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An Exploratory Study of New Teacher Induction in Title I Elementary Schools in Georgia
Full text linkThis qualitative exploratory study examines the experiences of induction teachers participating in induction programs throughout Georgia’s Title I elementary schools. Grounded in semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the research investigated how induction programs address educators\u27 unique challenges in high-need settings. Key findings highlight the importance of intentional mentor pairing, scaffolded support structures, and the inclusion of reflective practices to foster professional growth and teacher retention. The study also identifies gaps in existing induction frameworks, including a lack of tailored mentoring for diverse teaching contexts and insufficient clarity in reflective processes. Recommendations are provided to enhance induction practices by incorporating structured mentorship, ongoing professional development opportunities, and explicit reflective frameworks. This research contributes to understanding effective strategies to support induction teachers in Title I schools, offering actionable insights for policymakers, administrators, and educators committed to improving outcomes in at-risk communities
Cultural Preservation Through Promotion: Marketing The Muscogee Way
Full text linkCultural tourism is on the rise. According to UNESCO (2021), cultural tourism accounts for 40% of global tourism and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry. Today, travelers worldwide seek authentic experiences that allow them to connect with local cultures, learn about ancient history, and engage in unique cultural activities. Meanwhile, Indigenous tourism experiences are also a growing trend in the tourism industry. Indigenous tourism is growing by 4% annually, and this growth is projected to continue until 2034 (Future Market Insights, 2024). The rising popularity of cultural and Indigenous tourism presents a unique opportunity for Native American communities seeking to reap the socioeconomic benefits of the tourism industry. The Muscogee Nation is one such community seeking to revitalize its culture and provide outsiders with an authentic experience of a Native American culture through tourism.
The Muscogee Nation is a federally recognized Native American Nation located in Eastern Oklahoma. Formerly known as the Creek Nation, the Muscogee Nation is the fourth largest tribe in the United States, with over 100,000 tribal citizens (The Muscogee Nation, 2024). The Nation operates as a self-determined government that develops and manages programs and services to enhance the well-being of its citizens while also maintaining and protecting Muscogee culture (The Muscogee Nation, 2024)
How do School Counselors and School Social Workers Support High School Bullying Victims: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study
No full textBullying and student aggression are increasing in public high schools. Bullying and cyberbullying are a safety concern, and victims of bullying have shown a decline academically and emotionally. Additionally, high schools need increased support with bullying behaviors. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to explore school counselors’ and school social workers’ insights and perspectives regarding the support they provided to bullying victims in two school districts in rural Georgia. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory was the framework used to focus research on understanding how environmental systems influence an individual’s development. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from a purposeful sample of seven certified school counselors and two certified school social workers, all of whom had experience in supporting bullying victims in a high school setting. The secondary data collected and analyzed were school documents, board policies and artifacts. Priori coding and open coding were employed with Yin’s Five-Step Analysis. Findings revealed that school counselors and school social workers view bullying as a concern to student well-being and academic success. However, their perspectives emphasized gaps in agreement on stakeholder support, a lack of resources needed to implement interventions, and a desire to increase bullying prevention and awareness. Educational leaders and school counselors and school social workers may achieve improved success in supporting students through collaborative efforts framed by the ecological systems theory
Organizational Change, Servant Leadership, and Christian Perspective
Full text linkIn today’s dynamic business environment, organizational change is inevitable, yet with a failure rate of more than 70%, successfully navigating change remains elusive for the majority of business leaders. Effective change management requires more than just strategy, it demands a leadership approach that fosters trust, engagement, and resilience among employees. Servant leadership, with its focus on humility, empathy, and support, offers a powerful framework for guiding leaders and the organizations they serve through transformative periods, and can increase the effectiveness of organizational change efforts. By putting the needs of others first, and aligning leadership actions with values such as patience, compassion, and empowerment, servant leaders can overcome common challenges associated with change. This paper utilizes multiple change models to explore how servant leadership informs organizational change, change resistance, change commitment, and innovation. Additionally, this paper explores the under-investigated aspect of workplace spirituality within change management literature, by examining how Christian perspectives and scriptural insights can be understood and applied to change efforts through the lens of servant leadership in ways that increase practitioner effectiveness and organizational performance
Purification of Recombinant HIS6-GFP-Preptin Fusion Protiens
Full text linkPreptin, a 34-amino-acid peptide derived from proinsulin-like growth factor II, has emerged as a promising therapeutic candidate for both Type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. Its dual functionality—stimulating insulin secretion without inducing hypoglycemia and promoting osteoblast proliferation—positions it as a unique alternative to traditional sulfonylureas and osteogenic agents. In this study, we developed a purification protocol for green fluorescent-preptin fusion proteins. These fusion proteins will be used to investigate the functional significance of residues Pro17, Val18, Gly19, Trp27, Lys28, and Gln29 in rat preptin, which shares high sequence similarity with the human form. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed using NEB Q5 QuickChange methodology, followed by recombinant expression in Escherichia coli. The GFP-preptin fusion protein was purified using nickel affinity chromatography, followed by gel electrophoresis to confirm molecular weight and purity. The use of GFP facilitated real-time tracking of purification efficiency, with SDS-PAGE revealing a distinct 27 kDa band corresponding to the target fusion protein. Lyophilization enabled long-term storage without loss of integrity. These findings establish a robust platform for the expression and purification of preptin analogs, supporting future efforts to characterize their biochemical activity and therapeutic potential in glycemic control and bone regeneration
Riverside Readings: Audio Drama Development and Implementation Plan
Full text linkThe current state of media includes broadcasting, podcasting, and a new yet familiar form of accessible media through streaming. Numerous examples illustrate the significance of broadcasting and counter the notion that it is a niche or outdated form of media. Younger generations, including mine, have grown up in an era rich in media, witnessing the dawn and resurgence of formats that once seemed lost. As we transition into a collegiate environment, we seek to channel our creativity through a medium; for us, that medium is radio and podcasting. Riverside Readings allows individuals to explore their creative passions and engage in something consistent that instills pride. Universities must recognize and activate their student body, facilitate the resources a radio station can provide, and participate in the renaissance and limitless opportunities that radio and Riverside Readings offer
The Impact of Pre-Kindergarten Programs on Literacy Achievement in Primary Grades in Rural Southeast Alabama Title I Schools
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to examine how pre-kindergarten impacts the literacy achievement of students in Alabama Title I schools. This quantitative study employed a causal-comparative (ex post facto) research design to examine the impact of Alabama’s First-Class Pre-K (FCPK) program on early literacy and school readiness, as measured by the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) and the Alabama Early Learning Inventory (AL ELI). The design was selected due to its appropriateness for studying naturally occurring groups and its capacity to explore potential cause-and-effect relationships without researcher-controlled intervention.
