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Black women student affairs professionals’ perceptions of well-being supports at predominantly white institutions
No full textThis dissertation explores how Black women in student affairs navigate complex institutional environments where their contributions are essential yet often devalued and affect their personal well-being. Despite their leadership and advocacy within higher education, their experiences remain underexamined, particularly in predominantly white institutions (PWIs). This study shares experiences of Black women in student affairs and the related impact on their well-being and professional journeys. Guided by Black feminist thought and critical race theory, this qualitative study investigates how Black women understand, experience, and respond to their professional environments. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups with nine Black women working within student affairs, with the majority in campus recreation. Findings reveal recurring experiences of identity-based marginalization, institutional neglect, and the burden of invisible labor. Participants demonstrated practices of resistance and resilience rooted in self-definition, community care, and values-based leadership. These practices affirm both their agency and the urgency of transforming institutional cultures. The study contributes to scholarship on race, gender, and leadership in higher education, offering implications for organizational change and equity-centered practice. Future research should further explore campus recreation, explore diverse institutional types, and examine the longitudinal effects of Black women’s professional experiences on their well-being
GOING BACK TO SCHOOL: ADULT EDUCATION, EARNINGS TRAJECTORIES, AND RACIAL INEQUALITY AMONG WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES
No full textThis study examines how adult education shapes long-term earnings trajectories and racial inequality, with a focus on Black and White women born between 1980 and 1984. Using random-intercept Poisson models, I assess how the timing of degree completion is associated with earnings outcomes, and how these associations vary by race. Results show that returning to school after a period of work is generally associated with sustained earnings growth and can help reduce inequalities rooted in disparities in pre-labor market education. However, there is significant racial variation in the magnitude of the earnings benefits associated with adult
education. Black women tend to experience larger immediate earnings gains from mid-career BA attainment, but slower long-term growth relative to White women. In contrast, they see smaller short-term benefits but steeper post-degree earnings growth from MA completion. These findings suggest that adult education does not serve as a uniform equalizer and highlight the importance of examining how race, credential type, and the timing of degree attainment intersect to shape labor market returns. By emphasizing when and for whom adult education yields economic benefits, this study advances the literature of racial inequality that has predominantly focused on pre-labor market education and offers new insights into the racial dynamics of labor market outcomes among women
Reverse Engineering Sustainability in Fashion
No full textCreative ThesisThe fashion industry is at a pivotal juncture where sustainability and innovation are no longer
optional but essential imperatives as consumers increasingly demand accountability for the
environmental and ethical impact of the products sold to them. This project explores
sustainability-focused design techniques, materials, and technological advancements that address
environmental and ethical challenges in the industry. Asserting that adaptability mechanisms in
fashion promote longevity of wear, this study begins by exploring the history of one-size fashion,
then delves into examples of contemporary one-size fashion designers. This is followed by an
analysis of textiles, highlighting regenerated fibers, biodegradable fabrics, and innovations for
circular design that balance durability with environmental and social justice. The thesis then
investigates design strategies that incorporate modularity, durability, and adjustability to extend
the lifespan of garments and reduce waste. A key component of the research delves into the
potential of one-size-fits-most fashion as a sustainable alternative to traditional sizing systems.
By leveraging adjustability features, this approach minimizes production redundancies and
addresses diverse consumer needs. This study also highlights the role of digital tools like Clo3D
in prototyping, fine-tuning, and visualization, enabling designers to iterate rapidly in a virtual
setting. Integrating these components – from design techniques and materials to advanced digital
methodologies – the study proposes a comprehensive framework for ethical and
environmentally-conscious fashion design. This framework aims to inspire a shift toward
scalable, sustainability-focused practices that prioritize environmental stewardship, social justice,
and inclusivity, ensuring the industry’s relevance in an increasingly resource-constrained future
Flower Color Choices by Bumble Bees : Evidence Against Innate Preferences for Blue or Yellow in Bombus Impatiens
No full textColor poster with text, images, photographs, and graphs.Global change is predicted to result in warmer and more variable temperatures, which may impact insect learning. Learning is critical to social insects, like bumble bees, where colony success relies on worker memory. We used a foraging arena to investigate whether bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) learning is influenced by temperature. We wanted the bees to learn that yellow flowers had a higher reward (50% sugar) than blue flowers (25% sugar). Bee colonies were connected to a training arena with half-blue, half-yellow flowers with ad-libitum nectar for one week, then individual workers were removed from the training arena to be tested in the foraging arena. Before foraging, bees were starved for six hours, then introduced to the foraging arena and allowed to forage for 10 minutes on two subsequent days. We recorded the color of the first flower visited, the duration foraging on both high- and low-reward flowers, and the number and type of each flower, per foraging visit. In total, we tested nine temperature combinations of 18, 25, and 32°C across days 1 and 2. As a control, we also evaluated whether bees had an innate preference for blue or yellow flowers when floral reward was equal (both 50% sugar).University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
Licenses and terms of use of research data in data repositories
No full textThe dataset contains license information collected from data repositories and was used in the study “Developing a Faceted Classification of Terms of Use for Research Data.” It consists of two Excel files. The first file, “Collections of data licenses.xlsx,” served as the basis for developing the Terms of Use Faceted Classification (TUFC). The second file, “Collections of data licenses for evaluation.xlsx,” was then used to evaluate the effectiveness of the TUFC
The policing exodus: “Why do law enforcement officers leave the field, and how can agencies retain officers?"
