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Gardner-Webb College Of Arts And Sciences Recognizes Achievements Of Students, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Students in The College of Arts and Sciences recently received awards for their academic achievements in the 2024 Spring Semester. Dean Dr. Robert Prickett and Associate Dean Dr. Jennifer Buckner led the ceremony.

Pleading For Justice: Analyzing Ohio’S Wrongful Conviction Compensation Statute And The Guilty Plea Disqualification Provision, Paige Betley

Cleveland State Law Review

Innocent until proven guilty? For some who have walked through the criminal justice system, this American adage did not seem to ring true. The criminal justice system has produced many wrongful convictions, which is an unthinkable injustice. These individuals must then fight for compensation to get back on their feet in society after spending years, if not decades, unjustly behind bars. Ohio’s wrongful conviction compensation statute perpetuates this injustice by categorically excluding exonerees who pled guilty to a crime they did not commit from receiving compensation from the State, with no exceptions. This Note critically analyzes the inherent harms from …

Financial Exclusion, Gender, And The Lure Of Boko Haram (Chapter From Gender-Responsive Budgeting In Africa: Access And Future Measures), Vesna Markovic, Sven Botha

Justice, Law, and Public Safety Studies Department Faculty Books/Book Chapters

There is a large disparity in financial inclusiveness for those people living in northern Nigeria in contrast to those living in southern Nigeria. According to a 2019 report by the Central Bank of Nigeria and Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), Nigeria has more people living in extreme poverty than any other country in the world. Access to education and lower levels of income all contribute to the lack of financial inclusion for both men and women in the North, but particularly for women. These gender barriers have acted as an enabler for the recruitment of women into the Boko …

April 24, 2024, Faculty, Illinois Wesleyan University

2023-2024

No abstract provided.

The Driving Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Global Expansion, Aleksandra Drozd

Senior Honors Theses

The invention and continual growth of artificial intelligence (AI) on the global stage have significantly shaped the world’s economies, governments, societies and their cultures. The new industrial revolution and the subsequent race of the world’s leading powers have led to increased international joint efforts and exchange of information, simultaneously reducing barriers to trade and communication. Meanwhile, emerging technologies deploying AI have led to changes in human behavior and culture and challenged the traditional nation-state model. Although several implications of the proliferation of AI remain unknown, its widening application may be tied with accelerating globalization, referred to interchangeably as global expansion. …

Gender-Responsive Classification Of Women In Prison: A Typology Based On Mental Health Symptoms And Coping Strategies, Irina Fanarraga, Katarzyna Celinska

Publications and Research

Despite the increase in the incarceration rates of women, most correctional practices are still normed on male samples, including prison classification. Moreover, those classifications do not take into account women’s particular experiences, needs, and unique pathways to criminality. The current research proposes a typology based on female prisoners’ mental health symptoms and coping strategies. The data was derived from a survey conducted with 194 women housed in a Northeastern prison. A two-step clustering analysis was used to obtain three classification types—each with different symptomatology, coping mechanisms, demographic, and background characteristics. The results suggest that identifying and relying on needs-based typologies …

Ksu Philharmonic Orchestra & University Band

Bailey School of Music Concert Programs

Nancy Conley, Conductor, Philharmonic Orchestra

Brandon Meeks, Conductor, University Band

Influences Of Social Media, Samuel Whatley Ii

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

The Internet is a double-edged sword because it provides easy access to information of both good and bad intentions. Censorship justifications under whoever deems something misinformation, provide little oversight on being a neutral public forum. For instance, the influence of elections by not covering a story and censoring opposing views does not promote the notion of being a neutral public forum. Artificial intelligence being applied to many technological applications have fueled the censorship machine. In some instances, artificial intelligence can generate stories to media sites (i.e., ChatGPT) with no verification of the details. From science fiction to science reality, taking …

The Indiana Statesman, April 23, 2024, Indiana State University

Student Newspaper

Women and drinking: Pandemic increased alcohol use; Man arrested in connection with mass shooting; "Ghost gun" regulation decisions start soon; Native Americans have shorter lifespans

Artificial Intelligence: Unveiling Potential, Navigating Challenges, Kavivarma Kandasamy

Student Academic Conference

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed from science fiction to a tangible reality, permeating various aspects of our lives. This report delves into the current state of AI, exploring its foundational concepts, technical advancements, and diverse applications. By analyzing academic literature, industry reports, and real-world case studies, the report sheds light on AI's potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare, scientific research, and entertainment. However, the report also acknowledges the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with advanced AI. By examining areas like safety concerns and responsible development practices, the report aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of AI's impact on …

Smart Decarceration In The U.S And Our Communities, Brooke Freeland, Andrea Dehler, Jessica Rojas, Ethan Thompson, Emily Seaberg

