Vallo Vault
Welcome to Vallo Vault, UM's Digital Archives and Scholarship Hub.
This open and searchable site contains scholarly works of UM faculty and students. It also features archival collections related to the history of the university and the city of Montevallo. To learn more about Vallo Vault, including policies and submission instructions, visit this guide.
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Front Matter
(2024)
The front matter for Volume 12 (2024) of the McNair Research Journal contains the following sections: Welcome by Jamaica Dunigan, History of the University, Acknowledgements, and Table of Contents. It also contains information about TRIO, Ronald E. McNair, and the McNair Scholars Program.
A Review of Alternative Education
(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2024) Arreola Gomez, Miguel Angel; Day, James
Alternative Education is a steadily growing sector in public education as comprehensive
schools are unable to meet the needs and demands of students who fall behind or experience
some form of hardship in their education. This study will gather existing data from multiple
sources to identify programs and institutions that can be defined as Alternative Education,
explore the demographics and areas of these programs, and examine factors that have contributed
to their placement in Alternative Education. This study reviewed scholarly articles and
government reports to gather information. The investigation can address the meaning, need, and
students that make up Alternative Education institutions where other investigations hyper-
focused on specific case programs. The study identifies a lack of standard implementation and
instructional dynamics among independent programs. Despite these differences, a common goal
is to help students graduate “on time,” discipline those with behavioral issues, or support their
return to their home schools. The study highlights recurring themes that contribute to student
placement in Alternative Education. Furthermore, these findings will support future research
concerning the efficacy and impact of Alternative Education from a long-range perspective.
The Challenges to Emotional Vulnerability
(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2024) Barganier, Taylar; Beal, Brendan
In society today vulnerability is depicted as sensitivity or something that everyone has grown to dislike due to discomfort. In many cases it is seen as a weakness and showing a part of yourself that can be judged harshly and produce pain. As seen today when someone is vulnerable with another person they can fear that they will approach them differently or alter how they perceive the person. However, many people are afraid to become vulnerable and share their emotions with another person. How can we achieve a safe space to not be fearful of vulnerability? Or further, why are people afraid to be vulnerable? The hypothesis of this research is the possibility of race, religion, or other demographic characteristics altering the perception of safety to be vulnerable. As well as most agreeing with how society gives backlash or how hard it
is to be vulnerable in the go-getter society that is seen today.
The purpose of this research is to bring awareness as to how society perceives vulnerability and how we can adapt to the change that vulnerability is normal. Ways to research this topic include a qualitative research design where communicating and asking questions to understand how different age groups view vulnerability or the ways in which they would want to see change. Results will vary and the conclusion is yet to be determined, however, the future of this research might alter the perception of being a vulnerable human. It can also determine why many are afraid of vulnerability.
Chironomids in the Southern United States: A Literature Review
(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2024) Cater, Ren; Hasking-Jennings, Danielle
Chironomids, an insect whose larval form is found in most bodies of water worldwide, are benthic macroinvertebrates that play a vital role in trophic structures as primary and secondary consumers. They are a highly speciose family, estimated to contain over 10,000 species across the globe. As their aquatic larvae develop, they shed chitinous head capsules which can remain embedded in sediment for over 100,000 years. These head capsules canbe used for morphological and genomic species identification of local assemblages, as well as isotopic and chemical analyses. These uses combined with a firm ecological understanding of species-specific environmental requirements means that they can be utilized as bioindicators to assess ecosystem health, for paleoecological studies, and as model organisms for evolution-based research. They also impact human health in a variety of ways and are a necessary food source for many fish. Yet, there is a paucity of ecological research regarding chironomids local to the Southeastern US, which has inhibitedenvironmental research across the region. This paper aims to briefly summarize the uses of chironomids, what research has been done regarding them in the Southeast, and to inform on potential avenues that local chironomid research could take in the future.
Exploring the Intersectionality of Socioeconomic Factors, Race, and Gender: Disparities in Educational Outcomes for Black Male Students
(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2024) Jones, Sidney; Harper-Hooper IV, William
Intersectionality in education examines how overlapping social identities such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status create unique challenges and experiences for students. This framework, particularly relevant in understanding the educational disparities faced by black male students, reveals how these identities intersect to produce compounded disadvantages. Socioeconomic status, commonly noted as SES, impacts access to resources and educational opportunities, while systemic racism and gender biases further exacerbate inequalities. Critical Race Theory, abbreviated as CRT, provides a lens through which we can analyze these disparities, emphasizing the need to address systemic issues within educational institutions. This research explores how these intersecting factors contribute to educational disparities for black male students and identifies effective intervention strategies to promote equity and inclusion.