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Preserving Diversity in the Wake of \u3ci\u3eStudents for Fair Admissions, Inc.\u3c/i\u3e: Historical Lessons from the United States and India
Get PDFFollowing the ban on considering race in higher education admissions under Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, concerns have emerged over maintaining racial diversity in college classrooms. This analysis offers a comparative perspective, exploring the history and methodologies of affirmative action in the United States and India to identify effective strategies for promoting diversity in U.S. universities. Recommended approaches include top percent programs, socioeconomic-based affirmative action, test-optional or test-blind policies, race-based recruiting, removing legacy preferences, and holistic student reviews. By implementing these strategies, universities can still work toward their diversity goals despite the constraints imposed by the 2023 decision
Reimagining Pedagogies of the Prison Yard: Using Ethnotheatre to Embody Transcarceral Conocimiento
Get PDFLatinxs make up 40% of California\u27s population but account for 45% of the prison population and 47% of the jail population (Sawyer, 2023). Their overrepresentation in carceral custody not only impacts the individual but also affects families and communities by limiting access to social, political, and educational capital and agency. In response to gaps in research specific to the collateral impact, this interdisciplinary arts-based qualitative study highlights the experiences of five formerly incarcerated Latino men who participated in an Arts in Corrections playwriting class during their time in a California state prison. This study foregrounds their knowledge as cuentistas (storytellers), both in and out of prison, by drawing on Anzaldúan theories and testimonio (Latina Feminist Group, 2001) to craft a Chicana feminist framework for ethnotheatre as a liberatory, nepantlera methodology. By adapting their testimonios into ethnotheatre, the playwright–researcher reveals that knowledge produced through nepantlera methodology is not just academic discourse, but a form of embodied, collective resistance to dehumanization that must be witnessed in communal settings. Findings show that their testimonios highlight pedagogies of care, alternative ways of knowing, and self-determination in settings that erase voice and agency. In addition, the Chicana feminist practice of listening to testimonios of those who have been discarded reimagines their education and agency as transcarceral conocimiento–the interrogation of ideas and experiences to create knowledge that transcends prison. This study argues for the urgent need to adopt pedagogies in prison that uplift the nuanced tensions and transformational experiences of Latino men, recognizing their knowledge as critical to rethinking education, rehabilitation, and liberation in carceral settings
Assessing the Academic Success Factors and Needs of Student Parents in Online Asynchronous Graduate Programs
Get PDFOnline graduate programs are steadily growing as working professionals look to return to school and search for flexible options that fit their schedules. As the online graduate student population grows, student parents also make up this ever-increasing population. My action research questions focused on assessing the factors that contribute the most to student parents’ academic success in online graduate programs; and seeing how support for online graduate student parents can be enhanced to meet their needs. I implemented three cycles for my project. These cycles involved interviewing student parents in our online graduate programs and providing them with workshops relevant to their academic success. After these cycles concluded, the findings suggested online graduate student parents have a proactive mindset concerning managing their responsibilities and that their children inspire them to persist in their program. Five themes were identified as a result of Cycle 1 that also emerged in Cycles 2 and 3. After discovering these findings and formulating these recommendations, I communicated them to my supervisors and team from the Professional and Continuing Education department
Decarbonized Shipping: Is it the Best Sustainable Shipping Solution?
Get PDFIn the era of globalization and the fourth industrial revolution, the maritime shipping industry has grown exponentially in the twenty-first century. In fact, 90% of today’s goods travel across the ocean before reaching the end consumer, meaning that ocean transportation of goods contributes significantly to overall environmental impacts on the ocean. Awareness of this impact has increased as humans strive to eliminate unsustainable practices in an effort to protect the long term health of our planet. Decarbonized shipping has been proposed as a possible solution for unsustainable shipping practices, and the goal of this chapter is to evaluate this solution in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, and comprehensiveness. First, the chapter will outline the different ways shipping negatively impacts the ocean. Next, it will explain what decarbonized shipping is and the different strategies for implementation. Then the chapter will highlight the challenges and barriers for implementing the decarbonized shipping solution. Finally, a conclusion will be drawn based on research analysis to answer the question: Is decarbonization of shipping the best solution for negative environmental impacts on the ocean due to unsustainable shipping
ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Within Ethnic Minority Groups
Get PDFAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is commonly diagnosed in childhood, and the National Survey of Children’s Health reported that ADHD had a prevalence of around 6.1 million children aged 2-17 years old (NSCH, 2016). This review discusses the cultural and socioeconomic barriers that contribute to the underdiagnosis and treatment in members of ethnic minority communities. Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian adults received less mental health care compared to White Americans. Previous findings indicated that cultural factors, such as misinterpretation of symptoms from families and teachers and cultural perceptions of mental health, contributed to disparities in ADHD. Additionally, lack of cultural competence in medical providers, financial burdens, language barriers, and limited health care accessibility were additional challenges faced by ethnic minorities. Identifying these barriers can help to improve the quality of care people from underrepresented communities receive in the medical field. Furthermore, increasing awareness and cultural competency in healthcare are steps towards addressing these issues. Future ADHD research in diagnosis and treatment should include participants from ethnic minority communities to better understand their experiences.me
