Works in this series are the final written component of a masters or doctoral degree program at Grand Valley State University. Culminating Experience Projects demonstrate a student's competence in their discipline while producing original research, investigating a scholarly topic, or producing a creative work.
For GVSU Students- To submit your Culminating Experience Project, follow the Submit Research link in the sidebar.
- For details about the process, visit the Submission Guidelines page.
- If you have questions about ScholarWorks@GVSU, contact the University Libraries' Scholarly Communications team.
Note: in some graduate programs, students may instead create a Thesis or Dissertation. These can be found as separate series in the Graduate Research and Creative Practice collection.
Theses/Dissertations from 2023
Improving the Mental Health of International Students in Higher Education with Holistic Self-Improvement Practices, Layth Almallah
Teacher Attrition in Elementary Schools, Amanda J. Almy
Sleep Issues of Older Adults: Lived Experience and Occupational Performance, Emily Angell, Anna Johnston, Adriana C. Mallett, Cassidy Ward, and Rachel Wiltse
Developing a Sense of Belonging Among First-Year First-Generation College Students, Charlotte Rose Balkus
Improving Adherence to Annual Diabetes Guidelines in Rural Primary Care, Ashley Barney
Building Student-Athlete Resilience On and Off the Field, Hannah Beatus
Staff Education To Increase Confidence in Caring for LGBTQI Cancer Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Clara C. Beaver
Increased Rate of Absenteeism in Student Attendance, Joshua R. Bechtel
Non-Traditional Interventions for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Program Evaluation, Emily Fowler Bemben
Lack of Engagement of Play-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education, Jessica A. Beuilby
Evidence Based Practices to Support Inclusion of Students with Emotional Impairments, Christine Blomberg
Enhancing Institutional Support through a First Year Transfer Experience Program, Jade E. Bowman
Overrepresentation of African American Children in Child Welfare, Mareeta M. Bracken
A Retrospective Comparison of Dose Distribution within Density Override and Avoidance Structures in Volumetric Arc Therapy Prostate Plans with Hip Prosthetics: A Dosimetric Evaluation, Jared Richard Brinkman
The Effects Negative of White Teachers Biased Views Towards African American, Alisha M. Brown
The Negative Effects of White Teachers Biased Views Towards African American, Alisha M. Brown
Breaking Down Barriers: A Study on the Implementation of Holistic Admissions in Higher Education, Justin A. Brown
Eliminating the Gap: Proposed Implementation Methodology for Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Professional Development, Amanda May Brunette
Building Climate and Culture with Stakeholders Through Restorative Discipline Practices, Venessa A. Bulk
Grading to Better Communicate Student Learning, Derek M. Carlisle
Comparative Retrospective Study of Proton Arc Planning with ELSA Algorithm and IMPT with Monte Carlo Algorithm with Raystation Treatment Planning System, Matthew L. Carpenter MS, MSHA, BSRT(R)(T)
Narrowing the Achievement Gap by Increasing Student Opportunities in an Outdoor Project-Based Learning Environment, Britney Christensen
Addressing Sexual Assault and Supporting Survivors’ Mental Health and Academic Performance Through Peer Advocate Support, Elizabeth G. Clark
A Quantitative Dosimetric Comparison of DIBH VMAT and Static-IMRT APBI Treatments: Evaluating Large Left Sided Lumpectomy Cavities Located near the Chest Wall, Christopher Jordan Clifton
Feasibility of Patient Centered Medical Home Designation for a Nurse Managed Health Center, Kristin Cooper
The Development of Fetal Immunity from in Utero to Shortly After Birth and Complications that Can Arise from Improper Functioning, Marlee Curnutt
Supporting the Pedagogical Development of Graduate Teaching Assistants: A Self-Directed Approach, Katie Cwiakala
Revising the Team Huddle Process in a Federally Qualified Health Center, Donna DeMann
Parental Involvement and Student Success, Sally DeMolen
Next Generation Engagement: How to Foster Jewish Identity and Jewish Community Building in Teens and Young Adults, Shelby Denhof
Fact Fluency in Precision Teaching Environments, Mary Dieterly
An Examination of the Importance of Fire Prevention and Safety Education, Lisa J. Eller
Mental Health Education in Higher Education, Chelsea J. Farley
Higher Education Professionals are not Prepared to Support Students' Growth and Exploration of Religion and Worldviews, Matthew Gibson
An Examination of the Importance of Academic Support Programs for Two-Year College Student-Athletes, Amanda J. Glaza
The Twice Exceptional Learner Making the Classroom More Engaging for All, Josy Goodwin
An Examination of Early Childhood Scholars’ Social Emotional Competencies, Monica J. Graveling
A Framework for a Peer Mentorship Program to Promote Student-Athlete Success at Grand Rapids Community College, Brianna D. Greenough
Parental Involvement and Kindergarten Readiness, Lauren Griffin
An Examination of the First-Year Experience of Conditionally Admitted Students, Alexis Gunn
Quantitative Benefits of Reducing the Inferior Border of Right-Sided Free Breathing Intact Breast Treatment Plans Regarding Liver Dose, Shelby Handshue
