Digital Commons Network^™

Mary Margaret ("Meg") Penrose, Mary Margaret Penrose

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

Huyen Pham, Huyen Pham

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

Jeff W. Slattery, Jeff W. Slattery

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

Demonstration Of The Relationship Between Irwin Spire Quantity And Boundary Layer Depth In The Chemical Hazards Research Center Wind Tunnel, Jace D. Beckwith

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Atmospheric Dispersion Models (ADMs) are computer-based simulations used to model gas releases for enforcing regulatory compliance, designing facilities, and responding to emergencies. Because ADMs rely on complex mathematical models, they require experimental validation to ensure accuracy. Wind tunnels offer a controlled, repeatable method for gathering validation data. The Chemical Hazards Research Center (CHRC) at the University of Arkansas operates an ultra-low speed wind tunnel for this purpose. A key feature of this tunnel is its simulated Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL). The simulated ABL is a turbulent layer in which wind speed increases logarithmically with height from near zero at the …

The Artificial Artist: Considering Ai’S Impact On Image Copyright, Alyse Mandelblatt

Communication Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to create empirical results to ground what has been a largely theoretical discussion about the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) on copyright law in the United States. AI has disrupted traditional ideas of creativity and expression, which are vital communication tools. Copyright is a regulatory agent to encourage the production of unique communication products by giving owners complete rights to their work. Copyright principles conflict with current AI model training practices. This research considers how AI literacy may provide insight into copyright knowledge and AI attitudes for prediction of how common law and AI regulation policy may …

Of The Land And Sea: A Critical Ecocultural Analysis Of Disney's Frozen And Moana, Maggie A. Andress

Communication Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within the modern era of performative inclusivity and widespread greenwashing, it is critical to examine popular media through an ecocultural lens to determine if said media is being handled responsibly as a social practice and if a discursive atmosphere is being created. This paper takes an ecocultural critical analysis of Disney’s worlds of Frozen and Moana, inspecting their treatment of the human, treatment of the more-than-human, and human/more-than-human relationships. This study finds that although both franchises have been broadly praised for cultural representation of Indigenous people groups, Disney’s failure to effectively acknowledge the intrinsic relationship between humankind and the …

"Deadly Imports": Populism, Demagoguery, And The Contemporary Rhetoric Of U.S. Immigration, Summer N. Wolfe

Communication Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project examines former CNN and Fox Business anchor Lou Dobbs’s meteoric success to understand his rhetorical choices and appeals surrounding immigration discourse in the United States. As the first rhetorical assessment of Dobbs’s immigration rhetoric, this project centers him as a key figure who defined how U.S. culture operates within immigration discourses. The project relies on Michael Calvin McGee's work on ideographs to perform a close textual analysis of news programs featuring Dobbs to understand how ideologies about immigrants and immigration are built, circulated, and maintained in the Right’s media ecology. The project advances three arguments about Dobbs’s anti-immigration …

A Baritone's Soliloquy: The Extended Program Notes For A Baritone's Master's Voice Recital, Harrison C. Gilberti

Research Papers

Harrison Gilberti, for the Master of Music degree in Performance (Vocal), presented on April 3, 2026, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

TITLE: A BARITONE’S SOLILOQUY: THE EXTENDED PROGRAM NOTES FOR A

BARITONE’S MASTER’S VOICE RECITAL

MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. David Dillard

This research paper presents the extended program notes for the graduate voice recital of Harrison Gilberti which took place on February 28, 2026, at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. The pieces presented on the recital were chosen from several styles ranging from oratorio arias to art songs and American musical theater selections. The pieces also reflected several time periods from …

Changing U.S. Military Force Structure: Rebuilding Confidence In Public Institutions By Bridging The Civil-Military Gap, Corri Zoli, Linda Euto

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This research brief assesses a changing U.S. military force structure in an era of waning trust in public institutions and new security pressures, both domestic and global. While many U.S. public institutions are facing declining trust, one key aspect in the case of the military is lack of understanding between U.S. veterans and nonveterans—often termed the civil-military gap. Understanding this gap is necessary to forge connections across military-connected communities and those without service experience. Bridging this gap is a timely model to restore baseline confidence in many institutions that serve all members of the public.

