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  How Management Impacts NERDS College Student Volunteers

  Tonkia Bridges

  This study focuses on the NERDS organization, which has experienced an increase in demand for its services and needs to develop selection, onboarding, and training processes to increase engagement for college student volunteers. Based on surveys and interviews with current and former volunteers, the study outlines an action plan with four objectives: 1) hiring a part-time volunteer manager, 2) establishing a partnership with a local university, 3) implementing a volunteer selection, onboarding, and training process, and 4) developing a volunteer mentor program. The study provides detailed timelines, goals, and outcomes for each objective, focusing on improving the recruitment and retention of college student volunteers. The study concludes that implementing this action plan will increase volunteer management efficiency, improve staff-volunteer relationships, increase positive organizational culture and climate, and provide college student volunteers with valuable skills and experiences.

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  Humane Mouse Trap STEM Project for Social Justice

  Katherine Miller, Allison Tracy, Kara Ledbetter, Nicholas Stout

  To promote equality and to conceptualize a topic for students we will create a STEM for social justice project demonstrating how to present social justice and active learning in the classroom. Students will complete a project regarding humane mouse traps. This project will involve students working in science and mathematics. This promotes equity and social justice allowing for safety of the mice and the overall ecosystem. Dead mice are a safety risk to home and families, and using poison could danger drinking water or other aspects of the environment.

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  Impact of Consistent Exercise and Academic Performance

  Maxwell Faulds, Alexander Barrett, Olivia Burd, Lucia Wheeland, Abagail Tharpe

  The purpose of this study is to look at the correlation between exercising and academic performance among college students. This is a cross-sectional study, utilizing an anonymous survey to gather data on the various types of exercise such as duration and intensity, along with consistency. Also taking into account respondents' answers on their academic performance including GPA, course load, and other factors to determine whether or not consistent exercise habits have influenced academic performance among college students ages 18-23. The survey will be distributed via email as well as stories through social media platforms to most effectively reach the target audience. After the data is collected it will be examined based on the recommendations laid out by the CDC's guidelines of what activity is recommended for adults.

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  Increasing 6th Grade Magnet Student Yield

  Amber Reeves

  There is currently no designated policy, procedure or staff in place to facilitate the objective of increasing student yield. As a result, magnet applications and acceptance of invitations to attend Owl Middle School is approached without a strategy which makes planning difficult and negates the ability to determine effective methods. Filling these public-school magnet seats is a priority as student enrollment equates to staff funding from the state and school doors being open (NCES, 2020). Identifying policy to increase 6th grade magnet students is determined by setting achievable goals. Setting achievable goals for increasing magnet students begins by identifying specific, measurable, achievable, time bound and realistic objectives. Elementary schools with similar demographic populations will be targeted with recruitment efforts through speaking engagements at the schools, parent information nights, and printed material in English and Spanish distributed to prospective families and students. The purpose of this study is to understand the effectiveness of this targeted marketing and to develop a process of continuous improvement thus potentially increasing 6th grade magnet student yield. Two semi-structured virtual interviews consisting of five questions were conducted for 10 families regarding their decision of school choice and the impact marketing had. Findings included a need to incorporate digital marketing along with honoring the power of student decision making in this school choice process.

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  Is the Increased Consumption of Alcohol and Nicotine Among College Students Associated with Increased Cancer Risk?

  Jacqueline Kasner, Sydney Ramicone, Mariah Perez, Cian Callahan

  Research has shown how alcohol and nicotine use can increase one's risk for developing certain types of cancer. Research has also shown that consumption of alcohol and nicotine tends to be at its highest among college aged students due to a multitude of factors such as: peer pressure, increased dependence, and the social environment of college. The goal of this research project was to determine how the increased use of alcohol and nicotine among college students may increase cancer risk as well as the students knowledge of this increased risk.

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  Is there a Connection between Increased Stress Levels among College-Aged Students and Obesity?

  Mara Kapes, Amelia Deerwester, Connor Sweeney, Elizabeth Lovdal, Megan Brown

  As the national rates of obesity continue to increase in all age groups, the prevalence of obesity in college students is especially concerning. The goal of this research project was to better understand the connection between college stress levels and the resulting increased rates of obesity.

