Leveraging Interdisciplinary Nutritional Knowledge (LINK)


The LINK Program was a collaboration between five Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in Southern California: two 4-year universities, California State University (CSU) Long Beach and CSU Fullerton, and three 2-year community colleges (CC) including Fullerton, Long Beach City, and Santa Ana Colleges. The LINK Program promoted the success of 26 underrepresented (UR) students in the food and human sciences professional and scientific workforce emphasizing Latino nutrition through outreach, mentoring, education, support services, research, and professional internships with community partners.

Funder


Award #2021-77040-34904


LINK Scholar Activities Chart

 

Image
LINK Scholar Activities Chart

Program Goals

  1. Increase number of UR undergraduate and graduate students graduating
  2. Increase knowledge of nutrition, food and human sciences
  3. Increase capacity to apply nutritional science and promotion
  4. Develop leadership abilities
  5. Increase awareness of nutrition and health sciences/public health majors and careers
  6. Align HSI efforts to support transfer student academic development and success

Program Activities

黑料网 Day at The Beach

Workshops for Transfers

Date: Saturday, April 11th, 2026

Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: KIN 058

Register at: 

Join us at 黑料网 for Day at the Beach for an opportunity to explore 黑料网 and all it has to offer. The campus wide event starts at 9am. We'll offer workshops in collaboration with the Department of Health Science to share about programs available for public health/health science students and hear directly from transfers students on navigating the transition to a 4-year university. 

Agenda starting at 11am:
Transfer Student Panel - Meet and learn from former transfer students currently completing their degree at 黑料网.
Student Opportunities for Transfer Students  - Learn about the opportunities including the HSC-PHIT Certificate and the Beach EDGE 4+1 program.

HSC-PHIT: Discover how the 黑料网 HSC-PHIT Certificate can equip you with in鈥慸emand skills in data analytics, emerging technologies, geospatial mapping, and digital health. In addition, learn how to qualify for an internship that gives you real-world experience. This workshop will provide a road map of how PHIT prepares students to tackle public health challenges using technology, with courses covering data-driven decision鈥憁aking, health information systems, and tools that support community health. Whether you鈥檙e a freshman or transfer student, come see how PHIT can open doors in public health, informatics careers, in local, state, national, and global organizations.


Beach EDGE: Discover how you can accelerate your path into public health leadership through the Health Science Department鈥檚, Beach EDGE 4+1 program. This pathway allows motivated students to earn both their B.S. in Health Science and Master of Public Health (MPH) in just five years. Participants will learn how the program works, what courses and requirements are involved, and how the accelerated structure supports career readiness in community health education. Whether you鈥檙e curious about graduate school or eager to make an impact in public health, this session will provide an overview of the program that offers to advance your education and expand your professional possibilities.

Image
Day at the Beach Workshop Descriptions

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.

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鈥檚 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 鈥 One-week summer orientation and training on August 9th 鈥 11th, 14th, and 15th, 2023. The training is in-person alternating between 黑料网 and CSUF.
  • Learning Community 鈥 Three-hour bimonthly meetings throughout the academic year to receive additional training, professional development, advising, and mentoring. The workshops are in-person at either 黑料网 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 鈥 Participation and completion of the 黑料网 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 鈥 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鈥檚 course schedule.
  • Summer Experiential Learning Placement (Externship) 鈥 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: Applications are now closed

  • 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
  • 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

 

Image
L B

Leah Black, 黑料网

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Community Health Education

 

Image
Breana Garcia 黑料网.jpg

Breana Garcia, 黑料网

Major: Health Science
Option: N/A

 

Image
S G

Shayna Guerra, 黑料网

Major: Kinesiology
Option: Exercise Science

 

 

Image
A R

Andrea Rodriguez, 黑料网

Major: Health Science
Option: Community Health

 

Image
G V

Gabriel Velazquez, 黑料网

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Community Health Education

 

Image
K A

Karisa Andert, CSUF 

Major: MPH, Public Health 鈥嬧嬧
Option: General Health Promotions & Disease Prevention

 

Image
A H

Ashley Heath, CSUF 

Major: Public Health
Option: N/A

 

Image
P L

Pauline Lim, CSUF 

Major: Public Health
Option: General Studies Concentration

 

Image
M J R

Maria Jose Rodriguez Rios, CSUF 

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Disease Control and Prevention

 

Image
E M

Ezequiel Mendez, CSUF 

Major: Kinesiology
Option: Strength & Conditioning

Name: Andrea Rodriguez (黑料网) 
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 (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
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 

 

Image
 Maria Cutino.jpg

Maria Cutino, 黑料网 

Major: Health Science
Option: Community Health Education

 

Image
 Mariana Martinez.jpg

Mariana Martinez, 黑料网

Major: Kinesiology
Option: Exercise Science

 

Image
 Nancy Lazo.jpg

Nancy Lazo, 黑料网

Major: Nutrition & Dietetics 
Option: N/A

 

Image
 Rodrigo Parra.jpg

Rodrigo Parra, 黑料网

Major: Nutrition & Dietetics 
Option: Nutritional Science

 

Image
 Marlon Zelaya.jpg

Marlon Zelaya, 黑料网

Major: Nutrition & Dietetics 
Option: N/A

 

Image
Melanie Gomes Flores.jpg

Melanie Gomez Flores, 黑料网

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Community Health Education

 

Image
 Melissa Pompa.jpg

Melissa Pompa, 黑料网

Major: MPH, Public Health 鈥嬧嬧
Option: Global Health

 

Image
 Selene Tovar.jpg

Selene Tovar, 黑料网

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Community Health Education

 

Image
 Channel Ruiz.jpg

Channel Ruiz, 黑料网

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Community Health Education

 

Image
 Wendy Fuentes.jpg

Wendy Fuentes, CSUF

Major: Kinesiology
Option: Physical Therapy

 

Image
 Miguel Gonzalez.jpg

Miguel Gonzalez, CSUF

Major: Kinesiology
Option: Sports Studies

 

Image
 Juan Hernandez.jpg

Juan Hernandez, CSUF

Major: Kinesiology
Option: Exercise Science

 

Image
 Ivy Gonzalez.jpg

Ivy Gonzalez, CSUF

Major: MPH, Public Health
Option: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

 

Image
 Martina Ricabar.jpg

Martina Ricabar, CSUF

Major: Masters in Kinesiology
Option: Exercise Physiology

 

Image
 Christopher Xolocotzi.jpg

Christopher Xolocotzi, CSUF

Major: Masters in Kinesiology
Option: Strength and Conditioning

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

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

Student Name: Rodrigo Parra (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
Major: Nutrition & Dietetics
Mentors: Dr. Melawhy & Patricia Trinidad
Poster: The Influence of Parenting Strategies on Sedentary Time Among Latino Children

Student Name: Selene Tovar (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
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 (黑料网)
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

 

Image
Dr. Melawhy Garcia

Melawhy Garcia, PhD, MPH
黑料网 Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Science, 黑料网
Melawhy.Garcia@csulb.edu

 

Image
Dr. Lilia Espinoza

Lilia Espinoza, MPH, PhD
CSUF Principal Investigator
Associate Professor
Department of Public Health, CSUF

 

Image
Natalia Gatdula

Natalia Gatdula, MPH
Program Manager
Center for Latino Community Health,
Evaluation, & Leadership Training
Natalia.Gatdula@csulb.edu

 

Image
Dr. Selena Nguyen-Rodriguez

Selena Nguyen-Rodriguez, PhD, MPH
Evaluator
Associate Professor
Department of Health Science
Selena.Nguyen-Rodriguez@csulb.edu