2016 Evaluation Report, Department Of Social Work, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

Annual Conference on Social Work in the Global Environment

The Theme of the 5th Annual Conference on Social Work in the Global Environment was: "Environmental and Ecological Justice, Human RIghts, and Socio-Economic Justice: Local and Global Response."

Cloud-Based Learning Tools: Supporting The Invisible Learner (Silent Sufferers) With Socioeconomic Challenges, Lynita A. Robinson Emba, Jimmy Johnson

Southwestern Business Administration Teaching Conference

Today's students are learning at unprecedented speeds. There are a pockets of learners who may be isolated/silent sufferers who face tremendous socioeconomic challenges while seeking higher education. Providing cloud-based technology solutions to strengthen support services and family learning engagement through a series of student family portals will provide the support needed to make student learning opportunities family-based projects or community-based projects successful in graduation completion rates and job placement opportunities.

Underground Infrastructure: Planning, Development And Revitalization, Guoliang Meng

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

The challenges facing Liuzhou’s underground infrastructure system today are unlike any it has ever faced before. Frequent underground gas pipeline leaks and explosions are impacting the safety and quality of citizens’ lives. To develop a safe, efficient and economical underground infrastructure system, Liuzhou City will have to do three things: (1) create a unified administrative department for underground pipeline administration, (2) conduct a citywide underground pipeline survey by stages and create an information platform to share the underground pipeline data, and (3) develop a public-private partnership to construct a utility tunnel. The poster outlines these critical steps in Liuzhou’s underground …

The Syrian Refugee Crisis, Jessica Schneider, Molly Stark, Wendy Chen, Jillyan Misiak

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Our primary goal in this presentation is to provide a comprehensive review of literature as it pertains to the influence of the Syrian Refugee crisis in Jordan, Turkey and Germany.These countries have experienced an enormous influx of refugees which has caused a need for economic and political concern. First, we will examine the history of Syrian Civil War that led to the displacement of Syrian individuals and families. Second, we will evaluate the effects of Syrian migration on the economical and political situation in Jordan, Turkey, Germany. We will discuss the various policies implemented in each of the countries that …

Transnational Terrorism, Kylie E. Faxon, Daejanna Preston, Amanda Stables, Sarah Powazki

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The goal of this presentation is to review the literature regarding transnational terrorism. We hope to identify four aspects of terrorism within the United States, the Middle East and Nigeria. We will explore homeland attacks and recruitment in the United States, the Middle East as an active site of terrorist origins, and Nigeria where the terrorist group Boko Haram has violated the country’s safety and rights. First we will look at the history of terrorism and its origins. Second, we will discuss the environmental and psychological factors that lead to the formation of terrorist groups and the goals behind their …

Foreign Aid, Susanna R. Mathew, Rachel Accas, Jervonne Ward, Ellery Kent

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

While foreign aid is generally thought of as a positive means to help the poor, in many areas it may do more harm than good. This presentation will provide a review of literature that focuses on the effects of foreign aid on developing economies. This presentation will highlight some harmful examples of global foreign aid by highlighting these examples in several different countries. First, the presentation will discuss the history and development of America’s foreign aid. Secondly, the presentation will highlight the positive and negative effects of foreign policies. Third, the presentation will consider a more recently developed form of …

Conflict Minerals, Joy Lindner, Jenna Parker, Sara Rogers, Erin Scott

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This presentation will include an extensive review of literature of Conflict Minerals, particularly situations occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conflict minerals, as defined by Salem Press Encyclopedia are raw minerals that derive from areas of armed conflict. The presentation will examine the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, conflict minerals and its intersection with militant groups and the recovery process. We seek to portray historical events that led to this conflict and discuss current initiatives to combat this important social issue. Our goal is to raise awareness of the far reaching impact of this conflict on …

The Impact Of Kinship Care On Children, Brittany Kopas, Bethany Hull, Maggie Weyandt, Jessica Rabenstein

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Our presentation examines the dynamics of kinship care in three regions of the world. The following countries were chosen due to the extensive contrasting research available regarding kinship care values, practices and experiences. In light of these factors, personal interest was also utilized to identify three unique countries: Australia, Kenya and the United States. The literature reflected that the value placed on the family unit remains firm despite region specific differences. We uncovered the prevalence of kinship care in these three specific countries to highlight underlying causes and lasting effects on the family unit. The Australian kinship care system has …

Evaluating Interprofessional Fast Forward Rounds For Transition Of Care Education, Laura Cummings, Ashley J. Smith, Mike Pelyhes, Zachary Jenkins, Phillip L. Thornton, Maurice Lee, William Matcham

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Background: Interprofessional Education is gaining recognition by key pharmacy organizations for its value in healthcare education, producing various models for implementation among healthcare students and professionals. Unfolding cases incorporating transitions of care may improve student skills and attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration.

Objectives: This project assessed the efficacy of unfolding cases in improving interprofessional skills and attitudes among pharmacy, nursing, and social work students. The ultimate goal is to integrate this model, if proven effective, into the curricula of multiple health science centers.

