Digital Commons Network^™

"They're Not Used To Being Seen": Teacher Reflections On Building Community And Belonging With High-Need Students, Celine Massuger

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

In today’s education context, not all young people are able to complete their high school education. In fact, in 2016, the number of low-income young people ages 16 to 24 years who did not complete high school or were not enrolled in high school was 3.7 times higher than those of high-income families (McFarland et al., 2018). This may be due to discipline policies, conflicts with teachers and administrators, and other factors creating a poor school climate. The COVID-19 pandemic further created a sense of isolation amongst many students, causing disengagement from traditional approaches and revealing a need for an …

Indigenous Ancestral Assets: The Ecology Of Native Hawaiian Education Through Youth Perspectives, Claire Kēhaulani Ramirez

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

In K-12 education, student voice is not often considered when establishing curriculum, addressing school policy, or creating a climate that reflects culturally inclusive teaching practices. Across education systems serving Indigenous communities within the United States, the voices of youth as a form of contribution are silenced, which echoes further attempts towards the erasure of the existence of these communities. The context of the study highlighted various strengths through their traditions, languages, and cultural teachings. While Indigenous communities exist globally, this study centered on Indigenous communities from the North American continent, specifically those Native to the Hawaiian Islands. To learn about …

Integrating Collective Art Healing Practices Into Contemporary Art Therapy, Taleene Armen, Nicole Aviel, Ej Liao, Brianna Mitjans, Mandy Schuster

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Five graduate students from the Marital and Family Art Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) conducted a research study to explore the characteristics and attributes of collective art practices and how they contribute to healing. A survey including quantitative measures and qualitative responses were administered on the Qualtrics platform, allowing for a wide geographic reach and rapid data collection. The subsequent qualitative analysis involved the creation of visual artworks by the researchers, utilizing the arts as data to identify additional common themes contributing to healing attributes. The data revealed three major themes, or characteristics, of how art contributes to …

Developing An Ebook For First Responders: Exploring Arts-Based Interventions To Counter Burnout And Build Resilience, Taysia De Mesa, Baylor Duncan, Emmanuelle Evans, Ashley Herbinger, Hannah Kent, Olivia Waldorf

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The researchers in this project studied the prevalence and impact of burnout among first responders, after which they produced CRISP (Creative Resilience Initiatives for Service Providers), a groundbreaking art therapy-based program published in an electronic book format aimed at addressing burnout and fostering resilience among first responders. Our program aims to foster resilience by integrating art therapy's Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) model with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and anti-racism strategies. The ETC model aligns with inclusive and diverse practices as it emphasizes a system-focused approach in using creativity, self-reflection, and cultivation of effective body-mind empathy. The CRISP eBook features 18 …

Hobby Horse, Kaitlyn Liu

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Against the wishes of her domineering mother, a teen equestrian rides into the Finnish sport of hobby horsing in order to win enough money to buy her real horse back.

An Exploration Of Gifted Hispanic/Latino Students’ Educational Capital At One Title I Elementary School, Jasmin Solórzano Churchill

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Gifted programs, designed to enhance engagement and rigor for students exhibiting talent or potential beyond their peers in the general education classroom, are not equitably identifying and serving Hispanic/Latino students. This qualitative study explored gifted programming at a Title I elementary school located in a largely Hispanic/Latino community. Very few students received gifted services at the school, despite equity measures in place. Using a framework of educational capital, this study highlighted the cultural capital and community cultural wealth of gifted Hispanic/Latino students and provided suggestions for enhancing programming for this historically underidentified population of learners. Data were collected through semistructured …

Examination Of How Integrating Ethnic Studies And The Transformative Student Voice Framework In A Voice-Based Program Reinvigorated A Sense Of Community On A Middle School Campus, Jasmine Banks

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The middle school of study seeks to develop leaders in this world. However, the traditional oracy curricula and voice-based program the school originally adopted sought to develop students as future employees. Consequently, the problem at hand was how to connect the oracy curriculum to the principles of social justice to actualize the school’s mission. This qualitative study explored lessons from educators who have taught a voice-based course in an in-person and virtual environment. Specifically looking at the decisions middle school educators considered when integrating transformative student voice and ethnic studies into a voice-based course. From the lessons, decisions, and perspectives …

