All Faculty Deposits

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/70873

The "All Faculty Deposits" collection contains works deposited by faculty and appointed delegates from the Elements (EFARs) system. For help with Elements, see Frequently Asked Questions on the Provost's website. In general, items can only be deposited if the item is a scholarly article that is covered by Virginia Tech's open access policy, or the item is openly licensed or in the public domain, or the item is permitted to be posted online under the journal/publisher policy, or the depositor owns the copyright. See Right to Deposit on the VTechWorks Help page. If you have questions email us at vtechworks@vt.edu.

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Leadership Strengths Escape Room [2025 Virginia 4-H Congress]
Kaufman, Eric K.; Oyedare, Israel (2025-06-26)
Leadership requires collective problem-solving, leveraging the potential of individuals’ strengths. This workshop will introduce participants to the strengths-based leadership framework and allow them to experience the concepts through an escape room activity. Participants must crack codes and solve puzzles to successfully access a lockbox of prizes. Get ready; the clock is ticking!
Mapping the complex causal mechanisms of drinking and driving behaviors among adolescents and young adults
Hosseinichimeh, Niyousha; MacDonald, Rod; Li, Kaigang; Fell, James C.; Haynie, Denise L.; Simons-Morton, Bruce; Banz, Barbara C.; Camenga, Deepa R.; Iannotti, Ronald J.; Curry, Leslie A.; Dziura, James; Mayes, Linda C.; Andersen, David F.; Vaca, Federico E. (Pergamon-Elsevier, 2022-03)
Background: The proportion of motor vehicle crash fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers declined substantially between 1982 and 1997, but progress stopped after 1997. The systemic complexity of alcohol-impaired driving contributes to the persistence of this problem. This study aims to identify and map key feedback mechanisms that affect alcohol-impaired driving among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. Methods: We apply the system dynamics approach to the problem of alcohol-impaired driving and bring a feedback perspective for understanding drivers and inhibitors of the problem. The causal loop diagram (i.e., map of dynamic hypotheses about the structure of the system producing observed behaviors over time) developed in this study is based on the output of two group model building sessions conducted with multidisciplinary subject-matter experts bolstered with extensive literature review. Results: The causal loop diagram depicts diverse influences on youth impaired driving including parents, peers, policies, law enforcement, and the alcohol industry. Embedded in these feedback loops are the physical flow of youth between the categories of abstainers, drinkers who do not drive after drinking, and drinkers who drive after drinking. We identify key inertial factors, discuss how delay and feedback processes affect observed behaviors over time, and suggest strategies to reduce youth impaired driving. Conclusion: This review presents the first causal loop diagram of alcohol-impaired driving among adolescents and it is a vital first step toward quantitative simulation modeling of the problem. Through continued research, this model could provide a powerful tool for understanding the systemic complexity of impaired driving among adolescents, and identifying effective prevention practices and policies to reduce youth impaired driving.
