found that United States (U.S.) workers who had attained a bachelor’s or associate degree, had high levels of employment and viewed their jobs as a career, even during economic downturns. Institutions of higher education have long been touted for helping any student achieve the American Dream. On average, 59.0% of bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. are awarded to white students (Hanson, 2021). In 2016 alone, 65.6% of Asians and 42.9% of Whites had completed at least a bachelor's degree by age 29, compared to 22.7% and 18.7% for African American and Hispanic students respectively (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2016). On average, nearly two million students complete a bachelor's degree in the U.S. every year and from this total, 13.1% are Hispanic students (Hanson, 2021). Additionally, the national dropout percentage of Hispanic students from four-year institutions is 21.4%. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing group in the U.S. and is expected to be the largest school age population by 2050 (Fry & Gonzalez, 2008). Therefore, the educational system, including higher education in the U.S. needs to develop systems and processes to best serve these students (Contreras & Contreras, 2015). Adelman (2005) and Martinez and Fernandez (2004) found that Hispanic students are more likely than other ethnicity groups to enroll in community colleges. Given that by 2045, the U.S. population is predicted to be “minority white”, it is imperative that the bachelor’s degree attainment of economically disadvantaged students, specifically Hispanic students, be increased (Frey, 2021). Texas community college baccalaureate programs were first approved by state legislatures in 2003. However, there is possibly a lack of research on the influence that CCB programs have on the college graduation rate, college enrollment, college persistence, and college success of Hispanic students in Texas.
Scholarly work and U.S. economic data suggest that achieving higher education has a positive impact on the lifetime earnings of an individual (Cheah et al., 2015). On average, the difference in lifetime earnings between a college graduate and a high school graduate is $1million (Cheah et al., 2015). The importance of a college education in the earning potential of an individual cannot be overstated. However, the graduation rates of students in higher education don’t reflect students’ understanding or awareness of this positive relationship between higher education attainment and wage-earning potential. In 2020, 63.0% of students enrolled at a U.S. university completed a bachelor’s degree and only 34.0% of students enrolled at a community college completed their credential within a 150.0% time needed to complete (NCES, 2023). For Hispanic students in higher education, there are several factors that contribute to low graduation rates such coming from low-income families, having a higher likelihood of having dropped out of high school, less likely to have college educated parents, and have limited social capital to help them navigate the systems and challenges associated with higher education (Saenz et al., 2018).
This study used sequential mixed methods design. This design consisted of two parts, first a quantitative phase, and then a qualitative phase. First, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board data were collected for the 74, two-year colleges in Texas. These two-year institutions are located across the state and provide Texans with access to continuing education courses, certificate programs, and associate degrees. Additionally, 22 institutions also offer baccalaureate degrees. Second, ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of current community college baccalaureate students from a community college in Texas’s Gulf Coast region. Based on the quantitative data collected and analyzed it was found that (a) colleges with community college baccalaureate (CCB) programs have a statistically significant mean difference in the 2-year persistence rates of Hispanic students, (b) there was not a statistically significant mean difference in Hispanic graduation rates of Hispanic students at CCB versus non CCB institutions, (c) there was a statistically significant mean difference in the enrollment rates of Hispanic students at CCB institutions versus non CCB institutions, and (d) there was a statistically significant mean difference in the achievement rates of Hispanic students at CCB institutions versus non CCB institutions. Additionally, participants’ responses indicate that CCB programs are helping Hispanic students achieve student success due to the (a) cost and affordability of these programs, (b) the flexibility of these programs, (c) the academic support provided by these programs, and (d) the ability to transfer and get credit for previous academic work
Digital Resources Influence on Academic Achievement
Full text linkA well-cited study (Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014) regarding notetaking found that longhand, or written, notes were more beneficial to students' academic achievement. Subsequent replications did not support these findings, rather showing that the medium (laptop vs. longhand) had no significant effect. The current study is attempting to reflect a real course experience, with a lecture and resources that match. It is hypothesized that students with laptops and access to lecture slides during notetaking will perform better on the quiz over that same content. A 2 (Access condition: Central Tendency vs. Levels of measurement) x 2 (Medium: Longhand vs Laptop) factorial design, with the access condition manipulated within subjects and the medium manipulated between subjects. Results showed no significant effects on academic achievement. While the hypotheses were not supported, the findings support the mixed results from past research. The current research helps to support that the medium of notetaking is not affecting students’ academic achievement. Students should be allowed to use their preferred materials in class to make them feel most prepared for learning
"The World They Wanted": Power and the Gender Binary in Dystopian Works
Full text linkThis thesis examines the way that ciswomen gain and exert power in dystopian works. Those who adhere to a male/female gender binary tend to become authoritarian and oppress other groups, creating a gynocracy that echoes patriarchal systems that came before. I examine The Power by Naomi Alderman, Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin, and the film Mad Max: Fury Road in order to illustrate both the authoritarian structures that arise in dystopian societies where women gain power, and a possible solution for this being acceptance of people’s intersecting identities
