StaffCon 2024

Meet the Speakers

Afsaneh Hamedani
Director of Information Technology
Afsaneh Hamedani joined CSUF in 2001 as staff for the Division of Information Technology. Since then, she has served in various roles and capacities. She received her Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the college of Informatik in Gothenburg, Sweden. She has advanced knowledge of Persian and Swedish cultures and proficient in Farsi and Swedish languages. Afsaneh started meditating in 2016. She became a certified meditation teacher in Instinctive Meditation in 2021 and has been teaching it at CSUF since 2022.

Alan Van Fleet
Alan Van Fleet is an interdisciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Fullerton, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Design from California State University, San Bernardino. As the lead graphic designer with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSUF, Alan supports the college’s marketing and communication efforts. In his free time, Alan enjoys pursuing his interests in art, traveling, video games, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with his friends.

Ashley Dean
Licensed Esthetician and Certified Makeup Artist
I'm Ashley "Ace" Dean, a recently licensed esthetician and certified makeup artist, having graduated from Paul Mitchell The School. My personal journey with skin challenges like seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, keratosis pilaris, and persistent acne fueled my quest for effective solutions. Despite trying various skincare products, I often faced new issues, like hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
Frustrated by the lack of representation in beauty advertisements and the limited understanding of melanin-rich skin, I embarked on years of research to discern the unique needs of my skin type. This exploration led me to products specifically designed for my skin, ultimately restoring my confidence to embrace my natural self without makeup.
My goal is to share this empowering experience with others, fostering a sense of comfort and confidence in their own skin. I am dedicated to creating a safe space where clients can trust me with their vulnerability, allowing me to provide personalized care. 

Brian Walkley
Graduate Student Assistant, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Programs

Darcy Anderson
Senior Program Coordinator, Center for Scholars
Darcy Anderson (B.A., M.A. American studies) is a proud first-generation, adult-returning transfer student from a low-income background. She is the Senior Program Coordinator for the Center for Scholars, a part-time lecturer in the Honors program, and a member of the SDC Advisory Board. Darcy works to educate others about how trauma-informed practice can serve students, staff, and faculty alike. Darcy works to be inclusive at all levels through challenging and disrupting systems and ideologies.

Grace Gutierrez
Strategic Initiatives Specialist, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Programs
Grace Gutierrez (she/her) currently serves as the Strategic Initiatives Specialist within the Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Programs. In her role, she helps advance equity and diversity practices across the campus. Prior to this role, she previously served as the Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with The City University of New York, where she managed a scholars program and momentum campaign to improve graduation rates. 
Grace holds a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both earned at CSUF. As a two-time Titan, her academic foundation solidifies her dedication to instigating positive transformations through the power of open dialogue and collaborative efforts. 

Jessica Coats
Corporate Trainer, Empathia
Master's of Science, Psychology
Jessica Coats is a native to Southern California; however, she spent her childhood and adolescent years growing up in Park City, Utah. She studied Psychology at California State, San Marcos and received her Master’s from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Jessica has twenty years of educational and professional experience. Her work experience consists of community-based agencies that deliver highly intensive mental health and family support in homes, schools and communities. In her free time, she enjoys camping with her family and most outdoor activities; skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and biking.

Jonni Taylor
Accessibility Consultant
Jonni Taylor is a former marine, cat mom, a Toastmaster, and a collector of playing cards with over 600 decks and counting.  She has worked in web production and design with an emphasis on web accessibility for over 20 years, in both higher education and private industry.  She currently works with the CSUF campus community on web accessibility, web content editing training, design and content consultations.

Krystal Gallegos
U.S. Bank Officer & Branch Manager
Krystal Gallegos brings a decade of successful experience in the banking industry to the table. She is currently serving as a Branch Manager for U.S. Bank, holding a bachelor’s degree in communications and pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. Beyond her professional life, she is an ardent podcast enthusiast who relishes spending time in the great outdoors whenever possible.

Laura Hooks
Assistant Director, Transfer, Adult Re-entry, Parenting and Pregnant Student Center
Laura is the Assistant Director of the Transfer, Adult Re-entry, Parenting and Pregnant Student center (TAPP) at Cal State Fullerton. Laura was a transfer, re-entry (adult learner), and parenting students so she very much identifies with the students she works with and serves in the center. Prior to working in the TAPP center, she oversaw the campus tour guide at CSUF where she led and trained a student staff of 35 and developed a love for student leader development. Laura believes that part of being an educator is to help students develop professionally and prepare them for life and employment post CSUF. Outside of her work with students, Laura enjoys baking and cooking, and attending her daughter’s collegiate softball games.

Laura Neal
Arts Career Specialist
Laura Neal is the Arts Career Specialist at the CSUF Career Center. She joined the CSUF Career Center in 2001, after a 15-year career in Visual Effects production for feature films, episodic television and theme park exhibits. Laura accumulated credits on such projects as The Abyss, which won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, the successful TV spinoff Star Trek: Deep Space 9 and the renovation of the Autopia ride for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Concurrent with her position in the Career Center, Laura completed her Master’s degree in Human Communications Studies, served 2 semesters as Instructor for the Vis Arts 495 Internship class, and 3 semesters as a co-instructor for University 100 classes. In the spring of 2015 Laura left the Career Center stepped in as Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for the College of Education. Returning to the Career Center in January 2016 to be the Arts Career Specialist, she combines her industry experience and acquired knowledge of communication, student development theory, career preparation and planning to support students and collaborate with campus partners and employers.

