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We’re Too Much and Never Enough: How Supervision Impacts the Retention, Advancement, and Departure of Black Women from the Senior Levels of the Academy
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore how the experience of supervision impacts the retention, advancement, and departure of Black women from the senior levels of higher education leadership at predominantly white institutions and predominantly white-led institutions. To construct this qualitative narrative analysis, I used Black Feminist Thought (BFT) as both my epistemological and theoretical frameworks. Through the centering of storied lived experiences, Black women in this study reported institutional and supervisory practices that resulted in differential retention and advancement opportunities at the intersection of their identities. Through the analysis of their contextualized supervision journeys, the Black women in this study reported a broad continuum of sense of self, denial, and resilience. The resulting variance in labor expectations, tokenization, competition, access to opportunities, and access to safety impacted participant needs to prove their worth in most supervision experiences and relationships. Practices that either promoted or impeded their access to the senior level of the academy are identified to offer higher education scholars and practitioners who supervise or develop supervisor data-informed practices and strategies to improve Black women\u27s experience of supervision. Centering Black women\u27s experiences of supervision in their professional journeys can support greater cultural fluency, socialization, and investment for supervisors. Simultaneously, supervisor development will help reduce the exhaustion, isolation, and tokenization experienced by Black women in and approaching the senior levels to promote retention and advancement opportunities for us and students who look like us in the academy
Using Environmental DNA to Detect the Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) in Minnesota
Get PDFSuccessful habitat management for amphibians depends on accurate detection and monitoring of a target species, especially when it is rare or illusive. The Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) is listed as a species of special concern in Minnesota. Traditional surveys for this species can be time-consuming, challenging, and may damage the wetlands these salamanders use for reproduction. Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods could be an effective alternative to traditional methods. For my thesis, I asked whether eDNA survey methods are as effective as traditional methods in detecting the Four-toed Salamander in Minnesota. I designed and evaluated eDNA assays for segments of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) and cytochrome b (Cytb) (Chapter 1). Each assay consists of forward and reverse primers, and an internal fluorescing probe with a BHQ tag. I used quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) to assess the efficiency, limit of quantification (LOQ), and limit of detection (LOD) for each assay. Both assays were tested for specificity against non-target amphibian species in silico and in vitro. Both were found to be species-specific for DNA from H. scutatum and no other non-target species. The Cox1 assay performed better than the Cytb assay, with an LOD of 10-5 and an efficiency of 0.973. In the spring and summer of 2023 and 2024, I completed nest search surveys, larval surveys, and eDNA surveys at sites across five counties in the known range of H. scutatum in Minnesota. Three water samples and a field negative sample were filtered using a GroverGo pump and Smith-Root filter pack at each site. All water samples were tested in triplicate after eDNA extraction via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Many samples were inhibited so all samples were treated with a Zymo inhibitor removal kit. The Cox1 assay found eDNA from H. scutatum at a total of 7 of 24 sites sampled during the nesting period in 2023 (naïve occupancy = 0.29). Traditional nest searches encountered H. scutatum at 19 of 24 of these sites (naïve detection rate = 0.79). I used Dorazio and Erickson’s Bayesian multi-scale occupancy modeling approach to understand what covariates might be affecting occupancy and detection with eDNA assays. Models included the covariates site ID, known salamander presence, salamander abundance (RAI), volume of water filtered (mL), and wetland surface area (m2) at the site (ψ) or sample (θ) level. No models included covariates at the qPCR technical replicate level (p). Models were run using the eDNAoccupancy package in R (Version 4.3.2) using short (11,000) MCMC chains, and three top models were later run using long (110,000) MCMC chains. Model 1 (null model) results were used to calculate cumulative detection probabilities. At least five samples need to be collected per site, and at least four qPCR replicates are needed to detect H. scutatum eDNA at the 95% detection rate. Bayesian model selection criteria (WAIC and PPLC) identified four top models, including the null model (Model 1) and three models with the covariates salamander presence (Model 3), salamander abundance (Model 9), and the volume of water filtered (Model 8) included at the site level (ψ). The covariates applied to psi (ψ) for the top three models did not improve on the null model, based on low confidence and weak relationships between probability of eDNA capture and covariates. Based on this research, traditional surveys are more effective than are eDNA surveys for H. scutatum during the nesting season. Understanding the limitations of eDNA survey methods will assist land managers with determining its use and application for H. scutatum in Minnesota