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  Is There a Relationship between Food Security and Academic Performance in College Students?

  Nicholas Emling, Andrew Daly, Samuel Martine, Chloe Wilson

  Food insecurity is a term that analyzes the ability for people to be able to financially support their nutritional needs. Due to the financial responsibilities placed on college students, many struggle to reach a stable level of food security, and thus have trouble meeting their nutritional needs. Proper nutrition has been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive performance. Because of this, we decided to analyze the effect of food security on academic performance in college students. By sending out the U.S. Household Food Security Survey and a question on GPA to University of Dayton students, we looked to correlate the two variables to see if there was a relationship.

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  Narratives of Indian International Graduate Students’ Experiences in Relation to Their Mental Wellness and Help-Seeking Behavior

  Karren Shaalini Gunalan

  India is the second leading country that sends international students to the United States (OpenDoors, 2021). Although Asian Indians are the second largest international student group in the U.S., little research exists on their well-being and help-seeking behaviors compared to their Chinese counterparts (Chennamsetti, 2020). Therefore, this qualitative study explores Asian Indian international graduate students’ experience of their mental wellness across the six dimensions of the wellness (Hettler, 1976) and their help-seeking behaviors. The narratives of 10 Asian Indian international graduate students have been analyzed. Results show differences in how male and female students reflect on their mental well-being and help-seeking behavior. Male Asian Indian international graduate students tend to focus on being optimistic whereas female Asian Indian international graduate focus on how they were feeling, naming them as stressors, and seeking help when needed. The findings from this study provide specific implications for future practices and research on the mental wellness and help-seeking behavior of Indian International Graduate students.

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  Navigating the Sensory Experience in Higher Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Grace Imhoff

  A growing population on college campuses is students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with 90 percent of these students having unique sensory needs. Yet very few studies solely focus on and amplify the sensory experience of college students with ASD. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how college students with ASD navigate their sensory differences in and out of the classroom and fill in gaps in current sensory research. Grounded in the constructivist paradigm, data was collected through nine one-on-one interviews with University of Dayton undergraduate students with ASD. The findings highlight students’ sensory challenges on campus, strategies used to navigate these challenges, and recommendations to improve practice. The implications suggest a need for increased ASD education and awareness as well as best practices for accommodating students’ sensory needs in and out of the classroom.

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  Nursing Care Plan for Substance Abuse

  Elizabeth Volz, Sarah Pham, Shea Borchers

  This project features a nursing care plan for substance abuse created and presented by University of Dayton nursing students, Shea Meyer, Elizabeth Volz, and Sarah Pham. As current licensed nurses, we seek to aid and help build our communities stronger for all no matter our differences. In order to do so, we assess and analyze many factors of a community that play into the health of the individuals there. Patient care is not just about treating patients’ symptoms and sending them home. It is about providing patients with the best resources and interventions in order to watch them and the rest of the community thrive. This project started with an initial windshield survey. This survey was an assessment giving a visual overview of a community that aids in analyzing the health of that specific defined community. The survey included the Greater Dayton area within a 2.5 mile radius in all directions of the University of Dayton. It appeared that Dayton was in dire need of education on resources and outlets for people suffering from substance abuse. Data shows that Dayton is an epicenter for drug and alcohol abuse. Driving through the streets, it was easy to see evidence of concern. There were bars and alcohol on every street corner, the smell of drugs, and there are overdoses in the local hospitals.

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  Pride in the Profession

  Jason Honesto

  LGBTQIA+-identifying individuals often depend on a series of identity management strategies when navigating the challenges presented by sharing their queer identity with others. In acknowledging the opportunities Higher Education/Student Affairs (HESA) professionals receive in providing identity-specific support to students, there is potential to identify and connect the dots leading from the personal experiences of LGBTQIA+-identifying HESA professionals and the support they provide as practitioners. Utilizing qualitative inquiry, this study explores the experiences of current and former HESA (para)professionals as they share how their identities have shaped their approach to support provision. Themes from the results of this study include a) familial influence on LGBTQIA+ development b) identity-centered advocacy for students and c) desire to increase institution support of LGBTQIA+ identifying students, faculty, and staff. The results of this study may not only contribute to dismantling barriers that prevent the professional advancement of LGBTQIA+-identifying persons, but also encourage HESA (para)professionals to review their competencies for practice in relation to their identities.