Methodology: First, pharmacy, nursing, and social work students completed a pre-intervention survey regarding interprofessional skills and attitudes before …

The Use Of Cohort Facebook Pages In Mft Training Programs, Alisha Abramson, Taryn Kalagian, Carissa A. Daniello-Heyda, Katherine M. Hertlein

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

The current study explores how private cohort Facebook pages impact a MFT students’ training experience. Limited research has been conducted regarding social media and clinical training programs. Students from national MFT master’s and doctoral programs will be interviewed about their experience with private cohort Facebook pages. Students will participate in focus groups lead by student-researchers in order to increase participation and anonymity. Data will be analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’ s (1990) grounded theory. This research is essential because of the increase of usage of Social Media in today’s society. Graduate programs are implementing the use of Facebook pages for …

Doctor, Lawyer, Social Worker?: Exploring The Experiences Of Asian American Pacific Islander (Apia) Social Work Students, Jiabao Zhang, Kathleen J. Bergquist, Arthur Tabrizi

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

This study examined preliminary result using a snowball sample of 121 APIA social work students from accredited institutions that offer social work programs. The purpose of this study was to explore APIA social work students’ perceptions and experiences in the program and their expectations from classmates, APIA faculty, field liaison, and agencies. A 44-item survey was sent through an online survey site to APIA students. The results indicated that while most participants reported that family do not have a strong influence on their profession, 39% out of 83 respondents reported positive experiences with social workers drove them to pursue this …

Ideal Elves? Expressing A 3-Dimensional Personality In A 2-Dimensional Space, David Tauber, Joshua Wanner

Student Research Symposium

Published in 2007, the Ideal Elf is a classic article studying character creation in Online Games. It used quantitative methods to address the difference between the idealize self of individuals surveyed, and the online characters they create. In their survey they found the difference between an individuals ideal self and the traits of the character they created was considerably smaller than the difference between the difference between the individual’s ideal self and their actual self. From this they suggested the creation of characters in game is partially a way for individuals to express their ideal selves. Our research attempted to …

Nature Connection: Theory, Evidence And Practice, Matt V. Bukowski

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

This presentation explores scholarly work at the intersection of mental health and the natural world in a variety of disciplines. My intent is to provide an overview of theoretical perspectives, research-based evidence, and clinical practices that support the idea that experiencing the natural world can improve human mental health outcomes.

Common Table, Patrick Mclaughlin

Center for Engagement and Community Development

Describes Common Table approach to increasing awareness and assistance to community members experiencing hunger and related economic stresses.

Black Women Matter: Assessing Scales To Examine Minority Stress And Intersectional Microaggression, Vanessa N. Jones

SEWSA 2016 Intersectionality in the New Millennium: An Assessment of Culture, Power, and Society

Greater understanding of minority stress and intersectional microaggression in African American women’s lived experience may contribute to improved health outcomes. To date, there is a scarcity of research exploring intersectionality and psychometric instruments. This review examines purpose, format, psychometric properties, and cultural applicability of seven measurement scales that assess gendered racism and sexual identity. Future research should include diverse samples of African American women to improve external validity. In clinical practice, measurement scales provide an objective tool to evaluate and differentiate minority stress.

Differential Media Portrayal Of The Pope, Keara King, James Morris

Undergraduate Research Conference

This project presented the media portrayals of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. It examined theories of media impact on media consumers, and applied these to media coverage of the Popes and perceptions of Catholicism in America.

Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Within Purity Culture: A Process Evaluation Of An Intervention Conducted With Community Partners At A Christian University, Kate Hendricks Thomas, Maggie Shields, Alycia Johnson

SEWSA 2016 Intersectionality in the New Millennium: An Assessment of Culture, Power, and Society

Background & Purpose: Many victims of sexual assault are rising to advocate for sexual assault prevention on college campuses, including Christian college campuses. Some reports indicate that Christian campuses shy away from the topic and refuse to allow needed programs on sex or sexual assault to be introduced to their campuses, even though it is so adamantly needed. The purpose of this study was to increase the promotion of sexual assault awareness and prevention to students on the campus of Charleston Southern University.

Methods: A one-day seminar was offered in partnership with a community health organization on campus. Over 75 …

Cultivating Leaders Of Indiana, Annagul Yaryyeva, Jennifer Sdunzik

Engagement & Service-Learning Summit

"Cultivating Leaders of Indiana" was developed to establish connections between the Purdue student body and the Frankfort community. By engaging high school students in workshops that focused on local, national, and global identities, the goal of the project was to encourage students to appreciate their individuality and to motivate them to translate their skills into a global perspective.Moreover, workshops centering on themes such as culture, citizenship, media, and education were designed to empower our project participants to embrace their sense of social value and responsibility not only in their immediate communities but also globally.

Working With Vulnerable Youth: Lgbt Youth In Foster Care, Justin D. Bucchio, Barbara F. Turnage Dr.

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This presentation directly discusses the needs of LGBT youth requiring out-of-home placement. In particular, this presentation will provide characteristics of a successful foster placement. The intended audience is anyone who cares about a sexually minority youth. This presentation ends with a model for the successful foster placement of sexual minority youth.

The Question Bridge And Multidisciplinary Education: Building An Innovative Partnership, Karen Derksen, Duane Neff, Wendy Sellers

Winthrop Conference on Teaching and Learning

The “Question Bridge: Black Males” is an interactive, transmedia dialogue among a critical mass of black men. The project began in 2012 as a documentary and has since evolved into an interactive website and mobile app in which black males of all ages and backgrounds ask and respond to questions about experiences via a video camera. The project is designed to breakdown the negative perceptions of black males and create a safe space for honest dialogue and healing. Winthrop University Galleries hosted an exhibit of this project in the Fall 2014 semester in conjunction with a larger roundtable discussion on …

“We’Re All On The Same Journey, But [Are Taking] Different Paths:” Relational Connection, Critical Consciousness And Visions Of Possibility Among Female Adult Literacy Learners, Jaye Jones

Adult Education Research Conference

Women Reading for Education, Affinity & Development (WREAD) is a literacy-focused reading and discussion group for African American women with self-defined histories of trauma. The following paper focuses on the links between relational connections in the group and the development of a collective critical consciousness.