This dissertation investigates wrong-way crashes, which are 27 times more deadly than other crash types. Using GIS and statistical modeling in South Florida, the study identifies roadway design, traffic conditions, and impaired driving as key risk factors. Findings highlight lighting, wider medians, and early police intervention as life-saving prevention strategies.

This qualitative study examines the emotional impact of pregnancy loss on Black women. Interviews reveal medicalized trauma, dismissal within healthcare systems, and profound isolation—framed as the Invisible Cradle Theory. The research calls for recognizing pregnancy loss within maternal mortality care and improving culturally responsive support, validation, and mental health resources.

This research examines how leader and follower gratitude expressions affect first-level supervisors. Drawing on emotion-as-social-information theory, a three-wave study shows gratitude enhances helping behavior, commitment, and performance. Leader gratitude boosts organization-based self-esteem, while follower gratitude strengthens leadership self-efficacy. Intentional gratitude practices can foster more thriving workplace environments.

This research examines how a high-performing charter school in a low-income community fosters college and career readiness (CCR). Through classroom observations and interviews, it identifies growth mindset, adaptive teaching, and collaborative learning as key practices. Findings suggest readiness is a schoolwide culture that can help close postsecondary opportunity gaps.