Pioneer Times, Volume 1, Number 15

Highlights include: Students Help Safety Startup Prepare for Launch, College of Nursing faculty members train new “dog therapist” to relieve student stress, A Time of Renewal, Reflection and Faith Begins, Encore Fellows Program Launches at SHU this Fall, Upcoming Event

Influence of Musculoskeletal Factors on the Biomechanics of Running

The trunk, composed of thoracic and lumbar spine and surrounding muscles act as a key stabilizer and link between upper and lower body movement during running. Efficient trunk movement minimizes excessive rotation and lateral flexion is associated with improved running economy and reduced injury risk. This study serves the purpose of assessing the relationship between lateral trunk musculature endurance and trunk kinematics during running utilizing the side bridge hold time as a measure of core endurance and marker less capture to evaluate trunk kinematics. Nineteen Division 1 track athletes (ages 18-23) completed a side plank test and ran at three progressively faster speeds on an instrumented treadmill. Bilateral trunk rotation (BTR) and lateral flexion (LF) at foot contact were the kinematics selected for this study and were analyzed using three-dimensional markerless motion capture (Theia 3D; Visual 3D software). Kinovea video analysis software was used to quantify trunk instability during the side plank, using pixel-based displacement tracking from a marker placed on the anterior superior illiac spine. Using this information the average pixel displacement per second was determined, which was used to assess the athlete’s ability to stabilize during the side bridge. Normative data was generated by calculating percentile rankings for side plank hold times and corresponding average displacement, providing a benchmark for future comparisons in Division 1 running populations. Correlational analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between side bridge hold times and left lateral flexion (r= 0.401), while other kinematic measures showed a weak or negligible correlation. These results suggest that static core endurance may not have a major influence over BTR and LF at foot contact during running, rather dynamic core endurance may possess a better correlation with these previously assessed kinematics

Lessons Through Affirmations: Increasing Educators’ Capacity to Empower Children to Push Through

This improvement science dissertation explores how affirmation-based practices can enhance teachers’ capacity to support student engagement, resilience, and healthy self-concept, particularly in high-needs urban classrooms. The researcher employed a participatory action research design using mixed methods over an eight-week intervention. The “Lessons Through Affirmations” program included structured daily affirmations, reflective journaling, and teacher professional development. Quantitative data from pre/post surveys and weekly rubrics indicated consistent growth across SEL domains, notably in student resilience and instructional confidence. Qualitative reflections and interviews revealed that students internalized affirmations, demonstrated improved emotional regulation, and took ownership of the practice, while teachers reported personal growth in self-awareness, tone, and flexibility. Despite the limitations of a small sample size (n=8), time constraints, and reliance on self-reporting, this study shows that culturally responsive affirmation strategies can actively transform classroom culture and support the well-being of both students and teachers

Are College Students who Cut or Skip Meals More Prone to Experience Depression?

College students will often reduce or limit their food intake for multiple reasons, including food insecurity, which often leads to the development of poor eating habits. These newly developed habits can impact students in different ways, including affecting their mental health. The aim of the observational, cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between skipping meals due to a lack of financial resources and depression severity among college students. This study was conducted to examine this relationship in a private, Catholic university in the northeast of the United States. Our study was comprised of 271 students at Sacred Heart University’s College of Health Professions who participated in the 2021 Pioneer Student Health and Well-Being Survey. Results demonstrated that approximately 63.2% of the students experienced some level of depression, ranging from mild to severe. Additionally, 43% reported reducing the size of their meals or skipping meals due to a lack of funds. Chi-square analyses revealed a strong, statistically significant inverse relationship between reducing meals and the severity of depression among college students (p \u3c 0.001); the more students reduced food intake, the more the severity of depression increased. These results highlight the need to further analyze the prevalence of food insecurity among college students in the wealthiest county in Connecticut. Food insecurity on Sacred Heart University’s campus may be overlooked due to the upper middle-class stereotype of the university and its students. Expanding resources to provide support, such as increasing access to food pantries, could help address food insecurity on campus

