Breanna J. Naegeli, PhD Grand Canyon University, Editor-in-Chief This summer, we eagerly present the inaugural issue of the highly anticipated, Canyon Journal of Undergraduate Research (CJUR). We are pleased to introduce the editorial staff that has diligently collaborated to produce the launch of this novel journal at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona: Scott Greenberger, EdD,…Continue Reading Editorial: Experiential Learning: The Learner-Centric Pedagogy
Literature Review: The Effects of Mindfulness in Faith-Based Education
Vanessa J. Alba, Grand Canyon University Alexa R. Cherne-Evans, Grand Canyon UniversityDominick A. Deintinis, Grand Canyon UniversityMiranda Granados, Grand Canyon UniversityJordyn C. Peterson, Grand Canyon UniversityKaitlyn G. Plaster, Grand Canyon University The practice of mindfulness has proven to be a beneficial cognitive and socioemotional tool for various populations and types of settings. Benefits include reduction of stress, anxiety, and other…Continue Reading Literature Review: The Effects of Mindfulness in Faith-Based Education
Challenges of D1 College Student Athletes and the Development of Transition Programs
Natalie Osborne, Grand Canyon University As the transition from high school to college athletics brings academic, social, psychological, and physical challenges, athletes must be prepared by their institution’s athletic program to promote success. There are many factors in producing a successful transition program, but understanding barriers faced by student-athletes is the first step. These barriers…Continue Reading Challenges of D1 College Student Athletes and the Development of Transition Programs
For the Least of These: A Literature Review of Arizona State Child Maltreatment Laws and Policies
Lena-May J. Haught, Grand Canyon University Within the criminal justice system here in Maricopa County, two sets of written sources determine how crimes are addressed. The first is Arizona law, and the second is Maricopa County Protocol. Currently, no comprehensive comparative analysis exists on how different varieties of Family Violence are addressed within Maricopa County…Continue Reading For the Least of These: A Literature Review of Arizona State Child Maltreatment Laws and Policies
Person, Not a Profit: The Intersection Between Commercialized Sexual Experiences and the Loss of Personhood
Lauren Baker, Grand Canyon University Commercialized sex work is a multi-billion-dollar industry, consumable by platforms in person and online. Regardless of the easy accessibility, the impacts of this industry have been debated for decades on whether the industry supports its workers or creates profits from exploitation and non-consensual activities. This literature review will analyze the…Continue Reading Person, Not a Profit: The Intersection Between Commercialized Sexual Experiences and the Loss of Personhood
Supporting Our Most Vulnerable First-Gen Students: The Role of Immigration Status in the Pursuit of Higher Education
Karla Daniela Salazar Chavira, Grand Canyon University First-generation students have received a great deal of attention from post-secondary institutions. Despite the attempt to help address the barriers faced by this student population, the generalization of the term “first-gen” limits the capacity to grasp how specific identities, such as those pertaining to immigration status, may impact…Continue Reading Supporting Our Most Vulnerable First-Gen Students: The Role of Immigration Status in the Pursuit of Higher Education
Social Capital and Socioeconomic Status: A Rurality-Focused Comparative Review of Higher Educational Attainment in the United States and Colombia
Hannah Beggs, Grand Canyon University Cross-cultural examinations in the academic sector are important for developing a comprehensive understanding of the functionality of higher education (HE) and promoting an open-minded, student focused approach to pedagogy. The purpose of this literature review is to compare HE landscapes in the United States (US) and Colombia, emphasizing socioeconomic status…Continue Reading Social Capital and Socioeconomic Status: A Rurality-Focused Comparative Review of Higher Educational Attainment in the United States and Colombia
The Importance of Classical Literature in Secondary Education: A Literature Review
Emily Grant, Grand Canyon University The inclusion and representation of Classical Literature in secondary education have been a highly debated topic. Teachers and students struggle to find the value and importance of classical texts and authors in the curriculum. This literature review explores the value of English language arts, how literature fits into that, and…Continue Reading The Importance of Classical Literature in Secondary Education: A Literature Review
The Relationship Between Felines, Toxoplasmosis, and Humans: A Literature Review
Elisabeth J. Drewlo, Grand Canyon University Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that causes the disease known as Toxoplasmosis (Ajioka & Morrissette, 2009). This parasite has been studied extensively since its discovery in 1908. Though it was discovered in the early 1900s and has been studied since it was first observed, its impact on behavior, personality,…Continue Reading The Relationship Between Felines, Toxoplasmosis, and Humans: A Literature Review
A Student’s Dynamic Reflection on Intensive Undergraduate Research Experiences
Brian C. Durbin, Grand Canyon University Reflection is a valuable practice that causes the participating individual to analyze the rational and emotional aspects of an unexpected situation. This practice can be incredibly beneficial in a professional setting as well as an academic setting. To demonstrate this, I will reflect on an intensive, eight-weeksummer internship that…Continue Reading A Student’s Dynamic Reflection on Intensive Undergraduate Research Experiences