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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
