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�鶹��Ƶ will host its 10th annual Scholarly and Creative Works Conference, April 16, in Guzman Hall. This one-day event honors undergraduate and graduate students' research and creative works. It showcases student research papers and posters, creative writing, artwork, dance, and music performances through presentations to a live audience.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary, �鶹��Ƶ welcomes distinguished alumni keynote speakers, Dr. Noelle Lara ’13, Sandivel Torres Garcia ’13, and Salvador Chávez ’16, MS ’17. Each speaker recently reflected on their �鶹��Ƶ Experience and its lasting impact on their lives.

For more information about this year’s conference, please visit the Scholarly and Creative Works Conference page.

Noelle (Matthew) Lara, PhD

What impact has �鶹��Ƶ made on your personal and professional life?

My experience at �鶹��Ƶ University has greatly impacted me and continues to influence me to this day. Professionally, I was introduced into the world of research and psychology starting in my first year of undergrad. I was able to participate in collecting, analyzing, and presenting research and developed close relationships with my psychology professors who provided unique insight into graduate school and the process of becoming a psychologist. I believe it was my involvement in presenting and publishing research during my undergraduate years that helped me stand out and be accepted into a graduate program right out of college. I am now a licensed clinical psychologist and I do not believe I would have had the knowledge or confidence to pursue my Ph.D. right after college if it was not for my time at DU. Personally, I made some of my very best friends while at DU who are still a very large part of my life. They were bridesmaids in my wedding and are active aunties to my son. I left DU with friendships that will last a lifetime.  

Why do you feel participating in hands-on research & scholarship is an important part of a college career?
I believe hands-on research and scholarship is important during college because it immerses students into the reality of research. It allows students to understand what research involves, provides knowledge to then interpret other research, and introduces students to a glimpse of what a career in research would involve. 

What research/scholarship were you involved with at �鶹��Ƶ?
I do recall participating in research regarding information retention for closed-book, open-book, and cheat-sheet exams very early on in my undergraduate career with Dr. Bill Phillips. I was involved in data collection, data analysis, research presentation at conferences, and the publication of an article. This gave me hands-on experience on all the different aspects of research that helped me tremendously in graduate school. It also gave me the confidence to take on a very involved honor's thesis: The Extent to Which the Bystander Effect, Peer Influence, and Moral Identity Influence the Expression of Pro-Social Behavior.

If you worked with community partners, who were they and what did you gain from the work?
I completed several internships and volunteer programs during my time at DU, but I believe the most influential community partner I worked with was Saint Vincent's School for Boys. I started working there to complete my internship requirement to graduate, and my time there actually inspired my career path. I worked with high risk foster youth who were placed in this group home setting. The boys I worked with were very young; five-eight years old, and many of them had lived through significant trauma prior to being placed at Saint Vincent's. I witnessed first-hand the impact of the trauma through working with the boys, and I also learned that many of these kids ended up in the juvenile justice system and then the adult justice system when they grew older. This impacted me greatly and inspired me to pursue an emphasis in forensic psychology in graduate school. I also believe that being paid in this internship provided me with a taste of financial independence in young adulthood and I worked at Saint Vincent's full time for approximately six months after I graduated college and before I attended graduate school. 

What advice would you give today's �鶹��Ƶ students about making the most of their undergraduate or graduate experience at the university?
Time truly flies, and I would recommend being as present as possible during your time at school. Soak in all the relationships and experiences that you can. My time in undergraduate and graduate school were amazing and I didn't realize just how amazing it was until it was over. I also recommend learning about how to become financially literate as early as possible. You can do this by talking to professors, talking to financial advisors, listening to podcasts, reading books, and watching videos on YouTube. 

Sandivel “Sandi” Torres, MSW

What impact has �鶹��Ƶ made on your personal and professional life?
�鶹��Ƶ has influenced my life personally and professionally. I met some of my closest friends here; one of them is now my husband! Professionally, DUC helped me build a strong foundation. With support from my professors and mentors, I developed important clinical and leadership skills which I have built on since my graduation in 2013 (Go Penguins!). When I was a freshman, it was the first time that I took time to understand my values, thoughts, and emotions. Honestly assessing my strengths and areas for growth has allowed me to understand how to work with others. As a first-generation student, I didn't know anyone in my personal life who had gone to college. It is part of why I deeply valued being an involved student. I wanted to live my time at DUC to the fullest. I learned so much from everyone around me, and I got to meet professors and mentors who could guide me when I needed support.

Why do you feel participating in hands-on research and scholarship is an important part of a college career?
Had it not been for �鶹��Ƶ, I may never have discovered my passion for research.  My professor and mentor, Bill Phillips, was who introduced me to the research process. He first asked me to enter data into excel, then collect data, and eventually practice administering surveys. Having everything broken down into small steps helped me understand the big picture. Before long, I was presenting data at conferences like WPA and APA. It was so much fun. When it came to designing my own research project as a junior and senior, I got to envision it before even starting. I understood how research and statistics influence culture. I got to decide what story I wanted to tell.

What research/scholarship were you involved with at �鶹��Ƶ?
Studies that I remember from my time at DUC include: inattentional blindness, 6 degrees of separation, and my own project on women's clothing choices & self-image. At DUC, I earned my position as the work study student at the Psychology Department, president of Latinos Unidos, honors program. I also taught art through the Art Department, and travelled to learn about cultures (Paris, Uganda, Italy).