Reimagining The Onboarding And Mentoring Needs Of California Community College Counseling Faculty: An Ecological Systems Approach Using Narrative Inquiry, Philip Lantz

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Despite California community college counseling faculty having unique roles on their campuses due to their faculty status and their proximity to students, there is a lack of research related to the experiences of counseling faculty and how they can be supported by local and statewide leaders to best meet the needs of the diverse student populations that are currently being served within the California community college system. This qualitative research study utilized narrative inquiry to examine the current onboarding and mentoring experiences of California community college counseling faculty to evaluate both best practices as well as institutional gaps that negatively …

Cultivating Resilience In Adolescence: How Educational Environments Can Support Positive Youth Development During Identity Exploration, Heather I. Arndt, Genesis G. Larin, Gladis Abigail Munguia, Henry William Perez, Dianne Preciado

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a critical stage of human development, one that can be especially challenging for teens that are navigating certain vulnerabilities in their identity formation. With the World Health Organization stating that 14% of 10–19 year-olds experience mental health conditions, educational environments are increasingly needed to address mental concerns in their curriculums. This qualitative research project used a combination of art based inquiry and narrative analysis to answer the following question, “How can educational environments promote resilience and positive youth development during adolescent identity exploration?” Findings illuminated several emergent themes that culminated in the following four recommendations for educational environments; …

From Mandated Reporter To Community Supporter: Reimagining Schools And The Nexus To Address Intersectional Social Justice, Charity Chandler-Cole

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

From Mandated Reporter to Community Supporter: Reimagining Schools and the Nexus to Address Intersectional Social Justice, explores the transition from mandated reporting to community support within schools, focusing on the implications for Black families and the broader goal of addressing intersectional social justice. The study critically examines the role of schools beyond their educational mandate, highlighting their potential as pivotal hubs for supporting vulnerable populations and addressing systemic issues such as racism, bias, and poverty. Through a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, the research delves into the impact of mandated reporting on Black families, the understanding …

Leadership In Uncertain Times: An Analysis Of Decision-Making Processes Among Catholic Elementary School Principals In Low-Income Serving Communities, Gina Aguilar

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the decision-making processes among principals of parish-based Catholic elementary schools in low-income communities within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, against the backdrop of a decentralized governance structure and increased financial pressures intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was grounded in a conceptual framework derived from contingency theories of leadership and decision-making research and investigated three areas: (1) the principals’ decision-making processes, (2) the situational factors influencing these processes, and (3) the pandemic’s impact on their decision-making processes. The findings revealed dynamic integration of cognitive, social, and procedural processes, rooted in faith and community collaboration. The …

“Middle Schoolers Are Just This Special Kind Of Human Being”: Middle School Teacher Perspectives On Creating Hope For Their Students And Themselves, Sheeba Jacob

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety and depression have increased for adolescent youth, particularly since the pandemic. For certain students, this anxiety and depression connects to trauma because of inequity and bias in schools. This qualitative study examined successful urban middle school teachers and their perspectives on conditions they created for hope in their classrooms and ways they created hope for themselves. Eight middle school teachers who taught humanities shared their insights through semi-structured interviews. Findings aligned with pedagogical practices the teachers used that centered hope and voice for students: culturally responsive practices, relational practices, and justice-oriented practices. These specific teachers cared deeply about their …

Mamás Metidas: Empowering Latinx Spanish-Dominant Parents In Independent Schools Through Culturally Responsive School Leadership, Silvia Salazar Rivera

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Latinx families, particularly those whose primary language is Spanish, are significantly underrepresented in independent schools nationwide and experience barriers to engaging in their children’s education. Recognizing the crucial role of parent engagement in student academic success and socioemotional well-being, this research aimed to understand the unique challenges faced by Spanish-dominant parents in navigating the independent school contexts. Grounded in Khalifa et al.’s (2016) culturally responsive school leadership framework, the study intended to identify effective practices and strategies that facilitate Spanish-dominant parent engagement. The narrative data, collected through both a group plática and individual interviews, offered valuable insights into the experiences …

Combine Shapelets, Zeng Qingwen

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Sensor-based human activity recognition has become an important research field within pervasive and ubiquitous computing. Techniques for recognizing atomic activities such as gestures or actions are mature for now, but complex activity recognition still remains a challenging issue. I was a candidate in an activity classification thesis. It collected 4 activities, which included walking on the sidewalk for a set distance, walking up and down a set of stairs, walking on the treadmill at 2.5 mph for 2 minutes, and jogging on the treadmill at 5.5 mph for 1 minute. It took 30 minutes to collect one candidate data. If …

