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
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
Strategic Morphology Interventions for Vocabulary Knowledge in Reading Comprehension, Danielle Marie Sharpe
The Effects of Enhancing Social-Emotional Regulation in the Classroom, Melissa P. Sims
The Efficacy of Implementing Financial Literacy Curriculum for College Students, Nyia M. Slade
An Examination of the Effects of Testing on Student Learning in Elementary School, Dana Spielberger
Standardized Testing and Stress in Teachers and Students, Gretchen L. Spoelman-DeLong
Supporting Optimal Recess in Early Childhood Settings, Kristen Spoelman
Career Counseling: How to Help School Counselors Analyze and Strengthen Their Program, Kevin Scott Squire
A Study of Behavior Issues in the Early Childhood Classroom after the Pandemic, Mari Elena Sremba
Identifying Gaps in Spinal Cord Injury Treatment During Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Patient's Perspective, Crystal Stotz, Alexis Gerard, Madalynn Liss, Cortney Blair, and Abby Carey
Improving Student-Athlete Mental Health Through Wellness Check-Ins, Emma Erin Strasberger
Improving Utilization of Clinical Pharmacy Services in a Health Professional Shortage Area, Samantha E. Tallman
Early Education Mentor Match, Erik W. Taylor
Management of Virtual Students' Anxiety With Virtual Counseling, Amy E. Teske
The power or words: Increasing student vocabulary acquisition, Kelly M. Tiers
Teacher Attrition: Exploring the literature on teacher attrition, Stephanie Timmer
Bibliotherapy in the Elementary Classroom, Chloe Tingley
Supporting Students in Inclusive Settings, Jordan B. Tucker
Combatting Teacher Attrition Through the Use of Mentorship Programs, Logan Vallie
Addressing the Lack of Social-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood, Jeni Marie Visser
The Language of Racism and Education, Megan A. Visser
Development of an Advanced Practice Provider Diagnostic Clinic within an Oncology Practice, Abigail Jean Voss
Relationships Equal Student Success, Matthew Wallach
What Effect Does Flexible Work Arrangements Have On Efficiency and Job Satisfaction in Medical Dosimetry?, Michelle Walters
Improving Breastfeeding Rates in a Rural and Medically Underserved Community, Kaylie D. Waters
Corpus Expositum: Fat Studies as Critical Education Material for Student Affairs Professionals, Jenna J. Weatherwax
Faculty and Student Perception of Open Educational Resources in Higher Education, Bethany J. Welling
Adolescent Depression Management: An Inner City Federally Qualified Health Center Program Evaluation, Aurora Wernette
The Integration of Social and Emotional Learning Practices of Grand Rapids Public Schools, Jacqueline G. Westover
Ways to Increase Retention Rates Among American Indian/Alaskan Native Students at Community Colleges, Sarah R. Wheeler
Long term monitoring of Grand Ravines Park restoration: An authentic research opportunity for Jenison High School students and beyond, Karina C. White
Facilitating Sense of Belonging for Collectivist International Students: Intervention Strategy Utilizing Peer Support, Taylor Marie Wieringa
Social & Personal Identity Empowerment Workshop: Increasing Sense of Belonging for Gender and Sexually Diverse Students, Olivia N. Witsaman
Implementing Differentiated Instruction in Early Elementary Classrooms Through Professional Development and Professional Learning Communities, Stephanie Zeichman
Fostering Persistence of College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Transitional Orientation Programming at GVSU, Emily Zeliasko
Transforming Mathematics Education with Creativity, Natalie M. Zielinski
Theses/Dissertations from 2022
Effective Strategies for Student Employee Retention and Development in Higher Education, Jennifer Abbott
Improving Cancer Screening Adherence in a Rural Health Clinic, Keith Abraham
Institutions Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care Practices for Sexual Assault Survivors, Calli Ackels
An Evaluation of Methods to Reduce Inframammary Surface Dose in Prone Breast Irradiation, Seth Alvarado
Promoting Trauma Informed Professional Learning and Practices for Staff and Student Success, Rachel E. Anderson
Commuter Days: Improving the Quality of Commuter Student Involvement, Thomas Anglim
The Effects of a Dynamic Warm-up on Low-Dye Taping in Pronated Participants, Trevor Daniel Aukerman
