Muscogiana Vol. 36(1), Spring 2025

Muscogee County, Columbus, Georgia, Genealogyhttps://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/muscogiana/1076/thumbnail.jp

Enhancing Team Effectiveness: A Study On The Efficacy Of Servant Leadership Experiential Training As An Intervention

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the impact of servant-leadership training on team effectiveness. It proposes using a perceptive behavior assessment tool (team effectiveness questionnaire (TEQ)), along with six servant leadership themes will increase a team’s effectiveness. This study aims to expand the literature on methods used when seeking to improve operational effectiveness of work teams. Design/methodology/approach: This intervention study followed the two-group pre-test-post-test design. 18 teams were randomly assigned to either a control or experimental group. Each team completed the TEQ and identified one to two domains to focus their development on over an 8-week period. Experimental group teams were trained on the six servant leadership themes. At the end of the 8-weeks, teams completed a post-TEQ which was then analyzed using a Bayesian paired sample t-test. Findings: Both control group and experimental group teams realized an increase in perceptive team effectiveness. Results indicated teams that focused on the six servant leadership themes saw higher rates of effectiveness. Research limitations/implications: Due to the small sample size, generalizability is limited and therefore it is recommended to continue exploring the effect of structured experiential learning around servant leadership themes. Originality/value: While there is considerable research around ways to measure servant leadership behaviors, there is limited literature on how to improve a team dynamic, like effectiveness, through the use of servant leadership behaviors. Keywords: servant leadership, team effectiveness, training, team effectiveness questionnaire, servant leadership behaviors, experiential learning theory. Article type: Research pape

Isolating Confounding Abiotic and Biotic Effects on the Phenotype on Physa Acuta Snails

Organisms match their phenotypes to prevailing environmental conditions leading to habitat specific polymorphisms. Polymorphisms arise from genetic divergence, phenotypic plasticity, or a combination of both processes. I examined the presence of habitat-specific polymorphism in Physa acuta snails collected from three streams and their corresponding downstream reservoir. In lotic systems shells were rotund with larger apertures, while those from lentic systems were more elongate with smaller apertures. In a reciprocal transplant lab experiment that crossed flow regime and crayfish predator cues, I tested for the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed phenotypic differences. I found no evidence for plasticity in relation to flow regime. However, there was a habitat-specific plastic response to crayfish predator cues. Snails experiencing crayfish cues that originated from the pond became more elongate, while snails from the stream became more globose. Shell shape differences arising from flow regime are likely genetic, while those from predator cues seem to be plastic. Most importantly, the nature of shape change in response to predator cues depended on flow regime. These results add to a growing body of literature on the importance of abiotic factors that influence how organisms respond to biotic factors

Using the College Choice Model to Examine Why HBCU Graduates Choose to Attend PWIs for Advanced Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine why African American students choose to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for undergraduate and Predominately White Institutions (PWI) for graduate studies. Many college students have extenuating circumstances that influence their decision to seek higher education, specifically, HBCU’s. The study will investigate student influences and objectives of the college decision. Also, understanding institutions influences recruitment, retention, and college choice. The study will explore comprehensive and understanding of African American students of various backgrounds, also, understanding the experience for African American students excelling in their academic, social, and personal lives during their undergraduate studies. To examine HBCUs’ unique approach and commitment to providing quality education to all students regardless of social status. Yet, after graduation, many African American students seek advanced certification or degree, however, not at their original institution or another HBCU. The study was conducted with seven HBCU’s in the southeast region of the United States. Participants in the survey included ten HBCU and PWI graduates, male and female. During this qualitative descriptive case, interviews were used to examine why students choose to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominately White Institutions. This qualitative research will use the phenomenological model to gather information from the participants. A structured interview is used to collect data, virtual recordings, background survey, standard questions, compare, contrast results, and discussion. This study will investigate the effectiveness of HBCUs and PWI recruitment, retention, practices, and procedures for African American students obtaining a degree(s) and prepare to work as a professional in the workforce and community. This study will also investigate academic options, atmosphere and experience, financial challenges, and opportunities, and socioeconomical background associated with the college decision-making

