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Foreign-born international educators
No full textThis study sought to provide the space to voice the experiences of 11 current international education professionals who come from different countries. They decided, after studying in the U.S. as international students, to dedicate their profession to the field of international higher education. Their stories have been underrepresented in the field of international education. FBIE’s identities are intersected by gender, race, and country of origin. Their counter-stories are the missing component for advancing international education. Critical Race Theory (CRT) was the theoretical framework for this investigation. The study answered the following research questions: (1) What are the narratives of foreign-born professionals in international higher education through a CRT lens? (2) What are the cultural, racial, and immigration challenges in transitioning from an international student role to a professional role within international higher education? (3) What are the contributions of foreign-born professionals among the university campus, community, and the international student body within the institution’s internationalization efforts? The data were collected through semi-structure interviews. From the analysis of data through storytelling and thematic analysis, six themes emerged: cultural background, discrimination, immigration journeys, building networks, and FBIE’s invaluable contributions. The findings revealed that FBIE’s narratives are driven by a passion for the field, a transformational international student experience, and resiliency. FBIE experienced cultural, racial and immigration challenges in their transitions. Their invaluable contributions include high intercultural communication, first-hand experience, empathy, multilingualism, and relationship building. FBIE’s impact encompasses community, internationalization, leadership and mentorship, international student success, linguistic and cultural enrichment, and policy change.D. Ed
Try reaping the corn from my body
No full textTry Reaping the Corn From my Body stems from my interest in myths and the visual language that accompany them. I grew up learning about Mayan history and mythology in my home country, Guatemala. I reference the Mayan creation myth and use corn as a metaphor to talk about the Latino and immigrant identity in the United States. I reference contemporary artists Firelei Báez and Didier Williams who also discuss issues of identity and cultural heritage in their works. This series approaches issues of assimilation and oppression through approachable visuals intended for a wide audience. It is a contentious topic in our contemporary world, and through personal observations and experiences I add my opinions on this subject. In Try Reaping the Corn From my Body, I see myself as witness of the struggle of immigrants in the United States and embody the larger Latino identity.B.F.A.School of Ar
Effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of citalopram on early life stage behaviors in the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas
No full textPharmaceutical pollutants are increasingly recognized as a concern in urban-impacted aquatic
ecosystems due to their potential to alter the behavior and development of exposed organisms.
However, the ecological consequences of early-life exposure to these contaminants remain
poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of developmental exposure to citalopram,
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), on the behavior and cognition of fathead
minnows (Pimephales promelas). Fertilized eggs were exposed to 0, 25, 125, or 625 hg/L of
citalopram throughout embryonic development, and embryonic activity levels were assessed at 4
days post-fertilization (dpf). After hatching, half of the larvae in each group continued exposure
while the other half were reared in clean water until 21 dpf, at which time they were evaluated
for changes in social behavior, fear responses, and learning ability. Results showed that
embryonic exposure to 625 hg/L citalopram significantly prolonged the duration of development
until hatching compared to control embryos, and that embryos exposed to 25 hg/L citalopram
exhibited reduced activity. Larvae who were exposed to citalopram after hatching exhibited nonsignificant
but consistent trends toward heightened risk-taking and decreased shoaling tendencies
compared to individuals that were only exposed during the egg stage. To assess cognitive effects,
minnows were trained in a plus maze to associate a food incentive with a neutral visual cue.
While all groups demonstrated learning ability, individuals exposed to the highest concentration
made significantly more errors during trials and exhibited increased overall swimming activity.
These findings highlight that early-life exposure to citalopram can induce subtle but significant
developmental, behavioral, and cognitive changes in fish. Such effects could have long-term
ecological consequences for aquatic species in contaminated waterways, potentially influencing
survival, foraging success, and social interactions.M. S
Reimagining education
No full textLearning environments significantly impact how students collaborate, think,
and create. Reimagining Education explores how human-centered design can
transform academic spaces to support student creativity, productivity, and wellbeing.
This project proposes an addition to the Ball State University Architecture
Building that is designed to create flexible and engaging spaces that meet
students’ diverse needs. This design prioritizes having a variety of work
environments, including open studios for collaboration, quiet zones for focused
study, rooms for relaxation, public presentation spaces, and informal gathering
spaces to encourage social interaction and spontaneous exchanges.
By designing spaces that encourage interaction and choice, stronger
connections within the academic community will be created. These spaces
enhance students’ ability to work creatively, think critically, and collaborate
effectively, ultimately supporting their academic success and well-being.
By challenging traditional academic design, this project focuses on creating
adaptable environments that support both structured coursework and creative
exploration. Reimagining Education demonstrates how thoughtful architecture
can enhance the academic experience, inspire new ideas, and provide spaces
that evolve with students’ needs. This project creates an environment where
students feel supported, inspired, connected, comfortable, and productive in
their learning community.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Patch & part: culture, cuisine, architecture
No full textIn our current global digital situation, the increasing prevalence of ideological
echo chambers and the deception of truth have contributed to the rise of social
and cultural divisions. America, being founded and built upon immigration,
and the celebration of differences, faces a challenge of merging these divides.
