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2026 May, University Of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School Of Law Commencement

Commencements

Program for the Spring convocation of the 114th commencement of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at Memphis, Tennessee, held at The Orpheum on May 17, 2026.

Climate Lies And Unjust Profits, Vanessa Casado-Pérez, Yotam Kaplan, Yael Lifshitz, Niv Meyerson

Emory Law Journal

The climate crisis has reached a dangerous tipping point. Our dependence on fossil fuels continues largely unchecked, reinforced by corporations that use their influence to block reform and protect their profits. At the same time, the federal government has dismantled critical environmental safeguards, including by rescinding the greenhouse gas endangerment finding and rolling back vehicle emission standards. Together, these actions threaten to strip away some of the last protections standing between us and escalating climate catastrophe.

In this grim landscape, communities across the nation are turning to the courts with renewed urgency, seeking justice and reform through climate litigation. Yet, …

Between The Past And The Future: Operation Castaña–The Urgency Of Oral History For Tejanos, Manuel F. Medrano

History Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Law Firms As Trust Directors, Raymond C. O'Brien

Scholarly Articles

The practice of permitting a third party, other than a settlor or a trustee, to give guidance to the trustee over some aspect of trust management reflects the trend of granting settlors increasing control over their transfers of wealth. In decades past, a few states enacted legislation permitting what is known as directed trusts, but in 2017, the Uniform Directed Trust Act was promulgated, seeking to provide a modicum of uniformity among the states, as wealth is now increasingly both interstate and international. Using the Uniform Directed Trust Act as a template, this Article discusses issues pertinent to directed trusts, …

An Analysis Of The Dpa And False Claims Act In The United States V. Colas Djibouti Case, Sophie Perret

Dissertations and Honors Papers

This thesis examines the February 2021 dual enforcement action against Colas Djibouti SARL - a Deferred Prosecution Agreement resolving criminal wire fraud charges and a parallel civil settlement under the False Claims Act - arising from the supply of substandard concrete and falsified laboratory results on United States Navy construction contracts at Camp Lemonnier, Republic of Djibouti. It argues that the resolution is at once a doctrinal success and a structural failure. Doctrinally, the case illustrates the expanding reach of U.S. federal enforcement over foreign subsidiaries operating in high-risk jurisdictions: the wire fraud statutes supplied jurisdiction where territorial principles would …

T.H. V. The Czech Republic: A Step Forward Or Back For Lgbtq+ Rights And Discourse In Europe With The First Openly Non-Binary Applicant?, Katherine Olsson

Human Rights Brief

On December 9, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued a final judgment in the case of T.H. v. The Czech Republic.  The case concerned a non-binary individual, T.H., who was assigned male at birth and, since May 2012, had repeatedly petitioned to change their sex/gender marker and personal numerical code on their national identity card.  Because the Czech system does not provide for the option of a neutral gender marker, T.H. petitioned to have their registered gender changed to female.

The Labyrinth Of International Merger Regulation: A Procedural Path Forward, Michael Volkert

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

In 1890, the first antitrust law was passed in the United States with the enactment of the Sherman Act. Over the past 134 years, jurisdictions across the globe have passed competition laws. One key aspect of competition law is a regulator’s ability to prevent anti-competitive M&A transactions. More jurisdictions are requiring merging firms to notify regulators prior to completing a merger through a process called pre-merger notification. As more global pre-merger notification laws develop, firms engaged in M&A will be required to file with more regulatory bodies, delaying transactions, increasing costs, and causing comity dilemmas. This Article investigates the current …

Presidential Power And Global Finance: The Rise And Limits Of Financial Warfare, Michael Glanzel

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

The president’s power over global financial transactions has become one of the most potent tools in America’s foreign policy arsenal. Since the outbreak of World War I, presidents have frequently employed financial instruments to coerce or punish foreign actors. But it was President Biden’s employment of financial weaponry in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that represented the most complex and far-reaching exercise of presidential power in global finance. From weakening the Russian central bank’s access to the dollar market, to cutting off key Russian financial institutions from American lenders, to deplatforming Russian entities from the Society for Worldwide …

Investigating Neonatal Sepsis: Anti-Infectives, Diagnostics And Guidelines Used In Health Systems Across Sub-Saharan Africa – The Insights Study, Jack Louis Stanley, David Hettle, Rachel Poffley, Larisse Bolton, Emelyne Gres, Isabel Coelho, Raana Hussain, Gildas Boris Hedible, Gwendoline Lilly Chimhini, Valeriane Leroy

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background Sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where microbiological diagnostic capacity and antibiotic access are limited. High antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates limit the effectiveness of current treatment guidelines, with concern that available antibiotics are rarely adequate treatment for neonatal sepsis in the region.

