Happiness Alliance
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Morehead State University
University of California - Berkeley
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of South Florida
Remixing Dialogue: A Case Study On Perceptions Of Hip Hop Pedagogy In A Professional Learning Course,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Remixing Dialogue: A Case Study On Perceptions Of Hip Hop Pedagogy In A Professional Learning Course, Kelly J. Thelen
Dissertations, Theses, and Projects
This qualitative case study examines how teachers’ decision-making and professional autonomy shift while participating in a Hip Hop Pedagogy Professional Learning course supported by structured FIXIT (Lo & Wachter, 2023a, 2023b, 2023c, 2023d; Wachter & Lo, 2024) game-facilitated dialogue in a rural, culturally and linguistically diverse Midwest community. Grounded in Freire’s (1970) Critical Pedagogy, Ladson-Billings’ (1995) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (Paris and Alim, 2017), and Adult Learning Theory (Knowles et al., 2005), the study explores the reclamation of agency by teachers in a time of constrained creativity and educator autonomy shaped by strict policy environments, an emphasis on …
Advocacy For Inclusive Play In South Dallas: Expanding Access For Children In Underserved Areas,
2026
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Advocacy For Inclusive Play In South Dallas: Expanding Access For Children In Underserved Areas, Aryanna Fellows, Mary Jan Greer
Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium
This capstone project aimed to advocate for more inclusive and accessible playgrounds for children of all abilities in underserved communities in South Dallas. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model, the project evaluated playground accessibility and identified environmental barriers that limit participation for children with disabilities. Methods included a community needs assessment, playground observations using a standardized accessibility assessment tool, surveys, and stakeholder collaboration. Participants included community members, caregivers, organizational stakeholders, and children who utilize local playgrounds. Findings were synthesized to develop evidence-based recommendations and educational resources to support future playground improvements. The expected outcomes included increased awareness of inclusive playground …
Balancing Our Capacity To Serve: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Black Women Navigating Personal, Professional, And Community Leadership Roles,
2026
CUNY College of Staten Island
Balancing Our Capacity To Serve: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Black Women Navigating Personal, Professional, And Community Leadership Roles, Shemeka K. Brathwaite
Student Theses
This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of Black women community leaders as they navigate a balance between their professional, personal, and community leadership roles. The research design uses the theoretical frameworks of Black Feminist Intersectionality and Role Theory, specifically addressing the cultural burdens imposed by the Strong Black Woman archetype, which adds additional role strain. The study began with a questionnaire completed by 54 Black women community leaders, followed by 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews selected from this pool. The study’s key findings are illustrated in a Black Women’s Sustainable Community Leadership Framework. Black women community leaders exude high self-efficacy, …
Reducing Vulnerability To Burnout Among Family Caregivers,
2026
California State University, Monterey Bay
Reducing Vulnerability To Burnout Among Family Caregivers, Stephen J. Alvarado
Capstone Projects and Master's Theses
Family caregivers experience high levels of burnout and stress, which can negatively affect their well-being and the quality of care they provide. This capstone project was implemented at Health Projects Center in Salinas within the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center program. Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center serves a diverse community of family caregivers, predominantly Caucasian, Hispanic, and Latino individuals caring for loved ones with a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or memory impairment. The purpose of this project was to improve caregivers’ knowledge, confidence, awareness, and intention regarding self-care strategies to reduce their vulnerability to burnout related to caregiving. The project …
Service-Informed Pathways Proposal,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Service-Informed Pathways Proposal, Joshua Works
UNLV Transfer Student Seminar Poster (COE 303)
This project explores how food insecurity affects UNLV students’ nutrition and proposes practical ways to strengthen the UNLV Food Pantry. Through six hours of volunteer service and a review of research, I identified key barriers, including stigma, limited access to fresh food, and low awareness. The proposal recommends three actionable improvements: simple nutrition handouts, peer-led outreach to reduce stigma, and stronger partnerships to ensure consistent access to fresh produce. These steps aim to improve daily nutrition, increase pantry usage, and support better academic outcomes. This work combines hands-on service experience with research to offer realistic, low-cost solutions that can help …
My Four Years Of Animal Care Through Community Service,
2026
DePauw University
My Four Years Of Animal Care Through Community Service, Margaret Reed '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
I joined DePauw as a Bonner Scholar with little knowledge about the program, but ready to continue my work in community service. I was unaware of the long term impacts and relationships that I would build over the course of the four years. I bounced around many service sites, but one, the Putnam County Humane Society. I began regularly volunteering at the shelter entering my second semester of freshman year. In my final semester, I am the intern and coordinate for other new volunteers like myself all those semesters ago. I also am a volunteer at the Lakeland Center, Inc., …
Living In Service: Mia's Bonner Journey,
2026
DePauw University
Living In Service: Mia's Bonner Journey, Mia Martin-Fuller '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
During my time, I have been allowed to learn a lot about myself and the communities I have had the privilege of serving. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that I do not always have the answer, and that's okay. Going into areas where individuals may think or act differently than I do, I have found it is most useful to approach with a humble attitude and an open mind.
