I grew up in upstate New York near Albany and the Adirondack Mountains. I went to Hamilton College and double majored in Biology and Geology.  From there, I went to graduate school in Geology at Oregon State University.  I recently received a degree in Education Administration from California State University.

After working for an oil company for several years, I left my high-paying job to become a professor and I have never regretted it. I have been at El Camino College for over fifteen years and I think I have the best job in the world

 

For several years, I also have been the director of the Honors Transfer Program (http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/honorstransfer/), which is the program for highly motivated ECC students who wish to transfer to the best universities.  This year, I am president of the Honors Transfer Council of California (http://www.honorstcc.org/), which is the statewide organization of Honors directors and counselors.

 

My favorite activities at El Camino are not part of my two jobs, but they bring me much joy and pride of being part of the students’ extracurricular activities here at the college.  I am co-adviser to several clubs, all of which are organizing fascinating events.  The Science Club goes on big multi-day field trips, the Honors Transfer Club put on a benefit concert for African orphans, the GSA has fairs on the quad, the Recycling Club organizes the Environmental Fairs on campus, and the Native American Club sponsors the big annual  PowWow cultural festival.