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Bard Observer Vol. 24 No.7 (May 2026), Bard College

Bard Observer, 2020 - 2029

No abstract provided.

Unmasking Barriers: A Critical Examination Of Systemic Challenges Facing Bipoc Pre-Service Teachers, Nia V. Fratrik

Education Doctorate Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Multi-Objective Optimization Framework For Equitable Stormwater Management In Urbanizing Rural Communities, Harry L. Wilson

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Due to limited technical and financial resources, urbanizing rural communities often face growing stormwater management challenges while undergoing rapid development. This thesis proposes a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) framework that integrates topography-driven stormwater flow behavior, infrastructure placement constraints, and multiple planning objectives to support cost-effective stormwater infrastructure decisions. Our model accounts for budget constraints, gravity-driven surface water flow, infiltration capacity, and spatial contiguity requirements to determine optimal pond placements that balance flood reduction and implementation costs. A synthetic discretized grid representing a small municipality is used to demonstrate model behavior under varying rainfall and topographic conditions. Results demonstrate the framework's …

Gendered Socialization Of Comfort With Risk And The Selection Of A College Major, Eliza S. Staton

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigates the potential relationship between the gendered socialization of risk preferences and the selection of a college major. Women are underrepresented in many fields of study, but especially in those related to science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M). Careers in STEM fields tend to require degree paths that require difficult classes, with lower average grade points, and a high chance of failure. As of 2023, only 24% of the student body in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas was composed of women (Uark 2023). These high-pressure, male-dominated environments have been found to lose women at …

Sustaining Care In The Nonprofit Sector: A Qualitative Study On Burnout, Secondary Trauma, And Compassion Fatigue, Anna Kate Kelly, Alexia Angton Phd

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Given the high emotional toll of nonprofit work, burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are prevalent among employees. This study examines how these phenomena manifest in individuals' everyday lives. Drawing on in-depth interviews with eleven nonprofit workers in the South-Central United States, the findings reveal three primary themes: the consequences of emotional labor, frustration with the system, and supportive strategies. Overall, participants described a tension between finding deep purpose and meaning in their work and experiencing an emotional burden that shapes how they engage with the world. These findings have implications for mental health care, organizational practices, advocacy and policy, …

Men’S Courts Or Women’S Laws? Domestic Violence, Men’S Rights Activism, And The Specter Of False Cases, Arushi Gupta

LL.M. Essays & Theses

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Indian newspapers and magazines began reporting stories of domestic abuse in matrimonial homes ranging from women subjected to dowry demands, beatings, everyday mistreatment, financial control, expulsion from the home, and even being burnt to death. Feminists recognized this as an urgent issue to respond to as these reports highlighted that domestic violence is endemic. Everybody knew a victim. Their own mothers, sisters, friends and, in some cases, they themselves were facing violence within marriage. The lobbying of women’s groups helped prompt the passage of Section 498A in 1983, which criminalized cruelty against women …

Trust And Legitimacy In Police Public Encounters: An Analysis Of The 2018–2022 Police Public Contact Survey, Brooke Campbell

Masters Theses

This study examines how interaction-level characteristics in police-public interactions shape perceptions of trust and legitimacy. Using the Police Public Contact Survey (PPCS), interaction characteristics were investigated to see if they shaped perceptions of legitimacy and trust that the public has toward policing. Logistic Regression was used to see if factors such as contact duration, contact type, and time of day were associated with perceptions of police behavior, satisfaction, bias, future willingness to contact the police, and adequacy of the time spent. Drawing on legitimacy as the guiding framework, the PPCS years 2018, 2020, and 2022 (United States Bureau of Justice …

Understanding How Latinx Millennials Attend To Their Mental Health And Emotional Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study, Natalie A. Nieves

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Latinx millennials represent over half of the millennial population in the United States. Yet, existing research on how this population attends to their mental health and emotional well-being remains largely absent from the counseling literature. This descriptive phenomenological study asked: How do Latinx millennials attend to their mental health and emotional well-being? Twelve participants, identifying as Latinx millennials born between 1981 and 1996, residing in the United States, and actively engaging in practices supporting their mental health and emotional well-being, participated in a two-part, semi-structured interview process. Data were collected and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological data analysis method. The findings …

Making As A Method For Knowledge Production, Nithikul Nimkulrat, Camilla Groth

DRS Summer Meetings

No abstract provided.

