This research aims to explore the efficacy of using Social Determination Theory (SDT) principles with an exercise program for individuals with disabilities. The SDT theoretical framework highlights the importance of social environments to support individuals' basic psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and competence as it relates to exercise motivation. In the study, the researcher measured the exercise performance of an adult with Austum during a 6-week program hosted at a recreation facility in Northern California. The independent variables measured included walking, modified push-ups, and curl-ups.

Becoming a 501(c)(3) under the Ink Peoples Dream Makers project, Every Body Humboldt aims to create accessible safer spaces for participants to learn skills and tools for regulating stress, healing trauma, making healthy social connections and creating new patterns. We’re currently working to eliminate economic, physical ability, and social barriers to learning these tools. Every Body Humboldt is working with folks at Humboldt County Correctional Facilities, with the general public at Om Shala Yoga, and Synapsis Nova, with intentions to work with drug courts here as well. I will be sharing some tools and literature for folks, while showing what is currently going on, our mission, and goals.

Our creative project, the Senior Speed-Mixer, fights social isolation among older individuals while fostering community bonds. Inspired by past events, we've crafted a welcoming program promoting interactions among seniors in Humboldt. With help from local organizations, we secured a venue and gathered support from businesses for raffle prizes. The event will feature one-on-one discussions to cultivate new connections. With a goal of twenty participants, we aim to bring joy and companionship to Humboldt's seniors, showcasing Cal Poly Humboldt's commitment to social responsibility.

For our creative project, the Coastal Grove Charter School fellows presented a 2025 Pitchfest proposal in collaboration with Coastal Grove, the Cal Poly Humboldt Music Department, and the broader school community. Our pitch aimed to support a more equitable and engaging learning environment for students in the music program. We proposed acquiring additional classroom supplies, organizing a dedicated classroom setup day, and fostering community involvement to help shape the future of music education at the school. The Coastal Grove staff and administration expressed deep gratitude for our support, noting how these efforts meaningfully enhance the music program and benefit the community.

I have partnered with the Sequoia Park Zoo to revise their Youth Assistant Keeper Program to create a sustainable, impactful program that can be implemented with the use of a binder. Local, 11-15 year-olds will be guided through various aspects of zoos and animal husbandry while being asked to observe, critique, and explore the work of the Zoo and related work for best practices in animal care, equity, and accessibility. This unique opportunity for personal and academic development encourages autonomy and ownership over individual work, promotes leadership and diversity, cultivates a cooperative, team-centered environment, and inspires connection with and conservation of the natural world.

The prevalent issue of students experiencing homelessness at Humboldt State University is addressed in our project. We  found that students have the resiliency to stay in school and continue pursuing a higher education despite the insecurities of homelessness. We interviewed ten amazing students who gave testimony to the housing crisis affecting Humboldt County. These students found resiliency in their families, their community, their friends, and other effective resources. Their dedication to school was met with integrity, overcoming the barriers preventing them from housing all while pursuing a degree .

Higher rates of tobacco and cannabis smoking have been observed among people with chronic pain. The reciprocal model of pain and smoking suggests that a positive feedback loop underlies the relationship between pain and smoking, with pain motivating smoking (as a means of coping) and smoking exacerbating painful conditions with chronic use. Despite initial evidence of differential effects by age in pain-motivated smoking, no research has examined age by smoking interactions among both tobacco and cannabis users. Results suggest smoking was related to greater likelihood of having pain, and that this effect was moderated by age group.

This was a community project developed with The Transitional Age Youth Program of Humboldt county, which serves youth 16-26 that our houseless and/or have been in the foster care system. This program has an emphasis on working with youth that identify as LGBTQIA2S+. Our community project sought to bridge the gap that queer youth can experience when accessing gender affirming healthcare in rural areas.

Social workers employed in county child welfare agencies experience large and complex caseloads, high rates of burnout and consistently high rates of turnover. The California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project provides BSW and MSW students with additional training in child welfare and a stipend of $18,500 per year in exchange for a year’s work in a county or state child welfare or Tribal agency upon graduation. Data was collected through an electronic survey, completed by county and state child welfare social workers who had participated in the Title IV-E program in order to assess their wellbeing, preparedness and longevity in the position.

My service learning project is with the Sunnybrae Middle School after school program. During my time spent at the after school program, I have learned about the process of empowering our youth to become social change agents in our community through support and knowledge of food justice. I facilitated activities with the kids around ideas of growing their own food, the importance of shopping locally, and the implications revolved around food in our community.