Leveraging Interdisciplinary Nutritional Knowledge (LINK)

LINK Scholar Eligibility Criteria

1. Enrolled in a nutrition, health science/public health, or kinesiology program; 
2. Minimum 3.00 GPA; 
3. Incoming CC transfer or Master’s student; 
4. U.S. citizen or national; and 
5. Available for a one-year commitment with enrollment in at least 15 units per semester for undergraduates and 9 units for graduate students.

LINK Scholar Activities

If selected as a scholar the activities listed below are required. No partial participation is allowed. You must be able to participate in all activities listed below.

• Orientation and Training – One-week summer orientation and training on August 9th – 11th, 14th, and 15th, 2023. The training is in-person alternating between CSULB and CSUF.
• Learning Community – Three-hour bimonthly meetings throughout the academic year to receive additional training, professional development, advising, and mentoring. The workshops are in-person at either CSULB or CSUF and take place on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month during the fellowship year, unless there is a holiday conflict.
• Leadership Development – Participation and completion of the CSULB Leadership Academy. The Academy requires 6 workshops across one academic year focused on leadership, congruence and commitment, teamwork and communication, understanding conflict and restorative justice, ethical decision making and society, advocacy, and building communities. Scholars will be required to complete a theory-to-practice reflection paper after completing the workshops. The workshops are held virtually via Zoom for 2 hours generally on the 3rd Friday of the month.  
• Research – Ten hours per week of applied research with a faculty mentor during the second semester of participation (Spring 2024). Schedule is up to the faculty mentor based on research activities and taking into consideration the student’s course schedule.
• Summer Experiential Learning Placement (Externship) – Eight-week, 20-hour per week summer externship with identified government, non-profit, or private organizations to apply human nutrition knowledge in professional settings. The externship takes place in the last two months of the fellowships (June/July 2024).

LINK Scholar Benefits

• Conduct research with a faculty mentor on campus
• Receive training on Latino nutrition and disease prevention, health interventions, and research methods
• Engage in professional development
• Receive leadership training
• Enhance academic preparation
• Engage in a summer applied field experience
• Receive tuition and fees support for one year and scholarship stipend

Application:

• Complete LINK Fellowship Application on Qualtrics (click on the blue arrow icon at the bottom of this page to continue). 
• Unofficial Transcripts from all schools attended. 
• One (1) letter of recommendation from a current or former instructor, advisor, or supervisor (submitted by the recommender via this Qualtrics link).
• A Personal Statement (500 words)
  • Describe why you are interested in receiving training in Latino nutrition and disease prevention.
  • Describe your interest in engaging in public health research. What do you expect to learn?
  • Describe how participating in the LINK Program will help your future education and/or career goals.
• Resume or CV (1 page), including college(s) attended, community service/volunteer and work experiences, and extracurricular activities. 

*All documents should be legible and clean copies in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF. No pictures of transcripts.

Applications are now closed

Workshops

Three workshops per semester will be scheduled at each community college with information on academic majors at the CSUs, transfer requirements, and LINK Program information open to all students interested in majoring in nutrition, health science/public health or kinesiology.

• Long Beach City College
  • To Be Determined
• Fullerton College
  • To Be Determined
• Santa Ana College
  • To Be Determined

Community College Liaisons

Liaisons at each community college will provide advising, mentorship, and assistance with the transfer process to students majoring in nutrition, health science/public health or kinesiology.

