Digital Commons Network^™

An Alignment Of Absences: The Medicalization Of Death And Its Implications On Archaeological Methodology, Makayla J. Bowman

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Absence describes something that is "expected, wanted, or looked for [but] is not present or does not exist," (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2026). The archaeological discipline interacts with absence in many profound ways, largely in its study of the past dead. This paper focuses on the ways in which the medicalization of death has influenced, limited, and misaligned archaeological methodology, and how the result of those methodologies produces archaeological analysis that is absent of or misrepresents our understanding of life, personhood, and our position within a greater, interconnected biosphere. Thus, I present an anthropological critique of the ways in which death and …

Lived Experiences Of Husbands Of Deployed Military Spouses, Timothy Lee Heath

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The focus of this study was to explore the lived experiences of civilian husbands during the deployment of their active-duty spouses. Although there is plenty of information concerning the negative and demanding impacts of deployment on female spouses and children, more is needed to understand the lived experiences of husbands of deployed soldiers. Research has confirmed that husbands of deployed soldiers have distinctive gender-specific needs that have been inadequately addressed, leading to adverse psychosocial effects. The couple adaptation to traumatic stress model and gender role theory served as the frameworks for this study to identify the psychosocial issues faced by …

The Rider (2026-04-27), Daniela Chapa-Reyes

The Rider Archives

Vol. 11, No. 28

Human Service Professionals’ Perceptions Culturally Competent Resources For Transracial Adoption, Rachelle Tau-Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transracial adoption continues to increase in the United States, particularly in states with predominantly White populations; yet, culturally competent preparation and postadoption resources remain limited. The lack of structured cultural socialization and race-responsive supports places transracially adopted youth at increased risk for identity disruption, mental health challenges, and experiences of racism and microaggressions. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore human service professionals’ perceptions of the services needed to provide culturally competent resources for transracial adoption in Washington State. Guided by the Transracial Adoption Parenting Series framework developed by the Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families, …

Occupational Stressors Correlated With Depression And Burnout Among Criminal Defense Attorneys, Fay Frances Spence

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No prior studies have compared occupational stressors of criminal defense lawyers by practice setting (public defender, court-appointed, or retained). In this mixed-method study, the goal was to identify occupational stressors perceived by criminal defense lawyers in different settings and to determine if those stressors were correlated with depression, anxiety, and burnout, using Maslach’s burnout-engagement continuum as the theoretical framework. Based on stressors identified in semistructured interviews with 15 criminal defense lawyers, the Criminal Defender Stress Survey (CDSS) was created to measure the frequency and perceived intensity of identified stressors. The CDSS was incorporated into an online survey, along with the …

Rethinking Psychological Safety In The Work Environment: Nursing Students' Perspectives, Olivia Nyarko Mensah, Elizabeth Boatemaa, Anita Fosua, Egya Gyanzah Eshun, Mary Ani-Amponsah

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: When the right working environment is created, it fosters the right behaviour in employees, A conducive environment is one that allows people to freely express themselves and escalate their concerns without fear of repercussion, victimization or undue consequences, it helps enhance work satisfaction (Ip et al., 2025; Turner et al., 2023). The classroom and the clinical work environment if appropriate and conducive should be such that it allows and not hinder free expression which can go a long way to ensure participation, satisfying individual concerns and group achievement (O’Connor et al., 2022). The central problem of the study was …

Examining Nurse Burnout During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Causes And Mitigation Strategies, Melanie Sena

Honors Projects

Nurse burnout is a multidimensional occupational syndrome that predates the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the pandemic served as a catalyst that intensified its scope and severity in ways that the healthcare system was profoundly ill-equipped to manage. Characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, burnout among nurses accelerated dramatically between 2020 and 2022 as clinical workloads surged, personal protective equipment remained scarce, and moral distress became a near-universal experience across care settings. This review examines the primary systemic and individual contributors to nurse burnout during COVID-19, explores the consequences of burnout for both nurses and patients, …

Public Perceptions Of The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Voir Dire, Carson Snyder

Honors Projects

Attorneys have increasingly utilized AI tools to improve efficiency, and one area of application is in jury selection, or voir dire. Public concerns involving AI can have negative implications on how the use of AI tools in voir dire would be received. This study seeks to answer how an attorney’s use of AI in voir dire impacts the public’s perception of the process. Previous research is limited, though findings relating to privacy being a leading concern, increased perception of risk for when error outcomes are more serious, and historical abuse of peremptory challenges outline potential reasons for public disapproval of …

