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Community college student experiences within (and beyond) an accelerated-first-year seminar course
No full textStudent success and retention are one of the top challenges colleges face. It has become important that higher education professionals understand the reasons for first-year student engagement and attrition. Institutions of higher education have an opportunity to engage and retain students by providing first-year seminar courses that promote self-efficacy and mastery of educational goals. As community colleges have been facing declining enrollment numbers nationally, it has become important for institutions of higher education to identify what elements of first-year seminars impact long-term student success—especially within accelerated versions of these courses. The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of first-year students who enroll in accelerated first-year seminar courses and identify patterns that would explain how the student engagement in the course influenced their academic success in the classroom. While literature exists that examines the general impact of accelerated first-year seminars, there is little research focusing on the elements of accelerated first-year seminars have a positive impact on long-term student success and retention. To add to the literature in this area and inform practice, 12 students from Small Midwestern Community College (SMCC) who
successfully completed an accelerated first-year seminar (AFYS) participated in a phenomenological study. The research questions included: (a) How do students experience AFYS? (b) How do community college students make meaning of their educational experience in AFYS? (c) What elements of or experiences during AFYS do students identify as being most influential and supportive of their long-term success as students? Students participated in Zoom interviews, then data were transcribed and analyzed using a phenomenological analysis approach (IPA). Four significant themes were generated: (a) Navigation, (b) Connection, (c) Resources and Support, (d) and Learning about Self. These findings are largely consistent with current literature, yet these findings also address a gap in current understandings by identifying the elements of accelerated first-year seminars that impact long-term success. Detailed explanations of the findings and implications of this research for community colleges, student affairs professionals, and faculty are included.D. Ed
Manifestations of the oil encounter: an ecocritical approach to Middle Eastern petro-literature
No full textThis study examines fictional works from the Middle East that delve into Amitav
Ghosh’s notion of the “Oil Encounter,” including novels by Ahmad Mahmoud, Leila Al-Atrash,
Nawal El-Saadawi, and Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film Day of the Falcon. By analyzing texts
across different historical periods and national traditions, the dissertation uncovers diverse
attitudes and perspectives on the oil encounter, filling a critical gap in the scholarship. The study
therefore argues that the experience of the oil encounter is not a monolith, but dynamic and
complex encounters and experiences influenced by historical events and socio-political norms.
Furthermore, a central concern in this dissertation is the ways in which the oil industry is
associated with several myths that serve its interests and influence public perception. In different
ways, the texts engage with these dominant myths about the oil industry by showing how the
poor, women and the environment are on the receiving end of the oil industry’s impacts. By
drawing from ecocritical studies, feminist and eco-feminist studies, and postcolonial studies, this
dissertation highlights the ways in which the authors under study imaginatively subvert Euro-
Americans myths regarding the oil industry and foreground counter-stories of the marginalized
and oppressed. In other words, whether the oil encounter is linked to notions of liberation,
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abundance, instant modernization, development, progress, modernity, and economic prosperity
or not is irrelevant. Rather, what is relevant and undeniable is that the oil encounter in the Middle
East is a violent encounter
Methylprednisolone's influence on apoptotic signalling in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell under hypoxic condtions
No full textMethylprednisolone is a corticosteroid mainly used to treat severe allergies,
inflammation, and flares of chronic illnesses such as the kidney. This corticosteroid functions by
mimicking the effects of glucocorticoid hormones that are naturally secreted by our adrenal
glands and consequently slows down an overactive immune system or replaces cortisol in the
body. This steroid is prescribed in large doses primarily to control serious diseases involving the
kidneys and brain. Most commonly, methylprednisolone is used to treat inflammatory
manifestations of lupus nephritis- kidney disease caused by a systemic lupus erythematosus link.
Medrol, a popular brand of methylprednisolone has solidified its role in autoimmune response
control with the management of skin rashes and subsequent flare-ups in immunocompromised
patients. However, despite the steroid’s known role as an anti-inflammatory, its effects on
apoptotic signaling pathways within hypoxic conditions are poorly understood. AIM: This study
aims to investigate the influence of Methylprednisolone on the apoptotic signaling pathway in
Human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells under hypoxic conditions, providing insight
into potential implications for cell viability and survival. METHODS: The optimal doses of 0.5 mg
and 0.25 mg were validated by crystal violet staining and subjected to hypoxic conditions. Apoptotic
signaling pathways was analyzed using immunoblotting to examine the expression levels of key
apoptotic markers. Additionally, gene expression levels for Bcl-2 were determined by RTqPCR.
