Digital Commons Network^™

2023-2024 Online Student Survey Of Priority Issues, Heather D. Flick

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The purpose of the 2023-2024 Online Student Survey is to provide research backed priorities for the incoming elected senate for the 2024-2025 academic year. Each year the survey is revised based on newly obtained knowledge from coursework as an FHSU Online student as well as past years survey results.

The survey intended to gain insight on what issues are priorities to Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Online students to allow the Online Student Government Association (OSGA) to focus on the most important issues FHSU Online students experience. This is an annual survey which has been evolving each year to best …

Evaluating Macro-Policy Attitudes About Abortion In The United States, Christopher Olds, Miriam Guadalupe Benavides-Ortega, Madison May Albers, Rocio Figueroa-Castro

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Prior research on public opinion demonstrates attitudes about major issues often shift/move together. In other words, public support for government involvement in domestic affairs across multiple policy areas can be indicative of the general policy sentiment or public mood at any given point in time. In exploring specific issue areas in isolation, researchers can assess whether change in opinion on an issue area is significantly linked to fluctuations in views about macroeconomic conditions. The current research project will contrast quarterly public support for government involvement in the issue area of abortion through vector autoregression time series techniques examining whether prior …

Art Mindfulness Initiative, Margaret Dunn

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The Art Mindfulness Initiative was a student-led 4 week workshop focusing on providing other students with affordable ways to use art to destress, center oneself, and take a break from the hecticness of life. Each week, students gathered to learn about psychology and mental health from the NAMI and Psych Club then learned a new craft from art students. At the end of the workshop, everyone’s work was put together to make a conjoined piece to be displayed in the April Art Walk.

A Gravity Model Of International Student Flows, Luciana Mendoza, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Our research aims to use a gravity model to assess the importance of geographical distance and other macroeconomic factors associated with the destination country chosen by students when pursuing tertiary education abroad. We analyze a large sample of data that includes international students from nearly every country in the world from 2013 to 2021. Our results indicate that geographical distance is an important factor when students choose to study abroad and that this effect is most pronounced for students from lower-income countries. We also find that the flow of international students became more sensitive to geographical distance as the years …

Cognitive Fusion, Self- And Other-Blame, And College Adjustment Outcomes, Olivia Tipton, Stephanie Weigel

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

A significant portion of college enrollees drop out of college before their degree is awarded, and college persistence is lower in students from challenging backgrounds. The college environment can bring increased academic workload, financial stress, and social stress for first-time enrollees. Several factors may contribute to difficulties in emotion regulation during this time, making it more difficult for college students to respond adaptively to novel stressors. Cognitive fusion is a concept proposed by acceptance and commitment therapy to describe a state in which one believes the literal content of their thoughts, even when those thoughts may be irrational or emotionally …

Economically Affordable And Ecologically Sustainable Oil Spill Treatments: Review Of Recent Literature, Yue Fan, Jeanne Sumrall

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Devastating impacts on organisms and the environment are brought by marine oil spills.

Superhydrophobic foams, sponges, aerogels, and biomass materials have been used as absorbents for oil spill treatment.  Among all, Polydimethylsiloxane multi-walled carbon nanotubes Polyaniline Polypropylene felt (Referred to as p-CNT/PANI@PP felt in the following parts) exhibits high absorption selectivity and capability, along with the ability to conduct in harsh environments and the ability to make use of solar/Joule-heating in absorbing a wide span of oil types with high viscosity.

Thus, p-CNT/PANI@PP should be considered as a potentially effective way to address the problem of marine oil spills.

Fhsu Students’ Economic Perceptions & Expectations, Nate Egan, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Economic perceptions and expectations (P&E) held by college students influence many essential choices they make throughout college. Based on a survey administered in January 2024, our FHSU Student Confidence Index increased by nearly 6% from the previous year. Overall, most respondents remain optimistic about the competitiveness of their degree and ability to secure a job after graduation, more so than evident within 2023.

