California State University, Monterey Bay
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The Role of Fitness Influencers in Shaping Hegemonic Masculinity Among Young Men
Get PDFThis study analyzes how fitness influencers on social media shape perceptions of hegemonic masculinity among young men. By examining content from influencers like Jay Cutler and Noel Dyzel, as well as insights from interviews, this research investigates the psychological and physical effects of adhering to idealized masculine body standards. The findings reveal that influencers reinforce traditional masculine norms but also offer alternative, more inclusive representations of strength and vulnerability. This analysis contributes to our understanding of how digital fitness culture influences young men\u27s body image and mental health
Modeling Threatened California Red Legged Frog (Rana draytonii) Habitat with MaxEnt Using Environmental DNA Presence via Quantitative PCR
Get PDFAs a sensitive and federally threatened species, the California Red Legged Frog (Rana draytonii) is known as a bioindicator because it most often occurs in complex healthy ecosystems capable of sustaining a diverse web of species. As humans affect natural habitats and climate change alters the environment, locating and monitoring sensitive species and their habitats is vital to supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Once ranging from Northern Mexico to the northern reaches of the California coast and Sierra Mountains, habitat of R. draytonii has been reduced to primarily the central coast of California. Environmental DNA ( eDNA) can be invaluable in locating rare, largely nocturnal, and protected species such as R. draytonii. This study will identify the habitat of R. draytonii using eDNA from water samples from several central coastal California watersheds and use environmental data - including invasive predatory American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) presence- to create a MaxEnt habitat model for R. draytonii. Through this model, I ask: Which environmental variables best predict R. draytonii presence and is the presence of the invasive L. catesbeianus a significant predictor? The best model F-score was 0.14 and contained 11 variables. Based on permutation importance, top variables were precipitation, percent conifer coverage, percent grass coverage, and mean temperature. Per the MaxEnt model, L. catesbeianus presence positively correlated with R. draytonii presence but was not significant when considered alone through Welch\u27s Student t-test results. A parallel model of R. draytonii presence given climate change based on relative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 for the year 2041-2045 did not validate sufficiently and was not presented here so as to not be misleading. I recommend continuing to refine R. draytonii habitat models by including variables such as Chytrid fungus presence, food source density, catchment ephemeral waterbody percentage, and distance between waterbodies. Currently, I recommend land managers use the predictive map and consider this model\u27s top-scoring variables to inform land conservation, corridor formation, and habitat improvement to support this species and, by definition, myriad species now and into the future
Interview with Phillip Retamoza
No full textPhillip Retamoza is an engineer with Meta, musician and lowrider car owner from Watsonville, California. He explains designing and restoring his 1950 Mercury. His car is equipped with a sound system in the trunk, and utilizing his custom guitar, Phillip performs professionally at car shows and venues. In the interview, Phillip explores his musical influences including Carlos Santana.https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/ohcma_lowrider/1003/thumbnail.jp
Adapting Fundraising to Fit the Needs of Modernized Philanthropy
No full textFundraiser turnout has decreased in recent years as a result of the Coronavirus, the continuous shift of community interests, and the increased cost of living. The Salinas Valley Health Foundation aims to bring life back into fundraising to support the community with expenses in addition to their medical bills like transportation fees and burial costs to name a few. The project was planning a community event to give Extra Life participants the space to get together in person. This resulted in the intern being able to provide the agency with a guideline on how to plan a fundraising event; one that earns profit and educates the community. This guideline will be used by future interns who will be taking over the Extra Life program position. Putting together a large-scale event in a short period comes with much difficulty, for rushing an event can be costly to the nonprofit as well as the company chosen to partner with. The Foundation and future interns can use this planning process as a guideline for events to come. The Foundation will need to continue community outreach as well as professional communication with partners where the intern left off
Mentoring At-Risk Students
Get PDFThis project entails a case management support intervention, providing one-to-one mentoring, academic assistance, and access to community resources for students at-risk of dropping out of High School. In Monterey County, there is a pressing issue: too many students are at risk of dropping out. Contributing factors encompassed socioeconomic disparities, inadequate resources and support services, as well as absenteeism and truancy. These factors pose significant risks for students\u27 future prospects, potentially leading to unemployment and involvement in criminal activities. The project\u27s expected outcome was to observe increased student attendance, improved grades, and consistency in completing activities on Edgenuity among students at-risk of dropping out of High School at Learning for Life Charter School (LFLCS). Data was gathered through access to student records and creating an Excel sheet to compare activity levels pre and post-mentorship and college tours. Findings indicate positive and negative outcomes, with increased student engagement, improved academic performance, and aspirations for higher education observed among participants, though challenges in consistency were encountered during implementation. While improvements in grades and attendance were not fully achieved, it is hoped that the mentorship provided laid a foundation for future academic success