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  Ready to Help: Exploring Student Affairs Practitioners’ Readiness to Support Students Amid Increasing Mental Health Challenges

  Laurise Johnson

  The occurrence of young adults between the age of 18-25 experiencing life events that impede on their ability to complete daily functions has skyrocketed. Student affairs professionals need competency in crisis management as they are often seen as “first responders” in their role while serving as advisers, supporters, and helpers to students facing a challenge, barrier, life stressor, or crisis. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the readiness of Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) professionals in responding to the varying levels of challenge, life stressors, and barriers faced by college students. The results throughout this study uncovered a number of gaps that impact HESA professionals’ ability to feel confident and equipped with the tools needed to support students in need: 1) newer professionals do not feel equipped to support students across various levels of challenge and reported lower levels of crisis management competence and intervention confidence; 2) the ability to provide support to students in crisis is heavily dependent upon a professional’s functional area; 3) the lack of mental health training overrides HESA professionals’ confidence and competence; and 4) specialized training sessions and professional development opportunities around mental health and helping strategies are not being provided. The findings from this study provide specific implications for future practices and research on the readiness of HESA professionals in supporting students facing challenges.

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  Skeletal Muscle Reactive Hyperemia Is Dependent on the Deoxygenation Stimulus in Young Healthy Humans

  William Durbin

  Reactive hyperemia tests create mismatches in oxygen (O2 ) delivery and demand by occluding blood flow to skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle reactive hyperemia is dependent on the specific deoxygenation stimulus. We hypothesized that the magnitude of deoxygenation (Δ=nadir-baseline) would correlate with the magnitude of the reactive hyperemic response (Δ=peak-baseline), whereas the total deoxygenation would correlate with the total reactive hyperemic response. In six (3M:3F) young adults, we continuously measured forearm blood flow using doppler ultrasound on the brachial artery and muscle O2 saturation during three reactive hyperemia tests (1, 5, or 10 minutes in duration). The magnitude of deoxygenation was significantly (P < 0.05 via paired t-test) less during 1 min occlusion (-13±1.6%) compared to 5 min occlusion (-67±14%; P=0.0015) or 10 min occlusion (-74±10%; P=0.0004), but 5 min vs 10 min occlusion were not different (P=0.40). Similarly, the magnitude of the RH was greater in both the 10 min occlusion (329±102 ml/min; P=0.0004) and 5 min occlusion (295±123 ml/min; P=0.005) vs 1 min occlusion (131±69 ml/min; P < 0.0001), but not different from one another (P=0.11). However, total deoxygenation increased progressively from 1 min (-335±51 units), to 5 min (-10732±2209 units), to 10 min (-32357±5053 units; all P < 0.01) as did total reactive hyperemic response (1 min:1326±927 ml; 5 min:7865±4055 ml; 10 min:17447±9698 ml; P < 0.01). These results suggest the reactive hyperemia response is determined by the absolute magnitude of deoxygenation and total difference between O2 supply and demand. Prolonged deoxygenation in the 10 min occlusion led to a greater reactive hyperemia response, potentially mediated by increased muscle metabolite production and greater bioavailability of vasoactive products mediated by fully deoxygenated erythrocytes.

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  Students Developing a More Specific Emotional Vocabulary through Picture Books - A Work in Progress

  Mary Horvath

  This study will be happening over the course of the next year, but this is a preview of what is to come! Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a relatively new set of standards in Ohio’s curriculum. SEL standards are essential for achievement not only in the classroom but in life. Because of its novelty, it is crucial to find the best practices for teaching SEL to meet the needs of all students. Research has shown that the standard videos, activities, and take-home worksheets referenced in the curriculum are not engaging the students (Pysarenko, 2021, p. 639). Instead, picture books have been found to help students through emotional turmoil (Roberts & Crawford, 2008, p. 13). Therefore, this study proposes to further the connection between children’s literature and emotional vocabulary, which is part of the Ohio Department of Education SEL standard, “Demonstrate an awareness of personal emotions” (ODE, p. 8, 2019). Helping students grow their emotional vocabulary will help them connect better to themselves, the people in their lives, and their experiences so they can live an overall better life.