Trajectories and outcomes of adolescents that ride with an impaired driver/drive while impaired
Vaca, Federico E.; Li, Kaigang; Haynie, Denise L.; Gao, Xiang; Camenga, Deepa R.; Dziura, James; Banz, Barbara C.; Curry, Leslie A.; Mayes, Linda; Hosseinichimeh, Niyousha; MacDonald, Rod; Iannotti, Ronald J.; Simons-Morton, Bruce (Elsevier, 2022-03)
Introduction: For young drivers, independent transportation has been noted to offer them opportunities that can be beneficial as they enter early adulthood. However, those that choose to engage in riding with an impaired driver (RWI) and drive while impaired (DWI) over time can face negative consequences reducing such opportunities. This study examined the prospective association of identified longitudinal trajectory classes among adolescents that RWI and DWI with their later health, education, and employment in emerging adulthood. Methods: We analyzed all seven annual assessments (Waves, W1–W7) of the NEXT Generation Health Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study starting with 10th grade (2009–2010 school year). Using all seven waves, trajectory classes were identified by latent class analysis with RWI (last 12 months) and DWI (last 30 days) dichotomized as ≥ once = 1 vs. none = 0. Results: Four RWI trajectories and four DWI trajectories were identified: abstainer, escalator, decliner, and persister. For RWI and DWI trajectories respectively, 45.0% (N = 647) and 76.2% (N = 1657) were abstainers, 15.6% (N = 226) and 14.2% (N = 337) were escalators, 25.0% (N = 352) and 5.4% (N = 99) were decliners, and 14.4% (N = 197) and 3.8% (N = 83) persisters. RWI trajectories were associated with W7 health status (χ² = 13.20, p <.01) and education attainment (χ² = 18.37, p <.01). Adolescent RWI abstainers reported better later health status than RWI escalators, decliners, and persisters; and decliners reported less favorable later education attainment than abstainers, escalators, and persisters. DWI trajectories showed no association with health status, education attainment, or employment. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the importance of later health outcomes of adolescent RWI. The mixed findings point to the need for more detailed understanding of contextual and time-dependent trajectory outcomes among adolescents engaging in RWI and DWI.
What determines the success of states in reducing alcohol related crash fatalities? A longitudinal analysis of alcohol related crashes in the US from 1985 to 2019
Hosseinichimeh, Niyousha; Williams, Ross; MacDonald, Rod; Li, Kaigang; Vaca, Federico E. (Pergamon-Elsevier, 2022-09)
In the United States, nearly 28 people die in alcohol–related motor vehicle crashes every day (1 fatality every 52 min). Over decades, states have enacted multiple laws to reduce such fatalities. From 1982 to 2019, the proportion of drivers in fatal crashes with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.01 g/dl declined from 41% to 22%. States vary in terms of their success in reducing alcohol–related crash fatalities. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with changes in fatalities related to alcohol–impaired driving at the state level. We created a panel dataset of 50 states from 1985 to 2019 by merging different data sources and used fixed–effect linear regression models to analyze the data. Our two outcome variables were the ratio of drivers in fatal crashes with BAC ≥ 0.01 g/dl to those with BAC = 0.00, and the ratio of those with BAC ≥ 0.08 g/dl to those with BAC < 0.08 g/dl. Our independent variables included four laws (0.08 g/dl BAC per se law, administrative license revocation law, minimum legal drinking age law, and zero tolerance law), number of arrests due to impaired driving, alcohol consumption per capita, unemployment rate, and vehicle miles traveled. We found that the 0.08 g/dl per se law was significantly associated with lower alcohol–related crash fatalities while alcohol consumption per capita was significantly and positively associated with crash–related fatalities. Arrests due to driving under the influence (DUI) and crash fatalities were nonlinearly correlated. In addition, interaction of DUI arrests and two laws (0.08 g/dl BAC per se law, and zero tolerance) were significantly associated with lower crash–related fatalities. Our findings suggest that states which have more restrictive laws and enforce them are more likely to significantly reduce alcohol–related crash fatalities.
From text to map: a system dynamics bot for constructing causal loop diagrams
Hosseinichimeh, Niyousha; Majumdar, Aritra; Williams, Ross; Ghaffarzadegan, Navid (Wiley, 2024-07)
We introduce and test the System Dynamics Bot, a computer program leveraging a large language model to automate the creation of causal loop diagrams from textual data. To evaluate its performance, we ensembled two distinct databases. The first dataset includes 20 causal loop diagrams and associated texts sourced from the system dynamics literature. The second dataset comprises responses from 30 participants to a vignette, along with causal loop diagrams coded by three system dynamics modelers. The bot uses textual data and successfully identifies approximately 60% of the links between variables and feedback loops in both datasets. This article outlines our approach, provides examples, and presents evaluation results. We discuss encountered challenges and implemented solutions in developing the System Dynamics Bot. The bot can facilitate extracting mental models from textual data and improve model-building processes. Moreover, the two datasets can serve as a test-bed for similar programs.
