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Program Evaluation Frameowrk for Enhancing Performnce and Quality
Get PDFAscentria Care Alliance is one of many community agencies across the United States working with refugees to provide direct care and support for integration into local communities. Founded as Lutheran Social Services of New England, Ascentria Care Alliance integrates its faith-based roots with a client-centered strategy to empower those they serve and their neighbors to “rise together” and build a thriving society. Services for New Americans is their branch focused on providing assistance to refugees arriving in the United States.
The organization receives most of its funding from three VOLAG agencies, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), Church World Services (CWS), and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS). The main requirement for continued funding is to ensure that refugees become self-sufficient by gaining employment within six-months of their arrival. As a result, the employment team works closely with businesses in the community to help refugees find jobs.
However, the organization lacks a monitoring and evaluation plan for most of the services it provides. Therefore, this evaluation framework seeks to enhance the employment program through a regular data gathering and reporting system. Most importantly, the framework will provide data on the employment status of male and female refugees separately in order to address the different challenges men and women face in gaining employment. With the availability of this information, stakeholders, the program director, and program manager can make the necessary decisions to help improve the employment services provided to the refugee population
Post Program Involvement in Community Service and Volunteerism: An Examination of Youth Exchange and Study Program Alumni
Get PDFThis research project is a case study that examines the post program involvement of former Youth Exchange and Study (YES) students that were placed in the United States for an academic year through the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation high school program, Academic Year in America (AYA). This study explores the perspectives and narratives of former YES students with a specific focus on their involvement in community service and volunteerism since they returned to their home country. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to gather data, which included a comprehensive survey, interviews with former students and AYA staff, as well as a review of relevant research and industry perspectives. The findings exposed a strong and diverse presence of community service and volunteerism activity with the group of participating alumni. Involvement included larger scale efforts through the YES Alumni networks to small yet impactful initiatives run by the former students themselves. This case study also revealed larger discussion questions regarding program evaluation, the definition of community service, and exchange student impact. The details of this case study can be used toward the efforts to improve program evaluation methodology, as well discuss the sustainability of the YES program in the future.
Key Words: J-1 Secondary Exchange Visitors, Youth Exchange and Study, Youth Development, Community Service, Service Learning, International Student
Nutrient Cycling in the Amazon: A Comparison of Soil Characteristics, Insects, Root Types and Decomposition Rates between Varzea and Terra Firme habitats in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Get PDFDecomposition and nutrient cycling form the basis of every ecosystem. Nutrient availability in the soil affects plant species composition, richness, and productivity. The Amazon rainforest is known for its unusually fast nutrient cycle, but many aspects lack detailed study and analysis. This comparative study carried out in the Ecuadorian Amazon had four primary objectives related to understanding the nutrient cycle in the Amazon; 1.) analyze soil characteristics, 2.) assess insect diversity in the leaf litter layer, 3.) examine root characteristics, and 4.) measure the decomposition rate between Varzea and Terra Firme habitats alongside the Rio Napo. Forty 0.25 x 0.25m quadrats were set up in each site to examine soil characteristics and insect diversity. The organic horizon, clay content, dry leaf litter weight, and soil moisture capacity were measured and hypothesis tests were then performed to analyze potential differences between sites. Varzea forest had a deeper organic horizon, less clay, and higher soil moisture capacity as compared to Terra Firme. There was no significant difference between the amount of leaf litter in each ecosystem. The leaf strata was also collected in both sites and insect diversity analyzed. Terra Firme had significantly more insects per unit area as well as more diversity within orders. Ten 25m transects were used to gather data on root types present in each ecosystem. Varzea had significantly more prop roots than Terra Firme forest. Lastly, an attempt was made to measure the decomposition rate using the tethered leaf method, but no significant difference was found. A better understanding of the nutrient cycle in the Amazon will both add to ecological theory and understanding as well as potentially help predict and mitigate human impacts on this ecosystem. The nutrient cycle is an incredibly important way of understanding an ecosystem and many parts of the nutrient cycle in the Amazon remain elusive and are in need of further study.
