Digital Commons Network^™

Analytics Insights From Text: Machine Learning, Ai, And Sentiment Analysis On Beige Books, Charlie Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Business analytics is about drawing actionable insights from data. These distinct but connected essays represent a novel approach to explore how natural language processing (NLP) advances and machine learning can transform unstructured text data into actionable conclusions. Essay 1 provides a broad framework. Essay 2 strengthens the sentiment analysis with the most recent artificial intelligence methodologies for capturing nuanced sentiment in complex texts. Essay 3 applies those insights to forecast recessions using topics that can be readily interpreted and applied.

The research demonstrates how these methodologies can be applied to enhance understanding of the same dataset, Beige Books. Published by …

Recipe To Remember: An Exploration Of Self-Publishing Creative Agency, Janet L. Gerges

Honors College Theses

As a poet, I have learned some of the ins and outs of traditional poetry publication—which is anything but conventional—through other research endeavors. Majoring in creative writing at Pace University has given me access to a plethora of resources regarding ways to publish, including the atypical route of self-publishing zines, through the Pace Zine Library. Zines are an ultimately free creative outlet that many artists use to display multimedia work and produce a publication of a different, more homemade quality than that of traditionally published work.

The traditional, more harrowing approach to poetry publication is to break out by publishing …

The Effect Of Defendant Race And Race Salience On Jury Verdicts, Emerson Allen

Senior Honors Theses

Researchers have reported conflicting findings about whether mock jurors are more, less, or equally likely to convict Black defendants in mock trials as compared to White defendants. Likewise, past studies have led researchers to disagree on the effect of race salience at trial on verdicts. I therefore examined whether Black defendants were convicted more often than White defendants, as well as whether making race salient in the defense closing argument would reduce guilty verdicts. I randomly assigned 207 participants to read one of four abbreviated trial transcripts in which defendant race (Black, White) and race salience (present, absent) were manipulated …

Prescription For Progress: A Retention Plan To Heal The Dying Nurse Workforce, Margaret Curd

Senior Honors Theses

The United States is currently facing an unprecedented nursing shortage which stems from many variables, including a lack of clinical rotation sites for students, increased burnout among current nurses, and a growing retiring workforce. Rising nurse turnover rates negatively impact patient outcomes, which should concern all levels of management. One specific hospital facing such an impact is Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. This thesis seeks to address their substandard staffing ratios in an extensive, holistic strategic retention plan. Metrics for proving the plan’s success are provided alongside a discussion of proper calculations for each.

Beyond The Paycheck: Crafting A Competitive Benefits Package In American For-Profit And Non-Profit Entities, Olufemi C. Akpona

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explores the changing landscape of employee benefits and theorizes how benefits can further be formulated to appeal to the specific employee base in every for-profit and non-profit organization. An evaluation is given of common benefits offered in the United States as well as an evaluation of the legal, financial, ethical, and psychological dimensions of providing employee benefits. Finally, an example benefits package is presented in order to illustrate how an organization can provide unique benefits to recruit and retain employees in the communities they operate in.

Investigating Business Cybersecurity Vulnerability And Development Of An Application For Security Awareness Training Platform For Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Baijun (Jack Skywalker) Jiang

Senior Honors Theses

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals due to their limited IT expertise, inadequate cybersecurity investment, and insufficient security awareness training. The increasing sophistication of social engineering attacks are rendering traditional security awareness programs obsolete, as they fail to effectively promote behavior change. The proposed solution develops a software-based security awareness training program that integrates interactive activities, realistic scenarios, and gamified learning methods to engage employees and facilitate long-term behavioral change towards security awareness. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed training program in real-world scenarios to measure its impact on …

