SPARK Bethel University
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The Push and Pull of Presidential Priorities: The Lived Experiences of College Presidents
This dissertation explores the intricate interplay of presidential priorities in the evolving landscape of higher education, particularly within the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Over the past 15 years, college presidents have confronted various challenges, from budget constraints and racial tensions to employee engagement and the Great Resignation, all amid a backdrop of eroding public trust in higher education. While researchers have explored some aspects of presidential experiences, there is a gap in understanding the lived experiences of college presidents who are fathers. Through qualitative phenomenological research, this study engaged nine CCCU college presidents to answer the research question: “What are the lived experiences of CCCU college presidents who are fathers?” Three central themes emerged. First, the CCCU college presidents expressed a profound sense of calling to their roles, underlining their “no regrets” perspective. Second, the CCCU college presidents revealed the challenge of “mutual encroachment” as a substitute for traditional work/life balance. Lastly, the CCCU college presidents shared valuable insights into “discovered practices and strategies” that enable them to navigate the interplay between their presidential duties and family life. This research provides critical insights into the multifaceted lives of CCCU college presidents who are fathers, shedding light on their experiences, sacrifices, and innovative approaches in this demanding role.https://spark.bethel.edu/edd-showcase-2021/1018/thumbnail.jp
A Case Study of Limitation Awareness Concerning Converge North Central Senior Pastors
Considering the obstacles Senior Pastors face within their churches, “A Case Study of Limitation Awareness Concerning Converge North Central Senior Pastors” is a project to address the following research questions: (1) To what level are Converge North Central (CNC) Senior Pastors aware of their limitations and need for emotional wellness and mental health? (2) If aware, how are CNC Senior Pastors addressing their emotional wellness and mental health? There is plenty of research and material illuminating burnout amongst Senior Pastors in their lives and ministry context. However, little research points to the level of awareness Senior Pastors have regarding their current emotional wellness, mental health, and their limitations. This issue is paramount since Senior Pastors are the primary rudder used to steer a church’s understanding and pursuit of these areas. Thus, the intentional pursuit and level of emotional wellness and mental health awareness amongst Senior Pastors works to build a healthy foundation for their congregations, marriages, and families
How Movement-Based and Sensory-Based Interventions Impact Emotional and Academic Success in Students with Disabilities (Autism/ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder are two of the most prevalent diagnoses in education today. Each diagnosis is individual to the student. However, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder share similar symptoms. Also, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder comorbidly exists within the symptomatology of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Both diagnoses present challenges the student has to work through in order to feel emotional and academic success in school. These challenges can be hyperactivity, decreased social skills, sensitivities to the way their body processes sensory stimuli, aggression, impulsivity, as well as decreased executive functioning skills. All of these challenges are aspects of skills needed to feel safe and confident in the educational environment. This thesis will examine how Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder impact students\u27 ability to regulate themselves and the world around them. While also looking at how they can achieve self-regulation in their school environment through interventions that are physical activity-based as well as sensory-based
The Relationship Between Motivational Music and Endurance Performance of College-Aged Individuals
Introduction: Music has shown beneficial ergogenic effects to exercise performance by increasing endorphins and catecholamines levels in the blood. However, the relationship between motivational lyrical music and endurance performance is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between motivational music and endurance performance using the Sports-specific Endurance Plank Test.Methods: 10 males and 26 females (age 21± 3 years) college-aged students were recruited to complete the study at Bethel University. All participants performed the Sports-specific Endurance Plank which assesses the trunk flexors and lumbar extensors in the same manner observed in sports performance movements. Participants performed the plank test under three different randomly assigned pre-selected conditions: no music (NM), instrumental music (IM), and motivational music (MM). During each trial, the set of seven plank positions was held until failure. Once failure was observed, duration was measured. Subjects were informed of their results after each completed session.Results: Using the SPSS software, repeated analysis of variance measures was used to detect any differences between the three conditions during the Sports-specific Plank Tests. There was no significance noted between the three groups (p=.727 ).Conclusion: Based on the results of the data, there is no direct correlation between motivational music and the endurance performance of college-aged individuals. From these results, it can be concluded that the lyrics of a song does not have a significant effect on performance when compared to other types of music. Further research is needed to determine what factors of music have a significant effect on endurance performance, such as tempo
Alterations in C:N ratio to understand plant metabolic pathways in response to pressure from goat grazing in the invasive species: Rhamnus cathartica
The high fecundity and high germination rates of Rhamus cathartica serves the species to out-compete regional plant native species. Its high abundance in deciduous forest ecosystems forces species that are unable to utilize R. cathartica as a food source to migrate to areas of lower density, further contributing to the decline in regional biodiversity. Bare soil conditions left as the result of the high concentration of Nitrogen in senesced leaves and leaf litter, cause further amplification of the migration of non-plant species to areas of lower R. cathartica density. Nitrogen is essential to primary and secondary metabolism, thus minimizing the loss of N to herbivory attack serves to maintain plant performance and fitness. This research sought to explore the relative content ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the invasive species, R. cathartica, before and after two sessions of goat grazing to determine if herbivory attack induces nutrient reallocation to metabolic pathways. Our results demonstrate R. cathartica responds to the first session of goat grazing by investing N in the photosynthetic pathway. This reinvestment in N early in the growing season, looks to deplete the plant of resources so that it is unable to effectively respond to another session of herbivory attack late in the growing season. The lower Chl levels reduces plant efficiency during a time where the plant wants to maximize uptake to prepare for the approaching cold season. With successive grazing, I would expect growth in the fall season to decline, since earlier grazing looks to deplete resources necessary for the revitalization or reproduction of R. cathartica to restore its phenological advantage
