Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2025, Communication

Stigma related to one's accent negatively affects the health decisions and behaviors of individuals with non-native American accents in the United States. Drawing upon stigma management communication theory (SMCT), this study explored the stigma experiences of individuals with non-native American accents in the United States, how they manage these situations and how it shapes their healthcare behaviors through ten semi-structured interviews. Stereotype threat, dismissiveness, preconceived judgment of their English-speaking abilities and discrimination were experienced by half of the participants. SMCT's strategies of accepting, avoiding, evading, reducing offensiveness, ignoring, evading responsibility, and denying were also identified. The results show that individuals with non-native American accents also experience stigma related to their accent in healthcare situations which makes them hesitant to seek care. The findings suggest that stereotype threat and patients' stigma management strategies are important phenomena that can impact the healthcare outcome of patients with non-native American accents. This study is one of the first studies that applies SMCT specifically to investigate how people with accents navigate the healthcare setting as they experience stigma.

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2025, Communication

In light of mounting political backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, this study investigates how the gender and racial identity of a spokesperson influence audience perceptions of credibility and the effectiveness of DEI messaging. Grounded in source credibility theory, the study examines the impact of trustworthiness, expertise, and goodwill alongside identity congruence between speaker and audience. Using a between-subjects experimental design (N = 208), participants were exposed to a DEI message delivered by a spokesperson varying by race (Black/White), gender (male/female), and credibility profile. Results showed that all three credibility dimensions significantly predicted message effectiveness, with trustworthiness as the strongest predictor. Unexpectedly, female spokespersons were rated higher in perceived expertise, and messages delivered by Black spokespersons were viewed as more effective. However, shared identity effects were mixed: shared gender identity decreased perceived message effectiveness, and shared racial identity showed no significant effect. These findings underscore the importance of identity cues in DEI communication and offer timely implications for organizational messaging strategies at a time when the legitimacy of DEI efforts is increasingly contested.

MFA, Kent State University, 2025, College of the Arts / School of Art

This thesis explores the intersection of ceramics, memory and space, emphasizing how clay serves as a medium for expressing emotional and infrastructural conditions. To argue that flat disrupts modern spatial systems through its inherent materiality and gestures of mark making.

Bachelor of Science of Journalism (BSJ), Ohio University, 2025, Journalism

The People's Republic of China (PRC) has been one of the most populated countries for years. In 1979, the PRC implemented a one-child policy to curb the country's population growth. Although there were some exceptions to the rule, many families lived with trying to make the policy work. In a country with strict laws, little tolerance for defiance, and a long-standing history of favoring sons over daughters, a surplus of baby girls were seen as less desirable for families to keep. As a result, more than 160,000 Chinese children were adopted by people all over the world with about 82,000 of those children adopted by families in the U.S. alone. Even though the one-child policy has affected many adoptees and families directly, many people, including citizens in the PRC and other diaspora Chinese, have not heard about or remember the initiative. Despite the political contexts of the PRC's history and cultural standards, this thesis details the effects of China's one-child policy on adopted Asian American women today, and how they continue their life story with intersecting identities.

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2025, Communication

This study explores how older adults perceive and manage stigma related to aging, as well as the role social support plays in that process. Using qualitative interviews, findings revealed that while many participants claimed they had not experienced stigma, their narratives often described dismissive or devaluing encounters, suggesting a disconnect between conceptualizing stigma and experiencing it. Drawing on Stigma Management Communication (SMC) theory, this study contributes real-life examples of how older adults navigate stigma, sometimes through denial, resilience, or selective engagement with social support systems. The research also connects these experiences to the framework of social support, demonstrating how emotional connections with friends and family serve as protective factors both before and after stigma occurs. Despite strong informal support systems, participants often still felt invisible or underestimated in public spaces, suggesting that social support alone cannot fully buffer the effects of ageism. Practical implications highlight the need for more accessible mental health services, age-specific messaging in public health, and deeper provider training to support the evolving needs of a diverse aging population.

