The honors thesis is a time-honored tradition in the Lee Honors College. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate to themselves and others the knowledge and skills they have developed during their undergraduate studies and honors experience. The general purpose of the thesis is to create a capstone work that reflects the expertise they have developed in their major field of study or interest.
Honors theses completed at Western Michigan University are entered into ScholarWorks. Some may be embargoed or restricted by the authors or we have been unable to reach the authors, so the theses may be only available from on-campus computers. If you are an author of an honors thesis and would like to make it available off campus or if you have any questions, please contact wmu-scholarworks@wmich.edu.
Theses from 2025
Low Power Magnetically Shielded Krypton Hall Thruster Design, Grace Klang
Student Project Labs User Management System (SPLUMS), Kaden Kramer
Reflections: An Exploration of the Body & Its Mind, Kayla Lambert
Using Picture Books in The Kindergarten Classroom: A Unit Plan, Madison LaPlante
How Systemic Inequalities in Flint, Michigan, Perpetuate Poverty and Crime, Eliana LaRocca
The Use of Stress Testing in Evaluating Systemic Risk: Lessons from the Global Financial Crisis, Katherine Laws
Effects of Age and Sex on Glial Cell-Derived Neurotropic Factor and Neurotropic Growth Factor Content in Cardiac Tissue, Caleb Learman
Prevalence of Imposter Syndrome among Undergraduate Students at Western Michigan University, Thomas Leasure
WMU Rec Center GroupEx Advertising Design Campaign, Gianna Lepore
Exposure to Nature Imagery and Human Aggression, Claudia Ligman
Western Student Association Structure and Governing Processes: Evaluating Success for Student Government Associations, Samuel Longlet
Design, Analysis, and Testing of an Offroad Triangulated 4-Link Rear Suspension Trailing Arm, Jared Lubieniecki
Emergent Insect Family Richness and Biomass Across Ludington State Park's Interdunal Wetland Successional Stages, Erica MacQueen
The effects of regenerative agriculture on soil and crop health on a small-scale vegetable farm in Kalamazoo, MI, Marie McKinney
Identifying the SABATH Methyltransferase that Carries out the Final Step of Bixin Biosynthesis, Samantha McLean
Artificial Intelligence for better in-game NFL performance, Christopher McManus
A Harmonious Equation: How to Facilitate the Interdisciplinary Nature of the Arts in a High School Math Classroom, Myah Medendorp
An Exploratory Evaluation of the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council: Assessing Organizational Impact and Value, Alexander Mendez
Police & Civilian Interaction: Developing A Survey of Social Attitudes Toward Law Enforcement for Public Administrators, Austin Mendez
Balancing Parental Rights and Child Welfare in Custody Decisions Involving Mental Health, Colette Methling
Benefits of Intergenerational Programming in Occupational Therapy, Rachel Mitchell
The Difference in Financial Literacy Between Students of the Business College and the Rest of the Student Body at WMU, Ivane Mkheidze
DACA’s Impact on Recipients: Interviews with Three DACA Recipients from Michigan, Jazmin Moron
Possibilities of Dreamscapes, Luke Mortensen
Voting Rights Expansion to Achieve Voting Equity: Comparing Michigan's 2020 and 2024 Elections, Quinn Murphy
Analyzing the Drivers of Airline Profitability, Brady Noble
Immersive Mixed-Reality Anatomy Lab, Cassidy Norkett
Early Warning Detection of Gravitational Waves with SGNL, Megan Norris
Using Video Models plus Feedback to teach Interview Skills, Zoe Odom
Impact of Humor vs. Seriousness in Advertising: The Role of Product Type in Consumer Recall and Purchase Behavior, Cian Ortega
Optimal Starch Properties for Improved Oil and Grease Resistant Coatings, Andres Pastoriza
Design of a Retaining Wall for M-10 Freeway, Anthony Paul
Characteristics of Unintentional Injuries in Young Children in Low Socioeconomic Status Families, Annabelle Pederson
Engineering Barrier Coatings for a Sustainable Future, Emma Perrin
The Interaction Between Parenting Styles, College Adjustment, and Decision Making in Undergraduate Freshman and Sophomores, Taylor Phillips
Integrating Generative AI into a Public Relations Workflow: Experiences across the industry, Daniel Pruitt III
How Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Techniques Affect Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Literature Review, Piper Ritke
The Heterogeneity of Healthcare and Insurance in the Midwest, William Robb
Idlewild Documentary, Arise Rock
The House That Will Not Stand: Preparation to Performance, Arise Rock
Reap (her), Madalyn Rockwell
