Seniors in EKU's Honors Program participate in a faculty mentored process that demonstrates the students' ability to locate, evaluate, analyze and synthesize information, in an ethical manner, in order to produce meaningful scholarship. The Honors Senior Thesis, typically a capstone paper or creative project, is the culmination of this process.
Honors Theses from 2025
Processing in Purgatory: The Hero’s Journey and Narrative Game Design, Margaret L. Abner
Taking Advantage of Rural Families: How the Opioid Epidemic Targeted Appalachian Communities, Dominic C. Acciardo
"Strategic Failure: How Political Considerations Undermined the SIV Program and U.S. Foreign Policy in Afghanistan", Christopher S. Alexander
Social Drivers of Health: Shifting the Focus of Health Indicators from the Biological Code to the Zip Code, Jenna M. Barlage
Traditions and Transitions: Intergenerational Family Relationships and Gender Roles in Appalachian Families, Abigail L. Belcher
The Lara Croft Effect: The Sexualization of Women in Video Games and Its Impact on Violence Against Women, Madeline G. Bowen
Sticky Situation: An Investigation into the Applicability of Charcoal Coated Tape in Fire Debris Analysis, Grace Boyer
Exploring the Potentials of AI in Modern Warfare: Observations of the Russian- Ukraine War, Brooke Byrd
Delulu is the Solulu: The Role of Social Media in the Spread of Misinformation About Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shelby L. Collett
Family Involvement in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Interventions: A Qualitative Study, Maylee S. Collins
“Left, Right, Your Left”: Marching Towards Equality in the U. S. Army, Zachary C. Creekmore
Tracing Pharmaceuticals in Produce: Their Presence, Effects, and Consumer Perspectives, Savanna N. Crooks
The Dark Core of Humanity: The Influence of Dark Tetrad Traits on Activism, Hannah L. Cundiff
Queer Animation Revolution: Analyzing cartoons' influence on the LGBTQ+ community, Morgan Daniels
From Crisis to Commitment: How COVID-19 Reshaped Motivation in Small Business Organizational Culture, Boone G. Depenbrock
The Social Psychology of Group Dynamics in Cults: Exploring the Influence of Leadership and Organizational Structure in the Heaven’s Gate Cult, Mellanie L N Douglas
Rats With Wings: The Villainization of the Pigeon and its Portrayal in Modern Art and Literature, Emily Dutton
The Safeguard of the Church: An Examination of Early Church Creeds, Chloe T. Estravillo
Comparing Pre-PT Student to Pre-PT Professor Upper Extremity Range of Motion Reliability Using Virtual Measurements, Brittnee L. Franklin
Medicaid and Health Equity: Improving Preventive Care and Chronic Disease Management Among Latinos, Jasmine Alexia Gaona
Walking in Town: A Study of Walkability and its Impacts on Students at EKU, Emma Garland
Play with Purpose? Examining How Structured and Unstructured Play Shape Learning and Behavior in Elementary School, Izabela Gaworski
Beyond the Price Tag: Unveiling the Hidden Impacts of Tariffs on Businesses and Consumer Behavior, Jacob D. Haas
A Closer Look At Your Closet: An Analysis of Consumer Desires, Fast Fashion’s Negative Harms, and Sustainable Solutions for Change, Sarah Hallman
Evaluating Advanced Aerial Firefighting Technologies for Effective Implementation in Central Appalachia, Milo M. Heidkamp
Kentucky Comfort Care: Understanding and Awareness of Palliative and Hospice Care in Kentucky Adults, Riley E. Hicks
Health Amongst Pilots, Becoming Aware and Solving the Problems: A Quantitative and Qualitative Narrative Analysis of Pilots, Kelsi Howard
Knowledge Gaps and Personal Experiences: A Qualitative Examination of Women's Menstrual Health and Birth Control Choices, Danielle M. Jackson
