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Columns Spring 2025, Southern Adventist University

Alumni Newsletter

Features articles on gamification to increase learning and classroom engagement, summer camp connections, and embracing service.

Exploring And Implementing A Compassionate Social Service Ministry In Korean American Churches, Caleb Kim

KAUPA Letters

The purpose of this study is to explore the types and contents of church ministries provided by Korean American churches in the Chicagoland area. Using a conceptual content analysis, this study identified that most Korean American churches disproportionately offer an evangelical ministry to their fellow church members but overlook a compassionate social service ministry to their congregations, other ethnic minorities, the oppressed and unjust social issues. The most offered evangelical ministries are weekly worship services, evangelism, world mission, discipleship training, and Bible study. Only few churches provide financial aid support and pastoral care services to their church members and non-Korean …

In Sickness And In Health: Care And Complacency In Aid Efforts For Migrant Youth In Eastern France, Nzana K. Thillot , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This thesis examines the perspectives of educators working with unaccompanied migrant minors (MNAs) in eastern France, focusing on how they perceive and navigate the care system and creates their own communities of care within the gaps of the bureaucratic French system. Through qualitative analysis, it explores how educators interpret the structural challenges MNAs face, including access to healthcare, social integration, and legal protections. By centering educators’ voices, this study highlights their role as intermediaries between MNAs and the French system that determines their access to essential services. It interrogates how these professionals negotiate institutional constraints, advocate for the well-being and …

Graduate Studies Newsletter (Spring 2025), Csusb - Office Of Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Grief Into Growth: Msw Portfolio, Shelby Ann Lampi

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Insights From The Field: An Exploration Of Approaches And Trends Utilized By Illinois School Social Workers., Rachel Jenkins

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

School social workers (SSWers) support students facing adversity by advocating for their social-emotional well-being while navigating academic mandates. SSWers address behavioral and emotional challenges that impede student success, often rooted in trauma, mental health, disabilities, or challenging circumstances. However, less is known about the array of approaches SSWers utilize when working with students. As such, this study aimed to understand the current approaches and trends of SSWers in Illinois when working with youth who face adversity. Researchers utilized a cross-sectional mixed methods approach employing survey research with scaled and open-ended questions. The Illinois School Social Workers Association (IASSW) aided recruitment …

Key Factors That Influence The Successful Implementation And Sustainment Of Dei Within Probation Departments, Natalie Martinez

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

The successful implementation and sustainment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within probation departments is essential to create a fair and just criminal justice system. This paper examines the principal elements that impact the implementation and sustainability of DEI practices in probation settings. This research identifies best practices and challenges in integrating DEI principles into organizational structures by analyzing existing literature, case studies, and policy frameworks. The findings highlight the importance of leadership commitment, policy integration, and measurement, as well as an environment that fosters an inclusive culture. Additionally, the study examines barriers such as resistance to change, policy …

Equity In Maternal Journeys: Maternal Health Care Experiences Among Black Mothers In South Carolina, Julisa Grace Tindall

Theses and Dissertations

Black women in the United States experience disproportionately adverse maternal health outcomes, particularly in the Southeast. This dissertation examines the maternal health care experiences and resilience strategies of Black mothers in South Carolina through a qualitative study grounded in critical race theory, Black feminist thought, resilience theory, and ecological systems theory. It highlights the pervasive influence of structural racism while amplifying the resourcefulness and agency of Black mothers. The first manuscript develops a conceptual framework to explore the structural, social, and interpersonal mechanisms influencing Black maternal health care experiences. The second manuscript employs grounded theory to investigate Black mothers’ lived …

Msw Portfolio: Finding Myself, Sheena Rae Jibson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio represents my personal and professional evolution from a registered nurse uncertain of her future, to a confident therapist with a clear vision for what is ahead. It is a reflection of three years of dedicated work in the University of Montana’s Master of Social Work program. Through this compilation, I highlight the skills, knowledge, and values I have cultivated while demonstrating my growth across the ten core competencies of social work.

