Staff

Staff
	Andrea Gutierrez, MFA aguti111@calstatela.edu Coordinator, Graduate Resource Center Andrea is a seasoned higher education professional and college instructor. She has worked with undergraduates and graduates at colleges and universities throughout California, including the Claremont Colleges, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Riverside, and now Cal State LA. She earned a B.A. in German Studies at Scripps College in Claremont and an MFA in Creative Writing at UC Riverside. In her spare time, she bikes, takes photos, and writes essays, poems, and plays.

Andrea Gutierrez, MFA

Coordinator, Graduate Resource Center

Andrea is a seasoned higher education professional and college instructor. She has worked with undergraduates and graduates at colleges and universities throughout California, including the Claremont Colleges, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Riverside, and now Cal State LA. She earned a B.A. in German Studies at Scripps College in Claremont and an MFA in Creative Writing at UC Riverside. In her spare time, she bikes, takes photos, and writes essays, poems, and plays.

International Graduate Peer Support Program Coordinator
	Andrew Navarrete anavar99@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Psychology Andrew is a graduate student studying Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. During his undergraduate career at Cal State LA, he immediately discovered an interest in research and research methods. After receiving his B.A. in Psychology, Andrew decided to pursue an M.A. to better prepare himself for the rigorous courses offered in a PhD program. His main interest is the statistical methods that lie behind psychological research, and he hopes to one day create statistical models that will improve psychological research. He is currently working alongside with his mentor on publishing work on the “Positivity Effect,” and plans to focus on implicit artificial grammar learning for his thesis. Some of his hobbies include spending time with his loved ones, bike riding, and drag racing.

International Graduate Peer Support Program Coordinator

Andrew Navarrete

anavar99@calstatela.edu

M.A. Candidate, Psychology

Andrew is a graduate student studying Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. During his undergraduate career at Cal State LA, he immediately discovered an interest in research and research methods. After receiving his B.A. in Psychology, Andrew decided to pursue an M.A. to better prepare himself for the rigorous courses offered in a PhD program. His main interest is the statistical methods that lie behind psychological research, and he hopes to one day create statistical models that will improve psychological research. He is currently working alongside with his mentor on publishing work on the “Positivity Effect,” and plans to focus on implicit artificial grammar learning for his thesis. Some of his hobbies include spending time with his loved ones, bike riding, and drag racing.

Graduate Writing Support Program
	Hazina Cain-Houston hcainho2@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Economics Hazina is a graduate student studying Financial Economics in the College of Business and Economics. While working towards her B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration with a major in International Economics from the University of Alabama, she discovered an interest in econometrics and big data, particularly in the analysis of data to study human behavior. Her studies center on the facilitation and improvement of international relations between companies via cultural sensitivity and language training of employees. She also volunteers as an interpreter for new immigrants in downtown Los Angeles, and aims to use her enjoyment of languages to further her translation business. Her hobbies include finding new recipes to try, drawing what she sees in everyday life, and traveling and experiencing different lifestyles.
	Angela Gee agee3@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Sociology Angela ("Angie") is a non-traditional graduate student in the field of Sociology. She returned to school after a 30-year hiatus and received her B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Inequality and Diversity and a minor in Philosophy from Cal State LA in the spring of 2014. Her research interests center around equality and equity for all and human rights issues. Her thesis will be based loosely on the “HeForShe” campaign that focuses on men’s perspective of equality and equity for women. Angela is uncertain if a PhD is in her future. Her other interests and hobbies include animal rights, reading, and writing.
	Marcel Young myoung23@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Anthropology Marcel Young is a graduate student in Anthropology specializing in Archaeology. He attended California State University, Long Beach, earning a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Native American Cultures. A few of his scholarly pursuits include aboriginal shell and lithic technologic industries, complex social organization in ancient societies, and participating in the California Coastal and Island Research Program. Closely working with local Indigenous groups in legal repatriation cases, Marcel has advocated on their behalf at professional conferences where he has presented about ethics and other related issues surrounding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. As a wilderness enthusiast and backpacker who enjoys adventures into National Forrests and Parks, Marcel is planning his next excursion.

Graduate Writing Support Program

Hazina Cain-Houston

Hazina Cain-Houston

hcainho2@calstatela.edu

M.A. Candidate, Economics

Hazina is a graduate student studying Financial Economics in the College of Business and Economics. While working towards her B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration with a major in International Economics from the University of Alabama, she discovered an interest in econometrics and big data, particularly in the analysis of data to study human behavior. Her studies center on the facilitation and improvement of international relations between companies via cultural sensitivity and language training of employees. She also volunteers as an interpreter for new immigrants in downtown Los Angeles, and aims to use her enjoyment of languages to further her translation business. Her hobbies include finding new recipes to try, drawing what she sees in everyday life, and traveling and experiencing different lifestyles.

Angela Gee

Angela Gee

agee3@calstatela.edu

M.A. Candidate, Sociology

Angela ("Angie") is a non-traditional graduate student in the field of Sociology. She returned to school after a 30-year hiatus and received her B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Inequality and Diversity and a minor in Philosophy from Cal State LA in the spring of 2014. Her research interests center around equality and equity for all and human rights issues. Her thesis will be based loosely on the “HeForShe” campaign that focuses on men’s perspective of equality and equity for women. Angela is uncertain if a PhD is in her future. Her other interests and hobbies include animal rights, reading, and writing.

