Hi Kevin,
This forum is more UK than US oriented so that probably explains why you haven't been overwhelmed with responses !
Your best bet would be to contact the editor of US Flying magazine as they are bound to be able to give you good advice:
Flying Magazine - Contact Us
Or the US magazine 'Plane & Pilot' has some excellent writers whom I'm sure will assist:
Contact Us | PlaneAndPilotMag.com
Maybe an even quicker way would be to telephone around various FBOs (fixed base operators) at local airfields to get a general consensus - 20 minutes on the 'phone and you should have all the information you need. Try the following link:
Airports in/near Sacramento CA
Best of luck with your senior project - hope it all goes well
Drambuster