Digital Commons Network^™

College Access Literacy With A Focus On Key Transition Knowledge For Historically Underrepresented Students And Their Educators, Molly S. Dunn, Stephanie L. Savick, Rachel E. Durham

Journal of College Access

In this article, we present a programmatic model to develop College Access Literacy (CAL) among both students and educators. University faculty developed a six-module curriculum delivered through existing Professional Development School partnerships in afterschool seminars for high school juniors and separate class periods for other high school students. Professional development sessions were also delivered by content experts to high school educators and faculty who were paired to co-teach the curriculum. The program was implemented in three high schools that primarily serve historically underrepresented students. CAL topics, intended to provide students with knowledge and strategies for college access success, included college …

Book Review: Fundamentals Of College Admission Counseling: A Textbook For Graduate Students And Practicing Counselors, Brenda Gerhardt

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Introductory Pages, Christopher W. Tremblay, Patrick J. O'Connor Phd, Laura Owen, Moya Malcolm, Diana Camilo

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Marching To College: Exploring Military-Connected Students’ Access Experiences Navigating College Choice, Latosha R. Henderson, Jennifer Johnson, Shannon Martin

Journal of College Access

This study analyzed how pre-college advising and transition experiences impact the postsecondary success of military-connected students (MCS). Each year, approximately 200,000 military veterans transition to civilian life, with around 40% seeking higher education. Despite the financial support of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, MCS face unique challenges in accessing and succeeding in higher education, including restrictive admissions policies, unclear credit transfer processes, and insufficient pre-college advising.

Through a case study approach, this study explores the college transition experiences of MCS and the role of pre-college advising in supporting these transitions. Data were collected via surveys and interviews, focusing on the participants' …

Investigating The Effects Of Brief Video Interventions On White Undergraduate Students’ Racial Attitudes, Alyssa Powers

Dissertations

In this experimental study, a pretest posttest between-groups design was utilized to investigate the efficacy of two brief multicultural educational video interventions in improving the colorblind and affective racial attitudes of White undergraduate students. Ninety-eight self-identified White undergraduate students from a large, Midwestern university were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) viewing a video on the pervasiveness of individual racism and White privilege in the United States (True Colors); (b) viewing a video on institutional racism in the United States (Segregated by Design); (c) viewing a study tips video as the neutral control condition. Participants’ colorblind and affective …

How Certain Is The Continuity Of The Panama Canal And How Will It Affect The Global Supply Chain Industry?, Enmanuel Rodriguez Correa

Honors Theses

The Panama Canal, a critical artery of global trade, is under mounting threat from prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and evolving geopolitical dynamics, casting doubt on its long-term viability. This thesis investigates the continuity of the Panama Canal’s operations amid intensifying climate change, and assesses the broader implications for the global supply chain. As the canal facilitates approximately 5% of global maritime trade and provides billions in annual cost savings to shipping companies, any disruption poses severe consequences for global commerce, economic stability, and trade logistics.

The analysis begins by situating the canal within its historical and geopolitical context, emphasizing its …

Giving Oral Histories New Life Through Community Archiving Collaborations, Marianne Swierenga, Amy Bocko

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

Oral Histories conducted by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum have found a new life through a collaborative partnership with WMU Libraries. Recorded on VHS in 1995, oral histories from Jewish resort owners in South Haven, Michigan, were digitized, described, and published openly in ScholarWorks, WMU’s institutional repository. This poster describes how the collaboration began, the workflow between institutions, and the resulting final product.

Representation Of Autism Spectrum Disorders In Realistic Fiction For Children And Young Adults Over The Past 20 Years, Jane E. Kelley, Yun-Ju Hsiao, Brenda L. Barrio, Teresa A. Cardon, Madeline G. Joyce

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

In our study, we analyzed 147 contemporary realistic fiction children’s and young adult books that feature characters with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We compared these representations with current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For each book, we examined the character demographics, the main character, the author’s background, and representation prevalence. Our findings revealed a significant increase in the portrayal of characters with ASD over the past decade. There has also been a rise in the number of characters with ASD serving as the main protagonists in stories. We delved into the implications of gender, race, and …

Teacher Autonomy And Decision Making On Curricular Book Choices, Melanie D. Koss, Kathleen A. Paciga

