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Beyond the White Coat: The Fight for Equal Healthcare By Minorities
Full text linkSystematic oppression through medical discrimination has left a high rate of death in the minority community, with Black women having 2.6 times the rate of maternal mortality than White women. Medical professionals ignore minorities at a higher rate than White people. People of Color have been used as testers for medical professionals and reap the generational trauma of it, such as subjects of the Tuskegee Syphilis experiment passing it to their children. Even more, doctors today are taught that Black people have a “higher pain tolerance than other races,” so their symptoms are often dismissed. Legal solutions must be implemented to combat this issue and change the education given to the new generation of doctors in America. This can be remedied by getting rid of teaching about specific races and how they show pain, promoting programs on equal healthcare, and policies of investigating all complaints or reports from patients. Without new laws and policies that instill trust in healthcare professionals, we risk more preventable deaths for People of Color
Trump V. United States in Historical Perspective: The Expansion of Presidential Immunity
Full text linkOn July 1st of 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the president of the United States is entitled to varying degrees of immunity for his official acts. This decision sent criminal lawsuits filed against President Donald Trump back to lower courts, nullifying many of the arguments and evidence used against the president for his interference in the 2020 election. The U.S. Supreme Court held that absolute immunity protects the president’s exercise of “core constitutional powers,” while presumptive immunity protects all other official acts within the “outer periphery” of his executive office. Most notably, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that no official act may be used as evidence in the investigation of an unofficial act, effectively incapacitating most prosecutions against the president. Just four months after this landmark decision, Donald Trump won reelection to the presidency in his campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris. Considering Trump’s return to the White House, the ruling of Trump v. United States demands revisiting. Made by a 6-3 vote divided along party lines, this decision has had a polarizing effect on the nation and has been widely questioned by legal scholars, human rights organizations, and even the former president, Joe Biden. With this controversy in mind, this paper investigates how the Trump v. United States decision is inconsistent with the history of presidential immunity rulings and opens the door for gross abuses of presidential power, specifically due to its prohibition against using official acts as evidence
“THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME”: LISTENING TO STORIES OF LINGUICISM
Full text linkThis dissertation examines the effects of linguicism on nonnative speakers of English who are currently studying in higher education in the United States or other English-dominant countries. Linguicism, also called linguistic discrimination, others and discriminates against people based on their oral or written language use. Rooted in master narratives of Standard English, monolingualism, and the native speaker, linguicism, unlike other forms of discrimination, such as gender or racial discrimination, is subtle and unmarked, thus permeating the consciousness of even the most well-intentioned of people.
Using a Critical Race Theory framework, the present study utilized a storytelling methodology to gather first-hand accounts of linguicism. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling and snowball sampling. In total, data from 44 participants were collected via e-questionnaire. The e-questionnaire gathered demographic information and stories about perceived language discrimination.
The findings showed that 91% of participants had had negative experiences due to their English language use either at work, at college, or out in public in their everyday lives. Participants described microaggressions, ethnic accent bullying, and communication failures for which participants blamed themselves. Participants described lack of confidence, sadness, frustration, and embarrassment when having interactions with native speakers or nonnative speakers of a higher proficiency level. Such negative feelings led participants to self-imposed isolation, reticence, and avoidance of interaction and conflict. This study gives voice to those who have experienced negative interactions based on their language use. The goal of this research is for the stories of linguicism to bring awareness to the damage that linguicism causes and to help bring about social change
HURRICANE DAMAGE IN THE BAHAMAS: LEVERAGING SPATIAL ANALYSIS TO INFORM ADAPTIVE MEASURES FOR HOUSING RESILIENCY
Full text linkThis thesis explores the transition from disaster recovery to adaptation planning in the wake of extreme climatic events, with a specific focus on housing resilience. It examines the key factors influencing successful adaptation planning and how innovative strategies can contribute to sustainable and equitable communities. The study focuses on Abaco, The Bahamas, a region devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, where recovery remains ongoing, and hurricane threats persist. Given the vulnerability of The Bahamas’ low-lying geography, it is crucial to implement adaptive planning measures that consider both the physical impact of hurricanes and the need for strategic housing allocation. By integrating spatial data and vulnerability assessments, this research highlights how informed decision-making can support policy recommendations for collaborative governance and sustainable rebuilding practices. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance community resilience and long-term climate adaptation in hurricane-prone regions
A SELF-SUSTAINING AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM FOR LONG-TERM ARCTIC MONITORING
Full text linkThe accelerated melting of Arctic sea ice poses critical challenges to global climate stability, marine ecosystems, and navigation safety. To address the need for continuous, high-resolution monitoring of the Arctic environment, this dissertation explores the development and feasibility of a Self-sustaining Autonomous System (SAS) for long-term Arctic observation. The proposed system is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional fixed or drifting buoys, as well as the range and endurance constraints of drones and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)s, by utilizing a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) as a core observation platform. The wind-powered SWATH harnesses both wind energy through its sail and marine current energy via an underwater turbine to enable sustained, autonomous operation in remote Arctic regions. This hybrid energy-harvesting approach ensures the SAS can operate independently for extended durations, significantly improving the spatial and temporal resolution of Arctic data collection.