Innovative Teaching Strategies and Lesson Plans to Support Students with ADHD

This thesis explores how creativity, imagination, and problem-solving can be harnessed to improve student outcomes – specifically engagement, motivation, and academic achievement – for students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in elementary classrooms. Rather than conducting a data-driven study, this project draws upon interdisciplinary research from educational psychology, cognitive science, and pedagogy to design inclusive research-informed teaching strategies. The cognitive processes underpinning creativity and imagination – such as divergent thinking, mind-wandering, and creative incubation – are examined as potential strengths often underutilized in traditional classrooms. A comprehensive literature review establishes how these variables interact and influence the learning experiences of students with ADHD. A comprehensive literature review provides the foundation for the development of interdisciplinary lesson plans targeted at second-grade students. These lessons are informed by and include ADHD-specific supports, differentiation strategies, and opportunities for imaginative and creative thinking. This project concludes with implications for educators, emphasizing the importance of creative pedagogy in fostering success among neurodiverse learners and outlining future directions for piloting and evaluating these classroom strategies

Stop Suffering for Your Art

What does the process look like for an actor to disconnect from a circumstance that they take on during the course of a rehearsal or performance? And how does this disconnection process affect the actor’s mental, physical, and emotional health? This project consists of interviews of CSU student actors about their personal experiences in letting go of imaginary circumstances immediately following a performance, rehearsal, or actor’s exercise. The purpose of this project is to determine whether or not actor’s training provides sufficient tools for an actor to disconnect. Interviewees detailed their own personal methods, as well as whether or not they think their coping mechanisms are successful in helping them let go. During the course of the interviews, it was discovered that many actors also struggle with releasing internal or external pressures put on themselves. In fact, some participants stated that they struggled with this more than letting go of circumstances. Overall, it was determined that the training provided at CSU has both strengths and weaknesses when it comes to providing its students with sufficient tools and coping mechanisms to fully let go of imaginary circumstances

Attacking Diabetes One Day at a Time

The Attacking Diabetes One Day at a Time initiative targets the growing concern of public health, type 2 diabetes, among under-reserved communities. This comprehensive care program emphasizes the importance of prevention through education, improving lifestyles, and access to care. Based on insights from the Self-Care Management Theory, this initiative seeks to provide individuals with sound, culturally tailored strategies that reduce disease risk and help them manage healthy lifestyles. Major components include educational workshops, and resource navigation. The success of this program, from community engagement through evaluation on a phased implementation plan, is guaranteed. The expected outcomes of this work will be improved health literacy, adopted healthier behaviors, and a measurable reduction in risk factors related to diabetes. The evaluation framework assures accountability and supports ongoing improvements; a sustainability plan will secure the funding and integrate the same into the community. It henceforth aims to reduce the prevalence of T2DM, improve the quality of life, and enhance resilient and health-conscious communities by addressing systemic barriers in promoting health equity

Purification of Recombinant HIS6-GFP-Preptin Fusion Protiens

Preptin, 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

Social Media Strategy for the Continuing and Professional Education Program

Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) allows adults to pursue professional or personal development opportunities outside of a college degree. When it came to marketing these opportunities, CPE relied more on traditional marketing from a lack of digital marketing professionals, creating a weak social media presence. To help elevate their social media presence, a social media marketing strategy approach was utilized to improve CPE’s digital presence by setting objectives that focus on engagement, awareness, and as well as a campaign that focuses on the importance of continuing education. Data from research studies and professional articles specializing in digital marketing directed what types of strategies to use to boost social media. Using this approach increased audience interaction, views, follower growth, and content quality. This project aimed to increase followers, interactions, and awareness for CPE across three social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) between November 2024 to March 2025