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Employment Pathways: Hands-On Training For Young Adults With Disabilities, Blanca E. Cruz Cruz May 2026

Employment Pathways: Hands-On Training For Young Adults With Disabilities, Blanca E. Cruz Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

An eight-week hands-on training program was implemented to improve job readiness, communication skills, and confidence among young adults with disabilities in Monterey County. Participants included nine individuals with special needs who engaged in workshops, mock interviews, product training (on the item being sold), and work shifts at a local farmers’ market in Salinas. The program involved collaboration between Special Kids Connect staff, the farmers market team, and participants’ families. Mixed methodology assessments evaluated participants’ employment skills and self-confidence. Results showed improvements in practical job skills and increased confidence levels among participants. The program demonstrated that educational hands-on learning combined with …

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Attendance, Engagement, And Community Building: Supporting Unhoused 6th Grade Girls Through Leadership Program, Efren A. Duarte May 2026

Attendance, Engagement, And Community Building: Supporting Unhoused 6th Grade Girls Through Leadership Program, Efren A. Duarte

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Unhoused youth experience higher rates of chronic absenteeism, heightened by lack of support and student engagement. The project objective was to improve school attendance in the participants and see a positive shift in student engagement. This took place at the Family Resource Center at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas, California. The participants involved in the program were 19 6th-grade girls, with 13 of those being youth facing some form of housing insecurity issue. The program consisted of 9 sessions teaching leadership skills as well as allowing students to work as a team and share their experiences with other unhoused students. The …

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Breaking The Cycle: Identifying Reentry Barriers For Prop 47 Clients In Monterey County, Julissa Aldaco-Ambriz May 2026

Breaking The Cycle: Identifying Reentry Barriers For Prop 47 Clients In Monterey County, Julissa Aldaco-Ambriz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Jail recidivism is a persisting problem in California. Formerly incarcerated individuals face barriers such as limited access to treatment, housing instability, and lack of consistent reentry support. This capstone project was conducted at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office, specifically within the Proposition 47 rapid response and mental health diversion programs, which serve primarily low-income, minority, and immigrant populations in Monterey County. The purpose of this research project was to evaluate how Proposition 47 programs are impacting recidivism outcomes. Qualitative methods, including interviews with attorneys, were used to identify barriers to reentry, as well as potential improvements. Findings showed that …

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From Custody To Community: Improving The Release Experience Through The Monterey County Reentry Initiative, Diana M. Yanes May 2026

From Custody To Community: Improving The Release Experience Through The Monterey County Reentry Initiative, Diana M. Yanes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project examines the challenges faced by individuals reentering the community after incarceration in Monterey County, with a focus on housing instability, limited access to behavioral health services, and gaps in coordinated reentry support. It explores the Monterey County Reentry Initiative, a program designed to support individuals transitioning from custody as well as community members in need of recovery and social services. The purpose of this study is to understand how the program is structured, how it has evolved into a broader outreach and recovery model, and how it connects with other systems such as the Public Defender’s Office. Information …

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Addressing Jail Recidivism In California: A Comparison Of Holistic Defense Models In Two Public Defenders' Offices, Karissa Castrejon May 2026

Addressing Jail Recidivism In California: A Comparison Of Holistic Defense Models In Two Public Defenders' Offices, Karissa Castrejon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project addressed the issue of jail recidivism rates in California. The project consisted of a comparative analysis of Holistic Defense models implemented in two different Counties’ Public Defenders Offices. A qualitative approach that included interviews with key informants was used to understand how social work teams operate in Monterey and Santa Clara Counties. These two counties were selected because both use Proposition 47 funds to implement programs intended to reduce recidivism. The interviews took place at the Public Defender’s Office and courts in Salinas, as well as in Santa Clara County. Key activities included court observations, a site …

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Improving Reentry Outcomes Through Phone Access: A Program Proposal For The Monterey County Public Defender’S Office, Jeralyn Molina May 2026