Student Academic Conference

The rate of incarceration in the United States is one of the highest in the world and frequently affects members of vulnerable populations. The ineffectiveness of incarceration can be displayed by the following statement, “Prisoners often carry additional deficits of drug and alcohol addictions, mental and physical illnesses, and lack of work preparation or experience” (n.d.). In response, The Grand Challenges for Social Work poses smart decarceration as one solution to address high rates of incarceration. Our findings reveal the effects of decarceration policies on incarcerated persons and the community, as well as the effects of how resources are allocated. …

Interventions To Modify Negative Perceptions Of The Need For Behavioral Health Care For African American Patients, Tiffany Jones

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: African Americans underutilized mental health care services, compared to other population groups, in the past decades. While African Americans have the same mental health needs and rates of mental health diagnosis as other races, for some groups, there are additional cultural or environmental factors that create additional barriers to utilizing care (Alang, 2019). Methods: This project will be a cross-sectional study using an online survey of behavioral health practitioners. Results: Respondents were predominantly females (69%) and African Americans (69%). Their work medical specialties included: licensed counseling social workers and clinical social workers, mental health therapists, and psychiatrists. The average …

The Impact Of True Crime Podcasts On Unsolved Homicide Cases: The Evolution Of True Crime Media, Narelle Hickmon

Masters Theses

True crime podcasts have risen in popularity following the release of Serial in 2014. Contrastingly, homicide case clearance rates have been declining since the 1990s. Many true crime podcasts detail both solved and unsolved cases, thus, podcasts may serve as useful tool for law enforcement. The current study aimed to identify victim and suspect demographics, as well as crime related themes within true crime podcast Crime Junkie. A content analysis of Crime Junkie homicide episode themes revealed white women were the primary victims covered in the episodes, males were the majority of the suspects and offenders, and firearms were the …

Slapp-Ed Around: Examining The Use Of State Anti-Slapp Laws In Federal Cases, Jacob Dryer

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explains Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and examines the applicability of state anti-SLAPP laws in federal cases. Currently, the Federal Circuits are split on this issue, and the United States Supreme Court has not granted certiorari to any cases that have addressed this issue. This thesis reviews the jurisprudence related to the application of state anti-SLAPP laws in federal court. The author further examines what the Circuits have held about the applicability of anti-SLAPP laws and the rationales of each decision. Based on this information, this thesis argues that if the U.S. Supreme Court were to hear …

Study Of The Lack Of Student Ability To Repair Relationships Among School Peers, Brittany M. Parker

Masters Projects

Social-emotional skills and student relationships have been researched for years, yet there are still school systems who seek to punish students when they have conflict instead of teaching them the way to manage their emotions. To learn in school is to be social, there cannot be one without the other. In order for students to do their best learning, it is important for them to be able to handle conflict in a healthy way and repair peer relationships. This project examines the benefits of teaching social-emotional skills, in addition to implementing a peer mentoring program in an effort to equip …

Spring Concerts (April 22, 23, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Music Performance Programs

Event program for the Spring Concerts (April 22, 23, 2024), Lindenwood University.

A Systematic Review Of The Literature On Sexual Assault And Dating Violence Prevention Programs For Middle Schoolers And High Schoolers, Lauren Gay

Honors Projects

Adolescent sexual abuse and dating violence are serious issues that have life-changing impacts on victims. Sex education in the United States does place an emphasis on sexual assault and dating violence prevention curriculum to be provided for students. These programs have the potential to equip students with the knowledge to lead healthy relationships and prevent violent acts from happening. This review details 25 studies that provided these prevention programs to students and the impacts they had. It was found that the programs had positive impacts on preventing sexual assault and dating violence victimization and perpetration, as well as promoting healthy …

Juvenile Justice & Diminished Criminal Culpability, Mitchell F. Crusto

University of Miami Law Review

When regulating the bad, albeit illegal, choices made by minors, the law is conflicted. On the one hand, we have a clear national policy to ensure the safety of and to promote the positive development of our young people, yet we simultaneously criminalize minors who make bad choices. This conundrum raises a quintessential jurisprudential flaw in our legal system: We lack a unifying, overarching principle that guides the law’s relationship with minors. In a companion piece, I pose and explore such a unifying principle, which I coin as the “best interest of the minor” standard (“BIMS”). Consequently, this Article applies …

Considering Caretakers: An Explicit Argument For Downward Departures During Federal Sentencing Mitigation For Caretakers Of Children, Danielle Sparber Bukacheski

University of Miami Law Review

The sentencing stage of the federal legal system provides defendants with an opportunity to articulate why the sentencing judge is justified in imposing less severe sentences. Yet, under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, sentencing judges have been restricted in the characteristics and background information that can be utilized when imposing a downward departure from the recommended Guidelines sentence. More specifically, there is great variability regarding the extent to which family-related circumstances can be utilized as justification for a downward departure due to the Sentencing Commission’s ambiguous language. Considering the damaging effects of incarceration on children when a caretaker is physically removed …