Methods A cross-sectional online survey was electronically distributed in English, French and Portuguese to neonatal clinicians across SSA between April and June 2025. Questions focused on the management of neonatal sepsis including diagnostic, antibiotic and guideline use. Responses were analysed descriptively and presented as percentages of the total number of responses. …

Participation Of Non-State Actors In International Climate Change Advisory Opinions, Matei Alexianu, Hannah Sweeney

Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law

This Article offers an analysis of the unprecedented participation of non-state actors (“NSAs”), including nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, grassroots movements, and individuals, in the three recent landmark international climate change advisory proceedings. After mapping the distinct procedural regimes of the three international fora involved, the Article catalogues the diverse avenues through which NSAs have shaped these proceedings: initiating and coordinating advisory requests, submitting written and oral arguments, supplying scientific and legal expertise, orchestrating advocacy campaigns, and mobilizing post-decision implementation. The Article then identifies the principal benefits of expanded NSA engagement—enhanced representativeness, richer technical inputs, and accelerated norm diffusion—before highlighting the …

Child Welfare And Global Governance: A New Framework For Cross-Border Accountability, Megan Ryan, Bailee Gibbs

Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law

The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child has long failed to adequately protect all children, such as those separated from their families due to detention, deportation, exile, imprisonment, or death. Although Article 9(4) of the UNCRC imposes obligations on States when separations occur due to the actions of State Parties, a clear gap exists between these obligations and their implementation. Specifically, Article 9(4)’s effectiveness is often undermined by obstacles such as tensions between State sovereignty and international law, insufficient domestic measures, and weak enforcement mechanisms for holding States accountable. This Article discusses these obstacles, presents two case studies …

Challenging National Security List Designations In U.S. Courts, Ruowen Shi

Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law

National security list designations have emerged as a prominent feature of U.S. foreign policy, directly targeting individuals and entities through administrative channels. Programs such as the SDN List, the Entity List, and the 1260H List deliberately restrict access to financial resources and critical technologies, functioning in practice as de facto sanctions. These lists span a regulatory spectrum, differing in statutory bases, policy objectives, and severity of consequences, but all share the common feature of making delisting extremely difficult. A series of cases demonstrates that such barriers stem primarily from the limited applicability of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) in the …

Consumer Responses To Ethical And Privacy Concerns In Ai Chatbots: Evidence From Offensive Language, Gender Bias, And Digital Privacy, Jikhan Jeong

Economics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Due to the rapid innovation of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, AI chatbots have become increasingly influential computational social systems (CSS) in everyday life. However, the expansion of interactions between AI chatbots and consumers has raised significant ethical and privacy concerns. Using data from an online survey, this study empirically examines how consumer concerns about AI ethics and privacy influence their intention to use AI chatbots. These concerns are categorized into three types: 1) offensive language (generated by AI chatbots or users); 2) gender-biased language (from either source); and 3) digital privacy violations. The findings suggest that prior experience …

A Deep Neural Approach To Network-Based Obfuscated Malware, Meera Parmar, Sunil Gautam

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The rising prevalence of obfuscated malware poses a critical threat to network security, undermining traditional detection methods and jeopardizing data integrity and system reliability in an increasingly connected world. This growing danger highlights the urgent need for advanced solutions to protect against evolving cyber risks. This research intro-duces a novel framework to enhance malware detection, employing a hybrid architecture that integrates spatial and temporal analysis with attention mechanisms. The approach leverages a large dataset subsample, focusing on key feature selection and augmentation to improve robustness against evasion techniques. This innovative framework offers a significant advancement in identifying malicious network traffic, …

Cv: Susan Sheffer (Social Psychology), Susan Sheffer

Psychology Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Copley Library Impact Report 2024-2025, Helen K. And James S. Copley Library, University Of San Diego

Copley Library Annual Reports

Deans; The 2024-2025 Retreat: Supporting Neurodiverse College Students in Academic Libraries; Faculty; Jennifer Bidwell; Alma Ortega; Laura Turner; Catherine Paolillo; Enhancing Undergraduate Learning with Information Literacy Instruction; Library Faculty Serve on National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant-Funded Research Team; From Pilot to Signed MOU: the State Commission for Human Rights of Baja California (CEDH-BC) and USD Copley Library Human Rights Cases Digitization Project; Hidden Poisons in the Stacks: Special Collections Investigates; The Journey of a Collection: Honoring the Legacy of Fr. Mike Blastic; Where Are They Now?; Copley Library Student Employees FY2024–2025; Student Awards; Celebrating Sister Virginia (Gina) Rodee on Her …

Into The Fire: An Examination Of Violence In Reconstruction Texas, 1865-1868, John Gorman

The Griot - Southern Conference on African American Studies, Inc.

