Digital Commons Network^™

Addressing Challenges With Mental Health Amongst The Unhoused Youth Community, John Paul Solis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the growing challenge of mental health concerns among unhoused youth in Santa Cruz County, particularly those served by the Youth Homelessness Response Team (YHRT) under the Community Action Board. Many youth in this population experience conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, which can impact their ability to engage in services and achieve stability. The purpose of this project was to increase mental health awareness and improve engagement with support services through the implementation of a Mindfulness Walk-in Workshop. The workshops were offered weekly to youth participating in YHRT, Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation (TAYNAV), and …

Supporting Women Through Evaluation: Measuring Service Impact At Gathering For Women, Shavea L. Salafai

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Homelessness among women in Monterey County continues to be a significant and growing concern, with many women facing barriers to accessing basic needs, housing, healthcare, and supportive services. This capstone project was conducted at Gathering for Women, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe and supportive environment for women experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The purpose of this project was to assess whether the needs of the women served are being effectively met through existing services and to identify gaps in care.

A quantitative client needs assessment survey was implemented using to evaluate key areas including overall satisfaction, access to …

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 …

Reducing Vulnerability To Burnout Among Family Caregivers, Stephen J. Alvarado

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family caregivers experience high levels of burnout and stress, which can negatively affect their well-being and the quality of care they provide. This capstone project was implemented at Health Projects Center in Salinas within the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center program. Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center serves a diverse community of family caregivers, predominantly Caucasian, Hispanic, and Latino individuals caring for loved ones with a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or memory impairment. The purpose of this project was to improve caregivers’ knowledge, confidence, awareness, and intention regarding self-care strategies to reduce their vulnerability to burnout related to caregiving. The project …

Increasing Awareness Of Compassion Fatigue, Stress, And Burnout In A Helping Profession, Lyndsey L. Lacey

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many people in helping professions may be unaware of how to manage the stressors that come with helping others. When people in helping professions do not manage stress well, they may experience compassion fatigue or burnout, which can lead to worsened job performance and depression. When people in these professions learn about managing stress and avoiding compassion fatigue and burnout, they may be more effective at their job, improve the quality of care the client receives, and support their colleagues. In order to address this issue, I created a one-day stress management workshop for behavioral technicians at Breakthrough Behavior in …

Building Kindness Skills In Kindergarten And First Grade Children, Hannah Baker

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many kindergarten and first grade children have not yet learned effective social skills, particularly in demonstrating kindness towards others. Children who fail to develop these skills may struggle socially, have difficulty forming relationships, as well as developing feelings of loneliness and rejection. Children who do develop these social skills may improve relationships with their peers and may become more considerate people. Therefore, I have created a one-day workshop for first graders from Cypress Community Church in Salinas, California.

Developing Empathy And Social Awareness Through Anti-Bullying Education, Alma Garcia-Peralta

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Children in Elementary School have not yet developed effective emotional awareness and social skills. Bullying behavior often occurs when a child cannot clearly express their feelings, does not understand others perspective, and interacts with others in a disrespectful way. Children who have not been taught these skills may have difficulty recognizing how their behavior affects others or responding appropriately in social situations. When children are taught about their emotions and are given opportunities to develop and practice social skills, they are more likely to demonstrate empathy, build positive peer relationships, and reduce the likelihood of engaging in bullying behaviors. To …

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 …

Supporting Newcomer Students Through Social-Emotional Learning, Maria Evelin Cabrera Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Newcomer students, who are new arrivals to the United States, often face emotional challenges when adjusting to a new school such as outbursts. These emotional challenges can affect their relationships, their confidence, and their ability to learn effectively.  When newcomer students learn skills to cope with adjusting, they become more successful in school and have a stronger relationship with adults and peers. Therefore, to help in this situation, I have created a two-day lesson for newcomer students in the fifth grade from Elkhorn Elementary School in Castroville, California.

Increasing Emotion Recognition And Self-Regulation In Second-Grade Migrant Students, Dominik I. Vasquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some elementary school students who are migrant students may experience emotions related to their migration and being in a new environment, which they may not yet know how to manage. When young children do not know how to manage their emotions, they may feel isolated in their experience and face more consequences in school for emotional outbursts. Teaching students how to manage their emotions may help them feel less alone in their immigration experience and may help them improve their relationships. To effectively address this issue, I developed a two-day lesson for second-grade migrant students at Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary …

College Pathways And Requirements For Immigrant Parents Of High School Students, Yesel Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some parents, especially immigrant parents, know that college is important, but they do not understand how the college system works and how to get there. When parents are unaware,  their high-school-aged children might not get the support they need to make good decisions about college in the future or what career paths to take. When parents learn about the benefits of going to college or university,  they can better understand the process of what steps their students need to take to be eligible and apply, and can help and encourage their kids.  In order to address this issue, I created …

Compositional Techniques For Horror Film Soundtracks, Malia L. Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

With this paper, I aim to explore the history of horror film soundtracks and discover the various compositional techniques that are used to trigger physical responses from a viewer. I also intend to describe how horror scores have adapted and changed over time as our social and political climate continues to evolve by examining several different kinds of sources including academic studies, articles, and film reviews. While every viewer is different, a film scorer can properly build suspense by using specific compositional methodologies to briefly alter responses of the human mind and body.  This type of research would provide useful …

