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- Member of: Center for Earth Systems Engineering and Management
Description
Given the importance of affordable housing, it is important to study the economic factors that influence it, both on a national and a local scale. In recent years, housing affordability metrics have reported worrying trends, further driving the importance of theoretical research and empirical data that supports it. This paper examined several hypotheses related to housing affordability and federal interest rates. High federal interest rates have long been deemed a cause of worsening housing affordability. Federal interest rates influence mortgage rates, which in turn influence mortgage prices. However, current theory is divided as to the aggregate impact of lowered interest rates on housing affordability. Some suggest that this is overall positive, while others point out that demand effects induced by lower mortgage prices may crowd-out struggling families and worsen affordability. This paper tests current literature regarding the aggregate impact of interest rates on housing affordability as well as exploring the possibility of varying impacts at the local level. Using econometric modeling, this analysis was not able to find any statistically significant correlation between interest rates and housing affordability outcomes at the local level, and there appeared to be no interaction between owner-occupancy rates (a local characteristic) and the effect of interest rates on a community. However, at a national scale, lower interest rates were associated with lower mortgage costs and increasing housing affordability outcomes, suggesting that recent doubts may not stand on solid footing.
ContributorsRounds, Luke (Author) / Thomson, Henry (Thesis director) / Cordova, Luis (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Drawing from phenomenological reflection, current research, and personal experience during a study abroad semester in Alicante, Spain, this thesis explores how a country's cultural values can influence quality of life by comparing collectivist and individualist societies, specifically Spain and the United States. Spain's collectivist culture, emphasizing relationships, community, and universal healthcare, contrasts with the United States' individualistic values of self-reliance, achievement, and financial success. Through a review of literature, cultural history, and interviews captured in an accompanying podcast, this research argues societies that emphasize collective values over individualist values tend to lead to a better quality of life for its members due to greater access to social support in their everyday lives, cultivating a sense of belonging and stability.
ContributorsLewis, Haley (Author) / Short, Robert (Thesis director) / Young, Alex (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Healing Brews aims to address the growing demand for holistic health solutions by providing a personalized, accessible platform for those seeking natural remedies. With a focus on herbal teas, our website offers customized tea recommendations based on user-inputted symptoms, backed by scientific research and ingredient facts. Healing Brews empowers individuals to take control of their health in a gentle, cost-effective way. We aim to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern wellness, offering not only expert advice but also a seamless shopping experience for users to easily purchase their recommended teas.
ContributorsDahdal, Leila (Author) / White, Alexis (Co-author) / Ochoa, Alexia (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / LaRosa, Julia (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Effective communication is essential in dentistry, influencing both patient
outcomes and overall access to care. However, language barriers, cultural differences,
and limited health literacy can create significant challenges for both patients and dental
professionals. This thesis explores these issues through a qualitative analysis, highlighting the importance of developing structured approaches to improve provider-patient interactions, enhancing accessibility and quality of dental care.
ContributorsMeyer, Lucy (Author) / Don, Rachael (Thesis director) / McMullen, Mary (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
EC EyeCare is a nonprofit mobile vision clinic that is designed to address the gap in access to eye care among underserved populations in Arizona. Inspired by the founder's personal experience, the initiative provides free affordable eye exams, access to corrective lenses, and referrals for advanced treatment. Utilizing fully equipped RV, EC EyeCare brings optometry services to schools, shelters, retirement homes, and rural areas. The RV eliminates barriers such as transportation, cost, and doctor availability. The organization is driven by grants, scholarships, and partnerships with optometry school and medical suppliers. EC EyeCare has a mission to restore sight and empower lives through a mobile equity driven approach to healthcare delivery.
ContributorsChartrand, Estelle (Author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Dearman, Jeremy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Community Resources and Development (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Jammi Branding is a boutique marketing agency built for small businesses with big dreams but limited budgets. We specialize in affordable, personalized marketing strategies that help entrepreneurs share their story, attract customers, and grow sustainably. From content creation and SEO to full-scale brand storytelling and campaign execution, we deliver hands-on, results-driven solutions tailored to each client’s goals since we saw a lack of personalized marketing in the market. We’re not your average agency, we’re a dedicated partner helping small brands stand out in a crowded digital world.