The Startup Spotlight: Chronicles of Innovation (2016-2023)
Get PDFThe Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (iiED) is a nonprofit organization that has been pivotal in supporting entrepreneurial success in the Monterey Bay Region. The iiED’s programs and services are effective at helping to solve the problem that Too many entrepreneurs lack resources, support, and innovation to effectively start a business in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. Nonprofit organizations need to provide adequate proof to all stakeholders of mission fulfillment. Limited staffing, funding dependencies, and entrepreneurs needing substantial business services to meet the companies are contributing factors that can lead to missed opportunities, failed program deliveries, and reputation damage of nonprofit organizations. The Startup Spotlight: Chronicles of Innovation and Clarification (2016-2023) project aims to showcase the iiED\u27s impact on startup success through interviews with past participants. By highlighting success stories, the project aims to demonstrate the iiED\u27s effectiveness in supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in the region. As a way to provide evidence to all stakeholders of iiED’s mission accomplishment, a thematic analysis, Unveiling Success: A Case Study Analysis of Six Startup Champions (2016-2023), was conducted from transcripts of six startup Challenge winners (2016-2023) interviews. Conclusively results demonstrate iiED\u27s capability in meeting expectations of entrepreneurs seeking funding assistance, business connections, and guidance. Moving forward, recommendations include continuing and expanding the scope of the project
Empowering Vidas by Affirming Motivation, Optimism, Resilience in Educators
Get PDFThe state of California has a severe teacher shortage that poses a significant threat to the quality of education to our students. Through a survey conducted at one of the agency’s school sites we were able to explore the issue, shedding light on its root causes, implications, and potential solutions. This crisis has been exacerbated by factors such as low teacher salaries, challenging working conditions, and a lack of resources in schools, particularly in underserved communities. The impact of the issue is creating a ripple effect that hampers student learning outcomes. This shortage disproportionately affects schools in economically disadvantaged areas, exacerbating educational inequities. Potential solutions to the crisis , including the need for policy reforms for compensation, professional development, and working conditions. Understanding the challenges faced by the school districts offers insights into potential strategies for mitigating the crisis and ensuring a robust and equitable education system for all students and faculty
Food and Culture in Challenged Books
Get PDFThis paper looks at the way food and culture are intertwined and discussed in literature. I also discuss how many of these books that represent culture in America are being challenged across the country. My research takes a deeper look into why challenging these books is more harmful for students than it does good. My lesson planned is then planned around poetry and how food and culture and be a great opportunity to talk about their culture in their homes. My lesson plan aims to make students better writers as well as be able to give them a voice to be heard
Gender and Social Media: Delving into Young Adults’ Daily Participation on Facebook
Get PDFWith the prevalence of social networking platforms, it is crucial to study the role that gender plays in its use, for gender, which is continuously shaped by society, plays a critical role in our identities and daily lives. This paper explores how the social construction of gender affects and is affected by social media through discussing the usage of Facebook by young adults, especially Middle Eastern cisgender males and females, and women’s limited freedom on this social networking site in the Arab countries. It is argued that despite individuals having some freedom online compared to offline, their choices, specifically that of women, is constrained within the borders set by societal gender norms.The main focus of this paper is on young adults since they are the dominant age group of users and on the use of Facebook due to its popularity and multi-functionality that allows an offering of tailored user experience. It is concluded that gender differences play a significant role in how social media is used since women tend to use social media for emotional interpersonal purposes while men use them in task-oriented individual manners alongside multiple other dissimilarities. Additionally, users tend to present an edited version of themselves online due to societal pressures and norms, and particularly women in the middle-east struggle to have complete liberty in their online behaviour
Food For Thought: Addressing Food Insecurity in Public Schools for Optimal Student Success
Get PDFThe focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is the presence of food insecurity throughout a county on the coast of California and what can be done to improve it. This issue is important because of the negative impact that food insecurity has on students\u27 health, development, and academics. An evidence-based argument is offered that public education has a responsibility to address food insecurity through its institutions as a means of supporting students\u27 academic and developmental success. The stakeholder perspectives chosen were of 1 individual working as a Community Partnership Coordinator for a local food aid organization, one individual who experienced years of childhood food insecurity, and one individual who has years of experience in school food distribution. Through a thorough analysis of interviews and relevant research, three action options emerged and were explored as ways to address the issue. These included (1) Backpack Food Programs, (2) Mobile Food Pantries, and (3) Awareness; destigmatize food insecurity and educate families on available resources. Through this Capstone project, the researcher has identified partnering with outside organizations to set up mobile food pantries at schools as being the most effective way of achieving the goal of supporting student development by increasing food security