Reflections of a Graduate Student 2013-2014 Academic Year

ABSTRACT The University of Northern Iowa Graduate Program Survey was used by the University of Northern Iowa to gain constructive feedback from graduate students at the time of commencement. The overall purpose of this study was to allow the university to see the social and academic experiences graduate students were wanting and achieving in their experience at the graduate level. This survey supplies the university with feedback to provide a better graduate experience for future students, if necessary, and informs the university with where graduate students are being placed in employment or taking advantage of other options after graduate. This survey focused on two main areas in the students’ lives: academic and social activity. Questions in this survey ranged from the preparation of the program for future goals to the overall satisfaction of the graduate program. This survey was given at the December and May commencement ceremonies, allowing the students to look back upon their time at the university before walking across the stage at commencement. For the 2013-2014 academic year, 282 graduate students completed the survey out of the 354 students who attended graduation, with a total response rate of 79.7%

Influx of Child Immigrants to the United States: Policy & Practice Implications

This qualitative study helps individuals to recognize what the United States and the state of Iowa are doing for the children coming from the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Through interviews, the research was able to identify what other resources are still needed in helping the children capture a better life

Graduate Student Senior Survey Report: Students’ Reflections of the UNI Graduate Program, 2012-2013 Academic

CONTENTS -- Abstract ••• iii-- Demographics ••• 1-- Principal Activity after Graduation ••• 2-- Location ••• 3-- Educational Plans ••• 4-- Participation of Scholarly & Academic Activities ••• 5-- Importance of Program ••• 6-- Satisfaction of Program ••• 7-- Preparation of Future Career Skills ••• 8-- Academic & Social Environment ••• 9-- Survey Highlights ••• 10-- Appendix ••• 1

University of Northern Iowa Graduate Program Survey 2017-2018

In 2017-2018, the Graduate Program Survey was administered by the University of Northern Iowa\u27s Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness using the online survey tool, Qualtrics. The purpose of the study was to gain feedback about the educational experiences of UNI graduates. The survey results help the university provide a better graduate experience for future students

Graduate Program Survey 2016-2017

The 2016-2017 Graduate Program Survey was administered by the University of Northern Iowa\u27s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness using the online survey tool, Qualtrics. The purpose of the study was for the university to gain feedback about the students\u27 graduate school experiences. The survey results help the university to provide a better graduate experience for future students

Dispositional mindfulness, gratitude and self-compassion: factors affecting tinnitus distress

Objective: Evidence is growing in support of the benefits of ‘positive’ psychology qualities such as self-compassion, mindfulness and gratitude in mitigating distress and disability related to various chronic health conditions. These qualities have not yet been explored in people with tinnitus. This study aimed to test whether dispositional mindfulness, gratitude and self-compassion are related to distress in a tinnitus sample. Design: This cross-sectional study involved the completion of a battery of online questionnaires. Study sample: A total of 159 participants with tinnitus completed questionnaires assessing tinnitus severity, psychological distress, negative thoughts, mindfulness, gratitude and self-compassion. Results: There were significant associations between each of the constructs, tinnitus severity and psychological distress. Multiple regressions found that all three positive qualities contributed to variance in psychological distress. Post hoc analysis revealed an indirect effect of the three positive qualities on tinnitus severity and psychological distress, mediated by thoughts about tinnitus. Conclusions: Dispositional mindfulness, gratitude and self-compassion may play a role in distress experienced by people with tinnitus. Future research could explore the contribution of these qualities to distress in a help-seeking sample and whether interventions that enhance these qualities might lead to better clinical outcomes

UNI Graduate Program Survey 2014-2015

The 2014-15 Graduate Program Survey was administered by the University of Northern Iowa to graduate students attending the fall and spring commencements during the 2014-15 academic year. The purpose of the study was to gain feedback about their respective graduate programs and the skills they obtained as graduate students at the University of Northern Iowa. The survey specifically focused on two main areas in the students\u27 lives, which included academic life and social activity. The survey results help the University to provide a better graduate experience for future graduate students. This survey was given prior to the commencement ceremonies, allowing students to think about their experience at the University of Northern Iowa. In December, Fall 2014 graduate students were given the survey before walking across stage. In May, Spring 2015 graduate students were e-mailed the survey, which allowed them to complete the survey within a two week period around graduation day. For the 2014-2015 academic year, 150 graduate students completed the survey out of the 354 students who attended graduation, with a total response rate of 42.4

Graduate Program Survey 2015-2016

CONTENTS -- Overview - Graduate College-- Graduate College: Degrees Awarded Summer 2015 - Spring 2016 ••• 1-- Number of Majors Awarded per College over 5 years ••• 4-- Graduate Program Survey-- Methodology ••• 5-- Response Rate ••• 6-- Principal Activity After Graduation ••• 8-- Activities Student Engaged in at UNI ••• 9-- Reasons for Going to Graduate School ••• 11-- Graduate Education Experience ••• 12-- Paying for a Graduate Education at UNI ••• 14-- Survey Form ••• Appendix

Influx of child immigrants to the United States: Policy & practice implications

Beginning in 2012, an influx of immigrant children from the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras arrived in the United States from their home countries searching for safety and security. As the federal government stepped in to help place the children throughout the states, the governor of Iowa made a stance refusing to provide funding to these children leaving non-profits and faith-based organizations to provide the necessary resources. This study examines the options, services, and resources the children have accessed or are capable of accessing after arriving in the United States. Through interviews with agencies, groups, and organizations in Iowa, participants offered information on the current services provided, as well as policy and practice recommendations at the state and federal levels on how to improve our current immigration processes. The results of this study help to advance social work practice and policy changes to ensure international protection, gain a stronger collaboration with the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, and create a plan for easier accessibility for visas or citizenships for the immigrant children and their families

Floristic inventory and quality assessment of Bessey Creek Nature Preserve, Cheboygan County, Michigan, 2011.

Field Biology of PlantsWetlands are habitats that provide critical ecosystem services. As transitional habitats between terrestrial and aquatic environments, wetlands contain plant communities that are typically species rich. One way to measure the composition of plant communities is to inventory the species and conduct a Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) of the species. Created by Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the FQA is a tool to evaluate areas that may be of floristic importance and calculate the diversity and species richness of a site. We conducted an FQA of the Bessey Creek Nature Preserve in Cheboygan County, MI, which is owned by the Little Traverse Conservancy (Harbor Springs, MI). The site is located at the mouth of Bessey Creek where it enters Douglas Lake. The preserve contains several plant communities located throughout four habitat zones: the roadside, the swamp, the littoral marsh, and the aquatic shoreline. Our sampling indentified a total of one hundred sixteen species in fifty-four families, with a mean coefficient of conservation of 4.44 for only native species, and 3.62 including introduced species. The preserve has wetlands index of -2.52, signifying that the preserve contains mostly facultative wetland species. Twenty species are considered exotic and are not native to the area. Based on the MDNR’s FQA equations, we calculated the Floristic Quality Index (FQI) of Bessey Creek to be 41.87 when considering only native species and 37.83 when including introduced species. Bessey Creek has a lower FQI than other preserves, ranking below Orchis Fen Preserve (FQI: 49.60) and Kalman Preserve (FQI: 61.70). However, Bessey Creek’s FQI value is above the current threshhold of 35 determined by the MDNR, and is thus considered floristically important to the state of Michigan.Little Traverse Conservancyhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89421/1/Dorey_VanDyke_Vogt_2011.pd