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 2026
Academic Vocabulary Development for English Learners in Health Education, Carlos A. Amoros-Gutierrez
Fostering a Sense of Belonging Through Culturally Engaging Campus Environments, Rebeca Barajas-Juarez
Comparative analysis of rectal dose in two-arc versus three-arc VMAT prostate cancer using SpaceOAR, Amanda Bookout
Reimagining the Canon: A Paired-Text Framework for Student Engagement in Secondary ELA Classrooms, Jannelle Christine Kay Brawner
Inclusion in Education: Supporting All Students, Sarah E. Cannon
The Importance of Play-Based Learning, Nina Cavanaugh
Beyond the Game: A Four-Phase Financial Development Program for Student-Athletes, Joanna Cirrincione
Providing Individualized Support for Students with ADHD, Jeremy Scott Clymer
From Deficit to Empowerment: Culturally Responsive Leadership Development in Student Affairs Practice, Bethany Dallas
Exploring The Importance of Mental Health Education in 5th Grade & Its Impact on Emotional Well-being, Claudia K. de Jong
Improving Reading Motivation for Upper High School Students: Thematic Book Clubs for the ELA Classroom, Isabella Haskin
Supporting Teachers with Student’s Challenging Behavior: A Social Emotion Learning Approach, Sarah Holtzlander
The Persistence of Mindfulness Training: Grit as an Indicator of Student-Athletes’ Mental Health, Andrew J. Hylen
Career Conversations in Academic Advising: Tools for Integrating Career into Everyday Advising, Molly Landa
The Impact of Play-Based Learning in Early Education, Stefani Merchant
Addressing the Hidden Curriculum through Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners, Gabrielle Moeggenborg
Reducing Challenging Behavior Through Classroom Management Techniques in the Early Childhood Classroom, Mayra Moreno
Play-Based Curriculum, Marina E. Prawdzik
Supporting First-Generation Students by Bridging the Social Capital Gap, Bailey A. Pudlowski
Preparing for the Workforce: An Analysis of Employability in Business Education, Maddie Quintanilla
Increasing Reading Motivation and Engagement of Students in Upper Elementary and Middle School, Emmalene K. Scheffler
English by any Other Variety, Leya Shekanena
Improving Learning Habits in High School ELA, Alexander Sinn
Beyond Behavior: Understanding Trauma as a Pathway to Transform Classroom Discipline, Jennifer J. Snead
Improving Mathematical Problem-Solving Performance Through the Use of Reading Comprehension Strategies, Rebecca Yonan
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
Preparing Educators to Meet the Unique Needs of Multilingual Learners, Anna Adamo
Cone vs. VMAT SRS planning for dual targets: effects of target size, separation, and isocenter displacement, Hannah Angeli
Dosimetric comparison of BioProtect balloon and Barrigel hydrogel rectal spacers in proton therapy for prostate cancer, Joseph Arnold
Engagement, Motivation, and Interest in K-12 Science Education, Neil T M Bailie
Reducing The School-to-Prison pipeline through Restorative Practices and Culturally Responsive Teaching, William Clifford Banks III
The Impact of Social-Emotional Development in Early Childhood on Academic Success, Chelsea Bassett
A Comparative Study of VMAT Beam Arrangements in Large Field Nodal Prostate Treatment Plans, Laura R. Black
The Impact of High-Fidelity Urinary Catheterization Simulation on Occupational Therapy Students in a Graduate Curriculum: A Pilot Study, Haley Blaney, Reagan Schonhard, Maddie Spring, Rachael Eads, and Claire Donahue
Supporting New Teachers Through Mentorship and Collaboration, Nathan Bleeker
Watching the Grass Grow: Expanding Outreach and Accessibility of ITEX-AON, Justin Blough
Evaluating Parotid Gland Dose Between Electronic Tissue Compensation and Field in Field Treatment Techniques for Parotid Sparing in Whole-Brain Radiotherapy, Joesph E. Bodgonas
Addressing the Ethnic Achievement Gap through Culturally Relevant Teaching, Arienne Bowman
Reimagining Read-Alouds: Fostering Critical Consciousness and Social Justice Through Children's Literature, Kylie Brigham
Effective Elementary Vocabulary Instructional Strategies, STACI A. BROWN
A Transition Course Supporting Student Veterans' Success, Caitlin O. Burnett
