Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Affordable Housing In Enhancing Tenants' Economic Stability In Connecticut: A Focus On Income, Employment, And Housing Stability, Osaid Zubi

Dissertations

This study examined the role of affordable housing in promoting economic stability among low- and moderate-income households in Connecticut. Focusing on income security, employment opportunities, and housing retention, this research highlighted the significance of affordable housing as a means to alleviate financial strain, support job retention, and foster community resilience. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study gathered insights from tenants, policymakers, and developers through conducting interviews and a focus group. Connecticut was chosen as the study site due to its high cost of living and affordable housing shortage, exacerbated by its proximity to New York City. Findings underscore the economic …

Law In Bloom: The Roots Of Legal Consciousness And Negotiation In Philadelphia Community Gardens, Vanessa Amsinger , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This thesis examines how legal consciousness, self-governance, and social networks shape power, participation, and belonging in the Southwark Queen Village Community Garden in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I draw on theories of legal pluralism and network theory to analyze archival documents, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with garden members and leadership. I show that gardeners navigate overlapping formal rules and informal hierarchies, appearing in the form of bylaws, land trust agreements, social ties, and embodied practices, that together produce a complex web of legal consciousness inside the space. Mechanisms of self-governance, like plot assignments and leadership elections, often reinforce social hierarchies …

Malled To Death: Surviving Sprawl And Redreaming The American Mall, Gioia Calabretta

Senior Honors Theses

America underwent a shift in city planning post-WWII, a change which still shapes America today. In contrast with Sprawl’s failures in mobility, community, and beauty, New Urbanism, a return to traditional city planning, is presented as the solution to these shortcomings. New Urbanism lacks adequate marketing to advocate these successes, thus more competitive media, such as video, must be pursued. Using the local mall, River Ridge, as a case study to show Sprawl’s short-sighted pseudo-solutions and New Urbanism’s time-tested true solutions, a testimonial-style script is put forth to catalyze the Lynchburg community in promoting traditional city planning.

Developing And Implementing Support Groups For Parents Postpartum, Kathleen Van Kampen

Capstone Projects

The focus of this capstone project was to develop postpartum support groups to provide connection and support to new parents experiencing mental health challenges. Research and stakeholder interviews revealed significant gaps in holistic care for parents during their first year after childbirth, particularly regarding mental health, occupational balance, and education on child development. In response, a seven-week support group was implemented at Aptitude Yoga in Rockford, Michigan, with site mentor Amanda Brennan, a pelvic floor occupational therapist and owner of Balanced Pelvic Health and Wellness. The free sessions included evidence-based education, open discussion, and peer support, covering topics such as …

Development Of A Service-Learning Implementation Guide; Development Of An Articulation Pathway For Occupational Therapy Assistants To Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Mikayla E. Eshbach

Capstone Projects

This paper explores two initiatives within the Occupational Therapy Department at Western Michigan University (WMU): the implementation of service-learning and the development of an articulation pathway for Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) transitioning to the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD).

The first part emphasizes service-learning as a beneficial tool for preparing students for clinical roles while enriching communities. A needs assessment identified the need for a standardized framework for long-term community engagement, resulting in a service-learning implementation guide tailored to the department. This guide aims to enhance communication with the Office of Community Engaged Learning and increase faculty awareness of available …

Area Character Appraisal Hamlin Beach, Preservation Project

Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation - Research Reports

An Area Character Appraisal (ACA) is a tool in identifying key elements that define a community’s character with the goals of informing community members and future generations, community outreach, and perhaps most importantly guiding future development practices to preserve the character of the community. These documented elements include architectural character, typical lot sizes and coverage, building footprints, county zoning, and flood risk zones. This document can be used as a reference in future community planning for Charleston County, community representatives, and nonprofit organizations.

This ACA is part of a larger set of ACAs conducted under the supervision of Erin Mehard …

Healing Histories: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Practices In Libraries To Support Resilience And Recovery, Cearra Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the impact of public library closure on the Edgewood community in Columbia, South Carolina, an area with a rich history and significant ties to the two nearby historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Benedict College and Allen University. It explored the intergenerational effects of historical trauma through the lens of collective memory, as documented in oral histories from community members and public library staff. The research aimed to understand the implications of the library's absence in a marginalized community context, emphasizing how such closures can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Through oral histories, questionnaires, and interviews, the findings reveal …

Joyful Accompaniment: Student And Alumni Spiritual Leadership Development Within An Immersive Service Trip, Michelle Grace Martin

