California State University, Monterey Bay
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Digital Literacy and Family Engagement for Student Success
No full textThe North Monterey County Unified School District (NMCUSD) in Castroville, California, serves a student population in which 87.5% are identified as low-income and nearly half are designated as English Language Learners. Families face significant barriers to accessing educational and community resources, barriers worsened by limited digital literacy and technology access. The NMCUSD Castro Plaza Family Resource Center serves as a vital hub supporting families in the predominantly rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged region. This project aimed to strengthen family engagement and digital inclusion through hands-on workshops. Workshop topics included online student registration and data verification, training on essential district digital tools and resources such as the ParentVUE Portal, TalkingPoints communication platform, and the state CalKIDS scholarship account claim process. In collaboration with the district’s Family and Community Engagement Team, the initiative supported 394 families and helped 470 students complete online registration, improving data accuracy and funding access. Results demonstrated that culturally responsive, relationship-based support significantly increased family participation and confidence in technology use. NMCUSD is encouraged to continue investing in digital literacy, outreach, and community partnerships to advance equity and support ongoing family engagement
Grounded & Connected: Enhancing Mental Health Literacy and Resilience Among Transfer College Students
No full textMany college transfer students experience poor mental health, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation. Recent findings show that transfer students face unique stressors related to adjusting to a new campus environment and often struggle to access support services (Center on Transition Innovations, 2023). Although many students recognize the signs of deteriorating mental health in themselves, they may not know how to seek help or use healthy coping strategies. To address this need, I created an 80-minute workshop for transfer students at Modesto Junior College to address the lack of awareness of mental health struggles, the different stressors of transferring, how to cope with stress or anxiety, and the on-campus resources available to combat symptoms of common mental health struggles
Grazing on the Early Life History Stages of Macrocystis pyrifera by the Purple Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Full text linkIn California, recent large-scale declines in kelp forest cover, the formation of sea urchin barrens, and the subsequent biodiversity loss have heightened the need to further investigate mechanisms of kelp forest recovery and sea urchin barren dynamics. To better understand the kelp recruitment potential of these deforested areas it is important to determine the effect sea urchins have on the microscopic portion of the kelp lifecycle and if a size refuge exists. Laboratory studies were used to examine the effect of the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus on the density, percent cover and reproductive output for three microscopic stages of Giant Kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. Three separate experiments were initiated, each beginning at a different microscopic stage: newly settled zoospore (2 days old), prefertile gametophyte (13 days old), and embryonic sporophyte ( 4 weeks old). Each experiment ran for three weeks. In all experiments, sea urchins decreased the densities of microscopic stages within 1 week. In all experiments sea urchins also reduced gametophyte percent cover. Purple sea urchins significantly reduced embryonic sporophyte density and hindered sporophyte recruitment in all experiments. The impact of purple sea urchin on per capita oogonia and sporophytes, as well as the density of gametophytes with oogonia and sporophytes, was assessed in the experiments starting at the youngest stages (zoospore and prefertile gametophytes). Sea urchins had no effect on the number of oogonia or sporophytes produced per gametophyte. In the prefertile gametophyte experiment, sea reduced the density of gametophytes with oogonia and sporophytes. This study found no evidence for a size refuge, i.e., no microscopic stage was too small for sea urchins to affect. These findings suggest that microscopic stages, existing prior to urchin barren formation, may not be a reliable source for recruitment. Additionally, this study suggests that urchins also have the potential to suppress recruitment of sporophytes from new zoospore input. We propose that the impact of urchins on the microscopic stages of M. pyrifera is a significant factor in explaining the persistence of purple urchin barrens for prolonged periods, particularly those isolated from established kelp forests without continuous zoospore input and settlement
Import Wheat Tenders and the Effects of the Russian Invasion
Full text linkRisk and volatility for many commodities escalated sharply following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, creating numerous uncertainties for trading firms and importers. The purpose of this study is to analyze the bidding behavior in Egyptian wheat import tenders in the pre- and post-invasion periods. Bids for each bidder in individual tenders were analyzed for the period from 2017 to mid-2023. The results indicate that before invasion, there were lower standard errors, margins, and higher probabilities of bidding. These changed in the post-invasion period and as a result the probability of winning, optimal bids and implied margins increased. Implications were identified for buyers, sellers and industry and policy analysis. First, bidding competition is important and strategically important. Second, for sellers, determining optimal bids is a strategic calculation and requires knowledge about competitors, competitor bids, and relationships over time, as well as a derivation to determine optimal bids. Third, buyers require a larger number of independent and symmetrically well-informed bidders to fully exploit the virtues of bidding competition
Beyond self-care: Developing a climate survey for school psychology programs
Full text linkGraduate program climates are an essential part of training, professional development, and identity for future school psychologists. One of the challenges of understanding program climate is how to measure such a construct so that programs can facilitate welcoming and transformational spaces for learning and critical thinking. This study aimed to develop and initially validate a measure of graduate students\u27 perceptions and experiences of school psychology program climates, the Climate Assessment for Relationships and Equity in School Psychology. Results of an exploratory factor analysis from a sample of 212 school psychology graduate students revealed a four-factor structure: (a) program dynamics and psychological safety, (b) diversity, equity, and inclusion, (c) peer support, and (d) resources. Of these factors, graduate students rated peer support most favorably and diversity, equity, and inclusion as most lacking, indicating a continuing need for programs to provide opportunities and training to engage in program and individual accountability as they relate to social justice issues. Implications for graduate student and faculty advocacy to improve climate in school psychology graduate programs are provided
