Abby Hilton Catawba College Progressive Institutional Change: Hiring Individuals with Disabilities This project, Progressive Institutional Change: Hiring Individuals with Disabilities, addresses the need for change to the current institutional practice surrounding the method of hiring people with disabilities into the workforce. Historically, people have looked at those with disabilities as being less capable leading to exclusion in the workforce. In reality, while these individuals may have a disability, they are still able to make many contributions to the workforce when given appropriate support. There are many current working laws and regulations for this institution. However, it is important to note that just because there are rules does not mean they are being followed. The primary stakeholders with vested interests in not hiring those with disabilities are the employers. To hire individuals with disabilities, employers would have to undergo training and provide accommodations and modifications to create an accessible work environment. This project works to challenge the status quo and advocate for change to the hiring and inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the workforce.
Amanda Sanchez Central Piedmont Community College Uncovering Lost Knowledge of Pre-Columbian Native American Cultures The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was passed in 1990. In the three decades since its passage, the power imbalance between institutions and Native Americans has become undeniable. Ale≈° Hrdliƒçka, a prominent anthropologist in the early 20th century, used brutal tactics to plunder marginalized communities of cultural items and ancestral remains. While some cultural items and ancestral remains have been repatriated, the majority have not. Institutions have used deceptive tactics to avoid repatriation. Discovering what has been hidden by institutions and repatriating it may give Native communities more than material items; they may discover lost knowledge about their cultures. This research aims to uncover the extent of Hrdliƒçka and his colleague‚  pillaging and identify solutions to repatriate all cultural items and ancestral remains, including those beyond the limitations of NAGPRA.
Amyra Dial Western Carolina University Joy of Christmas РMini-Grant Reflection Joy of Christmas was a service project created and led by students, funded by the Brinson Honors College Board of Directors. The idea for this project came from a love for children and a desire to ensure they had their necessities along with some wants. Many families couldn’t afford to buy their kids gifts for Christmas, but we felt every kid deserved this experience that simple joy. We partnered with a pre-k class at Smokey Mountain Elementary School, which provided the opportunity to work with a diverse population of students. We achieved our goal by purchasing, collecting, and wrapping gifts. We then presented them to the students at a class party. We had three categories of gifts Рeducational, hygienic, and entertaining. This project allowed our team to develop lifelong skills such as time management, and leadership. This was a memorable experience, and we are grateful we had the opportunity.
Brynne Sawyer Western Carolina University Lasting Impacts of Natural Disasters in Denis Johnson‚  Train Dreams and Ariel Francisco‚  A Sinking Ship is Still a Ship Denis Johnson‚  Train Dreams follows Robert Grainier as he endures a life marked by loss and the harsh forces of nature. As a logger, Robert exploits nature‚  resources while also attempting to coexist with it. Robert has a wife and daughter who are eventually killed in a forest fire that also wipes out his entire homestead and everything he owns. The novella explores how nature‚  power to give and take leaves lasting trauma, as seen in Robert‚  struggle to rebuild his life. Similarly, Ariel Francisco‚  A Sinking Ship is Still a Ship features a speaker obsessed with natural disasters, reflecting the real-life devastation millions face. In 2021 alone, 15 million American homes were impacted by natural disasters, leaving many people grappling with how to move forward. These stories highlight the profound psychological toll that natural disasters inflict, which are far beyond their initial physical destruction.
Carson Doyle Western Carolina University The Power of Place in Living Systems The Power of Place in the Living System of the State is integral to the stability of its society, its political base, and the overall state. Through an analysis of each individual subsystem, and the effects environment and geography have upon them, we can make judgments, not only on the state‚  stability and growth, but on its cultural and historical development. This presentation will be focused on the use of a Living Systems framework to identify, classify, and predict outcomes for the actions of the society, the political base, and the overall state.
Chantell Chavez Central Piedmont Community College Where Do We Hang Out: A Look into Third Places in the United States The current presentation describes how economic disparities correlate directly with accessibility to third places.  A third place is a public gathering space requiring little to no money to participate in, such as parks and coffee shops. The term was coined in the 70s when third places thrived until the 90s. Third places have declined under the weight of anti-urbanization, weak transportation infrastructure, and the sociospatial disparities of their locations. The COVID-19 pandemic produced an increased need for human connection and, in turn, third places. However, these spaces are predominately found in higher-income communities. This presentation strives to explain the importance of human connection through third places and argues that accessibility to third places should not be confined to wealthy, predominately White communities but stay true to its original definition as a little to no cost space available to all for human connection to thrive.