Understanding Narratives of Trauma on Social Media
Saxena, Mansi; Garg, Vaibhav; Ray, Bhaskar; Mishra, Aura; Singh, Munindar (ACM, 2025-05-20)
Background: Victims of domestic and sexual violence often share their narratives on social media. Doing so helps them access validation, solidarity, and support from external sources, which has been shown to enhance resilience and facilitate healing. Problem Statement: We address two aspects of such narratives of trauma: (1) identifying causal relationships between narrative elements and (2) analyzing the effect of such elements on social support received. Method: We retrieved 5561 such narratives from Reddit, a popular online platform. We applied Large Language Models to extract features from these narratives and analyzed them computationally. Findings: Our analysis reveals that prolonged abuse increases selfblame and reduces the intent to seek legal advice; the presence of support increases the likelihood of a victim adopting coping strategies; night-time abuse and intoxication are strongly associated with higher rates of violence; victims experiencing nightmares are more likely to provide detailed descriptions of their abusers; suffering economic and familial abuse increases the support received online. Our research thus corroborates leading psychological theories of narrative, social support, and resilience in online stories and contributes to understanding trauma narratives. In this way, our research can facilitate enhanced social support for victims.
The wisdom of the scammed: redefining older fraud victim support by utilizing the ecological systems framework
Parti, Katalin; Jan, Faika; Teaster, Pamela B. (Springer Nature, 2025-06-25)
Cyber victimization targeting vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, has become increasingly prevalent in the digital age. Grounded in the Bioecological Systems Framework (Bronfenbrenner in The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1979), this research explores the factors contributing to victimization, including the ease of exploitation, the situational factors setting up victims for scams, their vulnerabilities, the dynamics within their environments, and the challenges victims face in recognizing scams. Using semi-structured interviews, we asked scam victims (n = 19) aged 60 years and above about their personal and structural circumstances as well as their individual assessment of the impact of their being victimized. Despite high levels of education and computer literacy among our sample, their victimization occurred far too frequently, which prompts a call for the revision of existing approaches toward helping older adults overcome scam victimization.
Boosting Workforce Readiness: Employability Skills Through Digital Learning Badges
Coartney, Jama S.; Kaufman, Eric K.; Westfall-Rudd, Donna M.; Seibel, Megan M.; Friedel, Curtis R.; White, Amy; Carmichael, Celeste (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), 2025-06-03)
In an evolving agricultural industry, students must be equipped with critical professional and employability skills to thrive in the modern workforce. The Agriculture Workforce Training for Collaborative Leadership (AWT4CL) project has developed a suite of digital learning badges to help students build competencies in these essential areas. The badges are grounded in research from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), which identified 11 key employability skills with significant gaps in workforce readiness. By earning badges such as “Communicate Effectively,” “Analyze Problems,” and “Navigate Change and Ambiguity,” learners are better positioned to meet employer expectations. Each badge requires learners to meet specific learning outcomes through practical application and reflection. The two-part learning modules involve both an interactive activity and a written reflection. The modules are flexible, allowing instructors to adjust specific activities to meet the needs of their course or program while upholding the core badge objectives. Early adopters of the AWT4CL badging system have noted that digital learning badges can help students recognize the value of life experiences. One faculty member noted the gamification used in combination with reflective practice helps students look for real-life experiences that exemplify what they are learning in the classroom. The idea of bridging experiences and acknowledging the reflections with a badge helps students gain confidence, build competence, and recognize workforce skills development. This conference presentation will introduce attendees to these digital learning badges, designed to promote critical skills such as communication, decision-making, leadership, and professionalism. The presentation will address how instructors can integrate these badges into curricula using game-based learning approaches to foster student engagement and skill development. Educators can adopt this freely available tool to improve student workforce readiness, increasing their awareness of professional competencies critical to success in agricultural careers.