Descomposición y el ciclo de nutrientes es el fundación de cada ecosistema. La disponibilidad de nutrientes en el suelo afecta la composición, riqueza, y productividad de plantas que afecta todo el ecosistema. La Amazonia es conocido por su ciclo de nutrientes rápido, pero mucho aspectos falta estudia detallado y análisis. Ese estudio comparativo hecho en la Amazonía Ecuatoriana tuve cuatros objetivos primarios relacionados con el ciclo de nutrientes en la Amazonia; 1.) analizar característicos de suelo, 2.) evaluar la diversidad de insectos en la hojarasca, 3.) examinar característicos de raíces, y 4.) medir la tasa de descomposición entre la Varzea y Terra Firme hábitats cerca del Rio Napo. Cuarenta 0.25x 0.25m cuadrados fueran colocados en los dos sitios para examinar características de suelo y la diversidad de insectos. El horizonte orgánico, contenido de arcilla, peso seco de hojarasca, y capacidad de humedad de suelo fueran medidos y exámenes de hipótesis hechos para analizar diferencias potenciales entre sitios. Los bosques de Varzea tienen un horizonte orgánico de más profundidad, menos arcilloso, y una capacidad de humedad más alto comparado con el Terra Firme. No había una diferencia significante entre el peso seco de la hojarasca en cada ecosistema. La hojarasca fuera colectada y analizada en los dos ecosistemas también. Terra Firme tuvo más insectos en cada cuadrado y también más diversidad de órdenes. Diez 25m transectos fueron usado para colectar data en tipos de raíces presentes en cada ecosistema. Varzea tuve significativamente más raíces de “prop” comparado con el Terra Firme. Finalmente, un intento fuera hecho para medir la tasa de descomposición usando el método de tethered leaf, pero no diferencia significante fuera encontrado. Un entendimiento mejor del ciclo de nutrientes en la Amazonia añadirá a teoría ecológico y además, potencialmente a ayudar a predecir y mitigar impactos humanos en ese ecosistema. Muchos partes del ciclo de nutrientes en la Amazonia ya están elusivo y necesitan más investigacione
Framing Feminine Identity: Exploring Ways of Being a Woman, through the Practice of Faith, and Ideas of Equality and Justice through Narratives of South African Muslim Women Activists
Get PDFWhat began as an attempt to explore Islamic Feminism through the life narratives of Muslim women, actually enabled a journey into exploring ways of being a woman, through the practice of faith, and ideas of justice and equality. Through multiple in-depth interviews and conversations, a visit to the mosque for Friday prayer, and a night at a theatrical production in the Muslim community, I spent time with influential Muslim women activists in the Durban community of South Africa listening, learning and reflecting.
What I found was less concrete than labeling these women as ‘Islamic Feminists’ but it was also more unifying. Through telling these women’s stories, I hope to take the reader on a journey through the complicated nature of identity in order to not only shed light on a group of women who are making strides in social justice but to allow the thoughtful words of these women to help you along your own faith or identity journey.
In the end, I offer a look into how, contrary to feminist thought, rejecting labels of Islamic feminism and instead allowing for narrative discourse free of labeling can actually prove to be more unifying for women of all faith backgrounds
The Impact of Geopolitical Factors on the Future Economic Integration of ASEAN +3
Get PDFEast and Southeast Asia have benefited greatly from China’s growth and are gaining significantly more economic and political power in comparison to the West. The growing interdependence in this region has led to the continuing economic integration of the ASEAN Plus Three countries. The research paper analyzes the geopolitical factors that impact this integration, such as historical tension, regional security conflicts, social, cultural and economic differences, as well as economic rivalries. In addition, the strategic agendas of the main actors, including the U.S., are analyzed to provide a comprehensive argument concerning the impact these geopolitical factors will have on future economic integration. The paper concludes that the pragmatism that the ASEAN Plus Three countries have shown to separate political and economic issues will allow for further extensive economic integration to continue, but this will be limited by social and cultural factors, such as countries’ refusal to cede any sovereignty. The best way forward for economic integration lies in the creation of an ASEAN Plus Three Free Trade Agreement and an expansion of current institutions
Diversifying the Curriculum: An Analysis of Diversity Course Policies at the University of California San Diego
Get PDFAs U.S. higher education institutions and the larger society become increasingly global and racially and ethnically diverse, educational institutions are faced with the challenge of adapting their policies and academic curriculum to reflect and meet the demands of a changing environment. As part of a comprehensive plan to address campus climate issues at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), the UC San Diego Academic Senate revised the undergraduate graduation requirement in 2011 to include one course that focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In addition to having a diverse student population, UC San Diego is ranked seventh in the nation among universities with the largest percentage of degree-seeking international students. But how is diversity related to international education and what does diversity have to do with international students?
This Capstone Paper will analyze the policies around the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion graduation requirement, including the course approval process and criteria, from an international education lens by synthesizing research on teaching and learning about diversity with studies on international student identity development
Argument for Internationally-Focused Curricula in US Primary Education Reform
Get PDFThe purpose of my research is to investigate the current climate within the field of International Education, create a meaningful connection to education reform efforts that shows the merit and necessity of internationally-focused curricula in a global society, and to argue in favor of attainable, effective cultural engagement programing in US primary education reform by which US students combine standard learning objectives with multicultural elements to improve cultural communication, awareness, understanding, and adaptation. By beginning cultural education and engagement in primary school, I will explain how students will develop a better understanding of other cultures, be more willing to invest their time into their education and create more avenues to sustainable solutions to global issues, leading to improved race and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and other foreign governments, as well as more inclusive governance and peace-building processes, all the while growing the field of International Education.