This article examines the scale, patterns, and political implications of racial violence in Texas between 1865 and 1868, arguing that white terror functioned as a systematic effort to suppress Black freedom and restore antebellum racial hierarchies. Drawing on Congressional testimony, Freedmen’s Bureau records, and the 1868 Report of the Special Committee on Lawlessness and Violence in Texas, the study reveals that violence was not random but structured along social, labor, and political lines. Murders, whippings, intimidation, and organized attacks—such as the Millican riot—intensified when freedpeople asserted labor autonomy or political rights. Despite nearly 900 reported murders, convictions were exceedingly rare, …

Not Like Us: Afro-Germans And The Myth Of The "Germanness", Kahron Gaul Blakley

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

No abstract provided.

Fisc Opinion Digest 2022 - 2025, Alejandra Gutierrez

Joint PIJIP/TLS Research Paper Series

This digest summarizes selected opinions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review (FISC-R) regarding Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It covers the FISC’s annual review of intelligence agencies’ Section 702 certifications and the FISC and FISC-R’s opinions related to the statutory definition of Electronic Communications Service Providers (ECSPs). Publicly available opinions are posted on the FISC website, and further resources are available through the Intel.gov IC on the Record Database, a website of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Behind The Headlines: Media Control In Bangladesh Post July Revolution, Nahida Islam

Human Rights Brief

“I have always written for truth, for peo­ple, and for my country . . . [b]ut today, when I look at my own life, I feel that living by writing the truth is not easy.” The words from Bibhuran­jan Sarkar’s suicide note echo into the minds of all Bangladeshi journalists as fears of retaliation took precedent over the work of informing the public. Journalism in South Asia has always been a toxic balance between writing what is fair versus writing what people in power want you to write. In Bangladesh, the autocracy led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina created …

Turning Risks Of Cheating With Ai Into Opportunities For Better Teaching, John M. Lande

Faculty Publications

Many law school faculty are concerned that students may misuse artificial intelligence (AI) tools to undermine their learning and violate academic integrity policies.  Although some students will inevitably cheat, faculty can reduce the risk – and improve student learning – by rethinking assignment design and classroom communication.

This article frames the risk of AI-related cheating as an opportunity for pedagogical improvement.  It offers practical strategies to help faculty design assignments that enhance student learning, promote good decision-making, discourage inappropriate AI use, and foster responsible AI literacy.  It outlines approaches consistent with the ABA’s new requirement for formative assessment throughout the …

The Impact Of Social Media On The Occurrence And Prevalence Of Stress And Anxiety On College Students, Pushpita Paul

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways that social media affects stress and anxiety levels within college students. A self-administered, anonymous survey was used to assess college students’ perceptions of social media’s impact on mental health. The 14- item survey included questions on social media use, stress, anxiety, social interaction, and demographics. Data were collected both online and in person at St. John’s University. Online surveys were shared through student groups using Google Forms. In-person surveys were conducted at campus locations such as the cafeteria, student lounge, library, and events. Each survey took about 5–10 minutes to …

Mass Tourism And Sustainability Discourses: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Stakeholder Communication Across The Canary Islands, Iceland, And Puerto Rico, Carmen Collins

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes 123 websites from the Canary Islands, Iceland, and Puerto Rico, each including an equal number of tourism businesses, environmental organizations, and governments from each region, to examine the rhetorical digital communication strategies used and the textual differences between these websites. Thematic analysis was the methodology employed in this study. Ten themes were found inductively from the data, which are: 1) economic value framing, 2) cultural identity and heritage, 3) technological mediation, 4) inspiring guilt, awe, and urgency, 5) sustainability as an instrument, 6) intergenerational responsibility, 7) global versus local contestations, 8) accessibility and inclusion, 9) transparency and …

Advising With Heart: How Institutional Selectivity And Size Shape Emotional Labor In Higher Education Academic Advising, Dallas W. Maddox

