Many students and their families do not understand the impact of students’ involvement in gifted or advanced academics educational programs and their potentially positive effects and challenges. Nationally African American students are underrepresented in gifted and advanced academics courses in high schools; however, African American students and families often do not advocate for their inclusion in these educational pathways. A survey of literature supporting this study of voices of African American families concerning gifted and advanced academics participation focused on (1) the historical underpinnings for equity and excellence for African American and for gifted and advanced academics learners, (2) how the lack of an agreed upon definition of gifted and advanced academics by the professional field might contribute to the problem, and (3) how African American parents made educational decisions for and with their children, especially concerning college. Employing semi-structured interviews and a focus group, this qualitative case study examined how four students from each of three groups, gifted and talented, advanced academics, and neither, and a representative group of their parents perceived these programs and their children’s involvement in them within the framework provided by a single school district. African American families in this study asked for a partnership …

Online courses in higher education have a reputation for having a lower course completion or retention rate than face-to-face courses. Much of this reputation is based upon anecdotal evidence, is outdated, or is on a small scale, such as a comparison of individual courses or programs of instruction. A causal-comparative analysis was conducted among 11 large, high research public universities. The universities were compared to each other to determine if differences existed between online and face-to-face course completion; undergraduate and graduation online course completion was analyzed for differences as well. The findings suggested the magnitude of the differences between online and face-to-face completions rates was small or negligible. The area which showed a higher magnitude of difference was in the comparison between undergraduate and graduate online course completion; the practical significance could be worth considering for educational purposes.

Currently, the public has a strong sense of the need for environment protection and the use of sustainable, or “green,” design in buildings and other civil structures. Since green design elements and technologies are different from traditional design, they probably have impacts on the building environment, such as vibration, lighting, noise, temperature, relative humidity, and overall comfort. Determining these impacts of green design on building environments is the primary objective of this study. The Zero Energy Research (ZOE) laboratory, located at the University of North Texas Discovery Park, is analyzed as a case study. Because the ZOE lab is a building that combines various green design elements and energy efficient technologies, such as solar panels, a geothermal heating system, and wind turbines, it provides an ideal case to study. Through field measurements and a questionnaire survey of regular occupants of the ZOE lab, this thesis analyzed and reported: 1) whether green design elements changed the building’s ability to meet common building environmental standards, 2) whether green design elements assisted in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) scoring, and 3) whether green design elements decreased the subjective comfort level of the occupants.

Nutritional quality and availability is thought to regulate geographic patterns of variability in animal body size due to phenotypic plasticity. The purpose of this study is to determine how vegetation quality, abundance and population density influence white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) body size on a subregional spatial scale at Fort Hood, Texas. Harvest and census records are used to test the hypothesis that white-tailed deer exhibit phenotypic plasticity (e.g. larger body size) in response to differences in vegetation quality and availability. Results from these analyses suggest that forage quality and abundance alone is not a main driver of white-tailed deer body size. Analysis of deer population density (generally) resulted in an inverse relationship with body size. Areas with high quality forage and low population density support larger deer while areas with low quality forage and high density support smaller than average deer. The few exceptions occur in areas exhibiting poor quality forage and low population density or high forage quality and high density. Results from this study suggest that continued overcrowding of deer within isolated areas may eventually lead to efficiency phenotypic conditions producing smaller sized deer. These results could prove useful in interpreting deer population responses to harvest management. For …

Text of the keynote address delivered during the University of North Texas Lavender Graduation at the end of the Fall 2015 semester.

Recording of a presentation session at the 2015 Digital Frontiers Annual Conference. In this session, presenters discuss the creation of a geographic information system dedicated to the history of Houston, and how such a system can function as a way to make archival documents accessible.

Recording of a presentation session at the 2015 Digital Frontiers Annual Conference. In this session, the presenter discusses her project about the history of female Marines and military wives in the El Toro base through an app featuring oral histories.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. One of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence signs a paper on a clipboard. Her head's adorned with a white feather headdress and wears a robe bedazzled with colorful bling.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. A rainbow posters says "VOTE LOVE" and flags with the logo of the Human Rights Campaign are displayed throughout the crowd. There are also several signs from the National LGBTQ Task Force and the ACLU.

A smiling young man holds a poster while awaiting the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. The sign reads: Homosexual Agenda: 1) Spend Time with Family; 2) Be Treated Equally; 3) Buy Milk.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Flags with the logo of the Human Rights Campaign and ACLU are displayed, as well as a sign that reads, "ACLU, Just Say I do!"

News media wait outside the Supreme Court for a decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case. This photograph was taken a day before the decision was announced.

People await the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. A sign that says, “The Arc of History Bends Towards Justice” is displayed, and Rainbow flags are seen.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Purple signs that say "LGBTQ Freedom, Justice and Equality NOW!" and flags with the logo of the Human Rights Campaign and ACLU are prominently displayed throughout the crowd.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Flags with the logo of the Human Rights Campaign are prominently displayed, and in the background very large balloons that spell "Love" can be seen. A camera man from CBS films the action.

A young man holds a poster while awaiting the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. The sign reads: Homosexual Agenda: 1) Spend Time with Family; 2) Be Treated Equally; 3) Buy Milk.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Purple signs that say "LGBTQ Freedom, Justice and Equality NOW!" and flags with the logo of the Human Rights Campaign and ACLU are displayed. A woman wearing a black pantsuit and green blouse is being interviewed by a news crew in the foreground, over-sized balloons that spell "love" are in the background.

People await the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. A sign that says, “National LGBTQ Task Force” is seen as a man waves a Rainbow flag.

People await the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality.

People await the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. A photographer captures the crowds reaction as news of the decision spreads through the crowd.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Flags with the logo of the Human Rights Campaign are prominently displayed, and in the background very large balloons that spell "Love" can be seen.

Protesters await the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Visible are protest signs that say, "One Man, One Woman," "Marriage = a man + a woman," and "Save the Family." There's also a woman holding a sign for CWA, Concerned Women for America.

A large crowd awaits the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. Purple signs that say "LGBTQ Freedom, Justice and Equality NOW!" and the logo of the Human Rights Campaign are prominently displayed throughout the crowd.

People await the decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case that led to Marriage Equality. A rainbow flag and a sign from the National LGBTQ Task Force are visible.