The Link Between Incarceration And Education Level: Exploring The Correlation, Robert M. Sandoval

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mass incarceration is on the rise, with education level being a strong predisposition indicator. A quantitative approach and survey method will be used to understand the correlations between the two social challenges. This research proposal is expected to reveal how education level significantly determines the probability of a person becoming incarcerated in California. A significant gap exists in understanding the intersectionality between education and mass incarceration. Intersectionality is a theory proposed by Kimberlie Crenshaw that discusses how people’s identities do not only stack on top, but also intersect to cause unique barriers. For example, Black women’s experiences with employment due …

Potential Impact That Generative Artificial Intelligence Has On Adolescents' Relationship With Parents, David Jimenez Jr., Christal Pelayo, Rebecca Evans

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into adolescents’ daily lives has introduced both opportunities and concerns regarding family dynamics and psychosocial development. Increasingly, adolescents are using AI tools for academic assistance, emotional support, and transparency on sensitive topics. This study examines adolescents’ attitudes toward discussing personal issues with parents compared to AI platforms and explores the potential relational impacts of AI use on parent–child relationships. Guided by Attachment Theory and Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, this research focuses on adolescents ages 12–16, a developmental stage marked by identity formation and evolving autonomy. The study will include a sequence of recruitment, …

Incorporating Ai Within English Composition Courses To Promote Ai Literacy And Decrease Academic Dishonesty, Damaris Rodriguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The rapid adoption of the program ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) by the public has caused tension and concerns among educators and higher education as they struggle on finding a middle ground among the practices of artificial intelligence (AI) within education that will continue to ensure that the instructor stays on top of the AI as the main educator for students. It is argued that the incorporation of AI within in-class assignments, for example, will assist students to develop an ethical awareness and their critical thinking skills to be able to recognize that there are limitations in regards to the …

Examining Immigration Detention Centers And Its Effect On The Well-Being Of Immigrant Families, Jennifer Sullinger-Lock, Luisa Arias, Saira Murillo, Helen Iniguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Immigration detention centers in the United States have become a contentious issue, particularly regarding their impact on the well-being of immigrant families. These facilities are often operated by government agencies and private entities, and function under conditions that compromise basic human rights. The purpose of this study is to assess the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of detention centers on immigrant children and families. This research utilizes a quantitative cross-sectional design, employing a self-report questionnaire among two groups: immigrants who have experienced detention and immigrants who have not, with the independent variable being immigration detention centers and the dependent variable …

Increasing Mental Health Providers' Confidence When Treating Clients Engaging In Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Alejandro Quezada Lechuga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant health concern disproportionately affecting the LGBTQIA population and system-involved youth with a prevalence as high as 20% and increasing. Historically, treatment has been inadequate, as interventions were designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, or suicidality. Patients consistently report negative stigma, contributing to poor treatment outcomes and consequently failing to seek professional help or cease treatment. Mental health professionals report experiencing bicurious trauma, increasing the likelihood of burnout. This study aims to evaluate the effects of online self-paced NSSI training on clinical social workers’ confidence when treating clients who engage in NSSI. The …

Utilizing A Social-Ecological Approach To Understand Healthcare Professional's Ability To Identify Child Sexual Exploitation, Vanessa Gudiel, Alyssa Fierro

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) are an underrecognized population who face barriers when receiving healthcare services in emergency settings. A common theme that prevents them from receiving services is the healthcare professionals' (HP) inability to recognize warning signs and engage with victims. This stems from an absence of CSEC-focused curriculum in institutional settings, leading to a lack of education and confidence in identifying CSEC. CSEC screenings are not mandatory in most healthcare settings, leaving the discretion to the HP and enabling the continued missed opportunity to identify victims. The proposed study will utilize an exploratory design to conduct qualitative interviews …

A Qualitative Study Of Maternal Morbidity And Mortality In The United States, Stacy D. Harris

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM) in America are largely preventable. The aim is to analyze disparities found in women of color regarding MMM in America and evaluate: How does adequate maternal health care affect the morbidity and mortality disparities found in communities of disadvantaged mothers? This research will employ a qualitative analysis of mothers, a more specified age group, and region (West Coast) of the United States. Previous work neglected to obtain in-depth, first-hand interviews with mothers residing regionally in the United States from a specified age group. An interview guide will be used to conduct comprehensive interviews virtually. Expert …

