Segregation and Black Political Efficacy

The impact of segregation on Black political efficacy is theoretically ambiguous. On one hand, increased contact among Blacks in more segregated areas may mean that Blacks are better able to coordinate political behavior. On the other hand, lesser contact with non-Blacks may mean that Blacks have less political influence over voters of other races. As for non-Blacks, inter-group conflict theory suggests that greater contact yields greater conflict between the groups while inter-group contact theory suggests exactly the reverse. We investigate this question empirically. We find that exogenous increases in segregation lead to decreases in Black civic efficacy, as measured by an ability to elect Representatives who vote liberally and more specifically in favor of legislation that is favored by Blacks. This tendency for Representatives from more segregated MSAs to vote more conservatively arises in spite of the fact that Blacks in more segregated areas hold more liberal political views than do Blacks in less segregated locales. We find evidence that this decrease in efficacy is driven by more conservative attitudes amongst non-Blacks in more segregated areas.

Empowerment of the Teen Parent: Policies and Practices of an Urban School Based Teenage Parent Program

This study documents the narrative of a long term urban high school based program (1978-2012) for pregnant and parenting students, and how this school based program has developed a model of support using Title IX federal law guidelines to construct policies and procedures within multiple contexts. This study examined the policies and procedures, implementation, effectiveness, and outcomes of this school based teenage parent program through the lens of a social justice and culturally relevant theoretical framework. As a qualitative case study, this inquiry used content analysis of documents, and open and axial coding of semi-structured interviews with administrative stakeholders, to providing a holistic in-depth case study drawing on historical, demographic, narrative, and case study data. The goal was to understand and document the meaning, structure, and process of how this particular program has worked and endured, impacted its participants, and empowered pregnant and parenting students to complete high school and pursue their educational and personal goals

The hidden paths of category research: Climbing new heights and slippery slopes

Category research has flourished over the last decade. While this body of work has prioritized the behavioral and economic consequences of stable classification systems, the papers in this special issue challenge this orientation by highlighting the importance of category dynamics for improving our understanding of markets and fields. We show how these papers support the emergence of category maintenance, the recategorization of mature categories, and the consolidation of new categories as understudied phenomena and as the next research challenges to pursue. After connecting the main findings of the papers in this special issue into a unified process model, we discuss various alternative pathways to further explore those challenges. We also point to how this theoretical endeavor runs on slippery slopes and might lead to cul-de-sacs such as terminological balkanization. We conclude by highlighting the need for developing a more comprehensive understanding of category dynamics

Campus Carry in Georgia: Challenges & Recommendations

Abstract The 2017 Georgia House Bill 280 states that, with limited exceptions, a properly licensed handgun owner can conceal carry on Georgia’s public college and university campuses. Since its inception and because of the recent history of mass shootings, much controversy surrounds this law. The infancy and controversy behind this law calls for further research into the subject. In this paper, we will offer a discussion of historical and environmental perspective, compliance with the law, risks and challenges, previous case analysis, and recommendations for Georgia Higher Education administrators. To lessen confusion and controversy surrounding the Campus Carry law in Georgia, administrators should consider implementing a committee to research the impact this law has on students, the institutions, and the state. Similarly, if the law is to remain in effect, mandatory safety trainings should be implemented on college and university campuses across the state

Peer Accountability & Connections (PAC) Alumni Event

Poster for an informal, virtual event for PAC program alums to reconnect.https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/libraryevents/1235/thumbnail.jp

PAC: Peer Accountability & Connections program for transfer students Winter 2019

Make connections, learn time management, and learn campus resources for CWU tranfer students.https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/libraryevents/1149/thumbnail.jp

PAC: Peer Accountability & Connections program for transfer students

Make connections, learn time management, and learn campus resources for CWU tranfer students.https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/libraryevents/1160/thumbnail.jp

PAC: Peer Accountability & Connections program for transfer students Fall 2019

Make connections, learn time management, and learn campus resources for CWU tranfer students.https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/libraryevents/1188/thumbnail.jp

Changes in the redox state and endogenous fluorescence of in vivo human skin due to intrinsic and photo-aging, measured by multiphoton tomography with fluorescence lifetime imaging

Ultraviolet radiation from solar exposure is a key extrinsic factor responsible for premature skin aging (i.e., photo-aging). Recent advances using in vivo multiphoton tomography (MPT) demonstrate the efficacy of this approach to assess intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging as an alternative to existing invasive techniques. In this study, we measured changes in epidermal autofluorescence, dermal collagen second harmonic generation (SHG), and the redox state of solar-exposed and solar-protected human skin by MPT with fluorescence lifetime imaging (MPT-FLIM). Twenty-four volunteers across four age categories (20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 59 years old; six volunteers each) were recruited for MPT-FLIM imaging of the dorsal (solar-exposed; photo-damaged) and volar (solar-protected) forearm. We demonstrate a higher intensity of dermal collagen SHG within the volar forearm compared to dorsal solar-exposed skin. Redox imaging of each epidermal skin stratum by FLIM demonstrates an increase in fluorescence lifetime in the solar-exposed dorsal forearm that is more apparent in aged skin. The results of this study suggest the redox state of the viable epidermis is a key marker in assessing intrinsic and photo-damage skin aging, in combination with changes in autofluorescence and SHG