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Trauma-Informed Foundations for Future Health Professionals
No full textTrauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have profound, long-lasting effects on many aspects health and well-being and highlights the need for continued efforts to further trauma-informed care (TIC) or trauma-informed approach (TIA) education. This capstone project aimed to address this need by developing introductory TIC/TIA content to undergraduate health profession students. Informed by a thorough literature review and a site-specific needs assessment, the project produced modular, evidence-based content designed to build foundational knowledge, foster cultural humility, support interprofessional collaboration, and encourage self-reflection on personal trauma histories. Emphasizing culturally responsive frameworks such as the Kawa Model, the program incorporates trauma-sensitive teaching strategies, interactive learning activities, and a faculty-led simulation. This project contributes to the broader effort to implement trauma-informed principles into healthcare education, ultimately aiming to enhance knowledge and skills across all stages of learning and support the development of trauma-informed health professionals.Texas Woman's Universit
Exploring the Effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Physical and Mental Health Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
No full textThis capstone project sought to explore the effectiveness of ICT as an intervention method to increase communication to benefit older adults' mental and physical health. After eight weeks of interventions through either one-on-one, personalized meetings, weekly group meetings, and discussions, the results showed that participants had a decrease in loneliness. The impact of the iPad on physical and mental health showed an overall increase in physical health scores, however, there were no significant changes in mental health.Texas Woman’s Universit
Increasing Community Participation for Neurodiverse Populations in Public Libraries
No full textEngaging in the community is an essential part of the health and well-being of all individuals, especially those from neurodiverse populations. Studies show that if an individual is unable to process sensory information from their environment, it impacts their ability to engage within the community. Often this is the case for individuals from Neurodiverse populations, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This capstone project focuses on developing a program that supports the sensory and emotional regulation needs of neurodiverse individuals, ultimately promoting a more sensory-inclusive environment to enhance community participation in public libraries. Prominent community institutions such as public libraries can often be overstimulating or lack the resources to support neurodiverse individuals. Implementing sensory strategies and inclusive activities within community spaces will improve access to resources, enhance social connections, and support the overall well-being of neurodiverse individuals.Roanoke Public Librar
Teaching under the table: Examining Texas English educators' use of cultural communication in today's classrooms through the perspectives of Black women
No full textThis dissertation investigates whether the recent Texas education legislation banning instruction and books centered on/or around race, gender, and sexuality, as well as eliminating DEI programs at public colleges and universities, has impacted Black women English educators’ cultural communication self-efficacy. This study applies a Black feminist pragmatic research philosophical approach using a mixed methods research design, including a quantitative online survey and qualitative virtual interviews to explore a sample of Black women English educators' cultural communication self-efficacy. Data was analyzed using the competent communication model, intersectionality theory, and my autoethnography as a Black woman English educator. The research findings suggest that Black women English educators in Texas have a high level of cultural communication self-efficacy and that their intersectional identity in being both Black and a woman creates advantages and barriers, which has been further impacted by recent state education legislation. This dissertation contributes to the existing body of knowledge concerned with cultural communication, culturally responsive teaching, and/or Black feminist rhetorics. Overall, these findings highlight the effects of state legislation on teachers’ comfort and confidence within the classroom. I, therefore, recommend further research regarding the effects of recent state education laws on Texas educators and students, particularly those from marginalized communities
The Librarian's Playbook: Game Plans for Engaging Programming
No full textReady to amplify your impact and showcase your expertise? Join us for an inspiring session where you’ll discover a variety of creative, low-cost programming ideas designed to captivate students, teachers, and families alike. From small-scale activities to larger initiatives, you’ll explore projects that foster literacy engagement, strengthen community ties, and promote inclusivity in an economical way
Quantifying Cooperation: Crafting the Vendor Reciprocity Scale
No full textNegotiating with vendors is a routine part of acquisitions work, but understanding patterns of vendor behavior often depends on informal, experience-based knowledge. To address this, we developed the Vendor Reciprocity Scale (VRS), a tool designed to document and quantify vendor behaviors to better inform negotiations and internal decision-making. In this session, we will present the first iteration of the VRS, shaped by community feedback, and share our documentation, workflows, and internal guidance. We'll highlight key feedback received during earlier presentations, explain the structure and categories of the finalized scale, and provide real-world examples of how it will be used to guide vendor interactions. By offering a shared language and framework, the VRS supports more equitable, transparent, and efficient negotiations. Attendees will be invited to reflect on their own experiences and contribute to an evolving conversation about standardizing vendor relations across institutions
Accessibility Overhaul: Preparing Your Library for ADA Title II
No full textAn important aspect of library services is ensuring that digital content is accessible to all patrons. Not only is this something we strive for as a core value of librarianship, but it is also mandated by federal law. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act was updated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to include new rules on “the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments.” For most libraries, the deadline to make the necessary changes is April 2026.