ACCENTEDNESS AND INTELLIGIBILITY: THE TYPICAL PHONETIC STORY OF AN LX COUPLE IN THE US
Get PDFFor the past 20 years, intelligibility research has paved the way in making pronunciation teaching and learning about individual competency rather than sounding like a native speaker. The body of research has empirically shown that language speakers of English (Lx) can be intelligible while sounding heavily accented. However, studies have yet to examine how first-generation immigrant couples from different cultural backgrounds interact with each other using an Lx. A phonetic analysis of an oral transcription is conducted to describe the segmental features of Dominican English (DomE) and Pakistani English (PakE), two Lx English spoken by Tabinda and Tariq, as they recount their love story. Compared to General American English (GAE), results show that both speakers are intelligible and make expected substitution based on their first languages. The Dominican speaker substituted vowel [ɪ] for [i] and tapped rhotics (/ɾ/ for /ɹ/). For PakE, the most prominent feature is changing the stops\u27 place of articulation using dental (/t̪/ /d̪/) and retroflex stops (/ʈ / /ɖ /). Additionally, some phonetic features are found to be specific to each speaker. Although some segmental features are not present in either couple\u27s L1, the redundancy effect described by Koffi (2021:99) when quoting Fry helps facilitate intelligible speech between them. This study contributes to the growing body of research describing the speech features that make Lx English speakers intelligible
Establishing Assent Topographies Through Assessment: A Preliminary Study
Get PDFDeveloping evidence-based methods to incorporate assent-based practice is vital to consider, especially as neurodivergent activists share concerns regarding behavioral services. To address these concerns, researchers and governing organizations are advocating for the adoption of assent-based practice in behavior analysis. Despite the growing popularity of assent-based practice, research lacks conceptually systematic and technologized procedures for measuring and analyzing assent. The current study aims to identify behaviors related to assent and assent withdrawal through a systematic process. This process included a caregiver interview, a free operant preference assessment, and a series of alternating test conditions with three participants with limited vocal repertoires. The results indicated participants withdrew assent for over half of the assessment intervals. In addition, participants engaged in behaviors related to assent more often than behaviors related to assent withdrawal. Implications of these findings and future research directions are discussed
C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell: A Comprehensive Hermeneutical Examination of Allegorical Satire in the Epistolary Structure of C.S. Lewis\u27s The Screwtape Letters
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This essay explores the profound literary contributions of Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis. Although his non-fiction and fiction works were published nearly a century ago, Lewis\u27s influence on readers has only intensified in contemporary times. His seminal novel, The Screwtape Letters, remains highly regarded among literary and theological scholars. While many people remember him for The Chronicles of Narnia, this thesis will demonstrate that Lewis employed allegorical satire to reveal the supernatural and unseen realms of spirits and demons within Christian theology and moral philosophy. Lewis began writing this work the day after listening to Adolf Hitler’s notorious radio address to England in 1941, in which Hitler warned of a military blitz of unprecedented scale. The narrative unfolds through the epistolary exchanges between Screwtape, a senior demon, and his nephew and protégé, Wormwood. Lewis crafts a sophisticated story that critiques the fallibilities and errors of humanity, as well as the moral dilemmas faced from a diabolical perspective. This narrative technique, combined with the satirical inversion of moral constructs and norms, enhances Lewis’s insights into the profound nature of sin. The text\u27s allegorical framework also highlights the absurdity and inherent irrationality exhibited by Screwtape, other demons, and, by extension, the authoritarian regimes of both Hitler\u27s era and our own. Through the diabolical ventriloquism of Screwtape, Lewis exposes the contradictions and complexities of human nature. However, he also underscores the invaluable virtues of faith, perseverance, and ethical decision-making. Lewis\u27s masterful use of allegorical satire ensures the enduring significance of The Screwtape Letters as a sacred text for exploring the human condition and one\u27s morality, spirituality, and psyche.
