Mountain Scholar
Mountain Scholar is an open access repository service that collects, preserves, and provides access to digitized library collections and other scholarly and creative works from Colorado State University and the University Press of Colorado. It also serves as a dark archive for the Open Textbook Library.
Communities in Mountain Scholar
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Explore the Colorado State University community’s scholarly output as well as items from the University at large and the CSU Libraries.
- A limited number of titles are available here. To see all OTL titles, please visit the Open Textbook Library at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks. Only Open Textbook Library staff have access to all OTL Archive titles held in Mountain Scholar.
- Access is limited to University Press of Colorado members. Non-members: to purchase books, please visit https://upcolorado.com/.
Recent Submissions
Anna DuBord: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) DuBord, Anna, artist
The artist's statement: Throughout my practice, I've found myself grounded within materials and color pallets I find to be nostalgic, incorporating elements that many people might connect with through their own memories of childhood. I'm drawn to textures that allow for mistakes, and over time I've learned to follow where life nudges me rather than forcing a sense of control. Because of this, I gravitate towards processes that force me to be present within the work, instead of controlling every step. After all, life has a funny way of teaching you the lessons you need most. For me, it was allowing myself to let the little things go. The version of myself from five years ago is not the person I am today, and if I'm honest, when I look in the mirror, I hardly see her anymore. At a particularly rocky crossroad between these two versions of myself, something just clicked. My mind stopped running in overdrive, and I realized: it's not that serious. Yes, life has its hard parts, but it also has amazing ones and somehow, I hadn't been letting myself enjoy them. It was as if someone flipped a switch. Everything that once felt so overwhelming suddenly seemed smaller. And when those things got smaller, life itself got bigger. I'm privileged to experience these moments when pressure softens, order and chaos blur, and humor slips in unexpectedly. My work is about freedom. It’s about choosing where and how to place my energy. It's about acknowledging the absurdity of life and letting myself enjoy it more. Through each piece, I hope to create a space where people can breathe, let something go, and remember that things really aren't as serious as they seem. Guided by a spirit of play, I allow my practice to unfold with curiosity and openness.
Paws & perception: the influence of marketing on animal rescue behavior
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Miller, Amanda, author; de Brito, Paulo Borges, advisor; Wright, Jennifer, committee member
This honors thesis examines how marketing can catalyze a renewed cultural shift toward animal rescue in the United States, with a specific focus on Gen Z consumers. Drawing on historical analysis, secondary data from national animal welfare organizations, and primary survey data from pet owners in the Denver Metro Area, the paper traces the evolution of the rescue movement from the 1970s—when an estimated 15 million animals were euthanized annually— to the present plateau of approximately 607,000 euthanasias per year. The study identifies key historical inflection points, including the Animal Welfare Act, early animal rights advocacy, and high-profile celebrity interventions such as Oprah Winfrey's 2008 coverage of puppy mills, and contrasts these with current stagnation in progress. Quantitative analysis indicates that preventable euthanasia could be eliminated if only 27% of recent pet purchasers chose adoption instead, suggesting that a relatively modest behavioral shift could have an outsized impact. Survey findings further show that 60% of respondents who purchased from breeders asked about welfare-related practices, and half of those altered their purchasing decision, highlighting an existing ethical sensitivity to leverage. The thesis argues that the legacy slogan "Adopt, Don't Shop" is increasingly perceived as accusatory and insufficiently nuanced for Gen Z, who seek authenticity, narrative depth, and a sense of belonging in social causes. It proposes that modern marketing strategies—particularly influencer partnerships, viral storytelling, and socially resonant messaging reframed as a positive, joinable movement (e.g., "Join the Rescue Revolution")—offer a promising pathway to shift perceptions away from breeder purchases and toward rescue and adoption.
The importance of insect education for all ages
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Linscomb, Olivia, author; Mola, John, advisor; Camper, Matt, committee member
My experience included tabling and presenting at Bug Zoo and Entomology Club outreach events for the Fort Collins community, geared toward both children and adults, to examine how responses to insects varied. My involvement provided me with unique insights into the world of wildlife education and helped me develop valuable scientific communication skills. Along the way, I encountered numerous challenges, including obtaining IRB approval and a shortage of volunteers to assist me at various events.
Applied crisis management in the supply chain: a qualitative study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Coulson, Kirstyn, author; Mumford, Troy, advisor; Macdonald, John, committee member
This thesis examines how supply chain leaders handle crisis and what effective leadership looks like. I conducted qualitative interviews with six leaders across manufacturing, logistics, procurement, healthcare, and rail. Their experiences point to several themes that shape crisis response, including the severity of the disruption, the vulnerabilities within a complex supply chain, and the leader’s own capabilities. Crises happen in every industry. They create financial risk, time pressure, and a need for strong coordination across teams. The leaders I interviewed described a shared approach. They stay outwardly steady while managing internal stress, pull people and resources together quickly, and turn each disruption into a learning opportunity through root cause analysis and prevention planning. A key takeaway is that a supply chain never leaves a crisis in the same condition it entered. Disruption exposes weak spots and moves the organization from a mindset focus on efficiency toward greater resilience. Overall, the research shows that effective crisis leadership relies less on technical expertise and more on emotional intelligence and a commitment to supporting teams through uncertainty.
Diversity of Lampyridae (firefly) species across Colorado
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) DuMais, Benjamin, author; Borowiec, Marek, advisor; Aubry, Lise, committee member
Fireflies, lightning bugs, and glowworms (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are ecologically and culturally significant, yet their diversity and distribution in Colorado remain poorly understood. This study examined 327 Lampyridae specimens from the C. P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity at Colorado State University. Specimen data, including taxonomic identification, collection locality, and date, were entered into the global Ecdysis database and mapped using geographic information system (GIS) software with county and watershed boundaries. Six genera (Ellychnia, Photuris, Photinus, Pyractomena, Pyropyga, and Lucidota) were identified, though many specimens could only be resolved to the genus level. Collections were concentrated along the Front Range, while the Western Slope, Eastern Plains, and San Luis Valley were underrepresented. Several genera, including Ellychnia and Pyropyga, likely comprise species complexes requiring further taxonomic and genetic study. Although all eleven major watersheds were represented, specimens were collected from only 36 of Colorado's 64 counties, reflecting a spatial sampling bias. These findings establish a baseline checklist of Lampyridae in Colorado, highlight significant geographic gaps, and underscore the need for targeted survey efforts to support regional conservation and management of firefly populations.