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Murder on the Pottawatomie: Vigilantism, Sensationalism, and Myth in Territorial Kansas
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] At the edge of westward expansion in 1856, sectional violence erupted in the Kansas Territory after five pro-slavery men were forced out of their homes at night and murdered. Though unconfirmed at the time, rumor identified John Brown as the culprit. Newspapers sensationalized the crime, reporting wildly inaccurate accounts that heightened local and national tensions around Kansas's potential admission to the Union as a slave state. The pro-slavery press embellished critical details and cried for war against abolitionists, while the free-state press downplayed the story or suppressed it entirely. Journalists, benefactors, and historians have long contorted Brown's image in service to personal and political agendas, obscuring reality behind controversy and myth. Due to this obscurity, historians often misinterpret the Pottawatomie massacre as revenge for the destruction of Lawrence or as indiscriminate political violence against pro-slavery settlements. However, court documents and eyewitness testimonies suggest that Brown targeted the victims under the belief that they worked for a pro-slavery territorial court who charged the Browns among others with treason as part of an effort to drive free-state settlers out of Franklin County. This evidence suggests that Brown acted not as a madman or a political vigilante but to protect himself and his family. Analysis of media sensationalism and myth creation unveils the troubling malleability of historical memory and encourages a closer examination of one of the most controversial figures in American history
Creating a Data Model to Effectively and Efficiently Analyze Data and Professionalize the Management of Artists Under a Multi-Label Music Company
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This graduate project aims to develop an effective and efficient data model and template that will help professionalize the management of artists under a multi-label and music services company. This project is composed of multiple sections including the first findings of the company, which focuses on gathering and analyzing data from the company and its labels. The second section is focused on analyzing the company's competitors. The final section of this project consists of developing accurate recommendations for the company based on our findings and analysis. In order to develop appropriate recommendations, interviews with music professionals took place when gathering data and information on the specific labels and their artists. This data consisted of label performance as a whole as well as individual artist performance in terms of music streams, album sales, fan engagement rates. I was responsible for conducting an analysis of the data collected from these labels. The analysis results were used to pinpoint any connections between the artists, their listeners, and the success rate of their music releases. I also contributed by researching specific artists within their labels that have shown growth and an increase in fan engagement and popularity with their recent releases. The findings from the data analysis show that there could be a potential intersection between which artists the fans are more likely to listen to if promoted and marketed in a particular way. The findings also showed that due to the structure of the company operating multiple labels, it is hard to pinpoint what strategies have the potential to be successful across all labels. In addition, because the data sets are smaller, the connections found could potentially be coincidences. Moving forward, I will be responsible for conducting further research and analysis on the data collected from a third-party site. This third-party tracks the music the user listens to and builds a personalized profile based on that data. This information is crucial and would be very helpful when developing the recommendations. It would fill the gaps found within the first findings and give clearer insights on the fans and their listening activity
Investigating the Relationship between User Engagement and Long-Term Retention in an App-Based Guitar Learning Platform
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This graduate project examines consumer behavior and user engagement in an online guitar learning application, aiming to understand the factors that lead to a decline in user activity. The project is divided into multiple phases, with the first phase focusing on initial market research, followed by recommendations and a statistical analysis of internal user data to support those suggestions. The project utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data sources provided by the client, focusing on analyzing user interactions within the app. Throughout the course of this project, my contributions have involved using primary and secondary data from various sectors, including market research on the client's competitors and external research on gamification models, learning styles, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. This research also included a deep dive into the company's internal user data and parallels in language learning apps. I have also investigated the potential market for the application, specifically the total addressable market, serviceable addressable market, and the serviceable obtainable market. By conducting a comprehensive analysis across various sectors, we have gained a better understanding of user insights and preferences that have strengthened and further enhanced our recommendations. The research indicates several factors that can potentially contribute to lower activity within the app. This includes issues with the app's user interface design and layout. Additionally, the project highlights potential areas for improvement or optimization within the app. It further strengthens the reasoning behind what drives users to stop using the app, along with an analysis of consumer psychographics and user trends. Ultimately, the project concludes that various external factors can influence user engagement. Some recommendations for this project include integrating gamified features, incentivized learning experiences, and an updated design of the application layout to enhance the app's overall usability. Moving forward, the objective is to utilize the company's internal user data further to support our findings and recommendations through data visualization
