Connections That Count

Dean’s Advisory Council Member

Samantha Schneider

Samantha Schneider (Speech Communication, ’98) founded AmpersandPeople, Inc., a human resources and talent consulting firm. As a CEO, entrepreneur and mentorship expert, she enthusiastically shares her industry experience on the Dean’s Advisory Council. Now, Schneider is partnering with the CLA to launch a new Industry and Innovation Fund as a founding donor.

The Industry and Innovation Fund supports forward-thinking opportunities like AI, innovation, entrepreneurship, internships, industry visits and conference participation. “I was privileged to have the support and ability to participate during my education, and those moments continue to stand out years later," said Schneider. “I wanted to help launch this fund to ensure that students have equal access to these life-changing experiences.”

From her experiences being raised by business-owner parents to celebrating ten years as a CEO, Schneider feels strongly committed to the “founder path.” “It is crucial to support entrepreneurship as a viable career option for students,” Schneider said. “Providing a mechanism for students to interact with founders and leaders through real-world opportunities is incredibly important.”

Reflecting on her time at Cal Poly, Schneider learned “the critical importance of professional networking and seeking mentorship, and the skills to reach out and genuinely listen to professional advice” from her senior project and the individualized faculty guidance afforded by small class sizes. She credits this experience for her confidence approaching prospective employers. “People are willing to help if I put in the effort.”

As an alumna and an expert recruiter, Schneider has witnessed how Learn by Doing distinguishes Cal Poly graduates, from both sides of the interview table. “Our curriculum moves beyond memorization and theory. Our students have actively applied their knowledge, learned from direct experience and are prepared to contribute immediately,” Schneider said. “Consequently, leaders recognize that Cal Poly graduates arrive with practical expertise, fostering a powerful and tangible bond among our Mustang alumni throughout the professional world.”

Her innate passion for people was the driving force behind Schneider’s career in recruiting and leadership across major companies like EA Sports, Shutterfly and Google. Now, she finds fulfillment in helping new entrepreneurs and founders find the best talent to grow their business.

Schneider advises Cal Poly students and alumni to “take the initiative to connect earnestly.”

“Differentiating yourself often comes down to simply showing up prepared,” Schneider said. “Invest five minutes researching the person before reaching out. Do the heavy lifting by providing the necessary context, defining your specific request and knowing exactly what you hope to achieve. Furthermore, remember to express gratitude. Embracing the risk of being present, even when it feels uncomfortable, is a gamechanger among a field of high achievers.”

Class Notes

Share your recent news in the next Impact magazine

1990s

Ceci Johnson (Art and Design, ’99) is the founder and creative director of Ceci New York, a couture invitation and graphic design studio. Johnson recently returned to campus as the keynote speaker for the Cal Poly Women in Business Association’s conference, Defining Her Future.

Christine Moore (English and Philosophy, ’96) is celebrating the fall 20206 publication of her new poetry collection, "Never a Name Given." The collection features poems that explore family, memory, faith, and the stories that shape us.

2010s

Cassie Herzog (Sociology, 18) is the development director of Food Recovery Network, a national non-profit working to end food waste and hunger with data-driven solutions. Food Recovery Network unites over 8,000 college students, food suppliers, farmers and local businesses across the U.S. in the fight against climate change and hunger by recovering surplus food from across the supply chain and donating it to local nonprofit organizations that feed people experiencing hunger

Clarissa Morales (Philosophy, ’10) is the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Modern Art Museum of Forth Worth (the Modern). Morales oversees operations of the 53,000 square foot museum. Her role on the leadership team includes developing a long-term strategic and financial plan, directing information technology and security policies, coordinating museum finances and implementing her strategic plan.

2020s

Allie Holveck (Psychology, ’22) joined Cal Poly’s staff as a financial aid advisor in May 2026. "Financial aid was the reason I was able to graduate from Cal Poly myself, and I can’t wait to learn and support students in their own educational journeys moving forward,” said Holveck. “Thanks to the Financial Aid Office for this opportunity to grow in my higher education journey."

Rob Moore (Political Science, ’21) was sworn in as mayor of Los Gatos in December 2025. At 27, Moore became the youngest mayor in the town's history. Moore previously served on the Los Gatos Town Council since 2022 and is also a health policy aide to a Santa Clara County supervisor, where he oversees policy for the county's hospitals and clinics.

A.J. Nicholson (Anthropology and Geography, ’25) has been awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) for 2026. Nicholson is currently pursuing graduate study in medical anthropology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. The NSF GRFP recognizes only a small fraction of applicants nationwide and supports individuals with exceptional promise as future scientific leaders.

Sophie Klitgaard (Anthropology and Geography, ’22) was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) in 2023 and is now pursuing her Ph.D. in anthropology at UCLA.

Alex Nishida (Graphic Communication, ’25) joined WPP Production as a packaging program manager for Apple in February 2026. As a student, Nishida helped lead his team to a "Best in Show" win at the AICC student packaging design competition and a third-place finish for best concept in the DIELINE global packaging awards. He also served as advertisement design manager for Mustang Media Group.

Bryanna Gay (Communication Studies, '22; MPP, '25) joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture in November 2025 as a program analyst serving the Central Coast. She received the College of Liberal Arts' Outstanding Graduate Student Award for the Master of Public Policy program and wrote her thesis on Cal Poly's Hispanic-Serving Institution initiatives. She also worked as an intern for Congressman Salud Carbajal in Washington, D.C.

Christine Mastromonaco (History, ’13) was elevated to counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in San Francisco in January 2026. Mastromonaco earned her law degree from UC Law San Francisco in 2017 and previously served as seconded privacy counsel at Instagram.

An Huynh (Psychology, ’24, and M.S. Business Analytics, ’25) joined Amazon in February 2026 as an agentic AI teacher on the company's Frontier AI team in Boston. Huynh is a former BEACoN Research Scholar and recently co-presented “Demystifying AI,” a public workshop on AI and cybersecurity hosted by ISACA San Diego.