Open Access Journals at IU Indianapolis
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Residents’ Perceptions towards the Social Impacts of the Indianapolis 500 Miles Race: A Hallmark Event
No full textThe aim of the study was to identify the major social benefits and costs associated with hosting the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana. How residents’ perceptions toward this sport event are formed, as well as how the perceived social impacts affected their support towards the future hosting of this event using the social exchange theory as a theoretical framework. The paper employed qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 residents of Indianapolis, Indiana. The result of the qualitative study revealed that the sense of community, enhancing city image and the sense of pride are among the positive social impacts as perceived by the residents
Barriers to Licensure: An Innovative Program to Address Social Injustice in Social Work Professional Development Pathways
No full textThis article describes the current barriers that exist for Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates when obtaining the advanced clinical social work licensure. Disparities that exist in pass rates based on demographic factors, the lack of social work roles that provide clinical supervision, and the economic costs to obtaining outside supervision deeply impact social workers, the profession, and ultimately, client care. These barriers to both professional licensure and the advanced clinical licensure comprise a workforce-centered social justice issue that has broad implications for practitioners, organizations, and vulnerable communities. In this article, we describe a pilot project called the Clinical Supervision Program at a school of social work in Pennsylvania, launched to address social justice needs through an innovative and guided pathway that will result in clinical social worker licensure. The pilot project is a collaboration of faculty and clinical practitioners that provides supervision, mentorship, sustainability, and support to practitioners with the aim of enhancing equity within the social work profession. In doing so, this project strives to address both the economic and societal costs of gatekeeping the social work profession via licensure through the strategy of supported and relational mentorship as a core part of the licensing and credentialing process
The Dynamic Landscape of Licensing and Credentialing in Social Work: Toward Justice-Oriented Licensure
No full textThis special issue brings together critical scholarship and innovative solutions that refuse to accept the false choice between rigor and equity. The assembled articles interrogate current practices from multiple angles, examining clinical supervision as a social justice issue, the psychometric flaws embedded in standardized testing, and the financial and structural barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized candidates. Contributors explore alternative assessment approaches—including performance-based evaluations, portfolio assessment, and provisional licensure models—as well as abolitionist frameworks that call for fundamentally reimagining professional regulation. Empirical studies rigorously examine the relationship (or lack thereof) between exam content and practice readiness, while policy analyses dissect how states are navigating the complex politics of reform
“Can I Take Your Order?”: Analyzing Language Needs in the Restaurant Industry
No full textThis article presents the design of an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course tailored for Latin American immigrants, particularly Mexican Americans, with experience in the U.S. restaurant industry. Despite their years of hands-on knowledge, many of these workers face linguistic barriers that restrict their participation in guest-facing roles. To address this gap, the course was developed through a targeted needs assessment combining survey responses from both restaurant managers and waitstaff in casual dining settings. The study identified key communicative challenges, including customer interactions, teamwork, and culturally appropriate service encounters. Drawing on stakeholder feedback and current literature in hospitality communication and computer-assisted language learning (CALL), the course offers a practical, research-informed approach that aligns instruction with real-world workplace demands. This article outlines the survey methodology and highlights how stakeholder perspectives informed each stage of course development. By centering the lived experiences and strengths of immigrant restaurant workers, the ESP course fosters professional advancement through focused, relevant language instruction. The project illustrates how needs-driven ESP design can be used as a tool for linguistic empowerment and social mobility. Implications are offered for educators seeking to create responsive, stakeholder-informed ESP curricula for other vocational contexts
Change from Within: A Model for Training Imams and Muslim Chaplains About Domestic Violence
No full textWithin the American Muslim community, faith leaders are often first responders to domestic violence (Abugideiri 2007; Mogahed and Chouhoud 2017). In this role, they can influence an individual’s help-seeking choices and life outcomes (Abugideiri 2007; Alkhateeb, Ellis, and Fortune 2001; Khan 2006; Oyewuwo-Gassikia 2019). However, uninformed responses, including furthering denial, minimization and stigmatization of abuse, and the misuse of religious texts contribute to a survivor’s re-victimization and reduced likelihood of him/her reaching out for support again.Faith-based interventions presented as a choice between faith and safety can create spiritual dilemmas. The Peaceful Families Project (PFP), a 20-year-old national non-profit organization, offers a culturally sensitive, multi-disciplinary training model that expels myths about domestic violence, creates awareness about its prevalence and impact, and equips imams and Muslim chaplains to respond more appropriately and effectively to abuse. PFP’s unique model employs peer to peer education and is grounded in foundational Islamic texts, beliefs, and regulations.Evaluation data from 28 religious leaders and chaplains across three timepoints (pre, post-, 6-month follow-up) of domestic violence prevention training reveal that, on average, participants’ knowledge of domestic violence, confidence to respond, and preparation for action improved post-training. Improvements in knowledge and preparation to act were retained at follow-up but slightly declined for confidence to respond, which suggests the need for continual training and support for religious leaders. Findings suggest this training is an effective tool for increasing knowledge, confidence, and action in religious leaders in their role as first responders to domestic violence in their communities
Inaugural Letter to the Readership from the Editorial Board
No full textThis is the inaugural letter from the Editorial Board to the journal leadership. It introduces the journal, explains it\u27s intent, and welcomes contributions