Navigating Eating Disorders Through Counseling, Alyssa M. Pelella

Senior Honors Theses

Many different characteristics are involved in eating disorders, each of which helps show that counseling is important to the recovery process. An eating disorder that goes untreated can lead to a higher degree of symptoms over time, like the use of waist trainers, laxatives, and calorie counting. These factors can cause guilt in an individual and can hinder relationships. Males are often overlooked in eating disorder instances, as is the Napoleon complex. Athletes are typically at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder as they are constantly working out, and many times are focused on a goal to fit …

Antimicrobial Eats: How Food Additives Are Contributing To Obesity Via The Gut Microbiome, Olivia Mankos

Senior Honors Theses

The typical modern diet is brimming with food additives used in food processing. Additives such as antibiotic residues, GMOs, pesticide residues, anti-caking agents, emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, colorants, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. Most of these additives seem to shift the gut microbiome towards more pro-inflammatory signals. When all these additives are considered as an amalgam, such as with the modern processed diet, the ramifications on the gut microbiome are concerning. Obesity, which is characterized by low-level chronic inflammation, is likely exacerbated by these food additives. Consequently, most of these additives should be avoided or banned for optimal health.

Mechanisms Of Behavioral Change In Hosts Of Toxoplasma Gondii: A Review, Olivia Grimsley

Senior Honors Theses

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a highly ubiquitous parasite that latently infects an estimated 33% percent of the global population. Toxoplasmosis is of obvious clinical significance due to the extremely high risks to the unborn who contract it congenitally. Less attention has been given to a more subtle aspect of latent infection, which is the behavioral alterations that are commonly experienced by those who contract the parasite. Infected individuals commonly display a variety of altered behaviors, such as increased aggression and risk-seeking behaviors, depression, higher tendency towards suicide and self-directed violence, a loss of fear response, and a greatly increased …

U.S. Tax Treatment Of Crypto Assets, Kylie May Schmitt

Senior Honors Theses

Disagreements exist surrounding the proper definition and tax treatment of cryptocurrency. The IRS views crypto assets as a type of intangible property, and most guidance regarding how to include income or loss from cryptocurrency on the relevant tax forms stems from this classification. Crypto asset transactions create either ordinary or capital income or loss, depending on the taxpayer’s reason for holding the assets. This requires keeping track of the cryptocurrency’s fair market value at the time of receipt and disposition. While researchers have not reached a unanimous conclusion, most identify problems with this treatment and instead propose alternative methods, such …

Comparative Analysis Of Regression And Random Forest Models For Player Performance Prediction In The Mls, Joshua Clement Madeti

Senior Honors Theses

Advanced technology and analytics have transformed the world and have benefited several industries throughout, the sport industry being one of them. Data is constantly generated during sports and requires post-game or post-season analysis which is crucial to team and player success. In this paper, the researcher will focus on the impact of analytics on soccer and soccer players. With over three billion active fans, soccer is the most famous sport in the world yet, when it comes to analytics, it is lagging. The thesis includes a comparative study of multiple linear regression and random forest regression to explore whether these …

A Gamified Mobile App For Learning Linguistics: Applying Software Design And Thinking To Educational Engagement, Michael J. Rourke

Honors College Theses

This thesis explores how mobile app technologies—particularly gamification, adaptive learning algorithms, and user-centered UI/UX design—can be used to make linguistics education more accessible and engaging. Drawing on recent scholarship in educational technology and human-computer interaction, I developed a React Native-based mobile application that introduces users to core linguistic concepts such as phonetics, syntax, and semantics through interactive mini-games. The academic component of this thesis synthesizes research on best practices in educational app design and documents the full design and development process. The project demonstrates how creative computer science work can be informed by scholarly literature while producing a functional tool …

Dancing In The Digital Age: How Social Media Shapes The Commercial Dance Industry, Luke Lisowski

Honors College Theses

Social media has fundamentally transformed the commercial dance industry, reshaping how dancers establish careers, connect with industry professionals, and promote their artistry. This thesis examines the impact of social media platforms – such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube – on career growth by facilitating networking opportunities, increasing visibility, and redefining industry standards. The research explores how digital platforms have shifted the traditional pathways to success, enabling dancers to showcase their work independently while also creating challenges related to self-promotion, competition, and mental health.

