Digital Commons Network^™

The Boys And Girls Club Of The Redwoods Pacific Union, Kyle Sabio

IdeaFest 2026

As a College Corps Fellow, I served at the Boys and Girls Club of The Redwoods (BGCR) at Pacific Union Elementary School as a Youth Development Associate. Working with youth has developed my conflict resolution skills as well as communication skills in this field. I was grateful to be able to work with kids from TK-8th grade and act as a role model for them. BGCR operates an afterschool program on the campus of Pacific Union. The program facilitates care for members TK-8th grade and currently enrolls over half of the school population (approx. 296 members). With the sheer number …

Effects Of Tide Height On Use Of Pastures And Mudflats For Foraging By Long-Billed Curlews, Shaina Walsh

IdeaFest 2026

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between tide height and the use of mudflats and pastures by long-billed curlews, with a focus on foraging behavior. Six mudflat sites and five pastures sites were used for data collection using scan sampling during peak high and low tides. Flock size and percent foraging were recorded during each scan, then used to determine use of each site type during high and low tides.

Superintendent Accountability In High Achieving School Districts: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study In The State Of Washington, Kristin Lind Jacobs

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The primary goal of a school district is to promote and support student academic achievement. Superintendents of public school districts across the United States should therefore be held accountable for student performance within their districts. Establishing a successful public school district requires interconnected relationships among the superintendent, the school board, accountability structures, and evaluation processes.

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand how superintendent accountability, in regard to student achievement, was conducted and accomplished by school boards who believe they hold the superintendent accountable for student learning. This study focused on school boards governing high-achieving school …

Raccoon Anthropogenic Foraging Habits, Jackson Butts

IdeaFest 2026

Raccoon foraging on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus will be examined using 30 motion‑activated cameras mounted on standardized trash receptacles. The study measures how time of day, human activity, and distance to residence halls and food vendors influence raccoon presence. Images will quantify raccoon detections, human activity, and environmental covariates. Results will be analyzed with mixed‑effects models to understand how urban disturbance shapes raccoon foraging behavior and to inform campus waste‑management strategies.

Cryptic Mechanisms Of Post-Fire Nitrogen Recovery In Northern Conifer Forests, Robert Edward Heumann

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In recent decades, northern conifer forests have experienced larger, more frequent and more intense wildfires. Severe, stand-replacing wildfire substantially reduces forest nitrogen (N) stocks, a critical nutrient that often limits net primary productivity on land. Continued increases in wildfire activity may exacerbate forest N limitation in the future. Yet, while research shows N stocks in northern conifer forests recover following severe wildfire, the processes that contribute to rapid increases in N during post-fire regeneration are unclear. Atmospheric deposition of N and known sources of biological N fixation cannot explain the observed post-fire N accumulations. This paradox raises the question: How …

Instructional Coaching And The Development Of Data-Driven Decision-Making Cultures: A Quantitative Study Of Montana Schools, Kaitlyn Watts Hess

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Over the past several decades, education policies in the United States have increasingly emphasized the use of data to guide instructional improvement to raise student achievement. While these policies have increased attention to data use in schools, many educators report limited preparation and support for effectively interpreting and applying student data in classroom practice. As a result, schools continue to face challenges in developing sustainable data-driven decision-making (DDDM) cultures that support continuous improvement.

This study examined the relationship between instructional coaching and the development of DDDM cultures in Montana schools. The purpose of this research was to determine whether statistically …

Trail Surface Influences Nighttime Mammal Detections In A Forest Reserve, Spencer Foto

IdeaFest 2026

Recreational trails are widespread in protected forests, yet their effects on wildlife remain understudied. As part of a College Corps fellowship with the Bureau of Land Management, we used motion-activated cameras at 30 sites along the Elk River Trail, CA, to test whether trail surface (paved vs. unpaved) influenced nighttime mammal detections and whether responses varied by body size. Eight species were detected, with the gray fox being the most frequently observed. Detections were higher on paved trails (p = 0.005), but no consistent species-level or body size effects were found.

Winding Roads: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Female Educational Leadership, Nicole Casper

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The experiences of female superintendents were examined in this study to provide insight into the commonalities in their leadership journeys within public school organizations. A phenomenological, qualitative approach, aligned with Moustakas’s (1994) framework, was used to explore participants’ shared experiences. Comprehensive interviews were conducted with 17 female superintendents serving during the 2022–2023, 2023–2024, and/or 2024–2025 academic years in the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Through phenomenological reduction, three overarching commonalities emerged: (a) barriers, (b) challenges, and (c) supporting factors. The findings illuminate how organizational, societal, and gendered influences interact to shape female leadership advancement toward assistant superintendent or …

Impact Of Salinity On Symbiotic Communities Associated With Ghost Shrimp In Humboldt Bay, André Giraldi

IdeaFest 2026

The Bay Ghost Shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis) is a colony-dwelling, burrowing crustacean found across the California coast. Dozens of species of symbiotic animals live and shelter inside dense networks of N. californiensis burrows, forming a unique infaunal ecosystem with many endemic species. N. californiensis is able to tolerate a wide range of salinities, however differences between symbiotic communities associated with N. californiensis based on this range is poorly understood. This study analyzes whether symbiont species composition and abundance differs between brackish and saltwater colonies of N. californiensis in Humboldt Bay and the Elk River Estuary.

Effectiveness Of Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy In A Closed Enrollment Group Telehealth Delivery Model And Comparison To A Rolling Enrollment, Kinsey Louise Roberts

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background:

Refractory chronic cough (RCC) is a subtype of chronic cough (CC) that persists

despite guideline-based treatment and can negatively affect quality of life. Behavioral cough

suppression therapy (BCST), typically delivered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), is an

effective treatment for RCC. However, access to BCST remains limited due to geographic

barriers and a shortage of trained providers. Group-based telehealth may help expand access to

treatment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of BCST delivered via telehealth using

a closed enrollment group model and compared outcomes to a rolling enrollment group model.

Methods:

In this prospective sequential cohort study 32 participants attended …

Reducing Door-To-Ekg Time In The Emergency Department, Halie Dearman

IdeaFest 2026

Delayed electrocardiogram (EKG) acquisition in emergency departments (ED) represents a preventable patient safety crisis disproportionately affecting women, Black patients, older adults, and non-English-speaking patients. Using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, this quality improvement project addresses door-to-EKG (D2E) times exceeding the ACC/AHA 10-minute benchmark in a rural northern California ED. Three evidence-based interventions are proposed: culturally tailored community education on atypical acute coronary syndrome symptoms, a standardized nurse-driven triage EKG protocol with dedicated equipment, and institutional adoption of D2E time as a formal quality metric. Evaluation includes EHR timestamp audits, demographic disparity analysis, and longitudinal mortality review. Timely EKG acquisition …

Skin Tone Inclusive Assessment To Reduce Missed Pressure Injuries, Sheena May Viste

IdeaFest 2026

Patients with high‑melanin skin are at increased risk of developing pressure injuries and experiencing more severe progression because early signs are frequently missed. This disparity is attributed to delayed PI recognition because standard visual skin assessments are biased toward light skin and fail to identify early tissue damage (Black et al., 2023; LaFond et al., 2025). Implementing the Skin Assessment for Dark Skin (SADS) technique—use of halogen light and multisensory palpation—during assessments helps nurses identify early pressure injury indicators. The overarching goal is to reduce diagnostic delays by using tools such as Skin Assessment for Dark Skin (SADS) to support …

Manipulation Of Attention And Expectancy Within An Open-Label Placebo Treatment For Experimental Pain, Arianna Nevis

IdeaFest 2026

Open-label, or honestly prescribed placebos, offer an ethical alternative to deceptive placebos. Results reported here are a part of a larger study where expectancy and attention were experimentally manipulated within a 2 (expectancy: high/low) x 2 (attention: high/low) between-subjects design with a no-treatment comparison group. Pain was experimentally induced in all five experimental groups using the well-established cold pressor task. Participants self-reported expectancy and researchers utilized a behavioral measure of attention to assess the effectiveness of these manipulations. Overall, expectancy scores were sensitive to manipulations, but the attention manipulation failed. Future research should explore new methods of both measuring and …

Beyond Words: The Horse-Human Encounter In Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy For Residential Substance Use Treatment, Leah Finch Lungren

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) has emerged as a promising experiential therapeutic intervention, yet the lived experience of adults participating in EAP within residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment settings remains underexplored. This hermeneutic phenomenological study examined the lived experience of 12 adults who participated in EAP groups during residential SUD treatment across three treatment facilities in the United States. The primary research question was: What is the lived experience of participating in EAP for adults in residential SUD treatment? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through iterative hermeneutic interpretation guided by van Manen’s (1990) existential framework.

Six themes emerged …

Connecting The World Through The Tallest Trees, Taylor Culp

IdeaFest 2026

I served at Redwood National Park as a visitor center interpretive ranger for hundreds of visitors on the best trails, the best views, and the best drives. To fight to protect our public lands and our Earth, we all have to gain and maintain an understanding, a respect, and an eventual love of the environment. Though this experience, I learned techniques and environmental knowledge to help visitors gain these elements through education. My favorite takeaway from this experience was getting to share facts that I enjoy, and sharing the reactions of fascination with them.

Freenergy: Smart Piezoelectric Speed Bumps For Clean Energy And Operational Intelligence, Jorge Luis Zavala Álvarez

IdeaFest 2026

Urban environments are facing a growing demand for energy alongside increasing vehicular activity, particularly in high-density, high-traffic areas. While renewable energy technologies continue to expand, many solutions remain constrained by high installation costs, spatial limitations, and the need for dedicated infrastructure. This creates an opportunity to explore alternative approaches that integrate energy generation into existing urban systems. Freenergy introduces a novel concept that leverages everyday vehicular movement as a distributed source of energy and data. By embedding piezoelectric modules within speed bumps, the system captures mechanical stress from passing vehicles and transforms it into electrical output. Beyond energy generation, the …

Un-Dam The Klamath: The River Flows Freely, Sasheen Raymond

IdeaFest 2026

A Panel Discussion and Q&A during Indigenous Peoples Week. In September 2002, over 34,000 fish died in the Klamath River due to algae blooms, devastating Tribal communities that rely on the river for culture and subsistence. After decades of Tribal-led advocacy, the river’s undamming marks a major victory for environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. As part of Indigenous Peoples Week, ITEPP and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will host “Un-dam the Klamath: The River Flows Freely,” a panel featuring Tribal leaders, attorneys, and advocates. Open to the campus and community, the event explored environmental justice, restoration, and Tribal …

Human-Mountain Lion Coexistence In A Highly Populated Area Of Northern California, Madeleine Johnston

IdeaFest 2026

A survey was taken of Sonoma County residents known to be living within mountain lion ranges. My project analyzed the relationship between mountain lion sightings in the last five years and the number of acres a property was, what percent of an owner's property was covered by natural vegetation, if there was a presence of fencing that blocked deer movement, and if there was livestock on the property, in order to predict what property factors influenced sighting frequency. I also used a Likert scale to analyze attitude and fear levels in relation to mountain lion sightings in the last five …

Integrating Hippotherapy Into Interprofessional Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Pilot Study, Bethany H. Wenger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background and Significance: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting over 2.5 million individuals annually. Stroke-related motor and communication deficits often co-occur, increasing challenges for recovery, increasing social isolation, depression, and dependency. Hippotherapy has emerged as a novel treatment approach for neurorehabilitation; however, its application within interprofessional models for individuals with stroke-related motor and communication impairments remains underexplored. This study examines the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of an interprofessional intervention using hippotherapy for adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia, the purpose of which is to generate methodological guidance for future controlled trials.

Methods: A non-randomized, single-group …

Instructor Created Video: Differences In Perception Of Administrative Support In Respiratory Care, Brian Daniel Cayko

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: The recent proliferation of online education has highlighted the need to reduce transactional distance and increase the community of inquiry presence between the instructor and students and between students. This quantitative non-experimental study examined the differences in perception of administrative support for instructor-created video (ICV) between faculty and administrators within Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) higher education programs of Respiratory Care. Methodology: The Difference in Perception of Administrative Support (DPAS) survey was utilized to collect data from 93 valid participants through a snowball sampling method. Analysis was performed using an independent samples t test and Cohen's d …

Most Effective Methods For Educating Three Population Demographics At Risk Of Large-Scale Lahars Originating From Mt. Rainier, Bodhi Merrill

IdeaFest 2026

In this study I focus on the most effective ways to communicate response plans for lahars originating from Mt. Rainier to three socioeconomic groups: residents, employees, and tourists. Wood and Soulard (2009) identified these three populations in the communities surrounding Mt. Rainier as largest and most at risk to a potential large-scale lahar. I will utilize lahar hazard maps published by the United States Geological Survey in combination with peer-reviewed journal articles focusing on the most successful methods of educating specific population demographics. This work will help guide emergency planners, management agencies, and individuals to better understand what measures still …

Ensuring Safe Soil For Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Contaminant Screening For Agroecological Health, Derek Tremaine

IdeaFest 2026

Indigenous food sovereignty is a foundational component of human and environmental health. The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute at Cal Poly Humboldt (FSL) foregrounds Indigenous-led approaches to land management and oversees several sites adjacent to campus infrastructure. To ensure that food and basketry materials cultivated at the FSL do not pose a risk to human health, soil samples were collected and screened for contaminants. Heavy metals, phthalate esters, and hydrocarbons were not detected at levels that would affect human health or FSL objectives. This work demonstrates how community-engaged research can inform safe land stewardship while …

Tourism And Local Access On The Public Beaches Of Paros, Greece, Maria Kouidi

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis examines how tourism development affects public beach access on the island of Paros, Greece. In recent years, Paros has experienced significant tourism growth, which has contributed to economic development while also placing pressure on natural resources, infrastructure, and coastal spaces. Beaches are protected as public goods under the Greek constitution; however, there are concerns regarding commercialization, overcrowding, and the illegal privatization of these public spaces. This thesis uses a qualitative research approach to explore how these changes are experienced and understood by different stakeholder groups. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in Paros in July 2025. Participants …

A Breath Of Fresh Dust: Health Costs Of California’S Shrinking Salton Sea, Brendan Yoder

IdeaFest 2026

Literature review investigating the adverse health effects of the continued drying of the Salton Sea in Southern California.

Fiber Orientation Effects In 3d Printed Composites, Chloe Melendez

IdeaFest 2026

This project investigated how fiber orientation affects stiffness in 3D-printed fiber-reinforced composites made with consumer-grade printers. Tensile specimens were printed with fibers aligned at 0°, 45°, and 90° and tested to measure Young’s modulus. Experimental results were compared with micromechanical models, including the Rule of Mixtures and Halpin–Tsai equations. An interactive Mathematica simulation was also developed to predict mechanical behavior, providing an accessible tool and open-source data for education and composite design.

Water Adsorption On Environmental Metal Oxides And Atmospheric Dusts Determined By The Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (Drifts) Technique, Chris Harmon

IdeaFest 2026

Dust plays an important role in cloud formation, acting as nuclei for water vapor, leading to the formation of cloud droplets. The process is highly uncertain and difficult to make predictions of. Our research is centered around simulating water uptake by dust particles to better understand this process and create models that can predict this behavior.

Holy Cows: Moo-Ving The Dial On Complex Pain Management, Mary Nickell

IdeaFest 2026

In the U.S., 8.9 million people misused opioids last year (SAMHSA, 2024). Humboldt County’s overdose rate is 6% above state and national averages (DHSS, 2021). Despite high prevalence rates, many providers lack confidence in managing acute pain for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), while nursing stigma further inhibits care (Raub & Vettese, 2017). Patients with OUD report discharging against medical advice (DAMA), even with life-threatening illnesses, due to inadequate pain and withdrawal management (Babbel et al.,2024). Nurses leaders can reduce DAMA, improve health outcomes/equity through standardized screening, dedicated pain management pathways, and mandatory annual staff training.

Estimation Of Water Storage Change At Earth’S Surface From Space Geodetic Observations And Implications For The Water Cycle, Matthew J. Swarr

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Redistribution of freshwater near the Earth’s surface produces elastic deformation that can be measured using geodetic technologies such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Observations of load-induced deformation enable continuous estimates of terrestrial water storage (TWS) with relatively high resolution, offering new insights on terrestrial hydrology at scales unattainable using other methods. This dissertation investigates the use of GNSS displacement timeseries for the study of freshwater resources and their applications in improving our understanding of mountain groundwater systems, understudied sources of water storage and release within mountainous regions.

Estimating changes in TWS from GNSS displacement time series requires assumptions …

Reducing Postpartum Hemorrhage Through Active Management Of The Third Stage Of Labor, Delilah Pusch

IdeaFest 2026

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and is often preventable with timely, evidence-based care. This quality improvement project focuses on reducing PPH through active management of the third stage of labor and use of standardized hemorrhage protocols. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model, current evidence supports interventions such as oxytocin administration, controlled cord traction, and uterine massage. Planned strategies include staff education, protocol implementation, and improved clinical readiness. Expected outcomes include reduced PPH rates, fewer transfusions, and improved maternal safety.

Flammulated Owl Habitat Selection In Northwestern California, Kaden Neibauer

IdeaFest 2026

I conducted an occupancy survey of flammulated owls (Psiloscops flammeolus) on Titlow Hill Road, surveying 80 points three times each between May 16 and August 7, 2025. I am comparing my occupancy results with GIS vegetation data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's "California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR)" system in an attempt to better understand the habitat that these owls are occupying in Northwestern California.