Doctor of Nursing Practice , Case Western Reserve University, 2025, School of Nursing

Problem. SBAR is not routinely used in CRNA communication practices at the target facility, allowing the possibility of communication lapses and increasing the likelihood of an adverse event. Purpose. This quality improvement project was aimed at measuring the usage and perceived importance of SBAR before and after an educational presentation on SBAR through the use of pre- and post-education surveys. Methods. Electronic pre- and post-education surveys were created on REDCapTM along with a PowerPointTM educational presentation available in PDF format. The surveys and educational presentation were then distributed to the entire CRNA department at the target facility via email for a period of four weeks with reminder emails encouraging participation at the end of each week. Pertinent findings. The mean difference comparing the pre- and post-education survey responses of SBAR usage was .744 (SD = .880); t(38) = 5.276 with a statistically significant p-value of <.001. For perceived importance, the difference in means before and after education was .410 (SD = .637); t(38) = 4.020 and p<.001. Thus, statistically significant results were found when comparing CRNA participants' perceived importance of using SBAR and their SBAR usage before and after an educational presentation on SBAR. The open-ended prompt revealed barriers to SBAR adoption which included time pressure, indifference from the postoperative team during handoff, distractions, and lack of both education and prior usage of SBAR. Conclusions for practice. CRNAs responded with a higher likelihood of implementing SBAR into their future regular practice, and perceived SBAR as having more importance after the SBAR education presentation. Implementation of SBAR- centered education and a formal communication tool into daily practice can establish a communication standard to enhance patient safety in the perioperative period.

Bachelor of Science of Communication Studies (BSC), Ohio University, 2025, Communication Studies

Motherhood has been a subject of widespread sociopolitical discourse over the past several centuries. Historically, motherhood has been utilized societally as a way to control women by limiting their societal contributions to the domestic realm (Mill, 1870; Stanton, 1892). Due to deeply ingrained cultural narratives about motherhood, even as the women's rights movement has gained traction over the past century, cultural discourse and political decisions about motherhood and women's reproductive capacity are still being utilized to oppress women. On top of this, over the past several decades, the global birth rate has been on the decline. Within the Millennial generation this trend is heavily researched, but as it currently stands, little research has been done to understand Generation Z's attitudes towards motherhood. Given that Generation Z is on the precipice of these decisions, and that the past several years in the United States have led to significant changes in motherhood related discourse, now is the time to research the rising generation's relationship to motherhood. This senior thesis utilizes interviews conducted with sixteen female-identified members of Generation Z to explore the relationship between this generation and motherhood, all within a framework of memorable messages and narrative theory. I identify how cultural discourse towards motherhood is being used to socially construct mothering experiences and I expand understandings of motherhood beyond normative representations of mothering.

MA, Kent State University, 2025, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies

In the digital age, parents increasingly engage in "sharenting"—the act of sharing their children's photos and personal information on social media—which raises concerns about privacy, identity theft, and other risks. This phenomenon significantly affects children's privacy and has implications for their psychological and social well-being. Guided by Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory, this study examines the role of privacy awareness and religiosity in sharenting and privacy management practices among Saudi parents. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through a survey from a sample of Saudi parents (N = 139). The findings revealed that extrinsic religiosity was positively associated with all dimensions of sharenting—self-control, social behaviors, and implications—and with boundary linkages and permeability in CPM. In contrast, intrinsic religiosity showed a negative correlation with boundary permeability, but no significant relationship with any sharenting dimensions. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between privacy awareness and boundary ownership in CPM. The study also identified gender differences in sharenting behaviors, with mothers more likely to post pictures of their children. Importantly, the results indicated no significant relationship between privacy awareness and sharenting behaviors. This research aims to inform initiatives promoting privacy-conscious digital practices among parents and supports the development of child protection policies in Saudi Arabia to safeguard children's online privacy.

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2025, Speech-Language Pathology

The "gap year" is a period in which students take time off school or professional pursuits, often in the context of their ongoing career development. This study explores the experiences of students who take a gap period between their undergraduate and graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Motivations for taking a gap period vary, including seeking respite from academia, addressing financial concerns, or gaining personal growth. This research aims to analyze the perceptions and experiences of students who participated in a gap period, examining both elective and non-elective breaks from formal education. Through a mixed, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the study reveals that regardless of whether the gap period was chosen voluntarily, all participants recognized valuable benefits, such as personal development, realignment, and clearer career direction. The findings underscore the positive impact of time away from academia on students' broader professional trajectories in CSD. While the study does not assess the full extent of students who do not return to their academic programs after a gap period, it highlights the growth and benefits experienced by those who do re-enter. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the importance of understanding gap periods as a significant period of transition and development, contributing to academic and professional success in CSD.

