Digital Commons Network^™

More Than A Record: The Impacts Of The School-To-Prison Pipeline, Lydia Soto

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Young individuals are constantly being negatively impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline. It’s initial purpose was to ensure school safety but over time schools have been relying on police officers to deal with minor student behavior and actions. This has caused youth to be labeled as “troubled” and be pushed out of schools and into the prison system. This causes youth to develop mental and emotional distress and limits their opportunities at a brighter and successful future. MILPA Collective is a non-profit organization that facilitates rites of passage programs, as well as advocating to end mass incarceration by calling for the …

Marketing Plan: Increasing Access & Creating A Local Voice, Lizzy Hahn

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many youth in Santa Cruz County are not seeing their basic needs being met. Basic needs of residents include education, health and financial stability, three of the main focuses described in United Way of Santa Cruz County’s (UWSCC) mission. The pandemic has only exacerbated the effects that low-income families and individuals have experienced, with youth at the forefront of those affected. UWSCC aims it’s programming towards local at-risk youth, providing needed support services and resources to the community. When systems for distributing these services and resources were switched from in-person to predominantly virtual pathways, it became harder for low-income …

Increasing Mental Health Awareness In The Homeless Youth Community, Kelly Joyce

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Mental illness within the homeless community is a pressing issue, which requires an increase in awareness throughout the community in order for it to be properly addressed. A lack of funding for low-cost or free mental health care, difficulty accessing existing programs by the homeless, and few options for care have contributed to the issue of mental illness and poor mental health among the homeless youth community. This can lead to various severe consequences, such as declining mental state for those within the community, prolonged homelessness, and an increased risk of developing a substance abuse disorder.

The Youth Homeless Response …

Improving The Identification And Diagnosis Of Learning Disabilities, Madalyn Nico

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project focuses on improving the identification and diagnosis of learning disabilities. This is important because diagnosing a child properly will help teachers understand the students' learning styles and better position the teachers to create more effective learning environments. Also, teachers will be able to better support and accommodate their students both academically and socially. It is argued that many teachers do not have the right resources, understanding, or authority to diagnose learning disabilities. The primary stakeholder perspectives obtained were from teachers, staff, and students because of their relevant experiences and roles in identifying and addressing learning disabilities. After …

College Students Are Often Unaware Of How To Maintain A Healthy Romantic Relationship, Giselle Saavedra

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Erikson's Theory Intimacy vs Isolation

Increasing College Students’ Awareness Of The Influence Social Media Has On Romantic Relationships, Jazmin Chaidez-Rocha

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many young adults are unaware of the influence social media has on romantic relationships. Social media can have an effect on individuals’ communication skills, being a victim of cyberstalking, and cause jealousy characteristics such as distrust. To address the lack of awareness, I created an interactive presentation for college students in the greek community at California State University, Monterey Bay.

The Impacts Of Social Media On Social Movements, Gabriela Aguilar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

As time passes by there is more representation of social movements due to their high exposure on social media. Technology has become a major part of our everyday lives and on average we spend many hours on social platforms. We are exposed to the injustices that occur every minute of every day through social media. Before, when technology was not accessible for everyone the news people received were from television, newspapers, or even magazines. Now, we have platforms such as Twitter and TikTok among others that provide us with news on any malpractice that occurs in our communities and society. …

Pobody’S Nerfect: Improving The Identification And Diagnosis Of Learning Disabilities, Jocelyn Kiser

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on improving the identification and diagnosis of learning disabilities. This is important because diagnosing a child properly will help teachers understand the students' learning styles and better position the teachers to create more effective learning environments. Also, teachers will be able to better support and accommodate their students both academically and socially. It is argued that many teachers do not have the right resources, understanding, or authority to diagnose learning disabilities. The primary stakeholder perspectives obtained were from teachers, staff, and students because of their relevant experiences and roles in identifying and addressing …

Outreaching For New Providers, Mari Arredondo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Intern was able to be part of In home Support Services with the County of Santa Cruz. The program provides services to people that have a current disability and are not able to care for themselves. The program allows people to continue to live in their own homes and get the services they need to be able to keep living independently. The program currently needs providers to care for the people in their homes. There are currently about 165 providers and out of those they only have 65 that are available to be able to help the current clients that …

Destigmatize Addiction Through Education, Miranda Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

After interning at Valley Health Associates the problem identified was the lack of education on substance abuse. With much of Salinas being multicultural and spanish speaking, we begin to identify the challenges associated with getting information to the public about substance use and the treatment options. Some contributing factors associated with the lack of education on substance use are family, social, and environmental factors, lack of education overall, and the stigma/shame associated with substance use; however the unfortunate consequences associated with this are misconceptions about drugs overall and an increase of fatal overdoses. The capstone project will focus on individuals …

