Academic Self-Efficacy of Black, White, and Hispanic Students Pursuing Professional Education Degrees and Licensure at an HBCU in Midwest Ohio

The purpose of this comparative quantitative study was to determine, using three self-efficacy scales, General Self-Efficacy (GSE), Academic Self-Efficacy (ASE), and Educational Self-Efficacy (ESE), the differences in academic and educational self-efficacy among Black, White, and Hispanic students seeking a Professional Education degree and licensure at a Historically Black College and University in Midwest Ohio. Pre-service students’ self-efficacy and goal commitment can affect their likelihood of graduating with a license and may directly affect the number of novice teachers of color in the classroom. The literature examines factors that disrupt students’ self-efficacy, academic confidence, and persistence through the theoretical frameworks of Bandura’s Theory of Student Self-Efficacy, Tinto’s Theory of Student Dropout, and the Relationship to College Readiness. Data was collected using an online survey from a sample of 321 undergraduate students enrolled in Professional Education degree programs at an HBCU. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences across multiple student-reported measures for GSE, ASE, and ESE by race/ethnicity; ESE by instructional delivery mode; GSE by gender; ASE by first-generation status; and ASE by student classification. The findings from the study underscore the urgent need for HBCUs, particularly in Midwest Ohio, and for the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to establish better systems of support to improve students’ confidence, which influences self-efficacy, especially for minority students, as they pursue Professional Education degrees and licensure

Analysis of the polymicrobial interactions between Candida albicans and Alcaligenes viscolactis resulting in decreased attachment.

Candia albicans is a commensal organism present within the human microbiota that can develop into an opportunistic pathogen. There exists a limited number of antifungal drugs capable of treating severe and invasive infections that can be caused by fungi like C. albicans. Since C. albicans is responsible for many fungal infections, attaining a clear scientific understanding of inhibiting this organism and other fungal species is of vital importance. The primary objective of this research is to map the mechanisms of genetic inhibition within C. albicans which decreases its ability to attach to other microorganisms and potentially decrease C. albicans pathogenicity and proliferation. Additionally, it will demonstrate how other microorganisms like Alcaligenes viscolactis can be used to study attachment mechanisms. Screening a transposon insertion library of Alcaligenes strains, we have identified a pool of mutants that haver reduced binding to C. albicans. The methods used to study the interactions of C. albicans and A. viscolactis include Gram-staining of co-cultures and enumerating the cellular effects of planktonic co-cultures on dilution plates of both microorganisms. Gram stains of these cultures combined with enumeration of colony forming units revealed less proliferation of C. albicans when grown with A. viscolactis than the C. albicans control culture. Multiple bacteria contacting a single yeast cell or its hyphae inhibited the production of more yeast cells within liquid media. These results taken together, indicates a potential inhibition by Alcaligenes against Candida and could potentially identify targets to reduce C. albicans pathogenicity

Understanding the Impact of Wealth Inequality on Appalachian Health

Wealth inequalities and socioeconomic status are well-known predictors of health outcomes in the United States. Although this relationship is known, the disparities between health and wealth have not been thoroughly researched in the Appalachian region. This study sought to better understand the impact of wealth inequality at the county level in Appalachia, with a focus on the wealthiest and poorest counties. Using 2025 Appalachian Regional Commission Economic Data and the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 2025 National Dataset, the 423 counties of Appalachia were grouped into deciles based on three economic indicators: three-year average unemployment rate, per capita market income, and poverty rate. Health metrics were then compared between the Top and Bottom 10% of counties using t-tests. Across the 22 analyzed variables, there was a statistically significant difference between the richest and poorest counties for all variables (α=0.05). Most variables followed expected trends, with the bottom 10% of counties having worse health outcomes relative to the top 10%, except for three which exhibited inverse relationships. These were HIV prevalence, uninsured rates, and primary care physician ratios. These findings highlight the role of wealth, or lack thereof, in shaping health disparities in Appalachia. It is hoped that by implementing targeted economic and social policies, these disparities can be reduced across the region

Association of Self-Efficacy, Preceptor Teaching, and Role Modeling with Practice Preparedness in Student Nurse Practitioners

