Digital Commons Network^™

Navigating Cognitive Dissonance Among Lgbtq+ Filipino Americans, Aj Laxa

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how LGBTQ+ Filipino Americans experience and navigate cognitive dissonance related to their intersecting identities, with particular attention to Filipino cultural values, religious beliefs, and family dynamics. Using pakikipagkuwentuhan as a methodology, six LGBTQ+ Filipino American participants engaged in narrative interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Three major themes, along with subthemes, emerged: (1) religion as a source of cognitive dissonance, (2) secular Filipino values intensifying cognitive dissonance, and (3) strategies for navigating cognitive dissonance. Participants described navigating conflicts between LGBTQ+ identity and religious teachings, as well as balancing authenticity with relational …

We Buried The Curriculum And Called It Holy, Charles E. Becknell Jr., Johnna Rocker-Clinton

Black Educology Mixtape "Journal"

This track develops the concept of apocalyptic pedagogy by situating it within Africana studies and classroom rituals, illustrating how curriculum itself can be examined, buried, and reimagined through practices rooted in Black educology. Drawing on ancestral knowledge and collective memory, the track envisions ritual as curriculum, where libation and remembrance become practices of mourning and reclamation. Rather than centering institutional reform, the track frames education as a ritual circle enacting pedagogy as remembrance, mourning, and rebirth, honoring Black life as sacred.

Think Piece: Urban Echoes: How The New Historiography On Cities Is Reframing Our Understanding Of Mao’S China, Taoyu Yang

Asia Pacific Perspectives

Despite the conventional portrayal of the Chinese revolution as a predominantly peasant-oriented movement, cities emerged as critical arenas for the Chinese Communist Party’s project of modernization and class restructuring during Maoist period (1949–1976). Over the past decade, scholarly attention has increasingly turned to the urban dimensions of the early years of the People’s Republic. This think piece addresses how recent scholarship on cities offers new analytical insights into our understanding of Maoist China by focusing on six recently published monographs. Themes to be discussed in this essay include the contested and evolving notion of socialist modernity, the transformative effects of …

Sacred Seeds: The Transmission Of Knowledge Seen Through Aztec Religionand Agriculture, Ian S. Hohsfield

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The integration of religion and agriculture was a cornerstone of Aztec civilization, deeply influencing societal practices and knowledge systems. Scholars have long recognized the importance of religious rituals in ensuring agricultural success; however, the specific methods by which agricultural knowledge was transmitted within religious contexts—and how these methods may have contributed to knowledge gaps—remain underexplored. This thesis investigates the relationship between Aztec religious practices and the transmission of agricultural knowledge, focusing on how the methods of knowledge transmission influenced agricultural expertise and led to potential gaps. It does so by analyzing primary sources such as the Florentine Codex and the …

Improving Nursing Deployment Readiness, George Mcenroe

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Improving Air Force Nursing Deployment Readiness

Abstract

Background. Air Force nurses must be prepared for deployment to support military missions on short notice. During deployments, they may be asked to practice in demanding and austere wartime environments. The required competencies for deployment include the care of multi-trauma patients, mass casualty care, and military-specific skills.

Problem. Air Force nurses are required to maintain an annual Comprehensive Medical Readiness Program (CMRP) checklist, a list of clinical skills based on their nursing specialty. Assessing and maintaining deployment readiness is an ongoing challenge. The Air Force does not currently use any …

The San Francisco Cultural Districts Program: A Potential Answer To Fighting Gentrification And Uplifting Culture And Neighborhoods, Boston Rizal Palacios

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As San Francisco neighborhoods are rapidly changing due to gentrification and displacing longtime residents and small businesses, the San Francisco Cultural Districts Program was established in 2018 with the goal to disrupt gentrification by prioritizing the voices of people within these disinvested neighborhoods. Through analyzing government documents, news articles, and conducting personal interviews, I am conducting a hypothesis-generating, qualitative case study on one of the cultural districts, SOMA Pilipinas. This is to determine if the San Francisco Cultural Districts Program is an effective model in giving impacted communities more of a role in decisions about how to best protect their …

