Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging The Divide Between Gen. X And Millennials, Floyd Miley

Black Issues Conference

The problems that plague the Black community are a multi-dimensional phenomenon deeply rooted in systemic racism. For 400 years, the Black experience in America has been one of subjugation, segregation, lynching, discrimination and racism. The historic Civil Rights Movement changed legislation, but it didn’t change racist attitudes or institutions.

During Donald Trump’s presidency, America has witnessed a resurgence of White supremacists’ attitudes, beliefs, values and practices towards people of color, especially Blacks. His administration supports the social, political, criminal justice and economic institutions that negatively affect the Black community. As a result, Blacks have the highest incarceration rate, poverty violence …

Identity Complexities Of African American First-Generation Students, Chandria L. Harris

Black Issues Conference

Identity Complexities of African American First-Generation Students

African American first generational students struggle with identifying who they are and how they are supposed to show up in their college communities socially and academically.

This session will guide attendees through the thought process of an African American First-Generational Students and solutions to assist them with persisting to graduation.

"The Power Of Self-Love, Antonio Jennings

Black Issues Conference

The Power of Self-Love

There is no community without YOU. It's time to unapologetically love yourself so that you can help re-unify the Black Community.

Throughout our time, we are going to clearly define self-love as it pertains to both the individual and how this important factor can unify the black community. While in the process of discovering a true sense of self-love, the first objective is to answer this fundamental question, "What type of person do I want to be?" From there I will equip those in attendance with the tools needed for them to discover self-love, maintain and …

Dating, Friendship, Courtship: Developing Healthy Relationships (Women Only), Reggie Jenkins

Black Issues Conference

"Dating, Friendship, Courtship: Developing Healthy Relationships" is a powerpoint presentation that is designed for young adult women. It defines the difference between courtship, dating, and friendship. It goes into detail regarding what dating really entails and what questions to ask when going out on dates. It also explains how dating and friendships are really about self-discovery. It explains what personalities to avoid while dating and steps to take toward self-empowerment. The purpose of this presentation is an attempt to prevent future trauma and abuse within the Black community. Its also an attempt to empower young ladies by providing a thorough …

It Takes Two To Make A Thing Go Right: Black Mentoring Matters, Carmen Reese Foster

Black Issues Conference

It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right: Black Mentoring Matters

In 2018, the College of Social Work created the Social Justice Innovation Initiative (SJII) by establishing a grant for students and faculty to creatively challenge social injustices in their communities. The focus of 2018 was Challenging Racism. One of the funded projects was the creation of a Coalition of Black Social Workers (CBSW). The CBSW mobilized a group of professional Black social workers to create networking and mentoring opportunities with both face-to-face and online students. Connecting students of color with mentors of color increases their sense of belonging …

The Experiences Of Black Women Doctoral Students Through The Transparency Of Black Feminist Thought, Makeda Porter-Carr

Black Issues Conference

The Experiences of Black Women Doctoral Students through the Transparency of Black Feminist Thought delivers the incomparable experiences that black women encounter during their course of studies in a doctoral program. The experiences of black women in doctoral programs are vastly different from any other group due to preconceived notions.

The conference is adequately conversing on the power of the black female and the how education looks in the black community and this presentation touches on both topics to generate further discussions.

Greencap In The House: Resilience Tools To Unify The Black Community, Rick Held, Treasure Hightower, Stan Johnson, Ida Miles, John Floersh, Kaleeisha Huffine

Black Issues Conference

GreenCAP in the House: Resilience Tools to Unify the Black Community

This presentation describes how a small, scruffy youth development organization is leveraging its community outreach and engagement efforts around environmental literacy in the 'hood to build a coalition of inner city organizations aligned to identify and address a broad swath of community resilience issues.

Agents Of Change, Aaron Dixon, Madison Merrifield

Black Issues Conference

Abstract

The truth sets us free, but how do we use that freedom to light the way for others? Join the presenters for an illuminating discussion about issues that people of color who are LGBT+ face both globally and locally. Participants will leave this session with action points for being an agent of change in their own circles of influence.

Summary

Studies show that the majority of individuals of color who are LGBT+ reside in the South, a section of the country of which the University of Tennessee and Knoxville are a part (Human Rights Campaign, 2018). Moreover, individuals with …

Going From Side Hustle To Ceo Through Incorporation, Lemon Williams

Black Issues Conference

Many young brothers launch their side business as sole proprietorships in which they and their businesses are essentially one and the same. This can present limitations that can be avoided big taking the step to incorporate sooner than later.

Changing the format of a small business to a corporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can offer a range of advantages for entrepreneurs. Most notable is that a corporation or LLC protects entrepreneurs' personal assets in case debts or legal judgments are claimed against the business.

But there are many other practical reasons why the corporation proves to be an …

Combating Intersection-Related Imposter Phenomenon In The Workplace Through Career Readiness, Simone Stewart

Black Issues Conference

Research has determined that Impostor Phenomenon (IP) most likely occurs in members of minority groups, students, first generation professionals and persons for whom success came quickly. Other studies have shown that many professional women are One of the ways to combat IP is through the development of competencies needed in your career. Attend this workshop to learn how to develop strategies to approach career competency while on campus and throughout your career to keep you on top of your game!

