AUETD (Auburn University)
Not a member yet
9771 research outputs found
Sort by
The roles of adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in determining a coastal fish's response to climate change
No full textWhen organisms experience an environmental change, they can employ a broad suite of behavioral, phenotypic, and molecular responses, mediated through either phenotypic plasticity or adaptation. These alternatives differ in speed and scale, with plasticity occurring rapidly during an organism’s lifetime, and adaptation occurring more slowly, across multiple generations. While both plasticity and adaptation represent viable mechanisms for species to persist in the face of environmental change, the relative importance of each is not well- established, particularly for non-model organisms. In today’s world, organisms are experiencing environmental change at an unprecedented rate. Marine species are under particular threat from climate change, as Earth’s oceans are absorbing the bulk of the excess heat energy produced by anthropogenic climate change, leading to dramatic and extreme ocean warming. In this dissertation, I assess the potential roles of plasticity and adaptation in response to heat stress in a common, widely distributed bait fish that plays a key ecological role in food webs of the western Atlantic, the pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides). In chapter 1, I examined the molecular and physiological responses to an acute heat stressor in both juvenile and adult pinfish, and found high levels of molecular plasticity, particularly in juveniles, which showed major changes to their gene expression repertoire. I also saw increases in aerobic demand under elevated temperatures for both juveniles and adults, in line with predictions about the effects of acute heat stress on ectotherm physiology. In chapter 2, I carried out a long-term experiment aimed at understanding the potential for developmental plasticity in response to repeated heat stressors during the juvenile life stage. I found that pinfish which had been exposed to fluctuating temperatures during development showed better physiological and phenotypic performance at elevated temperatures than individuals that developed at constant, cooler temperatures. Additionally, I found that developmentally-exposed pinfish displayed distinct molecular responses to repeated heat stressors, including heightened activation of genes involved in the unfolded protein response and antioxidant activity. This suggests that exposure to elevated temperatures during the juvenile life stage can prime an individual to perform better under future warming. For chapter 3, I sequenced and analyzed a chromosome-scale genome for the pinfish, which provided insight into the evolutionary and demographic history of this species, including findings of historical population expansion and contraction which coincide with the timing of known ancient climatic shifts. Finally, chapter 4 leverages this newly developed genomic resource as a reference to evaluate the population genetic differentiation of this species. Here, I resequenced the genomes of 120 pinfish from six populations across the species’ broad range, to assess population connectivity, genetic diversity, and the potential for local adaptation to distinct environmental conditions across a latitudinal gradient. In general, I found that pinfish show high genetic diversity and strong population connectivity, with low average genome-wide differentiation. However, I did identify three clear regions that distinguish two populations (Florida Keys and Northern Florida) from the other four (Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama, and Texas), indicating that there is the potential for local adaptation to distinct conditions. These results shed light on the mechanisms employed by coastal fishes persisting in changing or novel environments, and they provide a strong foundational base of knowledge for future studies in coastal marine fishes
Developing sustainable parasitic mite management strategies for beekeepers
No full textThe Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is an important pollinator worldwide, contributing billions annually to the global economy through pollination services. Honey bees face a variety of different stressors that can cause colony losses. Colony losses have increased in recent decades and one of the leading causes of them in the Northern hemisphere is the parasitic Varroa destructor mite. The mite damages honey bee colonies by feeding on adult and developing honey bees while also vectoring various viruses. In the United States, this parasite is primarily controlled by synthetic acaricides; however, continued reliance on these synthetic acaricides, most recently amitraz, has led to increases in resistant V. destructor mites, thereby limiting potential treatment options. Compounding the issue of invasive parasitic mites for beekeepers is the appearance of a new threat, Tropilaelaps mercedesae. While still primarily limited to its native range in Southeastern Asia and Australasia, T. mercedesae has recently been confirmed in parts of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, regions previously thought to be unsuitable for the mite. Tropilaelaps mercedesae feeds on developing honey bees, like V. destructor, but not adults and can cause colony failures. In this dissertation, I conducted experiments exploring sustainable beekeeping practices while looking to fill knowledge gaps relating to V. destructor and T. mercedesae. I conducted two experiments that evaluated the effectiveness of fall V. destructor treatments in the