Digital Commons Network^™

Careers In Aging: Increasing Interest And Investigating Career Paths, Paul Cunnington

Masters Theses

This qualitative study explored the perspective of young professionals on how to increase interest in choosing a career in the field of aging and how their own career path led to their current employment in the field of aging. Fifteen professionals in the field of aging, ranging in age from 23 to 34, participated in semi-­‐structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results confirmed prior research that professionals working in the field of aging come from a variety of disciplines. Participants noted attractive aspects of a career in the field of aging, including flexibility and mobility. To increase …

Choices Related To Maximizing Quality Of Life At End Of Life, Theresa Lynn

Dissertations

Humans, including those residing in the United States, can live in denial of their own mortality. Because of this, futile care is sometimes provided, often at great monetary expense and for little or no return in terms of quality or length of life. At least two opportunities exist for making choices regarding care at the end of life in the U.S.: completing advance directives and choosing hospice care. This dissertation consists of three studies related to this topic. The first is a quantitative study about advance directives and attitude toward death. The advance directive completion rate among adults in the …

An Evaluation Of The Primary Care Providers’ Perspective Of The Effects Of Moderate Alcohol Consumption On Health, Gisele Tchamba

Dissertations

The complexity of health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption (MAC) is well documented. From the World Health Organization recent report, impact of harm from alcohol consumption was 3.3 million deaths or 5.9 percent of all global deaths (WHO, 2014).

Yet, the benefits of MAC for better health and longer life expectancy compared with abstinence are advocated in numerous studies (Nova, Baccan, Zapatera and Marcos, 2012). However, the nature of alcohol, its role on human sufferings has generated disagreements in the scientific community. Analysis of the results of early studies advocating better health for moderate drinkers, reveal discrepancies regarding the influence …

Community Engagement At Work: A Service-Learning Project With Kalamazoo Loaves And Fishes, Katrina Goodall, Pamela Jenkins, Cherlynn King, Jacob Lisak, Jennifer Malone, Becky Mullins, Douglas Schroeder, Christina Smith

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

This Service-Learning project combined experiential learning with the Evaluation component of Participatory Action Research. A comprehensive review of national data and definitions of food insecurity was bench marked against KLF's program definition. A "Radar Chart" (gap analysis) of staff and Board perceptions on the effectiveness of services was developed, and Logic Models created to reflect service delivery. Students also worked a shift at a local food pantry where observational data was analyzed. Study results will be presented to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes staff and Board leadership for the purposes of further program evaluation and development.

"I'Ve Been There Too": Peers In Co-Occuring Services And Fidelity Over Time, Jennifer E. Harrison

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) is an evidence-based pracitice (EBP) for adults with co-occuring mental illness and substance use disorders, a group with poor outcomes. In Michigan, IDDT has been altered by adding peer specialists to treatment teams in some of 68 teams and 122 fidelity reviews. Results included that fidelity significantly improved over time (F(2, 120) = 1.87, p

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session April 22, 2015, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

WMU Board of Trustees Formal Session documents for April 22, 2015 include:

• Agenda
• Property Purchase with Eaton Corporation
• Residency Policy - for Admissions and/or Tuition and Fee Purposes
• Student Room and Board Rates 2015-16
• Personnel Report
• Gift Report
• Grant Report
• Program recommendation

Making Marriages Work: Common Factors Of Marriage Theories, Jilynn Leeuw

Honors Theses

Divorce is very common in the United States today; an alarming 40 to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce (American Psychological Association, 2015). In response to this, there are many theories and reading materials saying they can help prevent divorce or help couples obtain a successful marriage. This thesis examines five different marriage theories and the factors the authors say can help prevent a divorce or factors that lead to a successful marriage. It examines Marital Enhancement through Cognitive Self-Disclosure by Edward Waring, The Triangular Theory of Love by Robert Sternberg, John Gottman’s Gottman Method Couple Therapy, The Five …

Western News, April 16, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU course recognized at Americas summit; YWCA to honor two WMU women leaders in May; "Living Mentally Well"—Respecting Differences with Kevin Hinds; Lighthouse logbook project sheds light on 1800s coastal life; On Campus with David Marlatt.

