class notes

Updates from your classmates and professors. Send your news to alumni@cityu.edu. We’ll post your update in our next issue.

Julie Ray, Class of 2001 and 2009, has been named the assistant principal of Saghalie Middle School in Federal Way, Wash. Ray graduated with a Master of Education in Reading and Literacy degree and a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership: Administrator Certification from City University of Seattle.

Christine Katayama, CityU of Seattle Faculty and Program Coordinator, and Trise Moore, Class of 2006 and CityU Teaching Faculty Member, will be honored at the Women of Power in Education luncheon. The Women of Color Empowered organization hosts the event, which will be held in September, and will feature exceptional women recommended by their peers. Honorees are chosen based on career achievements, contributions to communities of color and inspirational leadership. The Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation founded the non-profit organization of professional women in 1996.

Katayama began her career with CityU in 2005. She works in the Albright School of Education as a program coordinator for the Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Certification for Teachers and National Board Certification. She also serves as the Diversity Committee chair.

Moore earned a Master of Science in Project Management degree from CityU and now teaches the course Multicultural Perspectives on Student Achievement and Family Engagement for the university.

Lucas Burton, Class of 2006, earned recognition by the professional networking biography site Cambridge’s Who’s Who for his therapy work with his company Integral Counselling in British Columbia, Canada. Burton counsels patients with depression, anxiety and stress, conducts couples therapy and treats people with drug and alcohol addictions. Cambridge honored Burton for his dedication, leadership and excellence in administrative operations. The organization is an exclusive membership that empowers global executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Burton graduated from CityU’s Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program.

Albright School of Education Alumni Caryn Hendrickson, Jessica Nielson, and Lisa Dempsey received teaching positions in the Lake Stevens School District following their 2010 graduation. They specialize in K-8 elementary school education and/or special education. Hendrickson earned a CityU Master in Teaching in Special Education degree, Nielson a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education degree and Dempsey a residency teacher certification with endorsement.

Clifford Anderson recently received an award from the School of Education representatives John Armenia, Marge Chow and Jay Hambly.

Clifford Anderson, Class of 2009 and CityU Teaching Faculty, was appointed principal of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Wash. He is currently the principal of Cougar Mountain Junior High School in Graham, Wash. Anderson also teaches principalship, change and human resources management courses at CityU. He graduated from CityU’s Education Leadership program with his superintendent certificate.

Lyn Imamura

Lyn Imamura, Class of 2007, is preparing to take a teaching position in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. She is finishing her third year of teaching second grade in Hawaii. Imamura earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Elementary Education from CityU in Vancouver, Wash. She says the program was “excellent preparation for my successful teaching career and it is taking me to the other side of the world!”

Andrea Hillman, Albright School of Education Alumna, accepted an assistant principal position at Meadowdale High School in the Edmonds School District. She is currently the interim principal at Tiger Mountain Community High School. Hillman was a part of CityU’s Education Leadership Program.

Oksana Brisova, Student, accepted a principal position at The Center School - a Seattle public high school with a focus on arts and community engagement. Brisova currently works in the Lake Washington School District. She’s enrolled in CityU’s Education Leadership graduate program to earn an administrator certificate.

Emily (Kathryn) Yost, Student, received a scholarship from the American Association of University Women. Yost recently began taking courses at CityU to earn a Master in Teaching degree with an emphasis in Elementary Education.

Jim Frey, Class of 1993, was selected as the new Lynden School District superintendent. He currently holds the assistant superintendent position at the Mount Baker School District. Frey earned his Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling from CityU.

Boye’ (Soboyejo) A. Coker, Class of 2005, is the author of The Coker Report - a blog with a focus on business, politics, faith, fashion and current affairs. He also operates the consulting firm Coker Consulting Group. Coker graduated from CityU with a Master of Business Administration in General Management emphasis.

Steve Brown, Class of 2006 and CityU Teaching Faculty, recently accepted an Assistant Principal position at Orting Middle School. He also teaches undergraduate and graduate law classes in the Education Leadership program. Prior to joining CityU’s faculty, Brown practiced law for 14 years, started his own mock trial business and served on the board of Seattle Public Schools. Brown holds CityU Education Leadership principal and program administrator certificates.

Rob Darling, Class of 2007, was recently featured in the Spotlight on Mercer Island School District blog. Darling is a first grade teacher at West Mercer Elementary School. Read more about his role, family and hobbies. Darling graduated from CityU Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary Education.

William Atkinson, Class of 1978, is currently serving as a visiting professor at the University of San Diego. He also plans to spend time at Gonzaga University this summer. Atkinson graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from CityU.

Veronica Jing Chen, Class of 2000, accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer for Yayi International Inc. The company is the first mover and leading producer/distributor of premium goat milk formula products for infants, toddlers, young children and adults in the People’s Republic of China. Chen received her CityU Master of Business Administration Program with an emphasis in Financial Management. Read more about her new role.