Southeastern U.S., a critical time to manage V. destructor infestations. From these two experiments, I identified viable alternative treatments to amitraz and demonstrated that continuous treatment with this synthetic chemical increases the amitraz resistance allele frequency for V. destructor, albeit briefly. For T. mercedesae, I contributed to mapping the current global range of the mite and documented a potential dispersal method for the mite on adult honey bees exiting the colony. This suggests that the mite could disperse through honey bee drifting or robbing behaviors. Lastly, I showed that T. mercedesae could be controlled in, although not eradicated from, colonies using a combination of a cultural and chemical control method. Overall, my work provides important information regarding sustainable mite management strategies to help beekeepers understand and control both V. destructor and T. mercedesae. Ultimately, my findings will help to limit future colony losses
Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis, Hepacivirus, Pegivirus caballi, and Pegivirus equi in U.S. Horses
Full text linkEmerging equine viruses such as Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H), Equine hepacivirus (EqHV), Pegivirus caballi (P. caballi), and Pegivirus equi (P. equi) have recently gained recognition as significant contributors to equine infectious disease ecology and hepatic pathology. EqPV-H, in particular, has been implicated in Theiler’s disease (TD), a potentially fatal form of acute hepatitis in adult horses. Despite growing global interest, limited data are available describing their molecular epidemiology in the United States. This study was designed to address that gap through a comprehensive molecular survey aimed at evaluating prevalence and potential host-associated risk factors for these viruses across multiple states.
A total of 1,195 equine serum samples were collected from diagnostic submissions and surveillance programs across Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Using optimized quantitative PCR and RT-qPCR assays targeting conserved regions of each viral genome, the study quantified viral prevalence and examined associations with host demographics, including age, sex, breed, and geographic origin. Statistical analyses, performed in RStudio, employed both univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to identify significant predictors of viral positivity, supported by pairwise Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for prevalence and viral burden comparisons, respectively.
EqPV-H showed the highest prevalence (19.3%), followed by EqHV (5.6%) and P. caballi (1.7%), with only two cases of P. equi detected. EqPV-H infection was significantly associated with breed, age, and sex, whereas EqHV was primarily associated with breed, particularly Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Demographic analysis revealed that EqPV-H-positive horses were significantly older, and male horses had 1.62 times the odds of infection compared to females. Breed-specific associations were also identified: Tennessee Walking Horses had higher odds of EqPV-H positivity (OR = 2.46), while Quarter Horses (OR = 4.16) and Thoroughbreds (OR = 9.64) showed increased odds of testing positive for EqHV. EqPV-H-positive horses also exhibited significantly higher viral loads compared to animals positive for EqHV or pegiviruses. No host-related risk factors were identified for pegiviruses, though P. caballi-positive cases were only identified from horses in Georgia. Viruse sequences identified in this study were similar to the reported ones in the United States and other regions. This largest molecular survey highlights the widespread distribution of EqPV-H and EqHV in U.S. horses and underscore the importance of continued surveillance, particularly in high-risk breeds and settings. The data provides a foundation for developing preventive strategies and improving understanding of the epidemiology and potential clinical impact of these emerging equine viruses. These results expand the epidemiological landscape of equine hepatotropic viruses in in horses in the United States, offering valuable insights into their ecological niches and transmission patterns. EqPV-H’s dominance in both prevalence and viral load reinforces its central role as a hepatotropic pathogen of concern. While EqHV remains largely subclinical, its occurrence in specific high-performance breeds raises questions regarding chronic infection.
In conclusion, this molecular survey represents one of the most extensive state-level assessments of EqPV-H, EqHV, P. caballi, and P. equi in the United States to date. The findings substantiate the endemic nature of EqPV-H and EqHV and delineate host and regional factors influencing their distribution. Collectively, these results underscore the urgency of integrated monitoring systems and molecular diagnostics to track the spread of these emerging equine viruses and mitigate their impact on equine health and industry sustainability.
ARvolutionizing Sustainable Fashion: The Influence of Augmented Reality Features on Young Adults’ Apparel Purchasing Behavior
No full textCutting-edge technology profoundly influences various aspects of individuals’ lives, including their lifestyles, habits, and consumption patterns. Augmented reality (AR) is a key technological breakthrough that has significantly impacted individuals’ shopping behavior. At its core, AR technology superimposes computer-generated content (e.g., images, graphics, sound, and location-based data) onto the tangible, real-world environment, culminating in a captivating and immersive experience.
