Digital Commons Network^™

From Service To Support: Empowering Aging Veterans, Priscilla A. Mireles

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was designed to assist aging veterans in Monterey County who face challenges staying safely in their homes long-term. It describes the Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office, an agency dedicated to helping former service members and their families navigate the complexities of the federal benefits system to access essential support. The project focused on a small-scale community resource fair aimed at bridging the gap between aging veterans and local services including caregiving, healthcare, and transportation. By centralizing diverse organizations, the intervention aimed to increase awareness of available resources among this population. Most intended outcomes were met; …

Building A Stronger Cab: Employee Experience, Retention, And Community Relationships, Rosenda Armida Jaimes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project presented an organizational assessment of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County (CAB), a non‑profit organization whose mission is to partner with the community to eliminate poverty. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, this assessment gathered quantitative data from a staff satisfaction survey and reviewed qualitative data from exit interviews collected throughout 2025. Together, this information   provided CAB’s executive team with evidence‑based insights into employee experiences, workplace challenges, and the underlying factors that contributed to staff turnover. The recommendations developed from this analysis aimed to support CAB in improving staff retention, fostering a more supportive and sustainable …

Immigration Related Stress As A Social Determinants Of Health Among Immigrants In Santa Cruz County, Jose Manuel Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Immigration related stress is a major public health issue for undocumented immigrants and mixed status families. That is linked towards the social determinants of health associated with mental health, stress, and disparities. This capstone project was implemented at Santa Cruz County Immigration Project, a program within the Community Action Board in Watsonville, California, that provides legal assistance and support towards the community. The purpose of this project was to evaluate & analyze collected data from clients feedback through bilingual surveys & intake forms that were distributed in person, email, text, and QR code. A total of 50 surveys were collected, …

Improving Citizenship Preparation At Santa Cruz County Immigration Project, Destiny C. Castrejon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Community-based organizations that serve low-income immigrant clients often deal with challenges like language barriers and limited access to materials that are easy to use. The goal of this internship project was to support citizenship preparation by creating simple and user-friendly study tools for immigrant clients. The project took place at the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project in Watsonville and mainly served Spanish-speaking, low-income adults. The main activities included creating large-print bilingual flashcards based on the 128 citizenship test questions, printing and laminating them, and sharing them with staff and clients for use. Informal feedback was gathered from one client and …

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 …

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 …

Susan S. Fortney, Susan Saab Fortney

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

J Mich Dent Assoc May 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The May 2026 (Volume 108, No. 5) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The May 2026 issue of the MDA Journal introduces Dr. Melanie Mayberry as the new association president, highlighting her …

Ꭰꮎꮰꭶ (Missing): A Phenomenological Study Of Native American Student Experiences In The Law School Setting, Christina Allene Shaw

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The legal landscape for Native American people in the United States is ever evolving and highly nuanced, with its historical foundation anchored into the classical pilasters of American legal jurisprudence. Federal Indian law scholars place that historical foundation within the written opinions of Chief Justice Marshall dating back to the 1820s and 1830s (Fletcher, 2024). Although few law students will likely find themselves closely examining the unassigned readings of the Marshall Trilogy or contemporary federal Indian law, there is one small group of students in law school doing exactly that: Native American law students. American Indians and Alaska Natives are …

May 2026, Office Of Research

Research Update

No abstract provided.

From Classroom To Courtroom: Understanding Real Pathways Into Legal Careers, Timothy S. Troxel

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This study examines how legal professionals describe their preparation for legal and law-adjacent careers, with the goal of identifying practical guidance for college students entering the field. Existing literature on legal career preparation often emphasizes measurable qualifications, while offering broad or generalized advice. At the same time, research on career development highlights the importance of experiential learning and mentorship, suggesting a gap between formal guidance and lived experience. To explore this gap, this study conducted interviews with ten legal professionals across a range of roles and experience levels. Participants were asked about their backgrounds, career paths, skill development, and other …

Harnessing Ai In Legal Education: Opportunities For Innovation, Leadership, And Student Success, Peculiar Awa, Grant Shostak

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming the practice of law, from predictive analytics in policing and algorithmic sentencing to generative AI-assisted drafting and research. Despite this technological shift, legal education remains predominantly doctrinal, inadequately preparing graduates to function effectively in an AI-mediated environment. This paper contends that law and legal studies programs must integrate AI literacy, applied AI skills, and ethical instruction into curricula. By leveraging experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, AI-driven simulations, and critical inquiry, institutions can produce graduates who are both technically competent and ethically grounded, ready to navigate the evolving legal profession.

Barriers To Justice: A Comparative Analysis Of Barriers To Legal Aid Across Missouri Counties, Grace Fentress

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study explores the complexity of the issue of legal aid and specifically the disparity in access to it across the state of Missouri’s counties, as they represent 115 different counties with diverse demographics throughout the state. By examining the number of legal aid organizations, funding levels, eligibility thresholds and geographical barriers, this study aims to identify what underlying factors contribute to disparities in legal accessibility. It is critical to address this question as the need for legal services is ever present and it is important that everyone has access to adequate representation. The findings of this study would ultimately …

Faith Leaders’ Guide To Adolescent Protection, Population Council, Zambia Interfaith Networking Group (Zingo), Faith Mother Bodies

Adolescents and Young People

No abstract provided.

