Liberal Studies Commons^™

Leading Elca Lutheran Colleges And Universities: Lutheranism, Purpose, And Alignment, Ian K. Mcmichael

Doctorate in Education

The colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) occupy a unique space within the higher education market. To varying degrees, each school currently professes to be a school of the “third path” between sectarian dogmatism and secular relativism. However, the mission of these schools has shifted dramatically since their founding and whether there is anything markedly different between them and secular liberal arts schools remains an open question. While research has addressed mission, values, and purpose in this context, what has not been extensively explored previously is the role the leaders of these institutions play …

Volume Cxliv, Number 20, May 2, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Dancing In The Digital Age: How Social Media Shapes The Commercial Dance Industry, Luke Lisowski

Honors College Theses

Social media has fundamentally transformed the commercial dance industry, reshaping how dancers establish careers, connect with industry professionals, and promote their artistry. This thesis examines the impact of social media platforms – such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube – on career growth by facilitating networking opportunities, increasing visibility, and redefining industry standards. The research explores how digital platforms have shifted the traditional pathways to success, enabling dancers to showcase their work independently while also creating challenges related to self-promotion, competition, and mental health.

Through a series of in-depth interviews with professional dancers and choreographers actively working in the industry, this …

The Grizzly, May 1, 2025, Kate Horan, Erin Ewing, Renee Washart, Claudia Tracy, Nathaniel Nerone, Sidney Belleroche, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

The Grizzly Takes On CoSA! • Senior Alumni Award Honorees • A Goodbye • And a Hello! • Repair Cafe • Hillel: A Home for Many • Ursinus College 2024-25 Crossword • Sports Stars Shine at URSPYS • Ursinus Softball Battles Through Ups and Downs

Legacy Of Learning: The Journey Of Males Of Color And The Sustaining Power Of Community Cultural Wealth, Marvin Espinoza

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This phenomenological study explores how males of color in South Los Angeles utilize Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) to navigate educational pathways from high school through community college and university. Grounded in Yosso’s (2005) CCW framework—which includes aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, navigational, and resistance capital—this study centers the voices of ten first-generation African American and Latino/Latinx males from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Using a mixed methods design, the research combined participant intake surveys, structured questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews to capture how these students persist in the face of systemic barriers. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, while survey responses …

Impact Of Afterschool Programs On Students; Social Development And Emotional Learning, Natalie B. Harper

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Afterschool programs are described as activities that are organized and structured outside of the regular school day where there is a time where there is no academic pressure and, therefore, is a time with the potential to enhance social-emotional skills development and learning. The capacity to genuinely implement social emotional learning (SEL) programs that are hindered by difficulties in staff training and turnover, in addition to funding. This senior capstone project explores the impact of afterschool programs on students' social and emotional learning at a Monterey Bay charter school, especially in their ability to impact peer and teacher relationships, ultimately …

Effects Of Teen Parents On Elementary School Students’ Academic Performance And Well-Being, Victoria Canchola

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone research project examines the academic achievement and general welfare of elementary school children who have teenage parents. With the help of literature review, original qualitative research, anonymous surveys were sent to teachers and teen parents. The result findings uncover the difficulties faced by children of adolescent parents in terms of educational attainment. Highlighted findings revealed the complex interplay of socio-economic disadvantage, inadequate parental self-efficacy, emotional distress, and heightened learning environment barriers that these students face. These in turn affect their trajectory of development. In addition, responses from teachers indicated the chronic underachieving academically, exhibiting behavioral problems of the …

The Benefits Of Experiential Outdoor Learning For Elementary School Students, Jillian R. Witt

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project aims to delve deeper into the benefits of experiential outdoor learning that contributes to the growing body of knowledge and practical applications of this dynamic educational approach of elementary school students. Through the use of literature review, interviews with program workers and school administrators and survey with educators and past students, the result findings indicated that experiential outdoor learning benefits elementary school students despite some cost challenges, but provided them with more opportunities to learn from outdoor activities to increase their academic achievement, improve their cognition, and enhance their social skills with a deeper sense …

Impact Of Private Early Childhood Education On Academic And Social Preparedness Of Preschoolers, Destiny E. Rizo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping a child's academic and social development. This senior capstone examines how private preschool programs influence kindergarten readiness in both academic and social domains. Through a literature review and interviews with early childhood educators, this project explores the specific practices within private programs that contribute to children's preparedness. The result findings indicated that smaller class size, individualized instruction, and enriched learning environments are the key factors that could really support early learning success for children. As a future educator, this research highlights the value of incorporating these strategies into public school curriculum …