Sex: A Tough But Necessary Conversation, Sophia M. Longeway

Honors Projects

Comprehensive sexual education is key to avoid the exploitation of young children. The primary methods to avoid Child Sexual Abuse or CSA include comprehensive sexual education, picture books, and teaching “red flag” behavior. Many children end up suffering from CSA, so keeping adults and children informed on the dangers is key to preventing it from ever occurring. Family members, neighbors and friends are the individuals who are committing these acts of violence towards children and many are under the impression that it is solely, “the man in the van” (King K. 2023). This literary analysis will delve deep into the …

Communist Yugoslavia: Non-Alignment, Solidarity, And Webs Of Diplomacy, Morgan Dillon

Honors Projects

The Non-Alignment Movement has been covered extensively in Cold War scholarship, yet the relationship between Yugoslavia and Indonesia is often underexplored, especially in the realm of IR theory. This project examines Yugoslavia and Indonesia between 1945 and 1966 to propose an imagined community, as conceptualized by Benedict Anderson, that serves as a microcosm for a wider Non-Aligned community in the Third World. This is achieved by using Social Constructivism to synthesize the histories, foreign policies, and national/political identities of these two nations, and then placing the theoretical community against Yugoslavia’s relationships with the U.S and the USSR for contrast. Through …

Passenger Autonomy In Airport Systems: Integrating Accessibility, Spatial Design, And Technology To Improve Operational Efficiency, John Michael Schmitz

Honors Projects

Airports are among the most complex operational environments in modern transportation, requiring the coordination of passenger movement, security processes, and infrastructure under significant time constraints. Although there have been many advancements in aviation, most passengers continue to experience high levels of stress and confusion while trying to navigate airport terminals. This paper argues that operational efficiency in airport systems is achieved by increasing  passenger autonomy through the utilization of accessible design, spatial legibility, and new emerging technologies. This paper takes note of some foundational theories that drove urban design and cognitive psychology, including Lynch’s concept of imageability, Passini’s theory of …

The Influence Of The Japanese Language On Gender Perceptions, Jasmine Bishara

Honors Projects

This study aimed to understand the how the Japanese language impacted people’s gender perceptions of women. Previous research showed that there are words and phrases in the Japanese language that are devaluing towards women, and that there are different societal expectations of women in their speech style. There are also different expectations of women’s behavior, which has impacted them in the workplace. Due to a lack of participants, no conclusions can be drawn about how language and social expectations impact how women are perceived in society. However, based on previous research it can be assumed that these issues still remain …

Local Angst To National Fear: New Media And The Spread Of Xenophobia, Bryce Weber

Honors Projects

This paper examines the evolution of xenophobia in the United States, arguing that its core themes of fear of outsiders, economic anxiety, and threats to national identity have remained consistent. However, the mechanisms of its spread have transformed alongside developments in media. The paper uses a qualitative historical methodology supported by quantitative data to trace anti-immigrant sentiment. It examines anti-immigrant attitudes toward Irish immigrants in the 19^th century, and reactions to undocumented immigrants in the late 20^th and early 21^st century. The paper focuses on key case studies, including California’s Proposition 187 and Arizona’s SB 1070, to …

Marching Health From Music To Injury: The Implications Of Marching Band Athletic Training Accessibility, Madelyn Liebhardt

Honors Projects

The following study explores the importance and need of athletic trainers (ATs) in marching band settings. Athletic Training is an essential backbone to many sports programs worldwide. Athletic Trainers are commonly seen as active staff members for many high school, collegiate, professional teams as well as in clinical office sites. Athletic Trainers are also staffed in non-traditional settings such as corporate settings, performing arts, military branches. Marching bands are categorized under non-traditional sports settings and ATs are becoming more highly preferred in this area. This study follows the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Falcon Marching Band (FMB) during the 2025 …

Pathways To Success, Annabelle Fyke

Honors Projects

This paper explores the importance of creating trauma-informed classrooms to support students’ emotional and academic success. As increasing numbers of students are affected by adverse childhood experiences, educators must adopt approaches that recognize and respond to trauma. The purpose of this paper is to examine key principles of trauma-informed education and how they can be effectively implemented in school settings. Drawing on current research and educational frameworks, this paper highlights strategies such as building strong teacher-student relationships, promoting emotional regulation, and maintaining consistent and supportive classroom environments. The findings suggest that trauma-informed practices can improve student behavior, increase engagement, and …

