Empowering Student Employees via Guerilla-Style Usability Testing

We needed to capture data from our students about our website while empowering our student assistants with additional growth opportunities. We wanted to make it known that we value their insight and recognize them as key contributors. We were inspired to conduct – guerilla-style usability testing (on the spot, quick questions) as an innovative approach to how we gather information. During this lightning talk, we will discuss why the usability testing project was initiated, each phase of the project – from planning to implementation, and how students played a crucial role. Finally, we’ll discuss the next steps in the project. We’ll also present the changes we applied based on student response through this multi-year-long project

Building An AI Week: An Ideation Session for Large-Scale AI Programming and Outreach

Based on our experiences launching a library-led, weeklong slate of AI-related programming that appealed to all audiences across the university, we will present a blueprint for how to launch a similar large-scale event at your institution. We will discuss the entire process, including submitting a proposal and budgeting, soliciting partnerships across the university, selecting targeted programs for students, faculty, staff, and the larger community, and assessing the event after it has concluded

Life history inhibits deleterious effects of dams on genetic health and structure of a headwater stream fish

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and land use changes in river networks are common globally. The resulting fragmentation of landscapes and riverscapes threatens biodiversity and can affect dispersal and subsequently, gene flow and genetic health of species. Headwater streams are an integral part of river networks and contribute to biodiversity by providing habitat for temporary and permanent residents, yet they are easily altered and fragmented. The sandhills chub (Semotilus lumbee) is an endemic headwater leuciscid that lives in highly fragmented streams of the sandhills ecoregion in North and South Carolina, USA. New knowledge on the population genetics of the sandhills chub is available, and anthropogenic dams that may limit gene flow, reduce genetic diversity, and threaten their long-term species viability are pervasive throughout their geographic distribution. Therefore, I used a newly-generated genetic dataset utilizing 23 microsatellite loci to investigate the relationships between dam distributions and sandhills chub genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and inbreeding rates. Genetic samples were collected from 887 sandhills chubs across 30 sites, spanning the geographic distribution of the species. I used spatial analyses to quantify distances between sites, the number of dams between sites, upstream drainage areas (km2), cumulative free-flowing stream length connected to a site (km), and the number of dams upstream and downstream of sites. Bayesian linear models were used to investigate the relationship between pairwise FST, distance between sites, and the number of dams between sites. Additionally, I used Bayesian linear mixed models to investigate relationships between metrics of genetic health (i.e., HE, NA, G-W, and FIS), with upstream drainage area, length of free-flowing stream connected to a site, and the number of dams upstream and downstream from a site. Pairwise FST values ranged from 0.014 to 0.425 and unrelated to the number of dams between sites. Instead, genetic differentiation was related to whether sites were within the same sub-watershed. Genetic diversity was moderate at most sites (mean HE = 0.446), and unrelated to dams or site attributes. There was evidence of a distribution-wide bottleneck observed across all sites which likely reflects geological events (stream capture/isolation) rather than anthropogenic fragmentation of streams over the last 150 years. This study provides a framework for assessing relationships between genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and fragmentation across riverscapes. Although fragmentation can have deleterious genetic effects on populations through reduction of effective population sizes, gene flow, and genetic variation, barriers may be irrelevant to the ecology of species that evolved in isolated habitats

The Chanticleer, 2025-03-27

The editorially independent student produced weekly newspaper of Coastal Carolina University.https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/chanticleer/1731/thumbnail.jp

Optimizing concrete strength: How nanomaterials and AI redefine mix design

Nanomaterials and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are typically used together in efforts to enhance the performance of concrete and mitigate the environmental impact of concrete construction. However, the complex interactions between nanomaterials, SCMs, and cement make concrete mix design a challenging, iterative, and labor-intensive process, often relying on trial-and-error experimentation. Machine learning (ML) offers an opportunity to better understand the influence of input parameters and to accelerate the optimization of mix designs through data-driven insights. This study proposes an open-source and easy-to-access framework, Canopy, to support the concrete research community in optimizing mix design. Using a dataset collected from the literature, detailed analyses were conducted using Ridge Regression (RR), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). Model performances were evaluated using metrics including Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), R-squared (R2), Normalized Mean Bias Error (NMBE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). XGB was identified as the most effective ML algorithm for predicting compressive strength among others in this study (R2=0.974). Furthermore, the framework incorporates post-analysis tools, such as Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), to provide interpretable insights into the importance of various input parameters. The findings highlight the critical role of nanomaterials, contributing 7.8 % to the overall improvement in compressive strength, underscoring their significance in concrete performance modification. By combining predictive modeling with interpretability, this framework aims to streamline the design process and reduce experimental workload. Beyond its technical contributions, this study emphasizes the broader impact of integrating machine learning into concrete research, paving the way for more sustainable, efficient, and data-driven approaches in the development of advanced construction materials. This article was published Open Access through the CCU Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund. The article was first published in Case Studies in Construction Materials: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e0483