Bachelor of Science of Journalism (BSJ), Ohio University, 2025, Journalism

A qualitative thematic analysis analyzing six hip-hop artists and their musical works over the last 25 years.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2025, Environment and Natural Resources

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues today, particularly for minority groups who are disproportionately affected by its consequences. One of the solutions to climate change is the use of low carbon or carbon-free energies, and more specifically the electrification of energy used in vehicles/transportation, heating, cooking, etc. Policies and programs are necessary to implement these changes, however, often do not reach the communities that need them the most – minority and immigrant neighborhoods. Even if these communities are consulted on those policies – which they are often not – the results and implementations are not well communicated. This case study uncovers the preferred communication practices regarding electrification policies to minority and immigrant communities in Columbus, Ohio. This is achieved using semi-structured qualitative interviews where participants were asked about their communication preferences – mode/method, the messenger, expertise, etc. In total, 63 semi-structured interviews were conducted in minority and immigrant populations in Columbus, Ohio, with a particular focus on Nepali and Somali communities. The results showcase a multitude of communication preferences. The top responses regarding method of communications are social media/internet, mailing services, and email. Furthermore, there was a slight preference for verbal information versus written. The overwhelming preference for the messenger is community members or organizations, with the main reason being trust in community members or organizations. Additionally, the inclusion of experts increases message receptiveness. When asked about ineffective communication strategies, a wide variety of answers were received; however, door-to-door, private companies, and politicians are the top three responses. The most prominent explanation participants gave for their preferences had something to do with trust. The present research illustrates how the method and messenger of inf (open full item for complete abstract)

PHD, Kent State University, 2025, College of Communication and Information

Sexual assault remains a significant issue on college campuses, with rape myth acceptance (RMA) contributing to both its perpetuation and societal barriers to justice. This dissertation examines whether empathy priming and vivid messaging can enhance narrative involvement, a critical mechanism of persuasion, to address RMA among college-aged males. Drawing on the Extended Elaboration Likelihood Model (E-ELM) and narrative persuasion literature, this study explores how accessible, cost-effective methods—empathy priming and vivid narratives—can facilitate engagement with mediated messages in the absence of high production quality resources. Using a 2x2 experimental design with a message control group, participants (N = 284) were randomly assigned to one of five conditions: empathy prime paired with a vivid message, empathy prime paired with a non-vivid message, objective prime paired with a vivid message, objective prime paired with a non-vivid message, or a control condition. Participants completed measures of narrative involvement and RMA following message exposure. Conditional effects were analyzed using Hayes' PROCESS macro in SPSS. Findings demonstrated that both empathy priming and vivid messaging significantly enhanced narrative involvement, a key determinant of persuasive outcomes. Although no direct effects were observed between these variables and RMA, the study highlights the utility of priming and vivid messaging as practical tools for fostering engagement with narratives, even in resource-constrained contexts. By strategically leveraging priming and vividness, effective audience engagement can still be achieved, advancing the broader goal of fostering attitude and behavior change through narrative persuasion.

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2025, Communication

Narrative research consistently utilizes moral evaluations of characters to predict how audience members will hope for good or bad outcomes for good or bad characters under the Affective Disposition Theory. More recent research focuses on moral judgments as a culmination of five moral domains: care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and purity. This study aims to better understand how a moral violation specific to one of the five domains impacts moral judgments in all the domains. Using a repeated measures experimental design, I looked to answer whether moral evaluations would decrease in a domain specific, a partially domain specific or a domain general way. Results indicated that witnessing a moral violation of any kind led to all moral domains experiencing a decrease in judgment, but some conditions also demonstrated support for the domain specific idea. Limitations and how future research can overcome them are discussed.

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2025, Communication

This study examines how AI-based fact-checkers are perceived as credible and effective in correcting vaccine-related misinformation. Specifically, I analyzed how AI fact-checkers sponsored by governmental vs. non-profit vs. profit organizations and trained with data from the internet vs. fine-tuned by medical journals differ from each other in affecting the credibility of the fact-checkers and the effectiveness of their correction messages. For this study, we recruited 815 participants from CloudResearch and C-REP featuring a 3 X 2 design online experiment. In terms of statistical analysis, we conducted an ANCOVA analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. This study advances AI fact-checking literature by addressing unexplored aspects of AI, generating both theoretical and practical contributions.