Cultivating My Social Work Identity: Integrating Past, Context, And Relationship, Jessica K. Kumm

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

My application to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program was sent as a means to move beyond the constraints of the classroom walls as teacher and provide meaningful and tailored support to individuals who were falling through the cracks of the system. My experience in this program was transformative, in ways that were expected and unexpected. I recognize significant expansion in my perspective alongside growing confidence in applying newly acquired skills, both clear indicators of my professional and personal development. The insights garnered from personal experiences, academic lectures, and practicum placements shifted my theoretical foundations and personal worldviews. What …

Behavioral Escalation In The Ed, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Suspected Abusive Head Trauma, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Cultural Self-Harm Differences, Erin Simmons

Psychology Student Papers and Posters

This study is based on the evident cultural differences in self-harm behaviors and what those behaviors look like specifically for individuals that identify as Black or African American. Previous literature suggests that cultural differences in self-harm exist but very little research centers Black experiences and their connection to self-harm. Self-harm is considered a broad term, and it encompasses a variety of behaviors, some more common than others, but these common behaviors are typically exclusively explored within only a few demographics with a low Black participant pool. This contributes to the assumed lack of self-harm among the Black community but through …

Testimonios Of Antiracist School Social Workers: Advancing Professional Equity And Updating The School Social Work Model, Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Christy Mccoy, Laurel E. Thompson, Stephanie Ochocki

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

During a modern era of rising white nationalism and racial reckoning, the opportunity to reimagine the national model for school social work practice was explored in partnership with practitioners, scholars, researchers, and leaders of the profession. It sparked a parallel process of engagement that required the critical analysis of the systemic and structural racism impacting not only our educational communities, but also the historical influences shaping the school social work profession. Like the many antiracist efforts that have come before, the revision process was impacted by a pervasive culture of white supremacy, yet what emerged was an equity-centered model to …

Developing A Pandemic-Related Mental Health Micro-Collection For An Academic Library, Dee Anna Phares

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Academic library patrons dealing with the impact of trauma, depression, anxiety, or addiction spawned or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic require materials that address the unique conditions that have shaped mental health since late 2019. This paper demonstrates how one academic library endeavored to address patrons’ needs for mental health resources by developing a “Coping and COVID-19” micro-collection.

(In)Accessibility: Awareness Project At Northwestern College, Natalie Hoffman, Amber Millard, Grace Harre

Student Projects

Accessibility on any campus is necessary to allow individuals with limited mobility and physical disabilities to feel welcomed and access their education. Community forums are a powerful tool to organize a community to implement change and advocate for a community’s needs. Prior to implementing the community forum, community organizers engaged in research as well as in conversations with those on campus who have direct exposure to how the lack of accessibility impacts various individuals on campus. The community organizers partnered with the NEXT program, a student, as well as several professors at Northwestern college to advocate for change and bring …

Voices Of Uab Social Workers: Key Findings From The 2024 Needs Assessment, Lana Turner Msw Student, Laurel Hitchcock Phd, Mph, Licsw-S, Pip, Uab Social Work Partnership

College of Arts & Sciences Professional Work

The UAB Social Work Partnership (SWP), in collaboration with Dr. Donny Gerke and MSW students Kafui Sakyi-Addo, Eryka Slaughter, Matthew Miller, and Shalini Chatterji, conducted a needs assessment survey in October 2024 to better understand the challenges and priorities of social workers within UAB. The assessment addressed salary equity, continuing education (CEU) needs, networking opportunities, and internship supervision support. This report summarizes the key findings from the 106 survey responses from UAB social workers, offering insights that can inform policy development, professional support strategies, and organizational improvements within the UAB social work community. The survey, conducted via Qualtrics, was disseminated …

Social Workers Impact On Behavioral Health Patients In The Emergency Department, Hannah Grumbein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The emergency department is designed to treat emergency medical conditions, stabilize the patients, and transition them to the next appropriate level of care. The social issue that prompted the search in current literature is increased readmissions to the emergency department for many at-risk populations, including mental health patients. The research problem addressed through this quantitative study was the increasing readmission rates in emergency departments for the mental health population for non-emergent needs. The purpose of the study was to determine whether having social work involvement with adult mental health patients in the emergency department would lead to more services at …

The Lawyer: Spring 2025, Seattle University School Of Law

Lawyer

No abstract provided.

Domestic Violence And Women In Education, Elizabeth Gonzalez

Posters - 2025

Domestic violence has prevailed especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to its excessive impact on intimate partners, it is known that it has been impacting people in various ways whether it be technological, emotional, financial, physical, sexual, or economic (Domestic Violence, 2024).

In particular, domestic violence has targeted women who have educational attainment due to many factors. With this in mind, we study the different potential risk effects that cause women to have fewer opportunities whether it be financially or employment along with geographic factors impacting them to experience domestic violence.