An Examination of Reducing Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Rates of Secondary Students, Rebekkah L. Bartle
Culturally Responsive Teaching As A Way To Narrow The Opportunity Gap for African American Students, Emily Bazini
The Influence of DASH Diet Education on Knowledge and Adherence in Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Paige Bekker
A Framework for Interdisciplinary Read Aloud Lessons, Lyndsey M. Bensel
The Development of the Soft Skills within Social Studies Curriculum, Bradley G. Boven
A Dosimetric Comparison Using Avoidance Sectors vs Avoidance Structures for Hip Prostheses in Cancer Patients Receiving Pelvic Irradiation, Grace E. Bowhall
Embracing Familismo within the Latinx Population at Community Colleges, Elle E. Bowman
Promoting Transfer Student Success through Comprehensive Orientation Programming at GVSU, Berkley E. Bretschneider
Professional Development through Literacy Coaching: Tools to Assist Literacy Coaches in Self-Reflection to Build Capacity, Rose M. Brooks
How can Design Thinking Be a Tool for Inspiring Creativity Among Adult Learners, Nicole J. Brower
Improving Annual Wellness Visit Completion Rates with a Team Approach, Marstie Bunting
Development of a Care Management Program within an Urban Health Center, April M. Butler
The Evaluation and Implementation of Financial Literacy Programs for College Students, Morgan Elizabeth Chirillo
Utilizing Tier 2 PBIS Interventions to Reduce Bullying Behaviors, Becky L. Dale
The Benefits of Small Group Counseling Sessions in Rural High Schools, Breanne Dru Dalm
Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Art Room, Katherine Starr Dana
Student-Athletes and Mental Health Services: Increasing Utilization, Allyson DeGraaf
Supporting Adult Transfer Students, Ellis Louise Derezinski-Johnson
Nutrition Education as a Tool of Empowerment, Claire DeVries
Phonological Awareness Activities for Students with Reading Challenges, Kelsey DeWitt
Creating Effective Parent-Teacher Partnerships to Positively Impact Student Reading, Ashley A. Durack
Hip-Hop and Black Queer Defiance, Elyssa Durham
Developing Teacher Knowledge of the Science of Reading: Phonemic Awareness & Phonics, Megan Erin Dziedzic
Orthographic Mapping: a Tool for Success in Reading, Vocabulary Word Knowledge, Meaning, and Self Teaching in the Primary Grades, Lauren Eisnor
Farmers Markets and Social Cohesion in a Post-COVID-19 World, Daniel Falknor
Boosting Attendance through Relationships, Mia Ferguson
Supporting Transitions: Success Interventions for Transfer Students, Jessica C. Fillmore
Perceptions of Accessibility from Museum Visitors who are Visually Impaired: A Case Study, Jennifer Fortuna PhD, OTRL; Claire Harrison; Abigail Eekhoff; Candice Marthaler; Megan Seromik; Stephanie Ogren PhD; and Julia VanderMolen PhD, CHES
Dosimetric Comparison of Static IMRT and VMAT aPBI Treatment Planning in the Prone Position for Breast Conservation Therapy, Kelly A. Foucher
Thru-hiker Mentality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Mental Health, Brooke Fox
Supporting English Learners in the General Classroom, Stephanie L. Gamble
Muse: A Genetic Algorithm for Musical Chord Progression Generation, Griffin Going
College Job Portal, Harikrishna Gonuguntla
3D Right Breast Treatments: A Comparison of Volumetric and Reference Point Normalization Techniques., Stephanie Lyn Graham
Text Based Discussions: An Approach to Teach Reading Comprehension, Georgeanne R. Green
Public School Absenteeism and the Impact of COVID-19, Melanie M. Griffore
Strengthening Executive Function and Self-Regulation in Early Childhood Classroom, Molly Grosvenor
Impacting Michigan Latino Students’ Perceptions of Higher Education: How to Better Communicate and Promote 4-Year College Degree Opportunities, Michael A. Guerra
Virtual Reality to Improve Pain Control in Lumbar Fusion Surgical Patients, Jessica L. Ham
Obtaining and Retaining Men in Higher Education, Shelby Hanselman
Curriculum is a Map, Not a GPS: Culturally Responsive Reading Instruction in Urban Schools, Danielle Hay
Teacher Retention: The Causes and an Administrator’s Role in Reducing Attrition, Kate Hedrick
Managing Mental Health Risks on Short-Term Study Abroad Programs: A Faculty Development Approach, Katherine A. Hoffswell
New Literacies in the Classroom: An Exploration of the Differences in Reading Comprehension Between New and Traditional Literacies, Brenna A. Holsclaw
Diversity in Educational Resources, Samantha Mae Howe
