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 2025
Supporting New Teachers Through Mentorship and Collaboration, Nathan Bleeker
Effective Elementary Vocabulary Instructional Strategies, STACI A. BROWN
A Transition Course Supporting Student Veterans' Success, Caitlin O. Burnett
Reimagining Faculty Retention And Governance In Regional Public Universities, Cabdulcasiis Maxamed Ciise
Enhancing the development of critical thinking skills through the implementation of trauma-informed Project-Based Learning, Megan E. Coleman
We Lift as We Climb: An Intervention Method Proving the Efficacy of Mentorship in Higher Education, Dogan Copeland
Not Just the International Office: A Campus-Wide Approach to International Student Success, Lyndsay N. Curatolo
Designing a First-Year Seminar for First-Generation Students at GVSU, Ethan M. Demarest
Tracking and Increasing Digital Literacy Skills in Secondary Education, Joseph Elsen
Promoting College and Career Ready Readers and Writers: A Guide for English, Science, and Social Studies Teachers to Support Instruction of SAT Reading and Writing Skills, David Fitzpatrick
Campus Vibrancy Through the Lens of Student Organizations Collaboration, Elijah A. Fosu
Sustainability Recognition Program: A Gamified Approach to Student Engagement on Campus, Sydney K. Gandolfi
From Student-Athlete to Working Professional: Career Readiness for College Athletes, Elizabeth M. Gibbs
Professional Development to Foster Rigorous, Student-Centered Discussions in Literacy, Elizabeth Hain
Blood Flow Restriction and the Achilles Tendon, Lacey Jajko and Anja Whitehouse
Supporting First-Generation College Students Experiencing Imposter Syndrome, Jaydenn R. Knepp
Closing the Gap in American History Knowledge in K-12 Students, Benjamin D. Langholz
Building Wealth One Sentence at a Time: A Capitalist’s Guide to Criminal Justice, Alexandra J. Lindell
The Impact of Target gEUD Constraints on Target Coverage in Pancreatic Cancer Patients, Barbara Lotsoff
A Love Song for Teachers: A Guide to Enhance Teacher Wellbeing and Self-Efficacy through Strategies for Stress Reduction within School Systems, David Eugene Lyons
Challenges and Strategies for Caribbean Students Pursuing Education in the United States, Keyeria McCormick
The Possibilities of Food Justice within a Neoliberal Food System, Jessi McKellar Raymer
Their Voices, Their Work: The Challenges and Experiences of Resettled Female Refugees in West Michigan, Cristhel Vanessa Morlidge
Building Anti-Racist Teacher Education, Kel Nemetz
Exploring the Filipino/Filipino American College Student Identities, Ashley R. Pangan
Disparities in Resource Allocation for Minority Students, Van Parker
The Importance of Developing Social-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood, Jaren Whitney Phillips
Supporting Teachers in Social Emotional Learning, Olivia Radley
Increasing Parental Involvement of Low Socioeconomic Status Families, to Help Increase Student Reading Achievement, Jean M. Routley Robinson
Supporting FTIAC Student Transitions Through Various Orientation Programs, Zoe C. Shimones
Enhancing Kindergarten Readiness, Alexander J. Smith
Promoting Student Success Through Outdoor Orientation Programs, Jessica Stehouwer
Supporting Students Who Support Students: Creating Systems of Care for Resident Assistants (RAs), Landyn M. Teachout
Disability Culture in Higher Education (or the Lack Thereof), Dalia Torres Leon
Disarming the Deficit: Creating a Positive Disabled Community on Campus, Grace E. VanHaitsma
Standardizing Support: Creating a Digital Guidebook for College Access Professionals, Darci L. VanWormer
Empowering Undecided Students: Fostering Self-Authorship Through Academic Advising Practices, Erin E. Westberg
Developing a Trauma-Informed Pedagogy Workshop Series for Faculty: Empowering Student Learning and Healing at Grand Valley State University, Hayley F. Wilson
Accessibility Care Beyond the University Disability Office, Mae L. Zurita
Theses/Dissertations from 2024
GPU Exploration using PyCuda, Prudhvi Sai Akulapally
Research-Based Early Literacy Practices for Lower Elementary Educators, Erica Joy Austin
Mri Alzheimer’s Disease Prediction, Vikram Ayyawari
Effective Reading Intervention in the Intermediate Grades, Cassandra Baas
Supporting Admitted Students, Preventing Academic Jeopardy, Bridget M. Baehl
Supporting High School Students in their Transition to College through a Comprehensive College Prep Bootcamp, Brooke E. Baneck
Toward More Impactful Higher Education Advisory Boards: Foundational Elements for Success, Kyle Barnhart
Adaptability of a Vertical Transfer Student, Dylan Barron