Daniel Ramirez Central Piedmont Community College Bridging the Gap: Financial Strategies to Address Wealth Disparity in North Carolina North Carolina is no stranger to wealth inequality. The state has seen economic growth in recent years, fostering optimism that it will continue along this path. However, as North Carolina‚  economy and wages have grown in recent years, so has the wealth gap. It is crucial to ask how we, as members of North Carolina communities, can ensure that all North Carolinians with the will to rise the ladder have equal opportunities to benefit from this momentous growth. This presentation will examine the root causes of wealth disparity in North Carolina and propose various solutions to address these issues, such as financial literacy programs, equitable access to quality education and affordable housing, and progressive tax policies. This research aims to provide community members, leaders, and leading institutions with the necessary context and insight to bridge the wealth gap in North Carolina.
David Diaz University of North Carolina Wilmington Children‚  Exposure to Gratitude Through Read-Aloud Books This study explores the influence of online storybook read-alouds on the development of gratitude in children. Gratitude is defined as the overall tendency to notice and appreciate the positive aspects of one’s life. This study analyzed the transcriptions of 81 storybooks from Storyline Online, which is part of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, a non-profit organization. These books were aimed at elementary school-aged children and received an average of 4,156,131 views. Keyword searches from the book text and additional contributions from the narrator were used to identify the frequency of gratitude-related concepts, such as “gratitude,” “thanks,” and ‚Äúappreciate.‚Äù The results indicate that within these 81 storybooks, these concepts appeared 60 times in the text and 71 times by the narrator, suggesting that online read-alouds play a significant role in exposing children to gratitude. The implications of these findings show that virtual spaces contribute to new opportunities for positive development in children’s gratitude.
Elizabeth Pennell Western Carolina University ‚ÄúBuilding Bridges‚Äù: Connecting the WCU Honors Community for Over 25 Years Western Carolina University‚  honors college is one of a kind.  Started in 1997, it is the first residential honors college in the University of North Carolina system and is now the oldest and one of the largest.  The current honors residence halls are connected by an archway, a bridge between the halls.  This place represents the college and there are other invisible ties bridging the community of students together throughout history.  One of these bridges is the student advisory board that gives students a voice in the college and connects the students to each other and the faculty and staff.  As an honors student and executive member of the student Brinson Honors College Board of Directors, I have researched the history of the college and advisory board.  This unique community has been built and sustained over the years through these essential bridges like community, leadership, and faculty connections.
Emily Sharpe Western Carolina University Brinson Honors College Advising Model In 2023, Western Carolina University adopted a new advising model for the campus. Historically, WCU had a dual advising model in which students started out with a professional advisor and were assigned a faculty advisor when they declared a major. Under the new model, once students reach 45 credit hours, they are assigned a faculty advisor in their major(s). When they reach 60 credit hours, their professional advisor is removed. In Brinson Honors College, students retain their Honors advisor from orientation to graduation. In this presentation, I explore the benefits and challenges of Brinson Honors College‚  unique Honors advising model within the larger context of Western Carolina University.
Emma Roy Western Carolina University Le Cinema de Francais: The Process of Completing and Reflecting on a Creative Project in Foreign Language Within the Honors Experience This project seeks to provide a coherent assessment of the process taken to construct and complete an Honors Contract within the discipline of foreign language. The Contract‚  aim was to encourage the student‚  understanding of French culture via analysis of French films while continuing to develop a deeper comprehension of the French language. With this project, I will evaluate the Contract‚  efficacy as it relates to the student‚  requirements and performance for the course and as a contribution to my honors experience. The project will also identify the limitations placed on the Contract by the scope of the course and the capabilities of the student. Beyond the Contract‚  abilities, this project will reflect on the collaboration necessary between student and professor, the experience of balancing the Contract with a full courseload, and the academic fulfillment achieved by the student upon successful completion of the Contract.
