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Grand Valley Magazine, Vol. 23, No 1, Fall 2023, Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley Magazine

Grand Valley Magazine is a quarterly publication about Grand Valley State University produced by University Communications since 2001.

Sustainability Hub Newsletter - October 2023, Jacqueline Jergensen, Neyda Gilman, Jennifer Embree

Library Sustainability Resources

This edition of the newsletter features ways to live more sustainably, including a terracycling alternative, seed resources, and instructions to save squash seeds! There's also information on Climate Anxiety, art submissions, a book club, and tips to have a sustainable Halloween! Don’t forget to check the end for upcoming events and announcements!

Fall 2023, Seattle University

Seattle University Magazine

No abstract provided.

A Northeast Safe And Thriving For All, Linda Shi, Vanessa Levesque

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Final Report to NOAA Climate Program Office Climate Adaptation Partnerships Planning Grant

Shades Of Housing: Real Estate Urbanism And State Planning In Egypt, Zeinab Nadeem

Theses and Dissertations

The housing crisis is a global dilemma, especially in the context of urban cities in developing countries. Housing affordability has become more challenging in the recent global and national turbulent economic conditions of rising inflation rates and construction costs, where Egypt is witnessing a surplus of vacant housing units that are either unsold or unoccupied with citizens involuntarily relocating to remote new cities. The government has also significantly engaged in real estate market speculation by offering public land for profits to private investors in the market since the 1990s. The shades of housing found in Egypt are the works of …

Metropolitan Transportation Commission Discretionary Transit Funding Methods Evaluation, Christopher E. Ferrell, John M. Eells, David Reinke, Richard Lee

Mineta Transportation Institute

In 2021, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) approached the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) with a proposal to have MTI provide an evaluation of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC’s) operational discretionary funding allocation policies and methods for Bay Area transit operators. The research was done in two parts. Part 1 investigated MTC’s past and current allocation methods for discretionary operational transit funding programs; Part 2 involved the evaluation of outcomes if MTC employed alternative allocation methods. After the Part 1 review of MTC’s various transit funding programs, the federal pandemic relief funds and the Transportation Development Act/State Transit Assistance …

Dobbs V. Jackson Women’S Health: Undermining Public Health, Facilitating Reproductive Coercion, Aziza Ahmed, Dabney P. Evans, Jason Jackson, Benjamin Mason Meier, Cecília Tomori

Faculty Scholarship

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health continues a trajectory of U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence that undermines the normative foundation of public health — the idea that the state is obligated to provide a robust set of supports for healthcare services and the underlying social determinants of health. Dobbs furthers a longstanding ideology of individual responsibility in public health, neglecting collective responsibility for better health outcomes. Such an ideology on individual responsibility not only enables a shrinking of public health infrastructure for reproductive health, it facilitates the rise of reproductive coercion and a criminal legal response to pregnancy and abortion. This commentary …

Calling All Students? Enrollment In Community-Engaged Learning Courses At A Marianist University, Molly Malany Sayre, Castel V. Sweet, Kelly Bohrer

Research and Reflection on Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

‘Community’ is a pervasive concept at the University of Dayton, a Catholic, Marianist institution in Dayton, Ohio. As such, it was unknown how students who enrolled in community engaged learning (CEL) courses were different from their peers in demographic characteristics, previous experiential learning, and views of community engagement. Findings can inform CEL recruitment as well as evaluation of CEL outcomes, especially at institutions with a similar values orientation. This mixed-methods study indicates that among four semesters of students in three selected CEL courses, few differences were found with students in non-CEL control groups. One significant difference found was in racial …

Key Areas For Scientific And Technological Cooperation In Ecological And Environmental Protection And Sustainable Development In The Belt And Road Initiative, Bojie Fu, Yanxu Liu, Wenwu Zhao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Green is the foundation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This study examines the ecological and environmental risks faced by BRI and their impact on sustainable development. It identifies key research areas in ecological and environmental protection that support sustainable development, including water resource management and water-saving technologies, water environment governance and human health assurance, land degradation prevention and control technologies and demonstrations, biodiversity conservation and the utilization of biological resources, mechanisms and models for ecosystem restoration, and environmental governance for community sustainable development. It is hoped to enhancing scientific and technological cooperation in ecological and environmental governance among …

Nursing Workforce Development In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Global Advocacy Action Plan, Brittany Wall, Grace Kistner, Vicki Brzoza, Talia Coveleski, Beth Harkness, Rubi Hickson, Kristen Priddy, Kerry Keyes Young

Global Advocacy

The global population is estimated to be 9.7 billion by 2050⁵. Of the top ten countries with the largest expected population growth, five are in Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. These population growth trends will exacerbate an already existing strain in regions that have a disproportionate ratio of healthcare workers to disease burden. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 3% of the global healthcare workforce but sees 24% of the global disease burden⁶. Furthermore, the global nursing workforce is expected to have a shortage of 5.7 million nurses by 2030, …