Welcoming Classroom, Comfortable Learning Experience: Implementing Social Emotional Learning In The Classroom, Daniela Muradas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many students have difficulty expressing their emotions and working with others in elementary school classrooms. The focus of this capstone project is on implementing social-emotional learning in the classroom. This is important because students will learn proper ways to deal with their emotions, work with others, and have better self-awareness. An evidence-based argument is offered that students need guidance and support from their teachers to be able to create a positive space for their learning. Considerations of the issue included the perspective of two parents of elementary school students because they know the needs of their children, and a teacher …

Transfer Student Success: Enrich The Lives Of Students Who Transfer To A University, Stephanie Castro

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on improving the experiences of students who transfer from a community college to a university. Students need support before, during, and after they transfer to a university because transfer students make up a significant portion of the student population. Also, it is argued that a lack of support can negatively impact engagement and interest in the school. The primary stakeholder perspective chosen were first-generation transfer students, first-semester transfer students, and graduated transfer students because they have lived and gone through the process of transferring to a university. Three action options emerged from an …

Pobody's Nerfect: Improving The Identification And Diagnosis Of Learning Disabilities., Jizelle Rios

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on improving the identification and diagnosis of learning disabilities. This is important because diagnosing a child properly will help teachers understand the students' learning styles and better position the teachers to create more effective learning environments. Also, teachers will be able to better support and accommodate their students both academically and socially. It is argued that many teachers do not have the right resources, understanding, or authority to diagnose learning disabilities. The primary stakeholder perspectives obtained were from teachers, staff, and students because of their relevant experiences and roles in identifying and addressing …

Adaptive Music In Video Games And How It Impacts Player Satisfaction, Scott Lloyd

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Adaptive and interactive music has been a key feature in the history of gaming since the conception of gaming. In this project, the main genres of target will be RPGs, Hack and Slash, and Adventure games since there are a good variety of genres and uses of adaptive music. Adaptive music can range from fading in and out instrumentation as the player progresses through a level or transitioning to the chorus of a song if the player is performing well in combat. This feature can have a positive impact for most players since it’s a sense of progression, however, in …

Digital Divide In Monterey County, Vanessa Diaz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Monterey County Health Department Planning, Evaluation and Policy (PEP) Unit's goals are to empower the community, enhance public health and safety, ensure access to care, and engage the workforce. MCHD encourages all employees to understand social justice and equity for low-income and communities of color. Understanding and addressing health inequalities and justice in the county can improve overall health for everyone. The digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted too many Monterey County residents. The lack of computer access, computer literacy, and internet access may have impacted vaccination rates and even delayed COVID-19 resources. Utilizing the Monterey County COVID-19 …

Santa Cruz County Prepares For The Next Major Wildfire, Antonio Lucero

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Office of Response, Recovery, and Resiliency (OR3) was established in 2020 and is a part of the County of Santa Cruz’s Strategic Development Department. The OR3 has been established to improve the emergency response and capabilities for the County of Santa Cruz in the event of another major environmental disaster. The CZU Lightning Fire Complex of 2020 was a significant wildfire and the largest the county had seen in over 100 years. Global warming led to climate change that has made this area of California more vulnerable to uncontrollable wildfires. In addition, severe drought conditions have left Santa Cruz …

Reproductive Health Education For Teens, Nataly Diaz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The paper focused on Reproductive Health Outreach for Teens, through the implementation of a new teen brochure. The purpose of this project is to create new outreach pathways for teens of the Watsonville, CA community to take advantage of the free services Salud Para La Gente has to offer. Specifically, services relating to reproductive health and sex education.

A Plan For Your Pets: Education And Outreach Through The Perpetual Care Program, Tatyanna Horoszko

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

With the number of older and senior adults increasing in the United States, and specifically in Monterey County, there is a growing demand for services that support aging adults. However, many pet owners, especially those of older age, fail to realize the importance of estate planning for their pets due to technology gaps, lack of knowledge and education regarding estate planning, and poor physical and mental health. Consequently, the lack of an estate plan results in the burden being placed on family and friends, the abandonment of pets, and the euthanization of pets. Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (POMDR) strives …

Increasing High School Students’ Awareness Of The Effects Of Gender Stereotypes, Kelly Y. Shepherd

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Gender stereotypes can prevent many adolescents from exploring aspects of their identity. One reason being, gender stereotypes are reinforced in media and society on a daily basis, constantly reaffirming the beliefs of what a male and female should act and look like. These beliefs may cause an adolescent to make choices about their identity without thinking or questioning, which is known as identity foreclosure. As a result, adolescents may limit themselves academically or socially which might restrict future career paths and job opportunities. My capstone project focused on teaching adolescent Girl Scouts of California Central Coast how to identify, question, …

