The Role Of Executive Functions In Creativity, Gavin R. Kyer

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The present study investigates the relationship between executive functions and creativity, measured through divergent thinking. Literature review determines that there should be a positive correlation between executive functioning and creative idea generation, however, findings are mixed. This study tested the level of correlation/predictability between executive functions, specifically, updating, shifting, and inhibition, and creativity. Participants (N=112) completed tasks assessing updating (letter memory), shifting (number letter) and inhibition (Stroop). They also completed the Alternative Uses Task (AUT) that measures divergent thinking. Pearson’s correlations and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine any individual or combined relationship between executive functions and creativity. Results …

From Admission To Achievement: Evaluating The Predictive Validity Of Entrance Exams And Grade Point Average In Nursing Education, Kristen Fenlason

Education Doctorate Dissertations

At a critical time of nursing shortages, nursing programs must examine admission gatekeeping practices. The two common admission metrics, grade point average (GPA) and entrance exam scores, are inconsistently supported in the literature, particularly within the understudied population of practical nursing students. This quantitative, retrospective, correlational study examined the relationship between admission criteria and three measures of practical nursing student success: on-time first-semester completion, on-time program completion, and first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate. Data were collected from historical records of five cohorts of practical nursing students (n = 94) at a medium-sized community college from Fall 2020 to Fall 2024. …

Evaluating The Rural/Urban Divide In Conservation: Methods Of Improvement In Conservation Programming Across Kentucky, Lauren Tackett

Honors College Theses

Kentucky’s lands and waterways have always defined the state. Our unique karst landscape, combined with the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio River, help characterize the state and its identity. However, across Kentucky conservation efforts within recent years have been under attack. Through legislation changes and policy challenges, various bills have sought to repeal Kentucky’s conservation efforts regarding water, soil, and land use. Furthermore, there has been a rise in environmental disasters within the state that cause long term issues for both rural and urban communities to contend with. The responsibility of land stewardship falls on a variety of entities but weighs …

Perfectionism And Cognitive Flexibility: Comparing The Impacts Of Perfectionism Vs Excellencism On Cognitive Flexibility, Lillian R. Blackburn

Honors College Theses

Perfectionism is often defined as “high standards of performance which are accompanied by tendencies for overly critical evaluations of one’s own behavior” (Frost et al., 1990, p. 450). Although striving for high standards is characteristic of perfectionism, it is also a central concept of the construct of excellencism, that is striving for standards that are both high and attainable. Research has made a distinction between the pursuit of perfection and pursuit of excellence, suggesting perfectionists strive for high unattainable standards, whereas excellencists strive for high yet reasonable standards with more areas of flexibility (Gaudreau et al., 2022).  These differences have …

The Effects Of Impervious Land Cover And Red Tide (Karenia Brevis) On The Florida Manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) In The Gulf Coast Of Florida, Anna Compton

Honors College Theses

Red tide, caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, is an algal bloom event that occurs annually in the West Florida Continental Shelf. The algae releases brevetoxin, a toxin that can be fatal to wildlife in high concentrations. These algal bloom events are thought to be exacerbated by warming ocean temperatures and increased nutrient runoff from urbanization. Red tide is responsible for the mass mortality of various marine organisms like the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). This study analyzes the changes in nutrient runoff and sea surface temperatures, and how these factors affected red tide cell concentrations and Florida manatee mortalities …

From The President, Tamika Barnes

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Most Controversial State Park: Jekyll Island, Betsy Holt

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Beyond Challenging Up: How Organizational Climate Shapes Externally-Oriented Courage In The Workplace, Morgan Chandler

All Dissertations

Employees often face situations that confront them with the decision to do the right thing at work despite risk, which requires courage. This dissertation introduces a new form of workplace courage: challenging-around, which, in the context of the present study, involves pushing back against external stakeholders to uphold issues like ethical standards, organizational integrity, or professional judgement. Guided by Worthwhile Risk Theory, the study examined how organizational climate and moral courage influence this behavior. Results show that supportive, goal-promoting climates increase challenging-around, while moral courage independently predicts challenging-around. Additionally, the study validates a researcher-developed measure of challenging-around. Overall, findings suggest …