An Inventory Of Tidal Marsh Restoration Opportunities In Humboldt Bay And Their Impact On Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Nicholas Rowlands

Master's Projects and Capstones

Blue carbon ecosystems like tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrass are efficient carbon sinks that release minimal methane under saline conditions. However, coastal wetlands globally are under threat, and on the U.S. West Coast some 85% of historic tidal wetlands have been lost. As such, there is increasing interest in their restoration as a necessary climate mitigation strategy. This GIS analysis identifies potential tidal marsh restoration sites in Humboldt Bay, California, and estimates the post-restoration greenhouse gas benefits. An elevation-based model of Humboldt Bay’s full estuary extent developed by West Coast researchers was combined with data from the California Aquatic Resources …

The Impact Of Historical Housing Policies On Impoverished Communities: Recommendations To Improve Socioeconomic, Environmental, And Health Outcomes., Destinee A. Cruz

Master's Projects and Capstones

Discriminatory historical housing policies, like redlining and racially restrictive covenants, segregated communities across the United States leading to the disinvestment of resources and negative socioeconomic, environmental, and health outcomes. These negative consequences continue to affect low-income communities and require modernized urban renewal programs to offset the residual effects of racially discriminatory housing policies. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to recommend critical funding to support urban renewal and the inclusion of housing protection policies for homeowners and tenants currently residing in former redlined neighborhoods. The initial proposed recommendation identifies several financing options to successfully implement urban renewal programs. The …

Advancing Kidney Health In Hispanic/Latino Communities In The Us: Promotoras, Health Education, And Food Security, Estefania Huerta

Master's Projects and Capstones

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is not only a public health concern that affects the health of people living in the United States, but also a global health concern affecting millions worldwide. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD and when CKD is not managed, it can turn into a life-threatening condition known as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) where life is not sustainable without dialysis or a kidney transplant. Although CKD is prevalent among all populations in the United States, the Hispanic/Latino population suffers the most complications (Desai et al., 2019). In 1973, Congress extended Medicare services to people with ESRD …

‘Safe Couch, Safe House’ Program (Scshp): Reducing Exposure To Toxic Flame Retardants For Children In A Low-Income Public Housing At Hunters View, Bayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco., Aliza Khan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Since the 1970s, flame retardants have been used extensively in consumer goods, including furniture, textile, and electronics, to meet California’s flammability standards. (Gibson et al.,2019) Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), once the most widely used flame retardants being used in consumer products, were phased out from use in manufacturing as evidence emerged about PBDEs persistence and toxicity. (Hoffman et al.,2017) PBDEs were replaced by Organophosphate Flame Retardants (OPFRs), which has proven to be a case of ‘regrettable substitution’ as exposure to OPFRs is ubiquitous and pervasive in humans due to their volatility and propensity to leach from products into the environment. …

Evaluating The Transition To Zero-Emission Vehicles And The Impact On Clean Electricity Demand Under The Effects Of Climate Change In San Francisco, Tamara Totah

Master's Projects and Capstones

California is considered a global leader in environmental policy relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emission mitigation. The state has implemented policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions and phase-out the use of fossil fuels in transportation. The transportation sector is one of the major emitters of greenhouse gasses in California. In 2020, Executive Order N-79-20 established the goal of having 100% of in-state sales of new light-duty passenger vehicles and trucks to be zero emission by 2035. The use of electric vehicles has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, but we need to be able to power these vehicles …

A Collaborative Autoethnography: Your Passport To Immigrant Women Of Color Leader's Stories Of Identity Exploration And Leadership Barriers And Possibilities, Fraylanie Adan Aglipay

Doctoral Dissertations

The study of the personal and career narratives of immigrant Women of Color can lead to more appropriate standards in mainstream work environments and to the expansion of professional leadership opportunities for immigrant Women of Color. The experiences of immigrant Women of Color leaders are varied and complex, with each leader’s experience offering unique perspectives on their leadership journey. Additionally, it is important to analyze their identities because they contain multiple layers, serving as the foundation that has shaped them into the authentic leaders they are today. As scholars, researchers, and activists, we have a duty to address the lack …