Theses & Dissertations

This ethnographic action research case study illustrates how undergraduate student and alum participants in a week-long service trip describe their development of spiritual leadership skills. From a mission-focused spiritual leadership perspective, there are inherent problems with the current definition of student leadership in higher education. Currently, student leadership emphasizes positional authority and action-oriented goals, neglecting deeper dimensions of leadership which include service, humility, and moral integrity. For this study, I will be redefining leadership as justice-oriented accompaniment and adapting the Spiritual Leadership theory to better suit a Catholic Dominican mission-focused leadership model. This adaptation creates a shift from productivity-focused behaviors …

Adaptive Reuse Of Abandoned Schools, Dayana Williams

Theses

This thesis investigates the adaptive reuse of abandoned school buildings in economically declining communities, mainly focusing on how these transformations can contribute to sustainable community revitalization. The research highlights Columbus, Ohio, where school closures and grade realignments threaten to leave many school properties vacant, especially in minority neighborhoods. This adaptive reuse strategy presents an opportunity to address issues such as urban decay, resource efficiency, and social equity by repurposing these buildings into multifunctional community assets. The study adopts a multi-method approach, including literature reviews, case study analysis, and community needs assessments, to identify best practices and critical challenges in adaptive …

Week Of March 31, 2025, Student Life

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

Your weekly hub for events, resources and updates.

The Age Of Neoliberal Capitalism And The Eclipse Of Intergenerational Care: A Philosophical Reading At The Aftermath Of The Pandemic, Ferdinando G. Menga

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

Taking its cue from the experience of pandemic, which has had an enormous impact on society at a global level, this paper makes a two-faceted plea by way of a philosophical analysis. In the first place, it claims that care should entail not only a present-based reach, but also an intergenerational character. In the second place, the paper analyzes the deep genealogy of the current structural blindness towards a future-oriented understanding of care, a genealogy which is to be traced back to the very modern liberal-capitalist design of society, and, furthermore, is to be detected nowadays in its extreme form …

Correlation Of Socioeconomic Characteristics And Maintenance Level Of Houses In Mass Housing Scheme In Ilorin, Nigeria, Oladimeji Samuel Bolaji, Abubakar-Kamar Tayo Aishat, Adeyemi Olabanji Lukman, Arosanyin Mofeoluwa Victor

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

It is a common belief that certain behaviors are influenced by a person's social level. This claim is taken to apply to housing maintenance in any society, whether it is owned or rented. The aim of this study is to identify the socioeconomic indicators that are most predictive of the maintenance level of houses in mass housing schemes in the metropolis of Ilorin, Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were used in this investigation. Qualitative and quantitative data through structured questionnaires administered on 1125 household heads constituting 27% of the sample frame were collected from sixteen (16) mass housing schemes …

Future Cities: Exploring Circularity For Sustainable Urban Cities, Benjamin Moral

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

In an era marked by rapid urbanization, the imperative of sustainability looms large for future cities. The growing global urban population portends increased resource demand, environmental stress, and socio-economic challenges, compelling a shift towards circularity. Circular principles, aimed at minimizing waste and optimizing resource use, embody a regenerative vision for urban spaces. While this concept gains traction worldwide, comprehensive studies simplifying its application are scarce. This research examines and diagnoses how Circularity can revolutionize urban sustainability, with objectives to evaluate circular economy models and analyses case studies and benefits. Employing an exploratory research design, this study drew data from secondary …

Educational Mixed-Use Building Design And Its Connections To Community Engagement, Aman Ullah, Anosh Nadeem Butt, Syeda Arfa Quddusi, Mir Wali Shah, Iftikhar Haider

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Education and extracurricular activities play a critical role in improving individuals’ personalities and building a healthy community. Lack of educational facilities, unapproachable educational resources and invalidity of space for physical activities is a great obstacle to strong community building. Pakistan has been going through several economic and political crises that are making it difficult for the government to provide educational resources and opportunities for sports and physical activities to its people. Therefore, this study aims to explore how mixed-use educational buildings can facilitate individuals in gaining knowledge and education easily along with other recreational activities. Mixed-use building design will enable …

Becoming A Network Of Networks: G20 Interfaith Forum, Marianna Richardson

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Working Paper: The Role Of Nafeer And Social Networks In Sudan’S Humanitarian Response And The Challenges For International Aid, Mazin Sharfi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper explores the integral role of Nafeer, a traditional Sudanese communal practice, and social networks in addressing humanitarian crises, focusing on the ongoing 2023 conflict. Nafeer, rooted in rural agricultural settings, has evolved to mobilise urban communities for emergency responses, while social networks extend social support beyond family ties, providing a complementary layer of resource-sharing. Both systems, decentralised and grassroots in nature, contrast sharply with formal international aid structures. The research highlights how Nafeer and social networks mobilise resources through traditional means, such as mobilising social capital and economic resources including remittances, and modern mechanisms, like crowdfunding. It underscores …