How certain is the continuity of the Panama Canal and how will it affect the global supply chain industry?, Enmanuel Rodriguez Correa
Analysis of Disparities Within the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness Rule, Madison Salzenstein
An Exploration of the Use of Tier I Occupational Therapy Services in an Elementary School, Emilee Schumacher
Deaf community, Cochlear implants, and Language Access, Amelia Segroves
Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve Software-Defined Network Security: A Brief Survey, Anthony Smith
CATS Costume Design, Perris Stachlewitz
Plant vs. Animal Protein: Effect on Recovery, Performance, and Long-Term Health, Claudia Stachura
How life enrichment farms promote independence, health, and well-being through vocational skills and sensory processing skills, Olivia Stanek
Becoming Effie White: A Journey of Evolution, Aniya Thompson
Voting Rights Expansion to Achieve Voting Equity, Emily Tuller
Identifying Draft-Worthy Pitchers: A Statistical Analysis of Northwoods League Performance Metrics, Stephen Tyrpak
Holistic Approaches to Lyme Disease Symptom Management, Leah Van Antwerp
How Discriminatory Housing Policies Segregated Kalamazoo, Jacob Walsh
Who NEEDS More than 1 Water Bottle? Apparently, Everyone., Jazmyn Weddig
Boeing 747 Fixed Drive Link Redesign, Eric White
The Effectiveness of Telemedicine as a Pivotal Tool in Providing Accessible Medical Care, Peyton Wilt
Artificial Intelligence in the Secondary Classroom: Exploring Teacher Perceptions, Malachi Windemuller
FD&C Red Dye No. 40 (Allura Red) effects on non-human animal testing: A systematic review, Vilate Winfrey
Senior Recital, Therese Wisniewski
High School Science Experience for Students with Cognitive Disabilities: A Pilot Study, Cassandra Wychers
Theses from 2024
Fleet Renewal Proposal, Fatema Al Ajmi
Fleet Renewal Proposal, Amna Al Bulushi
Fleet Renewal Proposal, Siba Al Ghailani
Virtual Reality as an Adjunct to Behavior Therapy: A Systematic Literature Review, Alya AlHarrasi
Neurodivergent experiences in Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs as reflected in Reddit, Shadha Al Kalbani
Design of Telemetry and Remote-Control System for Electric Propulsion Testing, Logan Alvesteffer
Veterinarian Perception of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Mortality of Pets, Jason Bainbridge
A Comparative Study of Monolingual and Multilingual Employees, Megan Baldry
Phonological Awareness: A Unit Plan for Kindergarten, Allison Beasley
The Benefits of Using Children's Books in Lesson Planning, Katie Bethel
Fostering the Forum: Examining the Progress and Challenges in Cultivating a Free Speech Campus at Western Michigan University, Kalloli Bhatt
The Impact of Major Sporting Events in Kalamazoo on Consumer Behavior, Nicholas Biel
1st Person EV With Electronic Differential, Tessa Biondo
Perceptions and Attitudes of Western Michigan University Students on Antibiotic Medications, Emily Boask
Senior Recital, Concetta Brehmer
An Exploration of Russian "Plea Bargaining": Americanization and Administratization Theses, Nathaniel Brewer
Communication Research on Sign Language Telecommunication and Digital Modes of Interpretation., Scooter Briody
Narrative Feature Script, Shaun Burk
A Petrological Characterization of the Iutzi Member of Lucas Formation, Michigan Basin, Moira Burns
The impact of G-quadruplex DNA on expression of the human PKD1 gene, Seth Byrne
Identification and Antibiotic Resistances of Bacterial Isolates from Chicken, Goose, and Duck Eggs, Jade Cervantes Rodriguez
Bridging the Gap: Examining the Discrepancies in Communication Skills Between University Education and Employer Expectations, Valerie Chan
Impact of SNAP on Food Insecurity: A Michigan and Indiana Case Study, Cecelia Chapleau
Using Augmented Reality Application to Assist EMS During Emergency Situations, Kim Chheu
Using Augmented Reality Application to Assist EMS During Emergency Situations, Joshua Chuah
Hericium erinaceus Effects on Working and Reference Memory in Elder Rats, Dine Claire
Deployable Assembly Structure and Harnessing for a Langmuir Probe (DASH-LP), Sean Cowell
Fear as a Learned Behavior and how that Affects Ecosystem Biodiversity, Sarah Craft
Self and Tell: Exploring Identity Through Music, Logen Crandall
Psychological Influences on Reaction When Faced with Failure and Difficult Experiences, Marcus Cunha
Energy Recapture in a Soluble Corn Fiber Process, Nicholas Cutrara
The Rise of Merope, Emily Czerniak
All Sports Spectacular Event Plan and Data Review, Ashley Dale
Aerodynamic Noise Reduction of Wind Turbine Blades, Steven Davenport
Wearable Technology in Intercollegiate Sport: Ethical and Legal Considerations of Collecting Student-Athlete Biometric Data, Taryn DeShane