Creating a COLAB notebook based on the tutorial of the SIMPY Python library, Mary Deepika Basani
Strategies and Resources for Integrating Technology into the Secondary Education World Language Classroom, Angelina M. Bauer
Indigenous Curricula and Teachers’ Preparedness, Caitlin M. Benson
Coaching and Developing Non-Certified Instructional Staff in Key Literacy Practices, Holly Nicole Bigos
An Examination of Positive Impacts on Students' Math Success, Lauren E. Bisher
Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Graduate Education, Obed A. Boateng
PAGE RANK ALGORITHM IN JAVA, Nikkil Bollman
Developing Conflict Resolution Skills in Residential Students at Higher Education Institutions, Lindsey A. Bos
Using a Flipped Course Design to increase positive outcomes in first year Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, Jennifer Bourbina
Creating Inclusive Environments for Students with Disabilities within Civic Engagement Programming, Phillip D. Brzezinski
Maximizing Data Optimization: Analysis, Retention, and Website Accessibility, Selena Cade
Developing Reader Identities through School-based Affinity Spaces, Taylor R. Casarez
Equipping Adult Educators for Successful Adult Training, Tonia S. Castillo
Supporting Social-Emotional Learning In Early Childhood Education, Victoria L. Cavitt
Dosimetric Comparison of 3D Conformal and VMAT with DIBH for Right Breast Cancer, Lundie Cervantes
Corporate Philanthropy: Catalyst for Sustainable Alignment or Mere Gesture? Unveiling the Impact on People, Planet, and Profits, Cameron L. Cleveland
The Impact of Soft Skills Training on Guest Satisfaction in the Hospitality Industry, Lawrie Colaco Mr
Bridging Cultural Identities: Empowering EL Students through Acculturation, Sarah D.T. Corder
Developing Early Literacy Screening Assessments and Corresponding Interventions, Sarah A. Coutts
Retrospective Dosimetric Comparison of Radiation Therapy Treatment Using Hybrid-VMAT Technique for Esophageal Cancer, Colleen Cozzie
Racial Disproportionality in Exclusionary Discipline Rates in the United States, Cara Crisostomo
Anchored in Excellence: The Journey of Resilience, Achievement and Brilliance for First-generation Black Male Scholars, Destyni A. Davis
Knowledge Building Through Interdisciplinary Units, Jessica A. DeBoer
The Effectiveness of Technology and Smart-Home Based Teaching Modules for Direct Care Workers, Emily DeMers, Andrea Mesbergen, Elise Kuiper, Jenna Prohaska, and Lauren Czajka
Comparative plan analysis: Helical Tomotherapy vs. Linac VMAT for lower extremity sarcomas, Marie E. DiBona
A Comprehensive Approach for Addressing E-Cigarette Use in High School Students, Michael Ebbert
Word Study Within the Guided Reading Framework, Jordyn Edwards
Phonics Intervention Supports in 3rd-6th Grade, Nicole Embury
3D Game: Enhancing Game AI with Machine Learning, Nicholas William English
Effective Vocabulary Instructions in Kindergarten Through Third Grade, Allison Ericksen
Dosimetry Comparison of VMAT and HyperArc Plans for A Single Glioblastoma, Tylor Filipiak
The Effect of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices on Preschool-Aged Children with Disabilities, Jocelyn N. Fox
Increasing the Level of English Language Learners Mathematical Word Problem Skills using Language Interventions, Hannah M. Frederick
Social Emotional Learning Unit Plan for Kindergarten Students, Aubrey Groenhof
A clinical comparison with the flattening free filter technique for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy using functional lung planning, Addison Gucwa
Impacts of Cellphone Usage on Adolescent Social and Emotional Development, Chelsea N. Hammer
Supporting 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency: Utilizing Paraprofessionals to Provide Literacy Intervention, Hayley Jacobs
Decreasing the Reading Gap in Upper Elementary, Carly L. Johnson
Culturally responsive social-emotional training and supplemental resources for early childhood teachers, Danielle Johnson
Getting Involved: Navigating Rural Student Supports in Higher Education, Lucy Karpukhno
Breaking The Cycle: The intersection of Poverty and Entrepreneurship, Wes Keely
SUCCESS IN SECONDARY MATHEMATICS COURSES, Victoria Klaas
Helping Early Readers with Dyslexia, Jessica Kathleen Klooster
A survey of several python libraries foe Computational geometry, Meghana Kolluru
Increasing Secondary Students’ Spanish Oral Language Proficiency, Courtney Kozak
The Link Between Classroom Diversity and Academic Advancements, Mary Kuik
Exploring Diverse Perspectives in Music Education Instruction and Currciculum, Cameron J. Lee
