Volume 4, Issue 1 (2025)

Welcome to the Confluence

Dear Readers,

With great excitement, I welcome you to this first issue of the fourth volume of the The Confluence, Lindenwood University's student research journal. As we embark on another year of excellent scholarly exploration, we are proud to present eight outstanding articles that reflect the breadth, creativity, and rigor of student research across disciplines.

This issue exhibits the enduring value of undergraduate and graduate inquiry, with each article adding to the global scholarly conversations in their particular fields. Our authors and contributors have tackled topics ranging from the resilience of cultural traditions to the complexities of identity, from the neurological effects of childhood trauma to the evolving landscape of global cybersecurity.

The Confluence serves not simply to feature the work of some of our best students, but also to provide our scholars with the real-world experience of undergoing the publishing process. Each article has undergone a rigorous review process, guided by our dedicated editorial team and faculty mentors. We are grateful to the authors for their intellectual curiosity and perseverance, and to the faculty who have provided invaluable mentorship through the research, writing, and revising process.

We proudly present this issue and affirm our commitment to fostering and featuring a vibrant community of student scholars. You are invited to engage with the research presented here, to question, discuss, and to be inspired. Whether you are a student, mentor, or lifelong learner, we hope this issue sparks new ideas and conversations.

Thank you for your continued support of our journal and for championing the next generation of researchers, scholars, and artists.

Sincerely,

Dr. Nichole Torbitzky

Editor, the Confluence