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  Students Gain Real World Skills from working part-time in Campus Recreation

  Tyler Lebegue, Andrew Mason

  This presentation will inform students about the value of working in campus recreation. There is one position that is under most students’ radar that will provide the most benefits. It is becoming a referee. These students gain transferable skills that are rarely ever considered when looking for part time employment. We have examined deliverables gained through conducting research, interviewing officials, and completing a comprehensive literature review. Our goal is to promote officiating in Campus Recreation with specificrecommendations on how to grow an official pool of candidates to gain the deliverableskills needed in the workplace. We will portray the importance of working withstudents to build a culture that focuses on engaging in career development, teachingstudents how to express their skills and experiences to sell themselves in ajob interview.

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  Technological Literacy, Underserved Families, and School Choice: A Critical Race Theory Analysis

  Amber Reeves

  This session will present a completed case study of one school’s struggles to address limited access using digital outreach to families. This qualitative, action research, case study is designed to explore and understand barriers to inclusion, offering research findings help to address that problem of practice. Findings in this study highlight the implications of antiquated organizational structures and policies interfacing with new social realities, resulting in unintentionally exclusionary practices. In the interest of fulfilling adult education’s social justice goals, Critical Race Theory provides a lens to interpret these findings for greater inclusivity. The lessons learned from this study can assist educators in helping organizations improve access to their services, while examining intersections of power and privilege through structural practices. Adult educators and family literacy practitioners confront similar challenges as digital communication and education are a gateway to access social capital leverage and will benefit from this investigation and subsequent work for greater inclusivity.

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  The Benefits and Modalities of Successfully Implementing Co-Teaching in Elementary Classrooms

  Megan Nock

  Co-teaching is a style of classroom teaching that emphasizes shared responsibility between teachers for learning. When implemented correctly and with strong administrative support, it provides many benefits, including support for all students’ best interests.

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  The Correlation Between the Nutritional Value of a College-Aged Student's Diet and Their Mental Health

  Jenna Schwabe, Kylee Shroat, Elizabeth Huber, Miles Miller, Ella Weaver

  The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between a college student's diet and their mental health. An anonymous survey was sent out to University of Dayton students asking them to answer questions regarding demographics, housing, meal plan status, and the nutritional value of their diet. Participants were also asked questions about their mental health such as presence of anxiety, depression, if they are or have sought out professional help, have received a diagnosis, or are currently taking medications.

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  The Effects of Physical Activity on Mental Health in Undergraduate College Students

  Anna Schwettman, Kathryn Reifel, Meredith Johnson, Jessica Phillabaum, Maya Krieger

  Research has shown how physical activity can improve physical health, or how lack there of can increase risk for decreased health status. The goal of this research study was to determine what kind of effect physical activity can have on one's mental health within the undergraduate college student population.

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  The Impact of Physical Activity Following ACL Reconstructive Surgery on Recovery in Collegiate Athletes

  Samantha Crew, Andres Sanchez, Logan Davis, Millicent Azbill

  In recent decades, it has been increasingly common for athletes to suffer injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Typically, individuals who undergo reconstructive surgery of the ACL will also undergo some sort of physical therapy or physical activity treatment to help the ligament heal and recover efficiently. The goal of this study was to assess the overall impact of different physical activity levels following reconstructive surgery of the ACL and the impact it can have on the recovery process in collegiate athletes. A anonymous survey was sent out to participants to obtain information on the type of graft used in surgery, the participants activity levels following surgery, and how these factors may have contributed to a better or worse recovery process overall.

