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Minutes of the Fourteenth Anniversary of the Georgia Baptist Convention [1835]
No full textMinutes of the Georgia Baptist Convention, 183
Minutes of the Twenty-Fourth Anniversary of the Georgia Baptist Convention [1845]
No full textMinutes of the Georgia Baptist Convention, 184
Minutes of the Seventy-Sixth Anniversary of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia [1898]
No full textMinutes of the Georgia Baptist Convention, 189
Minutes of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia [1872]
No full textMinutes of the Georgia Baptist Convention, 187
Novel Pain-Free Immunization of a Combination Microparticulate Vaccine for COVID-19 and Influenza
No full text2023Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza are contagious respiratory viruses that can only be effectively prevented by vaccination. Both COVID-19 and Influenza have previously caused Pandemics that have significantly affected the well-being of people globally. Although there are several approved vaccines for both diseases, the limitations and shortcomings of these vaccines are why there is constant research for developing a better vaccine. The current vaccines are primarily painful and non-patient-friendly intramuscular injections, resulting in vaccine hesitancy in children and older adults. IM injections also require trained healthcare professionals for vaccine administration, contributing to the workforce's burden. There is also a requirement to store these vaccines in a cold temperature setting to preserve the life of these biologicals. However, such conditions pose an issue during the transportation and distribution of these vaccines worldwide. Developing and underdeveloped countries are affected by such limitations in storage and distribution. All these factors lead to declining vaccination rates and an increase in the frequency of the emerging mutant strains.
Considering all these factors, we tested an inactivated microparticulate vaccine for COVID-19 and a combination microparticulate vaccine for COVID-19 and Influenza. Utilizing a microparticle matrix to encapsulate the vaccine antigen protects the antigen from degradation. Additionally, particle-based vaccines are being investigated for stability at various temperatures, including room temperature. The vaccine was tested via different non-invasive routes such as transdermal using microneedles, buccal using oral dissolving films, and intranasal route to minimize or eliminate pain during vaccination.
First, the microparticle vaccines were prepared, characterized, and assessed in vitro for their immunogenicity, cytotoxicity, autophagy, and antigen presentation. Next, the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the inactivated combination SARS-CoV-2-Influenza vaccine were tested in vivo in a preclinical mouse model and evaluated for immunogenicity and efficacy upon administration to mice. The study's results are summarized in this dissertation and clearly show that non-invasive vaccination strategies can induce effective immune responses in mice. A microparticle vaccine approach can solve multiple problems in vaccine development, distribution, storage, and administration when combined with a non-invasive vaccination strategy. However, like every vaccine, novel vaccination strategies warrant further investigation.01/01/2029D'Souza, Martin JBanga, Ajay KUddin, Mohammad NChougule, Mahavir BBraz Gomes, KimberlyD.Phil
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN ADVISING STUDENT-ATHLETES ON THE NCAA COLLEGE TRANSITION PROCESS
No full text2023This phenomenological investigation examined the experiences and knowledge of high school counselors in advising student-athletes on the NCAA college transition process. The study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, successes, and experiences of school counselors in supporting student-athletes during a critical transition period. School counselors often receive insufficient training in this area, resulting in a lack of adequate support for student-athletes to navigate the college transition process effectively and maximize their opportunities for postsecondary education (Paramo-Garfio, 2017; Vaughn & Smith, 2018). The research was conducted using interviews to capture the lived experiences and perspectives of nine Georgia high school counselors. The research examined school counselors’ roles and their facilitation of advising student-athletes on the NCAA college transition process. The findings of this study may contribute to the existing literature and provide insights for improving support services and training programs for high school counselors working with student-athletes (Stahlke and Cranmore 2021). The study concludes with recommendations for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to facilitating a successful college transition for student-athletes.Lane, DavidRowland, KarenCole, KayeD.Phil
2023-2024 Mercer University Catalog - Macon Campus
No full textMercer University Macon Campus: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, School of Engineering, Tift College of Education, Townsend School of Music, and College of Health Professions 2023-2024 Catalo
YOU’RE ON MUTE: THE COMMUNICATIVE EXPERIENCES OF BLACK FEMALES ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE ACADEMIC IVORY TOWER
No full text2023TIFFANY N. MCBRIDE
YOU’RE ON MUTE: THE COMMUNICATIVE EXPERIENCES OF BLACK FEMALES ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE ACADEMIC IVORY TOWER
Under the direction of WYNNETTA SCOTT-SIMMONS, Ed. D.
Although institutions of higher education have set goals to increase faculty diversity, researchers note the continued challenge for faculty of color, specifically Black females. While there is a significant amount of literature on the lived experiences of Black women faculty at predominantly White institutions (PWIs), there has been little research on their communicative behaviors such as nonverbal communication and expressing their feelings, needs and wants as a potential faculty member. The research problem of this study focused on is the small percentage of Black female faculty representation at PWIs and the communication experiences of Black female faculty during the recruitment, hiring, and tenure process.