Recruitment and Retention of Black Faculty at Predominantly White Institutions: Development of Mentorship within Academic Departments, ShayVonne L. Harris
Addressing Bias From Faculty Through Implementing Bias Training, Tori A. Henning
Mentoring for the Retention and Promotion of Diverse Talent, Holly M. Hetherington
Comparing the Health Care Resource Utilization and Medication Adherence of People with Epilepsy and People with Diabetes by Insurance Status, Nikole Hoffman, Gerald Shoultz, and Sarah Nechuta
Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome in Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Curriculum: A Survey, Elise Hohl, Corrina Anderson, Courtney Casper, Mackenzie Morris, and Carla Floyd-Slabaugh
Food for Thought: A Food Initiative for Selective Institutions, Johanna Hossink
Nursing Retention: Improving the Work Environment Among the Registered Nurse and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, Nina Jean Hudgins
Learning Outcomes Affecting Pre-K Students’ Performance: Focusing on Class Sizes, Diamond Johnson
Exploring the lived experience of international students of color at Predominately White Institutions., Soheli Farzana Jony
Teacher Attrition: Supporting Teachers Through Mentorship, Tiffany A. Kamper
Is My Colonialism Showing? A Reflexive Case Study., Nicole A. Karsies
Formalized Diabetes Self-Management Education in a Safety-Net Clinic, Emanpreet Kaur
Impact of Isotropic Grid Size and CT Slice Thickness on the Target Volume Coverage for Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery: A Retrospective Study, Kelsey M. Kimmane
A Socially Innovative Curriculum for an Afterschool Program, Shelinda T. Knight Davenport
Mentoring to Minimize Burnout In Early Elementary Teachers, Bethany L. Kohn-McFadden
Improving Social Determinants of Health Screening and Intervening in a Rural Primary Care Setting, Katina Ann Pulos Kuerth
The Need for Specialized Training for Faculty and Staff Working with Transfer Student-Athletes, Erin c. Kuyawa
Understanding Kindergarten Standards and Expectations Through a Family Literacy Night, Heather A. Lamers
Recognizing Grief and Learning to Cope, Jessica Leigh Kerin Lazar
Potential Occupational Therapy Interventions for People with Borderline Personality Disorder: A Scoping Review, Annette Leep, Darcie A. Shaw, Meghan E. Lloyd, Stephanie M. Voelck, and Hannah R. Ghneim
Limiting Play-Based Learning in Early Childhood Classrooms: The Impact on Student Engagement, Ashley M. Lesniak
Dosimetric significance of manual density overrides in oropharyngeal cancer, Thomas Lo Greco
InstaAnalytica, Sapna Maduraimuthu
Improving Osteoporosis Screening Rates in a Rural Primary Care Clinic, Lindsay Marlatt
Summer Bridge Programs and The Impact on African American Students, Astin Martin
Improving Health Prevention Screening in a Rural Health Clinic, Shawn M. McNally
Understanding Dyslexia: A Need for Quality Teacher Training, Mackenzie Meckl
Brining Point-of-Care Ultrasound to a Rural Primary Care Clinic, Caleb E. Migda
Evidence-based writing pedagogy, Patrick Misner
Improving Adherence to Prediabetes Clinical Practice Recommendations in a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area, Autumn Monette
Explicit Social and Emotional Learning in Elementary Education in the Post-COVID-19 Era, Mitch Mox
Implementing Successful Foundational Reading Intervention: Resources for Upper Elementary Teachers, Colleen Myers
Queer and Trans* Students’ Experience with Gender-Inclusive Housing at Four-Year Public Institutions, Chad D. Novak
The Positive Behavioral Effects of Reading Intervention and Social Emotional Learning, Kristen M. Peffer
Understanding Approaches to Parental Education on Sex Education, Tonya Sue Pell
Math Proficiency and The Achievement Gap, Jamila A. Peterson
Defining and Increasing Student Engagement Using Flexible Seating in Elementary Classrooms, Jacklyn Phillips
Exploring the Impact of School Connectedness on Students’ Mental Health and Academic Achievement, Matthew Scott Posthuma
Infrastructure-as-Code: Automating the Deployment on AWS using Terraform, Srikar Pratap
Professional Learning for Educators to Gain Knowledge on Incorporating Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices to Support All Students, Morgan Pueschel
Resources for Inclusivity in High School U.S. History Classrooms, Lauren A. Read
Math Engagement in Middle School Students, Elizabeth M. Rieman
The Social-Psychological Development of Dual-Enrollment Students, Paulie Robinson-Stevens
Reducing Delirium and Functional Decline in Hospitalized Older Adults: Implementation of CoCare HELP, Kara Marie Roman and Aaron Mestemaker
Reducing Delirium and Functional Decline in Hospitalized Older Adults: Implementation of CoCare HELP, An Evidence-Based Intervention, Kara M. Roman and Aaron Mestemaker
Using Photography in Transition Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder., Doralynn Runyon
Type 2 Diabetes Nutrition: A Video-Based Education Approach, Erin Russell
Integrating Movement Back into Schools by Creating a Culture of Movement, Stephanie Sandera
An Examination of Mental Health in Educators, Hannah F. Sanderson
Grammar Instruction Embedded Within Writing Instruction in the Secondary ELA Classroom, Erika Scheu-Millek
Cancer: The Burden of Treatments Eased by Recent Developments in the Field: a Review of the Literature, Zachary J. Seim
An Examination of the Unmet Needs of Students with Trauma in the K-3 Classroom, Shari Seniura