ContributorsTran, Jane (Author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Pierce, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
In 1996, I was born to two Filipino immigrants in El Paso, Texas. At the time, my father was in the process of completing his residency at the University of Texas, working strenuous 16-hour days almost every day as a fledgling resident physician. My mother was a full-time nurse then, working nightshifts to give her the freedom to tend to me during the day while my father was in training. Prior to their immigration to the United States under working visas in 1994, both of my parents came from families whose livelihood depended on agriculture. For my father, it was fishing, raising livestock, and tending to rice fields in a village called Siaton; for my mother, it was sugar cane processing and a family business of selling pigs in a town called Bogo. Despite facing many ups and downs along the way, these family occupations afforded my parents the opportunity to attend school from elementary to higher education. They eventually decided to pursue jobs in the health care industry so that they could immigrate to the United States, send money back to their loved ones in the Philippines, and provide a better life for the family they intended to start together.
ContributorsJumalon, Nikka Victoria (Author) / Shockley, Gordon (Thesis director) / White, Adrienne (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This thesis explores how social-emotional learning (SEL) can be integrated into early elementary classrooms to foster a stronger sense of belonging and community. Research shows that students who feel connected and valued in their school environment are more likely to succeed academically and emotionally. However, many educators face barriers such as time constraints and lack of training when implementing SEL. To address this gap, a four-week SEL unit was developed, designed specifically for second-grade classrooms. The unit emphasizes self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and conflict resolution through brief, daily lessons that are adaptable and easily embedded into classroom routines. Drawing from other SEL frameworks, this project aims to support students' emotional growth while offering practical strategies for educators. The findings highlight the positive impact of daily SEL practices on classroom climate, student engagement, and teacher-student relationships, emphasizing that SEL can be both effective and manageable when aligned with real classroom needs.
ContributorsWasson, Brenna (Author) / Soares, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Stapley, Jennifer (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / School of Public Affairs (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The Grill Caddie is a purpose-built product designed to enhance the outdoor grilling experience in communal living spaces. Developed through the Founders Lab Honors Thesis pathway at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, this venture encompassed the creation, development, testing, refinement, and market launch of a unique consumer product. The design integrates a magnetic cutting board with an aluminum foil roller, seasoning trough, and cupholder—components engineered for ease of transport, assembly, and cleaning. Emphasizing user-driven development and functional design, the team conducted iterative prototyping, material testing, and consumer interviews to optimize features such as the juice groove and slicing mechanism. Leveraging grant funding and professional mentorship, the team navigated key business operations including supply chain logistics, website development, and social media marketing. The Grill Caddie achieved initial market traction through direct sales, validating product-market fit and demonstrating the team’s ability to translate technical skills into entrepreneurial impact.
ContributorsWalker, Eric (Author) / Boylan, Gentry (Co-author) / Willett, Luke (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Pierce, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Engineering Programs (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Hats are commonly worn by people in extreme heat conditions, in a variety of colors and styles. In hot environments with high amounts of incident radiation, people often experience significant thermal discomfort, and conventional wisdom leads many of those people to wear hats to alleviate some of their discomfort. Despite this common practice, the effectiveness of different styles and colors of hats relative to each other has not been thoroughly researched. Hats can have varied impacts on the factors which impact thermal discomfort, including incident radiation, convective heat loss, and evaporative heat loss from sweat. The difference between styles and colors of hats can cause them to have different interactions with these methods of heat transfer, which lead to variance in the total impact on thermal discomfort. This research was conducted in order to create an experimentally justified recommendation for hat selection to limit thermal discomfort in hot and sunny areas.
ContributorsLyons, Caitlyn (Author) / Rykaczewski, Konrad (Thesis director) / Joshi, Ankit (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05