Optimizing Sales Strategies: Driving Growth and Market Success
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This graduate project examines the professional audio equipment industry, exploring an organization's positioning and strategic opportunities for growth. With the constant evolution of music and content creation, this study aims to see how an audio equipment company responds to competitive pressure while looking at how it can expand in new markets. The project identifies current challenges such as market saturation, shifting consumer dynamics, and digital transformation. The research also identifies strategic partnerships with influencers, educational institutions, and live-performance companies. For data collection, this project will utilize primary research, such as online surveys, to gather insights from current and potential customers and interview industry experts to gain deeper insights into professional needs and market trends. Secondary research includes analyzing industry reports covering market size, growth projections, and technological advancements. We will also evaluate academic research and industry publications on consumer psychology and digital consumption habits. My contribution to this project focused on the company analysis. I looked at the strengths of the company, particularly its ability to build customer loyalty and trust. I studied how the company leverages social media to foster a strong brand presence and the strategies behind its customer retention. I also researched the education and tech sectors. I highlighted the potential for the firm to grow by combining music education programs, online learning platforms, and new music tech trends. This research revealed rising digital learning tools and the importance of accessibility within audio technology. Thus emphasizing that immersive audio experiences are becoming increasingly relevant in education and creative industries. The findings, so far, suggest that while the company has maintained excellent brand recognition and market visibility, there is increased pressure from competitors. However, we identified stronger interactions with younger audiences and more diversity and inclusion in content strategies offer expansion opportunities for the company. The emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa also provide untapped potential due to the increase in digital music creation. Long-term success will depend on the company's capacity to adapt and align its messaging with that of its target demographic
Operational Feasibility and Attraction for Growth for "Uniformity & DM Graphics"
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] Uniformity Consulting created this report as part of a consulting project for our client, Uniformity and DM Graphics. This family-owned business is located in North Hills, California. It sells uniforms to schools and various professional sectors. Our client seeks consulting services to enhance their business in multiple areas, such as data management systems and market growth, and to increase foot traffic. In this consulting project, I touched on identifying operational areas and developed a roadmap to enhance our client's business structure. Furthermore, the scope of my work included frameworks such as SWOT, PESTLE, and Porter's Five Forces, which provided planning, execution, and evaluation of the project. I used the SWOT analysis framework to evaluate Uniformity and DM Graphics' internal capabilities, resources, and limitations alongside external advantages and potential harms. Another tool I used to examine our client's company was the PESTEL analysis. I helped identify the environmental stage for potential opportunities and risks related to climate change, natural disasters, environmental regulations, and resource availability. I researched extensively using several resources, including CSUN OneSearch, Mintel, IBIS World, and the Census Bureau. In addition to my research, I collected surveys and conducted interviews to analyze and gain a broader perspective from other individuals. Based on my analysis, the research, observation, and communication helped me identify patterns and relationships, create an effective operational plan, and monitor customer behavior. However, I identified and analyzed critical issues, developed feasibility recommendations, and presented the written report and findings to the client. These final deliverables were presented to our client at the end of the semester, which will assist Uniformity and DM Graphics in overcoming challenges and establishing a foundation for sustained growth and long-term success
Roxbury Builders: Operational Feasibility for Attraction and Growth
