Below are theses and dissertations completed by graduates of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Public Policy and Leadership (beginning in Summer 2016). This collection also includes theses and dissertations of graduates of the Environmental and Public Affairs Program (through Spring 2016).
For the entire collection of UNLV theses and dissertations, visit UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Theses/Dissertations from 2018
An Examination of Perceived Leadership Behaviors and Employee Engagement in the US Federal Government: An Exploratory Study, Jason Barker
A Phenomenological Study on the Professional Development of African American Male Administrators at Predominately White Post-~Secondary Institutions, Arnold Shmorn Bell
Factors that Impact Direct Democracy and Voter Turnout: Evidence from a National Study on American Counties, Michael Joseph Biesiada
Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Evaluation for Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, Chris Buchanan, David Corral, and Gavin Whipple
Latino Youth Leadership Conference: Evaluation of Program Success, Participant College Attendance and Completion, Christian Clapp, Gil Revolorio, Juman Sharif, and Marjorie Stewart
Employee Perceptions of Organizational Corporate Responsibility and Their Effect on Employee Organizational Commitment, Lisa R. Davis
Family Promise Final Evaluation, Muriel Duval, Heather Ashley-Henderson, and Patrick Becker
Program Evaluation for Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, Josephine Fenton
Examining the Training Transfer Practice of a Financial Institution: An Action Research Study, Maria Lourdes Lourdes Gutierrez
Using Design Science Research to Develop a Conceptual Solution for Improving Knowledge Sharing in a Virtual Workspace, Lata Koneru
The Effectiveness of State Ethics Commissions on Curbing Corruption and the Effect of Corruption on State Economic Performance, Anthony J. Prato
A Quantitative Study of Mitigating Resistance to Change through a Neuro Linguistic Approach: With the Use of Narratives and a Neuro Linguistic Pattern, Mary J. Sanders
Measuring Implementation Success of Pay Structures and the Role of Human Resources in Higher Education, Derek Spencer Smith
Hearts and Minds: An Analysis of Checks and Safeguards, Monitoring, and Performance Review of Executive Boards and Their Executive Directors within Select Nonprofit Corporations., John Michael Wagner
Theses/Dissertations from 2017
Jornaleros Engaged in a Multidimensional Struggle: A Critical Ethnography with Day Laborers in Las Vegas, Jorge Adrian Castrejon
Volunteer Management in Faith-Based Organizations, Cheryl Regina Coleman
A Phenomenological Study of the Process of Transitioning Out of the Military and Into Civilian Life from the Acculturation Perspective, Wilisha C. Daniels
A Program Evaluation of The State of Nevada's Certified Public Manager Program, Carolyn Faircloth, Pat La Putt, Diana Ritter, and Shawntay Tyler
Program Evaluation for the Nevada School of the Arts, Cherie Garrity, Lisa Levine, Angela Phillips, and Izack Tenorio
[Community Oriented Policing (COP) Evaluation], Kaci Kerfeld, Taylor Glaser, and James Koloskie
The Effect of Oil Prices on Workforce in Selected Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Countries, Amjad Kisswani
Policy Analysys and Program Evaluation: Real Talk Youth Impact Program, Carlton Monroe, Liam MacCaul, Natalie Lorenzano, and Vincentiu Anghel
The Balance Between Privacy and Safety in Police UAV Use: The Power of Threat and Its Effect on People’s Receptivity, Mari Sakiyama
Focus On Success: An Explanatory Embedded Multiple-Case Study On How Youth Successfully Navigate Workforce Development Programs In Southern Nevada, Ricardo Villalobos
Theses/Dissertations from 2016
Understanding Contingent Faculty: A Quantitative Study of Engagement, Satisfaction, Commitment, and Mentoring Needs, Heidi Batiste
The People's College? An Examination of Who Governs Community Colleges at the Local Level, Katheryn Christine Brekken
Corporatized Higher Education: A Quantitative Study Examining Faculty Motivation Using Self-Determination Theory, Aaron Dale Brown
Food Rescue Program Evaluation Three Square Food Bank, Anna Caputo, Rich Easter, Rosa Rosas, and Mark Sakurada
