The Action Research Project involves a collaborative and participatory inquiry undertaken by master's candidates to understand concerns that are close to them so that they can address a particular problem and influence change. The basic premise of action research in our department is that students will be more effective in their work when they build a capacity to reflect upon and examine their own practice.
To complete an action research report, students:
- Identify a problem preferably in his/her own organization, department or place of work;
- Decide upon a research question;
- Review relevant research and theories to inform the work;
- Design and conduct research; and
- Write up a paper based on his/her findings and the process as a whole; and present the work at the annual presentation event (held in May)
Action Research Projects from 2024
Breaking Barriers and Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships for the Torero Renaissance Scholars Program, Ti'Shaun Allen
Bridging USD Graduate Student Life and McNair Scholars Program: How to Enhance McNair Scholars’ Transition to Graduate School, Emily S. Esquivel
Should We Move to Suspend Robert’s Rules Forever: A Review and Proposal for Student Government Communication, Harper Estus
Community College Transfer Student-Athlete Transition to USD: Cultivating a Campus of Village Awareness, William Francis Guarino
Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodivergence: University of San Diego Accommodations and Resources, Carina Mendoza
Exploring Staff Burnout in College Access and Retention Programs, Yajaira Nunez
Strengthening and Supporting the Community of First-Generation Students of Color, Manuel Pech
Creating a Restorative Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, Katherine J. Todaro
Action Research Projects from 2023
First-Generation Latina Testimonios: Navigating a Predominantly White Institution and Achieving Academic Success, Nancy Correa
Cultivating Success for Foster Youth Students in Higher Education through Mentorship, Anita Duong
Fostering Connection Through Ecological Identity: Expanding Colonial Concepts of Outdoor Adventures, Elizabeth Farrell
The Untapped Potential of Commuters: Engaging Faculty and Staff to Foster a Commuter-Inclusive Space and Student Interest at the University of San Diego, Monica Gonzalez Herrera
The Valley in Between: Fostering Biracial Pride and Exploring Community on USD Campus, Pauline Herring
Creating Community Among Women of Color in STEM at the University of San Diego, Alejandro Picasso
Balancing Act: A Study of Graduate Student-Parents and Their Experiences Navigating Family and Academic Demands at the University of San Diego., Jessica Rammell
COVID-19 Impact on Undergraduates Sense of Belonging at the University of San Diego, Katherine Reyes
Action Research Projects from 2022
Uncomfortable but Necessary: White Faculty Identity Development and Race Conversations, Monique B. Appel
Exploration into the Graduate International Student Narratives, Diana BuDoff
Supporting Reverse Transfer Students: From Trauma to Transition and Triumph, Stephanie Burga
Walk the Talk: Value Congruence for Social Change in Panhellenic Sororities, Anjelica Cespedes
The Effects of Military Education Benefits on First-Generation Military-Dependent Children’s College Experience and Independence, Jemefer Angela Cruz
Male Engagement at the University of San Diego, Ryan Dillon
Increasing Student Employee Engagement and Knowledge Retention Using Grounding and Mindfulness Practices, Jeffrey Fox
Nuestra Fuerza: Understanding the Resilience of Latinx, First-Generation Students from Single-Parent Families, Alejandra Gonzalez-Zuniga
The Making of College Student Leaders: Implementing Reflective Practices for Self-Awareness of Personality Traits and Leadership Styles, Valerie Gurrola
Logo le Naiama: Navigating Postsecondary Support with Students of American Sāmoa, Nuanua Hosanna Iuli and Fa'aalu Faleoese Iuli
Increasing Accessibility, Early Prevention, and Use of Wellness Programs, Experiences, and Services for Undergraduate STEM Students, Lizeth Juvera
¡Oye!: Música as the Conduit to Conocimiento for Latinx Students, Jonathan Limon
El Éxito de Mamá e Hija: Uplifting and Valuing the Assets Latinas Bring to Higher Education and Beyond, Daisy Martinez and Elitania Meza
Wellbeing @ Work: The Holistic Development of On-Campus Student Employees, Matthew McIver
Exploring Restorative Justice as an Adaptable Resolution for Gender-Based Misconduct, Jessica D. Naidu
Queering Learning Spaces: Creating Welcoming Environments for Queer Students in STEM, Petar Nastoski
A Whole New World: Understanding the International Student Experience in the United States through Acculturation, Identity, and Support, Maria W. Nessim
Enhancing Graduate Student Onboarding to Strengthen Graduate Student Sense of Belonging and Ease the Transition into Graduate School, Shannon Patiño
Blaqueer and Here: Black Queer and Trans Students’ Path to Thriving, Marvens Pierre
Disrupting the Deficit with Latinx Cultural Wealth: Creciendo en la Excelencia, Stephanie Pineda
¡Arriba Las Mujeres!: Incorporating Self Care Practices, Pláticas, and Testimonios to Enhance Leadership Development amongst Latina Student Leaders, Alandra Sanchez
The Secret Recipe: Unpacking the Mentorship Experience Between the Guardians of Academy and First-Generation Students of Color in Higher Education, David F. Santos Castillo
Hazing Prevention is “For the Boys”: Enhancing Student Agency in Fraternity Life Anti-Hazing Movements, Kylie Transki
College Athletics and the Exploitation of the Black Body, Nathan Wiggins