Outpatient Cervical Ripening Balloon - Healthcare Costs and Patient Satisfaction: An Integrative Review
Induction of labor (IOL) is common practice in the United States, with a rate of 25.7% in 2018. IOL can be a lengthy process, placing undue strain on the healthcare system, increasing healthcare costs, and decreasing patient satisfaction. The purpose of this integrative review is to determine how outpatient mechanical cervical ripening with a cervical ripening balloon (CRB) correlates with a change in hospital length of stay, patient satisfaction, and cost. A keyword search strategy was utilized in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. The inclusion criteria included original research published in the last 10 years, available in the English language, focusing on women undergoing outpatient cervical ripening with a CRB. A journal hand search was performed for articles published in the last 5 years in three publications. Finally, a citation search of the selected articles was completed. This search process yielded 24 articles for analysis. The social-ecological model was used to organize the findings according to areas of impact: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy. Among these 24 articles, the total number of participants was 14,376. Findings revealed that overall patient satisfaction was high with CRB use. Most studies demonstrated a shorter hospital stay in outpatient CRB groups and indicated that CRB was not associated with adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. Moderate cost savings were noted in three studies. This review reaffirms the evidence that outpatient use of CRB demonstrated safety and effectiveness. Patients have reported satisfaction with CRB, especially in the outpatient setting. Outpatient CRB demonstrated a reduction in inpatient hospital time which could result in reducing strain on healthcare systems and associated costs of hospitalization. Future research opportunities exist for a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) measuring time admitted to the hospital, costs, and patient satisfaction of CRB in the inpatient versus outpatient setting
The Importance of Classroom Management in Autism Spectrum Disorder Classrooms
Children that are on the Autism Spectrum thrive on routine, visuals, and calm learning environments. When teaching in an Autism classroom, good classroom management is key to ensuring the students have all the tools they need to succeed. This includes, but is not limited to visual timers and schedules, visuals of common things they will do or will need throughout the day, such as bathroom or pictures of their food and drink options, staff schedules so all the students are engaged and/or supervised at all times, calming spaces for breaks and flexible seating options. The following will go in depth about what these different tools are and why they are important in managing an Autism classroom
Early Recognition of Urgent Medical Needs by Washington County Correctional Officers
According to Minnesota law, inmates and detainees have a right to physical and mental health care services (Correctional Health and Local Public Health Work Group, 2007). However, a needs assessment completed with Washington County Jail determined that there is a potentially dangerous gap during the intake process wherein detainees who are awaiting formal booking may experience a medical emergency before their full medical history is known (R. Heinen, personal communication, September 29, 2021). Therefore, the research team worked to develop a curriculum for Correctional Officers in order to better prepare them to recognize and respond to medical emergencies in detainees, thus bridging this gap in the booking process. Jail Commander Roger Heinen identified the three most prevalent medical emergencies that may occur within the booking area as diabetic emergencies, head injuries, and drug ingestion or overdose. A 28-lesson online training course was created through a web-based learning platform called Thinkific, as well as supplementary posters to be hung within Washington County Jail. By providing these additional materials, the research team was able to enrich the training provided for Correctional Officers while increasing access to medical care for the often underserved prison population
Collaborative teaching in the inclusive environment: A review of teaching models, benefits, barriers and preparation
This literature review explains the definition of collaborative teaching (co-teaching) in the inclusive environment. It explores the co-teaching models, and the opinions of those models through the lens of professionals and students. This review also covers the outlook professionals and students have on the benefits and difficulties of co-teaching. Lastly, it reviews if and how professionals are being adequately prepared for co-teaching. This study found that co-teaching is not a one size fits all method for being effective co-teaching teams. Teachers must understand the co-teaching models and understand their students’ needs to ensure they are servicing students in an effective manner. This review also found that some of the benefits mentioned throughout the studies were also labeled as difficulties by others. The research found that it takes more than just two teachers in the room to operate an effective co-taught classroom. Collaboration, communication, and being open-minded are some of the skills needed to be effective. Lastly, this project reveals that pre-service and current professionals benefit from co-teaching training through college course work, student teaching, and professional development. Ultimately, this study indicates that when teachers work together with communication, collaboration, and understanding the different models leads to successful inclusive environments. When a co-taught classroom is successfully implemented and practiced, it leads to students with or without disabilities feeling a part of their school community leading them to an increase in their self-belongingness
The Impact of Teacher Attrition on Equitable Education for Students from Underserved Communities
ABSTRACT The current teacher shortage has created a looming crisis in education in the United States that most frequently impacts students from underserved communities. Receiving an equitable education in our country should not be assumed because the data tells us a different story. Too often, students from underserved communities are taught by less qualified teachers who lack both experience and expertise. The research paints a picture of primarily children of color living in urban settings who don’t receive the same level of education as their suburban counterparts. Much research has been done to determine the cause of these inequities and has uncovered a myriad of reasons for the high rates of teacher attrition we’re currently experiencing. What has been gleaned throughout the research being conducted for this thesis is that the primary factors impacting teacher turnover appear to be working conditions and a lack of administrative support. This thesis provides a tool for schools to use for implementing their own support systems for teachers, as well as improving their success at retaining them