Expressive Language and Behavior, Bethany J. Butler
Fostering Students' Metacognitive Awareness Through Student Led Learning Logs, Jessica M. Carter
Reimagining Faculty Retention And Governance In Regional Public Universities, Cabdulcasiis Maxamed Ciise
Impact of Modesty Coverings on Isocenter Dose and Surface Dose in Hypo-fractionated Breast Treatment (HFRT), Christopher Neal Cofer
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
Evaluating coplanar and noncoplanar treatment plans for the Varian Halcyon and Varian Truebeam for intact prostate patients., Ashley Coppage
Not Just the International Office: A Campus-Wide Approach to International Student Success, Lyndsay N. Curatolo
Welcoming Spaces: Parent Leadership and Early Literacy as Community-Based Co-Regulation Supports, Lauren S. Dake
Classroom Occupational Performance Issues for A High School Student Following a Concussion: A Case Study, Cortney Day, Hannah Hall, Holly Treber, Clare Belkowski, and Janel Ritt
A Lack of Social Emotional Learning Skills May Hinder Student Achievement, Lillian DeLyon
Designing a First-Year Seminar for First-Generation Students at GVSU, Ethan M. Demarest
Dosimetric Comparisons of 6MV, 6FFF, 10MV, and 10FFF on VMAT Planning in Patients with Endometrial Cancer, Madisin M. DePas
Bridging the Gap: Designing a Vertically Aligned 5–12 Instrumental Music Curriculum for Comprehensive Literacy and Musicianship, Philip D. DeYoung
Tracking and Increasing Digital Literacy Skills in Secondary Education, Joseph Elsen
Explicit Instruction’s Role in Phonemic Awareness and Phonics in Early Childhood Education, Sydney J. Fisher
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
Teaching Bilingual Learners with Dysgraphia, Angela Gonzalez-Urbina
Professional Development to Foster Rigorous, Student-Centered Discussions in Literacy, Elizabeth Hain
Client Perceptions of Successful Lymphedema Management, Haley C. Hamel, Hannah K. Erdman, Cailin E. Gunn, Morgan N. Phillips, and Austin T. Willey
The Decline of Recreational Reading and Its Impact on Academic Growth: A Call for Shared Responsibility, Molly Heinhuis
A Retrospective Quantitative Evaluation of Contralateral Esophagus Movement and Overlap with Target Treatment Volumes for Lung Cancer Patients, Trever Scott Henderson
Spatial Implications of Potential Treeline Campfire Restrictions in Selected USFS-Managed Colorado Wildernesses, Rebecca Hippensteel
Challenging Behavior in the Early Childhood Classroom, Ashley L. Hoag
The Need for Updated Curriculum, Krahseeva N. Hugmeyer-Walsh
Foundations of Quality: A Toolkit for Professional Growth in Infant/Toddler Classrooms, Amber A. Hulin
Blood Flow Restriction and the Achilles Tendon, Lacey Jajko and Anja Whitehouse
Dosimetric Comparison of Organ-at-Risk Constraints Across Multi-Resolution Levels in Eclipse Planning Optimization, Ji Hyun Jeon
Impact of prostate volume on dose fall-off and organ-at-risk exposure in VMAT for prostate cancer, Zhikang Jiang
Culturally Responsive Assessment and MTSS Toolkit for Multilingual Learners, Morgan Kaltz
Exploring the Impact of De-escalated Dosage on OARs for HPV+ HNSCC and Their Associated Toxicities, Rebekah Kaysen
Beyond Memorization: Developing Three-Dimensional Assessments For Earth Science Through the Carbon Cycle Unit, Stephanie Kay
Supporting First-Generation College Students Experiencing Imposter Syndrome, Jaydenn R. Knepp
A Comparative Analysis of Dosimetric Effects: Reusing vs. Generating New Dwell Times in Ring and Tandem HDR Treatment Simulations, Brandy N. Kossow
Learning Labs as a Professional Development Model to Strengthen Special Education Literacy Instruction, Claire Krajkowski
A Dosimetric Analysis of Volumetric Arc Therapy for Whole Brain Hippocampal Sparing Technique Comparing Hyper-Flexion Versus Neutral Neck Position, Allison Kraus and Alyssa Capizzi
Like a Scientist: A Method for Introducing Disciplinary Literacy in the Science Classroom, Elizabeth L. Kuperus
Diagnostic Imaging-based Radiation Therapy Planning (DBRP) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients, Joshua Langer
Closing the Gap in American History Knowledge in K-12 Students, Benjamin D. Langholz
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
