Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Moving Beyond The Baby Blues: Supporting Maternal Mental Health In Minnesota, Rileigh Kronmiller, Mary Montero, Sarah Nelsen, Timothy Taggart

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Untreated mental health challenges are the second leading contributors to perinatal and postpartum deaths in the U.S. as well as Minnesota. There are many barriers for mothers and trans/nonbinary birthing parents to receive the care they need, including social stigma, inadequate prenatal and postpartum screening, and a lack of resources and access to integrated, research-informed care, especially for BIPOC and rural communities. While awareness of this troubling issue has risen in recent years, so too have deaths and other adverse outcomes. Addressing maternal mental health concerns will reduce involvement in the child protection and judicial systems, reduce deaths, and improve …

Hiv Funding Matters: Sustaining Progress, Saving Lives, Paulina Camacho, Gordon Culley, Sharlett Smith, Roxanne Watkins

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

By 2023, 39.9 million people globally live with HIV, 1.4 million children and 38.6 million adults (WHO, 2025), yet unstable funding threatens progress in prevention and treatment. This fragility is starkly illustrated by Minnesota’s 24% HIV case surge in 2023, the largest increase in a decade, signaling urgent needs for sustained investment. Simultaneously, older adults with HIV endure compounding vulnerabilities in long-term care (LTC) systems, where stigma, discrimination, and culturally incompetent care violate their rights. Legislative action, such as the HIV Long-Term Care Bill of Rights, is needed in Minnesota to ensure equitable access and protections for aging individuals living …

Aging In The Shadows: The Struggle For Adequate Resources In Elder Care, Sabina Allakulova, Marissa Carpenter, Kacie Hunt, Elizabeth Meuleners

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Minnesota is aging rapidly: by 2030, 1 in 4 Minnesotans will be over the age of 65, with rural areas feeling this shift most acutely. Yet, the state’s aging services are fragmented and under-resourced, leaving older adults struggling to access care, maintain independence, and stay connected to their communities. Without comprehensive reform, growing gaps will strain family caregivers, the elder care workforce, and healthcare systems.

We urge the Minnesota Legislature to establish a Cabinet-level Department of Aging to unify, strengthen, and lead the state's response to aging population needs. A dedicated department will coordinate services, address workforce shortages, expand home …

Vol. 8, No. 1 Cover

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development

No abstract provided.

Vol. 8, No. 1 Table Of Contents

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Performance-Based Budgeting For Public Health Care Service Delivery In An Emerging Economy, Isaac O. Randa, Christine A. Adere

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development

This study investigates the determinants and implications of the implementation of performance-based budgeting (PBB) on public health care service delivery at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in Windhoek, Namibia. Using a cross-sectional survey research design targeting 100 respondents, this study employed a quantitative research approach involving MoHSS's budgeting and health care services departments. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Communication, bureaucratic structures, and implementers’ disposition significantly influenced PBB implementation alignment, thereby enhancing service delivery. However, resource utilisation showed no significant effect. Additionally, implementation alignment effectively mediated the relationship between latent exogenous variables and …

Contested Class Hegemonies And The Limits Of Ethnic Politics In Zambia: The Case Of The 2021 Elections, Jotham C. Momba

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development

Ethnic politics in Zambia is a function of the extent to which the petty bourgeoisie, who thrive largely on the ideology of tribalism, exercise strong hegemony over the other social classes in their respective ethnic groups. However, when other social classes challenge that hegemony, evidence from the Zambian experience shows that the pertinence of ethnicity as a political force is significantly reduced. The members of the petty bourgeoisie in Zambia have exercised hegemony over other social classes in the country’s post-colonial period after they successfully led the struggle for political independence. The petty bourgeoisie are, however, factionalised along ethnic lines, …

Ua19/16/2 Softball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU softball team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Baseball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU baseball team in spring 2025.