No full textA seminar paper presented to the graduate faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science – Criminal JusticeThe following study examines the factors which are currently influencing the officer retention crisis presently happening within the United States and around the globe. The following research makes use of four primary points cited within academic literature regarding the issue of officer retention. An online sample survey is conducted based on how an officer’s education, work experience, job satisfaction/ burnout, and perspective on incentives impact their desire to remain employed. This research was conducted by making use of a mixed methods approach with the hopes of providing qualitative and quantitative data. The discoveries uncovered in this study aim to be used as practical solutions to be implemented by policing administrators in order to combat the current officer retention crisis. By using pragmatic data, it is the intent of this research that departments will gain an in-depth understanding of what motivates an officer to quit and what can be done to prevent voluntary turnover
SANDS : Sahara’s Ancient Network of Drainages and Streams : The Case of the Nile River in Sudan
No full textColor poster with text and maps.This project aims to map buried river channels beneath the desert sands to identify potential agricultural sites, particularly focusing on areas within irrigatable distance of the Nile River in Sudan. With fertile land along the Nile becoming increasingly limited, there is a growing need to explore new areas that can support farming. Sudan, a country in northeastern Africa, was once lush with river systems and vegetation but is now mostly covered by the Sahara Desert. Beneath the sands lie palaeochannels (ancient riverbeds and drainage systems) that contain fertile sediments and are highly suitable for agriculture. Agriculture has expanded into the desert over the past decade, revealing the potential of buried channels, but more fertile land is needed to continue this growth. In this study, we utilized a radar remote sensing sensor called PALSAR (Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) to image subsurface hydrologic and geomorphic features. This sensor is capable of penetrating deeper into the ground from space, detecting buried palaeochannels and revealing areas that may harbour soil. Our reconnaissance mapping has uncovered a vast network of palaeochannels within a 40-mile radius of the Nile River, offering potential locations for agricultural expansion.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
Impacts of Digital Enablement on Daily Management in Manufacturing
No full textPlan BCompany XYZ faced challenges with making their daily management system effective. To
enhance the effectiveness of the daily management system, digital business intelligence
dashboards and digital accountability boards were implemented. These digital solutions were
displayed on TVs near two different production lines where morning meetings are held for each
value stream respectively. The intended outcome for this system is to identify gaps to intended
production outcomes, identify causes of the gaps, and increase follow-through on resolving those
causes. Overall, the new system had a positive impact on pre-determined metrics. Of the metrics
that were not affected by the intervention, they were not negatively impacted. The survey
completed by stakeholders involved with the value streams studied indicated that they believed
incorporating digital dashboards into the tiered daily management system is the right approach.
These results are encouraging for the current system but are also challenged by the confidence
level in the data provided. Stakeholders are still cautious of trusting the data provided, which can
obstruct the teams from making decisions or making the correct decisions for production. It is
recommended that Company XYZ improves data integrity as data availability increases. The
findings support the expanded use of the digital dashboards to other areas in the plant
Stewardship Plan for Nekuk Island (Nigigo-minis)
No full textThis stewardship plan proposes a set of management actions to help guide the island’s succession while safeguarding its cultural resources. It was developed by the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in collaboration with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Wisconsin DNR. Collectively, we envision the island as a source of cultural and climate resiliency in the estuary, prepared for whatever changes the future may hold.Nekuk Island (Nigigo-minis, otter island, in Ojibwe) is an important source of habitat and a significant cultural site located in the upper St. Louis River Estuary. Two centuries ago, the island was part of the Ojibwe settlement at Fond du Lac, and remains an important site for members of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. It supports a mosaic of floodplain vegetation, but its ecology is threatened by invasive species like the emerald ash borer and common buckthorn. The island’s ash canopy is dying, which will have a major impact on environmental conditions. Without stewardship, it is likely that the island will see reduced biodiversity, increased erosion, and an expansion of invasive species.This work was developed through a partnership between the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies professional masters program and the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, itself a partnership between UW-Madison Division of Extension and NOAA's Office for Coastal Management
Mindfulness Interventions for Vaping Management : A Feasibility Study
No full textColor poster with text, charts, and photographs.This study aims to investigate the vaping habits and effectiveness of practicing mindfulness techniques and weekly positive framed text messages on vaping behaviors of UW-Eau Claire students. Various studies completed in this realm of mindfulness, stress, and vaping have discovered a correlation between stress and vaping. Researchers utilized direct advertising (referrals, campus resources, recruitment table, and email) to recruit subjects for this study. Participants received an incentive upon completion of the study. 4 participants who currently vape were asked to describe their habits and stress level with a pre-test questionnaire. Next, participants were assigned to an experimental or control group. For privacy, the primary investigator had an identification key. During a 4-week period, the experimental group will be provided vaping pamphlets, mindfulness techniques (4-square breathing, coloring books, meditation, journaling, etc.), and weekly positive text message, while the control group will continue with their normal behaviors. Six weeks after the initial pre-test, participants received questionnaires about their vaping habits and stress levels. From the data collection, we determined mindfulness techniques reduced stress levels but minimal reduction in participants' vaping habits. However, upon completion of the six-week questionnaire, participants reported a 31% decrease in spending on vape products after this study.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program