If you worked with community partners, who were they and what did you gain from the work?
I collaborated with Latinos Unidos and Canal Alliance. Together, we founded the Latinos Unidos Canal Alliance mentorship program. We brought high school students to campus, gave them tours, hosted BBQs for them, and provided tutoring. Our goal was to make college and university a familiar and attainable idea.

What advice would you give today's �鶹��Ƶ students about making the most of their undergraduate or graduate experience at the university?
I encourage students to take the initiative and personalize their education experience at �鶹��Ƶ. Learning can feel effortless when we study topics that genuinely interest us. I encourage students to become involved, ask many questions, collaborate with other students, help each other, and find mentors who can guide them. 

Salvador "Sal" Chávez, MS-HAIL, MS, OTR/L

What impact has �鶹��Ƶ made on your personal and professional life?
I continue to carry �鶹��Ƶ in all things that I do! As a student I was heavily involved as a student ambassador, orientation leader/mentor, served two years on ASDU, and volunteered with Latinos Unidos, DSOTA and Campus Ministry. After graduating, I have served on the alumni board of directors for the last five years and am the current president for the board. I also am a clinical instructor for occupational therapy students and continue to work regularly with the OT Department. �鶹��Ƶ provided me with the opportunity to pursue a college degree as a first-generation college student and ensured that I would be successful as a student and after graduating. �鶹��Ƶ fostered lifelong friendships that I continue to have today and provided me with professional mentorship connections with professors that I am still in touch with now. It instilled the �鶹��Ƶ ideals of community, service, study, and reflection that continue to guide the work I do today as a registered and licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) working in a non-profit, community-based hospital with adults battling mental health issues.

Why do you feel participating in hands-on research & scholarship is an important part of a college career?
The opportunity to participate in hands-on research and scholarship as a college student is invaluable and can help set the stage for your career after graduation. Working in healthcare specifically, understanding research and evidence-based practice and its relevance as an occupational therapist ensures that I am providing the best care I can to my patients. Your experience can also support your future endeavors including graduate school, publishing professional work, and advancing your profession. My previous experience with my evidence-based capstone project in OT school laid the groundwork for when I went back to school last year to pursue my second masters and completed an evidence-based quality-improvement project for UCSF. My work on �鶹��Ƶ Scholar is still viewed and referenced today and it is the first professional publication I have on my LinkedIn and resume.

What research/scholarship were you involved with at �鶹��Ƶ?
My evidence-based capstone project was part of the requirements for successful completion of my Master of Science in occupational therapy program at �鶹��Ƶ. I was in a group of four that focused on fall prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults in Marin County. We completed ride-alongs with paramedics and conducted a needs assessment to identify what gaps we could help address to better support this population. We reviewed occupational therapy assessments, interventions and education and provided in-services at two senior resource fairs in San Rafael and Novato. We presented our capstone project and findings at the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) Conference and the Scholarly Work Conference as a poster presentation in fall 2015/spring 2016 before graduating.

If you worked with community partners, who were they and what did you gain from the work?
We worked with first responders/paramedics and two organizations dedicated to providing resources and services to older adults in Marin County. Working with these community partners allowed us to understand first-hand the current work that was being done for this population and identify what was needed to support current efforts and keep older adults safely in their homes. Professional networking was an important aspect for us as occupational therapy students where we learned to advocate for our profession and its importance in fall prevention and aging in place. The experience of also going through the process of creating a final product that was accessible and could be used in the future was a profoundly deep and satisfying experience as future healthcare workers. Being able to contribute to the current evidence that is available for our profession and advancing knowledge further enriched our learning and instilled in us the value of being lifelong learners and the importance of evidence-based practice in the field.

What advice would you give today's �鶹��Ƶ students about making the most of their undergraduate or graduate experience at the university?
My advice is to fully take advantage of the resources that are available to you, from professors who are leaders in their fields, to service-learning and the �鶹��Ƶ Experience, to clubs, mentorship opportunities, internships, and study abroad, �鶹��Ƶ prepares you to be an ethical leader and global citizen. I understand that the work can be overwhelming, especially as a first generation Mexican-American and college student, navigating the college experience was an additional challenge that I faced as well as fearing that I wouldn’t be able to afford to attend college. �鶹��Ƶ leveled the playing field and ensured that I had a seat at the table even when I questioned my abilities and was overtaken by imposter syndrome. The reality is that I did deserve to be here and so do you! And this is only the beginning. Remember that the unknown is an equally scary and exciting place to be in. You do not have to have it all figured out at this moment. Give yourself the grace and compassion that you deserve as you work to achieve what you dream of. �鶹��Ƶ will be the foundation from which you will grow and achieve amazing things. Whether its liberal studies, healthcare, business, political science, dance, or any other amazing program that is offered, the knowledge, life skills, �鶹��Ƶ ideals, and scholarly work that you gain/create during your time on campus will support your path past the walls of the university. Lastly, remember that Penguins seek and thrive in communities, and you will do the same! Find your flock, your community, a group that shares your values and will support you during this time in your life. Here’s to your success!