Concerned Philosophers For Peace, Vol. 34 (2026), Concerned Philosophers For Peace

Concerned Philosophers for Peace

In addition to organizational information, honors, awards, and calls for papers and abstracts, this issue contains the following articles:

• “Genocide, Evil, and The Madman's Bluff: The Moral Stain of President Trump's Shameful Threat to Annihilate Iran,” by Andrew Fiala
• “Lest We Forget,” by Anna Malavisi
• “Ancient Lessons on Peace from a Roman Dissident,” by Court Lewis

Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide: Supporting Mathematical Development From Birth Through Age Eight, Melissa Luckett, Systems Change Lab, Mississippi State University, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University

Books

The Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide is a comprehensive, research-informed digital publication designed to support the development of foundational mathematical skills in children from birth through age eight. Developed by the Systems Change Lab at Mississippi State University's Social Science Research Center, the guide translates evidence-based early mathematics concepts into practical, accessible strategies for educators, families, and caregivers. 

Organized by developmental stages, the guide integrates learning domains, age-appropriate math skills, and everyday instructional practices to promote the use of "math talk" and embedded learning opportunities across settings. It incorporates activities, instructional strategies, and resources aligned to support both formal …

Bridging Care Gaps For Sickle Cell Disease: Examining Case Management And Healthcare Utilization., Lindsey Page

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience complex medical and social needs, including high emergency department (ED) utilization, fragmented care, and systemic inequities. Disease-specific case management has emerged as a promising strategy to improve care coordination, patient outcomes, and healthcare efficiency. This mixed-methods case study examined the impact of disease-specific case management on healthcare utilization, patient-reported outcomes, and healthcare providers’ perspectives. Quantitative analysis evaluated the impact of disease-specific case management on ED and inpatient admissions, healthcare-related costs, and the length of stay for inpatient admissions. Qualitative data were collected using interviews with patients and healthcare providers, exploring utilization, bias, …

The Intersection Of Athletics And Online Abuse: A Study Of Cyberbullying Among Student-Athletes., Kate T. O'Bryan

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Abstract

The current study aimed to identify associations between social media use, cyberbullying victimization, and mental health symptoms experienced by Division I athletes at the University of Louisville. Using an electronic survey methodology, the current study examined individual characteristics such as social comparison frequency, team culture, and sport-level factors (e.g., NIL–based visibility and online experiences of athletes) to investigate cyberbullying victimization frequency among athletes (N =80) and potential relationships with mental health symptoms. Findings indicate that one-fifth (21.4%) of athletes between the ages of 18 and 24 were cyberbullied in the last month, with rumors spreading and mean …

Analyzing Trauma And Behavioral Health Trends: A Study Of Cans Data From Kentucky’S Child Welfare System., Bradley Scott

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Children who are involved in the child welfare system experience disproportionately higher rates of trauma and unmet behavioral health needs, which at times often go unmet. This study uses a secondary data analysis of administrative data compiled from the Analysis of Screening and Assessment Practice Study completed by the University of Louisville from Project SAFESPACE data organized from the 2022 assessment year across a sample of 3.759 youth involved in the child welfare system. The study found that a youth who was found to be demonstrating an adjustment to trauma is highly predictive of additional traumatic event exposure. Additionally, it …

A Word From The Writing Team (May 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Cognitive Inhibition In Creative Problem Solving, James Schnoes

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Creativity is a defining characteristic of human cognition and plays a central role in shaping our daily lives. In the literature, creativity is commonly conceptualized through two cognitive processes: divergent thinking, which involves generating multiple novel ideas, and convergent thinking, which involves arriving at a single correct solution by integrating all information available. (Cropley, 2006; Guilford, 1959; Runco & Jaeger, 2012). The present study examined how cognitive control, measured via the Stroop task (Stroop, 1935), relates to convergent creative problem solving as assessed by the Compound Remote Associates (CRA) task. Additionally, trends in alpha and theta power spectra during the …

The Effect Of Facial Adiposity On Hypothetical Medical Treatments As A Function Of Disgust, Lindsey Duran