Taimur Khan, Class of 2009, created the travel assistance Web site Tralp - a project created for his Master of Business Administration degree. Khan earned his degree with a technology management emphasis from CityU.

Steve Holland, Alumnus, received the 2010 Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award from the Washington Association of School Administrators and PEMCO Insurance. The award, named after PEMCO’s founder, recognizes outstanding public school administrators in Washington state. Holland earned the recent honor for his longstanding work in the Raymond School District where he serves as superintendent. He was a part of CityU’s principal certification program. Read more about his accomplishments.

Kathy Fahlman Dewalt, Alumna, is serving as the Executive Producer and Director of Marketing and Business, for Ten Grands - a concert featuring ten grand pianos and concert pianists who play classical and modern pieces. Concert proceeds benefit The Snowman Foundation - a Portland-based organization that helps raise funding youth service groups, scholarships and music lessons for disadvantaged children in Oregon and Washington. Read more information about Ten Grands and its upcoming shows in Seattle, Portland and Sun Valley, click here. Dewalt earned her Master of Education in Leadership from CityU.

Canadian Senator Larry Campbell

Larry Campbell, Class of 1984 and 1990, ran with the Olympic torch for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. Campbell, a Canadian senator and former Vancouver mayor, helped bring the worldwide event to the city. He also is a member of CityU’s Board of Governors. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from CityU. Read more about his torch run and Olympic bid support.

Karen Owen, Class of 1999, received an award for Middle Level Principal of the Year by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). Principals who represent the AWSP chose Owen from eight regional finalists. She earned her CityU Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree and Principal Certification. Read more about Owen’s award.

Timothy Reining, CityU School of Management Student, received recognition by Cambridge’s Who’s Who for his work with his company T’s Place Inc. His non-profit organization provides education on retraining rehabilitation for those with disabilities. Cambridge honored Reining for his dedication, leadership and excellence in administrative operations. The organization is an exclusive membership that empowers global executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Reining is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. Read more about his organization.

Nancy Rollins Gantz, Class of 1987, published her book entitled 101 Global Leadership Lessons for Nurses: Shared Legacies From Leaders and Their Mentors. The international nursing consultant worked with more than 200 nurse leaders worldwide to gather content for her mentoring book on global perspectives. Gantz graduated from CityU with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Jerry L. Rasmussen, Class of 1984, was promoted to project manager by Raytheon Corporation. He earned the recognition upon completion of the strategic leadership program and achieving Six Sigma black belt status. Rasmussen and his wife Jean celebrated with a ten-day cruise to the Hawaiian Islands. He co-founded the Seattle small business Rainier Marketing in 1991 and during his career has participated in international business agreements in Asia and Europe. Rasmussen, who now lives in Kentucky, says, “I miss the Pacific Northwest but keep in touch with many of my Seattle area friends via e-mail. Rainier Marketing has continued thanks to my partners. My City University of Seattle education has been very valuable to me at each step.” He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Mary Jo Budzius, Class of 2002, is the Kingco South Region Principal of the Year for 2009‐2010. Budzius serves as the principal of Islander Middle School in the Mercer Island School District. The Association of Washington Middle Level Principals selected her for the award. Budzius holds a CityU Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree and Principal Certification.

Steve Chestnut, Class of 1982, received recognition as Washington State’s 2010 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). The Selah School District superintendent previously served 12 years as the superintendent for the Moses Lake School District. Chestnut graduated with his Master of Business Administration degree.

Catherine Weyant, Class of 2008, received recognition by Cambridge Who’s Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all maintenance aspects. The organization is an exclusive membership that empowers global executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Weyant serves as a lead maintenance analyst and data administrator for Boeing. She received her CityU Associate of Arts degree and is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management.

Yordan Mihaylov, Class of 2006, accepted a financial analyst and investment portfolio position at Swift Trade in Sofia, Bulgaria. He recently finished working in supply chain management with Wilmar Corp (Performance Tool). Mihaylov received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a General Management emphasis from CityU.

Prabhu Kundurthy, Class of 2009, joined Pfizer to work in systems integration at the company’s world headquarters in New York City. He previously managed projects for Chase, which included the integration of Washington Mutual systems into Chase systems. Kundurthy earned a Master of Business Administration with a Finance emphasis.

Melanie Culver, Class of 2006, earned her National Board teacher certification. Culver works as a third grade teacher at Cascade View Elementary School in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. Culver received her Master of Education in Reading and Literacy. Read more about Culver in a related SnoValley Star article.