Rethinking Higher Education For The 4th Industrial Revolution: Synergetics In Global Social Transformations And Society Building, Danjoo N. Ghista, Ravi S. Sharma

All Works

This paper highlights the need for our Rethinking Education towards a global common good and cultivating New Era Universities for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). 4IR represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work, and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second, and third industrial revolutions. Indeed, the 4th Industrial Revolution measures up with the Post-Capitalist Society, involving policies catering to human living needs, enabling people to have a Neo-humanist outlook, and come together to form a universal and more evolved …

Defining And Measuring Equity In Public Transportation, Christopher E. Ferrell, David Reinke, John M. Eels, Matthew M. Schroeder

Mineta Transportation Institute

Transit should serve all users, regardless of age, race, ability, or any other identity. Policies and planning must be conscious of inequities when defining and measuring equity in public transportation. This study was done to aid the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the state’s transit agencies in assessing transit service equity and assisting with evaluating past, existing, and future inequities. This report identifies and evaluates policies and practices associated with equity measurement in public transit from extant academic and professional literature sources. These include the Federal laws and regulations addressing Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and …

Ecojustice Education: Toward Diverse, Democratic, And Sustainable Communities, Steven Wade Mackie

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Book review

Front Matter, Kristin L. K. Koskey, Susan N. Kushner Benson, Xin Liang, Jennifer L. Milam, Sandra Spickard Prettyman

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Includes Message from the Dean and Notes from the Editors' Roundtable

South Sudanese And Syrian Refugee Community-Based Organizations In Egypt: Contributions To Resilience And Reduction Of Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities, Alaa Kasmo

Theses and Dissertations

Community-based organizations (CBOs) have emerged as crucial actors in aid delivery of global efforts, including in Egypt, where they have gained recent attention. However, CBOs’ contributions to supporting displaced communities in Egypt must be adequately investigated. This thesis examines aspects of these contributions to resilience and the reduction of socioeconomic vulnerabilities for displaced communities in Egypt. The qualitative research approach presents comprehensive case studies of interviews and focus group discussions with CBO leaders and communities, providing data on four of the Syrian and South Sudanese CBOs and their communities’ experiences and perspectives on these contributions. CBOs enhance resilience and reduce …

Exploring Expansion Of Biogas Energy Production On Homesteads, Small-Scale, And Large-Scale Farms, Morgan Powell

Student Project Reports

No abstract provided.

Globalization, Civil Society, And Democracy?: An Organizational Assessment, John Barkdull, Lisa A. Dicke

Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations

No abstract provided.

Centering Communities Of Color In The Modernization Of A Public Health Survey System: Lessons From Oregon, Daniel F. López-Cevallos, Kusuma Madamala, Mira Mohsini, Andres Lopez, Roberta Hunte, Ryan Petteway, Tim Holbert

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Context: Public health survey systems are tools for informing public health programming and policy at the national, state, and local levels. Among the challenges states face with these kinds of surveys include concerns about the representativeness of communities of color and lack of community engagement in survey design, analysis, and interpretation of results or dissemination, which raises questions about their integrity and relevance.

Approach: Using a data equity framework (rooted in antiracism and intersectionality), the purpose of this project was to describe a formative participatory assessment approach to address challenges in Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Student …

Pláticas Liberadoras: Testimonios Of Chicana/O Elders En La Comunidad De San Diego, Gabriel Nunez-Soria

Dissertations

There is robust scholarship inquiring about many facets of critical consciousness (CC), most of which is centered around working with teens, youth, and educators. This study explored development of CC through testimonios of the lived experiences of eight Chicana/o elders in San Diego County. All eight of these elders participated in the Chicana/o movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s and carried these experiences with them into the present moment. Development of CC, the contextualized understandings of historical, social, and systemic aspects of our collective struggle against oppression through dialogue, reflection, and action, is a fundamental aspect of liberatory …

Climate Justice Perspectives And Strategies Implemented By Public Health Nurses And Their Community Partners, Jessica Leclair

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand PHN perceptions, strategies, and experiences with environmental and climate justice in the United States. In the first published study, a scoping review, I examined strategic actions nurses take to promote environmental justice through research, education, advocacy, and practice reported in peer-reviewed literature.