Eric Toler UNC Greensboro Honors in the Here & Now:  The Evolution from International to Global Honors at Lloyd International Honors College To enhance accessibility and broaden student engagement, Lloyd International Honors College has transformed its International Honors track into Global Honors. A desire to recruit more students, combined with evolving student demographics, marked by increased responsibilities and diverse academic backgrounds, prompted a revision of honors requirements. Common obstacles included mandatory study abroad and proficiency in a foreign language (204 level) given a reduction of the foreign language requirement for most majors.
Global Honors seeks to alleviate these challenges by offering a more flexible curriculum and encouraging diverse experiential learning opportunities beyond traditional study abroad that allow students to make an impact on their communities, both locally and globally. This presentation will delve into the rationale behind transitioning from International Honors to Global Honors, exploring the thoughtful choices made, and evaluating the impact of this transformative shift.
Faith Blom Central Piedmont Community College Life Beyond Earth: How NASA is Growing Food in Space Sixty-three years ago, the first astronaut was launched into space. At that time, the only goal was to send an astronaut to low Earth orbit and return them safely to the ground, but in recent decades, the horizon has been focused on Mars. For success on Mars, astronauts need essentials to travel safely through the emptiness of space, with food being the greatest of needs. As a result, NASA scientists challenged themselves and created The Vegetable Production System, more commonly known as Veggie. Through this program, astronauts have been working collaboratively with Biologists, Botanists, and Horticulturists on the ground to discover how to grow food in microgravity. This presentation will take the audience on a journey to learn how Veggie works, why it is important, and how it may be one solution for issues here on Earth.
Gabriela Rivera Wayne Community College Passion4Paws
For a service learning project in Leadership Development, my group collected food and toys for our local animal shelter to support the less fortunate animals in our community. We also had people help make dog toys by taking any type of fabric, like old T-shirts, and braiding strips together. At our Honors and Global Showcase, many students, faculty, and people around the community came by our booth and helped make around 70 of these DIY dog toys. These were donated to Wayne County Animal Shelter. With this project, we hoped to inspire people and younger generations in Wayne County to get involved with local organizations and help in any way that they can. We also hoped to bring light to these animals at the shelters that are in desperate need of homes.
Isabella Barger Western Carolina University Appalachian Flooding

Flooding is the most common and widespread natural disaster. Despite this, floods are difficult to predict and remain poorly understood by the public. The Appalachian Mountain range has unique and high risk for flooding events due to a multitude of factors. The region is classified as a temperate rainforest, and has steep topography, complex soil morphology, and compounding anthropogenic activities resulting from natural resource exploitation. As the global climate warms and average rainfall in the Appalachian Mountains increases, it has become both urgent and essential to understand how riverine and flash flooding events occur and impact the region. By comparing the Great Flood of 1957 to the July 2022 Floods of Eastern Kentucky, these findings illuminate the natural hazards of the Appalachian Mountains, past and current emergency responses and their failings, as well as a path forward through improved hazard mitigation efforts.

Key words: Appalachia, riverine and flash floods, mitigation
Itala Flores Central Piedmont Community College The Cost of Fast Fashion: Environmental and Social Impact Fast fashion is a prevalent business model in the global fashion industry that emphasizes rapid production and low-cost clothing, imitating the latest trends. While it offers consumers affordable and trendy options, the environmental and social costs are alarming. Fast fashion significantly contributes to carbon emissions, water pollution, and textile waste, making the fashion industry one of the largest polluters globally. Furthermore, it often relies on exploitative labor practices in some countries, where workers face low income and unsafe conditions. This presentation explores the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, highlighting the culture of recycling, and proposing solutions such as second-hand markets, clothing repurpose, and evocating for ethical practices in the fashion industry. By rethinking our relationship with clothing, we can reduce the harmful effects of fast fashion and move towards a more sustainable future.
Jackson Futch Appalachian State University A Critique of Radical Democracy and a Movement Towards Poststructuralist Anarchism This paper focuses on a Poststructuralist critique of Ernesto Laclau and Chantel Mouffe‚  concept of Radical Democracy and Post-Marxism and continues to propose the alternative answer of Poststructuralist Anarchism. This critique of Radical Democracy will center around Laclau and Mouffe‚  defense of transcendental liberal values as a needed basis for political discourse and the life-denying implications of hegemonic pluralism. These two major problems along with a myriad of other issues reduce the truly revolutionary capacity of the Poststructuralist authors Laclau and Mouffe attempt to utilize. Within these blunders Laclau and Mouffe relegate emancipation from a hierarchical and moral system to, at best, the private realm. In an attempt to move beyond these limitations, this paper will propose to understand Radical Democracy as a pragmatic egalitarian stepping stone towards the truly radical proposition of Poststructuralist Anarchism as defined primarily by Andrew Koch and Todd May.