Splitting Shores: Comparative Analysis Of Italy’S And Spain’S Reactions To Immigration, William E. Montgomery V

International and Global Studies Undergraduate Honors Theses

The divergence in public immigration sentiment between Italy and Spain, two countries with striking historical, geographic, and demographic similarities, is seen as a mystery for popular theoretical frameworks. Although both nations transitioned from net emigration to net immigration beginning in the 1970s and 1980s, Italy has consistently exhibited more negative attitudes toward immigration relative to the European average, while Spain has seen sustained improvement in immigration sentiment despite receiving immigrants at historically unprecedented levels. Employing a Most Similar Systems Design and drawing on quantitative demographic and survey data, primary legislative texts, and secondary scholarly literature, this thesis tests Group Threat …

Limerence, Social Media, And The Reinforcement Of Romantic Obsessions Across Online Contexts, Lily Lawson

Honors Projects

This project examines limerence from both a psychological and sociological perspective. The psychological component aimed to investigates whether higher limerent scores predict greater engagement in social media monitoring behaviors related to a romantic interest, and whether these monitoring behaviors are associated with increased interpretation of ambiguous social cues-failure to obtain IRB approval resulted in limitations in completing the study. The sociological component uses qualitative observational methods to examine how two Reddit communities,  r/NevilleGoddard and r/ShiftingRealities,  reinforce limerent and parasocial romantic behaviors. Findings from the qualitative analysis reveal patterns of emotional attachment, ritualized obsession, perceived reciprocation, self-insert fantasy, and escapism across …

The Moral Influences On Non-Denominational Christian Students’ College Major Decision And Future Career Outlook, Makayla Frame

Honors Projects

This is an undergraduate research project for the Honors College. A qualitative research project in the form of case studies was conducted on the influence of Non-Denominational Christian morals and values on how college students decide college major and future career. Non-Denomination students in particular were chosen for this study because of the recent rise in popularity of the Non-Denominational belief in the US, especially among young adults.

The study outlines previous research on the Christian religion, the history of Non-Denominationality, and how typical college students decide their major. The conclusions of the study are that Non-Denominational Christian college students …

Barriers To Effective Parent-Teacher Communication In K-5 Settings, Dylan Sawicki

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine barriers that influence parent-teacher communication in K-5 educational settings, with a focus on cultural background, communication methods, and parents’ prior experiences with educators. This study employed a quantitative research design and collected data through a nationwide Qualtrics survey distributed via email and social media platforms. Participants included parents of K-5 students. Findings suggest that most parents feel comfortable communicating with teachers and perceive cultural background and prior experiences as having minimal influence on communication. However, the data also indicate areas for improvement, particularly in the consistency, frequency, and clarity of communication methods …

Examining Organizational Factors Contributing To Burnout In Community College Employees: An Anthropological Perspective, Jesse N. Blue

Leadership Education Capstones

Organizational culture and systemic inequities remain under-researched factors driving the mental and physical deterioration of community college employees. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and interpret the lived experiences of job-related burnout among community college employees. This qualitative short-term ethnography was conducted at Big Rock College, a rural community college in central Arkansas. The sample consisted of six volunteer participants across administrative, faculty, and staff roles. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom®. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and triangulated with institutional document analysis. Findings indicated that 84% of participants experienced varying degrees of burnout, driven by …

Seats At The Roundtable: Guidance On The Training And Resource Priorities Of Rural Cils, Jeff Gutierrez, Luke Santore

Independent Living and Community Participation

In October 2025, RTC:Rural staff hosted a roundtable session in Portland, OR, at the annual APRIL (Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living) Conference. The session, Collaborating for Rural Outreach and Assessing the Resource and Training Needs of Rural CIL Staff and Consumers, provided participants with the opportunity to inform future research, training, and development projects and build partnerships for future collaborations.This factsheet provides a synthesized synopsis of the roundtable discussions.