The Price Of Victory: A Machine Learning Analysis Of How Salary Dispersion Influences Team Success In Major League Baseball, Joseph Belsanti

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper examines the effect of salary dispersion on team success in Major League Baseball (MLB). Using data from 29 MLB teams over eight seasons (2012-2019), this study uses multiple models, such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), panel data regressions, and Random Forest machine learning, to investigate the degree – if any – that inequalities in a team's payroll impacts success, measured by winning percentage. The study's results show that, contrary to prevailing theories, salary dispersion – measured by a Gini coefficient – is not a significant predictor of a team's winning percentage (team success). Instead, team performance metrics, such …

Examining The Effect Of Climate Change Denialism In American Christianity On International Climate Policy, Hope Mcbride

Selected Honors Theses

While 53% of Americans say anthropogenic climate change is happening, only 32% of American evangelical Protestants share that belief (Alper). Key reasons for this gap include the values and political affiliations held by religious Americans. Historically, there have been dissenting opinions on the role of Christianity in global warming, but ultimately data have demonstrated that the opinions of American Christians can influence major global political decisions, such as President Trump’s executive order pulling the United States out of the keystone Paris Agreement.

Aphantasia And Religion: Exploring The Impact Of Imageless Cognition On Spiritual Experience, Reagan J. Pletcher

Selected Honors Theses

This study examines the intersection of aphantasia – the inability to consciously visualize mental images – and religious experience, here Christianity. Taking a phenomenological approach, qualitative interviews were conducted with three self-described aphantasic Christians to examine how they conceptualize, practice, and experience their faith. Thematic analysis revealed that participants employ abstract thinking, propositional thinking, and moral reasoning rather than visual imagery when engaging with religious texts, prayer, and worship. They valued intellectual and moral aspects of Christianity more than imaginative visualization, demonstrating that religion is not necessarily dependent on mental imagery to participate spiritually. While participants did refer to challenges …

2025- The Twenty-Ninth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the 29th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 16-18, 2025. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

University Libraries Newsletter - Spring 2025, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

University Libraries Newsletters

No abstract provided.

“Like A Fish Being Judged By My Ability To Fly”: Barriers To Accessibility In Postgraduate Study, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This research paper explores the unique accessibility challenges faced by disabled postgraduate students and what can be done to address them. Testimonies and formal studies alike show how disabled graduate students have to deal with stigmatizing attitudes from their instructors (especially if they hold intersectional marginalized identities) on top of systemic barriers such as strict deadlines, unsustainably heavy workloads, inaccessible travel requirements, and disability services that are not suited to undergraduate needs. These problems are especially prominent in medical school where demands on time and energy are especially rigorous. To address these issues, disability service programs must be reformed to …

Artificial Intelligence In Collegiate Athletic Communications: Revolutionizing Communications And Collegiate Athletics, Jared T. Gerke

Leadership Education Capstones

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, its influence across professional fields, including athletic communications, demands closer examination. Despite extensive research in journalism and public relations, scholars have largely overlooked AI’s role in collegiate athletic communications. To address this gap, this study surveyed professionals from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) to explore current use of AI and aspirations for its integration in the workplace. The results of this study show that NSIC professionals generally view AI as a beneficial tool. However, adoptions remain low within both the NSIC and the broader field. Most respondents expressed little concern about AI …

An Investigation Of Ncaa Women’S Ice Hockey Players Motivations To Enter The Transfer Portal, Sarah E. Bobrowski

Leadership Education Capstones

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced the transfer portal to allow student-athletes the opportunity to transfer between institutions while maintaining their eligibility. While the transfer portal has significantly impacted college athletics, there is limited research on the specific motivations of female student-athletes’ decision to transfer. This study aims to explore the factors influencing NCAA women’s ice hockey players’ decisions to enter the transfer portal, focusing on athletic, academic, and social motivations. The study will provide valuable insights for athletic directors, university administrators, and coaches in developing retention strategies that foster a supportive environment for student-athletes. Findings from this research …

Ivy Leaves, Volume 100, Anderson University - South Carolina

Ivy Leaves

The 2025 edition of the Anderson University journal of art and literature, Ivy Leaves.

