Current McNair Scholars

This research focuses on health and community building in San Antonio’s Queer Community from 1980-2000. During this historical period, the Queer social climate changed immensely, such as the AIDS Epidemic and the rise of discrimination against Queer individuals. The goal of this research is to determine how these external factors allowed for these Queer individuals to build their community. Furthermore, Queer voices whose stories have yet to be explored will be able to be told. Primary sources in the form of periodicals written by the Queer community will be analyzed to observe how Queer individuals dealt with the changing social climate, and their ability to adapt. In addition, secondary sources will also be referenced to provide further historical context of Queer life.

Through my research I am attempting to find a correlation, if any, between meditation and a more effective recovery after exercise. In order to do this I will track heart rate variability and sleep quality for one week using a wearable tracker. This week will be used to provide baseline data about the participant. I will then provide the participants with a meditative program instructing them to meditate before bed while also tracking the same measurables mentioned earlier for the same time period. Using the data collected I hope to provide information to all about the benefits, if any, meditation can provide to recovery.

DNA is a key forensic tool that can identify individuals from biological evidence such as hair, nails, bodily fluids, and skin. In cold cases, where remains are left unexamined for years, decomposition can degrade DNA and impact its reliability. This study investigates DNA preservation in two tissue types—muscle and keratinized tissue (hair and nails)—throughout different decomposition stages. Samples will be collected from controlled environments, with DNA extracted at set time intervals. Both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA will be analyzed using PCR to compare the amplification success of short and long fragments. Findings from this research aim to identify which tissues yield more reliable DNA over time, providing insights for forensic casework.

This study examines the impacts of therapy dogs on students undergoing speech therapy. Specifically, | aim to investigate whether the presence of a dog influence students, comfort levels, anxiety, fear, or relaxation during speech therapy sessions. The goal is to determine if having dogs present can create a more supportive and engaging environment that encourages communication and learning. | will assess if dogs may promote language  development, improve articulation, boost confidence, and bring overall progress in patience. By analyzing the interactions between patients and dogs, | hope to highlight the potential benefits of animal assisted therapy in speech therapy. This research could provide valuable insight into new therapy approaches and can highlight how the inclusion of dogs can enhance the effectiveness of speech therapy and patient experiences. 

This study explores the relationship between family expectations and academic outcomes among Latinx female university students, ages 18 to 24. Influenced by traditional gender roles like machismo and marianismo, many of these women face cultural and familial pressures that impact their self-esteem, identity, and academic success. While some struggle with meeting family expectations, others aim to break generational cycles and pursue personal goals. Using the Familismo Scale, this research will examine how family dynamics influence academic performance and psychological well-being.

This study examines whether adopting the mindset of a serial killer—analyzing their motivations, behavioral patterns, and tactical decisions—can enhance law enforcement's ability to apprehend them. It will introduce the Serial Killer Operational Layout, a framework dividing their progression into six distinct phases: Fantasy, First Kill, Preparation, Execution, Evasion, and Reflection. The research will also propose new classification systems—an Umbrella of serial killer subtypes—to better differentiate offenders based on attributes like intelligence, control, gratification type. etc. The aim is to provide proactive, strategic tools for profiling and intervention.

This study explores whether Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs are preparing Social Work students to practice self-care to prevent burnout during field practicum. The study will be mixed methods, with the quantitative survey being the existing Student Maslach Burnout Inventory, with 50 participants analyzed for consistency using Qualtrics. The qualitative interview will consist of semi-structured questions that will be  thematically analyzed using lnVivo with 12-15 participants. Participants will consist of BSW students who have completed at least one semester of field practicum in the past year. This is important because knowing if students are feeling burnt out before getting to practicum could be a good indicator of why they may not pursue their MSW or why they end up eventually leaving the profession.

This study explores the lived experiences of future bilingual teachers as they engage in academic and professional development through a bilingual education student organization. Using a phenomenology lens and a case study design, the research seeks to understand how these students perceive and make meaning of their growth within this context. The goal is to examine how involvement in such organization contributes to the shaping of their identities, values, and readiness as bilingual educators. This introduction lays the foundation for a deeper conversation around community, cultural affirmation, and the formative journey of becoming a bilingual teacher in today's educational landscape.

This study examines the importance of self-esteem development with specific attention to first-generations and continuing generation college students and the difference is in self-esteem between these groups here at Our Lady of the Lake University. My current case study will be using the qualitative approach to collect data through surveys with follow-ups and interviews. With my research I aimed to fully understand and interpret self-esteem and how it is connected two more moving factors than we'd like to admit. We will be moving on to the makeup of my research, which is the different points of literature that I have been able to collect to either back my statements or give reasons to why they should be questioned.

This study examines how injury can affect a college athlete's mental health. I plan to research how social support impacts an athlete and how they return to play. I plan on interviewing a minimum of six athletes that play at the collegiate level, to be able to identify how their mental challenges impacted their recovery. They must be between the ages of 18-26 years old, with an injury lasting one week up to a year. I hope my presentation helps benefit college athletes' mental health services as well as informing spectators on a different point of view of what athletes are going through.

This research investigates how artificial intelligence (Al) predicts marketing trends and generates effective content. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study evaluates the accuracy of Al-generated predictions against real-world outcomes and analyzes the thematic and tonal elements of Al marketing language. Quantitative methods. including statistical modeling through Python and R. are employed alongside qualitative analyses via natural language processing (NLP) tools. By assessing the strengths and limitations of Al in marketing, this research aims to enhance the understanding of Al's impact on consumer behavior and provide insights for developing more effective marketing strategies.

This study explores the struggles Latinos face when entering college and university especially when traveling away to earn their degrees. Latinos face challenges with financial aid both from the state and universities and their mental health. It focuses on the age group of students 18-25 that have been in higher education for at least 2 semesters. I will conduct surveys and interviews to determine the exact struggles Latinos face in recent years. In hopes to gain information on how universities can help them succeed and complete their degrees.

This quantitative research aims to address if having divorced parents impact Latinx first generation female students' self-efficacy and resilience throughout college. The collection of this data will be done through surveys using the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale as well as the General Self Efficacy scale to determine the student's ability to bounce back and overcome difficult challenges in life that are presented due to divorce. The students will be Latinx female students between the age of 18-25 that are enrolled in a four-year university, by keeping this open to individuals who do not have divorced parents brings in a comparative group that will be used to determine if it does have an impact or not.

This qualitative study explores how business leaders perceive the role of artificial intelligence (Al) in strategic decision-making and operational workflows. Focusing on the case of Computer Solutions, founded by Carolyn Labatt, the research examines how Al tools enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and inform business strategies. The study also investigates ethical concerns such as data bias, fairness, and transparency, identifying barriers to trustworthy Al adoption. Insights from participant interviews highlight the need for responsible, human-centered Al integration. Findings will benefit both academic and business communities by offering practical strategies for using Al effectively while maintaining ethical standards in real-world business settings

The qualitative study investigates how K-5 teachers in rural, low-socioeconomic school districts perceive and address the educational and developmental needs of students receiving speech-language services. Through semi-structured interviews with 3-5 educators, the research aims to highlight teacher insights, challenges, and strategies used in supporting these students.

This study examines the resilience of U.S. democracy from the mid-1990s to 2025 using a dual stress test approach-one at the national level and another focusing on state governance. By evaluating shifts in democratic practices over time, this research aims to identify both public and institutional factors that contribute to democratic erosion. Through this analysis, the study seeks to define safeguards that can protect established democracies from decline. This work contributes to the broader conversation about how established democratic nations can gradually backslide from their original values and practices, offering insights into reversing these trends to preserve democratic integrity.