Protecting Access To Rural Community Living For People With Disabilities, Rtc: Rural

Independent Living and Community Participation

RTC:Rural's 2026 research, policy, and practice summit, exploring rural home health care and ways to strengthen the direct care workforce. The summit includes a presentation by RTC:Rural researchers and a panel discussion.

The Intersection Between Adolescent Pregnancy, Mental Health Concerns, Stigma, And Sex Education, Madelon Cox

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis discusses research from the past two decades focused on factors contributing to an increased risk of adolescent pregnancy and the lasting impact of that pregnancy. The consequences of being a pregnant adolescent can be compounded by race, gender, socioeconomic class, and access to education. Adolescent pregnancy also carries significant physical and mental health risk for the adolescent and the child. Awareness and various interventions can help pregnant adolescents or those who may be at risk for adolescent pregnancy to support them, prevent isolation, and reduce further negative mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Course Insight Portfolio: Math 1080, A Gentle Introduction To Infinite Series, Igor Luis Aureliano, Leyanis Falcon Hernandez, Ross George, Fnu Monika

Publications

This lesson aims to introduce the concept of an infinite series through geometric representations and partial sums to help students develop an intuitive understanding of convergence. A common misconception students may have when first encountering infinite series is the belief that “a sum of infinitely many things must be infinite”. Through the study of a convergent geometric series, students will investigate how the limit of partial sums can produce a finite value, thereby addressing this misconception and developing a more accurate understanding of infinite series.

A Comparative Look At The Training Objectives Of The United States Marine Corps And Corporate America, Davis M. Johnson

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates how divergent institutional objectives influence leader development in two organizational contexts: U.S. Marine Corps officer training and corporate leadership development programs. The study draws on organizational socialization theory, institutional theory, and stress inoculation research. It contends that leadership formation is shaped by the missions, values, and structural demands unique to each institution. The research uses comparative analysis of selection practices, socialization tactics, identity construction, and adaptability development, explicitly contrasting how each institution develops leaders. The Marine Corps uses divestiture socialization, collective identity formation, and structured stress exposure to embed group loyalty and prepare officers for decisive action …

Phi Beta Kappa Membership Roster, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Of California Chapter At Chapman University

Phi Beta Kappa Membership Roster

No abstract provided.

Coaching, Control, And Calories: The Role Of Athletic Culture In Shaping Student-Athlete Nutrition, Cassidy Casey

Theses & ETDs

Past research shows that what college athletes eat is influenced by more than just nutritional science. Food choices are shaped by performance expectations, team culture, and the institutional environments athletes are part of every day. Many athletes prioritize eating in ways that support energy, recovery, and performance, but they also rely on convenience, taste, and routine. While access to sports dietitians has been shown to improve eating habits and recovery, coaches often remain the main source of nutrition guidance. This means that team culture and coaching expectations play a major role in how, and whether, athletes follow formal nutrition advice. …

2026 Undergraduate And Graduate Commencement, Lindenwood University

Commencement Programs

2026 Lindenwood University Commencement program.

The Return To Autochthonous Law, Grant Christensen

University of Chicago Law Review

This Book Review examines the significance of Professor David E. Wilkins’s (Lumbee Nation) newest book Indigenous Governance: Clans, Constitutions, and Consent. It suggests that Wilkins has produced a critically important collection of primary sources related to the origins of tribal government and that his contribution could not come at a better time within the discipline of Indian Law.