RESULTS: Methylprednisolone treatment modulates apoptotic signaling pathways in HEK293T
cells under hypoxic conditions. Specifically, methylprednisolone inhibits apoptotic pathways,
leading to enhanced cell survival and decreased apoptosis. These effects may be mediated
through the regulation of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins, as well as downstream
signaling cascades involved in cell death regulation. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone will
inhibit apoptotic pathways in HEK293T cell lines under hypoxic conditions due to the Bcl-2
gene’s anti-apoptotic properties and Bax will be downregulated in response to the upregulation
of Bcl-2 expression. By inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell survival, methylprednisolone
demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for mitigating tissue damage in conditions
characterized by hypoxia or ischemia. Further research into the precise mechanisms underlying
its effects on apoptotic pathways could provide valuable insights for the development of
specified treatments for a range of inflammatory and ischemic diseases.M. A
Navigating the new norm: the rise of remote work in the post-pandemic era
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a seismic shift in the traditional landscape of work, with remote work emerging as a prominent feature of the new normal. This paper examines the multifaceted phenomenon of remote work in the post-pandemic era, exploring its impact on productivity, employee well-being, company culture, and collaboration. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of primary sources including research papers, industry reports, and expert insights, this creative project provides a detailed analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with remote work and offers recommendations for organizations and policymakers to effectively navigate this new paradigm of work. The accompanying journalistic story provides context and a personal lens into the lived experience of remote work
Living invisibility: literature's role in everyday Palestinian resistance
No full textThe power of literature about and from Palestine is located in its ability to
render Palestinian suffering visible, allowing readers to bear witness to the unfiltered violence of
war and occupation. Living Invisibility explores the numerous ways that Palestinian resistance
literature delineates the violent subjugation of life while reclaiming Palestinian history, agencies,
and testimony. These texts simultaneously expose and challenge violence which has been made
ordinary by the Western Empire and Israel’s military occupation. The first chapter highlights the
impacts of bearing witness in Joe Sacco’s Palestine (1993) and Footnotes in Gaza (2009). I
analyze the politics of (in)visiblity and graphic narratives as a medium for bearing witness and
double witnessing for Western readers. The second chapter situates the Palestinian body in
contrast to the natural environment, emphasizing how the occupation creates war in the everyday
lives of Palestinian people and ecology. ʿAdanīyah Shiblī’s Minor Detail (2020) and Ghassān
Kanafānī’s Men in the Sun (1962) explore invisibility in their depictions of Palestine’s natural
environment being transformed by the interests of Western powers. Finally, the ordinary takes
physical manifestation in Saḥar Khalīfah’s Passage to the Plaza (1990) in her representation of
women’s lives during the First Intifāḍa. I aim to illuminate the impacts of colonial power’s
penetration into Palestinian homes, situating the damage of Israel’s occupation as more drastic
through its concealed consequences on an invisibilized, internal level.M. A
Distributed leadership experiences in a stem certified Indiana elementary school
No full textThis qualitative case study aimed to investigate and gain a greater insight into understanding distributed leadership and the experiences of individuals at an elementary school who participated in the process of obtaining Indiana STEM-school certification. The ultimate objective was to explore the leadership interactions of multiple participants in a highly dynamic education environment. An interview protocol was created, and seven faculty members from an elementary school in one school district were interviewed. Four themes were developed from the data collected, including a realization that the framework of the certification process itself created an environment that fostered a form of distributed leadership. Secondly, the individuals within the school shared a common set of beliefs and culture centered around what is best for kids. In addition, the concept that administrative leadership was willing to embrace and encourage the leadership of all individuals within the school was apparent. Finally, through this shared culture and framework, individuals felt comfortable becoming involved in leadership activities regardless of their officially designated title within the school or district. The interaction of all four themes created an environment where distributed leadership helped the organization achieve its ultimate goal of obtaining Indiana STEM-school certification.D. Ed
For richer or poorer: diatoms as indicators of biological condition in northern peatlands