Improving Reentry Outcomes Through Phone Access: A Program Proposal For The Monterey County Public Defender’S Office, Jeralyn Molina

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addresses the issue of limited phone access among individuals reentering the community after incarceration, a barrier that contributes to communication challenges, missed court appearances, and difficulty accessing essential services. The project was conducted at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office, specifically within the Mental Health Diversion and Proposition 47 programs, which serve individuals facing legal, mental health, and substance use challenges. The population served by these programs consists of low-income, justice-involved individuals in Monterey County, many of whom experience homelessness, mental health conditions, and limited access to resources. The purpose of this project was to develop a …

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Addressing Postsecondary Lack Of Preparedness Through Exposure And Empowerment, Deztiny A. Ochoa May 2026

Addressing Postsecondary Lack Of Preparedness Through Exposure And Empowerment, Deztiny A. Ochoa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many high school students are not college or career ready when they graduate. At Learning For Life Charter School, the school counselor and the intern worked together to implement a project to address the issue. The community served was 7th graders to 12th graders. A lot of these students were on the verge of dropping out or completely dropped out of traditional school. The capstone project consisted of taking 10 students on a field trip to a community college nearby. The purpose of this trip was to give students the opportunity to see their options after high school and …

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Reducing Childhood Dental Decay: Fluoride Education Campaign With The Monterey County Health Department, Shelby L. Minter May 2026

Reducing Childhood Dental Decay: Fluoride Education Campaign With The Monterey County Health Department, Shelby L. Minter

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Dental decay is a significant problem for youth across Salinas, contributing to preventable oral health disparities. The Monterey County Health Department Oral Health Program provides oral health education and prevention services across Monterey County. This project focused on improving parental knowledge and confidence about fluoride usage in areas where pediatric dental caries rates are high. Its purpose was to support the prevention of dental decay through the promotion of fluoride benefits. Two educational campaigns were conducted at elementary schools in Salinas; Monte Bella Elementary School and Alisal Community School. The expected outcomes were increased knowledge, confidence, and positive attitudes towards …

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Promoting Healthy Relationships Among Youth: A Community Based Educational Intervention, Cynthya N. Carrillo May 2026

Promoting Healthy Relationships Among Youth: A Community Based Educational Intervention, Cynthya N. Carrillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Unhealthy relationship behaviors among youth, including poor communication, lack of boundaries and normalization of control, remain a significant public health concern. This capstone project was implemented at Teen Health Outreach, a program within Santa Cruz County Public Health Department that provides sexual health education and outreach to youth. The community served included youth ages 12-18, with a focus in Watsonville, a diverse and underserved population with limited access to culturally responsive health education. The project involved the development and facilitation of an interactive healthy relationships workshop designed to increase knowledge of consent, communication and relationship “red, yellow and green flags,” …

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Promoting Mental Health Awareness Among Racially And Ethnically Diverse Women, Shyla Sherrill May 2026

Promoting Mental Health Awareness Among Racially And Ethnically Diverse Women, Shyla Sherrill

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many racially and ethnically diverse women face obstacles when recognizing mental health issues and accessing mental health treatment. Because they are not aware of mental health resources and treatment, they may perceive stigmas related to mental health, cultural expectations around mental health, and a lack of awareness of the available resources. When they recognize mental health issues and seek support, they can reduce stress, take control of their emotions and environment, and build understanding and self-acceptance. To address these issues, I created a one-day mental health awareness program for a group of racially and ethnically diverse female employees from the …

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Emotions And Regulation In Preschool Children, Haley Alcala May 2026

Emotions And Regulation In Preschool Children, Haley Alcala

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many young children have not yet learned to identify and regulate their emotions. As a result, young children may experience more tantrums, discipline from teachers, and feel isolated from their peers. When children learn to identify and regulate their emotions, they will be able to increase their social skills, have an easier time making friends, and improve their academic performance. In order to address this issue, I created a three-day lesson for four-year-olds at Carmelo School in Carmel, California.

