About Us
Graduate Business Career Services Staff
Dr. , Director of Graduate Business Programs, also services as faculty program director for all 4 MBA programs:
- Day-Time MBA
- Evening MBA, including our joint MBA/MFA program
- Online MBA
- Weekend (Saturday) MBA
- Program Director MSA,
- Program Director MSFA,
- Program Director MSIS,
- Program Director MSMA,
Faculty Spotlights
What motivates you the most in your role?
What motivates me the most is seeing how my students grow. Many of them enter the program without a finance background, or they view the program as a way to achieve social mobility. Watching their progress—both academically and personally—is deeply rewarding.
After they graduate, I stay in touch to see where their careers take them, offer support through my network, and connect them with new opportunities. It’s especially meaningful to see alumni begin helping each other and supporting our current cohort—through mock interviews, resume reviews, and informal meetups.
Together, they’re building a strong ecosystem of MSFA students and alumni—a network where each of them starts as a seed and grows into a forest.
What’s one skill every graduate student should develop before entering the workforce?
The most important skill is to be a lifelong learner—to stay curious, stay hungry, stay humble, and stay positive. The learning doesn’t stop at graduation; it only changes form.
After meeting with students over time, I can often tell—without even looking at their transcripts or GPAs—who will thrive in the job market. The difference usually comes down to mindset: those who are genuinely interested and passionate about what they do stand out.
If you remain open to learning, adaptable to change, and driven by curiosity, you’ll continue to grow no matter where your career takes you.
What’s something about °µÍøÊÓƵor its students that inspire you?
Since joining CSULB, I’ve been continually inspired by the dedication of our students. On the first day of class, I always ask them to write a short self-introduction. Through these, I’ve learned that many of our students are full-time working professionals who commute long hours, support families, and finance their own education.
This level of commitment and perseverance is truly remarkable. It reminds me to put myself in their shoes—to understand that when students come to class unprepared or without much practice, it’s not a lack of effort but a reflection of their human limits.
Because of that, I strive to teach in a direct, supportive way and to keep my courses as structured and organized as possible, so that every student—no matter their circumstances—has a fair chance to succeed.
What makes °µÍøÊÓƵGraduate Business Programs special to you?
°µÍøÊÓƵGraduate Business Programs are special to me because they intentionally combine access, rigor, and innovation. The programs recognize that graduate students arrive with diverse academic and professional backgrounds and design support accordingly. Through initiatives such as the Fundamentals for Success course, a 24/7 AI Tutor, and an online tutoring center staffed by highly qualified peer tutors, °µÍøÊÓƵprovides structured support in accounting, finance, and statistics while maintaining high academic standards. This integrated approach allows students to build confidence, competence, and momentum from the start.
What motivates you the most in your role?
I am most motivated by helping students succeed during pivotal moments in their graduate journey. As a first-generation college graduate and former foster youth, I am deeply aware of how impactful the right support systems can be. In my role in Academic Support and Innovation, I focus on developing scalable, inclusive services such as the online tutoring program that supports all MBA students and complements faculty instruction. Seeing students persist through challenging coursework, gain confidence, and apply their learning meaningfully is what motivates me most.
What legacy do you hope to leave within the °µÍøÊÓƵgrad business community?
I hope to leave a legacy of forward-looking, student-centered innovation. This includes helping shape the Weekend MBA into the only °µÍøÊÓƵgraduate business program with a dedicated focus on AI and emerging technologies, while also strengthening academic support infrastructures across graduate business programs. My goal is to contribute to a culture where technology, peer support, and academic rigor work together to promote equity, adaptability, and long-term professional success.
What’s your favorite part of CSULB?
My favorite part of °µÍøÊÓƵis my students. Watching them grow and develop professionally and personally brings me immense joy. Through my teaching and mentoring, I am delighted to contribute to their learning journeys at CSULB. The growth and success of my students help define the meaning of my professional career here.
What’s one skill every graduate student should develop before entering the workforce?