Through a series of in-depth interviews with professional dancers and choreographers actively working in the industry, this …

The Critical Ecosocial Framework: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Integrating Ant-Racist, Anti- Oppressive, And Ecosocial Work Practice, Georgianna Dolan-Reilly

PhD of Social Work

The social work profession has an ethical obligation to address racism, oppression, and environmental injustices. However, multilevel resistance and challenges to acknowledging and confronting these interconnected issues persist both within the profession and throughout broader society. By neglecting to integrate environmental justice and Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression (ARAO) into practice, the social work profession remains complicit in the very cycles of oppression (white supremacy, colonialism, ableism, sexism etc.) that we seek to dismantle. Presently, no research broadly examines the use of ARAO by social workers engaged in environmental, climate change, environmental disasters, or other place and nature-based topics (ecosocial workers). Further, …

Support Effects On Fe- Or Cu-Promoted Ni Catalysts Used In The Catalytic Deoxygenation Of Tristearin To Fuel-Like Hydrocarbons, Great C. Umenweke, Robert Pace, Thomas Récalt, Olivier Heintz, Gilles Caboche, Eduardo Santillan-Jimenez

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Previous studies have shown that fats, oils, and greases (FOG) can be deoxygenated to fuel-like hydrocarbons over inexpensive alumina-supported Ni catalysts promoted with Cu or Fe to afford excellent yields of renewable diesel (RD). In this study, supports other than alumina—namely, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O₂, and ZrO₂—were investigated to develop catalysts showing improved RD yields and resistance to coke-induced deactivation relative to Al₂O₃-supported catalysts. Results showed that catalysts supported on Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O₂ and ZrO₂ outperformed SiO₂-Al_{2 …}

Impact Of Michigan Public Act 246 On Opioid Prescribing After Pediatric Surgery, Madison Saunders, Nathan Novotny, Anthony Stallion, Begum Akay, Pavan Brahmamdam, Ryan T. Davis

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Abstract: Background: In December 2017, Michigan enacted Public Act 246(P246) to address rising opioid misuse. P246 states that, as of June 1, 2018, a prescriber of a controlled substance must discuss the risks of opioid addiction, overdose, and the dangers of taking opioids with benzodiazepine, alcohol or any other nervous system depressant with the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian. This study aims to evaluate the impact of this legislation by comparing opioid morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed to pediatric patients undergoing common general, urological, and ENT surgeries before and after June 1, 2018. Methods: A single-center, retrospective chart …

The Effect Of Employment Shocks On Earnings: Evidence From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Giovanny A. Martinez Rodriguez

Economics Honors Projects

Economic research has documented significant short, medium, and long-term labor market consequences following recessions (Goodman & Mance, 2011; Yagan, 2017; Farber, 2011). The Covid-19 recession triggered an unprecedented economic downturn, disproportionately impacting employment in industries with high concentrations of low-income and female workers. In this paper, I leverage the substantial spatial variation in employment shocks to examine their effects on earnings and employment outcomes in both the short and medium terms. I find remarkably stable trends in earnings and employment when comparing counties experiencing high employment shocks with those that did not. Although these results differ from previous recessions, they …

Assessing The Professional Development Needs Of Traditionally And Alternatively Certified Career And Technical Education Teachers In Virginia, Natalie Ferand, Bradley Bowen, D. Brett Milliken

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

The Virginia Department of Education allows for various paths to teacher licensure. Teachers may graduate from an approved teacher preparation program or obtain a teaching license through alternative pathways. This study identified the professional development needs of traditionally and alternatively certified CTE teachers in Virginia by administering a statewide survey. The participants were divided into three groups: alternatively certified CTE teachers (Group 1), traditionally certified teachers in a non-CTE area and then received a CTE endorsement (Group 2), and traditionally certified teachers in CTE (Group 3). By comparing how teachers from each of these certification pathways reported their level of …

