top of page

Mentoring

Alumni

psychology

Community college alumni have successfully transferred to universities and private colleges. 

​

Alumni earn master's and doctorates in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing and degrees in Law.

​

*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.

​

April Thames, Ph.D.

Professor, USC

Alliant Professional School of Psychology, Ph.D. Clinical Neuroscience

California State University at Long Beach

Cerritos Community College

​

"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."

vsanchez@cerritos.edu

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

​

​

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

​

Carlos Salas, Ph.D.

Senior Data Scientist, 360i

California State University at Long Beach, University of Illinois at Chicago, Ph.D.

Cerritos Community College

​

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

  • White LinkedIn Icon

"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."

 

​

jgavidiacounseling@gmail.com

"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."

Psingim@gmail.com

​

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

​

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

Hilda.pozos@gmail.com

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Yuri Trujillo, M.A.

​

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

​

"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." 

pamelape@usc.edu

  • White LinkedIn Icon
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.

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

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

​

University of California, San Diego

Cerritos Community College

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

​

ddrummond@berkeley.edu  For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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.

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

"Attending Cerritos Community College allowed me develop my skills/knowledge further in order to become a better candidate for a 4-year institution."

marilugarcia17@apu.edu  

​

  • White LinkedIn Icon

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

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

​

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

​

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

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.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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

  • White LinkedIn Icon

 

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

 

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Jessica Montoro

Graduate student, Ph.D.

University of Michigan

​

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.”

milton.enriquez@student.csulb.edu

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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.

a.nessa93@gmail.com

​

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

​

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.

tatianaavila87@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

“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”.

 

patsty0025@gmail.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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.

rodriguezztaniaa19@yahoo.com

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

​

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

​

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.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

​

"You are who you are, not what people perceive you as"

cervantes.sandra.magdalena.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

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

afranco213@gmail.com

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. 

casualkevin@icloud.com

​

"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."

dan.murillo89@gmail.com

  • LinkedIn Social Icon
Leo Franco
​
San Francisco State University
Cerritos Community College
Kevin James
​
Menlo Park College
Cerritos Community College
​
 
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.

​

yaritzadelamora@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

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. 

​

lizzetteceja@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Yaritza De la Mora

Program Leader, Aspire

​

California State University,

Dominiguez Hills

Cerritos Community College

Lizzette Ceja

Behavior Therapist, LAUSD

​

University of Southern California, MSW in progress

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Cerritos Community College

​

Francisco Mojica

Shift Supervisor, Starbucks

​

​

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.

anaissamano@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

“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.“

​yolivera@orl.ucla.edu

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Juan Moreno

​

Cerritos Community College

Anais Samano Zamudio, M.S.

Childrens Social Worker, Los Angeles County

​

​

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.

stephenlp7@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

​

For more info, they can follow you on social in a click.

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Yazmin Olivera-Martinez

Admin Specialist, UCLA

​

University of California, Los Angeles

Cerritos Community College

​

​

"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."

arico1552@gmail.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Steven L. Palacios

Founder, Cyberkins.com

​

Cerritos Community College

​

Rudy Nunez

Research Assistant

​

University of California, Los Angeles

Cerritos Community College

Abraham Rico

​

​

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."

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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. 

noemijsalazar@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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. 

aneer212@gmail.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Diego Espinoza

​

University of California, Irvine

Cerritos Community College

​

Noemi Salazar

​

University of California, Los Angeles

Cerritos Community College

Reena Rana

Substitute Teacher

​

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. 

sammiregina@aol.com

​

  • White LinkedIn Icon

"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."

andreafernanda.chirino@student.csulb.edu

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Samantha Zamarano

​

California State University, Los Angeles

Cerritos Community College

Andrea Fernanda Chirino

Research Assistant, PRO-Health Research Program 

​

California State University, Long Beach

Cerritos Community College

Yapheh Ayala M.Sc.

Project Worker with Depaul Charity in Dublin, Ireland 

​

Trinity College, Dublin

California State University, Fullerton

Cerritos Community College

  • White LinkedIn Icon

"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

​

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.

zmlaguerra88@gmail.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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

​

  • White LinkedIn Icon

Ron Macias

Behavioral Therapist

​

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Cerritos Community College

​

Zoila Mendoza

PRO Guide, CSULB

​

California State University, Long Beach

Cerritos Community College

Jacqueline Andrade

​

​

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.

amethystmacaspac@yahoo.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon

"During my time at Cerritos College, Dr. Duff's mentorship was one of the most influential aspects to helping me reach my goals."

sku@email.jfku.edu

  • White LinkedIn Icon

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. 

chrissciguy17@gmail.com

  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Google+ Icon

Amethyst Macaspac

​

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 
​
Loyola Marymount University
University of California, Riverside
Cerritos College

​

bottom of page