Dedication

For my mother and father, my first and forever teachers. iv Acknowledgements I would like to formally acknowledge, with deep gratitude, the contributions of the following people: Jennifer Goen: Your intellect, curiosity, creativity, and graciousness made this dissertation possible. Thank you. Dr. Maxwell, my dissertation chair, and Drs. Wood and Sturtevant, my committee members: This would have been a different and less valuable work without your support and confidence in me. I am very grateful for your participation. Dr. Galluzzo: Your obvious love for your work and commitment to your students benefits us all. Thank you for advising me throughout the program. Dr. Shari Castle: Thank you for sharing wisdom and laughter. Mom: Your generosity, love, and faith in me has made so much possible. I can never thank you enough