Goal Attainment Scaling: An Interprofessional Assessment Of Student Learning, Ann M. Chapleau, Jennifer Harrison, Kathryn Hillenbrand, Edward Roth, Kimberly Searing

Assessment Grants

Ann Chapleau, from the Department of Occupational Therapy, Jennifer Harrison, from the School of Social Work, Kathryn Hillenbrand, from the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Edward Roth, from the Department of Music Therapy, and Kimberly Searing, from the Bronson School of Nursing at Western Michigan University, shared this poster at the Assessment in Action Conference 2015 on April 3. The group were recipients of one of the 2014-2015 WMU Assessment Fellows Grants to conduct research on assessment of personal professional development for students at WMU at selected clinical training locations. This poster provided information regarding their assessment project.

Prism, Spring 2015, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

College Of Arts And Sciences E-News Issue 24: April 2015, College Of Arts And Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

• The Hunting Ground Comes to WMU
• Graduate Programs Rank High in 2015
• Economics, Chinese language profs snag Light Center research grants
• CAS Faculty Judge Japanese Quiz Bowl
• An Education for Change
• Anomie
• WMU student team wins national Wege sustainability prize
• CAS Student Interns with the Clinton Foundation
• Creative Cookie

International Journal Of African Development, Vol. 2, Issue 1

International Journal of African Development

Complete issue of International Journal of African Development, Volume 2, Issue 1.

Western News, March 19, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Three grad programs named best in state; Engineer wins NIH grant for research on heart disease; WMU icon being installed inside West Campus turnaround; On Campus with DeVon Miller.

Critical Self-Reflection Questions For Professsionals Who Work With Grandfamilies, Megan L. Dolbin-Macnab

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

One of the reasons that grandparents raising grandchildren may not receive needed services is because they perceive professionals as being judgmental or holding negative attitudes toward them. As such, it is important for human service professionals to critically examine their opinions and attitudes toward grandfamilies, within the context of larger social structures, for the purposes of identifying those views that might interfere with the delivery of high quality services. This practice brief provides an overview of critical self-reflection questions that can be used, in a variety of ways, for training purposes. By utilizing these critical self-reflection questions, professionals can discover …

Practice Recommendations For Mental Health Professionals: Perspectives From Grandparents And Their Adolescent Grandchildren, Kendra A. O'Hora, Megan L. Dolbin-Macnab

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Although grandfamilies are consumers of a variety of mental health services, less is known about what these families, particularly the grandchildren, want from practitioners. To gain insight into how practitioners can best meet the needs of grandfamilies, 40 custodial grandmothers and their adolescent grandchildren were interviewed. Results of a qualitative analysis indicated that grandmothers and grandchildren did not make clear distinctions between various types of services and service providers. Grandchildren, in particular, emphasized the need for mental health professionals to facilitate mentoring and to provide opportunities for grandchildren to socialize with other grandchildren who have been through similar circumstances. Grandmothers …

The Experience Of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Deborah Sampson, Katherine Hertlein Ph.D.

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of grandparents and the challenges they face raising their grandchildren. This study was conducted through qualitative interviewing, where participants responded to open-ended questions regarding the challenges of raising their grandchildren. Themes and patterns were identified through an open-coding process. The five themes discussed include: characteristics of everyday life, parenting experiences, lack of resources, managing negative emotions, and social changes. Implications for clinical practice and further research are discussed.

Using Kinship Navigators To Assess The Needs Of Kinship Caregivers, Suzanne T. Sutphin

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Kinship care is a viable alternative to foster care for many children, however, the proper supports and services must be in place for the families. This article describes a kinship navigator program for children and kin caregivers involved in Child Protective Services in-home treatment cases. The program was piloted over a three-year period to assess and address the service needs of kinship caregivers. Using the Family Needs Scale as a measurement tool, the results of the evaluation are provided along with a discussion of the need to support caregivers to provide the best outcomes for children in kinship care.

