August 2024 Alumni Clips
NUZEE, INC. Announced Change of Senior Management and Adding New Business
Mr. Randy Weaver has held various senior management positions, such as the Chief Financial Officer at Microcomputer Memories, Inc., Chief Financial Officer at Bimbo Bakeries USA , President and Chief Financial Officer at Natural Alternatives International, Chief Financial Officer of Neptune Wellness Solutions, Inc. and President of Reinvention Unlimited, Inc. Mr. Weaver received an undergraduate degree from California State University- Northridge and a graduate degree from the University of Santa Monica. -- Placera
Elizabeth Dorssom Receives the 2024 Michael Brintnall Teaching and Learning Award
Dr. Dorssom earned a Political Science PhD in American Politics and Public Policy and Administration from the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri. Prior to receiving her PhD, Dr. Dorssom received a BA in Women’s Studies from Chatham University and an MPA in Public Sector Management and Leadership from California State University-Northridge. Dr. Dorssom has been recognized for her innovative and technologically-advanced pedagogy by multiple teaching awards from the University of Missouri and Lincoln University of Missouri. -- Political Science Now
The Missing Piece: How Writing Middle Grade Helped Solidify My Cultural Identity, a guest post by Ashley Granillo
Ashley Jean Granillo is a Mexican American writer and educator hailing from the San Fernando Valley. She has her BA and MA in Creative Writing from California State University Northridge and holds her MFA in fiction from the University of California Riverside, Palm Desert. She is also a member of Las Musas, a collective of Latinx authors whose gender identity aligns with femininity. Her short story “Besitos” was featured in Where Monsters Lurk & Magic Hides, a Latine/x short story genre anthology. Cruzita and the Mariacheros (Lerner Publishing) is her debut middle grade contemporary novel. -- Teen Librarian Toolbox
Fighting for Safe Jobs, Part Five: After the Explosion
In part four, Factor pursued her master’s in the Environmental and Occupational Health program at Cal State Northridge, and soon she found herself working for Cal/OSHA. There she discovered a community of like-minded colleagues and learned the ropes of how to investigate safety violations in different industries. -- Alta Online
Valley 200 – 2024: Julian De Salay
De Salay is a sales executive with more than 20 years of experience. He graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in international business management. De Salay started his sales career with Infiniti selling cars. After graduating college, he worked for Countrywide Home Loans. Just before the 2008 financial crisis, he left Countrywide to assume the role of vice president of domestic sales and customer service at Printing Technologies Inc., an office supply wholesaler in Chatsworth. After teaching high-level sales to IT professionals and working with small dealers, he realized a segment was underserved. He and his best friend, Brian Borna, co-founded JB Office in 2012 to fill the need. -- San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Valley 200 – 2024: Mike de Vere
de Vere has served as chief executive of Zest AI since January 2020. The company was founded in 2009 with the mission of broadening access to equitable lending. Located in Burbank, it’s one of the fastest growing fintech companies in the U.S. de Vere first joined Zest AI in September 2018 as chief operating officer. Prior to that, he worked for Nielsen, where he held the title of managing director, consumer insights and innovation. He’s also served in leadership roles at Harris Interactive, Radius Financial Inc. and J.D. Power and Associates. He is a graduate of California State University, Northridge. -- San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Valley 200 – 2024: Seyed Sajjadi
Sajjadi’s background includes a tenure as a robotics and systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he contributed to significant projects like the Europa Clipper and CADRE/PUFFER missions. He is recognized for his contributions to the tech industry, including being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 for Manufacturing & Industry in 2023. Sajjadi is a a founding member of the Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM, supporting underrepresented students at CSUN, from which he is a graduate. -- San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Valley 200 – 2024: Adi Livyatan
Livyatan is an agent at brokerage firm Rodeo Realty’s Sherman Oaks office. Specializing in luxury homes, particularly in the San Fernando Valley, Livyatan averages sales over $300 million each year. She has won her company Presidents Circle Elite award a number of years and is one of a very few to win the Chairman’s Award – the highest accolade possible at the firm for her production in 2022 and 2023. She is a graduate of California State University, Northridge, where she originally pursued business law. She embarked on her real estate journey with her husband, initially flipping houses. She continues to specialize in newly constructed properties and collaborates closely with developers. Livyatan is also actively involved in the Jewish community. -- San Fernando Valley Business Journal
FOR THE RECORD
