Beyond The Indicators: Community-Defined Sustainability In Bario, Sarawak, Rhonwyn Hagedorn

Capstone Collection

This study examines how Kelabit community members in Bario, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo define and practice sustainability within community-based tourism (CBT), and how these local understandings align with or diverge from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study used a thematic analysis drawing on fifteen semi-structured interviews with Kelabit community members, supplemented by tourist questionnaires and document analysis of online tourism materials. Four themes emerged: sustainability as collective stewardship; community decision-making and collaboration; cultural identity as the core of tourism; and equity, participation, and the limits of growth. Findings suggest that Kelabit community members hold a holistic, relational, and …

Learning In The Third Place: Community-Based Educational Programs At A Bookstore Cafe, Tiana Henry

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes an alternative learning program, where learning in the third space of a bookstore café is developed in St. Ann, Jamaica. The program responds to gaps in culturally relevant, community-centered educational spaces that reflect Jamaican heritage, support diverse learning styles, and extend beyond traditional classroom structures. A needs assessment consisting of a stakeholder survey and follow-up interviews demonstrated interest in experiential, arts-based, and place-rooted learning opportunities among educators and community members, despite a limited sample size and minimal youth participation. Findings also highlighted the need for stronger community engagement strategies, intergenerational knowledge exchange, and accessible spaces that integrate …

Global Pathways: Suwon, South Korea - Semester Abroad Program Proposal, Amanda D. Ledger

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes the Global Pathways: Suwon program, a semester-long study abroad initiative developed in partnership between Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Kyonggi University (KGU) in Suwon, South Korea. The program responds to current limitations in study abroad, particularly the prevalence of short-term tourism-oriented experiences and curricula that prioritizes Western perspectives. A needs assessment consisting of student interviews, surveys, and professional consultation demonstrated strong interest in programs that combine language learning, cultural immersion, and career development. Findings also highlighted the importance of financial accessibility, reciprocal host partnerships, and ongoing advising support. Drawing on Freire’s critical pedagogy and Vygotsky’s sociocultural …

Global Pathways: Suwon, South Korea, Amanda D. Ledger

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes the Global Pathways: Suwon program, a semester-long study abroad initiative developed in partnership between Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Kyonggi University (KGU) in Suwon, South Korea. The program responds to current limitations in study abroad, particularly the prevalence of short-term tourism-oriented experiences and curricula that prioritizes Western perspectives. A needs assessment consisting of student interviews, surveys, and professional consultation demonstrated strong interest in programs that combine language learning, cultural immersion, and career development. Findings also highlighted the importance of financial accessibility, reciprocal host partnerships, and ongoing advising support. Drawing on Freire’s critical pedagogy and Vygotsky’s sociocultural …

Embedded Aid And Organizational Vulnerability: Usaid’S Withdrawal And Moroccan Civil Society, Elsie Prince

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This study examines the consequences of the United States’ 2025 dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USIAD) and its effects on Moroccan nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). While debates within the United States increasingly frame foreign aid as wasteful or misaligned with domestic priorities, USAID has historically served as a core instrument of U.S. geopolitical strategy and a central source of financial, technical, and institutional support for local civil society abroad. The research investigates how long-term donor-recipient relationships shape organizational vulnerability and resilience when a dominant donor abruptly withdraws. Based on qualitative fieldwork conducted in Morocco in 2025, the study …

Rooted In Resilience: Exploring Indigenous Economic Models And Sustainability On The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation., Dominique Nault

Capstone Collection

This study examines how traditional practices and cultural values of the Chippewa Cree shape the economic identity and sustainability of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined demographic surveys with culturally grounded interviews, the research reveals that economic development in the community is inseparable from traditional knowledge systems, collective well-being, and ecological stewardship. Rather than centering on financial accumulations, wealth is defined by family, community, and cultural continuity, placing traditional knowledge on par with land and monetary resources.

Three central themes emerged from the data: (1) the enduring role of traditional values and cultural knowledge in …

Shining In Times Of Crisis: How Refugee Women Display Leadership And Transform Hardship, Laura Iorg

Capstone Collection

Abstract

There are currently approximately 122.6 million people displaced globally (UNHCR, 2024). This figure includes 43.7 million refugees (UNHCR, 2024). Nearly half of them are women. This qualitative study examined the following questions: How do women manifest leadership and agency in refugee situations? Subquestion: How do women contribute to peace, transformation, and healing through that leadership and agency? Five different individuals who had worked with women refugees for at least two years were recruited for the study. Two data collection instruments were employed: a preliminary survey and a structured interview. The study focused on the lived experiences of refugee women …

Agricultural Innovation To Climate Change In Northwest Pemba Island, Margaret Horn

Tanzania-Zanzibar: Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management