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This report is for a consulting project performed by Blueprint Consultants for our client, Roxbury Builders (Roxbury). Roxbury is a general contractor based on Los Angeles who specializes in multi-unit residential construction projects. Blueprint Consultants worked with the company co-owners during this project to assist them in improving their operational feasibility. To achieve this, we performed extensive research and analysis to identify key issues and craft recommendations for our client. The following paragraphs outline what my team, Blueprint Consultants, did throughout the project as well my personal contribution. We first began with an internal analysis of Roxbury Builders. This involved multiple meetings with the co-owners of the company in order to extract as much information as possible. We then requested internal documents including their financial statement, company handbook, and other internal documents related to their operation. Following this data collection, our team analyzed all of the data and used our MBA knowledge and provided literature to identify strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Additionally, we performed an external analysis on Roxbury's industry and used our MBA knowledge and provided literature to identify vi opportunities and threats of the industry along with a customer and competitor analysis. Lastly, we performed primary research where we conducted interviews with employees of Roxbury and phone interviews with a select few of their clients. All of this research culminated into a situation analysis that identified key issues. We then crafted recommendations based on these issues for the client in which we presented the written report and findings to. In regards to my contribution to Blueprint Consultants, I was in charge of all communication with our professor, editing team drafts before submittal, and a portion of the team's research and analysis. As our team contract stated, I was in charge of communicating all updates to our professor on behalf of the team. Drafting emails, requesting approval from all team members, and sending them to our professor following approval and any possible revisions. Additionally, I shared the editing responsibility for all team drafts with one of my teammates. She and I split the editing duty 50/50 as the editing was a large portion of the project. I was also led client conversation in all meetings in order to moderate the conversation to make sure time was maximized. Additionally, I contributed to the team's research and analysis along with recording my findings in our analysis and recommendations. Examples of internal topics I was responsible for were Roxbury's current target market, pricing, distribution and promotional activities. In terms of external research topics, I researched and analyzed social and regulatory topics of the industry as well the potential customers of the industry. As said before, I used the the knowledge I gained from my MBA courses along with the literature from them to analyze and make conclusions based on my research. Additionally, I wrote the primary research tools and questions along and used team/professor feedback to finalize both tools (Interviews with employees and client phone calls). Lastly, I assisted in final editing of the report before submittal and took part with my team in the final presentation to our client
CREATING SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATORS: SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTIONS FOR NEURODIVERGENCE IN EDUCATION AND EVERYDAY LIFE
No full textThis qualitative study explores the lived experiences of K–6 teachers who work with neurodivergent students in mainstream classrooms. Neurodivergent individuals—those whose neurological development diverges from the societal norm, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions—comprise approximately 15–20% of the global population. Despite increased awareness of neurodiversity, many educational environments continue to rely on rigid structures and deficit-based approaches that fail to support neurodivergent students effectively. These challenges are often compounded by systemic underdiagnosis, especially among girls and students of color, as well as a lack of early intervention. Teachers frequently report feeling underprepared to meet these students' diverse needs, citing limited training, insufficient resources, and difficulties balancing classroom demands. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, this study investigates the barriers teachers encounter and the practical strategies they employ to support neurodivergent students. Findings reveal the need for enhanced collaboration between educators and school-based professionals, such as social workers, to foster inclusive, strengths-based practices. By centering teacher voices, this research highlights critical gaps in current educational support systems and highlights the importance of equipping teachers with the tools, training, and interdisciplinary support necessary to cultivate equitable learning environments
Using Sequential Behavioral Skills Training To Teach MSWO Preference Assessments
Full text linkThis study explored the effectiveness of sequential behavioral skills training (BST) in teaching students to implement Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement (MSWO) preference assessments. BST typically includes four components: instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. While previous research has shown that each component can be effective on its own, sequential BST introduces components only as needed, potentially saving time. Using a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants, six participants were trained in MSWO preference assessments, with each sequentially introduced to the components of BST. Four participants achieved high treatment integrity after receiving the instruction component, while two required both instruction and modeling to reach mastery. In follow-up sessions, four participants maintained high treatment integrity, while two showed variability in performance, making consistent errors such as not securing the client's attention or mismanaging challenging behaviors. These findings suggest that sequential BST can effectively teach MSWO preference assessments, offering a time-efficient approach to skill acquisition, though variability in maintenance suggests further research into optimizing training for consistent skill retention
Tatum Games' Strategic Shift: From Analytics to Full-Service Solutions