Connections, Issue 5, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Newsletter

• College hosts health equity lecture and conference
• Student news and honors
• A visit to the Unified Clinics
• Faculty research, project and program updates
• Dean Washington calls for faculty teaching excellence award nominations

Discovery, March 2015, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

• Discovery Success Recognized
• President and Provost Host Celebration Luncheon for Special Group
• Excellence in Discovery Event Photos
• Discovery Workshops for March and April
• Save the Date: April 24 Is 9th Annual Poster Day
• SFSA Winners; Twitter; and F&A Recovery

College Of Arts And Sciences E-News Issue 22: February 2015, College Of Arts And Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

• Kalamazoo to be home to nation's first sustainable brewing degree
• Tobacco whistleblower to highlight spring Ethics Center series
• Biology professor, Dr. Marteen Vonhof speaks with WMUK about White Noise Syndrome
• Helping Girls Build Confidence
• Merze Tate: The WMU, Oxford Alum Who Broke Barriers
• Gilman Scholarship allows criminal justice major to study abroad
• Alternative Bronco Breaks

Haworth College Of Business News (02/2015), Haworth College Of Business

Haworth College of Business News

• Maximizing Potential
• Leading American Axle in Asia
• More News

Western News, Jan. 29, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Hettinger, Miller to lead Board of Trustees; Nation's first sustainable brewing degree announced; Google Apps for Education at WMU aids teaching, learning; On Campus with Kenny Martin Jr.

The Experience Of Transition To College For Students Diagnosed With Asperger’S Disorder, Victoria Schindler, Abigail Cajiga, Rae Aaronson, Lorena Salas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Obtaining a college degree is a positive and often necessary step to adulthood, independence, and knowledge. Students diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder (AD) typically experience difficulty in college, especially in the transition to college. To assist students with AD in the transition to college, an occupational therapy mentoring program was developed in a college setting. This article describes this program, provides quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the program, and uses the outcomes to determine factors to facilitate a successful transition.

Method: A mixed methods design with quantitative and qualitative components was used. The quantitative measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance …

The Perfect Pitch 2015, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2015:

• Tradition and Innovation
• Ensemble Activities
• Music Education
• Composition
• Music Therapy
• Innovation/Technology
• New Faculty and Staff
• Retirement
• Student Achievements
• Faculty News
• Alumni News
• Remembering
• Honor Roll
• A Musical Legacy

2015 Annual Report Transportation Research Center For Livable Communities, Western Michigan University, University Of Texas Arlington, Wayne State University, Utah State University, Tennessee State University

Transportation Research Center Reports

Table of Contents

• Messages from the Director and Representatives
• TRCLC Mission and Objectives
• Center Personnel
• Research Investigators
• Consortia
• Our Research
• List of Research Projects
• Highlighted Projects
• Technology Transfer and Outreach Activities
• Student Awards
• Upcoming Events

Fact Book 2015-16, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Fact Books

• General Information
• Enrollment Information
• Institutional Comparison
• Student Information
• Faculty Information
• Budgets and Resources

2014-15 Annual Report, University Center For The Humanities

University Center for the Humanities Events

The mission of the Center is to recognize and support the humanities at Western Michigan University. As a gathering place for dialogue, the Center acts an incubator for the exchange of ideas among faculty, emeriti, alumni, undergraduate and graduate students, and people in the wider community. Through the understanding of diverse cultural, professional, political, and intellectual landscapes, we nurture engaged and vital academic life.

Discovery: Research Annual Report 2015, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research Annual Reports

• Collaboration and teamwork leads to sharp increase in grants
• Autism Resource Launched at WMU as part of $4 Million from State of Michigan
• From invention to commercialization
• Faculty receive awards
• NeoVent student team wins innovation prize sponsored by U.S. Patent Office

Professional Activites Report 2014-2015, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Newsletter

• Awarded and Active Grants
• Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications
• Books
• Book Chapters
• Monographs
• Conference Proceedings
• Professional Reviewer/Editor
• Professional Service

Western Michigan University Graduate Catalog 2015-2016, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Course Catalogs (1904-present)

• General Information
• Colleges
• Course Descriptions (by College)