Offering A Manufacturing Curriculum Online To Rural Schools: The Case Of The Nimm Project, Raymond A. Dixon, Farjahan Shawon

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This case study examined the extent to which the two implemented manufacturing pathways of the NIMM project successfully facilitated access and engaged high school students from rural regions in two manufacturing curricula. The program consisted of two tracks or career pathways for manufacturing technicians: Mechanical CADD technician and Electro-Mechanical technician. The Mechanical CADD program was delivered online, and the Electro-Mechanical program was delivered online and through a summer skills academy. Findings include, students showed less preference for CTE manufacturing courses in an online asynchronous format, CTE instructors need to be trained to teach online, proper IT infrastructure is needed for …

Navigating Leadership: The Impact Of Intersectional Identities On Female Leaders In Postsecondary Education, Sara A. Shaw

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of female leaders in postsecondary education, focusing on how intersecting identities influence their leadership and decision-making processes. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and the theoretical framework of intersectionality, the research explored the relationships between gender, leadership, career decision-making, and other social identities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and demographic surveys with 11 female leaders. The findings revealed seven key themes: Identity Influenced Experiences, Unintentional Navigation, Institutional Bias, Playing the Game, Institutional Champion, Supportive Mechanisms for Career Advancement, and Value Alignment. These themes illustrate how gender and intersecting identities shape career decisions …

Emerging Perspectives Regarding The Implementation Of Lecturer Professionalization At Selected Tvet Colleges In Gauteng Province, South Africa, Mojalefa Daniel Maluka, Maelekanyo Christopher Mulaudzi

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This study explored the challenges impeding the implementation of lecturer professionalisation at selected public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was followed, and a case study research design was adopted. Fifteen (15) participants were selected from five colleges through a purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which was analysed through thematic analysis on Atlas.ti. This study found that lecturer professionalisation faced personal, institutional, and systemic challenges, namely, a professional identity crisis, lack of management support, lack of pedagogical knowledge, lack of self-directedness, negative public perception, …

How Do Parents Influence Female Students' Engineering Trajectory?, Niloufar Bayati, Cameron Denson

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Using the Parental Socialization Framework, this research provides a detailed analysis of how early STEM exposure, parental confidence in abilities, and gender-neutral upbringing contribute to the development of STEM identities among women. Employing a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, six undergraduate women engineering majors were interviewed in-depth about their parents' influence on their STEM pathways. The findings reveal that parents' high academic expectations, confidence in their daughters' abilities, verbal and non-verbal encouragement, and early STEM opportunities are pivotal in steering female participants toward engineering. The study also underscores the importance of creating a gender-neutral environment that allows girls to explore and develop …

School-Based Agricultural Educators’ Educational Technology Integration Self-Efficacy And Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Relational Study, Macey Kleinjan, Brooke L. Thiel, Adam Marx

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher Technological Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge and teachers’ technology integration self-efficacy through the use of TPACK and the Intrapersonal Technology Integration Scale (ITIS). In-service SBAE teachers from four upper-Midwest states were surveyed to assess their current self-efficacy related to the integration and utilization of the educational technology available in their classroom and curriculum. According to the findings of this study, SBAE teachers are using educational technology in their classrooms and curriculum daily but are only slightly confident in their ability …

Building Educator Sel Capacity To Support Disruptive Student Behavior, Kendall Eshenfelder Fenton

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This improvement science dissertation addressed disruptive student behavior by building educators’ SEL capacity and knowledge. Specifically, the study provided classroom teachers with Tier I SEL instructional lessons and training to support managing disruptive student behaviors within the classroom. This intervention at a suburban elementary school consisted of a six-week intervention that included weekly professional learning sessions and SEL lessons to be implemented in the classroom. This action research, using a mixed methods convergent preexperimental design, included quantitative data assessing classroom teachers’ SEL knowledge and capacity. The researcher also gathered qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with participants following the completion of …

