Digital Commons Network^™

What We Carry Carries Us: Narratives Of African Immigrants Through Cultural Artifacts In The United States, Faizat Oladunni Asifat

Theses - ALL

In this thesis, I explore how African immigrants in Syracuse, New York, use cultural objects to navigate identity, memory, and belonging in a new environment. Through interviews, story circles, and personal narratives, it examines how everyday items transform into meaningful symbols of home, acting as emotional anchors and ways to preserve culture. The study reveals that these objects, though initially practical, gain significance through migration, helping individuals cope with the experience, maintain ties to their heritage, and negotiate hybrid identities. However, their meanings are fluid: some objects retain emotional and cultural weight, while others fade as immigrants adapt. Beyond personal …

Ua35/7 Class Of 2025 Commencement, Wku Gatton Academy Of Mathematics & Science

WKU Administration Documents

Commencement program for the WKU Gatton Academy of Mathematics & Science with list of graduates.

Colaboración Interdisciplinaria: Tablero De Control Para Una Institución Politécnica R01 En Los Ee. Uu. [Libro], Cristo Leon Ph.D., Victor Hugo Guzmán Zarate Ph.D.

STEM for Success Showcase

Introducción
En el ámbito académico, la colaboración interdisciplinaria emerge como un imperativo estratégico y un desafío multifacético. Este estudio tiene un enfoque eminentemente práctico y busca diseñar y aplicar una herramienta específica —un tablero de control interactivo— para facilitar y mejorar la colaboración interdisciplinaria en un entorno académico real. La complejidad inherente a este desafío se refleja tanto en el dinamismo del ambiente investigativo como en la falta de definiciones operacionales cohesivas que faciliten la evaluación y visualización de la colaboración interdisciplinaria. Para abordar estos desafíos, el presente estudio se llevó a cabo en la Facultad de Ciencias y Artes …

Reducing Stigma Towards Alcohol Use Disorder (Aud): A Parasocial Contact Approach, Prah Haider

Honors Thesis

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of control over alcohol intake, compulsive alcohol use and a negative emotional state when not drinking, which can follow a chronic, relapsing course (Carvalho et al., 2019). AUD ranks among the most prevalent mental disorders globally. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.8 million adults ages 18 and older (11.2% in this age group) had AUD in 2021 (NIH, 2024). My proposal seeks to create a novel approach to addressing stigma through creating the illusion of a relationship between a television viewer and a mediated on-screen persona. …

Red Cows, Yellow Dogs: Political Identity, Political Polarization, And Media Skepticism In A Single-Party Socialist Republic, Huu Dat Tran

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the interplay among political identity, trust in government and media, and patterns of media consumption in Vietnam, a single‐party socialist republic in Southeast Asia. Moving beyond the liberal democratic focus of existing scholarship, the dissertation challenges the assumption of political homogeneity in authoritarian settings and empirically explores the extent and character of polarization.

The dissertation takes a quantitative approach and employs multiple statistical techniques, including latent profile analysis (LPA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). It uncovers multiple latent political profiles within Vietnamese society, defined by varying degrees of trust in the government and ideological orientation. Further analysis …

It’S All About The Ruff: Utilizing Therapy Dogs To Address Trauma In Domestic Violence Settings, John R. Chapin, Grace A. Coleman, Michael Brayack

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Within the context of victims and violence, this study serves multiple purposes: (1) to explore the impact of pet ownership on children and adolescents within the context of bullying and school violence; (2) to document the impact of therapy animals on domestic violence victims; (3) to document the impact of working canines in courts on domestic violence victims. Findings from three surveys (1,648 children and adolescents in school; 12 child counseling clients; 41 adult domestic violence counseling clients; and 69 domestic violence victims in court) contribute to a growing literature documenting the psychological benefits of interacting with pets and animals …

The Impact Of Motivational Interviewing On African-American Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Jamekia Kitchens

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

African-American men with type 2 diabetes face an immense health disparity in the United States, with alarming mortality rates compared to their counterparts. This pilot study examined the impact of motivational interviewing on African-American Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The researcher conducted motivational interview sessions using the components of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale to guide the meetings. Pre- and post-confidence levels and pre- and post-hemoglobin A1c levels were collected and analyzed. After the completion of three motivational interview sessions, participants displayed significantly higher self-efficacy scores with significantly decreased A1c levels. The results suggest that motivational interviewing has a …

Department Chair And Faculty Perceptions Of Organizational Communication In The Post Covid-19 Era, Gabriele Cafone Zengewald

