Digital Commons Network^™

How Climate Change Is Altering Energy Finance And Governance In China And The United Arab Emirates, Hans Gebauer

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Climate change is an environmental problem with catastrophic ecological, economic, social, and political impacts. The dramatic scale of the problem has appropriately earned it the name of “climate crisis.” As a protracted crisis, climate change will dominate national and international agendas while transforming institutional politics. Conflicts within policy communities, new interest alignments, social pressure on governments, and ecological collapse could conceivably transform the norms and institutions through which economics, policy, and politics are conducted. Nowhere is this clearer than the energy sector, which is responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions and wherein massive institutional shifts are just beginning to occur. …

Jesuit Educational Principles And Student Managed Investment Funds, Mehmet F. Dicle

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Financial education is part of Jesuit higher education. One of the important parts of the finance curriculum is the student managed investment fund (SMIF). In this study we provide an example SMIF which is structured around Jesuit ideals. Ethics and social responsibility are at the core of the investment and payout processes. Our students consistently strive to outperform financial markets, pay scholarships from their profits, and address the needs of their community. They show solidarity with the greater student community by offering their knowledge, talents and efforts to earn profits to help those who are in need. They also show …

New Approaches For Teaching Advertising: Looking Through The Lens Of Social Justice To Affect Career Behaviors And Choices, Pamela K. Morris, Minjin (Mj) Rheu

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This exploratory study reviewed how a way of teaching advertising and strategic communication through the lens of social justice and as an active agent to impact society influenced student perspectives. Weaving together engaged scholarship and engagement of hope as a framework for investigation, an introductory advertising course was designed to incorporate social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Students were interviewed about their learnings, feelings, and career hopes and choices. Assignments and year end reflections were also examined for ideas of social justice and pedagogical approaches. Findings indicate students are knowledgeable of the power and influence of advertising and are …

How Refugees Can Be Integrated Into Development In Malawi Through An Entrepreneurship Approach, Desire Patience Iraguha

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The study examines the potential of entrepreneurship as a means to effectively integrate refugees into the economic and social development of Malawi. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporates interviews with refugees and key stakeholders, a survey of refugee entrepreneurs, and a comprehensive literature review on entrepreneurship and refugee integration. The findings underscore the transformative power of entrepreneurship in facilitating economic self-sufficiency for refugees and promoting their integration into the host community. The study identifies various challenges confronted by refugee entrepreneurs in Malawi, such as limited access to financial resources, language barriers, and legal obstacles to business establishment. To address …

The New Solar Kiosk Model: A Sustainable Solution To Address The Uptake And Access Of Renewable Technologies To Create Energy Kiosks That Improve Women’S Income In Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Kiryandongo District, Northern Uganda., Musiimenta Joy Kellen

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This thesis was carried out in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda to test a new model to improve access to clean energy technologies in the refugee settlement. The settlement hosts more than seventy-five thousand refugees, including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Bududa landslides in Eastern Uganda. The literature review shows the challenges faced in the humanitarian sector. The challenge is met in providing lighting and improved cooking technologies to all refugees in settlements and camps globally. The refugees tend to cut down trees in the surrounding forest, and the wood is used for firewood to cook …

Health And Technology: Online Platform To Facilitate Access To Care And Prevention For Chronic Non-Communicable Conditions In Rwanda, Arnaud Michel Nibaruta Mdp

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Rwanda is confronted with a growing problem of non-communicable diseases (NCD). It is important that people in Rwanda have access to effective prevention and treatment. This paper explores a program that would use a digital platform to facilitate access to information, services, and products that would help NCD at risk populations in Rwanda to access appropriate prevention and care. The program was developed based on the author’s experience in Rwanda’s healthcare industry, the information from review of literature as well as key informant interviews (NCD patients, advocates, and caregivers) and a survey with health professionals. The research conducted highlighted that …

A Uniquely Jesuit Approach To Engagement Through Social Media, Karl F. Kozlowski, Shawn M. O'Rourke

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Social media is a relevant and powerful instrument of communication in higher education, especially in the college age population. The use of social media in and out of the classroom on the college campus allows faculty to meet students where they are. Content shared by faculty on social media is a means to continue to educate our students and alumni outside of the classroom and build relationships regardless of geographic boundaries. Through the use of social media platforms, we can also continue to relay and demonstrate our Jesuit ideals. This engagement can help build a relationship between faculty and students …