Engaging Stakeholders Through Inquiry, Story, & Presence [DSPG 2025]
Kaufman, Eric K. (2025-06-23)
Workshop for summer interns with Virginia Tech's Data Science for the Public Good Program.
Pocahontas, VA: Conceptual Redevelopment Plan for the Fuel Building
Vandyke, Kiera (Community Design Assistance Center, 2025-05-30)
Pocahontas, Virginia, once a thriving center of coal mining in Tazewell County, is today a community deeply engaged in preserving its rich history. This report summarizes the conceptual vision for the revitalization of the historic Fuel Building, a notable structure within the Pocahontas Historic District. Located near the heart of Pocahontas, the Fuel Building was once part of the bustling industrial infrastructure that powered the town’s mining operations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though no longer in active use, the building stands as a testament to the town’s legacy as the first coalfield town in Virginia, and as a symbol of the ingenuity and resilience that defined the region’s workforce and way of life. Spearheading efforts to preserve and reinterpret Pocahontas’ historical assets is Historical Pocahontas Incorporated (HPI), a dedicated community group that has long advocated for the conservation of the town’s architectural and cultural heritage. Their continued leadership and collaboration with local and state partners have been crucial in shaping the vision for the Fuel Building and other significant structures in the area. This report outlines Pocahontas’ historic significance, the background of the Fuel Building, and the collaborative planning process underway to develop a meaningful and sustainable future for this site—one that respects the town’s coal mining roots while creating new opportunities for education, tourism, and community engagement.
Pocahontas, VA: Conceptual Redevelopment Plan for the Fuel Building: Executive Summary
Vandyke, Kiera (Community Design Assistance Center, 2025-05-30)
Pocahontas, Virginia, once a thriving center of coal mining in Tazewell County, is today a community deeply engaged in preserving its rich history. This report summarizes the conceptual vision for the revitalization of the historic Fuel Building, a notable structure within the Pocahontas Historic District. Located near the heart of Pocahontas, the Fuel Building was once part of the bustling industrial infrastructure that powered the town’s mining operations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though no longer in active use, the building stands as a testament to the town’s legacy as the first coalfield town in Virginia, and as a symbol of the ingenuity and resilience that defined the region’s workforce and way of life. Spearheading efforts to preserve and reinterpret Pocahontas’ historical assets is Historical Pocahontas Incorporated (HPI), a dedicated community group that has long advocated for the conservation of the town’s architectural and cultural heritage. Their continued leadership and collaboration with local and state partners have been crucial in shaping the vision for the Fuel Building and other significant structures in the area. This report outlines Pocahontas’ historic significance, the background of the Fuel Building, and the collaborative planning process underway to develop a meaningful and sustainable future for this site—one that respects the town’s coal mining roots while creating new opportunities for education, tourism, and community engagement.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: A Comprehensive Discussion for Physician Leaders and Executives
Carpenter, Robert G.; Sood, Nikhil; Slonim, Anthony D. (American Association for Physician Leadership, 2025-08-01)
Fifteen years after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), initiatives like Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) aim to enhance health outcomes by emphasizing preventive care, identifying risk factors, and promoting personalized prevention strategies. AWV completion rates remain below 30%, limiting its overall impact; still, studies show that AWVs contribute to improved care utilization, chronic disease management, and better patient outcomes. For physician leaders and healthcare executives, optimizing AWV implementation can enhance patient care and organizational performance. Provider education, workflow integration, patient engagement, and team-based care can improve AWV completion rates. Ensuring proper documentation is essential for reimbursement. By strategically leveraging the AWV, healthcare organizations can improve patient participation and clinical outcomes while reducing costs and strengthening financial sustainability. Physician leaders play a critical role in fostering adoption and maximizing the benefits of this under utilized yet impactful initiative.