No full textThe goals of this study were to 1) document spatial and temporal variation in diatom species composition across a gradient of northern peatlands and 2) determine how underlying environmental conditions influence diatom species distribution. We sampled three peatlands (a rich, moderate, and poor fen) in interior Alaska during a growing season (after snowmelt in May until August). A total of 100 species were observed across all fens, 17 of which were present at >1% relative abundance, and 15 were selected as indicator species using Indicator Species Analysis. Fen type affected diatom assemblage composition and differences among fens were driven by changes in the most common, but not in the least common species. Diatom species richness declined along a gradient of rich to poor fens. Conductivity, dissolved organic carbon concentration, water temperature, pH, and water depth explained 63% of the total variation in diatom assemblage structure among fens. We identified unique indicator species associated with each fen that either reinforced or expanded current understanding of their environmental thresholds. These results indicate that changes in environmental conditions in boreal peatlands will be reflected in diatom assemblages, which may be used to monitor biological condition in these ecosystems.M. S
The dog and the damned: animal interference in Sir Gowther and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
No full textThe anonymously written fifteenth-century lai, Sir Gowther, tells the story of a demonspawned
knight seeking divine redemption for the destructive crimes of his youth. To achieve his
own spiritual redemption and be accepted as a worthy Christian knight, he must endure the
punishment of dehumanization after the Pope decrees he shall not speak until his sins are
absolved, and that the only food he is permitted to eat must come from the mouths of dogs. The
lai’s most prominent themes are centered around the process of repentance and eventual
conversion, and the orchestration of such processes by canine figures. These themes are wrapped
up into one another as Gowther’s repentance would not be possible without the help of the dogs,
however the focus on these dogs and their significance is often only spared the briefest bit of
attention. The role of dogs in this tale, then, is where I purpose to extend analysis, particularly
when we place this story in conversation with other medieval romances.
The roles of dogs in Gowther is reminiscent of other tales produced during the late
Middle Ages, namely Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, another anonymously written tale
estimated to have been composed around the end of the 14th century. The appearances of animals
in Sir Gawain (SGGK) serve a similar purpose to that of Gowther; they appear at multiple points
as representations of Gawain’s own shortcomings and symbols for his path towards redemption
at the lai’s end. Through literary analysis, the application of historical contexts, and a theoretical
focus on psychological symbolism, I will demonstrate how throughout the two Medieval poems,
Sir Gowther and SGGK, animals play a pivotal role in exposing corruption and weakness within,
and eventually orchestrating the penance of, the two protagonists, Gowther and Gawain.M. A
Inhabitable infrastructures
No full textIn today's architectural landscape, the perception of the city has experienced a profound evolution, transforming into a fragmented tapestry of intricacy where navigating through a collage of buildings has become the norm. No longer simply a collection of structures, the city now presents itself as a complex and dynamic conglomerate, one that is challenging to decipher. Many residents and visitors alike now view the entire cityscape as their personal domain, meticulously planning their daily journeys through its diverse landscape. Moreover, with nearly 100,000 unhoused residents in shelters and many more undocumented individuals, the city hosts a significant population that experiences its streets and spaces as their temporary home, In response to this paradigm shift, architectural interventions wield the potential to significantly shape and enhance the interstitial spaces of the city.
By introducing essential community infrastructures and ensuring their transparency to the viewer, a deeper understanding between architecture and its audience can be fostered. These infrastructures not only provide essential amenities such as bathrooms, showers, markets, shelters, and libraries but also offer insights into their functioning, fostering a more human-centered approach within the broader network of interventions. This transformative process can ignite a renaissance within the interstitial spaces of the urban fabricThesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
The phenomenology of light
No full textSacred spaces have been societal pillars around the world, fulfilling communities’ cultural, emotional, and spiritual needs for centuries. While the Western world is witnessing a decline in their utilization, the need for these spaces has not diminished, leaving an ineffable void that remains difficult to fill. The ongoing fascination humanity still has with cathedrals, temples, and mosques indicates the ever-present relevancy of sacred spaces, bringing into question how such environments can be created for a contemporary audience searching for non-secular outlets to embrace spirituality.
This project explores ways in which designing with natural light—arguably the most sacred design element—can create a spiritual journey. While architecture alone is not divine, this project argues that the meaningful design of light can offer a form of sacrality through the experiences of users, providing an emotional and spiritual fulfillment that has been lost for many.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin