Digital Commons Network^™

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, …

From Innovation To Interaction: Processes Shaping Animal Assisted Therapy Implementation In Outpatient Settings In The United States, Rachel Rachlinski

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is an emerging mental health specialty marked by rapid growth, inconsistent training pathways, and the absence of regulatory oversight. Although professional organizations have published competencies and guidelines, no regulatory body ensures that educational programs or licensed practitioners adhere to these standards, leading to wide variability in practice and potential risks to clients and animals. This constructivist grounded theory study examined the processes shaping how licensed mental health providers understand and implement AAT in outpatient settings across the United States, with attention to the influence of training, supervision, and prior clinical experience.

Guided by the Consolidated Framework …

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 …

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 …

Teachers’ Role In Supporting Students Growing Up Missing A Parent, Jesus A. Gomez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project examines how teachers support students who are growing up missing a parent. Through literature reviews, teacher and parent interviews, and anonymous student survey data from CSUMB students, the results revealed that parental absence and family instability can affect students academically, emotionally, and behaviorally. However, teachers can play an important role in students' lives by providing emotional safety, strong relationships, communication, and everyday support. In addition, students from single-parent or untraditional households were much more likely to remember a teacher as a role model as a second-parent figure. This capstone highlights the protective role teachers play …

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 …

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, acknowledging that the identities exist, but not providing detailed health information, …

Delaware’S Agency Problem, Charles K. Whitehead

Vanderbilt Law Review

Delaware is widely regarded as the gold standard in corporate law, largely due to its expertise and responsiveness to evolving business needs. But that status comes at a cost. Delaware’s corporate statutes are typically drafted by a small group of repeat players—primarily attorneys from some of Delaware’s leading law firms—whose proposals are routinely enacted with minimal public input. This closed process raises familiar agency concerns, but with a twist: While corporate law aims to mitigate first-order agency problems between corporate managers and shareholders, the lawmaking process itself may be affected by the self-interest of those drafting the statutes—a second-order agency …

Rebundling Repair: How Ownership Fragmentation Leads To Wasted Consumer Electronics, Laura Collins

Vanderbilt Law Review

The “Right to Repair” has captured the hearts of an interesting conglomeration of stakeholders, ranging everywhere from consumer protection advocates to automotive owners’ and farmers’ lobbies to environmental protection groups. The movement responds to an increasing level of manufacturer control over products post-sale in the “software era” virtually unheard of prior to the “digitalization” of products. With so many devices now containing proprietary software, manufacturers are able to dictate how a consumer engages with the underlying software, which is often directly implicated for product repair. Accordingly, manufacturers are able to limit how and by whom a product’s repair occurs. This …

Discriminatory Bankruptcy Trusts, Nicole Langston

Vanderbilt Law Review

Hundreds of thousands of people who’ve been exposed to asbestos and opioids have had their claims funneled into trusts through mass-tort bankruptcy cases. At their start, both the asbestos and opioid epidemics were limited to occupations and geographic locations that primarily affected lower-class white men. Today, however, women and people of color are also harmed. Like the claimants of earlier generations, their claims are funneled into bankruptcy trusts. Women and people of color have unequal access to treatment and have higher mortality rates from their opioid and asbestos exposure, making them more likely to have larger dollar value claims in …

Reimagining The Canon: A Paired-Text Framework For Student Engagement In Secondary Ela Classrooms, Jannelle Christine Kay Brawner

Masters Projects

Literary engagement correlates to academic success, yet many schools across the nation struggle to engage their scholars meaningfully with traditionally taught canonical literature. The classrooms impacted most by this concern are secondary language arts classrooms. This disengagement can be attributed to a lack of student autonomy in selecting texts, low-interest topics, and an absence of relevance to student identity. As a result, schools are reporting underdeveloped reading comprehension skills, motivation, academic achievement on a variety of classroom and state-mandated assessments, and a sharp decline in critical thinking skills. This project emphasizes the importance of using high-interest paired-text lessons built into …

A Guided Curriculum Approach To Supporting Critical Thinking And Mathematical Readiness In Ib Physics, Samantha Killeen

Masters Projects

The purpose of this project is to address the problem that many students lack the critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills required to be successful in rigorous STEM courses like IB Physics. While students may perform well in mathematics courses, they often struggle to transfer those skills into physics contexts that require conceptual understanding and problem-solving. These challenges have been intensified by academic tracking in mathematics pathways, post-pandemic learning loss, and increased dependence on technology, which have reduced the opportunities for productive struggle in the classroom. As a result, students frequently enter IB Physics unprepared for the pace and rigor …

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 …

Digital Outreach For Environmental Equity: Bridging The Nature Gap In Castroville, California Through Social Media, Phoebe C. Deacon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many low-income residents of Castroville are not spending enough time in nature, causing negative impacts on both physical and mental health. Ventana Wildlife Society provides programs including after-school programs, Single Day Adventures, and summer camps for youth and families in Monterey County, particularly those from underserved communities. This project focused on the Castroville program. Castroville is a low-income, agricultural, isolated pocket of Monterey County, one of the communities where Ventana allocates its resources. This project implemented an outreach and educational intervention through use of social media by updating the Instagram page for Ventana’s North County Outdoor Program and posting …

Developing Digital Literacy And Online Safety Skills For Middle Schoolers, Alana Rose Rowley

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The increasing use of technology and social media among adolescents has introduced a range of risks, including cyberbullying, mental health challenges, and physical health concerns related to excessive screen time. Many young students lack the digital literacy skills necessary to navigate online environments safely and responsibly, and remain unaware of the risks. This project addresses this issue by developing a one-day educational lesson for students in grades five through eight at the YMCA of the Central Coast in Monterey, California. The lesson focuses on building digital literacy, promoting mental health, and educating students about the physical effects of excessive technology …

Assessing Pedestrian Infrastructure Needs On The Csumb Campus Through Community Driven Engagement, Alicia C. Reshes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Monterey County experiences barriers within their pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure which affects multiple demographics including the California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) community. This capstone project was in collaboration with Ecology Action, a non-profit organization serving Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The focus was on understanding where the CSUMB community felt there were deficits in two high traffic areas on campus and to gauge a better understanding of what the needs are and where possible improvements could be made. Regarding the results received, many respondents voiced safety concerns due to poor lighting and a lack of pedestrian signals. The survey …

Youth Programs Social Media Awareness Campaign, Noelia Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness often lack awareness of available support services, limiting their ability to access needed resources. This capstone project was completed at Community Action Board’s Youth Homeless Response Team (YHRT), a program that provides outreach, case management, and support services to youth in Santa Cruz County. The project focused on youth and young adults who engage with or could benefit from YHRT services. The purpose of the project was to increase awareness and engagement through a targeted social media awareness campaign. Implementation included planning and designing youth-friendly content, developing promotional materials, and collecting both quantitative …

2024 Annual Operations And Maintenance Report 2024 Bres Annual Summary Report For Work Completed In Quadrant 4, Butte-Silver Bow Department Of Reclamation And Environmental Services

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Draft Final 2026 Interim Site-Wide Groundwater Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan, Woodard & Curran

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Domain-Specific Concussion Knowledge And Reporting In United States Major League Rugby Players, Julie Stamm, Katherine Hunzinger, Owen Sheehy, Christine Baugh

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Previous research indicates high concussion knowledge is not associated with better concussion reporting, with research examining the relationship between reporting and global concussion knowledge. Concussion knowledge has not yet been investigated in United States Major League Rugby (MLR) players. This study evaluated domain-specific concussion knowledge, concussion history, and reporting behaviors among active MLR players. In a cross-sectional design, 207 MLR athletes (age 26.6 ± 3.4 years) completed a survey assessing concussion history, knowledge, and nondisclosure reasons. While in the MLR, 24% reported an undisclosed concussion, with nondisclosure reasons related to a lack of concussion knowledge, a desire to continue playing, …

Evaluating Bawaslu’S Sigaplapor For Electoral Justice In Indonesia’S 2024 Election, Nur Hidayat, Muhtar Muhtar

Jurnal Wacana Politik

This article assesses the effectiveness of the Election Violation Handling and Reporting Information System (SiGapLapor) operated by Indonesia’s Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) as a case of digitalising electoral oversight. Using a qualitative-exploratory case study, the research draws on document analysis (regulations, internal reports, and SiGapLapor web statistics) and semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with election supervisors and ICT managers. Findings indicate that SiGapLapor works reasonably well as an administrative registry and an internal reporting tool, but remains weak as a participatory public complaints mechanism and as an instrument of electoral justice. Key constraints include a non-user-centred interface, predominantly manual …

Somatic Healing And Social Choreography For Peacebuilding: Since When Did Efforts For World Peace Become A Cheesey Notion . . . ? . . . A Public Space Performance Ritual, Reese Johanson

Senior Honors Theses

Somatic practice in performance can transform culture, politics, and society. Dismantling social systems that spread systemic trauma can be achieved by repatterning our social choreography, replacing old systems with mutual aid and community support.

This paper touches upon a decade of personal and communal somatic practice and research. I experienced and witnessed a universal struggle between humans and the oppressive forces embedded in societal norms and was driven to restructure these norms in honor of self and the world through art. The “Since when…?” project culminated in 7 research laboratories where participants engaged in open and guided forms of somatic …

Experimental Investigation Of A Shrouded Dual-Rotor Wind Turbine For Small-Scale Applications, Ahmed Elbaz, Mahmoud Alghrieb Mr

Mechanical Engineering

Small-scale wind power faces significant challenges in areas characterized by low wind speeds and turbulent wind patterns, limiting its contribution to the global energy demand. To spread the use of wind energy even at regions of low wind speeds, the turbine with wind lens concept was introduced in the literature. This device increases the free stream wind speed at the turbine section which enhances power output of the turbine. Other methods involved using dual rotors to augment power output of the turbine too. In the current study, the performance of single and dual rotors was investigated using wind lens to …