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Confessions I Make to Myself: A Collection of Poetry & Prose
Get PDFConfessions I Make to Myself is a deeply personal collection of poetry and fiction, reflecting my journey through grief, self-reflection, and growth. The collection is particularly influenced by the passing of my grandfather, whose support for my musical and literary endeavors shaped much of my life. Many of the poems explore themes of loss, family, and relationships, while others reflect on introspective moments during my time abroad in Milan, Italy. The work also addresses personal struggles with anxiety, self-image, and a recent medical diagnosis, capturing the experience of being a young woman navigating the challenges of 2025.
The poetry in this collection draws inspiration from renowned poets such as Mary Oliver, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson, whose works have shaped my approach to honesty, self-reflection, and experimentation with form. Additionally, the short story Disclosed showcases my exploration of narrative and character development, influenced by the works of Marie-Helene Bertino and Taylor Jenkins Reid. This collection serves as a reflection of my growth as a writer, blending personal experiences and literary influences to create a space for connection and healing
Over-Imitation in Adolescents with Autism Compared with Typically Developing Peers: An Expanded Literature Review
Get PDFAbstract
Background:
Over-imitation, the act of imitating both relevant and irrelevant actions, is a behavior commonly found in human learning and social development. It is often observed in typically developing (TD) children and is believed to play a role in both social and learning development. While the exact motivations behind over-imitation remain a mystery, over-imitation appears to be a socially motivated behavior. Children may over-imitate when they know certain actions are unnecessary, suggesting this behavior stems from social acceptance and norms. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), social and communicative behaviors are drastically different from TD individuals. In individuals with ASD, it is even less clear what the motivations behind over-imitation are, as well as how it shows up, particularly in adolescents.
Purpose:
The purpose of this literature review is to synthesize literature relating to imitation, over-imitation, and ASD to better understand how over-imitation shows up in TD adolescents, specifically those aged 15-19. While several studies have focused on young children, there is limited information on how over-imitation occurs in older adolescents. This review will explore that gap and highlight what is currently known while pointing out areas where more research is needed.
Methods:
The University of Arkansas Libraries were searched using key terms such as “over-imitation”, “autism spectrum disorder”, and “over-imitation and learning development”. Some of the main databases used were Taylor and Francis and Science Direct. These articles were selected based on their relevance to my research questions and were taken from no earlier than 2007 to remain relevant. The review focused on literature that discussed social, developmental, and communicative aspects of imitation, with special attention to any findings relating to adolescents.
Results:
For this review, 21 peer-reviewed articles were retrieved through a database search of ASHA publications, Taylor & Francis, PubMed, and Science Direct, as well as a manual internet search using Google Scholar. Of these, 11 were primary studies that directly examined imitation or over-imitation behaviors in children and adolescents, either diagnosed with ASD or typically developing. The remaining 10 articles included theoretical reviews, meta-analyses, or conceptual frameworks aligned with the research questions. The included studies spanned seven countries, with a variety of participation age ranges, developmental conditions, and research settings. Across studies, over-imitation was more commonly observed in typically developing adolescents than in adolescents with ASD. Higher rates of over-imitation in typically developing adolescents are often tied to social motivation and emotional regulation.
Over-imitation is a well-documented function of human development that is especially common in typically developing children. While this behavior is often linked to social aspects, it remains unclear as to why this behavior occurs, especially in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Some studies found that children with ASD showed reduced over-imitation, while others showed that they do so similarly to typically developing peers. It is clear that research is very limited on over-imitation in adolescents because this age is so crucial for social development; more research is needed to understand how over-imitation shows up during this time for both teens with ASD and typically developing teens. Understanding this may better support interventions for learning and social skills
Occupancy sampling to examine spatial distribution of Oklahoma Salamanders (Eurycea tynerensis) among headwater streams in the Ozark Highlands
Get PDFWater conditions are changing globally due to climate change (Gleick, 1989). Headwater streams specifically are vulnerable to changes in hydrology, water quality, and physical characteristics from anthropogenic practices due to their small watersheds with shallow soils, yet they are often not a priority in conservation (Campbell et al., 2011; Abell et al., 2017). Within streams, plethodontid (i.e., lungless) salamanders, which are also sensitive to environmental changes, may be restricted in their distribution due to undefined stream characteristics and predation by fish (Welsh and Droege, 2002; Kuhajda et al., 2015). To better understand the pressures that influence stream salamander occupancy, I had two objectives: (1) examination of spatial distribution of the Oklahoma salamander (Eurycea tynerensis) in relation to stream size and physical characteristics within the Ozark highlands and (2) define these interactions within the context of flow characteristics in headwater streams. To achieve these objectives, I conducted visual surveys for E. tynerensis across varying flow regimes. I also recorded stream covariates and analyzed their relationship with salamander abundance using negative binomial regression, focusing on variables such as stream width, stream width variation, and substrate composition. Model selection was performed using an information-theoretic approach, with the final model including mean stream width and stream width variation as significant predictors of salamander abundance. I found that salamander abundance significantly decreased with increasing mean stream width, especially in streams smaller than 5.0-7.5 meters wide. Stream width variation was positively associated with higher salamander abundance, but substrate composition, canopy cover, and survey temperature were not significant predictors. These findings suggest that smaller, more variable watersheds may provide more suitable habitat for E. tynerensis, which has important implications for headwater stream management and conservation