Cyberbullying Among Adolescents: Causes, Effects, And Prevention Strategies, Darssy Franco, Jovi Lazo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study will examine the impact of cyberbullying on adolescents’ mental health, in relation to anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Cyberbullying is identified as a growing digital phenomenon that threatens adolescents' emotional development. The proposed study would examine cyberbullying, school-based interventions, policy development, and mental health outcomes. The proposed research would utilize a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2025 to identify trends, gaps, and effective prevention strategies. A structured data extraction tool would be used to collect data related to prevalence rates, sample characteristics, independent variables such as cyberbullying exposure, and dependent variables, including mental …

Deferred Dreams: Mental Health Challenges And Access To Services Among Daca Recipients, Jamie G. Ruiz, Marlene Ortiz, Denisse Salvatierra

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an administrative program that protects young immigrants from deportation while granting them access to education and employment. DACA recipients face challenges in accessing resources due to their temporary status and the unpredictability of immigration laws, leading to mental health risks from stigma, anxiety, and fear of deportation. However, little research has examined how DACA's instability and immigration politics affect psychological well-being and access to services over time. This study examines how restrictive immigration policies affect DACA and undocumented people's mental health and access to culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health and social services. This …

The Impact Of Implicit Bias On The Therapeutic Dyad: A Study Of Clients' Perceptions, Nicholas Taylor Walsh

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the influence of implicit bias on the therapeutic dyad, focusing on how clients perceive its impact in their therapeutic process. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews will be conducted with Black clients of White clinicians to capture their perspectives on therapist bias, particularly its subtle, unconscious manifestations and their perceived impact on treatment. It is hypothesized that the findings will reveal that implicit biases related to race can subtly affect the therapeutic alliance, communication dynamics, and overall treatment outcomes. This study seeks to illuminate how clients perceive and navigate implicit bias within the therapeutic relationship, ultimately …

Trauma-Informed Care: Msw Students’ Perceptions Of Readiness And Factors Influencing Readiness, Naomi M. Jackson, Brittany Samperio, Kayla Broughton

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Although social workers frequently engage with individuals and families who have experienced complex trauma, limited research has examined whether Master of Social Work (MSW) students feel prepared to apply trauma-informed principles in professional settings. Objective: This study examined MSW students perceived readiness to implement trauma-informed care (TIC) and identified factors that may influence their preparedness. Methods: This study used an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. In Phase I, MSW students enrolled at CSUSB were invited to complete an anonymous online survey consisting of demographic questions, the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) scale, and the Readiness to …

Beyond The Dice Roll: Investigating Character Creation In A Pokemon-Inspired D&D Game, Alberto S. Rendon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

For this study of Pokémon Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) I study gameplay as a way to capture how players use character creation and performance in role-playing games as a form of social identity expression. I provide a rich description of how players construct a game persona and relate it to their social identity.By engaging in an ethnographic study wherein I analyze the players’ game character, their style of play, the decisions they make during the game, and the small group dynamic that emerges as a result, I want to show how mixing these two fandoms can promote ways for players …

Impact Of Parental Immigration Status On Latino Adolescents’ Mental Health, Kassandra Gomez, Stephanie Montero, Odalys Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Latino adolescents in the United States face unique stressors related to family immigration status; however, this issue has not been paid much attention in the literature. Guided by the Ecological Systems theory, this quantitative study seeks to explore and describe how parents’ immigration status impacts adolescents’ mental health (Bronfenbrenner, 1979. Two hundred adolescents, who will be randomly sampled across seven different Colton Joint Unified Schools, will be engaged in a survey. Data will be collected from respondents using a self developed questionnaire, which captures variables including student demographics, parental immigration status, immigration related stressors in relation to depression and anxiety …

Towards The Publisher-Function Of The Independent Press: Authorship And Experimentation In The Semiotext(E) Oeuvre, Gilbert Aguirre

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This project is a contribution to debates on authorship, expanding Foucault’s theorization of the author as a function of discourse into the field of creative production by proposing my theory of the publisher-function. Here, I highlight the role of the publisher in shaping literary discourse using avant-garde publishing house Semiotext(e). I analyze two experimental publications to illustrate how this publisher’s role in editing and curating their booklist—or, as I propose we call it, their oeuvre—compounds with the fact of publication to create a new kind of authorial role. This is done through emphasizing the paratexts, elements of design, and literary …

