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 2022
Malware Detection and Analysis, Namratha Suraneni
Exploring Using Game-Based Learning and Gamification in a Secondary Classroom to Increase Engagement, Mandee Lynn Thiell
Every Good Thing: Promoting Culturally Relevant Education and Early Literacy Skills of Young African American Boys Living in Poverty, Laura Thormann
Exploring Coral Reefs with Interactive Geospatial Visualizations, David Nicolas Tonning
Addressing Food Insecurity and Obesity Within a Rural Primary Care Setting, Alec Joseph Tuchowski
Addressing the problem of student engagement in the classroom, Levi R. Urias
Incorporating Student Physical Movement in the Elementary School Setting, Andrew VanderWal
DevOps: Course Development, James Lee VanderZouwen
Food Insecurity of Community College Students: Addressing Barriers to Improve Persistence and Retention, Erin M. Van Egmond
An Examination of Reading Interventions at the Upper Elementary Level, Bethany VanGessel
Retention of Novice Teachers, Renna Varano
Supporting Transgender and Nonbinary Middle School Students Through Inclusive Policies and Practices, Victoria Velding
Making Earth Science More Relevant to the Lives of High School Students, Nick Vlietstra
Struggling: The Struggles of Queer and Trans* Students in Higher Edcuation, Giavonna Ward
An Instructional Framework to Building Comprehension and Engagement Through Dialogic and Metacognitive Inquiry, Alicia Eileen Wells
Impactful Digital Technology: Connecting with Nature in Early Childhood, Kathleen A. White
Increasing Diverse Literature in Early Elementary Classrooms Through Professional Learning Communities, Abigail Marie Williamson
Keeping the Spark! Conditions for Educator Well-Being, Arden Wilson
Using Radformation EZFluence Software to Simplify Three Field Breast Radiation Therapy Planning Compared to Field-In-Field Technique, Brianna L. Woodburn
Addressing First-Generation College Students’ Gap in Financial Literacy Through the First-Year Seminar, Mary G. Wright
Examining Teaching Practices that Increase Student Mathematical Achievement, Jonah P. Zimmerman
Culmination Project, Ashley A. Zuidema
Increasing the Prevalence of Risky Play In Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms in the United States, Kelsey Stark Zuiderveen
Theses/Dissertations from 2021
A volumetric modulated arc therapy retrospective planning study of left sided chest wall treatments with and without bolus, Telly J. Armstrong
Utilizing Educational Materials to Change Vaccine Compliance in Children Under 24 Months of Age, Kelsey M. Arnold
The Effectiveness of the Schroth Method in Treating Idiopathic Scoliosis in Pre-Adolescent, Adolescent and Adult Patients: A Retrospective Chart Review, Dave Bancuk, Jacob Nutter, and Jessica Ramos
Program Evaluation of Parent Engagement Activities in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Cheryl A. Bos
Creating Best Practices to Enhance Comprehension with Intensive Reading Intervention and Extended Vocabulary, Jillian Bremer
Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Students who are At-Risk for Suspension or Expulsion: A Small-Group Intervention for Middle School Students, Shayna M. Brooks
Comparison of Hybrid, IMRT and VMAT techniques for Treating Right Lung Cancer- A Scientific Review, Ana V. Cash
Effects of Nature Play in Early Childhood Education, Alicia Joy Chaney
Commissioning of Electron Monte Carlo Dose Calculation Algorithm for Rectangular Shaped Cutouts, Saerom Chang
Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Community-Based Palliative Care, Mary D. Chenge
Building Community for Black Women Student Affairs Graduate Students by Creating a Mentor Sister Circle Program, Taijah Monay Claybrook
Culturally Responsive Classroom Libraries in Middle School and High School English Language Arts Classrooms, Brandy Coleman
Utilization of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring in Adult Patients with Hypertension, Justin R. Crow
An Examination of the Role of Total Instructional Alignment and the Impact on Teacher Confidence and Student Success, Catherine Cushway
Do I Belong? Underrepresented Students Sense of Belonging, Delaney Deisig
Fostering Preschool Emergent Literacy Development Through Parent Involvement in the Preschool Classroom, Jamie S. DeVries
Creating a Safe and Supportive School Climate for Transgender Students, Taylor DeWilde
Evidence-based Recommendations for Assistive Technologies for Safety in Dementia Care, Lee A. Diener
Improving Adolescent Risk Assessment and Provider Follow-Up in Primary Care, Darby R. Disselkoen
Improving Orientation for Transfer Students at GVSU, Jamie Dorman
Improving Teacher Wellbeing Through Administrator Support, Stacy Eding
Second Language Learning in Elementary Years: Cognitive and Social-Emotional Benefits, Brooke Elenbaas
The Negative Impacts of Social Media Use on Adolescent Social-Emotional Development, Jill E. Funk
Understanding Dyslexia as a Neurological Learning Disability: A Plan for an Instructive Website for Parents and Early Elementary Teachers, Rasma M. Gertners