Community Health Worker Program - Substance Use Disorder In Pregnancy, Alicia Claire Kletter Dnp

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background Substance use disorder (SUD) in pregnancy is a concern for mother, baby and community. Healthcare policies are increasingly calling for diversification of the workforce to meet healthcare needs. Community health workers (CHWs) are understood from the literature to be effective at bridging the gap between patient and healthcare provider, especially for vulnerable populations. Local Problem California’s Central Valley is majority Latinx and faces challenges from poverty, lack of medical resources, unemployment and SUD at rates which are higher than other communities. Combine SUD with pregnancy and the need for robust social connections, psychological support, and physical healthcare become even …

Sexual And Reproductive Health Care For Undocumented Californians: Universal Health Care & Reproductive Justice, Josephine Emily Roberts

Master's Theses

Universal Health Care can hardly be achieved if the Sexual Reproductive Health needs of a population are not met. In other words, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Universal Health Care are mutually reinforcing, and the state of California should consider this when implementing Medi-Cal health care for all Undocumented Californians. In 2016, California implemented an extension of Medi-Cal treatment to undocumented children up to 26 years of age. Comparable to the United States Federal Medicaid program aimed to help cut health care costs for low-income and vulnerable populations, Medi-Cal offers some coverage for emergency medical services to undocumented individuals of …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness, Efficiency, And Equity Of California’S Cap-And-Trade Program, Raphael Yolson Louis

Master's Projects and Capstones

California’s Cap-and-Trade program establishes an aggregate limit on GHG emissions while empowering the regulated firms with flexibility in complying with the emissions reduction mandates. This research conducted three analyses to determine if California's carbon Cap-and-Trade program is effective at meeting its GHG goals, economically efficient, and promotes environmental equity throughout communities within California. First, the SWOT analysis investigated the Cap-and-Trade program features to determine the importance of each of the features within the program. It showed that California’s Cap-and-Trade program’s main threats are leakages, lack of partnerships, and long-term political will. Nevertheless, the program’s features strive to promote environmental effectiveness, …

The Community Health Worker: Improving Prenatal Health In Rural And Minority Populations, Deirdre A. Martinez

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

The United States continues to have an unacceptably high rate of preventable deaths among pregnant and new mothers—the highest rate among developed countries. Pregnancy outcomes are especially poor in minority, rural, and medically-underserved populations, with lack of access to healthcare being identified as a primary factor in poor pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy-related deaths. It is imperative that action be taken to reverse this disturbing trend. Introduction of the Community Health Worker (CHW) into the multidisciplinary healthcare team is a solution that results in increased access to healthcare, along with many other positive health outcomes, and is one way in which …

The Gallery As A Site Of Convergence: The Role Of Creative Environments At Postsecondary Institutions, Jordán Francisco Sandoval

Master's Theses

Not enough research explores the role of creative environments at postsecondary institutions. In response, this qualitative research study focuses upon university galleries believing them to be exemplary artistic spaces within college campuses. Using a theoretical framework of place-consciousness, the researcher examined the functions of the Mary and Carter Thacher Gallery at the University of San Francisco (USF), paying close attention to the ways it engaged the academic community in terms of scholarship and instruction. Informed by grounded theory and phenomenology, this study interviewed five professors who integrated a gallery visit into their curriculum during the 2021-2022 academic year. Collecting these …

Utilizing Community Health Workers To Support Latinx Women With Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy, Alicia Claire Kletter

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Community health workers in the Latinx community, sometimes called promotores de salud, are employed in a variety of medical settings to help increase access to health promoting services such as awareness, education, and screening. Given their deep understanding of the culture and community in which they work, community health workers in Latinx communities are increasingly included in the healthcare team for their cultural sensitivity and versatility with hard- to-reach populations, including the support of pregnant women and children. An integrative review of the literature seeks to understand if community health workers can improve outcomes for pregnant women who also suffer …

Assessing How Equity Plays A Role In Climate Change Adaptation In Urban Cities With Regards To Water, Energy, And Food, Evelyn Ramon

