Alumni News

Fasching 2008

Brittany Anderson (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004). Pursuing Ph.D. in Latin American Literature with an emphasis on women writers at the University of California, Riverside, where also a Teaching Assistant.

Arturo Araiza (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2003). Serving on tour of duty in Iraq, where he earned field commissions and rank of Captain.

Emi Ashida (Industrial Engineering, 1996; student of Japanese). Worked for Deloitte Consulting (Sacramento office), specializing in the public sector in technology integration projects. Pursued MBA and studied in public affairs leadership program. Email.

Argelia Barcena (Architecture 1999; minor in French). Project Manager for residential project (California) and hospitality project (Central America), affiliated with architectural firm (San Francisco). Email.

Tiffany Barry (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2003). Worked for a relief agency in Guatemala, assisting children and teaching English. Now runs scuba diving and island tour business in Puerto Rico.

Adam Bartlett (Business, 2001; minor in Spanish). Merchandise planner for Gap Inc., living in San Francisco. Email.

Lia Bettinelli (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007) is substitute-teaching Spanish 1-4 and English Language Development at Napa High School. Member of Modern Languages and Literatures Advisory Board.

May 2008 Banquet

Vivian Bryant (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2001). Writer and artist, working in Arroyo Grande. Supports and promotes art and creative writing in local grammar schools.

Kristen Budde (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2005). Works at Capital Research, a mutual fund company. Pursuing Masters degree in International Education and teaching credential in English and Spanish at University of San Francisco. Email.

Alison Burns (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2002). Taught German and English at private high school in Austria. Now lives in Málaga, Spain.

Kelly Cope (Journalism, 2006; minor in French). Recent article, "Winter Graduates Face Life After College," in Mustang Daily. Email.

Russell DuBrowa (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004). Currently 2nd Lieutenant in Infantry Branch of US Army Officer Candidate School. Hopes to become Forward Area Officer in US Army. Email.

Julia Duncan (Modern Languages and Literatures, YEAR?). Leads and develops active travel vacations in France, Italy, and the United States for Backroads. Email.

Victor Enriquez (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2001). Earned M.A. in Second Language Acquisition from Monterey Language Institute. Worked as Spanish teacher with migrant workers in California Central Valley. Earned BCLAD certificate from Cal Poly and currently teaches 5th and 6th grades in King City, California.

Patrick Evans (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2005). Currently teaching English in Japan. Email.

May 2008 Banquet

Alex Flores (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2006). Accepted to University of Washington Hispanic Masters Program, where he will also be a teaching assistant. Email.

María Garcia (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2002). Completed FBI training. Enrolled in Master's in Public Policy program at Cal Poly.

Jacqueline Garza (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2002). Member of Modern Languages and Literatures Advisory Board. Email.

Lindsey Goldberg (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007) recently studied education, environment, and community building at Islandwood as part of her coursework towards an M.A. in Educational Theory at the University of Washington. Member of Modern Languages and Literatures Advisory Board. Recently wrote via email:

Summer in Seattle makes all the rainy and gray days worth it! I have recently moved into the city after spending 10 months on Bainbridge Island, where I completed a graduate residency program, in Education, Environment and Community. I am now teaching at The Meridian School in Northeast Seattle, where I get to teach, play with and learn with students in third through sixth grade. This fall I will begin working at University Prep with their Global Education Program. I am really excited for this opportunity to work with older students, UP is middle school through high school. This position blends my passions for culture, languages, travel, education and building communities locally and globally. I hope to continue to weave the many different experiences I have been blessed to have over the past couple of years into my personal and professional endeavors. I will be working on my M.Ed at the University of Washington in the fall. I have no travel plans currently that will take me out of the country, as I am finding it important to experience the seasons change in this wonderful place.

For both current and aspiring MLL students, I want to share with you all, that I cherish my memories of the time I spent at Cal Poly as part of the MLL community. The opportunities and support afforded to me through the program were priceless and have played a large part in getting me to the place I am today.