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of department chairs and full-time faculty with organizational communication during a time of organizational transition post COVID-19. Utilizing the conceptual framework of communication satisfaction developed by Downs and Hazen (1977), the study used semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis of pandemic communications. Findings indicated that engagement, transparency, and clarity were essential in creating positive perceptions of communication with department chairs playing a critical role between upper-level administration and faculty. Facutly noted greater trust and satisfaction when communication allowed for two-way dialogue and was delivered through clear …

Improving Interactions During Medical Interpretation: Educational Module For Medical Students, Alyssa Reinschmidt, Denyelle Kenyon, Hilda Sanchez-Herrera

Scholarship Pathways Program

As the population of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) continues to grow in South Dakota and across the United States, healthcare systems face increasing challenges in providing equitable care. This study evaluates the implementation of an educational module designed to prepare first-year medical students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) to work effectively with medical interpreters and patients with LEP. The module included a didactic session, role-play, open discussion, and pre- and post-surveys assessing students’ knowledge, attitudes, preparedness, and perceptions of the educational environment. Results from 68 participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all …

The Impact Of Digital Storytelling In Nonprofit Marketing: Increasing Donor Engagement, Haley Cote

Honors Theses

Digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool in nonprofit marketing, reshaping how organizations engage donors, communicate their mission, and drive action. This thesis explores the impact of digital storytelling in nonprofit marketing, analyzing how nonprofit organizations leverage various digital platforms – websites, email marketing, social media—and frame their messages to enhance donor engagement. Using framing theory as a foundation, the research examines how the way nonprofit messages are structured influences donor perception and behavior. Through a literature review, case study analysis of Charity: Water, and survey data, thstudy evaluates key storytelling techniques such as positioning the donor as the …

On The Deconstruction Of Nothingness In Digital Communication, Matthew S. Lindia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project argues that digital technologies call for a new problematic of communication, centered around the conditions of (im)possibility for creating perfect digital profiles of users as generated from user data. Beginning with Edmund Husserl’s analysis of essentially occasional expressions, this dissertation posits that user data occurs on three levels: (1) the level of expression, where a user wants-to-say something through their inputs, (2) the level of facticity, where biometric data are involuntarily produced by the user, and (3) the level of nothingness, where the user’s inaction, such as not-answering, is taken as data. Moving beyond what Husserl’s framework can …

“Let Me Be A Bridge”: Language Brokering Among Emerging Adult Latina Professionals In The Midwest, Elise M. Dubord

Faculty Publications

In immigrant families, bilingual children and adolescents regularly act as translators and interpreters for family and community members who are not fluent in the dominant language. These childhood language brokers later shift the focus of their translation activities as they transition into adulthood and develop professional skills. This research explores narratives of language brokering trajectories of three bilingual Latinas who were emerging adult professionals in three cities in Iowa. Based on a series of interviews collected over a 15 month period, this analysis examines how participants described realigning their family language responsibilities while simultaneously transferring their language brokering skills to …

2025 Persimmon Creek - Full Journal, Beth Keefauver, Wayne C. Robbins

Persimmon Creek

Persimmon Creek runs through the Susan B. Jacobs Arboretum, an oasis of nature in the center of our dynamic and thriving campus community at the University of South Carolina Upstate. My colleague Wayne Robbins and I were recently tasked with bringing back the student-edited literary journal formerly known as Writer’s Inc. Dr. Marilyn Knight stood at the helm of Writer’s Inc. for nearly twenty years, and when she retired, the journal left with her. We thought it would be an opportune time to pay homage to the legacy of Writer’s Inc. by renaming and reimagining our home department’s literary journal. …

When The Siren Sounds, Madelynn H. Morgan

Persimmon Creek

Growing up being the daughter of a fire fighter was not easy. I had a very absent father growing up, and this was due to his work in the fire service. Through this reflective essay, I discuss what growing up as a first-response family was like, and how it has shaped me into the adult I am becoming.

Dancing On My Own: Examining Character Development In Hbo’S Girls, Phoebe Portnoy

Honors College Theses

In recent years, the HBO series Girls has experienced a resurgence in viewership and public discourse. Situated within the landscape of postfeminist television, there have been many conversations about how the show represents the privileged, self-involved, and unmotivated behaviors of many millennials. However, there was a lack of research focused on the growth of the lead characters from the series’ beginning to its end. I conducted a textual analysis of Girls, examining the four main characters’ development in career, romance, and female friendship. I examined their goals, emotions, and actions in these categories throughout seven episodes across three seasons …

The Kinship Of Creatives, Saba Saif Ur Rehman

MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture

This research essay contends that artists and creative individuals must recognize their agency in shaping societal narratives, particularly during times of technological and political upheaval. The essay draws on the insights and contributions of visionaries like Walter Benjamin, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Tomm Moore to emphasize the power of imagination and creativity in addressing real-world issues. It argues that previous technological advances have often reinforced hierarchical and oppressive systems, benefitting a select few while neglecting the masses. As we enter the fourth Industrial Revolution, this essay calls the artists to reclaim their tools from being co-opted for exclusionary and …