The SAS is designed as a multi-platform observation system, integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)s and AUVs to provide a comprehensive view of Arctic sea ice dynamics, oceanographic conditions, and ecological changes. The SWATH-based platform serves as a mobile docking and charging station for UAVs and AUVs, extending their operational range and enabling data acquisition from multiple domains—air, surface, and subsurface. The system architecture prioritizes autonomy, energy efficiency, and environmental adaptability, with a customized hull design that ensures enhanced stability, even in extreme Arctic conditions. A dimensionless formula is introduced to estimate the minimum sail area required for different SWATH sizes to sustain power generation under varying environmental conditions, ensuring optimal system performance in dynamic Arctic environments.
Additionally, the dissertation investigates the navigation performance of SWATH vessels in drifting ice fields, a key consideration for long-term Arctic operations. Through Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations using ANSYS LS-DYNA, this study analyzes hull-ice interactions, hydrodynamic resistance, and ice displacement mechanisms. The findings confirm that the SWATH hull design significantly reduces ice-induced forces, allowing for safer and more energy-efficient navigation compared to conventional single-hull vessels. The bow wave effect of SWATH effectively fragments and displaces ice, mitigating direct hull-ice collisions and reducing overall resistance, thereby extending the system’s operational longevity in semi-ice-covered waters. Furthermore, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted to validate hydrodynamic performance parameters, including vessel resistance, drag forces, and sail efficiency, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the proposed system design.
By integrating renewable energy harvesting, autonomous multi-vehicle coordination, and optimized hull design, this research advances the field of Arctic ocean monitoring. The proposed SAS represents a beginning in self-sustaining, long-term observation systems, offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional monitoring methods. The insights gained from this study will contribute to climate change research, Arctic policy development, and future autonomous maritime operations, ultimately supporting global efforts to understand and mitigate the impacts of Arctic sea ice loss
THEY CALL THEMSELVES BRAVE WOMEN: AN ANALYSIS OF BANGLADESHI WOMEN BIKERS’ NARRATIVES ON FACEBOOK
No full textBangladesh, a South Asian Muslim-majority country, has made substantial progress in women’s empowerment. A key aspect of this visibility is their physical mobility, especially when driving automobiles. Social media platforms have created opportunities for various minority groups to express their identities, often challenging Western media’s broad and demeaning generalizations. A Facebook page called “The Brave Women’s Stories” has been created by some NGOs in which rural women tell their stories and share pictures of their bike riding. Using the maximum variation sampling method, I selected 40 posts that include textual narrative images. Methodologically, I used Catherine Riesman’s (1993) narrative analysis model, Goffman’s (1987), and Van Leeuwen’s (2008) work on representation. My initial observations reveal that women show their feminine sides, focus on family and job in their narratives (taking children to school, commuting for the job), highlight necessity and daily utilities, and stress on community (being encouraged by other bikers)
THE OBSERVER & THE OBSERVED
Full text linkThis thesis examines the concept of the gaze and its role in shaping identity, particularly in relation to marginalized genders, including women and non-binary individuals. Rooted in feminist and psychoanalytic theories, the research interrogates the power dynamics between the viewer and the viewed, exposing the ways in which patriarchal structures influence visual representation. Drawing from personal experiences of growing up in Iran and the complexities of immigration, the project critically engages with how societal norms manipulate identities and reinforce objectification. Through experimental photography, I distort and deconstruct the human form using materials such as hair gel on plexiglass and matte Mylar paper, challenging traditional expectations of visibility and recognition. By subverting the male gaze and reclaiming agency over representation, this body of work invites viewers to reconsider their own perceptions and assumptions. Ultimately, the thesis seeks to reimagine the politics of looking, offering alternative ways of seeing that resist challenge dominant narratives and create space for marginalized bodies to exist beyond objectification