Cultivating Community Through Service And Leadership,
2026
DePauw University
Cultivating Community Through Service And Leadership, Alberto Zamora Martinez '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
Introduced to the Bonner Program after committing to DePauw University Encouraged to apply by older brother, Eduardo (DePauw Class of 2021, former Bonner Scholar) Committed all four years to service at Asbury Towers Supported residents’ well-being in a retirement community focused on care, respect, and collaboration Helped create volunteer opportunities for Bonner Scholars and other DePauw students Developed a strong passion for public service and strengthened my long-term commitment to helping others
Rooted In Service, Built For Purpose,
2026
DePauw University
Rooted In Service, Built For Purpose, Vriseida Yaneth Lima '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
When I arrived at DePauw, I didn't know that one conversation would shape the next four years of my life. I was first introduced to the Bonner Scholar Program through friends and fellow scholars on campus. From the moment I heard and learned more about it, I knew I wanted to be part of something that allowed me to interact hands on with the community I was to spend the next few years of my life with. After going through the ladder interview process, I eamed my place in the program and began a journey I never could have anticipated. …
Four Years Of Training In Leadership And Effective Communication Through Service,
2026
DePauw University
Four Years Of Training In Leadership And Effective Communication Through Service, Manmeet Hayer '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
My Bonner education has been shaped by a deeply practical approach to service: I consistently chose sites and projects that would strengthen not only my ability to communicate effectively with different populations, but also my ability to recognize what those interactions revealed about deeper needs, gaps, and problems that required action. Throughout my four years with Bonner, that approach guided the full arc of my journey. During my first year, I focused extensively on education-centered service, working as an ESL tutor, supporting eligible 21st Century Scholars through EDGE 21, and serving as a counselor at a Lutheran summer camp during …
Discovering My Passion For Social Justice,
2026
DePauw University
Discovering My Passion For Social Justice, Nev Hommel '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
After taking a tour of DePauw in the fall of 2021, I knew it was my school. However, I didn’t know how I could afford to attend. I scoured DePauw’s website for scholarships and found out about Bonner! I’m so grateful I took a leap of faith and applied. I was thrilled to find out I was accepted into the program! Upon arriving at DePauw for Bonner orientation, I immediately felt welcomed by Val and my fellow Bonners. Bonner has brought me an amazing community of friends and peers. Furthermore, the Bonner program introduced me to the world of social …
How Bonner Influenced My Love For Education And Non-Profit Work,
2026
DePauw University
How Bonner Influenced My Love For Education And Non-Profit Work, Abbygail Napper '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
There will never be enough space for me to write all of the things that Bonner has taught me over the last 4 years. Bonner has taught me the importance of civic engagement and how imperative it is to your community that you get involved. Just a little bit of involvement goes a long way. Bonner has taught me an immense amount of life skills, from interacting with people in a professional setting, to creating a resume and applying for jobs, to simply just getting your work done on time. Bonner has morphed me into the hard worker that I …
Rooted In Service, Reaching For The Stars,
2026
DePauw University
Rooted In Service, Reaching For The Stars, Lucila Ojeda '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
My biggest takeaway from Bonner is to not be afraid to ask for help. Coming from out of state, the transition from a familiar community to somewhere completely foreign was scary. The kindness shown to me by the people at Bonner is something I will never forget. Do it scared and take the leap of faith in reaching out and building your community. Bonner will help you as much as they can, and I hope my service has reflected the support I have been so fortunate to receive.