The independent variable was Pre-K attendance (attendee vs. non-attendee), while the dependent variables included DIBELS components—Letter Naming Fluency (LNF), Phonemic Segmentation Fluency (PSF), Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF), and Word Reading Fluency (WRF)—and AL ELI domains—social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and math. Retrospective data from 2,200 students from five Title I schools during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 academic years were analyzed using independent samples t-tests via SPSS (v28.0.1.1). To ensure the validity of findings, statistical assumptions of the t-test were rigorously tested, including normality (Shapiro-Wilk), homogeneity of variance (Levene’s test), and removal of outliers based on box plots and histograms.
The findings indicated statistically significant differences in several literacy and school readiness domains between students who attended Pre-K and those who did not, with Pre-K attendees generally outperforming their peers. These results support previous literature emphasizing the long-term academic and developmental benefits of early childhood education programs, particularly for children from low-income communities.
Additionally, a 20-item Likert-scale survey was administered to 100 K-2 teachers to explore perceptions of standardized testing. Though not statistically analyzed in SPSS, survey data was descriptively summarized to inform the discussion on instructional practices and assessment culture in early education. The overall survey results indicated that special education and inclusion teachers believe that early childhood assessments induce stress, have a narrow focus, can be misused, causing validity and reliability issues, require additional time and resources, and can negatively impact curriculum and instruction. This study underscores the practical value of causal-comparative research in educational settings and provides insights for policymakers and educators aiming to enhance literacy outcomes through expanded access to high-quality Pre-K programs
Examining Healthcare Access Disparities: Social Determinants and Patient Experiences at Valley HealthCare
Full text linkPersistent disparities in healthcare access continued to affect low-income, rural, and underserved populations across the United States. This capstone project explored these disparities within Valley HealthCare, a regional provider in Columbus, Georgia, by examining how social determinants such as income, education, geography, and transportation shaped healthcare engagement among adult patients. A mixed-methods case study design was used to analyze survey data, patient satisfaction feedback, and organizational reports from a sample of 80 adult patients between January and March 2025.
The results showed that patients residing in lower-income or geographically isolated areas reported significantly higher rates of missed appointments. Individuals with limited health literacy expressed greater dissatisfaction and were more likely to delay or forgo preventive care. Additionally, the absence of reliable transportation in rural ZIP codes was strongly associated with delayed or missed healthcare access. Educational attainment also was a key factor, as patients who had not completed high school were less likely to follow through with recommended care.
These findings emphasize the barriers faced by underserved populations and supported the need for patient-centered, community-informed interventions. Based on these results, this capstone proposed practical solutions such as mobile clinics, appointment reminder tools, culturally appropriate health education, and expansion of programs like “Food is Medicine.” By using patient feedback with structural data, this project offered actionable recommendations for healthcare systems and policymakers to reduce inequities and promote more accessible, equitable care delivery in similar community-based settings
Is Suicide Among the Elderly Population Warranted or Preventable
Full text linkTower Day 2025 Undergraduate Poster 2nd place Winner
Growing old is perceived differently among world cultures. In some cultures, elders are revered and celebrated. However, in other cultures, growing old is dreaded and feared. Current Western culture depicts aging negatively through media, beauty marketing, and in general society. The elderly population is also a lost population as they are often forgotten about and overlooked. With aging comes with illness, depression, change in activities of daily living, financial stressors, isolation, societal changes, and death of loved ones, and eventually self. Chronic illness(es) can make it harder for the elderly to maintain autonomy or to maintain or sustain the quality of life that they are accustomed to having. Inability to partake in activities of daily living can increase stress for many and cause depression in the elderly population. A fact that cannot be overlooked is the increase of suicide among the elderly population, with elderly men committing suicide at a higher rate