This study investigates how climate change is reshaping agriculture and food security on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, a region historically known as “The Green Island” for its rich biodiversity and agricultural productivity. Through semi-structured interviews with 11 local farmers and extended participant observation at the farm of government official Amour Juma Mohammed, the research reveals that increasingly erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts are disrupting traditional planting cycles and reducing crop yields. Farmers report the near disappearance of the vuli rainy season and increasingly severe weather during masika, leading to both water scarcity and crop damage. In response, many have …

Mexico’S Ngos: Medical Mission Network Mexico Red Materno Infantil’S Effectiveness And Strategy Employed To Combat Maternal Mortality In Mexico., Yadira Gonzalez

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy

This qualitative case study investigates the role of two non-governmental non-profit organizations. Medical Mission Mexico is a non-profit civil association in Chetumal, Quintana Roo and Red Materno Infantil is a civil society organization in Mexico City. Through expert interviews and case study analysis this research explores how each organization implements strategies tailored to the distinct needs of urban and rural populations. The findings reveal that while both organizations work toward the same maternal health outcomes, their methods are different but still focus on education, community trust, and advocacy. This paper emphasizes the value of these organizations, their strategies, and the …

Making The World A Better Place: Meaningful, Reciprocal Service Learning In Costa Rica, Nora Geer

Capstone Collection

Despite the countless benefits that international service learning can present to host communities and student service learners, current service learnings offerings for undergraduate students remain relatively limited in quantity and intentionality. Unless international service learning programs lead with reciprocity, meaning, and sustainability, their pitfalls may exceed their advantages, resulting in an industry that leaves both communities and student participants necessitating more. The following proposed program in Costa Rica plans to lead by example, remedying service learning’s greatest shortcomings by making community relationship building its utmost priority, emphasizing cross-cultural exchange between students and community members, and offering service projects that fill …

The Barriers And Motivations To Recycling Behaviors In The Byron Shire, John Pearl

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

This research investigates the key factors influencing recycling behaviors in the Byron Bay area, focusing on barriers and motivations within the community. The study aimed to identify perceptions and practices around recycling, with particular attention to confusion, social norms, and infrastructure. Data was collected through a survey of 62 local residents, supplemented by interviews with waste management professionals Findings revealed that confusion over recycling rules was a significant barrier, with 42% of survey participants reporting it as a challenge. Despite this, 97% expressed confidence in knowing what can and cannot be recycled, indicating a gap between perceived and actual knowledge. …

Harvesting Connections: A Creative Documentary On Sustainable Food Practices & Community In The Byron Shire, Abigail Wadkins-Daub

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

This research explores the intersection of sustainable food practices and community connection in the Byron Shire, New South Wales Australia. This study specifically focuses on how practices such as composting, organic agriculture, farmers markets, and shared meals encourage both environmental well-being and social bonds. This project is presented as a 21 minute documentary titled Harvesting Connections, which included five semi-structured interviews with community members, including local farmers, home gardeners, market managers, and community garden leaders. Interviews were conducted over a five week period in November 2024, with participants including Sharon Gibson, Dave Forrest, Sue Mangan, Allie Godfrey, and Ahbi. These …

The Impact Of Historical Trauma And Political Conflict On Mental Health In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study Of The Drc And Rwanda, Aurore Shima

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy

Defined as an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, mental health is essential for personal recovery and societal stability, especially in post-conflict settings. In regions like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where communities have endured extreme political violence, the scars of historical trauma remain deep. While various literature exists on the psychological effects of political conflict, few studies have been conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the impact of historical trauma on mental health outcomes in this region remains sparse. This research explores the psychological effects of historical trauma stemming from political conflict in Rwanda and the …

Assessing The Progress And Effects Of Exotic Plant Invasions In A Sustainably Used Littoral Forest Fragment In Southeastern Madagascar, Grant Gerhardt

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

While it is important to conserve Madagascar’s unique natural forest environments and the biodiversity they contain, it is also essential that populations reliant on these ecosystems for their income and survival have access to the resources they provide. Sustainable use forests, designated by the IUCN as category VI protected areas, are the solution to meeting both of these conditions. At the same time, it is often the case that the use of forests invites disturbance, which in turn encourages the introduction and establishment of nonnative or invasive plant species. This study examines the degree to which the intensity of use …

Resilience Through Urban Green Spaces: Collaborations And Collective Action Toward Equitable Access And Creation Of Green Space In Albany, New York, Frederick Bentley

Capstone Collection

The crisis of climate change-driven disaster and instability is affecting humans all over the world, especially vulnerable populations in urban settings. This crisis exacerbates social inequalities in cities that exist from a legacy of discriminatory policies. This research centers local perspectives and policies on access and utilization of green spaces as a vital social and green infrastructure within the city of Albany, NY. Building off literature establishing green space as a means to build climate resilience and foster community wellbeing, this paper uses a socio-ecological lens to explore efforts being made by government and community organizations to foster equity, social …