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2025, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

With the recent focus in most schools on social and emotional learning (SEL), school district leaders have implemented Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to provide interventions and supports to students based on their social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Administrators have begun this process by establishing leadership teams to plan and implement MTSS within their building. Existing research informs school administrators and leadership teams of common practices for MTSS implementation, lacking direct information about the challenges and successes during the lived experiences of those who have successfully implemented MTSS within their school buildings. This qualitative study aimed to develop an understanding of the daily experiences during implementation of administrators and leadership team members in a district that has an established MTSS. Developing awareness of common challenges faced by administrators and leadership team members, and utilizing similar strategies that were used to overcome these challenges can improve the MTSS implementation process for districts that are in the earlier stages of implementation. During interview sessions and within the survey responses, participants from the elementary school buildings explained the challenges that they faced and the strategies their team used that led to their success. Despite the numerous challenges encountered, the overall experience was positively rated, with an overall satisfaction of 83%. The most significant impacts of success within these teams included the strength and motivation of the leadership team, the frequent and consistent communication and involvement of staff members, and the realization of the successful efforts leading to student growth and achievement.

PHD, Kent State University, 2025, College of Nursing

Without the formation of an identity, there are long-lasting emotional, psychological, and social effects. The body of research related to identity development has not focused on adolescent online and in person support which is also influenced by quality of friendship. With the COVID-19 pandemic, 60% of adolescents (2,511,169 children between 10-19 years old) are communicating with friends and family “one or more times per day” using text or social media (Common Sense Media, 2022; Granic et al., 2020). The study's overarching aim was to evaluate the impact of the combination of online and in person peer social support, friendship quality, and the effect on individual identity development among adolescents. The combination of Narrative Identity Development Framework and Marcia's identity status theory allow for an expansion on current developmental theories. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional design, 102 adolescents 12 -17-years old, who reside in The United States were recruited using social media. Data was collected using Qualtrics online data management programming. The average age of participants was 14.6 years, 52.9% were female, and 25 U.S. states were represented within the study sample. The participant population reported academic grade levels between 5th-12th, higher socioeconomic status, and elevated percentage of African culture (14.6%) compared to the national averages (Anderson & Jiang, 2015). Measurement tools included Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Network of Relationship Inventory: Relationship Quality Version (NRI), Friendship Quality of Social Network Sites (FQSNS), Measurement of Technology and Anxiety Survey (MUTAS), and Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Scale (EOM-EIS II) to measure peer social support, friendship quality, active and passive social media use, and identity development. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including Pearson coefficient correlation, independent (open full item for complete abstract)

Ed.D., Antioch University, 2025, Education

Goethe expressed his devotion to his scientific and artistic pursuits as “love” (Lambert, 2011, p. 35). Motivated by love for anthroposophical initiatives in the world, the research question for this dissertation is: can deep listening be a support for the organizational health and wellbeing of anthroposophical inspired initiatives? Exploring and examining research on listening attuned to anthroposophical initiatives, this research seeks to understand existing wisdom on listening and its impact on organizational wellbeing. The theoretical foundations for this research are based on anthroposophical insights and a Goethean worldview. These foundational concepts relate to indigenous ways of knowing through their acknowledgement of body, soul, and spirit, and the reciprocity of all life. This research seeks to determine if practice with listening styles and Goethean listening can add to the wellbeing of anthroposophical inspired organization life. The research specifically looked at the effect of listening as practiced in Goethean conversation with organizational leaders in relation to their role. The research methods were a series of listening workshops offered to Waldorf schools and a series of four Goethean conversations with eight school organizational leaders who participated in the listening workshops or received a detailed overview video of the listening workshops. The number of participants in the listening workshops was open; parents, faculty, administration, and board members were invited to participate in these workshops. Eighteen people participated in two online and two in-person workshops. Participants were a mix of Waldorf teachers, Waldorf school principals, parents, and board members. Data were collected with a quantitative survey given to workshop participants, and poetry as a data method for the Goethean conversation. Positive outcomes were reported for the listening workshops and Goethean conversations, surpassing the researchers' hope for participan (open full item for complete abstract)