Analyzing the Relationship Between Job Demands, Job Resources, and Personal Resources on Employee Engagement and Exhaustion of Juvenile Probation/Parole Officers, Danilo Estuardo Chavarria
The Lived Experiences of Women in the Information Technology Field as they Transition from One Leadership Level to the Next: A Phenomenological Study, Marilyn Delmont
Life After Service for Post-9/11 Veterans: Data, Methods, and Policy Impacts, Justin Stockton Gardner
Building an Evaluation Framework for The Smith Center’s Education & Outreach Department, Melissa Jacobowitz, Chris Helda, Stephanie Hernandez, and Rico Casillas
A World of Warning: Exploring U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings and Alerts, Ryan Daniel Larsen
A Program Evaluation of Outside Las Vegas’ YMCA Education Program, Robin Mendoza, Kevin Schmidt, Arcelia Barajas, and Branson Chun
An Examination of Sagebrush Rebellion Communications Using Narrative Policy Framework, Amber Overholser
Clark County Department of Family Services, Parenting Project, Julie Owens, Natalie Grajeda, Stephanie Thelen, David L. Olivieri, and Fredric Jackson
The Role of School Boards in Addressing Opportunity and Equity for English Learners in the U.S. Mountain West, Carrie Sampson
Impacts to Phytoplankton After The Establishment of Quagga Mussels in Lake Mead, Nevada, Warren Bruce Turkett
The Impact of Successful NCAA Division I Athletics Programs on the Social Capital of Urban Communities, Paul Woody
Theses/Dissertations from 2015
Community Advanced Data and Research Analysis: A Mixed Methods Capstone Project, Michael Bernarndo, Brandie Green, Amber Konold, and Kathryn Weavil
An Evaluation of Clean the World, Las Vegas Volunteer Program, Chanton Cox, Bassem Dahdouh, and Madison Rousell
Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Program Evaluation, Ambrosia Crump and Dydia Garcia
Program Evaluation of Clark County Department of Family Services, Parenting Project, Marissa E. Duke, Emily Elzeftawy, and Michael D. Spies
Burdens and Benefits of Climate Change Solutions: A Case Study of Climate Change Skeptics and Deniers in Rural Nevada, Patricia Dutcher
The Impact of Environmental Factors on Policy Decisions As It Relates to Community Development Block Grant Allocations, Al G. Gourrier
Thank You For Your Time! Would You Mind Donating to Our Cause? The Effect of Gratitude on Prosocial Behavior, Matthew L. Hortt
The Role of Adaptive Capacity on the Subjective Career Success of Former D-I African-American Male Athletes: A Mixed-Method Study, Leon Antonio Jackson
States and Multicultural Education Policies: An Event History Analysis, Leander D. Kellogg
A Narrative Study of Latinas' Experiences with the Leadership Pipeline in Higher Education, Ana Cecilia Marrero-Lopez
Ecosystem response to recent climate change in alpine environments, Patrick Shawn Sawyer
Citizen Participation within Mental Health Planning and Advisory Councils, Ronald W. Strickland
Public Sector Compensation: Is The Public School District Superintendent Compensation Worth It?, Ashok Em Sudhakar
Theses/Dissertations from 2014
A Competency Model for Catering and Event Professionals Using a Modified Delphi Technique, Donnell G. Bayot
International City/County Management Association 1999 Revenue Estimation Survey Revisited, Benjamin Bond
An Analysis of Capacity Issues within the Division of Mental and Behavioral Health for the State of Nevada, Jeffrey Buchwald, Tara Cooley, Enrique Mazon Jr., and Jessica Sifuentes
City of North Las Vegas Complete Streets Corridor Ranking Study Evaluation, Yasmin Dixon, Brianna Lawrence, Sarah Saenz, and Imari Thompson
Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow: Treatment Effects of the Stages of Employment Job Readiness Program on Program Completion and Employment Outcomes for Ex-Offenders, Michael Hammer, Stephanie Pocchia, and Stacy Howell
Examining the Target Levels of State Renewable Portfolio Standards, Laurence Douglas Helwig
An Evaluation of the Clark County Wetlands Park Volunteer Program, Stephanie Holguin, Riley Kelley, Aaron Manfredi, and Michael McQuatters
Interorganizational Performance Comparisons Using Quality Assurance Audit Results, Raymond E. Keeler