Equity gaps in information literacy: A case study and methodological exploration
Full text linkEquity gaps are disparities in educational outcomes and access to opportunities that are rooted in systemic inequities. Higher education has been attentive to equity gaps in course grades, grade point average, and graduation and retention rates, but less so to gaps in specific academic outcomes. This study investigates how equity gaps can be measured in information literacy, a core academic competency, by conducting a case study using rubric scores of student papers. Various measures of equity gaps are employed and evaluated to provide guidance for future work in this area. While no equity gaps were identified in this sample, considerations for each of the methods are discussed
The Unseen Wounds: How Non-Utilization of VA Benefits Contributes to Veteran Incarceration
Full text linkThis project addressed the issue of justice-involved veterans who fail to utilize Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits, increasing their risk of incarceration. The project consisted of distributing a VA Resource Handbook aimed at enhancing veterans\u27 awareness and utilization of VA benefits, thus improving their reintegration outcomes. Using convenience sampling, the project administered pre- and post-intervention surveys to measure changes in awareness, barriers, and benefit utilization among 16 justice-involved veterans. Results indicated a significant increase in veterans’ awareness of VA benefits post-intervention, prompting additional benefit claims submissions. Critical barriers identified included long wait times, insufficient staffing at Monterey County Military and Veteran Affairs Office (MVAO), and restricted pedestrian access due to ongoing construction. The project\u27s survey design, however, limited accurate assessment of participants\u27 post-intervention confidence levels. Recommendations include hiring additional Veteran Service Representatives (VSRs) at MVAO and improving pedestrian access to offices. Further research is needed to understand why veterans receiving VA services and benefits continue engaging in criminal activities. Lastly, it is strongly recommended that VTC implement peer support and establish specialized in-custody services within the Monterey County Jail
Art of Returning: Supporting Students After Psychiatric Hospitalization
Full text linkReintegrating into campus life after a psychiatric hospitalization can be deeply challenging for college students. Research shows that in the two weeks following discharge from inpatient care, individuals are 200 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population—making this a critical period of vulnerability (Chung et al., 2017). Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among college-aged adults (Centers for Disease Control, 2023). In response to these risks, this capstone project utilized a mixed-methods approach, through community-based participatory research to explore how CSUMB’s CARE Team and Dean of Students’ Office can best support students before, during, and after psychiatric hospitalization. The project aimed to co-create a student-led vision of supportive aftercare and prevention strategies. Findings revealed several key barriers to care, including difficulties accessing ongoing therapy, unsafe transportation options, and heightened anxiety during hospitalization due to academic stress and uncertainty about academic standing. Recommendations for CARE and the Dean of Students’ Office include: developing outreach materials to alleviate anxiety and reassure students of institutional support during hospitalization, refining protocols for crisis transportation and post-discharge planning, and expanding access to medical insurance navigation services
Supporting the Supporters: Assessing the Health and Needs of Family Caregivers
Full text linkFamily caregivers in Latino communities often face significant health and emotional challenges due to the demands of providing unpaid, long-term care to elderly loved ones. This capstone project was conducted in partnership with Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) & Hospice through the Collaborative Health & Human Services Department at California State University Monterey Bay. The project focused on the city of Salinas, CA, a predominantly Hispanic community with a high percentage of older adults in need of hospice care. The primary goal was to assess the health and well-being of family caregivers and identify areas where supportive services could improve outcomes. A bilingual, print-based 10-question survey was distributed to 20 caregivers, of which 14 responses were collected and analyzed. Findings revealed that 50% of caregivers reported new health issues, many felt physically overworked, and nearly half had no time for daily self-care. However, financial strain was not as widely reported. Most participants were aware of available resources, and 86% expressed interest in massage therapy as a stress-relief service. The project met its objectives by identifying key caregiver needs and providing actionable data to guide future support programs. It is recommended that VNA implement ongoing wellness services, expand community outreach, and continue caregiver assessments to improve both caregiver and patient outcomes
Catalyst to Connection: Addressing Social Isolation through Youth Workshop
Full text linkSocial isolation is a silent, yet extreme issue that many people in the United States are facing everyday that bleeds into many aspects of an individual’s life. In order to address this issue within the community, Safe Families for Children Monterey Bay implemented this capstone project. Safe Families for Children Monterey Bay is a preventative measure organization that works to help support families in crisis in order to keep children out of the foster care system and families together. The community served by this agency are primarily single-parent families with children who are facing social isolation. The purpose of the social/emotional learning workshop implemented through the creation of a curriculum and held at Soft Heart Farm in La Selva Beach, California, was to connect youth who are facing social isolation while also learning and enjoying activities based on anxiety management techniques. Through a focus group done at the end of the workshop with the participants, the workshop was found to meet the expected outcome of connecting the participants and creating enjoyment for them, but it did not necessarily meet the expected outcome of the participants learning and resonating with the anxiety management techniques. I recommend that my agency continues implementing this workshop and work towards shaping it to be even more applicable in the future