Keywords: International Education, Education, Curriculum, Reform, International Learning, Study Abroad, Culture, Engagement, Immersio
Laughing It Off The Role of Comedy and Humor in Combating Extremist Ideals in Jordan
Get PDFThis research focuses on comedy in Jordan, and whether it plays a role in the larger fight against extremist ideals in the region. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of how comedy is used in Jordan for a purpose other than merely making people laugh. Through this research, I study whether Jordanians believe that comedy has a role in combating extremism and if so, whether it is systematically employed for this specific purpose. The hypothesis of this study states that most Jordanians believe that comedy is a powerful weapon in the fight against extremism and as such, comedy has naturally experienced a change in its topics of focus. This research draws mostly on primary sources including interviews with comedians and government officials, surveys, material culture including past comedy performances, comedy shows, caricatures, etc., and prior research done on the topic. The war on terror cannot be won if it is solely fought on the battlefield. For this reason, studying this topic is of high importance because understanding other, non-conventional, methods of combating extremism will bring us that much closer to victory. The data of this research shows that most Jordanians, including comedians and government officials in fact believe that comedy serves as a powerful weapon to combat extremism. However, the data also shows that comedy is not systematically employed as an anti-terror tool neither from a government initiative, nor from comedian-led initiative. According to the data, this is due to reasons: the first is that the Jordanian government does not allocate appropriate funding and support to the comedy sector. Second, comedy in Jordan largely focuses on topics of government corruption and abuse of power. As it is the case that most Jordanians believe that comedy is a powerful tool which can help in the fight against extremism, it is important to find ways to support comedy and use it for the purpose of combating extremism
Democratization in the Arab World: A Moroccan case study of Culture, Religion, and Governance
Get PDFDemocracy and Islam are generally assumed as incompatible, which leads to further assumptions towards the notion that democracy in Muslim majority states can not be reconciled. The presence of a religious political culture appears as the main hindrance for sound democratic structures. However, it appears that the absence stems from other prominent factors. This paper extends the rhetoric that Islam and democracy can be compatible and a lack of democracy is dependent on specific authoritarian structures. Morocco, a Muslim majority state that is going through democratization offers data to gauge whether or not democratic practice is present within the general society. The present study attempts to explore the ways democracy is defined because of the way the majority of the population agree that it is the best form of government is democracy. There was specific analysis on measuring the extent of democratic values and practices that is engaged by the general Moroccan sentiment. Although it was found that general Moroccan sentiment isn’t democratic on all regards, this still cannot be used to explain that Islam and democracy are incompatible
Across Systems: Preventing, Countering, and Defusing Violent Extremism—a Discussion of Strategy, Policy, Practice, and Theory
Get PDFThis paper explores today’s landscape of violent conflict in the context of the now 15-year-old “War on Terror” and its defining trait of strengthened, nimble, and networked violent extremist non-state militant groups. Through an exploration of primarily United Nations and United States strategies, policies, and programming the concepts of Countering Violent Extremism and Preventing Violent Extremism are melded into a discussion of the shifting frameworks and broadening notions of what it takes to create human security. This paper is particularly concerned with how the traditionally at odds fields of Counter Terrorism, Military Security, Development Assistance, and Peacebuilding practice are co-thinking about how to create security in the world. Drawing on secondary research material from governments, intergovernmental agencies, and development assistance and peacebuilding practioners and practitioner organizations, this paper endeavors to paint a picture of how sub-national, national, sub-regional, regional, and international state and civil society communities are all necessary to build peace in todays’ multi-layered crisis and conflict social ecosystems. Keeping a social systems framework in mind this paper endeavors to describe the importance of confronting marginalization, fragility, loss of dignity and identity, and group and individual grievance. It also endeavors to describe sources of hope enmeshed within community resilience and ownership of security in an integrated social, economic, and political way. This paper contains a set of guiding questions to examine how non-state violent extremist groups are motivated and build power, but its overarching research question is more concerned with the possibility of negative dissonance between international frameworks of how to defuse (not to be confused with diffuse!) violent extremism more generally. This paper concludes that any dissonance is likely to be more political than programmatic but that this makes it no less important to pay attention to. Lastly, this paper tries to engage with the above concepts through the author’s own story and voice of growing up over the past 15 years and watching this “War on Terror” unfold in such terrifying ways. I do my best to make the case that we all, everyone one of us, need to own security in the ways we personally best can for the good of all life, human and otherwise, on Planet Earth