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Perceivers are capable of estimating the health of individuals through cues to facial adiposity, with such inferences having accuracy in recognizing worse chronic health among those exhibiting greater adiposity. Nonetheless, these inferences could extend beyond health assessments into subsequent anti-fat prejudice based on perceptions of such individuals as pathogenically threatening. Although potentially functional in ancestral contexts, modern healthcare settings could render this functional stigmatization a liability that results in worse medical care toward those with higher adiposity. In this study, I tasked medical workers to evaluate male and female hypothetical patients at high and low levels of facial adiposity, particularly …

Parental Monitoring And Approval As Moderators Of Peer And Parental Influences On Adolescent Drinking, Clara Pool

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Adolescence (i.e., ages 12 to 18) is a developmental period marked by exploration and risk-taking behavior, which is often associated with increased risk for alcohol use. Adolescents’ perceptions of what is typical or approved behavior within their social environments (e.g., peers, parents) may be associated with their drinking behaviors. Parental monitoring is related to reduced substance use risk, though peer and parental influences can interact. For example, adolescents who perceive their parents do not approve of adolescent alcohol use may be less susceptible to alcohol-approving peers. Therefore, this study examined how adolescents’ perceptions of peer approval, parental approval, and parental …

Teaching Machines To Deter: Exploring Strategic Deterrence In Ai Models, Will Taylor

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project investigates whether deterrence can emerge as a meaningful strategy within a zero-sum stochastic game using multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). After outlining core concepts in game theory and deterrence, the study models a simplified deterrence environment in which two minimax-Q agents repeatedly interact under uncertainty and adversarial incentives. The agents learn from rewards shaped by escalation costs, unilateral vulnerability, and the stabilizing benefits of restraint. Results show that both agents consistently converge toward a conservative, status-quo strategy, overwhelmingly selecting the Maintain action while avoiding both escalation and restraint in most scenarios. This behavior reflects the risk-averse logic of …

'Haven't You Heard? I'M The Internet Girl': Katseye Fan Discussions And Parasocial Relationships On Tiktok, Kristin Tuttle

Journalism Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines how fans of the girl group KATSEYE interact with each other on TikTok and explores how their discourse may reflect indicators of parasocial relationships. The study is guided by parasocial relationship literature, participatory culture theory, and the Celebrity Attitudes Scale (McCutcheon, Lange, & Houran, 2002), which identifies varying levels and intensities of celebrity worship and emotional investment. The study addresses two research questions: RQ1: How do KATSEYE fans talk about the group and interact with one another on TikTok, and RQ2: How are indicators of parasocial closeness expressed in KATSEYE fan discourse? To answer these questions, a …

Learning Never Retires: A Fundraising Plan For The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute At The University Of Arkansas, Olivia C. Boykin

Journalism Undergraduate Honors Theses

This professional strategic communication project uses contextual framework of fundraising methods and audience research to develop a strong justification for donor support to programs at The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas (OLLI) (Jalali et al., 2024). This work models theoretical perspectives of interdisciplinary motives for charitable giving to institutions of higher education and applies them to OLLI 's unique needs. The deliverables of this project will be (i) a scholarly applied research manuscript that provides a background for a fundraising plan; (ii) the fundraising plan, and (iii) evidence-based creative communication concepts, such as print-ready postcards, flyers, …

The Impact Of Ai-Generated Celebrity Endorsements In Political Advertising, Ryann M. Richards

Journalism Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines how celebrity endorsements and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) influence voter perceptions in elections. To study the relationship between celebrity endorsements and AI, I used an experiment embedded in a survey with two conditions: one AI-generated celebrity endorsement and one AI-generated non-celebrity endorsement. Both endorsements were for a fictional candidate running for office on a platform of supporting maximum age limits of elected officials. In the celebrity condition, an AI-generated version of Dolly Parton’s voice was used. Participants then reported their perceptions of favorability, trustworthiness, recognition, fandom, and policy support. The results showed that participants who …

May 2026 Library & Learning Newsletter, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Library & Learning Dean's Office Communication Team

Library & Learning Newsletters

PDF version of the May 2026 (Volume 4, Issue 10) Library & Learning Newsletter.