One skill every graduate student should develop before entering the workforce is problem solving. Problem solving is essential because most jobs involve tackling unfamiliar challenges rather than simply executing routines. Today’s workplaces are shaped by rapid technological advancements, shifting business priorities, and unexpected environmental changes or competition. Strong problem-solving skills enable graduates to synthesize and apply knowledge to analyze complex situations, navigate ambiguity, and generate innovative solutions.
What’s a fun fact about you that students might not know?
I caught a big trout on my first fishing adventure this fall. Definitely a proud moment!
What makes °µÍøÊÓƵGraduate Business Programs special to you?
CSULB’s Graduate Business Programs stand out because they foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where faculty, staff, and students come together as a diverse community committed to meaningful learning. I deeply value the program’s emphasis on applied learning—transforming theory into real-world impact—and the variety of professional experiences that students bring into the classroom, which helps prepare them to become inclusive and globally minded leaders.
To emphasize applied learning in my own teaching, I focus on delivering analytical methodologies and theoretical knowledge grounded in both my professional and academic experience. My goal is for every student to clearly understand why we learn, how to apply that knowledge in real business contexts, and what the managerial implications are for the concepts we discuss in class.
What motivates you the most in your role?
I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to mentor and guide students as they realize their full professional potential. At CSULB, our mission is to shape business leaders who excel across profit, nonprofit, and public sectors—and seeing students connect classroom concepts to practical situations, gain confidence, and pursue meaningful careers is incredibly rewarding.
On a personal note, I began the second phase of my own life through graduate education in the United States. Because of that experience, I understand how transformative this journey can be, and I am passionate about helping my students achieve their own goals and dreams through education and perseverance.
What advice do you have for students or alumni navigating career transitions?
Embrace curiosity and consistency—they are the foundations of growth. Every step in your journey brings new challenges and lessons, often in the most unexpected ways. The future is shaped by preparation, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. With persistence and openness to change, you’ll reach your goals—sometimes as you envisioned, and sometimes in surprising but equally meaningful forms.
My own academic journey began in the humanities, studying literature and the history of art. When I transitioned into marketing as a marketing assistant, I encountered many challenges as I learned new skills and perspectives—but those experiences helped me grow immensely as a professional. They also became one of my greatest motivations to pursue my academic path in business after completing a master’s degree in statistics—a subject that wasn’t initially my favorite, but one I knew would strengthen me through challenge.
Sometimes we don’t get to choose our path freely; practical circumstances often guide our decisions. Yet, these very challenges and unexpected turns often shape us the most. Looking back, I’ve come to love what I do now even more than I ever imagined.
Finally, remember that no journey is completed alone. Building meaningful relationships—with peers, mentors, friends, family, and colleagues—enriches your growth. Like in The Lord of the Rings, no great journey is accomplished by one exceptional individual alone; success comes through collaboration, compassion, and shared purpose.
What’s a fun fact about you that students might not know?
Most of my students know I’m passionate about soccer, but what they probably don’t know is that in school I competed in long jump and triple jump at the regional school levels.
What’s one skill every graduate student should develop before entering the workforce?
In the tech field, one of the most important skills graduate students can develop is the ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments, whether that’s incomplete data, evolving system requirements, or unclear business constraints. Successful professionals know how to make progress and deliver results even when all the information isn’t available. Being comfortable with uncertainty, asking the right questions, and iterating toward clarity will set them apart in any information system’s role.
How would you describe the culture in grad business in one word?
Synergistic
What motivates you most in your role?
Watching students turn concepts into decisions that matter keeps me energized. When a student emails to say a framework from class helped them in an interview or at work, it makes my week. Seeing confidence grow from week one to the final presentation is incredibly rewarding.
How would you describe the grad business culture in one word?
Collaborative. Students help each other succeed, faculty are accessible, and alumni stay engaged long after graduation. That spirit makes ambitious projects possible .
What’s something about °µÍøÊÓƵor its students that inspires you?
Many of our students balance work, family, and school while being the first in their family to pursue a graduate degree. Their resilience and generosity set the tone for our community. It reminds me that talent is everywhere and opportunity changes everything.