Investigating the Perceived Link Between Intercultural Mentoring and Cultural Competence Among Graduate Students and Faculty
Adebayo, Bolanle; Sunderman, Hannah M. (Wiley, 2025-06)
Intercultural mentoring relationships, which are increasing in higher education, require cultural competence to be effective and successful. Therefore, the current study focused on perceptions of cultural competence and intercultural mentoring effectiveness among graduate students and faculty in departments of Agricultural Leadership, Communication, Education, and Extension (ALCEE) and leadership educators in the United States. Using an online survey, 32 participants shared their perceptions of mentoring effectiveness and cultural competence. The findings from the thematic analysis revealed a perception of intercultural mentoring as aiding the development of cultural competence by providing an experiential learning platform where participants learned intercultural relationship skills (e.g., how to deal with cultural differences). In addition, lessons learned through intercultural mentoring were perceived as transferable to other intercultural relationships. Our findings inform specific recommendations for intercultural mentoring training.
Crops and rising atmospheric CO₂: friends or foes?
Ainsworth, Elizabeth A.; Sanz-Saez, Alvaro; Leisner, Courtney P. (Royal Society, 2025-05-29)
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO 2]) is a ubiquitous global change with direct and indirect impacts on crops. The increase in atmospheric [CO 2] since the industrial revolution has stimulated photosynthesis in crops and reduced stomatal conductance and canopy transpiration. These physiological changes result in a "CO 2 fertilization effect"contributing to greater crop yields. However, CO 2 is a greenhouse gas and has been the major contributor to increased radiative forcing and warmer global temperatures, resulting in more extreme weather events, with negative consequences for crop production. While the benefits of rising [CO 2] have stimulated productivity to date, they may soon be outweighed by the challenges of rising temperatures and altered precipitation on plant productivity. Rising atmospheric [CO 2] also reduces the nutritional value of crops, reducing protein content and the concentration of key micronutrients. Distinct physiological mechanisms contribute to changes in crop nutritional value at elevated [CO 2], but there is potential to harness genetic diversity in nutrient content and for biofortification to counteract the negative impacts of rising [CO 2] on crop quality. Crop improvement strategies that both adapt crops to future environments and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of agriculture are critical to ensuring future agricultural and nutritional sustainability. This article is part of the theme issue 'Crops under stress: can we mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture and launch the 'Resilience Revolution'?'.
Underlands(capes) in the Anthropocene
Rosier, Shaun (2025-06-10)
Invited lecture hosted by Victoria University of Wellington's School of Architecture and the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects.
New Occurrence Records for the Southern Plains Bumblebee, Bombus fraternus Smith, 1854 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae), in Virginia
Weber, Jennifer M.; Emrick, Verl R. III; Coates, T. Adam (Virginia Natural History Society, 2025-03-06)
The Southern Plains Bumblebee (Bombus fraternus Smith, 1854) is a bumblebee species that commonly occurs in grassland and open habitats in the Southeastern and Great Plains regions of the United States. The species is thought to be in decline due to habitat loss/alteration, widespread pesticide use, and other factors. This bumblebee species was originally assumed to be restricted to the southeastern portion of Virginia in recent times, though historically was found along the eastern coast of the United States. Here we report the collections of individuals from two locations with no previous records of the species with descriptions of the characters used to identify the specimens.
Sustainable Horizons: Navigating ESG Reporting Challenges in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
Bernard Simpson, Shaniel; Singal, Manisha; Dias, Alvaro; Ho, Jo Ann; Zizka, Laura (2025-06-06)
A review of ESG reports shows that firms in the hospitality industry often take an external, fragmented approach to ESG reporting, failing to consider the sector’s diverse stakeholder groups and unique operational challenges. Integrating stakeholder salience theory and sustaina-bility materiality framework, we examine the current ESG issues reported by hospitality firms to offer preliminary directions for ESG reporting. Based on a sequential mixed-methods design in two phases, we analyzed 140 ESG reports and followed up with open-ended questionnaires and structured interviews with ESG experts. Our findings reveal clear variations in ESG priorities across hospitality subsectors: hotels focus predominantly on employee welfare and inclusion, restaurants emphasize food waste and supply chain engagement, while casinos highlight governance and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, we identified key challenges firms face in aligning ESG reporting with stakeholder expectations. This study offers theoretical and practical implications to improve ESG communication and accountability in the hospitality industry.