Leanna Jasek-Rysdahl
Resolution Education Manger
Leanna Jasek-Rysdahl (she/her) is the Resolution Education Manager at CSUF and has worked at CSUF for the past two and a half years. As part of the DIEP team in HRDI, Leanna works with campus community members to prevent and resolve conflict while building community through conflict coaching, workshops, mediation, facilitation, restorative practices, and community building circles. Leanna’s interest in conflict resolution began when she studied and researched abroad in Budapest and she continued to pursue her passion when she earned her M.A. in Conflict Resolution from the Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. **P.S. - Check out the Restorative Practices Cohort that is held each semester at CSUF to learn more about incorporating conflict prevention in your work!**

Dr. Marcus Dayhoff
Consutant, Empathia
Dr. Marcus Dayhoff -for over 30 years has provided expertise consultation and training EAP services for Empathia/LifeMatters. Based in Anaheim, California, Marcus provides corporate seminars, EAP-employee assistance, trauma response and work/life services. Marcus has a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and is certified as an Employee Assistance and Substance Abuse Professional. Marcus is a member of the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) and is the current president of the EAPA Orange County Chapter.

Matt Badal
Associate Director of Innovation and Data Analytics, Information Technology
Matthew Badal is the Associate Director of Innovation in Information Technology at CSUF. He has been a member of the Titan family as a staff member since 2014 and as a student since 2009. During his time at CSUF he has worked with multiple departments to implement technology to help with everything from day-to-day operations to complete workflow overhauls. He enjoys teaching others about the benefits of technology and does so for the College of Business and Economics where he teaches ISDS 351 - Principles of Information Systems.

Molly Flores
U.S. Bank Mortgage Loan Officer
Molly Flores, a Southern California resident for nearly three decades, is a seasoned mortgage loan officer with a with U.S. Bank with over 30 years of experience in real estate logistics and Mortgage Origination. As a devoted buyer's advocate, she employs creative strategies to facilitate seamless property acquisitions for her clients. Molly has been married for 28 years is a proud mother of two sons in college and two high school foreign exchange students. Beyond her professional and family commitments, Molly has dedicated over 25 years to community service through local non-profit outreach, actively engaging with youth, senior citizens, disadvantaged families and animals in need of rescue. Her unwavering commitment to family, community, and career underscores her passion for assisting others, defining her core values.

Noha Abdou
Director of Institutional Research
Noha Abdou is the Director of Institutional Research at CSUF.  She is a proud alumna of CSUF, receiving her Ed.D. degree in educational leadership. She is a passionate advocate for data-driven decision making anfor diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Her research interests include all areas of student success, in addition to faculty and staff analytics.

Oscar Herrera
Financial Education Specialist, Schools First Federal Credit Union
A Cal State Fullerton Alumni who has was worked in the Financial world for over 19 years. Oscar has worked at banks, a mortgage company, investment firms and a credit union. He brings knowledge and experiences into his workshops of financial education.

Pedro Molina Jr.
Senior Learning Consultant, Kaiser Permanente
Pedro Molina is a Senior Learning Consultant with Kaiser Permanente's Center for Healthy Living supporting our corporate customers through wellness programming and Health Coaching. He has been in the Health and Wellness industry for over 20 years developing wellness programs for corporations and inspiring individuals to live healthier lives.
Pedro is passionate about helping others create the best version of themselves. When he is not at work, he loves to surf the San Diego waves and spend time with his wife and three children.

Philip Vasquez
Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Programs
Philip L. Vasquez is a dedicated educator deeply committed to cultivating equitable and inclusive learning environments. In his current role as the Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Programs at CSUF, Philip directs the department's engagement and learning portfolio. His leadership extends to fostering collaborations across the campus community, strategically aligning diversity and education initiatives with the institution's overarching goals and overseeing staff and management professional development programs.
Philip's journey in higher education began at CSUF’s New Student Programs Office, where he contributed to the institution's commitment to student success. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Philip gained valuable experience through positions at various institutions, including the University of Florida, Iowa State University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various facets of education, including new student orientation, first-year experience programs, intergroup dialogue programming, and the vital realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion education.
Philip earned his bachelor's degree in human services from CSUF. He earned his master's and Ph.D. in education from Iowa State University.

Ryan Zervakos
Senior Account Director-Vertical Markets, LinkedIn

Shannon LeDoux
Employment Compliance Analyst, Risk Management

Yessica De La Torre Roman
Associate Director of Assessment, Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
Yessica is the Associate Director of Assessment at CSUF and leads the campus in assessment, campus-wide surveys, accreditation, and more. Yessica received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Linguistics from the University of California Santa Barbara, her Masters from CSUF in Higher Education, and her Doctorate from the University of Southern California in Educational Leadership. Her research interests include culturally relevant and anti-racist curriculum and practices, closing the education debt, and Latinx student success.