Crossover Youth, Gunner Ebert, April Terry

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Crossover youth is a term used for youth under supervision within both the child welfare system and juvenile justice system. This is also referred to as ”dually involved youth.” Cross-agency communication is lacking for these youth while research shows many youth receive services from both systems. Research shows that crossover youth have longer stays in detention facilities, high rates of recidivism, and poorer long-term outcomes in multiple areas of life (e.g., education and mental health). When referring to crossover youth, intersectionality (e.g., gender and race)—the interconnectedness of social demographics that overlap to form oppression—helps in understanding this dual-system involvement. Additionally, …

Lgbtq+ Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Matthias B. Pearce, April Terry

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Many experts agree that the juvenile justice system has flaws, resulting in the need for different modifications. One area of particular concern within the juvenile justice system is the involvement of LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth are grossly overrepresented in both the juvenile and adult systems, including those who are incarcerated. This rate is highest for queer women and trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals (Buist, 2020; Donohue et al., 2021; Hereth & Bouris, 2020). This known pathway clearly depicts a systemic issue—one that warrants attention and remediation. This poster provides background information on the disparities that exist for LGBTQ+ youth …

Unlocking The Secret To Weight Loss: Discovering The Most Effective Green Tea Products, Seoyeon Kim

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

To find the most effective green tea product that can replace

weight loss drugs, we compared the amount of catechin in six

different green tea products. The result was green tea latte

powder contained a significantly small amount of catechin

compared to other products, and the dried pearl green tea leaves

had the highest amount of catechin. Also, the unexpected result

was that green tea supplements had less amount of catechin

compared to dried leaves or even tea bags that are commonly

sold in markets.

Juvenile Correctional Facility Programming, Abraham Ls Werner, April Terry

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Rehabilitative programs designed to reduce future offending have been utilized within communities as well as correctional facilities, including juvenile correctional facilities. The “What Works” literature has now provided clear guidance to correctional facilities on which programs are most effective in reducing recidivism (Andrews & Bonta, 2006). Generally, the metric for success is measuring rates of reoffending and/or new stents of incarceration. This poster outlines the What Works literature for youth, focusing on programs offered within juvenile correctional facilities. When evidence-based programs are utilized, youth are more successful upon reentering into society and also have decreases in future offending (Andrews et …

School-To-Prison Pipeline, Samuel S. Honas, April Terry

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Kindergarten through grade 12 schools are institutions where youth go to learn, grow, and sculpt their minds for their future. For some youth, schools do not present a warm and welcoming environment, and instead, respond in ways that create negative outcomes for certain youth. Factors like bullying, poor student-to-teacher interactions, and negative parental attachment can cause youth to have problems in school. Minority youth are also more likely to get in trouble in school for the same behaviors as their white counterparts. The school-to-prison pipeline is a pathway that begins in the school system that operates under the notion of …

Use Of Restrictive Housing In The Juvenile Justice System, Caleb D. Purvis, April Terry

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

In recent years, the term solitary confinement was replaced with restrictive housing (RH) as it had a less negative tone. However, the terms both represent the same process of isolating individuals in cells with nearly no contact with others. Restrictive housing has many negative effects, including, but not limited to deteriorating mental health and increased rates of recidivism. Such practices are not limited to the adult system as incarcerated youth are also subjected to various forms of restrictive housing (e.g., protective custody, disciplinary and administrative segregation). While those who oppose the use of RH call this cruel and unusual punishment, …

Education For Sustainable Development Competencies In A Community-Engaged Art Workshop, Amy J. Schmierbach

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Arts participation can expand empathy and cognitive growth capacity while creating a social bond and communal meaning (McCarthy et al., 2004). As an art instructor for over twenty years, I have witnessed the bonds that can be created through collaborative art experiences. These bonds are nurtured from a space of equity and inclusion. Teaching a community-engaged art course can bring these qualities into the community, allowing university students to use their art skills in real-world applications to impact society through experiential learning art practices. Making art with others will enable us to help others build empathy and social bonds that …

Chippin’ In: An Analysis Of The Criminological Concepts Within Cyberpunk 2077, Morgan J. Steele