Keywords: satire, allegory, C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, virtue, vic
Open Textbooks at St. Cloud State University: A Collective Case Study
Get PDFThis starred paper offers a review of existing literature about open educational resources (OER), describes the methodology selected to research OER use at St. Cloud State University, outlines the results of a qualitative collective case study, and offers recommendations for the future
Potential Distribution of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Minnesota: A Bioclimatic Perspective Using Maxent
Get PDFAgrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), has been a species of serious concern to communities around the eastern and midwestern United States since the invasive insect was first introduced in Michigan in 2002 from China. In the decades since its establishment in the country, Emerald Ash Borer has caused billions of dollars in damage to ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), as well ecological consequences in ash-dominated forest stands. This paper presents a bioclimatic perspective on the distribution of the EAB in Minnesota using maximum entropy modeling approach (Maxent). The model relates the Emerald Ash Borer species occurrence data to 10 of the 19 WorldClim bioclimatic variables to model species’ niche in both the present as well as the future (years 2050 and 2070). Results of the model indicate the current suitable habitat for the species extends far into north-central Minnesota, which is consistent with known cases of insect occurrence. A jackknife test of the variable significance indicates the minimum temperature of the coldest month, and the precipitation of the coldest quarter are the most important variables when modelling this species distribution. Transfer of the model results to some future climate scenarios indicates expansion of the habitat suitability into the rest of the state by 2050
Obstacles Women of Color Encounter as Educational Leaders and The Successful Pathway Leading to The Superintendency
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The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify select Minnesota women of color superintendents. (1) Report on the obstacles and challenges they encounter, essential leadership characteristics, identify needs, policies, develop regulations, manage the day-to-day operation of the district while examining the successful pathway to the superintendency. (2) To analyze how select Minnesota woman of color superintendents’ personal beliefs and attributes align with being responsible for monitoring projects’ development, ensuring deadlines, quotas, how outputs are being met while encountering challenges as well as showing leadership skills as superintendents. (3) Provide current and future school administrators with communication, team building, operational flexibility, instructional knowledge and problem-solving strategies through obstacles they face and do so successfully as educational school leaders. These select Minnesota women of color superintendents were selected to participate in the study from a recommended list of superintendents who are successful educational leaders in the role of the superintendency. Data was collected in the form of semi structured in-depth interviews. The findings from the study identified the strategies, essential leadership characteristics considered necessary described by the selected women of color superintendents were cooperating, innovation, communication, and detailed resolutions through barriers enabled successful outcomes.
According to Superville “Like other district leaders, female district leaders of color education experiences are rooted in the classroom, the building level, and district support positions. Among a range of options, they were more likely to select classroom teacher, principal, district-level coordinator or supervisor, and associate superintendent or deputy superintendent among their past professional experiences than they were to pick a non-teaching role such as counselor or the military” (Superville, 2023, p. 1).
Women of color superintendents are devoted, and all students are their focus since they occupied the classrooms as teachers. They continue to support the students and the schools whether they are principals, coordinators, supervisors, associate or deputy superintendents. They are educational leaders with strategies that address challenges, their actions promote problem solving techniques, and their female perspectives encourage teamwork as leaders. Women of color superintendents enact positive, lasting change that benefits the lives of students, teachers and administrators. Women of color superintendents are on the rise as they are committed to improving the school environment and fostering student learning
The Effectiveness of Video Prompting in Teaching Daily Living Skills to Transition-aged Youths Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Commencement Program [Fall 2024]
Get PDFSt. Cloud State University commencement program for fall 2024https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/commpro/1287/thumbnail.jp