Marcel Young

Marcel Young

myoung23@calstatela.edu

M.A. Candidate, Anthropology

Marcel Young is a graduate student in Anthropology specializing in Archaeology. He attended California State University, Long Beach, earning a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Native American Cultures. A few of his scholarly pursuits include aboriginal shell and lithic technologic industries, complex social organization in ancient societies, and participating in the California Coastal and Island Research Program. Closely working with local Indigenous groups in legal repatriation cases, Marcel has advocated on their behalf at professional conferences where he has presented about ethics and other related issues surrounding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. As a wilderness enthusiast and backpacker who enjoys adventures into National Forrests and Parks, Marcel is planning his next excursion.

Thesis Reviewers
	Emily Adams eadams5@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Communication Studies While pursuing her baccalaureate degree from Cal State LA in one field of interest, Communication, Emily decided college was fun, and wanted to stay longer and learn more. After graduating in Fall 2014, she pursued classes toward a degree in another field of interest, Veterinary Technology, during the warm months in advance of beginning graduate school. Since starting the graduate program for Communication Studies, Emily has noticed her research interests tend toward feminism and media bias, so that is likely on what she will focus her thesis. She spends copious hours volunteering on behalf of homeless, abandoned shelter animals, and has been known to open her heart and home to a few of them every now and again. (Well, okay, maybe more often than that.) Her third primary interest is pizza — she really likes pizza.
	Claudia Camacho-Trejo ccamach6@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Anthropology Claudia was born in Mexico City and moved to California in 2001. She is a third-year graduate student in Anthropology, with a focus on Mesoamerican Archaeology. She received her Associate of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from East Los Angeles Community College and her B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Mesoamerican studies from Cal State LA. As a graduate student, Claudia has had the opportunity to volunteer and work in an interdisciplinary setting allowing her to work in conservation and on archaeological projects in Mexico and California. She is currently working on her master's thesis proposal research specializing in the ancient stone tool and its ritual use and context in the Mexica precinct of Tenochtitlan, Templo Mayor. In the next upcoming year, Claudia wishes to complete her theses and apply to a PhD program with a focus in Archaeology. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting museums, reading, knapping stones, and traveling.
	Cassandra Salcedo csalce14@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Latin American Studies Cassandra is a graduate student in the Latin American Studies department. She received her B.A. in Chicano Studies from Cal State LA. Her research interests center on feminism, media, and gender — specifically Latinas. Her thesis will focus on the eroticization of Latinas in media and popular culture and how these unrealistic images affect Latinas from the general population who are often unable to live up to such high standards of beauty. Following the completion of her master's degree, Cassandra plans to obtain a PhD in Media Studies in order to prepare her for publication and a lifelong career as a research professor. In her spare time she enjoys creating nail art, reading fashion magazines, listening to Latin Freestyle music, and traveling.
	Wil Schimmeyer wschimm2@calstatela.edu M.M. Candidate, Music
	Sonia Setayesh msetaye2@calstatela.edu M.S. Candidate, Biology
	Amaia Sofia Skerritt-Perta askerri2@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Psychology Amaia is a second-year graduate student working toward a master's degree in Forensic Psychology. Her main areas of research are eye witness testimony and memory. She grew up in rural Vermont and earned her B.A. from Bard College in New York, where she studied theater and performance before moving to New York City and founding a theater company. In addition to her work at Cal State LA, she is currently an intern at a mental health clinic in Hollywood and the producer/host of a psychology podcast called Psychologia.
	Aeden Sutherlin asuther4@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, History Aeden is finishing her last class for a master's degree in History. Her specialty is Class/Social History with focuses on American history between the 19th and 20th centuries; on Latin American history, especially Mexico and the Porfiriato period; and on South/East Asian history especially China and the Cultural Revolution. Social justice is of utmost importance to her as she researches the historical trajectory of single payer universal health care and hopes to work as an advocate for health care reform. Aeden received her B.A. from CSUN in English Literature with an emphasis on historical time periods and texts. She hopes to work as an adjunct professor or as an advocate for social justice in most any capacity. Her hobbies are trekking, camping, food, music, biking, reading, and most outdoor activities.
	Natalie Vindivich nvindiv2@calstatela.edu M.A. Candidate, Anthropology Natalie is a second-year graduate student in the Anthropology department. She looks at cultures from a historical and sociocultural point of view and helps to interpret their stories in a way that might be beneficial to the world today. Her current research involves examining her time spent collecting data in Alaska and she aims to eventually pursue a PhD. Natalie received her B.A. from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, in English Literature in 2008, where she worked as a writing center consultant. In addition to her work at Cal State LA, she freelances as a member of the Screen Actors Guild, is an AirBnB host, and enjoys playing guitar and banjo.
	Naomi Weisz nweisz2@calstatela.edu M.S. Candidate, Criminalistics Naomi is a first-year graduate student in the Criminalistics program at Cal State LA. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, completing her undergraduate education at the University of Southern California and earning a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Forensics and Criminality. Aside from being a thesis reviewer, she is also currently a graduate assistant for the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics and is always pursuing volunteer opportunities at local crime labs. Becoming a criminalist is her lifelong dream. Her other interests include football (NFL and college), everything Harry Potter, and corgis.

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