I invite you all to ask questions of your colleagues, your professors, of yourselves and of the greater San Luis Obispo community. We arrive at understandings of ourselves and of the world by simply asking.

Remember it is about the journey!

Paul Goldberg (Modern Languages and Literatures & TESL certficate, 2006). Paul is an Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by the Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande, California in district 5240. In 2006 Paul graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Modern Languages and Literature and a certificate in teaching English as a second language. He went on to spend a semester teaching linguistics and English as an intern professor at INACAP, a national university in Chile. Prior to being awarded the Ambassadorial Scholarship, Paul was working as a Firefighter for the Pismo Beach Fire department, and a basic life support instructor and translator for Action Safety Education. Paul is also a member of the Flying Samaritans and has interpreted for American doctors while performing medical procedures in Mexico. He is currently studying at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. He has been part of an effort to create a non-profit organization called Scholars for Schools which builds libraries and computer rooms in under-funded public elementary and middle schools in the Valparaíso region of Chile; he hopes to involve US and Chilean Rotary clubs, community volunteers, and other university students to improve the access to the literacy resources necessary for a successful education. "Poly Grad Helps Kids Hit Books in Chile." South America, Take Two! Member of Modern Languages and Literatures Advisory Board. Email.

Collin Hester (Modern Languages and Literatures, YEAR?). Attending Office Candidate School for the United State Coast Guard. Hopes after successful completion of OCS to be commissioned as an Ensign in the Coast Guard. Email.

Kristine Holley (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004). Community Economic Development Volunteer for Peace Corps in Dominican Republic. Works with Mahatma Gandhi Foundation as primary project. Email.

Eugenia Hurlbut (Biological Sciences, 2004; minor in Spanish). Medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, FL. Involved in the International Medical Society. Plans to travel on medical missions to South America. Email.

David Jeffcoach (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007) won the Sonia Sandoval Memorial Modern Languages and Literatures Award for demonstrating passion, self-expression, and artistry and was thus recognized at the 2007 annual MLL Awards Banquet.

David Jeffcoach accepting his award in Spring 2007 from Dr. Gloria Velasquez

Nancy Jones (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004). Working for LN Legal Consulting Group in Los Angeles. Plans on attending law school in Fall 2007. Email.

Jacqueline Kuhn (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007) partipated in USAC in Alicante, and volunteered in a non-profit fair trade shop.

Jacqueline Kuhn outside non-profit fair trade shop, Alicante

Ben Leinweber (Computer Engineering, 2004). Began studying Japanese at Cal Poly. Then went to Waseda University to continue his studies. Participated in JET program by teaching at Shibayama Elementary School for two years. Will be attending University of Washington's Technical Japanese Program. Email.

Jaclyn Lude (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007). Is an English-language teaching assistant in France during the 2007-08 academic year, living in Niort (Académie de Poitiers). Blog. Email.

Jacyln Lude speaking during Commencement 07

Susan Mallanche (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2005). Works for Lexus-Nexus in San Francisco.

Carley Poole (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2002). Teaches Spanish at junior high school in Santa Rosa.

Mayela Ramírez (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2000). Works for Social Services in Santa Barbara, assisting Latino community. Also volunteers in Family Court as interpreter.

Amanda Prevel Ramos (Biological Sciences, 2002; minor in Spanish). Lives and works as a wildlife biologist in Anchorage, Alaska. Studies fisheries and marine mammals for LGL Alaska Research Associates, a private ecological research firm.  Plans to pursue a master's degree in fisheries from the University of Alaska. Email.

Diana Ross (Schoenberg) (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2000). Teachers Spanish at St. Joseph's High School in Santa Maria.

