Dr. Kelly McDonald is a STEM education specialist whose research examines the impacts of inclusive academic practices and interventions related to STEM teaching and learning. With a proven track record for obtaining National Science Foundation (NSF) funding and overseeing large interdisciplinary programs, she was selected to join the UNIDOS (meaning "together") leadership team on a proposal to create an HSI Center for Community Coordination - one of two Centers recently funded by the NSF. The team, comprised of faculty and administrators from Sacramento State, Florida International University, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras, and Valencia College, received the news in September that they had been awarded $7 million over 6 years to build a center that supports HSI institutions and HSI grant awardees across the country to: Develop stronger synergies among HSI institutions through  opportunities to collaborate and network, build capacity by sharing best practices and developing future HSI leaders, identify pressing needs, challenges and opportunities for HSIs through listening sessions, working groups and councils of experts, and create a robust communication strategy to amplify the work of the HSI community.

Dr. Julian Fulton and his team work to address environmental challenges through "participatory science," which brings diverse communities of participants into the research process along with academic and government scientists. "The goal is to more equitably distribute the benefits of science, both in terms of process and outcomes. Specific to our recent grant from USEPA, we are working on the challenge of aquatic trash, which threatens human and environmental health around the world in places like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and more locally along California beaches and waterways like the American River."

Plastic trash breaks down in the environment into micro-plastics, which have been found in water everywhere and will be around for generations. Fortunately, most aquatic trash originates as on-land litter that can be managed and captured before rain events wash it into storm drains, which in turn, flow into our local waterways. This is exactly what cities across California are now required to do, but they need a lot of on-the-ground data and well-designed studies to understand how their actions- like placing more trashcans, launching public awareness campaigns, or street sweeping- affect the overall rates of trash in their stormwater systems.

"Sacramento State and many of our community partners have a strong history of service doing litter cleanups along the American River Parkway and in local neighborhoods, so we try to add elements of STEM training and data collection to collaborate with cities on better trash science and management. The cities can get a better outcome and participants get education and career training while doing volunteer work that is meaningful and fun."

ORIED Research and Proposal Development Director, Shannon Rexin, and Interim AVP, Mariappan "Jawa" Jawaharlal, gave a short, heartfelt speech to thank the members of their staff for their continued and unwavering support. Though their work is fairly behind the scenes when it comes to research, their contributions and guidence are nonetheless appreciated when it comes to faculty furthering their research. Following their 'thanks', The President gave a rousing speech to further thank the researchers, "those who are dedicated to supporting the research enterprise, and enriching the lives of the students that we serve." Everyone raised their glasses for a toast, followed by an applause. The remainder of the night was dedicated to more mingling and catching up, before ending around 6:45pm - 7:00pm.