July 2024 Alumni Clips

He left college to pursue a music career but returned and received his bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge. -- The U.S. Sun

None of that seemed to be on Maquindang’s radar when he graduated from Hart High School back in 2005. He’d go on to study political science at California State University, Northridge, earn his bachelor’s degree there in 2009, then, in 2017, pick up a master’s degree in executive leadership from the University of Southern California. -- Santa Clarita Valley Signal

Connor Newsum has a strong and stable career backing him, and his experience of about a decade makes him highly skilled. The Santa Monica, California resident began working with Signature Parking as an Area Manager in 2015, immediately after finishing high school. He stayed there for about five years before deciding to enroll in college. At California State University, Northridge, he studied journalism and public relations. Even while attending college, Connor continued working to support himself. -- The Cinemaholic

Whitmore grew up in Sacramento and attended Valley High School. She earned a scholarship to Cal State Northridge, where she competed in track in field. -- KCRA

The Lake Stevens, Washington, native was born with a condition called fibular hemimelia, which required doctors to amputate her lower right leg before she was two years old. For most of her life, Holloway Bridge pushed against that disability and jumped headfirst into playing able-bodied sports—excelling in both volleyball and basketball—with her prosthetic leg. She even became the first female amputee to play basketball at the NCAA Division I level at her college, California State University, Northridge. Then, a coach introduced her to sitting volleyball, noting how far she could go in the sport if she embraced her different body and learned to work with it and nurture it. Holloway Bridge did just that, and at age 38, the seasoned outside hitter now has four Paralympic medals (two gold and two silver) under her belt, and is gearing up for the performance of a lifetime with her Team USA this August—all a year and a half after giving birth to her baby girl, Claire, with husband Ryan Bridge. -- Harper's BAZAAR

Jean Pauline Serrano, who goes by Pauline, has worked hard to make the most of this new life, graduating from California State University, Northridge with two psychology degrees, a bachelor’s in 2020 and a master’s in 2022. Jhoanna had aspired to a career in psychology before becoming a single mother in high school. Now, Pauline is honoring her mother’s sacrifices with a $5,000 gift to CSUN to create the Jhoanna Serrano Psychology Scholarship. -- SCV News

Belcher arrives at Light Iron from ITV America, where he served as Head of Finishing Operations and Technology. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of West Coast Picture Operations at Picture Shop, and prior to that, he spent more than 19 years with Technicolor, including 7 years as Senior Vice President of West Coast Picture Operations, overseeing all episodic and theatrical work. Before joining Technicolor, he held various roles at Rainmaker Digital, Digital Domain and Disney’s The Secret Lab. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, Belcher began his career at The Post Group. -- British Cinematographer

Coaching the team along with Paschal, who pitched for both the University of Southern California and California State University, Northridge, and is a former minor league baseball player, are: Anthony Portelli; William Muhilly; Josh Zamora; and Laura Vandecar. -- Santa Clarita Valley Signal

— Parker is a results-oriented finance executive with extensive experience in commercial, corporate and supply chain finance. Currently, the vice president of global supply chain and operations at Aristocrat Technologies in Las Vegas, Parker holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Northridge. He specializes in finance, budgeting and system implementation. -- Las Vegas Business Press

Bookstein is an alumna of the University of California, Los Angeles, and received a bachelor of arts at California State University, Northridge. She went on to attend the University of Southern California where she took part in masterclasses with Gregor Piatagorsky. She also studied with Jacqueline du Pré in 1984. -- The Strad

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

Emhoff was born in Brooklyn to Mike and Barbara Emhoff on Oct. 13, 1964 and raised in Old Bridge, N.J., with siblings Jamie and Andy. When Emhoff was 16, he and his family moved to Los Angeles, Calif. Emhoff earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 1987 at California State University - Northridge and a J.D. from University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 1990. -- Time Magazine

He graduated from the California State University, Northridge, in 1987 and obtained a law degree from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. Emhoff opened his law firm in 2000, which he sold in 2006. He worked in Washington, D.C., and California as a partner for DLA Piper in 2017 but stepped down when Harris became vice president. -- Desert Sun

Daniel: My name is Daniel, and I’m 64. I was born in Oxnard, and I had an excellent childhood. Mom was a social worker and Dad was a contractor. I was valedictorian of my senior class. I went to Cal State Northridge on a baseball scholarship — played shortstop. Loved my classes. Paula Abdul was in one. I was sharp in math, but I wanted to play pro baseball and concentrated on that so much I didn’t finish. I still have four or five classes to go. After college I worked for an electrical company. I’d made contacts with all these contractors because they sponsored the summer leagues. When work was slow, I took jobs with Ferro’s, a framing contractor. That was steady work for seven years. But I got tired of the Valley and moved back to Ventura, where I was a mortgage lender — construction loans, refinancing. Because of my math skills, I was good at it but I didn’t care for it. There’s no base salary. Everything’s commission. Some months I’d make $8,000, some months nothing. -- Gulf Today

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has just announced the appointment of a new principal at Malibu High School. Dr. Adam Almeida will assume his new role August 1. Almeida replaces Patrick Miller who was promoted to a district position as director of assessment, research, and evaluation. Dr. Almeida is a familiar face at MHS where he served as assistant principal from 2019 to 2022. While at Malibu High, Dr. Almeida was involved with curriculum and instruction, special education, facilities and operations, project-based learning and career tech education pathways, student activities, athletics, and discipline. Dr. Almeida is an educator of more than 25 years. He most recently served as an assistant principal at La Canada High School and part-time lecturer and mentor to aspiring teachers at Cal State Northridge. “Dr. Almeida’s familiarity with Malibu High, staff and the community, combined with his educational experience make him a perfect fit for this position,” said Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton. “We welcome him back to the SMMUSD family!” -- The Malibu Times

In 1987, Doug graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies -- The U.S. Sun