Lived Experiences Of Clinicians Who Support African American Men In Treatment Programs For Opioid Use Disorder In Georgia, Christian Ann Paige

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among African American men in Georgia has risen significantly, highlighting the need for specialized clinical approaches. Clinicians face complex challenges in delivering effective treatment and support. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of clinicians working with African American men in OUD treatment programs in Georgia. Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, the study utilized semistructured interviews with eleven clinicians. Four key themes emerged from the analysis: (a) barriers to treatment, as stigma and systemic inequities hinder engagement; (b) cultural competency challenges, as clinicians strive to provide care that aligns with clients’ …

Lived Experiences Of High School Teachers' Professional Development Post-Covid-19 Pandemic In Rural Georgia: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Jesse Regalado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of high school teachers' professional development post-COVID-19 pandemic in rural Georgia, U.S.A. The theories guiding the research are Piaget's theory of disequilibration, addressing how one accommodates and assimilates to adapt to change, and Festinger's (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance, explaining how one adapts, assimilates, and accommodates to avoid disharmony. The study's central question is, what are high school teachers' perceptions on the practical or academic professional development they received post-COVID-19 pandemic in rural Georgia, United States, used to promote leadership, teaching mastery, or pedagogical practices? This study utilized …

Growing The Future: Community Gardens In Hillsborough County, Florida, Nicole M. Kennady

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This project was an evaluation on community gardens in Hillsborough County, Florida from May 2024 to November 2024, built off of Homegrown Hillsborough’s first year evaluation of the current Hillsborough County food system. Homegrown Hillsborough is a network of community members with a mission to grow a strong food system in Hillsborough County by assisting in all areas of the food system from food production to food waste. Homegrown Hillsborough plans to act as a development initiative focused on community nutrition. Over the next two years, Homegrown Hillsborough plans to focus on food production, food access, and economic development. Through …

U.S.-Africa Critical Mineral Collaboration: Building A Resilient Ecosystem To Benefit The United States Of America, Zambia And Zimbabwe, Simbai Chizengeni, Mary Prentice Ph.D.

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

This research highlights the strategic importance of Zimbabwe and Zambia in the global supply chain of critical minerals, particularly in light of China's dominance in the sector. The United States, heavily reliant on imports of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements for its manufacturing, defense, and clean energy sectors, has identified the need to diversify and secure its supply sources. Zimbabwe and Zambia, with their rich mineral endowments and strategic geographic positioning, present significant opportunities for U.S. investment in mining and infrastructure development. Furthermore, Zimbabwe itself has the significant potential to contribute to global food production. …

Exploring The Few Nexus Through Community Engagement: A Watershed Restoration Case Study From Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Tolulope P. Akinbobola, Kumar Chaudhary Anil

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

Given the pivotal role of education in comprehending the intricacies of the FEW nexus, the pedagogical approach employed is important in fostering the intentional integration of food, energy, and water systems across disciplinary boundaries. Non-formal education is experiencing a resurgence in its role in establishing a sustainable knowledge society. As we delve into understanding the FEW nexus, we must acknowledge the strategies, practices, and experiences underpinning our knowledge and contributions to the FEW nexus. Against this background, this practice paper demonstrates the multifaceted dimensions of integrating formal and non-formal education approaches in driving development in the FEW nexus field.

Indigenous Futures: Decolonizing Conservation And Restoring Ecological Sovereignty, Jasmine Beach

University Honors Theses

This study examines how members of Indigenous-led conservation organizations perceive the ecological and social implications of colonial conservation ideologies in the context of contemporary grassroots strategies. By analyzing the ongoing impact of conservation frameworks in Kenya, this research highlights the role of Indigenous-led initiatives in advancing sustainable, community-driven alternatives. Using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with Western scientific methods, the study employs qualitative, semi-structured interviews with leaders from Zawadisha, KENVO, Wildlife Works, and CER-Kenya. Findings indicate that these organizations, particularly those led by women, actively restore biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and challenge exclusionary conservation policies. …

Seasons Of Wholeness Cultivating Community For Mind, Body, And Spirit, Kally Elliott

Doctor of Leadership

Need Problem Opportunity (NPO) Statement

This project addresses the need for churches to provide spaces that foster mental health, belonging, and holistic well-being within a faith-based context.

Key Insights from Research

The research revealed that mental health is deeply tied to emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. The importance of creating opportunities for vulnerability, emotional expression, and community connection emerged as central themes. Artistic expression, shared meals, and physical movement proved particularly effective in fostering belonging and emotional healing. Additionally, theological perspectives underscored the church’s role as a place for love, care, and community, rather than clinical intervention.