Master's Projects and Capstones

With two-thirds of the population living in cities by 2050 and projected climate change impacts, urban cities can facilitate the transition to more sustainable and resilient cities. I conducted a comparative analysis for three cities in California to evaluate their priorities in their Climate Action Plans. I used the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for comparing their progress. According to the 2019 Sustainable Development Goals Index, San Francisco was the city that performed the best by including climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Their understanding of climate change impacts allowed them to prioritize their resources to build …

The Role And Impact Of The Environment In Shaping The Decisions Of Parents And Alternative Educators In Early Education, Mia Hopkinson

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to research parents’ and alternative educators’ perspectives on the role of the educational environment in early education and how this impacts their pedagogical beliefs. The qualitative study explored the following research questions: What do traditional school parents and outdoor alternative parents seek in their child’s early education environment? What shapes parents' decisions on their child’s educational and learning experiences? How do alternative educational leaders and educators understand the role of the alternative environment? How does this impact how they think about education? Interviews were conducted with two traditional parents, two alternative parents and four …

Identifying Factors For Voluntary Return Migration: A Case Study Of Uzbek American Returnees, Khojiakbar Gayratbekov

Master's Theses

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many Uzbek immigrants found their ways to the United States. Given the unique historic context to their cultural and national identity, Uzbeks experience distinctive integration and adaptation process when they arrive in the United States. Despite political instability and a weak economy in Uzbekistan, data from the United States Department of Homeland Security reveal that many Uzbek immigrants are leaving the U.S. for their home country. Thus, this study investigates factors for return migration among Uzbek immigrants for the period of 2010 to 2020. This study utilizes a mixture of qualitative and quantitative …

“My Life's Work Is To End White Supremacy”: Perspectives Of A Black Feminist Human Rights Educator, Loretta J. Ross, Monisha Bajaj

International Journal of Human Rights Education

This article highlights the contributions and thinking of scholar and activist Loretta Ross on the intersection of human rights, Black feminism and education for liberation. This essay is organized into themes, drawing from Ross’ writings, scholarship that discusses her contributions, and an hour-long conversation between Ross and Monisha Bajaj, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Human Rights Education. Ross explores her own history and introduction to the human rights movement, her radical re-shaping of the field of reproductive justice, and her vision for human rights education after more than five decades of advancing it through her many books and other …

Parental Involvement In Support Of African American Families, September Rose

Doctoral Dissertations

Meaningful parental engagement has historically been identified as the root cause of the United States’ academic achievement gap in African American education. However, the systematic structures that impose difficulties for African American’s access to education in school and other aspects of their social development must be addressed to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges these African American families face. Society must consider the perpetual marginalization of not only African American students’ academic experiences, but also their professional and personal development as well. The parental engagement with educators in the San Francisco K-8 schools, has not been studied. The purpose …

Engaging Feminism, Transforming Institutions: How Community Engagement Professionals Employ Critical Feminist Praxis To Re-Imagine And Re-Shape The Public Purpose Of Higher Education, Patricia Star Plaxton-Moore

Doctoral Dissertations

Most higher education institutions have mission statements articulating a commitment to serve the public good, and venerate the broader historical project of higher education as a force that improves the lives of individuals and communities. However, the public purpose of higher education is perpetually embattled by intersecting forces of neoliberalism, positivism, and settler colonialism that emphasize priorities like generating revenue, chasing prestige, developing real estate, and connecting students with high paying careers. As our society continues to grapple with pervasive social and environmental injustices, it is imperative that we clarify and strengthen higher education’s civic role in shaping a more …

A Systems Approach To Increase The Icu Nursing Workforce During A Pandemic, Jennifer Mendenhall

Master's Projects and Capstones

A Systems Approach to Increase the ICU Nursing Workforce During a Pandemic

Abstract

In early March 2020 an intensive care unit (ICU) patient died of COVID-19 in an integrated healthcare system hospital in Northern California. Data from China and the CDC indicated that more healthcare members would require intensive care and could overwhelm the 21 acute care hospital macrosystem. A microsystem pilot program to upskill peri-anesthesia care unit (PACU) RNs to care for ICU patients was initiated. Concurrently the upskill pilot program was reviewed by macrosystem nursing leadership. Over a three-week period, the program was standardized, disseminated and implemented across …

