Mentoring
Alumni
psychology
Community college alumni have successfully transferred to universities and private colleges.
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Alumni earn master's and doctorates in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing and degrees in Law.
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*If you are an alumni who would like to included, please email a recent headshot, where you transferred to, current position, and a quote about your experience being mentored to Dr. D. at kduff@cerritos.edu.
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April Thames, Ph.D.
Professor, USC
Alliant Professional School of Psychology, Ph.D. Clinical Neuroscience
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
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"My mentors at Cerritos College saw potential in me that I didn't know that I had. I am grateful for their guidance as they helped me realize my academic life goals and set me on the path of pursuing teaching as my profession."
Veronica Sanchez, Ph.D.
Professor, Cerritos College
University of California, Riverside, Ph.D., Social and Health Psychology
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
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Jaclyn Ronquillo, Ph.D.
Professor, Cerritos College
University of Southern California, Ph.D., Social Psychology
University of California at Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
Daniel Snipes, Ph.D.
Data Scientist, Notch, Co.
California State University at Long Beach, Virginia Commonwealth University, Ph.D.
Cerritos Community College
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Carlos Salas, Ph.D.
Senior Data Scientist, 360i
California State University at Long Beach, University of Illinois at Chicago, Ph.D.
Cerritos Community College
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Rosie Miranda, M.A.
Counseling Faculty, El Camino College
California State University at Long Beach, M.A.
California State University at Dominguez, B.A.
Cerritos Community College
"Cerritos College gave me the educational foundation that led me to pursue a career that I'm passionate about. Additionally, being in an environment that nurtured my creativity and strengths inspires me to stay connected to this community."
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"Cerritos Community College was the perfect place to start my academic career. While at Cerritos Community College I have met mentors that guided my journey and encouraged me to work towards my personal goals."
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Eric Menjivar, LCSW
Internal Behavioral Health Consultant, Kadena AB
University of Southern California, MSW
University of California, Irvine
Cerritos Community College
Juan Gavidia, M.A., LMFT
Patricia Singim, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Private Practice
Antioch University, M.A.
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Bayfront Youth and Family Services, Case Manager
California State University at Los Angeles, M.A.
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Lady Ivory Boyd, M.A.
Green River College, Educational Planner
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Trident International University, M.A.
California State University, B.A.
Cerritos Community College
Virginia Beas, M.A.
Part time instructor,
CHOC
Kathie Sierra, JD
Lawyer
California State University at Fullerton, M.A.
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Loyola Law School
UCLA
Cerritos Community College
For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Yuri Trujillo, M.A.
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Hilda Pozos Flores, M.A.
Part time instructor
California State University at Los Angeles, M.S.
California State University at Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
California State University at Long Beach,M.A.
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Silvia Gutierrez
Graduate Student
California State University at Dominguez Hills, M.A.
University of California at Irvine
Cerritos Community College
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"Attending Cerritos College provided me great opportunity for me to explore possible career paths as I began to plan my future. I consider my professors and classmates a large part of my support system."
THE BOSS
This is a great place to tell people more about yourself and peak their interest.
For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Amanda D. Perez-Ceballos
Doctoral Student, Social-Personality Program
Pamela Perez
MSW Intern for LAUSD in the School Mental Health Department
Rebecca Eskins, R.N.
Dorenbecher Children's Hospital
UC Berkeley, M.A.
UC Berkeley
Cerritos Community College
University of Southern California, MSW
California State University, Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
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University of California, San Diego
Cerritos Community College
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
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ddrummond@berkeley.edu For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Zanjbeel Mahmood
Graduate student
University of California at San Diego
University of California at Los Angles, B.A.
Cerritos Community College
Della Drummond
Summer Bridge Program Coordinator, UC Berkeley
University of California at Berkeley
Cerritos Community College
Yesenia Osuna
Behavioral Health Care Manager, St. Johns Well Child and Family Center
California State University at Dominguez Hills, M.A.
California State University at Dominguez Hills
Cerritos Community College
THE BOSS
This is a great place to tell people more about yourself and peak their interest.
For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
"Attending Cerritos Community College allowed me develop my skills/knowledge further in order to become a better candidate for a 4-year institution."
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Joey An
University of California at Irvine
Cerritos Community College
Marilu Garcia
Retention Support Coordinator,
Azusa Pacific University, M.S. School Counseling
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Jorge Rojas
UCLA, M.A. Social Justice
Universidad Carlos III -Madrid,
University of California, Riverside
Cerritos Community College
Wendy Garmendez
Staff Manager, UCI Law School
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California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
"Mentoring has become an important element of my personal and professional life. The ability of my mentors to positively shape my academic trajectory has motivated me to do the same for my mentees."
lira krystal@yahoo.com
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I met one of my most influential mentors in community college, who instilled in me that I have the agency to achieve personal and professional development. She was the female role model I needed and continue to work closely with.