Black Panhellenic Sorority Member Experience at the University of San Diego: Finding a Sense of Belonging & Support, Kayla A. Wilkins
Restorative Justice in a Co-Ed Greek-Letter Organization, Olivia Wurzbach
Action Research Projects from 2021
Leadership and Professional Development Amongst Student Interns, Amanda Brown
Coloring in the Grey Area: The Fine Line between Academic and Student Affairs, Mannie Brown
“I Hope Someone Does Something:” Building Capacity for Awareness and Action at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Risa Farrell
Breaking Down Barriers: Using Collaboration to Increase the Accessibility of Campus Resources for Graduate Students, Caitlin Hayles
Fostering acceptance and visibility within Latinx student organizations for LGBTQ+ Latinx-identifying students, Crystal Ibarra
Asian American Undergraduates Sense of Belonging at a Predominantly White Institution, Miso Jang
Promoting Professional Development through Appreciative Inquiry: Aiding the Transition of College Student Employees as Emerging Professionals, Juleane Johnson
Creating a Culture of Assessment to Elevate Students’ Voices, Amber Knight
The Action is Listening: Undergraduate Women of Color & Sense of Belonging at USD, Mayzong Lee
First-Generation Commuter Student Experiences, Heena Lodhia
Para la Comunidad: Centralizing Latinx Scholars at an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, Valerie Mora
Mapping Organizational Culture: Creating a Framework for Change in the Faculty Resident Program at Saint John’s University, Daniel Morgan
Understanding Whiteness and Anti-Racist Attitudes in White Student Leaders, Gabriella P. Rangrej
Career Readiness and the Fraternity and Sorority Experience, Chad Reyes
But What Can I Do? Engaging White Institutional Agents in Anti-Racist Reflection and Practice, Allie Ross
Becoming Aware of the Leader Within: Measuring the Impact of Mindfulness Practices on Leadership Development, Ayumi Tachikawa
"It’s a lot of work to be Native": Using Storytelling to Examine the Needs of Native American Students at the University of San Diego, Kasandra Tong
Linking Extracurricular Involvement and Mental Health, Nicholas Twohig
Understanding and Enhancing the Graduate Admissions Experience For DACAmented/Undocumented Students, Taylor Ulrich
Fostering Sustainable Wellness Practices Through Programming For Residential Education Staff at the University of San Diego, Edith Velasco
The Commuter Student Experience: Building Community at USD, Jocelyn Velasquez
Pulling off the Curtain on the Southeast Asian American Student Experience at UC San Diego, Kathy Vilaysith
Connecting First-Generation Students to Leadership Opportunities, Christian Walker
Key Considerations and Creating Professional Development Opportunities for Staff at USD for Facilitating Healthy Masculinity, Julian Watson
Appreciating Empathy: How Writing Center Collaborations Inform Leadership Development for Student Wellness and Success, Hugo Werstler
Action Research Projects from 2020
Student Success Coaching: Intentional Training for Professional and Program Development, Andrea Aduna
Paving the Way: Enhancing the Transfer Admission Practices at the University of San Diego, Andrew Alsoraimi-Espiritu
Campus Collaboration at the University of San Diego for Student Veterans, Jennifer Castro Garcia
Black Male Student Leadership, Involvement, and Confidence in the Community College Setting, Shanelle Changotra
Onboarding Transfer Students at the University of San Diego, Andrea Garcia
Looking Within The Rainbow: An Action Research Project on The Rainbow Educators, Hannah Gray-Chambers
Immersive Leadership: Creating an Experiential Curriculum to Build our Students' Leadership, Kimberly Guzman
Achieving Student Learning Outcomes Through Intentional Orientation Leader Training Curriculum at UC San Diego, Kelley Kozlowski
First-Gen Mental Health: The Experiences of First-Generation Graduate Students at the University of San Diego, Edith Mendez
Retention of Returning Orientation Team Leaders, Matthew Menor
Fostering Peer Mentorship Amongst Student Conduct Leaders, Gianna Metz
First Generation College Students’ Connection to Campus Involvement at the University of San Diego, Ashley Ortega
Caring for the Whole Self: Analyzing the Relationship Between Graduate Students’ Involvement on Campus and the Onset of Imposter Syndrome, Christian Perez
Leadership Development of Women in Panhellenic Organizations, Kristen Reynolds
Exploring Self-Empowerment Among Women of Color in Education, Adriana Rivas
Recognizing Resiliency in the Experiences of Current and Former Foster Youth in Higher Education, Laura Rivera
Evaluating First-Generation Students’ Career Readiness, Mariana N. Robledo de la Torre
Intentional Curriculum Development for an Introductory Leadership Course at the University of San Diego, Kayla Snow
Exploring the Narratives of Underrepresented Southeast Asian Students in Higher Education, Donna Soukantouy
Connecting the International Experience, Michelle Wong
Intentional Residential Programming for Upper Division Students, Sally Zheng
Action Research Projects from 2019
Empowering Filipino American Young Adults Through Culturally Relevant Leadership Experiences, Donnaly Y. Atajar
Fostering Healthy Masculinity at the University of San Diego, James Beh
Support Services for Formerly Incarcerated Students, Janelle Brown-Peters
Enhancing Racial Allyship at a Predominately White Institution, Breana Z. Clark
Soaring Through Leadership Development, Marisela Cornejo
STEP Into Success: An Exploration of the Impact and Potential of the Second Year Torero Experiential Program, Carlos E. Cortes