Impact Of Bilingual Education On The Academics Of Elementary School Students, Angelica M. Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This research investigates the impact of bilingual education on the academic performance of elementary school students, with a particular focus on Hispanic students in the Soledad area. As bilingual education continues to grow in importance across the United States, understanding its influence on students' academic outcomes is crucial. This study explores the definition, types, and historical evolution of bilingual education, with emphasis on how bilingual programs affect elementary school students' cognitive development, academic performance, and overall school experience. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, the research includes surveys administered to teachers and parents, assessing their perspectives on the availability and …

Volume Cxliv, Number 19, April 25, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

The Grizzly, April 24, 2025, Kate Horan, Renee Washart, Nathaniel Nerone, Sidney Belleroche, Erin Ewing, Hadley Whitman

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Experimental Film Event With Jen Proctor • Golf Centennial Conference Championships • Portrayals of Identity • Yik Yak Ban and Online Conduct • Tau Sigma Gamma Talks Events, Friendships and Recruitment • A List of Unserious Reasons Why You Should Join The Grizzly • Bears' Track Roars On • Men's Lacrosse Fights Through Challenging Season

Professional Development To Foster Rigorous, Student-Centered Discussions In Literacy, Elizabeth Hain

Masters Projects

This project looks at the gap of rigorous student discussion in literacy comprehension. It dives into research showing the impact of academic conversations for literacy comprehension. The project explores how professional development (PD) can equip teachers with strategies to foster student-centered discussions. The PD is designed to build teachers’ ability to implement Question the Author (QtA) techniques and facilitate rigorous, text-based discourse through Academic Conversations. The study aligns with constructivist learning theories, specifically Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and the role of metacognition in reading comprehension. Best implementation to facilitate the PD is post NWEA/State testing, allowing teachers to …

2025 Undergraduate Research Competition Program, Coastal Carolina University

Undergraduate Research Symposium Programs

16th Annual Undergraduate Research Competition, April 15-16, 2025.

The 2025 CCU Undergraduate Research Symposium included 168 oral and poster presentations (51 oral presentations and 117 poster presentations) and an additional 20 team pitch presentations composed of 57 students who participated in the inaugural year of the Wall College’s Chant’s Tank Pitch Competition.

Presentations at the Undergraduate Research Symposium were judged by over 80 faculty and staff, and prizes are awarded in three categories: Best Oral Presentation, Best Poster Presentation, and Best Chant’s Tank Pitch Presentation. Here are the following award winners in their respective categories:

Best Oral Presentation:

• 1st Place: …

Volume Cxliv, Number 17, April 18, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

The Grizzly, April 17, 2025, Kate Horan, Grace Olivo, Claudia Tracy, Renee Washart, Ashley Adam, Nathaniel Nerone, Emily Veasey, Jesse Cherone, Erin Ewing

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Denim Day: UC Peer Advocates • Myrin Makeover • Out of the Darkness Campus Walk • Sisters Helping Sisters • Fun Home Comes to Lenfest Theatre Stage • Party Culture: A Dying Breed? • Bears' Softball Looks to End Season on a High Note • Women's Lacrosse Confident Amidst Playoff Push

Volume Cxliv, Number 17, April 11, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

The Grizzly, April 3, 2025, Kate Horan

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

This is an April Fool's parody edition of the Ursinus College Grizzly newspaper entitled "The Goofly."

Journal Of The National Collegiate Honors Council (Spring/Summer 2025) 26(1): Whole Issue

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Contents

Editorial Policy, Deadlines, and Submission Guidelines

Editor’s Introduction, Amy Mecklenburg-Faenger

Forum Essays on “AI in Honors”

Navigating Generative AI in Honors, Anne Dotter and Victoria M. Bryan

AI Responsibilization: Shifting the Burden of Academic Integrity, Daniel A. Cryer

Pull Up a Chair, Deep Blue: AI in Honors Education, Betsy Greenleaf Yarrison

Teaching AI Literacy Through Science Studies, Rhetoric, and Ethical Reasoning, Michael J. Klein and Philip L. Frana

News From the Front: How to Win the AI War, Christine Haverington

Harnessing the Power of AI in Honors: Equipping Students to Leverage Tools Effectively, Lindsey Roberts and Jesse Roberts

Another …

Navigating Generative Ai In Honors, Anne Dotter, Victoria M. Bryan

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Considering the historical significance and pedagogical impact of educational technologies on teaching and learning in higher education, authors suggest that generative artificial intelligence creates more questions than solutions for honors practitioners. What might meaningful AI literacy look like throughout a multidisciplinary honors curriculum? To what extent will generative AI level educational inequities, or create new ones? If policing AI misuse is ultimately a losing battle, how might this understanding reshape assignment design, assessment practices, and even our definitions of academic dishonesty? Drawing on examples in current teaching practice, authors observe the two sides of generative AI—one holding powerful possibilities for …