Jake Bonafede Western Carolina University Dangers of misleading statistics among Native Americans In my presentation, I will go over numerous incorrect and misleading statistics in regards primarily to Cherokee Native Americans but also to Native American tribes in general. I will discuss how these statistics lead to prejudice and many other harmful things that make lives of Native Americans more difficult. After I connect the harmful statistics to negative effects, I will discuss how that led to historical moments, such as the Trail of Tears. Using these statistics, I will also show how common misleading statistics are in our lives and how harmful they are to our entire society. I will introduce ways to make statistics of Native Americans more widely available and accurate, and demonstrate why that would be impactful to society at large.
Jennifer Larsen UNCG Historical Piracy and Modern Interpretation: From the Caribbean to the Carolinas Pirates adopted many names throughout their history, and each name connects to a place. My research utilizes published memoirs of buccaneers like Exquemelin, arguing that ‘buccaneers’ were a unique incarnation of piracy produced by the Caribbean due to a specific cultural, political, and geographic confluence. These Caribbean buccaneers of the late seventeenth century laid the foundations for the most popular pirate narratives of the last two centuries. My continued research seeks to survey the main themes of pirate history in North Carolina’s public museums and events to discover how people connect with that history in everyday life. North Carolina’s storied maritime history evokes a pride-of-place celebrating local ties to the infamous pirate Blackbeard and the wreck of Queen Anne’s Revenge. Just as the original buccaneers shaped the culture and economy of the Caribbean, their enduring mythos and symbols continue to have social significance in North Carolina’s coastal communities.
Jessica Jacob University of North Carolina at Greensboro Fruit Consumption, Species Diversity, and Neophobia in Wild Panamanian White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus imitator) Capuchin monkeys (Cebus spp.) are flexible primates native to the Neotropics. Panamanian white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator) inhabit the Sector Santa Rosa (SSR), a dry tropical forest in Costa Rica. The SSR experiences extreme seasonal variability— with distinct wet and dry seasons, which affects the availability of the fruit capuchins rely on. The foraging behavior of capuchins in the SSR was recorded during both seasonal extremes. Statistical analyses were conducted on fruit selection and rejection behaviors. As hypothesized, a greater number of fruits were consumed during scarce periods, a wider array of species were consumed and total fruit rejections were higher during abundant periods, and the morphotype consumed more often was rejected less. These findings suggest that capuchins employ an energy-maximizing approach to foraging in response to scarcity. This study elucidates the role of neophobia and flexibility in the foraging strategies of an adaptable and highly intelligent primate species.
Jordan Hicks Western Carolina University Steinbeck and the ‚Äú-ologies‚Äù: Psychology, Biology, Physiology, and the Power of Animals in All Three In Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, animals bring these characters peace, healing, and stability, and an escape from the hard times in a place like Cannery Row. The most prevalent examples of this dynamic are Darling and Mack and the boys, Doc and his biological specimens, and Mary Talbot and her neighborhood cat friends. John Steinbeck, as an author, has shown his affinity for pets and specimens alike, not only through Cannery Row, but through other novels such as Travels with Charley: In Search of America and Of Mice and Men. The use of animal therapy in the Steinbeckian universe is only supported by the multitude of research in psychology, biology, and physiology that shows that the creatures have true healing power. In this paper, both the research on animal healing power and animal relationships in Steinbeck‚  novels will be examined.
Hestia Beltran Bamaca Catawba College The Satanic Panic and The Battle of Media Censorship From the 1960‚  to the late 1980‚  and onward, the genres of Rock n‚Äô Roll and Metal have sonically evolved from the foundational works of mainstream acts like The Beatles, to material that was criticized or embraced for a metric of being ‚Äúheavy‚Äù. The extremity of this evolving sound also came with equally extreme thought and iconography, which began to alarm some groups into developing a moral panic that has now been cemented to have been ‚Äî and still to be ‚Äî the ‚ÄúSatanic Panic‚Äù.