Usa: Wolf Connection And Inclusive, Safe Spaces For All, Patrick Fuery, Kelli Fuery

CCI Books and Book Chapters

"Wolf Connection is a wolf sanctuary located on the outskirts of a rural town, Acton, California, nestled in the Angeles National Forest. The sanctuary consists of 165 acres of stunning woodland and high desert mountains, including a year-round stream. It is located within a one-hour drive from Los Angeles. Wolf Connection runs a series of programmes based around issues of mental health, addressing social and economic inequality, and providing strategies for resilience and well-being. Wolf Connection identifies the following as its core business activities: Providing Animal Rescue and Wildlife Preservation; At-Risk Youth Education and Empowerment; Community Empowerment; and Environmental Awareness …

The Solidarity Economy: A Way Forward For Our De-Futured World, Julie Matthaei, Matthew Slaats

The Journal of Social Encounters

As society contends with the ongoing economic, environmental and political crises perpetuated by racist patriarchal ecologically-destructive capitalism, there is a need to look beyond forms of inequality to the opportunity of solidarity. While histories of mutuality and reciprocity have long been present in economies around the world, it is in the last thirty years that global movements have begun to coalesce under the framework of the solidarity economy. This framework asserts a path forward towards a just and sustainable post-capitalist future, based in cooperation and care.. We begin by exploring how the solidarity economy framework and movement have been making …

Solidarity In Time Of Armed Conflict. Women’S Patterns Of Solidarity In Internally Displaced Person (Idp) Camps In Darfur, Western Sudan, Mawa Mohamed

The Journal of Social Encounters

This study, a vital part of a Ph.D. thesis, delves into the prolonged armed conflict's impact in Darfur, which has resulted in severe loss of assets and lives, disrupted livelihoods, and food insecurity. Among the most vulnerable are internally displaced women, primary targets of violence due to their caregiving roles and responsibilities. Addressing the gap in existing literature, this research explores the meanings, practices, experiences, and representations of solidarity among women residing in the Abu-Shouk IDP camp. Challenging conventional perceptions, the study highlights women's competencies and strengths, empowering them to develop unique coping strategies within the conflict context. It uncovers …

2017 Great Day Program, State University Of New York At Geneseo

GREAT Day Programs

SUNY Geneseo’s Eleventh Annual GREAT Day.

Potential Pathways To Culturally Relevant Licensure, Jeremy Reuben Fritts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite recent trends favoring the integration of vernacular music in higher education, there are still stakeholders who are resistant to change. This qualitative study seeks to account for such responses. By examining relevant literature relating to the movement and interviewing educators with substantial experience in the field, the researcher seeks to uncover potential pathways to music education licensure for college graduates specializing in bluegrass and roots music studies. This study also considers foreseeable advantages and impediments to the initiative, including classism, Euro-centric musical biases, the marginalization of likely participants, and educational mandates for cultural relevancy. The study cross-references and compares …

Hepatitis A Virus And Hepatitis E Virus As Food- And Waterborne Pathogens—Transmission Routes And Methods For Detection In Food, Katalin Nemes, Sofia Persson, Magnus Simonsson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Foodborne viruses are an important threat to food safety and public health. Globally, there are approximately 5 million cases of acute viral hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) every year. HAV is responsible for numerous food-related viral outbreaks worldwide, while HEV is an emerging pathogen with a global health burden. The reported HEV cases in Europe have increased tenfold in the last 20 years due to its zoonotic transmission through the consumption of infected meat or meat products. HEV is considered the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide currently. This review focuses …

The Impact Of Historical Housing Policies On Impoverished Communities: Recommendations To Improve Socioeconomic, Environmental, And Health Outcomes., Destinee A. Cruz

Master's Projects and Capstones

Discriminatory historical housing policies, like redlining and racially restrictive covenants, segregated communities across the United States leading to the disinvestment of resources and negative socioeconomic, environmental, and health outcomes. These negative consequences continue to affect low-income communities and require modernized urban renewal programs to offset the residual effects of racially discriminatory housing policies. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to recommend critical funding to support urban renewal and the inclusion of housing protection policies for homeowners and tenants currently residing in former redlined neighborhoods. The initial proposed recommendation identifies several financing options to successfully implement urban renewal programs. The …

Advancing Kidney Health In Hispanic/Latino Communities In The Us: Promotoras, Health Education, And Food Security, Estefania Huerta

Master's Projects and Capstones

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is not only a public health concern that affects the health of people living in the United States, but also a global health concern affecting millions worldwide. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD and when CKD is not managed, it can turn into a life-threatening condition known as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) where life is not sustainable without dialysis or a kidney transplant. Although CKD is prevalent among all populations in the United States, the Hispanic/Latino population suffers the most complications (Desai et al., 2019). In 1973, Congress extended Medicare services to people with ESRD …

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 …

Advocacy On Facebook: A Content Analysis Of How Small Los Angeles- Based Npos Use Social Media To Engage Audiences, Wen Chen Denq

Dissertations

This dissertation examined the Facebook activities of seven small nonprofits in Los Angeles to understand their social media use and audience responses. Prior research has distinguished three broader engagement strategies used by Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs), including information provision (awareness-raising), action-related messaging (mobilizing), and community-building efforts (organizing). These strategies can play essential roles in drawing in audiences, but also in moving individual supporters toward greater levels of engagement by increasing donations or becoming more engaged champions for the cause. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of organizational Facebook messages and audience responses was conducted over 3 months. The NPOs included in this …