Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection

Conversations between immigrant parents and their Americanized children are often difficult conversations to approach. Children are expected to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives from a young age. Sometimes, what the child wants to do does not align with what their parents want them to do. It is hard to approach those conversations about pursuing higher education, especially when the response is an unknown variable. This research study aims to determine how those conversations about higher education were viewed from the standpoint of the young adult child. It investigates young adults whose ages span from 18 to 24 and how those conversations they had when they were younger impacted who they became. Using data collected from twelve interviewees whose gender, age, and ethnicity varied, this study examines specific instances in those conversations about higher education between the young adult and their immigrant parents and the main factors behind some shared experiences. I discuss those factors, as well as limitations within the study, and provide future direction recommendations.

The decision to disclose or not disclose information is a personal choice. When medical information is learned, a patient has to make decisions about disclosure. This qualitative research project has the goal of understanding how Latinx participants' cultural values, experiences from this community, and other factors influence the decision to disclose in a romantic relationship. Twelve interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and the main themes found from analysis of the data cultural and relational influencers. This thesis serves as a resource for healthcare professionals to better understand their Latinx patient population in times where disclosure is encountered.

The decision to disclose or not disclose information is a personal choice. When medical information is learned, a patient has to make decisions about disclosure. This qualitative research project has the goal of understanding how Latinx participants' cultural values, experiences from this community, and other factors influence the decision to disclose in a romantic relationship. Twelve interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and the main themes found from analysis of the data cultural and relational influencers. This thesis serves as a resource for healthcare professionals to better understand their Latinx patient population in times where disclosure is encountered.

This thesis project employs a four-frame evaluation from Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal’s book Reframing Organizations to ultimately suggest potential solutions and recommendations for how Phoenix Sister Cities and its Business Relations Committee can strengthen member engagement, increase the committee’s influence in the community, reinvigorate a greater sense of purpose in being a part of the committee. The paper begins with a description of the nonprofit organization Phoenix Sister Cities and its wide range of functions, in addition to its position within the larger Sister Cities community. Following this overview, an introduction and description of the Business Relations Committee is necessary to provide context for the multi-frame analysis. This description will include the structure of the committee as well as the current and past projects that the committee plays or has played a crucial role in. Next, using external research as well as personal testimony, I will discuss the main obstacle that the Business Relations Committee currently faces, which is cultivating engagement among all the members of the committee. After explaining Bolman and Deal’s four frames, I will use these frames to analyze the engagement of the Business Relations Committee members by looking at the challenge from a wide variety of perspectives. My recommendations that stem from the frame analysis include using stories and personal testimony to share the values of the committee with the community and to motivate fellow members to be more involved in the current committee projects. I also advise that committee leaders restructure the unit based on feedback from a distributed survey in order to identify members that can be given designated tasks moving forward. Lastly, I provide new project ideas for members to focus on in an effort to increase their belief in and devotion to the committee.

This thesis will analyze the current position of the medical-grade skincare company Omni Bioceutical Innovations using the four frames discussed in Bolman and Deal’s Reframing Organizations. In reflecting upon the company through the structural, human resource, symbolic and political frame lens, a multi-frame marketing strategy is developed to address Omni’s current obstacles and future goals. The paper begins with a history of Omni Bioceutical Innovations and an analysis of the current marketing and skincare trends. Research on business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) strategies will also be shared to help provide context to Omni's obstacles when switching its marketing focus from B2B to B2C. The paper will then focus on Omni’s past digital strategy setbacks and present opportunities for how the company can move forward using Bolman and Deal’s frames and research on the skincare market and current digital marketing tactics. The resolutions presented will include insight into how to target the B2C market effectively through specific social platforms and offer suggestions of which elements should be incorporated into their new website. Through examining Omni’s past internal battles using the organizational frames, it helps clarify the needs of the company and reinforces the changes that must be made to help the company become even more successful.