Cultural theories, such as the concepts of hybridity and multiplicity, suggest
that diverse identities and ideologies can coexist and enrich societal progress.
To understand how to attempt to merge this divide one must look for universal
commonalities of the shared human experience and human need. Such as food,
clean water, and shelter. Food is universal. Food serves as a medium for cultural
exchange with every culture incorporating culinary gatherings into its social
fabric. Food is the excuse.
Architecture has the power to act as a canvas for the fostering of cross-cultural
interactions. Through the implementation and creation of spaces with material
and spatial comfort, flexible and moveable environments, user defined spaces,
and multiplicity of design elements. This formula highlights the potential of
design to create environments and spaces that transcend ideological barriers
and promote unity through culture and culinary engagement.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Downtown revitalization for talent attraction and retention: a case study of Fort Wayne, Indiana
No full textFort Wayne’s downtown revitalization has significantly enhanced economic vibrancy, public perception, and regional appeal, particularly among young professionals and the Creative Class. This study examines how investments in Quality of Place have reshaped the urban core by encouraging new development. Findings indicate that these efforts have significantly increased economic activity, strengthened public confidence, and reversed out-migration trends, with more people choosing to stay in or relocate to the area. More than 90% of Allen County business leaders agree that downtown revitalization is the top factor in attracting and retaining talent. Fort Wayne’s experience highlights the power of catalytic projects in fostering sustained urban growth, offering a model for other cities aiming to strengthen their downtowns through strategic public and private investments.M. U. R. P.
Amble: a solution for deployable scissor structures within sensitive environments
No full textThe Serengeti ecosystem, particularly the Great Migration of wildebeest, is
increasingly disrupted by permanent structures that obstruct natural migration
routes and fragment landscapes. This project proposes a safari camp structure
that is mobile and embraces the harmony between nature and human presence
through adaptable, sustainable design. The design emphasizes flexibility through
scissor structures, and prioritizes sustainability and environmental responsibility
by using natural, locally sourced materials like bamboo and lightweight
smocking fabrics that minimize its environmental impact.
Deployable scissor-like arches are structural systems that use interlocking
components to create flexible, self-supporting frameworks. Unlike traditional
arches, which rely on rigid, fixed connections, scissor-like arches use hinged,
crossing elements that expand and contract while maintaining structural
integrity. This makes them particularly useful for deployable architecture, as
they allow for rapid assembly and disassembly with minimal material and
labor. For the safari camp to relocate multiple times a year, scissor-like arches
provide an efficient solution that enables quick installation and disassembly
without requiring permanent foundations due to their collapsible nature. This
camp sets a new standard for responsible design—one that protects wildlife,
respects natural migration patterns, and paves the way for a more harmonious
relationship between humans and the environment.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Working memory capacity and explicit knowledge in L2 reading: insights from Bengali learners of English
No full textPre-performance rituals in music ensembles: educators' beliefs and practices
No full textThe purpose of this research was to explore the nature and use of pre-performance rituals
among music ensembles and describe music teachers' beliefs about the benefits of these practices.
The study was grounded in a process-based framework for ritualistic behavior, a theory of selfdetermination,
and Social Learning Theory. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, the
researcher integrated quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive
understanding of how and why pre-performance rituals were used by music teachers in group,
educational settings. A convenience sample of 27 Indiana music educators were recruited for
participation via direct email and social media. All of the participants completed a web-based
questionnaire for the quantitative phase of the study. The qualitative phase featured semistructured
interviews with three volunteer participants selected for continued participation based
on the diverse ritual approaches and strong beliefs they recorded in the quantitative phase of the
study. The researcher also completed an observation of one rehearsal, which incorporated a preperformance
ritual, of one interview participant’s ensembles. Results indicated that 70% of
participants used pre-performance rituals with their ensembles, and 96% of the participants held
strong beliefs about their benefits. Thematic analysis identified four ritual types, i.e., group unity,
physical and vocal preparation, motivation, and mental focus, and two often-used strategies, i.e.,
symbolic and/or metaphorical and tradition-based strategies. Descriptive analysis of the qualitative
data sources uncovered several themes, including tradition versus adaptation, student leadership,
group cohesion, and emotional preparation. The findings underscored the prevalence and
multifaceted roles of pre-performance rituals in fostering technical, psychological, and social
outcomes in music education. The study offered insight regarding the potential of rituals to
mitigate performance anxiety, enhance focus, and strengthen ensemble identity and suggested
varied ways music teachers might integrate rituals into their instructional practice to create
supportive learning environments across several K-12 education contexts.D. A
The feelings of florals
No full textThe series The Feeling of Florals is about my family relations, this is portrayed through
floral symbolism. Floriography is the language of flowers, it has been used for decades and is
the language used in my work. Out of the six total paintings in the series, each contains a flower
that resembles a family member. Abstract elements and patterns present themselves to add
emotion and to gain movement. In each piece of work there are strong shapes and lines full of
vivid color. Certain circles are different sizes and some patterns have missing designs, they are
not perfect, nether is family. This work is inspired by historical artist Georgia O’Keeffe and
contemporary artist Anna Valdez. My own family has also inspired me to create this series, each
piece is about my personal relationships and the meaning is told with floral symbolism.B. A.School of Ar