Sukyi Naing
Graduate student.
University of California at San Diego
Emory University
Cerritos Community College
Amalia Lira
Graduate student
Michigan State University
California State University at Long Beach,
Cerritos Community College
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Laura Castaneda
California State University at Los Angeles, MS, Counseling, School Psychology
University of California at Santa Cruz
UC Center Rome
Cerritos Community College
Oscar Escobar
Graduate Student
California State University at Northridge
California State University at Dominguez Hills, M.A.
Cerritos Community College
Liz Winson
Substitute Teacher
California State University at Long Beach, Teaching Credential
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
" My best mentors have pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and have led me to places I would've never thought of reaching had it not been for their faith in me".
jmontoro@umich
For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Jessica Montoro
Graduate student, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
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University of California at Los Angeles,
Cerritos Community College
Marnie Rose Arcilla
Autism Spectrum Therapies, Authorization Coordinator
Graduate student, MSW
University of Southern California
California State University at Fullertons
Cerritos Communty College
Edgar Perez
Behavioral Interventionist, Easter Seals
University of California at Irvine, B.A.
Cerritos Community College
“The confidence and inspiration I needed to take the next step, came through the guidance and positive feedback from my mentor, Dr. Duff. Never did I have a professor tell me, “You are doing great!”. Those words left a lasting, powerful impact on me.”
Attending Cerritos College was beneficial to me because I gained analytical, communication, and leadership skills. Through the mentorship of Dr. Duff, I was able to gain experience presenting at a conference which led to my passion for research.
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Milton Enriquez
Research Assistant, Graduate student
California State University, Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Angel Perez
Law Student, Northwestern University
University of California, Irvine
Cerritos Community College
Vanessa Altamirano
BUILD Scholar
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
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I have been fortunate to have faculty members who have encouraged, guided, and mentored me so I can become a better researcher in the field of Psychology.
“My mentor impacted my life the moment she believed in my ability to excel as a student. She has become one of my greatest support system throughout my academic journey”.
The guidance I received from my mentor inspired met to believe in myself and continue to achieve my academic goals. Having a mentor throughout my undergraduate has helped me get to where I am today.
Tatiana Avila
BUILD Scholar
Patsy Rodriguez
BUILD Scholar
Tania Rodriguez
BUILD Scholar
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
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With the diversity of students community college, I was able to see that education is not reserved for a younger generation, but also for those who take the initiative and value of what an education can do for you in the future.
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"You are who you are, not what people perceive you as"
cervantes.sandra.magdalena.com
Pauline De la Torre
Research Assistant, CNS
Loyola Marymount University
California State University at Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
John Feri
University of California at Irvine
Cerritos Community College
Sandra Cervantes
California State University at Dominguez Hills
Cerritos Community College
"After enlisting in the Mrines,I feel if I had gone straight to a 4-year university from the start, I may have not been as disciplined or interested
Having a mentor is like having a VIP look into where your future could lead. They know what works and what doesn’t ; that way you learn from failure at double the rate which means in turn means you learn about success in half the time.
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"Deciding to go the community college route was the best decision I could of made academically after high school.Thanks to the well-rounded experience afforded to me at Cerritos I was able to transfer to my dream school and graduate on time."
Leo Franco
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San Francisco State University
Cerritos Community College
Kevin James
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Menlo Park College
Cerritos Community College
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Daniel Murillo, Americorps Program Coordinator
California State University at Long Beac
Cerritos Community College
My mentors at Cerritos College have truly sparked that match inside of me and showed me the love I have today for psychology. They made me realize the potential that I have within me to accomplish my career goals.
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Cerritos College was beneficial to me in a way that I was granted with vast amount of opportunities to explore from. My mentor inspired me to help others, give back, and pay it forward. Therefore, I took on the role of a mentor and guided others when help was needed. A leader who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
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Community college helped me develop collegiate as well as life networking skills and provided me with the opportunity to be inspired by peers and professors as well as strive to inspire others
Yaritza De la Mora
Program Leader, Aspire
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California State University,
Dominiguez Hills
Cerritos Community College
Lizzette Ceja
Behavior Therapist, LAUSD
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University of Southern California, MSW in progress
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Cerritos Community College
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Francisco Mojica
Shift Supervisor, Starbucks
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University of California, Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
The guidance I received from Dr. Duff inspired me to believe in myself and continue to achieve my academic goals.