Given the growing adoption of AR among individuals and the identified gaps in both theoretical and empirical literature regarding how AR influences consumers’ product evaluations, this study investigated the impact of AR’s informational features on the purchase intention of young adults, specifically in the context of sustainable apparel. This study aimed to explore how AR’s informational features of AR (informativeness, customization, and novelty) can influence young adults’ cognitive and affective information processing systems of young adults, ultimately shaping their intention to purchase apparel when AR provides sustainability-related information.
A quantitative non-experimental research design was employed, using an online survey for data collection. Prior to data collection, approval was first obtained from the university’s institutional review board. Data were collected through online surveys administered to participants recruited from the Prolific panel. The target population of this study comprised young adults, both male and female participants aged 18 to 34, who are living in the United States (U.S.). An AR application (app) was developed to represent sustainability-related information about apparel based on the five-stage Life Cycle Assessment lens. A recorded demonstration video of this app was used as the stimulus in the survey. Statistical software SPSS 29.0 and Mplus 8.4 were used for data analysis, including descriptive data analysis, assessment of measurement model fitness, and hypothesis testing. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to assess measurement model fit and test the proposed hypotheses.
The findings of this study revealed that all three AR’s informational features (informativeness, customization, and novelty) influenced perceived utilitarian shopping value, which, in turn, shaped both cognitive and affective information processing systems of individuals, ultimately impacting their intention to purchase sustainable apparel. Among these features, only customization significantly influenced perceived hedonic shopping value, emphasizing its crucial role in enhancing enjoyment, delight, and overall shopping experience. The results also highlighted the dual impact of perceived hedonic and utilitarian shopping values on both cognitive and affective information processing systems. This further validated the successful integration of decision-making theories and consumer behavior models, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving the decision-making process and driving AR adoption. Additionally, the study confirmed that both cognitive and affective information processing systems strongly influenced consumers’ purchase intention for sustainable apparel, reinforcing the importance of these psychological mechanisms in shaping sustainable shopping behaviors.
This study has both academic and practical implications. It contributes to the existing body of knowledge in several critical domains, including users’ AR adoption, consumer behavior, decision-making process, and sustainability. By delving into the intricate psychological mechanisms that govern how consumers process information when engaging with AR technology, the findings of this study enrich the theoretical understanding of consumer behavior and decision-making process within the context of technology adoption. One significant theoretical contribution lies in the expansion of the applicability of the established models, including Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R), Cognition-Affect-Behavior (C-A-B), and Consciousness-Emotion-Value (C-E-V), to a novel context which is the realm of consumers obtaining sustainability-related information about apparel through AR. This expansion offers a new perspective on the value of integrating these models, highlighting their adaptability to the evolving context of technology-driven consumer preferences and experiences.
From a practical standpoint, the findings of this study have key implications for industry professionals. By emphasizing the pivotal role of presenting sustainability-related information about apparel in AR app design, this study highlights a path towards enhancing consumers’ overall apparel shopping experiences. This insight can empower industry stakeholders to align their strategies with the needs and expectations of environmentally conscious consumers, leading to more sustainable purchasing decisions and improved shopping satisfaction. In essence, this study serves as a bridge between theory and practice, offering actionable insights that can shape the future of AR-enhanced shopping experiences while promoting sustainability in the consumer market.
