I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank the many colleagues, friends, and faculty members who have helped me with this research project. I am most indebted to Chris Roberts, the chairman of this thesis, for sharing his research expertise and wisdom in connection with this project. I am so appreciative of his constant willingness to offer helpful answers and advice for my steady flow of inquiries throughout this process. I am also very grateful to Dianne Bragg, the co-chair of this thesis, for her continuous encouragement and guidance throughout my master's education and, specifically, for her direction in the theoretical and historical background of this work. I would also like to thank my committee member Margot Lamme for her invaluable input, inspiring questions, and support of both the thesis and my academic progress. I would like to thank Regina Lewis for sharing her expertise in conducting focus groups and assisting in obtaining a moderator to lead this study's focus groups. I would also like to thank Ariel Fink, the aforementioned moderator, for her assistance in skillfully leading the study's focus groups. Finally, I thank all of the student volunteers at The University of Alabama who participated in this study's survey and focus groups. This research would not have been possible without the support of my friends, fellow graduate students, and, of course, my family who all offered a helping hand or encouraging word whenever possible.