2007 Cohort Bios
Jill Baker
Jill Baker is the Audiovisual Librarian for San Diego Mesa College. This position involves oversight of all campus audiovisual equipment in addition to administering audiovisual services for the library. She has been in this position for five years. Prior to that, she was a teacher with the Poway Unified School District for eight years. Previous to that she worked for UCSD, where she held the positions of Manager, Learning Resource Center for the School of Medicine, and Business Officer, Muir College Provost Office. She has also worked in public libraries in Maryland and California.
Jill was the lead writer for the Accreditation Focused Midterm Report for San Diego Mesa College this year, and considers accreditation issues to be a major interest for her. Other areas of interest include library and technology management and career technical training opportunities that integrate K-12 institutions with community colleges.
Jill has been married to Gene Baker for twenty five years. They have two daughters. One is a student in Fashion Design and Art at San Francisco State University, the other just began a doctoral program at UCSD School of Engineering.
Julianna Barnes
Julianna Barnes serves as the Dean of Student Development and Matriculation at San Diego City College. Prior to this, she held a variety of positions in student affairs at the University of California, San Diego and also served as Dean of Student Affairs and Matriculation at San Diego Miramar College.
Julianna holds an MA in Education from the Community Based Block (CBB) program at San Diego State University and a BA in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego.
She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and in her spare time, enjoys running and karate.
Randy Barnes
Randy Barnes has held a variety of positions in the San Diego Community College District. Currently, he is the Dean of Business, Information Technology, Cosmetology, and Consumer and Family Studies at City College. Prior to this he served as Interim Associate Dean, Humanities and Languages at Mesa College, as Associate Dean for Economic and Workforce Development Programs, and as Research and Planning Analyst at the District Office. For over twenty years he has also held adjunct teaching positions, primarily teaching economics at Miramar College. His educational background includes a BA in Economics from UCSD, MBA from National University, and completion of the Leadership North County program at California State University, San Marcos. Randy is married with two children, and lives in Poway.
Reggie Blaylock
Reggie Blaylock has played a dynamic and lucrative role during his 19 years at San Diego State University. Reggie attained his M.P.A. in Public Administration and a B.S. in Public Administration with a (Personnel Emphasis) Sociology Minor at SDSU. He has played a key role at SDSU and within the diverse community designing, establishing, and implementing complex and rewarding programs within the core of SDSU and the public sector. His leadership, initiative, and knowledge have resulted in the direct growth of SDSU as a whole and attained an alliance with the community and its population. His unique and sincere gift of reaching out to all that he comes in contact with has developed a long-standing relationship with academic and public leaders that span beyond San Diego.
Most recently, Reggie has been a keynote figure as the Director of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs and in this significant leadership role, he has implemented and sponsored SDSU’s EOP free workshops on financial aid, college entrance exams, transfer options, parent advocacy and programs for students, especially those with financial need and those who aspire to be the first in their families to attend college.
Patrice Braswell-Burris
Patrice Braswell-Burris earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University in 1997. Two years later, she was conferred with a Master of Arts degree in Deaf Education with an emphasis in Special Needs. Patrice is fluent in American Sign Language. Upon completion of graduate school Patrice was hired as a Deaf Special Needs Teacher with San Diego Unified School District. After years of experience in the K-12 educational system, she applied and was accepted into the San Diego Imperial County Community College Faculty Internship Program, (SDICCCA). Patrice received extensive training through SDICCCA which has assisted her with assuming the role of a Grossmont College full-time faculty member in Disabled Student Services. In addition to her responsibilities as a Disabled Students Programs & Services Specialist, Patrice is also the specialist for the deaf and hard of hearing on her campus. She possesses a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience in working with students who present with a wide range of disabilities at the postsecondary level which include deafness, vision, physical, psychological, and learning disabilities. Patrice is a member of the San Diego Deaf Advisory Committee, co-chair of the Facilities Committee at Grossmont College, and a member of the California Association for Post-Secondary Education and Disability.
Mr. Buckley is currently the Dean of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Exercise Science and Wellness at Grossmont College. He has also been a professor of medical electronics and instrumentation for the past seventeen years. Mr. Buckley earned the president’s leadership award in 2005 and was recognized as Grosssmont College’s distinguished faculty member for 1997-8. Prior to his work in education, Mr. Buckley had extensive technical and clinical research experience working in cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine from 1976 to 1990. His educational preparation has been in the biological sciences with an emphasis in comparative and human physiology. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton.
Gail Conrad
Gail Conrad is presently the Interim Vice-President of Student Services at San Diego Mesa College. She has been the Program Coordinator for Disability Support Programs and Services at Mesa since 1997. The DSPS program serves almost 1000 students with disabilities counseling and instructional support. During her tenure at Mesa College, Professor Conrad has served as the president of California Association on Postsecondary Educators and Disabilities (CAPED) from 1996-1998; the faculty Academic Senate President from 2003-2005; and the Student Learning Outcome Assessment Cycle (SLOAC) Coordinator from 2005-2007. She lives in Rancho Bernardo with her husband, Bob and college age children, Jenny and Robbie.