Foundations Of Minority Leadership: Creating A Leadership Course Specifically For Our Needs, Marcelius L. Braxton, Lorneth Peters

Black Issues Conference

This presentation provides insight into a new hybrid, service-learning course introduced at Austin Peay State University entitled “Foundations of Minority Leadership”. With respect to leadership, individuals who are minorities often face difficulties that the majority does not have to consider. As a result, minority individuals often do not have the opportunity to address issues that would be beneficial for their mentoring/leadership needs. This presentation will highlight the structure of a course specifically for minority individuals. It will also provide some examples of how two instructors use contemporary readings such as, “Minority Leader: How to Lead From the Outside and Make …

Destined For Dissonance: Unpacking The Duality Of Being Black And Christian, Christie D. Banks, Matthew K. Best, Marcus Jones

Black Issues Conference

Abstract: We know that the Trans- Atlantic Slave Trade is how our African ancestors became involved with Christianity, and for many this involvement was a forced tactic of bondage. Does the disconnectedness from the horrors and hypocrisy of the slave trade make you question your faith? Or has the Black Church and its role in your community been a pillar in walking out your faith? Is the injustice that brought our people to America a part of our complex Christian history? Or is being Black and Christian an oxymoron? Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk is as relevant a …

Stand Up And Be Counted, Kimberly Smith

Black Issues Conference

“Stand Up and Be Counted”- The presentation spotlights the US Census over 200 years, the American minority by the numbers, and wielding the 2020 census as a tool for the next decade of minority political and social empowerment.

Presenter: Kimberly Smith, MBA

Company: US Census Bureau

This workshop is designed to improve the awareness of civic responsibilities and participation in the decennial 2020 census. The information discussed will educate the audience on the history and process of the census, as well as, the impact of census data on minority communities.

Format:

The presentation will begin with census introductory information and …

The Black Narrative, Karmen Alexia Jones

Black Issues Conference

Through art and literature, we are able to create our own of narratives of any cultural experience. In this scenario, the African American experience can be exemplified through methods of reiterating or recreating. Artists can choose to reiterate or repeat a narrative that meets the status quo of stereotypes that have already been established through social, civil, economic traditions of teaching, or an artist can recreate and bring light to a new aspect to the complexity of the humanisation and emotional journeys of Black people.

The purpose of this discussion is to highlight the purposes within each selected work or …

Going From Side Hustle To Ceo Through Incorporation, Lemon Williams

Black Issues Conference

We need more Black millionaires. Many sisters and brothers launch their side business without taking advantage of setting them up as corporations. This can present limitations that can be avoided by taking the step to incorporate sooner than later. The range of advantages for entrepreneurs include; better access to capital, tax benefits, and continuous employment to name a few. Let's explore the pros, cons, and possibility of thinking big with small business.

2019 Eurēca Winners, Office Of Undergraduate Research

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

List of awardees

Examining The Effects Of Parent Engagement On Early Childhood Development In Migrant-Seasonal Head Start, Sarah Grace Crowley

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Several factors impact developmental outcomes in early childhood with implications that may last throughout the lifespan. Studies indicate that across most populations, parental engagement has a significant impact on relative success in early childhood development, such as higher literacy and language scores and socio-emotional skills. Identifying specific positive influences on early childhood development for caretakers to integrate in both the home and in the classroom is essential to creating policies and standards that support the healthy development of children. Knowledge concerning minority groups in this area remains particularly limited. This study investigated the influence of parental engagement on specific areas …

Prevention & Retention: An Analysis Of A Community Law Office Youth Program Attendance Patterns, Scott Marcum Sloan

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

In order for programs that target at-risk youth to best engage with students, they need to understand which types of students are at risk for dropping out of the program. If a program can identify which students are more likely to attend based on certain demographics or identifiers, they can use this information to strengthen the program. This study examines the retention patters of students at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office (CLO) and looks at the relationship between key demographics of participants, such as their age, grade, sex, and race, and their attendance history. This study investigated …

Utilization Of Tofu By-Products As An Alternative Source Of Bioactive Peptide Lunasin, Allison Shaunak, Niamh Schumacher, Andrea Nieto Veloza

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Utilization of tofu by-products as an alternative source of bioactive peptide Lunasin Lunasin is a 5kDa water-soluble bioactive peptide present in soybeans with anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and chemotherapeutic properties. Current mechanisms for obtaining Lunasin from soybeans involve complicated and expensive methods that limit its utilization to a laboratory scale. Tofu is a cheese-like product obtained from soybeans. Whey and okara are the major by-products of the process and are mainly destined for animal feeding or as ingredients for food preparations, but their potential application as a sources of lunasin remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to stablish if …

2019 Eurēca Abstract Book, Office Of Undergraduate Research

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Listing of student participant abstracts.