In this course project, various news broadcasts, books, retrospective writings of this period, and video were reviewed to depict what types of music were under scrutiny during this period of moral panic, how censorship efforts were made, how artists retaliated, and what kinds of thoughts and questions arose during this conflict of free expression and morality.
Kevin Paul Rojas Aguiar Central Piedmont Community College A Bright Future for Humanity in Gene Editing Gene editing technology is a ground-breaking innovation treating hereditary disorders impacting individuals since birth, such as variations of muscular dystrophy or Hepatitis B. Gene editing enables scientists to study various genetic diseases to improve their understanding and enhance treatment options. Despite its potential, critics argue that the use and development of this technology are dangerous and unethical since its uses could create permanent changes in genetics, potential side effects not yet seen, and social inequality as access is often limited to wealthy populations. This presentation summarizes recent research papers and articles highlighting the risks and benefits of gene editing, its uses in various inherited disorders and diseases, manipulation of microbes and its effects, and the future uses that gene editing can offer.
Lakota “Wyatt” Wilson Western Carolina University Finding Two Veterans: An Explication of Natasha Tretheway’s “Again, the Fields” Natasha Tretheway‚  Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry volume, Native Guard, explores the time before, in, and after the American Civil War through the lens of those African-Americans, born in the South, who fought for the Union and their freedom during the conflict. Additionally, her poetry focuses deeply on the multi-faceted relationship that Black Americans maintain with the American South. An exemplary poem from the volume is ‚ÄúAgain, the Fields.‚Äù This piece is ekphrastic in nature, using Winslow Homer‚  1865 painting The Veteran in a New Field as its source. Her poetic additions to the painting add layers to the already complex message found in the work, fostering an inclusive vision of the American landscape in the postbellum period. In addition, Tretheway uses color to intimate associations with an American identity. Tretheway‚  multidisciplinary approach to historical investigation and interrogation bears further examination and explication, remaining necessary in our current time and place.
Laurel Keasler Catawba College Making Waves: Exploring the Discourse Community of Swimming Discourse communities are groups connected through common interests, goals, and values providing a unique sense of belonging and community. Although competitive swimming may appear as a group of individuals aimlessly swimming back and forth in a pool the connection extends far beyond these boundaries.
This project was conducted through interviews bridging the gap between past and present, along with knowledge from online swimming sources providing context on language, goals, and feedback mechanisms in the swimming community. In line with this year‚  theme, Here & Now: The Power of Place, examining the Catawba swimming community illustrates how collective and individual connections to Catawba College, including collective experiences there among a subset of the Catawba community, influence our behaviors, beliefs, and values.
This presentation summarizes my project examining the discourse community of Catawba swimming, highlighting its rich history, past and present as a factor shaping discourse and defining it as a distinct community.
Lillian Haney Western Carolina University Native American Voices: The Impact of Native Americans on the Proclamation of 1763 and the Roots of Rebellion  The Proclamation of 1763 is most studied in the context of the American Revolution but the stories of the Indigenous peoples it impacted the most are often overlooked. By bringing those perspectives to light, this research will show how the Proclamation was written in response to Native American demands and actions following the transfer of their territory into British hands. It examines how the British presence at western forts, neglect of gift-giving practices, and lack of trade regulation in the territory between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River initiated Pontiac‚  War. The War then brought the attention of the British government to the need to regulate this territory and the trade occurring there. In response, the British government issued the Proclamation of 1763, which satisfied the Native Americans but angered many colonists, beginning a rift that would lead to American demands for independence only sixteen years later.
Mariam Idris Central Piedmont Community College The Science and Art of Joy This presentation emphasizes the science and art of joy by describing what occurs when one expresses joy and if sufficient evidence proves that this emotion can be mastered. Infants are born with the ability to express how they feel, supporting the idea that emotions are innate. Consider how dissatisfied infants cry or laugh when they are pleasantly satisfied without being taught. Beyond providing clues to how a person feels, emotions are known to influence behavior, decision-making, and quality of life. Joy is an uplifting emotion that can bring happiness and fulfillment while directly adding value to relationships initiating ripple effects. Thus, this presentation aims to highlight the importance of further exploring how joy may play a significant role in enhancing quality of life.