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This article reports findings from an email survey of 748 U.S. PreK–8 teachers. The survey invited teachers’ reflections on their autonomy in selecting children’s literature for classroom instruction and classroom libraries. In this descriptive study, researchers used frequency counts, cross-tabulations, and examination of text-based responses. Data were analyzed across three constructs of teacher autonomy: capacity, self-direction, and freedom. Findings show teachers feel well equipped to select quality literature, have more self-direction in literature used for read-alouds and inclusion in classroom libraries than for instruction, and report recent sociopolitical events in the United States have stifled their feelings of freedom. Internal …

“Proving Our Worth”: Discourses Of Teacher Evaluation In Literacy Coaching, Carolyn S. Hunt, Deborah A. Macphee

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

There is increasing evidence that literacy coaching is an effective method for supporting teachers’ professional development. At the same time, teacher evaluation systems have intensified in response to reform initiatives, raising questions about what happens at the intersection of teacher evaluation and coaching. Despite the potential of coaching to promote deep reflection and professional growth, discourses of teacher evaluation can disrupt teacher-coach relationships if accountability is privileged over professional learning and coaches are positioned as experts who judge and report on teachers’ performance. The purpose of this study was to explore how dominant discourses of teacher evaluation influenced the professional …

Verlan: Resistance To French Linguistic Standards By Maghrebi Communities, Phaedra Dunnigan

Honors Theses

From the moment language is acquired, it comes with implicit rules that structure communication and establish social expectations. “Proper” speech is linked to compliance and is often used to assess a person’s intelligence, identity, and social status. For this reason, language moves beyond communication and is used for deeper associative meanings that can group, judge, silence, and empower individuals.

Therefore, those who diverge from linguistic norms, whether by choice, necessity, or exclusion, often face significant social consequences. Language becomes an indicator of social conformity, while deviation can be a form of resistance. This resistance is particularly common among marginalized communities …

Caregivers’ Satisfaction With And Perceived Cultural Sensitivity Of A Modification Of A Child Injury Prevention Program For Spanish-Speaking Families, Karen Padilla

Honors Theses

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Caregivers play a critical role in reducing children’s risk of injury by adopting appropriate supervision behaviors and engaging in safety-proofing practices. The Supervising for Home Safety (SHS) program is a video-based intervention developed to increase caregiver supervision for children ages 2–5 by targeting beliefs about injury vulnerability, injury preventability, and self-efficacy for implementing safety precautions. While SHS has demonstrated effectiveness in English-speaking populations, no research has examined its adaptation and impact among Spanish-speaking caregivers. This study aimed to examine caregivers perceived cultural sensitivity and satisfaction with …

Daca’S Impact On Recipients: Interviews With Three Daca Recipients From Michigan, Jazmin Moron

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the lived experiences of three Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients residing in Michigan. It examines how DACA has impacted their lives across three distinct phases: pre-DACA, while applying for DACA, and post-DACA. Through qualitative, semi-structured interviews, this research uncovers key themes: normal childhood, proof of presence, skeptical DACA future, and restricted immigration pathways. While DACA offered recipients increased opportunities in education, employment, and stability, it also imposed systemic challenges such as costly renewals, limited career growth, and continued legal uncertainty. By focusing on Michigan—a state with a relatively small Hispanic/Latino population—this study highlights the unique …

The Laureate, Nadia Famiano

Honors Theses

It is important for undergraduate artists to have an understanding of the artistic market before they start their careers. This project will provide students with the opportunity to experience the process of getting published in a formal academic journal utilizing resources from others pursuing post-secondary education in different fields. The Laureate is an art journal composed of undergraduate pieces. It gives students an opportunity to have their art(s) recognized, such as written works, photography and other visual arts. Allowing for students to have experience with an official publication, The Laureate is an engaging journal that culminates in a celebration of …

Organizational Actions And Perceptions On Scope 3 Emissions And Regulatory Impacts On Measurement, Griffin Fill

Honors Theses

This study analyzed organizations’ actions and perceptions concerning Scope 3 emissions measurement and the impact that regulations have on the measurement of these emissions. Specifically, this study investigated if organizations measure Scope 3 emissions and their reasons for doing so, the impacts of the proposal and eventual removal of the SEC Scope 3 reporting requirements on organizations, and supply chain professionals’ perceptions regarding if more regulation concerning Scope 3 emissions would be beneficial or detrimental. The goal of this study was to get an initial idea regarding the questions posed, and this study had a pilot-level scope. Therefore, this study …

