Building on research on family communication and forgiveness, this study seeks to understand how families communicate the value and practice of forgiveness. Through semi-structured interviews, the study asks participants to recall their formative conversations and experiences about forgiveness with their family members and to discuss how those conversations influenced their current perspectives on forgiveness. Interviews from five female undergraduate students yielded seven main themes from where individuals learn how to forgive: 1) Sibling conflicts, 2) Family conversations about friendship conflicts, 3) Conversations with Mom, 4) Living by example, 5) Take the high road, 6) “Life’s too short”, and 7) Messages rooted in faith and morality.

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.

Food is one of the most universal and uniting human experiences. It is a powerful tool to bring communities together and it is a simple way to bring joy to an individual. This project is an exercise in marketing and entrepreneurship that was inspired by these ideas, which culminated in a fundraiser bake sale to benefit Creighton Community Foundation, a local nonprofit.

New Leaf was founded with the mission to address the environmental, health, and sustainability consequences of paper production today. We explored the sourcing and foundations of paper needs, supporting our assumption that paper can be created from agricultural waste. We solidified a business plan using agricultural waste after considerable sourcing research and expert and consumerism input. We determined that using forest foliage that is a potential fire hazard from a national forest could be used as a source to make alternative paper as well as contribute to sustainability efforts.

This thesis discusses the importance and impact of preserving Italian culture, food traditions, and local identity. Reflecting on a year spent in Italy during the 2021-2022 academic school year, the author explores the significance and preservation of Italian culture, food traditions, and local identities. The thesis identifies three compelling rationales for their preservation: the health benefits derived from traditional practices, the positive environmental implications of maintaining biodiversity and sustainable methods, and the societal advantages of connected communities fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Then, this thesis will examine how the nonprofit organization Slow Food, renowned for its commitment to preserving culinary heritage, raises awareness about the imperative need for preservation and education. The organization's core principles and ongoing initiatives serve as a model for championing these essential causes. Using academic analyses of the intersection between food and culture, this thesis establishes a comprehensive analysis of their connection and the significance of their preservation. This thesis draws on diverse sources, including the author's personal experiences during their study-abroad program in Italy. Through these lenses, the paper underscores the critical importance of upholding Italian culture and food traditions amidst evolving global food systems.