This Book Review takes the position that Indian Law is seeing the emergence of a fourth wave of scholarship that recenters the conversation from tribal self-determination as a means of decolonization to one embracing the autochthonous powers of tribes themselves. It is …

Masculinity And Guns: What Is The Big Deal?, Mackenzie D. Sizemore

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Masculinity is perceived internally and by others, often leading those who feel they lack masculinity to compensate for it, especially in a society that often reinforces attributes associated with masculinity. One of the ways to compensate for a lack of masculinity is to own guns. The dominant reason for this avenue is that guns are symbols of power and are wielded by those who have a lot of power, prestige, and knowledge. Previous research has drawn this connection between perceptions of masculinity throughout history and how people display their masculinity by analyzing various surveys, past events of mass shootings and …

"Respect Is Earned, Not Given": Analyzing Masculine Honor Ideology And Dominance And Prestige-Motivated Outcomes, Norah Rose Schloneger

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Masculine honor ideology is the idea that men act aggressively or violently toward women and others to achieve a masculine reputation. Previous research shows that men higher in masculine honor seek higher status and use prestige (e.g. respect, honor) or dominance (e.g. aggression, force) to achieve it. Using a variation of the prisoner’s dilemma—a game where participants are assigned to another player that they can choose to compete or cooperate with to maximize a point total—we analyzed behavioral outcomes of said motivations for men higher in masculine honor. We predicted that men higher in masculine honor using honor-dominance motivations would …

You've Got It All Wrong: Constructions And Discussions About Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion On Reddit, Hailey I. Palomo

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Within the context of a particularly polarized time-period in the U.S., this project aims to better understand the public sphere’s ability to converse, debate, and rationalize beliefs in online discussion spaces that are designed to invite opposing viewpoints. Epistemic structures, feedback loops, and a growing animosity toward one’s political opponents have crafted an environment in which right-wing and left-wing individuals have developed incompatible constructions of reality, thus eliminating the possibility of compromise. As the public sphere attempts to engage in their civic duty to debate and come to a collective agreement, the hindering effects of polarization are visible though online …

Understanding Music In The Digital Era: Media & Listening Changes, William H. Gawtry

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Our ever-growing reliance on technology and digital media has profoundly impacted how we consume music in the internet age. In analyzing music semiology, particularly by using music semiology as a method, I analyze Ethel Cain’s Preacher’s Daughter, the differences between physical and digital media are assessed as well as how digital technology is changing the listening experience, both in terms of quality and quantity. The drastic shift from analog to digital has inherently changed access and distribution, while also expanding the interpretive tools available to all listeners. A variety of factors—such as the immediate gratification from streaming services and …

Red, White, And Quahog: An Analysis Of Political Satire In Family Guy, Kendall Swaim

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This study examines how fictional television shows use satire to portray politics. Specifically, it analyzes irony, exaggeration, and humor styles identified by Martin et al. (2003) in the television show Family Guy. Additionally, this study explores how references to real political figures and events contribute to the show’s satirical framing of politics. The qualitative content analysis of 10 politically centered Family Guy episodes to address the question: "How does the fictional television show Family Guy use satire (humor, irony, and exaggeration) to portray politics?" The analysis revealed three key themes: the portrayal of politics as idiotic, the use of timely …

Analyzing Educators’ Roles In Preparing Students For Civic Engagement In Arkansas Communities, Mia L. Hastings

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study identifies practical strategies educators can implement in their instruction to strengthen students’ political efficacy and civic engagement in Arkansas communities. This qualitative research study sought to answer the question, “How do educators prepare students for civic engagement in Arkansas?” The research was conducted within the framework of a practice-based experience with the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA), a seven-month program hosted by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. I participated in five seminars on topics such as public service, journalism, and local governance, to analyze how engagement with these experiences can inform educators’ roles in promoting civic engagement. After …

2025-2026 Annual Report - Undergraduate Curriculum Council, Undergraduate Curriculum Council, East Tennessee State University

Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes

No abstract provided.