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The cyberpunk genre dominates much of our popular culture, from how we think of cyber- and white-collar crime, to our understanding of how technology influences the criminal justice system. This article explores the common criminological themes prevalent within the recent video game Cyberpunk 2077 as an example of popular criminology. Specifically, it explores the game’s story and environment by examining key characters’ responses to structural inequalities through an anomie theory lens. Key characters and groups within the game exemplify Merton’s (1938) different responses to rampant poverty and socioeconomic inequality. Thus, the game can be used to explore how cultural goals …

Trauma And Juvenile Offending, Cynthia Vasquez, April Terry

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Over the past few decades, studies have shown a relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and juvenile justice system involvement. Additionally, the United States supervises and incarcerates more youth than other established country. This process—from abuse to incarceration—has become known as the abuse-to-prison pipeline or victimization-to-imprisonment. Many traumatized youth find themselves responding to their trauma with behaviors deemed delinquent (e.g., skipping school and running away) which then begins their path into the juvenile justice system. For a sub-set of youth, they are dual-involved, meaning, they are supervised in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. For some youth, their …

Demographic Differences In Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire And The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, Victoria Carter, Janett Naylor-Tincknell

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Empathy and social masking are traits related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social masking, the act of camouflaging socially to appear closer to the social norm, is often utilized to conceal autistic traits, such that individuals with ASD mask more frequently than neurotypical individuals (Hull et al., 2017). However, neurotypical adults also use masking and camouflaging behaviors in routine social interactions, including actively attempting to mirror others’ moods, reflecting vocabulary and syntax, or matching facial expressions to respond appropriately (Pryke-Hobbes et al. 2023). Additionally, empathy is related to ASD traits; although, the findings are often mixed. Originally, it was thought …

The Influence Of Women In The Workforce On Birth Rates, Jess Kirchhoff, Anna Brull, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The birth rate of a country is one of the main determinants of population growth. Population growth, a critical component, influences the environment, healthcare system, education system, and overall economy of a country. The following study attempts to identify specific factors that contribute to a country’s birth rate. Within this research, it is found that a higher percentage of women in the workforce will have a significant influence and lead to a lower birth rate.

How Does Police Activity Affect Crime Rates?, Pablo Martinez-Enriquez, Megan Jones, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

We study the relationship between crime rates and police activity using data from communities across the country in 2018. Through regression analysis, using OLS methodology, we test and find a negative relationship between crime rates and police activity, while taking into consideration factors that measure the economic condition, demographics, and income in communities across the United States. This negative relationship supports the expected trend of increasing police resources leading to a decrease in crime.

The Relationship Between Horsepower & Fuel Efficiency, Ben Boland, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

As Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy standards are becoming increasingly stringent, automakers across the world are looking to increase miles per gallon without sacrificing vehicle performance. One of the most important metrics of vehicle performance is horsepower. This study uses regression analysis to obtain a better understanding of the relationship between horsepower and miles per gallon.

Does The Budget Of A Movie Have An Impact On Income?, Luciana Mendoza, Fiorella Mendez, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Numerous sources in the field have discussed the positive correlation between movie budgets and the box office income of movies. This research paper aims to examine further the effects budget has on the income success of movies. To achieve this objective, we have extracted data on the most popular movies globally from the International Movie Database (IMDb). The data utilizes information between the years 2019 to 2022. The dependent variable, INCOME, is controlling for various independent variables, which are BUDGET (in millions of dollars), RATING (on a scale of 1-10), and RUNTIME (in minutes). Furthermore, our categorical variables are MONTH …

Estimating The Stability Of Okun's Law, Xinrui (Crystal) Wang, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

This study focuses on employing the gap version of Okun's Law, conducting regression analysis between the output gap and the unemployment gap to assess their effectiveness and long-term stability, and also estimates the significant relationship between the output gap and the unemployment gap. This study also compares the output gap dynamics during economic contractions and expansions.