Lessons Through Affirmations: Increasing Educators’ Capacity To Empower Children To Push Through, Jasmyn N. Wright

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This improvement science dissertation explores how affirmation-based practices can enhance teachers’ capacity to support student engagement, resilience, and healthy self-concept, particularly in high-needs urban classrooms. The researcher employed a participatory action research design using mixed methods over an eight-week intervention. The “Lessons Through Affirmations” program included structured daily affirmations, reflective journaling, and teacher professional development. Quantitative data from pre/post surveys and weekly rubrics indicated consistent growth across SEL domains, notably in student resilience and instructional confidence. Qualitative reflections and interviews revealed that students internalized affirmations, demonstrated improved emotional regulation, and took ownership of the practice, while teachers reported personal growth …

Structural Vibration Analysis Of The Multi Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (Mmrtg) On The Martian Surface, Christopher Brown

Master's Theses

A Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) is a radioisotope power system designed for use within both planetary atmospheres and the vacuum of space. A radioisotope power system uses a radioisotope fuel source which generates heat that is then converted into electricity by the system’s thermocouples. These generators are used as a power source on space missions with very long service durations. MMRTGs have a required usage lifespan of roughly fourteen years, therefore the system must withstand stressors without suffering significant structural damage that would affect their functionality.

It is important to take into consideration that MMRTGs house radioactive materials; therefore, …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Production Of Biofuels From Nanno 3600 Microalgae And Algae Native To Connecticut Via Greener Alternative Extraction Solvents For Lipid Recovery, Juhkory Najar

Master's Theses

As the world continues to evolve and expand in both technology and population, the energy demand continues to increase as well to keep up with the production of new products and higher production rates. The depletion of fossil fuels and the considerable amount of greenhouse gases from the use of nonrenewable energy sources fuel the demand for renewable energy sources. These renewable energy sources originate from a variety of places, such as wind power, hydroelectric, and solar. Biomass continues to grow in the renewable energy sector due to its versatility in high lipid content and minimal competition with other biomass …

Those That Guard The Abyss: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Corrections Culture And Correctional Staff Suicide, Kristi Greenberg

Doctoral Works at the University of New Haven

Correction officer suicide is an understudied, yet frightening problem. The culture of silence and machismo acts as a barrier to those struggling to cope with not only the demands of the job, but the distance and challenges it forces upon officers’ personal lives. The correctional field and its unique challenges are not understood by the public. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, this study sought to understand the prevalence of correction officer suicide by examining data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), which resulted in the analysis of suicides from 2018-2020 in the United States (N = 103,187). …

The Rise Of Cyber Conflict As A Policy Tool: A Comparison Of The United States And The People's Republic Of China, Sophia Radzim

Master's Theses

This thesis explores cyber incident trends and its effects on conflict resolution of interstate relationships between the U.S. and China. Key findings of this research discovered that the U.S. relies on diplomatic negotiations to resolve cyber conflicts and does not utilize an aggressive approach within the cyber domain. China, on the other hand, has aggressively expanded its cyber capabilities. They leverage cyber attacks to promote their technology, military, and economy sectors, while undermining the U.S.’ global status as a political leader and innovator. China’s dominance in cyberspace poses a great threat to the national security of the U.S. Through descriptive …

Does 9/11 Still Act As A Motivator For Individuals Entering The Criminal Justice And National Security Fields?, Ashleigh Lane

Master's Theses

The terror attacks on September 11, 2001 changed the world in an instant, leaving lasting effects on the United States and the international community. This thesis investigates whether the 9/11 attacks continue to serve as a motivating factor for individuals pursuing careers in the Criminal Justice and National Security fields, despite the passage of more than two decades since the event.

This study utilizes secondary research analysis to examine data from empirical studies conducted between 2006 and 2022, with a particular emphasis on students enrolled in Criminal Justice programs at institutions of higher education. Key variables explored include personal victimization, …