Strengthening Capacity To Support At-Risk Youth: Expanding Resources And Organizational Readiness At The Epicenter, Maria Salinas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

At-risk youth in Monterey County face limited access to comprehensive resources and support systems, restricting The Epicenter’s ability to meet the growing needs of LGBTQ+ youth, foster youth, and youth experiencing homelessness. This capstone project was completed at The Epicenter, a nonprofit youth-serving organization in Salinas, California, within its community-based service programs focused on connecting youth ages 16–24 to housing, education, employment, and wellness resources. The organization serves a diverse population impacted by poverty, housing instability, and barriers to culturally responsive and affirming care.

The purpose of this project was to strengthen organizational capacity to better address these needs by …

Spreading Knowledge About Coping Stress Strategies, Maya Centeno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some children may not yet have developed skills for stress management. Students who lack these skills may do poorly in academics and feel  their feelings  When children learn stress management skills, they can become more calm across settings and with Therefore,” I created a one- day lesson plan for 9 to11 year old children from Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside, California.

Promoting Healthy Relationships Through Communication And Conflict Resolution Skills In Adolescents, Persephone G. Patrone

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many adolescents struggle with social skills and may be unaware of how to start and sustain healthy relationships. Without effective social skills, they may have difficulty forming long-lasting relationships and may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. Developing these social skills can lead to greater emotional well-being, confidence, and future success. Therefore, I have created a one-day workshop for adolescents who attend the Village Project Inc. in Seaside, California.

Improving Emotional Regulation Among Kindergarten Students, Itzel Hernandez-Rodriguez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many young elementary school children have not yet developed effective emotional regulation skills. Children who lack these skills may use coping strategies like isolation, aggressive behavior, and emotional suppression that may be harmful for themselves and their peers. When children learn how to manage their emotions, they are able to use effective coping strategies to calm down, may improve their academic performance, and strengthen their relationships. Therefore, I have created a one day, fifty minute lesson for kindergarten elementary school children from Amesti Elementary School in Watsonville, California.

The Role Of Music In Storytelling, Eliot Z. Tenberg

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Music is often thought of as a background element in storytelling, something that enhances a scene but is not essential to its meaning. However, this perspective overlooks the powerful role music plays in shaping how stories are understood and experienced. Across film, theater, and even interactive media, music does far more than accompany images or dialogue. It actively guides emotional response, constructs narrative meaning, and connects audiences to stories on a deeper psychological level. Unlike visual or verbal storytelling alone, music has the unique ability to communicate emotion without explicit explanation. A shift in melody, harmony, or rhythm can signal …

Bridging The Gap To Higher Education: Increasing Parental Knowledge On University Systems And Financial Aid, Maria G. Rosales Marquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many parents of high school students are unaware about the different university systems and financial aid options available to their students for attending college. Without this awareness, parents may not accept all of the financial aid that is offered to their student and may make poor financial decisions such as accepting loans and getting in debt to pay for their child’s education. More awareness about university systems and financial options can help parents support their adolescents’ pursuit of higher education and navigating costs. In order to address this issue, I created a 90-minute presentation for parents who have students in …

Prospects And Challenges Of Parental Involvement In Literacy Development In Children, Anela Mendoza

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parental involvement in children’s literacy development has long been considered a pivotal component in increasing student literacy skills and benefiting the overall achievement of students. However, many parents face challenges in participating in their children’s literacy education, as evidenced by studies showing a decrease in parental involvement in at-home literacy activities in recent years. This senior capstone research project examines the prospects and challenges of parental involvement in literacy development through a literature review and a study conducted through anonymous parent and teacher surveys. The findings reveal that parental involvement in literacy development positively affects their children’s academic and social …

Benefits Of Parental Involvement In Supporting Physical Activity For Latino Elementary School Students, Ashley J. Matias

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone examined the benefits of parental involvement in promoting physical activity among Latino elementary school students in the Salinas, California, area. Using qualitative surveys with 15 K–4 students, 7 parents, 8 teachers, and 2 administrators, the study explored how family engagement influenced children's motivation, participation, and academic readiness related to physical activity. Findings revealed that parental involvement, even in small, informal ways, positively influenced children's enthusiasm, emotional well-being, and classroom focus.