Vigilance And Foraging Behaviors Of Two Sciurid Species Between College Campuses And Urban Environments, Patrick Geyer, Zoe Buffington, Lorelei E. Patrick

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

A comparison between the extent that sciurid specimens display vigilance and foraging behaviors on college campuses against specimens within urban environments. Observations of fox squirrels and western gray squirrels were taken from the Squirrel-Net behavioral database used for this project. We found there was a significant difference between the percent vigilance behaviors and foraging behaviors on college campuses compared to urban environments. This suggests that squirrels residing on college campuses are more desensitized to pedestrian activity and foot traffic compared to squirrels that inhabit urban areas.

Understanding Resilience: Exploring The Experience Of Complex Trauma And Post-Traumatic Growth Among Survivors Of Violence, Ziwei Qi

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

This research investigates survivors' experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) through qualitative interviews. Using semi-structured interviews, the study explores survivors' emotional landscapes, coping mechanisms, support systems, resilience, reflections, growth strategies, and feedback. Emphasizing safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces, seven interviews were conducted, lasting 60 to 75 minutes each, prioritizing participant comfort. Through this qualitative inquiry, the study aims to enhance understanding of GBV survivors' experiences and inform the development of support interventions.

Implementation Of Mindfulness & Stress Reduction Training For Medical Students, Jill Berenato

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Abstract

This proposal advocates for implementing mandatory mindfulness and stress reduction training sessions for surgical students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). It is well-documented that medical students, particularly those in surgical disciplines, experience high levels of stress, which can negatively impact their mental health, academic performance and overall well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in reducing stress and enhancing resilience among medical students. By integrating mindfulness training into the surgical curriculum, PCOM aims to equip students with essential coping skills to effectively manage stress, thereby promoting their mental health and academic success. This handout serves to accompany the …

From “The Coca-Cola Douche” To Embracing Pleasure: Media Representations And Irish Womens’ Lived Experiences Learning About Sexuality, Jaelynn Sutter, Taylon Mendenhall

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Media, for better or worse, is a powerful social influence that runs much deeper than the daily news. Our qualitative survey-based study focuses on how Irish women learn about and understand sexuality; our findings demonstrate the significant role media plays in this development. Specifically, our survey indicates the influence of the media in Irish women's lives as it leads to societal expectations. More than half of our participants cited media as an integral tool in learning about sexuality, including magazines, television, movies, novels, and the Internet. For some, media use in understanding their own identities opened the door to empowerment …

Access To Sexual Assault Care And Exams On College Campuses – A Research-To-Action Project, Brenna Schwien

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Introduction: The rates of unreported sexual assaults on college campuses is astounding. This can be attributed to different factors, some of those including access to a location where they are able to receive a Sexual Assault Kit, transportation to locations that offer that service, and overall lack of education pertaining to the process after sexual assault. It can be seen on campuses that offer these services; students are utilizing the service at higher rates that expected.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine how to provide students with sexual assault care on college campuses in hopes to resolve …

Addressing Service Gaps For Underserved Populations Of Gender-Based Violence: Insights From A Midwestern State Needs Assessment Survey, Ziwei Qi, Annalise Loucks, Suzanna Schneider

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Abstract:

Understanding the prevalence and service needs of underserved populations affected by gender-based violence (GBV) is crucial, as their experiences are often underreported, and existing services frequently fall short of effectively addressing their needs. In this presentation, "underserved populations" refers to historically marginalized, underrepresented, and inadequately supported groups as victims of GBV.

The presentation examines various services, including direct forms like shelter and advocacy, and indirect approaches such as systemic interventions and policy reform. Conducted in a Midwestern state, the presentation involved insights from advocates, victim shelter staff, law enforcement, and legal professionals, totaling 41 responses. Findings reveal significant service …

Using Online Support Group To Cope During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review, Naishuo Sun, Xinle Jia

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affects mental health due to prolonged quarantine. Online support groups offer vital social and informational support during crises. This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review of current literature about online support group during pandemic, and to examine the research gap, promote engagement with (in)accurate health information, and to explore additional benefits of the online support group. We searched with the keyword in three databases from 2020 to 2023, resulting in 15 number of articles. The information extracted from the 15 studies includes county, target group, platform, purpose of the group, study design, measure, and …