Understanding University Support For Suicide Bereavement And Bereaved Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Kristin May Anderson, Neishamia B. Kayizzi, Brittany M. Lee, Addalee K. Lyon

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, a multitude of literature have discussed the turbulent nature for young adults to navigate the difficulties of suicide bereavement with lack of support. This experience can be further cumbersome when the bereavement is co-occurring within an academic profession, such as attending university. This study explored three participants experience of suicide bereavement support at a university level, utilizing a phenomenological arts-based approach for inquiry. Data analysis revealed eight common themes that reflect the university students' lived experiences of the phenomenon discussed: Acknowledgment of the communicated loss by faculty, provision of academic support, lack/absence of practice, reluctance, emotional response, …

Levee, Keya Vance

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

When his absent father comes back into his life with a cancer diagnosis, an arrogant star high school linebacker, hellbent on a college football scholarship, must choose between caring for his dying father and following his dream.

Clear Waters, Joseph Mueller

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

While investigating the gruesome death of a marine biologist, a by-the-book biracial detective and a jaded Tribal officer uncover a conspiracy surrounding a sea cucumber poaching ring on the reservation. Inspired by actual events.

The Tale Of Bunny, The Lamb, Keith Currivean Jr.

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

When a lamb named Bunny sees a young boy beaten by the sheep farm’s caretaker, he goes on a killing spree to stop the abuse. But as the body count rises, he grows a taste for human blood and is forced to confront the violence he’s brought into the world or feed on the young boy – the last source of human blood on the farm.

“Personal, Relational, And Extraordinary”: Learning From The Spiritual Language Of Gen Z, Gabrielle Poma

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores the crucial role of language in understanding the spiritual lives of young people today, commonly known as “Gen Z.”

Though significant disaffiliation rates among young people often cause alarm within faith communities, this paper argues that listening carefully to the language of young people provides a more nuanced, in-depth picture that statistics on religious affiliation do not capture, which is critical in developing effective pastoral care for young adults.

This paper opens with a sociocultural approach to Gen Z, drawing upon generational analysis and sociological data to demonstrate how different types of research yield varied results in …

Speak Easy, Christopher O. Lukens

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

He was an alcoholic TV star until he was accused of a heinous crime. Now he's a sober bottom-rung private eye scouring the gutters for a paycheck. When his daughter goes missing, the trail leads right back to the same corrupt Hollywood system that destroyed his life.

Elementary Summer School: Culturally Responsive Practices And Academic Outcomes For English Learner Students In Grades 4–6, Laurie May Virtusio

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-method study explored the culturally responsive practices of a midsized, Southern California school district that used Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) state funding to implement a voluntary summer program accessible to TK–6 grade students district-wide. Qualitative data gathered from semistructured interviews with the principal on special assignment (POSA), three upper-grade summer school teachers, and three school outreach liaisons (SOLs) highlighted the culturally responsive practices of the school district to address student and family needs, focusing specifically on English learners (ELs). Quantitative data from the school district examined included the summative test scores for EL students in Grades 4–6. Although …

The Potential To Be The Most Historic Higher Education Reform Effort Of Our Time: Implementation Of Ab705, Kristina Martinez

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The Potential to Be the Most Historic Higher Education Reform Effort of Our Time: Implementation of AB705 As a result of California Assembly Bill 705(AB705, 2017) and California Assembly Bill 1705 (AB1705, 2021), most 1st-year students will enroll directly into transfer level math and/or English courses (Baca, 2021; Lopez, 2022; Melguizo et al., 2022; Sims, 2020). Students once placed into remedial coursework before enrolling in transfer level coursework may need more student support services to ensure course completion and retention (Atkins & Beggs, 2017; Baca, 2021; Cook, 2016; Lopez, 2022; Melguizo et al., 2022; Sims, 2020). The recent implementation of …

Keep You Safe, Nana Okamoto

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Yui, a bright-eyed Japanese woman, moves to America and thinks she finds her Prince Charming in a small Iowa town. She falls in love and into a trap, staged by his white nationalist family who use her as a pawn in their terrorist plan.