Evaluating Skeletal Muscle Mass and Peak Torque Deficits Post-ACL Reconstruction in Soccer Athletes with the Biodex

This project explores the application of Biodex testing to evaluate muscular strength, balance and neuromuscular control of soccer players post ACLR. Our study includes one female and two male soccer players recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery. The goal is to evaluate their readiness to safely return to play by identifying strength imbalances and monitoring recovery process. As part of the assessment, the SECA machine was used to measure body composition, including muscle and fat mass, by sending a safe, low intensity electrical signal through the body. This data helps establish a baseline for lean muscle mass, supporting interpretation of strength outcomes. Biodex isokinetic testing provides objective data on quadriceps and hamstring strength, allowing for the identification of deficits in peak torque during flexion and extension which may increase the risk of reinjury. Peak torque is the highest force output during a repetition and is indicative of a muscle\u27s strength capabilities2. This data is used to guide individualized rehabilitation protocols, ensuring athletes regain optimal strenath and stability belore returning to pla

Reducing Pain Surrounding IM Injections in a Pediatric Outpatient Setting

Background Many children experience discomfort when receiving routine vaccines via IM injections. The thought of this discomfort can lead to anxiety for the children when visiting their primary care providers. The use of vapocoolant spray prior to IM vaccine administration can help decrease pain/discomfort experienced by children, resulting in increased patient and parent satisfaction. Project Goals Develop an educational packet reviewing use of topical anesthetics in pediatrics Staff will use vapocoolant spray prior to vaccine administration Children will experience less pain during vaccine administration and parents will feel more satisfied with their child\u27s experience Methods Education on the use of vapocoolant spray was provided to the office nursing/medical assistant staff. Staff offered vapocoolant spray to children 4 years of age and older when receiving IM vaccine administration. Vapocoolant spray was applied to children whose parents consented. The child’s discomfort was assessed immediately after vaccine administration using the FACES pain scale (Appendix H). Parents were asked if they felt this vaccine experience was better than previous experiences not using a topical anesthetic. Data was collected from 9/16/2024-11/14/2024. Results 100% of the staff completed the brief education presentation and post-survey on vapocoolant spray. 100% of the staff scored ≥80% on the post-test prior to the initiation of the project. A total of 160 participants had the vapocoolant spray applied to their deltoid prior to receiving IM vaccines. The patients\u27 ages ranged from 4-years-old to 19-years-old. Overall, 89% of parents were satisfied with the vapocoolant spray. 93% of participants rated their pain ≤4 on the FACES scale. On average, the whole application, pain evaluation, and post-question for the parents only added 2 minutes to the staff’s standard vaccine administration procedure. Conclusion The use of vapocoolant spray prior to IM vaccine administration decreased pain experienced for 93% of the participants. 89% of parents were satisfied with the experience of using a vapocoolant spray prior to IM vaccine administration. The practice change should be implemented as it proved to have very positive outcomes for patients and parents, and did not add much time or strain to the staff’s workload

Shifting the Narrative: Photovoice as a Strategy to Highlight, Interrupt, And Challenge Anti-blackness in Educational Spaces

This Improvement Science in Practice dissertation employs a mixed-methods, critical participatory action research approach to examine strategies educators can use to disrupt anti-Black practices contributing to racial discipline disparities affecting Black students. The Iceberg Model (Monat & Gann, 2015), a framework for understanding the systemic structures, patterns, and mental models perpetuating anti-Blackness in educational spaces guided the analysis. This study explores how overt and covert expressions of anti-Blackness manifest in schools, particularly in the hyper-disciplining of Black students, a term used to describe the disproportionately high rates of disciplinary actions imposed on Black students, which negatively impact their mental and physical well-being. The study aims to enhance educators\u27 cultural awareness and competency through targeted interventions and strategic resources, equipping them with tools to recognize, challenge, and disrupt harmful biases. A key component of this study was the integration of Photovoice, an arts-based participatory research method that raises critical consciousness, fosters self-reflection, and drives social change (Bazemore-Bertrand, 2021; Wang & Burris, 1997). Over a six-week professional learning journey, co-researchers actively engaged in critical reflections, discussions, and Photovoice activities. Findings indicated a significant increase in educators\u27 awareness of anti-Blackness and a strengthened commitment to equitable action. This study reinforces the effectiveness of Photovoice as a transformative tool for disrupting systemic inequities in education, highlighting the importance of active engagement in the research process