In summary, this study bridges the theoretical and practical realms by emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability-related information into AR app design. By doing so, it not only enriches consumers’ shopping experiences but also champions a more sustainable and informed approach to consumption. This knowledge, poised at the intersection of consumer behavior, technology adoption, and sustainability, stands to benefit marketers and retailers as they endeavor to align their strategies with evolving expectations and values of environmentally conscious consumers
An Autoethnography of One Parent-Educator’s Crusade for Alabama’s Gifted Students
No full textThis autoethnographic study explored my experiences with gifted practices in South Alabama. The stories that served as the basis for this study are my own lived experiences and my journey through those experiences. While there were stories prior to my becoming a parent, who is also an instructional leader, it was not until I experienced gifted education as I worked to acquire services for my own gifted child that I saw how little we do to serve students on the gifted end of special education. It is important that the reader understands the interpretations of these stories are my own and that those interpretations have led me to take an active role in helping students receive services and in providing resources for teachers to support gifted, talented, and high-level learners. The knowledge I gained through the process of getting my son’s services has been helpful to other parents of students with gifted and talented propensity at an early age. It is my intent that the narrative of this story compels its readers to engage with their own feelings as they read the stories herein
Phosphorus Loss Risk Assessment for Alabama Soils: A Step Towards Protecting Alabama Water Resources
No full textAgricultural phosphorus (P) loss is a key driver of eutrophication, threatening water quality worldwide. Effective management strategies and robust assessment tools are essential to mitigate its impact on water quality. This dissertation presented a comprehensive study on P losses across various scales, from plot to field, within agricultural systems, and evaluated P loss risk assessment tools, including the soil test P method (STP), phosphorus saturation ratio (PSR), and the phosphorus index (P-index) for Alabama soils. The first study evaluated the relationship between P concentration in runoff and STP concentrations determined by different methods (water-soluble P, Mehlich-1 (M1), and Mehlich-3 (M3)) using artificial rainfall simulation (RS) and also quantified the differences in P loads in runoff from soils having distinct STP levels (low, high and extremely high). Mehlich-3 demonstrated a stronger correlation than M1 with both dissolved reactive P (DRP) and total P (TP) in runoff, indicating its greater reliability for assessing P loss risk in Coastal Plain soils. Among the four study sites, the cumulative DRP and TP loadings from site 2 that tested high in STP ranged from 118.4 and 232.3 g ha-1, respectively for both 1st and 2nd RS and were significantly higher than the other three sites (range: 3.48 – 37.5 g ha-1 for DRP and 6.03 – 83.1 g ha-1 for TP). No statistical differences were found between the 1st and 2nd RS for both DRP and TP loads, indicating that rainfall events of similar intensity occurring 24 h apart produced the same amount of P loss in runoff.
The second study investigated the temporal and spatial distributions of various forms of P loss in runoff, including DRP, total particulate P (TPP), dissolved organic P (DOP), and TP, and identified critical periods of P loss from Edge-of-Field (EOF) monitoring experiments. The EOF runoff studies were conducted at three farms located in North, South, and Central Alabama and consisted of two adjacent watersheds. The event mean concentration (EMC) and loads were calculated for individual rainfall-runoff events. The EMC in runoff ranged between <0.01 to 8.27 mg L⁻¹ for DRP, 0.03 to 11.49 mg L-1 for TPP, <0.01 to 1.98 mg L-1 for DOP and 0.18 – 15.23 mg L-1 for TP. Across all watersheds, the loads for DRP ranged from <0.001 to 0.84 kg ha-1, TPP ranged from <0.001 to 1.50 kg ha-1, DOP ranged from <0.001 to 0.39 kg ha-1 and TP ranged from <0.001 and 1.99 kg ha-1. For overall events, the DRP constituted <0.1 to 92%, TPP constituted 2 to 96% and DOP constituted 2 to 51% of TP loads. The months from November to March were found critical periods for P losses. The dominant form of P in total loads was influenced by management practices such as manure application and highlighted the need for adjustment of farm operations such as manure management, cover crop planting date and maintaining enough ground cover during the winter months to minimize P loss.
The third study evaluated the relationship between water-soluble P (WSP), often used as a surrogate for water quality, and soil test matrices (M1, M3, and P saturation ratio using Melich-3 (PSRM3)) for non-calcareous Alabama soils (Appalachian Plateau, Coastal Plain, Limestone Valley, and Piedmont Plateau). The relationship showed that WSP was strongly correlated (r > 0.68 to 0.91) with PSRM3 than STP methods for all four soil types and at all three sampling depths (0 – 5, 5 – 15, and 15 – 30 cm). This indicated that PSRM3 is a more reliable indicator of environmental P loss than STP methods and accounts for P sorption characteristics (primary drivers of P sorption and desorption are Fe and Al content of the soil) of soils. Further, this study aimed to establish threshold PSRM3 for four soil regions and to develop and validate predictive models for PSRM3 using M3-P data. The threshold PSRM3 determined using a segmented regression model was found to be 0.07 for Appalachian Plateau, 0.05 for Coastal Plain, 0.12 for limestone Valley and 0.05 for Piedmont Plateau. Despite apparent numerical differences in threshold PSRM3, the overlapping 95% confidence interval indicated no statistical difference among soil types. The spatiotemporal analysis showed a distinct region-specific PSRM3 response to P management. The prediction models were significant and strongly correlated for all soils and depths (0 – 5, and 5 – 15 cm). The evaluation of predicted vs observed data demonstrated a strong agreement between predicted PSRM3 and observed PSRM3 with r2 values of >0.94 for Limestone Valley soils and >0.62 for Coastal Plain soils.