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the factors influencing student nurse practitioners’ practice preparedness in their final-semester. The independent variables included self-efficacy, preceptor’s clinical teaching effectiveness, and role modeling. Background. Many nurse practitioners report feeling unprepared to begin practice. Although self-efficacy is associated with positive academic and clinical outcomes, its relationship with NP students’ practice preparedness remains poorly established. Preceptors are central to clinical education, yet many receive limited preparation for teaching, and it remains unclear which preceptor factors are most associated with students’ readiness to practice. Method. In this cross-sectional correlational study, 83 final-semester student nurse practitioners (SNPs) completed measures of perceived practice preparedness, self-efficacy, and ratings of their most significant preceptor’s clinical teaching effectiveness and role modeling. Bivariate associations were examined using Pearson correlation coefficients and Kendall’s tau-b, as appropriate. Multiple linear regression was used with perceived practice preparedness as the dependent variable to estimate the independent associations of self-efficacy, clinical teaching effectiveness, and role modeling. Results. Students reported high perceived practice preparedness. Pearson correlations indicated that preparedness was positively associated with self-efficacy, perceived preceptor clinical teaching effectiveness, and preceptor role modeling (all p \u3c .05). At the item level, Kendall’s tau-b showed the strongest associations between preparedness and preceptor behaviors reflecting clinical competence, engaging instruction, and learner support. In the multivariable model, overall fit was significant, F(df = 5, 77) = 4.68, p \u3c .001, explaining 23.3% of the variance in preparedness. Self-efficacy (β = 0.279, p = .009) and perceived clinical teaching effectiveness (β = 0.273, p = .010) were significant positive predictors; years of RN experience, number of NP preceptors, and months with the most influential preceptor were not significant (all p \u3e .05). Conclusion. Higher self-efficacy and perceived clinical teaching effectiveness were independently associated with greater SNP practice preparedness. Findings support targeted strategies to increase student self-efficacy and preceptor development that emphasize clinical competence and learner-centered teaching strategies to strengthen practice preparedness

Factors Affecting Acorn Selection by Small Mammals and its Implications for Oak Recruitment

Collin A. Davidson, ETSU Biology, Ryan B. Stephens, ETSU Biology Small mammals can influence oak dispersal by removing acorns and caching them elsewhere. Small mammal foraging may vary by tree species, seed size, and by environmental variables such as shrub cover. The factors affecting how acorns are selected and their fate post selection have received little attention in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains in eastern Tennessee are home to a diverse community of trees, with forests often dominated by oak species that differ considerably in seed size. Over the past century, evergreen shrubs including rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) have become increasingly abundant. To determine the factors that affect small mammal foraging and determine seed selection, we placed cafeteria style seed trays and trail cameras above them in the central Blue Ridge Mountains. Our design consists of 42 sites with two seed trays placed at each: one in a dense shrub area and the other in an open area. Each tray holds 30 acorns varying in size with six each of five species, black oak (Quercus velutina), pin oak (Quercus palustris), red oak (Quercus rubra), water oak (Quercus nigra), and willow oak (Quercus phellos). Each acorn is tagged and labeled to determine seed fate and see how far it is moved. We predict that acorn foraging and recovery will increase with greater acorn sizes and shrub cover. Results of our study could help to identify the effectiveness of oak recruitment in a region that is becoming increasing occupied by evergreen shrubs

Resilience in Relationships: Connection within ourselves, within our relationships, and with the world around us

Intro: One of the strongest predictors of well-being across the lifespan is whether we have a connection to safe, stable, and nurturing relationships2. By the time one reaches adulthood, 64% will have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) prior to age 181. The primary goal of this project is to understand what factors, distal, proximal, and environmental, promote resilience in the context of past adversity. Method: This is a mixed-methods and qualitative research study. The sample will be recruited through ETSU’s Sona participant pool, and anyone 18 or older is eligible. The baseline assessment will take place in a research lab on campus, where participants complete surveys, a mindfulness training video, and write reactions to a vignette designed to solicit compassion. Participants will be randomized to either a nature room (with plants, natural light, and water sounds) or a control room (basic office space). Participants will watch a video that teaches mindfulness skills for 4 weeks, and complete mood ratings. After 4 weeks, participants will complete an electronic follow-up survey. Measures examine ACEs, past and present religious and spiritual beliefs and experiences, compassion, mindfulness, emotion regulation, stress, anxiety, and depression. We hypothesize that a mindfulness exercise can be effective at increasing self-compassion, spiritual connection, and compassion towards others, which will be associated with lowered psychological distress, and that these effects will be stronger for participants who are in the nature room and engage in the home-based trainings in nature-forward spaces. Results: Data collection is underway, and inferential statistics will be used to empirically test hypotheses. Results from this project have numerous implications for policy and practice as it relates to creating and disseminating brief, affordable, and accessible interventions that promote relational wellbeing and reduce risk for mental health struggles. Authors: Tré Kennison @[email protected], Deziree Woods @[email protected], Madison Simounet @[email protected], Brittany Guidry [email protected], Diana Morelen @[email protected]