• Long Beach City College
  • Jennifer Musick, MPH
    Professor, Kinesiology/Health Education Department
    JMusick@lbcc.edu
• Fullerton College
  • Rita Higgins, MPH, RDN
    Professor, Department of Nutrition and Foods 
    RHiggins@fullcoll.edu
• Santa Ana College
  • Sarah Mathot, MS, RDN
    Chair, Food & Nutrition Department
    Mathot_Sarah@sac.edu
  • Jazmin Hurtado
    Adjunct Counselor/Professor 
    Hurtado_Jazmin@sac.edu 

Santa Ana College – CSULB

• Dietetics_and_Food_Administration - Dietetics (PDF)
• Dietetics_and_Food_Administration - Food Science (PDF)
• Dietetics_and_Food_Administration - Nutritional Science (PDF)
• Health Science - Community Health Education (PDF)
• Kinesiology - Exercise Science (PDF)
• Kinesiology - Fitness (PDF)

Fullerton College – CSULB

• Dietetics and Food Administration - Dietetics (PDF)
• Dietetics and Food Administration - Food Science (PDF)
• Dietetics and Food Administration - Nutritional Science (PDF)
• Health Science - Community Health Education (PDF)
• Kinesiology - Exercise Science (PDF)
• Kinesiology - Fitness (PDF)

Long Beach Community College – CSULB

• Dietetics and Food Administration - Detetics (PDF)
• Dietetics and Food Administration - Food Science (PDF)
• Detetics and Food Administration - Nutritional Science (PDF)
• Health Science - Community Health Education (PDF)
• Kinesiology - Exercise Science (PDF)
• Kinesiology - Fitness (PDF)

1.      Do we need to take the GWAR this semester coming into CSULB?

Continuing students are required to attempt the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) when they have earned between 30 and 50 units.

2.      What’s the difference between the GPE and GWAR?

 GPE is the actual exam you must take, GWAR is the name of the requirement which it fulfills.

3.      Can you talk about needing to be issued permission by specific departments to take a class?

For courses that require department permission, please contact the appropriate department chair via email. They will issue you a permit, you will then be allowed to enroll in the course.

4.      How do I know which classes to enroll in this semester?

You will be receiving an email from CSULB with a list of recommended courses, you must then enroll through your student center. Whenever in doubt, make an appointment with an advisor.

5.      When do we pay tuition?

For students paying out of pocket, tuition is due on August 10^th. Payments are accepted via Student Center. Students who are expecting financial aid to cover their tuition will see this payment go through automatically. For more information visit: https://www.csulb.edu/student-records/tuition-and-fees

6.      Is there a fee if we enroll in courses and then drop the course before school starts?

No, you can drop 2 weeks into the semester with no penalty.

7.      What vaccinations are required for students living on campus?

For a list of required immunizations visit: https://www.csulb.edu/student-affairs/immunizations

8.      What are some other research programs on campus?

Visit: https://www.csulb.edu/office-of-research-and-economic-development/student-research-opportunities

9.      Are all students required to receive the Covid-19 vaccine?

Stay updated with CSULB’s Covid-19 responses at: https://www.csulb.edu/onebeach/reuniting-the-beach

10.   What are some resources for undocumented students on campus?

Visit the Dream Success Center

CSULB Transfer Orientation 

Date: Saturday, April 15th, 2023

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Register at: https://bit.ly/CSULBOrientation

Join us at CSULB for Day at the Beach for prospective transfer students to meet CSULB faculty and staff, learn more about the programs and services offered at CSULB for students majoring in health science, kinesiology, or nutrition, and hear from previous transfer students on how to navigate CSULB after transferring from a community college.

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Name: Andrea Rodriguez (CSULB) 
Major: Health Science, Community Health Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amber Johnson
Poster Title: Understanding African American Women's Health Outcomes through the Discrimination, Sociocognitive Processes, and Cardiovascular Risk Study

Name: Breana Garcia (CSULB)
Major: Health Science, Community Health Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melawhy Garcia
Poster Title: Activating Safe Communities with a Gun Violence Response System in the Washington Neighborhood

Name: Gabriel Velazquez (CSULB)
Major: Master's in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura D' Anna
Poster Title: Sociocultural factors and blunt use: Perspectives of young Black men in Long Beach, CA

Name: Leah Black (CSULB)
Major: Master's in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Iveris Martinez
Poster Title: Tailoring Physician Education to Improve Care for Latinos with Dementia