“Attending Cerritos Community College was the best decision I could have done. I was able to conduct research and present at conferences, build close relationships with professors and find my best friends.“
Juan Moreno
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Cerritos Community College
Anais Samano Zamudio, M.S.
Childrens Social Worker, Los Angeles County
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California State University, Dominguez Hills
Cerritos Community College
The professors at Cerritos College have kept me focused to achieving my short term goals and have helped me find the right path towards pursuing my long term goals. The opportunities that you receive by connecting to the community of the academic clubs are priceless.
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For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.
Yazmin Olivera-Martinez
Admin Specialist, UCLA
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University of California, Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
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"Cerritos College provided the foundation I needed to succeed at a 4-year institution. Through the amazing mentoring I obtained from my professors, I developed the analytical and critical skills I needed to complete my honors thesis."
Steven L. Palacios
Founder, Cyberkins.com
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Cerritos Community College
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Rudy Nunez
Research Assistant
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University of California, Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
Abraham Rico
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University of California, Irvine
Cerritos Community College
"Having been mentored by Dr. Duff had such a positive impact on my life. She inspired me to strive for higher education and provided me the fundamental skills needed for university. My time at Cerritos College allowed me to meet many talented people who shared a passion for psychology and provided many resources to gain real world experience in the field."
At Cerritos College, I acquired many leadership, academic, and research skills. I had access to great mentors with whom I was able to form close relationships and networking opportunities. Without this experience, my transition to university would not have been as successful.
Being mentored at Cerritos College made me realize the importance of having a supportive, wise, and knowledgeable mentor who is truly invested in your success. My mentor's commitment to her students inspires me to follow her example and instill in others that they too have a worthwhile contribution to make.
Diego Espinoza
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University of California, Irvine
Cerritos Community College
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Noemi Salazar
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University of California, Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
Reena Rana
Substitute Teacher
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University of California, Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
The Cerritos college psychology department prepared me so well for the university level that I feel confident going into the ocean of students knowing I won’t sink.
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"Attending Cerritos College was a blessing in disguise. Primarily, because of the support and guidance I received from Dr. Duff and Dr. Gaffaney. The education and research foundation they instilled in me, has followed me even after transferring to CSULB, and will follow me for the rest of my academic career."
Samantha Zamarano
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California State University, Los Angeles
Cerritos Community College
Andrea Fernanda Chirino
Research Assistant, PRO-Health Research Program
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California State University, Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Yapheh Ayala M.Sc.
Project Worker with Depaul Charity in Dublin, Ireland
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Trinity College, Dublin
California State University, Fullerton
Cerritos Community College
"Many teachers here encouraged and motivated me to put my best foot out into the world and not to be scared of what happens after each step. Now I am taking on challenges I never thought I could possibly face on my own and in the process I am networking with awesome people. Thank you Cerritos College, Dr. D, the Psychology department and of course family and friends! “
rmacias2@behavioralhealthworks.com
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My mentors at Cerritos Community College inspired me to grow. They believed in me, they guided me and they cheered me on. I will be eternally grateful for all their teachings.
I grew strength to push myself to reach academic and personal ambitions, which without having professors like Dr. Duff and Dr. Gaffaney who see potential in all their students, I would not have been able to do. jacquelineandrade92@yahoo.com
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Ron Macias
Behavioral Therapist
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California State University, Dominguez Hills
Cerritos Community College
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Zoila Mendoza
PRO Guide, CSULB
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California State University, Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Jacqueline Andrade
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Cerritos Community College
Beginning my journey at Cerritos College really prepared me to rise to the challenge of facing new opportunities head on. I'm grateful for all the mentors I had within the Psychology Department that guided me and solidified my passion in the field of psychology.
"During my time at Cerritos College, Dr. Duff's mentorship was one of the most influential aspects to helping me reach my goals."
When attending Cerritos College I was at a crossroads in my life. I had just received my degree in Biology, but was fascinated by Psychology and Education. Dr. Duff's research course taught me I could mix all fields of study.
Amethyst Macaspac
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California State University, Long Beach
Cerritos Community College
Sharon Ku
Graduate Research Assistant
John F. Kennedy University - M.A. Sport Psychology
California State University, Fullerton - B.A. Psychology
Cerritos College - A.A. Psychology
Christian Padilla, M.A. Education
High School Biology Teacher
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Loyola Marymount University
University of California, Riverside
Cerritos College
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