Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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 …

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. …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. …

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.

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 …

The Role Of Family Dynamics In Adolescents Mental Health, Victoria Tinajero

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on the role of family dynamics in adolescent mental health. Teens who lack strong family support often develop mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. When families struggle with communication and have little emotional connection, teens may feel alone, misunderstood, or unsupported, which can lead to poor overall performance and emotional difficulties. When parents of teens learn family communication skills and techniques for providing emotional support, they are better able to reduce conflict and help manage issues like emotional withdrawal. To address this issue, I created a one-day workshop to educate them about mental …

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 …

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 …

Improving Language Access And Communication In Behavioral Health Intake For Spanish-Speaking Families, Mabel I. Collins

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Language barriers in behavioral health settings can limit caregiver understanding, reduce engagement, and contribute to disparities in access to care for Spanish-speaking families. This capstone project was conducted at Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, specifically within its intake and evaluation processes, serving primarily Spanish-speaking caregivers from diverse and underserved backgrounds. The project aimed to improve language access and communication by identifying gaps and developing practical tools to support both staff and families. Qualitative methods, including observation, staff consultation, and document review, revealed consistent barriers, including inconsistent interpreter use, reliance on technical or formal language, limited strategies to …

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 …

Cultivating Connection: A Culturally Responsive Mental Wellbeing Curriculum For Latine Youth In Santa Cruz County, Suzzy Landeros

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Latine adolescents experience high rates of stress, depression, and stigma surrounding mental health, in part due to limited access to culturally responsive support and safe spaces for connection. The purpose of this internship project was to develop and implement a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, mental wellbeing curriculum to address barriers related to stigma, limited culturally responsive support, and disconnection, while supporting emotional awareness, connection, and use of grounding strategies among youth. The project was implemented through United Way Santa Cruz County in partnership with Watsonville High School and Soquel High School and served high school-aged youth. Development of the curriculum included …

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, …

Accessible Theatre In The Face Of Transition: A Collaborator's Journey Through Sarah Ruhl's Orlando, Ty R. Robbins

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the various types of accessibility observed in practice during a production of Orlando by Sarah Ruhl at the University of New Orleans. Throughout

the chapters to come, I will focus on gathering theatrical dramaturgy, my process as a company

actor, the successes and setbacks of accessibility in theatre, and reflections from community

artists on how they view accessibility in the workplace. I will evaluate my findings and those of

fellow theatre makers to outline the strengths and weaknesses of accessibility in relation to

collaboration in theatre, an art form that is continually given a cold shoulder in …

Exploring The Impact Of University-Recognized Spaces On Racial Battle Fatigue Among Black Faculty & Staff At Historically White Institutions, Tiffany M. Courseault

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Black Faculty and Staff (BFS) at Historically White Institutions (HWIs) navigate environments shaped by racial microaggressions, systemic inequities, and institutional marginalization. These conditions contribute to Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF), a psychological, behavioral, and physiological response to sustained exposure to racialized stress. While institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are often positioned as mechanisms for improving campus climate, existing research suggests they frequently fail to address the lived realities of BFS. This study examined how university-recognized communal spaces function as critical sites of support, resistance, and mitigation within these environments.

Using a narrative inquiry methodology, this study explored the lived …

Database State Reconstruction And Audit Log Reconciliation For Data Systems Security, Mahfuzul I. Nissan

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Modern organizations rely on diverse database management systems to store critical data across heterogeneous storage architectures. These platforms complicate forensic investigations because database engines vary profoundly in their layouts, encodings, and update policies. Malicious insiders can exploit this architectural opacity to alter data and disable audit logging undetected, leaving investigators with an untrusted view of database activity. Furthermore, building custom forensic solutions for every database version is fundamentally unscalable.

This dissertation advances data-system security through a tamper-aware, cross-layer framework that reconstructs database states and detects unauthorized operations even when audit logs are manipulated. By unifying the analysis of physical storage …

House Of Ill-Fame: A Historical, Cartographic, And Archaeological Study On The Spatial Evolution Of Commercial Sex Work In New Orleans, 1875 – 1925, Austin Roebuck

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the historic spatiality of commercial sex‑work in New Orleans by analyzing targeted addresses associated with the trade across three census years. Using the establishment and closure of Storyville (1897–1917) as a temporal frame, it compares demographic patterns in dwellings labeled as “houses of ill fame” in 1880, 1900, and 1920 to trace changes in household composition and social identity. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, newspapers, and city directories contextualize these patterns within three ten‑year intervals (1875–1885, 1895–1905, 1915–1925), revealing how sex‑work spaces were regulated, represented, and embedded in the urban landscape. The study also incorporates an archaeological assemblage …

Designing Voice Tracks As Pedagogy: Recording Technology, Musicianship, And Rehearsal Practice In Choral Education, Brandon J. Damiani

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study examines the pedagogical role of part-dominant Voice Tracks in choral education, with particular attention to how recording design influences rehearsal efficiency, musicianship development, and student independence. As recording technology becomes increasingly integrated into classroom and ensemble practice, Voice Tracks are often used to support learning outside of rehearsal. While these tools can improve preparedness and reduce time spent on note acquisition, questions remain regarding their impact on foundational skills such as audiation, sight-reading, and ensemble awareness.

Drawing on existing scholarship in music education and a practitioner-led case study, this project documents the creation of Voice Tracks for Look …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Effects Of Culturally (Queer) Responsive Teaching On Lgbtq+ Students, Samantha L. Alonso

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) has been thoroughly researched, and its effects have been well documented. However, when responding to Cultural diversity within the classroom, most researchers and educators focus on racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse cultures. Despite this, CRT has proven its effectiveness for all students, and can be adapted for any minority culture. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of CRT for Queer students. As well as, the barriers, limitations, and hesitations in regards to its implementation. Using surveys conducted on students and educators alike, insights are provided in regards to student experiences and educators perspectives. Additionally, a …

Impact Of Nutrition Programs In Schools On The Well-Being Of Elementary School Students, Sophia Perea Manriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone explores the impact of school-based nutrition programs on the well-being of elementary school students. This research draws on the experiences and perspectives of four teachers, one principal, and three food service staff members who provide insight into how these programs are implemented and perceived within the school environment. Through the use of literature review and surveys the findings indicate the importance of school nutrition programs and the value of children having access to healthy, nutritious food, which is important for their learning and academic success. Therefore, schools should recognize the importance of nutrition programs and continue to …

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 …

Mobility, Access, & Aging: A Community Needs Assessment Of Transportation Disparities Among Older Adults, Kailey M. Manning Shannon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too few seniors in Monterey County have means of transportation that are reliable and accessible especially in rural areas where transportation disparities are greater. Transportation is the number one need for seniors in our area. Independent Transportation Network Monterey County implemented a community needs assessment to determine transportation barriers and needs of rural South Monterey County. 20% of the population of Monterey County are seniors. The purpose of this project is to determine the prevalence of the lack of transportation in rural Monterey County and how Independent Transportation Network Monterey County can work towards addressing and overall reduction of the …