Coach Bob Hurley Sr.: A Jesuit Educated Heroic Leader, Francis Petit

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to determine if Coach Bob Hurley Sr. (Coach Hurley) was a Heroic Leader. Coach Hurley was the long time Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City, New Jersey which closed in 2017. Coach Hurley was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. The methods of this research included a historical study of the life and career of Coach Hurley as was captured within the traditional media and academic literature. In addition, the methods of this research also included one-on-one phone interviews that Francis …

Jesuit Colleges Meet Market Forces: How Ought We To Respond?, Anamaria Conley, Aimee Wheaton

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Jesuit higher education is struggling to respond to changes in market conditions while maintaining its mission. Fiscal pressures arise from declining public support for higher education and increased competition. New technologies are enabling e-learning and distance learning environments, often in a for-profit context. Institutions of higher education are adapting to these external pressures in part by changing the work conditions of faculty. The challenge for Jesuit institutions is to ensure their response to the increasingly complex environment is consistent with Jesuit values. This paper focuses on the tensions caused by changing market conditions, faculty work conditions, and the Jesuit mission.

Understanding The Role Of Art Programming In Mitigating Social Exclusion As Experienced By People Experiencing Poverty, Emmalee Harper

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Inspired by her own work in the art programs in Denver’s own The Gathering Place, the author explores the role that art programs play in the lives of people experiencing poverty. This interdisciplinary thesis challenges our traditional notions of poverty-alleviation services that would construe art programming as a misappropriation of limited resources. The author explores social isolation and social exclusion in the lives of people experiencing poverty through the broad framework of intersectionality. Art programming is offered as one potential way we could navigate intersectional concerns of exclusion, and this programming is explored through the framework of Relational-Cultural Theory. Art …

A Digital Platform For College Students In The Ghanaian Rental Housing Market, Balchisu Adam Miss

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This paper reviewed the literature on rental housing market services in Ghana to provide the foundation in addressing the housing challenge in the country with specific reference to students. Affordability and availability of housing have been a major development challenge. However, search frictions in the rental housing market exacerbate the housing problem for college students in Ghana. The proposed project seeks to address the search friction in the rental housing market through a business start-up. The goal of the business project is to develop a digital platform that provides listing services for the Ghanaian rental housing market to reduce the …

One Country, Two Systems, Three Faces: Creighton’S Travel Course To Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, And Macau, Andy Gustafson, Keith Olson, John Wingender

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Jesuits have a long history in Southern China. In 1582 Matteo Ricci arrived in Macau as one of the first Jesuit missionaries to China, where he worked until his death in 1610, having gained a mastery of the Chinese language and the trust of the emperor. The Heider College of Business at Creighton University has offered a “Pearl River Delta” travel course to Southern China (where the Pearl River meets the ocean) since 2015. The class helps students understand cross cultural differences – especially in business practices – and to comprehend more clearly the role the cities of Hong Kong, …

The Bluebox Practicum: Integrating Technology, Culture, And Academic Service-Learning, Charles Braymen, Dustin Ormond

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Advancing education in marginalized communities has been more difficult compared to more privileged communities due to the lack of infrastructure, which in part results in an absence of educational materials. The BlueBox Project was created to minimize this divide by bringing a wealth of information to these communities. Using a small digital computer, faculty, staff, and students across many disciplines built the BlueBox, a stand-alone digital library which hosts an array of books, articles, educational games, and videos to inspire learning in a variety of subjects including science, technology, math, music, and literature. The BlueBox is powered by solar energy, …

Accelerated Internationalization In Born Globals: An Analysis Of Factors Influencing Their Rapid Internationalization, Leland G. Hoover

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Born Global (BG) firms are entrepreneurial ventures that internationalize at or near founding, overcoming the barriers that restrain most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from increased global trade. While research on SME barriers to internationalization is emerging, research on how BGs rapidly overcome these barriers remains under-explored. This study fills this void in the BG literature by analyzing factors influencing rapid internationalization. A survey was conducted of BGs and SMEs in the U.S. and U.K. This survey study found that BGs overcome information barriers more readily than other SMEs and a predictive factor is previous international experience. Additional research topics …

Contemporary Leadership Project, Santosh Guha

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Company XYZ has many challenging projects and initiatives for 2006 - 2007 as the company strives to meet the goals of operational excellence. Projects completed in 2005 indicate that 30 % of the projects failed. Cummings and Worley's (2005) Eight-Step Action Research Model will be applied to help identify the root causes for the 30 % project failures at the Company and develop an intervention that will reduce project failures. Further, the proposal would demonstrate a thorough literature review for the causes of project failures.