Ministry Context

The …

Enhancing Clinical Training Through Community Engagement, Tammy Taylor, Jan Thornton, Jeff Spears

Transforming Communities

Practice courses in the field of social work use a student only approach to roleplaying. This traditional approach to developing clinical skills fails to incorporate feedback from seasoned professionals in the field. Utah State University is a land-grant institution educating social workers across the state. In two generalist practice classes, faculty incorporated twenty-four licensed clinical therapists to observe and provide real feedback on various therapeutic modalities to MSW students. Students reported an appreciation for the feedback provided and more confidence in their clinical skills. Community partners felt a sense of contribution to knowledge in developing the clinical social workers of …

Using Community-Engaged Research To Achieve Health Equity: A Report From The Initiative For Community-Engaged Research And Health Equity (Cereq), Dominique L. Bennett, Rebecca O. Barclay, Markiah A. Mcrae, Jane Elyce Glasgow, Heather M. Barker, Kelli J. England

Division of Community Health and Research Publications

This report discusses the scope and progress of Community Engaged Research (CEnR) among a multi-institutional network of community-engaged partners in Southeastern Virginia. It explores the pivotal role of CEnR in fostering equitable health outcomes by detailing the active partners, describing the institutional support and infrastructure in place, and highlighting growth opportunities that include the recommended development of a formal Office of Community Engagement.

The initiative for Community-Engaged Research and Health Equity (CEREQ) was launched in Spring 2023 to foster collaborations that bridge a gap between academic research and community health needs. CEREQ focuses on building sustainable community-engaged research infrastructure – …

From The Mountains To The Beach: Water Purification Ecosystem Services And Recreational Beach Use In Puerto Rico, Maya Corridore, Rebeca De Jesús Crespo, Mariam Valladares-Castellanos, Thomas Douthat

Faculty Publications

Recreational beach use is important for coastal economies and is influenced by water clarity, a trait that may be maintained by water purification ecosystem services (ESs). However, few studies have addressed these linkages. In this study, we ask the following questions: (1) Do watershed-scale water purification ecosystem services influence coastal water quality? (2) Does coastal water quality help explain beach visitation rates? To address these questions, we focused on Puerto Rico (PR), where coastal tourism has economic and cultural importance. We estimated water purification ESs using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST), coastal water quality using long-term …

Montana Agritourism In 2024: Opportunities And Challenges In A Changing Landscape, Glenna Hartman, Elena Bigart, Ava Worbets, Hilary Faxon, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Agritourism is a growing industry that offers Montana’s farmers and ranchers an opportunity to supplement their income, preserve agricultural heritage, and foster public engagement with rural communities. With Montana’s rich agricultural history, expansive landscapes, and growing tourism sector, agritourism is uniquely positioned to thrive, benefiting both producers and local economies. This report highlights the opportunities, challenges, and future potential of agritourism in Montana, based on research and survey data from farmers, ranchers, and community stakeholders.

Religious Spaces Reimagined: Adaptive Reuse And Community Integration In Suburbs, Emily Fischer

City and Regional Planning

Tucked away in a quiet pocket of Los Angeles adjacent to Downtown known as Pico Union, a historic synagogue sat mostly empty, its congregation having long since moved on. But in 2013, the building was given a new purpose. The Pico Union Project transformed it into a multifaith and cultural center, turning what was once an underused space into a thriving community hub. Guided by the Jewish principle of ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ its mission is to uplift and empower diverse communities through arts, social justice, and service. Now, on any given day, families stop by to pick up …

On The Waterfront: Why Our Ports And Coastal Communities Hold The Key To A More Connected And Prosperous Britain, Sheena Asthana, Sheela Agarwal, Kasper De Graaf, Kevin Mckenzie, Rebecca Smith

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Building on the work of others over the last decade, on the experience of member authorities, research by member universities and perspectives from local stakeholders, this report calls on the Government to address the disadvantages faced by coastal communities urgently with a coordinated approach based on 28 recommendations to empower, protect, connect and invest in communities which have too long been neglected, yet are central to our future.

"Our Vision Is That Black Mothers And Birthing People, Fathers, And Partners Are Safe, Honored, And Respected Throughout Pregnancy And Parenthood": Black Birth Workers' Agenda For Black Maternal Health In Oregon, Sarah Marguerite Applin

University Honors Theses

Black women and Birthing People (BWBP) face disproportionate rates of mortality within the United States healthcare system. BWBP are three times more likely to suffer a pregnancy-related death than White women. Therefore, addressing and consulting with BWBP about the birthing experience that BWBP sustains when they are bearing children is imperative. The inclusion and application of this key knowledge and understanding should be emphasized and at the root of further development toward reproductive justice. This participatory story was led by Dr. Roberta Hunte. Interviews and focus groups with Black birth workers, birthing people, and public health professionals were conducted in …