Stories of California Mini-Corps Tutors: Exploring the Experiences of Bilingual Latinx Early Preservice Teachers
Get PDFRestrictive language policies and practices in schools have racialized the experiences of bilingual Latinx early preservice teachers (EPSTs), leading many to internalize the belief that their language and culture are not valued. These deficit-based messages often influence their personal development and emerging professional identities. Despite the volume of scholarship about this pattern, little research has explored how this internalization shapes EPSTs’ perspectives as they move from being multilingual students educated in English-only environments to future credential program students and bilingual teachers. This critical qualitative case study examined this process as students engaged in school-based fieldwork through the California Mini-Corps program (CMC). Through analysis of semistructured interviews and focus group data, the study captured how students from this distinct background reconciled their histories of linguistic marginalization with their roles as tutors under the Multilingual Education Act. Grounded in Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth (CCW) framework, this investigation found a powerful shift in participants’ identities emerged due to reflective dialogue and inclusive practices cultivated in the research setting. Specifically, students moved from internalizing deficit ideologies to embracing their linguistic and cultural assets and developing a sense of agency as future educators. Findings underscored the need for teacher education pathways to create affirming spaces where bilingual Latinx EPSTs’ lived experiences are validated. Such spaces develop critical consciousness among future educators and prepare them to serve multilingual PK–12 students with empathy, cultural responsiveness, and advocacy. By focusing on identity affirmation and critical reflection early in the teacher formation process, programs like CMC can better equip bilingual Latinx EPSTs to challenge systemic inequities and reimagine educational spaces rooted in empathy, justice, and inclusion
Autonomous Vehicle Platooning
Get PDFThis research investigates the construction and performance optimization of two autonomous vehicles with using Platooning, a strategy aimed at reducing fuel consumption and enhancing transportation efficiency. Platooning allows one vehicle to follow another closely, minimizing aerodynamic drag and improving fuel economy. This study addresses the growing need for sustainable transportation solutions in the context of increasing urbanization and environmental concerns, emphasizing the importance of efficient autonomous vehicle operation. The primary objectives of this research are to assemble autonomous vehicles from scratch and to optimize their performance in both individual and platoon operations. The methodology involves using Traxxas Slash chassis and integrating peripherals such as processors, sensors, GPS modules, and LiDAR. The project progresses through weekly tasks, including literature reviews, system integration, motion control, trajectory planning, orientation control, navigation, and perception. Specific techniques used in the project include PID controllers for motion control and advanced algorithms for trajectory planning. The vehicles\u27 performance is assessed when operating individually using all sensors and in a platoon formation. The vehicles demonstrate precise control and efficient navigation, with LiDAR and GPS integration enhancing obstacle detection and path planning. These findings highlight the potential of platooning to optimize fuel consumption and improve autonomous vehicle performance. Future research will focus on refining control algorithms, enhancing sensor integration, and expanding the platooning strategy to larger fleets. Additionally, the research will explore real-world applications and scalability of platooning in various traffic conditions
Measuring What Matters: Optimizing USD’s Campus Spaces for Equity, Sustainability, and Impact
Get PDFIn alignment with Goal #3 of the University of San Diego’s Lighting the Way to 2030 strategic plan (Responsible Stewardship), the university initiated the Campus Space Study-- a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of academic and administrative space usage. This project aims to optimize resource allocation, reduce environmental impact, and improve the educational experience by leveraging cutting-edge sensor technology and strategic planning tools.
As the sole student representative on the 18-member Steering Committee, I contribute a student-focused lens to this institutional initiative. Through my McNair research, I actively participate in the implementation of the study, supporting the installation and calibration of over 1,500 Occuspace sensors across campus. These devices anonymously track real-time occupancy with over 95% accuracy and enable data-informed insights into classroom, lab, office, and common area usage.
Collaborating with SmithGroup, an architectural and planning firm, I assist in interpreting sensor data, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and developing space policy recommendations. My project also includes comparative case studies from peer institutions such as UC San Diego, NC State, Chapman University, and San Diego State University. These case studies exemplify national best practices in hybrid work environments, classroom right-sizing, and energy efficient campus planning.
This research employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including institutional benchmarking, spatial analysis, and committee participation. The ultimate goal is to co-develop a spatial data dashboard and contribute to a final report for university leadership by Spring 2026. By emphasizing sustainable design, inclusive planning, and student wellbeing, this work offers a model for operational excellence and environmental responsibility in higher education