The Occupational Education Program hosted an Annual Research Forum and Honor Reception on Thursday, Mqy1st, 2008. A light supper kick started the evening with a warm welcome from program Chair, Dr. Stephen Springer. He introduced Jane Cappe, who gave the Graduate Address. Her address was followed by three Graduate Presentations presented by Mr. Joe Gomez, Ms. Ivette Martinez and Mr. Terence Parker.

Jane Cappe, was a Texas State University-San Marcos MSIS student. Ms. Cappe completed her MSIS degree while holding both full and part-time jobs.

Jane Cappe has been formally recognized as one of the top civilian performers in her Department of Defense agency, was a Dewain Cobb Research Forum award winner, and also received the Department of Technology's outstanding graduate student award.

During her tenure as a graduate student, Ms. Cappe became convinced of the direct cause and effect relationship between the effort expended in the research portion of the MSIS program, and the amount of personal growth and critical skills that resulted.

She addressed the intimate group gathered in the Pedernales building on “What This Means to Me?”. She challenged those present to make a difference where they are at, home, work or play. Those little ripples of change for you today will be the monumental milestones of tomorrow’s success.

Joe A. Gomez, CAD Coordinator for the City of San Marcos Electric Department presented An Evaluation of Transfer and Retention of Training at San Marcos Electric Utilities (SMEU). Mr. Gomez’s project was to determine if a significant difference factor is evident between pretest and posttest given to SMEU employees. Twenty-five employees received classroom instructions and a pre-field training test (pretest). Following six months of field experience, same participants were given an identical posttest. Results will be used to document, evaluate, and provide feedback on the quality of transfer and retention of workplace training of SMEU employees. At present, not specific concerns or problems exist regarding the quality of training; however, management is interested in conducting a formal study to determine effectiveness of training and assist in planning future training. No research has ever been conducted on present training success rate.

Ivette Martinez, Precious Minds, New Connections Program Director and is employed by Baptist Child & Family Service: Health and Human Service. Ms. Martinez presented on the Stress Level of Women Living in Colonia Areas.”Colonias” families are families living in highly impoverished areas along the U.S./Mexico border. Davidhizar, Faan, and Betchel (1999) define colonias areas as having not access to fresh water, sewage hookups, gas, or electric power. The level of stress experienced by colonia women is impacted by the environmental conditions in which they live. Holland (2003) further reports that many [colonias families] live in dilapidated structures that house more than one family, resulting in overcrowding and presumably leading to the spread of disease and to an increased likelihood of interpersonal distress (as cited in Meyer, 2004). Without the support of social services programs, these women may continue to experience undue amounts of stress.

Terence Parker, is currently the Assistant Director of the LBJ Student Center at Texas State. Mr. Parker presented on the Effects of Attitudes Regarding the Retention of undergraduate African-American Students at Texas State University-San Marcos. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors such as student attitudes that contributed to the decline of the retention rate of undergraduate African-American students at Texas State University-san Marcos by administering the campus climate Survey. While working with the Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) Office, the researcher was able to identify the African-American students on campus. After obtaining information about the retention and graduation rates over the last five years, the researcher was able to evaluate what has been the trend. Once the information was collected, the researcher will calculate statistics that will assist in developing data tables for review and study. The researcher will be able to draw conclusions from the study and provide recommendations to the Vice president for Student Affairs on student attitudes affecting retention that will assist in improving retention efforts, as well as enhance the programs and services already in place.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the graduate faculty present, Dr. A. Steven Deitz, Dr. Betty L. Harkins and Dr. Todd Sherron deliberated who would be named the Outstanding Graduate Student as a result of the evenings presentations. Though all the presentations were outstanding, Terence Parker surfaced as the most outstanding of the three graduate presenters, and was thus presented the Graduate Award by Dr. Betty L. Harkins as the end of the evening festivities. Congratulations to all three Joe, Ivette and Terrence on a job well done!