Joseph Ayala, a prospective candidate for Area A on the Simi Valley Unified School board, is a proposal director for a data analytics company and a lecturer at Cal State Northridge. He is not the same person as Joe Ayala, the labor union leader who ran for mayor in 2022, as stated in our article last week listing individuals who pulled nomination papers to run in local races. Also, SVUSD trustee Kareem Jubran was elected for a partial term in 2018; he was not appointed. -- Simi Valley Acorn
CLARISS GUCE POSTS LOW SECOND ROUND IN PORTLAND
Epson Tour member, Clariss Guce saw one of the lower rounds of the day, signing for a bogey-free 66. The 34-year-old has spent time on both the LPGA and Epson Tours this year and feels confident teeing it up amongst the best in the world because of her time and experience on the Road to the LPGA. Friday’s low score saw Guce jump from 17th to a share of fourth, putting the California State University, Northridge alumna in a position to chase the leaders on Saturday and Sunday, something she’s familiar with on the Epson Tour. -- Epson Tour
“Rest in Peace”: Travis Kelce’s Ex Mourns Tragic Death of LeBron James’ Designer as Kayla Nicole Pens Emotional Message for Waraire Boswell
An alumnus of California State University at Northridge, Boswell’s journey began in the bustling halls of talent agencies. “I started thinking about the future,” he once said as per the Hollywood Reporter, “and I realized my business isn’t scalable.” This forward-thinking approach led him from United Talent Agency and William Morris Agency to the quiet corners of his Koreatown workshop, where he honed his craft. -- Essentially Sports
Former Antelope Valley Press writer Semchuck, 75, has died
Semchuck earned an associate degree in communications, media print and broadcast from College of Lake County in Illinois. She studied at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She transferred to California State University, Northridge, where she earned her journalism degree. -- Antelope Valley Press
Valley 200 – 2024: Rebecca Lienhard
Lienhard is the chief executive of Sunland-based Tierra del Sol Foundation, which provides education, workforce development and other assistance to people with developmental disabilities. Since joining the agency in 1990, she has served as the key spokesperson at local, state and national venues. Lienhard is a member of the StandOut Client Advisory board at The Marcus Buckingham Co. and serves on the board of the Valley Economic Alliance. She is also a member of three California Department of Developmental Services Workgroups. She has a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC and a master’s degree in special education from California State University, Northridge. -- San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Five Potential Candidates Have Pulled Papers for San Fernando City Council
Strickler grew up in Sylmar, received a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a minor in journalism from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and recently graduated from Pepperdine University with a master’s degree in social entrepreneurship and change. -- San Fernando Valley Sun.
The comeback queen: actor Joan Chen on self-doubt, success, savagings – and a second chance at 63
By the time she was 18, Chen was one of China’s biggest movie stars after the release of Little Flower and Hearts for the Motherland, both fervently patriotic dramas released in 1979; the latter included a scene in which Chen belted out the (still incredibly popular) song I Love You, China. But in 1981, aged 20, she decided to move to the US to study film-making at California State University, Northridge. -- Richard Hartley
Wayland Filmmaker Earns GBH McGhee Fellowship
GBH’s 2024-2025 Peter S. McGhee Fellow is:
Michelle Mizner: Mizner is an Academy and Emmy Award-winning documentary film producer and editor. For over a decade she has been on staff at FRONTLINE PBS, working to craft compelling narratives from archive and original footage while meeting the high editorial standards of the series. She has also produced podcasts and multiple acclaimed interactive web documentaries. Most recently, Mizner edited and produced the feature documentary 20 Days in Mariupol (2023, directed by Mstyslav Chernov) which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. She attended film school at California State University, Northridge.
Patch Wayland, MA
COC Administrators Fiero, Coleal to Retire
After earning her associate degree from Antelope Valley College, Coleal earned her bachelors of science degree in accounting from California State University, Los Angeles, and her master’s degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge.”
SCV News
Child stars who quit Hollywood fame including Shining Twins and Malcolm in the Middle actor
Former actor Ross Bagley, 35, starred in 46 episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alongside Will Smith and played Nicky, the youngest member of the Banks family. However, after a few appearances in TV shows, he quit acting and studied at the California State University, Northridge.
The Mirror, United Kingdom
This Kinder, Gentler Bill Collector Is Helping People Keep The Lights On
Even before graduating from Cal State Northridge, she worked as an organizer for SEIU Local 715, which represents service workers, knocking on doors of home health care workers, urging them to vote for a union contract. By the time she was 27, she was executive director of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, representing over 100 unions and 100,000 workers.