Theses and Dissertations

Academic advising serves as a vital bridge between students and their educational experiences and success, yet the emotional complexities of this meaningful work remain underexplored. This mixed-methods study examined how institutional selectivity and size influence emotional labor awareness and application among academic advisors, addressing a critical gap in understanding the human dimensions of advising relationships. The research explored whether advisors at smaller, selective institutions demonstrate enhanced emotional labor competencies compared to colleagues at larger, more inclusive institutions. Eleven dedicated academic advisors participated in this study, representing experienced professionals with 5-17 years of advising experience across four institutional categories defined by …

Deconstructing Shifting Narratives: Critical Discourse Analysis Of Terminology Trends In Unfpa’S State Of World Population Reports (1978-2024), Naqib A. Noory

Theses and Dissertations

Rooted in both scholarly inquiry and lived experience in global development, this study explored how language shapes power, inclusion, and representation. It analyzed the evolution of population and development discourse in UNFPA’s State of World Population reports (1978–2024) using Fairclough’s Level 1 Critical Discourse Analysis framework. Giddens’ Structuration Theory provided a broader lens linking linguistic change to the interaction between institutional structures and human agency. A theory-based coding framework, drawing on Malthusian, Senian, Spivakian, and MDG/SDG paradigms, guided the analysis of evolving discourse. Findings revealed a layered narrative: earlier scarcity framings persisted beneath newer development language; rights and empowerment rhetoric …

Peeking Behind The Veil Of The District-Level Literacy Leader: Does Research Match Reality?, Kristel R. Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate district-level literacy leadership (DLLL), focusing on the leadership behaviors enacted by district-level literacy leaders, their alignment with the International Literacy Association Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals (2017), and their use of systems thinking principles to influence literacy improvement in K–12 settings. The study addressed a critical gap in the literature regarding how DLLLs function at the district level to mediate between policy and classroom practice. Participants included six DLLLs from Central Texas public school districts. All participants held advanced degrees, had at least two years of district-level literacy leadership experience, …

Exploring The Leadership Qualities Of Lgbtq+ School Administrators Through The Prism Of The Developmental Model Of The Closet, Andrew Mcintosh

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how LGBTQ+ school administrators perceive the influence of their lived experiences on their leadership qualities. Additionally, this study examined post-closet growth, closet adaptations, and how legal protections influence LGBTQ+ school administrators. A narrative methodology was employed to shed light on the lived experiences of participants. A mix of purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling was used for this study. The researcher recruited school administrators from public school districts and private schools located in the Northeastern United States. School administrators include positions such as assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, director, superintendent, and head of school. Eight participants took …

Investigating The Practicality Of Parent-Implemented Intervention In Literacy For Children With Autism Residing In Under-Resourced Communities, Chasidy P. Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

The opportunity to learn how to read is a human right that should be available to all students. Developing strong reading skills significantly impacts a student’s quality of life, societal integration, and establishes the foundation for future academic success. Unfortunately, this belief is not always equally prioritized when it comes to educating students with developmental delays, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Students with ASD often face unfair assumptions about their abilities, leading to delays in exposure to literacy instruction. Additionally, students with ASD from under-resourced communities face increased challenges, as access to timely diagnosis, high-quality educational facilities, and supportive …

A Case Study On Implementing Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education: Tesol Teachers’ Perspectives On Supporting Caribbean Immigrant Ell Students, Barbara Delaleu

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) teachers implemented Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE) practices to support Caribbean immigrant English Language Learners (ELLs) in suburban schools. Grounded in Ogbu’s cultural ecological theory and the CRSE framework, the study examined teachers’ beliefs, instructional practices, and professional experiences to understand how culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) influenced student engagement and academic growth. Eight middle school TESOL teachers who worked with Caribbean immigrant ELLs—speakers of Haitian Creole, Spanish, and English-based Creoles participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, …

An Exploration Of The Perceptions Of Black Women Leading Interscholastic Sports Programs, Leslie Zeelika Pieters-Klatsky

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of Black women leading interscholastic sports programs. Prior research examined the underrepresentation of women in sports leadership, but no study has examined prejudice toward the Black woman in an interscholastic sports leadership role. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with Black women leading interscholastic athletics, using Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality as a theoretical framework. This study sought to give voice to a select group of women who perceived being barred entry into the white-male-dominated field of interscholastic sports leadership by the Good Old Boys’ Network and the Good Old Girls’ …