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Early Stem Engagement For Kindergartners, Ashley G. Rocha Rocha May 2026

Early Stem Engagement For Kindergartners, Ashley G. Rocha Rocha

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There is a lack of age-appropriate exposure to STEM subjects among most children within the same age range; moreover, they don’t have any age-appropriate hands-on exposure, which could lead to learning these subjects. Without this kind of lookout in students, they can potentially lose their interest in learning these things as they enter new years of school every year. These kinds of learning experiences in the early years of education are important as they help students develop skills related to their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking as it begins expanding, which are essential aspects required for their future developmental phase. …

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Improving Nutrition Education Curriculum, Angela Quintero Sepulveda May 2026

Improving Nutrition Education Curriculum, Angela Quintero Sepulveda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project examines the need for improved nutrition education in elementary schools settings and presents the development and implementation of an interactive curriculum for second-grade students. Recognizing that many children lack foundational knowledge about healthy eating and the five major food groups, the project aimed to promote better nutritional understanding and decision-making at an early age. Grounded in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the curriculum emphasized hands-on, developmentally appropriate learning strategies to enhance engagement and comprehension. The intervention consisted of a structured lesson delivered to 20 second-grade students at Schilling Elementary School in Newark, California. Activities included interactive discussions, …

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Enhancing Kindergarten Readiness, Aileen Z. Chavarin-Beleche May 2026

Enhancing Kindergarten Readiness, Aileen Z. Chavarin-Beleche

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many parents of young children are unaware of successful ways to prepare their child for Kindergarten. Without preparation, children might struggle in their daily academics and fall behind their peers. Parents who learn more about Kindergarten readiness are more likely to create structured learning environments and help their child build skills to successfully transition to Kindergarten. In order to address this need, I have created a one-hour presentation for parents of children attending the Cabrillo College Children Center and Lab School in Aptos, California.

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Increasing Student-Athletes’ Awareness On Mindset, Kayla A. Young May 2026

Increasing Student-Athletes’ Awareness On Mindset, Kayla A. Young

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college student-athletes lack awareness of  the benefits associated with maintaining a growth mindset. Individuals who are unaware may have lower resilience, poor motivation, and poor habits. College students-athletes who develop and maintain a growth mindset are likely to engage in good decision making and sustain their drive towards success, academically and athletically. In order to address this issue, I have created a one-day workshop for female college track and field student-athletes at California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, California.

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Supporting Stress Management In First-Year College Students, Maria Cardenas Martinez May 2026

Supporting Stress Management In First-Year College Students, Maria Cardenas Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many students entering college lack the coping and emotional regulation skills needed to manage college life effectively. By understanding stress, learning effective coping,  and using emotional regulation strategies, students can maintain positive mental health, adapt to new situations, and succeed academically and personally. However, without these skills, they may experience emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, be overwhelmed, and have concentration problems that can negatively affect their well-being and college success. Therefore, I created a one-day workshop for first-year seminar students at California State University, Monterey Bay, in Seaside, California.

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Enhancing Emotional Regulation With Breathing Exercises And Body Movement, Katheryn Sani May 2026

Enhancing Emotional Regulation With Breathing Exercises And Body Movement, Katheryn Sani

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some young elementary school children have not yet developed skills in responding appropriately to their feelings. Without proper emotional awareness and regulation skills, children may struggle with conflict management, peer relationships, and classroom behavior. By learning to recognize their own emotions and triggers, emotional meltdowns can be redirected, and disruptions in the classroom environment can be reduced. In order to address this issue, I have created a two-day lesson for second-grade students at Olson Elementary in Marina, California.

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Increasing Ageism Awareness Among College Students, Mya Melendez May 2026

Increasing Ageism Awareness Among College Students, Mya Melendez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college students are unaware of their participation in ageist behaviors against elders. When college students are unaware of their ageist behaviors, they create an environment that excludes elders based on stereotypes and prejudiced ideas and may engage in other exclusionary behaviors towards other groups. Making college students aware of discriminatory behaviors against elders may increase positive attitudes towards elders, protect elders from vulnerability, and decrease the stigma of aging. To address these issues, I will conduct a one-hour workshop addressing ageism to a class of Human Development and Family Science students at California State University, Monterey Bay.