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  The Impact of Self-Image on Academic Achievement Amongst Black College Students

  Alyssa Mims

  Scholars use components of one’s self concept such as self-esteem, self-image, and self-confidence to better understand college student’s academic achievement. Many factors impact the way a Black undergraduate student views themselves such as their high school experience, college environment, and relationships. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the way a Black undergraduate student’s concept of themselves, with an emphasis on self-image, impacts their academic success at predominantly White institutions (PWI). Participants in this study were Black undergraduate students who attend PWI’s. Findings consisted of Black undergraduate students needing to feel a sense of confidence regarding their appearance to perform well in their academic courses. The findings of this study provide insight into how to better support Black undergraduate students’ self-image and academic achievement.

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  University Libraries Dean’s Showcase Exhibiting Excellence: Juggling for Mary: Vocation, Gifts, and Performing for Our Lady (Clown of God)

  Kendall Kiss, Mary Horvath, Brynne Kessler

  Students from several disciplines became involved with the Marian Library’s 2022 Christmas exhibit, Juggling for Mary: Vocation, Gifts, and Performing for Our Lady. Centered on a medieval story about a humble juggler in a monastery who struggles to find an appropriate Christmas gift to present to the Virgin Mary, the tale has been adapted and retold through operas, movies, and in contemporary times, many children’s stories. The students in Professor Mary-Kate Sableski and Jennifer Adams course, Foundations of Literacy through Literature, engaged in several experiential learning activities connected to the exhibit. They examined versions of the story from different time periods to explore how the language, morals, and illustrations of children’s literature has evolved. They performed read-alouds in the exhibit space for visiting school groups, selecting books to connect to diverse audiences. Finally, they created a StoryWalk, combining literacy and physical activity, with panels of Tomie dePaola’s Clown of God and activity prompts displayed across campus.

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  Voices from UD Faculty: The Impact of COVID-19 on Productivity and Progress

  Eden Michelson

  We have all spent the last three years sharing our concerns, frustrations, and hopes with one another. By offering channels for faculty to specifically name the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their professional and personal lives, the 2022-23 Gender Equity Research Fellowship team hopes to stimulate tangible institutional change that will support faculty moving forward.Our project utilized a mixed methods approach, though the present research focuses on the qualitative research findings. The purpose of the qualitative data was to find commonalities between the responses that faculty provided when asked about the pandemic in relation to their role(s) at the university. Data collection included three focus groups and individual interviews. The sample for the one-on-one interviews consisted of 19 participants. The research team analyzed the data using two rounds of coding, and results found that participants experienced various challenges. Faculty’s primary roles at the university were shaped around professional duties, such as scholarship and being a resource for students, rather than responsibilities like parenting and caregiving. Many faculty members shared experiences related to exhaustion and burnout.Our findings have led us to suggestions that focus on improving faculty well-being by calling for a shift from focusing on productivity to emphasizing people, policies, and programs. Creating a space for participants to share their experiences brought new insights about the countless roles that faculty take on and how to best support them as we continue to navigate a post-quarantine world.

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  What is the Reasoning & Ultimate Source Behind Supplementation Usage in College Athletes?

  Meghan Lorz

  Dietary supplement usage is a phenomenon that has become quite prevalent in our society. A dietary supplement can be defined as any category that contains one or more dietary factors including amino acids, minerals, vitamins, etc. They play a major role in exercising adolescents and college athletes, specifically in terms of gaining certain benefits. Individuals utilize dietary supplements for a variety of different reasons and benefits, and these individuals often hear about these supplements through a variety of sources. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasoning and source behind supplement usage in college athletes. Previous research has implied that many college athletes take supplements to enhance performance or improve overall health. Conclusions are drawn from a survey completed that the University of Dayton and the results are analyzed about why college athletes use dietary supplements, and how they first heard of them.

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  Who Do We Include? Exploring Inequity in Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

  Delaney Barga

  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) legally protects students’ access to the least restrictive learning environment (LRE). When possible, placing students with disabilities in general education classrooms with minimal intervention is required. The positive effects of inclusion have been supported in research over the years, yet schools continue to segregate classrooms in ways that are not aligned with the LRE guidance. This project explores the IDEA law, LRE guidance, and implementation of inclusion in schools.