The names of the known editors for this issue of Ivy Leaves were Jaylee Koon, Jenna Martin, Rachel Riddle, Milena Ulrich, Emma Brightman, Corinne Lowe, Torie Johnson, Anna Leigh Avant, Darcy Hseih, Kaylie Sheriff, Claudia Sarmiento, LIly Gregory, Ethan Wright, Elise Frauenholtz, KJ Lian, Ellie Gramm, Iley Gramm, Kenzi Miller, Ellie Ruperto, Miriam Cabrera-Santana, Ashlee Keller, Mateo De Los Cobos, Jacob Enzor, Claire Nunes, Abby McDonald, Heidi Dillow, Derek Updegraff and Tim Speaker.

Protesting In The Streets And In The Tweets: Disability Activism From The 20th Century To The Digital Age, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This paper seeks to answer the following research question: “How does the modern-day disability rights movement compare to activist efforts in the 20th century?” I begin with an exploration of the discriminatory policies that the 20th century disability rights movement fought against, such as institutionalization, eugenics, and structural accessibility. I then discuss demonstrations such as the 1977 504 Sit-In and the ADA “Capitol Crawl,” paying particular attention to the movement’s popularity across intersections of identity. I then move on to the 21st century, starting with disability activists’ demonstrations against Bush-era policies on mental health and court cases that attempted to …

The Grass Ain’T Greener: Lessons On Accessibility For Country Bumpkins And City Slickers, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This fictional work tells the story of two disabled young adults—long-distance best friends Savannah and Heather—as they navigate the accessibility challenges of their respective environments. Savannah, the daughter of rural farmers who is frustrated with the inaccessibility and isolation of her hometown, moves to study in the city. Meanwhile, Heather, a city dweller, moves to a rural area to pursue their dream of being a park ranger. While they both hope to escape the barriers of their home regions, both friends find new barriers in their travels, such as city construction, lack of rural resources, and attitudinal barriers. Soon, Savannah …

Art And Craft: The Interconnectedness Of Artisans And Fine Arts In Post-Colonial Morocco, Ursula Junker

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship and overlap between fine arts and traditional crafts in Morocco. The central questions of this study are: how do museums represent, or fail to represent, Moroccan art? What role have traditional crafts, in particular textiles, played in the creation of a modern Moroccan artistic identity, and where do craftspeople see themselves in the canon of Moroccan art? How has colonialism shaped craft, art, and the relationship between them? How do tradition and modernity interact and coexist in art spaces? The study was conducted in Marrakech, Tangiers, and Fes. It consists …

We Are The Cemetery Of Talents: Amazigh Reality In The Anti Atlas, Morgan Lee

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This paper seeks to explore a dynamic in which the Amazigh people of the Anti-Atlas Mountains are forced to decide between stability and success at the expense of their cultural identity. The Imazighen are deeply prideful of their culture and history. But in Morocco, being Amazigh often comes with burdens that disproportionately encumber this culture when compared to general Moroccan society. I will discuss literature on linguistic dynamics with the Tamazight language, literature regarding Amazigh art, and Pan-Africanist literature in order to gain a well-rounded insight into the Amazigh situation. I will then synthesize this information, along with some of …

The Familiar Stranger An Ethnographic Account Of Khamlia Berhane, Lidya, Lidya Berhane

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This ISP is an autoethnographic exploration of Khamlia, a small rural village settled in southeastern Morocco at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Conducted over two weeks, this study engages with themes of indigeneity and identity, Gnawa music and culture, and the complex dynamics of tourism, particularly heritage tourism, and its effects on a town like Khamlia. Particular attention is given to how Gnawa music is performed and utilized as a tool of cultural heritage. The autoethnography also delves into gender roles, family dynamics, and the environmental consequences of tourism on both Khamlia and the surrounding Sahara. Additionally, it reflects …

From Hope To Frustration: The Impacts Of The Withdrawal Of Usaid On Education And Development In Morocco, Kathryn Koss

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

Following a series of executive orders administered by the Trump administration in January 2025, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID abruptly withdrew from Morocco, leaving an impact on education and development. Using qualitative methods, including six semi-structured interviews with USAID personnel, partners, and local NGOs, the study captures the personal, financial, and operational effects of this sudden cessation. The paper highlights how USAID's localized, inclusive approach had catalyzed significant educational initiatives and collaborative development models, many of which were disrupted or completely dismantled. Key findings reveal that the termination of USAID activities not only jeopardized active programming—such as …