Promoting Equitable Access To Music Through Implementation Of An Eye Gaze Musical Instrument (Eyeharp) In A Special Education School, Amber Foster

Capstone Projects

Music is a universal language that transcends physical, cognitive, and cultural boundaries. The benefits of playing a musical instrument are well known and researched, however, individuals with severe motor disabilities often face physiological, neurological, and/or societal barriers that limit their access to playing a musical instrument. Additionally, there is limited knowledge about adaptive musical instruments that are available to serve these individuals and their needs. To address these challenges, this capstone project utilized EyeHarp, an adaptive musical instrument that uses eye gaze technology, to allow students at a special education school with limited motor abilities to create music. The objectives …

Enhancing Support For Refugee Women: Supplemental Resources For Service Providers Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Nabilah Salwa

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) focused on developing comprehensive, occupational therapy (OT) -informed resources to support refugee women and young adults. The primary goal was to equip community leaders—particularly those working with Treetops Collective in Grand Rapids (GR), Michigan—with practical, culturally sensitive tools to better serve refugees and New American members. Refugee women face many barriers to occupational participation due to intersecting cultural, linguistic, and systemic challenges. While existing literature highlights general needs within refugee communities, there is a lack of tailored, practical resources to guide service providers in daily practice.

In response to this gap, resources were created with …

Enhancing Health And Wellness Initiatives For Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Anna Cole

Capstone Projects

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience lower levels of physical activity and higher rates of obesity and sedentarism when compared to their neurotypical peers (Ferreira et al., 2022; Shin & Park et al., 2012). Research has shown that regular exercise and cooking programs can improve strength, aerobic capacity, emotional well-being and independent living skills among individuals with IDD (Bouzas et al., 2018; Pastula et al., 2012; Pestana et al., 2018). Ready for Life is a non-profit organization that offers inclusive post-secondary education and adult day programming to promote autonomy and well-being for individuals with IDD. While exercise …

Trauma-Informed Education In Inpatient Mental Health: Applying The Neurosequential Model Through Occupational Therapy Principles, Hannah Barton

Capstone Projects

This capstone experience focused on developing and delivering trauma-informed education for patients, caregivers, and staff at an inpatient mental health hospital through the lens of occupational therapy (OT). Conducted at Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the project aimed to address key needs: trauma-informed care training, improved caregiver education, and the integration of OT principles into inpatient care to reduce readmissions. Using the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and trauma-informed care frameworks, the project produced two educational resources added to patient discharge packets, three live staff training sessions, and an online educational module for ongoing access. These interventions addressed gaps …

The Magazine, Spring 2025, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Alumni Association Publications

The Magazine of Morehead State University from spring of 2025.

Psy 321 The Psychology Of Immigration And Acculturation Syllabus, Marjorine Henriquez-Castillo

Open Educational Resources

This course is all about understanding how immigration (moving to a new country) and acculturation (adapting to a different culture) shape who we are. Together, we’ll explore the history, theories, policies, and research surrounding these processes, focusing on how they influence the physical and mental development of individuals and communities in the U.S. By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how these experiences impact both you and the world around you.

Kendra's Paradox: Redefining The Statutory Approach To Assisted Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment In New York, Matt Donelian

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note critically examines the limitations of Kendra's Law in New York, which provides Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for individuals with severe mental illnesses. While the law aims to balance public safety and individual rights, its strict eligibility criteria often prevent timely intervention, leading to worse outcomes for those in need. The note proposes reforming the law to prioritize clinical assessments over past actions, enabling earlier intervention while respecting individual rights. This reform would address the law's retroactive nature and promote a more proactive, compassionate approach to mental health care.

Reimagining The Potential Of Higher Education In Prison And Reentry, Darren Wheelock, Theresa Tobin, Robert Smith

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Barriers To Female Advancement In Health Sciences Education: A Qualitative Study Examining The Effect Of Culture And Values On Leader Selection, Christie C. Moreno

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Leadership in the 21st century has been broadly defined as a process of influence toward achieving shared goals. However, despite research affirming the leadership capabilities of both men and women, persistent gender disparities in executive leadership remain across sectors, particularly within academic health professions education. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of women in executive leadership roles at graduate health sciences centers in Texas. The purpose was to understand the barriers to advancement, the role of organizational culture and values, and the environmental and individual factors influencing leadership trajectories. Prior studies have identified that women often ascend to …

Getting Engaged: Public Engagement Quiz For “Unity In Action” At Saaacam, Terry Pohl

Capstone Projects

I developed the Getting Engaged Capstone Project in partnership with the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) and their new Museum. The primary purpose of this project is to provide the “Unity in Action,” room, the first exhibit in the final hall of the SAAACAM Museum, with materials to support its cause. This project is dedicated to doing virtually what the “Unity in Action” room is trying to do in person – to send the audience out into the world with a tangible project they can participate in that will help create positive change in the community …