Social Capital of Last Resort: The Role of Religion, Family, and Trust among People with Low Socio-Economic Status, Jean Reid Norman
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Newly Implemented, Proactive Approach to Legionellosis Investigations Conducted by the Southern Nevada Health District, Devin Charlotte Raman
Theses/Dissertations from 2013
A Historical Comparative Analysis of Executions in the United States from 1608 to 2009, Emily Jean Abili
What Factors Impact the Effectiveness of International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs) in Ethiopia, Ermias Abraham
Friends of Rainbow Company Program Evaluation, Holly Balmer, Christian Downing, and Eric Garner
A Qualitative Study of Past Student-Participants' Perceptions of College Mentoring Relationships: A Case Within a Hospitality College, Roberta Jo Barnes
Friends in the Desert Foundation, Inc. Program Evaluation, Gina Brooksbank, Jessica Wilde, and Holly Williams
Sexual Assault Detectives' Justifications for Aggressive Victim Interviewing Methods: A Qualitative Study, Shauna Davis
The Ethics Glass Ceiling: A Historical Analysis of Actions by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Michael James Gordon
Spatial Health Indicator Analysis Data Collection UNLV Study, Amelia Gulling, Jeff Greer, and Tom Stewart
Factors Associated with Parental Decision Making and Childhood Vaccination, Zuwen Qiu-Shultz
Driving Forces: Factors Affecting Police Officer Injuries in Motor Vehicle Incidents in the United States, Carol Servino
Theses/Dissertations from 2012
Understanding Urban Sustainability and Quality of Life: A System Dynamics Approach, Abby Elizabeth Beck
Identity and Intersectionality for Big City Mayors: A Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women, Constance J. Brooks
Restoration of Biological Soil Crust on Disturbed Gypsiferous Soils in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Eastern Mojave Desert, Lindsay P. Chiquoine
State Juvenile Justice Spending Decisions: The Effects of Federal Aid, Race, Politics, and Other Socioeconomic Factors, Willie B. Coleman Smith
A Phenomenological Study on the Leadership Development of African American Women Executives in Academia and Business, Deanna Rachelle Davis
Public Corruption for Gain in America: The Costly Consequences of Violating Public Trust, Yvonne Atkinson Gates
A Flower Blooms in the Desert: Managing for Collaboration, Josphine Gatti Schafer
Northern STARS Safety Village: Program Evaluation, Gawain Guedry, Marcie Jackson, and JoAnne Witter
Exploring the Seed Bank Dynamics of Red Brome: Longevity, Density, and Relationship to Fire, Benjamin S. Jurand
The New American Conservation Movement: New Strategies, Focus and Organizations for the 21st Century, Amy Deanna Northrup
Investigating three decades of vegetation change in a Mojave Desert mountain range, Chris Lee Roberts
Measuring Spillover Effects of Residential Amenity Improvements Using Spatial Hedonic Approach, Shruti Bishan Tandon
"CHOICES" Florida's Version of Obamacare, Jason Lamarr Wasden
Theses/Dissertations from 2011
Independent living program evaluation for Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently, Patricia Armour, Debra Moulton, and Araceli Pruett
Identifying and reducing lead exposure associated with the use of cultural practices in southern Nevada Hispanic communities, Maria Castillo-Couch
HELP of Southern Nevada analysis project, Lauren Cella, Carly Dunlap, Jonathon Nunes, and Anna Vaillancourt
NevadaGIVES.org: Building website capacity for data collection, Snezhanka V. Christy and Lisa E. Stamanis
Relationships of exotic plant invasions with biological soil crust, desert pavement, and soil carbon in the eastern Mojave Desert, Adria DeCorte
Assessing a combined theories approach to climate change communication, Ted Greenhalgh
Climate and vegetation change in the Newberry mountains, Southern Clark County, Nevada, Ross Joseph Guida
Public Utilities Commission of Nevada: A research design for data collection, Mario Heresi, Jamie Stout, Brandy Davis, and Cheyenne Pasquale
Telework within the Bureau of Reclamation Lower Colorado Region office, Theresa Lee, Lynne Arnold, John Wagner, Elias Samorano, and Anita Morgan
Evaluation of mentoring in southern Nevada, Andrew Merz and Glen Leavitt