Design Automation on Hardware Accelerator of Tall-Skinny QR Factorization
Full text linkAs the scaling effects of Moore’s Law diminish, the rate of performance enhancement in High-Performance Computing (HPC) has significantly slowed, transitioning from a historical pace of 1000× every 11 years to a mere 3× over the same period. In response to this challenge, this thesis introduces a design automation tool for specialized hardware accelerators of Tall-Skinny QR Factorization (TSQR), aiming to efficiently and effectively deliver diverse hardware architectures. Experimental results indicate that the generated designs can attain a peak operational frequency of 250MHz and execute 2,552 FLOPS (Floating-Point Operations) per clock cycle on the AMD/Xilinx Alveo U250 Data Center Card. Background and Motivations: This research is a collaborative endeavor between UHCL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The TSQR accelerator stands as a key component within the family of linear algebra tools, crucial for constructing a wide spectrum of scientific algorithms. The motivation behind this work is to provide a suite of tools, including TSQR, multi-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform, general matrix-matrix multiplier (GEMM), linear algebra, etc., and integrate them onto FPGA (field-programmable gate array) platforms to demonstrate performance enhancements. This strategy holds the potential for further chip fabrication collaborations with third-party entities such as AMD Chiplet and the Open Compute Project (OCP)
Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves in Hot and Dense Media
Full text linkThis thesis presents a detailed investigation of renormalized Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) under extreme astrophysical conditions typical of neutron stars, where high temperature, dense matter with high chemical potential, and intense magnetic fields coexist. It is observed from theoretical calculations that the properties of electromagnetic waves are modified to incorporate the extreme effects of the statistical parameters. Utilizing Masood’s abc functions to incorporate finite magnetic field effects along with temperature and chemical potential effects, the study calculates radiative corrections to the self-mass and effective electromagnetic coupling constant
(αR) of the electron, muon, and tau leptons. Numerical evaluations demonstrate that lepton masses are significantly modified compared to their bare masses under extreme statistical conditions, in turn exhibiting modification in the properties of particles in high magnetic field strengths up to 10^12 T, consistent with neutron star interior conditions. Graphical analyses reveal noteworthy results for the self-mass correction and effective coupling. Computation of the self-mass correction for conditions observed in
neutron stars revealed that it is negligible, keeping the system physical with renormalization. As the mass of the lepton increased, the self-mass correction came out to be negligible. The coupling constant’s behavior is minimally impacted by the medium, proving that QED for leptons is extremely robust and that U(1) gauge symmetry is preserved even in the most extreme scenarios modeled. The value of αR remained consistent with the existing electromagnetism model, αR ≈ 1/137. These results highlight the indispensability of medium-dependent renormalization schemes in accurately modeling QED phenomena in compact stars and suggest potential observable effects on electromagnetic processes within neutron star environments
An Examination of Parental Engagement, Partnership and Campus Support from the Parents' Perspective at Title 1 Campuses
Full text linkThis study examined parent engagement from the parents' perspective, with a focus on understanding how families experience engagement, partnership, and campus support. The purpose of this research was to explore parents' perceptions and identify the factors that influence their involvement in Title 1 elementary school settings. A mixed-methods design was used, incorporating quantitative data from the Parent and School Survey (PASS) and qualitative data from open-ended response questions. Fifty-four parents participated in the study. The findings indicated a connection between parents' perceptions and their level of engagement, as well as a relationship between perceived barriers and engagement. Key themes that emerged included the importance of effective communication, flexible scheduling, and meaningful opportunities for involvement. The results suggest that schools can strengthen parent engagement by addressing identified barriers and implementing inclusive, family-centered strategies. This study contributes to the literature by centering the parent voice and offers recommendations for school leaders and future researchers seeking to improve engagement practices in Title 1 schools
Understanding Pathways for Microbial Perchlorate Reduction In A Mars Analog Environment
No full textThe overall goal of this project is to detect and characterize the various pathways employed for microbial (per)chlorate reduction within the Pilot Valley Basin, Utah, a Mars analog environment. Recent studies of Pilot Valley have shown that naturally occurring (per)chlorate (NOP), and (per)chlorate reducing microorganisms (PRMs) are co-existing within the hypersaline sediments of this paleolake basin. Results from recent in situ studies indicate that (Per)chlorate salts are abundant on the red planet, and as such they could serve as probable energy resources for microbial ecosystems. To understand what pathways are used for microbial (per)chlorate reduction in Pilot Valley, PRMs will be cultured and isolated using different terminal electron acceptors. This process will help determine the identity of the microbes potentially using (per)chlorate in Pilot Valley Basin as well as the metabolic tools they are using to extract energy. Through molecular analysis with qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), we will also target a specific hypothesis concerning the possibility that nitrate reductase (NarG) is a key enzyme for (per)chlorate reduction in Pilot Valley. The resulting isolates will undergo shotgun sequencing to identify the type of microorganisms under particular energy regimes. This procedure will help interpret the necessary pathways as well. These intriguing results will broaden the understanding of the significance of perchlorate reduction as an energy resource on Mars and its relevance for future exploration of potentially habitable zones.
