2025 Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners:
Siya Aggarwal and Samuel Cao!
Siya Aggarwal
Siya Aggarwal - The Role of social support in reducing relapse risk among young adults with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Introduction:
Few experiences are as challenging—yet profoundly rewarding—as overcoming addiction. Achieving sobriety often requires immense personal strength and resilience, making each milestone in recovery a moment of triumph. However, the temptation to relapse remains a constant battle, and for those who do relapse, the experience can be devastating, emotionally and physically. Relapse remains one of the most significant challenges in addiction recovery, with studies estimating that 40-60% of individuals in recovery experience relapse within the first year (NIDA, 2021). The high relapse rate underscores the need for effective, evidence-based strategies to support individuals in maintaining long-term sobriety.
Social support is a well-established protective factor in addiction recovery. However, research remains inconclusive on which forms—familial, peer-based, community-driven, clinical, or digital—are most effective for young adults (18–29) with SUD. This study seeks to answer the following research question: Does social support reduce relapse risk in young adults with SUD, and if so, what types of support are most effective? Social support plays a crucial role in mitigating the risk of relapse, but existing literature has yet to clarify how different sources of support contribute to long-term recovery. Young adulthood is a particularly vulnerable period for relapse due to factors such as brain development, social pressures, and transitional life stages, making it essential to determine which forms of support best aid sustained recovery in this demographic.
According to Professor Katy Bruchmann, "The students had opportunities to share their work with classmates a few times: one during a round of peer review where students read each others' reviews and give feedback. Every student that read Siya's paper said to me that they felt like they were reading a published article."
The review committee heartily agrees with this statement. We were especially impressed by the reflective essay Siya submitted, where she went into detail about her research process into the Library databases, the challenges she experienced and how she overcame them. We commend Siya for conducting research using a systematic review method for this project - no small feat!
Congratulations Siya!
Samuel Cao
Samuel Cao - California's Bracero program: Racializing and legalizing Mexican transportation
Abstract:
This paper re-examines California’s Bracero Program (1942–1964) through the critical lens of transportation, arguing that it served not merely as a logistical necessity but as a crucial site of systemic exploitation and racialized harm. While scholarships often focused on other aspects of labor abuse, this piece centers on transportation-related injuries, culminating in the tragic 1963 Chualar accident, as a potent manifestation of racial capitalism and state neglect. Oftentimes, privatized transportation infrastructure contributed to both the physical vulnerability and symbolic dehumanization of Mexican laborers, as a direct result of agribusiness’s pursuit of profit. By reframing mobility as a key mechanism of control and marginalization, this analysis challenges the historiographical silence surrounding transportation and deepens our understanding of labor exploitation within the Bracero Program.
According to Professor Maria Judnick, "Samuel’s research embodies the SCU mission of educating the “whole person, head and heart, intellect and feelings" (Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ) as he tries to tell an ignored story from history, bringing dignity to all the workers involved. "
This is evident in the project that Samuel submitted. We were impressed by the depth of research he conducted - in his reflection, Samuel discussed his inspiration for the project, as well as the research he conducted in library databases and archives. We also recognize the fact that Samuel created a companion digital exhibit, to complement his research.
Congratulations Samuel!