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] The research presented here was created as a consultancy project for Tatum Games, a gaming analytics company that wanted to convert to full-service gaming solutions. Tatum Games offers a platform called MIKROS designed to help indie game developers and small game studios contact their target audience. Tatum Games also has a patented technology called Mobile-to-Mobile (M2M), which gives insights through machine learning and artificial intelligence by employing data pooling to detect trends within data. At Vanguard Consulting, we conducted extensive research to discover the Tatum game in the gaming industry. Tatum Games operates under the SaaS umbrella (software as a Service), which means it charges its customers a monthly subscription fee to use its software. The CEO became our primary source of information for learning more about the organization. In addition, we ran survey questions that were deliberately and thoughtfully designed to gain a better understanding of Tatum Games' independent game developers and potential users. In addition, each Vanguard Consultant does their research utilizing methodologies such as SWOT analysis, PESTLE, and Porter's Five Forces. Using this tool, we tracked customer behavior and investigated data to better understand Tatum Games' market position and delivered the best recommendations for Tatum Games. As part of my project contribution, I was responsible for creating the survey, which included meeting with coaches and advisors via Zoom to discuss important concerns, refining the content, and ensuring its functionality and accessibility. I conducted research to determine what questions could be useful and what types of inquiries would lead to the best results in terms of understanding consumers. In addition, I conducted a comprehensive search across multiple channels to find 100+ independent game developers and people associated with the gaming industry via LinkedIn. I contacted every one of them over LinkedIn and kindly asked them to take the survey. I helped gather survey responses, record them, and analyze the data to identify trends and insights relevant to our research. Beyond survey questions, I contributed to internal analysis by assisting my teammates with preliminary research for the situational analysis. I was in charge of determining the SWOT analysis's strengths and weaknesses. In addition, I was responsible for external analysis, with a particular emphasis on competitive rivalry and the threat of new entrants of Porter's Five Forces. This necessitated significant market research to examine competition positioning, industry barriers, and emerging challenges. In addition, I helped do research in the opportunities and threats sections, which I analyzed with my peers. I planned meetings with advisers to get feedback on external analysis and ensure its accuracy and value. I also invited my peers to join, resulting in a stronger, more educated team effort. Furthermore, I was responsible for structuring the questions for the client questionnaire. Each team member provided their own set of questions, which I organized, edited, and finalized before meeting with the client. On the technical side, I initially managed the survey platform setup and was later joined by my peers, working on it jointly. I submitted the final assignments that were due before the deadline. I initially created the team contract document and designed templates to structure the information, ensuring organization and clarity. I set up the foundational framework with the necessary details, allowing the team to collaborate effectively. We worked through the document as a group, refining and completing it together. We identified key issues, created recommendations, and delivered the written report and results to Tatum Games. In addition, we completed extensive research and analysis to ensure that our proposals were relevant and valuable to Tatum Games. All the analysis and recommendations were available as a hard copy for Tatum Game to kee
Addressing anxiety through physical activity among transgender and gender non-conforming college students - a MAP-IT approach
Full text link[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] Anxiety poses a threat to the wellbeing and academic success of college students across the United States. As college students experience an overwhelming burden of economic costs, social stressors, and academic demand associated with higher education, anxiety rates have continued to increase, impacting students' psychosocial wellbeing. While transgender and gender non-conforming college students are a minority, this community experiences disproportionate rates of anxiety compared to their cisgender peers due to the compounding effects associated with navigating student life as a gender minority. The proposed project utilizes research demonstrating correlations between physical activity and mental wellness to construct a program tailored to the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming college students. Integrating health education and behavior modification techniques, the program will use constructs from the Social Cognitive Theory to inform the intervention. Understanding the importance of integrating community members in the construction and implementation of a culturally relevant physical activity intervention, the MAP-IT framework will be used in the development of 12, two-hour long physical activity and mental health counseling sessions across six weeks for four cohorts of transgender and gender non-conforming students at California State University, Northridge. Short-term objectives for the program focus on retention, increases in weekly physical activity rates, and improvements in exercise self-efficacy. Long-term objectives include overall reduction in reported anxiety-related symptoms. Program results are expected to reflect a reduction in anxiety symptoms among participating transgender and gender-conforming students. In addition, the program is anticipated to provide foundations for longer-term, tailored physical activity interventions that address the mental health needs of gender minority populations across colleges nationwide