On the Move - Faculty and Staff:

Dr. Glen Grigg, CityU Faculty/Program Coordinator, participated in the 2009 National Symposium on Inter-Provincial/Territorial Mobility Within the Counselling Profession in Ottawa. Grigg served as an organizer and presented Professional Regulation - a summary of the functions and organizational framework of a professional college. He holds several memberships, including a position on the working group for counsellor regulation for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Grigg works in the Division of Arts and Sciences at CityU’s Vancouver, British Columbia site.

Matthias Suthe

Matthias Suthe, City University of Seattle Faculty Member, joined the list of experts on behalf of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency - an entity responsible for the management of the European Union’s related programs in these fields. One of Suthe’s primary duties includes grant evaluation, which could include revising projects submitted for the Jean Monnet Programme - designed to increase awareness about European integration. Suthe works at CityU’s Slovakia site and partner university, Vysoka Skola Manazmentu (VSM).

Bert Gomez

David Schreiber, Class of 1996, recently appeared on Portland, Ore television station KOIN Local 6 where he shared games from his business Uncle Skunkle Toys. Schreiber started his family board game company using research from his CityU Master of Arts degree thesis. Games available for purchase include Bambooga - a human puzzle exercise where players connect hands and feet using bracelets. Watch the television segment here.

Bert Gomez, Class of 2001, is currently the Vice President of Government Relations and chief lobbyist for Univision Communications Inc., the leading Spanish language media company in the U.S. Gomez lives in McLean, Va. and works in Washington, D.C. He is the only Hispanic to oversee a Washington, D.C. operation for a major corporation. Gomez graduated with his CityU Master of Business Administration degree.

Paul Bains, Class of 2004, co-wrote the book A Child’s Story: Going to School with Anxiety with his wife George Ann Bains. The picture book is written for parents to read to their children. Their work is available at Odin Books in Vancouver, B.C. and on the Amazon Web site. Paul Bains graduated from the Master of Counselling Psychology program in Vancouver.

Jennifer DeJean, CityU Accounting Program Student, received a promotion to become the Small Business Administration Specialist for Idaho and Oregon at Home Federal Bank. DeJean holds more than seven years of experience in retail banking and small business lending. DeJean attends online classes at CityU and is working to earn her accounting undergraduate certificate. Read more DeJean’s accomplishment in the Idaho Statesman.

Rich Crispo, Class of 1985, is a council candidate for the City of Newcastle, Wash. Crispo, a retired Boeing executive, will run in November’s general election for council position 5 against Karin Blakely. In his King County elections profile, Crispo writes, if elected, he wants to control expenditures and increase public involvement in council decisions, such as recent motions on city logos and funding for trails. He graduated from CityU’s Master of Business Administration program.

Dale Stopperan, Class of 2000, was named the 2010 Washington State Assistant Principal of the Year by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). Stopperan serves at Nooksack Valley Middle School where his achievements include leading a team of teachers in a common, school-wide math instructional model. He also developed a successful academy program that caters to students who require additional assistance and high-performing students who desire reading, writing and enrichment support. Stopperan graduated from CityU’s Master of Education in Leadership and Principal Certification program.

Lisa M. Wilber, Class of 2002, received recognition for dedication, leadership and excellence in information technology and project management by Cambridge Who’s Who. The organization is an exclusive membership that empowers global executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Wilber works for Boeing as a business operations specialist and manages airplane projects in the information technology department. She graduated from CityU with her Master of Business Administration degree with a managerial leadership emphasis.

Becky Clark

Becky Clark, Class of 2007, will retire from her publisher-editor role in November at the Town Crier newspaper in Idyllwild, Calif. after 22 years. She plans to serve as a consultant until the end of the year. Clark began at the newspaper in 1984, serving as a type printer, front desk and classified worker, operations director and finally her current role. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Journalism from CityU.

Cosette Dawna Rae, Class of 2007, recently opened the Internet addiction recovery program reSTART with other partners. Rae serves as a personal life coach and mindfulness-based practitioner and specializes in co-occurring disorders and additions. She also spent 20 years in the computer and Internet technology industry. Rae earned her CityU Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Psychology.

Three Washington state schools supervised by Albright School of Education Alumni Jim Sutton, Jeanne Klahn and Karen Wirkkala, received local and national awards. Contributions by Sutton and Klahn led to the 2009 Great School Award from Phi Delta Kappa International and the Center for Institutional Effectiveness. The award recognizes Washington schools with improved reading and math programs over a five year span. Sutton serves as Kalama School District’s superintendent and earned his CityU Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems with an internetworking specialty. Klahn, a CityU Educational Leadership alumna, is the principal of Kalama Elementary School.

Wirkkala’s school, Naselle Junior Senior High, received the 2009 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School award from the U.S. Secretary of Education. Wirkkala is a CityU Educational Leadership graduate and earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 1996. She serves as principal of her institution.