Key barriers included demanding agricultural work schedules, language differences, limited transportation, and lack of safe play spaces. The study recommends culturally responsive, bilingual outreach strategies and stronger …

Using Online And Traditional Tools To Assess K-5 Homework Assignments, Annika M. Altman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Online school work is becoming more common with every passing academic year. Since the pandemic, there has been a major shift to online homework for elementary school students that has yet to go back to traditional paper and pen homework. The purpose of this capstone paper is to examine the ways that online homework has shifted since the schools returned from lockdown to face-to-face classroom. Through the use of literature review, interviews with 3 teachers, anonymous surveys for parents, teachers, and  students, the results indicated both parents and teachers share the responsibility to ensure that students complete homework, whether online …

The Birthing Ground Podcast: Assessing The Impact Of Shared Doula Experiences On New Doula Confidence, Arrieanna D. Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There are too few confident, experienced doulas available in Monterey County to meet the needs of birthing families. Community-based maternal health programs face challenges related to limited confidence and experience among newly trained doulas, which affect the quality and consistency of care provided to families. This project addressed the needs of new doulas serving Medi-Cal–eligible families in Monterey County. The purpose of this capstone project was to increase confidence and preparedness among new doulas through a mentorship-based learning intervention. The project was implemented at the Parenting Connection of Monterey County and included new doulas and experienced mentor doulas. Key activities …

The Impact Of Representation In Sex Education On Gender And Sexual Minority Youth, Piper A. Ellison

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this capstone project is to examine the representation of gender and sexual minority youth in sexual education. Given that, not all representation is good representation, this senior capstone examines the effects of both a lack of representation and misrepresentation. Through a literature review, administrator interviews, and college student surveys, the findings showed that there is often little to no practical representation of gender and sexual minority students in sexual education. Further findings show that when there is representation, it is often either at the superficial level, meaning that the identities exist, but do not provide detailed health …

Burnout Among Oncology Social Workers, Evelyn Camacho

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Burnout among oncology social workers has become an important issue within healthcare because of the emotional intensity and demands that come with working closely with cancer patients and their families. Oncology social workers often provide emotional support, counseling, and guidance to patients throughout difficult stages of treatment, recurrence, and end-of-life care, which can place a heavy strain on their own mental and emotional well-being. Over time, constant exposure to grief, trauma, and high workloads can contribute to emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and difficulties maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Although oncology social workers play a major role in patient care, their …

Effects Of Chronic Absenteeism On The Academic Achievement And Learning Behaviors Of Elementary School Students, Arianna M. Sanchez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Chronic absenteeism has become a growing concern in elementary schools today affecting their academic achievement and behaviors. This senior capstone research project examines the effects of chronic absenteeism on elementary school students, as well as the factors that contribute to frequent absences. Through the use of literature review and anonymous surveys on 7 elementary school teachers and their school students, the findings indicate that chronic absenteeism is associated with lower academic performance, decreased classroom participation, and created gaps in learning. In addition, factors, such as family responsibilities, health issues, and a lack of engagement between teachers and students also contribute …

Oer Content And Assessment Map, Oerfsj

OERFSJ Templates & Resources

Year 2 spring deliverable for OERFSJ faculty requires the application of backwards design to map out the content and assessment of the course and OER.

Course Insight Portfolio: Math 1020 Business Calculus I, Ibrahim Khalilullah, M.G.M. Al Faruque, Jessica Ratovondranto, Leslie Spahr

Publications

This portfolio presents an overview of the student educational context, key course concepts, and some approaches to clarify student misconceptions associated with MATH 1020 (Business Calculus I). The portfolio includes a concept map illustrating the major topics of the course and an overview of common student misconceptions, and lesson plans designed to address those misconceptions through research informed instructional practices.

The concept map highlights the interconnected nature of topics such as functions, limits, continuity, differentiability, derivatives, optimization, graph interpretation, and applications of calculus. Particular attention is given to areas where students commonly experience difficulty, including distinguishing domain, codomain, and range; …

Course Insight Portfolio: Math 2070 Business Calculus Ii, Samuel Ajibola, Zachariah Baer, Kensey Doughtie, Abby Hyatt

Publications

MATH 2070 - Business Calculus II, is a course that most students in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business will likely take, but can also meet the mathematics requirement for many majors outside of the College of Science and the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences. Like most second semester calculus courses, it requires decent foundations in both algebraic manipulation and derivation to succeed, skills that students will prove through pre-college examination and by passing a first calculus course. Where it differs from a STEM-oriented calculus II course is that it goes beyond integration, touching on …

“Healing Symbols For Trauma”: The Role Of Art In Healing From Psychological Trauma And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) Engaging Carl Gustav Jung’S Appropriation Of The Spiritual Exercises Of St. Ignatius Of Loyola, Ricardo Sebastian Nogueiro

Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations

In society individuals experience trauma at least once in their lifetime which makes the experience of trauma pervasive. This thesis explores the role that art forms play in psychological and spiritual healing from trauma and PTSD. Psychological trauma and PTSD have become more prevalent in society with reliance on largely psychological approaches to healing while neglecting the spiritual dimension. This study proposes a complementary method to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for psycho-spiritual healing through an integration of art, psychoanalysis, and Christian spirituality, one which restores personal agency. Engaging the trauma afflicted with art forms can serve as a medium for …

Developmental Trajectories Of Phonological And Morphological Awareness: Implications For Literacy Instruction, Hyohyun Shin, Catherine Mcbride

Science of Reading

We examine how phonological awareness and morphological awareness develop across early childhood and discuss the implications of these developmental trajectories for literacy instruction. Drawing on previous research, we highlight that these cognitive-linguistic skills develop in predictable progressions. We argue that understanding these developmental trajectories is essential for designing literacy instruction that is both evidence-based and developmentally appropriate.