Immigrants And The Battle For Our Nation In The Courts, Raquel E. Aldana

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

Licensure Reform, Not Alternative Pathways, Brian R. Gallini

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

From Crisis To Connection: A Safe Space For Teens, Fernanda G. Renteria Ruelas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the lack of safe, accessible, and judgment-free ways for teens to ask questions about sensitive topics such as healthy relationships, dating violence, sexual abuse, and consent, which often prevents them from seeking help. The project was implemented at Monarch Services within the Children and Youth Program, a nonprofit organization in Santa Cruz County that supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The project served teens in school and youth-centered environments who may face barriers such as stigma, fear, and limited access to resources. The purpose of the project was to create an anonymous …

Navigating Higher Education: Waves Of Success Mentorship Initiative, Roberto M. Davila

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many undocumented students and students from mixed-status backgrounds face obstacles and don’t receive enough support while navigating higher education. Undocu-Success at CSUMB orients its services to meet the needs of undocumented students and students with mixed-status backgrounds. In collaboration with Undocu-Success Center staff, the Waves of Success mentorship initiative is a new resource to increase students' preparedness during their academic journey and increase awareness of resources accessible to CSUMB students through mentor-mentee relationships. The capstone project was to create a new program which involved conducting research, recruitment, management, and building campus partnerships. Evaluation included an interview conducted with the …

Wendy Law, Wendy R. Law

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

The Different Effects Of Housing First Policies On Homeless Men And Women With Substance Use Issues, John Carlin, Simon Ogom, Kimberly Quiles, Juan Zamudio

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Substance use is a prevalent issue in the homeless population, and in recent years, the homeless population has continued to grow. HF is a model where a homeless person is placed in housing with no preconditions. This model has been shown to be an effective tool in solving homelessness while also mitigating the rate of substance use in this population. However, there is no clear data on whether women benefit at the same rate as men in HF, and the majority of current studies are male-focused. Women often face unique issues like higher levels of assault while homeless, and it …

Countering Anti-Immigrant Narratives: Promoting Socio-Emotional Well-Being Through Familism, Counter-Storytelling, And Community Building In Latinx Family Workshops, Sitlaly Irais Jimenez Preciado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In recent decades, the United States has seen a growing anti-immigration climate marked by restrictive policies, racialized political rhetoric, and public discourse targeting immigrant communities. This environment has heightened fear, discrimination, and exclusion for immigrant families, especially those of Latinx origin, affecting daily life in schools, healthcare, and community spaces (Caballero et al., 2022; Roche et al., 2021). These families experience socio-emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, and fear, alongside barriers to social and health services.

While research documents the harmful effects of anti-immigration policies and rhetoric on Latinx families, few interventions focus on protective factors that help Latinx families navigate …

Fatma E. Marouf, Fatma E. Marouf

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

The Human Touch: Lawyer Leadership In The Age Of Generative Ai, Kathleen Elliott Vinson

Suffolk University Law School Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Unrestricted: Why Access To A Special Victims' Counsel Should Not Rest On Victim Credibility, Kate Franco

William & Mary Law Review

Part I discusses the role of courts-martial in the military and the distinction between civilian ideals of justice and the military’s objective of “good order and discipline.” It also describes how the sociopolitical landscape in the early twenty-first century shaped the Uniformed Military Code of Justice (UCMJ), the internal decision to introduce counsel specifically for sexual assault victims, and Congress’s decision to require SVC [Special Victims' Counsel] programs across all branches. Part II examines the state of SVC programs today within branches and across the political landscape. It also provides a more detailed analysis of United States v. Deremer and …

A Concerted Effort: How The Roberts Court Demolished Anti-Gerrymandering Protections, Samuel Ogden

Seattle Journal for Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Huyen Pham, Huyen Pham

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

Emily E. Heger, Emily E. Heger

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

Community Justice Advocates: Increasing Access To Legal Resources In Utah, Natalie Maria Rust

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

A large access to justice gap exists among defendants in debt collection cases. The gap arises from steep legal fees, a lack of accessible resources, and the complexity of the legal system. The Community Justice Advocates of Utah was founded in 2024 through the Utah Regulatory Sandbox and authorized under the Supreme Court of Utah to bridge this gap. Community Justice Advocates (CJA) are trained human service professionals authorized to provide limited-scope legal advice in various areas. The Transforming Communities Institute (TCI) at Utah State University joined this network in 2025, launching a pilot program training human service professionals in …

Dentistry And The Law: The Importance Of Termination Rights, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column explores the legal importance of termination rights in contracts with dental product suppliers. It explains that termination provisions—including notice periods and termination fees—must be carefully negotiated upfront, as they are generally enforceable once signed. The author clarifies that large termination fees may be deemed unenforceable penalties if they do not reasonably approximate actual losses. The article advises dentists to shop around for favorable contract terms and seek explanations for restrictive clauses.

May 2026 News You Need, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This source provides comprehensive updates on organized dentistry, including the appointment of Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi as the new ADA executive director. It reports on the MDA's current membership market share, which remains high at approximately 70% despite national trends. Significant health topics covered include Mental Health Awareness Month resources like the Well-Being Index and a patient fact sheet linking oral health to systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.