Developing A Hands-On Food Science Curriculum With Bilingual, Elementary-Aged, Hispanic Heritage Students, Jaime Leia Ragos

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

In the United States alone there are over 48 million cases of foodborne illness, with most of these cases deriving from food cooked in the home (Young 2016). Many themes have been assessed such as confidence, knowledge, habits, taste in food preferences, and societal/social influences (Young 2016). However, when food safety curricula are targeted toward younger populations, including young adults and children, attitudes and behavior change (Mullan 2018 and Young 2016). As there is a lack in home economics education in today’s current curriculum, students and their families may not know food safety behaviors (Finch 2005; Young 2016). It has …

2019 Eurēca Program Book, Office Of Undergraduate Research

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Includes schedule and listing of posters.

What The @!&#?: Ut Students’ Bad Language Ideologies, Hannah Nelson

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

No abstract provided.

High Resolution Validation Of Next Generation Turbulent Flow Models Using Neutron Beams, Laser Fluorescence, And Cryogenic Helium, Landen G Mcdonald

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Turbulent fluid flow is an incredibly unpredictable subject that continues to confound scientists and engineers. All of the empirical data that has been the basis of conventional turbulent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for decades only extends to roughly the equivalent turbulence created when Michael Phelps swims in a pool. The problem is that this data is then extrapolated out many orders of magnitude in order to design cruise ships, airplanes, and rockets which operate in significantly more turbulent flow regimes. This creates an incredible degree of uncertainty in the design process that demands over-engineering and increased expenditures.

The development …

The Next Generation: Looking At Utk Students’ Potential Future Engagement With Gsmnp, Layla Marie Mosadegh

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The purpose of this research was to understand the next generation’s, aka Gen Z’s, engagement with Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) by studying the motivations and perceptions surrounding engagement with GSMNP amongst undergraduate students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). This research was conducted in the format of a hybrid case study with a combined marketing strategy plan that aims to answer the following questions:

• What are the motivations and perceptions surrounding engagement with Great Smoky Mountains National Park amongst undergraduate students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year at the at the …

  ---

  Go to article

Exploring The Structure-Activity Relationship Of Various Seh Inhibitors In Promoting Brown Adipogenesis, Sue Lim Choi

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Background: Brown adipose tissue has emerged as a novel target for obesity prevention and treatment due to its responsibility for heat production. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a cytosolic enzyme that degrades epoxy fatty acids (EpFAs) (lipid signaling molecules) into inactive diols. Potent sEH inhibitors (sEHIs) are beneficial for many chronic diseases as they stabilize endogenous EpFAs by blocking the degradation. Our preliminary results have shown that trans-4- [4-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid (t-AUCB), a potent sEH inhibitor, dose-dependently promotes brown adipogenesis.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the structure and activity relationship of various sEHIs with different sub-structures of …

Producing Independent Film, Sydney Steele

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The job of a Producer is elusive to many people. Their work goes unnoticed by the general population, but they are the back bone of film. They are an integral part of the 5 stages of filmmaking: Development, Pre-Production, Production, Post Production, and Distribution. During my research with the film, Light From Light, I shadowed the producer’s through these stages to get a proper understanding of producing. Even on a low-budget independent film, such as this one, a clever producer navigates most issues to ensure that the director completes his true vision for the story. Independent producing requires more …

The Effects Of Relationships On Ans Function And Wellness, Olivia M. Maples

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The quality of relationships and social networks plays a vital role on well-being (Feeney & Collins, 2015). Social support is linked to positive biological profiles in that social support protects against the negative effects of changes in cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and immune function. Furthermore, when exploring Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) function, higher heart rate variability has been shown to reflect a psychophysiological state compatible with social interaction (Quintana, Guastella, Outhred, Hickie, & Kemp, 2012). Social support has been shown to buffer against the negative effects of life stressors (Cohen & Wills, 1985), and ultimately, mortality (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010). In …

The Function Of Ecdysone And Inhibiting Programmed Cell Death In Death Class Iii Neurons Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Nikolas Richard Likourentzos

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The inhibition of programmed cell death is a factor believed to be responsible for the survival of cancer cells. Using Drosophila as models, factors contributing to the process of programmed cell death can be studied. Neurons die throughout Drosophila melanogaster development to allow the addition of new neurons. The groups of neurons programmed to die are Death Class I neurons, Death Class II neurons, and Death Class III neurons. Ecdysone is a hormone responsible for the timing of programmed cell death (PCD) in the Death Class neurons. Elevated levels of ecdysone are associated with the initiation of PCD of Death …

The Full Genome Sequence Of An Antarctic Microbe Constructed Using A Rapid, Portable Sequencer And A Hybrid Assembly, Bruce Wyatt Boles

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Microbial genomes contain combinations of nucleotides that code for genes which subsequently determines the function of the cell. This information provides significant insight into the unique niche of microbes from extreme environments. Here we use two sequencing technologies, the Oxford Nanopore MinION with accompanying software and Illumina HiSeq, to generate a hybrid genome for a Shewanella strain isolated from an Antarctic glacier. Bioinformatic programs, Albacore and SPAdes, allowed us to decrease the time of genome assembly while also obtaining a large quantity of information related to the Shewanella sp. Our combined approach yielded a high quality genome assembly 5.3 …