Student Participatory Action Research & Knowledge (SPARK)

The Center for Equitable Higher Education (CEHE) SPARK Program catalyzes student-led participatory action research (PAR) to address college student basic needs across California. Through hands-on research and collaboration, students help shape advocacy and improve policies and practices that support basic needs, ensuring all California college students have the resources to succeed.

Program Structure

SPARK teams are student researchers working alongside campus faculty leads or community-based organization (CBO) staff, with support and guidance from CEHE.

The program is built around below three core components:

SPARK Skills: 

SPARK builds students’ capacity as researchers and leaders. Through training, technical assistance, and peer learning, student researchers gain and enhance foundational skills and knowledge in participatory action research and student basic needs. A central feature is the monthly Learning Community Convening, which brings together students, faculty, and CBO staff to:

  • Share updates, celebrate wins, and troubleshoot challenges.
  • Collaborate with other teams and community stakeholders.
  • Stay current on research, strategies, and resources related to student basic needs.

SPARK Inquiry:

Each team designs and implements an original PAR project focused on student basic need security in their local context. Students are actively involved in all phases of the research process from generating research questions to data collection, analysis, and dissemination. These projects produce grounded, student-led knowledge that elevates the real experiences of college students.

SPARK Action: 

Students translate research findings into advocacy and policy recommendations. This ensures that student-led research directly contributes to action, helping to improve programs, services, and policies that affect students’ ability to meet their basic needs and thrive in higher education. 

Meet our SPARK Staff

 

women smiling

Yadira Maldonado, MSW

Yadira Maldonado, MSW, is the Associate Director of CEHE and SPARK Program Director. She earned dual degrees, B.S. in Biology and B.A. in History from UC San Diego, and completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at CSU Long Beach in 2023. Yadira joined CEHE in 2020. She sees basic needs research as a necessary avenue for systemic change; guided by the voices of those most impacted by social injustice. With over 10 years of research experience, she has served in roles including research assistant, project manager and clinical research supervisor. Yadira supports the CEHE Executive Director in coordinating multiple projects, overseeing data collection and analysis, and mentorship of student research assistants.  

woman smiling

Jessica Wolin, MPH, MCRP

Jessica Wolin, MPH, MCRP, is Faculty Lead of Research and Impact for CEHE, SPARK Program Faculty Consultant, and Lecturer and Director of Graduate Practice in the Department of Public Health at San Francisco State University (SFSU). She has over 30 years of experience as an academic, agency leader and consultant, working with communities and local government agencies to develop, implement and evaluate health strategies. Her research and practice work focuses on place-based strategies, systems change initiatives, the intersection of housing and health and student basic needs. Her work embraces the concept of “research justice” – supporting communities to create, own and wield all forms of knowledge.

woman smiling

Kenya McCloyn, MPH

Kenya McCloyn, MPH, is the CEHE SPARK Program Coordinator. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from California State University, Long Beach, and earned her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology from California State University, Northridge in 2020. Kenya joined CEHE in 2025, bringing over four years of experience in project management across roles such as research assistant, epidemiologist, clinical project manager, and community needs assessment consultant. She is deeply committed to advancing accessibility and promoting equity within the basic needs landscape. In her current role, Kenya supports the CEHE Associate Director in the coordination and implementation of the SPARK program. Her background in public health and her passion for equity continue to inform and strengthen her contributions to the CEHE team.

Meet our 2024 - 2025 SPARK Teams

 

Chico State SPARK Team 

Dr. Stephanie Machado is a SPARK CSU Faculty Partner and an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health and Health Services Administration at CSU Chico. 

Student Researchers:

  • Abbie Duval - Senior, Major: Public Health
  • Carina Plechaty - Senior, Major: Public Health
  • Caroline White - Senior, Major: Public Health
  • Kue Vue - Senior, Major: Public Health
  • Lotanna Onwuazombe - Senior, Major: Public Health

CSU Long Beach SPARK Team

Judy Jou, PhD, is a SPARK CSU Faculty Partner and an associate professor in the Department of Health Science at California State University, Long Beach.

Student Researchers:

  • Andrea Barahona - 2nd year MPH graduate student
  • Chris Truong - 1st year MPH graduate student
  • Dani Bayonne-Gill - 2nd year MPH graduate student
  • Olivia Amalfitano - 1st year MPH graduate student
  • Stephanie Perez Martinez – 2nd year MPH graduate student

Follow us on Instagram for SPARK team updates.

Together, we’re building a future where research, advocacy, and student voice drive solutions to basic needs challenges in higher education.