Parent And Child Cookbook For Parental Involvement, Natali Juarez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The agency with the internship opportunity is the Greenfield Branch Library. The purpose of this capstone project is to address the problem of lack of parental involvement. The lack of parental involvement in the community could have major consequences like low academic achievement, low literacy rates, and childhood obesity. The project is a cookbook with healthy recipes consisting of both meals and snacks. The recipes are made specifically for children to be able to make with their parents. The capstone project is a 6 week program. Every Wednesday there is a grab and go bag with a copy of a …

Girls Support Group, Cindy Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this capstone project is to keep girls connected with other girls through zoom. Due to the pandemic, schools were closed and a lot of the girls became isolated from their peers as well as after school activities. The project addresses the main consequences of the shelter in place order which are social isolation, mental, and emotional health. The project promotes coping skills to help them stay connected and adapt to this new way of living. Adjusting to a new way of living can be hard for young girls affecting them both mentally and emotionally. This can have …

Being The Voice For The Voiceless, Marina Lemus

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many students are eager to step inside a classroom, but this eagerness and excitement can be difficult for shy students. The focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is enhancing shy students’ engagement in the classroom. This is an important issue for students because of the fear that arises when speaking in front of their peers, which can be detrimental to their education. The three stakeholder perspectives examined were a special education high school teacher, a second-grade teacher, and a library media technician. An evidence-based argument is offered that shy students are falling behind in classrooms due to their inability …

Pobody’S Nerfect: Improving The Identification And Diagnosis Of Learning Disabilities, Katie Szeto

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on improving the identification and diagnosis of learning disabilities. This is important because diagnosing a child properly will help teachers understand the students' learning styles and better position the teachers to create more effective learning environments. Also, teachers will be able to better support and accommodate their students both academically and socially. It is argued that many teachers do not have the right resources, understanding, or authority to diagnose learning disabilities. The primary stakeholder perspectives obtained were from teachers, staff, and students because of their relevant experiences and roles in identifying and addressing …

Doers Not Dreamers: Supporting Un-Daca-Mented Students After College, Fatima Perez Murguia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Thinking about life after college can be exciting. However, for some, it can be a scary and uncertain time. The focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is on how to support undocumented college students better to prepare them for life after graduation. This is an important issue for undocumented college students because they are working hard to earn their degrees but cannot get a job in the fields they are prepared for. An evidence-based argument is made that investment should be made in the future of undocumented students, as they are well prepared and qualified to take on jobs …

College Students Rape Myth Acceptance And Men's Objectification Of Women, Samantha Dunlap, Devyn Fries

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to understand the extent to which college students believe in and adhere to common rape myths and victim blaming beliefs, the extent to which college aged men objectify women, and lastly, the extent to which these two variables are related to one another. Using two groups divided based on gender and sexual orientation, participants responded to the Rape Attitudes Belief Scale (RABS) and the Men’s Objectification of Women Scale (MOWS). The survey questions used on these scales were designed to gather information about a person’s belief of common rape myths as well as men’s …

Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites - Field Sampling And Investigation Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 104 - Colorado Dump – Final, Revision 1, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Butte Silver Bow Snow Management Plan, Mike Mcanulty, Eric Hassler

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Machine Learning Analysis Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (Snp) Data To Predict Bone Mineral Density In African American Women, Erick Githua Wakayu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease in which an individual’s bones weaken, making bones fragile and more susceptible to fracture. While commonly found amongst postmenopausal Caucasian and Asian women based on previous studies, those of African descent (African American/Black) have largely been ignored when it comes to osteoporotic studies, especially when it comes to Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). From GWA studies, we gain access to single nucleotide poly-morphisms (SNPs) that may contribute to certain illnesses, such as osteoporosis. With low Bone Mineral Density (BMD) being one of the primary markers of potential osteoporosis, it is prudent that proper research is …

Hybridity, Ecocriticism, And Feminist Perspectives In She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power, Sarah Warso

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Children’s cartoons are growing increasingly nuanced in the twenty-first century. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) is an animated television series targeted towards young girls that includes themes of ecocriticism and feminism. The show does this by introducing cyborg, or hybrid, characters. My research explores how cyborg identities in children’s media and their feminist, ecocritical meanings in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. The cyborg, as a feminist mythic hero, breaks down binaries and recodes communication between opposing forces. The She-Ra is filled with characters that inhabit multiple identities. The main character, Adora, identifies as both a former Evil …

Tinyml For Gait Stride Classification, Priyanka Rajendra

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Human gait classification and analysis become very important when a person has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder or has suffered an injury which has affected their ability to walk correctly. Gait strides are an important parameter to be studied as it helps the doctor to diagnose any underlying gait condition and evaluate what type of treatment suits the best for the patient’s recovery. Studying gait strides also helps athletes to improve their performance.In today’s world, machine learning has emerged as one of the most widely used technology for classification and analysis of gait characteristics. TinyML is a field of …