Ed.D., Antioch University, 2025, Education

Language not only carries oppression as an educative force, but research indicates that language is inherently speciesist and highly pervasive (Ethical Globe, 2021; Guevara Labaca, 2017; Hamlett, 2024; Leach et al., 2023). However, the ontological commitment to speciesism is historically foundational, which makes the total eradication of speciesist communication only viable through an unemerged hypothetical future society (Kahn, 2011). For the possibilities of such a world to come into being, pivotal steps must first be taken to critically engage with the communicated forms of speciesism in order to better understand it and actively resist its reproduction—with the aspiration for this anti-speciesist work to become more institutionalized and culturally relevant. Complemented by critical discourse analysis (CDA) to analyze the nature of language and its power dynamics, this autoethnographic study examines the hidden curricular aspects of speciesist discourse, and the ways in which oppressive ideologies are practically reinforced by it. Data sources collected from personal memory exercises, self-observational audits, and self-reflections on everyday speciesist engagements are analyzed using critical reflexivity through a combined lens of humane education, ecolinguistics, and disability studies. Results highlighted the unique experiences of holding a double consciousness (Du Bois, 1968) as both a former, unconscious participant in speciesist culture, and now as an activist opposing speciesism. This study opens further possibilities to future scholars who wish to take up this work, as well as expands the literature to include a practical exploration into countering speciesist discourse through civic engagement and the educational opportunities afforded by everyday interactions. Additionally, the research bridges the gap between the hidden curriculum of traditional classroom environments and the hidden curriculum of the culture that shapes our learning through everyday e (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2025, Media and Communication

Illegal gold mining, locally known as galamsey, has resulted in widespread environmental degradation in Ghana, particularly through water pollution,deforestation and public health crises. Despite regulatory efforts, affected communities continue to suffer, prompting renewed citizen-led activism. Between September and October 2024, thousands of Ghanaians mobilized both online and offline under the #StopGalamsey protest campaign, drawing national and international attention to the ecological and social consequences of illegal mining. This study critically examines how visual, digital, and embodied rhetorics shaped this protest movement, and how citizens, civil society organizations, and media institutions engaged in advocacy for environmental justice. Rooted in intersectionality and environmental justice theory, and drawing from an intercultural science communication lens, this thesis adopts a multi-method qualitative approach. It analyzes 1,313 tweets and 1,067 Instagram posts from 16 media, activist, and civil society accounts; three Daily Graphic editorials; and ten protest visuals from legacy media outlets and a civil society group, focusing on the peak of the #StopGalamsey protests, September 21 to October 31, 2024. The thematic and visual analysis uncovered four key themes: environmental and health crisis, protest and resistance, government accountability and policy failure, and media and civil society influence. Findings reveal that social media played a crucial role in mobilization, civic engagement, and transnational solidarity. Protest visuals including infographics, live protest photography and an artwork used symbolism, irony, and emotion to emphasize the urgency of the crisis. Women activists faced distinct forms of repression, revealing intersectional vulnerabilities within the environmental justice movement. Traditional media, including BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, amplified these messages globally, while Daily Graphic editorials mirrored citize (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2025, Popular Culture

This thesis examines Billie Eilish's debut album, Gracie Abrams's second EP, and Ethel Cain's debut album, as vehicles of unconventional resistance to patriarchal oppression. These connections are explored and supported by drawing on Homi Bhabha's theory of melancholic revolt, Sigmund Freud's concept of melancholia, and Sara Ahmed's affect theory. The singersongwriters' experiences with anxiety, depression, and trauma paired with these lenses allows for multiple conclusions to be drawn; the artists create an accepting community instead of one of despair, promote reclamation of identity, and convey sense of self-agency. The act of sharing vulnerabilities serves as a powerful form of resistance against societal norms that dictate emotional expression, particularly for women. By embracing and vocalizing their sadness, anxiety, and trauma, Eilish, Abrams, and Cain challenge the expectations placed upon them, thereby shifting the power dynamic inherent in patriarchal narratives. This work highlights the importance of emotional authenticity in the struggle against oppression, revealing how the Sad Girl Pop genre not only provides a platform for individual expression but also constitutes a collective rebellion against hegemonic ideals.