How Spirituality Intensifies Sustainability: A Case Study Of Ananda Valley In Northern Portugal, Mia Handler

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The religious affiliations of citizens in the West are currently shifting away from the fundamentalist, traditional structures of the past towards more alternative spiritualities. Furthermore, as a result of the climate crisis, ecovillages are becoming increasingly popular. Ecovillages are intentional, “sustainable” communities that seek to reduce consumption, live in harmony with nature, and create strong social bonds. They are characterized by varying levels of spiritual involvement (Greenberg, 2014, p. 274). As such, the objective of this paper is to study the relationship between spirituality and environmentally-friendly practices and attitudes, using the ecovillage Ananda Valley – an Ananda Marga Master Unit …

Sustainability And Connection To Place: Land Stewardship Through Local Icelandic Women-Run Businesses, Hazel Deharpporte

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Iceland is one of the leading countries in gender equality, but women are still underrepresented in the field of entrepreneurship. Women have unique approaches to land stewardship, and there is evidence that they are more likely than men to act sustainably. The purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between sustainability and connection to place in women-run, local businesses. I interviewed six women who run a wide range of businesses in the towns of Ísafjörður and Djúpivogur. From these interviews, I found that while the women did not necessarily think that running a business was more difficult as …

Monuments As A Lens To Understand Climate Change: A Survey Of Altered Indian Architecture, Mckenzie Davis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

My project is asking in what ways climate change is impacting monuments in the developing world using case studies in India? The project will be a survey of sites occupying different positions in environment, religion, and history in order to assess the multitude of threats on cultural heritage created and/or exacerbated by climate change. The Taj Mahal (17th century) will be assessed in order to discuss the impacts of air pollution associated with an urban environ ment and drought along the Yamuna river, using a widely known icon of India to serve as a visualization of slow violence taking place …

Impact Of Community Radio On Community Development In The United States, Jillian Hermansky

Capstone Collection

Community radio is a community-led broadcasting service that serves as a tool for development for communities around the world. This research study explores the development benefits of community radio in the United States using a case study of Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed FM community radio stations to evaluate the role of community radio in communication and information sharing and promoting sustainable social change and development. To fulfill the objectives of the case study, data was collected from 55 community radio stations in the United States using mixed-questionnaire digital surveys and supplementary virtual interviews. Findings indicated that community radio stations in …

Using Sport As A Tool For Sustainable Development: International Organizations And Sustainability, Hank Young

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For hundreds of years, sports have provided a platform of entertainment that serves its main core purpose of bringing groups of people together. Today it is a global tradition that promotes an inclusive society and allows an educational experience for the athlete and the fan. Sports are a possible catalyst in striving for global objectives. The United Nations created the Millenium Development Goals which were eight goals proposed in the year 2000. Aimed to work toward the biggest problems we as a global community face. Fast forward fifteen years and the new Sustainable Development Goals are created. They consist of …

Indigenous Conceptions Of Community Organization And Autonomy In Oaxaca’S Sierra Norte: Answers And Resistance To State-Sponsored Practices Of Internal Colonialism, Carter Minnick

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Over the past century, the Mexican government has continued to reproduce dominant, colonial relationships with its indigenous populations. Within the last few decades, clashes between harmful neoliberal visions of national development and continued demands for indigenous autonomy have only intensified. In the context of such events, this present work seeks to explore a specific conception of community identity, coined as la comunalidad, in the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca. After the breakdown of its most fundamental tenets, I will attempt to both underscore its position as a framework of resistance in combatting historical and ongoing state-organized aggressions against these communities, …

Cbos As A Tool For Sustainable Community Development: The Case In Kapchorwa, Annie Manges

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The purpose of this research was to assess the ability of Community Based Organizations, or CBOs, in the Kapchorwa District of Uganda to create long-term and sustainable community development that meets the needs of their community. To provide the necessary context for the study, I conducted a literature review of poverty in Uganda, theory in sustainable and community development, the connection of CBOs to sustainable community development, challenges and strengths for CBOs, and the general context of the structure of and the regulations for a CBO in Uganda.