The Role Of Investigative Genetic Genealogy In The Field Of Criminal Justice, Chloe Haas

Honors Projects

Investigative genetic genealogy is an investigative method used by law enforcement to solve crimes. It involves the uploading of DNA found at a crime scene to genealogy databases to narrow down the suspect pool. The research question for this study is: Is law enforcement’s use of investigative genetic genealogy ethical? I conducted ten interviews with individuals who had a background in the Criminal Justice field, the legal field, the forensics field, and the field of genealogy to see their opinions on this topic. A majority of the participants in this study stated that they believe that law enforcement should be …

Tools Of Oppression: The Virginia School System And The School To Prison Pipeline, Natalie Johnson-Abbott

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This paper examines the intersection of race, cultural expression, and disciplinary practices within the American education system, focusing on Virginia's school districts. Recent legislative efforts, such as the CROWN Act in Texas, have sought to address discriminatory practices related to cultural expression in schools. Legal actions, like the lawsuit against the Winner School District in South Dakota, have aimed to rectify disparities in disciplinary outcomes for Indigenous students. However, meaningful reform requires more than just legislative and legal interventions; it necessitates a fundamental shift in educational practices to promote inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. This includes diversifying school staff, implementing culturally …

The Unconstitutionality Of Underfunded Public Defender Systems, Braden Daniels

Senior Honors Theses

When a defendant is ineffectively represented by a public defender due to an underfunded public defender system, a defendant whose public defender provides him only cursory representation is entitled to a new trial only if blatantly innocent. The U.S. Supreme Court should follow its precedent and declare systemically underfunded public defender systems unconstitutional, with cases meriting reversal when the underfunding is to blame for unreasonable attorney errors, regardless of prejudice. This stems logically from the Court’s holdings in Gideon v. Wainwright, Strickland v. Washington, and United States v. Cronic. Many have argued for the reversal or modification …

Book Review: Punished For Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children And How We Heal, Brian A. Davis

International Journal of Human Rights Education

No abstract provided.

Traumatic Brain Injury And Aggressive Behaviour In Low-Income Communities In Canada, Mohammed H. Habib, Sweta Jeyakanthan, Salma Mayamuud

Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Capstone Projects

Introduction:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent neurological injury in Canada that disproportionately affects individuals from low-income communities, specifically those facing homelessness. People suffering from TBI can exhibit behavioural changes, namely violent and aggressive behaviours, some forms of which are more common in low-income communities. We sought to understand the barriers and disparities in health for low-income communities in relation to the bidirectionality of TBI and violent behaviour to propose an interdisciplinary intervention for this target population.

Methods:
A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant articles from 2019 to 2023. Published articles …

Defendant Attractiveness And Gender: A Question Of Juror Bias, Genevieve Smiley

Honors Projects

Despite the United States’ punitive reputation, many perpetrators of sexual assault are often left unprosecuted. A reason for this, among many, may be the jury’s propensity for bias due to several extralegal factors. The current study examines the ways the extralegal factors of defendant attractiveness and gender affect juror decision-making in an acquaintance sexual assault case. Mock jurors read a short summary of a sexual assault case accompanied by a randomized photograph of a defendant manipulated by attractiveness and gender. Mock jurors were then asked to give determinations of guilt and sentencing length, their perceptions of the defendant, and responsibility …

Assessing Social Engagement Differences Across The Continuum Of Sexuality, Ariana Cunningham

Honors Projects

Individuals attracted to more than one gender identity, also known as non-monosexuals, exist in a unique place in the sexuality dichotomy. Often experiencing prejudice from both their heterosexual and homosexual peers, they are prone to increased rates of loneliness. Loneliness has been shown to increase both mental and physical health risks. Due to the dangers of loneliness, the current study set out to examine this relationship between non-monosexuals and loneliness. A two-phase study was created containing an online survey portion and an in-person interview procedure. Due to small sample sizes, no statistical significance was found but data has been trending …

Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference 2024, Whitworth University

SIRC Event Programs

No abstract provided.

Assessing Socioeconomic Patterns Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption In Ohio: A County-Level Analysis, Tate Barney, Dev Patel

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption poses significant public health challenges, with complex socioeconomic factors influencing drinking behaviors. Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic determinants and excessive drinking patterns at the state and county levels is crucial for informing targeted interventions. Objective: To investigate the associations between excessive drinking (binge or heavy drinking) and socioeconomic factors, including median household income, mental health provider availability, health insurance coverage, educational attainment, and unemployment rates across counties in Ohio. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2023 County Health Rankings for 88 counties in Ohio. Spearman correlations were used to assess associations between excessive drinking and socioeconomic …

Labritta Michelle Whye

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

(Con)Scripted: “Caucasian Rich Brain”, Lenese C. Herbert

DePaul Law Review

No abstract provided.