NW Valley Times

Lauren Baker has published two manuscripts in the Canyon Journal of Undergraduate Research. “Words matter, and words have impact,” said Grand Canyon University graduate Lauren Baker, whose research manuscript discussing her identity as a Filipina woman is one of 10 scholarly papers included in the newly published edition of the Canyon Journal of Undergraduate Research.

“I hope when people read my research, they will understand it is OK to confront things they are uncomfortable with and to be vulnerable to spark conversations to create meaningful change."

The multidisciplinary journal, whose first issue debuted just a year ago, is designed so students can receive mentorship when it comes to academic research. The months-long process also challenges them to explore current academic, professional and personal issues, and to propose solutions to minimize negative outcomes.

The new issue covers topics ranging from mental and physical health to cultural appreciation, the effects of COVID-19 on health and challenges in K-12 education.

“Research is so important, and being able to articulate something that matters to you, to a wide audience, can be so impactful,” said Baker, who graduated as an honors student from GCU in December with a bachelor's degree in government/legal studies and works at the university as a community standards coordinator.

To learn how to compose a manuscript and prepare for the research process, undergraduates interested in being published in the journal have the option of signing up for an eight-week course called Academic Journal Writing, in which they receive guidance from faculty.

Baker didn't hesitate to sign up. What started out as curiosity turned into passion once she began learning more about the research process and how she can address ethnic and cultural difficulties that are personal to her: “I wanted to challenge myself and talk about something that matters to me, which is my identity as a Filipina, overcoming barriers and what being Filipino means to me as a student and on a professional level.”

Students writing for the journal can choose different approaches or guides in how they will write their manuscript—from a literature review to an empirical discovery guide or a guide for reflection on interdisciplinary problems.

Baker’s first published manuscript was a literature review that appeared in the 2023 issue. It addressed sex trafficking and exploitation. For this year's publication, Baker wanted to challenge herself by using a different guide and topic category.

GCU students studied how to compose appropriate research in the Academic Research Writing course.

Baker's manuscript is titled “Pinay and Proud: An Interdisciplinary Reflection on Colonization’s Detrimental Influence on Establishing Eurocentric Beauty Standards and Personal Ethnic Identity within my Filipina Experience.” Her research focuses on how Eurocentric beauty standards connect with personal and professional ethnic identity.

Baker is from Kailua in Oahu, Hawaii. When she was a student at GCU she was chosen for the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship where she studied intercultural communications and conflict resolution while traveling between Washington D.C., Ireland.

“I am entering into workspaces where I feel my cultural identity isn’t present. That is intimidating because there are many barriers where people might be drawn towards others with similar living experiences. I want my experience also matter.”

“I want encourage other people that regardless what they been through their identity how perceive themselves meaningful capable doing whatever put mind”

Over four months Baker used sociology economics history dive into Filipina experience compose manuscript delves nuances found within cultural barriers

Other student alumni authors joined by Baker:

Julia Tangel Makenna Cobb Megan Otto Alyssa Morales Zachary Zeigler: “Impact Weighing Frequency Weight Cycling Post-COVID College Students”

Jeremy Varnadore Colin J O’Reilly Kobe Lage Aliya Kuester Ashley Larson Anisa Barbosa Sean K Cuddyer Dillan McGuckin Logan Demeter Elizabeth Moore: “Mindfulness Stress Understanding Awareness Impacts Stress Reduction”

Allison Limley: “Sheltering Survivors Literature Review Safe Houses Sex Trafficking Survivors”

Foxx Walz: “Novel Phytochemicals Treating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria General Review”

Jeremy Varnadore Ashley Larson Sean K Cuddyer Anisa Barbosa Elizabeth Moore Rogelio Garcia Janean Mikutis: “Mindful Student Investigating Relationships Between Mindfulness Locus Control Stress”

Sean K Cuddyer Aliya Kuester: “Early Life Adversity Resilience”

Lauren Williams: “Literature Review Promoting Healing Social Justice Through Trauma-Informed Transformations K-12 Education”

Colin O’Reilly Ashley Larson Zachary Singleton Anisa Barbosa Kobe Lage Kaito Cuddyer Aliya Kuester Brennah Molsberry Dillon McGuckin Jaelyn Crebbin Janean Mikutis Jacob Romero Jeremy Varnadore Joseph Yepez: "Review Dark Triad Leadership Leadership Styles Relationship Between Dark Triad Leadership"

Ashley Larson Elizabeth Moore Changing Lives Outreach Program Interpersonal Skills General Self-Efficacy

Published manuscripts found here

To considered future publication students create based guides provided GCU submit Canyon Journal Undergraduate Research website

GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi reached [email protected]