Background: In Navajo (Diné) populations, the two main forms of medicine that people use include traditional Diné medicine and Western medicine. Traditional medicine can be understood primarily through the concept of maintaining Hózhó or “balance”, while Western medicine is defined through the use of scientific evidence-based techniques and research. The reasons and barriers to using each form of medicine respectively are varied depending on aspects such as accessibility, familiarity, trust, or cost. Overall, there is a current lack of community viewpoints in regards to past examples of the intersection between traditional and Western medicine. This thesis examines reasons behind why Diné individuals use traditional Diné medicine and Western medicine respectively, and their viewpoints on the potential intersection. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed via snowball sampling from November 2023 to February 2024 after obtaining ASU IRB approval. It consisted of questions focused on demographics, use of traditional medicine, use of Western medicine, and opinion on the intersection between traditional and Western medicine. Statistical analysis and emerging themes were then performed and noted respectively. Results: There were a total of 15 responses to the online survey. A majority of participants previously used traditional medicine (80%), while all had previously used Western medicine (100%). There was a similar level of satisfaction and perceived efficiency for each, averages ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 respectively on a scale of 1 to 5. Many respondents used traditional medicine for more cultural and spiritual/mental health reasons, while many used Western medicine for more physical health reasons. Cost was the main barrier for each. Participants showed overall positive receptibility to potential intersections, but there was some hesitance in regards to scenarios where Western providers recommended traditional medicine use. Conclusion: Many reasons and barriers behind participant use of traditional and Western medicine were reflective of what was found in the literature review. The overall frequency of use, satisfaction, and efficiency can be further understood by a majority of participants living outside the Navajo Nation for long periods of time. The use of traditional medicine also made participants feel more connected to their culture, which can also contribute to the high levels of satisfaction/efficiency for traditional medicine. Interestingly, cost was found to be the primary barrier of each, which indicates room for growth in both respective fields to increase patient use. There was overall positive receptiveness to a possible intersection for delivery methods of medicine which indicates an overall desire to maintain Hózhó and holistic health, however the type of questions and recommendations made by respective providers needs to be done with care. This type of intersection should continue to be explored through community driven discussion and creativity in future studies.

The events industry provides an integral service to society but fails to understand and incorporate the three pillars of sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to identify the cause of the lack of awareness and motivation from event managers to make their events more sustainable. Utilizing both dated and recent research papers to understand the gap of awareness, the data demonstrated that there is not a clear understanding of sustainability from a holistic perspective. The most notable issue was the focus on environmental sustainability and the lack of awareness of social and economic sustainability. This paper analyzes one specific event, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Celebrate Youth Gala, and dives deeper into how the event can be made more sustainable. The findings demonstrated that event managers often are unaware of the sustainable options available to them and the costs associated with them. This paper offered recommendations for event managers and started the necessary conversation to create change within the industry.

The Human Chain: Exploring Poetry and Public Service is an anthology of collected poems that present the relationship between poetry and the concept of public service. Through academic and literary exploration, the main ties between the two concepts were identified as (1) loss, (2) community, (3) advocacy, (4) appreciation and (5) inspiration. The collection uses poetry to exemplify these thematic ties. The results of this project could be used to strengthen the relationship between the written word and organized volunteerism. There are many real-world applications of this literary exploration and is a vitally important relationship to delve into.

This research evaluates the impact of Cordero Holmes' "Me, You, Us Program (M.Y.U./MyU)" at the Durango Juvenile Facility, a 10-week educational intervention utilizing a workbook designed by Holmes. Participation in this program offers incarcerated youth direct benefits by fostering self-awareness, empathy, and conflict resolution skills through self-reflective activities and social-emotional learning components. It empowers youth to break the cycle of criminal behavior by promoting a positive attitude towards education and providing tools for academic success. While acknowledging potential risks like emotional discomfort during self-reflection activities, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of the M.Y.U./MyU program in equipping incarcerated youth with the skills and mindset for successful reintegration into society and avoiding further criminal involvement.

This research examines twelfth-century Anglo-Norman literature as social commentary, in support of or as critique of the ruling class, and investigates what Anglo-Norman society considered the most profound responsibilities of kingship. Literature offered a space for courtly poets and chroniclers to critique authority and express concerns about issues in the court. Both R. Howard Bloch (2003) and Albrecht Classen (2008) have examined the political aspect of Marie de France’s lais, relying on the context in John of Salisbury’s political treatise Policraticus. While John’s written views are broadly reflective of his society’s beliefs, he primarily examines the king’s role in promoting religion and justice. This study’s inclusion of three other chronicles written contemporaneously—The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Geoffrey of Monmouth’s The History of the Kings of Britain, and Walter Map’s De Nugis Curialium—reveals more nuance and breadth in both the Anglo-Norman political realm and twelfth-century ideologies of kingship. By extending prior research, broadening the range of voices included in the conversation, and analyzing multiple chronicles in conjunction with the lais of Marie de France, this research explores what twelfth-century Anglo-Norman society considered the four most critical tenets of kingship: reverence for religious authority, the administration of equitable justice, generosity in sustaining one’s vassals and strangers alike, and respecting the bonds of feudal loyalty.