Using Generative Artificial Intelligence To Improve Software-Defined Network Security: A Brief Survey, Anthony Smith

Honors Theses

This paper aims to explore various approaches to using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to improve network security in software-defined networking. While software-defined networks provide a more programmable infrastructure, they are not immune to network security threats. Through a combination of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies and generative AI, it is possible to facilitate improved SDN security approaches that promise enhanced network efficiency and protection. Among these approaches, generative adversarial networks (GAN) based models can be employed to generate adversarial traffic samples to train the proposed AI engines proven to be effective in detecting malicious network traffic. Additionally, generative artificial intelligence can …

The Interaction Between Parenting Styles, College Adjustment, And Decision Making In Undergraduate Freshman And Sophomores, Taylor Phillips

Honors Theses

Although considerable research has investigated how parenting styles impact child development, little is known about how parenting styles correlate with young adults’ adjustment to college. Parenting styles children are raised with may impact the development of skills such as resilience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation that influence how they react to difficult life transitions. Parenting styles may also impact a person’s decision making, including in situations involving self-control. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between parenting style, college adjustment, and self-control. This study used the Parenting Style and Dimension Questionnaire- Short Version, the Student Adaption to …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session Wednesday April 23, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Remarks by the Chair of the Board

Remarks by the President

Action Items

• Appointment of Western Michigan University’s Tenth President
• Remarks by Shared Governance Leaders
• Remarks by the President Elect

The Relationship Between Yoga Practice And Sports Performance Of High-Level Athletes, Molly Freeman

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to review existing literature to determine if there is a relationship between yoga practice and the sports performance of high-level athletes. As awareness of mental health in sports continues to grow, athletes and coaches are searching for therapeutic methods to promote well-being and boost sports performance Yoga is a practice combining breath, meditation, and movement that has many physical and mental benefits. This literature review explores the impact of these benefits on athletic performance. Findings that yoga can boost physical and mental fitness, two very important attributes of successful athletes, point to the practice …

Western Student Association Structure And Governing Processes: Evaluating Success For Student Government Associations, Samuel Longlet

Honors Theses

The Western Student Association underwent several reforms between March of 2020 and April of 2025. These reforms included expanding its legislative branch both in terms of pure size and internal responsibility and restructuring its executive branch to focus more on building relationships with the administration of Western Michigan University.

The Western Student Association between 2020 and 2025 has become more successful in advocating, allocating, and being a shared governance partner, representing the three executive functions of a Student Government Association.

While the Western Student Association is more successful in 2025 than it was in 2020, the institutional weaknesses of an …

The Impact Of Marijuana Edibles On Fetal Development In Pregnant Adolescents And Young Mothers, Rachel Doyle

Honors Theses

With the growing prevalence of marijuana use for both recreational and medicinal purposes, this study explores the impact of edible cannabis consumption on fetal development in pregnant adolescents and young mothers. While most existing research focuses on smoked cannabis in adult populations, this review highlights a significant gap regarding the unique risks of edibles among younger, vulnerable users who may perceive them as safer. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study examines the physiological effects of THC in edible form, as well as the social, economic, and healthcare factors influencing its use. Key areas of focus include maternal health, placental …

Prevalence Of Imposter Syndrome Among Undergraduate Students At Western Michigan University, Thomas Leasure

Honors Theses

Imposter syndrome (IS) is a psychological phenomenon that many people can experience throughout their life, especially for students pursuing higher education. It can be described as feeling unworthy of one's accomplishments, or being “found out” as a fraud. Certain demographics may suffer from imposter syndrome more than others, like students in STEM or first generational students. Thus, it is important to better understand the prevalence of imposter syndrome here at Western Michigan University. This issue was studied by conducting a survey among undergraduate students looking at demographic information and severity of imposter syndrome. The data was then coded and analyzed …

Spanish Education: Teaching Philosophy Learned From Best Practice And Student And Teacher Engagement., Olivia Anderson

Honors Theses

This honors thesis investigates best practices for teaching Spanish in K–12 settings by conducting qualitative interviews with Spanish teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The study focuses on identifying effective strategies and classroom activities that promote student engagement and language proficiency while examining how teachers continue to develop professionally. Conscious of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL) Five C’s—Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities—the research highlights communication as the central pillar of language learning. Through detailed classroom examples, such as “Mapa del Martes,” student-created cooking videos, and Kagan Strategies, the thesis illustrates how …