Learning To Co-Create The Solutions We Seek: The Art Of Hosting A Nonprofit Organization, Jeannel E. King

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The Art of Hosting is an emergent leadership model that compliments rapidly changing business needs and environments. This paper presents grounded theory on Art of Hosting components, including the Four Fold Invitation, Hobbit Tools, Five Diamonds of Participation, and Harvesting. An in-depth case study describes the use of Hosting architecture as the design for a nonprofit organization. While the Art of Hosting is effective for involving the community in discussions to co-create solutions to difficult problems, the practice does not easily facilitate a transition from discussion to action. As a framework for operating a nonprofit organization, further research is necessary …

A Drive Towards Technology Girls Incorporated Of Cny Action Research Project, Lauren J. Hardee

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

When the technological system of an organization is deficient, it systematically promotes those deficiencies throughout the organization. The technical infrastructure of Girls Inc. was outdated, not standardized, and operationally deficient and hampered normal business activity. Given its practical application (French, et al.), an Action Research methodology was employed to identify the issues and solve the technological problems facing the Girls Inc. CNY organization. The result of this action research project is a framework for a technological infrastructure that prepares the Girls Inc. organization for the future.

Just Community A Model Of Congregational Development Founded In Catholic Social Teaching, Lynn M. Campbell

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project identifies the benefits of integrating the Congregational Building Campaign with Catholic Social Teaching as a means of supporting the Catholic parish in responding to Second Vatican Council's call for social engagement on behalf of the parish. It includes a literature review of the necessity of lay leadership in the Catholic Church, the importance of understanding Catholic Social Teaching and parish social ministry, and the benefits of participation in community organizing. Data consists of a survey of parish participation in social ministry and case study summaries of participating churches in the Campaign. The author makes recommendations for a pilot …

Organizational Change Of Parking Systems At University Of Colorado Hospital, Sarah S. Kabat

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

During a move from the 9th Avenue campus to the new Fitzsimons campus, University of Colorado Hospital made improvements to the existing parking policies. The new parking policies were met with resistance and complaints by employees. This problem caused employee tardiness, lowered morale, and decreased job satisfaction. Data gathered through secondary data, questionnaires and group interviews provided information establishing the extent and nature of the resistance to the new parking policies. Validity was enhanced through multiple methods. Through action research, underlying reasons were investigated for these parking issues and the researcher proposed a collaborative strategy to improve the systems related …

Kidspeace New England Action Research: Quality Of Information Systems Customer Service, Tyler Frank

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

KidsPeace experienced symptoms that impacted the quality of IS customer service. Action research was an effective research model to investigate these symptoms. Information collected from questionnaires and secondary data showed available support material, availability, and reliability were the lowest rated categories while courteousness, willingness to help, and quality ranked highest. The collaborative team identified three main themes including unfamiliarity with existing help desk resources, the help desk potentially not meeting expected service levels, and KPNE employees preferring to contact local resources. An evaluation of the proposed interventions training, marketing and implementing a service level agreement, resulted in a recommendation to …

Improving The Quality Of The Documentation System In A Health Care Environment, Kenneth Ho

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

An effective documentation system in a managed care organization is complicated yet important in today's business environment. Being too busy taking care of patients, health care professionals often fall behind in paperwork and quality care provided. An action research model developed by Cummings and Worley (2001) was utilized to assess the organization's status. Data collection methods included survey questionnaires, group interviews, and secondary data. A collaborative team approach designed to reach a consensus decision was used in the evaluation, interpretation, and validation of the information collected. Three intervention methods relating to training and education, teamwork, and staff knowledge and skills …

Ethics Officers & Event Planning Using Project Management, Tania L. Ohrn

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project reveals process improvements for Integrated Diagnostic Center in Denver, Colorado. Through methods including, surveys, interviews, and observations program improvement will be achieved. This is a proposal to conduct action research.