The participants in the research were members of CBOs in the Kapchorwa …

Current State Of Seagrasses In Zanzibar: Impacts Of Coastal Economic Activities And Marine Protected Areas On Seagrass Cover, Danielle Purvis, Narriman Jiddawi

Capstone Collection

Seagrass meadows are located abundantly in Zanzibar, Tanzania and provide essential ecosystem services, such as sediment nutrient enrichment and blue carbon sequestration. However, seagrasses have been less researched or protected than other marine ecosystems. Although environmental variables affect seagrass health, evidence suggests that anthropogenic impacts are their greatest threats. The rapid expansion of seaweed farming and tourism and widespread use of harmful small-scale fishing practices in Zanzibar have contributed to the degradation and removal of seagrass meadows, disrupted coastal marine food chains, and reduced local biodiversity that seagrasses support. Public or private marine protected areas (MPAs) protect most of Zanzibar’s …

Black Lives Matter, Randal Mckoy

Capstone Collection

The notion of systematic racism continues to exist even today among African-Americans. The systematic racism that they face prevails in every area of their life, whether it is social or economical. This paper examines the experiences of systematic racism that African Americans go through in their daily lives and to what extent they believe that reparations can be used to address those inequalities and be a means to overcome racism in the United States. The literature reviewed focused on various aspects on the history of racism and inequality in the United States, systematic barriers in education, as well as the …

What Does A "Just" Local Food System Look Like? Views From Worcester In A Changing Climate, Marguerite Cawley

Capstone Collection

Food and climate are closely intertwined, with the high-emissions U.S. industrial food system contributing to climate change, while a changing climate produces new food system vulnerabilities, which will particularly impact those of the least means. This research is premised on the need to transform our food system, and to define what this vision looks like at the local level, while centering questions of power, justice and rights. It explores how groups, organizations and individuals engaged in local food system change envision transformation and understand corresponding social justice concerns, in a changing climate. It looks at opportunities for food and climate …

The Island Earth Field Studio: A High School Summer Program On Polynesian Voyaging In Hawaii, Andrea M. Bachmann

Capstone Collection

The Island Earth Field Studio is a ten-day program for high school students to learn about Polynesian voyaging in Hawaii as a framework to understand non-Western knowledge systems. The program design is grounded in research on the historical significance of voyaging and informed by current literature on adolescent development and place-based pedagogy.

To further refine the program, a needs assessment was conducted using a combination of surveys and interviews with parents and educators in the continental United States (mainland) as well as interviews with local partners in Hawaii. The assessment revealed that cultural learning and community building were viewed by …

My Photo, My Voice: Reducing Self-Stigma Of Felons & Drug Addicts Through The Use Of Storytelling And Photographs, Jordan Ferrick

Capstone Collection

In the United States, when we talk about addiction and incarceration, what are the stories that are usually told and from whose perspective? This project assembled a multi-method approach incorporating photovoice and a semi-participatory action research (PAR) methodology to establish community connections and facilitate healing through personal storytelling and listening. Working with Phoenix Rise House in Bellows Falls, VT, a transitional house for (12) men who are formerly incarcerated and/or recovering addicts, this research addresses the question: How can internalized stigma, of felons and addicts, be reduced with photo storytelling? Underpinning the semi-PAR methodological approach is a theoretical framework incorporating …

Facilitating Community Participation With Palestine Refugees: An Exploratory Study Of Unrwa, Tiffany Rene Baccus

Capstone Collection

Community participation plays an important role in reversing the traditional power dynamic between service providers and beneficiaries. However, the level of community participation facilitated by organizations in their initiatives often varies greatly. This study sought to understand how and to what extent the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) West Bank Field Office can best facilitate community participation with Palestine refugees through its initiatives. Data collection took place at two levels: the strategic and camp level. The strategic level included interviews with a representative from the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s Department of Refugee Affairs (DORA) as well as nine staff …

Searching For A Brighter Tomorrow: An Internship Working Toward The Alleviation Of Energy Poverty Through Solar Power And Search-Engine Crowdfunding, Meaghan Mcelroy

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Auroville Consulting is an environmental consulting firm, founded in 2010, that works to create an environmentally-friendly and socially responsible world. One of Auroville Consulting’s projects, the Solar Village Initiative, works to address the effects of energy poverty by installing on-grid solar panels and solar generation systems in rural villages throughout rural Tamil Nadu., with the Solar Village Search Engine as a crowdfunding tool for the project. By performing dayto- day tasks pertaining to communications, journalism, social media, and promotions for the Solar Village Search Engine at Auroville Consulting; participating in in-office discussion; and living and working in Auroville, I was …

Creating An Ecology Of Hope: Nature-Based Training To Increase Compassion And Collaboration In Building Sustainable Communities, Charlotte Herz

Capstone Collection

In an increasingly technological world, the human connection with nature is falling behind. Acts of violence are more prevalent in media and mainstream news reports. Environmental concerns and issues are in the fore-front of today’s policy debates. Yet, professional development opportunities that are being provided to a quickly changing work force are becoming stagnate. If technology is constantly improving why would teaching methods remain stagnate? I was drawn to the connection of nature’s inherent adaptability and the human’s desire to maintain the status quo. I chose to explore this idea through a training CLC so that I may apply the …