Forbes Magazine
Palo Alto sitting volleyball champion takes on fifth Paralympics
When Katie Holloway Bridge began her first year at California State University, Northridge, she just wanted to prove herself — and she did.
Palo Alto Online
Santa Clarita Community College District Board Election Candidates Announced For Key Areas
Michelle Kampbell recently returned to college to complete her higher education, earning her Bachelor’s in Public Administration Management with Honors from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), in 2023. This achievement was made possible because College of the Canyons was accessible to her as a working parent, allowing her to complete the classes needed to transfer.
KHTS
Keynote Address to Kick Off Latine Heritage Month at Pasadena City College
Dr. Garcia holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from California State University, Northridge, a master’s degree in college student personnel from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Pasadena Now
Hart alum prepares for exhibition match with Angel City
Hart alumna Destinney Duron has not played a match in her hometown since her Cal State Northridge soccer days.
Santa Clarita Valley Signal
The Inner Circle acknowledges, Chiye Onodera Duffy, MPT, C/NDT, CIMI as a Top Pinnacle Professional
A dedicated professional, Mrs. Duffy holds two bachelor's degrees, one in health education from California State University, Northridge, and another in life science from Loma Linda University. She furthered her education with a master's degree in physical therapy from Loma Linda University. Her commitment to excellence is evident through her certifications as a Pediatric Neurodevelopment Therapist and Infant Massage Instructor.
PR Newswire
Doug Emhoff Readies for His Big Moment
Emhoff, 59, was raised in New Jersey and moved to California when he was a teenager. After graduating from California State University, Northridge in 1987, he studied law at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. For the next three decades, he had a high-powered career in corporate law that focused on representing companies in media, entertainment and intellectual property cases.
Time Magazine
John C. Fremont Healthcare District Welcomes Three Esteemed Physicians to Enhance Inpatient and Emergency Services in Mariposa
Dr. Ehsan Hazrati joins our team with a robust foundation in internal medicine, characterized by his commitment to patient-centered care. JCF Dr Hazrati AcuteHe earned his Medical Doctor degree from the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School. His academic journey also includes studies in Germany and California State University of Northridge.
Sierra Sun Times
SBART Hall of Fame: Sari Small Led the Way for Generations of Women at Carpinteria High
She continued playing extramural sports when she attended Cal State Northridge from 1965 to 1968. There, she played on women’s basketball and field hockey teams.
Noozhawk
Upper Valley Aquatic Center appoints new head swim coach
Blum is a graduate of California State University, Northridge, where he was a Division I swimmer.
Vermont Business Magazine
MMI’s Jennifer Novotney appointed Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Originally from Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Novotney has an extensive background in education, having taught English and coordinated the Gifted and Talented Program within the Los Angeles Unified School District. After relocating to Northeast Pennsylvania, she taught English, writing, and literature courses at Penn State University, Misericordia University, and Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from California State University Northridge, a Master of Arts in English from Northern Arizona University, and a Pennsylvania Instructional Credential in both English (7-12) and Library Science (PK-12).
Times Leader
The Tragic Story Behind the Murder of Comedy Legend Phil Hartman
Despite being born and raised in a large family, Hartman admitted he didn’t get the love and attention he desired. His family moved to the United States when Hartman was 10. In High School, Phil Hartman often loved to act as the class clown. An early interest in the performing arts saw him study art at Santa Monica City College. Although he dropped out, he returned to school three years later, in 1972, to study graphic arts at California State University, Northridge.
TV Overmind
Angel City Football Club's Match Preview and Game Notes Ahead of International Friendly Match
Like many Liga MX Femenil teams, FC Juárez's roster boasts a number of Mexican-American players, including five- Enya Hernandez, Annia Mejía, Janelly Farías, Destinney Duron, and Jasmine Casarez- from Southern California. Three of those players also played collegiately in California: Duron at Cal State Northridge, Farías at UC Irvine, and Mejía at Cal.
Our Sports Central
Who Is Doug Emhoff? Everything to Know About Kamala Harris' Husband
He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from California State University, Northridge and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.
Newsweek
Messiah Bright scores a hat trick as Angel City routs FC Juarez in friendly
FC Juarez’s roster featured four players with Southern California ties: Destinney Duron (Santa Clarita, Hart High, CSUN), Annia Mejia (Bloomington, Bloomington High), Jasmine Casarez (Moreno Valley, Canyon Springs High) and Janelly Farias (Moreno Valley, Rancho Verde High, UC Irvine).
Los Angeles Daily News