The Future Of Coaching: Empowering Prospective Educators In Speech And Debate, Willow Keller

Honors Projects

This project addresses a clear and pressing gap in the Ohio Speech and Debate Association’s current strategic plan: the need for formal coach preparation and recruitment. This project combines academic research with actionable, real-world solutions, ensuring that the proposal is both credible and feasible. It is grounded in data and educational best practices, making it highly relevant to the immediate challenges facing Ohio’s forensics community. This project advocates for the creation of a state-approved coaching curriculum, which will be offered to education majors and certify that they are qualified to coach high school and middle school Speech and Debate.

Healthcare Leadership In Western Societies: Religion, Politics, And Rhetoric, Nelly D. Figueroa-Herrera

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Aung San Suu Kyi & The Speech At Shwedagon Pagoda, Ella Michael

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

The Rhetoric Of Pope Francis: Leadership Profile, Elizabeth Kresse

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Gender Inequality And Export Diversification In Afghanistan: A Critical Literature Review, Kolea Suehiro

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

A Study On The Communication Of Religion In A Christian-University Context, Jessica Furrow

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

The Priming Effect Of Music On Political Alignment, Katherine Hailey, Blue Brasher, Brandon Kim

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Editor's Note, Elizabeth Kresse

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Pepperdine Journal Of Communication Research Volume 15, Issues 1-3, Elizabeth Kresse

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

The Business Of Domesticity: Homemaker Influencer Content And The Depoliticization Of Women's Gender Roles, Kathryn Andronowitz

Undergraduate Fellows' Research

Social media platforms have seen a rise in content created by female influencers who display their domestic and family lives, from “homefluencers” and “mommy bloggers” to media sensationalized “tradwives.” Among these content creators, “homemaker” influencers curate and present their lifestyles in ways that reflect and question broader discourses on gender roles, women’s labor, and traditionalism. This study analyzes the content of ten self-identified “homemaker” influencers on Instagram to understand how they construct and maintain a self-brand amidst adjacent online communities like crunchy and far-right networks, and in a wider neoliberal, postfeminist cultural context. This paper explores how Instagram’s platform features …

Researcher Risks: A Typology For Qualitative Risks To Researchers In Communication Studies, Rebecca M. Rice, Kristie Mcallum

Communication Studies Faculty Research

Discussions of risk in qualitative research tend to focus on risks to research participants. However, qualitative researchers also face risks—or uncertainties with potential for harm—because they serve as the research instrument. Communication researchers are uniquely suited to problematize the meaning of risk and extend theory about what risk is by noting that risk is subjective and communicatively constructed, both in qualitative methods and in research contexts. We create a typology of five risk contexts that pose a danger to researchers: crisis, disruptive, vulnerable, emotionally risky, and ethically fraught contexts. For each context, we define the risk, propose representative examples, and …

Advertising To Children: A Content Analysis Of Ryan's World, Cora Denny

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Ryan’s World is a children's toy review YouTube channel with over 36 million followers and features kid YouTuber Ryan Kaji. A qualitative content analysis of the YouTube channel Ryan’s World was conducted to observe the rhetorical strategies the videos employ to sell Ryan’s World products, as well as how those strategies compare to traditional advertising. An analysis of twelve videos resulted in dominant themes of increasing brand familiarity and product performance of Ryan’s World products. These were accomplished through the use of traditional advertising rhetorical strategies such as product placement, special effects, appeals, and more. The study shows that the …

I Will Not Accept This Rose: "The Bachelor(Ette)," Gender Stereotypes, And Self Perception, Rylie Vann

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Reality television is a cornerstone of modern-day TV programming, and typically features some element of competition, a makeover, or finding love. The Bachelor began airing in 2002, and the franchise that was built off the initial season continues to be a big name in romantically themed reality television. However, the show employs a variety of tactics during filming and while editing that presents a heteronormative view of contestants. The extent of this influence was explored using a mixed-method approach. A content analysis of several episodes from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette was conducted in order to determine how many instances …

To What Extent Is Social Media A Tool For Political Mobilization?, Bridget Westrum

Political Science Theses and Capstones

This study looks at the potential impacts of social media advocacy on mobilizing the pubic. Drawing from the Pew Research Center’s 2018 American Trends Panel, I look at Americans’ views of technology, political involvement, and their perceptions of social media and online engagement. I found that younger respondents view social media as more important to their political engagements. I find a significant relationship between census region and perceived importance of social media on issue involvement, as well. Respondents from the southern United States who consider themselves to be "very liberal" report a greater influence of social media on their involvement …