Service Learning Commons^™

Staying Engaged While Staying Home?: Service-Learning, Writing, And Covid-19, Christopher Iverson

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

As an approach to writing instruction that has traditionally required students to engage in in-person community projects, service-learning has also traditionally involved risks. For example, students engaging in service-learning without proper support often do not approach community partners with the appropriate respect, and when university stakeholders fail to make clear what their side can offer in a partnership, they can leave community partners in the lurch when the semester ends and students finish their community-engaged coursework. These risks can be mitigated through education and reflection for instructors and students alike. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing social distancing orders, however, left ...

High-Impact Learning Experiences And Post-Graduate Outcomes: Exploring The Influence On Employment, Continuing Education And Salary, Alison Handy Twang

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

With the cost of college on the rise, and students increasingly viewing college as a pathway to a successful career, colleges and universities are under increasing pressure to demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness. High-impact learning experiences, such as internships, study abroad, service-learning, capstones and undergraduate research, have emerged as a promising practice to enhance student development during college; however, few studies have examined the impact of such practices on post-graduate indicators of success. This paper adds to our understanding of the benefits of high-impact learning by examining their influence on student post-graduate employment, continuing education and starting salary. The data ...

Exploring The Impact Of The Habitat For Humanity Home-Building Process On Partner Families' Holistic Well-Being, Hawkley Pusey, Nikhil Mathur, Kathryn Figliomeni, Nanditha Srinivasan, Keely R. Dehn, Jason A. Ware

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how participating in the Habitat for Humanity house-building process influenced participants’ purpose well-being, social well-being, community well-being, physical and mental well-being, and financial well-being, and how effective Habitat for Humanity is in aiding neighborhood revitalization within the Greater Lafayette area. The research project resulted in a presentation of quantitative data and a testimonial video that highlighted the stories of families that had worked with Habitat for Humanity. Quantitative data was gathered through a survey that addressed respondents’ levels of satisfaction within the various categories of well-being mentioned above. Testimonial information was gathered ...

Using Poultry To Enhance Food Security In Stann Creek, Belize, Emily Spatz

Poultry Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food insecurity is a growing issue in developing and developed countries alike, and in countries like Belize, the prevalence of hunger has soared in recent years. Not having access to diets with sufficient calories and nutrients leads to a host of developmental issues, including stunting and cognitive delays. The purpose of this work was to create an all-encompassing manual for small-scale broiler production, with the intention of another honors student overseeing the implementation of the ideas set forth in the manual, in order to provide nourishment for the students and staff of a school in Belize. After determining that the ...

How Agriculture Could Uplift A Nation And Its People: Providing Analytical Data To Farmers In Belize, Thomas G. Stephenson

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Agriculture is the bedrock of the Belize economy, but is plagued by routine issues. These problems hurt not only the economy of Belize, but also the health and well being of its citizens. By working with the Ministry of Agriculture my team surveyed the Stann Creek district of Belize to address these issues and provide much needed information to local farmers.

Employment Discrimination’S Impact On African American’S Professional And Personal Lives, Trey D. Williams

Information Systems Undergraduate Honors Theses

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against a person because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The law also protects individuals from retaliation if they complain about discrimination, participate in an employment discrimination proceeding, or reasonably oppose discrimination. Although Title VII makes discrimination illegal, it is still present in the workplace. The objective of this thesis is to discuss employee discrimination based on race and sex. Specifically, I will analyze the current workplace discrimination against African American men and women as well as the psychological, physiological, and emotional effects ...

Electrical Safety Program Loto Procedures, Justin D. Rose

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

For my project I am going to help create and implement new LOTO procedures for our substation. This will be part of a much larger project. The larger project will be implementing an Electrical Safety Program. Part of that program is creating lock out procedures. This project will help solve a gap in an established safety program. Either we continue as we have been and leave ourselves vulnerable to safety and reliability issues or we create an established safety program that will bring us more in-line with current industry standards. Through this project we will create procedures for safely isolating ...

School Safety For Security Teams, Richard G. Nottingham

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This paper is an introduction to school safety intended on helping a new school security team member jump start their training. It includes some data and situations a security member may come across in the year. It is hoped that by reading this, the new member will be able to immediately begin their duties and have a strong foundation on the people, emergency situations and tasks that are assigned to the position.

The Leadership Tree: Growing Leadership Through Quality Conversations, Jayke Sterling

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

As the issue of trying to coach all the staff at the same time became too overwhelming for the management team at Biolife, a solution was born. After many brainstorming ideas the final decision was made to create a leadership tree to divide the work amongst the management team while keeping a consistent vision. The final product turned out to be beneficial to both parties and increased the frequency and quality of coaching.