Redefining Resistance: Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, Echoes of Trauma and Memory in Argentina, Elizabeth J. Kaye
From Paper to Pixels: How COVID-19 Changed Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Technology, Nora Knight
The Evolution of EMS: Chauffeur to Clinician, Allie L. Lamb
Mapping Social Vulnerabilities: Importance and Relevance in Disasters, Madelynn H. Linet
Beyond the Glitz and Glam: Unveiling the Physical and Psychological Toll of Performative Perfection in Competitive Cheer and Dance, Audrey E. Marovich
Fantasy Orientation of Media Consumption in Childhood and Creativity in Adulthood, Jordyn Martin
The Impact of Environmental Factors on Blood Detection: Effects of UV and Temperature on Blood samples, Delaney McCarthy
Visual Storytelling in Video Games, Michael P. McLaughlin
Navigating Peril: The Impact of Modern-Day Somali Piracy on Global Shipping Industries, Rachel A. Morton
What About Us? The Exclusion of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Disaster Planning Process., Elizabeth Ogorek
Maternal Nutritional Status and Immune Regulation In Early Offspring Development, Caroline C. Pagan
Caring for Our Planet: A “Green” Reaction Method of 2,2’-Bipyridine Through Phosphorus Extrusion, Alessandra T. Palumbo
Double Lenses: Understanding ADHD–Autism Comorbidity Across Gender and Pathways to Intervention, Grace A. Peak
Observations from the Void: A Lament for Earth, Seth Petersen
Level Up: How Video Games Can Be Beneficial and Spark Creative Imagination in Players, Makendra M. Phipps
Friend and Foe: Why Marijuana Should be Legalized but Heavily Restricted, Monica Ronkainen
The Leap Through Reality: The Connections Between Quantum Leap’s Tropes Within Natural Science, Annamarie G. Seamans
The Unique Advantages and Disadvantages of Film Production in the Rural Southeast, Brayden Shouse
Beyond the Bars: Examining Mental Health, Treatment, and Recidivism During Reentry, Grace Shupe
Anonymity and Social Pressure: A Sociological Analysis of Lolcows on KiwiFarms, Mary R. Smith
Teacher Perceptions of School Leadership: Trust, Fairness, and Support as Predictors of Student Achievement, Trever B. Smith
Ticking Away: A Study on How Multiple Sclerosis Patients in the US and Australia Navigate Their Day, Ella M. Stahl
Advancing Inclusivity: The Case for Change in Law Enforcement Training Regarding Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism, Sarah Stendel
The Impact of Cattle Grazing on Water Quality in Stoner Creek, Bourbon County, KY., Logan Stigall
From Chaos to Calm: How FerAppease Shapes Calf Behavior and Eases Weaning Woes, Rinna Tarter
Good Intentions Gone Wrong: The Hidden Consequences of Benevolent Sexism for Women Seeking Justice, Mia Thomas
I Lost My Grandmother’s Hanbok: A Thematic Series of Paintings Exploring of the Loss of Culture in a Mixed-Race Korean American Home, Cadance G. Thompson
The Weight Of Feeding the World: Stress in Kentucky Farmers, Natalie Tolle
The Impacts of Maternal Mental Health on Fetal Development, Kaitlyn R. Tudor
The Design Report: How Image Generative Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Culture of Design?, Katelyn M. Walker
Body Composition and Self-Image: Exploring the Impact on Exercise Motivation and Behavior, Demitria J. Watson
Investigation into the Long-Term Thermal Stability of Tetraaryl Phosphonium Ionic Liquids, Katherine M. Webb
Honors Theses from 2024
To Read or Not to Read: How Book Censorship Affects Students and Undermines Different Worldviews, Jordyn L. Bailey
The Influence of Race: College Students’ Sense of Belonging at their Predominantly White University, Jaelyn Barker
When do Justices Vote Against their Ideology?, Ember Bowman
Far Beyond Words: Analyzing Information Gained Through Nonverbal Communication Across Neurologically Diverse Populations, Addison Bracken
