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
Promise In Practice: Building Belonging and Persistence Through Academic Advising, Mary E. Lawrence
A Dosimetric Comparison of 6 MV and 10 MV Beam Energies for Adrenal SBRT, Mariel A. Lewis
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
The State of School-Based OT Practice Regarding Concussion-Related Vision Disorders, Kimberly Meany, Emily Behnke, Ariks Lanctot, Audrey Maynard, and Samuel Szarowicz
Creating The Polaris Initiative for First-Generation Undeclared Students, Jack Michaels
An Examination of Inclusive Education Programs for Children with Disabilities, Haley Misiewicz
Their Voices, Their Work: The Challenges and Experiences of Resettled Female Refugees in West Michigan, Cristhel Vanessa Morlidge
The Impact of Cell Phones and Social Media on Social and Emotional Development of High School Students, Laura Nash
Building Anti-Racist Teacher Education, Kel Nemetz
Student Teacher Relationships, Ammer Nichols
Comparing and Evaluating Contralateral Breast Dose Relative to Median PTV Tumor Bed Dose for Hypo-fractionated Breast Treatments Using Import High Dose Constraints., Shannon J. Nordby
Fostering Academic, Social-Emotional, and Civic Growth Through Discussion-Based Pedagogy in Secondary Classrooms, Ethan O'Brien
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
Supporting Young Learners with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms: A Toolkit for General Education Teachers, Emily M. Raleigh
Dosimetric comparisons for determining optimal arc geometry in multi target thoracic VMAT SBRT treatment plans for patients with locally advanced inoperable NSCLC, Alexandrea M. Reeves
First Scholars: Enhanced Institutional Support for First Generation College Students, Genevieve Reside
Teacher Burnout in the Arts: Exploring Retention and the Future of Music Education Programs, Lian J. Robinson
Helping Families Learn About Social Emotional Learning, Madalyn Ross
Increasing Parental Involvement of Low Socioeconomic Status Families, to Help Increase Student Reading Achievement, Jean M. Routley Robinson
Dosimetric Effects of Pinnacle³ Version 18.0 Advanced Auto-Planning Settings in Oropharyngeal VMAT Optimization, Emily Sanden
Comparative Dosimetric Evaluation of Single-Beam and Two-Beam GRID Therapy in Head and Neck Cancers, Stephanie Scott Stinson
"Comparative Evaluation of Breast Radiation Treatment Planning: Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Versus Modern Advanced 3D Planning Techniques (MA-3DRT) —Benefits, Limitations, and Clinical Implications", Christopher Kyle Sears
Supporting FTIAC Student Transitions Through Various Orientation Programs, Zoe C. Shimones
Trauma-Informed Teaching Guidebook A Resource for Supporting Students, Autumn Shipley-Mellon
Enhancing Kindergarten Readiness, Alexander J. Smith
The Need for Specialized Career Development Services for Collegiate Student-Athletes, Scott Victor-Allen Spaanstra
Empowering General Educators: Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities Through Inclusive Tier Two Practices, Megan Sparling
Rethinking Empowerment: Financial Self-Efficacy in First-Generation College Students, David Steadman
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
Breaking the Cycle of Burnout in Financial Aid, Ashlee Thayer
Disability Culture in Higher Education (or the Lack Thereof), Dalia Torres Leon
From Assessment to Action: The Role of Data in Shaping Tiered Literacy Instruction, Trisha J. Uebele
The Impact of Hands-On Learning of Physical Agent Modalities in an Occupational Therapy Graduate Curriculum: A Pilot Study, Rachael Vance, Kaitlyn Kolk, Lauren Lesky, Jill Arends, and Klaudia O'Malley
Students Lack Effective Collaboration Skills, Robin E. VanderWel
Optimizing Palliative Spine Radiation: A Dosimetric Comparison of Hybrid Arc Therapy and Conventional APPA Techniques, Alaina VanEaton
Disarming the Deficit: Creating a Positive Disabled Community on Campus, Grace E. VanHaitsma
Curriculum Accommodations, Modifications, and Differentiation Strategies: Equipping Teachers in Adapting Curriculum to Meet the Diverse Needs of All Learners, Rachael Van Huis
Standardizing Support: Creating a Digital Guidebook for College Access Professionals, Darci L. VanWormer
The Implementation of Culturally Responsive Curricula: A Moral Obligation, Kira I. Vasquez
What perceptions do ESL- endorsed teachers in a midwest-urban school district hold regarding the achievement gap between their ELLs and non-ELL students?, Hannah Jeanne Walling
Evaluation of MRCAT as a Surrogate for Traditional CT Simulation in Proton Prostate Radiotherapy Planning, Karen Weeks
Empowering Undecided Students: Fostering Self-Authorship Through Academic Advising Practices, Erin E. Westberg
Dosimetric evaluation of ClearSight bolus versus Superflab bolus for VMAT head and neck treatment, Courtney M. Williams
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