Against Their Own Interests? Latinos And The Rightward Shift, Marianna S. Visbal

Honors College Theses

This study examines whether Latino voters in the United States are acting against their self-interests when supporting right-wing Republican candidates, particularly in recent elections characterized by increased Latino support for figures like Donald Trump despite harmful rhetoric. While existing literature and public discourse often assume that Latino voters share a clear set of interests aligned with progressive politics, this research questions that assumption. Motivated by underrepresentation in political research and personal observations within Latino communities, I explore how political self-interest is defined and understood. Using qualitative expert interviews with Latino elected officials, journalists, and political professionals based in New York …

Unmasking Emotional Labor: Visualizing The Challenges Experienced By Human Resources Professionals, Abigail (Abby) Leff

Honors College Theses

The field of human resources (HR) requires a complex balance of advocating for others and enforcing organizational policies, all the while managing its own emotional challenges. This dynamic demands that HR professionals engage in intense emotional labor without sufficient organizational support, the burden of which can lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and psychological consequences. Despite the prevalence of these dynamics, the emotional experiences of HR professionals are under-researched. This literature review explores emotional labor and burnout HR professionals face, evaluates available resources in the field, and examines coping strategies that HR professionals use. The research is applied to an …

The Effectiveness Of Local Historic Place-Based Educational Programs: A Scoping Review, Danielle Bellantoni

Master's Theses

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of local place-based history education programs on adolescents aged students in 6th to 12th grade in the United States public school system. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) to summarize key research findings and identify gaps in the literature. Through thorough evaluation, three studies were included based on the eligibility criteria and each study showed that local place-placed history education programs are effective in the cognitive and affective domains. Although there is a gap in research, it is believed that …

Depersonalization/Derealization Symptoms And Their Association With Relationship Functioning In College Students, Edgar Silva

University Honors Program Senior Projects

Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR) is a dissociative condition marked by persistent feelings of detachment from one’s thoughts, body, or external environment. Although DPDR most commonly emerges during late adolescence and early adulthood, it remains relatively understudied within college student populations, despite its potential consequences for psychological well-being and interpersonal functioning. The present study examines the association between depersonalization/derealization symptoms, mental health, and relationship functioning among university students. Specifically, this research investigates whether students reporting higher levels of depersonalization/ derealization symptoms differ from those with lower symptom levels in depression, anxiety, stress, and perceived social support. Participants will be undergraduate students recruited …

Shale Investment Dashboard In Ohio Q1 And Q2 2025, Andrew R. Thomas, Mark Henning, Tessa Rosenberger

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report presents findings from an investigation into shale-related investment in Ohio, looking at up, mid, and downstream activities. The investment estimates are for January through June of 2025. The report also includes an estimate of cumulative investment into shale in Ohio from 2012 through December 2024. Prior biannual investments are included in previously posted reports that are available from Cleveland State University.

Examining Educational Legislation In Indiana, Jason Cary

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the world of educational legislation and how it is crafted, molded, and signed into law in the state of Indiana. The study examined the key legislative players, the machinations of the Statehouse, the educational organizations and their lobbyists, the national landscape, and other factors at play. To find the answers to the research questions in this study, the researcher interviewed multiple Indiana legislators. An effort was made to sit down with elected officials from both chambers who serve on the educational committees. According to the research, state and federal legislatures are …

You Have Come Too Close To Give Up: The Use Of Social Media By Black Men During Their Doctoral Process, Lamarcus Jermaine Hall

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the dissertation is to determine how and to what extent social media contributes to and supports the success of Black men as they obtain their terminal degrees. A qualitative study collected and analyzed data from the research question, “What are the experiences of Black men who used social media during their doctoral degree process?” Eleven participants from various U.S. regions were interviewed. This research is based on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Network Theory (SNT), which offer frameworks to understand how social media helps participants achieve their terminal degrees. Using a narrative inquiry approach, I highlight …

Grace Under Pressure: An Analysis Of School Administrator Personal And Professional Stress And Self-Efficacy, Andrew Mcdaniel

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Indiana public school administrators are one of the most important factors for a school’s academic success. If those administrators are effective, they can help maintain an excellent school’s academic success or perhaps even turnaround a failing school. Without a doubt, their performance is critical for a school’s success. If they have confidence in their ability to help create positive outcomes, their school can achieve great things. Unfortunately, assistant principals and principals are facing significant challenges, not only from schools, but also at home. How do these personal and professional stressors affect their sense of self-efficacy? The purpose of this study …