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Intimate Partner Violence In The Queer Community, Kathleen A. Oslé May 2026

Intimate Partner Violence In The Queer Community, Kathleen A. Oslé

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Queer college students face unique barriers to receiving intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention services, of note the instability of emerging adult life. At question is whether or not targeted intervention services appropriately serve the queer community in this regard. A new digital media landscape for the romantic world creates potentially harmful life goals by glorifying unhealthy behaviors and ostracizing survivors, all for the sake of money. Previous research shows that early intervention and education provides a preventative factor in IPV. Data from an in-person intervention workshop is used to determine the feasibility of targeted intervention services, and provides means-tested results. …

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Increasing Knowledge Of Language Development In Parents Of Children 0-3 Years, Grace K. Urban May 2026

Increasing Knowledge Of Language Development In Parents Of Children 0-3 Years, Grace K. Urban

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Language disorders have the ability to impact a child’s development negatively across domains. These differences often go undetected, and children do not receive the early intervention support they need. When parents learn about the variety of speech and language differences, they can understand when to seek support and intervention services for their children. Therefore, it is important for parents to be informed of the signs of speech and language delays that may appear in young children. To address parental concerns about speech and language differences, I will be holding a one-day educational seminar for parents who attend Parent’s Place at …

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Raising Regulated Moms: Reducing Reactive Parenting Responses, Victoria J. Perez May 2026

Raising Regulated Moms: Reducing Reactive Parenting Responses, Victoria J. Perez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many parents and caregivers lack access to information and support that accurately relates effective parenting styles, without this knowledge caregivers and parents may unintentionally rely on reactive responses that end up escalating conflict with their child rather than resolving it. When parents respond to their child's big emotions without effective tools to first regulate themselves, they risk contributing to higher stress levels, emotional withdrawal, and behavioral dysregulation in their children. Research consistently demonstrates that when parents are given the tools to successfully incorporate self-regulation skills and evidence-based approaches to guide children through difficult emotions, both the child and the parent …

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Healing Words: A Resilience Memoir By The Watsonville Women, Teresa L. Munoz May 2026

Healing Words: A Resilience Memoir By The Watsonville Women, Teresa L. Munoz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Women in Watsonville face preventable health risks exacerbated by limited access to consistent physical activity and holistic wellness practices. This capstone project was conducted in collaboration with a local non-profit organization, Growing Greatness, that provides wellness-focused programming in organized group activities. This program serves Watsonville families and primarily supports women from underserved communities who are at greater risk of chronic health conditions due to socioeconomic and environmental factors. This project developed a memoir that documents the participants' experiences in activities such as bike riding, camping trips, and retreats that include yoga, hiking, tai-chi, meditation and other restorative activities. The purpose …

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Benefits Of Being Bilingual On The Academic Success Of The Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners, Shary Vaca May 2026

Benefits Of Being Bilingual On The Academic Success Of The Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners, Shary Vaca

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Reframing bilingualism as an academic asset rather than a limitation, this senior capstone research project examines how bilingualism supports the academic success of Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs) in early education within California’s diverse and growing Hispanic student population. Using a combination of literature reviews, teacher interviews, and surveys from former English language learners, the findings indicate that bilingualism is one of three key benefits for English language learners: enhancing communication skills, strengthening critical thinking, and increasing language competence. In addition, bilingual students demonstrate a unique ability to collaborate effectively, think flexibly across languages, and transfer linguistic knowledge to support …

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Effects Of Access And Equity In Resources Allocation On Marginalized Elementary School Students., Giovanni Alcaraz May 2026