The fourth study evaluated the Alabama P-index using a sensitivity analysis approach to identify the most sensitive parameters of P-index and prioritize parameters for future research. Stochastic sensitivity analysis was performed using the Monte Carlo simulations, with and without weighted factors for all soil regions of Alabama. Across all major soil regions, P application distance to water was found the most sensitive factor, explaining greater than 27% of the variance in Alabama P-index score. The other sensitive parameters with weighted factors followed the order: soil erosion rate > hydrologic soil group > P application rate > P application method > vegetative buffer width > critical habitat waters. In contrast, Alabama P-index output was found to be insensitive to soil test P, field slope, grazing animals, and underground outlet system. The transport factors within the Alabama P-index altogether accounted for 73% of the explained variance, and 22% was explained by the source factors. Comparison of sensitivity analysis results with and without the weighted factors showed larger, albeit inconsistent, variability, pointing to the need for further validation of weightage factors used in the Alabama P-index.
The fifth study evaluated the Alabama P-index using EOF monitoring data and explored the applicability of multiplicative (Tennessee) and component-based (Georgia) P-indices. In addition, this study tested the performance of a modified version of Alabama P-index. Results showed that the relationships between annual dissolved reactive P (DRP), total particulate P (TPP), and total P (TP) loads with the Alabama P-index scores were weakly correlated. The poor alignment of P-index scores with actual P loadings indicated directional inaccuracies for P loss risk assessment. Similar discrepancies were observed with the multiplicative P-index, while the component P-index provided better predictions of DRP losses. However, further research is needed to confirm the applicability of the component P-index for Alabama farms. Further, a modified version of the Alabama P-index was proposed, where soil test P was replaced with the P saturation ratio and the underground outlet system with the timing of P application, along with slight adjustments of weightage factors. The modified P-index demonstrated significant and satisfactory correlations with DRP, TPP, and TP loads and was directionally correct and can be a reliable interim tool for P loss risk assessment
Comparative Case Study: An Examination of Parental Involvement of Black Parents in Rural and Urban Communities in Alabama
No full textThe effect of parental involvement on education has been and continues to be of great interest. Research studies have documented many benefits of parental involvement on the value of education and students' academic success. Throughout a child’s education, parents play a critical role in the building of academic and social-emotional skills. Parental involvement has indicated many face barriers that hinder them from supporting their students. The obstacles to involvement can be compared between urban and rural schools. Guided by Epstein’s and Hoover Dempsey Sandler's framework of involvement, this qualitative case study aims to better understand black parents’ perspectives and experiences on parental involvement in rural and urban communities in Alabama through seventeen in-depth interviews. Results demonstrate that Black parents in both contexts typically view involvement as a continuous commitment to their children's academic success through forms of support rather than merely volunteering at school functions or attending meetings. Particularly, strategies between urban and rural parents differ by contextual settings. Results suggest the need for culturally responsive and inclusive strategies in educational settings and challenge conventional one-size-fits-all approaches to parental involvement
Biomechanical Manifestations of Choking Under Pressure in Baseball Pitching
No full textBaseball pitching is a complex whole-body movement that requires repeatability to achieve successful outcomes. Previous research has identified that release parameters, or the position and orientation of the baseball coming out of the hand, being important to the location of the ball as it crosses home plate. Additionally, decreases in the variability of these release parameters have been shown to positively influence season-long performance in baseball pitchers. However, there has not been an investigation into the effect that situational pressure, such as a practice versus game setting or different in-game situations, have on the variability of pitching mechanics. Increases in situational pressure often cause the athlete to underperform, which is constituted as choking under pressure. While choking under pressure is multimodal in nature, there are physical presentations, such as freezing degrees of freedom, that occur. The current study seeks to investigate the physical presentations of choking under pressure by identifying changes in variability of arm slot from practice to a game setting, along with during different in-game situations, using Leverage Index as a proxy for in-game situational pressure.