The Link Between Radon Exposure and Neurodegenerative Disease Risk Factors, Serena Bruneaux
Resilience Building in Appalachian College Students: The Intersection of Motivation and Identity, Ashton B. Burchfield
The Ultimate How-To Guide: Addressing Sustainability in Fashion, Corinne R. Campbell
Exploring the Impact of the Coaching Relationship on College Student-Athlete Mental Health, Miya Carmichael and Julia Vasquez
Investigating the bioactive properties of the genus Lygodium through phytochemical composition analysis, Sasha N. Carrasco
How Grading Systems, Classroom Management, and External Factors Affect a Students Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom, McKenzie L. Carrier
Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry: A Safe, Affordable Approach for Better Care, Isabelle G. Cassada
Voicing Experience: Learning About and Understanding the Latina Experience in the United States through Coming-of-Age Literature, Audrey G. Childress
“You Just Haven’t Found the Right Person Yet.”: A Study of the Relationship Differences Between Asexual and Allosexual Individuals, Faith M. Conway
In the Garden of Skincare: Exploring the Benefits and Regulations of Botanical Ingredients, Sara L. Cook
The Core Collapse of the Rising Sun, Elisabeth J. Craft
Fueling Success: How Effective Supplier Relationship Management Affects Automotive Supply Chain Performance, Alexa M. Dickenson
Faith, Fear, and Feminism: The 1970s Women’s Movement and the Rise of Southern Baptist Fundamentalism, Hayden Faris
Nourishing nations: A comparative analysis of American food production laws & regulations, Morgan Flood
Play like a Girl! A Then and Now Comparative Analysis of Title IX in Collegiate Athletics: An Oral History Collection, Gretta Gunn
Effect of Washing on Plastic Bag Surface Composition and Color, Katelyn Haas
Qualitative Research: Exploring Food Preservation Methods in Rural Appalachian Kentucky to Address Food Deserts, Michele L. Highland
Drip Water Chemistry Response to Human Activities at Diamond Caverns in Park City, Kentucky, Madison R. High
Anxious, Stressed, or Overwhelmed: The Typical Sensory Processing Pattern of First-Year Occupational Therapy Students, Caroline V. Holsclaw
Counting the Cost of Training Up Children within a Large Christian Fundamentalist Family, Campbell R. Johnson
Reading Between the Lines: Understanding College Students' Literacy Skills, Alexandra M. Jones
The Gendered Room and the Lock on the Door: Women Writers and the Patriarchy in Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One's Own, Lauren Kelley
Death and Drugs: Exploring Grief and Addiction Among College Students, Alexis B. Kelly
Storytelling Through Silence, Karaline S. Kendzora
Closing the Circle: The Need for Patient Outcomes in the Prehospital Setting, Sydney Key
The Diverse Musical Traditions of Appalachian Folk Music, Brooks M. Kidd
Princess Proportions & Perceptions: Disney’s Deterioration of Young Girls’ Self-Esteem, Marah Krick
Friend or Faux: A Scientific Comparison of Reciprocal Relationships and Parasocial Relationships and Their Psychological Effects, Emma J. Krouse
Why PTSD is not discussed within Law Enforcement, Emma R. Leitenberger
Effects of Acute Pain with Cold Water Limb Submersion on Cognitive Performance of Simple Span Tasks, Kyle J. Miller
Highs and Hollows: Exploring the Overall Drug Use of Kentucky Universities from Urban to Appalachian, Venessa Miller
Aroma Comparison of Different Pawpaw Cultivars from the Kentucky State University Pawpaw Research Program, Lauren A. Miskimen
Independent Mediation: A Restorative Justice Approach to Conflict Resolution Among College Roommates, Sarah Morris
Media Consumption and Educations Effect on the Perception of Forensic Science, Jordan L. Murphy