Forming a Pod: A Naval Architecture, Marine and Ocean Engineering Librarian Community of Practice
Barbrow, Sarah; Durkin Ruth, Kelly; Janssen, Amber; Mayberry, Christina; Over, Sarah; Parker, Sarah (American Society for Engineering Education, 2025-06-22)
Naval Architecture, Marine, and Ocean Engineering (NAMOE) programs are unique in that they are specialized, interdisciplinary, and uncommon at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a result, librarians or subject specialists who liaise with these areas can encounter a lack of resources and knowledge to support the students and faculty in these programs. A group of librarians who have NAMOE programs as part of their institutions recently started a dedicated group, combining elements of communities of practice and peer group mentoring to discuss how best to support these programs and each other as professionals with varying experience in this subject area. Plans include the development of a resource similar to chapters in Osif’s Using the Engineering Literature, a crucial source for librarians supporting engineering disciplines that lists a comprehensive, discipline-specific suite of key resources, and enhancing discovery of OER in NAMOE. In this work-in-progress article, in addition to sketching out some of the resources we plan to create and share, we will discuss the formation of this group and reflect on how it has impacted our work. By combining our efforts, we will enhance teaching and research for NAMOE programs, deepen our expertise in NAMOE library services, and present a framework for other specialized librarian communities to follow.
Collaborations Beyond the Library: Bibliometric Analyses to Support Engineering Research, Innovation and Diversity
Over, Sarah; Stovall, Connie (American Society for Engineering Education, 2023-06-25)
A new library department was formed to focus on growing university research impact and delivering data-driven research intelligence. The department collaborates with multiple units across campus, including with the College of Engineering via the department’s Engineering Collections and Research Analyst. All collaborations stem from the need for data-driven decisions for determining inter- and intra-institutional strengths and for discovering potential and existing research partnerships. This paper focuses on key collaborations with campus partners relevant to engineering research, innovation, and diversity efforts at Virginia Tech, providing processes and examples in each area. Examples include: an analysis of institutional degree data to determine competency related to the CHIPS and Science Act; prospective aerospace company collaborations; and research alignment analysis with HBCUs and other minority serving institutions. Each example covers tools, alternatives, and processes used to generate these analyses with end products presented to collaborators. Overall, the collaborations have been successful and are growing, which prompted the need for a new department, with wide support within the library and across campus.
Libraries’ Role in Enabling New Engineering Research Investments: Working with Campus Research Administration Units
Over, Sarah; Comer, C. Cozette; Stovall, Connie; Wang, Jiren; Hoch, Jackson; Mazure, Emily S.; Miles, Rachel A. (2025-06)
The role of libraries in academia is ever evolving with opportunities to influence research decisions at the highest level. University Libraries at Virginia Tech for multiple years now has been asked to support cutting-edge research investments with the goal of helping to galvanize complex, cross-disciplinary, and highly impactful research for years to come. With access to a variety of databases, software, and specialized experts, libraries can support and inform these research investments via discovery and analysis of: future and/or retrospective funding, research gaps and/or trends, market and industry trends, graduate programs, and more. At Virginia Tech, these research investments (Destination Areas) from the Office of Research involve engineering each year, covering areas such as AI, medical materials, and quantum navigation. This publication will present case studies (analyses and processes) for other librarians and/or research units to consider, leveraging the expertise of information sciences and academic libraries. The University Libraries, Virginia Tech have not only succeeded in this work, but enabled greater discovery of our talents and skills as research partners for the whole institution.

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