Fall Colloquium 2025

Dr. Heather Bjornberg 

Aspen University

School of Education

9:00 am PST

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"The Efficacy Effect: A California Case Study on Principal Self-Efficacy and Leadership Practices"

Leading a K-12 organization effectively is challenging, as leaders encounter many situations requiring immediate and effective resolution. Principals must possess self-efficacy and be able to implement effective leadership practices to meet the demands of the job. K-12 Principals, however, are leaving the profession at an exponential rate due to reasons such as burnout and self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of principals’ perceptions of self-efficacy and the implications of obtaining schoolwide outcomes based on two research questions: 1) According to principals’ perceptions, what best practices inform self-efficacy, and 2) How does principal self-efficacy support school culture? Five themes emerged: opportunities for leadership, passion, emotional intelligence, building relationships, and collaboration that have implications for educational leaders.

Dr. Courtney Grant & Dr. Lynn Johnson 

Aspen University

School of Education

11:00 am PST

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"An Overview of Barriers in County Corrections Impacting Access to Healthcare: Perspectives from Uniform & Non-Uniform Correctional Staff "

This research study was conducted in a county correctional jurisdiction comprising adult males, females and youthful offenders under the age of eighteen in Pennsylvania. The focus was on the exploration of perceptions of barriers encountered by uniform and non-uniform staff in administrative operations hindering performance of duties therefore hindering access to healthcare delivery to incarcerated populations. Ascertained where the dynamics of the distinct roles within the sample population were identified from the purpose of correctional culture. Two research questions were posed 1) What are the perceptions of administrative barriers that hinder work responsibilities within the correctional environment for correctional and healthcare staff daily? 2) What aspects of correctional culture based upon the correctional staff perceptions uniform and non-uniform that affect health outcomes for IP’s daily? Major themes identified were safety and communication – both vital to the operations within correctional environments for seamless outcomes for both uniform and non-uniform correctional staff. 

Dr. Christina Sword 

Aspen University

School of Nursing

1:00 pm  PST

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"Chronic Low Back Pain - The Epidemic"

This project aimed to explore the impact of utilization of physical therapy in patients with chronic low back pain and the impact of education of evidence-based practice. The statistically significant improvement of STarT Back Screening tool scores supports the use of physical therapy in treatment of chronic low back pain as a first line treatment or an adjunct therapy. This study highlights the reluctance of primary care providers to utilize physical therapy as a primary or adjunct intervention in treating patients with chronic low back pain in the primary care setting despite current supporting evidence, which challenges current practice. It also supports the shift of opiate monotherapy to utilizing a multidisciplinary care team, decreasing over-imaging, and promoting active lifestyles to seek a more sustainable treatment of chronic low back pain. Finally, it highlights the value of education of evidence-based practice to providers as well as promoting an interactive care environment that implores patients to take an active role in medical decision making and care planning.

CANCELLED

Dr. Jan Ina Gonzales

Aspen University

School of Nursing

11:00 am  PST - CANCELLED

"Implementation of an Evidence-based Patient Discharge Tool to Reduce 30-Day Readmission Rates Within a Substance Abuse Recovery Center"

Dr. Candace L. Oliver

Aspen University

School of Education

1:00 pm  PST

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"Implementing Social Media as a Formal Learning Tool to Increase Student Engagement:"

The purpose of this study was to investigate if social media could be positively integrated into the secondary learning environment as a learning tool. In doing so, it also sought to explore if the employment of social media as a learning tool would increase student engagement in secondary English classes. The results of this study suggest that there are three overarching themes that addressed the research questions: (a) implementing social media in the learning environment was positive (b) social media pushed students to want to participate more, and (c) participants would like to see social media utilized in their other classes. This study's results suggested that social media can not only be useful as a relevant academic learning tool, but it can also be utilized to push engagement in the secondary education setting.

Dr. Shubhi Shukla

Aspen University

School of Education

1:00 pm  PST

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"How Emerging Technology Is Shaping The Future of Executive Presence"

This session will share actionable strategies to enhance virtual presence through voice, body language, and digital etiquette. Learn how to build authentic connections, maintain credibility, and foster meaningful relationships in remote environments. Whether you lead teams, present to clients, or influence stakeholders, this talk will help you show up with impact—on any screen. Gain knowledge on how to project confidence, credibility, and clarity in virtual settings, teach techniques to improve non-verbal communication and digital body language, provide strategies to foster authentic relationships in remote or hybrid work environments, increase awareness of habits that weaken executive presence online—and how to avoid them, and empower professionals to lead, influence, and engage effectively through virtual platforms.

Dr. Jane Ali

Aspen University

School of Education

1:00 pm  PST

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"Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Academia "

The rapid and persistent evolution of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) is significantly transforming higher education, particularly within graduate studies. To be future-ready with AI integration, there is a strategic direction to incorporate action learning, indigenization, and career development. All four pillars create a foundation for curriculum and program growth. This study explores the design, implementation, and assessment of these pillars to support globally connected, culturally responsive, and andragogical innovative learning environments. It further examines how artificial intelligence is being embedded not only in curricula and student experiences but also in educational policy, leadership, management, and administration. Findings reveal both the transformative potential and the practical complexities of aligning these pillars of innovation with graduate studies goals across all levels of institutional governance. Day 3- Wednesday

October 15, 20

Dr. Anjana Roy

Aspen University

School of Nursing

11:00 am  PST

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"Preventing Interruptions Improve Adherence to on-time Medication Administration"

Medication errors in hospitals are common global issues. The errors could happen in all phases of the medication management procedure. Most frequent errors were noticed during the medication administration including Wrong-time medication administration errors (WTMAE). Wrong-time medication errors are defined as administering medication outside the prescribed time. The events pose significant challenges by impacting overall healthcare outcomes. The purpose of this project is to implement the “No Interruption Sign” (NIS) to reduce the rate of WTMAEs and improve adherence to on-time medication administration. No-Interruption Sign was very helpful in improving adherence to on-time medication administration and improving staff awareness about WTMAEs. ay 3- Wednesday

October 15, 202

Dr. Olajumoke Esan

Aspen University

School of Nursing

1:00 pm  PST

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"Implementation of an Evidence-based Smoking Cessation Program to Reduce the Incidence of Smoking among Adults"

Smoking presents serious public health challenges as it is one of the world's leading preventable causes of disease and death. Despite previous smoking cessation methods that have been employed, some individuals still find it challenging to quit, which emphasizes the need for more potent, scientifically supported interventions. The goal of this project was to lower adult smoking rates by utilizing an evidence-based smoking cessation program (SCP). The SCP used the Courage to Quit curriculum of the Respiratory Health Association, which offers an organized method for changing behavior, based on the transtheoretical model and cognitive behavioral theory. Every participant successfully quit smoking by the end of the program. This project demonstrates that combining evidence-based practices and theoretical frameworks can reduce adult smoking rates. The findings highlight the significance of group support and structured interventions.aSmoking presents serious public health challenges as it is one of the world's leading preventable causes of disease and death. Despite previous smoking cessation methods that have been employed, some individuals still find it challenging to quit, which emphasizes the need for more potent, scientifically supported interventions. The goal of this project was to lower adult smoking rates by utilizing an evidence-based smoking cessation program (SCP). The SCP used the Courage to Quit curriculum of the Respiratory Health Association, which offers an organized method for changing behavior, based on the transtheoretical model and cognitive behavioral theory. Every participant successfully quit smoking by the end of the program. This project demonstrates that combining evidence-baseframeworks can reduce adult smoking rates. The findings highlightsignificance of group support structured interventions.y 3- Wednes15, 202