Navigating Graduate Nursing Education: The Effect of Peer Mentorship on Academic Self-Efficacy at SHU: A Quality Improvement Project

Background Academic self-efficacy plays an essential role in the success of graduate nursing students, influencing their confidence, persistence, and ability to navigate complex coursework. Graduate nursing education is rigorous, and many students struggle with self-doubt, stress, and academic pressures that can impact their performance and retention in programs. Peer mentorship programs have been identified as an effective intervention to support students by cultivating collaboration, providing guidance, and enhancing academic self-efficacy. This project implemented a peer mentorship program for graduate nursing students at a university in Northeast U.S. to evaluate its impact on academic self-efficacy over 10 weeks. Purpose The primary goal of this project was to implement and evaluate a peer mentorship program for nursing graduate students to determine its effect on academic self-efficacy. The intervention aimed to provide structured mentorship, enhance support systems, and assess changes in self-efficacy among participants. Intervention and Setting The project was conducted at the university, engaging graduate nursing students as both mentors and mentees. Participants were paired based on work measures, residency and program status. Mentors provided guidance on coursework, study strategies, time management, and professional development. The program included regular one-on-one meetings, group discussions, and structured feedback sessions over 10 weeks. Evaluation The project utilized pre- and post-intervention surveys to assess academic self-efficacy using a validated scale. Data were analyzed to determine changes in self-efficacy scores among participants. Additional qualitative feedback was collected to understand participant experiences and perceived benefits of the mentorship program. Discussion Preliminary findings indicate that peer mentorship positively influenced academic self-efficacy by providing social and academic support. Participants reported increased confidence in their abilities, improved study habits, and enhanced professional development. Sustainability plans include integrating the mentorship program into the nursing curriculum to provide ongoing support for future cohorts. Implications Implementing structured peer mentorship programs in graduate nursing education can enhance academic self-efficacy, improve student retention, and foster a supportive learning environment. Future research should explore long-term impacts and scalability across other nursing programs

Breaking the Chains: Challenging Antiblackness In Social Work Education and Practice: a Qualitative Study

This dissertation critically examines the pervasive effects of anti-Blackness within social work education, focusing on how these experiences influence the development of Black identity among social work faculty. Situated within a historical context of systemic exclusion, marginalization, and racial discrimination, the study investigates the strategies employed by Black social work educators to navigate and construct their professional identities. The central research question explores how anti-Blackness within social work members. The study\u27s findings are organized into five key themes: recognition of systemic racism, challenging dominant narratives, amplifying counter-narratives, intersectionality and complex identities, and advocacy for systemic change. These themes highlight the deep-rooted nature of racism in social work education, including challenges such as curricula that neglect Black communities and the resistance encountered when addressing race and privilege. The research also emphasizes the role of intersectionality in complicating the navigation of personal identity, with Black faculty members often facing microaggressions and societal pressure to conform, which undermines their sense of belonging. In addition, the dissertation advocates for significant institutional changes, including curriculum reform, increased diversity among faculty, and the integration of antiracism training into professional development. The findings suggest that such changes are crucial for creating a more inclusive and supportive academic environment for Black educators and students. Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by Black individuals in social work education and offers practical strategies for promoting an academic culture that fosters equity, inclusion, and systemic transformation