The Bay Area Rail System: A Sustainable Network Or A Social Equity Phenomenon?, Whitney Libunao

Master's Projects and Capstones

Sustainable transportation, as it relates to sustainable development, aims to achieve economic stability, social equity, and environmental preservation via transit projects. However, gentrification processes and transit-oriented developments or TODs have attracted more households inward toward reinvested transit-centric areas. The San Francisco Bay Area, California has continued to see positive economic growth, with that, higher-income households inhabiting more centralized locations. Native low-income residents have started to feel displacement pressures on both a social and economic scale. Over time, displacement risk inevitably leads to residential displacement where low-income families are forced to relocate to distant, more affordable neighborhoods. As more distance separates …

Con Confianza: Using Community-Based Participatory Research Principles To Inform Community-Academic Partnership Practices And Build Trust In Hispanic Communities, Sharon Tafolla

Master's Projects and Capstones

Hispanic communities are at disproportionate risk for chronic diseases and researchers have cited the need for further community and culturally informed studies to improve research outcomes to either make treatments and interventions more generalizable or modify them to the needs of Hispanic communities. However, many of the same linguistic and cultural barriers to health care access and utilization also impact the ability for Hispanic groups to participate in research studies. Community Academic Partnerships (CAPs) are positioned to conduct culturally and linguistically competent research in Hispanic communities. For research in Hispanic communities to be effective, CAPs must prioritize practices that build …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Community Ownership Of A Maternity Waiting Home Model In Rural Zambia, Constance P. Fontanet Mph, Rachel M. Fong, Jeanette L. Kaiser, Misheck Bwalya, Thandiwe Ngoma, Taryn Vian, Godfrey Biemba, Nancy A. Scott

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Context

Ownership is an important construct of sustainability for community-based health programming, though it is often not clearly defined or measured. We implemented and evaluated a community-driven maternity waiting home (MWH) model in rural Zambia. We engaged stakeholders at all levels and provided intensive mentorship to an MWH governance committee comprised of community-selected members. We then examined how different stakeholders perceive community ownership of the MWH.

Methods

We conducted 42 focus group discussions with community stakeholders (pregnant women, fathers, elders, and community health volunteers) and 161 in-depth interviews with MWH stakeholders (health facility staff, district health officials, and MWH governance …

Plant-Powered: A Digital Plant-Based Nutrition Intervention For Low-Income Patients With Type Ii Diabetes, Ellen Pelos

Master's Projects and Capstones

Purpose: This project aimed to measure the acceptability and feasibility of plant-based diets among low-income individuals with type II diabetes at the Samaritan House Food Pharmacy and to create a user-centered pilot program to encourage the adoption of a plant-based diet.

Background: Plant-based diets are effective for preventing, treating, and reversing type II diabetes, but there is not much evidence about the acceptability and feasibility of these diets.

Methods: Focus groups were used to gather qualitative data about the acceptability and feasibility of plant-based diets in the target population. The researcher conducted interviews with Food Pharmacy program leaders to learn …

Evaluating Implementation Effectiveness And Sustainability Of A Maternity Waiting Homes Intervention To Improve Access To Safe Delivery In Rural Zambia: A Mixed-Methods Protocol, Elizabeth G. Henry, Thandiwe Ngoma, Jeanette L. Kaiser, Rachel M. Fong, Taryn Vian, Davidson H. Hamer, Peter C. Rockers, Godfrey Biemba, Nancy A. Scott

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Background: In low-income countries such as Zambia, where maternal mortality rates are persistently high, maternity waiting homes (MWHs) represent one potential strategy to improve access to safe delivery, especially for women living in remote areas. The Maternity Homes Access in Zambia project (MAHMAZ) is evaluating the impact of a MWH model on women’s access to safe delivery in rural Zambia. There is a growing need to understand not only the effectiveness of interventions but also the effectiveness of their implementation in order to appropriately interpret outcomes. There is little evidence to guide effective implementation of MWH for both immediate uptake …