ENHANCING PROVIDER KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER (MOUD) TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
No full textThis quality improvement project sought to enhance healthcare providers\u27 knowledge and attitudes toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) at Galt Ocean Rehab Center to improve treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder. Despite evidence supporting the efficacy of MOUD, significant knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes among providers create barriers to optimal care. Sixteen healthcare providers participated in a comprehensive educational intervention grounded in Jean Watson\u27s Theory of Transpersonal Caring and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement\u27s Model for Improvement. The intervention consisted of a 4-hour workshop, six weekly reinforcement sessions, and the implementation of standardized buprenorphine management protocols. Pre- and post-assessments measured changes using validated instruments, including the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire and the Medical Condition Regard Scale. Results showed notable improvements, including a 110% increase in Suboxone-specific knowledge (from M = 1.75 to M = 3.69), a 23.7% improvement in evidence-based practice frequency, and an improvement in provider attitudes toward patients receiving MOUD, with MCR Scale scores increasing by 22% (from M = 39.75 to M = 48.50). The intervention reduced stigma, enhanced clinical competencies, and aligned practice with evidence-based standards, thereby communicating that targeted education can transform provider knowledge and attitudes
NAVIGATING INSTITUTIONAL LOGICS: HOW UNIVERSITY LEADERS ALIGN MISSION AND MARKET IN TUITION-DRIVEN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
No full textUniversities face mounting fiscal pressures from declining state appropriations, enrollment volatility, and growing competition. In response, many have turned to tuition-driven revenue programs to sustain operations, revealing enduring tensions between academic and market logics - the competing value systems that shape legitimacy, financial sustainability, and mission fulfillment. While institutional theory has examined these dynamics at macro levels, less is known about how leaders interpret and reconcile them in practice.
This qualitative study, grounded in the institutional logics perspective, explores how higher education administrators navigate academic and market logics when developing and managing tuition-driven academic programs. Using a grounded theory design, sixteen semi-structured interviews with deans, associate provosts, and senior administrators were analyzed through iterative coding and constant comparison to identify recurring processes of negotiation and alignment.
Findings reveal that leaders experience institutional complexity as both a constraint and a catalyst for innovation. Rather than choosing between academic and market imperatives, administrators engage in alignment work that integrates both. Three interconnected processes define this work: framing entrepreneurial activity as mission-aligned stewardship, collaborating across boundaries to foster legitimacy, and adapting governance and budgeting systems to balance flexibility and accountability.
The study extends institutional logics theory by illuminating the micro-level practices through which leaders reconcile competing logics and offers a framework for designing governance structures and financial strategies that promote adaptability without compromising academic integrity. Ultimately, innovation in higher education emerges not from replacing academic values with market rationality but from integrating them to sustain institutional purpose in a changing environment
ANALYZING LITHIC TOOL USAGE IN RIO CHICO, MANABÍ, THROUGH OBSIDIAN FLAKE ASSEMBLAGES
No full textA collection of obsidian flake tools was recovered from two sites featuring multiple cultural occupations in Rio Chico (N4C3-170), southern Manabí province, Ecuador. This thesis analyses this collection through macroscopic techniques to indicate differences in how obsidian was utilized throughout cultural occupation in quantity and typology. Diagnostic features of the flake tools have been recorded to draw these distinctions, and depositional context is checked to determine cultural usage at the site.
Currently, the cultural occupations that used obsidian the most at Rio Chico seem to have been the Guangala (100 BCE- 800 CE) and Manteño (800-1500 CE), who fall into a similar tradition of lithic tool typology for the region. They primarily utilized informal flake tools with little to no indication of local manufacturing occurring on site, evidenced by the lack of substantial shatter. Both cultures seem to have favored a slender microblade style tool with use wear along the margins and distal ends