“I Am Shining Like Never Before”: A Qualitative Study Of The Preparation For Leadership And Vocational Call Among Lay Hispanic Women Educators In U.S. Catholic Schools, Bernadette Mary Boyle

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Catholic education was established and staffed by religious individuals called by the principle of mission and vocation: to serve and support immigrant, socio-economically disadvantaged Catholic communities. But by 2016 less than 3% of full-time professional Catholic school staff were avowed religious, and these historically Eurocentric schools across the United States have declining enrollment (Donohue & Guernsey, 2023). This has challenged Catholic leaders to consider whether Catholic schools can still fulfill the founding mission of Catholic education. In 2022, Ospino and Wyttenbach reported on “the various ways in which Hispanics educators are transforming the American Catholic school experience” (p. 5) and …

Understanding And Evaluating The Impact Of Pathway Programs, Benjamin Boer

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

A brief by Educatoin Systems Center (EdSystems) on the outcomes and lessons learned from the data collection processes and analysis for the Accelerated Model Pathways for Information Technology (AMP-IT) initiative, including an overview of the scaling of IT college and career pathways in the participating school districts, an understanding of the “milestones” that students meet prior to graduation, and how these milestones can be used to evaluate the program and assess longer-term outcomes. Additionally, the summary explores the challenges faced in collecting data and how EdSystems is adapting its data collection and analysis approach to improve understanding and evaluation of …

Faculty Senate Agenda April 27, 2026, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - March 30, 2026
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Report
• Strategic Enrollment Management Annual Report
• Student Success Annual Report
• Committee on Committees Annual Report
• Calendar Committee Annual Report
• 4:00 Information
• EPC Report - April 2, 2026
• 4:15 Additional Business
• Faculty Senate President-Elect
• Format & Responsibilities
• Passing the Gavel
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Foundations Of Art: Materials, Methods, And Meaning, Elizabeth Mellott

Art OERs

This course provides an introduction to the tools, materials, and processes used across a wide range of artistic media. The focus is on understanding how different materials shape the way art is created and experienced. Attention is given not only to what artists make, but also to why particular media are chosen to communicate specific ideas, emotions, or perspectives. The physical qualities of materials, the methods used, and the cultural meanings attached to them all influence artistic decision-making.

The course surveys several major categories of artistic media. Pigment-based practices include painting, drawing, and printmaking, where color and mark-making form the …

Design For Future Discourse: Creating The Speculative Design-Inspired Exhibition Modulation: Rewiring The Self, Ryan Bridgforth

Honors College Theses

Humans have long combined speculation and design. Early examples like General Motors’ Futurama at the 1939 World’s Fair introduced Americans to the idea of expressways and invited them to imagine possible futures. While intriguing, this mix of design and future thinking stood to benefit corporations overall, which is where speculative design comes in. Pioneered by design duo Dunne & Raby, speculative design uses design not as a way to engineer solutions to difficult problems, but “as means to explore the cultural and technological potentials of design, effectively blurring material and conceptual boundaries” (Mitrović et al. 2021, 175). Designing objects or …

Implications Of Ai In Higher Education And Faculty Development, Nicole Gonzales Howell, Freddie Seba, Virginia Ramos

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

The project “Implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence” explores how AI tools are transforming higher education, with a focus on pedagogy, ethics, and policy. It aims to equip faculty with practical resources and frameworks for responsible integration of AI in teaching, including curated AAC&U materials, sample assignments, and privacy/disclosure guidelines. The project also addresses institutional considerations such as ethical use of detection software and the development of departmental best practices. Ultimately, it seeks to foster informed, critical, and creative engagement with generative AI across disciplines.