Unbridled Healing: Identifying the Barriers of Equine-Assisted Therapy
Get PDFDespite the documented benefits of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) for mental health conditions, this complementary approach remains underutilized. This qualitative study investigated barriers preventing wider EAT implementation by examining challenges faced by clients, facilities, and volunteers. Data collected through open-ended surveys from 33 participants and the researcher\u27s autoethnographic observations revealed eight common barriers: Accessibility (48 mentions), Money (43), Time (30), Awareness (23), Physical Factors (13), Relationships (13), Risk (13), and Weather (7). Clients identified financial constraints as their primary barrier, particularly insurance limitations. Facilitators struggled most with accessibility challenges, including lack of resources, trained staff, suitable horses, and appropriate facilities. Volunteers faced significant time constraints and communication difficulties. Novel findings included communication issues for volunteers, relationship barriers affecting retention, physical limitations to participation, and weather-related constraints affecting all stakeholder groups. The study\u27s findings support advocacy efforts to address these barriers and potentially expand EAT access to more diverse populations
From Plate to Perception: A Comparison Between Fine Dining, Fast Casual, and Fast-Food Restaurant Lighting Design in Dallas, Texas
Get PDFThis capstone explores the intersection of lighting psychology and interior design within restaurant environments, focusing on the impact that lighting design has on the dining experience. The research evaluates how lighting design varies across fine dining, fast casual, and fast-food restaurants in Dallas, Texas, and how it affects customers’ perceptions, emotions, and satisfaction. A mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative interviews with industry professionals and restaurant employees with quantitative analysis of lighting parameters such as color temperature, illuminance, and fixture types across nine case studies. Key findings reveal that fine dining restaurants prioritize warm, high-contrast lighting to enhance intimacy, fast casual spaces balance functionality with comfort, and fast-food establishments rely on bright, even lighting to withstand high traffic and quick turnover. This study highlights how lighting choices can shape the dining ambiance, offering valuable information for young designers, restaurateurs, and lighting professionals seeking to improve customer experiences
Critical Analysis of Coursework and Internship Experience in Relation to Biological Engineering at the University of Arkansas
Get PDFMy internship allowed me to gain important experience about a possible future career path with a biological engineering degree. Not only did this experience apply knowledge learned in the classroom from classes taken, I was also able to use my critical thinking skills gained from biological engineering coursework and teaching style to learn new skills and efficiently complete tasks given to me. This internship allowed me to try out a possible career path that interested me, and through my internship experience I was able to learn more about what kind of career path I was interested in after graduation. Additionally, this internship helped contextualize learned material in a real-world environment, and this knowledge gained will help me in future coursework and with taking the FE.
Through reflection and journaling during my internship, I was able to ensure that I was getting the most out of my experience. My reflections allowed me to solidify that not only did I learn while completing daily tasks, I was also enjoying the work that I was completing. One major item I was looking for in a company was the feeling that the work being done had an impact on the community, and this internship helped confirm that work with water and wastewater treatment would allow me to make this kind of impact as clean water is an important need for every community.
One of my biggest lessons learned was to ask questions when needed, and asking certain questions sooner rather than later would help prevent me from feeling lost. Through asking good questions, I learned more details about the task I was completing, and I gained more confidence in myself. This experience also showed me what kind of work environment I am looking for as anyone I asked questions always made me feel valid and made sure I understood the topic being explained which is very important to growing confidence in work completed.
One key takeaway from my internship was the importance of building trust with the clients for consulting engineers. Often, consulting engineering firms must bid on work against other firms, and this type of work can be competitive to win. By creating a good reputation through sound work, consulting firms are able to win more projects to design. One important aspect of this is the QAQC process as it allows the firms to have multiple checks to ensure the quality of the work being completed. When looking for a future career, the availability of a quality check process was very important to me as feedback on work and fixing mistakes is one of the best ways to learn and grow as an engineer
Connecting Biological Engineering Education with Hands-On Internship Experience
Get PDFMy honors thesis examines how my time in the biological engineering program and internship experience have prepared me for my future career. It highlights the skills I developed, the lessons I learned, and how these experiences shaped my job search and career decisions.
In my thesis, I share details about my internship. I described what I worked on, the places I visited, and the hands-on experience I gained. I talk about how my coursework provided a strong foundation and how my internship allowed me to apply those concepts in real-world engineering settings. I also discuss the technical and professional skills I developed, from working in an office environment to interacting with clients and visiting project sites.
I also reflect on my post-graduate job search, how my internship experience opened up new opportunities, and the factors that contributed to my decision in choosing a job. Additionally, I make recommendations for how the biological engineering program could be improved for future students.
Overall, my time in the biological engineering program and my internship experience have given me the knowledge, skills, and confidence to begin my career as a biological engineer. This thesis reflects that journey and the impact these experiences have had on my professional growth