Biomechanics data were collected on college baseball pitchers during practices and game settings using a markerless motion capture system. To achieve a representative design and natural experiment, athletes went about their normal practice or game protocols, with no influence from the researchers. Twenty-one college baseball pitchers (14 RHP, 7 LHP, 1.86 ± 0.06m, 93.7 ± 6.8kg) were included in the investigation into changes between practice and game settings, while ninety-one pitchers (62 RHP, 29 LHP, 1.88 ± 0.06m, 93.5 ± 9.8kg) were included in the in-game analysis. The primary findings of the current study include a significant increase in arm slot variability when moving from a practice setting to a game setting, with pitcher who have a higher mean arm slot variability being less affected by the change in setting. Additionally, as Leverage Index, or situational pressure, increased during the game there was significant reduction in arm slot variability, with individualized findings. These findings point to an individualized and multifaceted approach to prevent choking under pressure, which should include professionals from multiple disciplines
Predicting Collegiate Aviation Students' Performance in Flight Training Through Understanding Their Personality Traits
No full textUnderstanding how the personality traits of flight students correlate with the success of their training in the collegiate aviation environment could be insightful for schools in shaping their programs to serve the full spectrum of students seeking their services. Collegiate flight training is andragogy in action, requiring self-advocating and self-directed learning. As measured by the Big Five personality inventory, certain personality traits lend to self-advocating and self-directed learning.
In this study, collegiate flight school students were given the opportunity to complete an online Big Five personality inventory and provide demographic data. Data collected included their academic major and time to achieve aviation milestones (private pilot license, instrument rating, and commercial rating). There were several bivariate correlations, independent sample T-tests, ANOVAs, and simple linear regressions to assess the relationship between a student's personality and aviation training success.
The data indicated no statistically significant difference between students who majored in Professional Flight and those who majored in Aviation Management. For students with their private pilot license, there was a statistically significant difference between those who scored high in conscientiousness compared to those without a private pilot license. Finally, the data suggested that students with more agreeable personalities had less time to train than those without
The Impact of Employer Partnership Quality on CTAE Programs in Georgia as Perceived by CTAE Directors
No full textCareer and technical education (CTE) is a system of instructional activities that provide students with academic and technical skills to succeed in future careers. It is believed that partnerships with employers enable CTE programs to produce successful outcomes for students and employers. However, there is a research gap regarding whether administrators support this practice. This quantitative research study was conducted to address this gap by investigating the perceptions of the administrators responsible for CTE programs, the directors. This study sought to discover (1) directors’ perceptions of the quality of their employer partnerships, (2) directors’ perceptions of the quality of their programs, (3) whether there was a relationship between the perceptions of the quality of employer partnerships and programs, (4) whether the demographics of the directors impacted those perceptions, and (5) whether the demographics of the of the school districts impacted those perceptions.
A survey was developed and administered to directors. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize the demographics of the respondents. Because the assumption of normality was violated, nonparametric methods were employed. Spearman’s rank correlation, multinomial logistic regression, and Pearson chi-square were used. The results indicated that directors had a positive perception of the quality of their employer partnerships and their programs. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the perceptions of the quality of employer partnerships and program quality. No statistically significant relationships were found between the demographics of the directors and the perception of the quality of employer partnerships, nor the perception of program quality. One statistically significant relationship was found between one of the stated demographics (total enrollment) of the school districts and the perception of the quality of employer partnerships. No statistically significant relationships were found between the demographics of the school districts and the perception of program quality.
The researcher determined that future research should be conducted for the perceptions of individual CTE programs, rather than considering them wholistically. Given the one significant relationship between the perception of the quality of partnerships with employers and the enrollment, it may be worthy to investigate the challenges that smaller school districts face. Additionally, it would be prudent to conduct this study with CTE directors across multiple states to increase the sample size and improve statistical analysis capabilities