On-Site Barbershops, Belonging, And Well-Being: Evaluating The Usf Clip, Cut, Connect Program, Jenny Lee, Evelyn Y. Ho, Hsiu-Lan Cheng, Joyce Yang

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

The Clip, Cut, Connect program is an on-campus initiative that addresses mental health equity for BIPOC students at USF through a partnership with ClipDart—a national organization that provides culturally competent, on-site hair care to underserved communities. The program provides responsive, culturally grounded support through barbers and stylists, creating inclusive spaces that reduce stigma and expand access to mental health resources at USF. Alongside this initiative, research is being conducted to understand how programs like Clip, Cut, Connect impact student well-being, sense of belonging, and access to care. By participating, students contribute to building knowledge that will shape more inclusive mental …

Using Data To Inform Campus Student Life Programmatic Change, Natalie Townsend, Katrina Garry, Lily Stringfellow

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

Our project aims to use the National College Health Assessment data from USF undergraduate and graduate students that was collected in February 2025. Our goal is to analyze the data to inform programmatic change to create a more positive, healthy, and safe campus culture. Our work specifically aims to improve student health and wellbeing and improve our sexual assault education and response work on campus.

A Practical Guide To Psycsim: Simulating Pilot Studies With Ai For Experimental Research, Mana Azarm, Johnathan Cromwell

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

Pilot studies are critical in psychological research, yet they remain costly, time-consuming, and vulnerable to data quality issues that can undermine validity. In this paper, we introduce PsycSim, a web-based platform that leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to simulate studies by designing procedural steps, defining measures to evaluate responses, and generating synthetic participants. The platform allows researchers to conduct pilot studies and rapidly test different designs, manipulations, samples, and measures at a fraction of the time and cost compared to human-based studies. We provide a practical guide on navigating the platform across four main features: designing and configuring a study …

Career Conversations In Academic Advising: Tools For Integrating Career Into Everyday Advising, Molly Landa

Masters Projects

With a growing concern about the value of higher education, higher education institutions need to adapt to the evolving career needs of students. With the frequent interactions academic advisors have with students, advisors are uniquely positioned to help student align their academic and career plans. However, literature reveals that many academic advisors struggle to have career conversations with students due to a lack of confidence and time with students. Furthermore, the literature illustrates the importance of integrating academic and career advising because it provides students with holistic support that better supports their needs. Therefore, the purpose of this project is …

From Deficit To Empowerment: Culturally Responsive Leadership Development In Student Affairs Practice, Bethany Dallas

Masters Projects

Students of Color represent a growing population enrolling at Historically White Colleges and Universities (HWCUs). Within these institutions, race-neutral practices and programming hide the racialized contexts that shape the experiences of Students of Color on predominantly White campuses. When analyzing leadership development practices at HWCUs, frameworks that do not account for the implications of race may reinforce dominant norms, thereby limiting the effectiveness of leadership programs in supporting diverse student populations. Simultaneously, student affairs professionals may be ill-equipped to address racial dynamics and must proactively seek out professional development opportunities to increase cultural competency.

This project proposes a professional development …

Radio As War: An Exploration Of Kalamazoo Black Radio In The Vietnam War Era, Amelia Koch

Honors Theses

Kalamazoo, Michigan’s black history runs deep. This thesis aims to trace that black history, and situate it within the realm of black radio as a cultural phenomenon. Rising to its provenance in the mid-1960s, black radio has been, and continues to be, a rallying point for African American communities across the U.S., particularly in Chicago and Detroit. Kalamazoo, a halfway point between these two major cities, has a lack of such stations. Exploring the lack of black radio in Kalamazoo during the 1950s through 70s, this work presents a connection between the existence of black programming and the experience of …

The Impact Of Smart Policing Technologies On Law Enforcement Efficiency In Dubai, Salem Alsuwaidi

Theses

This study investigates the perceptions, challenges, and ethical considerations surrounding the implementation of smart policing technologies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As the UAE advances its police reform strategies through embracing AI, surveillance, and a predictive policing model, it is imperative to highlight the perspectives of key stakeholders in the implementation process. This research employed a constructivist approach and qualitative research design, including semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively recruited participants with three roles: police officer, technology professional, and policy or government employee. In a bid to identify the nuanced features of socio-technical practice and the nature of smart policing …

Study Links Coal Ash Sites To Elevated Cancer Risk Nationwide, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Counties near coal ash storage facilities are more likely to report higher cancer rates, raising questions about regulation and long-term health risks of such installations, a new study concludes.

Building Community And Connection One Mahjong Tile At A Time, Sherise Kimura, Genevieve Leung, Nicholas Tay, Wei Yang Menkus

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

By creating spaces for shared play and conversation, we aim to reduce social isolation and encourage meaningful engagement. These interactions not only enhance well-being and foster a sense of belonging, but also promote cultural awareness, support learning, and help build a more inclusive and connected campus community.