URSA - Mercer University Research, Scholarship, and Archives
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Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church Minute Book, 1917-1950
No full textChurch record book that includes regularly recorded meeting minutes and church membership lists for Mount Zion Baptist Church in Rockdale County, 1917-1950
Salem Baptist Church Minute Book, 1880s-1916
No full textChurch record book that includes regularly recorded meeting minutes and church membership lists for Salem Baptist Church in Crawford County, 1880s-1916
Operation Lighthouse
No full textProposal and final report of a Service Scholars project to prevent dating violence in the Macon community
A RETROSPECTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS USING SECONDARY DATA: INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE ON BREASTFEEDING AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHERS
No full text2024Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits for both infants and mothers, yet disparities in breastfeeding initiation persist, particularly among African American mothers. These disparities are not merely the result of individual choices but are deeply rooted in factors including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which have been shown to impact health behaviors and outcomes across lifespans. Nonprofits and community-based programs, such as Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Inc. (ROSE), work to increase breastfeeding rates by providing healthcare provider training on breastfeeding support but lack awareness of ACEs' influence on breastfeeding behaviors. This study investigates the influence ACEs has on breastfeeding behaviors among African American mothers in Georgia from an epidemiological perspective. The objective of this research is to analyze ACEs and breastfeeding data of African American mothers to contribute to the understanding of the correlation between ACEs and breastfeeding behaviors. Other objectives are to determine if significant differences exist in ACEs based on region and to determine if the region is associated with breastfeeding behaviors. This study analyzes BRFSS self-reported ACEs data and demographics of African American women ages 18 and older with the CDC WONDER breastfeeding data about infants breastfeeding or not breastfeeding at the time of discharge. Data collected from this query system is specific to African American mothers in Georgia. Binary logistic regression and ANCOVA are the statistical analyses conducted using SPSS for Windows. The study revealed that even when demographic variables are controlled for, there are no significant regional variations in breastfeeding behavior among African American women in Georgia, nor in the overall ACEs scores. This study also provides evidence-based recommendations for including the findings in the curriculum used during the Healthcare Provider Training initiative at ROSE, Inc. The results of this study add to the literature through the investigation of breastfeeding behaviors and ACEs in African American mothers in Georgia. Overall, the study contributes towards closing gaps in maternal and child health disparities in the U.S., adding value to the body of knowledge needed to address the critical public health issue of low breastfeeding rates in African American women in Georgia.Gaddis, CherylBarnett, NadiaBugg, KimarieDr.P.H
Gender and Sexual Minority Student Perceptions of Safety in University Settings
No full text2024This phenomenological study explored current perceptions of the personal safety of gender and sexual minority (GSM) college students in college campus settings through the application of queer theory. By collecting the personal experiences, perspectives, and feelings of GSM college students, the study identified coherent themes and suggested actions to promote successful on-campus GSM interactions, raise awareness of GSM perceptions of what are safe and unsafe conditions, and improve diversity and inclusion efforts accordingly. The study attempted to show GSM college students perceive safety on campus by interpreting the experiences and perspectives that shaped the participants' sense of safety awareness and determining the feelings evoked by different campus and near-campus locations and attributes. Based on data collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, digital image submissions, and elicitation interviews, this study concluded that the participants started their understanding of GSM safety by recognizing that being a GSM individual was an inherently negative and undesirable condition. Still these understandings developed as the participants gained positive safety experiences with many of them coming out because of the perceived safety of the college setting. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. First, GSM college students grow their respective understandings of GSM safety and adjust their proximity to GSM safety. Second, GSM college students are aware of many unsafe sources, ranging from expected prejudices and microaggressions to new contentions, arising from the expansion of the gender and sexuality spectrum. Third, GSM college students’ safety perceptions and experiences influence one another. An additional point of interest appeared regarding the perceived onus of GSM safety based on traditional and non-traditional student types.West, JaneBoggs, Olivia M.Kawaguchi, RikuJones, Joseph R.D.Phil
Protecting the Hidden Victims: Increasing Family Bonding Throughout Incarceration
No full textFinal report of a Service Scholars project to provide family-friendly visitation areas in correctional facilities
Counselors' Lived Experiences of Countertransference and Attachment Styles when Working with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
No full text2024There is a consistent lack of understanding of the nature of residential mental health treatment
settings. Furthermore, the majority of research that addresses working with serious mental illness
(SMI) in the counseling profession is conducted in either an inpatient setting or an outpatient
setting. Additionally, while there is extensive research on countertransference experiences, there
is a lack of understanding as to the experience of this phenomenon in residential mental health
treatment settings. While research has shown the benefits as well as limitations of
countertransference, the few studies that have aimed to assess what contributes to
countertransference, have identified roots of attachment concerns on the part of the counselor.
However, there has been little to no research confirming this possibility. This qualitative
phenomenological study utilized narrative inquiry to gain insight into the experiences of
counselors actively working in a residential mental health facility. An attachment theoretical
framework was utilized for the purpose of this study. Findings suggest that there is a new form of
countertransference, defeasance countertransference, in residential mental health treatment settings
due to the nature of their design and the work conducted by counselors in this environment.