The Power Of An Unplanned Path: My Bonner Journey,
2026
DePauw University
The Power Of An Unplanned Path: My Bonner Journey, Amia Mcdonald '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
Coming into my freshman year at DePauw, I had no idea what the Bonner program was or how much it would come to shape my college experience. It wasn’t until a senior Posse scholar took the time to tell me about Bonner and encouraged me to apply that I even saw myself as a part of it. From the start, I’ve always loved giving back and being involved in the communities I’m in, so joining Bonner felt like a natural fit. Over the past 3.5 years, my journey hasn’t been linear, but each service site I’ve been a part of …
Path Unexpected: Finding My Passion Through Service,
2026
DePauw University
Path Unexpected: Finding My Passion Through Service, Tanaa Jones '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
One of my biggest lessons from the Bonner Scholar program is that service can be about passion not only a career. Throughout my Bonner journey I have had fun and enjoyed much of my service. Although it won’t be what direction I go in, I still feel as though I made an impact within the community I spent 4 years with. My biggest piece of advice would be to breathe. Being a Bonner and a student is a hard task, give yourself a huge amount of credit.
Servicing My Communties, Leaving An Impact,
2026
DePauw University
Servicing My Communties, Leaving An Impact, Leila Kirkpatrick '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
I was struggling on whether or not I wanted to attend DePauw University because it was a completely different experience from what I was used to being from Chicago. DePauw is located in a small town and predominately white institution, with limited modes of transportation. I didn’t know anyone on campus, but then a faculty member from my tour told me about Bonner because of the community service I did in High School. I have always been passionate about serving my community. I told that member if I get in the program ,I will attend, and that’s what I did. …
Building Community Through Communication: A Bonner Scholar's Journey In Health Equity And Its Impacts,
2026
DePauw University
Building Community Through Communication: A Bonner Scholar's Journey In Health Equity And Its Impacts, Samrawit (Samri) Soloman '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
As a Global Health major on the pre-medical track, I focused my Bonner experiences on becoming a culturally conscious physician who advocates for community health justice. My Bonner journey lead me to realize that communication is the foundation of building community. It was only through the multidisciplinary opportunities across different areas of health that I developed a more comphrehensive understanding of health equity. My experiences and leadership developemnt in Bonner equipped me with the tools to recognize overlap among health organizations and to use my professional skills to form partnerships and promote health equity.
A Journey With A Map,
2026
DePauw University
A Journey With A Map, Ruben Munoz '26
Senior Presentation of Learning
My Journey through Bonner has been an interesting one. I personally have struggled to find a permanent spot throughout my four years in the Bonner Program. I have bounced between service sites, serving at places such as The Humane Society, TZ after-school program, Women's Center, Family Support Services, Crounded, among other sítes and opportunities. Although it has been a struggle, every site has come with its own lessons and motivations. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to be a Bonner Seholar and have the journey that I have had.
An Immersive Placements And Moral Growth At Barretstown: Integrating A Transformative Framework With Preservice Teachers In Marianist Teacher Education,
2026
University of Dayton
An Immersive Placements And Moral Growth At Barretstown: Integrating A Transformative Framework With Preservice Teachers In Marianist Teacher Education, Jeremy R. Mills, Annie Chiles, Caroline Miller, Lauren Windsor
Thomas C. Hunt Building a Research Community Day
This study examines how immersive experiential learning at Barretstown, a therapeutic camp in Ireland, nurtures intellectual, ethical, and spiritual growth in preservice teachers. Framed by William James’ four characteristics of mystical experience — ineffability, noetic quality, transiency, and passivity — and grounded in the Marianist philosophy of education, the research employs a qualitative, phenomenological design. Reflective narratives from three teacher candidates were thematically coded, revealing transformative experiences marked by ineffable joy, revelatory insight, enduring impact, and openness to grace. Findings suggest that experiential learning integrated with spiritual and communal formation cultivates educators grounded in empathy, moral awareness, and authentic presence.
Cedarstone Arts Foundation Marketing And Media,
2026
Belmont University
Cedarstone Arts Foundation Marketing And Media, Emmy-Kate Arnett, Amelia Bailly, Charlie Condra, Lorelai Lysaght
SPARK Symposium Presentations
For our project, we collaborated with Cedarstone Arts Foundation, a non-profit centered on providing free music education and instruments to childhood cancer patients. Our goal was to create social media platforms for the foundation and develop a key marketing strategy via said platforms, with the desired outcome of increased exposure and donations. To achieve our goal, we researched the most relevant media outlets for advertising. We helped create high-quality content that would raise awareness for their cause. We developed a general template for posting so that the foundation could confidently continue this strategy for the foreseeable future. We consulted with …