Diversity-Specific Empowering Leadership: An Alternative Approach to Reducing Sex-Based Bias and Enabling Inclusivity

Achieving sex-based equity in organizational leadership roles has proven to be a \u27wicked\u27 problem with existing diversity initiatives providing minimal improvement. In this paper, we address this issue by considering a key inhibiter to women\u27s leadership advancement—biased perceptions of female leaders\u27 competence—and links to a climate for inclusion. In Study 1 (N = 236), we develop and validate a Diversity-Specific Empowering Leadership (DSEL) measure, and demonstrate its value in predicting perceptions of female leaders\u27 competence when compared to alternative leadership models (empowering leadership, transformational leadership, diversity-specific transformational leadership, transactional leadership, leader diversity-valuing behavior, and inclusive leadership). In Study 2 (N = 314), we introduce sex-based diversity beliefs as a moderator in the relationship between DSEL and perceptions of female leaders\u27 competence. In Study 3 (N = 313), we provide support for a mediated moderation model, with sex-based diversity beliefs moderating the effects of DSEL on perceptions of female leaders\u27 competence. In turn, this is associated with a climate for inclusion. DSEL is collaborative and developmentally focused, and our findings suggest it may attenuate sex-based biases in perceptions of leadership, especially for those who have been most resistant to change (i.e., individuals with negative sex-based diversity beliefs). Our research offers theory that can support ethical action by advancing DSEL as a promising \u27target-specific\u27 leadership model for creating less biased and more inclusive work environments for all. This article was published Open Access through the CCU Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund. The article was first published in Journal of Business Ethics: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-025-05973-

Framing the Future: A Community Health Analysis of the Pee Dee Region

This report presents a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of community health across South Carolina’s Pee Dee region, encompassing Florence, Darlington, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Marion, and Dillon Counties. Using tract-level data from CDC PLACES, the U.S. Census, and the National Provider Identifier registry, it assesses chronic health conditions, health behaviors, and social determinants of health. The analysis incorporates the South Carolina Healthy Communities Index (SCHCI) and a Suitability Analysis to identify the region’s most disadvantaged communities. The findings highlight persistent disparities, particularly in rural counties, where high rates of poverty, chronic disease, and unmet basic needs intersect with limited access to care. Despite relatively strong preventive service use in some areas, poor outcomes persist—underscoring the need for structural change and cross-sector solutions. This report provides actionable, equity-focused recommendations to guide healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers in addressing the root causes of health inequities and prioritizing the region’s most vulnerable populations

THE INFLUENCE OF SMARTPHONE USAGE ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, SENSE OF BELONGING, AND SELF-EFFICACY

Since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, U.S. postsecondary students\u27 smartphone usage has increased. Smartphone usage has become more embedded into campuses and affects the lives of students pursuing postsecondary education. This study sought to explore whether three specific measures of smartphone usage can predict students\u27 academic performance, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging. These measures included daily average screen time, daily average social screen time, and problematic smartphone usage. First-time freshman (FTF) participants (n = 154) were sampled from four institutions of higher education in the Southeastern region of the United States. This study followed a cross-sectional design to distribute a survey comprised of three instruments: the Problematic Smartphone Use and Technology Concern Measure (PSUM), the Sense of Social Fit Instrument (SSF), and self-efficacy items from the Academic Achievement and Motivation Survey (AAMS). Screen time, social screen time, and problematic smartphone usage were assessed as independent predictor variables, while controlling for participants\u27 demographic information (i.e., race, ethnicity, and sex). Data analysis was primarily conducted using multiple linear regression. This study found that daily average screen time and daily average social screen time significantly predict the academic performance for FTF. The premise of these outcomes was the exacerbation of screen time in postsecondary settings, academic and non-academic. The remainder of the statistical analyses were not significant. The findings highlighted the increased reliance on smartphone usage in postsecondary settings over the past 14 years, especially for Black students. This study was one of the first to examine the predictive influence of daily average social screen time on academic performance. Future research will need to be conducted concerning the influence of smartphone usage on merit scholarship maintenance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and sense of belonging. Based on the implications, this study concluded with five recommendations to best support students, parents/guardians, institutions, faculty, and staff

Activists on board: Shareholder activists and their influence on firm strategic change

The prevalence of shareholder activism has resulted in the placement of activist-appointed directors onto the boards of firms. Extant research on this phenomenon has taken a rational approach in examining how such directors bring about change but has not accounted for the behavioral implications associated with their placement on boards. Building on theory involving alignment and legitimacy at the team level, this paper adopts a behavioral approach in theorizing how the placement of activist shareholders themselves as directors onto the boards of firms brings about firm change. The study finds that such activists lead to less firm change. Further, it finds support for the effects of demographic similarity between such activists and incumbent directors in causing change. This article was published Open Access through the CCU Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund. The article was first published in Journal of General Management: https://doi.org/10.1177/0306307025133203

The Chanticleer, 2025-02-27

The editorially independent student produced weekly newspaper of Coastal Carolina University.https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/chanticleer/1732/thumbnail.jp