Police & Civilian Interaction: Developing A Survey Of Social Attitudes Toward Law Enforcement For Public Administrators, Austin Mendez

Honors Theses

This thesis presents an informational overview of a wide variety of controversial topics related to modern police and civilian interaction. Additionally, it presents specific survey development theory meant to aid in the creation of a highly accessible survey instrument for use by public administrators. Public administrators may find particular value in the development and continuous improvement of public policy and community education programs based on feedback from constituents. This writing focuses on survey development theory, a historical overview of relevant legal cases establishing police discretion, issues facing people in custody, legal protections specific to police, militarization, federal partnerships, police training, …

Balancing Parental Rights And Child Welfare In Custody Decisions Involving Mental Health, Colette Methling

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the evolving intersection of parental rights, child welfare, and mental health within the context of termination of parental rights proceedings. Historically, mental illness was often viewed as a categorical disqualifier for parenting, with courts relying on stigmatized assumptions rather than individualized evaluations. These early judicial approaches, influenced by eugenics and social biases, as exemplified by Buck v. Bell (1927), led to systemic injustices and overly broad state interventions into family life.

Through a doctrinal and historical legal analysis, this thesis traces how U.S. courts have gradually moved from rigid, diagnosis-based determinations toward more nuanced, evidence-based standards. It …

How Discriminatory Housing Policies Segregated Kalamazoo, Jacob Walsh

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the historical and contemporary legacy of racially discriminatory housing policies in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Using primary documents, census data, and secondary literature, it examines how government-sanctioned practices like redlining, racially restrictive covenants, urban renewal projects, and exclusionary zoning contributed to the segregation of Kalamazoo’s Black residents. Contrary to the narrative that residential segregation in northern cities was merely “de facto”, the thesis emphasizes the deliberate nature of these policies, carried out by federal, state, and local institutions in collaboration with real estate and banking industries.

The research focuses on the lasting economic impacts of redlining, especially in neighborhoods …

Impact Of Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence For Elementary Age Children: Counseling Recommendations, Makayla Essington

Honors Theses

This literature review explores the significant impacts that witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) has on elementary-aged children and presents evidence-based counseling interventions to support their healing. Children are not always direct victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, simply witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the home has significant impacts on children, such as emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviorally. This literature review highlights the significant impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) on children’s mental health, including risk of anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and PTSD symptoms. Witnessing intimate partner violence also impacts the physical health of children, including risk for sleep disturbances …

Voting Rights Expansion To Achieve Voting Equity: Comparing Michigan's 2020 And 2024 Elections, Quinn Murphy

Honors Theses

Socioeconomic disparities often correlate with lower voter participation, potentially leading to underrepresentation of disadvantaged communities in policy decisions. Lower voter participation has been partly attributed to restrictive voting laws. In 2023, Michigan enacted legislation to expand voting rights, driven by a citizen-initiated ballot proposal that was overwhelmingly supported by Michiganders. The law expanded absentee voting, required statewide early in-person voting, protected voting rights of military members, and expanded options for providing photo ID to vote. To examine whether these voting rights expansions improved voting participation, particularly in low-income counties, this study examined the relationship between county-level poverty and voter turnout …

Analyzing The Drivers Of Airline Profitability, Brady Noble

Honors Theses

The commercial aviation industry, despite its transformative impact on global connection and economy, has historically struggled with consistent profitability. This thesis investigates the drivers of financial success within the airline industry, with a particular focus on the relationship between passenger load factors and profitability. Passenger load factors, defined as the percentage of available seats occupied by paying customers, have emerged as a key performance indicator, offering important insights into operational efficiency and revenue generation.

The study utilizes comprehensive data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, encompassing quarterly metrics on revenue, load factors, operating costs, and fuel prices from 2002 to …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session Thursday April 17, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes (February 6, 2025)

Recognition of President Ed Montgomery

Remarks by the Chair of the Board

Remarks by the President

Updates by the Faculty Senate President

Updates by the Western Student Association President

Updates by the Graduate Student Association President

International Congress on Medieval Studies and Experiential Learning

Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Naming the New Valley Residence Hall “Golden Oaks” at “The Valleys”

Consent Item

• Personnel Report
• Curriculum Proposals
• Sale of BTR Parcel (Unit 30)
• Liquor Licenses – Multiple Events (July 10, 2025, August 7, 2025, November 7, 2025)
• Annuity …