The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to understand what, if any, communicative behaviors exist between hiring committees at PWIs and the hiring experiences of Black female faculty at those institutions. Further, this study sought to provide solutions to help create consistent communication throughout the hiring process to support recruitment efforts of Black female faculty. Use of purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews facilitated the collection of information about how Black female faculty in tenured or tenure track positions recalled their communicative experience at PWIS. Utilizing the frameworks of muted group communication theory, critical race and Black feminist thought as lenses, the findings identified that the seven participants experienced some form of a communication barrier throughout their process of entering academia. Issues of diversity, learning how to navigate White spaces while being Black, and the overall inconsistencies of communication between the participant, department, and university played a major role in participants’ job outlook as professors. Consequently, examples of racial microaggressions and campus climate issues caused most of the participants to feel they were silenced or muted throughout the hiring process, resulting in unwillingness to voice concerns about departmental or university issues they faced. Recommendations for future research include considering research within different disciplines; more specifically participants in the area or field of STEM related disciplines who might have a different story or perspective in comparison to a participant from the social sciences or the arts. The difference in disciplines could very well have an impact on how the participants’ perspective was towards any of the storyline and therefore cause a different outcome of responses. In addition to the difference in disciplines, a comparison between traditional ( four year institutions) and nontraditional universities (community colleges or trade schools)and exploring the concept of tokenism. Lastly completing a study that focuses on the communicative behaviors of Black women faculty vying for faculty positions at historically Black colleges and universities.Scott-Simmons, WynettaIsaac, CarolBoggs, OliviaD.Phil
THE OTHERFATHERING EFFECT: THE ROLE OTHERFATHERING CONTRIBUTES TO THE DECISIONS OF BLACK MALES TO BECOME TEACHERS
No full text2023Otherfathering, according to Brooms (2017), involves Black men teaching younger Black males the life skills and unwritten rules of becoming an adult Black male. The dearth of Black males in education is an issue plaguing the educational construct. Several initiatives have tried to mitigate the gap in the representation of Black male teachers. However, Black males continue to represent the smallest demographic among educational professionals. The lived experiences of Black males have impacted the decisions of Black males to join the profession of education due to negative experiences in the classroom as students. Those experiences are rooted in negative interactions with teachers and administrators due to cultural misinterpretations and biases. Black males with positive classroom experiences had someone to serve in a mentoring capacity. For the few Black males that teach, understanding their motivations to do so needed to be explored. Because otherfathering is the act of mentorship with an emphasis on the Black male identity between the same gender and ethnic backgrounds of teacher-student pairs, this study aimed to provide insight into the career decisions of Black male educators and the factors that influenced them.
Additionally, this study sought to identify any mentors these Black males had as students, details of their specific journeys into the profession, and how they impact their current students. Utilizing the Kim’s (2016) Bildungsroman genre of narrative inquiry, this study detailed each individual’s story, addressing the specific goals of the study. Because Black males represent the smallest teaching demographic, criterion sampling was used to recruit Black males who had taught for a minimum of five years, currently worked as a public P-12 educator, and identified as a Black male to identify any potential otherfathers they may have had and to study the impact of those otherfathers on their career decisions. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with five participants and utilized specific procedures to address trustworthiness by establishing credibility and providing steps for transferability.
The research results highlighted two aspects regarding the motivations of Black male teachers to enter or remain in the profession. Black males who received mentorship as students were exposed to education through the lens of a Black male teacher due to sustained influence. Additionally, Black male students who participated in mentorship now provide their students similar experiences to learned behaviors and traits afforded to them by their mentors. These two aspects developed from the participants detailing their own motivations to teach, describing the impactful relationships with their teachers, and how representation effected their perceptions of Black males in education. Based on the results, school districts can begin to sustain the teacher pipeline with Black males by screening Black male teaching candidates for qualities of otherfathering.Sartin, LoletaWest, JaneVander Putten, JamesD.Phil
Mutual Vulnerability and Sacred Space: Are These the First Steps Toward a Community of Authentic Hospitality?
No full text2023Central Baptist Church has enjoyed a great history of inclusion and of welcoming a variety of people in the community, particularly those whom other churches have struggled to welcome. But after two difficult splits in 1991 and 2006 and a declining community, Central has become an aging church with some reticence to start new ministry initiatives that would attract people that look and act differently than those who historically made up the church. Yet there are many members of Central who want to actively engage those in our community. Still the biblical mandate to practice radical hospitality is evident. This project was created to give an opportunity for church leaders to examine individually and corporately their sense of radical hospitality, by table facilitating at a weekly gathering called Connections. Because those who are a part of Connections form a diverse cross-section of our community, these are the people with whom Central can build the relationships that create transformation in the community. This project shows that people can claim, affirm, or reclaim their sense of authentic, radical hospitality.Vestal, DanelWilson, WilliamNash, RobertD.Min