Effects Of Access And Equity In Resources Allocation On Marginalized Elementary School Students., Giovanni Alcaraz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this capstone is to examine the effects of access and equity in resource allocations on marginalized students. Given the struggles students face when they lack the same resources as other students, this study discusses how this impacts students' learning and education, and how it would benefit them if they had greater access to resources. Through a literature review and a case study, the findings revealed that students with fewer resources are more likely to drop out of college or university, and they are mostly from poor communities because they lack sufficient resources to support themselves. However, the …

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Impact Of Dual Immersion Program On The Academic Achievement Of Elementary School Students, Juliana G. Carreto May 2026

Impact Of Dual Immersion Program On The Academic Achievement Of Elementary School Students, Juliana G. Carreto

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study examines the impact of the dual immersion program on the academic achievement of elementary school students in reading, mathematics, and Spanish. Through literature reviews, classroom observations, and interviews with teachers and a principal, the results indicate that students in the dual immersion program do well and often outperform those in the traditional program. Besides student engagement and interest in learning, students in the dual immersion program gain problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking skills, as well as proficiency in both English and Spanish, despite their initial struggles in the 90/10 model. As a result, the dual immersion program positively …

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Effects Of 1:1 Smart Device Usage On K-8 Student Learning And Long Term Retention, Cole D. Young May 2026

Effects Of 1:1 Smart Device Usage On K-8 Student Learning And Long Term Retention, Cole D. Young

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The widespread adoption of 1:1 smart device initiatives in K-8 classrooms across the United States has coincided with growing national concern over declining student literacy, reading comprehension, and long-term retention. This capstone research paper examines the effects of smart device integration on K-8 student learning and retention through two complementary methods: a review of peer-reviewed academic literature and a series of interviews conducted with five educators working across a range of grade levels and school contexts. The literature review identifies a tension between the documented benefits of smart device use. Also a series of educator interviews, conducted with teachers spanning …

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Streamlining Client Information For Post-Conviction Relief In Monterey County, Selena Lopez Arizmendi May 2026

Streamlining Client Information For Post-Conviction Relief In Monterey County, Selena Lopez Arizmendi

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addresses barriers to record clearing services that impact recidivism and reentry outcomes in California. Individuals with criminal records often face challenges in securing employment, housing, and stability, increasing the likelihood of continued justice system involvement. The Clean Slate Program at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office provides post-conviction relief services to help reduce these barriers. Although Proposition 47 funding ended in February 2026, program services have continued. This project identified a need for a standardized, client-friendly informational resource, as key information has historically been communicated verbally, limiting understanding and retention. To address this gap, a concise Clean …

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Detection Of Changes In Short Narratives, Presley Priddy May 2026

Detection Of Changes In Short Narratives, Presley Priddy

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Narrativity and object association have been extensively researched in the past to determine how changes in a text impact reader interpretation. In this research, we attempted to establish a relationship between the relation of an object to a character situated in a particular narrative context and the detection of inconsistencies presented in the given story. Participants read texts that either associated or dissociated an object with a character, within a high or low-narrative context. Reading times were measured on critical sentences that were inconsistent with the placement of previously dissociated objects. When presented with object inconsistencies in highly narrative stories, …

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Depression Symptoms Are Associated With Less Positively Biased Self-Ratings Of Attentional Control, Anna E. Morgan May 2026

Depression Symptoms Are Associated With Less Positively Biased Self-Ratings Of Attentional Control, Anna E. Morgan

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Deficits in the ability to flexibly direct, sustain, and shift attention, known as attentional control, have been linked to anxiety and depression. Attentional control supports engaging with goal-relevant stimuli while effectively disengaging from irrelevant or emotionally distracting stimuli. Thus, it is crucial in cognitive processes and emotional responses. Common measures of attentional control include behavioral tasks and self-report measures. However, behavioral and self-report measures are weakly correlated, suggesting that individuals generally are not good at perceiving their attentional control abilities. This mismatch between measures could be related to anxiety and depression symptoms. The goal of my project was to examine …

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Wayne R. Barnes, Wayne R. Barnes May 2026

Wayne R. Barnes, Wayne R. Barnes

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

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