Enrichment Of The Thermophilic Archaea Gearchaeales And Calditenuis In Lab Culture, Walter Saldivar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Numerous microbes on Earth have yet to be grown in pure cultures and studied in the laboratory. Cultivation-independent genomic methods, such as metagenomics, can help us predict their metabolic capabilities, but cultivation remains valuable for testing these predictions. These uncultivated microbes are very diverse, especially within hot springs. Examples of these uncultivated microbes include the genus Calditenuis (formerly Aigarchaeota Group 1) and the order Gearchaeales; they are often abundant in terrestrial hot springs such as Great Boiling Springs (GBS) in Nevada. Previous work allowed for the establishment of laboratory enrichment cultures inoculated from sediments of GBS containing Calditenuis and …

Making Faces: Evaluating Facial Control Methods In Vr For Live Conversations, J. K.Sangeeth Chandran, Marisa Llorens Salvador, Cathy Ennis

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Facial expressions are a crucial part of affective communication in our daily lives, and the same applies to virtual humans. However, achieving a full range of believable and naturalistic emotional expression via VR devices still remains a challenge, particularly when constrained by the capabilities of midrange consumer VR devices without face tracking as opposed to the more expensive versions with facial tracking capabilities. In this study, we evaluated and compared three methods to control avatar facial expression in VR: continuous face tracking (FT); thumbstick label (TL), which is a VR controller's thumbstick-based selection method with visually labeled expression; and thumbstick …

Motivational Factors And Developmental Outcomes In Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Mixed-Methods Study, Antonio E. Gonzalez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adolescent marijuana use has become increasingly normalized within the United States, particularly as legalization policies expand and social attitudes continue to shift. While many adolescents report using marijuana for relaxation, socialization, or coping, early use has been associated with psychological, cognitive, and social challenges during a critical developmental period. Although prior research has examined either the motivations for marijuana use or its effects, limited studies have explored how adolescents’ motivations relate to psychological, cognitive, and social outcomes. Guided by self-determination theory, this study examines the motivational factors associated with adolescent marijuana use and explores how these motivations relate to psychological, …

Epiphanies, Loren Malul

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

"Epiphanies” investigates moments that inspire humanity to experience and enact change. Before we break through our egos threshold, our journey begins as a form of questioning, delving into the relationship between self and environment. When we take a moment to slow down and focus on our spatial awareness, we recognize that reality is a channel we get to tune into where our reaction determines our experience. Doing my own shadow work, recognizing trauma and questioning “the invisible”, are ways to analyze our internal self. Portals, voids, intersecting landscapes, and first person perspective are all visual translations that play with environmental …

Certified Health Education Specialist Exam Toolkit For Undergraduate Public Health Students, Briana C. Villari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) is a credentialing exam that is offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC) for public health professionals and students. With the completion of this exam, individuals can demonstrate their mastery of core health education skills and concepts. With the 2025 testing cycle, roughly 63 to 73 percent of test takers passed. The purpose of this project is to create a CHES exam toolkit for undergraduate public health students in preparation for their exam. The development of this toolkit was guided by the Health Education Specialists Practical Analysis (HESPA II 2020), …

The Missing Link: Strengthening College And Career Readiness For African American Males, Deniesha Nicole Culverson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine how supports in Linked Learning Pathways influence college and career readiness among African American males. This study explores how African American males describe their experiences in Linked Learning Pathways and how participation influenced their college and career readiness. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five African American male graduates who participated in Linked Learning Pathways. Findings indicate that participants generally perceived their pathway experiences as positive, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships, exposure to college and career opportunities, development of transferable skills, and access …

Assessing The Needs Of Public Health Professionals In The Inland Empire, Esteban Silva-Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

An effective public health system relies on the need for highly trained professionals with degrees or certifications within the field of public health. As public health continues to evolve, professionals are required to improve and evolve with the pace of technology and knowledge advancements. This project focuses on reviewing literature on the current ongoing needs of public health professionals and providing them with resources that are available at low to no cost. It surveys the needs of public health professionals in the Inland Empire and the solutions created by organizations and federal agencies to support professional development for current and …