Pete Anthony

On the Move - CityU Faculty and Staff:

Dr. Pete Anthony, CityU Program Director, recently co-authored the book Inclusion Implemented Strategically: An Inspirational Resource for Educators, Parents and Administrators. Fellow authors include Dr. Gina Scoggins Smith, Dr. Andy Elliott and Mrs. Kimberly Davis. The new book offers transferable applications for professional development, personal knowledge and standards-based learning. Visit the Publish America Web site to learn more. Anthony serves as CityU’s Master of Arts in Leadership Program Director.

Brice Alford

Brice Alvord, Class of 1978, recently published eight books in correlation with job training program literature. The four works are: How to Train People on the Job, One Point Lessons, Overall Equipment Effectiveness and Planning and Implementing 5S Programs. Alvord has written more than three dozen books on performance improvement and training and continues to work on a problem-solving book. He earned his Master of Business Administration BA - General  from CityU.

Albert Yuen, Class of 1986 and 1988, recently ran in the 2009 primary election for the Port of Seattle Commission Position 3 seat. The Seattle Times featured Yuen and his two runningmates in a recent story. Yuen earned both his bachelor’s degree in Bachelor of Science Legal Administration and Master of Business Administration BA- General degree from CityU.

Michael G. Ford, Class of 1990, accepted the chief executive officer position for the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) in Michigan. Ford holds more than 25 years experience in public and private transportation, including managing Puget Sound area transit systems. Ford received his Master of Business Administration BA- General degree from CityU while he lived in Spokane.

Josh Benedict, Class of 2002 and 2009, accepted an assistant principal position at Lutacaga Elementary in the Othello School District. He also serves as the district’s (ELL) program coordinator. Benedict earned his Master in Teaching (Teacher) Certification and Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership: Administrator certification from CityU.

Robert J. Lyon

Robert J. Lyon, Class of 2003, accepted an appointment to oversee the Navy Operational Support Center (NOCS) Earle in Leonardo, NJ in June. As a Navy commander, Lyon prepares more than 300 Navy reservists from 14 units for strategic depth. He also helps them deliver operational capabilities to the Navy, Marine Corps. and Joint Forces. Lyon graduated with his CityU Master of Business Administration Managerial Leadership Emphasis degree.

Jeannette Bakken, Class of 2003 and 2009 and Karen DeJong, Class of 2009, recently received administrative positions with Everett Public Schools. Both Bakken and DeJong started work in the Special Education department on Sept. 1. DeJong recently wrote John Armenia, Albright School of Education’s Faculty Emeritus, to thank him for his mentorship. Bakken received her CityU Bachelor of Arts in Education degree with a Special Education emphasis in 2003. She and DeJong later earned their Graduate Certificate Educational Leadership: Administrator certification.

On the Move - CityU Faculty and Staff:

Marvin Harmon, City University of Seattle field supervisor for the School of Education, recently was appointed to the Washington state Examining Board of Psychology. As a general public member, he examines candidates for licensure and may deny, revoke, suspend or restrict licenses for specified conduct, according to Washington state governor’s Web site. His term ends in January 2012.

Stephanie McPhail, City University of Seattle faculty member, and her newly-graduated kindergarten class recently were featured in a King5 Television interview. The segment entitled Ready for School: Social skills are key to success featured McPhail - a teacher at Van Asselt Elementary School in Seattle. She’s also a CityU Albright School of Education instructor. Click here to watch McPhail’s interview.

The Masterson family

Jo Masterson, Class of 2004, and her husband Brandon Masterson, CityU Master of Business Administration (MBA) student, recently completed the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP). The couple along with their daughter, mother and brother took the 202-mile bike trip as a family goal. Jo earned her CityU Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and continues to work on her MBA in Marketing. Brandon recently began his first MBA course.

Michael Knuckles, Class of 2001, co-directs the Tacoma Public Schools new Science and Math Institute (SAMI) this fall. The Tacoma News Tribune recently reported his appointment in a news story on the nearly completed high school located on the Point Defiance Park grounds. Knuckles served as assistant principal at McIlvaigh Middle School in Tacoma. He belonged to CityU’s Educational Leadership program and earned his Master of Education Principal Certification.

On the Move - CityU Faculty and Staff:

Ken Loveall, CityU Program Coordinator for Teacher Certification Programs, announced his retirement from the university’s Vancouver, Wash. campus. Judy Hinrichs, Albright School of Education Dean, says Loveall “will be very much missed at that site.” Loveall has served the CityU community since July 2005.

Brenda Adams, CityU Teaching Faculty Member, joins the Albright School of Education on a three-month contract at the British Columbia campus. She replaces David Stewart in the Master in Counseling program.

Anna Cholewinska, CityU Program Director in the Division of Arts and Sciences, recently gave a presentation at the National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN) - a yearly conference on distance education. Cholewinska attended the 27^th annual event in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and spoke on Quality in Online Education.