Tammi Marshall
I have been teaching mathematics at Cuyamaca College for 10 years in which I was chair of the department for four years. For the two years before that I was teaching part time at Cuyamaca College, SD City College, Palomar College, MiraCosta College and SDSU. I am on the board of CMC3 South (California Mathematics Council for Community Colleges) and involved in AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges). When I finish the Ed.D. program I would like to be chair of the mathematics department again which would give me the opportunity to continue teaching as well as take on some administrative duties. Having earned my BA and MA in mathematics I am eager to start this new journey. Personally, I am married to Steve, my very supportive husband, and have two beautiful children, Charlie (4) and Katie (2).
Rechelle Mojica
I have a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (with an emphasis in Deafness) both from San Diego State University. I am the Access Technology Specialist at Miramar College in the San Diego Community College District. I also teach a course in Accessible Computer Technology for students with disabilities and an online College Success Skills course with a disability perspective. My professional goal is to serve in a leadership role that strengthens institutions to meet the challenges of an increasingly diverse student population. I would like to concentrate on creative innovations that will increase student success and the overall institutional effectiveness. My time away from the computer is spent with my three children, Richard, Isaiah and Christiana and my husband Joel. I am also a living organ donor and actively involved in supporting the living donor program.
Jill A. Moreno Ikari
In the last three years, I have taught English composition and literature at three community colleges in San Diego County: San Diego Miramar, Southwestern, and Grossmont. At San Diego Miramar College, I have also worked as acting co-director and supplemental instruction coordinator at The Personal Learning Assistance Center (The PLACe). In addition to teaching and administrative duties, I have also volunteered my services in writing centers, planning committees, curriculum development, and as a judge in student essay competitions at these three community colleges. My professional goal is to become a community college president, and in my journey to become one, I would enjoy serving as a college program coordinator, college department chair, and college dean. My degrees include a Masters degree in Professional Writing from University of Southern California and a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Writing, Literature, and Teacher Education from University of California, San Diego. My personal interests include writing fiction and poetry, riding with my husband on our Harley Davidson, and spending time with family and friends.
Greg R. Sandoval
Education:
- M.A., Educational Administration, Azusa Pacific University - June 1994
- Graduate Courses, SDSU - 1983, 1984, 1991
- University of San Diego Law School (Attended one year) - 1982
- B.A., Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles (Emphasis on Public Administration) – 1976
Prior Work:
- Vice President for Student Affairs, Southwestern College
- Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Southwestern College
- Interim Dean of Academic Information Services, Southwestern College,
- Interim Vice-President of Student Development and Services, Cuyamaca College
- Dean of Student Services, Southwestern College
- Assistant Dean of Student Support Services
- Director, Financial Aid/Extended Opportunity Program and Services/Student Employment Services, Southwestern College
- Director of Financial Aid/EOPS, Southwestern College
- Director of Financial Aid, Southwestern College
- Financial Aid Advisor, Southwestern College
Current Employment/Responsibilities:
Vice-President for Student Affairs
Professional Goal:
To become chancellor of a multi-college district
Areas of Professional Interest/Expertise:
Student development and services, transfer programs, community relations, fund raising, student diversity and underrepresented student population
Areas of Personal Interest/Expertise:
Reading, gardening, sports
Chris Sullivan
I teach in the English Department at San Diego Mesa College, where I am currently the chair. I am an alumnus of San Diego State University, having received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees there, and I am looking forward to studying/working/learning again with SDSU. Most likely, I will focus the majority of my efforts and energy in this program on the big three of the California community college system; that is, access, retention, and success.
I am a native San Diegan, and I live with my wife (who is also an educator) and children in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego.
Lauren Weiner
I am the Director of the Associated Students Administration at UCSD and provide guidance, mentoring, and leadership opportunities for both individuals and groups. I also serve as a liaison between the Associated Students, the campus, and the community to help promote the University and its programs. Before becoming the Director of the Associated Students, I was a Student Organizations Advisor at UCSD and coordinated a wide array of educational programs, including a leadership certificate series. Prior to joining UCSD, I worked at Palomar College with the EOP&S and the GEAR UP grant. In addition to assisting the Director of EOP&S and GEAR UP with student support services and special projects, I made outreach presentations to high school students and coordinated college visits to encourage students to seek higher education. I received a BA in Liberal Arts with a Spanish Concentration from Pepperdine University, where I also participated in its study abroad programs in England, Italy, and Spain. I earned my Master’s degree in Educational Administration/Higher Education at Santa Clara University and am a member of the educational honor society Kappa Delta Pi, the Order of Omega, and NASPA.
Irina Weisblat
Irina Weisblat teaches International Business, Management and Computer Business Technology courses at San Diego Community Colleges as an adjunct instructor. In addition to teaching, Irina has 15 years of business experience, including international sales and marketing, import-export operations, and global logistics management. Therefore, she can truly speak to students from her own experience in the business world. Irina is actively involved in promoting business education, serving as an elected officer on the Executive Board of the San Diego chapter of CBEA, California Business Education Association. Irina holds a Bachelor’s degree in foreign languages from St. Petersburg State University, Russia and a Global Master of Business Administration degree from National University in San Diego, CA. Among other achievements, is her completion of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA) Regional Faculty Internship. She looks forward to having an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the Community College system. She feels confident that the San Diego State University’s Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership will provide her with the skills necessary to be one of the next-generation of community college leaders. Irina is happily married and lives in San Diego.