You Matter Here: Examining Black And Latine Student Sense Of Belonging In A Community College Cinema/Tv Department Using Tiktok, Krystle Klein

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The lower retention and success rates of Black and Latine students in the Cinema/TV Department at a Hollywood-based community college reflect a broader diversity issue in the entertainment industry. This qualitative, arts-based study focused on student voice and the power of counternarratives by utilizing participatory action research to determine Black and Latine student sense of belonging. Four participants engaged 19 of their fellow students in dialogues using the social media platform TikTok to discover what their lived experiences were in the department, and what those narratives revealed about their sense of belonging and support systems. The resulting 54 TikTok videos …

Teaching For Social Justice In The Secondary English Language Arts Classroom: Case Studies In Independent Schools, Alexandra Lyon Perelman

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Secondary English language arts (ELA) teachers in independent K–12 schools are well-situated to teach for social justice as they do not face the same constraints prevalent in many public schools, such as restrictive curricular mandates, high-stakes testing, and legislation resulting from the weaponization of critical pedagogy. Thus, secondary ELA teachers often have the liberty to craft their own curricula and use literature, verse, and other media as vehicles for teaching social justice. Despite an increase in empirical research examining social justice teaching in various contexts throughout K–12 education, there was a gap in the research focused on social justice teaching …

Student And Educator Perceptions Of The Implementation Of A Social-Emotional Learning Approach: A Mixed Methods Study Of A Catholic School, Dorothy Balfe

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this mixed methods study was to examine educator and student perceptions of the implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) and the RULER (i.e., recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating) approach in a Catholic school. The study investigated the perceptions of teachers, staff, and students about the implementation of SEL and RULER across elementary and middle school grade levels. The RULER approach is a K–12 SEL initiative designed to build the emotional intelligence and social-emotional competencies of all members of a school community. Data were gathered over a 4-month period through interviews with teachers and students, an educator survey, …

The Role Of Powers In Pādas Iii And Iv In The Yogasūtra Of Patañjali: Realities And Implications, Mathilde Peña

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This paper discusses the realities and implications of the framework for siddhis as outlined in pādas III and IV of the Yogasūtra of Patañjali, and the impact of the Western Protestant hermeneutical lens on the dismissal or negative treatment of siddhis within many schools of Modern Yoga. Contending for the possibility of the supernatural or paranormal, this project will explore the transformative potential of yoga using that framework to discuss the need for new metaphors which contain space for the dance between form and formless present within Sāṃkhyan metaphysics. It will discuss the idea of embodied metaphors and how yoga …

Improving Multi-Modal Food Detection System With Transfer Learning, Shivani Gowda

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Self-assessment of food intake is important for preventing and treating obesity. The current self-assessment methods of food intake are inaccurate and hard to use. In this thesis, we explore ways to improve machine learning (ML) food classification methods which are the core technical problem of food intake self-assessment. We present a food detection system that utilizes a state-of-the art multi-modal architecture called Vision and Language Transformer (ViLT). This architecture combines both food appearance via the image modality, and description via the textual modality to improve the accuracy of food classification. To further enhance the performance, we incorporate other improvements such …

Universal Back-End Design, Jason Kalili

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Accessibility in back-end development is often overlooked, with the majority of discussions and efforts centered on front-end design. To make applications usable for a wider audience, developers must also prioritize incorporating accessibility from the back-end. Back-end web accessibility encompasses the design and development of web-based systems and applications that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This involves optimizing the underlying code and infrastructure for accessibility and implementing features that enable users with disabilities to navigate and interact with the site or application. Ensuring back-end web accessibility is crucial for creating an inclusive online environment accessible to everyone, …

The Nature Of Compassion In Yoga: Illuminating Its Modern Role Through An Examination Of Historical Texts, Keren Eshed

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores the nature of compassion within various yoga traditions and clarifies its role through historical and textual examination. In doing so, it explores key texts within the yoga traditions that address compassion and highlight the qualities attributed to compassion. While compassion is commonly present within the texts, it varies in meaning and significance within these texts and often is not perceived as central to the text’s teachings. Initially, this paper examines teachings from the Upaniṣads that address moral conduct and the nature of transformative knowledge. Second, verses from the Yogasūtra are discussed. In doing so, this paper addresses …