Mingyeong Jeong Central Piedmont Community College Endangered Species of the Ocean and The Importance of Biodiversity The ocean consists of salt water and covers 71% of the planet. 97% of the Earth’s water is found in the ocean, with more than 80% being beyond human reach. Although the ocean has been less studied than the land, life within it forms intricate, interconnected ecosystems. The ocean’s biodiversity is productive and resilient, enabling species to adapt to environmental changes. Deep-sea creatures and phytoplankton are essential for nutrient regeneration, carbon control, and sustaining the ocean’s food chain, collectively supporting climate stability. As land resources become increasingly depleted, the significance of the ocean is escalating. Raising awareness about endangered species and the importance of preserving their diversity is imperative. This research will examine how ocean biodiversity impacts people and discuss ways to protect disappearing species. This presentation aims to stimulate greater interest in conserving biodiversity and safeguarding endangered species.
Molly Mayfield Western Carolina University Communicating Queerness through Set Design in 1990s Cinema Mise-en-sc√®ne in 90s queer films defies traditional stereotypes by demonstrating the queerness and complexities of characters through meaningful set design. New Queer Cinema was a social movement in the 1990s that had an immense impact on the way queerness was represented in film. It started with a display of LGBTQ films at Sundance Film festival. As support for queer films grew, more were produced, including But I‚Äôm a Cheerleader (1999), a satirical rom-com that avoided traditional queer film stereotypes. Viewing and analyzing queer films and others from the 90s builds an understanding of the representation of queer characters. Film research supports the significance of set and production design in conveying important themes. But I‚Äôm a Cheerleader is one of the most prominent examples, with satire-gendered set design, and oversaturated colors. These films show how a character’s queerness, without being outwardly stated, can be observed through their space.
Mykala Anderson Western Carolina University Shaping our Perspectives: How Media Affects Climate Change The media is responsible for the dissemination of information. Honesty, transparency, and creditability of various sources influence public opinion and their views of important topics like climate change. The free flow of information without bias helps reaffirm American’s beliefs about the changing environment based on scientific results. The vast amount of outlets to share information and opinions makes it difficult for Americans to discern truth from exaggeration. These sources form valuable opinions and reactions toward the treatment of our environment and the alignment of in-groups. Coverage and consumption shape and potentially polarize the audience’s views toward the environment and one another. This presentation focuses on the research backing the responsibility of journalists to present information without bias and the need for consumption without predisposition.
Nico Markle Western Carolina University Race and Superfund Sites in North and South Carolina: A Geospatial Analysis of Environmental Injustice The current definition of Environmental Injustice identifies that minority individuals are often faced with disproportionate environmental risk burdens. This concept can be seen in North and South Carolina with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund site locations. By geospatial mapping the Black and African American populations in North and South Carolina and their proximities to EPA-designated Superfund sites, it is revealed that a higher population of these individuals surrounds many Superfund sites. This concept was mapped on ArcGIS Pro by creating a bivariate map using census data of the Black/African American populations and comparing it with the EPA geodatabase information regarding Superfund sites. The results reveal a high concentration of the Black/African American population surrounding the EPA-designated Superfund sites throughout both states. This research highlights the vulnerable population faced with severe environmental injustice and can help inform future risk assessments and public policy from an equity perspective.
Nicole Tran Appalachian State University Resilience and Resistance: A Focus on Nepal and Vietnam Growing up Vietnamese, I was always conscious of my country’s complex history of occupation and struggle. Which are similar to Nepal’s experiences. Despite centuries of occupation and turmoil, Nepal and Vietnam have maintained distinct cultural identities. This summer, I had the opportunity to experience Vietnam and Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, increasing my appreciation for their resilience. Learning about their traditions, cultures, and rituals, which have persevered despite adversity, has significantly influenced my understanding of resilience. This project uses my summer abroad experience to emphasize the relevance of maintaining cultural heritage as a record of our past and a source of strength and identity when facing adversity. Through my lived experience and continued study, I am dedicated to promoting the recognition and safeguarding of cultural heritage, so that the enduring spirit of these unique cultures can inspire future generations.
