This collection features graduate work created by Grand Valley State University students within the Social Innovation program in the School of Community Leadership and Development. For more information on the program please visit the Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation (PMASI) website.
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
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
Building Anti-Racist Teacher Education, Kel Nemetz
Building Wealth One Sentence at a Time: A Capitalist’s Guide to Criminal Justice, Alexandra J. Lindell
Disability Culture in Higher Education (or the Lack Thereof), Dalia Torres Leon
Their Voices, Their Work: The Challenges and Experiences of Resettled Female Refugees in West Michigan, Cristhel Vanessa Morlidge
The Possibilities of Food Justice within a Neoliberal Food System, Jessi McKellar Raymer
Theses/Dissertations from 2024
Breaking The Cycle: The intersection of Poverty and Entrepreneurship, Wes Keely
Corporate Philanthropy: Catalyst for Sustainable Alignment or Mere Gesture? Unveiling the Impact on People, Planet, and Profits, Cameron L. Cleveland
Exploring the Linkages Between Social Impact Grantmaking & Social Innovation: Insights for Grantmaking Practices, Jodi Lockhart
Leveling the Playing Field: Reimagining Governance and Power Structures in Sport, Stacy Piasecki
Theses/Dissertations from 2023
A Socially Innovative Curriculum for an Afterschool Program, Shelinda T. Knight Davenport
BEYOND THE BELL: REBUILDING CARE, CIVIC LEARNING AND CREATIVITY WITHIN YOUTH SPACES, Michelle R. Haapala
Investigating the Curricular Practices of Social Innovation Master’s Programs in the United States, Ty M. Krueger
Is My Colonialism Showing? A Reflexive Case Study., Nicole A. Karsies
Just Food? Navigating Collective Visions for Food Justice in Grand Rapids, MI, Jack Boitel
Mentoring for the Retention and Promotion of Diverse Talent, Holly M. Hetherington
Next Generation Engagement: How to Foster Jewish Identity and Jewish Community Building in Teens and Young Adults, Shelby Denhof
Overrepresentation of African American Children in Child Welfare, Mareeta M. Bracken
The Aesthetics of Social Innovation: The body as the site of change, Amy Phillips
The Historical Underrepresentation of Two-Spirit People and the lack of services within LGBTQ+ Centers across North America: A guide to address offering support, Catherine Diane Mandoka
Understanding Approaches to Parental Education on Sex Education, Tonya Sue Pell
Theses/Dissertations from 2022
A Case Study of Organizational Mobilization Best Practices for Natural Disasters, Jaclyn Ermoyan
Amendment 4: A Movement to Reduce Ex-Felon Disenfranchisement in Florida, Hunter L. Harding
BTS & ARMY: A South Korean Music Group and their Fandom Create a New Grassroots Movement for Social Change, Ye Ram Chung
Defining Regenerative Business Through the Context of Place: A Case Study West Michigan Businesses, Aislinn Teachout and Aislinn Teachout
Effectiveness of Regional Alternative Food Systems on Food Inequality, Kirsten M. Rydzewski
Elements of Early Warning Systems: Identifying Students Who Need Support Early Enough to Change Their Trajectory Towards Graduation, Samantha Mayse
Equity + Catalyst Framework Guide, Naomi M. Silas
Farmers Markets and Social Cohesion in a Post-COVID-19 World, Daniel Falknor
Financial Literacy: A Case Study on Current Practices, Briana Lee Hammontree
Hip-Hop and Black Queer Defiance, Elyssa Durham
How can Design Thinking Be a Tool for Inspiring Creativity Among Adult Learners, Nicole J. Brower
Impacting Michigan Latino Students’ Perceptions of Higher Education: How to Better Communicate and Promote 4-Year College Degree Opportunities, Michael A. Guerra
Nutrition Education as a Tool of Empowerment, Claire DeVries
Post-COVID-19 Teaching with Technology Support in Higher Education, Landon Nalepinski
The Concrete Ceiling of Nonprofit Leadership, Leodis William Aaron Turner
Thru-hiker Mentality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Mental Health, Brooke Fox
Theses/Dissertations from 2021
Community Organizing: Leadership in Rural and Under Supported Latino Community, Juan Paulo Arangure
Evaluating Alumni Perceptions of Reciprocity with Their Alma Mater, Courtney Geurink