Name: Shayna Guerra (CSULB)
Major: Kinesiology, Exercise Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kellie Walters
Poster Title: Smart Fit Girls-Afterschool Program's Effect on the Emotional Health of Adolescent Girls

Name: Ashley Heath (CSUF)
Major: Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Grant
Poster Title: Nature in Our Own Backyard for Overall Wellness

Name: Ezequiel Mendez (CSUF)
Major: Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maria Koleilat
Poster Title: WIC Protects Against Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

Name: Karisa Andert (CSUF)
Major: Master's in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Chandler
Poster Title: Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Garden-Based Learning in Elementary-Aged Students Participating in Orange County Alternative Education

Name: Maria Jose Rodriguez (CSUF)
Major: Master's in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tabashir Nobari
Poster Title: CalFresh Participation Among Housing-Insecure Families with Children During the Pandemic

Name: Pauline Lim (CSUF)
Major: Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bo Young Park
Poster Title: Medicaid-WIC Population Associated Pregnancy Outcomes and Complication by Race

Name: Yerenni Tenorio (CSUF)
Major: Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Chandler
Poster Title: Physical Activity Behaviors and Barriers among Home Insecure Youth 

Student Name: Mariana Martinez (CSULB)
Major: Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jackie Dawson
Poster: Effects of Stress on Physical Function between Physical Therapy Students and Undergraduates

Student Name: Nancy Lazo (CSULB)
Major: Nutrition & Dietetics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Virginia Gray
Poster: Understanding Factors Influencing Food Pantry Utilization: A Comprehensive Exploration

Student Name: Rodrigo Parra (CSULB)
Major: Nutrition & Dietetics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melawhy Garcia
Poster: Nutrition and their Effects on Cognition and Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery: A Review of Literature

Student Name: Marlon Zelaya (CSULB)
Major: Nutrition & Dietetics
Mentors: Dr. Melawhy & Patricia Trinidad
Poster: The Influence of Parenting Strategies on Sedentary Time Among Latino Children

Student Name: Selene Tovar (CSULB)
Major: Master in Public Health
Mentors: Dr. Melawhy Garcia & Patricia Trinidad
Poster: The Influence of the Home Environment on Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among Latino Children

Student Name: Melissa Pompa (CSULB)
Major: Master in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeremy Ramirez
Poster: Perspectives of Veterans: Barriers and Facilitators of PTSD Service Dog Handler Training

Student Name: Channel Ruiz (CSULB)
Major: Master in Public Health
Mentors: Dr. Melawhy Garcia & Natalia Gatdula
Poster: The Association Between Immigration Status, Medical Insurance, and Perception of Physical and Mental Health Among Hispanic/Latinx in Long Beach

Student Name: Melanie Gomez Flores (CSULB)
Major: Master in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Selena Nguyen Rodriguez
Poster: Multilevel Influences on Sleep in Latino Children

Student Name: Wendy Fuentes (CSUF)
Major: Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Koren Fisher
Poster: Enjoyment and Engagement in a Community-Based Physical Activity Program Adapted for Underserved Children and Youth

Student Name: Miguel Gonzalez (CSUF)
Major: Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Lockie
Poster: Relationships between Isometric and Dynamic Strength in Resistance-Trained Individuals

Student Name: Juan Hernandez (CSUF)
Major: Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Galpin
Poster: Interaction of Exercise and Birth Control on the Gut Microbiome

Student Name: Ivy Gonzalez (CSUF)
Major: Master in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lilia Espinoza
Poster: Latino Children's Health: Understanding Chronic Disease Risks Beyond Parental Influence

Student Name: Martina Ricabar (CSUF)
Major: Master in Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Daniela Rubin
Poster: Movement Velocity in the Sit-to-Stand Task in Adults with Prader Willi Syndrome

Student Name: Christopher Xolocotzi (CSUF)
Major: Master in Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jared Coburn
Poster: The Effects of a Seven-Day Ketogenic Diet on the VO2max and Body Composition in Physically Active Females