However, further study is needed to assess this possibility. The goal of this study is to provide
areas of improvement in counseling supervision, counselor education, as well as a new
understanding of what it means to work with SMI in a residential mental health treatment
settings.Redmond, Donald BOverzat, TaraLane, W DavidD.Phil
ASCENSION: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN PRESIDENTS OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
No full text2024African American women seeking senior administrative roles in higher education have few role models or defined pathways for advancement. These women only comprise 4% of all full-time college and university faculty which represents a gateway position to leadership roles. With low representation among faculty and in senior leadership positions, there is a need to understand how African American women can excel in higher education. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of five African American women college presidents at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through qualitative narrative and critical incident analysis. Using purposeful sampling and snowballing, each study participant was interviewed for one hour using the semi-structured method. The results included a chronology of (1) the pre-presidency, (2) applying for the position, and (3) emerging subthemes in each phase, including preparing to lead, benefits of mentors and sponsors, deciding to apply, proper fit, being president, challenges due to race and gender, and being successful. This study will increase the knowledge of how this group of women attained the position of president at HBCUs. Further, the findings of this study inform institutions of successful strategies that will influence cultural leadership models and professional development training programs. With limited research on African American women college presidents and executive leaders, there is still a need for further research. Future studies might explore developmental programming in higher education that fosters the advancement of African American women seeking executive leadership roles.Boggs, OliviaIsaac, CarolWofford, TraceyD.Phil
STEPPING TOWARDS CULTURALLY RELEVANT LITERACY ASSESSMENT: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE GEORGIA MILESTONES ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
No full text2024The continuous disparities in reading test scores between Black and White students remain a substantial problem in education. This study examines the historical disparity by investigating how the Georgia Milestones English Language Arts (ELA) End of Grade (EOG) Assessment incorporates cultural relevance. Employing the theoretical frameworks of critical race theory, Black critical theory, and item response theory differential item functioning, this research investigates race, culture, and standardized testing convergences.
The central question guiding this study is: In what ways does the Georgia Milestones ELA EOG Assessment address the tenets of cultural relevance? Content analysis emerges as the methodological process to answer the research question. By critically analyzing the assessment content, the study aims to determine the existence or lack of cultural relevance within the test items.
The findings indicate a considerable lack of cultural relevancy in the Georgia Milestones ELA EOG Assessment. Despite the theoretical frameworks advocating for culturally responsive pedagogy and assessment, the analysis highlights a deficiency. The test fails to align test content and Black culture.
This research contributes to the continued discourse on equity in education. It communicates the urgent need for culturally relevant assessments. Addressing the cultural bias ingrained in standardized literacy assessments is crucial for facilitating inclusive learning environments for Black children. Doing so eliminates the historical marginalization of Black students' performance on standardized literacy assessments.Scott-Simmons, Wynnetta ABoggs, OliviaBailey, ToniD.Phil
AROMATASE INTERACTING PARTNER IN BREAST (AIPB), LOCALIZED TO THE MITOCHONDRIA ASSOCIATED-ER MEMBRANE (MAM) SYNTHESIZES ESTRADIOL IN TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER (ER-/PR-/ HER2- OR TNBC)
No full text2024Estradiol (E2), synthesized by Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) resident enzyme, aromatase, is essential for the development of sex characteristics and fertility in females. Produced in the ovaries and adipose tissue, Estradiol levels often become unregulated, supporting breast tumorigenesis. Therapeutics aim to reduce these levels via the inhibition of Aromatase or the modulation of the estrogen receptor (Er+). Aromatase Inhibitors and Estradiol agonists are effective for treating most breast cancers, but treatment challenges present for Triple-negative breast cancer (Er-/Pr-/Her2-). Receptors for Triple-negative breast cancer (Er-/Pr-/Her2-), and the rate-limiting enzyme, Aromatase, are absent. From human breast tissue, we cloned a 207 amino acid cDNA encoding for a 21.7-kDa protein, entitled Aromatase Interacting Partner in Breast (AIPB), that directly interacts with Aromatase. AIPB is present in affected and unaffected breast tissue. A stable selection was developed (Puromycin) for MDA-MB-231 (Er-/Pr-/Her2-), after AIPB was subcloned into a vector with a TET-ON promoter. Overexpression of AIPB in Er+/Pr+/Her2- and Er-/Pr-/Her2+ resulted in the decreased levels of Estradiol (E2). In the tumor microenvironment, serine proteases are overexpressed, aiding in cancer metastasis and invasion. I hypothesized that serine proteases may be proteolyzing AIPB, resulting in elevated Estradiol levels, in MDA-MB-231 (Er-/Pr-/Her2-) cells. A time course study (12-96h) was performed, with serine protease inhibitor, Epigallocatechin gallate (EG), in the presence and absence of Doxycycline (250 μg/mL). Data suggests that AIPB expression is stabilized between the concentrations of 5-50 μM in the presence of Epigallocatechin gallate (EG) and plays a central role in Estradiol (E2) synthesis (Er-/Pr-/Her2-), either directly or indirectly. In conclusion, AIPB may permit early detection of Triple-negative breast tumors, acting as a biomarker at the Mitochondria Associated-ER Membrane (MAM).Bose, HimangshuM.S