Parker Metlick Western Carolina University Ethical Use of AI in Communication and Public Relations Students in Western Carolina University‚  COMM 365 Public Relations Case Studies course were given an assignment designed to help them develop their own ethical self-awareness, how it coincides with the Public Relations Society of America‚  Member Code of Ethics, and identify the complexities of ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in communication and PR. Using a case study as the initial point of analysis, students explored the potential for bias and discrimination in the use of AI and generated recommendations for ethical education pertaining to AI at the undergraduate level.¬†¬†
Philip Cressler UNC Greensboro Western Gods on the East Coast Witness the representations of classic and modern Western religions on the Eastern American coast through the art form of poetry. Through satirical and personal poems, the presentation will seek to antiquity with the modern to criticize the image of a fallen world.
Priyanka Kumari Central Piedmont Community College Treating and Curing Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin Lymphoma The current presentation highlights the curability rates, demographics, epidemiological factors, symptomatology, research, and treatment methods of two main types of Lymphoma, NHL or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and HL or Hodgkin Lymphoma. Hodgkin-Lymphoma is the more curable of the two with there being over 70 Lymphoma types. Although there is a 74% survival rate, there is still a 26% 5-year mortality rate. An examination of treatment types finds combinations of treatments and new treatment methods lead to better patient outcomes of survival rates after treatment. This presentation explores how research and clinical trials present increased treatment options. Holistic treatment options aid better patient recovery. Research and development of new treatments, such as immunotherapy, aid in treatment and recovery and prevent relapse rates of Lymphoma. Today, new research looks to increase survival rates even further. By analyzing NHL and HL‚  high curability, we can identify innovations for treatment methods for other Lymphoma types.
Reuben Evans Central Piedmont Community College Housing in the Here and Now Studies show that an unsettling rise in homelessness has occurred in recent years. Homelessness is a multilayered crisis not only affecting families, communities, and individuals physically but psychologically, emotionally, and developmentally. Here and now in North Carolina, more than 9,000 individuals have experienced houselessness within the past 2 years. Inclusionary housing policies provide a tangible solution to this alarming reality. Inclusionary housing policies aspire to integrate affordable housing within market-rate developments to foster greater diversity and opportunity. Research supports the effectiveness of affordable housing supply, neighborhood diversity, and the beneficial economic outcomes. These potential outcomes increase the social health of communities by providing equitable life outcomes for those within our respective communities. Many challenges and underlying issues lead to the complex endeavor of homelessness. This research aims to demonstrate that systemic policy reform and implementing inclusionary housing in North Carolina can empower all residents alike.
Robert Turpin Lees-McRae College Envisioning a Place-Based Education in the Appalachian Mountains In recent years, we have seen a clear influx of incoming students who have a substantial number of transfer credits, even many with associate degrees. This has led Lees-McRae College and me, serving as the director of the honors program, to re-envision our program in ways that can accommodate these transfer students while leaning into our school’s goal of becoming known as an institution that offers experiential learning opportunities. These changes have resulted in a more malleable and place-based program. We have just begun our first year of offering this new program with an incoming class of honors students that is the largest yet. This presentation will share the changes that have been made to our curriculum, mission statement, and learning outcomes while inviting comments, suggestions, and general feedback to ensure this is an effective and workable program.
Sophia Rosenberg University of North Carolina at Greensboro Creating “Paradise”:  Passport Bros and Constructing Eastern Europe As ‚ÄúOther‚Äù This essay analyzes how the image of Eastern Europe as ‚ÄúOther‚Äù is constructed by Passport Bros, a growing subculture of Western men who travel to non-Western countries in search of traditional women and relationships. I first discuss how Eastern Europe has been historically viewed as ‚ÄúOther‚Äù in the eyes of the West, and that this ‚ÄúOtherness‚Äù has changed over time as the relationship between Western and Eastern Europe has evolved. Afterwards, I briefly explain the Manosphere and Passport Bros, before discussing my analysis of three Passport Bro creators and their content. I argue that they use their experiences with Eastern European women to construct an image of Eastern Europe as a ‚Äúparadise‚Äù for aspiring Passport Bros. Although this essay only scratches the surface, my analysis sheds light on a growing subculture characterized by misogyny and the exoticization of non-Western countries that only contributes to their continuous ‚ÄúOthering‚Äù.