Dream of A Rapture
No full textDream of A Rapture is a science fiction closet drama. It tells the story of Dr. Nolan Michel and the moral transformation he undergoes as he participates in an experiment to travel into the future. The work is accompanied by the short story “Crypto Rapture,” which acts as a companion piece and coda to the play. The piece also has a poem that opens the play. This creative thesis contains a learning commentary that consists of two parts. The first is an introduction that details the author’s journey writing a closet drama, his closet drama influences, and historical background on the closet drama genre. The second half of the learning commentary is a conclusion that provides background information on the conception of the play, its place in the soft science fiction genre, and the philosophy and development of the fictional pieces
An exploratory study about African American engineering professionals' experiences of their student support
Full text linkWith the growing demand for STEM professionals in the global workforce, the underrepresentation and lack of persistence of African Americans (AA) in STEM disciplines presents a significant challenge for the U.S.'s competitive edge. Addressing this issue requires higher education institutions to implement effective STEM support and intervention programs aimed at improving persistence patterns among AA STEM students. This study examines the experiences of African American engineering professionals regarding the student support they received at colleges, universities, and technical institutes in an urban region. A sequential mixed-method approach was employed, starting with a quantitative survey followed by qualitative interviews to explore emerging themes. A convenience sample of 202 AA professionals and/or graduates responded to the survey, and seven participants engaged in the qualitative interviews. The study revealed that academic support services had a modest yet statistically significant positive correlation with resilience among AA students. However, a significant negative relationship was observed between satisfaction with opportunities for student networking, administrative support services, and academic support services, and the students’ resilience levels. The qualitative findings further highlighted that primary and secondary educational institutions often fail to introduce AA students to engineering concepts. Participants frequently cited family and community networks as crucial sources of support. The findings underscore the impersonal and insufficient nature of administrative support services—such as admissions, registration, and financial aid—perceived by AA students. This study suggests a critical need for early exposure to engineering concepts during primary and secondary education to mitigate disparities in STEM fields. Future research should explore how early, culturally relevant STEM interventions influence long-term academic success and career outcomes for AA students, and how culturally competent, empathy-based training for administrative staff impacts student satisfaction with institutional services
Evaluation of microplastic loading in marsh habitats associated with Texas Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis)
Full text linkMicroplastics are an emerging environmental contaminant of concern. Defined as < 5-mm in dimension, microplastics are a result of physical or photochemical degradation of larger plastic products. Microplastics are posing as a health concern for both wildlife and humans, due to the polymers they’re composed of, and the potential for adhesion of other anthropogenic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Coastal low-lying wetlands can act as a sink for filtering terrestrial waste, putting these habitats at risk for accumulating microplastics, or other contaminants. These critical habitats play a crucial role as nurseries for recreationally and commercially significant nekton, and house a species of greatest conservation need, the Texas Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis). The objective of this study is to evaluate the microplastic distribution and concentrations in marsh habitats associated with this species of concern. Four sites in Matagorda Bay, TX, were selected as a subset from a larger project, each selected based on their association with Malaclemys terrapin littoralis. Using a 7.5-cm metal corer, 5-cm surface samples were collected between two sample types: shoreline samples (3 quadrats per site, n = 3 samples per quadrat), and inner marsh samples (3 quadrats per site, n = 3 samples per quadrat). Using a step-wise protocol, samples were dried in the oven, sieved through stacked sieves of 5-mm and 100-µm, density separated with 40-ppt NaCl solution, organically digested with 30% H₂O₂, and then enumerated under the microscope. As a result, a total of 378 individual microplastics were enumerated in all 72 samples. Across each of the 72 samples, four types of microplastics were identified (fibers, fragments, fiber bundles, foam), and 64 of them contained at least 1 microplastic. The easternmost site evaluated had the highest levels of microplastic concentrations compared to two other sites, while each of the other 3 sites were not significantly different. Higher levels of microplastics were enumerated in shoreline samples compared to inner marsh samples, and fibers dominated the types of microplastics enumerated. This snapshot of microplastic concentrations in Matagorda Bay saltmarshes can aid in the implementation of mitigation strategies and resource management