Rosalie Delos Santos (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2005) is the Marketing and Sales Coordinator at Language Weaver in Marina Del Rey. Language Weaver’s automated machine translation is based on statistical algorithms through the analysis of parallel data (pre-translated document and original document) thereby producing a more natural- sounding and fluent translation. Language Weaver is prominently utilized by the government, language service providers, and large commercial enterprises whose need for a translation solution outweighs human translation resources and cost.  Rosalie’s role in Language Weaver is mainly comprised of global marketing, coordination of events, exhibitions at various conferences around the US, and training of the Language Weaver software. Rosalie recently received a Localization Certification through CSU Chico to learn and demonstrate competency in the emerging international e-business field.

Jason Schmidt (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2003). Teaches Advanced Placement Spanish at Arroyo Grande High School.

Eden Simonds (Art and Design, 2006; minor in French). Currently living in Paris. Hopes to continue work as as artist (which includes glass-blowing). Email. Blog.

Matt Sutter (History, 2006; minor in German). Currently pursuing Social Science teaching credential at Chico State, with supplemental authorization in German Language. Teaching World Geography and US History as part of Phase II of credential program. Email.

Kathrin Theumer (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2002). Lecturer of Spanish at Cuesta Community College and Cal Poly. Will begin Ph.D. program in Fall 2007 at University of California, Santa Barbara. Email.

Jeffrey Tuhtan (Civil Engineering, 2004). Master of Science student at University of Stuttgart, working on thesis on the economic optimization of small hydropower. With colleagues, has made online learning platform for Civil and Environmental Engineering. Encourages students interested in a German exchange program to contact him. Email.

Jeffrey Tuhtan doing what he does best?

Kevin Van Houten (Modern Languages and Literatures; minor in Business, 2005) is enjoying married life in Pasadena and studying in the MA-TESOL program at Cal State Los Angeles. He is currently a track & field coach and substitute teacher in San Marino USD, working mainly with secondary Spanish, Special Education, and ELD classrooms, though occasionally gets to play with preschoolers! He is also 'living the dream' as an FAA Certified Flight Instructor, sharing his passion for flying with students of all ages. Member of Modern Languages and Literatures Advisory Board.

Leslie Van Meel (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2005) is focusing on her ESL teaching through Cuesta College's community business programs, continues to expand her small business, WORLD2U, and will open California Pacific Language School in September 2007. Email.

Cara Wells (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004). Worked in hotel restaurant management in San Luis Obispo for 2 years following graduation. Then decided to return to school. Currently in second semester at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, pursuing M.A. in Teaching Foreign Language (Spanish) with possible certificate in Language Program Administration. Plans on graduating in December 2007. Email.

Clayton Whitt (Social Sciences, 2004; minor in Spanish). Currently serving in the Peace Corps in Bolivia, helping with sanitation issues. Email.

 

 

* Cal Poly Alumni Association *

PolyLink is Here! Are you 'In' Yet?
PolyLink, Cal Poly's Online Community, is here and live at www.calpolylink.com. Did you get the e-mail with your first-time login ID code? PolyLink is the top online social network for connecting with other Mustangs. Cal Poly has always enjoyed a strong tradition of alumni hiring alumni, and PolyLink is the place to post your professional information, career milestones, and let other alumni know you're looking for a career move -- or you're looking to hire. It's also a secure place to post photos and reconnect with former classmates. And, if you log in and create your personal profile page by Oct. 15, you could win an iPod.
Click Here to find out more about PolyLink,
safe social networking -- and the iPods

Didn't get the e-mail with your personalized first-time login ID? Look for Cal Poly Magazine in your mailbox next week Sept. 24-27). If you are alumni, your first time login ID code will be printed on your label, and you'll find instructions inside on how to use it.

Current Students

*****

Please help us build on our strengths

Willy and Vreni Borner, parents of Cal Poly student Nicole who minored in German, helped supplement Cal Poly funds to make our cutting-edge Polylingual International Research Center become a reality. How might you help future students of Modern Languages and Literatures?

Contacts: Brian Kennelly (Chair, Modern Languages and Literatures); Eileen Joseph (Director of Advancement, College of Liberal Arts); Linda Halisky (Dean, College of Liberal Arts).