The Power Of 20-Minute Naps To Zen Time, Lee Rockwell

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Naps are not just for National Nap Day on March 13^th (SHRM, 2019) and naps aren’t only for toddlers. Approximately 1 in 3 American adults nap, according to previous Pew Research Center data (Everyday Health, 2022). Research has shown that the workplace needs to offer separate time for their employees to take a 20-minute power nap or Zen time. Zen time can be defined as relaxed or feeling peaceful (Zen Definitions, 2022). ‌Some people would consider napping to be lazy. However, it is the opposite. A survey by Mattress Nerd of 2,000 adults showed nappers considered themselves ...

The Yeti Tumbler Alliance, Emily Huber

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

For my Capstone Project I chose a topic that I am passionate about. I truly believe that outdoor recreation is critical to mental health. My family is passionate about rock climbing. I have found that many people find this sport to be inaccessible. Most climbing areas have very difficult climbs or very easy climbs for beginners. My goal was to develop and bolt a climb that is easy for beginners but next to harder climbs so people could take their friends and introduce them to the sport in an environment where everyone can have fun.

I am very happy with ...

Is Religion Dividing America Beyond Repair?, Alec Wheeler

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

In 2022, the state of America is highly debated. Are we united? Are we divided? What unites us despite our differences? There have been times of great tribulation in American history, just as there have been times of great unity. Many Americans remember the day after the 9/11 attacks as a day to set our differences aside and help one another. At the beginning of the COVID-19 nationwide lock down there was celebration of healthcare workers and campaigns to help your neighbors out with groceries. During times of tremendous worry and pain, Americans come together through their differences and ...

Emotional Intelligence: Benefits Within The Classroom, Taylor M. Garber

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Since the pandemic arose in 2020, schools have lived in a world of unknown. From in school classes to online zoom meetings, teachers have had to adjust their teaching methods leaving them burnt out and frustrated. With hopes of breaking through this gray area, introducing the idea of Emotional Intelligence in schools surrounding Valley County, could greatly impact their path back to normalcy. I have created a prototype for schools surrounding my community. With the first launch happening in September, I am hopeful that this prototype can then be used in other schools as well. This project consists of a ...

Finding A Better Workplace Culture, Kimberly Parr

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My name is Kimberly Parr. I currently work in Quality Management at a local hospital. Over the last year, our leadership team had developed a very negative work culture. It was only certain people, but it left the rest of us wondering what we could do. I decided to make this issue my capstone project and I made it my goal to create a positive, more welcoming environment for our employees.

The Graduate’S Dilemma: Transitioning From Academic Life Into The Professional World, Colton L. Robinson

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Examines the issue of college students finding employment after graduation. Investigates the disconnect that exists between employers and job candidates, and why each have a different understanding of the situation. Provides job-seeking graduates and employers a big picture view of the situation and provides solutions to help bridge the gap between the two parties for more productive interactions.

Time Management Skills And How They Benefit Your Mental Health, Berkley E. Fredrick

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

As an undergraduate student at Boise State University I have experienced a significant amount of stress while trying to manage life in the classroom, at home, and in the workplace. This sparked my interest in trying to determine whether or not there was a relationship between possessing quality time management skills and having a healthy mind. Mental health is a complex idea that is unique to every person, but if a task as simple as utilizing a planner can improve a student or working professional’s state of mind, my goal was to share that. Throughout my research I found ...

Gardening For The Future, Abby M. Edgar

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This paper discusses the importance of the capstone project working with the Boise Urban Garden School and the impact they may have on the community. We explore what the project is and how it will lead to greater knowledge for the future.

Rock Creek Research Project, Michael Easterling

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Rock Creek is a tributary to the Snake River. It stretches across Twin Falls county as well as Cassia County and is around forty-four miles long. It is also home to many multiple different species of wildlife, mostly fish. With all of these fish comes the amazing sport of fishing which is what my friends, family, and self do consistently. Unfortunately, Rock Creek like other public bodies of water has become polluted over the years mainly with E. Coli. In this paper, one will be able to look over my perspective on the issue as well as an interview with ...

Water, Sunshine And Safety: Community Service At Its Best, Kimberly A. Hammond

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

To complete this capstone project, I engaged my personally owned and operated water sports recreation business in a community service event geared towards water safety education. In this project, community members were offered to sign up and/or participate in a day-long event that included a professional fitting for a personal floatation device (PFD), a water recreation safety seminar and a guided kayaking shoreline tour of Lake Walcott State Park and National Wildlife Preserve. The event, sponsored by Adrift Kayak Adventures LLC, was completely free to the public and centered around the ideals of community service, safety, and outdoor recreation.

Something Has To Change, Alex Dodge

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This project happened to be about the same time that I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. Lyme disease is acquired when you are bitten by an infected tick. If not treated in the acute stages this person will continue to get sicker with a multitude of unexplained health issues. I am an unlucky individual that was bitten by a diseased tick, and I had no idea. It took a year before any of my doctors figured it out. I was faced with a major lifestyle decision once I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme. If I wanted to live symptom-free ...