Stacey Roberts Central Piedmont Community College The Importance of Mental Health Awareness for North Carolina Residents In North Carolina, the prevalence of mental illness has recently emerged as a significant concern due to the shortage of adequate mental healthcare and resources across the state. The current presentation highlights the need to address this critical issue and the need for additional measures to ensure adequate mental health care is accessible to meet the growing needs of North Carolina’s impacted population. While empirical evidence shows that approximately 450,000 individuals in North Carolina suffer from serious mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and other disorders, it is only now gaining the attention of state governors. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being and is discussed daily around the globe in media, literature, and research. Thus, this presentation explores factors that contribute to the surge in mental health incidents in North Carolina and examines initiatives and challenges faced in addressing these issues.
Te’J Rodriguez Livingstone College Stay Out of Violence: Revealing the Impact of Violent Hip-Hop in the Black community Gangsta Rap is a genre of music often criticized for its content that berates women, promotes violence, and glorifies criminally defined activities with compromised morals and values. As the music is primarily produced by African American men, it is believed much of the challenges Black men in America undergo are self-imposed, and directly related to the narrative of the art form. Does Gangsta Rap compromise the upward mobility of this population as listeners subscribe and react to the rhetoric? This research examines Gangsta Rap as the cause of community violence, or a response to the crisis and challenges artists face while living in America.
Tiffany Zamora Central Piedmont Community College A Paradise for Predation: A Sociological Examination of Solid Rock Church as a Microcosm of Religious Abuse This presentation examines the Solid Rock Church case, where systemic abuse and institutional failures have garnered public attention, revealing broader issues within religious institutions. By reviewing the allegations of coercive control, grooming, sexual abuse of minors, clergy sexual misconduct, spiritual abuse, institutional betrayal, and local police negligence, the presenter explores how these elements reflect the pervasive and systemic nature of abuse within religious settings. Utilizing two key sociological frameworks—feminist theory and symbolic interactionism—this presentation highlights how power dynamics, gendered inequalities, and impression management strategies contribute to the perpetuation of abuse and cover-ups in religious institutions. Aiming to honor the memory of Mica Miller and victims of abuse within religious contexts, the presentation advocates for necessary changes, accountability, and justice. Through this case study, the presenter underscores the urgent need for reform within religious communities to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safer environment for all members.
Trinity Pittman Western Carolina University Serverless Data Flow Integrity Focusing on Database Operations

Serverless computing is a model that abstracts infrastructure into containerized workflows. In this model, an application is broken down into containerized parts called functions. The functions are stateless, meaning they do not store data. They can accept input and output or interact with other functions and shared cloud services. This type of computing is not exempt from vulnerabilities.

Once an attacker gains a foothold in the system they can do damage in many ways. One way is for an attacker to send SQL data to a function, intercepting the traffic from the database and replacing it with false information. How can we monitor the system to detect threats? Parsing SQL data packets and comparing the expected data flow with the actual data flow can allow us to catch attackers and protect the integrity of database operations.
Vitoria Domingues Western Carolina University Correlating Reported Influenza Vaccine History with Current Vaccine Knowledge and Attitudes Among a Group of Pre-Nursing Students Introduction: Nurse‚  influenza vaccine status may impact healthcare outcomes, including rates of healthcare-associated infections, patient mortality, and healthcare costs. Although limited studies have reported low vaccine knowledge and trust among nursing students, little work has explored variables that may influence these factors.
Materials and Methods: This study used anonymous surveys to compare influenza vaccine knowledge and attitudes among a group of undergraduate pre-nursing students. Chi-square tests compared Likert-scale answer distributions of two groups: those who reported historically higher rates of annual influenza vaccination vs. those with lower reported historical rates.
Results: Students reporting higher historical influenza vaccination rates showed significantly higher confidence in vaccine efficacy, a stronger understanding of the impacts of nurse vaccination on patient health outcomes, and a greater sense of self-accountability in protecting patients than did those with lower historical vaccination rates.
Discussion: Nurses may bring their preconceptions regarding vaccination to the workplace, which may in turn influence workplace culture. Workplace culture may impact individual attitudes and beliefs towards the importance of health provider vaccination and job satisfaction related to vaccine requirements, both of which can impact patient safety.  Understanding factors influencing historical vaccination decision-making, such as social determinants of health, could increase understanding of relationships between vaccination history and current/future vaccine knowledge/attitudes.  This better understanding could help drive both future research and more importantly, the development of interventions to raise health provider vaccine acceptance and job satisfaction.