Velma K. Waters Library began instituting these changes during the past year. We updated colors, fonts, and branding. Additionally, we used tools to check our web content for tabbing, alt text, and other errors and made changes as needed. We are doing this with the goal of surpassing the WCAG v2.1, Level AA standards and striving to meet Level AAA in most cases
Texas Freedom to Read Project
No full textLaney Hawes and Anne Russey, co-founders of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, will share the powerful origin story of their grassroots movement to defend the freedom to read. Learn how their personal experiences and passion for intellectual freedom led to the creation of an organization that empowers communities to stand up against censorship and book banning.
Hawes and Russey will discuss their ongoing work across Texas and beyond, spotlighting the tools, strategies, and partnerships they use to support librarians, educators, parents, and students. They’ll also provide insights into recent legislation impacting book access and intellectual freedom, and offer practical guidance on how to understand, respond to, and navigate these laws.
They'll send you away with real-world advice on how to protect access to books and ideas in your own libraries, advocate effectively in your communities, and turn this tide away from censorship. You’ll leave inspired, hopeful, and better equipped to defend the freedom to read
Digitization Lab Breakdowns and Procedures
No full textFollowing, creating, and implementing digitization lab procedures with adequate management tools is no easy feat. At the University of North Texas Digital Projects Lab, managing a 30-person lab with 17 scanning equipment and numerous collections going in and out, the staff is constantly finding ways to improve efficiency and communication. In this presentation, I will break down our current project management tools, instructional materials, and lab cleanliness procedures we use daily to have a functioning digitization lab
A Multifactorial Investigation of the Impact of Concussion on Neuromuscular and Neurocognitive Factors in NCAA Division I Athletes
No full textAthletes who return to play (RTP) following concussion are at an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury despite passing all standard RTP criteria and progressions. The frameworks underlying the concussion and injury risk relationship are not well understood but previous research postulates that lingering deficits in neuromuscular and neurocognitive function may be contributing factors. Therefore, the overarching purpose of this two-study dissertation was to identify neuromuscular and neurocognitive impairments following concussion in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate athletes.
Study 1 - The first study was a cross-sectional examination of single- and dual-task single-leg drop jump (SLDJ) parameters and complex neurocognitive performance in collegiate athletes with and without a history of concussion within the last 5 years. Results from this study showed that athletes with a history of concussion demonstrated decreased eccentric relative impulse and countermovement depth during an SLDJ compared to controls. No significant differences between groups were identified in movement parameters during an SLDJ with a serial sevens dual task. Further, no differences were detected in neurocognitive measures utilizing the Sway Medical Impulse Control and Cued Stroop tests.
Study 2 - The second study prospectively examined changes in neuromuscular and neurocognitive performance after RTP following concussion. In addition to the tests utilized in the previous study, a single-leg balance task was included to establish recovery based on concurrent standards in RTP protocols. No significant differences were found between time points for single-leg balance, dual-task SLDJ, Impulse Control and Cued Stroop tests. However, decreased contact time during the SLDJ was found after RTP from concussion.
Conclusion - In summary, the results from both studies of SLDJ parameters suggest increased stiffness following concussion. The dual-task SLDJ and Sway Medical neurocognitive tests may not be sensitive enough to detect lingering impairments. This dissertation provides insight into the neuromuscular factors that persist following concussion. Future research should focus on identifying if these parameters are linked to injury following RTP from a concussion. Further, research into the individual variations in concussion recovery and the implications for long-term neuromuscular and neurocognitive impairments should be explored