Spatial Narratives: Women’S Roles, Agency, And The Evolving Concept Of Womanhood In Contemporary Morocco, Jazmine Iriqui Sanchez

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This study explores how young Moroccan women experience, interpret, and reshape spatial environments in contemporary Morocco, focusing on the capital of Rabat. Using a qualitative methodology that includes semi-structured interviews, anonymous surveys, participant observation, and photographic field notes, I examine how public and private spaces reflect and reinforce gendered expectations. Findings reveal that while women have increased visibility and public life, their presence is often conditional, structured by norms. Findings reveal that while women have increased visibility in public areas, their presence is often conditional, structured by norms that dictate how they should move, communicate, and appear. Across spaces like …

Strategies Of Animal Rescue Organizations In Agadir, Morocco: Addressing Cultural, Biological, And Government Challenges, Jacey Lynn Ramos

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

Animal rescue organizations in Agadir, Morocco, play a critical role in confronting the intersecting challenges of stray animal overpopulation, zoonotic disease risks, and insufficient government support. This research examines how these organizations respond to cultural perspectives, public health concerns, and state-endorsed culling policies through a combination of field observation, social media analysis, and interviews. Focusing on two major NGOs (Non- Government Organizations) including Sunshine Animal Refuge Agadir (SARA) and Morocco Animal Aid (MAA), the study compares their outreach strategies, operational transparency, and organizational effectiveness. Findings reveal that while SARA offers a structured, humane model centered on TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) and community …

Authoritarian Practice, Liberal Rhetoric: Journalism, Surveillance, And The Paradoxical Architecture Of Silence In Morocco, Grace Sullivan

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This research study explores the perceptions of Moroccan journalists on issues related to press freedom, human rights, and freedom of expression, and how these topics are repressed in Morocco’s political, social, and economic context. The goal of this paper is to provide a contextual analysis of the current state of press freedom in Morocco through a historical and contemporary lens by addressing the distinct institutional, social, political, and cultural spheres of society. This study uses a qualitative approach using the methodology of individual interviews with Moroccan journalists, activists, and researchers. The findings of this study illustrate a direct alignment between …

The Healing Power And Commodification Of Gnawa Music And Black Identity In Southern Morocco, Isabel Rodriguez

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This project explores the contemporary role of Gnawa music in Morocco through an ethnographic study in the village of Khamlia in the Southeast region of Morocco. Gnawa people are known for their spiritual traditions, specifically their musical rituals. The Gnawa have used music as a tool for healing, remembrance, and expression. This research investigates how Gnawa music is practiced today and how it functions as a form of commodification and racialized tourism. The study draws from both field observations and heavy literature analysis in various fields including research in colonial trauma, Black identity in Morocco, and clinical applications of music …

Instrumentalizing Aid: U.S. Foreign Policy, Civil Society, And Democracy Prevention In Morocco, Madelyn Halperin

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This paper examines the implications of the United States’ withdrawal of USAID development funding from Morocco, analyzing how this decision reflects broader U.S. foreign policy priorities and impacts the viability of Moroccan civil society organizations. Despite official rhetoric centered on democracy promotion and human rights, U.S. policy in Morocco has consistently privileged strategic and regional interests—particularly military cooperation and counterterrorism—over long-term democratic development. Using interviews with Moroccan NGO staff, along with analysis of USAID history, policy documents, and secondary scholarship, this study demonstrates how the loss of USAID funding may disrupt civil society networks, undermine sustainable development programs, and narrow …

Holy Grounds And Coffee Grounds: Tourism, Authenticity, And The Adaptive Reuse Of Sufi Shrines In Tunisia, Leanna Baker

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

This study explores the transformation of Sufi shrines in Tunisia into café spaces that cater to tourists while maintaining traces of religious significance. Through historical research, site visits, and interviews, I examine how these hybrid spaces navigate the tension between sacredness and commercialization. Using theories of authenticity and religious tourism, I analyze how Islamic aesthetics are repurposed to attract visitors, often without their awareness of the shrine’s spiritual role. An additional case study of a shrine now functioning as a ceramics studio offers an alternative model of adaptive reuse rooted in cultural sustainability. Rather than viewing commercialization as simple erasure, …