:: Alumni and Student Updates::
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.
Argelia Barcena (Architecture 1999; minor in French). Project Manager for residential project (California) and hospitality project (Central America), affiliated with architectural firm (San Francisco).
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.
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.
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). Recently completed Master of Arts in Teaching( University of San Francisco), and is now a full-time Spanish teacher at Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, CA.
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.
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.
Julia Duncan (Modern Languages and Literatures, YEAR?). Leads and develops active travel vacations in France, Italy, and the United States for Backroads.
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.
Alex Flores (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2006). Accepted to University of Washington Hispanic Masters Program, where he will also be a teaching assistant.
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.
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.
Joshua Hardester (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004) is currently serving with the Peace Corps on an indigenous reserve in
Costa Rica. He is working with children, youth, and families and will be
there until May 2011.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nancy Jones (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2004). Working for LN Legal Consulting Group in Los Angeles. Plans on attending law school in Fall 2007.
Jacqueline Kuhn (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007) partipated in USAC in Alicante, and volunteered in a non-profit fair trade shop.
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.
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).
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.
Marquel Ramirez (Modern Languages and Literatures, 2007) notes that learning about different languages, cultures, and their interactions has helped her realize that not all is fair and just in the world and that we must do something to change it for the better! In an email of 17 November 2008, she writes:
"I hope you are doing well! It has been a crazy past three months helping to get Barack Obama elected. I took an election job with a non-profit organization called Progressive Future (www.progressivefuture.org). It is an organization that does issue advocacy to get things done. They're under the same umbrella of organizations as MoveOn.org and the Community Voters Project.
My election adventure took me from Boston to Michigan to Ohio to Las Vegas and now, I'm back in California.
It feels really great to be a part of such a historic election. I have met so many great people with whom I worked. We all went through the same struggles and worked for one great cause. It's an amazing feeling!
And now I am back here at home near San Diego... looking for another job. I'm searching the non-profits and staff positions with Congressmen/women in northern California, Los Angeles, and the DC area. So far, I've had a first round interview for a position with the Institute for Community Leadership in Oakland. There's also an office manager position for which I'm excited to apply, at the National Fair Trade Coalition in DC.
Thank you for all your influence, counsel, and teaching! Keep in touch!"
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amy Wevodau (English, 1998; minor in Spanish; MA Creative Writing Lancaster University 2002) married Kevin Malskeit (BS Accounting, BIOLA 1996, MBA University of Denver 2002), a Sr. Financial Analyst at Oppenheimer Funds, on 18 April 2009. After six years in the secondary classroom, she is now working as a writer and instructional designer, doing freelance work and writing a young adult novel.
Clayton Whitt (Social Sciences, 2004; minor in Spanish). Currently serving in the Peace Corps in Bolivia, helping with sanitation issues.
Congratulations to the following students (recognized at the 28 May 2008 Awards Banquet)
* Sami Schermerhorn, Sonia Sandoval Memorial MLL Award
* Sonja Perry, Scholarly Essay
* Brittany McKinney, Essay
* Kelsey Turner, Spirit
* Asia Croson, New Student of the Year
* Justin Gradek, Student of the Year
Current Students
Greg Altmann will be interning at Daimler-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany.
Kimberly Anderson (Modern Languages and Literatures) is participating in USAC in Alicante, is volunteering at local school, "La Florida," and is an active participant in the conversation partner program.
Cayla Broun (Modern Languages and Literatures) attended the Cal Poly Valladolid program in Summer 2006 and is attending the Universidad de La Rioja in Spain for the 2007-08 academic year to study wine and perfect her Spanish. She was recently interviewed about the California Primary and her feelings about it.
Asia Croson was recognized as New Student of the Year at the May 2008 departmental banquet.
Ally DiGirolamo (English; minor in French) will be teaching English in France at La Chapelle St Luc in Troyes during the 2008-09 academic year.
Carl Fosholt (Architectural Engineering) will be partipating in the IP program in Tuebingen, Germany. He has also received the DAAD scholarship.
Brittany Frost leads Language Opportunities and Outreach to Kids (LOOK), which provides after school language classes to K-6 students locally.
Justin Gradek was recognized as Student of the Year at the May 2008 departmental banquet.
Sara Kelly was recognized as one of two New Students of the Year (2006-2007) at the annual MLL Awards Banquet.
Brittany McKinney was recognized for best Essay at the May 2008 departmental banquet.
Courtney Mellblom (Modern Languages and Literatures; minor in Sustainable Agriculture). Studied abroad in Guadeloupe in Winter 2007, where she was also a Teaching Assistant at the private school, Massabielle. Has been selected as Student Editor for the Prentice Hall Student Success Team and attended EARTH university in Costa Rica to study Sustainable Agriculture (her minor) in Fall 2007. During Winter 2008, she worked on her senior-project, a documentary film on cultural dimensions in sustainability.
With a monster cilantro
Courtney Mellblom teaching in Guadeloupe
Charles Newell was recognized as one of two New Students of the Year (2006-2007) at the annual MLL Awards Banquet.
Jeff Onysko (Modern Languages and Literatures & Wine and Viticulture) studied in the Valladolid program in the summer of 2006. During the 2007-08 academic year, he perfected his conversational Spanish skills and exposed himself to the world of Spanish wines at the Universidad de La Rioja in Spain in the city of Logroño. He was recently interviewed about the California Primary and his feelings about it.
Joshua Orr (Kinesiology, 2007; minor in French) will be teaching English as a French government teaching assistant in Dijon during the 2007-08 academic year. He will also be studying wine and viticulture at the Université de Dijon in preparation for becoming a sommelier.
Sonja Perry was recognized for best Scholarly Essay at the May 2008 departmental banquet. In Fall 2008, she will commence her studies for a Master's Degree in Conference Interpretation (German- English- Spanish) at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Greg Pinter will travel Berlin in Summer 2008 and take classes at the Goethe Institute.
Jordan Roske won the prestigious Mitchell Family Foundation Scholarship for 2009-2010. Congratulations!
David Sacher (Business; student of Spanish) is about to bicycle the Pan-American highway. For more information, check out his website. Email.
Sami Schermerhorn was awarded the Sonia Sandoval Memorial MLL Award at the departmental banquet in May 2008.
Kelsey Turner was recognized for best Spirit at the May 2008 departmental banquet.
Modern Languages and Literatures Advisory Board
* Lia Bettinelli
* Jacqueline Garza
* Lindsey Goldberg
* Paul Goldberg
* Kevin Van Houten
*****
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: Dr. William Martinez, Jr. (Chair, Modern Languages and Literatures); Eileen Joseph (Director of Advancement, College of Liberal Arts); Linda Halisky (Dean, College of Liberal Arts).
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