Evaluating Alumni Perceptions of Reciprocity with Their Alma Mater, Courtney Geurink
Writing as a Vessel for Thinking: Incorporating Self-Regulation, Metacognition, and Formative Assessment in the Middle School ELA Classroom, Alyssha Ginzel
A Dosimetric Comparison Using Physical and Biological Objectives on Targets and Organs at Risk, Whitnee Hallford
Improving the Screening and Care of Hospitalized Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Through Standardized Workflow Processes, Elizabeth Henschel
Creating equal opportunities through developmental screening at a rural health clinic, Allison Honderd
Trauma-Informed Care: An Elementary Perspective, Alexandria Hutchison
Addressing Student Discipline Discrepancies Through Restorative Justice and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Josh Jackson
Implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Model: Impacting Perceptions of School Climate, Olivia L. Johnson
Spirituality in Secular Schools: A Grounded School Counseling Intervention, Alexis P. Joseph
Literacy Achievement Gap of Elementary English Learners, Bethany Kamps
Intervention Strategies for Guiding Intercollegiate Student Athletes to a Greater Sense of Career Maturity, Laura Kastler
Increasing Parental Engagement in Social-Emotional Learning at Home through Incentive Based Program: A Guideline for Implementation, Shawn P. Kiley
Differentiating Instruction Through One-On-One Literacy Conferences, Rebecca Sue Klenk
Combating Underachievement in Gifted Elementary Students through Differentiation, Samantha Kluz
A Look into Transition Programs for First Year Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: How to Create a Transition Program to Support Student Success, Gillian R. Lazzarini
Detecting Apple Crop Pest Insects From Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat) Feces Using Metabarcoding In Southern Michigan Apple Orchards, Randi Lesagonicz
The Importance of Data-Informed Decision-Making When Analyzing and Selecting Resources for Social-Emotional Learning: A Process for Resource Review and Selection, Taylor S. Lindman
Reading Enjoyment and Motivation in Grades 3-5: Encouraging an Increase in Reading for Pleasure, Gayle Lotterman
The Influence of Faith-Based Interest Groups on the Development of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, Samantha K. Lynn
Cultivating Resilience in LGBTQ+ College Students Through Mindfulness-Based Practices, Luke A. Madden
Trauma-Informed Care and Student Outcomes: A K-12 Perspective, BrookeAnn Maroney
One Size Does Not Fit All: Addressing Adolescents’ Needs for Historically and Culturally Responsive English Language Arts Curriculum, Angela McKellar
Virtual Reality in Healthcare: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Wyatt Mead, Alexandra Harnica, Marion Marxer, and Trent Paveglio
Teachers Leading Teachers: An Approach to Content-Area Literacy Instruction to Address Inequitable Education, Leah Metivier-Kearney
The Effects of Student Connectedness on Student Behavior, Lisa Migazzi
Improving Literacy Homework in the Primary Grades Through Interactive Family Reading, Lisa Mulder
Assessing and Preventing the Risk of Burnout In the Resident Assistant Position, Caroline Ellen Murray
A Budget Impact Analysis of a Tobacco Control Program in a Community Mental Health Clinic, Thuy-Nhi Nguyen
Improving Care Coordination for The Homeless Population Using Systematic Quality Improvement, Rutendo Nyasvisvo
Engaging Elementary Students of Color in Culturally Relevant Teaching, Hilary S. O'Neill
Enhancing Medication Adherence Behaviors Among Ambulatory Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Desiree Palmer
Evaluating the Caprini Risk Assessment in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, Alissa Payne, Kelsey Boersma, and Sarah Nechuta
Incorporating Systematic Phonics Instruction Into Daily Reading Curriculum, Rachel Pennock
Sickle Cell Disease: Development of an Acute Pain Management Program in a Hematology/Oncology Practice, Elizabeth Pohl
Providing High-Quality, Diverse Literature for Kindergarten Classrooms, Tamara Powell
Play-Based Learning Beyond Preschool: Implementing Guided-Play into a First Grade Classroom, Jennifer Powers
Evaluating the Impact of Nurse Server Standardization on Patient Safety, Megan L. Priebe
A Dosimetric Study on Photon Beam Energies With and Without a Flattening Filter in SBRT Treatments for Prostate Cancer, Alexis F. Puruleski
Bladder and Rectal Dosimetric Doses Upon Magnetic Resonance Imaging Integrated Into Tandem and Ovoid Brachytherapy Treatment Planning, Courtney Raney
A Dosimetric Evaluation of Increasing Scalp Sparing Between Varied Energy Photon Beams and MLC Blocking Techniques Among Whole-Brain Irradiation Patients, Addah Riebschleger
Dosimetric Evaluation of Fixed Jaw and Jaw Tracking VMAT Treatment Plans for Prostate Cancer with Involved Pelvic Nodes, William Rios
Rising Student Burnout: A Distributive Leadership Approach to Creating Student Well-Being, Taylor J. Ross
Dosimetry implications of anatomic versus consensus Nature Reviews Genetics (NRG) Oncology rectum contours among prostate cancer patients, Enoch Sarkodee