Starting A School-Based Peer Mentoring Program For Douglas County Partners, Jessica Summers

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The school-based peer-mentoring program will address the need for youth to feel valued in their community, increase school attendance and teach social emotional skills. The high school seniors will be trained in EmoSmart Leadership curriculum and pass the knowledge on to middle school youth. Mentors will receive 30 hours of training before they meet with the middle school youth. They will meet once a week in a school setting for the entire school year. The mentoring will be on a one-to-one basis. This program will use best practices for program design. Both Mentor and mentee will benefit from their interactions. …

The Creation Of Organizational Learning Solutions In The Call Center At Direct Checks Through Action Research, Joel Lamoreaux

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Maximizing potential revenue and profitability performance continues to be a key objective for Direct Checks as the company's core product - personal checks - moves through the decline stage of the product life cycle; and, the department with the most potential to positively impact the financial performance will be the Call Center, as a majority of the company's orders are captured through this channel. This department, however, continues to struggle with the establishment of a culture where the learning and sharing of information is embedded into the operating norms and values of employees, specifically around how to best sell to …

Analysis Of Minority Student Recruiting Within The Denver Health Paramedic School, Mike Nugent

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Since its inception in 1999, the Denver Health Paramedic School has had central to its mission the successful recruitment of minority paramedic students. Thus far, the education program has failed to produce a student body representative of minority ratios found within the state of Colorado. An action research model was employed to study the myriad of issues affecting successful minority recruitment. Through data collection including training program surveys and minority paramedic graduate interviews, the causative factors for this recruitment failure were identified and data-driven intervention strategies to improve this situation were recommended. Following consultation and discussion between the research collaborative …

Student Retention For The School Of Professional Studies At Regis University, Levenia C. Schloegel

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Retention is a growing concern for the undergraduate adult program at Regis University. Action research, specifically the Pearce and Robinson action research model, was used to fully understand the issue and create solutions. The Spring 2004 new start cohort was analyzed to find reportable data. Feedback was taken from a member of the Student Success Team regarding the spring cohort, and staffs from three departments were interviewed. Collaboration is central to action research and the team that was developed helped interpret the data. This collaboration team then put together three recommendations. The final recommendation suggested for implementation is to make …

Striving For Sustainability: The Place Of Values And Beliefs In Delivering Sustainable Aid, Alan Pieratt

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

In spite of decades of western developmental aid and billions of dollars in resource transfers, the number of poor in the world remains at astonishingly high levels. This paper argues that in many cases poverty remains stubbornly rooted because of the moral values and spiritual beliefs of the poor. A review of developmental literature confirms that Western aid systematically ignores these causes of poverty and is often fragmentary and elitist in its delivery. The result is developmental activity that is ineffective. This paper argues that aid is more likely to be sustainable if local values and beliefs are taken into …

Community College Enrollment Action Research Project, Lawrence G. Struempf

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This action research was designed to identify causes and potential solutions for low enrollment in new technical programs at Laramie County Community College's (LCCC) Albany County Campus (ACC). Pearce and Robinson's (1989) action research model was used for this project. The collaborative team consisted of various faculty and staff members from LCCC. Questionnaires, interviews, and document collection were used to gather data required to complete this project. The data collected was then statistically analyzed, interpreted, and used to plan interventions. The changes were evaluated for effectiveness and it was proposed that LCCC should develop a marketing strategy which incorporates developing …

Using Action Research To Improve A College Admissions Process, Elizabeth Broughton

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

By using the Cummings and Worley action research model, a community college's admissions process is examined to discover ways of improving the process by increasing student understandability while yielding higher quality data for institutional decision making. Action research is the methodology chosen because the exact deterrents along with the best solutions are uncertain, and would be discovered collaboratively. As part of the research process, the college's history, mission, and outside influences are examined, as well as the components of quality data. The project's data gathering methods included student and staff questionnaires, observations, and secondary data. In response to the results, …

Overcoming A Deficit During A Time Of Change: Improving The Community Resource Center's Financial And Strategic Planning, F. Gabriel Guillaume

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The Community Resource Center (CRC) is a 25 year old nonprofit organization providing capacity building services to nonprofits throughout Colorado. Amidst a changing nonprofit sector, CRC has experienced a significant excess of expenses over revenue. The purpose of this paper is to understand why this financial decline has taken place and use an action research method to identify a series of possible solutions designed to strengthen CRC's organizational and financial management. Through analysis of data collected from CRC's staff, Board, and clients, recommendations have been developed. Improved pricing systems, improved financial awareness of the staff and Board, and a plan …